How To Get More Likes On Instagram

Here's a few tips to getting more likes on Instagram. Now I'm not 'Instagram Famous', in fact I'm far from it. But I manage to normally get more likes than I do followers. 

Firstly, if you haven't already.. Create a theme. You're more likely to get people to like & follow your Instagram if they like your theme. My theme is marble, I almost always take my images using a marble background. 

Secondly, use social media. If you follow me on Twitter you'll know I always promote my Instagram & share my images with everyone. The more you share your images, the more they'll get noticed. 

Thirdly, if you're photographing products tag the brands. This always works for me, because people who like the brands will either search them or look on that brands Instagram. This also gets the brand to notice your image & they may share your image on their Instagram. 

Fourthly, do not over-edit. No one likes a really over-edited image. I use apps like vsco cam & phonto to edit my images. To slightly adjust the contrast. 

Fifthly, use hashtags. Using a hashtag here and there doesn't harm anyone. It will most certainly get you noticed, but try not to over-do the hashtags and have a huge comment full of them. 

Finally, composition. Think carefully about arranging the objects in the image, use the rules of photography. Try not to over-crowd the image, it makes your Instagram look cluttered. 

I hope this helps you create a banging Instagram, feel free to leave your usernames in the comments below. I'll make sure to check them all out. 
Check out my Instagram here

x

Decorating My Boudoir

Hey girlies!

So, this is a bit of a different post from me, but as I'm moving into a bigger room and getting new bits, I thought I'd share with you, what I've got/getting. 

Leamington Double Bed from Next £299

I was actually really surprised at the price of this bed, it's so cheap compared to loads of other brands, & I never thought I'd say that about Next! It's a lovely chrome & ivory, classic design bedstead. I adore the finish to this bed as it makes it look really elegant & expensive. I've been after this bed ever since I laid eyes on it.

Copper Isaac Tripod Table Lamp from BHS £80
Unfortunately, this lamp is currently out of stock, but they do sell a floor lamp on for £150 which you can purchase here. I've bought this to have beside my dressing table, to give me the perfect lighting for when I'm doing my makeup at night. I love the design of this lamp, I think it's so unique & the vintage copper finish is gorgeous. 

Ampersand Table Lamp from BHS £50
I haven't actually purchased this lamp, as it's actually out of stock *sad face emoji*.  But I'm hoping it come back in stock because I think it'd look so cute on the shelf when all the lights are switched off. Again they sell the larger version of this lamp for £140 which you can purchase here. 

Josette Duck Egg Duvet Cover from Laura Ashley from £60
I fell in love with this duvet cover the moment I saw it, & even better Laura Ashley has 30% off everything at the minute, so grab it now! I also purchased the pillow cases for £20 each, which you can purchase using the same link as the duvet cover & I also got the curtains to match which you can buy here from £95. I love the colour of this set & I've found so many bits to match!

Islington 6 Light from Next £70
I have a slight obsession with lights, this is going to look so pretty on my ceiling. I cannot wait for my brother to move out, so I can get started! It has 6 adjustable hanging glass shades, 3 are clear & 3 are tinted a bronze colour. I went into the shop and this one just stood out from all the others, I think it's so different.

Mink Sheepskin Rug from Oliver Bonas £60
I've got a bit of a love for Oliver Bonas homeware, & this rug is just adorable, it's such a beautiful colour. It's also available in silver/grey. Every room needs a bit of fur. I cannot wait to wake up and feel this rug underneath my feet on a cold winter morning. 








I have also got a bed throw, cushions & curtain tie backs, but I'm finding it difficult to find these products on the internet. But once my room is completely decorated, I'll post a room tour for you all to see. But I hope this has given you a little picture in your head of what my room is going to look like, even if it is very vague. 

As this has been my first 'lifestyle' like post, I'd love your feedback & advice. So, feel free to leave a comment below. 

Follow me on Twitter, Bloglovin' & Instagram to keep updated on my posts.

x

My 'Go To' Brands

Hey guys, 

Everyone has those 'go to' brands, which they always go back to for their favourite products. Today I thought I'd share my favourites & why I love them so much. 

 Chanel is my absolute favourite beauty brand. I go there so often I've become good friends with the lady in my local department store, & she always gives me free samples to try, which makes me fall in love with the brand even more, & makes me want to buy these products. My favourite products that Chanel does, is their foundation. I absolutely love the natural finish that it gives. It's also so long lasting which makes the pricing so reasonable. When you first look at the price at around £34-£36, you think it's so expensive, but the quality is amazing with their products. I now won't buy a foundation from anywhere else. I do have a few over bits from Chanel, which I save for special occasions as I can't afford to wear all their products everyday (I so would if I could though). Another product I'm sworn by is their limited edition bronzer, I'm so upset that it was limited edition because I love it so much & never want it to run out, but seeing as I wear it everyday it's lasting a while. Plus the services they provide are always of the best quality, and their customer service is lovely. 

Mac is the brand which I go to for absolutely everything. But most of all their lipsticks. Everyone knows Mac does the best lipsticks, the quality, range of colours, everything. But not only that, all of their products are of the best quality. I don't just go into Mac to buy one product, I come out with loads of different products, from eyeshadows, highlighters, powders, mascara.. I could go on, but you probably get the idea. I have yet to find a product which I'm not 100% satisfied with by Mac, & I don't think that day will ever come. The girls in my local Mac are always so lovely & complimentary, so I always leave with a smile on my face. In my opinion customer service is a big deal within beauty, as they need to be willing to help their customers, some people may think this is bs.. but I had bad customer service in Clinique & I have never been back or bought a product since. 

Urban Decay I find is a hit & miss brand, some products I absolutely love & others I'm fond of. But this is definitely my go to brand when it comes to eyeshadows. I'm sure the majority of girls will agree that Urban Decay's palettes are to die for. I don't know anyone who doesn't have one. I cannot fault them... any of them. The fact they're bringing out so many recently gets me very excited. I cannot wait to get my hands on the Gwen Stefani palette when it's released! This is also the brand of my favourite mascara, Perversion. So, even though I'm not keen on all of their products, the ones I do like, are the best. 

Sigma has only recently become one of my go to brands. Ever since buying their kabuki kit, read my review here. I now know where I'll be going to buy all of my brushes. They leave such a flawless finish & are the best brushes which I have purchased, I had longed to find my perfect brush.. which I have now found within the kabuki kit. I'm totally eyeing up their new contour & highlight brushes, which I'll be buying in the near future as I can only imagine the perfect results they will make. Although Sigma is based in the US, they deliver to the UK, and there are many UK beauty website which sell a selection of Sigma brushes. I definitely recommend trying these brushes to anyone who hasn't tried them, as they're amazing & they make your makeup look even more incredible. I haven't got a bad word to say about them, the fibre bristles they use are so soft, which make the application so easy. 

Anastasia Beverly Hills is a new brand to me, I have only recently started purchasing their products. Every single product I have purchased I've been over the moon with, they've truly been amazing. This is now my go to brand for brow products, as I believe they simply do the best products for eyebrows. I've watched so many tutorials with people using ABH products, & they've always looked gorgeous. This is also the brand which I'm hoping to purchase a contour palette from (which has been on my wish list for months). 

What are your 'go to' brands?

Keep updated by following me on bloglovin', twitter & instagram 

Love, Alix x

Products I Believe Are Overrated

Hey everyone!

Just a short post while I'm sat at home ill, off work.

I'm not usually one who makes bad reviews about products, but there are a couple of products which I believe are not worth the money or the hype. 

The four products I'm about to review are, Nars Dual-Intensity Blush in Fervor, Urban Decay's Naked Skin Foundation, Benefit Fake Up & Benefit's Foundation Brush. 

Firstly, I bought Benefit's Foundation Brush as a naive 16 year old thinking that because it's Benefit it must be amazing (everyone goes through a benefit only phase).. But I was so wrong, when I first used the brush I thought it was so soft and amazing, when intact it actually leaves brush marks on the skin. I find this tool isn't worth the money at all at £20.50, & now having used many other foundation brushes, this one is definitely the worst. 

Secondly, is Benefit's Fake Up concealer, I bought this product as a recommendation from the lady at Benefit for under my eyes. But I found this product didn't soak into the skin like it was supposed to & seemed to separate from the foundation. For £18.50 I expected more. 

I was really disappointed with Urban Decay's Foundation, having used many of their other products & being so pleased with them, the quality of their liquid foundation let them down. It didn't sink into my skin, it just laid on the surface and for £27 I expected more, sorry Urban Decay.

Last is Nars' Dual- Intensity blush in Fervor, when this came through the post I was so excited, but after I opened the compact & I was so disappointed as the colours were so different then they were on the internet, which I know can happen. Even my photograph doesn't show the colour correctly. They were a lot darker, especially the second colour, it had a metallic finish, which I absolutely despise in a blush. I thought I would used this at a natural contour, but there's nothing natural about it. It might suit those with darker skin tones, but as I have fair skin it looks ridiculous. I feel like I've wasted £30 on a product which I'll never wear. 




Now I'm not saying you should buy any of these products, & I feel bad writing a bad review on them, I just advise you to test them before you buy them, as you may or may not have the same problem as me. I've definitely learned not to order blusher or bronzer off the internet as they're never the true colours. 

Never miss a post by following me on bloglovin' & twitter
Thankyou for reading 
x

40 Beauty Questions

Skincare

How many times do you wash your face daily? Mostly once, every night. Sometimes twice if I have time in the morning

What is your current facial wash? Benefit's Foamingly Clean Facial Wash.

Do you exfoliate? Every now & then.

What brand do you use? nspa, I use the Skin Renewal Gel.

What moisturiser do you use? Benefit's Total Moisture Facial Cream.

Do you have any freckles? Nope, I wish I did though

Do you use eye cream? Yes, again Benefit's It's Potent! Eye Cream.

Did you or do you have acne prone skin? No, I've been very lucky with my skin actually. I only get the odd spot or two.

Did you ever have to use pro-active? No

Make-up 

What foundation do you use? Chanel's Vitalumière Aqua Skin Perfecting Foundation, honestly the best foundation I've ever used.

How about concealer? I only use concealer under my eyes, which I use Benefit's Erase Paste.

Do you know your undertone colour? Yepp, I have yellow undertones.

What do you think of fake eyelashes? On me they look ridiculous, & so do the cheap ones, but a decent pair applied properly, they can look incredible. 

Did you know you are supposed to change your mascara every three months? Yeahh, but I never do.

What brand of mascara do you use? A layer of Urban Decay's Perversion & then a layer of Benefit's Roller Lash

Sephora or MAC? Mac, as there aren't any Sephora's where I live.

Do you have a MAC Pro-card? No, how I would love one though!

What make-up tools do you use in make-up application? I use all different types of brushes & a beauty blender

Do you use a make-up base/primer for the eyes? Yes, I use Urban Decay's Eyeshadow Primer Potion & Benefit's They're Real Lash Primer (which will be available to buy soon)

For the face? Yes, I use Benefit's Porefessional 

What is your favourite eyeshadow? It was NAKED3 but now I've purchased NAKEDsmoky, it's slowly becoming my favourite.

Do you use pencil or liquid eyeliner? Both, I use Benefit's Magic Ink liquid liner on the top of my eyelids & Lancôme's Crayon Khôl pencil liner on my waterline.

How often do you poke your eyes with an eyeliner pencil? Never, it's mascara I poke my eye with if anything.

What do you think of pigment eyeshadow? It's something I've never used but always wanted too.

Do you use mineral make-up? No

What is your favourite lipstick? Mac - Amorous 

How about lipgloss? I don't use lipgloss

What is your favourite blush to use? Benefit's Hervana 

Do you buy your make-up on ebay? Noo, I wouldn't trust it.

Do you like drugstore make-up? Personally I don't use it, but there's nothing wrong with it, I just prefer branded makeup. 

Do you go to CCO's? Nope

Did you ever consider taking up make-up classes? Yes, I wanted to go to a makeup school as I'd love to be a makeup artist, but they're all so expensive, wahhh. 

Are you clumsy at putting make-up on? Only when I'm in a rush, although putting eyeliner on my eyelids is hard as I have creases on the outer corners.

Name a make-up crime that you hate? Wearing a foundation too dark or light for your skin tone.

Colourful shades or neutral? Neutral

Which celebrity always have great make-up? There are sooo many I could list, but Emily Ratajkowski is my women crush.

If you could only leave the house with one make-up item what would it be? Oo, that's hard! Probably my concealer 

Could you ever leave the house with no make-up on? Yeahh, I don't tend to though.

Do you think you look good without any make-up on? Nooo way

In your opinion what is the best make-up line? Chanel or Mac

What do you think of make-up? I love makeup, it's like my obsession. It allows people to make themselves feel confident and adjust there face how they prefer it. It truly is an art. 

Sigma - Sigmax Kabuki Brush Kit - First Impressions

Hey everyone. 

Recently I splashed out my money on a Sigma brush kit, I was getting tired of not having any good brushes to apply my face products with.. & I must say, It's the best decision I've ever made! 

I find you can make any products wearable when you have the right brushes. The product may not be the best quality but using the perfect brushes can make up for the products lack in quality. 

Sigma's Kabuki brush kit is made up of five quality brushes. My first thought was 'These brushes are super soft, but they're so large. I'm not sure I'm going to be able to work with them'. Boy, was I wrong. OK, so the brushes may be large but Sigma have thought of the design of each brush really well. Each with a different shape & angle, you're able to reach every area of your face with ease. They're made with Sigma's sigma fibres so you're able to apply liquid, powder & cream products without the product absorbing into the bristles.

The product value of this set is around £79 but for the whole kit it only cost me £65. As Sigma Beauty is based in the US.. It's difficult knowing where to purchase the brushes, although they deliver to the UK it may be expensive. I got mine from lookfantasic.com, but I know you can also purchase them at feelunique.com & beautychamber.co.uk. 

The Flat Kabuki Brush

Now, this was the first brush I used.. & I knew straight away I'd judged these brushes so wrong. The application of the foundation was flawless. Amazing. The flat kabuki brush is designed to apply liquid or cream foundation to the flat areas of the face, eg. forehead & cheeks. It picked up just the right amount of the product & applied it evenly over the skin, I was impressed. 

The Tapered Kabuki 

Using this brush to apply cream or liquid foundation to the harder to reach contours of the face, such as the nose & eye area. The smooth application of this brush makes the skin look so natural & it leaves no brush marks, like most foundation brushes would in these areas. The shape of the brush is perfect for getting in those areas harder to reach with a normal foundation brush. 

The Flat Angled Kabuki 

To blend the foundation in those harder contours of the face, this is the brush to use. It blends those minor imperfections that the other brushes haven't managed to reach The curves of your nose? No problem. 

The Angled Kabuki

I use this brush to apply bronzer to the contours of my face, under the cheekbones, along the jawline & my forehead. It doesn't leave a harsh line of the bronzer either, it picks up just enough of the product to make it look natural but giving fierce cheekbones at the same time. It can also be used to buff blush onto the apples of the cheeks.

The Round Kabuki

Use to buff the bronzer if you've applied too much to one area to even out the contour (Not that it's even possible to do when using these brushes). It can also be used to apply mineral products to the skin to prep.

And if that wasn't enough already, they threw in a free mini blending brush. It's so cute & sparkly. Again, it's unbelievably soft & will be able to blend eyeshadows perfectly. So, if you haven't already guessed, I was over the moon with my first Sigma purchase. I'll definitely be buying more brushes from them, instead of wasting money on branded brushes which I find are no good. 

If you haven't already tried Sigma brushes, I would really recommend them. Amazing quality & they're reasonably cheap for brushes. 

Keep updated with future posts on bloglovin' & twitter

Thank you for reading.

xo

Winter Beauty Wish List

Hey guys.
I admit it's been a loooong time since I've posted, but I've been extremely busy filling out ucas forms & sorting out a few resits. As I've got a spare few minutes before I go to work thought I'd write a little beauty wish list for this for the upcoming winter months.

Mac Lipstick - Sin

A dark berry wine colour is a must have! It's perfect for nights out, as the weather gets cooler it's always good and refreshing to have a dark, warm colour on your lips. I've been wanting this shade for ages, but I've been waiting for the right time to buy it, & I think that time is now. 

Anastasia Beverly Hills - Self-Made Palette

Ever since I saw an image of this palette I wanted it. It contains so many pretty shades, which vary from light to dark. This palette is perfect for christmas time, as it's got so many pretty, shimmery colours. This palette is limited edition so get your hands on it before it goes!

Zoeva - Complete Eye Set

Having never bought any of Zoeva's brushes but knowing how amazing they are, is killing me. The prices are so reasonable for such good quality brushes. I've always been a fan of their professional sets, as I prefer the classic look of the brushes. This set is perfect as you're able to create any eye look with these 12 brushes. 

Chanel - Bronzing Makeup Base

This product would be so perfect for this time of year. Giving your skin a natural, bronzed glow. You're able to wear this alone or under your foundation. I personally want this to contour my cheekbones and forehead underneath my foundation, but it would also be handy to apply a thin layer all over, to stop myself looking so pale this winter.

I could go on for days saying all the products I want to buy, but I simply don't have time & I also don't want to bore you guys. I will be back posting more each week, as I feel as though I've let my blog go a little. But as soon as all the stress of applying for uni has gone, I'll be able to post a lot more. 

x