Thursday, March 15, 2018

7th Blogiversary + Birthday-to-Birthday Giveaway

Beauty is a lot more than just skin deep, but having clear, glowing skin or shiny, healthy hair can do a lot for your confidence, which in turn makes you more beautiful than you already are. Confidence is key and feeling good in your own body is really important.

I wrote that in the first paragraph of my very first blog post on the 15th of March, 2011. You can click here to read that post if you want.

It's been 7 years since then. 7 years since a very ill, sort of lost 22-year-old me decided to try something new, to try to find something I could be passionate about. I needed to find something I could pour my heart and creativity into since I could no longer work or do something that I felt was productive. I was sad and grieving the loss of whatever a "normal" life is supposed to be. I went from being able to do anything and everything I could have ever possibly dreamt of and endless possibilities to being unable to accomplish much more than getting a load of laundry done once a week. When I first got sick in 2009 I truly thought that I would get better but with time I found myself getting a little worse each and every day.

I wasn’t doing anything and I desperately needed to do something. After a year and 4 months, I couldn't allow myself to be down any longer so I decided to make a list. I made a list of things I enjoyed, trying to figure out what sort of thing I could and/or should start doing. I've always loved writing and I also realized I had long enjoyed reading beauty blogs and watching beauty vloggers on YouTube. My love of beauty and my deep affection for writing combined to become my something, my passion. Beautiful Basics was born and here we are 7 years, 409 blog posts, and thousands of followers later. I'm 30 now and much worse but I really do love this blog.

A few of you have actually, surprisingly been here since the very beginning but the majority of you haven't. Beautiful Basics started off as something incredibly different than what it has become. I originally shared very basic bland, boring DIY beauty recipes using stock photos. It was sort of awful. I didn't know how bad it was then, obviously, but I sure do now. Thankfully, it took on a life of its own and somehow morphed along the way into what it is now, which is something I am really proud of.

I can't tell you how much it all means to me and how much each one of you means to me. Each time you read my posts or leave me a comment I am so full of gratitude. I am so thankful for each like and each interaction. I mean that, more than you can ever know. And when companies reach out to me? I'm very thankful they want to work with me. I'm very thankful you want to read what I have to say. The support has been incredible and I'm just very thankful in general.

You've probably already guessed it from the title but it's time for the annual Birthday-to-Birthday giveaway. This giveaway spans the month between my blogiversary and shortly after my birthday, my 31st to be exact, which is why it's called the Birthday-to-Birthday giveaway!

I have a box full of goodies, a wonderful DIY beauty book and a necklace to give away to one of you Beauties! Inside the box there are full sized products, deluxe samples, and a few foil samples, too. There's an amazing mix of stuff! There's even a Kari Gran Essential Balm which is worth $98 alone! The book is called Pure Skin Organic Beauty Basics by Barbara Close. And the necklace is a Chloe + Isabel La Vie en Rose Convertible Necklace. This necklace is worth $56 so this giveaway is huge! I'll ship it anywhere in the world so you're all more than welcome, and encouraged, to enter!


All you have to do to enter is use the Rafflecopter form below. You can do as many or as few entries as you would like. All entries will be verified! Good luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

69 comments:

  1. Hmm, my 5 current favorite beauty products are ELF's tinted lip oils, Wet N Wild PhotoFocus Foundation, Essence Lip Liners and Brow Gel, and theBalm's FratBoy blush. :)

    (Rosie A)

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    1. Thanks so much for sharing, Rosie! I love theBalm and their cheek products. They are so good!

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  2. I have been to a few places over the years that some may think more beautiful but after reading the question honestly my first thought was Pennsylvania. On one of my families many trips there we were by an open field, it was just dark with countless lightning bugs lighting up the field! It was so beautiful!

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    1. That's incredible. I love those moments. I think the most beautiful places are the ones that are most beautiful to a person for special, personal reasons like the one you described. Thank you so much for sharing!

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  3. My current 5 must have beauty products is UD setting spray, squalene from The Ordinary, Reversetrol from The Ordinary, ALA from The Ordinary and Naked palettes! Love them all!

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    1. I haven't tried much from The Ordinary but the brand looks great! I've been wanting to try their Squalene, too, and their serum foundation looks especially good! Thanks for sharing your favorites, Ashley!

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  4. Thanks for the giveaway!)
    My 5 current must-have beauty products are:
    - Dr. Spiller Jojoba Peeling Cream
    - Gigi Lipacid Moisturizer For Oily Skin
    - Nuxe Reve de Miel Lip Balm
    - GUAM BioEcologico Maschera Sulfurea
    - Bioderma Sensibio H2O Micellaire Solution

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    1. Thank you for sharing, Irina! Great list! I haven't tried any of your favorites! I've heard so much about Dr. Spiller, though! I'm definitely curious about the brand!

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  5. My five current must haves? The Ordinary Buffet Serum, Lime Crime Matte Liquid Lipstick in Cashmere, Jane Iredale Cream Blush in Clarity, Anastasia Modern Renaissance Eyeshadow Palette, Goddess Garden Eye Serum

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    1. Wow! You have some great favorites! That palette looks so gorgeous and I've heard such good things about their shadow quality. You're the second person to mention The Ordinary! I'll have to try some products from them soon!

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  6. Once I had gone out to buy something from the local market which is some distance away frm my home. That day it was very hot , as it is in India, and I hadn't eaten anything since morning as I had many errands. SO after shopping I starting passing out due to the heat. That time a bus driver who was standing nearby bought me some juice to drink and I felt good enough to go home. That day I felt Kindness comes from truly unexpected places when you need it

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    1. That is so wonderful. Thank you so much for sharing. It's always so beautiful when someone does something to help another.

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  7. 5 fav things right now are-
    The Face Shop Lotus Gel
    " Bamboo Gel
    " White Seed Toner
    AromaMagic Turmeric Cleanser
    Himalaya Body Butter

    K-Beauty was just launched and is big here so 3 products are frm The face shop :)

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    1. That's so much fun! It's always so exciting when a new brand launches and you get to play around with products. I'm not very familiar with K-Beauty but I've heard such good things! Thanks for sharing!

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  8. I’ve not been lucky enough to travel very much around the world but went to Charlotte, South Carolina and was blown away by how beautiful and green everything was! No smog or brown grass like Southern California (Where I live:)

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    1. I totally understand. I used to live in Southern California, too, so I know what it's like there. There are few things prettier than fresh air and greenery! Thanks so much for sharing with me!

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  9. Hi! I am late in discovering your blog! Congrats on reaching 7 years - that is an amazing accomplishment! I discovered you on Twitter. I spend a lot of time on Twitter and Instagram, and love reading about new beauty products, etc. I live in Ontario, Canada - that's a long way from Oregon! Wishing you continued success !

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    1. Thank you so much! Welcome to Beautiful Basics! I'm glad you found me. Better late than never, right? :) Ontario is definitely a long way! I'd really love to visit Canada one day. It looks insanely beautiful.

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  10. The most beautiful scenery can be found in the Canadian Rockies in British Columbia and Alberta. Looking at Emerald Lake or from the top of Whistler mountain the views are spectacular— you become one with nature! Each season gives you a different perspective

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    1. That sounds incredible! I've always wanted to go to Canada. I live in the Pacific Northwest so it's not like I'm that far away, but I don't get to travel outside of the country due to illness. However, British Columbia is actually at the top of my travel wish list.

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  11. The kindest thing anyone has done for me is my husband simply believing in me. He has stuck by me and supported me with my ill health and never questioned my limits, just respected them. He has also gone vegan with me and it's just been such a wonderful journey together.I feel blessed to have him :-)

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    1. That is so beautiful and wonderful. It sounds like you two have something incredibly special. Thank you so much for sharing with me.

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  12. My five current must-haves... this is hard! Let's try...
    1) Antonym Baked Blush in Peach
    2) Tarte Rainforest of the Sea Foundation
    3) Kahina Giving Beauty Eye Serum
    4) Fitglow Beauty Lip Colour Serum
    5) 100% Pure Coffee Bean Eye Cream

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    1. Great favorites! Thanks so much for sharing. I love the Coffee Bean Eye Cream and Antonym makes gorgeous products! I used to love the Tarte Rainforest of the Sea Concealer but haven't tried the foundation. I also haven't tried anything from Fitglow but their entire line looks great!

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  13. The most beautiful scenery can be found in Niagara on the Lake- so beautiful!

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    1. That's great! I'd love to travel that way one day!

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  14. Wow thanks for this generous giveaway!😍 My five current must-haves:
    - Revlon Photo Ready Cream Blush
    - Revlon Super Lustrous Crème Lipstick in Wine With Everything,
    - Elizabeth Arden Eight-Hour Sun Defense Stick
    - Christophe Robin Hydrating Shampoo
    - Tatcha Violet-C Radiance Mask

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    1. I have been so curious about the Christophe Robin range. They have a scrub that looks so cool! Thanks for sharing, Coline!

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  15. To me a really beautiful and totally understimated place is Helsinki <3 It would deserve so much more attention!

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    1. I would love to travel to Finland! It looks so beautiful!

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  16. I enjoy learning about new beauty products from Beautiful Basics. I read the emails, and see posts on Facebook and Twitter too!
    twinkle at optonline dot net

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  17. The most beautiful place I have visited in Canada was Nova Scotia. Taking a coastal driving trip in the falltime is gorgeous!

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    1. I would really love to visit Canada! It looks so insanely beautiful!

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  18. My girls and I visited Banff, Alberta and witnessed the Canadian Rockies for the first time. Absolutely stunning! Congrats on your 7 yr blogiversary! I enjoy reading all your product reviews.

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    1. Thank you! And thank you for your comment. I would love to visit Canada! The Canadian Rockies look breathtaking!

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  19. I like to read product reviews best. I see new posts via my RSS reader Feedly.

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  20. It's hard to pick the kindest thing someone has done for me. I was diagnosed worth cancer last year and so many people were here for me. They brought dinner, sent cards, checked on me regularly. Every one was so kind.

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    1. I am so sorry to hear that, Diane. Thank you for sharing with me. My Dad also has cancer and it was so beautiful to see how much everyone pitched in to help us. It's never a good thing but it is nice to be able to view such kindness. Thank you, again, for sharing with me.

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  21. The most beautiful place I have ever been is Key West. I see your posts on Facebook! Happy Blogiversary!

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    1. Thank you so much! I used to live in Florida and we spent a day in Key West once. It is such a cool place! I was 12 but it sticks out in my mind as being such a vibrant, fun, happy city. I loved all of the colors!

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  22. The kindest thing I have done is send money and letters to a friend in prison.

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    1. That is so wonderful! Thank you so much for sharing, Helga!

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  23. The kindest think I have done is have my son and I donate our time Thanksgiving holiday last year (2017) to feeding the homeless at the shelter in our community. It was very humbling. I would actually like to do it again this year.

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    1. That's incredible! Such a special experience to share with your son. Thank you so much for sharing!

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  24. The most beautiful place I've been to is the mountains, but I have a strong connection to the big lake in the area I live at.

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    1. Those connections can make a place so much more important. Thank you so much for sharing.

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  25. My Top 5 Must Have Beauty Products!!
    1. Dermalogica's Precleanse. It's an amazing oil cleanser.
    2. Morphe Shadow Palettes
    3. Mirabella CC Creme. Super hydrating full coverage cream
    4. Pink Pewter Mink Lashes!! You can use them up to 30 times
    5. Anastasia Beverly Hills Dip brow

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    1. Awesome list! I've heard a lot about Precleanse. It sounds really nice! Thanks for sharing your list with me!

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  26. The kindest act someone has done to me is my blind student Nagesh. 3 years ago I got a chance to teach computer to one blind student. I never knew instead, I will learn life lesson from him,.. Even being completely blind he was amazing and very fast learner. I never knew how previledged we are. After meeting him and knowing his life and also the never giving up nature of him made me realise how lucky I’m. I realised the value of life and stopped complaining about my appearance and other silly things. unknowingly he thought me to value everything and everyone in life, which is the most kindest act anyone has done to me.

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    1. Thank you so much for sharing the with me. Your comment is very moving. Sometimes we end up learning life lessons from such unexpected places. Those are the kinds of moments I like to seek beauty in. Thank you, again!

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    2. Yes,.. very true,.. I used to complain and worry about everything and also used to blame my dear ones for my issues before meeting him,. After I met him and spent almost 3 months I realised I have everything and loved ones.

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  27. The kindest thing anyone has ever done for me is when my husband and I lost our home, my sister and brother in law took us in.

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    1. That is very kind. Thank you so much for sharing.

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  28. I think the most beautiful place I've ever been is Murren in the Swiss Alps. You have to take one of those gondola things to get halfway up a mountain, to a charming village. Across the narrow valley is a spectacular view of the Jungfrau. I would love to return someday!

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    1. That sounds incredible! I've never been anywhere like that before and it sounds like a great place to put on a travel bucket list! Thank you for sharing!

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  29. - What is the kindest thing you have ever done for someone?

    I bought a airline ticket for a woman I did not know, no I was not rich. Long story short version told her to pass it on.

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    1. That is beyond kind. Your generosity is very moving. I also believe in Paying it Forward. Thank you for sharing!

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  30. The most beautiful place I have ever been is right across the street from me. We are very rural and the people that own the property across the road have given me permission to pick berries throughout the summer. It is wooded with small streams, moss covered rocks the whole beautiful deal. So peaceful and quiet.

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    1. That sounds so wonderful! I'm sure you make a lot of memories there and that alone is truly beautiful. Thank you for sharing!

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  31. The kindest thing that someone has ever done for me was when I was "friendnapped" by one of my besties. I was going through a horrific divorce and she knew that I needed to get away. She came and took me off to the weekend. It was a great girl's weekend.
    Sherri J

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    1. I'm sorry you had to go through that but I'm so glad to hear you have a such a great best friend! Having friends like that is so special and beautiful. Thank you for sharing!

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  32. It is a small thing but my daughter does kind things for me all the time without even being asked. Today was a perfect example, I felt really nauseous and she just went and got me a glass of water, sat down and told me to drink it slowly and rubbed my back. She's only 6 - it was incredibly kind and thoughtful x

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    1. Thank you so much for sharing this. This is so beautiful! She's 6 and I can only imagine that she'll grow up to be a truly kind and wonderful woman. She sounds like a big sweetheart!

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  33. One of the most beautiful places that I have been to would be Saint Lucia. I had the chance to see the Pitons and eat the food, speak with a lot of people and enjoy the weather, as well.

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    1. I can believe it! I've only seen pictures but it looks like such a stunning place. Thank you so much for sharing!

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Thanks so much for reading Beautiful Basics and commenting! I will be sure to respond as soon as I can!