My favourite beauty discoveries of 2019

Have you entered my Christmas giveaway here?

Before I get into today's post, I just want to thank you all for reading and commenting throughout 2019. My giveaway for regular readers and commenters will end at midnight tonight but if you don't win, please don't be disheartened as I have more giveaways in the pipeline for next year. I know that some people think that blogs are dying out but I personally still love reading them and writing my own so as long as there are some of you out there who are happy to keep reading, I'm happy to keep writing!

Over the course of the week, I have been sharing my beauty favourites in individual categories but today it's all about products that I discovered this year that have made their way into my hall of fame. If a product was gifted to me, it will be marked with a * but there is no obligation on me to share any gifted products and, as with all of my posts, this is not sponsored. It's a long one so let's get started!

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2019 Favourites: Discoveries

2019 Favourites: Makeup

Have you entered my Christmas giveaway here?

I thought that makeup favourites would be my longest post of the week but when you see my discoveries post (tomorrow), you will know that this actually isn't a huge list! There are a lot of well loved products in this post that featured in previous years also. Although I love trying new products, there are some that just can't be beaten and are staples in my routine. None of these products were sent to me. Let's get into them.....

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2019 Favourites: Makeup

2019 Favourites: Skincare

Have you entered my Christmas giveaway here?

It's yearly favourites week and today, it's all about skincare. These products aren't necessarily new to me - in fact, some of them have been staples in my routine for years! All new discoveries from the year will be in Friday's post as it will cover all areas of beauty. Most of the products in today's post will come as no surprise to my regular readers! Anything that was gifted to me, will be marked with a *.

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2019 Favourites: Skincare

2019 Favourites: Hair & Body

Have you entered my Christmas giveaway here?

I cannot believe that it's yearly favourites time again. Where has this year gone?! For the rest of the week, I'm going to be sharing the cream of the crop of products from 2019. Today is hair and body products, tomorrow is skincare, Thursday will be makeup and on Friday, I'll share all of the discoveries I made this year. I like to put discoveries into a separate post because otherwise, the posts would just be too long! If anything was sent to me, it will be marked with a *. Let's get into it...

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2019 Favourites: Hair & Body

How to make your blow dry last longer

Have you entered my Christmas giveaway here?

I don't know about you but when I go to the effort of styling my hair, I really want it to last as long as possible and particularly over the festive season, when life is even busier. My hair is dry and I really don't like to feel a lot of product in my hair, although some product is definitely necessary if I want my blow dry to last. Today I want to share the products that I rely on, especially over the next fortnight.

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How to make your blow dry last longer

Five favourites: Sarah Chapman

Have you entered my Christmas giveaway here?

It's difficult to choose just an ultimate favourite skincare brand but if you asked me to narrow it down to my top five brands, Sarah Chapman would have to be included. I love how passionate Sarah is about skincare, which comes across in every interview I have seen and on her YouTube channel. This is a luxury brand, which means the products are expensive, however I have a 20% discount code to share with you if you wish to buy anything I mention - enter LYMIN at the checkout on Look Fantastic and the discount will be applied. (The code will also work on other brands on LookFantastic).  It was very difficult to narrow it down to just five products because I love so many but I just about managed.....

This is not a sponsored post but affiliate links are used.

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3D Moisture Infusion Mask, Five Favourites, Sarah Chapman, Sarah Chapman Eye Recovery, Sarah Chapman Intense Hydrating Booster, Sarah Chapman Morning Facial, Sarah Chapman Overnight Facial

Banish the signs of late nights with these great makeup picks

Have you entered my Christmas giveaway here?

We're all a lot busier in December and there's no doubt that having less down time, more late nights and social engagements can show in our faces. I'm talking dull skin, dark circles, tired eyes etc etc.  Fortunately, there are some products that will help hide the signs of our sins!

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Banish the signs of late nights with these great makeup picks

Hand luggage beauty picks for a winter trip to Rome!

I'm off to Rome tomorrow morning with my husband! We first went to Rome on our honeymoon and I was so, so ill and we've been saying for years that we must re-visit so this year for our wedding anniversary, he surprised me with this trip and I couldn't be more excited! I like travelling with just hand luggage for convenience as that there is no waiting around in the baggage collection area but I always struggle with liquids!  There's no doubt that I'll be using some of my husband's allowance too but I think I've done a pretty good job at narrowing it down to necessities!

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Hand luggage liquid products, Hand luggage makeup

Oskia Liquid Mask Lactic Acid Micro-peel review

Oskia is one of my favourite skincare brand. I have probably only tried half of their products but have yet to find a dud. You can read my thoughts on some other products from the brand here and here. When I saw that they released a liquid mask, I was instantly curious. My skin responds well to Lactic Acid, which is a gentle AHA and I also love overnight masks, so I decided to go ahead and purchase it.

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Oskia Liquid Mask Lactic Acid Micro-peel review, skincare

Finally, face tanners that don't break me out! St Tropez and SoSu by Suzanne Jackson

I know it may seem a bit strange to talk about self tan at this time of year but I'm a weekly tanner regardless of the season! I also like to have a little colour in my cheeks so that I don't look deathly pale on no-makeup days! The problem that I've had in the past is that most fake tans break me out really badly, when used on my face - either that or they make my skin even drier but also visibly congested. For years, I just tanned my body and left my face, which admittedly looked odd but it was better than the alternative. Earlier this year, I decided to give St Tropez Purity Bronzing Water Face Mist a try and I haven't looked back! In fact, I now have a second face tanner that doesn't break me out and is half the price...

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SoSu by Suzanne Jackson Wonder Water, St Tropez Purity Bronzing Water Face Mist

Dermalogica Phyto-Nature Firming Serum

As a huge fan of Dermalogica, I am always excited by their new releases but especially when it's a serum. When it comes to skincare, I'm a big believer in investing in serums more than any other product as they penetrate the skin more deeply than any moisturiser will and will work harder than other products in your routine. Bare that in mind when reading this review as the Phyto-Nature Firming Serum is pricey! 

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Dermalogica Phyto-Nature Firming Serum review

New to or nervous about retinol? Try Oskia Retinoid Sleep Serum Level 1

Retinol really is a wonder ingredient in skincare and I noticed a huge difference in my skin when I introduced it into my regime, in terms of texture and visibility of fine lines.  I recommend it to so many people and some wince as they just have visions of their face falling off (a bit extreme but you know what I mean!) but I do understand the hesitation. My advice is always to start gently, especially if you have sensitive/reactive skin and the perfect introductory product is Oskia Retinoid Sleep Serum Level 1 - 0.2%, which I want to share my thoughts on today.

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Oskia Retinoid Sleep Serum Level 1 Review

Natasha Denona Metropolis Palette - worth the price?

At the beginning of the year, I decided to be much more mindful of my spending - makeup purchases, in particular. Why? Simply, because I only have one face and I can't use all of the products I already own so adding lots more to my stash is a waste of money. For the most part, I've done really well! I am a self-confessed eyeshadow palette addict but I have so many that I couldn't justify buying more unless they were really special. The Natasha Denona Metropolis palette is my second (and probably last) eyeshadow purchase of the year. This is a limited edition palette, which is probably part of the reason why I couldn't resist buying it (also, it's a beauty!). My other palette purchase was also limited edition (from Inglot in this post) and I'm pretty proud of the fact that I've resisted so many releases this year. That being said, this is a pricey piece of makeup and I'm sure a lot of people will think I am mad and would prefer to buy more products at a reasonable price than just one expensive item and that's understandable. To each their own and all that! Now that I've had the palette for almost a month and have had plenty of time to play with it, I wanted to share my thoughts and let you know if I think it's worth the price/hype. If you are interested in buying, the Cult Beauty waitlist is now open.

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Natasha Denona Metropolis Palette - worth the hype/price?, Natasha Denona Metropolis Palette Review & Swatches

Omorovicza Silver skincare range review

Regular readers will know that Omorovicza is one of my absolute favourite skincare brands (definitely in my top three) and every time they release a new product, I want to try it even if it might not be actually aimed at my skin type! I have dry, textured and quite reactive skin but I have never had a negative reaction to any products from this brand. All products contain their patented Healing Concentrate and this really does help to soothe the skin and reduce inflammation. Last year, I reviewed their Silver Skin Saviour Mask here and in recent months, two new products were added to the Silver line and I want to share my thoughts on them with you today. Those with oily, combination or blemish-prone skin will love this range.

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Omorovicza, Omorovicza Silver Saviour Lotion, Omorovicza Silver Saviour Mask, Omorovicza Silver Saviour Tonic

The hype is real #9 Jo Malone fragrances

There is something about Jo Malone fragrances that gets my pulse racing!  I adore the classic cream and black packaging and the scent combinations that work so well together.  I waited years before indulging in some Jo Malone fragrances because they're pretty pricey and I honestly wondered if they could be worth the money and it was actually my husband who bought my first one as he knew I couldn't really justify the cost. Since then, I've been hooked although I will say that the classic Pomegranate Noir is not for me. As with all fragrance brands, it's not a case of one scent suits all tastes but I'm sure that there's at least one fragrance to suit everyone. Their Christmas range excites me every year and I love to both give and receive gifts from the brand.

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Jo Malone, The hype is real

Five Favourites from Huda beauty

I'm back with another instalment in my Five Favourites series and today it's all about Huda Beauty. I have to say that it was really tricky to narrow it down to just five products because I genuinely love so many products from the brand. I know that Huda can be seen as quite controversial at times but I'm just focusing on her products and brand rather than the lady herself.

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Five Favourites, Huda Beauty, Huda Beauty 3D Highlight Palette, Huda Beauty Complexion Perfection, Huda Beauty Liquid Matte, Huda Beauty Overachiever Concealer, Huda Beauty TanTour

Five stunning nude blushes

Throughout Spring and Summer, I always opt for pinky/peachy/coral blushes but when it comes to Autumn/Winter, I tend to favour nude blush shades. Berry/mauve tones don't always work on me but I feel that blush makes a huge difference to my complexion so it's a step that I can't skip.  A nude blush may seem like an odd product to use but it really does add a little something to the cheeks to warm them up without taking away from the overall makeup look and it works better than just using a bronzer. I've chosen five gorgeous nude blushes to share with you today.

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Charlotte Tilbury First Love, Clarins Cheeky Boum, Hourglass Brilliant Nude, Marc Jacobs Flesh & Fantasy, The nude blush edit

Charlotte Tilbury Airbrush Flawless Foundation - dry skin review.

I'm back! Sorry for the long pause between posts.  We were on holiday last week and I wasn't feeling too great for the few weeks before we went away so my posting schedule was reduced and then I was hit with the flu when we came back so that explains why things have been quiet around here! I always find that a break (whether planned or not) always gives me great motivation and lots of post ideas so I'm brimming with enthusiasm to get back on track with my schedule of 5 posts per week and I'm starting today with a foundation review. It seems like every brand has a new foundation at the moment and I'll admit that I have bought a lot of them! My excuse is that I finished two recently so I replaced those (and bought some more!). I've been shopping a lot less this year than any other years since I started blogging because I have so many products that I genuinely love so something has to really grab my attention for me to buy it. Whilst August was a spendy month, I don't really plan on buying a lot this month although the Cult Beauty Advent Calendar is calling my name! Have you seen it? The contents look insanely good! Anyway, back to today's post! The foundation in question is Charlotte Tilbury Airbrush Flawless Foundation. 

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Charlotte Tilbury Airbrush Flawless Foundation Dry Skin Review, Charlotte Tilbury Airbrush Flawless Foundation Review

Is the Dyson Supersonic hair dryer worth the hype/price?

When the Dyson Supersonic hairdryer was first released, I really didn't think that it could be worth the price and couldn't have imagined myself ever buying it. Then the reviews started rolling in and it sounded amazing - lightweight, super fast and reduces frizz - my dream product! I love hair products - a good hair mask will make a big difference to my hair and I enjoy taking care of my hair however I don't love drying it. I've mentioned on here before that I have Chronic Lyme Disease and because of that, my energy levels are always low. Washing and drying my hair can seem as big a task as climbing Mount Everest sometimes and because of that, I quite frequently go to my salon for a wash & blow dry but that can obviously be quite expensive. Apart from the expense, it's also quite soul-crushing to add another task to the list of things that I can't do for myself. It's important to me to be able to take care of myself and even though I have been ill for a very long time, I have always done my best to take care of my skin, paint my nails, wear perfume and have clean hair as they are things that I can control (to an extent!), even if I am going to be wearing pyjamas all day! Knowing this, my husband very kindly treated me to the Dyson Supersonic hairdryer for my birthday earlier this month and I honestly couldn't be more grateful. But has it been worth the hype?

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Is the Dyson hair dryer worth the hype/price?

Five favourites from Sunday Riley

It's quite a while since I last did a five favourites post (the last one was in April!) but these posts and my Brand Focus post series have always been some of my most popular posts so I thought I'd start making them regular features again. Today I am sharing my five favourite products from Sunday Riley although, to be honest, I have yet to try a product from the brand that I don't love! All of these products have been repurchased at least once, if not, twice. Most products are available in deluxe sample sizes, which is brilliant because it means you don't have to spend a fortune to try them - especially great if you are new to the brand. 

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Five Favourites, Sunday Riley, Sunday Riley CEO Rapid Flash Brightening Serum, Sunday Riley Good Genes Lactic Acid, Sunday Riley Juno Oil, Sunday Riley Luna

The K-Beauty brand you need to know about: d'Alba Cosmetics

One of the best things about writing a beauty blog is being introduced to brands that I may not have tried otherwise. Today I'm talking about one of those brands: d'Alba Cosmetics, which is a Korean premium skincare brand. My love of K-Beauty brands is well documented on the blog but what makes d'Alba different from other Korean brands is that it uses white truffle, from Italy in its products. The area of Italy that this is truffle is taken from is actually named d'Alba and it also means dawn in Italian, reflecting that, the products aim to bring your skin to life. I was most intrigued by the range because when I read about white truffle, it is said to be anti-inflammatory, which definitely appeals to me as my skin is easily irritated and inflamed. It also helps to repair skin, is high in Vitamin C and B12, B3 and Niacin, all of which help to brighten the skin and even skin tone. I was kindly sent four products, which I have been trialling and want to share my thoughts with you today.

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d'Alba 7:33 Bathroom First Spray Mist Serum, d'Alba Cosmetics, d'Alba Fantastic Waterfull Mask, d'Alba Peptide No-Sebum Balancing Toner, d'Alba Peptide No-Sebum Repair Cream, review, skincare

REVIEW: Clarins Everlasting Youth Fluid Foundation

There are so many new foundations being released at the moment and one that I couldn't wait to get my hands on is Clarins Everlasting Youth Fluid Foundation. Their Skin Illusion Foundation is one that I have repurchased - something that doesn't happen regularly when you're a beauty junkie, and I absolutely adore their Instant Concealer. That coupled with the promise of luminosity and that it  combines the best of makeup and Clarins skincare combined had me instantly intrigued. 

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Clarins Everlasting Youth Fluid Foundation Review

Minimum effort, maximum results products

I love nothing more than a nice, long pamper evening but let's face it, not everyone has the time, energy or inclination to spend a few hours on themselves every week. People lead busy lives and have so many other things that occupy their time plus with the weather being as nice as it has, most of us are inclined to get outside and make the most of it, leaving us even less time to do 'extra' things. I don't know about you but I still don't want to neglect myself so when time is scarce I turn to products that take minimum effort on my part but yield great results. I'm going to share these products with you today and would love to hear what products you reach for when time is limited but you still want to look your best.

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maximum results products, Minimum effort

Battling hyperpigmentation....

Hyperpigentation has a number of causes - sometimes it occurs in pregnancy, other times it's post breakout and, of course, it's as a result of sun damage.  It can be tricky to deal with and can sometimes make people feel less confident but fear not, there are some products out there that can help.  In my case, I first noticed some areas of hyperpigmentation on my face when I was taking medication that made my skin more sensitive to the sun. Despite wearing (and re-applying) a high SPF, I was left with two small areas of pigmentation. It wasn't just a case of me being more aware of the patches than others as my niece asked me what happened to my face! They have faded but I do notice that I have to be very vigilant or they will reappear. Today I want to share some brilliant products for tackling this issue.

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How to get rid of pigmentation

A really nourishing, post-sunny days treat: Antipodes Hand & Body Creams: Joyful, Jubilation and Delight

Earlier this year, I wrote a Brand Focus post on Antipodes and I mentioned how much I loved Joyful Hand & Body Cream.  Because it is so nourishing, it's the perfect product to use in winter when skin is extra dry from the effects of central heating, cold weather etc but it is also perfect to use after a long, hot sunny day (which we're thankfully having quite a few of at the moment!).  There are also two other hand and body creams in the range and I want to tell you about them today as they really do feel like a treat and would make a lovely gift (maybe even to yourself!).

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Antipodes, Antipodes Hand & Body Creams: Joyful, Jubilation and Delight

Want super soft limbs and lips? Ameliorate is the brand you need to know about

You know those annoying bumps that can appear on the back of your arms or upper thighs? The ones that are so hard to get rid of? Ameliorate is the answer to those! In fact, the brand was started because the founder had suffered from this all of her life and then her children did too, so she decided to take matters into her own hands and Ameliorate was born! Bumpy or dry skin is something that most people have but it's easier to ignore in winter when we're covered up but now that we're experiencing some sunny days, our limbs are on show. If you want to improve the appearance of your skin without having to get salon treatments or spend a fortune, this is the brand for you. What's even better is that you can get free shipping on all Ameliorate products by using the code LYMIN at checkout. This is valid until the end of July.

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Ameliorate, Ameliorate Intensive Hand Treatment, Ameliorate Intensive Lip Treatment, Ameliorate Softening Bath Milk Oil, Ameliorate Transforming Body Lotion

Dermalogica - the brand I've been repurchasing for 16 years!

Dermalogica is a brand that has featured in my skincare routine for longer than any other. I had used some other high end brands prior to first using Dermalogica but had never been hooked enough to buy a number of products from the same brand before. It was (and still is) a very hyped brand and I loved the idea of face mapping and multi-masking, which was innovative as they were the first brand to introduce these methods as the norm.  After my first facial with the brand, I then went on to purchase the products that were recommended and loved the results so much that I decided to exclusively use the brand for 6 months prior to our wedding. I knew that I could depend on the products and facials to have my skin looking its best for our big day! Since then, I have always had some of the products in my routine - the brand will be a forever love of mine! Given the long love affair I have had with the brand, I was thrilled to be invited to be part of their Skinfluencer campaign a few months ago. I was kindly sent some products, most of which I had used a lot in previous years, and I want to share my thoughts on them with you today. Every product from the brand is free from artificial colours and fragrances, alcohol and mineral oil.

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Brand Focus, cruelty free, dermalogica, Dermalogica Intensive Moisture Balance, Dermalogica Multivitamin Power Recovery Masque, Dermalogica Precleanse, Dermalogica Ultracalming Cleanser

My holiday makeup picks

I'm off to Majorca tomorrow for a week! This is our fifth time going to Majorca although we don't always stay in the same resort but we both just love the island and the fact that it's a short flight. I packed my clothes quite quickly but I always find packing skincare and makeup much trickier than choosing which clothes to bring. I used to be utterly ridiculous with the amount of products that I brought but like to think that I've improved. I save mini products and samples throughout the year to take away on weekends/holidays  - advent calendars, beauty boxes and gift with purchases are really good in that regard. So, what have I packed this time? Let's get into it!

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Clarins SOS Bronze Primer, Erborian Pink Perfect Crème, Holiday Makeup, oo Faced Born This Way Naturally Radiant Concealer, Stila Convertible Colour, Too Faced Peach Perfect Comfort Matte Foundation

Best discoveries of the 2019 so far.....

I know it's a cliché but I honestly can't believe how quickly this year is going by! I hope that summer weather actually kicks in soon so we don't just go from Spring to Autumn. Regardless, we can't stop the hands of time and whilst this June is nothing like last year in terms of weather, we're still six months into the year! When we reach this halfway point, I always like to look back at the first part of the year and document my favourite discoveries. I actually thought that I hadn't bought very many beauty products this year but when I look at this list, I actually have but it's still an improvement on previous years. The products marked with a * were kindly sent to me but everything else, I bought myself. These are all of the standout new (or new to me) products that I have discovered and loved in 2019, so far.....

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Clarins Extra Firming Phyto Serum, Dermalogica Intensive Moisture Balance, Erborian CC Eye Cream, Legology Air-Lite Daily Lift For Legs, St Tropez Purity Water Gel

The Glowing Skin Edit Part Two: Makeup

Following on from yesterday's Glowing Skin Edit, which involved skincare, today I want to share products that will help to fake a glow. There are times that we all need to fake it, especially after late nights, broken sleep and periods of ill-health. Luckily, there are some fab products that can hide a multitude of sins! Obviously, I'm not recommending wearing them all together at the same time (unless you like the discoball look and in that case, you do you!) but even just one or two of these items together can really transform the face.

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Becca Aqua Luminous Perfecting Foundation, Charlotte Tilbury Flawless Filter, Charlotte Tilbury Lightgasm, Cover Fx Illuminating Setting Spray, Natasha Denona Face Glow

The Glowing Skin Edit Part One: Skincare

Glowing skin - something that we all want but it isn't always easy to achieve. There are so many factors that can affect our skin - illness, the weather, pollution, stress etc. Those of us with naturally dry skin will know that a glow is usually something that we have to work hard (or rather, our skincare products have to work hard) to attain. It is something that requires consistency but with the right products, results will be seen. I want to share the hard working products in my routine that help me to achieve glowing skin and tomorrow, I will share products that will help to fake a glow.

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Farmacy Honeymoon Glow, Omorovicza Daily Vitamin C Serum, Omorovicza Ultramoor Mud Mask, Oskia Renaissance Mask, Pixi Glow Tonic, Ra Skin Rescue Oil, Sunday Riley CEO Glow, Sunday Riley Juno Oil

The hype is real #7 Nars Laguna & Orgasm

It's time for another instalment of The Hype Is Real and this time it's about Nars Orgasm and Nars Laguna, which are probably the most famous Nars products and certainly the two first products that I tried from the brand. Orgasm is the only blush that I have ever repurchased..... twice! I've also repurchased Laguna a number of times but a bronzer repurchase is less unusual. Nars also happens to be Cult Beauty's Brand of The Month for June, which means there is free international shipping on all Nars orders. This post isn't sponsored, it just happens to coincide!

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Cult Beauty Brand of The Month, Nars Laguna, Nars Orgasm Blush, The hype is real

The cleanser edit: which type is best for you?

Is there any better feeling than removing your makeup at the end of the day and cleansing your skin? As much as I love makeup, I love skincare even more.  I know that some people think spending money on a cleanser is a waste because you remove it not long after applying but I disagree.  Cleansing preps your skin for the next steps and any subsequent products applied can work effectively when the skin is thoroughly cleansed.  There are so many types of cleansers, but which works best for you? Of course, you may like several cleanser types (as I do) or you may like to switch the formula up, depending on the season but if you are unsure which type might work best for you, this post should help. Some of these cleansers were kindly gifted to me, which I will indicate with * beside them. Most of these products have been previously reviewed on the blog and I will link those reviews if you want to know more about them.

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The cleanser edit: which type is best for you?

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....

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

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.

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Bondi Sands, Ecooking, St Tropez, Which type of fake tan is best for you

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.

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caudalie, Caudalie Anti-Wrinkle Face Suncare SPF 50, Caudalie Beautifying Suncare Oil SPF 30, Caudalie Vinoperfect Serum

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!).

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cruelty free, Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant VS Daily Superfoliant, Vegan

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.....

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St Tropez Purity Water Gel Review

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. 

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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.

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Kate Somerville Goat Milk Cleanser Review

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.

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Bronze, Bronze eyeshadows for green eyes, Mulch, Too Faced Creme Brulée: Pat McGrath Bronze Struck: Natasha Denona Copper Stone: By Terry Bronze Moon: Marc Jacobs Bravo-O!: MAC Tempting

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!

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Charlotte Tilbury Airbrush Powder, Charlotte Tilbury Light Wonder, Charlotte Tilbury Lightgasm, Charlotte Tilbury Lip Cheat Pillow Talk, Charlotte Tilbury Magic Concealer, Legendary Lashes 2 Mascara

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!

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Clarins Extra Firming Phyto Serum, skincare, Spanx for the face

The skincare wipe that is the exception to the rule: Omorovicza Peachy Micellar Cleansers

To remove my makeup, I like to use an oil cleanser but when I have eyelash extensions applied, I cannot use very oily products on my eyes as it would loosen the lashes. Instead, I use a micellar water to remove my makeup and eye makeup, in particular. It can be tricky to find a micellar water that isn't drying, which is why I don't use one all year round but I have two options that are effective and non-drying and I want to share one with you today: Omorovicza Peachy Micellar Cleansers.

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Omorovicza Peachy Micellar Cleansers Review

Drunk Elephant Slaai Makeup-Melting Butter Cleanser - worth the hype?

When Drunk Elephant hit our shores, there was a bit of a frenzy. Personally, I love some Drunk Elephant products but others I've tried have only been okay, in my opinion and certainly not worthy of the hype they received in that initial frenzy. (FYI, the ones I love are A-Passioni, Baby Facial, Protini Peptide Cream and Virgin Marula Luxury Oil). Until now, none of the cleansers appealed to me but the launch of Slaai Makeup-Melting Butter Cleanser coincided with me finishing the last cleansing balm in my collection so I took it as a sign that I should try it! I have other cleansers in my collection but always like to have at least one balm because my dry skin loves them. I've been using it for a few weeks now and want to share my thoughts.

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cruelty free, Drunk Elephant Slaai Makeup-Melting Butter Cleanser Review

The Spring Beauty Edit

Spring has arrived.... allegedly! Somebody needs to tell the weather to play catch up! Spring is my favourite season - I love seeing buds blossom and hearing birds chirping in the mornings and, of course, the longer evenings. Whilst I haven't switched my wardrobe up yet ( that's on next week's to-do list), I have started to switch my makeup up to introduce lighter bases and some Spring colours and I want to share my top picks with you today.

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Herbae par L'Occitane review, The Spring Beauty Edit

Five favourites from By Terry

It's been a while since I last did a five favourites post so I thought I'd bring it back with a brand that I have grown to really love over the past year - By Terry! I could easily have chosen 10 favourites so I have to say that narrowing it down to five was almost impossible. Terry De Gunzburg was a makeup designer for YSL for 15 years before embarking on creating her own line. She even invented Touché Eclat for YSL and her focus has always been on healthy, radiant skin. Baume De Rose is the product that the brand is most famous for (it was actually created after a mix up in the lab, which saw double the amount of rose butter added to the balm), but it certainly isn't a one trick pony! Here are my ultimate top five products from the brand and I would love to hear your favourites in the comments below.

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Brand Focus, By Terry, By Terry Lash Expert Twist Brush, By Terry Terrybly Densiliss Foundation, Five Favourites

IT Cosmetics CC Cream Vs Erborian CC cream

I used to think that BB and CC creams were kinda gimmicky - that they wouldn't do any more than a good primer and didn't offer enough coverage to be an alternative to foundation, but I was wrong! The key is finding the right one for you and your skin. If you aren't aware what CC stands for, it's colour corrector, so their function is to correct redness or sallow skin, for example. Again, I thought that a primer would be sufficient but I have found two CC creams to prove me wrong. They are similar in terms of both being CC creams but also quite different in terms of finish and wear time so I want to share my thoughts on both today so that if you want to buy a CC cream for the warmer months, this might help you choose which will work best for you. The two CC creams in question are IT Cosmetics Your Skin But Better CC Cream and Erborian CC cream.

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IT Cosmetics CC Cream Vs Erborian CC cream

Four products that I cannot get enough of

At the moment, every time I apply my makeup, there are four non-negotiable products that I reach for. Eyeshadow, blush, base and lip options may vary but at the moment, I am obsessed with these products. I know that I can depend on them for my makeup to look its best. Two are new to my collection and two are old favourites.

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Anastasia Beverly Hills Dip Brow Gel, Clarins Instant Concealer, Erborian CC Eye Cream, Favourites, Natasha Denona Hydrating Glow Primer

Vitamins A - E in skincare products

Lots of people know that products containing Vitamin C will have a brightening effect on the skin but what about other vitamins? Ever wondered what their function is? I'm taking the vitamins from the first five letters of the alphabet today and recommending products for each one!

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Alpha-H Vitamin B, Alpha-H Vitamin E, Drunk Elephant A-Passioni Retinol Cream, Sunday Riley CEO Rapid Flash Brightening Serum, Sunday Riley Luna, Vitamins A - E in skincare products, Zelens Power D