How to work in the beauty industry

Getting your foot into the beauty industry is probably the hardest part when it comes to securing a job in this industry. There are very many opportunities available in the beauty industry as new trends are always coming up and people are out to try new things. With this craze, there are bound to be hundreds of windows to get into this industry. The question is ‘how do you set yourself apart from all the others trying to get into the industry?’ It is very important to have an edge over the other beauticians if you are hoping to make a name for yourself in this immensely competitive industry. Take note of the following essentials that will play a great role in marketing yourself as a beautician. 

Use internet

Thanks to job search engines, you can find many jobs in the beauty industry and opportunities that match your skills and ambitions. If you are looking for a job in the United Kingdom, you can check sites like uk.jobrapido where you will be able to find many jobs in major cities like Birmingham, which is reputed for its events in fashion and beauty industry. Another good option could be to take a look at company sites and apply directly for a specific position.

Create a portfolio

Note down your achievements and display them in a way that showcases your various abilities in the beauty industry. This can be very important as potential clients will be able to assess what you have done in the past and it shows that you have a sense of professionalism and interest in the work you do. As you progress as a beautician, you will be able to add more items to your portfolio to make it even more attractive as you gain more clients. 

Ensure that you are ahead of the curve

The beauty industry is full of new products such as new makeup brushes, concealers and foundation creams. As a beautician, you need to stay on top of such things by conducting extensive research on beauty products that are new in the market. You can do this by reading beauty magazines that feature the trends in the market as well as having informed contacts in the beauty industry who can keep you up to date on upcoming trends. With such information, you can apply the new ideas in your career to help you get your desired job.

Choose your desired path

There are various directions which a beautician can take and it is advisable to choose one that you are qualified for and work on perfecting yourself in that career route. In this way, you stand a chance to become one of the best in the beauty industry. Additionally, for those considering pursuing a degree, platforms like Degree Query can provide valuable information on the best educational paths to enhance your skills and advance your career.

Have passion and great drive so as to get your desired results

Develop a strong interest in your chosen career route and work tirelessly to achieve your career goals. You will have to make a lot of sacrifices along the way and it will all be worth it when you attain your goals. 

Work your way to the top

Getting into the industry may be hard at the beginning and you may have to start at the bottom as an intern or as an employee in a trend-focused company. These experiences will go a long way in helping you make contacts in the beauty industry as you prepare for your big break. You can try to use job aggregators to find a job in this industry. Just insert a necessary title into the search field and start your searching.

Getting beauty jobs can be made much easier by following the tips above. It may be hard at the beginning but all you need is patience and hard work and you will definitely make it big.

The Vegan Effect

Did you know that November is Vegan Beauty Month? One question I am asked more and more these days whenever I review a product is whether or not it is Vegan.  I hold my hands up and admit, I am not the first to check whether or not a product is Vegan or even suitable for Vegetarians, I tend to use products because I like the look and sound of them.

With that in mind, I thought today, I would share with you some amazing brands that I am really fond of that are in actual fact Vegan! Aside from Lush which you might be more familiar with there is a whole host of brands who fit into this category, more than I thought. Now you might not have known this, you might know it, you might not even be bothered, but here they are:

EcoTools - Possibly the one brand people will be most aware of for being Vegan but did you know that in addition to their animal-free cosmetics brushes, EcoTools also carries fake eyelashes, bath and spa products, and hair brushes.

B Beauty - Exclusive to Superdrug and a brand which I am a fan of, B is a bargain Vegan beauty brand who proudly display on their website that B. "does not contain any animal derived ingredients or by-products, even beeswax which can often be found in mascara."

Barry M - One of my favourite Highstreet brands have never tested their finished products or ingredients on animals or engaged another company to do so on their behalf. Those products which are Vegan are marked as being so and you can check all the ingredients online too. With a growing nail polish collection and makeup range, it is a highstreet brand that is well worth looking at and available in Superdrug and Boots.

Parissa Warm Wax - A liquid salon quality hair remover. ALL of their products are vegetarian friendly. Parissa Warm Wax and Parissa Organic Wax are completely Vegan.

Skyn Iceland - A brand that I have on my list to try out, do not test their products on animals and are vegan. They are also free of parabens, petroleum, mineral oil, chemical sulfates, and phthaletes.  You can find the whole brand in Marks and Spencers.

Cover FX  - As well as being Vegan and cruelty-free (with the exception of MintTint FX & MintGlaze FX), did you know that the range is created and developed by former chief chemist and MD at MAC cosmetics! What I love is that here are 25 inclusive shades, and the unique formulas provide a precise match, based on your undertone, for skin of all ethnicities for your foundation, pretty impressive!You can find Cover FX in House of Fraser.

Inika - I have featured Inika before (here) and for me it is one of the most popular vegan makeup brands that I have come across and used. Inika has an extensive makeup range which seems to grow by the day and I am especially fond of their Mineral Blusher Puff Pot! You can find the brand collection on LookFantastic and right now there is a deal!

The brand which everyone is cooing over right over - Spectrum! Not only are Spectrum makeup brushes everywhere on my social media timelines, but they're also 100% vegan and are proud to state that not a single unicorn was harmed during the making of their brushes!

Kat Von D - Earlier this year Kat Von D announced her plans to reformulate her entire cosmetics line to ensure every product was vegan. While the process takes a while, she already has a section of her website titled #VeganAlert which is full of products that do not contain any animal products or by-products, and have not been tested on animals. Find the whole collection in Debenhams right now.

Remember as always there are labels and logos which specifiy what is and isn't Vegan and it is always worth looking and checking.

Do you look out for Vegan products when making a purchase? Did you know these featured were Vegan?

*this post contains PR samples/Affiliate links unless indicated otherwise

Top 10 Gifts for Unicorn Lovers

We all have that one friend, maybe you are even that friend, who is a tad obsessed with Unicorns, I mean it is a 'thing' and everywhere you look, there is something 'Unicorn' designed to grab your attention.

Unicorn Lamp from Superdrug - Novelty Unicorn Shaped , Colour changing mood lamp. I saw it at a Press Day and wanted it there and then, for only £5 this is a total bargain to be had. .

Heatable Unicorn from Dunelm - At just £10 how could you not want this. Soft and furry, this pink heatable unicorn is filled with lavender to release a calming scent.

Magical Unicorn Slippers - Styled on Agnes from Despicable Me, these cute and fury Unicorn slippers are every bit funky as they are fun. Priced at £24.95 they are an item not to be missed. 

Unicorn Bath Confetti - ASOS - Well who doesn't want Blueberry scented Unicorn confetti for their bath? Priced under £5 at ASOS, it is a great Secret Santa gift. 

Sequin Unicorn Mom Jeans by Kuccia - From Topshop and priced at £65 - With sequin Unicorn patches, this pair of jeans have been transformed into a must have item! 

'You Are A Goddamn Magical Unicorn' Makeup Bag - From Not on the HighStreet and priced at £17 - This zipper pouch makes an excellent makeup bag, or washbag for weekends away. It's perfect for keeping all your essentials together when travelling, and also makes a unique and interesting clutch bag for nights out! Basically its super useful!

A Pink Unicorn Onesie - Oh yes! Don't pretend you have never wanted a Onesie more than you want this little number! Priced around £14.99 on Amazon, it is an item everyone needs in their lives.

Unicorn Snot £7.50 - Yellow Unicorn Snot Rumour has it that unicorn snot actually turns you into a unicorn. We've not tested it simply because we cannot imagine illustrating with hooves. To turn into a unicorn right here.

Keep Calm and Colour Unicorns book and crayons - If you love colouring in and even if you don't, find some time to rest and relax and spend it colouring in some Unicorns with Pencils from your Unicorn holder. Available from Amazon.

Unicorn Earrings In Sterling Silver £19.95 - This is the perfect gift for anyone that loves quirky and unusual jewellery, or even better; a gift for yourself! Sterling silver earrings suitable for pierced ears. They can be found right here.

I am sure you can find something for that Unicorn obsessed person in your life right here from my gift guide and if you have anything you think I should have added, let me know in the comments!

*this post contains PR samples unless indicated otherwise

Win Sephora Beauty Advent Calendar

If you follow me on social media, then you might have noticed that I am currently at EuroDisney but I have had a trip into Paris to see the Eiffel Tower and the Arc de Triumphe as well. I also happened to stumble into Sephora - oops!

One of the first things I came across was the Sephora Advent Calendar, pictured below, and because it is so hard to get hold of, I decided to do one as a giveaway.   It has 24 Palace doors to open and behind each one is a beauty gift which includes items such as face masks, eye masks, body washes, nail products, lipsticks and eye shadows to name but a few.

All you have to do to be in with a chance of winning said Calendar is to complete the Rafflecopter widget below. There are some mandatory entires which must be completed or your entry will be null and void and as I will need your address, if you are under 16, please ensure you have parental permission! 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

*this post contains PR samples unless indicated otherwise

The Best Subscription Boxes In The UK: Gift Guide

One of the questions that I am asked a lot by friends and fellow bloggers is which subscription box is the one. The one worth having, the one worth the money, the one which constantly surprises you, the one which has the best products and one which goes that extra mile.

We are blessed here in the UK that there are subscription boxes for beauty, nails, books, food, drink, perfume, dogs, cats, babies, children, flowers, tea, coffee and there are even boxes for that time of the month! I think they make a great gift for people as an alternative birthday, anniversary and Christmas present. I have tried quite a few in my time and have a huge list of those I am yet to try.

Glossybox costs as little as £8.50 per month depending upon the subscription you decide upon (here). - GlossyBox have a minimum box value of £33 which includes at least five products a month. Brands include Caudalie, Decleor, Cowshed, DHC, Essence, GOSH, Givenchy and Jurlique to name a few. So you get a nice mixture of high end v highstreet.

Birchbox - costs as little as £10 per month (here) and has 1million subscribers worldwide which is quite incredible. Each month a box of four to five products will arrive to your door and you can expect to find brands such as Aromatherapy Associates, Balance Me, Balmi, Crabtree & Evelyn, Egyptian Magic and Illamasqua again to name just a few.

You Beauty - From £6.95 a month (here) and is the one I am still subscribed too.  What I love about this box is that you get to choose the products you want as opposed to them being totally unknown until you open the box. Depending upon your subscription you are able to choose 2,3 or 4 products from a shortlist and there will always be a few treats within the box.  I find this box really good value for money and you can expect to find brands such as Nuxe, Caudalie, Mandara Spa, Aromatherapy Associates, Foreo, Philosophy, NIP+FAB and St Tropez to name a few.

Latest in Beauty - from £8.99 (here). With LIB there are quite a few options. You can either build your own box with 3,6 or 9 products from a short list and your box will then be sent to you. The Collection aspect for LIB can cost anything from £15+ and they are put together with a theme, you might have had a box from Jane from British Beauty Blogger or you might have had the Sleep Box which sold out really quickly or The GQ Grooming Power Pack which my husband had and reviewed here. For me, the collections are well worth keeping an eye out for because there are some amazing deals to be had.

LookFantastic - Costs as little as £11.25 a month depending upon your subscription (here). With Look Fantastic you get to decide whether you want a 1,3,6 or 12 month subscription sign up and everything else is done for you. Within your box, you are likely to find some big brand names such as Murad, Mio, Bliss, Lord & Berry and Bare Minerals.

Dollibox: £10 a month (here). This is very similar to the original beauty box services, but with slightly more unusual brands great for discovering little-known gems and from my experiences so far, the products have been mostly full-size. There is the option to complete your beauty profile online so you get products that are better suited to your taste and style.

Cohorted - £35 a month (here). When these boxes first came out it was a scramble to get one because they were limited in numbers. Now they are still popular and contains some amazing high-end beauty products. So in the box you might find The Balm, Chanel, Bobbi Brown, NARS, Dior and Lancome to name a few. Cohorted also have some limited edition boxes from time to time which are also worth looking out for.

NailBox - £15 a month (here). Nail Box was the first subscription service in the UK to deliver polishes from the brands mani-pedi addicts know and love. Each month if you are lucky enough to get one because they sell out so quick, you will get a box packed full of nail products. Each nailbox contains five items (including three or four nail polishes and one or two nail tools or treatments) and you can expect to find brands such as CND, Essie, Elegant Touch, OPI and Rimmel to name a few.

The Perfume Society - £15 a month (here). Ideal for those who prefer perfume to beauty or those just looking to find a new scent. The Perfume Society boxes bring you a range of sample fragrances with accompanying smelling notes for each. In the boxes you can expect to find brands such as Elie Saab, Moschino, Bvlgari, Miller Harris, Juicy Couture, Hugo Boss and Penhaligons to name but a few. There is also sometimes a complimentary item such as a hand cream

Those are just some of the boxes I have tried but there is a whole lot more such as - Nourish Beauty Box, A Little Bit Lavish, Pamper Me Box, The Libbie Club, My Little Box, Tili Box from QVC, Lovelula, Love Me Beauty, Look Incredible, So Susan, Moi-Meme, Powder Drawer, Little Known Box and K Beauty. All of which are available here in the UK to subscribe too.

So if you are looking for a gift this Christmas that is a little bit different and gifts that little bit more, then a subscription to a beauty box might just be that very gift!

*this post contains PR samples unless indicated otherwise

Lush: Honey I Washed My Hair Shampoo Bar

I absolutely love a Lush Shampoo Bar and they are brilliant for taking on holiday with you. Honey I Washed My Hair is one of those Shampoo Bars that I have repurchased more than once I love it that much and when it comes with a description like this, how could you not love it:

Deliciously toffee-scented, this syrupy sweet bar will make your hair turn heads (and noses). Honey is renowned for adding softness and shine to locks. To top it all off uplifting sweet wild orange and bergamot oils create an aroma that transports your troubles away.

Fan's of Honey I Washed The Kids Soap will no doubt love this as much as I do. In a shampoo bar form, it has a beautiful toffee scent which I actually adore and with ingredients such as Fairly Traded Honey, Honeycomb, Sweet Wild Orange Oil and Bergamot Oil, this sounds like something to eat not wash your hair with.

If you have never ever used a shampoo bar from Lush before, get yourself one pronto, it is an experience everyone needs to try, using it is as simple as it gets. Like a bar of soap, you simply rub it between your hands, whch need to be wet, and as it begins to foam, apply it to your hair as you would a liquid shampoo. You can also rub the shampoo bar directly onto your hair and scalp, though I find this much more difficult to do and I end up dropping it. Once on your hair, again massage it onto your scalp and into your hair and then rinse out. As you massage it onto your hair and scalp, that delicious toffee aroma becomes more pungent and my hair always smells incredible. 

Each Lush Shampoo Bar has been created for different hair types and for different purposes,infact there is quite possibly something for every hair type and issue that you want help with. This one is designed for dried out and rough hair textures which need a little but of love and care. With the ingredient of honey being present to moisturise and soften your hair, I find that my static ridden flyaways become much more calm and there is a lot less frizz and the hair which feels dry and a little bit coarse, particuarly towards the ends of my hair, now feel soft and smooth.

The one other purchase I would recommend from Lush is there Round Tin which is perfect for storing your Shampoo Bar.  You do need to allow your shampoo bar to dry out competely before dropping into the tin, which is air tight once sealed, otherwise your shampoo bar will go mouldy!  The tin also makes travelling a delight too, Priced at £5.95 this shampoo bar lasts a good few months and is worth every penny.

 






*this post contains PR samples unless indicated otherwise

Bee Good to your skin this Christmas with these gifts from our British bees

T’is the season to be jolly, to deck the halls with Christmas decorations galore and to buy fabulously festive gifts to give to all your friends and loved ones! Bee Good has Christmas all wrapped up this festive season with five brand new Christmas skincare gifts.

These boxed delights, each revealing award-winning Bee Good products for all ages and skin types make the perfect stocking filler or Secret Santa surprise for friends, sisters, daughters, mums and nieces. Take the guesswork out of gifting, support our British bees and celebrate all things 'British' with Bee Good this Christmas. Taking inspiration from our fabulous British bees, each gift is presented in a hexagon gift box with a beautiful silver foiled honeycomb design - what beauty lover wouldn't want to discover one of these treats tucked beneath the tree on Christmas morning?

Award Winners - The perfect gift for those hard to please beauty lovers... Contains two best-selling Bee Good award-winners; Honey & Propolis 2-in-1 Cream Cleanser plus Vanilla & Honey Lip Balm. British honey, crambe oil and antibacterial propolis work hard in our luxuriously rich Cream Cleanser to sweep away makeup and grime without drying out your skin. Perfect for removing festive party makeup or waking up tired skin on Christmas morning. A trio of British plant oils and protective British beeswax are lovingly blended in Bee Good's original Lip Balm to intensively condition and repair dry or chapped lips. Price: £8 

Lip Balm Trio... For everyone from tweens and teens to mums and grandmas... Contains three Bee Good lip balms; Vanilla & Honey, Raspberry & White Chocolate and Lime Blossom & Honey. This trio of deeply replenishing lip balms is packed with hard-working, intensive and soothing ingredients. Super-moisturising British beeswax and a trio of British plant oils; crambe, echium and borage combine to deliver effective and long-lasting results. Lips will be left perfectly conditioned and kissably soft and the flavours are truly addictive! As an extra special touch this small and beautifully formed gift comes complete with hanging ribbon to adorn your tree

Youth Enhancing Travel Trio... An extra special treat for mature or ageing skin... Contains Bee Good Youth Enhancing Hydrate, Smooth & Prime Serum, Youth Enhancing Plump & Firm Moisturiser and Youth Enhancing Lift & Brighten Eye Cream. The power-packed Youth Enhancing range restores vitality to mature or ageing skin through the combined power of British bee ingredients, British botanicals and naturally derived skincare technologies. This trio of high performance, youth enhancing essentials will plump and firm, soften fine lines and wrinkles and brighten dull, tired skin. The perfect present to bring an outer glow to the skin and an inner glow to the confidence! £20 

Hand & Lip Treats... For friends, teachers or Secret Santa recipients.. Contains full sizes of Bee Good Honey & Crambe Daily Hand Cream plus Lime Blossom & Honey lip balm. The delicately scented, easily absorbed hand cream will hydrate, soften and protect hard-working hands. The refreshing lip balm is a zesty interpretation of bee-friendly lime blossom mixed with delicate notes of sweet British honey. Packed with moisturising British honey, nourishing crambe oil and skin strengthening borage oil, this skin saving duo makes the perfect present for those whose hands and lips are in need of a little extra TLC this winter. £10.

The one I have been kindly sent is Clean Sweep... For busy bees on-the-go... Contains Bee Good Honey & Wild Water Mint 3-in-1 Cleansing Water and Raspberry & White Chocolate Lip Balm. This award-winning micellar cleansing water gently dissolves makeup, cleanses and tones skin, no water required! Perfect for convenient cleansing on-the-go, it is expertly formulated with super moisturising British wildflower honey, brightening red algae and refreshing wild water mint. Repair and condition lips with this rich and deeply replenishing Raspberry & White Chocolate lip balm. Combining British beeswax with a trio of plant oils, this lip balm delivers effective and long-lasting results. Price: £11.50 

All of these gifts are really beautifully wrapped and great value for money. If you have never come across Bee Good before, they have a great story to tell. Bee Good was created in 2008 by husband and wife team, Simon and Caroline. As an expert beekeeper, Simon keeps a number of beehives in old orchards surrounding his Hampshire home. It was Caroline’s interest in harnessing the excess honey and beeswax to create natural skincare products which led to the first award-winning products; a lip balm and a hand cream; made in Caroline’s kitchen using centuries-old recipes and sold at local Hampshire farmer’s markets. Word spread, sales grew and the awards continued, so in 2013 Simon recruited a small team of skincare experts with similar beliefs and passion for natural skincare to build Bee Good into the award-winning, premium skincare brand that it is today. You can find out more about Bee Good right here.

*this post contains PR samples unless indicated otherwise

How do you book?

With family and friends living all over the UK, from time to time the mister and I have to book hotels to stay in when attending events - weddings, funerals, christenings and birthday parties to name a few. I prefer to stay in hotels rather than with relatives (assuming they are not offended) so that we get some peace and quiet and time to relax before heading out. Infact as you read this, I will have just been to a family wedding, staying in the hotel shown below.

Image Source

One site I always use for booking hotels is Booking.com a site you might recall from those controversial adverts which got people in a bit of a spin 'Booking dot yes'. Infact, looking at my account, I have used it no less than 8 times this year and it is a site that lists over 800,000 different hotels form all over the world, and you are able to make bookings via the site. Unlike booking directly with a hotel though, you can read unbiased reviews from previous guests before you decide to stay, and will be able to cancel your booking for no fee if you change your mind. There are hotels on the site that cater for every budget, from luxury hotels through to cheap hostels, and there are also new hotels being added every day.

Booking.com is a completely online company, with no high street stores. Like most online companies, they like to keep their interaction with customers online as well – meaning that finding a way to get help from customer services by phone can sometimes be quite difficult. Well not anymore with this solution, using sites such as contact number give you that phone number you need so you’ll be able to get in touch straight away.  I often find that I need to make one or two changes at the last minute, such as adding an extra day or night to my stay, requesting a late check out or if we have been delayed due to traffic, train cancellation or even a flight delay, I want the opportunity to let someone know in advance, rather than arrived all flustered, annoyed and unprepared. I also think it is a courteous too.

However you book those few days, weeks or long weekends away, that one telephone number could be the one stress you don't need!

*this post contains PR samples unless indicated otherwise

Sleek Rock Out Collection #SLEEKROCKSTARS

The new Rockstars collection from Sleek Makeup is the perfect festive makeup edition! It has everything you need from a stunning sparkly eyeshadow palette, a gorgeous strobing cream to a striking lipstick! Rock Out is a limited edition collection, so if you want it, then run to Superdrug right now and purchase it all. 

I am a huge fan of Sleek makeup and they have featured numerous times on my blog, everytime a new collection comes out I am wowed by it, so don't be too shocked that this one has totally wowed me. There are two parts to this collection Rock Out and Shine Bright, the latter will appear in another post, so look out for it because it is just as beautiful as this one! So here’s what’s in the collection:

I-LUST PALETTE IN HIDDEN GEMS £7.49

This palette is just absolutely stunning and if you are a fan of shimmer shadows, then this is the palette for you! Hidden Gems contains six gorgeous shades which have amazing pigmentation and colour payoff with an intense shimmer finish. 

These shades are bold enough to wear on their own or you can make a real statement by adding a bit of sparkle for a festive finish. Shown below, each shade is shown after one rub scross the pot so you can see just how much colour you get!  Shades such as Ruby Tuesday and Emerald City really standing out!

STROBING SOUFFLE-SMOKY-QUARTZ £7

If you love highlighting and strobing, then Sleek have a treat for you with this Strobing Souffle. With a bouncy texture that makes this so easy to apply, you can build it onto your skin to create your desired glow. 

The translucent gold shade just melts onto your skin giving you a luminous glow that stays in place throughout the day. You can apply using just your finger or with a small brush.

LIP VIP LIPSTICK IN SUPERSTAR £5.50

One product I do adore from Sleek at their Lip VIP lipsticks and to see a new one within this range is really exciting. Differing slightly due to the 3D design on th bullet, the colour payoff and pigmentation is just as amazing. . Autumn and Winter for me is all about the darker lip and I absolutely do love berry and purple toned lipsticks. Superstar has a moisturising formula doesn’t dry out your lips and the iridescent pearl flecks leave a dazzling metallic finish.

The Rockstars collection is available now on the Superdrug website and keep a look out for the second part of the collection which is coming soon.

*this post contains PR samples unless indicated otherwise

Beauty Tips for Autumn and Winter

The autumn and winter seasons are a great time to change up your look by getting new clothes for your closet, as well as new makeup for your face. Implementing the following easy beauty tips will help you make sure that you are always looking trendy, but make sure that you give your skin much-needed moisture first, especially if it tends to get dry when the temperature drops and you have to turn the heat on indoors.

Dark Lipsticks

Dark lipstick colours are definitely trendy during the autumn and winter seasons. So while you may have preferred donning a pale pink lipstick in the summer when your skin was tan, now is the time to contrast your paler skin with a deep red or purple hue instead. These colours will make your lips look full, especially when you top them off with some gloss.

Metallic Eye Shadow Colours

Shimmery, metallic eye colours are trending for the autumn and winter season. These colours are a great way to draw attention to your eyes and really glam them up for any upcoming holiday party and special event. Choose from emerald greens, plums, coppers, and more. Start by applying the colour faintly to the corners of your eyes before boldly sweeping the colour across the lids. And if you want a really sultry night time look, add some smoky eye makeup to the mix. Don’t forget to curl your lashes and use a lengthening mascara to complete the look. 

Full Eyebrows

Gone are the days when thin eyebrows were trendy, so go ahead and let your brows grow in. But even if you can’t achieve the full, thick eyebrow look naturally, you can use a simple eyebrow kit to fill in your eyebrows and make them dramatic and beautiful. If you need help, go to a professional who can properly shape your brows and teach you how to fill them in perfectly with the right makeup kit. 

Darker Hair Colours

Autumn and winter are great seasons to also change up your look by achieving a new hair colour that you will love to show off. Opt for a chocolate brown colour, or if you want to stick with blonde, just tone it down so that it is a contrast to the bright blonde that is popular in the summer. A good blonde go-to for the fall and winter is golden honey. Another great option for anyone, especially if you are hoping to really change up your look, is a bold red hue, although a more subdued auburn brown could also work perfectly. Head to your stylist to get a trim so that you can remove dried ends, and then colour your hair at the salon or at home. 

By following the beauty tips above, you can easily achieve a beautiful look this autumn and this winter. Go ahead and put on your cosy clothes for these seasons, but make sure you complete your look by bringing the colours of the season into your makeup palette as well.

OPTREX WARMING EYE MASK

Rest and relaxation are two of the R's that I really enjoy and try to do as much as I possibly can. With a job that requires my full on attention, three cats, a husband, blogging and house work to manage, life csn sometimes become a little bit much. So once a week, everything is cancelled for one hour. That one hour (sometimes longer) is my time to lay back, relax and chill out. Me time. 

When I saw the Optrex Warming Eye Masks appear in a few blog posts, I made a mental note to go into Boots and pick them up, I was sold on the idea of them and wanted to give them a try. At £3.99 for a pac of two or £9.99 for a pack of 8, they are not going to break the bank, but equally if they work, then they are likely to become a permanent fixture in my life.

Whilst these masks have no skincare benefits for you and nor should they, I can admit to you that they are just blooming amazing and if you haven't given them a try, then run to Boots and grab yourself some and give them a try.

These Eye Warming Masks from Optrex, the eye care specialists recognise the strain the daily grind can have on your mind and body and using the latest breakthrough innovation to relieve and relax those tired eyes in just ten minutes. Using a unique Microsteam technology, the mask starts to warm up when it's opened, releasing 10 minutes of gentle, soothing steam (which is invisible to the naked eye) to relax and revive tired eyes.  Once you have places the mask over your eyes, they hooked nicely over your ears to hold it in place, you can feel the warming sensation after just a few minutes and you can wear them for up to 20 minutes, so I always wait until they have cooled down.

The masks are a great way to encourage you to relax and wind down, especially if you find it hard to switch off or hard to fall asleep.  I often do find it hard to fall asleep, so with the use of these masks half an hour before going to bed, I find that I am ready to drift off to sleep much quicker than I would have done ordinarily.  As these masks come in handy sachets, they would be brilliant for travelling with and would be quite a blessing on those night flights when I always find it hard to sleep.

You can purchase these masks from Boots (here) and if Lavender is a scent for you, there is also the option to try the Lavender scented masks, something that I plan on doing very soon!

*this post contains PR samples unless indicated otherwise

Rimmel Only 1 Matte Lipstick Collection

I am lipstick obsessed, I don't feel as though I need to make anyone aware of this because if you have read my blog within the last 6 months, there has been a lot of references to that fact. One type of lipstick I have become more and more a fan of is a good Matte lipstick.

Rimmel, who have clearly been listening to my moans of wanting to find a new Matte Lipstick, have come up trumps with their brand new collection called The Only 1 Matte*, featuring 9 gorgeous shades, some of which are just perfect for Autumn and Winter. And yes, I did just say there are 9 of them!

Packaged inside these bright red cases, which you most definitely will not miss on the shelves, the lipsticks are not your usual shape, gone is the oval bullet shape and in comes something which looks more like a lipbalm with a slanted bullet, but still applies as any lipstick does. The shades themselves are much more pigmented than I expected to find and really easy to apply. I often find with some Matte Lipsticks that it is hard to drag across your lips and instead of feeling super smooth, it instead feels as though the lipstick has stuck to every possible piece of dry skin. Not so with these. They are smooth and sleek when applied and until it dries, that matte feeling doesn't come about. Once it has dried and we are talking just a minute or two, the staying power is really quite good and again, I was pleasantly surprised by this. I only felt I needed to re-apply after eating my lunch and then again when I went out of an evening.

So the shades are called:

• 110 – Leader of the Pink: A bright candy pink, with a bit of depth to it
• 120 – Call the Shots: This is a red-toned pink, which is quite bright
• 200 – Salute: This is a slightly pink-toned nude, perfect for everyday wear
• 500 – Take the Stage: A classic vampy red, perfect for Christmas parties
• 610 – High Flyer: Quite a dusky rose nude, very pretty
• 700 – Trendsetter: A lighter brown-toned nude, also great for a low-key look
• 750 – Look Who’s Talking: A rich milk chocolate shade
• 810 – The Matte Factor: A deeper, darker, richer red than Take the Stage
• 800 – Run the Show: A vibrant purple/plum shade

Swatches from L to R - Run The Show, Matte Factor, Call the Shots, Look Who's Talking, Trendsetter, Leader of the Pink, Salute, High Flyer and Take the Stage.  The top swatch is taken with a flash and the bottm is without. It is really hard to choose a favourite shade because they are all just lovely.  But there are three for me which stand out and they are Trendsetter, Look Who's Talking and The Matte Factor, all of which are totally different shades but all are the ones I wear the most.

These lipsticks are currently on offer at Boots for just £4.99 each and a buy one get one half price Rimmel deal, so if you want to try them, now is the time to do it!

*this post contains PR samples unless indicated otherwise