Way back in 2013, after reading blogs and watching YouTube channels about beauty for about three
years, I bit the bullet and created my own! I really loved being creative, but had no outlet to utilise it
in a real way.
I actually previously ran a blog about arts and crafts with a friend but I found it difficult to find my
own voice in blogging and was losing enthusiasm for craft. On a whim I created “The Minted Beauty” and over time, this has evolved into what we have today in “The Minted Blog”.

The tools every blogger should utilise:

Every blogger should sign up to at least one “Blogger Bootcamp” style email series. There are so
many free and exceptionally useful blogging tips that get sent straight to your email. I like to enrol in
this every six months or so to refresh the blog, find out new things other bloggers have been utilising
and just getting back that motivation for blogging.

The one hyped up product you just didn’t love:

When cleansing balms first came out I thought all my prayers had been answered and dove right in! I
bought The Body Shop Chamomile Cleansing Balm that everyone was raving about, and it resulted in crazy scary cystic acne! Turns out it contains Mineral Oil that my skin pretty much hates. It definitely taught me a lesson (particularly in skincare!) to do your research on ingredients and don’t believe all the hype you hear!

Your favourite skincare tip:

My secret weapon for years has been a facial cleansing brush (like the Clarisonic Mia2). It really
made a difference to my skin and if I don’t use it, I notice my skin becoming dull and lifeless, with
more blemishes starting to appear. I don’t think I will ever go back purely to manual cleansing only.

Your favourite fragrance:

This one is hard, I tend to change them up seasonally! I think my all time favourite would be Thierry
Mugler’s Alien, just because it’s so different and I always get complimented when I wear it.

The one product you can’t live without:

Any sort of brow product, these babies need taming to look good! I used to swear by brow powders
but lately I’ve been using Chi Chi Brow Pomade in Soft Brown and it’s pretty fantastic, it would be
hard to go back to powder!

Tip for any newbie bloggers:

Don’t be discouraged when everything doesn’t happen at once. It takes time to build a readership,
and nothing happens overnight (though it may seem like it for some people). Blogging takes hard
work and dedication, but you need to remember why you began blogging in the first place. For fun!

Favourite travel/holiday destination:
I recently just got back from a massive trip overseas all throughout Europe, and it’s difficult to
choose just one place! I would love to return to Poland or Serbia one day, they were both so fantastic. I am hoping to be able to head to Japan at some point too (mainly thanks to Mel for that one!)

Here is the lovely Kate - all dressed up at a friend wedding!

And there you have it! The very first Loads of Lifestyle Blogger Q&A! Thank you so much to Kate for getting in contact! If you would like to be part of the Q&A check out this post here!


Mel x

As always, between posts you can find me:

Instagram: @loadsoflifestyle
Twitter: @loadsoflifestyl
Pinterest: @loadsoflifestyl
Bloglovin': Loads of Lifestyle
Facebook: Loads of Lifestyle

Today I thought I would share some of my favourite bloggers who I follow religiously - on bloglovin', IG, FB, snapchat & twitter! I am including a variation of bloggers in this list, from well known large accounts, to smaller accounts and maybe not so well known!

Ash has a knack for taking amazing pictures, whether it be for her blog or instagram! They are always styled so beautifully - and her posts are always so informative! I am also loving her product directory - which I have just discovered in the last week!

Jess was one of the very first blogs I ever read, back then it was all about her vintage fashion finds and she would even have a market stall at Sydney markers & in her home town area of the Central Coast NSW - only and hour from home for me! - Jess is now a very well known fashion and travel blogger and has over 2 million followers on instagram. I love following her adventures around the globe!

It's no secret that Sarah is my blogging sole-mate! After meeting at last years Obsession blogging event in Brisbane, we instantly connected! We talk regularly - about blogging and life in general. She is one of the most genuine and lovely people I have ever met - plus she is a mega babe! This year we started a blogging series together about trying to save money and use what we already have in our collections. It's called the Spend or Save series and so far includes; 5 ways to save money when your a beauty addict and a project pan. We still have a few more posts up our sleeves, so keep an eye out for them! 

You only have to look at Daniela's pictures to see how talented she is! From the very beginning they have been on point and just keep getting better! Girl can #flatlay - I always try these messy type flatlays and they never look like this! 

Tasha – oh my god girl. She is so witty and hilarious in her blog posts! When I read them, I feel like she is in my head reading it out to me and I always have a little giggle to myself. She definitely has a way with words! I have had the pleasure of meeting Tasha twice now at different blogging events – and although she is a little shy at first – by the end of the day she is that witty funny person you can see in her blog posts!

Geneva - A Pair & A Spare

 Mel x