The festive season has well and truly begun and while I can't say that I will be partying hard this Christmas, I will definitely be wearing a bit of sparkle on my eyes over the next week or two! For irresistible twinkly eyes, you can't beat Charlotte Tilbury Pop Shots! I have four shades and want to tell you why you need one in your life...
I haven't done any gift guides this year but if I had, these two fragrances from Parfums De Marly would have been included. I first got Delina in the summer of last year after hearing so many great things about it, and being a fragrance addict, I knew that I needed it in my life! I fell in love and am now on my third bottle. Then for Christmas last year, I received Valaya and fell in love with that too. Either of these fragrances would make a gorgeous Christmas gift so I thought I'd share my thoughts on them with you today...
Over the last few weeks and months I've made some great new discoveries. The products aren't necessarily new to the market but new to me and I'm pretty sure that they'll be repurchases in the future. Given that I'm a beauty addict, I feel that it takes a lot for new products to impress me these days but these six really have. Read on to find out why......
Westman Atelier is a brand that I've been curious to explore for a while but the products are pricey and when you have so much makeup, it's sometimes hard to justify buying more products when they are expensive and you don't really know if you'll like them. I like to see reviews from people who I think have similar taste to me and so I waited. Then Jodie did a review of the highlighter stick in the shade Brulée and it looked stunning on her so that immediately went onto my wishlist. A little while later, she shared a link to the Christmas gift set of a duo of highlighter sticks, which are not full size but also not the same price as the full sizes, so I bit the bullet and bought it and want to share my thoughts with you today.
As I age I find that I reach for traditional face masks less frequently and skincare tools more often. There is no doubt that we need to use effective products that will deliver results that will last more than a day or two, as we get older. One of the most effective products I have found for making a real, visible difference to my skin is the Currentbody LED mask, which I reviewed here last year. I absolutely loved that mask so you can imagine my delight when I was offered the chance to try the new version: Currentbody LED Light Therapy Mask Series 2*. It came at a time when my skin wasn't its usual self, due to the new medical treatment that I am on. My skin was extra dry and also very inflamed and really needed something to revive it. I am delighted to be able to share my discount code (LYMINCB), which usually saves you 10% but until Monday at midnight (December 2nd), it's been doubled to a whopping 20% discount!). This mask is not just for those who are seeing the signs of ageing as it will also work for those who have rosacea. Please read on for my thoughts...
Hello, hello! Long time, no post! You might know that I have had a chronic illness for a long time and may have seen on my Instastories that things have been getting progressively worse over the past year, to the point that blogging was the last thing on my mind as it was all I could do to get through the day. I went to a clinic abroad a couple of months ago for new tests and treatment and now have a new plan going forward. There have been ups and downs along the way but I'm feeling very confident, excited and positive about this new plan. I am hoping to commit to posting once (maybe twice) weekly for the next few months until I am reviewed and hopefully making progress. Today, I am jumping right in with a review of Haus Labs foundation and concealer for a person with dry skin.
We're over halfway through the year, which I just can't believe (I say that every year!), so it's time to check in with my favourite beauty discoveries so far in 2024. I'm much more restrained with my spending than I used to be so I don't try as many new products as I used to - I eventually accepted that I only have one face and stopped buying so much! That said, I have a nice amount of products that are all new to me this year that I have been loving and are regulars in my routine. I'd love to hear what products have stood out to you so far in 2024?
Who remembers Charlotte Tilbury's Scent Of A Dream fragrance? I loved it even though some people thought it was an old lady scent! I loved the vintage style bottle that housed it too. Alas, it was discontinued and Charlotte recently released a whopping six new fragrances, which are described as being mood-boosting (I guess all fragrances are though!). They are quite pricey at £130 for 100ml and £20 for 10ml, so I was glad when I saw the discovery set for £25 because I haven't been near a CT counter in a while and wanted to smell the fragrances. The full sized bottles are beautiful and vividly coloured but this set contains mini vials - perfect for a discovery set and ideal if you want to treat yourself to a full size but are unsure which to go for. The names are a bit out there but I expect nothing less from the brand at this stage! The descriptions of products get more outlandish with every release - apparently these fragrances are your invisible superpowers, which feel like portals to different dimensions and other worlds! Are there enough rolly eyes for this? Anyway, on with my thoughts and whether I will be buying a full size!
If you're a regular around these parts then you will know that Armani Luminous Silk is my most repurchased foundation. I started using it in 2008 after Hydra Glow was discontinued (sob!) and have repurchased countless times. I then discovered the primer and now there are more products in the Luminous Silk line, so I obviously had to try them! There are seven Luminous Silk products available and I have five (Sorry that there are only four in the above photo!), which I am sharing my thoughts on today. Before I get into the post, I want to let you know that you can save 21% on these products by using the code BEAUTYLYMIN at the checkout on Look Fantastic!
I've been slacking on the blog over the past few weeks - between the Euros, Wimbledon and Covid (again!), my mind has been elsewhere but now that's all over, I'm back at it! I shared my summer skincare favourites recently (post here) and today it's the turn of makeup. We actually seem to be having all seasons this year, rather than an actual summer - one full week without rain would be the dream right now! Regardless, I want to share with you some of my top makeup picks for the warmer months and I'd love to hear what your go-to summer products are. Regular readers will know that my skin is dry so I don't tend to go for mattifying products in the way that some people do in summer. My skin is still dry, so I lean towards products that will make my skin look fresh and glowy, without looking greasy.
In recent years we've seen a lot of pre-shampoo treatments hit the market. Initially they focused on nourishing and strengthening the hair but recently there has been an emergence of products that focus on removing a build up of minerals, which will in turn make the hair less porous and prone to damage, In my experience, they also help to brighten the colour. I'm already a big fan of the L'Oreal Metal Detox range so when I saw that they had released a new pre-shampoo treatment, I had to buy it! It's currently reduced on Look Fantastic and my BEAUTYLYMIN code gives a further reduction.
Summer has finally arrived and it's time to make some skincare switches. My skin type is dry, so the focus is still on nourishing however I tend to switch to products that are a bit lighter in texture whilst still delivering the moisture that my skin needs. I am also mindful of the fact that my SPF has to be able to absorb without pilling, so light layer of products are my go-to. Today I want to share my current summer skincare lineup with you.
I love when brands release discovery sets for their fragrances, but they are usually mini vials that you get maybe two or three sprays from. Sol De Janeiro has bucked the trend with this set of five 30ml bottles of their perfume mists. The set is priced at £40, which I think is pretty good value for 150ml of fragrance. Today I want to share my thoughts on the scents with you and tell you which one)s) I would repurchase in full size.
If you're a regular reader, you'll know that I love dewy/glowing skin and I also like glowy blush and highlighter - nothing that can be seen from space, but I find that blushes with some added highlight give my skin some life in an instant. I want to share some of my favourites with you today...
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| These products were kindly gifted to me, without obkigation. |
Farmacy Beauty is a brand whose name was given because its products ingredients are farm grown - do you like the play on words? It has sustainability at its core and the products are effective whilst also being cruelty-free. Green Clean Cleansing Balm* is probably its most famous product but today I want to talk you through its best-selling products, which I was kindly sent a few months ago and I've been putting them to the test.
As soon as I heard about the Dyson Airstrait, I knew that I wanted it! I already own the Supersonic Hairdryer (review here) and Air Wrap so I knew that the standard to expect. What made me hesitant was the price as I already have quite an array of hair tools but when it sold out in the first release, it of course made me want it even more! When it came back into stock, I ordered immediately knowing that if I didn't like it, it could be returned for free within 30 days, which is a good safety net. But is it worth the money?
I used to love having lash extensions because they made me feel put together even when I wasn't wearing a full face of makeup but also because I love the voluminous lash look but I decided at the end of last summer to stop getting them. There were a few reasons for this and initially I was tempted to get a refill but I resisted and started to use a lash serum and within a month my lashes were longer and as time went on, they got curlier too. I've been asked if I'm wearing extensions on several occasions but it's actually a combination of the effects of the lash serum and a good mascara. Today I want to share my favourite mascaras for that full, voluminous, dramatic lash look.
I'm going on holiday tomorrow and am soooo looking forward to relaxing by the pool with a good book and doing pretty much nothing for a week! A week in the sun much needed after a recent bout of pneumonia where I missed most of the beautiful weather here. Given that I'm recuperating, it's going to be.a very casual week but I still like to wear some makeup in the evening, to add some glow and life to my complexion! We've stayed in this hotel before and it's quiet, adults only and the perfect place to chill out - get me on that plane!
Regular readers will all know that I have dry skin and it's also prone to dehydration. The eye are is one of the first places where people will notice fine lines (or smile lines!), and this can make getting the right concealer tricky. We want to cover dark circles but don't want anything too heavy or cakey because it will makes fine lines appear more prominent than they actually are. Some people are genetically prone to dark circles, whereas for many people, not enough sleep will show in the eye area. I like to use concealers that will cover dark circles but don't feel too heavy on the skin. I was never into the big heavy concealer drawn in a triangle that also covers half your cheeks look, with a concealer several shades lighter than your foundation, but each to their own - it just wasn't for me! I generally go for a concealer possibly one shade lighter than my foundation, to add some brightness and will use a separate shade on my face because I don't want to highlight any blemishes. Today, I'm sharing my favourite concealers for those of us with dry skin....
I've always liked Victoria Beckham for her sense of humour and style (although the stuck on boob look wasn't a favourite of mine!) and whilst I don't own any of her fashion line (although I have my eye on her signature handbag), I've grown to adore her beauty line. It took me a while to buy something after her launch - in fact, I don't think I bought anything until the brand was available on Cult Beauty (sadly no longer the case!). I now just buy directly from her site and everything always arrives well packaged and swiftly. I received a fragrance card with one of my orders and I have to say that I adored all three and will definitely be purchasing one (or two!) at some point because they are absolutely beautiful and well thought out scents that transport you to where they describe. Today we're focusing on her makeup products and why I'd encourage you to try something from the brand if you have yet to take the plunge!
Hello! I'm back from the longest break that I've ever taken from the blog. I had a lot of things going on and I've always said that I only ever want to blog when my heart is in it and I would have been just churning out posts if I hadn't taken a break, which is something that I never want to do. I also felt the pressure of leaving the blog live without any new posts, so I just removed that 'stress' from my life for a while. I did consider quitting blogging completely as the landscape has changed so much but then I received some messages asking where my blog had gone as people missed reading my posts and I've missed posting too so now feels like the right time to come back and I thought that a skincare post was the most obvious choice, so I'm sharing my top five products from one of my favourite brands; Sunday Riley. In all honesty, it's very hard to narrow it down to just five because I've yet to encounter a disappointing product from this brand, named after its founder. All products are effective and results-driven and I can definitely see an improvement in my skin with consistent use. There's currently 20% off selected products from the brand on Sephora.
I am a massive Kérastase fan and have used the brand for around 24/25. years, so I am always curious when a new range is released, particularly if it's aimed at damaged hair. I don't know if I can call my hair damaged at this stage but I do have it coloured and some bleach in it, I also use heat on it, so if I didn't use the right products and take care of it, it would certainly be damaged! I also live in a hard water area so my hair can have buildup from that, which can make my hair look dull and feel brittle at times. I basically love anything aimed and repairing and protecting my hair so this new range sounded right up my street.
I do the majority of my shopping online and have done for years. I like the convenience of it and knowing what's available, plus most sites have free shipping (although some limits to get the free shipping and some charges have crept up over the past 2/3 years). I have to say that when it comes to clothes, I prefer to try them on in the comfort of my own home but that being said, it's hard to beat feeling fabrics and seeing colours in the flesh. Today I want to share my favourite sites for shopping for beauty, high street fashion and luxury fashion and the reasons I favour these sites.
Summer Fridays is having a moment thanks to its new lip oils (which I need to try) and I have to say that it's a brand that I really rate. Created by two influencers, it began with just one product (Jet Lag Mask) and has grown steadily since then. I've tried quite a few products from the brand and thought I'd share some of my favourites with you today and tell you why they made the cut,
Anybody who has blonde hair, highlights or balayage will know that it can turn a little brassy at times. I love to use a purple shampoo to counteract the yellow in my hair and Olaplex recently released a toning conditioner to accompany the shampoo. Being a massive fan of the brand, I had to try it and want to share my thoughts today...
Earlier this month, Charlotte Tilbury did a major drop of pink and red lipsticks in time for Valentine's Day! I love the formula of her lipsticks so decided to treat myself to a duo of lipstick and lip liner, both in the shade Icon Baby.
Who doesn't love the feeling of baby soft skin? No bumps, refined pores and super smooth! Well if that sounds like something you'd enjoy, you're going to love the masks in today's posts and they're for two budgets!
It feels like an age since I did a foundation review but I really have been trying to finish base products before buying new ones and I'm almost finished one and have just finished another, so thought that I was justified in buying the Makeup by Mario Surreal Skin Foundation!
I absolutely adore Dr Denis Gross Alpha Beta Universal Daily Peels, so I was naturally both curious and excited when they released a body version. I bought Caroline Hirons. Non-Advent Advent Kit Bag and it included a box of these cloths, which I was delighted about and now that I've been using them for a while, I want to share my thoughts with you today.
I find that certain products can be over-hyped (and likewise, some deserve more hype), but in this series I am examining if certain hyped or viral products are worth the hype that they get. I would really love to hear your thoughts and what products didn't live up to the hype for you?
We did it! We made it through the first month of the year! I have to say that I didn't really find it to drag and I busied myself with a massive declutter, which took weeks because I took one section at a time and was really ruthless! I also found time for plenty of good films and tv and I want to share those with you today, along with my beauty standouts!
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| The products in this photo were kindly gifted to me, without obligation. |
The first product that I tried from this range was the serum and it absolutely blew me away, so when I was fortunate enough to receive some products last year that promoted a GWP, which Lancôme are notoriously generous for, I was absolutely delighted! The luxurious range is based on the combination of innovative science and French Grand Rose Extracts, which results in not just visible improvements but also a beautiful experience while using the products. The rose extracts are exclusive to the brand and comprise of a trio of roses, which help the skin to regenerate itself. They are the Lancôme Rose (focuses on regeneration), the Centifolia Rose (focuses on repair and uses between three and five tonnes of rose petals to produce a single drop) and Rose Damascena (focuses on inflammation). You can see why the range is so exclusive and expensive when so much work, time and science is dedicated to it.
Last October while I was in bed feeling very ill, I treated myself to two Advent Calendars - one from Space NK and one from Harvey Nichols. Both offered amazing value - worth well over £1k and priced at less than £300. I started to open them on Instastories daily and after two days I stopped due to losing a close family member. They remained unopened for most of December (although I'll admit that I ate my chocolate one!), but I eventually opened them all over the holiday break and I have my top picks to share with you all. If I'm being entirely honest, I'm unsure which products are from which calendar, but I know that the Harvey Nichols one contained a lot of fragrance options, which is why I bought it. Let's get into the stand out products...
Happy New Year! I hope that you all had a peaceful and restful festive break. It was a different one for me because I lost a family member at the beginning of December, who has been central to my Christmases for as long as I can remember and I have been missing him immeasurably. Life will never be the same again but he would want us to carry on and be as happy as we can, so that is what I intend to do in his honour. I really hope that this year is easier and happier in so many ways for us all. Now, I know it's early to be coming at you with some new beauty loves but throughout December, I introduced a small number of new products that already have me hooked and I want to share them with you today!
