Blogmas 2017 #9: Blogging lessons from 2017

The year’s about to come to an end and as always, it’s time to take a step back and look at the results. From blogging point of view, 2018 was great for me and hopefully, this trend will continue into 2018. Today, I want to share some lessons that I learned in the past year and really tell you what beauty blogging means to me.

Lesson #1 of beauty blogging: Invest time and effort into brands that are close to you

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In the past, I received PR packages and then panicked until I tested them all and wrote the necessary blog posts. Now, I’m much more picky about what I’ll try out, both in make-up and skincare. I don’t work with brands I don’t believe in, but I try really hard to support those that are close to me. And no, despite a few offers, I still haven’t taken money for my posts. This year, the brand family that I’m happy to participate with has grown quite a lot. It was joined by Mirta, Natura Siberica, The Body Shop, Yankee Candle, Yanumi, Dr. Organic, La Roche-Posay, Paese and many others. These are brands that try to do well and even more often, brands that find sustainability important. Of course, a part of my heart (and my blog) is still reserved for brands that have been with me from the start – Nivea, Catrice, Essence and L.O.V, Avon, L’Occitane, Melvita, Medex and others.

Lesson #2 of beauty blogging: Stress less, laugh more

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I didn’t get a brand collaboration I really wanted? I didn’t get invited to an event? The photo on the Instagram didn’t get almost any likes? SO WHAT! Brands that want to work with me know why they chose me. Events are nice, but not the only thing in the world (which is also why I missed quite a few this year) and the likes on photos can be attributed to a dozen factors. A year or so ago, I would stress endlessly about these things, but now I just wave them off and make a cool looking smiling selfie instead. The world instantly seems brighter.

Lesson #3 of beauty blogging: Invest in equipment

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This year, I had to find space in my home for new lights, backdrops and tons of decorations for photos. But even more importantly, our family extended by one Canon named Lucy. As you can see, the blog is also now separated into English and Slovenian page, which took quite a bit of work (and will take lots more) and was also quite an investment. But it’s totally worthy it. I feel so lucky every time someone notices the changes on my blog and I’m also much happier with the photos now. Beauty blogging is not a source of income for me, but I still want my blog to be as pretty as possible while also keeping the quality of contents in check.

Lesson #4 of beauty blogging: Everything is easier with friends by your side

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The universe was kind enough to send three amazing women into my life. Each day, they make me laugh and fill me with positive energy. We share the good, the bad and the ugly, blogging adventures and personal lives. Gabi, Metka, Maja – I love you. Hopefully, 2018 will be a great year for our friendship.
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5 things beauty bloggers do, and I don’t (but should?)

The title itself may suggest drama, but I promise you there will be no drama in this post. Throughout years of blogging, I’ve been noticing certain habits my fellow beauty bloggers have and I don’t – but perhaps I should? Let me know in the comments!

1. PHOTOS BEFORE USE!

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On beauty blogs, I’ll often see photos of products that haven’t been touched along with a long, nice review of the products. I’m not suggesting that these reviews are fake in any way. I know that the bloggers take photos of the products once they buy or receive them and before they start using them. I admit that I don’t have the patience for that so my photos often look like the one above. Do you find this OK or should I take photos of products before I start using them?

2. IF IT’S NOT ON INSTAGRAM, IT DIDN’T HAPPEN

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I’ll occasionally share snippets of my personal life on Instagram Stories – a good pizza, a glass of wine, a captured moment with my boy or my dirty kitchen. But mostly, I keep the content beauty related. I see that my fellow colleagues try and capture as many moments as possible through their phone cameras – cooking, shopping, work activities, driving, watching a football game and so forth. I love looking at these and I wonder – would you like it if I did the same and took you along with me every day? View Post