Five years ago today I hit ‘publish’ on my very first blog post, following a moment of boredom which led to me claiming a URL which was set to become my virtual baby. There was no long-term plan, no strategic vision and no expectation; I never thought anyone other than a close friends would read it, let alone thousands of people across the world every single day. Half a decade later and LBQ has grown to be one of the UK’s most successful, recognised and celebrated beauty blogs – which is pretty hard to believe. I’ve won awards, been featured in magazines, appeared on telly, spoken at events, traveled the world and become friends some of the most inspirational people I’ve ever met. This little site has opened up a whole new world of opportunities for me, least of all developing progressively into my full time job… Whoever would have thought that when I posted my very first feature on how to cover up the results of a heavy weekend? (What can I say, I’m older but probably not much wiser!)
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In a world that’s constantly evolving and growing, staying on top of things is an achievement in itself; I’ve definitely worked my wobbly backside off to get where I am today and am proud of everything I’ve managed to achieve. My original designs were horrendous and my photography wasn’t much better; over the years I’ve honed my craft and am now proud to put my name to the content and ideas on this site. I’ve learned a huge amount, from HTML coding and photo editing, to managing multiple social platforms and marketing myself to brands, but the best thing about running LBQ is you guys. Every comment, every tweet, every email from a reader thanking me for advice that’s really made a difference makes it all worthwhile – every late night writing session, every weekend spent catching up on emails and every early morning photography session to catch the sunshine while it lasted. Every moment of panic about where the next month’s rent is coming from, every case of bloggers block and every fraction of self-doubt that makes me wonder how I’ve managed to blag it for five years. This site makes me happy and it makes me proud.
Without you guys there would be no LBQ, which is why I want to celebrate with you all week long. Across my social media channels there will be oodles of competitions, giveaways and opportunities to get in the party spirit – so make sure you’re following me on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook for daily opportunities to win. There will also be some reflective posts and lots of reasons to come back, so make sure you don’t miss out! To kick things off I’m giving away a bumper pack of beauty goodies featuring some of my favourite brands and worth over £200. The amazing goodie bag has been put together by yours truly and includes Clinique, L’Occitane, Chloe, Elizabeth Arden, Clarins, Topshop, Rimmel, Balance Me, Sew Lomax, The Library of Fragrance, Stylfile, No7 and lots of new brands for you to discover. For your chance to win, just enter via the widget below. On a final note, I just wanted to say thank you. Thanks for your support, your clicks, your comments, your retweets, your likes, your shares, your feedback and your unwavering passion for beauty.
Without you, there would be no me. Here’s to another five years of LBQ…
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I can't believe it's already been 5 years!!Congrats! :)X
I love your honesty on your blog, it's not full of 'this product is great' reviews but when it is I know I can trust your opinion.
Congratulations on reaching the fifth birthday of your blog. That's certainly an achievement as blog years run differently to human years! π
Happy 5th blogiversary! I love your You Tube videos and tips and tricks section! Your lovely blog was recommended to me by a friend, when I was thinking about a makeover after dying my hair!
Really love your blog. You don't sugarcoat anything and give us your honest opining.Congrats and keep blogging
I love reading your blog … Love the way you are so honest about each product that you try.. You have certainly influenced what I have bought over the last few years! Many congrats and here's to many more years of LBQ xxx
I love your blog. The tips and tricks are my favourite. Massive congrats on reaching 5 years old. Here's to the next ?
Tips and tricks! You never stop learning! Happy times!
Happy blog birthday! I love your blog because I know I can always trust your opinion on products, your reviews are always wonderful, and really informative!Ciara x | Ciara Pocket
Tips and tricks, always learnig. Thanks Happy times
I love all your posts where you share your opinions on the industry- you're really honest and inspiring, here's to another 5 years! X
Congratulations on five years. Your blog has always been somewhere I go when I need advice or an honest opinion xwww.pintsizedbeauty.com
Health articles.
Happy Birthday LBQ! I literally don't know where I'd be if I never say your posts pop up on my Bloglovin' feed hahaannaboho.blogspot.co.uk
Congratulations again hun, You have worked so hard to create the blog we read today. The blog is amazing and can't wait to see the adventures that come out over the next 5 years xxxAnna-Maria | http://www.topdrawfashion.com
Your blog is amazing! I love your tips and tricks, and the fact that your product reviews are super honest and trustworthy. Many an item have been bought on your recommendation and they've all been great! Rosie xx
Congratulations on 5 years! Really enjoy reading your blog, such a variety of posts but with such honest content! xemily x β€ | emilyloula
Happy Birthday! I really enjoyed reading your posts on Lush's Gorilla fragrance pop up shop. x
Ah congratulations! Such a great blog!Nikita | nikitabatavia.com
I love that there's such a variety of posts on here, it's so refreshingNikita | nikitabatavia.com
I really enjoyed your post My favourite 20 blog posts of 2014 it was good reading and some I had missed.
I like reading your articles on fragrances.
Happy 5th Birthday LBQ! π xx
Congrats on 5years! Hard to pick a favourite but I like your lipstick posts – like your recent Clinique pop colours one; they sound so good!
Wishing you a very happy 5th blog birthday! What an achievement. I have loved reading your blog for a few years now & I love how honest your reviews are. I always trust your opinion & value your insight into a product or company & have made many a purchase after reading your postshttp://www.letstalkbeauty.co.uk/
Happy 5th Birthday LBQ – here's hoping there'll be many more years of interesting blog posts to come.
Congratulations on hitting the 5 year mark, that's amazing!Frankie xCrazyblondegal
Happy Birthday and congratulations! XAlisha xhttp://alishaxa.blogspot.co.uk
Happy Birthday! Passes over cake! I love the reviews, even for stuff I'd never buy, but I do love your opinionated rants. Many blogs are a bit vanilla, not this one!
Congratulations – I liked Five Brands You May Not Know About, But Definitely Need To Ashleigh
He descubierto tu blog hace relativamente poco tiempo. Creo recordar que buscaba informaciΓ³n sobre los bΓ‘lsamos limpiadores faciales tan de moda ΓΊltimamente y desde entonces te sigo. Me gusta descubrir nuevas marcas, tus top ten…
Congratulations on 5 years! I only discovered you in December last year while entering a competition (which I won! ) but since then I love to read beauty recommendations and reviews so I can buy the best products for me and not waste money.
I discovered you late but this is my favorit blog. One of those where you TRUST the info you get, and not just get a commercial in blog form
Happy Birthday to your blog! ??
Happy 6th year to come… And many more!
It's been a really recent one about clearistabretrxturuzing gel, I was so surprised to received a 15ml sample so quickly! Thank you and Happy 5th Birthday! X
Congratulations!
Also I don't have a particular "best memory" although I adored your video on colour correctors <3
Happy birthday! Here's to many more!
Congratulations – a great achievements. I particularly enjoy your health posts.Hazel Rea – @beachrambler
I can't say a particular favourite post because I love all your posts. I love your style of writing, your honesty and how informative your articles are and also the way you make me feel as if I actually know you! I also like that as well as the great product reviews that you also write about many other topics and issues. Congratulations and good luck for the future! π xx
i started to read your blog just as you were making the transition from blogging to business/full time career, good to see hard work pays off, personally i love reading your honest opinion its always refreshing to see an unclouded judgement! Congrats on the 5 years! xo
Happy birthday! I don't have a favourite post as such, I enjoy reading everything, you have a brilliant honesty in your blogs π
Congrats on five years! :)Amy / srslylou
Wow five years is such an amazing achievement, I love all of your posts but my absolute favourite was Why Lemon Water changed your life, since reading it, I now do it too and it is amazing x
Happy Birthday LBQ Blog! π
My favourite posts are always the end-of-year Best Of posts! Your blog is always truthful and speaks about beauty from a more personal level, congratulations!
Congratulations no turning 5!Helene I
Congrats on an amazing 5 years! I really love your style of writing and the amount of thought that goes behind every post. I especially enjoy reading your thought posts on the makeup industry and youtube etc. It's very different from many other beauty bloggers and I always look forward to your posts!
I love your reviewx – honest and detailed! xNINEGRANDSTUDENT: A Student Lifestyle Blog
Congrats on your 5th anniversary!I really dont know what could be my favourite post as you have a wide range of post types and everything is always written so well!
You cover a whole range of topics-really useful stuff
happy blog day! :DNosebag NI | Food & Lifestyle – http://www.nosebagni.com
Congratulations! I enjoy reading your blog and appreciate the effort you put in. Here's to the next five years!
Congratulations! On five years and for brilliant content, that is always engaging and informative to read. I've become a fan of so many products that you have recommended. Five years is just the beginning – the next five will be epic, I'm sure x
A big Happy 5th Birthday!! Love the blog! Emily at littlelifethoughts.co.uk
I've discovered you fairly recent in comparison with your presence here for 5 years, but I've enjoyed every moment of it. I'm looking forward to every post that comes up π Congratulations and keep up the good, hard, but certainly satisfying work! <3
Congratulations and Happy Blog Birthday!I've been following since I discovered the blogging community close to 4 years ago. I really enjoy your reviews but also like seeing the variety xo
Happy Anniversary & congrats on 5 years, keep up the good work, thoroughly enjoyable blog.
Congrats on 5 years!!!
Happy Blogiversary :)Can't think of a specific post, but In general I have always appreciated your honesty throughout. I have been following blogs for about 5 years and loving them but in the last year the big blogger boom has just put me off soo many as I feel with this has encouraged a lot more dishonesty in the hope of making the big time. You are a prime example of a blogger who has a super successful blog but has always been honest and true to what you set out to achieve π
Happy 5th Blog Birthday! What a fantastic giveaway as well π I can't think of a specific post but I think every in depth beauty-related discussion (such as your recent ones on celebrity perfumes and controversial product names) is always very interesting. I also love your product reviews!Sabrina xxwww.sabrinajaine.blogspot.co.uk
Happy Blog anniversary, thanks for an incredible giveaway!! I love the amazing prizes you give away, you know how to make us happy π xx
Congrats Hayley. I think my favourite post was one from last year where you talked about the importance of cervical screening. Although I love your beauty posts, raising awareness of issues like this is brilliant. xx
Tips and tricks happy 5th birthday
I love that you are so down to earth and I can really relate to what you write rather than just dream I can!
I stumbled across this last year and it was so WONDERFUL to read. I'm always oversleeping/over tired/lack of sleep thanks to teething toddler and stress of FT work! It was a lovely read and I really enjoy your blog. I had forgotten how much I enjoy self care/beauty!!http://www.londonbeautyqueen.com/2014/11/always-oversleeping-ten-ways-to-save.htmlCongratulations!!!from Maria @manaiasmama3
I enjoy your advice and beauty tips, especially reading about Babyliss Hair Straightener – my hair is very wilful! Happy 5th Anniversary x
I remember first seeing a link on Twitter and clicking through and was delighted to find a beauty blog that was honest, intelligently written and a woman with a mind of her own. I have been a huge fan ever since and never miss a post.
i love your dupe posts, how you are honest and not a blogger who loves every item they review. Thanks to you i have brought a lot of amazing products. happy 5 years x
Congratulations on the birthday! Like many fellow readers I really admire your sense of honesty and your entertaining, clever writing style. My favourite post has to be the one about the blogging trends to expect in 2015 – I thought it was really insightful, a fascinating read and really showed that you take a lot of time to reflect on what you do. You really deserve to be a full-time blogger!
Happy birthday! my fav is your tips and tricks section xxx
Discovered your blog just over a year ago. I enjoy reading your make up section and I am always looking for updates!
Yay Happy Birthday To You!!! Not quite sure how long I've been with you throughout your 5 years but I definitely think its been at least 2 years as I know you were one of my very first blogs I followed when looking for new make up ideas. I am more of a viewer than a commenter which is just due to by energy levels & health). There isn't one post in-particular but my favourites are your dupe posts (blogs have cost me a fortune!), new make up looks & reviews. Keep up the fantastic work & look forward to many more years with you xxx
Happy birthday LBQ. What I personally like is seeing your opinions on beauty products and also suggestions of what might be useful. Your night cream/moisturiser review a while back now has me hooked on Clinique's Moisture Surge night mask. Keep up the amazing work and here's to another five years.Laura π
love your honest reviews
I love that you tell it like it is about products – the good and the bad. I also appreciate that you cover products at a variety of price points. Your writing style is entertaining as well as informative! Cheers on 5 years! Looking forward to many more!
Happy Birthday!!! and to many many more!!! I discovered your blog just a few month ago and I loved it right away and now I read every post. I love your "Still sleepy? Wake yourself up with a dose of LBQ and a sip of coffee…" tweets when I see them :)Good luck in the future and to many more amazing blog posts!
Congratulations and happy birthday!I do like how you are honest in your reviews. I'd rather that than some other blogs which just praise everything. I know that you'd tell us if something doesn't quite hit the mark. Your blog in general is an enjoyable read and a pretty layout π
Happy birthday!
Your honest reviews I love! Other blogs just praise everything!
As a recent discoverer my fave thing is your wonderful youtube vids but I love everything about your blog and Happy Bloggin Birthday xx
I'm a recent reader but really enjoy your blog!
30 things before 30 is one of my favourite posts
Happy Birthday! I just recently discovered this amazing blog and had been reading this for few months only. Cannot even name one favorite post, because every single one is so damn good! Have a wonderful birthday week!!! Fan from Finland
Congrats on 5 years!I love all your posts on new launchesxxx
Happy blogging birthday. I've enjoyed all your blog posts that I've read, so it's really hard to pick just one. However if I must, then I would say this one – CHOOSE BEAUTIFUL: WHY THERE'S BEAUTY IN EVERY ONE OF US (AND WE SHOULD BE CELEBRATING IT). Thanks for the lovely giveaway and good luck for your next five years of blogging. xx
I love your round up of your top products of the month. You explain really clearly how to use them effectively and I've bought a few after watching your videos. Thanks for the advice, keep up the good work and congratulations!!!!
I've been following you on Twitter but only just found your blog, I'll definitely be following it π xxwww.throughneweyesx.com
Congratulations on 5 years! Keep it up!! Love all your reviews π
Happy 5th Birthday LBQ! I like reading your articles on fragrances and your lipstick posts. π
It's not too long ago I found your blog but I love reading the make up and skincare blogs! I always find them refreshing and honest. π
I not long discovered this site, so I'm having trouble believing it has been 5 years (where was I all this time?!). Congratulations on everything you have achieved!Taylorwww.taylordevil.com
Happy Birthday and CONGRATULATIONS your blog is Amazing and full of great tips and advice thankyou so much π
Congratulations on 5 years! I love your blog for reviews and info on new products, always check it out π Emma x Writing Essays With Wine
Congrats on everything you've achieved! Here's to another five years! x
Congrats on the milestone! My favourite post: http://www.londonbeautyqueen.com/2015/04/three-feminist-reads-to-leave-you.html
Happy Birthday LBQ! You are a Beauty Bible! Love the site and thanks for having me on your sidebar! x Bean's Beauty Blog
The amazing in depth blog post reviews that LBQ does, I always come and take a read before buying! xx
Happy Birthday LBQ!! :DOne of my favourite posts was a recent one. The one in which you detailed just how much time, energy and love goes into creating content and a blog post! I loved how honest it was and now when anyone asks what blogging really entails I send them in the direction of that blog post!! :)Ellis – Ellis Tuesday
Happy Birthday LBQ! π My favourite recent post has to be the one comparing the new L'Oreal 24hr Matte foundation to NARS. WHAT A LIFESAVER! I went out and bought this, and it's completely changed my look and saved me lots of cash! Great foundation, thank you so much! xxx
Happy Blog Birthday!!! π 5 years an awesome achievement so very well done for that!!!! No wonder you've won awards etc etc, I find your blog to be very honest and easy to read! I found it whilst reading through twitter on my phone! When it was all I had to use it was very handy to be able to read it on my phone and not have it jump around everywhere or be too big to fit the screen properly! π Your posts are very refreshingly honest and I feel i can trust your judgement on a certain brand or skincare/make-up item. Thank You for that. I wish you every success in the future and look forward to chatting to you over at your new job for Beauty at Tesco!!! π xxx
Happy birthday! and thank you for this lovely giveaway π
Loving all the giveaways but have yet to win one. I'd love to win something like this for my fiancee!
i love that your reviews are so honest and have so much detail to them. Congrats on 5 years!
Happy Birthday – So many good reliable reviews
I love your blog post about sulphate in shampoos. I have dermatitis at the top of my neck, under my hair. It causes me no end of problems. I've took on board what you have said, and going to try my best to avoid these shampoos. Fingers crossed!
One of my favourite posts has been one about lip balms, as I was really suffering with chapped lips (Emergency Care: Five Lip Balms For Really Dry Lips http://www.londonbeautyqueen.com/2014/06/emergency-care-five-lip-balms-for.html ) and led to me discovering how good the Burts Bee range was for me
Congrats on 5 years, love your blog and honest product reviews….<3
i love the way that you review products they are always thorough and answer all my questions. you are honest which is great as i have seen blogs which lie unfortunately
Happy 5th birthday! I love your reviews and I hope you never stop xo
Congratulations on 5 years! I enjoy reading your blog such honest posts x
I'm a big fan of all the generous giveaways you do π xxx
I love everything about your blog!