3 Basic Blog Design Tips for Bloggers

Hello, lovelies!

It’s that time of year again – time for another blog redesign! The appearance of a blog says a lot about its writer and is a great method to showcase their personality. I regularly revamp my blog design to refresh and brighten its appearance. If you feel overwhelmed by the sheer number of blog themes that are available, here are a few tips to help you design your website!

Select a simple theme

When in doubt, stick to a theme that is user-friendly and easy to navigate whether the reader is using a computer or mobile device. If you’re like me, you regularly read blogs using your phone, and websites that have a fresh, clean design are easier to navigate.

Contrast is key 

Choosing contrasting colours ensures that your blog looks professional and polished. Avoid blocking your background with images – it distracts from the written content on your website. I often select a few contrasting colours to make my writing and images pop.

Select a simple header 

Similarly to selecting a simple theme, selecting a simplistic header gives your homepage a sleek look. Selecting a simple header ensures that readers will focus on your blog’s content and images. I tested numerous headers when I began blogging, but switching it a banner reading ‘Glitter and Mojitos‘ simplified it’s appearance.

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REVIEW: Huda Beauty Obsessions Eyeshadow Palettes

Hello, lovelies!

Huda Beauty recently released a collection of mini eyeshadow palettes in a wide variety of shades. I bought numerous palettes from Sephora and was excited to see how it compared to the brand’s traditional palettes!

The Packaging

The eyeshadow palette is small and travel-friendly. The shadows are enclosed in a compact that includes a square mirror. The outside of the palette contains the Huda Beauty logo and photos of each eyeshadow within the palette. The palette features a matte black colour that pops against the coloured designs on each palette.

The Wear

The eyeshadow formula is creamy and pigmented. The mattes do not feel chalky or stiff, and the shimmers are bright. The shadows do not flake or crease throughout the day.

The Palette Options

Huda Beauty originally released the Obsessons Palettes in 2017. In September 2018, the brand expanded the collection to include the Precious Stone Obsessions Palettes. The entire collection features 10 palettes. I own the Warm Brown Obsessions and Amethyst Gemstone Obsessions Palette. Other palettes include:

• Gemstone Obsessions – A combination of creamy, metallic and duochrome shadows. This palette features ruby, sapphire and emerald shades.
• Coral Obsessions – A combination of matte and shimmer shades. This palette features bright, warm colours that include hot pink, burnt orange and rust-red.
• Warm Brown Obsessions – Features copper, warm-brown and deep red matte shades.
• Mauve Obsessions – This palette contains a combination of matte and shimmer shadows. This palette features soft plum, violet and dusty rose shades.
• Electric Obsessions – Features bold matte and shimmer shadows in shades that include hot pink, bright yellow and teal.
• Smoky Obsessions – A combination of matte and metallic shadows. The shades include carbon-black, shimmering gold, and silver.
• Amethyst Obsessions – A combination of matte and metallic shadows that include mauve, sparkling amethyst, and bubblegum pink.
• Topaz Obsessions – A combination of creamy matte and metallic shadows that include tan, orange, turmeric and sparkling gold shades.
• Emerald Obsessions – This palette contains matte and shimmer shadows in varying shades of green.
• Ruby Obsessions – This palette contains matte and metallic shadows in shades that range from ruby-red to sparkling champagne
• Sapphire Obsessions – A combination of matte and metallic shadows that are mainly blue-toned with pops of silver and lime-green.

If you are looking for a fun, travel-friendly eyeshadow palette I’d highly recommend the Obsessions Palettes from Huda Beauty! Each individual palette retails for $35 at Sephora.

Meet the Millennial Blogger: How and Why I’ve Grown to View Beauty, Strength, and Positivity in My Physical Disability

Hello, lovelies!

Find beauty, strength, and positivity in everything.

If you have followed my blog for a while, you’ll remember that I shared this story a while back. I explored the idea of expanding upon this post, and share my story with the hope that it will let you get to know me a little better. I write this post to inspire, heal, and recover.

Behind the Blogger

If you’ve read my blog for a while, I welcome you back to Glitter and Mojitos. If you are new, welcome and I hope you enjoy your time here! My name is Erin Angela. I’m a blogger from Canada. I have a physical disability, called Cerebral Palsy (CP, for short). This diagnosis came at birth, where I was given little hope of walking, talking, or succeeding in life. Despite the odds, I have survived and am currently studying social work.

On Beauty

Beauty is more than skin deep. Inner beauty radiates and shines. My disability gifted me with both negative and positive views of beauty. Once I entered my teenage years, my surgical scars and imperfections were a source of displeasure. It took time to accept the scars that mark my body like a roadmap.I slowlygrew to love them. I gained true appreciation for them. On the other end of the beauty spectrum, I learned to recognize beauty in the most unlikely of places. I learned to recognize my inner beauty. I learned to recognize my uniqueness.

On Strength

When faced with a challenge or setback, I thrive. Despite difficult recovery periods, I bounced back twice as strong. It is sometimes difficult to find strength within yourself. My strength has served as a way to cope and thrive with my disability.

On Positivity

A positive outlook is essential for living with a disability. I’ve always held a happy-go-lucy, positive attitude. I view my disability as positive: Without a disability, I would not be pursuing a social work career. I would not have encountered many incredible experiences throughout my lifetime. Developing a positive attitude is not easy, though. I became determined to focus on the positive aspects of my disability.

3 Confessions of a Blogger

Hello, lovelies!

I enjoy blogging. Since I began my blog, I’ve been able to share my creativity, experience new things, and I’ve even been occasionally noticed by beauty brands. Despite the positive aspects of blogging, there are often secrets that bloggers keep to themselves. Today I’m sharing a few ‘secrets’ that I’ve unearthed as a blogger.

It is not all sunshine and rainbows

Blogging takes a lot of work and effort. Creating new content regularly then promoting said content is time-consuming and it requires a lot of attention to detail. In addition to this, becoming a blogger will not guarantee that you’ll gain instant recognition and sponsorship from brands, which is a common misconception.

We, too, suffer from blogger brain

I constantly think about writing. If I’m not thinking about content for my next post, I’m checking my WordPress dashboard for new content, engaging with blogger groups on social media, or updating my social media feeds. Sometimes this can feel overwhelming and it’s not uncommon for your brain to feel ‘zapped’ from this cycle.

Support is a wonderful thing

We love when a new post is liked or shared, it makes everything we do as bloggers worth it! From my own experience, I read every single comment that is posted on my blog posts and feel grateful for each like I receive. Support from other bloggers or readers is a powerful thing, and it means a lot.

REVIEW: Versace Dylan Blue Perfume

Hello, lovelies!

I recently received a sample of the Dylan Blue Perfume by Versace. I have tested other perfumes by the brand and loved them, so I was excited to compare this one! This perfume has a delightful combination of fruity and floral notes.

The Packaging

The packaging is eye-catching and elegant. The perfume comes in a rounded glass bottle with intricate, raised golden decals. I love that the bottle has a gorgeous deep blue colour. It feels luxurious and beautiful.

The Fragrance

I was surprised by how much I enjoyed this fragrance! The blackcurrent sorbet scent is punctuated with tart notes of Granny Smith apple. As the perfume dries down, I detect floral and musky notes. The scent is playful yet sophisticated.

The Wear

This fragrance is long-lasting but not overpowering. I apply it in the morning and the scent does not fade for 4-6 hours!

If you’re interested in trying a perfume that is fruity and floral, yet has a musky undertone, I’d recommend Versace’s Dylan Blue! The perfume is feminine yet has a sensual element. The fragrance retails for $106 at Sephora.

3 Creative Ways to Use Dry Shampoo

Hello, lovelies!

Dry shampoo is a staple in my morning routine when there just isn’t enough time to wash my hair. Along with eliminating excess oil in your roots, dry shampoo can be useful for many aspects of your beauty routine!

Add faux highlights to your hair

Dry shampoo is available in a range of colours. While coloured dry shampoo is meant to blend into your hair, a few sprays can give the appearance of highlights in your locks.

Secure bobby pins

Bobby pins are often slippery and don’t stay in place. Spritz each bobby pin with dry shampoo before placing it in your hair for a secure hold.

Boost hair’s volume

Dry shampoo doesn’t just have to be saved for oily strands. Flip your hair upside down, add dry shampoo to your roots then concentrate it into the rest of your hair for extra volume.

REVIEW: Bite Beauty Matte Creme Lip Crayon

Hello, lovelies!

I adore Bite Beauty. I recently bought a Matte Creme Lip Crayon from Sephora and instantly enjoyed the lightweight, creamy formula that differs from the drying matte lipsticks I usually wear. Bite Beauty’s Matte Creme Lip Crayon is a unique product that unites the best aspects of matte and creamy lipstick!

The Packaging

The lip crayon comes in a sleek, matte black tube with the Bite Beauty logo embossed on it. It is lightweight and portable. The crayon itself has a precision tip for easy application. The crayon twists upward when the bottom of the tube is twisted, but it is not self-sharpening.

The Lip Crayon

I love the creamy texture of the lip crayon! It glides onto the lips and is highly pigmented. The lip crayon feels weightless when applied to the lips, and dries down to a demi-matte finish. I adore that this product doesn’t fade or feather with extended wear. When I wear this lip crayon with a matching lip liner shade, the longevity of the colour increases.

The Formula 

The formula is nourishing and creamy. The texture feels lightweight and comfortable. As with other Bite Beauty products, this lip crayon is formulated without parabens or sulfates. The lip crayon is water-resistant and feels smooth and hydrating on the lips.

The Shades

Bite Beauty’s Matte Creme Lip Crayon is available in an array of 23 shades:

• Blanc – Stark white
• Cava – Lilac beige
• Amaretto – Peachy nude
• Leche – Dusty pale pink
• Glace – Dusty mauve
• Tatin – Pink rose
• Pink Lady – Bright pink
• Frambroise – Vibrant rasberry-red
• Blood Orange – Intense red with orange undertones
• Peche – Warm peach
• Sucre – Warm pink
• Rose Hip – Vibrant red with blue undertones
• Fraise – Jewel red
• Red Velvet – Rich, deep red
• Brandy – Muted raspberry
• Pastille – Dusty mauve
• Aubergine – Eggplant purple
• Truffle – Deep brown
• Cognac – Chocolate brown
• Liquorice – Oxblood
• Black Truffle – Blackened violet
• Molasses – Rich toffee
• Sugarcane – Pale pink

Bite Beauty’s Matte Creme Lip Crayon is a great product if you like a creamier lipstick formula. It is lightweight and feels delightful on the lips. Though it is not long-wearing, the formula is one that I favour when I’m looking for a lightweight, creamier product! Bite Beauty’s Matte Creme Lip Crayon retails for $28 at Sephora