Squad Life: How to Start a Blog and Stay Consistent with Raquel Lynn

I have been connected with Raquel Lynn through our blogs for almost a decade. That is an eternity in the blogging world. I did a bunch of searching to see if I could get an accurate stat to no avail but I will say I have seen a lot of blogs start and stop in their first few months and even fewer get past that one year mark. That isn't to say it isn't possible. However, to be successful you need a plan.

Raquel Lynn started the Horses and Heels blog in 2009 and today the lifestyle brand can be found on Pinterest, Twitter, Facebook and Instagram. Growing a blog to the level that has doesn't happen overnight. However, by being consistent, forming a relationship with her readers and focusing on her email list she has been able to turn her little blog into a successful business. Raquel shares her actionable steps on how you can start your blog and then keep it running from the long haul.



Raquel's Recommendations:
Beauty Products: High Meadow Skin Cream and Kiehl's Reviving Concentrate
Instagram: HorsesandHeels_

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My Ride of Die Lipsticks #NationalLipstickDay

It is a pretty close toss up between National Lipstick Day and National Donut Day as to which one is my favorite. Thankfully, wearing lipstick everyday won't make you gain one thousand pounds.

I LOVE lipstick. I can be rocking four day dry shampoo hair, gym shorts and sneakers covered in cow poop or walking into a boardroom and it is the one accessory that gives me an instant pick me up. I know a lot of women are intimated by all the choices. My biggest recommendation is go into a store and have a beauty consultant try on a few with you. For me it has to be long lasting. I also don't really care for glosses because 1. blowing hair stuck in lips isn't my thing and 2. it doesn't last.

I have broke my favorites into two categories. Let's get started!

Pinks and Nudes | These are great when you are wanting a more subtle look. One swipe of these lipsticks will help you pull everything together. 

1. Ever Soft Smooth Stick Soft Strawberry similar to a lip balm, more of a sheer cover. I am obsessed with this one. 2. MAC Snob 3. MAC Pink Plaid 4. MAC Brave a great neutral 5. Flower Tickled Pink an inexpensive option 6. MAC Pro Longwear Unlimited it is a retired shade but the one I'll be buried in. I have a stack of back ups! 

Bold Color | Sometimes you have to be brave and play with some color. 

1. Sephora R58 Heartbreaker | it is bold but so much fun and it is currently on sale 2. Becca Ultimate Love Lipstick Flame W 3. Dollup Beauty Love | my most recent purchase 4. Kat Von D Everlasting Liquid Lipstick Bachelorette 5. Sephora Cream Lip Stain Blackberry Sorbet | amazing price 6. MAC D for Dangerous

I'm not a gloss until I found this gloss. It is not sticky and it actually has a great color to it.

Wearing the color Cameo Nude. 

Do you have a favorite shade or formula? I want to hear from you.