Sunday 26 April 2015

• Free Advertising on Daniela Scribbles •

I thought it was time I offered an advertising space for 
new bloggers on Daniela Scribbles.

When I first started my blog in 2013, I paid to be advertised on a beauty blog and it helped tremendously to get my blog noticed and recognised. I then started to gain followers as they liked what they saw, but I don't think they would have found me if I hadn't been advertised.

So I know how hard it is to get your blog 'out there', and I thought it might be quite nice to offer a free advertising space for 5 bloggers every month. Parting with hard earned cash over something that starts as just a hobby can feel counter-intuitive, so I'm not asking for any money - just a blog header, a short paragraph about your blog and all social media links, so that at the beginning of each month I can write a post with all of your information.

Please let me know if you'd be interested in this; I'm a big believer in helping other bloggers as I was in the position where I was the only one writing and reading my posts for a while - and there's nothing wrong with that (you do you!) - but it's equally as lovely for other people to enjoy and appreciate your work.

Email me on dannidiraimo@gmail.com with your details
and we can go from there :)
Daniela xo
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Wednesday 22 April 2015

• 5 Blogs You Should Be Reading •

I'm a big believer in supporting each other as bloggers, so I thought I'd share with you my top 5 favourite blogs, the ones I spend hours reading and the ones I always go back to.


Everything from the layout to the photos makes me swoon over this blog. Lauren has created a real gem with Cautivar and I'm so happy I found her blog not long ago, as I've spent many an afternoon reading through her most recent and her older posts. Cautivar is professional-looking, easy to navigate and just reminds me of a real up-market online magazine. I really love this blog and I love the motto just as much - 'become the best version of yourself'.



Tiffany has been blogging since 2008 and not only was she friends with the likes of Zoella (!!!) she's a well established blogger who I trust for product reviews wholeheartedly. Her writing style is friendly and casual, as if she's having a conversation with you, and I love her honesty when reviewing a product, particularly the ones that she doesn't recommend - she's saved me some monies since I've been reading her blog! Tiffany is beautiful inside and out, is an amazing make up artist and has real talent (of which I'm enviable). I'm excited for her to paint my face as I know she'll do a much better job than me; photographs to come!




For an all-rounder, I turn to Jasmine's blog. From tags to hauls to interview advice, everything you need is right here. I have to say that the post that made me fall totally in love with Magpie Jasmine is the 26 Easy Blog Post Photo Background and Prop Ideas post. It honestly gave me so much inspiration and made me realise how easy it can be to style photos! As with all of the other fantastic blogs I've mentioned, I love Jasmine's photos - this is a massive thing for me, as I'll instantly be turned off a blog if the photos are rubbish - and I love her swatch photos as they are true to colour.




As well as beautiful photography, a decent layout and navigation is so important to me, and Farzana has absolutely nailed this. The reason I click on post after post on Aspiring Londoner is because its just so easy! I read a post, see another post I like, and within a matter of minutes I've just read 6 posts in a row! Farzana is keen to help other bloggers - something else that's important to me - and I love her tips when it comes to SEO, something I was completely and utterly clueless of until I read her post.


Navigation, layout... am I a stuck record here? Sorry, but Charlotte has also nailed this and I can spend hours reading her posts, and often do. Every in May's design is absolutely gorgeous, really clean looking but still approachable and pretty. Charlotte's writing style is quite similar to mine, chatty and friendly, and I feel like she's just having a chat with one of her friends about beauty; there's something really inviting and underrated about that, as I love writing styles that aren't too formal - things are much more personal in my opinion. So if you want to talk beauty with a friend, head to Ever in May.

I hope you enjoyed this post and visit these wonderful blogs!
I'm always looking for new blogs to read so please leave your links down below.
Are there any other blogs you'd recommend?
Daniela xo
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Sunday 19 April 2015

• The Serum My Skin's Been Obsessed With... •


If you're a regular reader of my blog, you'll know that my skin is combination, with bouts of extreme oiliness and crazy dryness. 

So when a product such as this comes along, which works with whatever my skin feels like doing at the time, I really think it deserves some praise. The Oz Naturals Vitamin C Serum* is a lightweight, easy to work with, sits-under-make-up-perfectly skin miracle. Packed full of hyaluronic acid and amino, it promises a youthful glow and even anti-aging, as well as a smoother skin texture and even skin tone. Wow.

I've been using this serum for just over a week, morning and night, and I've already noticed such a difference in my skin. I normally have to pump it full of moisture before I even begin to think about applying my make up, but since using this serum, I've cut down on my skincare big time. I now cleanse and tone as normal and then apply a layer of this on my skin. If I'm wearing make up, I then just apply a primer and my base, and I'm done. No fussing with different moisturises in different areas of my skin, just a thin layer of serum and I'm moisturised for the day.
Application is a dream, as it comes in pippet form (very hygienic) and you only need a few drops for it to blend around the whole face, so things never get messy for me. I also love the fact that the serum is organic, vegan, cruelty free, doesn't include any nasties such as alcohol, parabens or sulfates, and is safe for all skin types, which is particularly useful for me as one day I'm oily, the next day I'm dry, another I'm spotty, and on others I can be sensitive. It's made from the highest quality vitamin C, which is known for being fantastic for injecting a surge of moisture into the skin, and the product was even voted as the best vitamin C serum in Allure Magazine. If that's not enough of a recommendation, I don't know what is.

Have you tried this product?
Do you have extremely unpredictable skin like me?
You can buy it here for £15.95.
Daniela xo
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Friday 17 April 2015

• On Fridays We Wear Pink... •



I'm not really a 'pink person', so when Elite99 contacted me
 to choose an item from their range, I decided to branch 
out from my comfort zone.

I went for the Casual Long Sleeve Bow Deer Print Sweatshirt*, a gorgeous fleecy jumper which honestly is probably the most comfortable item of clothing I currently own. Worn with jeans or leggings, it's been a bit of a life-saver for those 'its-sunny-now-but-likely-to-rain-in-a-few-minutes' kinds of days. It's so soft, feels lovely on the skin and most importantly, washes well - there's nothing worse than washing a piece of clothing to find it ruined! I love the little deer on the front and the fact that she has her own actual bow, and overall I'm really impressed with the quality of this item. What astounded me the most, though, was the price - £10.99! Cheaper than other high street brands, I feel like this is a real bargain. Sometimes more affordable items of clothing can feel cheap, but this piece honestly feel so lovely and performs just as well as my other more expensive clothing. I'm in love with this and will definitely be browsing the Elite99 website to see if I can nab myself any bargains!


Have you ever ordered anything from Elite99?
Daniela xo
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Tuesday 14 April 2015

• The No-Nasties, Natural Deodorant That Actually Works •


I was a deodorant-whore - there, I said it. I'd flit from brand to brand, formula to texture, scent to packaging. Now that's out in the open, I have another confession to make...

I've found the one. And now, I am absolutely, truly, madly, deeply, converted to natural deodorants. You know, the kind that are free from the nasties, the chemicals, all of the crap that makes you stop sweating and bungs up your underarms (anti-perspirant). And now I can say that hand on heart, I will never go back to these shop-bought deodorants for as long as I shall live. Scouts honour.

I can't wait to share my thoughts on the La Vanila Healthy Deodorant, but first I'll address a few issues with natural deodorants. There's a stigma attached to them and people assume that they won't work because they aren't as powerful as anti-perspirants and the types of deodorants we might be used to. There is an element of truth in that, I have to admit - natural deodorants don't act as anti-perspirants, so you will still sweat but the sweat won't smell. But that doesn't mean they're not doing their job. The whole reason I went on the hunt for a natural deodorant was because I hated the thought of my sweat glands being blocked up due to chemicals that I apply every day. It's natural for our skin to breathe and sweat, so the idea of slathering on layers upon layers of chemicals to block sweat glands seems odd and unnatural to me. Without getting into detail, because 1. I'm not qualified/wouldn't feel comfortable posting about research I've found online and 2. I don't want to ramble on too much, I do think that we should try to reduce the amount of rubbish we put on our skin. If you think about how many products you use a day, and how many chemicals your skin absorbs, it's scary. I'll try and go eau natural where I can, if only just to make myself feel a little better!
So after hearing Tiffany rave about the La Vanila Healthy Deodorant on YouTube, I had to try them out for myself as they sounded like exactly what I was looking for. Creamy, pleasant smelling (and long-lasting), but most importantly, able to let my skin breathe. You'll see on the ingredients list that the ingredients are all natural and free of all chemicals. I've been using this deodorant for a few months after I picked it up in Canada after one too many trips to Sephora and it has worked for me every single day, whether that be a chilled day at home or a stressful day at work - it's truly amazing. I love the scents and I have the Vanilla Lavendar in the 2oz and the travel size of the Vanilla for on the go. They both smell gorgeous and I can still faintly smell them throughout the day, which is great.
Now I have skin that feels soft and smooth whilst smelling amazing - and not skin that feels tingly after shaving, due to the rubbish in them which interferes with sensitive, freshly washed skin. My conscience is clear, and I've added another healthy, natural skincare product to my collection. For me, that's priceless - and definitely worth £10.

Have you tried this deodorant?
Are there any other natural deodorants you'd recommend?
Daniela xo
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Monday 6 April 2015

• 10 High End Products That Are Worth The Money // My Favourites •


I do like a splurge every now and then, but only on products that I've researched thoroughly as I'm impressed with drugstore products these days, so if I'm parting with a large sum of cash I like to know that it'll be worth it.

Saying that, some high end products that I've researched and purchased have been fails, no matter how positive the reviews. I've picked out the creme de la creme of my stash to show you which high end products I believe are worth saving up for. Now I'm not saying there aren't drugstore equivalents in Boots or Superdrug, but if you're wanting some luxury in your life, these are the products I'd recommend.

I use this bad boy for eeeeeee'rythin. My lips before bed, around my eyes when my eye cream just ain't cutting it, dry spots on my elbows and knees, my eyebrows to keep them from moving throughout the day, even my eyelids during the day when they need a touch of moisturisation with a little added glow. I love my tube so much and it's a cult favourite, a household must, for so many reasons. A little goes such a long way and after a year of using mine religiously, I've only just had to repurchase. If there's one product that you should buy from this list, it's this one.

A new one to me, this foundation kind of changed my opinion of high end foundations completely. There are so many amazing bases on the high street that I always assumed it was a waste of money when splurging on a high end one. I was given this to try and instantly my opinion changed. It just performs like a luxury foundation. It glides on, doesn't stick to any dry patches on my (annoyingly) combination skin, doesn't smudge or fade throughout the day, and gives a good amount of coverage whilst letting my skin breath. I really love this and have found myself reaching for it a little more often than my staple L'Oreal Eau de Teint recently.

I'm obsessed with highlighter and I never miss this step, no matter how late I am or how natural I want my make up to be look! Lightscapade is a pearly pink highlight and has the most gorgeous marble effect throughout. A light dusting of this is enough to give a lovely sheen as it's quite pigmented and it looks lovely on the tops of cheek bones, nose and cupids bow. (I often get carried away, take a large powder brush and dust it all over my face!)

Industrial concealer is what's needed for my acne scars and under-eye bags. I feel like I've been on a lifelong hunt for the perfect concealer to do this, and this high end one is perfect for the job. I literally take a dot of this and use my fingers to blend it on my scars and under my eyes. It's creamy and full coverage, will need setting with a powder if you don't want it to crease, and lasts hours and hours. I've put this on at 6.30 in the morning and it's looked amazing until 10 at night. I love it and I'm sure the tube will last me a life time as you get so much product!

This blush had been on my wish list for so long, I can't even tell you. I'd wanted them from the moment I started reading reviews on them and can remember feeling so gutted that Tarte wasn't readily available in the UK. A few years on, and Tarte is now sold on QVC (still overpriced, but available). When I won this blush, I was 1. extremely grateful and excited to play with it, and 2. super impressed with the quality. When the say 12-hour blush, they mean 12-hour blush. It stays put, is highly pigmented and the shade range is incredible. I also have a Tarte blush palette and I'm equally impressed. If you can get your hands on them, definitely try them out.

My bloody brows are a nightmare at the moment - they are so thick, unruly and don't stay in one place! Due to the crazy weather we have here in the UK, I'm forever taking off my jumper and putting it back on - and when I catch a glimpse of myself in the mirror, my brows are going in all sorts of directions. So I love this brow gel because not only does it keep me from looking like a crazy professor, it doesn't make them look shiny or gel-like. It also has a quick-drying formula so it doesn't feel sticky on the skin, and the wand is teeny tiny so it's easy to apply. Amazing.

I'm cheating a bit here as you can now get Essie in Boots, but the polishes are more expensive than, say, Barry M, so we'll go with it. I love Essie polishes, so much so that I'm slowly building my collection by picking one up every time I go shopping! They go on so smoothly and I love the applicator; it's thick so I usually only need 2 swipes and my whole nail is painted. The colour selection is also huge, so there's a colour for everyone, and the polishes are really pigmented.

Laura Mercier Creme de Pistache Souffle Body Creme
Anything pistachio, I'm buying it and loving it. This richly scented pot of gloriousness is a firm favourite of mine and I always look forward to using it after my shower. You only need a little of it and it spreads a long way, it doesn't feel sticky on the skin and the scent lasts such a long time. There's a full review of this product in this post where I also offer a drugstore dupe!

Diptyque Philosykos Eau de Parfum
This is my all time favourite scent in the whole entire beauty universe. It's marketed as smelling like figs, but to me this just smells so fresh, musky and sexy, and I'm sure it could be unisex. The words I used in my review of this were timeless and sophisticated, and I still stand by this - everything from the packaging to the scent is so classy and I feel like women of any ages could wear this.

I raved about this product in this post, and for good reason. I'm obsessed with lip balm and keeping my lips hydrated as there's nothing worse than applying a lipstick only to realise it looks terrible, dry and flakey! The condition of my lips is really important to me so I tend to apply this when I've exfoliated my lips with a sugar scrub. It's really moisturising, is matte so can be worn under any lipsticks, and has a lovely honey/lemon scent.

I guess there's nothing revolutionary about this list of recommendations as I'm sure you've already seen them a hundred times plastered over blogs and vlogs, but I've tried and tested so many 'luxury' products that can only be described as utter crap, therefore I've just plucked the seriously good ones from my collection. Honourable mentions go to Urban Decay Naked Basics 2 palette, Ole Henrikson Truth Serum Collagen Booster, Liz Earle Cleanse and Polish and Make Up Forever Lipsticks - I love these equally as much as the other 10 products, but I tried my hardest to needle them down to just 10!

What are your high end beauty loves?
Daniela xo
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Friday 3 April 2015

• Soft Brown Smokey Eye, Casual Get Ready With Me •

I had more time than usual to apply my make up so I thought I'd photograph a before and after of my soft brown smokey eye, casual look for a day of eating and drinking in Cambridge.


Whenever I do these types of posts, I look back and think damnnn I've used loads of make up!
But I think this look is natural and perfect for mooching around the shops with a friend.
What do you think? Have you used these products before?
Daniela xo
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