Glossybox Summer Essentials Kit July 2020

Just a few weeks ago Glossybox launched their fantastic Best of Grazia Beauty Box which was an incredible box, launching today, in an hour or so we will have Glossybox Summer Essentials Kit and oh my gosh, it is incredible.

The Glossybox Summer Essentials Kit is filled with twelve products with a combined value of over £95, which is incredible value for the price. The GLOSSYBOX Summer Essentials Kit will go on sale at 9am!

GLOSSYBOX SUMMER ESSENTIALS KIT CONTENTS

The 12 products inside the box include everything from skincare and haircare to makeup and suncare and this is what you will find inside.

Hawaiian Tropic Aloha Coco Fragrance Mist Shimmer Edition - This is a fragranced body spray featuring lots of shimmer particles to leave the skin shimmering, and the shimmer particles are biodegradable too, which is even better.

This smells absolutely beautiful, think coconuts and you are pretty much there with the scent!

Holika Holika Aloe 99% Soothing Geloothing Gel is an incredibly lightweight moisturiser with Aloe Vera extract, which helps to relive irritated and stressed skin from harmful environmental factors or dehydration.

Aloe Vera Gel has always been my go to when I have sunburn, if I feel hot or just for some refreshing feeling to my skin.

Nails Inc Nail Polish – For this polish, you will either get Gimme A Peck or Cheeky Bird. I have Cheeky Bird, which as you can see is just so pretty.

bareMinerals SKINLONGEVITY Vital Power Serumformulated with Japanese Long Life Herb Extract, this serum that is described as being designed to revive and help maintain your skin’s most vibrant look of health, and reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. 

Oh K! Anti Jet Lag Sheet Mask

Palmer’s Coconut Oil Lip Balm SPF 15

Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare Alpha Beta Ultra Gentle Peel

First Aid Beauty Ultra Repair BarriAIR Cream

Maria Nila Invisidry Shampoo - I really like Maria Nila products, some of which ive featured on my blog. But within the Glossybox Summer Essentials Kit we have Invisidry. Described as being a dry shampoo for blonde and darker hair types, it uses rice starch to absorb excess oils.  For me, a dry shampoo is a must and I am looking forward to giving this a try.

Tangle Teezer Pina Colada Compact Styler Detangling Hairbrush

I am sure you will all agree that this is quite the Kit and it literally features everything I can think of to keep me looking my best on hot summer days! As a reminder, the GLOSSYBOX Summer Essentials Kit will go on sale right here at 9am for subscribers and at 12pm-lunchtime that same day for non-subscribers. It is priced at £30 for subscribers and £35 for non-subscribers. 

*this post contains PR samples and/or Affiliate Links unless indicated otherwise - you can learn more on my Disclaimer page.

theBalm Priming Is Everything!

I am a huge fan of TheBalm makeup and have featured it on my blog many times, for me, it is such an underrated brand, which is now much easier to get hold of than it once was.  Today I am sharing two products from the Eyeshadow Priming range and they're not at all like I expected them to be. Is that a good thing? Read on to find out.

Priming Is Everything is available, as you can see, in two shades - neutral and black. They are packaged inside a cardboard box, which is really well made and has an outer sleeve to ensure it doesn't become damaged in your makeup bag.

Described as being versatile cream primers and as with any other primer, their job is to keep your makeup in place, in this case your eye makeup.  I have in my time used quite a few eyeshadow primers to do all I can to avoid the dreaded creasing. However, until now, I had only ever used a nude/clear shadow primer, never black.

TheBalm state that their Black primer transforms any eye shade into a whole new hue, doubling your shadow wardrobe. Said to work on all skin types and tones, this primer provides a smooth black surface to create a smokey look while transforming the shade and brilliance of your shadow. So, if you are a fan of the smokey eye, this primer is basically your new best friend. It glides onto the eyelid with ease and whether you choose to use your finger or a brush, it is smooth and blends really well. 

The neutral Eyeshadow Primer, as with the black above, also acts as a base to keep your shadows in place.

Another cream primer which was really easy to apply and blend, the neutral shade helps to bring to life your eyeshadow to leave it looking a lot brighter and even more intense.

The swatches shown below haven't been edited at all, they are as seen from the pan to my hand using a finger swatch. Both shades have a really good colour pay-off and for me, I really love how they interact with my chosen eyeshadow, which is usually always a shade of neutral because that is my comfort zone. 

You can currently find both of these Priming Is Everything primers via LookFantastic where they retail for £11 each, more excitingly you can also find pretty much everything else theBalm has to offer too.

Right now, there is an offer to save between 10% and 15%* on your order using the code BEAUTYLF at basket. So if you have always wanted to try products from theBalm, now is that time!

*Exclusions Apply.

*this post contains PR samples and/or Affiliate Links unless indicated otherwise - you can learn more on my Disclaimer page.

Megan Rose Lane x Feelunique Self-Care Kit

From Feelunique we have the newly listed Megan Rose Lane x Feelunique Self-Care Kit (£49), a kit which is described as being guided by *the* mindset and meditation blogger Megan Rose Lane. This Self-Care Kit is all about taking time to look after yourself and feeling your best from the inside out. 

Scheduling in some me-time to relax and unwind is something I try and do every single week. That could be an hour locked in the bathroom with no phone, no iPad and no interruptions, it could also be a lie in for an extra half an hour, a long walk by myself - literally anything that I can do by myself which requires no interaction from anyone else.

The limited edition bundle holds all the products you need to add a moment of calm to your routine each day - plus, a deck of affirmation cards for positivity, empowerment and self-confidence. 

So what is inside?

• Emma Hardie Moringa Cleansing Balm 15ml - My review
• Evolve Beauty AHA Miracle Mask 30ml
• Grown Alchemist Vanilla and Watermelon Lip Balm 12ml
• Urban Apothecary Oriental Noir Candle 70g
• L’Occitane Aromachologie Relaxing Pillow Mist 100ml
• Velvet Pouch- Teal velvet with an embossed golden sun, there’s nothing more fitting to hold these complete bliss essentials

This is an amazing Self-Care Kit for those who want and need an excuse to just take some time for themselves and equally, it would make a great gift for someone who has had a bit of a hard time and needs some time out too!

This Megan Rose Lane x Feelunique Self-Care Kit is on sale now - purchase here.

*this post contains PR samples and/or Affiliate Links unless indicated otherwise - you can learn more on my Disclaimer page.

LUMITY 4-in-1 Cleansing Balm

Cleansing is my favourite part of skincare and the one thing I look forward to doing most as part of my routine.  There is nothing quite like taking the whole day off your face, sitting down and relaxing for an evening.  The latest cleanser to my stash comes from Lumity with this 4-in1 Cleansing Balm (£55 for 100ml).

I love that this is an everything you need all in one pot cleanser, designed to give you everything you need without having to use multiple products. With that in mind, this cleanser is a gentle cleanser, make-up remover, exfoliator and it can be as a masque treatment too. 

I absolutely love the texture of this cleanser and it has quite a unique formula which works to dissolve impurities, pollutants and make-up. 100% natural, this cleanser features no harsh chemicals which could disrupt the skin's balance. It contains activated bamboo charcoal, biodegradable jojoba beads, green tea extract, camellia seed oil and an aromatherapy blend of essential oils which includes Wild Mint, Juniper Berry, Grapefruit and Lemongrass.

To use, the advice is to massage a grape sized scoop of the Lumity 4-in-1 Cleanse on to dry skin. As it is applied, you might feel a gentle warming effect as the active ingredients get to work to draw out impurities, it is similar to the feeling you get from Sanctuary Spa 5 minute Charcoal Thermal Mask with regards to the warming sensation, which is not uncomfortable. One applied, there is the option to rinse off with warm water or it can be left on for up to 30 minutes for a deeply hydrating, exfoliating and clarifiying masque treatment. 

Key Benefits

• 100% natural – no harsh chemicals to disrupt the skin's balance and natural protective barrier
• Boosts moisture for supple, smoother skin
• Reduces the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles
• Promotes elasticity, radiance and firmness
• Reinforces the skin's natural barrier to maintain perfect hydration and protection against environmental aggressors 
• Optimum cleansing properties to leave skin feeling clear, smooth and firm, without the tightness or drying effects of other cleansers
• Gently exfoliates to stimulate and renew the skin
• Supports the healthiest, most balanced and youthful condition of the skin

I wouldn't hesitate to purchase another pot of this cleanser when this one finally runs out, I love how it feels on my skin, I like the slight warming feeling, I like that it has a 4-in-1 use and it can be used twice daily as part of a morning and night skincare routine.

The Lumity with this 4-in1 Cleansing Balm is priced at £55 for 100ml from Cult Beauty.

*this post contains PR samples and/or Affiliate Links unless indicated otherwise - you can learn more on my Disclaimer page.

Murad Prebiotic 4-in-1 MultiCleanser

I am a huge fan of Dr Murad and his skincare products and it is fair to say that, whilst I am incredibly lucky to receive some amazing products, I do also buy my own. This Murad Prebiotic 4-in-1 Cleanser (£38) is a product I purchased, having first received it as part of a PR package because I just adore it.

This Prebiotic 4-In-1 Multi Cleanser is described as being a must-try gel-to-oil, make up-melting cleanser and being a bit of a multi-tasking product, not only does it remove excess oil, makeup, dirt, grime and anything else in its path, it also nourishes skin with a blend of prebiotics to balance the skin’s microbiome for healthier-looking skin.

This 4-in-1, non-drying formula features an ultra-cleansing peptide to melt makeup, dirt and excess oil, while moisturising emollients deeply hydrate. The three ingredients that are worthy of a mention are:

• Hemisqualane - Plant-based (from sugar cane) emollient that effectively dissolves eye, lip and face makeup (including waterproof) as it nourishes the skin.
• Cyclic Peptide - Said to be 300 times more efficient than traditional surfactants, delivering high-efficiency cleansing with low irritation. Traps oil and debris to be more easily rinsed from the skin without stripping natural facial oils.
• Prebiotic Powder - Work to nourish good bacteria to promote a healthy balance.

Suitable for all skin types, what I love is just how gentle yet effective this cleanser is. I make no secret that the favourite part of my skincare routine is cleansing, there is something quite relaxing and calming about completing this stage.

This cleanser can be used as part of your morning or evening routine and you only need 1-2 pumps at any one time. Designed to be used on wet or dry skin, for me it is an evening cleanser and part of my double cleansing routine. Non-drying or stripping of the skin, it doesn't irritate or cause breakouts, what it does is thoroughly cleanse your skin to leave it feeling super clean, feeling fresh and best of all, it is just a delight to use.

Priced around £38 it is available from Cult Beauty*, John Lewis*, Lookfantastic* and of course Murad* themselves.

*this post contains PR samples and/or Affiliate Links unless indicated otherwise - you can learn more on my Disclaimer page.

Next Official Pick-Me-Ups Beauty Box

Next are back again with another amazing beauty box, containing everything you need to prep, prime and perfect your face, hair and body. 

This box is worth over £110 and containing items from the biggest brands around, this is one you won't want to miss; look your best with best selling beauty products from Estee Lauder, Smashbox, and Tangle Teezer. 

Box contains: 

• Estée Lauder Eye Cream (3ml),
• Illamasqua Hydra Veil Primer (7ml),
• Eyeko Black Magic Liner (Full Size, Worth £16),
• Nails Inc 'Out of Office' Nail Polish (Full Size, worth £15),
• Tangle Teezer Compact Styler Pina Colada (Full Size, worth £14),
• Smashbox Photo Finish Primer (7.1ml, Sample),
• Vita Liberata Body Blur (10ml),
• Aveda Damage Repair (25ml),
• Balance Me Wonder Eye Cream (7ml),
• Nuxe Crème Prodigieuse Boost Gel Cream (15ml, Sample), 
• Ameliorate Transforming Body Lotion (50ml),
• Eborian CC Cream (5ml),
• Mudmasky Morning Boost Mask (20ml, Sample),
• Lord & Berry Ultimate Lip Liner (Full Size)
• Monuskin Firming Fiji Facial Oil (30ml). 

With all of this for just £20, it definitely gives some of the more popular beauty boxes a run for their money!  You can snap this box up right here from Next.

* this post contains PR samples and/or Affiliate Links unless indicated otherwise - you can learn more on my Disclaimer page.

Lookfantastic x Sarah Chapman Beauty Box July 2020

I love a good collaboration Beauty Box and the newest Lookfantastic collaborative is the Lookfantastic x Sarah Chapman Beauty Box* which is worth over £184 but can be yours for just £70 and you can grab it right here.

What I absolutely love about this box, other than the fact it is Sarah Chapman skincare, is that you get a complete skincare routine in one box. I know many people who struggle to find which skin care products work best for them or need help figuring out in which order to use them in. So this box, goes some way to help you decipher that.

Sarah Chapman skincare isn't cheap, but from the products I have used, I have loved every single one.  The products for this collaboration are so beautifully presented, sitting in a box which has a white and silver foil design.

What’s inside?

• Ultimate Cleanse (30ml) – worth £17.50
• Eye Recovery (5ml) – worth £19
• Comfort Cream D-Stress (5ml) – worth £12
• Overnight Facial (15ml) – worth £54
• Morning Facial (15ml) – worth £52
• Facialift (tool) – worth £30

If, like me, you love the look of this Lookfantastic x Sarah Chapman Beauty Box*, you can get your hands on it right now for £70. However, if you are an existing Lookfantastic Beauty Box subscriber, you can get £5 discount on the box via the promotional code that was emailed to you. If you're not yet a subscriber to the Lookfantastic monthly Beauty Box, you can still get £5 discount by subscribing to their monthly beauty box subscription, and you can then use the promotional code SCBBNEWSUB right here to get the box for just £65. 

For me, I think this is one of the best LookFantastic Collaborations I have seen for some time!

*this post contains PR samples and/or Affiliate Links unless indicated otherwise - you can learn more on my Disclaimer page.

Sanctuary Spa Watermelon Glow Collection with Summer Gift Bag

I really like Sanctuary Spa and I adores their Vit C range, we both used all of the products within the collection and then purchased more. Newly released is the Watermelon Glow collection, which I am sharing with you today and if you're quick, it is on offer at Boots right now for just £22*!

Dive into this refreshing array of hydrating Watermelon skin and body goodies and treat yourself to an indulgent, Watermelon summer

Nestled inside this beautiful see-through pink bag, are four Sanctuary Spa products and a Watermelon Beach Towel, which I absolutely love.

This Gift Contains:

• Watermelon Body Scrub 200ml - Enjoy gentle daily skin polishing with this hardworking & gorgeously watermelon fragranced body cleanser. Infused with natural fruit seeds & watermelon extracts, this uplifting & refreshing gel-scrub smooths & refines skin to leave it feeling velvety soft & looking beautifully radiant.
• Watermelon Body Wash 250ml - A refreshing burst of watermelon cleansing that gently transforms into a delicately fragranced foam, enveloping wet skin & leaving your body feeling cleansed, moisturised & silky smooth.
• Wet Skin Radiance Jelly 200ml - This Sanctuary Spa body moisturiser capitalises on skin’s peak hydration moment when it’s wet. Bursting into a glow-boosting, water-like texture on application, this refreshing jelly is clinically proven to lock in 3x the hydration* & 3x more radiance** for skin that’s instantly softer & smoother.
• Watermelon Radiance Face & Body Mist 100ml - This ultra-hydrating and soothing mist will be the perfect addition to your summer routine. Infused with brightening Vitamin B3 and natural watermelon juice, this mist will leave your skin soft and refreshed all day.

Given that facemasks are about to become mandatory, though some of us have been wearing them since Lockdown kicked in, the Watermelon Radiance face and Body Mist has been an absolute saviour on these hotter days. Walking around with a mask on in the heat hasn't been easy, but the mist is incredibly refreshing and soothing.

Grab the collection from Boots priced at £22* or Amazon for just £20*

*this post contains PR samples and/or Affiliate Links unless indicated otherwise - you can learn more on my Disclaimer page.

5 Decorating Pet Peeves

When we/ read I decided that we needed to do a little DIY which started with the changing of a few door handles to the hanging of some photographs which I had framed, it then became a whole task of choosing paint for the lounge, a radiator cover, a new wardrobe for the bedroom - though still no new bed! 

Whilst we are lucky enough that the solid wood flooring we have doesn’t need to be changed, though the carpet does as the wear and tear is much worse than we had hoped, so another task for the ever growing list of DIY to do! I only wish that we could just sand and varnish the floor, but being leasehold it states we must have a carpet, that means a few times a year we look for professional carpet cleaners near me, just to look after the carpets, which by the way are quite expensive.

With all this decorating in mind, which I might add is not one of my favourite things at all, I thought I would share what I think are the worst jobs - by that, I mean worse than ironing clothes!

1 - Glossing.  Why does gloss paint have to be just awful? I have the skirting boards, doors and door frames x 2 to do and it is literally the worst painting job to have to do as far as I am concerned.

2 - Brush Strokes - A huge pet peeve of mine. When we moved into our home, the previous owners decided in their wisdom to paint every wall  a bright almost luminous yellow, it was hard on the eyes and you can see every single brush stroke. So we painted each room, which took a lot of paint and a lot of hours to not only hide the yellow, but to also hide the big thick brush strokes.

3 - Ceilings - I am only 5ft 6", I cannot paint a ceiling without having to stand on a ladder, so it is a bit of a faff to do.

4 - Masking Tape - There is always something somewhere that you forget needs to be taped up, but by the time you realise you have usually run out of the blooming stuff. Happens to me every single time, even if I buy a spare roll!

5 - Moving everything - Probably should be up at number one with glossing, but moving furniture and applying dust sheets is another part of decorating that I hate. 

Is there anything I like about decorating? Well ideally I would pay someone else to come and do it whilst I spend a few days in a hotel sleeping and reading a book, but apparently that is not fun!  

Do you like decorating?

*this post contains PR samples and/or Affiliate Links unless indicated otherwise - you can learn more on my Disclaimer page.

Glossybox x Grazia Best of Beauty Box July 2020

Glossybox have been teasing us with their next limited edition box, which is a collaboration with Grazia and it launches tomorrow  right here* and if you want to get your hands it, then you will need to sign up, because it will sell out.

Worth £165, the Glossybox x Grazia Box is jam packed full with 12 products from brands such as NARS, Too Faced, MAC and Kiehls, all big names that I haven't seen together in a Glossybox ever before.  The last collaboration with Grazia and Glossybox was back in in April, which I had on my blog here, was skincare based, so it is nice to see a change.  If you don't want to know the exact contents of the box then scroll no further, but they are listed below:

The full list of products included in the Best of Beauty Box are:

• Dr. Pawpaw Original Balm Full Size
• St. Tropez Self Tan Express Bronzing Gel
• St. Tropez Dual Sided Velvet Luxe Mitt Full Size
• NARS Laguna Bronzing Powder
• M·A·C Matte Lipstick – Down To An Art Full Size
• Dr. Jart+ Cica Pair Tiger Grass Calming Gel Cream Full Size
• Real Techniques® Perfect Crease Duo Full Size
• Philip Kingsley Elasticizer Deep Conditioning Pre‐Shampoo Treatment
• Too Faced Damn Girl Mascara
• Project Lip Lipscrub
• Neal’s Yard Remedies Wild Rose Beauty Balm
• Kiehl’s Vital Skin - Strengthening Super Serum

I love that there are many full-sized products within this box and I love the range of brands inside too, most of them I have heard of, but many of the products I haven't tried.

The box will retail at £45 and you can sign up to hear exactly when it launches and get your hands on it quickly, I suspect, it will be offered to those who subscribe to Glossybox first, so there is the option to do that here*

I would love to know what you think to this box and whether any of the products inside capture your attention!

this post contains PR samples and/or Affiliate Links unless indicated otherwise - you can learn more on my Disclaimer page.

Blooming Blends Sleep Easy Collection

I have had these two products from Blooming Blends for quite some time and they are just absolutely divine to use on their own or as part of a pre-sleep ritual. If you follow me on Instagram, you will have noticed that I suffer from bouts of insomnia, though in recent weeks this has improved. For me, falling asleep isn't always the issue, it is staying asleep that I have a problem with, so I was delighted to give these two products a try.

The two products I was very kindly sent are the Sleep Easy Botanical Sensory Facial Mist and the Sleep Easy Herbal Tincture.

I absolutely love a facial mist, there isn't one day which goes by that I don't use one. It was during a facial a few years ago that the therapist suggested that one should be part of my everyday routine because I spend a lot of my time sitting in front of a computer screen. Using a spray not only gives me that refresh, but it also stops my skin from feeling really dry.  However, from Blooming Blends, the Sleep Easy Facial Mist (£18) is quite unlike others that I have used.

Sleep Easy is described as being a is a botanical sensory facial mist to soothe and settle the senses and help you find the perfect night's sleep. The mist is made using a balanced blend of soothing essential oils and Blooming Blends very own, homemade flower waters which are designed to help your body relax and quieten as you drift into an easy sleep.

The Blooming Blends homemade flower waters include a mixture of lavender, petitgrain and chamomile three ingredients that I associate with relaxing and calming and as a mist it does smell absolutely lovely. You'll notice there is also a hint of Witch Hazel, which I am told is included to help preserve the mist. To use, the advice is to hold the bottle 30cm from your face, spray liberally over your face and pillow and sheets and inhale deeply. As a mist, it doesn't soak your face thoroughly, it is more of a light dusting. Delightful to use and definitely a very calming blend.

The second product is the Sleep Easy Herbal Tincture (£22) which was created, as Blooming Blends state, to help you sleep deep, long and well, the Sleep blend will try to bring you comfort and peace. Unlike the Facial Mist, this is a liquid designed to be taken internally.

To use, it is one pipette under the tongue before you go to sleep. It is made up of a botanical blend of ethanol (25-45% v/v) and vegetable glycerine extracts which include - Oat Straw, Passionflower, Catnip, Chamomile, Lavender and Ashwagandha.  Blooming Blends state that their tincture formulas are created using a ratio of 1:3 to 1:1 herb to liquid so they are at their best possible strength.

When taking this blend, I didn't notice any immediate benefits, it doesn't have a particular taste to it, it definitely doesn't make you pull faces! I think for me, knowing it should and is designed to help me get a better nights sleep rather than fall asleep, I don't stress myself out if I don't immediately nod off as soon as my head hits my pillow, but instead, if I wake up feeling refreshed, it is a bonus.

You can find out more about Botanical Blends from their website. Alongside the Sleep Easy Range, you will find a whole host of other ranges such as a De-Stress and Brain Boost Range.

*this post contains PR samples and/or Affiliate Links unless indicated otherwise - you can learn more on my Disclaimer page.

4 Things to Know When Buying a Hair Brush

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A hair brush is an essential tool when you want to groom yourself. This is because it enables you to straighten hair strands without breaking them, especially if they are already entangled. It’s actually the secret to donning beautiful curls. In fact, styling your hair is supposed to be fun and easy when you are armed with the right brush. And since sharing brushes is not healthy, it’s always a good idea you buy your own to minimize the chances of spreading bacteria such as dandruff that might end up damaging your hair.  On the other hand, buying the right brush is easier said than done. In fact, most people settle for the first brush they see when they visit a store. Here is a list of considerations that you should make when shopping for Spornette Hair Brushes.

1. Brushes come in Various Shapes - If you ask most people, they will tell you that all brushes are the same. The truth is that brushes come in various shapes which also determines when they should be used. Lest you forget, a comb can never replace a brush and vice versa. The most common type of brush is known as boar bristle brush. And just like the name suggests, the brush comes with bristles that have smooth tips. This design helps in ensuring that they don’t break into delicate hair strands. A vented brush is also made to look like a boar only that it’s bristles are widely spaced. This is done to aerate the hair strands to prevent entanglement. The brush also has open gaps at the back. Then there are those that are round in shape. These ones are ideal for setting long hair.

2. Bristles are your Friend - The experience you get after using a hair brush is usually determined by the bristles. In fact, the bristles are the ones that let you know to replace an old brush. There are actually brushes that come with either metallic, plastic or wooden material. The advantage of using a brush is that it can last for many years without calling for replacement. It’s also important you confirm that the brush is made from stainless steel. Wooden brushes should only be used on short hair as they can break easily. On the other hand, plastic bristles rock the most because they are strong enough to withstand an entangled hair.

3. Never Ignore the Handle - If you are like most people, you obviously look at the bristles of a brush and ignore the handle. Opting for a brush that has a smooth handle is a huge mistake. This is because you will have to hold the brush firmly when setting your hair to prevent the brush from slipping out of your hands.  You can avoid such time wasting instances by picking a brush that has a rugged handle. Such a brush can never slip even if your hands are wet or oily.

4.  Bigger is Always Better - This one is needless to say. A brush that has a bigger length is always much better than a smaller type. This is because it helps in ensuring that you finish setting your hair within the shortest time possible as you are able to cover a large area in a single stroke. Smaller combs should only be used when you only want to style a small part of your hair such as the side or the front.

*this post contains PR samples and/or Affiliate Links unless indicated otherwise - you can learn more on my Disclaimer page.

5 Unconventional Ways To Practise Self Care

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Self-care goes beyond getting the best beauty products to make you look and feel good about yourself. There are so many other ways that you can take care of yourself, which will be discussed in this article.

Don’t neglect the power of human connection

Sometimes people assume self-care is only about disconnecting from people to focus on yourself - after all, it's SELF-care. But there is something about being around healthy personalities that brings some happiness and joy. So, reach out to those people in your life that foster a feeling of understanding and acceptance, no matter what stage of life you’re in. Spend quality time with them when it’s possible, and it can be virtual or not. Don’t only rely on social media to know what is going on with people. 

Speak to yourself with love

The tone you speak to yourself in is as important as any other form of self-care. So make it a point to be conscious about the way you speak even in your thoughts. Try as much as you can to use the tone you’d use as if you were speaking to someone you love even in those moments where you don’t feel too proud of yourself. Try to make it a daily habit to practise positive mantra, and if you cannot always speak, writing them down is also good enough.

Pamper yourself with some clean silk sheets

Sleep is vital and can go a long way in affecting how you feel throughout your day. Having a good nap is also about what you’re sleeping on. Silk sheets are comfortable and luxurious, and you’ll feel twice as good as compared to sleeping on regular sheets. They are also gentle on the skin, and you’ll wake up feeling much more refreshed and ready to take on the day.

Get in touch with your spiritual side

Self-care involves getting in touch with every part of yourself, which includes the spiritual aspect. To fully unlock your best self, you’ll have to experience a level of connection to something more than yourself. It is some kind of assurance that gives you peace and purpose and makes you feel more fulfilled and hence happier. So once in a while, you can get psychic phone readings, for example, to help you see your life in a new light. That way, you don’t just make rash decisions but more informed ones that bring you closer to reaching your potential.

Meal prep

Self-care isn’t complete if there isn’t something about nutrition. Your physical wellbeing is one crucial aspect that your existence depends on. So make sure that you’re not skipping any meals, and they are wholesome. One way to achieve that is to have your meals prepped before time. That way, you will be prepared and on time. 

Self-care is good for everyone, and these five ways are just a few to get it done successfully. Also, remember that there is no perfect time to take care of yourself, and you’ll get better results if you do it frequently and consistently.

 

*this post contains PR samples and/or Affiliate Links unless indicated otherwise - you can learn more on my Disclaimer page.

Kindred Fires - Personalised Candle Gifts

With all this nonsense about the changing of star signs and something called Ophiuchus - also known as the Serpent Bearer, the supposed 13th Sign of the Zodiac, it has all gone over my head. I am, always have been a Cancerian and I definitely have some of those traits.  Tomorrow is actually my birthday and from Kindred Fires, I have been gifted this stunning Starsign Birthday Candle.

These candles are all handcrafted from a Manchester Workshop and each candle is not only hand poured but each one is made using quality soy wax and premium fragrance oils in containers that you are encouraged to reuse.  I will re-use mine to put some flower seeds once I am finished.

When purchasing a candle from Kindred Fires you have a choice of what kind of candle you wish you purchase from a variety of categories. Those categories include but are not limited to - Engagement, Wedding, Anniversary, House Warming and of course birthdays.  My candle as you can see denotes the Cancerian star sign which is clearly displayed on the label.  

Once you have made your choice of a candle, there is the option to personalise the label with a brief message and then the exciting part is to choose your fragrance. I went for Floral Blossom, the description of this fragrance is that it is a light floral scent with subtle hints of freesia, lemon and jasmin.  For me, this candle has a really fresh floral fragrance with a hint of citrus which comes from the lemon, it isn't overpowering and it adds a nice scent to the room. The candle has a burn time of around 25 hours, which of course can change depending on how long you burn it for.

I think these candles make a fabulous gift, be it for a family member, friend or even someone you work with.  We have all just been through quite the time with this pandemic, which is still hiding out there, so a perfect time to send someone a gift, especially if you haven't seen them for some time now, to say 'I'm thinking of you'It can be combined with a bunch of flowers. Thanks to modern delivery services, there is no problem to send a gift to Paris or anywhere in the world.  The Kindred Fire Candles are priced from £16 rising upwards in price depending on your candle of choice and whether or not you choose to upgrade it to a hamper, which sounds just lovely.

*this post contains PR samples and/or Affiliate Links unless indicated otherwise - you can learn more on my Disclaimer page.

ASOS Grooming Box

There are very brands that actually do a whole box of Grooming products, yet every now and again ASOS do a really good value for money box and this is one of them.

Sticking to the £12 box price, inside, as you can see, there is a total of five products for grooming and hair care. 

Contents include

• THE INKEY LIST Caffeine Eye Cream: 15ml
• Murdock London Beard Moisturiser: 150ml
• Johnny's Chop Shop Wild Cat Hair Clay: 70g
• House 99 All Bright Natural Bronzing Effect Moisturising Gel: 20ml
• American Crew Boost Powder: 10g

The box comes presented in an ASOS branded box and it makes a great little treat for the man in your life! Available to purchase now* from ASOS whilst stocks last.

*this post contains PR samples and/or Affiliate Links unless indicated otherwise - you can learn more on my Disclaimer page.

The Hair Care Heroes Kit - Cult Beauty

Looking after my hair and scalp is as important as looking after my skin and this little Limited Edition Hair Care Heroes Kit* from Cult Beauty looks amazing.

This 10 piece collection is said to be worth over £65 and you can get your hands on it for free when you spend £55 or more on hair care!

The Contents Include:

1. Briogeo - deluxe Be Gentle, Be Kind Avocado + Kiwi Mega Moisture Superfood Mask (30ml)
2. Virtue - deluxe One for All 6-in-1 Styler (15ml)
3. NatureLAB Tokoyo - deluxe Perfect Shine Clarifying Scalp Scrub (44g)
4. Innersense - travel size Pure Harmony hairbath (59ml)
5. Innersense - travel size Pure Inspiration Daily Conditioner (59ml)
6. Oribe - deluxe Power Drops Damage Repair Booster (3ml)
7. Cult Beauty - Travel Make Up Bag (small size)
8. Larry King Hair Care - travel size A Social Life For Your Hair (30ml)
9. Slip - Pure Silk Hair Scrunchie (x1 Skinnie)
10. Color Wow - travel size Kale Cocktail Bionic Tonic (50ml)

This 10 piece collection is made up of products to nourish, strengthen, protect and length-heal for the hair and it comes packaged inside a Cult Beauty Branded zip bag, perfect for travelling with!.

Grab your Hair Care Heroes Kit here* whilst stocks last!

*this post contains PR samples and/or Affiliate Links unless indicated otherwise - you can learn more on my Disclaimer page.

Pinterest Worthy Home?

One of my go to places for blog inspiration, recipe ideas, crafts and even DIY help is Pinterest, it also happens to be my biggest source of traffic for my blog! 

I have mentioned the use of Pinterest on my blog quite a few times, particularly when it came to renovating my bathroom and making plans for both the lounge and hallway with changes and currently on my hallway board there is a whole host of choices between Engineered Wood flooring and the Parquet that is similar to what we currently have. For the lounge, I am still stuck on deciding if it should be a new carpet, keeping it plain with a coloured rug, though my obsession with PomPom rugs is still very much there.

Now we all would love to have that brand new feeling to our home and achieving that Pinterest-worthy look does often seen unachievable with the white walls, marble effect kitchen worktops and the open plan kitchen and diner, but we can't all have that. So, taking my inspiration from Pinterest, I do have a few ideas I want to incorporate.

1 - Gallery Picture Wall. I love seeing people use their Instagram to show off the latest prints they have from Desenio or a store on Etsy and between Instagram and Pinterest, I have started to build my own gallery wall, making it a mixture of my own artwork and photos. 

What I love is that there is no right or wrong way to choose how to hang your pictures on the wall, there are no rules.

2. The Sideboard.  We have noo room for a coffee table to style books on, I even have a coffee table styling board on Pinterest because they fascinate me. So instead we have a sideboard which houses candles, a few books and then some stationery for when we work from home. But on top, there is a nice bit of space which now houses my electric wax burner, a few books and a lantern. What I love is that it makes the corner of the room much cosier than it once was, but there is still room to add a candle or two, but it is a work in progress.

3. Plants.  I have shared the outdoors, my concrete terrace on Instagram a fair few times, showing off the homegrown veggies that we have somehow managed to grow. It all stems from my obsession with tomato plants, which remind me of my childhood and from there we have added onions, spring onions, runner beans, peas, beetroot, garlic, coriander, basil, chives, parsley, potatoes and carrots. But inside plants are where my attention has moved too and once again, Pinterest has been my inspiration. In the bathroom, I now have my Cacti and a recently added Aloe Vera, both fairly easy to look after and maintain. 

However, I am now pretty taken with water plants and, like this one again a Pinterest thing and have my eye on a few ideas.  I would ideally like to have at least one plant in every room!

4. Lights.  I really hate the light fitting I have in the hallway, it has been there since we moved in and now the hallway has been painted. As my hallway is fairly short, we need something that allows a lot of light, particularly in the winter months, so block colour, for me, wouldn't work. 

My current light shade of choice is this Hiko Easy-To-Fit from John Lewis, it has been sat in my basket for a few weeks now and at £55 it isn't as expensive as others that I also like.

I have kept my list quite small, I wanted to create something that was achievable and didn't turn into a bucket of stress. As one task is completed I will add another one to it and so on, until I have got as far as I can go. I am definitely not someone who is a master of interior design, but I am enjoying making a few changes to my home.

Do you use Pinterest and are there any changes you want to make?

*this post contains PR samples and/or Affiliate Links unless indicated otherwise - you can learn more on my Disclaimer page.

Cleansing with Elemis including the new Energising Marine Cleanser

I am pretty new to the world of Elemis* but my gosh what a way to become introduced to one another, more so as such an avid fan of double cleansing, which you will notice I do mention quite a lot!  So from Elemis, I have been kindly gifted these two products - The much loved Elemis Cleansing Balm and the Elemis Pro-Collagen Energizing Marine Cleanser.

The first product which I've been using for what is now a few months is the Elemis Pro-Collagen Energising Marine Cleanser, which as you can see is sold in a huge 400ml bottle, currently on QVC!

The cleanser which is a best described as being a luxurious gel cleanser on the skin, feels just divine when used and it works just as well on its own for a morning cleanser as it does in an evening as part of your double cleanse.

If you are familiar with the iconic Rose & Mimosa aromas found in the Pro-Collagen Marine Cream, you will be pleased to know you can also find it within this cleanser. With its unique and gentle acid complex, this cleanser promises to energise and invigorate stressed and tired skin without stripping it of essential moisture and it includes:

• Padina Pavonica which helps to improve hydration
• Succinic Acid which  has brilliant anti-inflammatory benefits to calm skin conditions and it also helps to balance congested skin
• Lactic Acid which  is great for hyperpigmentation and enlarged pores as well as helping to boost hydration
• Ferulic Acid which is found in Acai is an amazing antioxidant that protects the skin and also works on lines and wrinkles

When this gel cleanser comes into contact with water, it turns from a gel into a creamy lather and I find it so gentle on the skin.   I can't help but absolutely love this cleanser, it smells just beautiful and is incredibly uplifting, it works alone or is a superb partner for the Elemis Pro-Collagen Cleansing Balm and is perfect for using in the morning and the evening.  You can find this cleanser, still on offer via QVC here.

As mentioned, I absolutely love to double cleanse and is my favourite part of my skincare routine. The Elemis Pro-Collagen Cleansing Balm is a bit of a cult product for the brand and as someone who loves a good cleansing balm, I was delighted with this one.

Designed to dissolve makeup, dirt and oil from your skin, this Cleansing Balm is enriched with a nourishing blend of ingredients which are designed to deeply cleanse to leave your skin feeling smooth, hydrated and glowing.  The key ingredients within this balm are:

• Padina Pavonica promotes skin elasticity and cell vitality.
• Mimosa Flower Wax hydrates and retains moisture in the skin.
• Starflower Oil maintains moisture levels.
• Almond, Coconut, & Shea Oils nourish and condition.
• Elderberry Seed Oil firms and plumps.
• Wheatgerm contains vitamins E and F, enriches and nourishes the skin.
• Vitamin E is a potent antioxidant that protects against free radical damage

Featuring a soothing blend of Lavender and Chamomile, this is a real treat for the skin. As an extra treat, aside from using this product as just a cleansing balm, the advice is to use a teaspoon-sized amount and apply it to the face, neck and décolleté massaging gently with fingertips. Relax for around 10 minutes, then hold a warm, damp cleansing cloth over the skin, practise abdominal breathing and inhale the sensorial aroma, it is absolute bliss.

After using this on my skin, it always feels so clean and soft to the touch. Such a beautiful product and it works so well with the Marine Cleanser above.

You can find both of these products, in differing sizes from Elemis directly or via Lookfantastic.

Have you tried anything from Elemis?

*this post contains PR samples and/or Affiliate Links unless indicated otherwise - you can learn more on my Disclaimer page.