Spilling the tea? What makes you stop supporting a brand - actions/PR/ghosting?

I had a different post planned for today but after receiving a nasty DM from a PR on Instagram yesterday morning when I wouldn't dance to the beat of her drum, I wanted to have a discussion about brands/PRs and what makes you stop supporting a brand. To be clear, I didn't support this brand in the first place as I had actually never heard of them before but I have heard from other bloggers that PRs have reduced them to tears before and that's just not ok! So, let's chat....

The fake tan edit: Which type is best for you?

I'm a weekly fake tanner but I know that some people only wear fake tan when the sun appears in summer. I have tried pretty much every type of tan going at one point or another and wanted to share my thoughts with you today, which I hope may be helpful for anyone who is new to fake tan and is unsure which one will work best or for anyone who wants to try a new type of tan. I know that it might look like this post is sponsored by St Tropez but it honestly isn't. I bought all of these products myself apart from the Ecooking product.

Caudalie SPF will protect your skin AND nature! Plus 20% discount code

Call me ignorant if you wish but I only recently became aware of the huge damage that sun creams have on the environment - every year, 14000 tonnes of sun cream are discharged onto coral reefs, which is shocking. I think that we are all trying to make changes to protect our planet - reusable shopping bags, reusable coffee cups, not using plastic straws, eating less meat etc. All of these small changes add up and make it easier and less intimidating to be more environmentally friendly. It's difficult to be perfect but if we all make small changes, it will help. Another way that we can help the planet is switching up our suncare products and Caudalie have made it easy for us. Their new range of SPF products don't contain any of the filters that are suspected of being Endocrine disruptors as well as those known to be toxic to the marine eco-system, which kill thousands of corals every year.  There is no compromise on the protection the products offer though - the offer maximum SPF UVA and UVB protection and are water-resistant and are highly bio-degradable.

*Edited to add: I have had some questions (both in the comments and in DMs on social media) about the research behind the sun creams and filters. The filters, which Caudalie will not use are octinoxate, octocrylene and nanoparticle filters - these are the ones suspected of being Endocrine disruptors. They also won't use Oxybenzone and Octinoxate as these are the ones that research have shown to be toxic to the marine eco-system. This is based on the research by Joseph C DiNardo on Dermatological and environmental toxicological impact of the sunscreen ingredient oxybenzone in Journal of cosmetic dermatology 09/29/2017.  Furthermore, Caudalie have stated: Our commitment also includes a scientific guarantee by Professor Piccerelle of the Mediterranean Institute of Biodiversity and Ecology, whose tests have validated the non-toxicity of the Caudalie filtration system on algae. This is based on ecotoxicological tests on algae, carried out by the Hélioscience Laboratory.*

I am not a scientist or medical professional but based on the research and the integrity of Caudalie, I believe that these claims are true. I'm not saying that suncream is the *only* cause of corals dying but, in my opinion, if we can play our part in reducing damage on the marine eco-system, then it is incumbent on us to do so and, in my opinion, Caudalie have made it easy for us to play our part by producing a range that will not harm the corals.

Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant VS Daily Superfoliant

Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant was the first product I ever tried from the brand, around 17 years ago! At the time it was probably the most popular skincare product on the market, with so many celebrities swearing by it. It's a product that I still repurchase to this day and still has that same cult status. When Daily Superfoliant was released, I wondered what the difference could be - I really was curious as to how they could improve on the original but the thing is, they have different aims. They are similar as in they are powder exfoliants but they are also different enough to justify both products being in the Dermalogica lineup (or, indeed, in your skincare cabinet!).

Worth the hype? St Tropez Purity Water Gel

I have worn fake tan for years. It's a weekly ritual for me and I have tried so many different brands and types - lotion, mousse, gradual tanners, ones with guide colours and others without a guide colour. Until recently, I had never tried a gel tan but that changed when curiosity got the better of me and I bought a bottle of St Tropez Purity Water Gel.  I was curious about whether the claims of no fake tan smell and transfer proof tan could be true.  I know that people often say that they apply tan, then get dressed and leave the house and these claims baffle me because I'm old school and prefer to apply my tan at night, then wear baggy clothes to prevent streaking and wash it off the next morning. I could think of little worse than getting dressed after applying tan as most tans would stain clothes but also,  tans might smell nice in the tube or when initially applied but usually after a few hours, they get that biscuity smell.  I digress but you can understand why I was skeptical about the claims of this new tan.....

The Unglamorous Side Of Beauty

We beauty bloggers are guilty of only talking about the glamorous side of beauty - the latest highlighter, the lipstick of the moment, the best glow-giving skincare etc but what I rarely see mentioned on blogs, Instagram or YouTube is the not so glamorous side of beauty.  I'm talking about cellulite, ingrown hairs, chicken skin arms - things that most of us have to deal with but for some reason, nobody seems to talk about! Today, I am sharing with you the products that I use to treat these issues. 

Kate Somerville Goat Milk Cleanser - worth the hype?

When I read that Kate Somerville Goat Milk Cleanser was particularly suitable for those with dry, dehydrated and sensitive skin, I knew I had to buy it even  though I didn't need a new cleanser! The description coupled with the fact that Blanche from The Beauty Bloss recommends it meant that resistance was futile, although I did have to wait twice for it to be re-stocked as it sold out so quickly when it was re-released.

My favourite bronze eyeshadows with swatches...

My go-to makeup look is a bronze eye and nude lip. I have umpteen palettes and probably every eyeshadow colour under the sun but my default is a bronze eye. It's pretty much a universally flattering eye look so I decided to share my favourites with you today and if you're in the market for a new bronze eyeshadow for summer, you might find one here! All swatches are completely unedited.

I'm having a Charlotte Tilbury moment!

It's no secret that I'm a huge fan of Charlotte Tilbury makeup but in recent weeks, I've noticed that I cannot apply my makeup without using at least a few of her products - I'm having a real love-in! I skipped her recent Icon palette because, although it looks beautiful,  there are no matte shadows and I tend not to wear all shimmer looks. (As a side note, I'm a total eyeshadow palette addict but I haven't bought any this year so far - I feel like I have palette fatigue and it's going to take something really special to make me take the plunge and add to my collection) When the new Glowgasm range was launched, I knew I wouldn't be able to resist adding some products to my collection (in reality,  I wanted everything!). I love a glowy base as it's youthful and works well on my dry skin and Charlotte Tilbury makeup is all about radiant, glowing skin so I have a number of her products in my regular routine.  Here are my most used Charlotte Tilbury products!

Spanx for the face #2: Clarins Extra Firming Phyto Serum

Long term readers will remember my first spanx for your face post from almost 3 years ago! It was the first time that I used a product that felt like it instantly firmed, lifted and tightened the skin and I have repurchased that mask numerous times since then. Until a few months ago, I hadn't really used any other product that gave the same instant feeling (usually firming products only show results after a good number of weeks of consistent use), until Clarins Extra Firming Phyto Serum came into my life! I love it so much that it's actually rivalling my beloved Estée Lauder Advanced Night Repair, which is my most repurchased skincare product ever!