Apoligies

D'you know what really annoys me? Blogs which give elaborate reasons for a lack of posts...
("I've got exams, work has been crazy, my goldfish died, I lost my thumbs etc etc").
What a hypocrite, I'm about to do the very same!

I'm spending all of my free time at the moment on a project which combines my one true love (cosmetics) with my actual real life university qualification (animation) for a really huge brand.
I can't tell you yet, even though I'd love to. It's exciting and will be worth the wait, promise!

Ashton xxx

Blogger Of The Week

Hello! Ooh it's been a (small) while hasn't it!
Ok, so this is something I want to be doing regularly. Call it a 'series' if you like!

This week's blogger is the beautiful Maliberrymakeup, aka Alison or Mali!

Mali has a really unique beauty blog, but it incorporates some features which I believe either make or break a blog! I think I'm gonna go with bullet points!

• Mali has a 'thing'. That thing... is green. She doesn't do nudes, so there's no risk of another naked palette review. She's reviewed nearly every green shade of shadow, liner and liquid liner on the market! Yet she always manages to find more. Although I very rarely wear green, I find it really insightful to read such precise comparisons between similar products. I love it when a blog is thorough!
• She always swatches, without fail. Nothing bugs me more than when a point is made, without evidence! Mali will say "product X looks really Y over primer, but is a bit Z without it" ...and then we will get to see a photo of exactly what she means. It's brilliant. 
• Mali does both high-end, and high-street. I love nothing more than a broad spectrum blogger! 
• The perfect life/cosmetics balance. Sure, my main interest is make-up. I live and breath the stuff! However, I like to know about peoples studies, relationships, history. Mali does a great job of this, without making me feel like I'm invading, and without losing quality of product reviews. 
• Regular features/brands. I like to know what a person is loyal to. Mali has a 'lush of the week' feature, and is a return customer to Soap & Glory. I love that! 

I sent Mali a few questions...

1) When and why did you decide to start getting into blogging?

This is going to sound completely tragic, but after my first long-term boyfriend ended things in 2011, I was at a bit of a loss.  We'd been together for nearly 7 years so I had no idea what to do with myself or how to move forward. I'd actually started a blog prior to the break up which had a few vague posts about jewellery and a single lonely recipe, but it had been neglected. I picked it back up again after doing some blog reading and playing around with makeup as a distraction, and just went from there!

2) What do you love most about blogging & the blogging community? 

I've always loved writing - I would churn out pages and pages of stories when I was little and that's not really changed, although now I scribble about makeup :P  It keeps me sane to write a blog post - I find it very easy to sit and bash out a post and it's a break from university work!  I also love being able to feel so enthusiastic about something that's relatively superficial and doesn't require much thinking about and not worry about other people judging me for it. Bloggers are so lovely and understand how exciting a limited edition collection or new perfume can be! I think it's great how bloggers are becoming more and more recognised by brands too, and I'm excited to see how those relationships continue to develop.

3) What would you advise someone (like me!) who is just getting into blogging?

Don't stress about the number of people following you - let your readership grow organically. Get as involved as you can in social media as you'll get talking to lots of other bloggers, and you might even get the chance to meet them in person! Finally, this is just a personal preference but don't fall into the trap of writing the same posts as everybody else because it gets so boring to see the same thing pop up on your dashboard again and again and again. Another Naked palette review? Fantastic... *biggest eyeroll in the world*

Give her a 'click'!
That's all for now! Don't forget to tweet me if you think I'd enjoy your blog or you're enjoying mine!

Ashton xxx

Amps, Alcohol and Acne.

Hello Dolls!

I spent the weekend at Beacons Festival, situated in the beautiful Yorkshire dales. Beacons is really cute little local festival.
It was also really arty, which is right up my street! I watched a film called Tuvalu in the middle of the night in a tent on a bean bag. I did a bracelet making workshop on a blanket outside an adorable caravan/jewellery shop called Craftevan, I highly recommend checking out their etsy. I took part in a Whiksy Tasting Workshop. I don't even like Whisky, but my boyfriend loves the stuff, it was so informative and awesome to listen to someone with such a passion!

I confess, I slept in my make-up. I drunkely made a vague facewipe attempt, but that's it. I drank more rough cider than a young lady should, and ate more bacon than anyone should. When I landed back in Bristol I was greeted by a certain 'lady friend' of the month. This is all a very good recipe for a gang of the dreaded pimple.

(a brave image)

I've suffered with spots since I was about 12. I've come to terms with the fact that it's not just teens who get them, I am now 24. I mostly get painful, sore under the skin spots which feel worse than they look,  I also get nasty ugly blackheads. I'm a nightmare for picking and squeezing, I'll attack my skin even if there's hardly anything there, and cause redness and scaring.
I actually think it may be linked to my anxiety, but that's another story for another day. 

So what do I do when I get a breakout? I definitely don't sit there and take it!
This is my Blemish Busting kit! 

The Avon 'Clearskin' range is such good value! I use the Pore Penetrating Black Mineral Mask (usually £5, currently half price!) because it's such a good dupe for the Origins Clear Improvement Mask (£23). I've had full sized tubes of both in the past, and I honestly believe they are of equal quality. They're both are clay based, and both give that feeling of 'sucking' out the bad stuff! 

Here's an image with the mask both wet and dry. I really hate the feeling of a drying face mask, but oh boy it sure does the job. 

Avon also do the best exfoliator I've ever used*! Their Pore Penetrating Invigorating Scrub (usually £4, currently £2) has a slightly minty fragrance, the texture is almost sandy. It feels really organic, I'm not a fan of synthetic spherical beads, I like a good gritty texture which you can work right into your pores!

I am more than willing to part with my money if I think something works, I'll happily buy expensive products. But if I believe something works and it's cheap, happy days as far as I'm concerned!  

(left - the scrub in squeezed out form and smushed form

right - the mask both wet and dry)

Finally, Freederm! I've tried nearly every spot treatment on the market. I think I'll be buying Origins Super Spot Remover on payday, as it's highly recommended by every Bblogger and Beauty consultant I know. But in the mean time, Freederm does it for me. It gives that "hey, I'm working!" tingle, and the pharmacist warns you it could bleach your sheets... which I see as a good thing!

I've also tried Benzoyl Peroxide on prescription, and I still think Freederm does a better job at speeding the healing. 

So there we have it! Hopefully I'll be updating you tomorrow and will have woken up with a glorious clear face. 

On a serious note, I would LOVE to know your acne remedies, as it is like fighting a losing battles sometimes! I will try everything and anything.

Please do tweet me, or even email me. All links are over on the right hand side!  

'Til next time, Bitches!
(Watched too much Ru Paul's Drag Race Today) 

Ashton xxx

* I haven't yet used the Bare Minerals exfoliator. It's probably the best ;) 

What Have I Been Up To?

Hello!

So at the moment, I'm on holiday from work. It was my boyfriend's birthday yesterday, and my best friend's today! I thought I'd write a little bit about what I've been up to.

For Rhys' birthday I wanted to go for a bit of a fancy breakfast. I was recommended a new Argentinian inspired steakhouse called CAU (pronounced 'cow') which has just opened on The Triangle (top of Park St, Bristol). Their brunch menu had so much to choose from, we went for the full shebang just because well... if you can't on a birthday then when can you? There was fancy egg options and pancake type stuff to choose from too!

The place had an awesome edgy kind of vibe. Earlier in the year we visitied Berlin and CAU had a very similar atmosphere! Lots of clean white decor, a funky style of friendly staff and crazy light fixtures. This doesn't mean the food is comprised by any means! I intend to return for the evening menu, as there was a seafood spaghetti which sounds right up my street! The blackpudding on my breakfast almost tasted creamy, if that's possible?! CAU also had a good children's menu, and a little ipod thing which was pre-loaded with games and safety features, a nifty idea I thought!

In the evening, we went for a gorgeous meal in Greens on Zetland road. It was nice to get all dressed up because I haven't done so for a while! I had pork belly to start, and haddock for my main. We noticed that the menu the date at the top, which I assume means they have different meals each day. This is a really nice touch, I love it when restaurants use seasonal vegetables. For me, it makes me feel like some real care and consideration has gone into the food I'm eating. Delicious!

After our food we all met up for a multi-birthday drinking session, at one of Bristol's best kept secrets! The Milk Thistle is whats known as a 'speak easy' bar. It's a little hidden gem, with no front exterior. It's basically an inconspicuous door in the middle of town. You ring the door bell, and the bartenders come and let you in. If you didn't know it was there, you'd have no idea! The Milk Thistle has a really varied cocktail menu, so there's something to please every taste. I haven't taken any photos, because that would ruin the surprise and I'm not sure you're allowed! We then carried on for a few more at Hyde & Co, which I would describe as the sassy sibling of The Milk Thistle. Exactly the same concept, tucked away just off the triangle. I'm not going to give you exact locations because finding them is part of the fun! I promise you it's worth it, highly recommended.  

Tomorrow we are off to Beacons Festival. I am a little nervous as I'm not very experienced when it comes to camping, and I'm a self confessed 'high maintenance princess' kind of gal! But I've done a lot of prep, I think I've got everything covered. I've got all sorts of cleansing samples and mini bottles going on. As well as lots of glitter and dry shampoo!
What are you festival essentials?! Do you have any last minute tips for me before I go?

Tweet me or Instagram me: @ashtonlewsey 

Thanks for reading!

Ashton xxx

What Does It Take To HOST A Blogger Event?

Hello! This blog has only been alive for 2 days and it's had about 170 views. I am over the moon, thank you! Please do Tweet or Instagram me if you're reading, especially if you have a blog for me to nose at!

I thought I'd write about the process of holding an event for bloggers. As I previously mentioned, I've done it a few times now. I am mega totes keen to do more in the not so distant future!

You may recognise me from recents posts by Maliberry Make up, BekyLou, A Simple Melody, The Style Rawr, and Eltoria's Secret.

(Myself and the girls, and my awesome manager Joseph!)

On joining Bare Minerals, I wanted to get the word out! Ya see, it isn't just a job for me, I'm not just spouting salesman bollocks, I really truly love the stuff. Minerals are my jam!

I wanted to host a medium sized event, with a medium sized group of girls. So why did I pick these particular five? (I should also mention I invited lovely Jetley Mess but she couldn't come due to work)

All of these girls are friendly, funny and honest. Their blogs aren't pretentious, they aren't boring , they aren't repetitive, and they've got character! I'm going to be making weekly 'Featured Blog' posts soon, and I'll be retouching on each individually as well as others.
These guys have everything I look for in a blog; a chatty tone and little personal touches. I love a good product review, but more than anything I love to know about the writer herself.

So what actually happens at these things?! 

Well... I gave a bit of a talk about Bare skincare, because it's AWESOME and like no other skincare that any other brand does! I demo'd the Get Started Kit, which is the basic mineral kit everyone needs.

Then everyone got to have their faces done. We were all having a giggle, eating cakes, drinking Pepsi. I'm thinking "Is this really work?!". It is, and it can be hard work, but I love it!

I'll tell you a secret, I was TERRIFIED! I've got a B in A-level drama, but that was about 6 years ago mate and I'm not used to public speaking even if it is only a teeny group! I was worried I'd run out of things to tell the girls about each product. I think I nailed it, but don't take my word for it, check out the girl's reviews! 

Not only that, the girls got a delicious little goody bag to take away!

Next time I host an event like this, I'd like to do it with a group of girls I've never ever met! Just to test my ability a little bit more. This gang, I either knew from previous events or had twitter chats with. 

So if you'd like to get your name down for the next event, or just fancy coming in for a one-on-one with me, send me a tweet or drop me an email! I'm keen! 

Ashton xxx

My first post!

Hello! Please allow me to introduce myself, I'm Ashton.
...and frankly, I'm a little late!

I'll tell you a bit about myself and my relationship with the beauty world, the blogging world, and the general...world!

I graduated in 2012 from Birmingham, I studied animation. Those three years were the most creative, confusing and incredible years I've lived yet! When I graduated, I felt like a lost soul.... a very skint lost soul. And so I spent 50% of my time applying and interviewing for jobs relevant to my degree, and the other 50% applying for anything and everything. Through this process I landed a job which was probably half way between the two! I began working for Benefit Cosmetics, meaning I could put my creative skills and love for make up to good use, without the loneliness which comes with spending the day animating, staring at a MacBook!
Initially, the job was just money in my pocket. However, it soon became my One True Love!
The cosmetics industry has taught me the power of people skills, it showed me that a compliment can make a person's day, and that social media can influence a customers spending habits without them even realising. I love the look on a woman's face when she's just bought something she knows makes her look lush.

Two and a bit years later... I now work for my favourite brand, Bare Minerals (more about that later). I'm living with my best friend and my boyfriend (more about those guys later!). I've had an internship in Benefit's marketing department. I've been all over the country for various types of training. I've hosted two Bblogger events, co-hosted a couple of other events, helped out with a Look Good Feel Better session (more about those guys later), and developed a serious obsession with Instagram.

I might be a bit late to the party, but I really hope you'll have me anyway!
I have a hell of a lot to talk about, and I'm all ears for you guys.
So let's raise a glass.... to BLOGGING!

(My boyfriend is away for the night, I've spent the night drinking this and painting my nails. When Stella started doing Cider I was so against it! But now they've made it pink... I like it! Its far too easy to drink! My nail varnish is Barry M - Papaya with an accent nail of Estee Lauder's Envious)

Ashton xxx