MAC LIPSTICK & BLUSH GIVEAWAY

I recently reached some pretty incredible milestones with a whooping 1000 followers on Bloglovin' and I actually cannot even get my head around that many people following More Than Adored. I know alot of people are funny about giveaways but for me it's all about giving back to you gorgeous lot of people who always read, comment and enjoy the content. You all have given me the opportunity to do something I love and connect with so many likeminded people - so THANK YOU. 

The rules are pretty simple:

- it is open internationally 

- ends 30/06/2014 

- 1x winner will be drawn and will have 24hrs to reply to my email to claim prize

- no giveaway blogs or accounts over social media 

- please play by the rules of the rafflecopter!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Good luck! 

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LUST HAVE IT MAY 2014

You may remember last month Lust Have It showcased their new packaging that I was super impressed with. Unfortunately this month they didn't have the new cosmetic bags available and instead of delaying shipping they decided to ship out boxes with a complimentary $20 that can go towards any LHI box. Although LHI did offer something instead I think it's a bit disappointing especially after the bags were such a hit (for me anyway) last month. 

Mary Kay Lip Lacquer in 'Chai Latte' RRP $22 (full size)

This lip lacquer comes in a tiny little pot with a little brush which I find a tad strange however the colour is a lovely peach so I'm more then happy to give it a go. A full size lip product makes me happy even if the packaging is a little questionable. 

Coral Colour Eyebrow Definer RRP $7.95 (full size) 

The only shade included in the boxes is 'dark brown' are LHI naive thinking that everyone has the same coloured brows? I'm sure alot of people would get some use out of this but for me it's far too dark and unusable which is disappointing. 

Appelles Rosemary Body Bar RRP $4.95 (full size) 

I have tried a few Appelles products in the past so I was excited to see them included in LHI again. This is a full-size soap, or body bar, that is vegetable based and isn't meant to be stripping or drying. I use shower gel over soap bars generally but I'm willing to give this a go. 

The Cosmetic Kitchen Pure Mineral Blush RRP $34.95 (full size) 

The Cosmetic Kitchen is one of the best natural make up brands on the Australian market. The inclusion of a full-size blush is definitely a winner for me. This is talc, nano, bismuth and cruelty free. 

Sasy N Savy Facial Masque RRP $50 

I haven't actually heard of this brand which makes me VERY excited. I think that subscription boxes need to include more brands like this because I love finding new brands to try. There were three different variations that you could receive; a cleaner, face lotion or mask and I'm glad I got the mask. This is tailored for normal to oily skin (me) so excited to see how it performs. 

Overall this box is exactly what I'd like to see coming through each month. There is a good variation in make up and skincare plus the inclusion of full size products. I would prefer if LHI gave more thought when it comes to including an eyebrow pencil in a very dark shade and perhaps opt for an eyeliner instead so everybody is able to get use out of the products. Regardless a great box and hopefully next month the cute cosmetic bags are back! 

What do you think about this pack?

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*this Lust Have It pack was provided to me for consideration - honesty as always! 

WHAT'S ON MY FACE #9

I'm back on the Laura Mercier Silk Creme Foundation train well and truly with it being my exclusive base of choice. I only use a small amount for day-to-day and I find it can be sheered out to quite a natural finish whilst offering great coverage and of course, that glorious fresh-faced effect that this foundation is famous for. Enough gushing about it though because there is a downfall and that is it's lasting power but I always team it with the Illamasqua Matt Primer for longer wear which seems to work well.  

A new found favourite is the Clinique Blush Cream Stick in Glow Blush* which did have me stumped for a few weeks. Not at any fault of the product but more that I'm hopeless with cream blushes. Slowly but surely I'm figuring it out and I'm loving this bronze colour for something a little different especially layered with something rosy like the Physicians Formula Sexy Booster Blush in 'Natural'* it just adds another dimension to the cheeks in a very subtle way. 

I couldn't go another WOMF edition without shouting out the Nars Pro-Primer Smudge Proof Eyeshadow for being the only lid-primer that actually works for me. Hallelujah! In combination with the Laura Mercier Caviar Stick in 'Amethyst'* it's a dream team for long-lasting eye looks. I definitely need to buy more of the caviar sticks! To add a little dimension over the Amethyst shade I added a mix of 'Balanced' and 'Dove' from the Sigma Warm Neutrals Palette. As you can see this palette has been well loved! To finish I added a little Maxfactor Clump Defy Mascara - no surprises there. 

The lips I'm on the fence about but it was my first time trying out a new shade from the Maxfactor Lipfinity* line (shade 335). First off I'm not a huge fan of the two steps being two separate applicators. Why they didn't make it a double-ended product is beyond me. The colour is stunning, comfortable and easy to apply however I'm not sold on the lasting power or the high gloss finish. As you all know I'm a lover of a matte bold lip so maybe I just need to try it out more.. 

What do you think of this look? 

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*products provided for consideration - honesty as always! 

A HAIR ROUTINE TO FIGHT FRIZZ

My hair is the type of hair that always looks in desperate need of a cut because of the out-of-control frizziness. I find when I use styling tools is virtually undetectable, instead I'm left with a beautiful smooth mane but you know me - I'm trying to limit to hot tools so of course I went on a little crusade to find the best routine to tame frizz when air-drying my hair... That way I can still let my hair dry naturally without any concern that I'm going to be rocking a frizzy fro. 

For shampoo and conditioner this combination is a killer. The Loreal Professional Liss Unlimited* promises 4 days of long-lasting smooth locks. I'm not sure about that claim but I do find it really helps and doesn't leave a build up of product in my hair like other targeted shampoos can. Follow that with a super light conditioner and it's the ulimitae dream team. I adore the Shu Uemura Cleansing Oil Conditioner* because it's so light but still incredibly nourishing. 

Out of the shower and here's where the real magic happens. On damp hair I apply a hazelnut amount of the Toni & Guy Smoothing Lotion* which is a cream product that is designed to help smooth down the hair, shocking I know, and also make it appear more shiny. The last step is only a sometimes but it's worth noting because it is a real lifesaver. The De Lorenzo allevi8 Anti-Frizz Shine Serum* I've mentioned before but it's perfect on dry hair if you feel as though your hair is looking a little crazy after brushing or sleeping (or both). I warm a tiny amount in-between my hair and then apply from my ears down for an instant refresh.

This is the best way I've found to tame my frizzy mane but if you've found a wonder product - let me know! 

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*products provided for consideration - honesty as always! 

TIPS FOR WORKING WITH PRS & COMPANIES

This is a post I've been itching to do for months but I was a little hesitate because I feel as though people can be opinionated when it comes to bloggers working with companies and PRs. If you have no interest in working PRs and brands, that's okay but this isn't the post for you.

For me, working with different companies/PRs/brands is a vital role of providing new and exciting content for my readers. I'm able to provide detailed information, new product alerts and all that fun stuff via relationships I've built over the past year.

CONTACT 
A frequently asked question I get is who made the first point of contact and the answer is a bit of both. I'm confident now with More Than Adored that if I get asked about a particular product, see an up-coming release that I know fits into a feature I'm working on, I don't hesitate in sending through an email to the PR company. I write a small introductory email and attach my media kit. Sometimes I hear back and sometime I don't - I never let that get to me. I've also had PRs contact me after finding my blog so if you haven't been contact yet don't fret! It will happen just keep working really hard. I started being contacted after I had content being uploaded frequently and a fair following over all platforms. Don't feel as though you can't reach out to PRs. If you're happy with your blog and feel the next step is to network and build relationships then go for it. Just ensure that you're professional, polite and not demanding products to be sent to you because that won't get you anywhere at all. Introduce yourself and your blog - chances are that'll be enough.

MEDIA KIT
I've had so many people ask me how to put together a media kit via email and although I adore helping you all out, it's fairly time consuming for me. You need to have a media kit ready to go if you're going to send emails out but it's also good to have one in case you're contacted. My first media kit was pretty horrendous but now I have a basic statistic sheet as well as a really detailed one but just a basic media kit is all you need. I highly recommend google for media kit resources - that is how I learnt how to put one together. It's also important to have Google Analytics installed so that you can draw a more diverse statistics from because most PRs are after stats that Blogger doesn't provide. Make sure you write in a professional manner, it's appealing, you're selling yourself and your blog. Most of all make sure it's YOU and your personality is evident throughout. 

DON'T STRESS 
PR relationships do not equal instant success and if you're passionate about your blog then that's all that matters. I've seen so many small bloggers instantly start contacting PRs as if it's the main thing blogging is about - if that is your thoughts then you're not writing for the right reasons. Nobody is going to see your contact list but they will see the content you're uploading.
If you've been sent a product and you don't like it or you haven't had a chance to review it don't let that get to you. I used to get so stressed out about reviewing products but remember that you're allowed to take your time if you're unsure about a product. You are giving the brand/product free publicity after all.

DOES IT FIT?
Think of your readers, the brand, your blog and whether it is really relevant before anything. When you're first contacted by a PR it can be a flicker of excitement where you want to take the opportunity with both hands. I mean your hard work is paying off, right? But you really need to think about what it is you blog all about, your brand and whether it's a good fit. I was contacted by a PR for cleaning products when I first started out and it just didn't fit at the time. Ensure you have a vision, stand your ground and don't get caught up in offers that don't suit.

BE HONEST
First off be honest about your statistics. I have platforms that well exceed following over others and that's okay. Don't fluff your statistics because it's just plain unprofessional and if you're asked for a screenshot then you'll end up looking silly. PRs aren't just interested in the numbers, they also look at the amount of comments you gets, social media platforms and if you have a sense of community then it's invaluable too. It's all about the bigger picture.
When it comes to being honest about your reviews on products that is just as important too. When you first start getting sent press releases and receiving products your opinion can stray from how you really feel because you have been given the product to try. Try your best not to do that - it's hard. Looking back on my first reviews I was scared to saying bad about products because they'd be given to me. Overtime you learn that honesty is key and people are buying products based off your review so make sure you're being honest! PRs, companies and your readers all appreciate an authentic review so only write how you really feel. I've had PRs compliment me because I've been honest so it really is key to blogging!

PRESS RELEASES 
Once you're on a few mailing lists you'll be sent a lot of press releases each week but that doesn't mean you have to reply to every single one and request a sample. Make sure to have a think and does it fit?
Another thing is that press releases do not make up your blog content. What I mean by that is: you don't have to use a particular product in the same context of the press release! If 100 bloggers all did the same feature on a new lipgloss it'd be pretty boring right? These are for getting product claims, key ideas and details not for screen-shotting (I've seen it been done) or copying word for word. Don't be tempted to do that. If you are wanting to copy a larger chunk of text make sure it's obvious so in quotation marks or italics so people are aware it's not your work.

PRS ARE PEOPLE TOO
This is easily the most important key point and actually what inspired this whole post. I've noticed so many people get annoyed or talk rudely either to or about PRs which is incredibly unfair. PRs are doing their jobs so if you don't get invited to an event or don't receive media send outs please don't go around bad-mouthing people or companies on social media. PRs have a budget to work with when it comes to send outs/events plus there will always be others. Don't feel hard done by if you're not included.
If you're doing a media kit send out address it to them personally and don't hound them if you don't hear back. Wait it out and if they never reply that's okay! Just send through your updated media kit every quarter and remain friendly. This will show that you're keen and keep them up-to-date with your blog growth.
I work with some really beautiful PRs and they're always so lovely but on the flip side of that I have experienced some extremely pushy PRs in the past. Always be polite but stand your ground if you don't feel comfortable featuring X or whatever it may be that they're contacting you about. If that's not good enough then don't waste your time with that particular company/PR. It's your blog and at the end of the day you push publish so you have the power.

If you have any questions leave them down below and I'll do my best to answer! If you're a blogger and you have other tips share them in the comments too :) 

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SHOP SAVVY SUNDAYS: POP BASIC + FLASH GIVEAWAY

Photos are bits from various different past collections 

It's no secret I'm a lover of basics when it comes to fashion. I prefer to have an abundance of basic pieces I can build upon then trendy pieces that will date. When I first heard of Popbasic I was intrigued and stunned by how utterly perfect the concept is: a women's online fashion brand that puts together monthly limited edition micro collections for under $100 with free shipping worldwide. Some collections include are different and include one basic piece along some other accessories or clothing pieces to help style that particular basic - all the collection are priced accordingly. Perfection.

One you've signed up; each month you'll find a new email come through with the latest collection and your opportunity to purchase. I like this over a subscription because you're only paying for the collections you know you'll love and get lots of wear out of. I was initially worried that the quality of each piece. That they would be comparable to some of the accessory pieces I've received in other subscription boxes however the quality of every single piece I've ever received is beautiful. The shipping is fast, packaging is gorgeous and there is always a cute little extra bonus in the form of a handwritten note and cute beauty sample. The price of each collection is modest so you really are getting an amazing deal plus the collections are put together with so much thought that Popbasics has not put a foot wrong with any collection yet.

Co-founder Madeline tells all on how Popbasic became a reality: 
'Many of you would know that my co-founder and I are originally from Australia, at the time there was a serious lack of fun ecommerce stores that us Aussie gals had access to. So I set out to make something super fun that girls worldwide could take part in. At the same time, I had sold most of my clothes on Ebay, so I wanted an easy way to build a wardrobe filled with beautiful basics that worked effortlessly together. I used the money I made from Ebay to purchase samples for Popbasic, we created a landing page and the rest is fashion history.' 

So what's on the cards for this month? The Paloma Collection (coming soon) 

Love the look of the newest micro-collection? The lovely team at Popbasic have offered to gift 1 lucky winner the Paloma Collection. All you need to do is fill out the Rafflecopter below. This giveaway is a flash giveaway ending on the 28/05/14 and is open worldwide. 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Sign up to the mailing list using this link and you'll get a $15 credit towards your account woooo!

What do you think of the 'Popbasic' concept? 

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*link to sign up is a referral link but it's a win-win because when you purchase something I get $15 too 
*popbasic were kind enough to giveaway the newest collection however this is not a sponsored post I'm just a huge fan!

ILLAMASQUA GLAMORE NAILS

Illamasqua has quite the reputation for releasing incredible nail polishes and the latest from recently released 'Glamore' collection are no disappointment. These polishes are as beautiful in the bottle as they are on the nails. Illamasqua have definitely hit the mark once again. 

Fire Rose is a gorgeous orange shade with fine gold glitter throughout, this is easily my least favourite as I shy away from bold orange tones however there is no denying the beautiful glitter finish this one gives. Marquise is a rosy pink with different sized silver and pink glitters through similarly with next shade 'Trilliani' which has different sized glitters too. I find these are more multi-dimensional on the nails are I adore both for added interest on my accent nail.

Fire Rose // Marquise // Trilliani 

As for the formulation considering these are glitter polishes they apply incredibly smooth and opaque. The above swatches are with only two layers. These do have a textured finish which can be a little annoying if you're wearing a wooly cardi because your nails can get caught but it's easily fixed with applying a top coat over the top. 

My only gripe with these polishes are the packaging and this goes for all Illamasqua polishes I own - the lids screw past being flush and looking all pretty. Instead you're left with an ugly distorted bottle after first use. Perhaps it's a little OCD of me to nit-pick that characteristic out but it's annoying. 

Overall Illamasqua have nailed (sorry I couldn't resist) this release. I adore the three colours they've released and the shattered effect is beautiful. 

Available from Myer RRP $24 each BUY

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*products provided for consideration - honesty as always! 

TREND ALERT: GREY HUES

When I caught wind that all things grey were a must-have this autumn/winter I was excited. Grey, black and white are my favourite colours to wear. I'm the queen of casual wear and I think the pieces I've included in this post really reflect that. I adore comfy, snuggly wear and there are some awesome pieces in store at the moment. 

Boohoo Cable Tunic Jumper $25 BUY // Sportsgirl Grunge Marle Tee $24.95 BUY // Sportsgirl Fringe Vest $89.95 BUY // Sportsgirl Harriet Panama $29.95 BUY // Topshop Drop Waist Jersey Tunic $27 BUY (on sale!) // Bardot Goddess Tank $79.95 BUY // Topshop MOTO Grey Leighs $68 BUY // River Island Frill Socks $4.95 BUY // Topshop Keepsake Peep Toe Boots $130 BUY // Sportsgirl V Neck Jumper $69.95 BUY // Topshop MOTO Bleach Haydens $81 BUY // Sportsgirl Snood $29.95 BUY // Sportsgirl Texture Cardi $89.95 BUY // Sportsgirl Fingerless Gloves $12.95 BUY // Ally Crop Knit $24.95 BUY

What are your favourite pieces I've included? 

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WOMF WITH ELES COSMETICS #8

ELES seasonally releases a few new bits to accommodate the change in weather and hues we put on our faces. With every new release I create a look along with a round-up of my thoughts on the goodies. As some of you may know this time of year is my favourite which made me even more excited to see what ELES had come up with.  

Not a new release but for a base I thought it was fitting to use the Mineral Liquid Powder Foundation. This isn't one I reach for often at the moment because it's quite a matte finish and I'm really digging dewy skin. But combination/oily skinned gal this is your jam. It sets to a powder finish, lasts a long time and if you're pale then the shade 'Linen' (I'm wearing) is fantastic. I'm a huge fan of their blushes so the new Mineral Blush in 'Mixed Berries' got me excited. I don't tend to buy blushes that are so deep but I love the pop of colour you can create using just this blush. 

Onto eyes and the Powder Liner in 'Copper' is the perfect eyeliner in my opinion. I shy awake from black unless I'm doing a flick. This is the perfect way to get a bit of definition without any harshness around the eyes plus it lasts in the waterline extremely well - win! The new Signature Shadow Quad in 'Fashionista' had me double taking because it seemed quite similar to another quad I have from them however upon application I realised it's extremely unique. The mixture of taupes and purples make it extremely flattering especially in conjunction with the copper eyeliner. Killer combination. 

For lips it's all about that wearable berry shade with the new addition of the Micro Bubble Lipstick in 'Micro Blush'. I adore the creamy, moisturising formulation of these lippies but you do need to reapply throughout the day quite a lot. It's forgiven though because the shade is stunning! 

Easily my favourite combination of products ELES have released in a long time. Each product works really well alone or in conjunction with each other and not to mention every single product is of high quality. I wouldn't hesitate in recommending ELES to you for amazing quality mineral make up! 

All products available from ELES Cosmetics 

What do you think of this look?

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*ELES kindly sent me these new releases - honesty as always! 

MY BREAKOUT ESSENTIALS

I've tried every recommended spot treatment and home remedies associated with clear in up spots and I still don't think I have a routine I'm 100% happy with. These products are good but they're not ones that make me think 'yep that's it I never have to look for something else' you know what I mean? Regardless I've been impressed and each product has their own purpose in my skin treatment routine. 

As soon as I feel a breakout coming on I apply the Mask of Magnaminty from Lush which is a clay-based mask that's really amazing for deep cleansing your pores. I find that this is best for drawing out impurities but you need need to be careful when removing if you have an active break out because it is exfoliating. If I have an active breakout that I feel may spread if I do too much exfoliating I use the Quick Fix Anti-Blemish Mud Mask* instead. This has really impressed me considering the affordability. It draws out any gunk and absorbs oils well without being overly harsh or drying. My last mask you would've heard me speak about quite frequently. The Body Shop Tea Tree Face Mask is my bestie when it comes to soothing really deep, sore acne. I love tea tree oil and this is just amazing at reducing redness and soothing the area. 

The other two products I rely on heavily when breaking out is a spot treatment and facial oil. My choice of spot treatment at the moment is the Clinique Anti-Blemish Solutions Clinical Clearing Gel* (full review). As I've mentioned before this is best applied before a moisturiser but I see a big difference when using it. Lastly, a facial oil is an essential for me. I find that spots always leave me with marks and dry patches for weeks. I like to apply the People For Plants Facial Oil over the area at night to help reduce any dry patches. I don't apply this when the breakout is active but rather afterwards. 

What are you skin treating essentials? 

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*products provided for consideration - honesty as always! 

BLOGGER PHOTOGRAPHY TIPS

Make sure you have a cup of tea and a snack for this post because I have a feeling it's going to be a long one. Before I even begin I am not in any way a photographer. I'm completely self taught and this is just what I've found best through trial and error for the type of photos I like to take. I'm still not completely happy with my photography and I think that it's one of those things you're continuously learning about and finding new ways to do things. In saying that I do think I've come a long way and I've found some good tips to share with you all.

I see photography as one of the most important elements of blogging. I know not everyone will agree with me on that one but I think a beautiful picture can really enhance your blog. I avoid using stock photos because aesthetically I think it's much more pleasing to see products beautifully photographed.  That's just my personal preference.

EQUIPMENT
All my blog photos are taken with the Canon 600D that I invested in earlier in the year. Previous to having this I swapped between a point and shoot or my iPhone. The above photo was taken with my iPhone and then edited. My point is, you don't need a DSLR to produce really beautiful photos but it is a lot easier, especially when you start learning the different settings. I didn't invest until a year after starting my blog, I think to begin with there are more important things to focus on like producing amazing content and just generally seeing if blogging is something you want to stick at.

I first started only using the kit lens which is nice and you definitely can work with it however I now have the Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 Lens that I adore. A good lens makes all the difference. It's fantastic for sharp, detailed images and will give you a lovely blurred background. I'm looking at investing in the 40mm f/2.8 STN Lens just because the 50mm lens is super zoomed and the compactness of the 40mm is appealing.

Other equipment I have include a tripod, remote and lights. If you're going to be taking self-portraits I'd recommend a tripod and remote - they both just make your life so much easier. I wouldn't bother investing in a high quality one tripod, I bought one off eBay and it does the job. The RC-6 remote will make your life so much easier when taking self portraits or if you're fashion blogger wanting to take outfit pictures. Again, I recommend eBay for that because I saved up to 70% off RRP. Crazy but true.

SETTINGS
Now I'm talk through the settings in an informal type way because that's how I understand it.
I always use the 'M' (manual) settings so that I have control. Honestly if you're using your DLSR on Auto then I don't understand why you bought a good camera. You'll always get the best picture possible when you use your camera on manual and manipulate the settings to suit. If you're not going to take the time to learn how to use it then don't bother buying it, save your money and buy a point and shoot.

The aperture 'F' number is important to look at when you're picking a lens. Essentially the lower the 'F' number, the sharper your image will be. For beauty bloggers I think it's what works best and gives you a lovely blurred background with products as the main focus. The 50mm has a low F number but you can also change this manually on your camera. I usually put aperture to F2.8 for most photos. If it's a single product I may lower it and if it's an aerial photo with multiple products I'll turn it up to make sure most of the products are in focus.

ISO is another thing that I always change. This is your camera sensitivity to light. My unit is terribly lit so I need to ensure I'm altering this every time I'm shooting. I generally have it on 200 on a sunny day, 400 on an overcast day or 600 if it's really really dark. The most used setting is 400 and generally try to avoid taking photos if I can't shoot with my ISO on 400 because I prefer having some sort of natural light as a helping hand - just personal preference.

Smaller things is I change the camera to have the LCD view over having to look through the viewfinder. This makes altering the composition a lot easier and using the arrows you can move the white box around the screen, wherever you put the white box that's where the lens will focus. This is how I get sharp images when a product is off-centre.

As for manual vs auto focus this is changed by a flick of a switch on the lens. If I'm shooting products I focus the lens myself but if I'm taking self-potriats I always use the auto focus and ensure the white box is right on my face so I'm in focus. I know a lot of people only use auto focus, I don't think it changes the quality of your photos but I just find it easier when shooting products to adjust it manually.

LIGHTING
As I mentioned before I do have a set of light boxes I bought of eBay. I generally only use these to help boost the lighting because I like a really bright picture. I always prefer natural lighting but, as I said, my unit is horribly lit so I don't have much choice. The downside to these is that they're so massive. If you're living in a small space I would recommend trying to work with the natural lighting. I pretty much have to use one of the set every time I'm taking photos because of the poor lighting.
As for flash, I don't like it and I don't recommend using it (there is so many resources online to help you use flash the right way if you NEED too). I find it just washes out the photos and doesn't represent true colours but again, personal preference and I know you can make it work if you need too.

COMPOSITION
This is a lot of trial and error. My unit is pretty small so I change my backgrounds up quite frequently not by choice but rather I chase natural light around my unit. I would suggest having a set place to take your photos with a few flowers or trinkets in the background so it's a bit more 'you'. Everyone has there own style of taking photos so it's nice to have your own way of doing things that your audience can identify that photo as yours. I like my photos to be clean and bright but there so many ways you can make someone identify your blog by your photos so have a think about your background and take note of other people's photos you like for inspiration.

When shooting I always ensure that I take a photos from different angles so I have a range to pick from during the editing process. I nearly always have a candle burning in most of my photos because it adds a little bit of warmth to my photos, fairy lights can also make a huge difference.

EDITING
I had a lot of questions asked about editing my photos but generally all I do is what I've done to the above photos - I crop it and turn the brightness up one or two clicks in iPhoto. I don't like doing too much to my photos. I would love to invest and learn Photoshop down the track but for now I'm wanting to work more on my composition rather then the editing side of things. Baby steps. If I'm adding text over an image I use Picmonkey or Canva.

Phew I'm puffed. I really hope that was useful - let me know if you have any questions. I'm more then happy to help anyone out as much as I can because I know how hard it can be to take a great photo.

Remember it's all about trial and error so have fun. I'm still learning too!

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MY WEEK #11

Autumn Appreciation 
Nothing beauty related at all but I've been really enjoying the beautiful weather Autumn is offering at the moment... As I type this it's overcast and cold however the past week it's been beautiful. Where I live we have so many trees lining the street so it's always beautiful to walk with all the different colours surrounding you. Autumn has to be my favourite season easily! It's a small thing but it's a definite love of mine.

Winged-Liner 
The wing-liner is back and in a big way for me. I go through phases of doing a flick and I think it's down to the liner I have on the go. At the moment I'm using the L'oreal Blockbuster Liner and although it looks really scary because of the thick, marker-type applicator it's been fantastic! I really like how easy turning it on an angle and creating the flick is.

Lunching 
The best discovery this week is a new cafe! I've been catching up with friends and family a lot so it's the perfect little cafe for that. It's all fresh, organic produce and the food is super tasty. There is nothing like finding a new spot to eat. Oh and if you're wondering the soup pictured is Pear and Parsnip - sounds weird but tastes amazing.

A quiet week at More Than Adored HQ this week but I have so many exciting things in the works!

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NEW IN: BOOTS

It's not often I get excited about shoes. Okay that's a lie. I ALWAYS get excited by shoes but there isn't many that I can actually afford to buy. Last winter I wore my boots to death so I was in the market for a new pair (or two). I initially was looking for another pair of black cut-outs because I was so in love with my last pair (I still haven't got rid of them) but instead stumbled across these whilst, in complete contrast, my best friend was buying a pair of hot pink sparkling stilettos (for her 21st, of course). 

I really like how the platform shoe is super chunky, more so then other pairs that I'd come across. I don't need the extra height but I'll take it. Plus it elongates my legs SO freaking much! The platform makes the shoe incredibly comfy to wear which is exactly what I want, I don't have time for shoes that are uncomfortable. 

These aren't going to be everyone's cup-of-tea but I appreciate the edgy vibe it adds to any outfit and they transition well into the evening. Initially these did rub a little on my ankle so I suggest wearing longer socks to protect the skin for the first few wears. Now they're completely fine and these are easily my most favourite purchase I've made in a long time. 

Some of you my follow me on social media and saw that I had a problem with the boots, one split in half after a few wears. I got in contact with Betts and the customer service has been really great. They're willing to replace the boots which I'm really impressed with and so glad because I adore these. I'm still waiting to receive the replacement pair but I'll be sure to update you all if anything changes. 

Available from Betts RRP $109.99 here

What are your favourite pair of shoes at the moment? 

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YOUR QUESTIONS ANSWERED

What is your favourite thing to do in your downtime? 
Call me crazy but anything to do with blogging whether it be social media or reading other people's posts. I don't find it a chore because it's what I love to do so I like catching up on all things blogging related.

Where do you see yourself in 10 years?
Ask me this question a year ago and I would've told you that I'll be a teacher and have a cute little classroom but I've recently decided that I wasn't passionate enough to pursue teaching. I've experienced a big learning curb this year and it's that if you're passionate it's not worth it. Now I don't know where I'm going but I adore blogging and I'm looking to launch a new site (more on that soon) but career wise I don't have a painted picture in front of me of what to do next. Asides from career wise in 10 years time I would like to be well-travelled, drinking wine in a house somewhere by the sea.

Gel, liquid or pencil eyeliner?
I mostly use pencil eyeliner for everyday, either brown or nude, because I don't use too much make up for everyday so if I had to choose one it'd be pencil.

How do you cheer yourself up when you're feeling down?
I actually laughed at this question because I'm not very good at handling my emotions especially when I'm having a bad day. I'm incredibly lucky to have a very patient and supportive boyfriend who really helps me perk up on those bad days. I think I also have the mentality to think 'this is how I feel now but it's going to get better' so I'm able to see the other side.

How do you choose blog topics? Where do you find your inspiration?
I really struggle when people ask me this (which is pretty frequently) because I started blogging because I had so much to share. I have such a backlog of content there isn't enough time to release it all! Generally I try to keep a mixture of posts coming through 3 beauty, 1 lifestyle and 1 fashion post per week - the fashion is a new addition to my weekly schedule. Inspiration wise I'm always brainstorming ideas or someone asks me a question so I turn it into a post. Even new product releases inspire me to create a post or series.

What camera do you use?
I'm currently using a Canon 600d but I'm planning on doing a photography post in the next few weeks so stayed tuned for that. If you have any questions you want answered about photography let me know!

What is your favourite colour? 
Blue hence the colour scheme of More Than Adored.

Who do you look to for style inspiration?
I love London style so I really enjoy reading UK blogs for style inspiration. I love the grunge, laid-back culture over there. I'm very casual so following stores like Sportsgirl on Instagram give me constant inspo too!

What's an easy way to refresh your make up look?
I'm guilty of falling into a makeup rut and I think we all are. Take an element of your make up that you do everyday and alter it slightly; if you wear a hint of blush everyday switch it for bronzer instead OR just play around with tones and shades (trust me it sounds like not much but it makes a huge difference). I play up different toned eyeshadows so if I'm been wearing a lot of cool toned shadows I switch to warm or I switch my brown eyeliner for black. I may do a whole post on this?

if you could only buy one brand of lipstick for the rest of your life, what would it be?
I wish I could be more creative with this one but MAC! Just for their matte finish because it's the most reliable formulation for long-wearing lip colour I've found.

If you could only buy one brand of eyeshadow for the rest of your life, what would it be?
This was a little bit harder for me because I have so many brands I adore when it comes to eyeshadow. I love to variety Urban Decay offer in terms of tones. I feel as though they have a great range however it's not my ultimate formulation. Urban Decay colour range with Stila formulation? :P

What's the best foundation for sensitive skin?
I don't have much experience with sensitive skin although I'd love to recommend a foundation to you in a 'fully confident in it' kinda-way I can't. I think it's important to identify what it is that causes your skin to be irritated whether it be a particular ingredient or other elements. I do know a lot of people with sensitive opt for brands like Youngblood or Claytime that have a more mineral base so are much more gentle on the skin.

What apps do you use to edit your photos?
I've had a few Q's over on Instagram lately so I thought I'd just address it on my blog incase I've missed you asking on Instagram. I use Afterlight, Picfx, nSquares and WordSwag in combination, some more then others. All will set you back $1-4 each apart from nSquares which is free. I recommend them all because they all do different things.

Desert Island - you can only bring 3 'beauty' items (you have food, water, shelter) what do you bring?
I'd be boring a bring a facial SPF, body SPF and lip balm! Sorry but I'd prefer to be protected then to look pretty ha! 

If you had to whittle your skincare down to three items only, what would they be?
This is hard but for a long time I had a very basic routine that consisted of cleanser, tone and moisturiser so that would be my three steps.
Cleanser - The Body Shop Seaweed Deep Cleansing Facial Wash
Toner - Dermalogica CleanStart Breakout Clearing All Over Toner
Moisturiser - Dermalogica Active Moist

If you have any other questions or suggestions for post, leave them down below!

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