Author Archives: Marilyn
An infographic that demonstrates my skin/acne journey
![An infographic representing and describing my skin and acne journey](https://marilynbrimacombe.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Copy-of-how-to-stay-organized.png)
Peer review 3 – Smile Host Dream
![Smile Host Dream homepage header screenshot](https://marilynbrimacombe.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Screen-Shot-2023-03-24-at-3.29.15-PM-1024x262.png)
For my third peer review, I had the opportunity to look at Melvin’s website called Smile Host Dream. Right off the bat, I really love the aesthetic and style of his blog and I love that he’s using his website to share a passion of his which is creating and editing documentaries, stop motion animation, and machinima. As a viewer and reader, I also really appreciate that his mission and explanation for his website is on his homepage and that I don’t need to scroll to far to find it. He has a very specific niche and a very clear purpose for his page, which I think it great!
At the moment, as a viewer I feel that his website is more of a personal blog than a business with a business strategy and plan. However, I think Smile Host Dream has great potential with growing his page and potentially monetization. Although I am not a part of his target audience, I do think that people would be inclined to engage with his call to actions. Specifically, his call to action on his homepage that suggests his reader to comment on his videos and engage with them! I think that it’s really inviting and that it would make someone who enjoys the content he posts write him comments and keep up to date with his content.
To showcase his productions he has linked the video thumbnail to the full video on his YouTube channel, and I really like that he did that because it could possibly allow him to gain more traction to his YouTube channel from his website. On the other hand, I think that Melvin could definitely leverage social media platforms by posting shorter versions of his videos in order to get his audience interested in watching his full creations on YouTube and also learning more about his production process on his website. In terms of monetization, I think that his website would be great with Google Ads and that it could be a main source of income for him if he developed his page into a business. Melvin’s YouTube channel also has monetization potential if he continues to develop it further and post videos more consistently.
One key suggestion from Melvin’s second peer review was to link his social accounts to his website for cross-promotion and to encourage more growth for his website and his brand overall. Melvin does have his YouTube channel and videos links throughout his page, which I really think is a key asset for his content! However, having social media accounts created specifically for his brand to promote his videos on platforms like Instagram and TikTok would definitely allow him to further grow his brand and treat it more like a business. Overall, I’m really loving Melvin’s style and the direction he’s heading with his page!
Telling a story about my brand without text
![](https://marilynbrimacombe.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/2-582x1024.jpg)
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Press release – I’ve added my current skincare favourites to my homepage!
![a shelf full of skincare](https://marilynbrimacombe.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/15-von-dermatologen-anerkannte-hautpflegetipps-fur-die-beste-haut-ihres-lebens-edited.png)
As you may already know, I have a whole section on my blog dedicated to my skincare product favs at the moment. HOWEVER. I try so many new products on the regular and therefore I always have new favourites that I’m loving and using constantly. So I thought it would only be fitting to include a little image carousel with all of my current favourite skincare products at the moment! I’m super excited about this because I want you all to know my favs and to keep them top of mind if you want to try some new products or if you’re looking for better ones. This little list of mine will allow you to do so in a quick and easy way!
This is something I’ll also keep up to date constantly as well. And since I mentioned that I have new fav products pretty often, I’ll be adding and subtracting to this image carousel every week to keep it fresh and relevant <3 ALSO by clicking on an image, you’ll be able to see the product and to purchase it if you’re interested in trying it! I’m so happy and excited about this new addition to my website and I’m looking forward to hearing your guys’ feedback about it as well!
Chat soon,
xx Marilyn
Peer review #2
![TMYLIFE home page banner](https://marilynbrimacombe.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Screen-Shot-2023-03-03-at-11.31.48-AM.png)
The website I had the opportunity to review for my second peer review is TMYLIFE by Nicole Tam! Nicole’s website is a blog created to write about her day-to-day life while sharing her personal thoughts on various topics and interests. Most of her blog posts are based on challenges or things she’s doing or going through, which I really love. Her blog feels super relatable, comfortable, and open because of the tone and language she uses in her posts. Being around the same age as Nicole and going through similar situations and challenges in life and reading through her posts make me feel that I’m not alone. Her blog definitely gives off big sister or best friend energy and I think because of that her website has the potential to be liked by many people similar to me! A lot of people nowadays want to be consuming content online that feels relatable, and I think Nicole’s blog definitely gives that feeling.
![](https://marilynbrimacombe.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Screen-Shot-2023-03-03-at-11.33.55-AM-2.png)
Nicole’s first peer review mainly highlighted and complimented the aesthetic, style, and design of her blog, and I think that she’s done a great job at continuing to thrive in this area of her brand. I really love the different headings she has been posting within, “A Day in a Life” and “T Time!”, and I love the style of her blog posts and the format she’s been following in each of her posts. However, one suggestion I have is to create a PUB 201 category as well for all PUB 201 related posts. As a viewer, I’m not sure where I can find these posts and I think having a dedicated category for that content would be really helpful. Another suggestion I have is to add some of the content she has in her “About” section to her home page. Being on the TMYLIFE home page as a viewer, I wonder what about the purpose, value, and reason of the website so I think having a blurb to highlight the individual or personal aspect of the website would be helpful! Also, adding the mission statement to the home page somehow would be beneficial for the audience to keep them wanting more.
In terms of social media channels and posting, I can see that Nicole has her Instagram and Pinterest linked which I think makes sense for the purpose of her website! I think it would also be great to make the social icons a bit bigger for her audience to recognize and know that she has social media platforms that they can follow her on for more content! Overall, I really love Nicole’s blog and aesthetic, and I think she has a lot of potential to expand her website more on social media and to gain a larger audience.
All things self tanning – my fav products + how it has changed my life
![Lux Unfiltered face drops and self tanning cream](https://marilynbrimacombe.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/IMG_6339-4-edited-1.jpg)
Self tanning has become my new favourite thing FOR MY CONFIDENCE. Now… I’m also a fair skin girlie, and I never thought using self tanner could change the way I feel this much. It’s given me a whole new glow from the outside in, and when I go out or go to the gym with a tan I feel so confident and good in my skin! I definitely think that self tanning both my face and my body is now an essential part of my weekly routine. Remember, everyone’s different with what they feel like they need to feel put together or confident!
Self tanning products
A few years ago, I started using the Isle of Paradise self tanning face drops when they getting some hype, and I noticed that made a difference for me, but I actually never tried full body self tanning until now! I just recently tried Lux Unfiltered tanning products and I’m completely obsessed. Both their bronzing face drops and their hydrating self-tanning cream (which I use regularly) give SUCH an even finish and SUCH a natural looking tan. Now that I can compare between two different self-tanning products, the Isle of Paradise tanning drops gave me more of an orange looking tan, which I personally don’t prefer.
For the body, the Lux Unfiltered hydrating self-tanning cream is so easy to use. Honeslty, I was always intimidated by self-tanning mousse which is why I never tried it haha. I always felt like it was going to make me look way darker than I wanted to look! Or look like a complete orange! So the self-tanning cream is so so nice,
Application tips
- Exfoliate and shave first
- Moisturize elbows, knees, ankles and wrists
- Apply on your skin in a circular motion for an even finish
My maintenance routine
Usually I use the Lux Unfiltered bronzing face drops and the hydrating self-tanning cream at the same time every 2-3 days. Which I find is perfect because the tan lasts really well after applying (aka it doesn’t disappear after one day only – which we loveeee). And sometimes I use their bronzing face drops 1-2 days a week so maintain the glow and tan on my face!
Chat soon,
xx Marilyn
Three affordable skincare products that do wonders for your skin
When it comes to skincare products, using affordable skincare is always going to be best for your wallet in the long run. Although splurging on luxury skincare with pretty packaging is definitely one of my guilty pleasures, I really believe that you do NOT need to break the bank with your AM and PM skincare routine. There are soooo many affordable skincare products that do wonders for your skin, and today I’m going to share 3 of my holy grails with you and each help with different skin concerns. Let’s get into it!
1. Paula’s Choice 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant ($34 USD)
![Paula's choice bha exfoliant](https://marilynbrimacombe.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/image.png)
Starting off strong with the Paula’s Choice 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant, which is currently my FAV and I am so obsessed with it. If you want baby smooth skin, this is the best product for you (and it’s only $34 USD). Because it’s a BHA, they recommend that you gradually implement this into your routine so I started using it every other day for the first few weeks and then eventually increased to every night. I was struggling with little tiny bumps on the lower part of my face and this product completely smoothed them out for me! It’s truly a miracle worker, and using it every night is working really well for me! There’s been so much TikTok and social media hype on this product and I can confirm that it is THAT GOOD.
2. The Ordinary 2% Hyaluronic Acid + B5 Hydrating Serum ($10.40 CAD)
![The Ordinary Hyaluronic acid + B5 Hydrating Serum](https://marilynbrimacombe.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/image-1.png)
This product has been an affordable favourite of mine for a few years now, and no other hyaluronic acid serums I’ve tried have been able to top it. This serum is only $10.40 CAD and it gives you hydrated, dewy, plump, and supple skin. Which is honestly a no brainer in my books. My skin is normal-dry, so I can get away with using this morning and night (which I highly recommend).
Hot tip: Apply this product on damp skin! I learned recently that hyaluronic acid absorbs even better when it’s in contact with water, and this tip makes this product feel 10x more hydrating and plumping on the skin. Trust me.
3. Versed Just Breathe Clarifying Serum ($28 CAD)
![Versed Just Breathe Clarifying Serum](https://marilynbrimacombe.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/Screen-Shot-2023-02-06-at-11.27.22-AM-1024x904.png)
This serum by Versed has literally changed my life. Like I’ve mentioned so much on my social media platforms already, this is the best serum for preventing and clearing breakouts/acne that I’ve ever tried (AND it’s affordable). This serum keeps my skin in check, so I use it even though I’m not breaking out to prevent potential pimples or breakouts especially if I’m nearing that time of the month. It clears breakouts so quickly and without drying out your skin which I love. It’s lightweight, hydrating and MAGICAL.
I hope you enjoyed reading through this little list of some of my must-have affordable skincare products!
Chat soon,
Marilyn xx
My current AM skincare routine
Finding Sephora brands at Winners?
![skincare sections at winners](https://marilynbrimacombe.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/o-edited.jpeg)
I’ve been seeing some TikTok’s recently about finding Sephora brands at Winners for cheaper, so naturally I had to investigate this myself. So last week when I was at the mall I popped into Winners and headed over to the beauty section to take a peek. And it did not disappoint!
Sephora brands + products I found at my local Winners:
♡ La Neige
♡ Dr. Jart
♡ Urban Decay
♡ Origins
♡ Innisfree
![Two packs of Dr. Jart sheet masks](https://marilynbrimacombe.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/IMG_4093-2-edited.jpg)
Some of my personal favourites that I found on the shelf were the La Neige sleeping lip mask and water sleeping mask. Also, Dr. Jart sheet masks which are normally $15-20 per sheet mask at Sephora but were only $18.99 for 5 sheet masks at Winners! Which is a total win in my books! I love giving my skin a little extra TLC too and sheet masks are a great way to do it. But they can be SUPER expensive, especially if you buy and use them regularly.
I highly recommend checking out your local Winners if you’re based in Canada for some discounted Sephora products! And if you’re wanting to get some quality sheet masks to use your chill self-care nights at home, this is your sign <3
Chat soon,
xx Marilyn