My [Secret] YouTube Life by Charlotte Seager

What if your favourite YouTuber's life was a lie?

What if you were the one to expose it?

Are the two lines of text which intrigued me about the novel My [Secret] YouTube Life, a book written by Charlotte Seager, a journalist who has worked on The Guardian, The Times and The Sunday Times. Her interest in YouTube began at the age of 14 whilst looking for a way to create the perfect eyeliner flick and more recently, the chance meeting with some YouTube stars gave her the idea for this book.

YouTuber LilyLoves has the most an amazing life: there is a rockstar boyfriend, an Insta-worthy London flat and a collection of beauty products that, thanks to a PO Box and some willing PR Companies is growing by the hour. Then we meet Melissa (known as Issa), her life is not as amazing as LilyLoves and dreaming of being her is the one thing that keeps Melissa going. As LilyLoves biggest fan, Melissa she spends hours each night watching her videos and liking her posts. Melissa wants that life for herself, only her follower numbers don't grow as quick as LilyLoves.

Throughout the book, we see issues such as confidence, idolisation, trolling, the news, the media, workload and also anxiety, stress, obsession, stalking, toxic relationships, mental health, friendships and so much more. With YouTube being a big part of a lot of lives, much more so now than it was when I was growing up, it is quite an insight into how life can be taken over and in doing so, each and every one of these issues playing its part.  It brings home just what an impact a YouTuber can have on someone's life with their perfect lives on screen, yet that perfect life can be so far moved from reality, as we see with Lily who struggles with life off screen, something which again, Charlotte covers exceptionally well and as a blogger, I often feel overwhelmed and for me it is a hobby, for others it is their life, their career, something we all probably forget occasionally.

As the book progresses, Melissa falls in with the popular, gets herself a boyfriend and with her, her social media followers increase with every new photo.  Then, Melissa discovers a crushing secret about Lily – the ultimate YouTube lie. Does she share Lily’s secret and crush her fame? Or will they both continue to live a lie – both online and offline?  You won't find the answer to that question here, but the book is available on Amazon for £7.49 here.

Below is a piece written by Charlotte on trolling and social media and the impact on self-esteem for the blogger tour which really makes you think!

“This is the reason men don’t find women like you attractive,” someone once tweeted me in response to saying I was a feminist online. It took me by surprise, but for most people getting comments like this on Twitter isn’t unusual. And certainly not at the worse end of the scale. I have heard of some people - particularly influencers or bloggers - receiving death threats and personal insults on social media on a regular basis.

As a young person growing up online, it’s easy to allow these type of comments to damage your confidence, but you mustn’t. The internet allows a lot of people to share their opinion, but with little accountability. Often people will fire off comments without thinking, in a burst of rage or with a half-formed opinion that they wouldn’t dare say in real life - so remember that the messages you see from ‘trolls’ don’t reflect what most people think. 

In my book, My [Secret] YouTube Life, there is a point in the story where both YouTuber LilyLoves and her biggest fan Melissa end up being trolled. At the time both characters feel like their world is crashing down - and it’s easy to feel like this when so much of our identity nowadays is tied up with social media.

My advice, if you ever find yourself being trolled, is not to lose perspective. And to not engage: step away from the screen. When I received a barrage of messages from people angry at me for tweeting about feminism, the first thing I wanted to do was type out an angry response. But instead I bit my tongue, logged out of Twitter and went out for a pre-booked lunch with my friends.

When I came back to the messages, I realised these people all wanted a response from me, and they wanted to upset me. The truth is that ‘troll’ messages are often from someone who hasn’t met you, and probably never will, so you have to try and rise above the criticism.

As I got on with my life, my anger quickly melted away, and after a couple of days I even felt sorry for the people who had gotten so angry over something so small I’d posted on Twitter. 

Online trolls want to get a rise from people: it’s no fun if they are ignored, and they’ll quickly move on to something else. So you mustn’t let their messages get to you. Remember the people who matter are those who love and support you in real life, not those who lurk behind usernames on the world wide web!

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

Real Techniques Prep & Prime Brush Set

I absolutely love my Real Techniques brushes and recently took in a delivery of my favourite brushes from Sam and Nic which I have a blog post being written about now.  In the meantime, this Prep and Prime Brush Set arrived from Superdrug and I have used it rather a lot, it is an addition to THIS set which I bought last year. 

This Prep and Prime set is comprised of four skin prep tools which are designed to be used for your pre-makeup routine, helping to ensure that a smoother skin surface helps the application of makeup.

The first brush within the set is called the Prep Brush and it has densely packed firm bristles which makes it perfect for applying your moisturiser, serum, primer and even face masks.  

 I have wanted a brush like this for some time, I use a spatula for applying face masks usually, but since having this brush, have made the switch because it is just so much easier.  I also like being able to use it for the application of other products too.

The second brush is the Dry Facial Brush which I thought was an odd name for a brush until I read its description and then used it.  

It has textured bristles which make it great for gentle exfoliation of the skin and I have found it especially useful when you have a dry patch of skin which needs brushing, usually after you have applied your makeup, it settles and then one little piece of skin appears on the surface, with this brush you sweep it away.

The third brush is something everyone should have within their collection and it is the Under Eye Reviver, honestly, it is an absolute godsend.  

It features a stationary aluminium ball for a cooling under eye massage and you can either use it with your eye cream, your eye serum or even just on its own with nothing. The coolness of the aluminium ball helps to de-puff and brighten the under eye to give you that more alert look.

The final brush in this foursome is the Lip Exfoliating Brush and I think this is something genius.  I use lip scrubs and have in the past resorted to using an old toothbrush to remove a stubborn piece of dry skin.   

With this brush, you use it in circular motions, with your favourite lip balm or even a lip scrub and as you gently rotate it across your lips, it works to remove dead skin.

All of these brushes have fairly long handles with the bottom half being rubberised to make them easy to grip. I am sure you will agree with me that this is one fantastic set of brushes that you didn't know you needed!

You can find this set HERE for £19.99 in Superdrug.  Are you a Real Techniques fan?

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

Too Faced Sweetie Pie Radiant Matte Bronzer

One item from the Too Faced Peaches and Cream range that I really wanted to get my hands on was this Sweetie Pie Radiant Matte Bronzer (£25). Being more of a bronzer than a blusher girl, though I do sometimes use a blush, I am a huge fan of bronzer from Too Faced. The Too Faced Milk Chocolate Bronzer is one I was repurchased because I adore it and how it looks with my skin tone.

Packaged inside this stunning round compact, which helpfully comes with a mirror in the lid is a bronzer which is just stunning. I am debating whether or not it goes in the 'too pretty to use' drawer or whether I just use it. 

This little bronzer contains four different shades:

• Candied Peach - pink 
• Caramelized Peach - light brown
• Golden Peach - medium brown
• Bronzed Peach - dark brown

These shades all come together to give a warm glow to the skin. Within the compact, it does look as though it is shimmery but it is in fact just an overspray and it should disappear after a few uses. When worn, it is a really soft, medium brown which was slightly warm undertones and as you can see from the swatch below it is more semi-matte than matte but it is just stunning.

The formula has a soft, velvety consistency which isn't overly powdery, so blending is easy without too much fallout and depending on how sheer you want the coverage, you can build up the coverage if you want something a little deeper.  

I absolutely love the entire Too Faced Peaches and Cream collection which I showcased here and you can also read my review of the Primed and Peachy Cooling Matte Perfecting Primer here.

Have you tried anything from the range?

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

Alpha-H QVC TSV - Supersized!

Anyone how reads this blog regularly will know I am a huge fan of Alpha-H and have really loved getting to know the products and understanding how best to use them with my own skin, much of that advice coming from both Tommy and Michelle themselves.  Having been around for 23 years, Alpha-H formulates their own products and now have over 2000 clinics worldwide offering Alpha-H facials. 

This coming week around midnight Thursday/Early Friday 24th August there will be a QVC UK Today's Special Value (TSV) with Alpha-H for Supersized Customer Favourites.  Bought separately this trio has a value of £113.50 but with the TSV there will be a saving of £80 and you can grab it HERE

Liquid Gold 200ml Supersize – Not too long ago Liquid Gold had a bit of a make over and I am sure it is a product which needs no introduction. A global bestseller, Liquid Gold is described as being a powerful firming serum, this works like an 'overnight facial' to tighten and revitalise tired, ageing skin and radically improve the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles, open pores and acne prone skin conditions. 

The combination of Liquorice Extract and Glycolic Acid together leave my skin feeling just amazing. Liquorice Extract helps to combat acne and hyper-pigmentation and 5% Glycolic Acid (derived from sugar cane) jump-starts the skin's metabolism - refining its texture by dissolving the bonds that hold dead skin cells together, so they're sloughed away with your morning cleanse to reveal a more luminous, glowing complexion. Safe to use on sensitive skin, what I love about Liquid Gold is that although it does tingle slightly the first time you use it, it doesn't irritate or burn. When my skin is in need of a kickstart, I opt to use Liquid Gold three nights a week and on its own, I use no other product with it, including moisturisers or serums because it allows Liquid Gold to work without interruption as Michelle once pointed out. 

The second product of this trio is Absolute Eye Complex 30ml Supersize -  A hydrating, skin perfecting serum specially formulated to use over the entire orbital area to combat dark circles, puffiness, hooded eyelids and fine lines. 

A hydrating gel serum uniquely formulated to use over the entire orbital area right up to lash level and over the eyelid to combat dark circles, puffiness, hooded lids and fine lines. Packed with key ingredients which include

• Hibiscus Flower Extract – gently exfoliates and lightens dark circles. 
• Niacinamide – firms and reduces puffiness. 
• Matrixyl 6 – tightens the skin; plumps out fine lines and wrinkles. 
• Olive Leaf Extract - powerful antioxidant, improves skin elasticity and accelerates cell renewal. 
• Beech Tree Extract - promotes and supports skin hydration and health. 
• Pomegranate - contains high levels of vitamin C and antioxidants; brightens dark shadows.
• Hyaluronic Acid – attracts and binds moisture to the Skin

This is an eye gel which is ideal for dark circles, dark shadows, puffiness and pigmentation under the eyes and is ideal for use both morning and night and you literally need just the smallest amount on your ring finger, which you then pat around the entire orbital area right up to lash level and over the eyelid. Also, because it is so refreshing you can use this treatment as an eye makeup primer because it can also be applied over makeup, during the day, to revitalise and refresh.

The final item is the Essential Hydration Cream 100ml Supersize - This cream is described as being one which soothes, repairs and revitalises lacklustre complexions and it is suitable for even delicate skin types.

Lightweight in texture, this cream suspends sea minerals, fatty acids and youth-restoring peptides in the finest essential oils and its key ingredients include:

• Evening Primrose Oil & Linoleic Acid – essential fatty acids to nourish and improve the skin’s elasticity. 
• Arnica Montana, Cypress, Solomon’s Seal & Barley – complex of anti-inflammatory herbal extracts to reduce redness. 
• Palmitoyl Tripeptide-5 – Peptide technology. Plumps out fine lines and stimulates Collagen production. 
• Rose Geranium Oil: stimulates healing, balances sebum production and tightens pores. 
• Vitamin E – antioxidant: hydrates and repairs cell damage from environmental aggressions. 

This cream is incredibly nourishing and isn't too heavy on the skin. Designed to be applied liberally every morning and evening after cleansing, for me, this is a cream I turn too when my skin is feeling really dry because instead of massaging it in, I apply a heavier layer of cream and then leave it on my skin for around 5 minutes and then massage in the excess. It is soothing, it feels divine on the skin and it smells just absolutely heavenly.

So quite a trio and quite the money saving if you are a big Alpha-H fan and even if you have never ever tried anything from the brand before, this is an amazing way in which you can get your hands on some amazing products.  Again, the link you will need is THIS ONE and it goes lives from midnight Thursday/Early Friday 24th August!

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