by Suzi | Jan 14, 2021 | CLEAN BEAUTY
Sharing all the best for natural beauty for 2020 on the blog! It's finally here. Another year gone by and so many products to share. Each year I share a glimpse into the previous year's product roundup by sharing the best of the best. I vet each product and really scour to find what really stood out and made me stop in my tracks. This year was no different. I'm sharing the cream of the crop when it comes to natural beauty for 2020. These products had me doing happy dances when I tried them!
If reading my picks wasn't enough I'm sharing my friend and fellow clean beauty blogger Lisa from This Organic Girl's picks too! She has the same high standards. It's always fun to see what she picks! You might even find that there are a couple similar products we love. Check out her post here.
We both will be sharing our top 10 products for natural beauty for 2020, plus we even have some bonus faves that we couldn't not add to the list…I mean once a beauty junkie, always a beauty junkie. These are faves that haven't changed over the last year or so.
But it gets even better! We are each giving away our top 10 to one lucky winner! That's two winners! Enter to win my top 10 faves below and don't forget to head to Lisa's blog post to enter to win her faves there too.
Without further adieu- let's check out the best of the best for 2020.
Maya Chia makes natural skincare products that give results- The Straight A Serum is no different!
Maya Chia Straight A Serum
So the Straight A Serum launched in 2020 and basically took the natural beauty realm by storm! It was the first product that came to mind for the best of natural beauty for 2020. This isn't just another serum. It's a serum that means business and gets results…quickly. I have been using this for a while and definitely can speak to the overall experience of it. My skin looks brighter, more even and overall alive and not dull. I use it at night. It contains the plant retinol bakuchiol which I’ve used before in other skincare products and it also contains moth bean extract- another plant derived retinol. But it doesn't stop there. The formula also has an advanced retinol using an encapsulated Retinol. This is a derivative of Vitamin A without BHT. BHT has been shown to cause live damage in rats- even in small amounts. Conventional retinol typically contains BHT. Plus, the supply chain with BHT is very unstable.
Besides the powerful retinols it also contains Vitamin C and Vitamin E. These brighten the skin and help fade hyperpigmentation. You’re also going to get some serious hydration from this serum as well with Buriti oil, and chia seed oil. I can't tell you how many people have used this and have become sold overnight- literally. A skin changing serum for sure! Don't forget to check out my full Maya Chia review here. Check out The Straight A Serum here.
This Body Prophet is what body moisturizer dreams are made of!
Free + True Body Prophet
I discovered this stand out body lotion in a Beauty Heroes box. If you are a natural beauty lover then you'll want to check out this box. They deliver the best of the best in natural beauty to your doorstep each month for a fraction of the cost. Subscribe here. Anyways, I instantly fell for this luxe body lotion after one application.
They actually call it a body serum. In my mind it's a cross between a body oil and a lotion- it's like a creamy lotion/oil. Whatever, you want to call it, it's so good. I literally finished the whole bottle and was scraping the insides for more. For a beauty blogger to go through a product you know it’s a big deal! I love how it comes in a glass pump bottle, makes it so easy for application. I also love how it smells- with hints of ylang ylang, rosemary and pomegranate. Such a light scent, nothing overwhelming. Plus, it has antioxidants that help to protect your skin like olive leaf extract which is 2.5 times higher in antioxidants that Vitamin C or E. It also has pumpkin seed oil, aloe vera juice and sea buckthorn berry. The overall feel is so lightweight. It absorbs instantly into the skin and doesn’t leave behind a greasy residue. I want another bottle stat! If you’re looking for a new body lotion- this is it. Get it here!
I've been wearing these Ilia Chromatic Liquid Eyeshadows everyday!
Ilia Liquid Chromatic Eye Serums
These came out in the fall of 2020 and let's just say we quickly became besties. It was love at first swipe! If you've been in natural beauty for a minute then you know it's hard to find a liquid eye shadow that lasts and doesn't fade. I hadn't found one until these showed up. They come in a tube that looks like lip gloss but there's no gloss inside, instead there's a creamy consistency that swipes on the eye effortlessly. I apply the product right on my eye and then use my finger to blend in. They blend in so easy! The best part? They stay put the WHOLE day. Yes, not like typical liquid shadow these stand the test of time. I love applying them underneath powdered shadows too. It really helps the color to pop even more and gives the powdered shadow something to adhere too. They are a great eyeshadow primer!
I have four colors, Glean, Mythic, Sheen and Fresco- all gorgeous and layer so well on top of each other. I've even used the lightest shade Glean as a highlighter! Works so well. I highlight the typical areas of my face- cupid's bow, middle of forehead, upper cheekbone, bridge of nose and middle of chin. I love how they can be used for multiple things. Can't recommend them enough! Check out more Ilia products I love here. Get them here.
This mask has been in heavy rotation in my skincare routine!
Alpyn Beauty Wild Huckleberry 8-Acid Polishing Peel
This is another favorite that launched this past fall from Alpyn Beauty. Read my review here of some of their other stellar products– you could say I'm obsessed with the line! Had to include it in the natural beauty for 2020 post. I remember opening the lid and instantly falling in love with the scent- SO good. It smells like berry pie! I want to eat it- trust me one whiff and you'll understand what I mean.
It leaves your skin smooth, hydrated and soft- all within 5 minutes. It's a mask, a peel and a polish all in one. If you've been wanting one product that does it all look no further. The blend of antioxidant rich wild huckleberry and white willow bark instantly give your skin glow worthy results. It also boasts a proprietary AHA/BHA blend of Citric, Malic, Tartaric, Glycolic, Azelaic, Ferulic & Lactic Acids. It’s a mini facial in a jar. Perfect before putting on makeup for the day to get the smoothest makeup application or at night to unwind and set your skin up for success at night. If you're a skincare minimalist this could be your new jam since it does so many things. Smooth radiant skin has never been easier. I love applying this at night and waking up to smooth, glowing skin. But I also love using it first thing in the morning to really get my skin moving and radiant. Get it here!
This cleanser does it all!
Beuti Skincare Pomegranate Glow Enzyme Cleanser
So I have to give a huge shout out to one of my favorite clean beauty stores Aillea. They sent me this cleanser and let's just say I was so impressed after the first use. This is what I expect from my cleanser. I want it to remove all my makeup and not leave any residue- this includes mascara. I want to be able to just rinse it off with water and not have to use a washcloth. Now most oil cleansers you need a washcloth and I'm not saying I don't love oil cleansers but overall I prefer a cleanser that doesn't require an extra step like using a washcloth in this season of my life(hello 1 year old, a 4 year old and a 6 year old). So you can imagine my delight when I used this cleanser for the first time and it removed all my makeup- yes even the stubborn mascara rinsed off with water. Plus, my skin still felt hydrated and had a subtle glow to it.
It's a 3-in-1 cleanser. I guess you could say I was into the multi-use products this last year! Not only does it act as a cleanser but also gently exfoliates with enzymes as well. It can also be used as a facial mask if you leave it on for 5-10 minutes. The best of all the worlds! So if you're needing a good cleanser, gentle exfoliant, mask- look no further! I'm also a huge fan of the Beuti Sleep Elixir as well. Kate Middleton is obsessed too- just sayin'. Get the Beuti Glow Enzyme Cleanser here!
This is a skin game changer!
Beautycounter All Bright C Serum
Natural beauty for 2020 wouldn't be complete without the Beautycounter All Bright C Serum. Beautycounter came out with this in the spring and it sold out right away. This Vitamin C Serum is packed with all the things! You apply this serum first thing in the morning before you apply your makeup. It helps to protect your skin from the harmful rays of the sun and environmental damage. It’s filled with a 10% stable blend of Vitamin C that helps to brighten your complexion, while also reducing dark spots. It also has camu camu and tumeric, heavy hitting antioxidants that help protect your skin from new hyperpigmentation. My skin is brighter and younger looking. If you’ve tried it then you know! Perfect for anyone wanting to take their skincare to the next level. Get it here!
I've gotten so many people hooked! Their response is, “My skin looks so bright and even.” I couldn't agree more. My skin loves it. I love the fresh smell too. When it comes to Vitamin C serums this is one you're going to want to have in your skincare arsenal. I apply mine after cleansing and toning in the morning before my moisturizer. Get it here!
Primally Pure's Blue Tansy Deodorant and Charcoal Deodorant have won my heart!
Primally Pure Deodorants
This has been a long time fave when it comes to natural deodorant. If you've been around the natural beauty scene for any length of time then you know finding a deodorant that works can be hard. Primally Pure solves the problem! They take the natural deodorant cake in all areas. From affordable price, squeaky clean ingredients, and smell good scents that don't irritate the skin. Overall, the formula works so well! They have a couple blog posts that really help understand natural deodorant. Check out what you need to know about using natural deodorant and also their blog post on the science of natural deodorant and why their formula works so well.
My hubs loves the Charcoal Deodorant. I love their Blue Tansy. Although I tried the Charcoal and I have to say I would use that any day too! It's crazy because the more I tell people about their deodorants, the more feedback I hear on how amazing they are. It seems to work for the majority of people.
If you haven't been able to get your husband to make the switch I recommend grabbing him a Primally Pure Deodorant. The Formula goes on so smooth and doesn't cause any irritation. I smell fresh all day long. The Blue Tansy smell is just so good! I also love how the charcoal smells minty fresh- I'm here for all the mint! Check out all their deodorant scents here.
This is your new favorite foundation! It feels like your skin but offers great coverage…Skin Twin has my heart!
Beautycounter Skin Twin Foundation
Since this just came out from Beautycounter and I can't stop using it! It's such an amazing formula. They've been working on it for quite some time and they did not disappoint. Filled with skin loving ingredients like hyaluronic acid that literally give your skin a surge of hydration and draw moisture to your skin. It offers buildable coverage. So you can opt for a more lightweight feel or you can apply more product and get more of a full coverage look. It doesn't feel like you're wearing anything! It truly lives up to it's name- Skin Twin. Your skin but enhanced. It gives you an overall polished look without look cakey or heavy. I apply the foundation after I've applied my oils or moisturizers. It glides on so smoothly. I wear the color 340 with self tanner and 310 if I'm not wearing self tanner. Check it out here!
This exfoliant does it all and leaves your skin smooth and glowing!
Mukti Organics 2-in-1 Resurfacing Exfoliant
My clean beauty skincare routine just got a whole lot better with this product this past year! I was introduced to it back in April’s Beauty Heroes box and I haven’t been able to stop using it- obsessed! The exfoliant had me basically after the first application but sold me the more I used it. This has a combination of fruit acids that help loosen and rid the intracellular bonds, while encouraging collagen production. Then once the fruit acids do their thing, jojoba esters and finely ground bamboo particles remove the dead skin. I use this in the morning first thing on damp skin. I rub in circular motions. Then brush my teeth. Once I'm done I rinse it off. My skin feels so smooth and radiant! I use it twice a week. If you have sensitive skin I would do a patch test first and then see how your skin does. It smells amazing too! Like fresh lime juice and it’s this beautiful emerald green. This has been on repeat in my skincare routine! You will be addicted. Check it out here!
The Christina Moss Shampoo and Conditioner was a product that had me coming back for more!
Christina Moss Shampoo and Conditioner
I posted my full organic shampoo post this last year. The Christina Moss Shampoo and Conditioner was one shampoo and conditioner I could't shake- it was so good! What I loved about it was the fact that I could use it on my fine/thin hair and love it and my sister could use it on her thick hair and it work just as well. This is great for any hair type. Comes in a tube and a little goes a long way. Suds up a little and gets my hair feeling clean. It doesn't have a scent! It is made for the most sensitive scalps. I love that it doesn't have a scent. I've found a lot of people are sensitive to scent near their head especially. It's also pretty budget friendly for a clean shampoo- $19.99! Super impressed with the ingredients. They really hit it out of the park with this one. Especially great if you don't do scents or have a sensitive scalp. Get it here!
These natural beauty products have been standouts for years!
I couldn't let the natural beauty of 2020 post be complete without sharing some bonus faves that continue to rock my world year after year!
- Josh Rosebrook Hair- The best natural hairspray I’ve found peeps-let it be known! I love the smell! It has a list of essential oils but the ones that stick out to me are the rosemary and lavender. I love knowing exactly what I’m breathing in, no hidden fragrance! Second, it doesn’t goop up when you spray. It actually has a mist feel. Yeah, pretty cool. Lastly, it just works. With my hair being fine and thin, this product delivers hold throughout the day, volume, and doesn’t get crunchy…you know what I’m talking about. It’s just good stuff. I would recommend this for anyone transitioning from a mainstream hairspray. You need it, trust me! Grab it here!
- Honest Beauty Mascara- This is hands down my favorite natural mascara in clean beauty currently. I know, that says a lot but it’s true. The formula checks all the boxes. It offers thickness, length, separation- it’s just awesome! The formula isn’t too dry or too wet and I love that I don’t have to apply 5 coats of mascara to see product on my lashes. In just two coats my lashes are instantly lengthened, thicker and have overall more volume. I’m sold! On one end of the mascara wand is a primer and the other the mascara color. I apply the primer first and then the mascara. It doesn't smudge by the end of the day either- it's a win/win overall. Get it here!
- Innersense Whipped Creme Texturizer- I use this product everyday on my girl’s hair, on my hair and my hub’s uses it, I'm even using it on my little guy now! You could say it’s well loved. It helps to define curls, eliminate frizz and smooth hair, as well as add a bit of texture. I love using it on my hair after I curl it to leave it with some texture, and give it a tousled look. Can’t recommend it enough! We can't be without it in our house. Get it here.
- Live Botanical Glowing Honey Mask- This mask began my love affair with Live Botanical. I love it! It makes my skin glow in minutes- no joke! I apply it all over in the morning and then grab my toothbrush and then rinse off once I’m done brushing my teeth. It feels so hydrating and soothing to the skin. It gives a slight exfoliation too with herbal grains. The raw honey in this mask draws moisture to the skin while soaking up all the excess oils at the same time. What I love is that this mask can be used daily as a cleanser or as a mask a couple times a week. Use code: GURLGONEGREEN for 20% off at Live Botanical. Shop here!
- Beautycounter Sheer Genius Conditioning Lipstick- I love how these feel on my lips. They're hydrating, give a slight sheen and give the perfect subtle pop of color. They are the everyday lip product you won't want to stop wearing. I have Rose, Lilac Petal and Rosewood. Check them out here!
Don't forget to enter to win my top 10 faves of 2020 below!
If you liked this post, check out past posts below:
Best Nontoxic Cookware
Best Natural Beauty Concealers
Natural Mascara
Sharing the best of natural beauty for 2020 on the blog!
by Suzi | Jan 9, 2021 | CLEAN LIVING
Words you hope to never say, “Instagram account hacked.” It honestly still gives me goosebumps not because Instagram is everything- because it's not by any means but because I felt so violate and I've worked hard to create an audience I love. You'll understand more as I explain below. It's been almost 3 weeks. I wanted to share my story right away once I got my account back but I was a little traumatized still- ok maybe a lot and the hacker was still trying to contact me and get into my account the next day. I needed some time for things to settle before sharing everything.
The hacker got my password when I clicked the link they sent me in my DM's.
Instagram Account Hacked…
So it all started at night. I should have been in bed and I wasn't. I had been up past 11 finishing up some things. I have said this before and it really rings true more than ever but nothing good happens late at night! Or at least when you're trying to actually use your brain. It's so easy to miss things and not actually see the writing on the wall so to speak. That's what happened to me.
I was scrolling through my Instagram DM's and then once I had answered all the messages in the inbox I went to the message requests. These are the messages you get when someone has never messaged you before. I saw one from Instagram. I was intrigued and clicked on it to read. Now I have to stop here before I go any further. I normally never just scroll my phone that late- really! If anything it's because I'm working on something on my computer or I'm nursing a baby. 🙂 So I should have just set my phone down. I remember feeling so tired and just wanting to go to bed but then getting sucked in.
Anyways, below you will find the message that I got. It looked legit when I was reading it. They told me I was going to get my account shut down because of copyright infringement…something to that extent. I clicked their account and it had the blue check mark and over 10K users, and it was set to private. Looking back the privacy setting should have been a red flag. Reading it when I was fresh and after it all happened I realized how there were so many signs that it was fraud but like I said I was tired and not thinking straight. Even in the message, the wording didn't really make sense after reading it again and there were some errors. Things I wouldn't expect from Instagram. I'm just emphasizing the tired part because I think sometimes we can avoid things when we just wait and not do anything drastic. I wished I wouldn't have clicked on the link inside that message. I had thought initially I should have my hubs look at this. He's always my safeguard and really can help see fraudulent things pretty quickly. But he was sleeping and in my mind I was panicking after I read it and thought my account was going to get shut down the next day as they had said. So I didn't want to waste any time.
This is the message I received in my DM's from the hacker. It looked like a message from Instagram.
After I clicked on the link it basically restated that I had violated some copyright infringement and to click next. That's what did it. Whatever link it was stole all my information. I didn't put anything in. The next slide asked for my email password which I didn't give because that's when it started to seem sketchy. I quickly just closed out of it. Not realizing they had just received my information. Then when I went back to get into it, my account was gone. They had gone in and changed all the information. My username was no longer gurlgonegreen, but something totally different. The email was changed, everything. I couldn't even find it on Instagram.
The Aftermath Of Instagram Account Hacked…
I didn't even tell my hubs until the next day. I woke up to a text message from the hacker asking if I wanted my account back. You can see it below. He wanted money for the account. This was the creepiest part. I felt violated knowing someone had my phone number and could contact me about it. My hubs started to communicate with him. His idea was more to get the guy to stall. We didn't want to pay him. But then my hubs thought maybe we should try it after getting some feedback from different lawyers and tech friends. I just didn't feel good about paying the hacker though. After talking my hubs agreed. It wasn't about the money but more about the idea that we were going to be perpetuating this. If we paid him, then he's going to think he can keep doing this. I don't want this to happen to anyone.
This is the message I woke up to the morning after I was hacked.
My hubs went into full investigator mode and started to do anything and everything to try and get it back. We first tried Instagram. We submitted probably close to 500 claim emails. We went to Instagram Help Center, then Privacy and Safety Center and then report something. It's there that you can choose from things you want to report. Hacked accounts is an option. Like I said, we emailed them A LOT! My hubs stayed up every night just sending emails to anyone he found online connected to Instagram or Facebook. We kept getting a message back saying that they couldn't help me because my account was deleted. We kept asking the hacker if he deleted my account and he said no, he froze it. After talking to several tech guys that deal with security, they can't actually delete it and most of them don't. Even if it is deleted Instagram saves content for at least 30 days so they could totally get it back for you. So I wasn't too nervous about it being deleted.
I had people share some names and emails with me of people at Facebook. They said they had helped them get their account back right away when it was stolen. I emailed them- multiple times, nothing.
I waited and waited. Meanwhile the hacker kept text messaging and calling me. It was the worst part. My hubs at one point acted like he was going to pay him just to keep him stalled because he kept saying he would delete my account or sell it. You can see more text messages below. We found out the hacker was from Turkey. My hubs actually talked to him in the very beginning on the phone because he had wanted to call us. I also had gotten an email right before my account was hacked saying that someone had logged in from Turkey. So that's how I knew.
The hacker kept texting me and calling me throughout the whole process.
We continued to research and try to figure what we could do. After looking at some YouTube videos online, reading blog posts about other's getting hacked my hubs and I decided try and get Instagram's attention by basically swarming Instagram all at one time with a post that others could re-post. We had read that this helped a lot of blogger's regain their account back because Instagram took notice when they had a large amount of people saying the same thing and tagging them. My hubs also had researched to find out all the heads of Instagram too so they could be tagged. We were trying to do anything we could think of. My friend Lisa from This Organic Girl was so awesome and shared the post with her followers. People had been asking her where I had gone and she had updated everyone. People started to post on their feed and in their stories. It was so amazing to see so many people band together and share the post. If anything this whole thing happening really restored my faith in humanity. I've never had so many people email me, ask about me and show me support. If you're reading this and you were one of those people I want to thank you from the bottom of my heart. It meant SO much!
How I Got My Instagram Account Back…
After my friend shared the post, we waited and waited and still nothing. I was starting to lose hope. Then my friend Brooke told me about a girl who she follows who had her account hacked as well and she recovered it. She said she wasn't able to give out the the person's info. who had helped her but she had linked to another blog who had received help from a media consultant in Columbia. His contact info. she could give out and it was listed in the blog post. You can read the full blog post here from Lavenda's Closet. However, once I looked for him on Instagram I wasn't able to find him. Then my hubs started to search for him on the WhatsApp since that is international. He found him and messaged him asking if he could help us and that we would pay him.
He responded a couple hours later and said he could help us. He asked for information. From when it happened, what was our previous password for Instagram, email we used to open the account, how it was hacked, I don't remember every question but that was the extent. He was working with my hubs during this process. Once he saw where they were from he said that he's dealt with them in the past. That they weren't good guys and you should never pay them because they won't give you your account back. He was so nice and kind through the whole process and very efficient. Answered all our questions.
He got my account back up and running within 30 minutes! I remember I was making Christmas cookies with my girls downstairs and my hubs comes down and shows me my account- I basically lost it! Happy tears and relief. Part of me couldn't believe it. It had taken him literally no time to get it back. I had not had my account for 2 1/2 days which definitely isn't that long at all. Some accounts I've read lost their account for a couple weeks. I was so thankful to get it back when I did.
We asked Juan if we could give out his information and he said yes. Here is his Instagram account here. He has a link in his profile on there to take you to WhatsApp. We wanted to be able to help anyone going through something similar. I wished I would have known he was available sooner. We paid him generously because I wanted him to know how much it meant and I think it got his attention to help us. He gets a lot of inquiries! He didn't ask for payment until after he had fully restored my Instagram, unlike the hackers who asked for money first. He told us he's inundated with messages so if you really want your account back I would make sure you mention that you are willing to pay him. It depends on how much your account is worth to you. Money talks! He is a white hack hacker- meaning a good hacker. There are black hat hackers- they're the bad ones.
I wanted to share some tips in hopes that it can help anyone who is in a similar situation or know's someone who is.
This is Juan's WhatApp Info. In his Instagram profile he has a link that will direct you to this.
Here is Juan's Instagram account. He has link to contact him in his profile on there.
Instagram Account Hacked Tips-
- Make sure Two Factor Authentication is turned on. Yes, mine was turned on and still got hacked but it's the best safety card at the moment that Instagram is offering.
- Don't click on any links you're not sure about, whether they're in your DM's, email, etc.- if you don't know them don't click on them. After reading many hacked stories people said that Instagram will never contact you through DM's but they will email you directly if there is a problem.
- Have someone else read something before making any decisions. Often just getting a second set of eyes on something can help decide if it is fraudulent or not. They might pick up on something you wouldn't.
- Change your Instagram password monthly. I've read more content on getting hacked now than I would have ever liked and one of the ways to secure your account is to change your password monthly. Make sure it's long too and make sure you don't use it for anything else.
- Make sure your email is secure. Since most things are connected to our email if someone was to get into email they could get into other accounts. So make sure you have the guardrails set up there too. If you want to make sure Instagram is safe and secure I would make sure your email account is secure too.
- Anytime you use a shared computer or phone make sure you log out of Instagram. If you don't someone could easily gain access to your password.
- Beware of emails that look like they're from Instagram as well and have a link to login to your account. If you login in with your email and password that's how they get your info. Always check the validity of your emails.
- Check for legitimacy of Instagram accounts. You can always find out more about an Instagram account and to see if it's legit by clicking on their profile and tapping the about this account. It will share with you when it was started, where it was started, accounts it follows, and usernames it's used which is helpful in weeding out hacker accounts.
- Check your email right away if you get hacked. If your account did get hacked, the first thing to do is go to your email and look for an email from Instagram saying your email has been changed. Often I read if you catch it quick enough you can reverse it by clicking the revert change button in the email.
- Don't give up! I actually had so much hope after reading so many stories of people getting their accounts back. It's possible.
I hope this Instagram account hacked post was helpful! If you have currently been hacked, I'm so sorry you're having to go through this. I don't wish this on anyone. But reach out to Juan. He truly was a God send and so helpful.
If you're new here, check out some of my regular blog post content below:
Sharing how I got my Instagram Account Hacked and and how I got it back.
by Suzi | Jan 7, 2021 | CLEAN LIVING
I get frequently asked blogger questions all the time and thought what a better way to share with others then to outline the questions and answers in one blog post. Often I find people don't understand blogging. I'm going to eliminate a lot of confusion when it comes to blogging and really help strip away any confusion when it comes to blogging as a profession. My hope is that you can walk away after reading this post and have a good idea of how blogging works and what it looks in the day to day and YES I'll be answering the famous question- how do blogs make money! 🙂
Before you keep reading I wanted to let you know that my friend Kate just opened her Six Figure Blogging Academy! It's only open until Tuesday January 19th. I took Kate's course and it completely changed my business!
I couldn’t think of a better person to share with my audience than Kate. She created a six-figure blog herself and then created a course that shares all of her knowledge. I took the course and my blog has never been the same! Even as a seasoned blogger I learned so much. I wish I would have had it in the beginning of my blogging journey.
Kate only opens up her course once in a while, so don't miss out!
Sharing all the frequently asked questions I get as a blogger!
Ok, let's dive into the frequently asked questions about blogging that I get!
Question #1: How Do You Know What To Blog About?
I think knowing what to blog about should come naturally and easy for you. I think it should be a passion of yours or an experience you've had, or even something you're really good at. It's really what you find interesting and will keep your attention. For me it was easy to want to blog about natural living and natural beauty because I loved it so much! It was easy for me to research more about the topic because I would do it even if I wasn't getting paid. I know people who blog about Lyme disease and how they live a healthy lifestyle despite it, people who blog all about how to keep their home and life organized- the list is endless! I always encourage people to make a list of what they're good at and comes easy to them and also a list of their passions. This can really help them to see what to blog about.
Question #2: When Do You Start Making Money From Your Blog?
You can start making money the first month you create a blog- really! It might not be thousands of dollars initially but you can literally start creating income the minute you push publish on your first blog post. With consistency and getting affiliate links(products you promote from brands who give you a small percentage of the sale), you can start earning money right away. As far as making a consistent income from your blog it's up to you on where you want to take your blog but it's totally possible to start making a living off of your blog in even a year if you work hard. I've known people who've done it and read so many stories.
My wish for you is that you start the blog you've been thinking about in 2021!
Question #3: Don't You Ever Run Out Of Ideas To Blog About?
Never! If anything I have to many ideas. I always keep a running list of ideas I can blog about so I always have content to share. In the beginning of blogging you want to establish some core posts as I like to call them that can really help you form the basis of your blog. For instance, if you're blogging about Lyme disease, you could share things that have helped in your Lyme journey, share some of your favorite resources, and products. You could also start a monthly series where you spotlight someone you've met that is living their best life with lyme disease and healing protocols they've used. Then you could also have a whole section on things you could do to help protect yourself from contracting Lyme disease. You're then able to capture a bigger audience because people who don't have Lyme would want to read. See how the list just keeps going?! As you are consistent your audience will also tell you what they want to learn more about too.
Question #4: Do You Have To Be On Social Media To Blog?
No! You don't need to have a following at all to start blogging. I didn't! Although a lot of people look at social media as the end all, be all for a blog, it's actually not. Your email list is far more important and your blog itself. Instagram and Facebook change all the time, and can make it hard for everyone to see your content all the time. With your email list(an email list are email addresses from your audience. You have them all on one email marketing platform where you can email them all at once) you're able to directly connect with your audience this way! You can share with them the latest information right to their inbox about a recent blog post. Social media is a great tool in your blogging toolbox but it is not the thing I would focus on in the beginning if you're wanting to make blogging a career and earn an income. It would be something I would tackle later once you have a blog and email list in place.
Question #5: How Do You Make Money From Blogging?
This is the #1 one question when it comes to frequently asked blogger questions! I get it, I was the same way before I started to blog. I didn't understand how it all worked. I'm going to share with you how I've made money blogging. There are SO many ways though!
- I make money through ads on my website. You can sign up with an ad network once you have so many page views and start making ad income. You can also start making ad income right away when you're just starting out with Google Adsense. There's no page view requirement so you can literally start making money right away when you start your blog.
- I also make money through affiliates. This is income as I mentioned earlier that I make from promoting a product or service, and then the brand gives me a commission on the number of sales I have for that specific product.
- Another form of income is through sponsored posts. This is where you work directly with a brand to promote their products whether it's a sponsored blog post where you're sharing how you use the product, or a video, etc.
- I also sell my own products or services and make an income off of that. This could be an ebook, course, guide, group coaching program, membership, one on one coaching, or even a physical product. There are so many options!
- I also make money from consulting for businesses and brands. Whether that's testing a new product or helping them before they even create the product.
- Speaking at events. Once you've been blogging for a bit and have established yourself as an expert you often start getting invitations to come and speak at events.
- Freelance writing for large publications. From magazines, to other blogs, to books and more.
*I'm sure there are other ways people have made money from blogging but I'm sharing my specific ways I've made income.
Affiliate marketing is one way I make income from my blog.
Question #6: Should I Design My Own Website In The Beginning?
No! Absolutely not. Custom websites are expensive and you want to make sure you're actually going to be consistent before you start shelling out thousands of dollars. In 2021 getting a blog up and running has never been easier! You can literally have it up in a day and you don't need to know how to code or anything. Instead of a custom theme you can search for blog themes and just pick one you like. They even have FREE blog themes. If you do pay for one it's often pretty inexpensive still- anywhere from $10-$60 dollars. The themes they have already made are still super great and offer a lot of benefits.
Question #7: What Is Your Biggest Piece Of Advice For A Beginning Blogger?
I love this question! My biggest piece of advice would be to invest in a course in the very beginning of your blogging journey. I cannot tell you how much it helped me and that was after 3 years of blogging! I wished I would have known about blogging courses or experts that could have helped me. It could have saved me so much time and overwhelm. I realized blogging is like any other business, when you start a job you get trained, or you go to school for that specific career choice. Blogging is no different. If I would have known what I know now I could have 10x my results a lot quicker and avoided so many pit falls.
Question #8: How Much Does It Cost To Start Blogging?
I get this question a lot too when it comes to frequently asked blogger questions. It literally can cost you around $35-$65 to start your blog and that's for your first year! This is also the current stat for 2021. It's the most inexpensive business model out there! You don't need product, or huge inventory, a building- it's pretty awesome. If you've thought blogging was expensive- think again. It's definitely a good business model.
Questions #9: How Much Time Do You Spend On Your Blog?
This is something that has changed over the years. When I first started I spent my daughter's nap times, and at night when she went to bed blogging. Anytime I could get. I would also spend time on the weekend when my husband could watch her. This continued for several years before I had any child care. In the beginning I would spend roughly 20 hours a week on the blog. Now I spend anywhere from 5-30 hours depending on the season and if I'm working on something specific. But then I also have a virtual assistant that spends a lot of time helping me, so I have to take that in to account as well.
That sums up my post on the most frequently asked blogger questions. Have a question I didn't answer? Ask below!
As you can see there has never been a better time to start blogging! From getting all the help you need, to virtual being the wave of the future, to creating the life you want and loving it. Blogging hits all the marks and more.
If you liked this post on frequently asked blogger questions, then check out other posts below:
Sharing my answers to the most common blogger questions I get!
by Suzi | Jan 5, 2021 | CLEAN LIVING
There's never been a better time to start blogging and I truly believe that! I'm continuing my blogging series that I started last week. Today I'm sharing my thoughts on the job climate in general and why I think there's never been a better time to start blogging.
If you didn't read last week's blog post, be sure to check it out here. I am sharing how blogging changed my life. I walk you through 4 of my top reasons. I'm also sharing some personal stories in hopes that you might realize I'm just an ordinary girl who decided to go for it.
Before you keep reading I wanted to let you know that my friend Kate just opened her Six Figure Blogging Academy! It's only open until Tuesday January 19th. I took Kate's course and it completely changed my business!
I couldn’t think of a better person to share with my audience than Kate. She created a six-figure blog herself and then created a course that shares all of her knowledge. I took the course and my blog has never been the same! Even as a seasoned blogger I learned so much. I wish I would have had it in the beginning of my blogging journey.
Kate only opens up her course once in a while, so don't miss out!
Ok, let's dive into why there's never been a better time to start blogging!
There has never been a better time to create a life that you love!
2020 Made It Clear-
I don't know about you but 2020 taught me a handful of life lessons. One of them I realized is that nothing is for sure. Things can change from minute to minute. It also made me realize how being online had never been such a great thing! I say this lightly because I'm not trying to brag or sound arrogant but nothing changed for me when it came to my job as a blogger in 2020. I didn't have to wear a mask at work- I work at home. I didn't have to follow some new protocol, because I work at home. My audience is made of amazing people that found me online and they were still there, if not more present because of everything being online once COVID hit. It made me realize how convenient it was for people if I was online.
What if my business was based on presenting the information in person, or traveling all the time? My career would have been affected much more but since I was already online or should I say “virtual” my blog didn't miss a beat. I was still doing the same thing, but had more of an engaged audience because people were more online than they had ever been.
There's never been a better time to start blogging, because there's never been a better time to be online as a business! It's made this transition seem, dare I say seamless in a lot of ways. While I feel for so many who have been struggling with their job, having to learn new protocols and so on or lost their job all together, I haven't felt it because I had already positioned my business online as a blogger. I'm telling you this again not to brag but to encourage you to start the blog you've always thought about starting- to create a business that will stand the test of time and where the future is going. I'm telling you this because blogging has been a game changer for my family and I wouldn't be where I am today without it.
Blogging has turned my passion of clean beauty into my paycheck!
Create The Life You Want-
Another thing 2020 taught me is that life can be short and if you're not loving the life you're living than what's the point? I see so many people keep working jobs that they aren't passionate about. I get it, you have to put food on the table, but what if you could have both? Work at something you're so passionate about, while earning a living. It's possible and I'm living proof. We live in a country where you can literally be and do whatever you want and you have the freedom to pursue your dreams! It's pretty awesome.
Instead of wasting away working a job you don't love, why not create the life you want with a job you're passionate about? What if you woke up each day excited to start your day? To learn more about something, to share your knowledge with others? Your whole outlook on life would change.
There's never been a better time to start creating the life you want through blogging. To have more flexibility, to enjoy your life to the fullest, to see your family more, be your own boss and love your life- you deserve all these things. If you're not excited about the life you created, maybe it's time to build a new one. To do something you can feel good about and that makes you have a skip in your step. 2020 taught me that a lot can be stripped away but if I still have my job and love what I do, it makes life so much more enjoyable!
Being able to be virtual with my job has been the biggest blessing in the current climate.
Being Virtual Is The Way To Go-
It's never been more apparent that being virtual as a business has a lot of perks. This last year really proved to be the year that made being virtual the best thing ever. Most people that were virtual were still able to run their business as usual and not miss a beat. It makes business so easy and convenient when you're virtual. You're able to be wherever you want and still run your business. You can still operate even when there's a pandemic happening. It's also perfect because that's where the future seems to be headed.
With everything virtual already, people are used to living their life online. From grocery shopping online, clothes shopping online, ordering food online, you name it, the online world has taken over and it's not going anywhere. People have never been more online than they are right now!
There's never been a better time to start creating the life you want through blogging, because it's a career that has only grown over the last 10 years. Blogging will continue to grow as more people seek out information online. It's the perfect time to start creating a job that can be virtual and is online. You will be creating a job that is on the up and up.
There has never been a better time to blog with all the technology advancements!
Blogging in 2021 Is SO Much Easier-
When I started blogging 7 years ago the blogging landscape looked a lot different than it does today! There wasn't tutorials everywhere on how to do things, there wasn't videos and blogs on how to blog. It was a lot of trial and error. Thankfully things have changed and today in 2021 you can find endless resources on blogging! If you want information for it, it's available to you. So many companies have created the easiest websites to set up, created countless guides, offer support and so on. Your blog could be up and running right away if you wanted. With technology advancements, new plugins, blogging in 2021 is streamlined and so much better. It's the cheapest it's ever been to start a blog! You can literally have a blog up and not spend tons of money out of pocket. You can't say that for most businesses!
There's never been a better time to start blogging than today because you're going to save yourself so many headaches compared to years ago. You'll be able to get the help you need and bypass so many things that newbie bloggers faced back in the day. You'll be able to plug and play from the very beginning.
As you can see there has never been a better time to start blogging! From getting all the help you need, to virtual being the wave of the future, to creating the life you want and loving it. Blogging hits all the marks and more.
Have you started your blogging journey yet? What's holding you back?
If you liked this post, check out past posts below:
Sharing how there's never been a better time to start blogging in 2021!
by Suzi | Dec 31, 2020 | CLEAN BEAUTY
Sharing the clean beauty box roundup for January! Anyone else wondering how on earth it is already January?! So ready for a new year though and I'm sure everyone else is as well. I'll be sharing the clean beauty box roundup for January on the blog. First up is Beauty Heroes and then I'll be sharing more as they are released throughout the month.
Another stellar box from Beauty Heroes- Featuring the one and only Fitglow Beauty!
I was so excited when I found out Fitglow Beauty would be in this month's Beauty Heroes Box- YES! I’ve had the pleasure of meeting Anna, the founder of FitGlow and I just love her whole outlook and ethos. She really lives what she preaches and her skin is a testament to it. Anna, the founder is a longtime fitness and health guru that battled sensitive rosacea skin. She wanted products that would help her skin not turn bright red during workouts and be effective. With over 10 years of research in plant based ingredients, Anna discovered ingredients that feed and nourish the skin. FitGlow Beauty, a Canadian born company, was created to be with you wherever the day may take you. From yoga, to the office and everything in between. They actually have subjects test their products while running and doing yoga, to ensure they perform in any condition…how cool is that? Their beauty products are not only clean, and non-toxic but nourishing to the skin. Full of active ingredients-vitamins that feed your skin, and organic extracts. This line doesn’t mess around. They’re also Leaping Bunny certified-no animal testing happening here and gluten free.
Night Essense- I've tried a handful of products from Fitglow Beauty but had never tried their Night Essence. I knew it would be something special as it's Beauty Heroes heroic product for the month. The ingredients alone really make it stand out. From Aloe, Kojic acid, Bakuchiol- a plant-derived retinol, nicainamied- one of my favorite skincare ingredients, hyaluronic acid and rose. This treatment is meant to transform your skin at night. It essentially does the work for you while you sleep- sign me up for that! It helps to hydrate the skin, brighten, as well as deliver antioxidant protection. Who doesn't want that?! Plus, with it's super star ingredient line up it really works at erasing the appearance of wrinkles. It's basically your news bestie in the form of a skincare product.
It comes in a spray form. You mist it liberally on your skin and then follow with normal serum, oil, moisturizer. It feels hydrating upon application and quickly melts into the skin. I love how smooth my skin feels afterwards. It smells lovely too. Hints of orchid, rose, and peony envelope you. This is one product I won't be putting down anytime soon!
Vita Rich Creme- This is the new and improved Vita Rich Creme! This has long been a favorite from Fitglow Beauty and now they kicked it up a notch and are offering if with even more skin loving ingredients. You get all the things you love about the original, plus more hydrating hyaluronic acid, bakuchiol, and cell regenerating glutathione. Yeah, it just got really good! This moisturizer hydrates deep and helps to protect the skin from trans epidermal water loss. It also helps to support collagen synthesis and combat hyperpigmentation. It does all of this and still has it's famous weightless feel!
It feels very similar to the old Vita Rich Creme but enhanced with all the new actives. I feel like my skin is getting so much in one application, besides just hydration. Perfect for the winter season as skin is more dry and parched. I have used it at night and in the morning.
Night Lip Serum- Oh how I love this lip serum!! I use this every night- yes every night. I've been hooked on Fitglow Beauty's Night Serum for over a year. It not only hydrates my lips and makes them feel silky smooth, but it also delivers proven plant extracts and vitamins. These nourish the lips at night, all while fighting signs of aging. Say bye to fine lines on the lips! From ingredients like pomegranate plant sterols, beet extract, vegan collagen and more- these all work to fight the signs of aging. I apply this at night as the last step in my skincare routine. It feels rich and nourishing on the lips.
This box is so good and such a good value! It's worth $185 but you can get it for $58.95. Get it now before it sells out!
So excited to see one of my favorite clean beauty hair brands in the Detox Box this month!
I was giddy with excitement when I saw that Evolvh was going to be in this month's Detox Box- can you say YASS! I love this clean beauty hair care line. I first tried their shampoo and it won me over. I was excited to dive into some of their other styling products as well. I love how Detox Box switches things up and offers a hair box- so fun!
Ultrashine Moisture Shampoo- I’ve been testing it out and have been super impressed with the overall formula. My hair feels so bouncy and clean. And the clean feeling lasts for days! I get so much volume from this shampoo and conditioner, plus it foams too! Any hair type. I've used it and I have fine, thin hair. My sister has used it and she has thick, fine hair. I have a friend who loves it and she has coarse thick curly hair. Smells citrusy. I really smell grapefruit to be exact. This is the shampoo I've been recommending for really any hair type. It just gets the job done! Especially great for someone who is used to mainstream shampoos and conditioners and wants one that is going to really get their hair clean. I can go multiple days between shampooing my hair with this shampoo.
TotalControl Styling Creme- I have been looking for a curl cream for my youngest daughter’s hair for while. She has curly hair and I wanted a product that would help define it and give it some weightless hold and add a little hydration. The Evolvh Super Curl Defining Cream does just that. It really gives the curl a more defined look overall. You are left with a smooth defined curl and no frizz. It doesn’t weigh down the hair either. I apply a dime size drop in my hands, then while her hair is wet I apply it all over her hair with my hands. Then I go back through and twist some of the curls.
UltraFlex Hairspray- This is a lighter hair spray overall. It's alcohol free and quick drying. It helps to refresh your style overall but doesn't leave it feeling sticky or heavy. Easy to brush out and restyle if you want the next day.
SmartStart Leave-In Conditioner Spray- This really helps to hydrate extra dry strands, get tangles out of hair post showering, and protect hair before heat is used on the hair. It does so much!
Check out the full box here! Hurry, this box is SO good. The box is valued at $142 but you can get it for $55. Get it here before it sells out.
If you liked this post on clean beauty box roundup for January, be sure to check out past posts below:
Sharing the best of the best when it comes to clean beauty boxes for January.
