How I Edit My Instagram Photos - My New Favourite Editing App

Do you remember the days where everyones Instagram theme was all white and we all used and abused the whitening tool on Face Tune just to get the right effect? Not to mention the most used filter on VSCO Cam - A5. I'll hold my hands up and say that I'm guilty and when I look back on this section on my Instagram theme I really hate it. Actually thats a little extreme, I don't hate it, but it's definitely not what I'm about anymore. Whilst some bloggers still work this theme AND make it look amazing, it's just not me anymore and I'm definitely more about injecting some colour into my feed. For the last couple of months I've been sticking to one consistent colour in my theme, which is pink and I absolutely love it. But over the last few weeks I've tried incorporating some more lifestyle photos in as I feel that this makes things look more personal and I can give you guys a bit more insight into my life. All these changes on the gram means I've been experimenting with different editing apps and seeing what suits my style best. Well, over the last two months the process of editing my photos has never been more fun and I can only put it down to my new favourite app - A colour Story and today I want to tell you all about it and how I use it to edit my Instagram photos.

Gaining Instagram Followers and a BIG Rant About It All

How I edit my Instagram Photos ....

I think its fair to say that everyone has the Instagram bug... Hello selfie! Just like everyone else I am obsessed with the app and probably check it far more than I should in a day. Over the last year I've definitely seen a change in Instagram photos and so many people have upped their Instagram game. Not being completely satisfied with the quality of the photos I've put up in the past, I've spent a lot of time researching and looking at different apps which would make my IG photos a lot more likeable. Having tried and tested my fair share of photo editing apps I thought I would share with you my favourite and the only one I'm currently using.

By no means am I a popular Instagramer, but I like to think that I've improved, especially since joining the iPhone 6 club, it's really made me fallen in love with the app even more. As a beauty blogger there are some accounts that I totally crush over and find very inspiring and when doing research and the same photo editing app crops up time and time again... Visco Cam, it's one that's probably installed on your phone now. But I have to say I really don't get on with the app at all. No matter what filters I use and how I edit my pictures I just can't create the desired look that I'm after using this app. I'm sure I'm not the only one in this corner so for those of you who like me don't get along with the number one blogging photo editing app be sure to keep reading as I have a far better alternative.

My favourite app to edit my Instagram photos on has to be Fotor Photo Editor. I've actually been using this for a few years now and it's always the app that I go back to as nothing else betters it and the best thing about it is that it's free to install... Bonus! Fotor really has everything I need to edit my Instagram photos and it's so easy to use, navigate and I'm able to create beautiful photos all in one app.

I like to go for a really bright look when it comes to my photos and I always find the best way to achieve this is to stay away from filters and really concentrate on the basics of photo editing - Brightness, contrast and sharpness. Fotor has a little section for this and it's really easy to adjust all of these things to you're liking.

I then like to go into the advanced section of the app where I can adjust things like shadows and highlights. My favourite tool on this section has to be the 'curves' tool which I always use on my laptop to edit my blog photos. I find 'curves' really allows me to add that brightness to my pictures easily and I love to play around with this. I've not come across another photo editing app which uses this feature and its this that really makes Fotor my number one photo editing app. 

If I'm still not fully satisfied with my picture, Fotor has loads more to offer on the app such as an instant 'Enhance' tool and another favourite has to be the endless amount of filters that you can then apply to your pictures. It honestly has so many to choose from, I'm a little spoilt for choice. 

As well as having all the perfect combination of tools to edit my photos, it also has a collage section on the main menu which is perfect just because I can do everything in one app. From there I can upload my picture straight onto Instagram... Perfect.

I honestly can't recommend this app enough, like I said I'm not the most popular Instagramer, but I personally love to read these kinds of posts as I'm always up for improving my Instagram game. This app really makes such a difference for me and I thought as I've not seen many people rave about Fotor I would share with you all why it's my personal favourite.

I would love to know what your favourite photo editing apps are, even though I love Fotor I love downloading and experimenting with new apps. And I'd like to throw in a little shameless plug here.... Please come and say hello to me on Instagram, you can find me at @sunshinesprkle. Let me know if you follow as I'm love following beauty bloggers back.

Lots of Love

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March Favourites | Mac, Clinique, Instagram & More ...

I can't believe another month has gone and I'm sat here with a hot chocolate typing up another monthly favourites post for you all. I know I say this all the time, but I can't quite believe how quickly the months as passing by, it's crazy. I have to admit I'm pretty much love the fact that we are now in spring, talk about good vibes. Theres been a lot of spring related post go up on my blog over the last month, and if you've seen them you'll know that I've been swapping things around in my makeup bag and beauty regime, which can only mean lots of new favourites. So if you want to see what I've been loving over the last month be sure to get comfy and keep on reading. 

Makeup Revolution I Heart Obsession Palette - Pure Cult 

My first favourite of the month has to go to the new Makeup Revolution I heart Obsession Palette in Pure Cult, I've been reaching for it everyday as it has those perfect spring shades. Pure Cult has a great mixture of shimmer and matte eyeshadows with a great colour range that works perfectly for everyday wear. I am loving the pink toned shades in this palette as I think they create a really soft girly look and for me spring is all about fresh minimal makeup, so this palette really is perfect. The quality of these shadows are great as they're highly pigmented and blend beautifully, at only £3.99 it's amazing value for money and worth picking up.

Clinique Facial Soap 

The last month I went a bit mad on skincare, I had a lot of new products to try out but one that really stood out above the rest was the Clinique Facial Soap. I picked this up towards the end of February mainly because I was feeling a bit fed up with my skin and was wanting to try something new. Clinique has always been a strong contender in the beauty world, especially for skin care and their award winning three step system. I remember when I was growing up my mum would use the facial soap bar and to this day still uses it - I'd just like to point out right now my mums skin is amazing. I don't think I've ever used a bar of soap to cleanse my face and remove my makeup before, but I have been converted. This soap really is amazing, it's gentle on my skin, removes all traces of my makeup and I've not had a bad skin day since using it, which is some statement to make. I won't go into too much detail as to my I love this cleanser so much as I have a full review of it coming up very soon, but it's a winner I promise. 

Smashbox Full Exposure Mascara

Out of all the beauty products available to us I think mascara is the one beauty product that can be difficult to get right. I don't know about anyone else but I feel that I'm always falling in and out of love with different mascaras. One mascara that has been a huge hit with me is the Smashbox Full Exposure Mascara. First of all the brush is not a plastic, it's a full thick bristle brush which are always my favourite as I find they coat my lashes with a lot more precision. Secondly the Full Exposure Mascara gives my lashes plenty of volume and lengthens them dramatically - You really can achieve that false lash effect with this mascara. I also really love the formula with this mascara, it feels very thick and heavy but it doesn't make your lashes clump, even as it the product begins to dry out. I'm almost finished with this tube, but it will definitely be a repurchase for me. 

Mac Honeylove

Let me introduce you to Honeylove, the latest edition to my Mac Lipstick collection. As you can probably tell from all my lipstick posts this year, I am a woman completely obsessed when it comes to nude lipsticks. I had been eying up Mac Honeylove for sometime, picked it up at the beginning of the month it's quickly become a new favourite of mine. This nude lipstick really gives that 'your lips but better' look which I'm loving right now. Again I find this shade works perfectly for spring, its neutral and works well with my everyday makeup. I'm love paring this lipstick with a slightly darker lip liner just to create a fuller pout.

Instagram

My last favourite is not a beauty favourite, but one that I am so obsessed with right now. Of course I'm talking about the most popular app ever ... Instagram. I've been using Instagram since the early days, before hashtags where even used on there - Remember that? Over the years I've always posted pictures that I like at the time, but over the last month I've decided that it was time I upped my Instagram game. I really want it to be a reflection of me and extension of my blog, so I'm trying to stick with a theme and keep continuity throughout my pictures (it really isn't as easy as it looks). Stepping up my Instagram game means that my obsession for the app has reached a new level and I'm loving it. I'm looking to follow more beauty accounts, so if I'm not following you be sure to leave your Instagram link below and I'll take a look. You can find me at @sunshinesprkle I would love it if you could follow.

So that's all my favourites this month wrapped up. I would love to know what you've been loving and if any of my favourites match yours let me know.

Lots of Love

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Let's Catch Up

Left To Right

-My all time favourite Lipstick MAC's Impassioned (blog post here)-

-Making crepe paper flowers-

-My sister and me in bed, slightly hangover with no makeup-

-Winning the Aussie Miracle Shine competition with Sarah and Lauren-

-An old picture from with my fellow cheerleader Hayley from when we stayed in a caravan in Blackpool-

-Me posing and messing around with a new photo editing app-

-I made cupcakes-

-My hair when it gets caught in the rain-

-Me stretching in the doorway, determined to get my needle!-

Hi everyone, hope you are all having a cheery Wednesday and for those of you who are unfortunate to be at work, then at least Wednesday means middle of the week and only two more days till the weekend... hurahh! 

I've done quite a lot of beauty and makeup reviews recently, so I just wanted to stray away from it a little today and just have a sit down chit chat kind of post with you all and as you guessed by the title share some of my weekly pictures from Instagram. So I've been having a major lazy week due to the fact that I still had a quite a bit of holiday to take off at work and seeing as it was booked off a bit last minute everyone I know and love is busy working or has already got plans, so I've been bored bored bored. So... I thought that it would be perfect opportunity to get a ton of blogging done and get some scheduled posts sorted out as I know that I have a busy few weeks ahead of me. But as luck would have it, inspiration has completely gone and left me; for the first time in a ages, I don't really know what to blog about. Hence the reason of this kind of laid back post (but I do know that a lot of you beauties enjoy the odd ramble and chit chat). I just think it's really typical that I have time off to blog, and not know what to blog about, does anyone else get this? I really have the urge to do a beauty blogger tag, so if any of you girls know of some good ones please let me know. Or if there are any requests on posts that you would like to see please tell me, as it would be much appreciated. 

Whilst I' on a role with rambling I thought I'd share and let you all know that I am thinking about getting a tattoo. Well I say 'thinking about it' as though I've just decided I wanted one in my week off...No... I've wanted one for the longest of time, but never really knew what I wanted or have known what I wanted and just changed my mind. One of my friends from cheer told me that if there is a design you have in mind, wait a year and if you still like it a year later then you know your going to like it for the rest of your life. Well with anything I've picked so far, I've never liked it more than a year! So I suppose it's an excellent motto to go by, especially if you are thinking about getting one.

 Anyway, for near on 11 months I've wanted a little feather, possibly placed on the side my ribs, just sitting under the boob area! I'm still a little undecided on placement but seeing as its near the year and I still want a feather, I can almost give myself the go ahead and get the ball rolling. I don't think I'm going to get it anytime before the year is up, but now it's closer, I'm thinking a lot more about it and I really, really want it done.I'm thinking of getting a blog post up, just to share with you lot what I have in mind and get your thoughts on the whole thing. I always find tattoos quite fascinating and love seeing what people get done and finding out why they have them, so if any of you have a story please share as I would love to hear. 

I also just want to say a big hello and thank you to my new followers! It seams as though my number of followers has gone up dramatically in the last few weeks WOW! You have no idea how happy and over the moon this makes me! I won't ramble on too much about this as tomorrow I will have a post dedicated to all you lovely people as its my blogs birthday tomorrow!! I can't believe its a year already... golly golly gosh! 

I'll leave this post here girls, hope you enjoyed the read and don't forget to follow me on Instagram @sunshinesprkle as I would love for you to come and say hello.

Lot's of Love 

A Week In Pictures | Instagram

Hi babes. Two weeks ago I posted up a post on how I was addicted to Instagram and since that post I've managed to get another one up and tonight's will be the third. I had no intention whatsoever to make this into a weekly feature (and I'm still not sure if I'm going to yet) but I thought I would just do an Instagram post again this evening. I did have a review lined up on a new NYX masacra that I had recently bought, but I took the photographs earlier and after uploading them to my laptop they are shocklingly bad (only the best for you guys). So the mascara post will just have to have to be put on hold for now and I really hope that you girls will enjoy my Instagram pictures instead.

Me posing in my new work clothes. Jumper is from River Island

I have been loving this Rimmel London Lipstick in shade 05 from the Kate Moss Collection

What I wore to work: Denim Shirt - River Island | Khaki Jeggings - River Island 

The next two pictures are me experimenting what I shall be wearing to the Boardmasters Festival this weekend. These clothes are quite old now so I don't have links for them, but what do you think girls? Shall I wear this to a festival?

St Moriz and Palmers Coca Butter Gradual Tanning Moisturiser are my secrets to the perfect fake tan! Would you like to see a blog post on this?

I downloaded a new photo editing app for my iPhone, the black & white picture is just me messing around with the filters and frames 

My Up Do

My Super Saturday Outfit, again old clothes girls (I'm on a spending ban lol )

So that's my week in pictures, as you can see I'm still loving this app on my iPhone, so if any of you beautites would like to add me just do so @ sunshinesprkle I follow all beauty bloggers back so be sure to let me know you have followed 

Take care beauties 

Still Addicted ..... Instagram

Hi babes! So last week I did a post all about how I'm way too addicted to Instagram and a week later my addiction levels to this app are exactly the same, maybe ever so slightly its gotten worse, I'll let my followers  be the judge of that. So seeing as I've been snapping away I thought I would share with you some of the pictures I've taken. 

New American Flag Jumper from River Island

Aztec Tank Top from River Island

New Mascara I picked up from NYX  (review of this will be up soon)

My list of items that I need to take with me to the Boardmasters Festival (please feel free to add to it)

Spending all my money at River Island. The only bad thing about working there is that all the money I earn goes back to them!

Blue glittery nails (NOTD post will be up soon)

So that's all the pictures from this week beauties. If you are wanting to follow me on there my user name is 

sunshinesprkle 

Just let me know you are a beauty blogger or reader of my blog and I promise to follow you back!

Lots of Love 

I'm Addicted to Instagram

Hi beauties. I just wanted to get another post up for you this evening because for some reason I don't feel tired at all. So seeing as its eleven at night and there is no daylight to take any pretty pictures of beauty products I thought I would do a post on my favourite apps right now which you guessed it by the title of this post Instagram. 

Now I see a lot of you beauty bloggers do Instagram posts and I love to see them, and its especially great  for those of you who don't have iPhones and can't get on the app. I'm not sure if I am going to do weekly posts of my pictures but I thought I would just show you beauties a handful of the ones I've taken as and when the fancy takes me as some weeks there might now be anything picture worthy! 

So lets get started!

My Aussie Summer Sizzle Blog Post

Black and White picture trying on River Island top

Coloured picture trying on River Island top

Trying on Pink Peplum Dress from River Island

Trying on Shorts from River Island 

New Cheer Training Top | Watch Out It's Gunna Be Chaos

New Cheer Training Top and Zebra Shorts

These pictures were all taken within the space of three days, so as you can see I am a little obsessed with Instagram, if you would like to follow me you can find me @

sunshinesprkle

I would love for you to pop over and say hi and I follow all beauty bloggers back, so just let me know that you are one.

If you would like to see more posts like this then just let me know beauties 

Lots of Love