The Best Tools For The Job

As well as running my beauty blog and all my social media channels, which I do on my own without any help at all, I also work full time in quite a stressful and incredibly busy job, this sometimes includes working evenings and weekends throughout the year.

Photo by on Unsplash

Running an office with 6 members of staff is quite full on and to be able to do all of the above, I spend a lot of my working week online, be it writing emails, sorting websites, delivering campaigns, doing my own social media, writing a blog post, uploading and editing photographs, I need to ensure I have all the right tools available to me and the most important one is having the best Fibre Broadband I can have.  I need to ensure that my provider gives me the fastest upload and download speeds available within my area and I also want to ensure that each staff member has everything they need to do their job, if all 6 of us are online at the same time, I don’t want it to affect the broadband speed with constant buffering.

So, having just had my office completely renovated from top to bottom, I now find myself in a brand new part of the building that had never before been used.  There was no telephone lines, no media ports and not even a single plug socket that had been used.  This meant that having ended my previous telephone and broadband contract after 15 years, I was able to look for a better deal. So, one single look using my work postcode as to which company offered the best deal took less than 5 minutes to complete and now instead of having less than a 20mb speed, which was quite shocking, we now have 59mb and the difference is incredible, a report takes less than 2 minutes to upload onto our online portal now whereas it could be anything up to 15 minutes before we switched over.  Meetings on Skype no longer buffer and constantly state we have connection issues.

The majority of my work is now done online, I have business skype meetings, phone conferences and whilst I am in the office, especially if I am working late then I have the ability to have music on in the background and in the office we are all hooked up to Spotify and each takes it in turns to play our choice of music, I usually always have the news on in the background, some days I need background noise to be more productive than I would usually be, other days it might be the cricket or my newest love for crime podcasts, there is nothing quite like swearing at an excel spreadsheet whilst listening to a serial killer programme, it removes the temptation to just throw the monitor out of the window!

For blogging, I often write posts during my lunchtime, whilst on a break or before an evening meeting and that often means I need to do a bit of research, fact-checking and photo editing and uploading all from my office.  If you have a slow broadband connection, it can take forever to load some sites due to their fancy graphics and constant pop-up adverts (annoying). The one thing I've noticed a huge change with having better broadband is just how quickly I can do all of the above.

I fully accept that having the internet is a luxury and having superfast fibre-optic broadband more so, especially when some areas of the country struggle to get a signal on their mobile phone never mind WiFi, but it is a luxury that I need to do my job and to blog. 

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

Floral Street Discovery Set

Have you ever really wanted a new fragrance but have been so overwhelmed with the sheer number available in all kind of wonderful descriptions, families and concoctions? Right now I am obsessed with Floral Street fragrances, especially their newest launch Electric Rhubarb which I reviewed on my blog here. 

For me, choosing a fragrance comes down to the way the fragrance notes grabs my attention.  If you have a favourite scent - freshly cut grass, a black leather jacket or even something from your childhood, a fragrance is a great way to reminisce. 

Floral Street can be found nestled in the heart of Covent Garden and it is described as being a brand built on the streets of London and one which is about breaking with tradition. It’s about peeling back the curtain of the secret world of fragrance. It’s about ease, modernity and joy. For me, what Floral Street has done is challenge my view of comfortable fragrances and instead convinced me to change things up and reach out of my comfort zone and I have just the product to do that with.

Meet the Floral Street discovery set (£14), a mini scent wardrobe which contains a 1.5ml sized bottle of all eight perfumes from Floral Street, excluding Electric Rhubarb.

So inside you will find London Poppy, Wonderland Peony, Neon Rose, Wild Vanilla Orchid, Iris Goddess, Chypre Sublime, Black Lotus and Ylang Ylang Espresso.  All of these fragrances have been created by Jerome Epinette, one of the finest perfumers in the industry and someone I have been lucky enough to meet and listen too. Jerome is known for his mastery of natural ingredients and created each one of these scents using prized raw materials which have been sourced and synthesised by the iconic fragrance house Robertet.  

Each fragrance tells its own story and each one is all fused with the dynamic energy of London and each one has an incredible 20% perfume oil level which not only makes these scents long-lasting but is also the reason they capture your attention.

The fragrances from left to right with their descriptions are:

• London Poppy - Described as being a love letter to London: a city as tough as ever-lasting poppies. A city that sees the sun through the clouds, a scent that opens with a bright beam of light. Sicilian lemon and Florida orange bring the zing. A salt-spray marine note adds an unexpected sea-facing view. The ultimate urban mood-lifter. London Poppy sits within the floral family.
• Wonderful Peony - Described as being a sweet floral stuffed full of peonies, pink berries and violets. A shot of cedarwood lends a woody-balsamic warmth, while vetiver injects the tiniest hint of hazelnut. Sophisticated, not soft. Captivating not cute. Wonderful Peony sits within the Floral Family
• Neon Rose - Described as being for the fiery, quirky, striking and expressive. Like freshly-chopped jasmine and roses draped around your neck. And yet, no roses were harmed in the making of this showpiece - these buds were cooked up in our lab for extra punch. Super-clean, super-floral. Neon Rose sits within the Floral Family.
• Wild Vanilla Orchid - Described as being a vanilla, but not as you know it. A raw-edged confection of creamy vanilla beans, blossom, cassis and citrus, dressed in a bunch of just-plucked jasmine. Offsetting the lingering sweetness; bamboo and sandalwood bend and fold underneath. Laid-back but exquisite. White tulle and high top, in fragrance form. Sits within the Oriental Family.
• Iris Goddess - there’s nothing shy about these violets. An explosion of powdery petals collide with ripe red fruits. Black vanilla, warm musks and earthy carrot seed bring exoticisim and depth, sparkling lemon zest and red chilli pepper add a jolt of life. Other-worldly and mystical. From the forest to the desert. An adventure in a bottle. iris Goddess sits within the Chypre Family.
• Chypre Sublime - Because Floral Street never smelled a flower they didn’t like, they loaded almost all of them into this un-put-down-able blend. Purified damask rose, violets, patchouli and geranium tap their feet. Olibanum – used to awaken the spirit in meditation – offers a resin-soaked wooden table for the flowers to perch on. A fragrance for musicians, painters and poets. Chypre Sublime sits within the Chypre Family.
• Black Lotus - Described as being the classic English-Rose dressed in a black leather jacket. Intoxicating, spirited, bohemian and alive. Complex and multi-faceted, the sweet honeyed scent of centifolia rose adds depth to lighter, spicy nuances by way of red peppercorn and saffron. Once smelt, forever adored. Black Lotus sits within the Oriental Family.
• Ylang Ylang Espresso - Described as being for the rebels. The thinkers. And the leaders: a powerful fragrance with its own electric current. A strikingly modern blend of red rose, ylang ylang and jasmine cross paths with a soothing cloud of just-brewed coffee, fresh cream and Sichuan pepper – sustainably harvested from the foothills of the Himalayas. A fragrance to get lost in. Ylang Ylang Espresso sits within the Chypre Family.

Within this collection, there is something for everything. Whether you like your florals, your musks, something with a hint of spice, something more earthy, something a little bit out of your comfort zone or even just something new that you are yet to discover.  This fragrance discovery set has given me the opportunity to move away from a department store and fragrance shops to try each one of these fragrances within the surroundings I am more likely to frequent.  Whenever I try a fragrance, unless I have purchased it before, I would never buy it immediately after trying it in a store because it never quite smells the same, they are all mixed in together with the surrounding air, what other people are wearing and other factors.

Having tried all eight of these fragrances, there isn't a single one I dislike, even Wild Vanilla Orchid surprised me because I cannot stand the heavy scent of Vanilla, it gives me a headache, this but scent was light on the vanilla and smelt wonderful of Jasmine, which happens to be one of my favourite fragrances notes.  Despite not disliking any of these, there are two which I absolutely adored and they are Black Lotus and London Poppy, both smell absolutely differently but they are both just divine and I have no doubts will be added to my growing collection.

Aside from fragrances, Floral Street has quite a collection of Body Creams and Body washes, which all match the fragrances within this discovery set, but I recently noticed a huge arsenal of Candles and Reed diffusers too, so those I am looking forward to getting to know over time, again as with the fragrances, there is a lot of choices.

This Discovery Set is priced at just £14 here and the fragrances themselves are priced at £22 for 10ml and £58 for 50ml. Each Floral Street fragrance comes tucked inside a ground-breaking pulp carton with an embossed lid, made from recyclable paper packaging and held together with a re-usable brightly-coloured band. A totally recyclable and biodegradable box - a first for the world of fragrance. The box can then be re-purposed to store jewellery, crystals, herbal teas, as a seed tray for plants and herbs - and just about anything else. All of the fragrances as also Cruelty-free and Vegan too.

From the descriptions given above, do any of the fragrances capture your attention?

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

Living Proof Restore Dry Scalp Treatment review

I have very quickly become a huge fan of Living Proof hair care and have over the past few months enjoyed making my way through a selection of products.  Living Proof has taken it upon themselves to solve the root causes of everyone’s top hair concerns: frizz, damage, and fullness to name just a few and their team of stylists and scientists analyzed 100s of competitive products that have been on the market the last 30 years and what they found was that the traditional beauty industry relies on heavy silicones that mask hair symptoms but don’t really solve them.

New to the range is Restore Dry Scalp Treatment (£25) and one that I was incredibly excited to try because whenever I am stressed or feeling run down, one of the first places this shows is with my scalp which becomes really dry and flaky.

It is claimed that new discoveries in wellness have uncovered that balancing the body's microbiome is key to wellbeing. It's not just about your gut - the same is true of your skin and this includes your scalp. We all spend a lot of time and money ensuring our hair looks and feels good, for many of us, our hair is our pride and joy, but just how much thought is given to your scalp and how it is feeling?

Living Proof claim that if you suffer from a dry flaking scalp which results in itching and irritation, which mine often does, then there are very few products on the market that can help you deal with the problem. For years I was told to just use an anti-dandruff shampoo and it would cure the problem, but that was never my issue. It was actually through a skin scan at a blog event that we found the issue to my scalp problems.

Restore Dry Scalp Treatment gives both instant hydration and lasting relief from all of the problems listed above.  This product is a leave-in treatment which uses a breakthrough Vitamin B3 based microbiome balancing complex with clinically proven actives that work to balance your scalp's natural ecosystem for long-term relief. A scalp microbiome is the microorganism environment profile on the surface of your scalp which contains both good and bad bacteria. It is the balance of good and bad bacteria that has an effect on your scalp condition.

Designed to be used three times a week, this fast-absorbing lightweight product uses a hyaluronic acid based Molecular Patch delivers instant soothing and sustained hydration to the scalp.  Thankfully it is also incredibly easy to use, more so thanks to the nozzle feature at the end of the tube.

To use, your hair needs to be clean, damp and towel-dried and then, sectioning your hair, which I find easier with a comb than a brush, the advice is to divide your hair into six sections across the front of your scalp and then four across the back for easy and precise application.  Once your hair has been sectioned, it is easy to apply the product directly to the scalp and then massage it in, as this is a leave-in treatment, you don't need to wash it out, you can style your hair as you usually would do and leave the treatment to work its magic.

This has been an absolute godsend for me.  Having had the worst chest infection I have had in years with an added cough and cold, not to mention being in the middle of 4 work projects which all came to fruition at the same time, the heat was on to get everything finished whilst feeling like death - I managed it but, the chest infection took longer to clear than it should have done, then I managed to get acute bacterial conjunctivitis and am now awaiting an MRI Scan on my ankle almost a year on from when I managed to snap ligaments and so on... as you can imagine, life has been quite testing and my scalp is the one to suffer.  So with a dry, itching scalp right at the back of my head and then down the middle of my parting, I followed the advice given from Living Proof and within just 5 weeks, my scalp was back to its normal self, no irritation, no flaking and no excess dryness on my scalp.

Priced at £25 here*, Restore Dry Scalp Treatment is cruelty-free, free from parabens, phthalates and silicone and is safe for use on colour and chemically treated hair.

Have you tried anything from Living Proof?

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

Glossybox Holiday Haul - July Edition

July has finally arrived and as a July baby, it is naturally my favourite month of the year, but it also means warmer weather, BBQs, a glass of cider over ice and of course Holidays.  Whether you have a sunny beach holiday booked or are enjoying this amazing weather we have here in the UK and will be partaking in a staycation, Glossybox has put together a 'Holiday Edit' for their July box.

This months box is filled with five holiday essentials which cover the categories of skin, hair and makeup.  Alongside these essentials, Glossybox has also hidden 20 tickets which will give the lucky winners wither a Figleaves voucher or a Skinnydip voucher worth £30!

The first item out of my box comes from one of my favourite brands Omorovicza. The Cleansing Foam, which is suitable for all skin types and its job is to help clear congestion, combat dryness and soothe sensitivity without stripping the skin.  

Using its unique Hydro Mineral Transference system that delivers targeted minerals deep into the skin, a feature of most Omorovicza products, you will also find Copper gluconate which is responsible for the turquoise tint, works to clear the pores and detoxify, white lupin revitalises and apple pectin provides long-lasting hydration and suppleness.

The second product is the Palmers Natural Bronze Body Lotion and it is described as being a product to help build and maintain a natural looking tan. Using a combination of pure Cocoa Butter which is a rich natural moisturiser that leaves skin soft and silky, transforming even the roughest, driest areas into buttery soft skin alongside Vitamin E which is a powerful antioxidant that helps improve the appearance of scars, stretch marks and imperfections on the skin, giving a more even and toned appearance. 

Naturally coming from Palmers, this lotion smells just absolutely incredible too. Easy to use, you only need to apply it to the skin once a day.

A product which probably needs very little introduction is Moroccanoil and this treatment. Infused with antioxidant-rich Argan Oil and radiance-enhancing vitamins, this treatment nourishes and conditions hair, whilst restoring each strand from root to tip. It also has a whole host of benefits which include speeding up drying time, taming frizz and flyaways, repairing split ends, and restoring that mirror-like shine. 

I love that you can apply it to damp towel dried hair which then helps with detangling or on dry hair to help with styling and finishing. 

Next is the Tea Tree & Witch Hazel Charcoal Purifying Sheet Mask.  Described as being a gentle yet effective Purifying Sheet Mask, it contains Tea Tree Oil and skin calming Witch Hazel in conjunction with activated Charcoal, to help you maintain clear, smooth and healthy looking skin. 

I love a good sheet mask and especially one which doesn't leave the skin feeling dry and taut.  You only need to leave it on your skin for 15 minutes, so it isn't too much of your time if you are in a rush.

The final product within the box is Bloom Mascara by Manna Kadar.  I have got to know Manna Kadar via Glossybox and this mascara is described as having a cutting-edge wand with reservoirs of mascara between each individual groove. It has a hydrating formula which ensures clump-free lashes.

I am really picky when it comes to mascara and I have to admit, I was apprehensive about this wand because it looks incredibly clumpy, but, once you use it on your lashes, it is hydrating, it doesn't clump and it doesn't flake. The formula isn't too wet and I have grown to like the spiral-shaped wand.

For me, Glossybox has once again put together an incredible box, perfect for holidays with the products included.  As always you can subscribe to Glossybox right here and if you use the code BQUEEN20 you can get yourself 20% off that first box! 

Sneak Peak - August is the birthday month for Glossybox and that box will include Huda Beauty!

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