April BBHQ Task! What inspires us!

I'm SOO excited to be posting April's BBHQ Task!  Its all about our inspirations!

BBHQ was created by the lovely Krystal as a way for us to get together, share our opinions, experiences and get our blogs out there. Go check out her blog, and click here if you'd like to join!

*What inspires you to blog?

I get inspired reading other bloggers posts, and when I get excited about something.  When something new comes out, and I hope its amazing , and it is..you can see it in my post.  Likewise if I get excited and hope its amazing, and it turns out its not...you'll read the disappointment in my post (check out my review of Maybelline's BB Cream here, or my review of Milani's marker eyeliner here..to see what I mean).

*Share some of your favorite blogs to read for inspiration? 

It was hard to narrow down..but here's my top 5:

-Unconventional Makeup

-Beauty Junkies Unite

-Blushing Noir

-Makeup and Macaroons

-MonroeMisfitMakeup

*What are your favorite magazines to browse for inspiration?

Allure and Glamour. Hands down.

*How do you organize your inspiration? Pinterest board, notebook, sketchpad, etc.?

HAHAHAHA. Organize?!  I WISH.  I'm one of those wierdo's who still rips out pages from magazines.  I have them all in a folder..willy nilly. My Pinterest is mostly beauty stuff, old ads, and a few nerdy tech things thrown in for good measure.

*What motivates you to continue blogging and/or vlogging?

I do it for my readers..I (hope) they enjoy what I post, and come back hankering for more.  But back even when I had no readers..I truly did it (and continue to) do it for myself. I love posting about things I love or hate. 

*How would you describe your style of blogging , how has it changed from when you first started?

It has changed a lot.  Back in the beginning I used to try to sound professional, but now, I realize the more of myself I put into the post..the better. I hope others enjoy the way I write..but I want to be true to myself.  I type the way I speak.  

*How do you handle competitive thoughts with other bloggers?

I dont have any competitive thoughts about other bloggers. None.  Its silly to compete with them.  We all want the same thing: To be heard. 

*For fun, share some of your favorite inspiring photos

I dont like posting pictures on here that arent mine..but the looks on these two pages are the looks I'm most inspired by..(especially the first one).

-Electric Royal Blue Eyeliner (I swear I'll do a look like this one day!)

-Purple/Navy Smokey look

So thats it! I'd love to hear what inspires you all? Let me know in the comments!

March BBHQ Task!

Hello all!  Time for March's Beauty Bloggers Headquarters Task! It was created by the lovely Krystal as a way for us to get together, share our opinions, experiences and get our blogs out there. Go check out her blog, and click here if you'd like to join.

This months task is on Photo Editing!

I dont vlog (video blogging) , so I'll be focusing my answers on how I edit my photos.

*What program(s) are you currently using for editing your photos and/or videos? Can you provide a short review, likes/dislikes?

I use two programs for editing my photos.   One is Pixlr.  I'm not good at messing with the exposure etc on my camara..so I use that to crop and water mark.  For me, Pixlr is fine.  I'm able to resize my photos, change the height/width, and even lighten them if I need to.   Also, most importantly , its super easy to add a watermark .  I also recently downloaded Picasa 3 , and its great for editing my photos as well.  I also used it to create my blog banner.

*Do you use photography or video apps on your smartphone?

I actually dont.  I've found that its difficult to crop etc on my phone, so I will usually take a bunch of pictures  email them to myself and edit them from the desktop

*What program(s) would you recommend for beginner bloggers?

Pixlr I feel is excellent for beginners.  Its got the efficient (which is simple, and is what I use), and its also got a more advanced version.  Its all free, and its super simple to use.

*What is your editing process like? Do you edit individual pieces or schedule a day for all your editing?

I will usually take one nice (sunny) day and take all the photos for the things I want to post about (eyeshadows etc).  Then either later in the day or the next day I will sit and sift through all the photos.  I usually take about 20 different shots for each thing (swatches, my face or nails..whatever it is).  Then I sit and go through each shot. Deleting as I go, until I have the 5/6 I need for each post.  After all that, I sit and spend a good 2/3 hours (total) cropping and watermarking everything.  Watermarking is important because its a trademark on your photo.  I will usually watermark in the middle, or on top of something important to the image, so that if someone does try to crop out my watermark, they ruin the image. 

*On average, how much time do you think you spend on editing images and videos in a week?

Probably, total in a week..like 6/7 hours.  I try to do things quickly since I have a little one (and a job) to do while I'm blogging.

*For fun, show us some before and after examples from when you first started blogging/vlogging and what your current content looks like.

(This is from my first mascara review!)

(From my Maybelline Mega Plush Review)

As you can see there is improvement!  I dont have a lightbox, so I've learned to take advantage of the outside.  I love taking pictures in natural light, and I like having an interesting background.  I dont have a fancy camara so to me , there's always room for improvement!

Beauty Bloggers Headquarters-February Task

Hello all!  Time for February's Beauty Bloggers Headquarters Task! It was created by the lovely Krystal as a way for us to get together, share our opinions, experiences and get our blogs out there. Go check out her blog, and click here if you'd like to join.

This month's task is on Organization!

*Where do you blog? Do you have a space dedicated to your blogging work? An office, a table, a corner of your room..

I blog at my computer.  Its just a plain shared computer that I share with the hubby, and my little one.  Nothing special!

*What do you blog on? Computer, laptop, tablet... what do you recommend?

I blog on my desktop computer.  I tried to blog on my ipad, but its difficult to edit/crop/watermark my photos on it.  I like the ease of using the computer (even though its shared).  I recommend doing whatever is comfortable for you.  Blogging takes time, and patience.  So make sure you're comfy, and you're in the mood to work a bit. I love sitting here at the computer typing away.  But there are times where I use my ipad to edit and change some of the text on my posts. 

*Do you have any blogging rituals? Drinks, music, movie, candles...

The only ritual I have is that I must have a snack.  Sometimes music (if I happen to be alone..or my little one is sleeping).  However I must must have a snack, and tea.  Yes..hot tea (with milk and sugar).  Its my caffeine fix.

*How do you keep your blogging ideas organized? Notepad, planner, post-its...

I actually have an app on my phone.  Its called Mobisle Notes.  It syncs between my ipad and my phone (which happens to be android).  So whenever the mood strikes me, I can type out an idea.  If I'm surfing on my ipad, I can easily click and keep track of my ideas.   I also have a notebook with all the notes I make on the stuff I review.  So when it comes time to type them up, all i do is whip out my notebook!

*Do you have a blogging schedule for the week? Or the month? If so, how do you stay on top of it all?

I actually have fallen into a bit of a schedule.  I try to have a post up every other day.  I usually take pictures early, so I just need time to type them up.  (Sun, Tues, Thurs, Sat).  There's no rhyme or reason to what I post when.  Its whatever I'm inspired to write about at the moment.

*How do you keep up with your publishing schedule and what you have already posted?

I love scheduling posts.  But sometimes I forget what I have scheduled on what days, and I have to actually go back and check. 

*If you review products, how do you keep track of what needs to be reviewed in your collection? 

I keep everything that I'd like to review in a "review box".  I don't touch or use those things, even if I really really want to.  Once I've reviewed something, It either goes into my personal stash, or to a give away bag (or if its really bad it gets returned or tossed).

*What do you do with all your "old" data? Photos, videos, extra drives, online storage...

I use Photobucket for storage.  I used to use them to post my photos, but they dont have very good privacy settings..so I use them only for storage.  I keep all my photobucket albums private, and labeled with what post they were for.  For posts that are in the midst of being written, I keep them labeled in a "Blog" folder on my desktop.

*For fun, what beauty/non-beauty products do you need to have on hand near your blogging station? Hand lotion, lip balm, chewing gum...

I keep whatever I'm reviewing at hand, and my snacks.  

*My advice for newbie beauty bloggers*

Get comfortable.  I usually blog in my pajamas, and one post can sometimes take me all day, since I have a little one at home to take care of (and then work at night).  I blog when the mood strikes, and I take a break when I need to.  If it starts to feel like work, then I stop.  I try to keep my photos organized the best I can, and I store what I'm done with .  I could use a little help with idea organization, but for now what I do works for me.  Do whatever feels right for you.  

Beauty Blogger's HQ-How do you Photograph for your blog?

Hello All!  I recently joined Beauty Bloggers Headquarters.  It was created by the lovely Krystal as a way for us to get together, share our opinions, experiences and get our blogs out there. Go check out her blog, and click here if you'd like to join.

This Months Question is: How do you Photograph for your blog?

What camara do you use for your blog photography?

I use a handheld Canon Powershot that my husband bought for me.  Its not much, but its withstood being dropped a couple dozen times and takes amazing pictures. 

What type of lighting do you use? Natural light, indoor light, studio lamps, etc.?

I use natural light, and indoor light.  I dont have a light box, so I use my windows.  It can be troublesome when its cloudy for days on end, but when it is sunny, the pictures come out amazing. 

Do you use a lightbox (purchased or diy?)?

Nope! But I would love to get one eventually.

Do you use a specific background?

Actually yes.  In the beginning, I used to use a placemat (it was green and tropical themed).

(the placemat as the background..)

  But now I use either my table..or yes..my chair, or even the railing outside .  Haha.

(my chair..aka background for blog pics..)

What does your photographing setup usually look like?

Those are my setups.  Either my table/chair or the railings outside.  If its too cold out (as it has been ) I'll use the table and chair.  The table and chair are right next to the windows, so they get a lot of light.

What is your top photographing tip for a beginner blogger?
You dont need fancy equipment.  Just take a few pictures, see what works for you.  Also, reach out to other beauty bloggers and ask their advice on what you should use.  You dont need the fanciest camara..a cell phone can work.  As I've shown, I've used a placemat as a background.  Its all up to you. Trial and Error. 

For fun: If you could upgrade your photographing equipment today, what would you buy?
A light box.  So that I wouldnt be dependent on sunny days!

Beauty Bloggers HQ-How I became a beauty blogger

Hello All!  I recently joined Beauty Bloggers Headquarters.  It was created by the lovely Krystal as a way for us to get together, share our opinions, experiences and get our blogs out there. Go check out her blog, and click here if you'd like to join.

This months question is: How I became a beauty blogger.

How long have you been blogging?

I've been blogging for a little over a year now.  I feel bad I missed my blogs first birthday! I should do a giveaway or something to make up for it ;)

What/who inspired you to start blogging?

I was inspired to start blogging one day when I was sick with a gnarly eye infection (thank you work..).  I was my room, in the darkness (ohh the light!), and was texting a friend of mine.  I was inspired after she asked my thoughts on a few of the new items I bought.  I thought ..even if she was the only one to read the blog then it'd be ok:)

Did you tell your family and friends about your blog? If so, what was their reaction?Are they supportive or "in the dark" about your blogging? 

I haven't told everyone yet.  Some people at work know, but its mostly just close friends and family.  I used to be embarrassed, now I'm like.."Yeah I blog about cosmetics? So what?"  They're very supportive!  In particular my cousin and best friend (Guest Blogger SirenV) are my biggest fans, and I appreciate them for that:)

What goals or dreams did you have for your blog when you started? Have you accomplished them?

When I first started, all I wanted was one reader. Then I started getting hits.  I remember being excited that seeing 10 people saw my blog in a month.  Now I have a couple hundred people a day read my blog.  I'm always setting new goals. I'd love for my blog to be big!  But its baby steps first.

If you could give your beginner-blogger-self one tip of advice, what would it be?

Blog your passion! and keep it fun.  There are some days where I don't feel like blogging (despite having a box full of things to review), and I don't  because I don't want it to feel like a chore.  

What is your favorite and least favorite thing about being a blogger?

My favorite thing is knowing that people are actually reading what I have to say. I'm always honored and appreciative that someone takes time to read my blog. My least favorite thing is feeling like I need to buy every new product out there (especially if its not something I'd normally use myself).  I try to buy and review things I'd actually use.

What does your blog name mean? How did you decide on it?

Siren Makeup is actually the second name for my blog. It was originally Moms Makeup Min...but I later realized that it didnt really fit with what I wanted my blog to be.  I was later inspired by a commerical I saw with some sirens..and I realized sirens (in greek mythology) drew sailors in..just like makeup draws me in (to my wallets doom..just like the sailors..).