10K

May 20th marks my YouTube anniversary. Two years ago on this day, I uploaded my first ever YouTube video. Although I can joke and laugh at myself, theres definitely a meaning behind many first videos. I cringe sooo badly now, but it's amazing how different the girl in that video was to the girl I am today.

If I'm honest, I'm not quite sure exactly what made me upload my first video, but I'm so glad I did. I started on Tumblr (which is still live and I often come back to it) but it gave me lots of inspiration and distracted me from revision for my A Levels. At the time, I was in a difficult relationship, I'd lost all my school friends, I was coping with my parents divorce and I hadn't settled into my new college very well. Everything in my life at that point felt wrong. Tumblr gave me the chance to switch off and I'd spend hours and hours 're-posting' pictures that inspired me.  I then noticed my interest in make up and beauty products and with this in mind, it wasn't long until I stumbled across the YouTube beauty community and created 'brogantatexo'. 

I don't know why but I was under the impression that if you made videos, you also had a blog. I created mine together, but spent the first few months focusing on videos before appreciating how much I loved writing too. If you knew me before my videos existed, you'd NEVER think I'd be the type of person to create them. I hated acting (I was backstage for almost every production throughout school), I didn't like giving speeches or speaking aloud, and I was usually the person behind the camera taking the photographs. But there was something so comforting about sitting in my bedroom, talking to a camera, and off-loading about how I felt. 

I appreciate this might sound cliche, but YouTube has changed my life. Not only in the sense that I now spend a small portion of my week creating content for you, but in many other ways too. It's given me skills in photography, editing, lighting and filming. It's given me friends I'll hopefully have for life (despite the distance we live apart!). It's given me confidence in myself. It's given me a platform to create my own business. It supported me financially when I wasn't working. It's given me a boost when applying and landing a new job/career. It's given me the chance to work with some fantastic brands and companies. It's opened invites for events and meet ups. It's given me a hobby and passion. It's given me the opportunity to hold memories and watch them back. It's made me appreciate how much I've changed. But most importantly, it reminds me of who I am.

During this process, I've left behind an old chapter in my life and the things that came with that, and believe I've grown into more of an adult. So much has changed since I uploaded that video, but really it's only me that really knows that.

Now, as I've hit the biggest milestone I could have ever of dreamt of, I'm smiling so much because it's such a sense of achievement.

Here's to 10,000 subscribers! Thank you so very much. 

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My New Fiorelli Handbag

Firoelli Bag - TKMaxx £34.99 (RRP £65.00)

Oh no, did I buy another handbag? I like to call this my 'work bag', as it's just so handy. In total, there are 5 zips, 3 main sections, 1 inner and 1 on the back. It's really sturdy and comfortable, and the colour is absolutely gorgeous too. It's also available in black if you wanted it slightly different. In the front section, I keep make up, perfume, glasses and random crap. In the middle, my diary and sunglasses. In the back, my purse, work stuff, headphones and food. 

What do you think?

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Macadamia Control Hairspray Review

Macadamia Control Hair Spray* 300ml - £17.45

I've always been a fan of Macadamia products and knew I'd love this new hairspray. It claims to infuse hair with shine and doesn't leave it feeling heavy or sticky. As I've got naturally thick and curly hair, straightening can take me a while and my efforts are usually wasted when it frizzes back up again. Therefore, I've never found a hairspray that actually works, still feels soft and is easy to get out. Until now!

Control has a ton of benefits that make it a really unique product. It's suitable for use on all hair types, humidity resistant, fast-drying, reduces flyaways and has a natural UV protection. The key ingredients include Aminomethyl Propanol, which is an active anti-ageing ingredient, Glycerin and Soy Proteins for shine. Plus its a medium flexible hold, meaning you can brush it out easily. After applying, my hair still felt light, the flyaway bits was tamed and I didn't have that awful tacky taste in my mouth! It was fantastic for keeping my hair straight, but I'm not sure how the hold would be for more dramatic styles.

I love the packaging too, the little swirls work really well against Macadamia's classic greens and browns. However, the plastic lid did brake during postage, so my own picky comment would be an improvement in a nicer lid as it slightly let it down. The 300ml can will last me ages though! Overall, the product is really unique and works well, but the price would be my only holdback. At just over £17, it's a higher end hairspray but I haven't found another like it so congrats Macadamia!

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Life Lately...#3

Finally, a video for you! I'm back with my regular videos again (fingers crossed) so make sure you're subscribed to see what I've got coming up! I've been a really busy bee with my new job, a new car, making plans with friends, blogging/youtube events and a holiday too. I did blog about these things the other day, but it made sense to come back and explain what I've been doing. Hope you enjoy the video.

ps. I took the above photo by the beach in Bournemouth, thank god for nice weather again!

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My Holiday Wishlist

Bow Flip Flops - Ebay | Seafolly Bikini - Simply Beach | Ted Baker Bowcon Bag - House Of Fraser | Knitted Kaftan - Next | Seafolly White Sun Hat - Surf Dome | Ambre Solaire BB Cream - Superdrug | Travel Wallet - Cath Kidston

Hola! I haven't blogged for a while so apologies for that! But in June, I'm jetting of to Tunisia and I've been holiday shopping like craazzzzyyy. Firstly, I've decided that although I seriously dislike hats, last time I was away I really needed one. I'd quite like something floppy but Surf Dome have tons, especially on Amazon. I don't really need a travel wallet, I'm sure I have one lying around, but I just love Cath Kidston and couldn't resist adding it. The gorgeous bikini is from Simply Beach which I'm going to be reviewing for you soon so keep a eye out for that ;) I've already bought the flip flops from ebay, they were too cute not to get and almost match the Ted Baker bag I want too! Despite being a little pricey, Next have the nicest Kaftans which I live in whilst away, definitely will be getting one of those. Finally, has anyone tried the Ambre Solaire BB cream? I'm tempted to get the factor 50 for my face as I burn really easily.

Let me know what you think! Are you heading away anywhere this summer?

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Life Lately #2

Howdy, long time no speak! Lots has changed recently and I'm finally ready to talk you through the last month or so for me. I'm currently find the fine line between being too personal on the internet, but I think it's only fair to explain where I've been.

Changing Careers

I recently decided to quit my retail job as I was really unhappy, under a lot of pressure and the stress started affecting my health. Luckily, I have an extremely supportive Mum who helped me leave whilst I searched for a new job. I knew I wasn't going to stay in a shop forever, and I was ready for a new adventure. 

Job Hunt

The search for something new was a lot harder than I thought. Days flew by quite quickly whilst I realised that jobs were hard to come by. You know when you hear people say "there aren't any jobs" and you think to yourself, "of course there is". No seriously, I could barely find something to suit me! I didn't give in and ended up applying for all sorts of jobs. I lost count of how many I actually applied for, or how many interviews I went to, but eventually I was finally offered 3 (yes, THREE) in the same day! I was quite overwhelmed and it felt amazing that after two months of being unemployed and struggling, I now had a choice! (The other two positions were actually for Lloyds Bank and on a brand new Liz Earle counter.)

New Job

So the new position I accepted is working for a Publishing company as a Sales & Features Executive. It's a fancy name but basically means I sell the ad space for three magazines that the company owns. I also attend meetings, do a little editorial and photography, keep up the four websites, and lots of other exciting things. The job comes with a ton of perks too which is exciting. I started two weeks ago and it's already going really well. I feel a lot happier.

The Beauty Closet
Although most of my time has been taken up by my new job recently, The Beauty Closet is still ticking along nicely and it recently got a re-vamp! I've made it clearer and easier to view products, so please let me know what you think. Sometimes, I'm not quite sure how I run a shop alongside the other crazy things in my life, but I do and it's my baby.

Exciting Opportunities

Last week, I headed to London for a meet up with some other bloggers which was absolutely brilliant. I met some lovely people who I talk to regularly on twitter, plus the She Said Beauty team again. You can read more in my previous post here.
I've also booked tickets to go up to Manchester in May as I've been invited by my lovely friend Hannah to stay with her! It's a 5 hour journey by train (long, I know!) but I can't wait to see Hannah and Dionne again.

I'm also coming to IMATS in June with Dionne too! AH, I literally am so excited because I can meet some of my favourite youtubers and friends. It should be pretty good.

Finally, Rich and I might have booked somewhere hot in June too ;)

As you can tell, I'm a busy bee right now and finally finding my feet again. I also got a new car which I absolutely love driving, I upgraded my Citroen C1 and it's beautiful. I'll have videos and posts back again soon, just needing a little break to focus on things going on around me. See you soon, promise I won't be long.

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