my top 9 tips on doubling your instagram followers in a week! it works

Hi lovelies, today I thought I'd write my top five tips on how to double your instagram followers, in a week! this has happened to me, and I'm happy to say these tips work! If you're wondering how to grow your instagram, get out of an instgram funk, or get followers to become more active and interact with you, this is the way I did it! so keep reading.

Find my instagram page here my instagram
Tip 1. 
timing, find out who your audience is, where they live, and what times they are usually on, I've found for me my best hits are first thing in the morning or late at night because most of my followers are American

Tip 2.
 Be genuine, don't try and create a false life that is all happy and smiles, be you, be real, because I do believe there has been a shift in Instagram as of late, the new trend is connecting with others and wanting to feel involved.

Tip 3. 
Join challenges! I bet you never thought of that, monthly challenges are all the rage at finding new followers, either because its forcing you to create content, be active in the community and find new ways of exposing your account. Challenges can be in any genre, I often do a monthly makeup challenge, but they can be shorter than that if you find a month too daunting.

Tip 4. 
Always try and improve your photos, I've been using natural lighting, but found it better to take my photos in the afternoon when the light is warmer. I've brought instagram flat lay props, and have even diy'ed my own flatlay table to look like marble. Editing apps can help, I use picsart as its free and has everything I need.

Tip 5
. Always try and find genres
that you are genuinely interested on, this helps being active in the community and makes you seem like a "real" person,

Tip 6.
If you haven't switched to a business account on instagram, try it, you get analytics on your top posts, what users want to see from you, and you get an inside look at what is doing best on your page. It's free and you can easily switch back to personal if you find you don't enjoy that side of instagram.

Tip 7. 
If you are posting branded items I have found actually tagging the company in the photo has helped alot, I believe people like to know exactly who the brand is, and I always if I can link back to the brand itself.

Tip 8. 
Never feel obligated to do instagram, if you don't feel like actually posting, then don't force yourself to do so, people can guage even through a photo how you are feeling, if your forcing yourself to be creative when there is a block, a step back and a break might be in order so you can refresh yourself and your feed again. I do feel like the new trend on instagram is you being you, so don't try and force yourself to do anything you wouldn't do.

Tip 9. 
I've found actually adding a watermark on my photos has made my photos look like I actually care about them, and they seem more valuable to me, so that means followers see that you actually care about your photos, rather than just snapping away and banging it on instagram. I use picsart for it, and just use my name in my instagram.

So these are my tips on how I have upped my game in Instagram! let me know yours in the comments below.

Hugs Jess
xx

what hppened when I told my best friend I vlog!

I was inspired after reading this blog about, Corinne a blogger telling her mum she actually does in fact blog, to write my own take on telling my friends and family that I vlog. Corrine's telling her mum she blogs

I find it funny that in 2017 people haven't caught up in the world of technology and videos, and in fact youtube. I'm always being asked what I'm doing, what I'm filming, why I film it and how I film it. Essentially, I'm a vlogger, I've just reached my first 1000 subscribers on youtube and its an amazing feeling, I put a lot of effort, and hours into my content that most viewers wouldn't realise even happened. But there is a strange limbo between reality, vlogging and the whole in between factors. I thought I would share my experience in what its like, telling friends and family that I actually do youtube and vlog.

I was recently at my best friends 50th birthday over the weekend and she instantly gave me permission to vlog the occasion, without me having to go, oh do you mind me vlogging the day!

So the reason why I find it scary telling people is, I guess because I'm 32 years old, and I'm worried about people telling me to grow up, do something my own age. But I find this is a great creative outlet. I've met friends in real life and online, that I normally wouldn't have, and I'm always learning something.

First off people often go what does vlog even mean! to me vlogging is telling a story about your day, your adventure, holiday, and capturing the essence of it. But telling that to non vlog viewers and watching their eyes glaze over, is a bit disheartening. Technically vlog is video blog, a video log about you, your story. I choose to vlog events, my life, moods etc and I believe that has helped me create a niche in my youtube hobby.

I told my mum I did vlogging when I was filming my brother, coincidently, and she's all ok that's cool I just don't want to be filmed! Often times though when my friends are involved and having fun, others who don't want to be filmed don't even realise they are being filmed or want to join in on the action!

!

I find that telling people is actually more easy than what it first thought I'd imagined it to be like! and most people are either curious or not that bothered by it anyways.

Do you do youtube? and do you tell people about it? you can find my latest vlog here where I tell my girlfriends son that I do youtube!

let me know your youtube channel below
mine is my youtube channel my vlog where I told my besties son I vlog

let me know what you have been scared to tell others about!

hugs Jess

selfie ready with a beginner makeup kit

Hi lovelies thought I'd do today's post on some of my all time favourite drugstore brands that will get you feeling selfie ready and you can add these to your makeup kit if you are a beginner or wanting to add some new products that are good value for money that actually works and that's not at a celebrity price tag! we know its that time of year when we go back to school and work, and we lust after much hyped after products but, thank goodness for drugstore brands, am I right?!

 In this case w7 is quickly becoming one of my favourite brands as of late,y they actually do a lot of dupes of high end makeup, eye shadow palettes being the major thing here, the in the nudes palette being a dupe for a cult product, *cough cough* and the naughty nines palette I have been told on my instagramquite a few occasions that it looks like the mac palette, and people always go bananas over it! mind you its an amazing palette and only $5! review and swatches can be seen here review

The w7 Captain matte foundation is long wearing, great for every day, and medium coverage that can be built upon, I apply with a kabuki brush.
The gel eye liner is fantastic if you are a beginner in eye liner, you can create a wing, and or use it in the waterline to tightline with.

These mascaras are great because for a fiver they add volume, curl and seperate lashes, I have long lashes anyways so that's not an issue for me, but can't complain for the price!

the Banana powder is actually my new favourite thing for baking with, the glowcomotion is an amazing highlighter and a dupe for the Maryloumanizer. These products essentially speak for themselves and I will be doing a full review on them soon! but other than the big palettes unless on sale it is $5 from chemist warehouse. W7 is also cruelty free!

 Three blushes I have been loving lately, these shades I have been seeing all over instagram as of late, from the likes of Mac, Tarte and so on. Models prefer is a favourite, from Priceline, very affordable,Pack of 3 $10 great value, a very pretty plum, rose colour, matte and buildable, also great to use on the eye lids as well.

Mud is makup design and can be found at woolworths and this was $5 it's a cream cheek and lip tint so I love these products for on the go, when I'm at work and school. Hydrating, gives a great boost of colour.

Essence is an all round favourite for face products, always affordable, and good quality to add to your makeup kit. And is under $7 for the blushes.

Eye shadow palettes that are all drugstore are Chichi cosmetics, the enchanteds palette is amazing, has an array of colours and can be found at Target or Meyer. The Makeup revolutions eyes like angels palette and the w7 in the nude palette,

Let me know if you are interested in seeing more of these sorts of posts!
don't forget to share and follow! hope you all have a lovely week
Jess
xx
I will also be doing a beginner youtube makeup video which can be found here on my channel give it a subscribe to help out a small youtuber!
beginner makeup kit video

my perfect weekend makeup look, for the lazy girl, a take on Lolita makeup

Hi lovelies! today's post is of me showing my latest favourite style of makeup, and that is a take on an Asian trend, Lolita makeup is very cute and girlie and almost a brighter style of makeup but not being over the top. In my eyes, its literally my perfect lazy girls weekend makeup to looking, fresh, flawless and fun. Perfect for a Friday. I opted to skip doing an eye liner, but the blush pulls the look together in that kawaii way.

 The products I used, were 6 out of 8 being mostly cruelty free, I'm still transitioning into a cruelty free lifestyle, and am still finding my way in cruelty free foundations etc. But the products I used today are Maybelline 24 hour super stay foundation, I love this shade, its perfect for me, and makes my skin look porcelain and lasts all day.

I'm also using up some products in this in my panning project, I've set my foundation with my profusions setting powder which I'm starting to hit major pan on, to conceal under my eyes and brighten I used the Australis cosmetics cream contour palette and the formula of the cream is perfect for hiding under eye bags and correcting darkness.

The Model co lash and line two in one mascara and liquid liner gives the illusion of fuller looking lashes.

 Models prefer eye shadow and blush kit, I used the blush higher up on my cheeks than normal and whilst its pigmented its not clownish. I also filled in my eye brows in a more straight shape, I forgot to picture it but its mode cosmetics eye brow pencil in black, also cruelty free so that's actually 7 products.

 The glocomation highlighter by w7 is one of my favourites, opting to use it in the inner corner of my eyes, and brow bone, I also highlighted my cheeks. Under my eyes I used the pretty lilac from the models prefer blush and eye shadow palette to bring light and colour.

 These three products give my skin a porcelain like finish, without being cakey or over the top and lasts all day for my oily skin, which I love, the profusions powder can be sometimes found at the reject shop and other $2 stores. I love the coverage the Maybelline super stay foundation gives, and it sets down to a nice matte finish. Which looks great in photos.

 The chichi liquid matte lipstick in drama queen gives a mode flirty look which is great for the weekend and I think pulls the look together. I also created space buns to give the illusion that I did something with my hair, its the look I go for when I can't be bothered straightening my mop!

 also props for the lipstick matching my glasses!

what's your favourite look for a casual weekend?
comment and give this blog a follow for more reads!
Jess
xx

a drugstore instagram glow that's cruelty free!

I'm Jess and I'm obsessed with instagram and highlighters, combine the two and you get that instagram glow, but what do you do when your on a budget? I go shopping in my local mall and come across a drugstore brand.
I have always been a fan of
of Designer brands by Db and always get sucked into limited edition holiday makeup, so when Db launched their Christmas stuff I restrained and decided to only buy one thing and that was the highlighting palette, As I said this was a limited edition palette and is sold out online however if your lucky enough duck into your Terry Whites chemist as that is where I found mine and they might still have stock. I paid $15 which I think is fantastic value for the quality and size of this palette.

Designer brands by db are known for doing dupes of higher end brands at a lower price and also being cruelty free. The reason I love all these shades is because its has so many uses, adding it under your foundation, you can create a pretty and healthy glow from within. Layer it on top of a liquid highlighter and you will be glowing to the gods!

You can easily mix and match the different tones of highlight, use them as a bronzer, a blush, even as an eye shadow so many uses in these multi coloured palettes.

 I had high hopes for this palette and was impressed that I wasn't looking like a disco ball when I applied it to my face, and you can add more or have it looking natural depending on what your wanting to achieve, if you want that instagram glow you've got that right in this handy palette. Also the size of this palette will have it lasting for ever! the quality of the powder is finally milled, no powdery kickback and the brush that it came with is actually surprisingly soft and good value as well.

I have oily combo skin and texture on my skin as well so I was happy with the way that this highlighter sat on my skin, it didn't add to any issues I had concerns about and didn't settle into any fine lines.  As you can see in these swatches they are highly reflective, non glittery and just stunning shades. I used natural lighting by my window to take these swatches. Very pigmented as this was only one finger swipe.

This is what the highlight looks like in natural lighting on my face, I have fair skin and love all the shades so much, this was the silvery shade and the golden shade mixed together used with a fan brush to apply.

Pros 

the cost is affordable

cruelty free

great quality

good for most skin tones

Cons 

limited edition

Let me know what you think of the instagram highlighting trend and what you use to highlight! don't forget to give us a follow to get more posts! 

Jess

xx

Mash up the berries Australis lipstick colour inject review and lipswatches

Happy Monday all! is there such a thing haha, but to bring a post to the start of the week, I thought I'd do lip swatches of my new favourite shade, by Australis cosmetics. Mash up colour inject lipstick. I managed to pick up this shade and a few other goodies for $4 each at Priceline, and they have really blown me away.  Lipsticks can be brought here on Priceline's website Australis lipsticks link

The formula of the Mash up lipstick is very creamy, opaque and lasts quite a long time on the lips without drying or feathering. They have a very subtle sweet scent but it disappears after a little while. The shade literally sung to me, the purple orchid shade, is a stunning colour on my pale skin but I believe would look amazing on deeper skin tones. I love love, love the shade range, and the fact that you can almost forget you are wearing the lipsticks, because they are actually very nourishing.

 It's a more glossy finish, but not over the top sticky, or moves on the lips and is very hydrating and comfortable to wear. I found the pigment very opaque on the first swipe and I'll be collecting more of these lipsticks. It dries down to a semi gloss finish, which I believe is why it is so long wearing on the lips. Easy to apply, no pulling or tugging, and no cleaning up around the edges unlike liquid matte lipsticks, at least for me anyway!

 This shade is a  fantastic berry shade that I feel you can wear in any season, not just Winter, it adds a healthy pop of colour to the face. Also it matches my purple glasses, so that is another bonus tip for me, accidentally accessorizing.

So if you are after a different but wearable shade, then Mash up could be for you

! it's cruelty free, formula is long lasting and doesn't migrate to half way across your face. The packaging has been revamped from the original sloping top to a now straight tube. I find it travels well, and its secure in the bullet, closes nicely and I'm not worried about it making an awful mess in my bag.

 Price point is excellent for the quality, I believe under $15 and its $13.95 but often in the clearance bins at Priceline for $4 or less, and can be found at Kmart, Priceline, Target, and Coles supermarkets.

Have you tried any of Australis lipsticks before?
if you liked this post share and follow me for more!

hugs
Jess
xx

a day in pictures recap

2016 has been a challenging year, I finished and completed my vce certificate which is my highschool certificate. It might not sound like much but as an adult who has bipolar depression and chronic pain issues, it was a challenge! but I studied part time, and even though it took a few years, I got there, it's now under my belt as an accomplishment, and I move onto the next chapter. I'll be studying certificate in Library and cultural services this year, starting in February.

Things can happen unplanned, but still for a reason, I've started my own pet sitting business! I had a couple of pet sitting gigs over the holidays and found that I loved it, it had interesting up's and downs, but I still loved getting to know the furbabies and the house that I had responsibility over.

 This picture was taken from my friends snapchat because I'm there as a total surprise, I didn't realise I'd made such an impact and I wanted to remember this moment. I'm in the pic next to the baby girl. School friends are important, they help you get through. Find who you are, even as an adult I'm 32 and I'm still finding out who I am.

 Christmas Day was spent with Family and being comfortable as it was a stinking hot day! I made a cute cuddly friend though, Teddy Dog.

 Eating good food, sharing memories with loved ones, and realising what's possible when I put my mind to it, I never thought it could be.

 Bipolar depression still has its moments, I'm still learning, still becoming self aware, but that's the challenge for 2017.

 What are your new years hopes or goals I don't do resolutions. but I hope you all had a fantastic 2016 and enjoyed this recap post.

 Pet sitting is now a new obsession of mine haha, it can take you to some incredible places, I'm loving different opportunities right now.

 Hopefully 2017 is kind and with respect, we end 2016, but I believe that challenges are there for a reason.

hugs and love
Jess xx