Sorry for the radio silence. I had plenty of posts planned for December but I have been terribly ill with flu - proper flu that is, not just feeling rough with a bad cold/congestion. I've had medication (still taking some), and I've been put on bed rest, but I have zero energy so I can't do anything anyway. I can't complete any posts, however my giveaway is still running and I'll choose winners as soon as I feel better - hopefully over the Christmas period. For now, it's bed rest.
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| Anything marked with a * was kindly gifted to me, without obligation. |
Welcome to my final gift guide! I had some messages asking if I was going to do one for men, and I do buy for a lot of men but their tastes are specific - golfing, jumpers, thermals, and the one thing that all of the men in my life love is a new aftershave, so I've put together my top six today. Don't forget that you can use the code BEAUTYLYMIN to receive a 21% discount on any of these which are available on Look Fantastic and there is still time for Christmas delivery!
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| All of these products were kindly gifted to me, without obligation. |
It's been a while since I reviewed any Pixi products, despite it being a brand that I use regularly, so I was delighted when the latest additions to the Collagen range were kindly sent to me. When I saw the sheet masks, I knew we were on to a winner because the other ones I tried from them were brilliant. How did I get on with the four products?....
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| Anything marked with a * was kindly gifted to me, without obligation. |
This gift guide will contain some products that were seen in previous years but I love them so much and still think that they make great gifts. There's something for all budgets and some are non-beauty!
I always love Charlotte's gift sets, but this year is probably the best yet because all budgets are considered, plus I love that there are individual shadows as a change from the long 12 pan palettes. Some of the products in this gift guide were purchased by me and others were kindly gifted, without obligation (marked with a *). As with all of my gift guides, some of the products will be given away to those who comment on my posts (both recent and over the next few weeks), plus some will be chosen from those who like, comment and tag friends who would also like to win on my Instagram. Winners will be chosen at random and basically, the more you engage, the more chances you have to win!
Wow, how is this year almost over? It seems crazy that it is the 1st of December, a month that always flies by! I enjoyed November despite catching Covid again - it may be the case that my body can't actually rid itself of it - joy, oh joy! Anyway, on to fun things from last month.....
This is probably my favourite gift guide category because as much as I adore haircare, skincare, makeup etc, I wear perfume every day and I adore candles and diffusers, as scent really does lift my spirits, relax me, transport me to a moment in time, and so on. I can't imagine a day passing without wearing a fragrance or having a candle burning in my home - I light them all year round, although I love diffusers too. When I lost my sense of smell for months after one of the times I caught Covid, I still wore fragrance because I knew that I wanted to smell good even if I couldn't smell it myself! Basically, I'm a fragrance addict and if you're shopping for a fellow addict, today's post is for you! As always, anything marked with a * was kindly gifted, without obligation, and I am giving away some of these gifts to those who comment here on the blog and also follow and engage on Instagram.
Welcome to Day Three of my 2022 Gift Guides. I really do hope that they are providing some inspiration for you as I've enjoyed putting them together. All. products/sets are ones that I would either love to receive or give, so there are no filler items here. Today, we're in the £50+ category, which is probably one that a few people might chip together for, or you may have a person in your life that you spend a little extra on. As always, if you're shopping on Look Fantastic, if you use my code BEAUTYLYMIN, you will save some extra on the bargains that are already to be had on site. This is not sponsored by the way, I just tend to do a lot of my beauty shopping on there! Also, if a product was kindly gifted to me (without obligation), I'lll let you know by marking with a *, and as always, some of these gifts will be sent to randomly chosen people who comment on my blog regularly and engage on my Instagram, which you obviously have to be following! On to today's gifts.....
Day 2 of my gift guides (day 1 here), and today I'm focusing on gifts that are priced between £25 and £50. There are some cracking products and sets in here and don't forget to use my code BEAUTYLYMIN if you're shopping on Look Fantastic to make further savings. If anything was gifted to me, it was done without obligation and it will be marked with a *. I will be giving away some gifts from each of my gift guides to those who comment here on the blog and on Instagram (plus, you obviously need to be following me on there too!). So let's get into today's gifts...
It's gift guide time again! My favourite time of the year because I love all things festive! Given that most people are feeling the pinch this year due to the increased cost of living, I don't think that anybody should be under pressure to buy gifts, and I definitely don't recommend getting into debt for them. If you really can't afford to buy gifts, then maybe come to an agreement with friends and family that you'll skip this year or maybe do some babysitting/DIY/gardening instead of giving a physical gift. I have a big family to buy for, so I save weekly in a pot specifically for Christmas gifts and then get the best value that I can at this time of year. My Look Fantastic discount code (BEAUTYLYMIN) will save you 21%, so that will be of some help, and there really are some amazing deals on there at the moment, so it's worth checking the site daily. If you are buying gifts this year, I have some great sets/products for a variety of price points, starting today with under £25 - this is not a category that I consider to be stocking fillers, as it's a lot to spend on a gift for anybody, plus most of these products and brands will be reduced this week (Black Friday seems to last for a fortnight these days!). I hope you'll find some inspiration! Anything marked with a * was kindly gifted, without obligation. None of my gift guides are sponsored and I will include any discount codes that I am aware of so that I can hopefully help you save some money. Also, I will randomly be choosing winners of some gifts from those who comment here on the blog and also on Instagram.
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| The Moor Cream Cleanser and Rejuvenating Night Cream were kindly gifted to me, without obligation. |
Last week, I shared my morning skincare routine (here) using only Omorovicza products and today, I'm sharing my evening routine, which features the brand exclusively and has a few more options. I also have a discount code - SIOBHAN10 and this can be used on all full price products to save 10%.
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| This foundation was kindly gifted to me, without obligation. |
Luminous and matte - not two words that you often see together when describing a foundation. Normally, it's one or the other, or perhaps dewy or satin, so I was instantly intrigued when I received this foundation in the post. I reviewed the original All Hours foundation here, which really took me by surprise as full coverage foundations are not usually my type of base, but I loved how smooth it made my skin look. So how does the Luminous Matte version fare?
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| The Cushioning Day Cream was kindly gifted to me, without obligation. |
It's no secret that I'm a HUGE Omorovicza fan, and although I am aware that the products are expensive, they just really work for my skin. I have a wide collection of their products in my stash, and use some most days but on days where I really feel like I need a pamper/treat, I will use the brand exclusively and pretend I'm at a salon. It really makes me feel better, but also leaves my skin looking amazing. Today, I want to share my morning routine with you, and next week I'll share my evening routine (which has a lot more decisions/choices!). If you want to buy any of the products featured in today's post, or anything else on site (full price, and not gift sets), then you can use my code SIOBHAN10 to save 10%.
It's been a while since I updated you on my health, and I know from my DMs that there are a number of you suffering from Long Covid, which by the way isn't what you have when you still feel a bit poorly a fortnight after testing positive! This diagnosis is only given after a minimum of twelve weeks of suffering with debilitating fatigue, heart palpitations, shortness of breath, brain fog, and a variety of other symptoms. It really is life-altering. As many of you will know, I also have Chronic Lyme, M.E. and Fibromyalgia, and some of the symptoms cross over between all illnesses. I have a wonderful G.P. and have been having tests at my local hospital to see if there is anything that we can do to improve my situation and reverse some of the damage. I am not a medical professional, so what I do may not suit you, however I have a plan to start with and we will tweak according to how my body responds....
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| All of these were kindly gifted to me, without obligation. |
I'm back with another budget/affordable/bougie post and this time, it's all about Micellar Waters. I assume that most of you have used a micellar water at some point, whether they're a regular in your routine or something you used when staying over at a friend's , just to see if they can actually remove your makeup! I think that we first heard about them via a certain French brand but now you can buy them in the supermarket! I'll be honest, there was a time that I didn't like them because I felt that the ones I tried either left a film on my face, or were drying. Products always improve though, and I have three great ones to share with you today. I tend to use micellar waters instead of cleansing oils when I have lash extensions on, as the oil will loosen my lashes. So, I will use as a first cleanse when wearing makeup, or sometimes as a morning cleanse.
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| Anything marked with a * was kindly gifted to me, without obligation. |
I didn't do a September loves post, so this will combine the two months. I'm sorry that my posts have been quite sporadic for the past few months (most of the year, really), but my health is really failing me (or I'm failing my body? I'm never fully sure which!), and my doctors are adamant that I rest more. I have lots of post ideas and plans, so I'm hoping that if I can find the right balance, things will be more consistent on here from now on. Anyway, on to my loves....
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| All of these products were kindly gifted to me, without obligation to post. |
It will come as no surprise to regular readers that L'Occitane is one of my favourite brands - in terms of bath and body care, hair care, fragrance and skincare, so I was absolutely delighted to be sent some top ups from the Immortelle range, as well as some of the new products in the line. I adore this particular skincare line and think that out of all of the ranges within the brand, this is what suits me best as the products are extremely nourishing. The first product I tried from the range was in 2017 and it was love at first use (post here). Immortelle hails from the island of Corsica and is rich in anti-oxidants and anti-ageing ingredients. It is reparative, nourishing and increases the elasticity of the skin. That said, I think people of all ages would enjoy this line as there are different ranges now and the Precious range is for those who are beginning to see the signs of ageing. Let's get into the overview...
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| Anything marked with a * was kindly gifted to me, without obligation. |
Who doesn't want to wake up to better skin? I know that I love products that will work overnight to give me a visible difference the next day. Whether I'm ill and don't have the energy/inclination for a long routine, am short on time, my skin is looking dull or congested - these are the occasions that I need reliable products the most and I have six to share with you today!
If you're one of my OG blog readers, you'll know that I've been a huge fan of the brand Omorovicza since I first bought some products in 2015. Once I find a brand that suits my skin, I tend to stay pretty loyal to it and will always have some products in my stash, despite trying other brands and products both out of curiosity and for my blog. I know that some people are using masks less frequently than they used to, but for me, they are part of a ritual where I unwind, it's self-care, but also I love the effect they have on my skin. Of all brands that I have tried, Omorovicza is the one that I repurchase products from most often. They have five masks in total, all of which I have tried and I have repurchased several times. I only have four in my collection at the moment, which I am going to share my thoughts on with you today, and the fifth is reviewed here. What's even better is that I have a discount code to share with you all! SIOBHAN10 will get you a 10% discount code at checkout on all full priced items (apart from gift sets).
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| Both of these products were kindly gifted to me, without obligation. |
I have consistently had a tube of Clarins Beauty Flash Balm in my collection since around the year 2000, and it was the only primer I used until I started blogging and was lured into the attraction of trying some other products. That being said, I always had a tube in my stash because I knew I could rely on it. Recently, it has been reformulated, and two other products were added to the line: Beauty Flash Peel and Resculpting Beauty Flash Roller. I was kindly sent two of the products, which I've been using over the past month or so and am ready to share my thoughts with you today.....
You know those days where you couldn't be bothered putting makeup on, but you haven't slept/you're ill/your skin is dull/ you're short on time, and you either have to face the world, or you just want to feel a little bit better? I think we all have them! Well, for those days, there are five products that I rely on to make me look more alive and a bit fresher and I'm sharing them with you today.....
I know that because I'm a beauty blogger, I have a ridiculously large makeup collection (although it's definitely more stream-lined than it used to be), but it really isn't necessary. Given that most people have spent the last few years moving towards minimalism, I wanted to create a capsule makeup collection, which may help anyone starting out, or those wanted to downsize, or perhaps update their collection. Here you will find everything that you actually need and will use, even if you're an avid makeup lover.
I've been pretty good at not buying everything new and pretty that has caught my eye this year, but recently I had some birthday vouchers and decided to treat myself to some products that I had my eye on, and I want to share my thoughts on them with you today!
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| Anything marked with a * was kindly sent to me, without obligation. |
Regular readers will know that I am a fragrance fanatic, so I was delighted to acquire some new ones recently - some gifted and marked with a * and the others are ones that my husband bought for me. I wanted to share my thoughts on them with you today in case you're in the market for a new perfume, or perhaps you're starting your Christmas shopping early - yes, I've said the C word already, but at least it isn't Covid! I have six fragrances in total - one is unisex and one is for men (but I tend to like male fragrances and don't think that there are any strict rules in this regard!). Some are refillable, which I am delighted about and love to see more brands moving in this direction.
I feel like you're either team eye cream or you're not! Some people think that they don't make a difference, whereas others (myself included) cannot skip this step in my routine. I think that you need to begin using one before you think that you need to. I began at 21 and am very glad that I did because my lines are very fine. There is nothing wrong with having fine lines or wrinkles - I'm all for the privilege of growing old, however that doesn't necessarily mean that I want to look my age! I'm not one for botox, but as I always say - never say never! Also, eye creams help with more than just lines - they help with puffiness and dark circles too. You don't have to spend a fortune to find an effective eye cream, so I'm sharing three great ones for three different budgets with you today!
I didn't actually intend not to post for so long, but I wasn't feeling very well and I also thought that most people were probably watching coverage of The Queen's passing/the Royal Family/Her body Lying In State and the funeral. I think that even if you aren't a royalist, it was a moment in history and. quite fascinating for those of us who don't have a monarchy. Moving on, today's post is about my latest foundation obsession - the new Hourglass Ambient Soft Glow Foundation. It's been all over social media, so I want to discuss if it's worth the hype...
You probably know at this stage that I'm a bit fanatical about taking care of my hair. When I first became ill with Lyme Disease, I lost around 50% of my hair density, then when Covid first hit, my hair fell out in clumps. It recovered by using the right products and lots of T.L.C. (post here), but I've had Covid 6 times and my hair growth has started again in recent months. On top of that, I have naturally dry and frizzy hair and live in a hard water area, which can affect both the condition and colour of my hair. I pay a lot to get my hair coloured, so I want to ensure that it's going to last and I use products to prevent brassiness. My hairdresser is a balayage and general colour expert, constantly up-skilling and training, so when she used a new product on me in the salon, I decided to buy the at home duo. L'Oreal Professional Metal Detox Shampoo and Mask are two at home products (an oil has been recently added), that can be used to remove build up of mineral deposits in the hair, which cause brassiness. There is also a product in the salon, which cannot be purchased to use at home. This is something that can be used before your colour, or you could go to your salon and use it as a standalone treatment, which will revive your colour. You don't have to be blonde or balayaged, it works on all hair colours.
It's hardly a newsflash at this stage that I have dry skin, so you will know that I generally prefer cream and liquid blushes and highlighters. I've shown you my favourite cream blushes previously, but today I want to share my top five liquid blushes, and if you have dry skin too, I highly suggest you give them a go. Don't worry about application, or your base being disturbed - these honestly couldn't be easier to use!
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| This range was kindly gifted to me, without obligation. |
I was kindly sent the new Lotus Flower range from Emma Hardie, which I was delighted about as I had missed the event due to a medical appointment, but wanted to know more about the range from one of my favourite brands. There are three products in the range: a Targeted Blemish Treatment, a Treatment Serum and a Treatment Cream. Given that the products are targeted towards oily skin, I didn't think they'd suit me, however they contain ingredients which reduce inflammation and strengthen the skin's barrier, so I thought that I should give them a go. I had mixed results, but it is definitely worth remembering that my skin is dry.
In July, I showed you my top five Charlotte Tilbury makeup products, and it went down well according to my analytics, so I thought I'd share my top five skincare products from the brand. Initially, I was more interested in the makeup products from the brand, but in the past 2/3 years, I've found that the skincare products have really improved and stand alone as quality products, rather than being "add-ons" to the brand, if you know what I mean. It can be difficult for brands to do skincare and makeup equally well, but some do manage it. Like with the makeup post, I found it very difficult to narrow it down to just five products, but I was very strict with myself. So, here we go!
If we didn't have Christmas and all of the fun that comes with it in December, August would definitely be my favourite month! It's my birthday on the 8th - I absolutely love that it's on the 8th day of the 8th month, plus our wedding anniversary is on the 30th, and my niece's birthday is on the 21st, so August definitely gives December a run for it's money in terms of favourite months! Anyway, on to what I loved this month... (one thing I didn't love was getting Covid.... AGAIN!)
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| Anything marked with a * was kindly gifted to me, without obligation. |
I love the reaction I've had to my Budget/Affordable/Bougie posts, whether via comments, DMs, or emails! I'm well aware that I post a lot of high end products on the blog, but there are definitely high quality and effective products at affordable prices on the market, and I only ever feature products that I use myself (and will later feature in my empties!). Today we're talking about Hyaluronic Acid Serums - products that I think everybody uses ( or would benefit from) in their daily routine.
I have all of the original Charlotte Tilbury Eyes To Mesmerise Cream Shadows (review and swatches here), so when I saw that three new shades were being released, I knew that my willpower would disappear and I'd buy one.... I ended up buying two of the three new shades!
I'm a huge fan of Kate Somerville's Exfolikate and I have raved about it several times on the blog, because it gives me super smooth skin in 2 minutes or less. It's perfect to use before a special occasion or if your skin has been a bit neglected and needs a quick fix. Therefore, you can imagine how delighted I was when I heard that a body version of Exfolikate was being released. I exfoliate my body once or twice weekly - usually before tanning and 3/4 days later. I have tried body scrubs from all budgets and repurchased quite a few, but I expected to get hooked on this instantly, and have the softest skin I've ever experienced and to say goodbye to my other body scrubs. Sadly, this has not been the case...
You all know how much a fan I am of Omorovicza since I first discovered the brand in 2015. So many of you have messaged me or commented over the years, saying that you tried the brand because of my reviews, which I really love because you also tell me that you now get the hype, despite the high price tags. I have tried all of their serums apart from the Blue Diamond Concentrate, and want to share my thoughts on them with you today. There are eight in total, but I would consider Midnight Renewal and Acid Fix to be treatments, so I will review those in a separate post if you'd be interested? Some of the serums in the photo above look full, but I've used 2/3 bottles of each already, so I'm able to give a full review and suggest which might work best for you, depending on what issues you may have.
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| These products were kindly gifted to me, without obligation. |
Sorry for the radio silence here on the blog - I have tendonitis in my rotator cuff and it's just so painful to do anything, and it is of course in my right arm, which I use to do everything! I'm on anti-inflammatories and having physio, so hopefully it will ease soon!
Today, I want to share the latest releases from the Sali Hughes x Revolution skincare range. I reviewed her initial launch a few months ago here, and have finished all but one of the products. Last month, some new additions were added to the range, which I have been using and I'm sure that they will sell out as quickly as the original line.
July was a mixed month for me, but overall, a good one. We've had some good weather (although nothing like the temperatures seen in the UK and Europe!), which means barbecues, getting heat into my bones and being outside more. Today's post is about everything I've loved over this past month.
Balm cleansers will always be my favourite. They really suit my dry skin, but they're also suitable for combination and normal skin types, and will work as a makeup remover for oily skin. I am quite fussy when it comes to cleansing balms - the main things I want are for my makeup to melt without too much tugging on the skin, or cloudy eyes after removing my eye makeup! I also don't like a film to be left on my skin, yet I like my skin to feel comfortable and thoroughly cleansed after use. I don't ask for much, do I? Here are three gorgeous cleansing balms, for three budgets.....
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| Photo from Pinterest. |
I've attempted to write this post so many times, but didn't know exactly what to say as I'm in two minds about blogging at the moment, and have been for a while. I really would love to hear your thoughts on this subject in the comments below, or DM me on Instagram.
When I look through my makeup collection, the brand that I see most often is Charlotte Tilbury. I know that the products are pretty pricey, but I think the quality is excellent, a little goes a long way with most products and I can count on them if I'm in a hurry and don't have time to think about what makeup to use. I'm sure most people have tried the brand, but if not, here are my top five products that I'd recommend if you're starting out...
I've been a fan of Kérastase products for over 20 years. I've tried a lot of their ranges, depending on what my hair needs - repair, moisture, colour protection etc, and I'm always intrigued by their new ranges. Their latest is Absolu Chroma, which aims to reduce frizz, reduce breakage by strengthening the hair, and revive colour. What really interested me about this range, is that it contains Lactic Acid, which is a gentle exfoliator that we are used to seeing in skincare, but not in haircare products. It also contains Hyaluronic Acid, Amino Acids and Centella Asiatica, which help to restore the hair from the inside out, so it works to strengthen your hair long-term, rather than just make it look/feel good after you wash it.I have four products from the range and want to share my thoughts with you today.
Summer is finally here and although the weather was initially pretty inconsistent, to say the least, we're now having a good spell and I'm here for it! I'm embracing the opportunity to wear brighter colours, whether in my clothes, accessories, or on my face/nails. Bright colours make me so happy - even if it means using a brightly coloured umbrella! Anyway, today I'm focusing on beauty, and the products that I'm using right now and will continue to do so until Autumn rolls around.
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| If anything was gifted to me, it will be marked with a * |
I'm one of those people who moisturises their body every single day, and even in the days when I was bedridden, I'd ask my husband to do it! My skin is so dry that if I didn't moisturise daily, it would be tight, uncomfortable and scaly - not how I want to feel. Sometimes, I use functional body lotions - just something to moisturise, other times I use oils if I feel like my skin is feeling and looking slack, and sometimes, I'll use body creams and lotions that are special and smell divine, as well as nourishing my skin. I believe in using nice things daily, rather than saving things for best, even if I'm ill and having a duvet day - actually, especially on those days. Today, I'm going to share some of my favourite scented body moisturisers with you, and I'd love to hear what your favourite is!
What signals the start of summer for you? Is it the summer solstice, or the first sign of sun? For me, it's the release of the L'Occitane Verbena with a twist! I can't tell you how much I look forward to it each year! I love the original Verbena line, which was the first product from the brand that I tried years and years ago (introduced to it by my mother(, but when they add mint or citrus, it just takes it to another level. Also this year, there is a new white lavender range, and if you're a regular reader of this blog, you'll know that I'm a sucker for anything lavender fragranced, because it brings back memories of my Granda's garden when I was a child, and when he died, I planted some lavender on his grave.
I adore the scent combinations that L'Occitane offers, but what I really have grown to love about the brand is that it cares and it gives back. It really is a fair trade company, but also one that is ecologically aware. It has been this way since its inception in 1976, and has grown with education since then. They can actually tell you the names of the couple who cultivate the verbena in the South of France, and the lavender is sourced from local cooperatives in the South of France, who also help to protect the bees that the lavender attracts. All of this makes me love and support the brand even more.
I was kindly sent a selection of the new releases and want to share my thoughts with you today.
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| Anything marked with a * was kindly gifted to me, without obligation. |
I always like to do a check in mid-year to see what products have stood out to me in the previous six months. To be honest, this year I didn't expect there to be a huge amount as I've really cut down on my spending as I try to use up the products I have. When I started to compile this list, I was surprised by how many products have really stood out to me. Some were kindly gifted to me (marked with a *), others, I bought myself. I'll link to any full reviews.
Can you believe that we are half way through the year? I swear that since Covid, the weeks and months just fly by and everything is a blur. I think it's because while most people think that life is back to "normal" and the governments would like us to believe that too, the reality is that the numbers are rising again, and having had Covid five times, I don't feel particularly safe and am still on tenterhooks, to an extent, even though I've tried to do some normal things. Because I now have Long Covid, on top of my other illnesses, I still feel in that Covid blur and need to find a way to let it go, because the reality is that the months and years are flying by! After that long rambling intro, I'm here to talk about what I loved in June!
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| These products were kindly gifted to me, without obligation, as part of their *skinfluencer programme. |
Next year will be 20 years since I first began using Dermalogica products! If that isn't testament to how much I love the brand, I really don't know what is! As I have mentioned before, it's the only brand that I used for 6 months prior to our wedding and also had regular facials (I love their face mapping!). I can honestly say, hand on heart, that their releases are getting better and better all of the time, and I have rarely, if ever, been disappointed with a purchase. I am fortunate enough to be part of their #skinfluencer programme, which means that I am kindly sent some of their new releases, but I also purchase products with my own money (and my husband now uses some too!). So, today I'm going to discuss two new releases, which are aimed at hydrating and replenishing the skin: Hyaluronic Ceramide Mist and Circular Hydration Serum.
Because I have dry skin, I love cream cheek products. My favourite ever cream bronzer was Les Sahariennes, which was discontinued by YSL a few years ago (why do brands do this?!). It was the most beautiful product - a perfect texture for blending and giving a natural, sun-kissed look to the skin, even when worn without foundation. Thankfully, since then a lot of brands have seen the bright side and are releasing cream bronzers. They aren't just for those with dry skin, as you could set them with a little powder bronzer on top, or just some setting spray. They are also my preferred option for a very natural look, particularly in summer when I want to look sun-kissed but without actually tanning my face! I used to have quite a few, but have narrowed it down to four cream bronzers that I would highly recommend to anybody who wants to try one, but is unsure where to start...
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| Anything marked with a * was kindly gifted to me, without obligation. |
I've found myself using some products on constant rotation in recent weeks, ones that I reach for pretty much daily, without even thinking about it. They're constants for a reason - my skin loves them, they are easy to apply and require very little effort to make. me look put together. Rather than individual review posts, I thought I'd put them all together in one and tell you why I love them so much.
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| These fragrances were partly paid for using a gift voucher from Look Fantastic. |
Sorry for the longer than expected break from the blog. If you follow me on Instagram, you will know that my flight home from holiday was delayed by 2 days, which really threw me out last week! All of the plans I had for the week were up in the air, I needed to get a new nebuliser as mine broke while on holiday, and despite having a really restful week, those two days of going to and from the airport, not knowing what was happening, just left me exhausted, so I decided to take some time to catch up on everything (sleep/laundry/seeing family/catching up on Love Island etc), before coming back to the blog. I have lots of posts planned and am looking forward to hearing how you all are, so today's the day that I finally get back into it!
For me, summer hasn't arrived unless I have a bottle of Estée Lauder Bronze Goddess! It could be raining most days (and generally is in Ireland), but as soon as I smell Bronze Goddess, I'm instantly transported to a sunny beach, feeling relaxed and happy, which is why I even bought it during the lockdowns - I could at least pretend to be somewhere more exotic than the garden, even if I wasn't! Each year, there are some variations or additions to the original fragrance, and this year it's Bronze Goddess Nuit Eau De Parfum, which intrigued me, as not only is the bottle beautiful, but it includes some warmer notes. I wanted to compare it to the original and give you my opinion as to whether you actually need both in your life.....
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| This photo is taken from The Irish Times, because I forgot to take any photos before the blossom went over, due to the crazy weather we've had (four seasons in one day at times). |
This month has absolutely flown by, and I can't believe that in a few days, we will be in the sixth month of the year! Crazy! I feel like the last two years have been a blur, and even though all restrictions have been lifted for quite a while, I still feel in that blur! Maybe getting away will make me realise that 2020 was two years ago! Anyway, enough rambling and on to what I loved this month....
I am so excited (and fortunate) to be going on my first sun holiday since 2019, on Sunday. My husband & I are so looking forward to a week of doing as little as possible - read, sleep, eat, beach walks - that's about the extent of it, so although I don't need a lot of makeup (I won't be wearing any during the day), I'll still take some as I do like to dress up a bit (some evenings!) on holiday. So, here are my holiday makeup and fragrance picks....
