Happy Wednesday! I am sooooooo excited to bring you another instalment of ‘Blogging BTS’, this time with Special K of @allmyshittymakeup (follower her here!)

One of the reasons I love this series so much, is you truly to get to know the blogger a little better- like how they make content decisions etc.

I really appreciate K’s honesty when it comes to working with brands as well as copying content… and I hope you do too!

Thank you so much for all of your fab responses, K! Enjoy!

How long have you been blogging/had your IG?

I’ve had my Insta since April this year. I was thinking of getting a blog for about a year, by that point with all my friends who I harassed with my unsolicited skincare advice telling me to start it. So, one April day when I was feeling especially miserable, I created “allmyshittymakeup” 😀

What was the first item you were ever ‘hashtag gifted’?

@Cipherskincare! Jenny was the one who reached out to me -when I didn’t even have 1k following – asking me to review her products. She offered me an entire range but I felt so bad that I’m such a small blogger, so I’ve picked just a few things 🙂 We’ve had a good relationship since and I keep promoting her products as they turned out to be one incredible skincare range!

Do you reach out to brands to collaborate? Or do you wait for them to approach you?

I’ve just reached out to a few brands this week for the first time. Got a few polite no\s and one harsh pretty much “FU” no, but it’s ok 🙂 I think if you feel like the brand is aligned with your blog theme and you can bring value, you can ask them to collaborate.

Have you ever reached out to a brand and received no response?

Nudieglow had a campaign when they were looking for mini fridge ambassadors and were asking to DM them. I had about 1.5k following and a media kit, so I reached out with a proper proposal with no avail. I mean, it’s cool to be left on read, but when a brand asks influencers to reach out and then doesn’t aknowledge them that’s a bit shitty.

Have you had a ‘pinch me’ blogging moment?

No, not really 😛

Can you think of a time when your following (as in, the number of followers you have) has ever disadvantaged or benefitted you?

I don’t think of it as a disadvantage, but the bigger following I get, the more important it is for me to research before posting. I don’t want to spread misinformation and this resulting in someone getting hurt because of my advice…

Who is your dream brand to collaborate with?

Laura Mercier! Oh God, I still cry about this powder that I bought and lost after 2 days of using! It’s such a beautiful makeup brand and I pretty much want all of their products.

Is it your goal to make blogging a full time job?

Not really, at leat not now. I love social media and beauty, so this is more of a creative outlet for me. Outside of my blog I have a pretty successful career in IT talent acquisition.

What’s one PR package you wish you received?

All those Mecca PR packages sent to “big dogs”. Mecca is my favourite beauty store in Australia and I’d love to be a part of their PR.

If someone said ‘what do you do?’ would you say ‘I’m a blogger?’ Why/why not?

I’d say that I’m a cat scheperd! Joking… I’d still say I’m a Talent Acquisition professional as that’s my career 🙂

Do you have an issue with the algorithm?

I didn’t even know Insta has an algorithm until recently… It doesn’t bother me too much. People that follow me for my content will engage with my posts anyway 🙂

What’s one condition you would never agree to with a gifted or sponsored post?

I would never recommend products that are potentially harmful. I also would not recommend any supplements/health shakes as everyone’s body is different and can react differently.

What is one of your conditions that a brand must agree to in order to collaborate with you?

They must agree to me writing an honest review. I know a lot of bloggers prefer not to write about the products they didn’t like, but I’m building a sort of online database of beauty and I think it’s important to talk about products that don’t work for you – even if they were gifted.

Have you ever had a negative experience with a brand?

Sukin 😀 Oh Lord, I started some beef… I have made a conscious decision not to purchase from the brand anymore, although I really like a lot of their products. When I saw their post about using minerals, not chemicals in skincare I was triggered. I hate fear-based marketing and sun protection is so important, that we should be encouraging consumers to use ANY sunscreen, not try to convince them that chemical sunscreens are “bad”.

For the sake of this question, we are calling you (and me!) an ‘influencer’ (or micro-influencer’) Can you give us just a general overview of your opinion on the whole ‘influencer’ space? Do you trust ‘influencers’ opinions?

We are influencers babe! I had so many people messaging me saying they’ve purchased something based on my review (or didn’t). I trust influencers, but not all of them. Some of the people I follow purely because of their blog aesthetic, but I don’t really care about their opinions as much, because they are so drowned in PR and praising every single new release, that at some point you start questioning their integrity.

Share the story of how you gained a gifted item? From the initial contact, to the post of the item etc. Was it smooth sailing?

Every time Cipher sends me products, Australia post finds a new way to screw it up 🙂 Why I love working with this brand is because every time we encountered shipping problems, Jenny made sure she checked with the post office and updated me. I also didn’t receive my first Subi beauty package (Australia post, you’re seriously shit), but Yesl sent me a second parcel without even questioning me! So I’d say it’s a bumpy road, but no major problems 🙂

Take us behind the camera, do you use natural or artificial light? Phone or DSLR? How do you edit pictures? 

I have a $9 backdrop from Aliexpress that I put on my vanity next to a window. I have a small apartment, so my photo space, vanity and TV stand is the same thing 😀 I try to use natural light as much as possible, but I do film my stories with a ringlight. I use my phone to take pictures, I’m too lasy to do the whole “photoshoot and editing” thing. P_lus, it’s time consuming and I work full-time. I use VSCO filters and play around with light settings.

Are you fussy with your feed or do you just wing it? If you are particular and intentional, tell us about the planning process. 

I post about whatever the hell I like! I don’t particularly plan my posts, just shoot a bunch of content on the weekend and then spread it around during the week. I try not to post about the same type of product consequently though, if I had a haircare post I’d try to do skincare/makeup/tutorial next.

You recently spoke about creators copying content… do you want to delve a little deeper? What did you see that made you speak out? 

I was just annoyed as I’ve seen one girl pretty much copying @peachygoodskin old blog style. At the same time I saw one of my fellow bloggers having a heated discussion with @skincarebymoi who was using other blogger’s pictures and being very rude about it. (by the way, I’m totally in the name and shame team, I feel our community doesn’t do it enough in fear of being deemed “problematic”). I get my inspiration from other bloggers, but I still want my blog to represent me. It’s important. I didn’t start this to get free PR or to become popular like Kim Kardashian. So I don’t care about popular trends and blog styles, I want my blog to represent me. And it feels really discouraging when you see that other people blatantly copy your ideas, content, post style and even products they review.

Name three bloggers who admire and why

@peachygoodskin because she is always supportive, she is a conscious consumer and her feed is a work of art. She is also someone who doesn’t just write reviews for the sake of free PR. She sends packages back if she doesn’t feel that brand ideology aligns with hers. I admire it – it’s very easy to lose your morals when you get gifted a $100 item

@ms_hannah_e because her #todaysspf hashtag is important and she is doing such an amasing work of promoting good tanning behaviours (meaning – no tanning behaviours and drowning in SPF50). I also enjoy her feed style and raw, unedited, skin posts

@waveyhues because she is so small, yet she puts her best into creating meaningful beauty content and engaging with her audience. It is very easy to get discouraged when you don’t grow as quickly as others and I really respect her tenacity and dedication

Follow @allmyshittymakeup on Instagram.

Follow along on IG @rolly.mag >>> https://www.instagram.com/rolly.mag/

Love a bargain? Me too! Find a bargain in my Discount Directory >>> https://rollymag.home.blog/rolly-mags-discount-directory/

And say hello via email >>>

hellorollymag@gmail.com

As I begin to write this, it is mid-September. But the only way I manage to product these posts on time by the end of the month, is by starting them early.

Cons of writing this mid-month, you forget to include some products in the shot. My bad. But I still love them, promise.

Burt’s Bees Lip Crayon / here

I won this is Ree’s giveaway and when I first used it, I was shocked by the lack of ‘balm-i-ness’. Like, you wouldn’t think that Burt’s Bees, lip balm heroes, created this product. Despite, that it is not uncomfortable to wear, just not as moisturising as I hoped. The colour is really pretty and buildable. I got two compliments on this when I first wore it! I like this because it’s so low maintenance- can easily reapply without a mirror and I don’t have to worry that it might transfer onto my teeth like a lipstick might. Really loving this, and will definitely investigate the rest of the collection. But also, lol, forgot to include it in the picture I’m so sorry.

Mecca Max Sugar Queen Palette / here

Aka, Instagram’s most featured palette of the month! My bestie and I were on a shopping trip about a week before our birthday, and I showed her this. She asked me if I wanted it for my birthday and the rest is history! I love shiny things so I was instantly drawn to the shimmer shades. But when I used it for the first time, I realised it was actually the matte shades that I loved. I am seriously in love with it. And the massive mirror inside is such a bonus too. Really, $38 is very reasonable to pay for something such good quality.

IT Cosmetics CC Cream / here

Am I the last one to the party here? It really is *that* good. Comfortable, evens tone, dewy but not sweaty, well lasting. Love love love but the price tag is steeeeeep. I have tried the Chi Chi CC cream and didn’t love it as much. So I think I would repurchase this.

Flower Blush in ‘Sweet Pea’ / here

Guys, this is kinda revolutionary for me… because literally September is the first time I’ve used blush when doing my makeup. I was always scared of it because I have some redness on my cheeks and I thought it was highlight that. Well, I was wrong. This colour gives the perfect, subtle flush of colour that brings life to the face. It is so beautiful and such a steal at just $10. Highly recommend.

ELF Primer Infused Blush in ‘Always Cheeky’ / here

Yep, I went from no blush to two fave blushes in a month! This colour is a little more intense but if you’re light handed it is such a beautiful colour. It does have some impressive staying power as well.

Sukin Blemish Gel / here

One of my lovely followers recommended this product when I was on the hunt for a spot treatment. It gentle on the skin and I’ve found it to be effective… but I won’t say much more because I hope to do a dedicated post to the product. Do let me know if you have any questions though!

Palmers hand cream / here

Hand cream has been my beauty discovery of the year and I am absolutely loving it! This one smells delish and feels nourishing. Because the bottle is pretty too, I keep this one in my handbag, and my Du’it on my bedside. (Yeah, I’m one of those people with hand cream in their bag now #Adulting #levelUp)

Good Molecules Squalene Oil / here

Not sure if I’ve told you guys here, but I don’t actually use a day cream. But on mornings that I feel my skin needs a little extra nourishment I reach for this. It doesn’t sink into the skin very quickly, but it’s easy enough to work with once products are layered over the top.

So… fragrance / here

I used to have a whole collection of these fragrances when I was in primary school… so I experienced some serious nostalgia when I received this!

And for someone who doesn’t really pay much attention to fragrance, this brings my collection to # way to many for one person.

But, it’s the perfect everyday scent, and I like how it sits on my shelves.

Lanolips in Nectar / here

A new shade, I’m sure you’ve heard! I purchased this one as a GWP with this month’s Elle magazine. I hope you get your hands on one otherwise Mecca is your next bet. It’s a beautiful subtle coral colour and this tint is exactly how I like to wear my lip colour.

Medik8 Crystal Retinal 1 / here

I always thought that retinol was for those in their late 20s, to combat signs of ageing. However, listening to this Adore Beauty podcast episode with Daniel Isaacs, Chief Product Officer at Medik8, I learnt that there was actually a product for everyone! I’ve been using this serum for the past two weeks, and have used 4 times in total. I’m really enjoying it so far. It’s an entry level retinol product, perfect for me at 19, and also my skin. Yes, it’s pricey, but it is goooood and you don’t need much nor to use it often. Definitely something I will purchase myself.

Beach Way Aromatics Midnight Silk Mask / here

Beach Way is a relatively new discovery of mine… but I’ve already made two orders from them in one week!

This mask is really lovely and nourishing, and the packing is so luxe!

Oh oh oh! And it’s an Aussie boss mama business. Too good not to support! I have a discount for them in my Discount Directory!

Garnier Hair Mask / couldn’t find this in Aus!

I’m usually too lazy to use a hair mask, but I received this in my September Bella Box and used it a handful of times. It makes my hair feel nice so I’m enjoying it. But I’ll be honest, it’s not something I’d repurchase- simply because hair products aren’t my priority.

Not beauty, but…

The Princess Saves Herself In This One – Amanda Lovelace

One of my other besties gifted this to me for my birthday and I fell absolutely in love with the title. It’s my new life motto. Not joking. The book hasn’t received amazing reviews online, mainly pointing out the fact that

Writing

Like this

Does not make

It poetry.

But I love it. I think this book came into my life when I needed it, and I have found a lot of peace within it. Not necessarily with the story itself, but the way in which the story is told.

What was one of your beauty/lifestyle faves this month?

Follow along on IG @rolly.mag >>>https://www.instagram.com/rolly.mag/

Love a bargain? Me too! Find a bargain in my Discount Directory >>> https://rollymag.home.blog/rolly-mags-discount-directory/

And say hello via email >>>hellorollymag@gmail.com