20160501

2 Years of Jasmine Talks Beauty


Ok the title is a bit of a lie as this blog has gone through several incarnations before becoming Jasmine Talks Beauty however I sort of always feel that's been what it is - Jasmine talking about beauty! Today is the 2nd anniversary of my first ever blog post, which has long since been 'converted to draft'... However I wanted to take a moment to reflect on what I've learnt and how far I've come in the past two years.

Learning how to blog

My life has undeniably changed since the 1st of May 2014 and there's definitely a part of that change that's come about due to blogging. I honestly don't know what was running through my head when I started by blog because I didn't have a clue what I was doing! I didn't even know how to make my awful default Blogger template look good (I wish I had a screenshot of it!) and my photography left quite a lot to be desired...


#Photographygoals 

But I gradually started improving...



And that Christmas I got a new camera (not that this made the change all by itself but it definitely focused my mind) and started 2015 with a fresh determination to improve my photography. I tried to get a little more creative, experiment with props and backgrounds and actually started editing my photos! These all helped me to improve further.



Over time I've learnt little tips and tricks and made my site a lot more visually appealing and intuitive to use. I also learnt the best way to format and lay out my posts, though that's sometime I feel like I can continuously tweak and improve on. I'm definitely still learning every single day. No one bursts out of the womb understanding SEO, having an amazing layout and brands knocking their door down. I guess I'm saying this because some of you reading might be relatively new bloggers who are a little overwhelmed by everything. You're not going to know it all on day one and you probably never will! But if your photos look better than mine did then congratulations because you're already miles ahead of where I was at... I think was a steep learning curve but I'm pretty happy with my blog at the moment. 

I can be a bit of a perfectionist but I have to be realistic and when I'm feeling negative just remember how far I've come since those early days. I also hope that what has happened to me gives people the confidence to keep trying to improve at things and to not be disheartened if it seems like everyone's blog is better than yours. Because for one: they're probably sat there thinking that about another blog! And for all you know, they've been working at their blog for years so comparing yourself to them is unfair to you, as you're at completely different stages of a journey.

The post that changed it all

It's still a little bemusing to me that virtually overnight, after 18 months of very gradual growth, my blog seemed to gain a whole load of new followers but I'm just so grateful. I had no idea one little feature in the Bloglovin Edit could be so life-changing for a blog! I have no idea how my Winter Highlighters post was picked out from the crowd but I'm just really glad I wrote it and someone saw it! Somehow I'm sat here now with more than ten times as many followers on Bloglovin' than I did before Christmas, which is surreal to even quantify.


I've been incredibly lucky to get that exposure and it's amazing to think of how many more people are reading and hopefully enjoying my posts! Especially given that when I first started my blog it took me months to get my first comment...

What blogging means to me

Blogging is my escape; it's where I don't have to worry about real-life stressed and I can just indulge in something that's a lot of fun. I've 'met' so many people I feel like I know through their blogs and our interactions, which is pretty amazing. I've also had the opportunity to meet so many lovely bloggers in person. Obviously I love my 'real life' friends and they know stuff about me that no one else does and we 'get' each other on a level where we can talk about really intense things like politics, religion or whatever and not leave the conversation feeling angry at each other. But there's this little beauty-obsessed part of me that that no one else I know personally truly understands, and I love that the internet gives us a place to connect with others that share this strange little fixation.

It's really crazy to me that I started blogging at uni in my grubby little bedroom where the roof used to leak through my light fixture (we had the worst landlord ever!) and now I'm well on the way to where I want to be. In that time I've graduated, had an internship, was faced with the prospect of no grad job at the end of it, worked in a position I didn't like for almost a year, managed to land a role that's put me on the path to my dream career and I finally feel like I have a real, grown-up job and a salary (after years in retail whilst I studied where I got about £6 an hour!)

I've also had the chance to meet a lot of great people along the way. I was just talking with my friends the other week about how much has changed since we graduated and for me it's particularly significant because I've had that journey represented through my blog. I can look at a post and remember where I was in life and how I was feeling at that time. From my damp uni bedroom, wringing my hands over spending £10 on a cleanser but going out virtually every other night to being a 'kind-of adult'. 

What's next?

I'm still really passionate about beauty so I think this blog will primarily stay focussed on that but over time I've gauged how much of my real-life personality I'm comfortable with sharing. I do see myself growing in confidence and sharing more personal things and doing more lifestyle posts going forwards. 

I've managed to keep this blog going through hard times and busy times over the past two years so I feel like we can make it through anything. Yes, there will be times when the pressure is on and I have to scale back what I'm doing, but I've never actually stopped blogging and I can't see that happening any time soon. I'm really enjoying my job and as I've talked about before, I couldn't see myself blogging full time. However I don't feel like I have to choose! I'm not a one-dimensional person with singular interests and I will continue to juggle all the things in my life that I love, because that's just how I am and it's sort of liberating just to accept that.

How long have you been blogging? What have your learnt in that time?





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81 comments

  1. Congratulation, Jasmine! You have done REALLY well, I really admire you.
    I found you from instagram and read all your blog post in a couple of weeks, I must say it's one of the reason that motivated me that picked up my blogging game again after abandoning it for almost two years. Watching how you grow each post is really mesmerizing, I enjoy the way you write and present the information to your reader! I'm looking forward for your next post :) Have a great day.

    Selene Addicted

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    1. Thank you so much Dea - this was such a lovely comment and means a lot :) <3 xx

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  2. I am so chuffed that your blog has grown so much! Really is well deserved! I love your blog, and have been following you for over a year now. I know what you mean about first post horror though, mine are shockingly bad, the pictures are terrible, but hey - we all have to begin somewhere :) I am so happy to see you now sitting at 35K+ followers!! And I love how you still comment and interect with us all, you really are one of my favourites! Well done for the 2 years, and hopefully many more to come :)

    http://www.makeerinover.co.uk

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    1. Completely agree - I'm sure even the biggest bloggers weren't anywhere near as polished to start with! And thank you so much :D xx

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  3. You deserve every single one of your readers! Your blog is amazing. I loved seeing how your photography improved... it gives me hope!! Haha!!

    Jodie @ Jodetopia x

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    1. Haha you're doing a LOT better than I was! Thank you lovely xx

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  4. Congratulation! This is a lovely post!It's only been 10 months since I've started my blog, but I'm already amazed by how much I've learned throughout this 10 months!

    http://fannyanddailybeauty.com

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    1. Thank you! It's such a steep learning curve isn't it? :) xx

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  5. I think you not being a one dimensional person makes your blog what it is. Your personality comes through especially when you talk about what TV programmes you watch haha - i think thats important in blogging. I like that the blogger is relatable. Its crazy how quickly your blog has grown and totally deserve it! I haven't even been blogging that long and i literally cringe at my first posts / photography, but at the time i was so proud haha. Heads up they were so much worse than yours haha. xx

    LPage Beauty 

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    1. Thank you - and I totally agree, I love getting glimpses of the person behind the blog.
      I can't image they were haha :') xx

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  6. Congratulations of two whole years of blogging, I really hope here's way more to come! You're so lucky to have been featured on the Bloglovin edit, but saying that luck didn't factor into it, it was all a result of your hard work. No one deserves success quite like you!

    Jodie // jodieloue.com

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    1. Thank you Jodie! :) that's so sweet of you to say xx

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  7. It's sooo amazing how far you have come in two years :) I've been blogging for 2 years aswell and hope we will both have a lot of more fun years, hahaha :) x

    Laura // get-ready-with-laura.blogspot.de

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    1. Thank you Laura and congrats on 2 year too! xx

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  8. You deserve all your success, This shows if you are persistent and never give up you will get to where you want to be. I haven't been reading your blog for the longest time but I really enjoy reading all your posts.

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    1. I also loved seeing how your photography have improved, I still take my blog pictures on my iphone because I don't have a camera but I dont think the pictures come out horribly- it just needs a lot more editing after :D http://avabeautyblog.blogspot.co.uk

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    2. Thank you so much! Yeah I do definitely think you can get good images on iPhones - it just takes a little longer and you've got to get your conditions right xx

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  9. You did so well! A little bit of exposure definitely helps indeed, and I guess it can only happen if you work hard and keep blogging with a passion. Sure, sometimes it all comes down to a bit of luck as well, but making sure your photography looks great always helps! ;)

    Congrats on your blogiversary!

    Love, Charline | Charline Has a Blog

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  10. Congratulations, Jasmine!! You've done so so so well and deserve all the success. I've nearly been blogging for a year now and I already feel like I've improved within that space of time.xx

    Lauren | itslaurenvictoria.blogspot.co.uk

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    1. Thank you! I almost feel like you improve more in the first 6 months than you do in the following 6 years :') xx

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  11. Congratulations on having the blog for two years! you've put so much time and effort into this and I can tell how much you enjoy blogging just through your posts! your photography is amazing! & wow, that's so great that your post about highlighters got into the bloglovin edit!

    www.leahrachelgoth.blogspot.co.uk

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    1. Aw thank you so much! And if only I'd known when I was writing that post what it would lead to! xx

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  12. Congratulations! You've done amazingly well in two years and yours is definitely one of my favourite beauty blogs. Would love to see some lifestyle posts from you too, but only what you're comfortable with - for now you're still one of the only beauty blogs I read regularly! x

    NINEGRANDSTUDENT: A Student Lifestyle Blog

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  13. Huge congrats on your 2 years of blogging Jasmine :) x

    Darling Jordan

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  14. Happy 2nd Blog Birthday! - I love your blog!

    Sinead | Subject Beauty

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  15. It's so inspiring to see your blog grow so much within such a short period! I take photos like you used to right now haha but I will learn from you and maybe even have blog success like you! I actually haven't blogged for a long while now and I rarely even comment on posts...seems like I lost my motivation. But this posts inspires me to continue blogging and hopefully I can continue after exams are over!

    Bonnie x
    Beautiful Appreciations

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    1. I'm sure yours are better than mine were :')
      You definitely shouldn't force it, just take your time and go back to it when you're ready, I think! xx

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  16. This is such an inspirational post!! I have only just started blogging and this just proves how far someone can come!! <3
    Amazing job!! Keep it up!! <3

    Amelia | http://amelia-g.blogspot.com.au/

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    1. Thank you Amelia :) you never know where it might take you xx

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  17. Congrats! Mines four years old in just over a week, it's gone so quickly and I've learnt so much!

    Heather | Of Beauty & Nothingness

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    1. Congratulations - such an amazing milestone! xx

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  18. Congratulations on your blogiversary! I've read your blog for at least 18 months, but probably more and have loved watching your success & seeing you go from strength to strength! Long may it continue! xx

    Beautylymin

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  19. Hurray to one of my favourite blogs! I have been blogging for about 2 years on and off, and I love it! Keep up the work and you will go far!

    Blog:: Hannah Rose

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  20. I've been blogging since October, seriously since about December, and I definitely understand what you mean by improving over time! Congrats on such a big milestone x

    www.beautyfromkatie.blogspot.com

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  21. Congratulations on this milestone Jasmine!

    www.abi-gailsparty.com

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  22. I thought you had been blogging much longer! I just had my one year blogging anniversary on Friday, woohoo! Your blog was one of the first I found when I made an account with Bloglovin' last year and it's been so exciting to see the growth you've had! Loving those early photos haha!

    Danielle's Beauty Blog

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  23. Congratulations Jasmine!! You've done so well and deserve all the success you've had with your blog as it's definitely one of my favourites :) Such a good 2 years and here's to many more!

    The Makeup Directory

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  24. Congrats on two years and all of the amazing growth!!

    She Likes to Shop

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  25. I've been following you for around 18 months I think and the progress you made is absolutely amazing! I love your blog, your personality and I feel like I can trust your recommendations 100%. Well done, Jasmine and congratulations! xx

    Mummy’s Beauty Corner

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    1. I feel like we've been reading each others blogs for ages! And thank you so much - that means a lot :) xx

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  26. Congratulations on 2 years of blogging Jasmine - your blog is so wonderful and I always enjoy having a good read! Heres to two years + more!

    Lucy | Forever September

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  27. Congratulations on two years of blogging! I'm really excited for future posts whether you stick to beauty or branch out :) You've done really well! x

    alicered.co.uk

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  28. I've been blogging for more than a year now even though I took a 3 month break until I got back on my feet again sometime this week, I know how hard it is when you first start out and the learning process is always the best. Congratulations on 2 years Jasmine, you've earned it xxx

    www.thegirlfromthenorth.com

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    1. Aw thanks Angeline - I hope you enjoy getting back into blogging! xx

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  29. Wow, happy late blog anniversary! I'm so happy that I found your blog a few months ago and all your followers are so well deserved!

    Nereyda│ This Girl Is Obsessed

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  30. Congratulations girl! You are amazing, and have done such a great job at inspiring others, as you blog! xo

    McKenzie | therosynook.com

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    1. That's so kind of you to say McKenzie! :) xx

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  31. I love these posts where we get to hear a little more of your 'real' voice...if you know what I mean :) You've done incredibly well and I have been following you from quite a while back actually...definitely before your Bloglovin feature because you know...same skin-tone...obviously not in a racist way! Haha! It still amazes me how you were able to put out such high quality content as often as you did, heck as often as you still do. You're an inspiration hun, and speaking as someone a number of years your senior, I am incredibly proud of you. *wipes tears and walks away because emotion is too much* xxx

    Sal | UmmBaby Beauty

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    1. Aw you're gona make me well up, Sal! Thank you so much! And haha I totally love your blog too and it's definitely a bonus that 9 times out of 10 what suits you will suit me! xx

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  32. Congratulations on two years - your blog is amazing, and every single post is so detailed and such a joy to read. Proud of you :)

    Laurzrah 

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  33. I've not long hit two years myself - it's a big milestone! Congratulations to you!

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    1. Thank you and congratulations to you too Lena! xx

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  34. Congratulations on hitting this milestone! You deserve everything! We as readers appreciate the effort you make to put together your posts and photos genuinely written, and the fact that you take time to read the comments, answer and keep in touch with us. You shine through as a down to earth, honest and positive person which is why I keep coming back to your blog and admire you a lot.

    Also I think is totally natural that your blog grew and improved with time. I've just opened my blog and I feel like i'm never satisfied with the photos I take, the layout, the design on my blog. But at the same time I keep telling myself that "pratice makes it better" and that my blog and I will naturally grow and get better with time. A little patience is needed.

    Whish you all the best!

    Silvia
    www.theskincabinet.com

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    1. This is such a kind comment Silvia - thank you so much for taking the time to share it!
      I completely relate to never thinking your blog is 'perfect' but I think it will never feel that way - you just have to appreciate the progress you have made and will continue to make :) xx

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  35. This is such a lovely post and gives those newbees so much help. I loved looking at your first couple of photos as I can relate so much-I'm pretty sure my photos are still like it though haha! I loved hearing about how it all changed for you and I'm so happy for you as I love reading your posts! Love your passion for carrying on and writing about beauty-KEEP IT UP YOU'RE AMAZING!
    Charlotte // www.charlottespicks.com

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    1. Aw thank you so much Charlotte! Your photos are miles better than the mess mine were D: haha xx

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  36. Yay congratulations and happy blog birthday! Your blog is wonderful, its an absolute pleasure reading all of your posts so please don't ever stop ha ha!

    Alice ♡ // beautybyalicee

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  37. Thank you so much Inma! I completely agree that there's no use in comparing yourself to others and it definitely shows if your heart isn't in what you're writing xx

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  38. Thank you so much for all the lovely comments <3 xx

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  39. First of all, congratulations on two years! Although I am a new follower, it was still really cool to take this trip down memory lane with you and see how far your blog has come.

    nueyork.blogspot.com

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  40. just been scrolling through all these comments and they are so brilliant they must make you feel very humbled! congrats on your milestone, my blog too has morphed from it's original incarnation but I am happy with the direction it is going in and am looking forward to nurturing it and watching it grow and morphe, blogging can be a lot of work but it is defo rewarding! x
    www.whatrosiewrote.com

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    1. I was welling up reading them all! And yeah I totally agree - sometimes I wonder if I'd eve have started if I'd realised how much work in involves as it's so overwhelming if you've never blogged before! xx

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  41. I am so proud of you and your blog hun! Thanks for showing up how far you've progressed photography wise because your photos are literally goals now!! haha, love how similar blogging is for both of us, in terms of how it has changed life. I've definitely grown in confidence and mostly grown to cherish my little spot on the internet where I can share my love of makeup amongst other things! Can't wait to keep reading your amazing blog, keep up the hard work <3

    Iqra | The Blushing Giraffe

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