A Declaration

When you think of your favorite beauty bloggers, am I on that list? Today, I'm aiming to change that.

Four years ago, I came up with daunting task to create a beauty blog for everyone, not just makeup lovers.

• I wanted the new-to-makeup fan, as well as the casual beauty user to find my blog as a resource, as I keep my info/tutorials on a beginner-easy level.

• I wanted a blog for those who are on a drugstore budget, yet sharing items worth the splurge.

• I wanted a blog to find friends who are just as fanatical about beauty as I am, offering reviews of the latest products for hair, skin, makeup, and nails.

• I created my blog for my friends who said they just don't have time for a beauty routine, keeping my tutorials to around 15-30 minutes, showing that it can be done. And fun!

Today, I'm making a declaration that I want to be your favorite beauty blog.
I'm not a makeup artist. I'm not a model--Or hair stylist or nail technician. There seems to be this silly notion that only people in the industry can be the best bloggers--I think there's room for all of us. Trust me, I love and admire my friends, family, and fellow bloggers who are in the business. But you don't need to be a makeup artist to have a great beauty blog. And you don't need to be the most gorgeous thing on the planet, either.
I have passion and knowledge--I've been in love with beauty since I was three years old, crying because I had to leave my Grandmother's salon. I grew up in that environment and fell in love, copying what I quietly observed (like attempting a perm on my three year old sister when I was around four). I started making my own beauty products (I called them experiments) when I was three. I read everything I could (we didn't have the internet when I was little, so no youtube or blogs growing up) about beauty, even if it was outdated. My Grandmother had her own makeup line (named after me and my sister) and then became a Mary Kay rep, so I had makeup and her salon stuff to play with. Thirty-five years later, I am more passionate than ever. I am still constantly learning and reading beauty articles and seeking more information.
I offer a little bit of everything--some blogs focus just on skills and some focus just on reviews or collections. I have something for everyone, sharing a little bit of all aspects of beauty, like makeup, skin care, hair, nails, and myself:

• I've got tutorials on hair/makeup/nails and even DIY beauty products.
• I share opinions on products I have thoroughly reviewed. I don't try a product once and form an opinion.
• I don't rely on "click bait" to earn views--example: I don't call something a "dupe" unless I personally own or have thoroughly experimented with that product--a common technique blogs use when the dupes aren't actually dupes.
• I share tips on my knowledge--not tips that I read or heard about. I actually come up with or test out these tips and tricks. I want true, valid info out there.
• I try to review as many of the latest drugstore and high end beauty products that I can. Search my blog or ask me if you're looking for info on a new product.
• I do the research on whatever the beauty buzzword or fancy popular ingredient before offering an opinion.

I love this blog--I pretty much eat-sleep-dream ElleSees. I could talk about it all day long. I'm always looking to improve, like on my pictures, for example. I started off with a flip phone camera (cringe) to taking online lessons for my DSLR. In addition to my pictures, I offer YouTube videos to give another aspect. I am trying harder to put more "me" into this blog--something I was so afraid to do. I used to never share pics of myself (read more about that here). While sometimes I worry that my silly/goofy/playful/humorous personality has cost me viewers (I didn't get the memo that beauty had to be serious!) I refuse to change.

I love to blog--I think it's a common topic that bloggers experience burnout and/or writer's block. While I do get frustrated occasionally with something said in the comments or not having enough time, I still love blogging. I get really excited to write. I still come up with ideas that I love (and hope you will too). Writing posts, taking pics, and making videos are still so much fun to me.

I love YOU--I am so blessed and lucky to have made the friends that I have through blogging. Whether it has been finding other beauty fanatics who can discuss mascaras for 20 minutes to helping someone find the perfect product or finally master that fishtail braid, I am so thankful for you. You have given me incredible support through every awesome experience and when I've shared tough topics in my life. Every interaction still makes me smile and giddy. I finally feel useful and helpful and being able to share what I love is the icing on the cake.

Thank you for reading.