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Monday, September 30, 2019

Four Easy Ways You Can Increase Productivity In Your Business

There is always going to be a need for productivity increases especially with technological advances, the customer wants and needs changing, and globalization. Even the best entrepreneurs have to compete with companies in locations such as China and India where the labour costs are a fraction of the costs.

Image by rawpixel from Pixabay


Increasing your productivity means that you need to work smarter in order to get the most from your business. When it comes to increasing it, you should be constantly on the lookout for ways to improve efficiency. Have a look here at some of the focus areas you should be looking at:

Are You Using The Best Equipment?
Often just by selecting the right equipment you can reduce the risk of costly errors and improve the way your business runs. However, before you run off and buy any equipment, be sure you thoroughly familiarize yourself with the current and future needs of your business. You should consider things such as your current results, the results you would like to see, would it be better to rent or buy equipment? And will the profit outweigh the costs? Other things you should consider are aspects such as staff training on new equipment.

Make Use Of Technology
There is an abundance of web technologies that are now around to help your business run smoothly and achieve excellent productivity results. There’s a huge range including production management tools, cloud computing tools that allow you to share files with staff anywhere and anytime (you can read more here), and even custom-built software for you to tailor o your needs. When running any business it’s important to keep up with technological advances and decide whether it’s a viable option for your business needs.

Regularly Review Your Setup
You should make an effort to review your processes from the point of view of a potential investor and sometimes your employees. Make sure you are keeping your overall objectives and visions for the business at the forefront of any decisions. 

Doing this will allow you to look at potential improvements but it will also allow you to remove any changes that haven’t worked with ease. It can sometimes be trial and error with making changes that affect productivity so regularly reviewing will mean you have all the information available for removing changes too. Improving productivity is always going to an ongoing activity so you need to make sure you have a continuous improvement plan in place.

Your setup isn’t just about the space around you either - it is also about how you treat yourself as you head into the space too. You play a big role in how the day will go. Your setup should extend to how you start your day. Do you have a good routine that allows you to make the most of your time? Do you hit the desk without getting organized first? Do you need to keep getting up cause you have forgotten what you need to get the day started? Make sure that you are well hydrated, that you take the right supplements for things like concentration and energy, and consider a memory enhancement supplement. Get dressed, even if it is just from loungewear to clean loungewear. Set up your day for success and build a routine that will get you feeling productive from the start.

Make Use Of Outsourcing
There is no harm in making use of external sources when it comes to thinking about increasing productivity for your business. Outsourcing areas such as accounting, social media development and HR are extremely common and are often not dealt with internally. They are all time-consuming tasks and are better being completed by people who specialise in these areas. Another great way to apply this sort of mentality is to look at the individual skills of your employees, you may find that people have hidden skills that can be used for key areas of the business.

Do you have any other ways that you can increase productivity in business? Please share them in the comments section below.

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Farmacy Beauty Very Cherry Bright Serum Review

Disclosure:This post contains affiliate links. I get commission for purchases or clicks made through links in this post.

Not Sponsored: I only used Farmacy's Very Cherry Bright TWICE and that is as far as my skin would allow me to use it. What is it? It's a vitamin c serum. You may remember earlier this year, I tested a lot of vitamin c skincare from REN, Fresh, Mad Hippie, Murad and Sunday Riley. I really love vitamin c skincare. Well, I know you're looking at the package and see a CHERRY? I was perplexed as well. Vitamin C is also found in acerola cherries (best source of vitamin c - source). The best? I like THE BEST! Farmacy Beauty says it is, "A 15% vitamin C serum powered by a potent cocktail of vitamin C-rich acerola cherry and hyaluronic acid to visibly brighten, firm and hydrate skin." And, "#CherryBrightFuture - For every serum purchased, $1 goes to Fundação Lar Feliz (Happy Home Foundation), a children’s foundation in Northeast Brazil!" This serum you guys is pinkish-red in color. It smells like cherries. It has some tack & stick to it. I applied it to my face at night. I waited for the tack/stick to subside, but it remained. Not where it was sticking to my pillowcase (at all). But if you put your finger to your face, you can feel it. I really don't see HOW you can use this during the day and especially with makeup. It would definitely conflict. Anyway, I Slept. Woke up. Noticed some pilling (white flakes) around my chin area. Rinsed it all off. My skin didn't feel softer. My skin didn't feel hydrated or moisturized. My face DID look plumper (but that could've been a reaction). I tried it one more night, but I got more pilling and a little sensitivity. So my dry & sensitive skin had enough. This may be too strong for my skin. Its gotten really great reviews. I can only share what I experienced. Out of all the Vitamin C skincare products that I've tried so far, I love REN, Sunday Riley, Murad & Fresh (here & here) the best. I didn't have any problems with those brands. Since I only used it twice, I feel its not fair to rate this product. Just take what I experienced into consideration if you have dry sensitive skin.

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Ole Henriksen Lucky Pucker Lip Scrub Review

Disclosure:This post contains affiliate links. I get commission for purchases or clicks made through links in this post

Not Sponsored: Apples! Cinnamon! Whew, I was SUPER EXCITED when Ole Henriksen came out with Lucky Pucker Lip Scrub! Apples and cinnamon SCREAMS FALL! I love apple & cinnamon oatmeal. I love juicy red apples. I love apple pie. So, here's the deal you guys. My excitement plummeted when I opened the box and saw a stick. Stick? Stick = Lip Balm. I thought I had made a mistake. It said lip scrub on the box, but I'm looking at a twisty tube you twist up like lip balm. So I read the directions and the brand states this is CLEARLY a lip scrub that you apply to exfoliate your lips. You can either wipe it off or leave it on. Ok. I'll go with the flow. This is lip scrub you can take on-the-go, right? So I applied it to my lips and it felt like a lip balm. Hmmm??? I applied it a couple of more times and then felt little exfoliation beads. I said, ok you just have to work off the top layer to get to the exfoliation beady part. But then when I used it again it just felt like a balm. The inconsistency was more than frustrating. I looked at some of the reviews on Sephora and they were all over the place. Many said this was a LIP BALM and not a lip scrub. Some said it worked great. Some said it didn't smell like apples or cinnamon. Some said it provided light exfoliation. Do you see where I'm going? I can only tell you what I experienced. I experienced light exfoliation ONCE (and it didn't do a good job exfoliating my lips). It felt more like a lip balm (and it wasn't moisturizing at all to my lips). Very faint apple scent and I didn't detect any cinnamon. I threw mine in the garbage, I was so frustrated. So I don't know if the batches of this stuff were inconsistent or what (not sure if I got a bad one - apple). But I won't be buying another to find out. HaHaHa

Sweet-Bittersweet-NotSweet
supersweet(run & buy it) sweet(really good,buy it) bittersweet(ok, issues)not sweet(not good,don't buy this stuff) 
  Ole Henriksen Lucky Pucker Lip Scrub is Not Sweet

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Fresh Sugar Strawberry Exfoliating Face Wash Review

Disclosure:This post contains affiliate links. I get commission for purchases or clicks made through links in this post. 

Not Sponsored: I was really excited when Fresh Beauty came out with their Fresh Sugar Strawberry Exfoliating Face Wash (Nordstrom, Harrods, Sephora). Do you get excited when new beauty comes out? No. Just me? Ok. LOL The only thing I've used in the past that came close to this was Murad's Skin Smoothing Polish (Nordstrom, Dermstore, QVC, ULTA, Murad, Harrods, Sephora, Selfridges) Its really, really good. Well, the Fresh Sugar Strawberry Exfoliating Face Wash has the cutest packaging. I love the vine of strawberries on the tube. This face wash is made with real strawberries. It's pretty thick as well (but dispenses easily out the tube). Does this face wash smell like strawberries? I was surprised, because to me it doesn't. I was disappointed because the coloring is so beautiful. Does it provide exfoliation? Yes, but its VERY LIGHT exfoliation. This face mask has sugar crystals in it. You initially feel them as you apply this face wash to your face, but they DISSOLVE as you work the product into your skin. Is it moisturizing? Only a tad. This face wash doesn't foam up or lather while using it. Expect it to stay clear. Overall, I was expecting more from this exfoliating face wash. More exfoliation. More moisture. More strawberry scent. You get light exfoliation and a clean face, but I'm sure you have something in your skincare arsenal that can do that. So I was disappointed in this. If you're looking for a good face exfoliator, I suggest Murad linked above. I wish Fresh would come out with a Strawberry + Chocolate skincare product. Doesn't that combination sound delicious? I love their Fresh Cocoa Exfoliating Body Soap (Neiman Marcus, Strawberrynet) and Fresh Cocoa Body Exfoliant (Sephora, Neiman Marcus, Strawberrynet, Harrods). Remember my review of both? They both work really well and are perfect for the Fall & Winter months. You can read about all the products I've reviewed from Fresh here. They have some really good stuff! But this was a miss.


Sweet-Bittersweet-NotSweet
supersweet(run & buy it) sweet(really good,buy it) bittersweet(ok, issues)not sweet(not good,don't buy this stuff) 
  Fresh Sugar Strawberry Exfoliating Face Wash is Bittersweet

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“Make Up” Your Fanbase: Growing Your Customers


It seems that more people are now going into the makeup and beauty trade, either in terms of working at makeup counters in department stores or they start to grow their own business. The industry that is known as beauty comprises of so many different components, but when you start your own business because you have an enthusiasm for making people look fabulous, it's not just about the passion you have, but it's about the knowledge you bestow. Running your own make-up business isn't just about the people, or even the marketing, it's about finding out ways to ensure that your product remains relevant. What are the best ways to grow your customer base?

Maintain That Personal Relationship
As you begin to grow a product and more people buy it, you've got to figure out ways to ensure that the relationship between you and the customer remains as personal as ever. This is quite a task, especially if you have hundreds upon hundreds of customers, but this is where CRM, or Customer Relationship Management systems, are worth their weight in gold. There are companies like GoWhiteOwl can help you with the CRM component, and as time goes on, you realize that having people proven their allegiance to the brand is not just about the marketing savvy, but it's about that personal relationship where you can give them individual offers, or reward them for being a loyal customer. It's these people that will keep your business ticking over.

Start To Promote Yourself
The brand is the personality of the business, which is you. This means you've got to start to find the right ways in which to promote yourself. Whether this is through a trade show, or going on other people's blogs, or even starting your own YouTube channel, you have the inherent passion for the product and this has to filter through the appearances you make. Promoting yourself isn't just about getting online, it is about enticing people into this product so they are buying into who you are. You can do this in terms of your ethical stance, especially if you want to promote your products as being free from artificial ingredients, or haven't been tested on animals. But when you start to make more appearances, even on other people's blogs, you start developing a relationship with different followers of other brands, but you also begin networking.

Stop Selling
When you pitch to potential clients or trying to negotiate a sale to a customer, they can see right through it. Every customer has been through this a million times before, so instead, you have got to think about ways around this. Getting followers can help, but it's also about learning those soft skills that can help in a networking scenario. We understand that you need to make money, so you have to sell it but there are ways around this, especially if you want to develop that important long-term relationship with customers. You need to stop selling and start caring.

As your make-up business starts to develop, you will naturally get an inkling of the type of person that will buy the product, but also how you can put your personality across. Growing your customer base is one of the most difficult components, but try not to overthink it.
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Home Décor Tips for Autumn

As the weather begins to get cooler, and the nights begin to draw in earlier, you’re likely to spend more and more of your time indoors. Which means that changes in your home décor will be that little bit more noticeable. At this time of year, you’ll want items that add that little bit of cosiness and comfort to your home – and a little bit of practicality, too.
Storage Spaces
A tidy space is one that’s enjoyable to relax in. Thus, if you’re looking to add a little bit of comfort to your living room or dining area, among the best ways to do it is with the help of a high-quality storage unit. A quality sideboard from the Cotswold Company will function as visual centrepieces for a room, and provide a place to stow away all of those spare bits of paperwork, fine crockery and other miscellanea. You can also use the best Miami storage companies for offsite storage solutions, giving you more space to breathe in your own house!

Shoe Racks
In the hallways, a shoe-rack is an extremely practical addition that’ll keep your floor space clean and tidy. When you step in from outdoors with your boots caked in muck, you’ll be able to simply scrape them clean, slip them off, and stow them ready for your next excursion.

Throw Pillows
The accent pieces in your living room can have an enormous impact on the overall look of the room. During summer, you might have preferred something stark and pale. But at this time of year, the richness of oranges, burned reds and purples will really help to inject some extra cosiness to the space. If you want to take things up a notch further, you could always throw in a bean-bag or two!

Seasonal Plants
House plants are a perfect way to add a little bit of the outdoors to your interior. If you keep them seasonal, then you’ll lend the rest of your decorations that little bit of extra liveliness. Hanging plants and pumpkins go nicely in the porch at this time of year!

Layer In Some Rugs
If you have a bit of empty floor-space, then things might end up looking a little bit stark – especially if the floor in question is decked in laminate or cold grey tiling. The addition of a vibrant, colourful rug will help to brighten up the space, as well as providing the family dog with somewhere to unwind.

Don’t Neglect Lighting!
When things get a little bit dark and chilly outdoors, there are few better places to be than wrapped up warm inside, perhaps with a good book or a tv show for company. To make your living space extra cosy, you might add a little bit of mood lighting. Go for some warm-white Christmas lights, draped around the rear of your sofas. They’ll come in handy for months on end, rather than just during December.
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Sunday, September 29, 2019

Beauty Bakerie Breakfast In Bed Eyeshadow Palette Review and Swatches

Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. I get commission for purchases or clicks made through links in this post.

Not Sponsored: Breakfast in Bed. Isn't that a treat? One of life's little luxuries. I love the name of this eye shadow palette by Beauty Bakerie. There's a heart-shaped waffle (bitten into ... love that detail) and cup of hot cocoa. There's even a lace dollie and silky satin sheets. When I think of anything Breakfast in Bed, I think of light colors and fresh-faced. Well the color scheme for this palette is surprisingly very Autumn, Fall and Winter. You wouldn't think just looking at the color scheme or my swatches. BTW, all shades swatched really well. They're very pigmented. I decided to create a nighttime Fall look. I used Forehead Kisses from lash to brow. I then used Messy Hair in the crease of my eye. I used PaJAMas in my outer v. I used Fresh Face in the corners of my eyes. I lined my bottom lashes with Boo & a View. I used Urban Decay's Cherry lipstick to complete my look. I don't know if I'll get much use out of this palette. I can create this same look with my Urban Decay Naked Cherry palette. To me, this is not a daytime palette (more nighttime). It creates really dark looks. I would've called this palette Dine and Wine. HaHaHa But one thing, its very cute!

Sweet-Bittersweet-NotSweet
supersweet(run & buy it) sweet(really good,buy it) bittersweet(ok, issues)not sweet(not good,don't buy this stuff) 
  Beauty Bakerie Breakfast in Bed Eye Shadow Palette is Sweet

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Beauty Bakerie Insta Bake Aqua Glass Foundation, Insta Bake 3-in-1 Concealer and Spray Your Grace Baking Spray Makeup Setting Spray Review and Swatches

Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. I get commission for purchases or clicks made through links in this post.

Not Sponsored: Hey Everybody! Beauty Bakerie came out with a NEW foundation, concealer and makeup setting spray. You may remember their Cake Mix Foundation and Cake Face Concealer! Both are still available. So why a new foundation and concealer? Cake Mix and Cake Face have a MATTE FORMULA and the new Insta Bake Foundation and Concealer have a DEWY FORMULA. I've tested all 3 and I'm ready to give my opinion! Lets get started or cooking.


Sweet-Bittersweet-NotSweet
supersweet(run & buy it) sweet(really good,buy it) bittersweet(ok, issues)not sweet(not good,don't buy this stuff) 


Beauty Bakerie | Insta Bake 3-in-1 Concealer in Jamsterdam - Bittersweet
I didn't really care for the Cake Face Concealer. Picking out a shade was tricky, because it oxidizes (gets darker). It also provided light coverage. Well, I felt like I was going through Deja Vu again, because the Insta Bake 3-in-1 Concealer does the same thing. I think its a LITTLE better than Cake Face, but I still feel it doesn't give me the coverage I need. You have to apply this to an area of your face and quickly work it in. I feel it turns from creamy to powdery and thins out. So its going to give you light to medium coverage. Again, it just didn't cover areas that needed to be covered. My Tarte Shape Tape does a better job covering imperfections and stays put (doesn't move around).
 No Makeup (Left) vs. Concealer (Right)

Beauty Bakerie | Insta Bake Aqua Glass Foundation in 339 N - Bittersweet
Beauty Bakerie came out with a new foundation called Insta Bake Aqua Glass Foundation. Its suppose to have a dewy formula. I was like...GREAT...I have dry skin! I tried it with both my Bobbi Brown Vitamin Enriched Face Base and Smashbox Primer. The foundation looked powdery and separated. I also didn't have any luck with applying it with a makeup sponge. So I removed it all and started again with a clean slate. This time I applied Smashbox's Primer Oil and used a makeup brush to work the foundation into my skin. Much better results, but then I looked a little shiny & oily. HaHaHa I also experienced some separation around the cheeks and nose area. I just felt like I was struggling with this foundation. I didn't care for the outcome. It didn't seem to lay right and sat atop my skin like a mask.
 Concealer Only (Left) vs Concealer & Foundation (Right)

Beauty Bakerie | Spray Your Grace Baking Spray - Makeup Setting Spray - Not Sweet
I wish I could say there was a silver lining in all of this :( Beauty Bakerie came out with a Spray Your Grace Baking Makeup Setting Spray. Again, really cute packaging and prayer on the front. They say on their website that the "Head Baker In Charge wanted to add a pinch of vanilla just light enough to leave you craving a trip to your local pastry shop." Well a pinch it must be (and the baker should be fired), because it doesn't smell like baked ANYTHING. LOL SO DISAPPOINTING! I smell alcohol (chemical), but that's it. It gives a nice spritz. It does an ok job setting your makeup (but your makeup will still move around). But I don't even want to use this :( I definitely suggest you sticking with Urban Decay's makeup setting sprays. So unfortunately no winners here (at least with me). Save your coins.
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