Tag Archives: selfie

5 Tips To Up Your Selfie Game

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5 Tips To Up Your Selfie Game

Posting selfies on your social media is a great way to show your personality and give your followers a closer look at your life. Never fear if you feel like your selfie game isn’t up to snuff because we are going to discuss five simple tips to take your selfies like a pro:

Find the Right Angle:

When taking a selfie, it’s important to find the right angle. If you hold the camera too high, you may end up with a double chin. Too low, and your nose will look bigger than it actually is. The best angle is usually somewhere in between. For a slimming effect, try holding the camera slightly above eye level and tilting your head down. This will also create the illusion of longer lashes. Another tip is to experiment with different poses until you find one that flatters your features. So go ahead and snap away – with a little practice, you’ll take amazing selfies in no time.

Get the Lighting Right:

One of the most important factors in getting a great selfie is lighting. The proper lighting can make all of the difference in accentuating your best features and creating a stunning image. First, try to find a location with natural light. Soft, diffused light is always ideal, so outdoor areas like parks or gardens will work well. Try to position yourself so that the sun is behind you. That way, you won’t end up squinting or with harsh shadows on your face. If you’re indoors, try to find a spot near a window where the light isn’t too harsh. And avoid using flash, as this can often create unflattering shadows. However, you can always experiment with how lighting impacts your photos. Take the time to play around with different lighting setups until you find one that works for your style.

Use Facial Expressions to Convey Emotion:

A good selfie should capture more than just your physical appearance, it should also show off your personality. Use facial expressions and body language to convey emotion in your selfies. Are you feeling happy? Sad? Sarcastic? Playful? Let your followers know what’s happening with you by using facial expressions that match your mood. Moreover, when you smile, make sure it reaches your eyes. That way, you will appear genuinely happy and aren’t taking a selfie for the sake of having a photo.

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Edit Your Photos:

Many people think that they need an expensive camera to take high quality photos. However, the truth is that anyone can take great photos, regardless of their equipment. The key is to know how to edit your photos to improve their quality. With today’s technology, there are many ways to edit photos. For example, photo-editing software can crop out unwanted background elements, adjust the exposure and color balance, or even remove blemishes from your selfies. Filters can also give your photos a particular look or feel.

If you’ll be endorsing a brand, you must take your post-production efforts to a higher level. For example, you agreed to endorse a piece of jewelry in one of your blog posts. Then you will be expected to show it in the best light possible. This might include retouching the image to make it look more polished and professional. But suppose you aren’t sure how to edit specific items. In that case, it may impact the quality of your photos, so it’s always best to leave this task to professionals. You can hire a reputable jewelry retouching service to help you achieve your photos’ desired look. Doing so will not only improve the quality of your photos but also make your blog posts more visually appealing.

Take Lots of Pics and Choose the Best One:

Don’t be afraid to take a ton of selfies until you find one you’re happy with. It’s better to have too many options than too little! You should also try varying angles and poses, so you have more options to work with. And if you’re struggling to get a good photo, ask a friend to take a picture of you. Having someone else take your photo will often lead to better results. They can help you relax and capture a more natural expression.

As with everything, practice makes perfect and the same goes for selfies. After a bit of playing around, you should see a noticeable and more natural improvement in all of your pics!

Here I Am!

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Here I Am!

Hello everyone! It has been a minute since a new OOTD post because your girl needs her hair done! Thankfully, that problem will be solved soon and I can’t wait to show you all some perfectly spring OOTDs ASAP. In the meantime, here are some pics of yours truly and some of my favorite people to tide you over until then:

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^^^ Can you spy one of my new tattoos?! 🙂

This past Sunday, we celebrated our darling niece’s third birthday a bit late because the weather has been wet and cold here. What was originally a party at a park turned into a get together at my sister and her partner’s house and, of course, Johnny and I had to step out in our best. This also meant all of the car selfies as well as pictures of me and Johnny when he refuses to just smile for the camera! *Massive eye roll* lol.

Our Val Gal’s party was a great success and it was so nice to see old friends and meet new ones. Johnny also finally got to meet some of my extended family who I haven’t seen in forever, which was awesome. We were surrounded by good company, good food, and lots of love and it’s safe to say that three year old Val knows how to throw a rager! 😀

Be sure to keep it posted on lifewithlilred for brand new OOTDs, book club reviews, Johnny’s unsmiling face, and all of the usual shenanigans this month. ❤

What do you like to do when your family gets together? Are you a smiling or silly face making selfie taker? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Best Husband Ever!

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Best Husband Ever!

Hi! It wouldn’t be an OOTD shoot for me and Johnny without me insisting that I take some pictures of him as well as a few (or a lot) of selfies with me. As always, Johnny is a great sport despite forever making silly faces when we take pictures together! He is truly the best husband/blog husband ever and I am so thankful to him for everything he does for the old ball and chain (AKA me lol).

Here are some of my favorite shots of him during my Houndstooth, Honey shoot:

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From our date days to video game nights or just sitting around watching our programs, any time spent with Johnny is the best. And, it has been that way since our first date. I love getting dressed up with him to go out and about and am always impressed with his own panache for fashion. Whether we’re running errands or spending time with our families, we both consider it an occasion worth getting dolled up for and I freaking love it.

I am so excited to see what 2022 has in store for us and even if it sucks just as much as last year, at least we are together for it! We can’t wait to celebrate our first year of being married and three years of being together as well as planning weekend trips for a change of scenery. In fact, we have a little trip coming up soon so keep it posted to read all about it and, of course, see some OOTD pics!

How would you describe your personal style? What is something that you admire about your partner or best friend? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Smile!

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Smile!

Hi!! Johnny and I have a lot to smile about and I am so excited for all of our upcoming adventures. We recently got fully vaccinated with the Moderna vaccine and are looking forward to a much more active summer than last year! We also recently got engaged and have really been enjoying planning our nuptials. Our wedding will be short, sweet, and small so the ceremony didn’t need much thought but our outfits most definitely did! We have even begun making plans for our honeymoon, hopefully, next year. 😀

Getting vaccinated has lifted our cloud of constant anxiety significantly and while we will always err on the side of caution, it has felt so good to do things we never would have considered at the start of the pandemic. For example, when my brother and his family came to visit from Georgia, we all went to the zoo and ate at a restaurant. That was mine and Johnny’s first big outing since March nineteenth of last year and it was a blast. Spending time in public with my whole family is what I have been waiting for for so long and not experiencing crippling fear the whole time was the cherry on top!

Returning to some semblance of normal has felt like coming home after a long vacation. What never will be normal, however, is my fiance’s process when it comes to taking selfies with me! Lol, I swear getting a regular, smiling picture with Johnny can be like pulling teeth but it always makes me laugh until we snap just the right pic:

^^^ He loves me! 😀

Every day with Johnny is the best day and I feel so thankful for all of the wonderful things we have to smile about. ❤

What are you looking forward to this summer? What can always make you smile? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

A Super Happy Day

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A Super Happy Day

Hi! This is a very exciting time for Lil Red because of my upcoming wedding. Johnny and I are going to be having a very small ceremony with only immediate family but that doesn’t mean that we still don’t have a lot to do. While there are a bunch of odds and ends to tend to, our primary concern was what we were going to wear! Lol, as soon as we announced our engagement, the resounding theme of so many of our friends was how excited they were to see our weddingwear and, judging by what Johnny and I selected, I think we are going to deliver!

This past Monday, my mom went with me to a local tailor to get my measurements for the dress that I planned on ordering. Despite it being a literal less than five minute visit at the shop, I was still very excited to have that time with my mom because there will be no huge wedding to plan. I never really dreamed of a big wedding, rather, I was more looking forward to the time I would spend with my mom during the preparations.

To get my measurements, I was actually wearing one of my mom’s tops because I only had a hoodie on that day and wanted the numbers to be precise. While waiting for her to arrive in the parking lot, I just had to snap a few selfies, even with no makeup, because I was feeling so happy! I can definitely tell in these pictures:

Once I returned home from my outing with my mom and Johnny got home from work, we both ordered our weddingwear and I can’t wait for both of our outfits to arrive. I can’t tell you guys anything about it because the looks are a surprise but, just know, it will be far from traditional! I wouldn’t want it any other way. ❤

What did you wear for your wedding? What was your ceremony/reception like? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

 

New Hair Selfies

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New Hair Selfies

Hello!! I am so in love with my new hair compliments of my brilliant stylist and Pulp Riot colors in Fireball and Blush. Saying I feel pretty in pink is a severe understatement because I have been feeling my damn self ever since I left the salon! So much so, that I just had to have a little selfie shoot to show off my new do. Check it out:

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Every time I see my hair in the mirror or pictures, I am always blown away at not only the brightness of the colors in my hair but how shiny and healthy it looks too. I am so thankful to my stylist because that is not an easy feat, especially considering how much we had to bleach my hair to get the colors just right. She truly is a hair magician but I value her friendship so much more and it delights me to reminisce about how much fun we have during all of my trips to the salon.

The color is beautiful, yes, and the haircut is phenomenal too! It has so much movement and I find myself constantly running my hands through my hair in mild disbelief that it’s actually mine. You can’t rock candy colored hair without a super fun cut and the combination of the two together gives me the ultimate Hayley Williams of Paramore vibes. Actually, it gives me all of the Lil Red vibes because my new hair is one hundred and fifty million percent me. ❤

How do you rock candy colors? Are you considering doing something different to your hair? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Ballin’ On A Budget Christmas Gifts

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Ballin’ On A Budget Christmas Gifts

Hi! Christmas is coming in hot and it is no secret that this year’s holiday celebrations will be much different than in 2019. COVID-19 has put a damper on literally everything and many are still out of work and struggling to make ends meet. It is understandable that the holiday season might be stressing out those in a pinch even more so I put together a list of totally sweet and cheap gift ideas that will make anyone’s day. It’s always, always the thought that counts and your giftees will love the following:

Picture this:

Do you have a ton of favorite selfies and pics with one of your giftees? Print a couple out and frame them or print out a bunch and tuck them away in a photo album. I love this gift idea and have used it often, myself. Photos bring you back to happier times like vacations, girls night out, and family get togethers. Everyone can certainly smile more during these times and a pic with you and your giftee will do the trick just fine.

DIY:

Another simple and fun gift idea is all things DIY. How about crafting some holiday ornaments for everyone on your list? Holiday themed decor always goes over well and your options are limitless. Perhaps painted winter scenes to hang up? Homemade bath and body care items or candles? Or you could assemble all of the ingredients to make holiday cookies into a cute Mason jar. DIY gifts are special because no one else in the world will have something like it!

Future fun:

Talk to your giftees about what they are most excited to do when it’s safe. Are they dying to see a movie in theaters? Browse the mall care free for the afternoon? What about dining at their favorite restaurant? Get the deets and present a plan for a day together with those on your list in 2021. This is insanely thoughtful and it shows that you’re listening when your loved ones talk to you. Also, who doesn’t like having something to look forward to?!

Family Day:

Instead of a gift, why not opt to plan a winter wonderland day for your family post or pre Christmas? Host a snowball fight or a trek through the woods. What about ice skating on a lake? Or driving around to look at Christmas lights? It will be such fun to have everyone all together again! Have hot chocolate ready for once you head inside and pop on a Christmas movie or comedy to keep the good vibes going. I would love to do this with my family. 🙂

Books & movies:

I don’t know anyone who isn’t constantly asking for recommendations of books or movies to help ease their pandemic boredom. Choose a new book or movie that you think your giftee would love. It could be one of your favorites, it could be something new from their fave author or actor – heck, it could be something totally random! Either way, you are providing some entertainment for everyone on your list and they will be most appreciative when they feel like there is “nothing” to do.

The holidays shouldn’t be a stressful time so try and enjoy yourself! Easier said than done, I know. But, as I said before, the thought you put into your gifts is the most important thing so use the ideas above to help get you started. ❤

How is your holiday shopping going? Do you have a gift you are really excited to give? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

New Hair Selfies

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New Hair Selfies

Hi! A little under two months ago, my hair stylist transformed my hair into a candy apple red and dandelion yellow delight. I am so obsessed with how it turned out and I have never gotten so many compliments on my hair before in my life. I realize that I have not uploaded some decent selfies of my new do and, while my sister and I road tripped to Pittsburgh, I was finally able to snap some because she was driving! Lol, check it out:

^^^ Lol!!! ❤

Now, I realize that two months is a long time to go without taking selfies but, believe you me, I have an explanation: COVID-19. Haha, Johnny and I don’t go anywhere and my clients and I rarely go out when I am working so I haven’t really had the need or desire to get full on “ready” AKA makeup, hair, and a cute outfit.

A road trip with my sister seemed like the perfect opportunity to go all out and, as luck would have it, it was kind of overcast when we were driving which is perfect selfie conditions! Kristen was laughing because she says I always take selfies in her car and it’s true, lol, I never seem to be the passenger in a car so when I am, I have to seize the opportunity!

I think that these new pics show off my hair perfectly and I also am so pleased with the adorable Cynthia Rowley sweater I got during my TJMaxx Fall Haul. Kristen and I had a great day and I can’t wait till we can go back to Pittsburgh in December for our microblading touch ups so I can go “all out” when I get ready again. 😀

Do you do your makeup less now because of COVID? How often do you take selfies? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Weekend Getaway Selfie Spam

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Weekend Getaway Selfie Spam

Hi! A weekend trip wouldn’t be complete without some good old fashioned selfies, which I am about to bequeath onto all of you. I actually didn’t take any pictures of anything else besides the one seen below while in Georgia, because it was hard to take pictures at the Dogwood Festival when you couldn’t really take pictures of anything. So, I guess that means that you’re just gonna have to look at my MUG for this post. Whoops!

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During my flight home, I got to sit by the window seat and noticed something very adorable compliments of Spirit airlines: the wings on the plane say “Howdy”! It was so cute to me that it became the only not picture of me taken during the trip. And, also, peep that no makeup from my flight home – I was exhausted and had been up since 5:30 that morning. WOOF.

But, the crowning jewel of my selfie spam is my beautiful mother. She is the most darling little lady on the planet and, despite her “one look” for pictures that we joke about, she takes a mean selfie, too! I LOVE YOU, MOM. Thanks for spending the weekend with me! :*)

What are some of your tips for the perfect selfie? Do you take lots of pictures while you travel or not so much? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Lil Red’s Fresh Face Tips & Tricks

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Lil Red’s Fresh Face Tips & Tricks

Hiii! Since I posted some no makeup selfies on Facebook and on the blog, I have had a lot of people inquire about my skin care routine. I have to say that I’m flattered, because I do take really good care of my skin and my complexion is something that I’ve always liked about myself. I have never had a pimple in my life, and I thank the stars for that. I always tell people that if I had to deal with acne during the major brunt of my mental health struggles during my teenage years, I honestly don’t know if I would be here today.

That sounds extreme, but it’s the truth. If skin problems was something that I was going through during teenager-hood (Which is completely normal!) on top of everything else, that might have been the straw that broke the camel’s back. So, from about freshman year on, I’ve stuck to a very strict skin care regimen and it works! And, now I am going to share some of my tips and tricks with all of you.

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1) Double Wash

I have been double washing my face during my morning showers for years and I think that is one of the main reasons for my clear skin. Depending on what products I have handy, I will use a regular old cleanser and then a scrub or a charcoal facial bar. I’m bad, and I don’t take my makeup off at night, so I know that I need some extra cleansing power to get all of the gunk off from the previous day. And, whether you take your makeup off or not, a double wash is still good to get off any grime or dead skin lingering around that the first wash doesn’t always remove.

If your skin is sensitive, then a second wash can be incorporated every other day or every third day to prevent yourself from drying out. And, make sure the products you’re using are creamy in texture. But, if your skin is normal or problematic, give yourself a daily double wash and see what happens!

2) Skin Care

I don’t have a magic face mask or home remedy, but I do have some skin care products that I couldn’t live without. After I double wash in the shower my skin care routine goes as follows:

Micellar water: I start with wiping my face down with micellar water to act as a toner and get my skin fully ready to make the best use of the next three products I apply.

Serum: A good serum is a must. I always recommend using something with Vitamin C, gold, or anything with the words “rejuvenating” or “revitalizing” in it. All of the previously listed things will help with brightening your skin, giving you a youthful glow. This is when you know your skin care is working right.

Eye cream: I’ve been using eye cream since high school and I swear by The Body Shop’s Nutriganics cream. Wrinkles, crows feet, and dark circles around your eyes can really age you, so it’s crucial to work in an eye cream to your regimen if you don’t have one already. It’s all about youthfulness, after all!

Moisturizer: And, finally, a moisturizer. This will complete your skin care routine by giving you a peaches and cream finish. But, do be sure that you’re not over hydrating your skin, which can lead to oiliness. It’s all about balance. If I’m using a thicker, oil based serum, I stick with a lighter moisturizer. But, if the serum I’m using at the time is thinner, then I go with a heavier moisturizer to make sure I’m still getting hydrated. Also, pay attention to the weather. You might have to go with a heavier moisturizer during the cooler months and something lighter during the summer.

3) Hydrate!

I’m sure everyone tells you this, but water, water everywhere is a must for glowing and clear skin. It helps detoxify your body and it keeps your skin from getting dried out. And, then, people wonder why they are having skin issues if all they do is drink sugary beverages all day. I try to drink at least three to four bottles of water a day. It’s great for your skin and it might help you lose a little weight, too. What could be better?!

4) Makeup Mindfulness

The last thing we will be talking about is makeup mindfulness. Be aware of what you’re using when you’re painting your face and notice the reaction your skin is having. No makeup should be making your skin feel oily or greasy. And, be careful of the amount you use on your face. When you really cake a foundation or powder on, it basically suffocates your skin and makes it very easy for gunk to get trapped in your pores.

This is not to say to walk around with no makeup on every day. And, if applying your makeup heavily is what gives you confidence, then do it up. But, just be on the look out for any changes in your skin. If you start breaking out or if you’re starting to feel oily, it might be your makeup that’s causing the problem.

Will the above tricks work for everyone? Maybe. But, they definitely work for me and I had to give the people what they asked for! So, hopefully they will come in handy for you, too.

What are some of your tips and tricks for clear skin? Will you be implementing any of the suggestions above? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah