Harvey Nichols Hello Handsome Valentine’s Gift Set

In the run up to Christmas, Harvey Nichols had some amazing gifts and hampers on sale to give to loved ones and so far 2021, that trend has continued.  The Hello handsome Valentines Gift Set is truly stunning and very much in keeping with Harvey Nichols theme.

With the theme of this box being for Valentines Day and for the man in your life, whoever that may be - Husband, Brother, Dad, Grandad, Bestie and so on, this is an incredible gift to give and it is priced at £150* and it has quite the mix of products.

Your dream guy deserves the best so spoil him with our Hello Handsome gift set. The ultimate treat for Valentine’s Day, this exclusive collection is home to grooming heroes from ESPA, Kiehl’s and Creed alongside a bottle of Brough Brothers Bourbon to tickle his fancy.

The gift set comes packaged inside a very sleep and luxurious looking black gift box with the Harvey Nichols brand name is in a silver colour.

Contents

• Creed Men's Luxury Sample Set
• Kiehl's Texturizing Hair Clay
• Espa Men The Hydrator
• Brough Brothers Bourbon Whisky 750ml
• HN Peanut Brittle 125g

As you can see, this isn't just a grooming box, it features a nice mixture of products that I know my hubby would absolutely love. You can find this gift box right here*.

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

CULT BEAUTY THE LIP EDIT VALENTINE’S DAY BEAUTY BOX

Cult Beauty have revealed their latest beauty box and as you might have guessed from the title of my post, it is not only Valentine’s themed but also lip themed too.

After the success of the 2020 Advent Calendar and with a waiting list already open for the 2021 version, here, I suspect we are going to be seeing a lot of beauty boxes like this one over the coming months - this pleases me a lot! 

The Lip Edit is a savvy way to discover the formulas we swear by. Lips feeling overlooked? Brimming with hydrating masks, conditioning balms, gels and gloss-like treatments, this all-star collection keeps your lips in tip-top condition.

This Valentine’s Lip Edition box is said to be worth over £55 but will go on sale for just £20*!! Yes just £20 and I honestly cannot believe what amazing value for money it is.  Inside there is five products which include the following products

Contents

• Glow Recipe Watermelon Glow Lip Pop (4.2g) – Full Size. Described as being an innovative scrub-to-balm, it harnesses plant-derived AHAs to gently exfoliate, while watermelon and coconut oils instantly quench parched lips. 
• Huda Beauty Silk Balm (1.8g) – Deluxe Mini. Said to be powered by hyaluronic filling spheres to achieve a plumping effect that makes your lips look fuller than ever 
• NUXE Reve de Miel Lip Balm* (15ml) – Full Size. Works to deliver consistent hydration and protection - a must for colder, wintry climates - without any irritating stickiness and can be used as an overnight treatment.
• Patchology FlashPatch Hydrating Lip Gel (1 x mask). A rapid-acting treatment for chapped lips. It not only smooths dry and sensitive skin, as also works to naturally enhancing the shape and volume of your lips 
• Sol de Janeiro’s Brazilian Kiss Cupuaçu Lip Butter (6.2g). This lip butter casts a protective dewy sheen that intensifies your natural lip colour and leaves your lips feeling smooth and nourished.
• If this sounds like a box you want to get your hands on, then there is a waiting list to sign up to to be notified of its launch!

Again, this box is worth over £55 and will be on sale for £20 here*!

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

Feelunique Skin Saviours Beauty Bag

It is the end of January 2021 and Feelunique are giving all something to cheer about and spend that much earned salary on a Gift With Purchase Offer*.  I am a huge fan of GWP offers, a few times a year, I save products into my basket and await the next offering, if it is a good one, I snap it up!  

This time, Feelunique are offering you their GWP when you spend £100 on their site over this weekend and the contents are worth £100, so definitely one to be tempted with and I personally love the look of the accompanying pouch, something you can never have too many of!

“Send those January blues packing with our inspiring collection of skincare delights. With remedies from La Roche-Posay to The Ordinary, give winter-weathered skin some TLC with these nourishing solutions.“

Want to know what you can find inside the bag?

Contents

• StriVectin Super-C Retinol Serum
• AHC eye cream 10ml
• Fushi Shea Butter 10g
• La Roche-Posay Lipikar-Baume-AP-Plus-15ml
• Aurelia Probiotic Skincare Revitalise & Glow Seurm 15ml
• Bareminerals RESTAGE- Skinlongevity Serum Deluxe Sample
• BY TERRY Brightening CC Serum N°4 Sunny Flash 7ml
• Elizabeth Arden Eight Hour Cream Skin Protectant 5ml
• The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 30ml 

So, as you can see there is quite the mixture of products from some amazing brands and I am glad to see there is a mixture of high end brands such as ByTerry alongside some amazing high street brands such as The Ordinary, who I absolutely adore.

This Gift With Purchase is on offer whilst stocks last, so if you have items sitting in your basket ready to be checked out, then grab this offer* whilst you can!

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

BEAUTY BAY - THE BEST SKINTENTIONS BEAUTY BOX

Beauty Bay have today launched their Beauty Bay skincare box* which is aptly named The Best SkinTentions Beauty Box. Inside the box, which is Beauty Bay themed, you will find  13 products from across a range of best-selling skincare brands such as Mario Badescu, PSA, Aurelia, Yes To and more

Contents of this box are said to be worth in the region of around £174 but it is on sale, right now for just £60, which is quite the saving and if you love bargains, then definitely value for money. It is also a great idea for anyone wanting to change their skincare routine, try a few products from brands they have been intrigued by or try something completely new.

Start your year right with the By BEAUTY BAY The Best Skintentions Box. Here to give your beauty routine an overhaul, this thirteen-piece box is ready to reset and transform your skin. With everything included from face scrubs and glow serums, to toners and masks, this is your one-stop box for all things beauty. Add to your haul and start making some game-changing tweaks to your daily regime.

Of the 13 products to feature within this box, eight of them are full-size but there is three skincare accessories and a facemask too, so you could argue there is 11 of the 13 products that are full-sized and the others deluxe sized.

Contents

• Full-size Skincare By BEAUTY BAY Acid Trip Exfoliating Toner 150ml
• 1 By BEAUTY BAY The Jade Facial Roller
• Full-size UpCircle Beauty Citrus Face Scrub 100ml
• Aurelia Probiotic Skincare Revitalise and Glow Serum 15ml
• Full-size PSA Skincare Reset Cleanser 100ml
• Full-size Oh K! Chok Chok Illuminating Serum 30ml
• Full-size Grüum Kori Exfoliating Face Wash 120ml
• Full-size Dr Botanicals Hemp Bio Vitality Nutrition Oil 15ml
• 1 Yes To Detoxifying Charcoal Paper Mask
• 1 Brushworks Makeup Remover Cloth
• Full-size Mario Badescu Drying Lotion 29ml
• Full-size Mario Badescu Facial Spray With Aloe, Herbs & Rosewater 236ml
• Egyptian Magic All Purpose Cream 7.5ml

I am sure you will agree that this is a great list of products from some amazing brands and I am glad to see that there is everything from a Scrub and a mask to a serum and a Facial Spray!

This box is Limited Edition, so when it is gone, it is gone.  It is on sale right now, here* if you want to get your hands on it!

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

NEW! PIXI +C Vit Colourtreats : Brightening No-Makeup Makeup.

I adore Pixi Beauty, be it their makeup range or their skincare range, the latter rapidly expanding in the last 18 months. Prior to Christmas the newer products of the Pixi +Vit C range arrived and I have been getting to know them before rushing out a review.

The 4 new additions to the which are called the +C Vit ‘Colourtreats’ are makeup and skincare hybrids that are designed to help brighten, enhance and enliven the skin. Within this collection is a Priming Oil, a brightening skin perfect or, an under-eye brightened and a Lip brightener.

The first product to catch my eye from the box is the +C Vit Lip Brightener (£10). Described as being Inspired by nature, this Vitamin-C infused lip balm smooths with a hint of tint and shine. It opens up out of the much recognised Pixi green packaging to reveal a two-tone lip bullet with the outer rim being pink and the inner a yellow shade. 

So, because it is Pixi, it has some impressive ingredients:

• Vitamin-C brightens & promotes collagen production
• Jojoba Seed Oil softens & smoothes
• Vitamin E nourishes & protects

Using these ingredients, the pink gives the lips a slight tint of colour and the yellow centre is the balm to nourish and soften.  As this is a neutral shade of pink, it is one that would suit everyone.

The second product is the +C Vit Priming Oil (£24) and this is probably my favourite product in this box. This lightweight tri-phase oil is infused with Vitamin-C and is designed to nourish, energise and balance to prep and prime the skin for a radiant glow.

As you can see from the bottle, the oil is clearly separated into three different types of oil, hence the name tri-phase and again being Pixi, it has some rather impressive and intriguing ingredients:

• Vitamin-C brightens
• Turmeric provides Antioxidant protection
• Carrot Oil replenishes & hydrates

To use, you need to give the bottle a good shake to mix together all of the ingredients and then using the pipette applicator, you need to apply 3-4 drops of the oil. The word oil usually leads you to think of greasy, but this is far from being that, it absorbs quickly into the skin to leave the skin hydrated, smooth and ready for your makeup application.

The next product is the +C Vit Brightening Perfector (£14), which is a Vitamin-C infused complexion enhancer blurs and perfects to give skin a dewy radiant finish.

Designed to blurs imperfections, correct tones and brighten to give a go, you can use this product on its own or under makeup, depending on your preference. Again, it has an impressive list of ingredients which include:

• • Vitamin-C brightens
• • Ferulic Acid provides an Antioxidant boost
• • Licorice evens skin tone

When you use this Brightening Perfector it is a cream which is white until massaged onto the skin, at which point the pigments burst  and it quickly turns to a skin tone in an instant - quite satisfying to use. 

The final product I have is the +C Vit Undereye Brightener (£16). Described as being an under eye perfector blurs and energises to give an instant awakening effect. As you might have guessed, it is Vitamin-C infused and as well as giving that instant awakening effect, it also restores vibrancy.

I am a bit of a non-sleeper and often find the dark circles under my eyes need a bit more than a slight covering of concealer to make me look human. What this is designed to do is erase the dullness, dark circles and soothe the skin under the eyes. Ingredients you will find are:

• Vitamin-C brightens
• Ferulic Acid provides an Antioxidant boost
• Caffeine de-puffs & energises

Out of the tube, the cream, which isn’t too thick a constituency has a peachy tone to it and whilst I am fair skinned, I can just get away with using it, but if you don’t like a dark looking concealer, then you won’t like this at all. For me to get it to work, I apply the smallest dot and blend it into my skin and if I find it to dark, add one of my lightest concealers or mix it to get it right. 

I really like this range, the Priming Oil is by far the stand out product, closely followed by the Lip Brightener, two products I have used the most so far. All four products are a great addition to the Vitamin C range and there has been a new Remedy Mask launched within this range over the last few weeks too.

You can find this range available now over on www.pixibeauty.co.uk alongside the rest of products that Pixi Beauty has to offer.

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

Polaar Night Body Milk

I have become quite the fan of Polaar as a brand and have shared a few of their products on my blog in recent months. Today is the turn of one of my favourite launches from the brand - the Polaar Night Body Milk (£32 here*).

I am not the best at using body lotions and butters, there are very few brands which hold my attention long enough to use up the entire product. This is one of them.

Nourish and moisturise your skin with Polaar’s night time body milk, a sumptuous formula that replenishes while you sleep. A deeply soothing treat, you’ll benefit from moisturising, smoothing benefits with every application.

This is a lightweight formula which is designed to lock in essential moisture for up to 24 hours is simply divine to use. Once on the skin, the milk absorbs with minimal effort, which gets bonus points because there is nothing more irritating than a really thick body lotion you have to spend an age massaging into the skin, in my view anyway. Once it has absorbed into the skin, other than a wonderfully uplifting fragrance, there is no sign it was ever there, with no residue being left on the skin.

This body milk is formulated with Boreal Algae, described as being a powerful ingredient that comes from dark polar waters. It is said to grow where there is very little light and thrives in the darkest of environments. When used within this body lotion, it is said to harness a supportive, restorative quality to help your skin reset to a more natural state. Whilst being a decongestant as well as calming, your skin will be able to breathe freely while you rest.

This is up there with one of the nicest body products I have used in a very long time. It’s a delight to use, I love the scent and most importantly, I love how it leaves my skin feeling after using.

As well as being suitable for all skin types, this body milk is also vegan, dermatologically tested and is free from parabens, alcohol, phenoxyethanol or mineral oil.

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

Botanical Lab anti-blemish range

New to the Botanical Lab range comes two products within the anti-blemish range with the Turmeric Balancing Face Wash and Hemp & Matcha Tea Clarifying Face Mask. Botanical Lab, whom I first featured here, describes themselves as being an unconventional, stylish and affordable range for clear skin. Together they bring a range of effective skincare that marries the power of nature with a dash of science for a clear, healthy-looking complexion.

The Botanical Lab Turmeric Balancing Face Wash, which costs just £4.99, is a gentle pH balanced antibacterial foaming cleanser that is formulated with salicylic acid and turmeric extract which help to reduce breakouts, balance skin, and enhance its natural glow. Turmeric as an ingredient has been used for years in Ayurveda, it has antioxidant and brightening properties to help achieve that confidence-boosting radiance. 

This Balancing Face Wash is free from SLS, it uses milder surfactants, which are much kinder and less stripping on skin, but still work to clean impurities and help to remove makeup. This formula also contains allantoin which helps to soothe and condition the skin. This face wash is really easy to use and is perfect for use in both the morning and the evening. 

After using this face wash, which has a really lovely texture to it, my skin is left soft and smooth to the touch and whilst it contains Turmeric, it isn’t a dominating scent.

The second product is the Botanical Lab Hemp & Matcha Tea Clarifying Face Mask (RRP £7.99) is described as being an oily complexion’s best friend! The inclusion of both Hemp and Matcha Tea are selected because they both have health-boosting properties. Matcha Tea, which is known for its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, is also packed full of polyphenols and flavonoids, which help reduce bacteria on the surface of the skin, whilst at the same time controlling and decreasing sebum production. Then we have the inclusion on Cannabis Sativa Seed oil, also known as hemp oil and it is known for its anti-inflammatory properties and is therefore good at calming skin.

This soothing mask works to detoxify, helps unclog pores as well as to improve the skins texture. As well as Matcha Green Tea and naturally derived hemp oil, it is formulated with mineral rich clay as well as both salicylic and lactic acids whose job it is to help slough away dead skin cells. The formula helps to gently remove the everyday build-up of impurities and absorb excess oil, whilst glycerin ensures that skin is not dried out. 

To use, the advice is to apply a thin layer to clean skin with your fingertips or a mask brush and leave on the skin for around 8-10 minutes. Then to remove the mask with warm with water and a muslin cloth, massage the skin in circular motions to exfoliate.  This mask is ideal for twice weekly use.  What I liked about this mask, is that it doesn’t irritate my skin, despite the inclusion of clay as an ingredient, something my skin isn’t always a fan of.  It does a great job at exfoliating without leaving the skin feeling stripped or dry. 

Developed specifically for oily, combination, and blemish-prone skin, Botanical Lab Turmeric Face Wash and Hemp & Matcha Tea Clarifying Mask are available from Superdrug, Amazon, and online at www.superdrug.co.uk and www.botanicallab.com. 

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

Fenwick - Your Wellness Gift

The Gift With Purchase offering from Fenwick is championed as being 'Your Wellness Gift' and it is yours for free, once you spend £95 with them.

Right now, I am most definitely more about taking time out for myself, it has taken years for me to understand how precious those 5 minutes, half an hour or longer are. I am a bit of a workaholic, I don't blog fulltime and I love to read, all of those together mean I need to learn to manage my time better. That is why I love the theme of this GWP 

A time to refresh, reflect, and rejuvenate your sense of self - let's blow away the Christmas cobwebs, and jump head-first into January. With that in mind, we’ve curated a little something to help you start the year anew: Your Wellness Gift.

Described as championing the natural, the sustainable - and the serenely scented - this bag of skin saviours is here to boost your sense of wellbeing. Each one of the products is said to have been a thoughtfully selected product promoting five minutes of peace as a minimum, see how your mood lifts, stress lessens, and skin exudes an effortless “yes, I've had eight hours” radiance - something I think we all strive for.  Better still and in keeping with that sustainable approach, the products all come packaged inside a 100% cotton reusable pouch.

Contents

• Organic Pharmacy Purifying Seaweed Clay Mask (10ml) - Described as being a decongesting paste combining kaolin clay, sage and eucalyptus, it is a great way to detox your skin.
• Organic Pharmacy Peppermint Facial Wash (20ml) - Said to be an intensely refreshing face wash by The Organic Pharmacy, it contains an antibacterial blend of peppermint and tea tree, use once a day to keep blemishes at bay.
• Immunocologie Self-Heating Face Mask - Naturally derived, scientifically optimised and sustainably sourced, Immunocologie skincare is state-of-the-art. Harnessing the power of warm black lava minerals and essential oils, consider this self-heating sheet mask a luminous, skin-plumping case in point.
• land&water Alcohol Hand Gel (50ml) - I have lost count of the number of brands who know make a hand gel and this one is described as being a deliciously scented and diligently antibacterial. It is made here in Britain and bottled sustainably.
• Rituals Foaming Shower Gel (50ml) - I adore the scent of this range from Rituals and their foaming shower gels are simply divine.  This one has the scent of cherry blossom and organic rice milk, which, when it comes into contact with water, it turns from a gel to a foam.

For your £95 spend, you definitely get yourself some really nice products and these Gift with Purchase offers are always a nice way to get to know brands you might now have come across.

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

How To Start Feeling Better In Your Own Skin

Source

We live in a world that loves to tell us that we’re not good enough. Society at large is constantly saying that we’re either too big or too small, too tall or too short. That we wear too much makeup or not enough makeup! It can often feel as though you’re fighting an impossible battle with the standards of the world. Well, the truth is that you kind of are. The reality is that the world’s standards are often impossible to meet. Instead, what you should be doing is feeling good by your own standards. Here are just a few things that you can do to start feeling better in your own skin.

Accept things you can’t change

The biggest issue for a lot of people is that they constantly feel as though their life would be better if they could just change a few things here and there. But the truth is that there are some things that you just can’t change and if you spend your life worrying about them, you’re going to end up making yourself miserable. Instead, it’s far better to come to terms with the parts of your body that you can’t change and try to learn to love them instead. Look at them in a new way and try to shut out the voice in your head that constantly tries to criticise.

Change things if you want to 

Of course, it’s all well and good to just say “learn to accept yourself” but there are plenty of people who know that they have things that they want to change on their own terms. If that’s the case then don’t let anyone stand in your way. As long as you’re being safe and responsible there’s nothing wrong with it. A lot of methods of changing your appearance are becoming more and more available, like the reduced pricing for cosmetic surgery abroad or the new research into methods of losing weight. Whatever you choose to change, just make sure that you’re doing it carefully and that you’re not doing it for someone else.

Don’t try to live up to anyone else’s standards

If you spend your life trying to live up to the standards that the world has set for you, you’re going to find yourself feeling absolutely miserable and you’re never actually going to reach that goal. If you’re given an impossible standard, you’re only ever going to fall short. The only person whose opinion on your body and your appearance should matter is you. In fact, that’s something that you should apply to just about every aspect of your life as well!

Any change that you’re making to your appearance or your lifestyle, especially significant ones like diet or surgery, shouldn’t be taken lightly. You should make sure to talk to your doctor about the best way to go about any change that you want to make. Of course, the smaller changes like a new hair colour, a new makeup palette, or mixing up your wardrobe are entirely in your hands to do whatever you want with!

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

Things to Consider When Choosing a Skincare Treatment in London

The skin on your body is the largest organ of a human. It is susceptible and sensitive. It plays a very vital role in the body, more so than you think. For example, it helps regulate temperature and facilitate vitamin D production. It also acts as an immune system that detects infections. Moreover, it protects against physical, thermal, and mechanical injuries to the body.

Image Credit

When you take care of your skin, it will perform smoothly, effectively, and efficiently. It is your responsibility to look after your skin and maintain its purity. With healthy skin, you enjoy many benefits. For example, you become confident, and people are likely to notice you more.

Today many people undergo numerous skin problems like acne, wrinkles, scars, age spots, or skin diseases like psoriasis or eczema. These problems can be treated by laser treatments, laser resurfacing, microdermabrasion, dermal fillers, and chemical peels. Skin treatment can be confusing when it is your first time. This article is a guide of things to consider when choosing a skincare treatment.

Your Skin Type

Above all things to consider when choosing a skincare treatment is your skin type. It determines the treatment you will get. When you know your skin type, you know the treatment it needs. The wrong treatment can make your skin conditions adverse, especially if you have sensitive skin or acne. If you have oily skin, hereditary, or any other form of skin problems in London, do not panic because you can undergo a Morpheus8 London treatment. It is one of the best skincare treatments. If you do not know the nature of your skin, you should visit a dermatologist. They should give you appropriate information about your skin, complexion, concerns, and habits. 

Do You Need To Get Rid Of Age Spots?

Age spots are a common skin problem. To treat them, you need to undergo a chemical peel treatment. Chemical peels are also called chemexfoliation. It is one of the most efficient treatments available today. Apart from its anti-aging abilities, it improves your skin texture and skin colour. Also, you can try microdermabrasion to get rid of age spots.

Do You Need To Get Rid Of Acne? 

Red pimples on the skin mostly characterize acne. They are due to inflamed and infected glands. If you want to treat acne, you can undergo acne blue light therapy. This works by removing the bacteria that cause acne. Furthermore, you can have laser resurfacing or microdermabrasion to remove dead or damaged skin. Acne blue light therapy is famous because it does not have any side effects. It is also a good option if your skin is damaged by the sun or you have uneven pigmentation and spots.

Do You Need A Face Or Body Treatment?

Another point to consider when choosing a skincare treatment is whether you need a face or body treatment. If you need to improve your face’s skin texture and outline, you can undergo thermage or any other facial rejuvenation form. Thermage is a good option for people who have multiple skin problems. It takes care of all your skin problems at a go. A good procedure results in glowing, beautiful, and smooth skin. 

Do You Need To Get Rid Of Wrinkles?

If your skin problem is wrinkles, a laser resurfacing or a laser skin rejuvenation treatment is your best treatment. Laser skin resurfacing is efficient for removing wrinkles. It also promotes new skin cell growth and development.

Laser skin rejuvenation treats wrinkles by tightening the skin. It involves using laser light to trigger collagen production. Collagen is a protein abundant in the human body. It is responsible for maintaining skin and bone structure.

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

Aldi Lacura Naturals Nectar Eyeshadow Palette

I have been loving the discovery of new products from the Aldi Lacura range, the Too Legit Waterproof Mascara, which I have shared already and today is the turn of the Naturals Nectar Eyeshadow Palette, which at £5.99 is too good a bargain to not try it yourself.

This palette as you can see comes packaged in a a dark honey, almost gold coloured metal casing and impressively, the top half of the casing features a mirror, not something many high street brands manage to do.  The casing is also really well made and despite the number of times i've dropped it, it has survived with few dents. 

Frame and define your eyes with the Lacura Naturals Nectar Eyeshadow Palette. This selection of gorgeous golden and warm toned shadows will bring out the best in your eyes, making your natural eye colour standout. Perfect for daytime and evening looks whether it's a classic smoky eye, glamorous golden cut-crease or day to day neutral glam.

Inside the palette are 12 shades, which are best described as being a range of mattes, glitters and shimmers in shimmery golds, warm hues and of course browns to add some neutrality to the palette. This is, for me, one of those transition palettes which takes you through autumn into winter and you can just about keep using it in Spring too.

The first four shades are Harvest, Bloom, Bite and Monarch which are quite in keeping with the theme of the palette.

The lightest shade Harvest is a really light beige shade with a slight sheen to it and the colour payoff is quite impressive, it is one of those shades you definitely need to have in your stash as it works well as a base shade. The second shade Bloom is a light toned peach which I adore as a shade, it glides on smoothly with hardly any fallout but it is very sheer.  Next to it we have Bite and as a shade it surprised me with how deep a yellowy/orange undertoned shade it was, but I really like it. The final shade shown above is Monarch and it is a medium tone brown shade with a bronze shimmer.

The next set of shades are called Bumble, Pollen, Sunflower and Nectar, which again are amazing names for this palette.

The first shade, Bumble is one I was expecting to be a light brown shade, but instead it is a very light brown shade with very warm golden undertones and it is slightly darker than Bloom which is shown above.  Next to it we have Pollen which medium golden shade which again has warm undertones with an almost metallic finish. The third swatch is Sunflower which is a bright medium gold shade and again it has warm undertones with a metallic finish. Finally there is Nectar and it is a dark brown shade with a a shimmer to it and this is one of my favourite shades.    

The final four shades on the palette are named Comb, Guardian, Buzz and Nest which are my favourite four shades to use.

These shades are by far the most pigmented of all the shades shown on the palette and they are the ones I have used the most.  Starting with Comb which medium brown with warm undertones and it is almost matte but not quite because there is a slight shimmer.  Next we have Guardian which is a deep warm shade of brown and the most matte of all the shades. Next to it we have Buzz which is a medium copper shade which again has warm undertones and like both Sunflower and Monarch and it is one of the most pigmented shades. Finally we have Nest which is a dark brown matte shade and again, the colour payoff is as good as the rest of the shades.

With this Naturals Nectar Palette is also the inclusion of a double-ended brush and it is one of the best brushes I have used, that accompanies a palette.

This double-ended brush is described as being a multi-tasker which is ideal for all over shadow application, blending, shading and contouring.

At £5.99 I have no grumbles what so ever about this palette. The shades are really lovely and in-keeping with the name, they blend with ease, there is very little fallout, they work well on their own or together and they can take you from day time to night time all in one go.  As with the rest of the Aldi Lacura range, this palette is also cruelty-free.

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

Making Your Own Bedroom

If your home’s décor is still the same as the day you moved in, you may be keen to make your house truly you own. By adding colour and style you’ll be able to finally personalise your pad. And no where is this more important than in your bedroom. A space that should feel like it’s yours. So how do you make your bedroom your own?

Image credit

If you’re like me, you’ll probably want to create your own dressing area. Most of us don’t have the space for a separate dressing room, but that doesn’t mean you can’t use part of the bedroom for this instead. You might need to reconfigure your existing bedroom furniture first. And you’ll need to create it in a corner or area where there’s plenty of light, so you can see to apply your make-up and so on. Your dressing area could feature a dressing table, clothes and shoe racks, and perhaps an occasional chair or full-length mirror too. Try to tie it all together with a colour scheme or style.

Why not get yourself a designer bed for elegant nights in? If a new bed isn’t within your budget, you can restyle your existing bed to give it that designer look. Making a bed look stylish isn’t as difficult as you might think. If you have a detachable headboard, you could upgrade this for something more on trend. The rest is down to how you dress the bed. Layering up the covers is the secret to making it look the part. And plenty of extra pillows and cushions.

Going dark and moody with your décor can add a grown-up and sophisticated vibe to your bedroom. There’s a growing trend towards painting bedrooms in matt black, dark blues and dark greens. If you like a colour but think the bedroom will be too dark, try painting a single accent wall instead.

The only downside to painting dark colours is getting a decent finish with your paint. Brush and roller marks can show up, so you might prefer to hire a decorator. If you don’t fancy getting your hands dirty (and who does), have a look to see what the painter and decorators day rates are like in your area. 

And lastly, no bedroom will feel personal without something on the walls. Bare walls don’t feel very homely or stylish. Choose a set of pictures that reflects your tastes and hang them together in a grid formation for extra impact.

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

Typology Tinted Serums - Is it Skincare or is it Makeup?

I am really picky with foundations, I’m not someone who get on the bandwagon to demand brands have 3829483 different shades, I’m not an expert in knowing what shades should and shouldn’t be available and being honest, I fear it is highly unlikely I will ever find that perfect match for my own skin tone - I’m very very fair skinned and there are foundations I can wear and I make work, but there has never been one that I can apply and it’s 100% perfect. 

Typology launched their Tinted Serums last year along with a whole host of other fragrances and skincare which I shared on this blog, and I really wanted to get to know them before sharing my thoughts on this blog. In doing so I’ve avoided all other reviews of them, good or bad. Described as being 99% naturally-derived, these tinted serums are enriched with vitamin C, squalane and aloe vera to give the skin nourishment and coverage in one simple step. At this stage this sounds just like any moisturiser I am willing to apply to my face, so I’m excited by them.

The shades, of which there are 6, have been formulated using the Fitzpatrick Scale. This scale takes into consideration things such as sun exposure and skin tone to ensure a perfect match. The 6 shades have different undertones:

• TYPE 1: Fair with cool undertones. This is for fair skin with freckles that doesn't tan and becomes red in the sun.
• TYPE 2: Light. Recommended for light skin with pink or yellow undertones that tans gradually and is prone to sunburns.
• TYPE 3: Medium. This shade is for medium-toned skin with warm or olive undertones, which tans easily but sometimes burns.
• TYPE 4: Tan. For dark skin with predominantly bronze undertones that occasionally sunburns.
• TYPE 5: Medium dark. This is for light brown skin that rarely gets sunburned and easily tans in the sun.
• TYPE 6: Dark. The shade for dark brown skin with naturally cold undertones that rarely sunburns.

When using, the tinted serum may appear too light or too dark immediately upon application. The advice is to wait for it to dry fully to ensure that the shade matches your skin tone. The Tinted serum is packaged in a glass bottle and it comes with a dropper for application, which you can either use if applying with your finger tips or your blending sponge. You only need to apply 3 to 4 drops of tinted serum to the skin. Based on the descriptions above, I fit into Type 1 and Type 2, so was sent both to try.

The finish? I love just how incredibly light it feels and if you use serums, then the application is very similar once on the skin. Once on the skin, it lasts pretty much all day and when it comes to removing, it comes off as easily as it is applied. 

With products from Typology, every ingredient has a reason for being in a formula. These Tinted Serums are formulated with vitamin C, squalane and aloe vera, so they tinted work to instantly even out the complexion and restore moisture and nutrition to the skin, all without being oily or greasy when applied.

From the swatches i've shown below, i've used natural light with no flash and then with the flash - taken typically on a very cold and grey day, but you can see the shades, all without being edited. Type 1 is really fair and Type 2 does have more of a colour to it, but as you begin to blend, it looks amazing.  Whilst working from home and not seeing much sunlight, I have used more of Type 1, it suits my skintone much better, but as soon as those Spring rays of sun arrive, it will be then I switch to Type 2, but for now I can also mix them together! 

As you might have guessed, this tinted serum is designed to look like skin, it doesn’t give a dewy finish but nor is it entirely matte either - it is somewhere in the middle. It also doesn't feel drying on the skin, it so far hasn't stuck to dry areas around my nose and I have mixed it with my moisturising cream and it works amazingly well too.

Priced just under £25 here, I have become such a huge fan of these tinted serums, I ordered a back up just prior to Christmas so I didn’t run out. I might still be working from home, but this is just beautiful and it makes those days of wanting to give your skin a little something - this is it!

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

No7 The Discovery Collection Gift Set

The Boots No7 Advent Calendar is always a best seller because it is such amazing value for money and the 2020 Advent Calendar was superb. As a brand, No7 is one which really doesn’t get as much hype as it should, because it’s actually pretty good.

Launching at Boots is the No7 The Discovery Collection Gift Set which at just £16* and I came across it whilst looking for a gift to send to a friend, who happens to love the brand.

Described as being a complete regime for clearer, fresher, younger looking skin, inside this Discovery collection you will find all the best selling No7 products and the sizes are pretty decent too.

Set contains: 

• No7 Radiant Results Nourishing Melting Gel Cleanser 50ml 
• No7 Radiant Results Revitalising Daily Face Polish 15ml 
• No7 Protect & Perfect Intense ADVANCED Day Cream SPF15 25ml
• No7 Protect & Perfect Intense ADVANCED Night Cream 25ml
• No7 Protect & Perfect Intense ADVANCED Serum 5ml
• No7 Youthful Replenishing Facial Oil 15ml

The impressive list of contents which are said to be worth £44, comes readily packaged in a gift bag too. So for just £16, it is too good a bargain to miss!

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

LOOKFANTASTIC VALENTINE’S DAY BEAUTY BOX 2021

Easter Eggs are already out in the shops, so it almost feels like all of the Valentines Day products are a bit late this year, but as we head into the last week of January, there are some pretty products to share and the first one is the Lookfantastic Valentines Beauty Box.

It is worth over £207 and it features 7 products inside, of those 7 products, four of them will be full-sized. Inside you can expect to see brands such as ELEMIS, Illamasqua and REN Clean Skincare to name just a few.

CONTENTS

• Illamasqua Beyond Liquid OMG Highlighter 15ml – worth £24 FULL SIZE
• Aveda Cherry Almond Shampoo 50ml DELUXE SIZE
• Aveda Cherry Almond Conditioner 40ml DELUXE SIZE
• REN Ready Steady Glow AHA Tonic 250ml – worth £27 FULL SIZE
• 111Skin Rose Gold Radiance Booster 20ml – worth £85 FULL SIZE
• Elemis Rose Cleansing Balm 100g – worth £44 FULL SIZE
• Too Faced Better Than Sex Mascara DELUXE SIZE

It will be on sale from tomorrow for just £55 here* and if you are already a Lookfantastic Beauty Box subscriber you can save £10 using the code that will have been emailed to you. If you are a not a subscriber, you can still sign up to do just that and then save yourself £10 off this box too.

I think the contents of this box are really impressive and much better than the offering for 2020. I love that there is a full size Elemis Rose Cleansing Balm which I really want to try as well as the inclusion of the Ready Steady Glow Tonic from Ren, which I reviewed here.

If you want to ensure you get your hands on this box, there is a waiting list which you can sign up too, here*, to be alerted to its sale!

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

London after Lockdown

I am sure, like everything, there is a 'I need to get away' for a few days once the lockdown restrictions have been lifted. Whether it is to escape to the sunshine to top up on that Vitamin D or whether it is to go and visit the family you haven't been able to see for the past 12 months or longer.

Image Credit

I know my parents are wanting to come and visit me and that means finding a hotel for them to stay in. Here we are really lucky to have so many hotels on our doorstep especially in the city centre of London* with the likes of The Hoxton Holborn or the OYO Flagship Apollo Kings Cross, both of which are central to tube stations, train stations and are within walking distance to some of the most popular tourist attractions we have.

So where do we visit after lockdown? Well, my parents want to go to Camden and look round the market. Described as being 

"A shopping experience unlike no other, Camden Market has something unique and unusual for everyone. Street food from all over the world as well as arts, crafts and things “uniquely Camden”.

Camden also happens to be one of my favourite places to walk round in London, take in the scenery, the unique offerings from food and drink to all kinds of weird and wonderful shops, stalls and goings-on. Perhaps even a boat taxi along the canal, something I have never done in my years of living here.

Having been to Buckingham Palace and seen the Changing of The Guard, the next place to visit is The Tower of London. I have been here just once many many years ago and I know my Dad would love the history and the fact you can take a tour with one of the Yeoman Warders who talk you through and take you through the incredible 900-year history with all it has to offer - such as it being a royal palace, a prison and scarily also a place of execution. The most tempting is to see the Crown Jewels in all their glory.

image credit

The third and final place which we all want to visit is Kew Gardens and after several attempted visits, I've never quite made it. If you aren't aware, Kew Gardens is officially called the Royal Botanic Gardens and dates back to 1759. In 1897, Queen Victoria added Queen's Cottage and the adjoining woodland. With over 30,000 plant varieties, there is a whole heap of things to learn and discover and if you time it right, there is a host of musical and cultural events held throughout the year.

The best thing about living in London is the endless choice of places to go and visit, even as a resident the is always something to do, a place to visit, an attraction or an event to take part in and right now I would just love to book into one for one night to not have to listen to the noise of my neighbours, maybe have a bit of room service and sleep! 

*In collaboration with Hotels.com, but all views are my own.

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