With 2021 feeling very similar to 2020, making sure that we are looking after ourselves is very important, even if we are slogging around at home for the foreseeable future. I've been awful at keeping my skin clean and clear recently, with low enthusiasm and spending the day in my pjs, but I've set myself a 10 minute skincare challenge every evening to give it a proper go, so below are the skincare products I've brought into 2021 with me.
Cleansers
Let's start at the basics. A good cleanse is the perfect base for makeup, serums and creams alike. I've definitely been investing in my cleansers over the past couple of years. I think the cheaper ones I'd pick up at 16 and 17, really nudged the spread of my spots, so getting the cleanse that my skin really loves, is so so important now.
Bare Minerals Poreless Clay Cleanser. At £20, it's such a good price. This was my first Bare Minerals product and with it's oil unclogging powers, I like to use it on a day I feel extra grotty, or after a full face of makeup day.
Liz Earle Cleanse and Polish. A staple that I'll always suggest for those wanting to expand their cleanser search. It's perfect for so many skin types, and Lord knows how many bottles of the thing I've gone through over the past 5 or 6 years.
BIODERMA Sébium Purifying cleansing foaming gel. A foaming gel, even the words make me giddy. It regulates sebum quality and really is a simple but effective cleanser that I haven't stopped using. I'm really enjoying the Sébium range at the minute, and for fantastic skincare, the price is fabulous too. Buy it here.
BIODERMA Hydrabio H20 Moisturising make-up removing micelle solution. My newest micellar addiction. No matter how clean my face feels I will ALWAYS give it a fine swoosh over with s BIODERMA micellar water. I go through these bottles like nobodies business, and this one is so gentle, even my sister with super sensitive skin loves it. It's perfect for eye makeup, and allows you to get it all without scrubbing and breaking the skin. I cannot recommend this enough. Buy it here.
Cream
BIODERMA Intensive Purifying Care. For the spot prone amongst us, this is perfect. The Sébium Global innovation treats the causes and the consequences of the blemishes, rather than just the latter. I've noticed clearer skin and always use it on days I'm a day oiler, to prevent any pesky spots coming through. Buy it here.
Serum
Balance Me Tri-molecular Hyaluronic Serum. This serum adds the perfect amount of hydration, whilst helping and fine lines and wrinkles, with 98% natural ingredients. It's for all skin types, so the perfect introduction into Hyaluronic products if you've never delved in before.
Affiliate links used. Some products have been gifted for PR purposes. All views are my own.
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If there is one thing to stress me out whilst traveling, it's fitting my liquids into that little plastic bag. Annoyingly, most of my makeup seems to be liquid based so whilst some I can leave behind, others will just have to come along for the ride too.
Base:
Whilst abroad, I don't worry too much about make up at all. For evening strolls and fancy restaurants I'll apply a moisturizer, such as this oil free mini from Context, as it is absorbed and won't leave a greasy face and a need for a primer to mattify. Foundation wise, I can't live without my Makeup Revolution Conceal and Define foundation. I've got it in three shades, by F4 is my saviour. I have a bundle of higher end ones in the cupboard, equally ones that would fit far better in the plastic bag. But nonetheless, this little bottle of joy will forever be my favourite. I don't usually opt for concealer, unless a spot or two have appeared or I've mucked up my eyebrows and need to reline. For this, I THAT Collection concealer that everyone loved 5 years ago. It's still a firm favorite in my house for sure.
Blush and the likes
At home, a contour stick is my go to along with a powder for bronzing and blushing. However space permitting, I take this gorgeous little pallet away with me each time. It's the Becca Blush and Glow pallet (apart of the Khloe and Malika collection). With two blush shades, a highlighter and bronzer in my perfect dull brown, I can't think of anything better suited for travel. It has a huge mirror too so perfect for on the go touch ups.
Eyes, brows and everything in between.
For eyes, I use a touch of a blush shade from the Becca palette for eyeshadow. Then, I'll take my little Kiko eyeliner that I ADORE and have been using for years. It's a thin wand and the only thing I can use for a decent flick. For pencil liner, my NARS one is a dream and the perfect mini size too. Mascara is the Too Faced Better Than Sex one, which is the best mascara I've ever used. Brows differentiate depending on date (how thick they are and how much needs filling) and where I'm going. For travel, I'll opt for a pencil, and have recently been using the Makeup Revolution brow stick in Dark Brown. Beforehand however, I'll quickly shape and tame the flyaways with my Eyeko brow gel, which is ever so slightly tinted and at home, I'll sometimes only use this on a day to day basis. Lips will also depend on the situation. I'm always a nude girl, and a Barry M matte lipstick won't go a miss. However, for liquid space saving, I chose a random nude lipstick from my never ending nude collection.
Perfume is always hard as small bottles are usually in such random shapes that fittin them in a bag is tricky. However my current favourite, J Lo's Promise, is a godden and perfectly flat for packing too. Before bed, I'm trying to cut down on wipe usage, so will opt for a micellar water and reusable cotton pad instead. Do this twice or three times for a good cleanse.
What are your beauty travel essentials?
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I spend every Saturday lugging my suitcase around busy East London streets, and to be honest, I wouldn't change a thing. Today I talk you through my routine, where to shoot, where to eat and where to treat yourself after a long few hours shooting.
7am: alarm goes off, get ready (and probably pack suitcase because I leave everything until the last minute)
8am: bus to the station
9am: meet a mate and shoot some ideas (mostly "there'll do)
9am-1pm: shooting shooting shooting
And I now realise how boring that all sounds now I've written it out but GO WITH IT.
Okay so location time. Liverpool Street Station is a hub. There's the Exchange next door, with pretty steps and on the weekends, the bars and cafes are closed so the outdoor seating is a hidden gem to use. It's always pretty quite up there (because nothing is open) so the perfect place for a quick change. I always wear cycling shorts and a vest top so no nudity occurs.
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| The Spitalfields shops |
You've got Spitalfields Market around the corner too. Here's where I spend most of my time. There are a tonne of different shop fronts, market stools and hidden roads that I won't shoot in the same place more than once in a few weeks. For food and drink, there is of course a bundle of restaurants inside the market, including a pub and food stall/trucks too. I usually opt for Costa, purely because I like tea & cake AND there's a toilet too for outfit changes. For a treat too I've visited Duck and Dry too, for perfect hair for the photos. It's so quick, half hour to 40 minutes for a blow dry and style. And I can NEVER recreate the bounce and volume that they do there, at home. They've now extended too, with a bar and even more hair eggs (is that right?!). It's Instagram worthy too, if you were wondering, with a flower wall, light word signs and that bar I mentioned? It's pink marble. Oh gosh indeed my friend.
At the back of Spitalfields, slightly more North (as in a few feet away) is Shoreditch. The cool people's paradise. Now, if you're looking for coffee then Shoreditch Grind isn't far, just on Old Street roundabout, but I'd opt more for Brick Lane. The road is packed every minute of every day however. I'd recommend shooting at one of the far ends, as it's 'less' busy and some of the roads are one way too, so less traffic for those walking across the road shots. My pamper NO.2 location is the new Luka Spa. I attended their packed out launch party and was kindly gifted a gel manicure and Swedish back massage. Get a massage if you can. Shooting 6 outfits then going into a dark room with the sounds of waterfalls and just calmness, was a wonder I'll never forget.
Other Eastal locations include the likes of St Pauls, The Sky Garden, and even the Shard, if you don't mind heights.
The East of London is home to many fab places. It's my home, my workplace and happy place.
The end.
Duck and Dry blow dry: Before and after
When I was 15 or so, dying my hair was a yearly (or more) hobby I rather enjoyed. I wanted the "omg it looks so different" comments and have always had a dislike for my dark brown hair. It got to the point two years ago where my hair was so damaged and so dry that cutting it into a bob was the best thing for it.
I loved that bob, and wouldn't ever rule out going for it all off again, but my hair doesn't like to grow fast, and after 6 months or so I start to yearn for flowing locks again. You see the issue here? Anyway if I wasn't going to cut it, I needed something else to do. So back came the dye. When Whiteman Soho agreed to become my Hairy Godmother, I was over the moon. The consultation came first, discussing which shade would suit my original colour as I'd chosen a balayage. I had a patch test and came out very much excited for my appointment the following week.
My stylist was Billy, and he knew exactly what he was doing from the colour to the cut so I'd recommend him to anyone. We started by going over everything, double checking what I wanted then he explained that he would do a more blended balayage as I wanted subtle tones rather than icy blonde to start. After an hour or so of applying, it took no time at all for the colour to stay put. It was washed out, toned twice and conditioned to keep it healthy. I asked what to do about going into the pool on my holiday in a few weeks, and Billy said to put a leave in conditioner on beforehand, if anyone wanted to know.
We chopped the ends off, fixed up my fringe and was treated to a blow dry and curls. I love it. The colour is a very soft beigey blonde and starts high up enough that you can't really see where it starts, but nothing on the root, aka low maintenance. I really couldn't recommend Whiteman Soho and Billy enough. If you fancied booking click here for their site. The salon itself is so modern and simple, and adds to the experience itself, plus it's located in the Ham Yard so you'll be feeling very fancy walking out after too! Oh and whilst you're there, you may as well head to my favourite restaurant in the area for a quick lunch and a show off of your new look ;)
A big thank you to everyone at the salon, my hair is perfect and ready for the summer now!
*This was a gifted experience by Whiteman Soho.
Every Sunday night you'll find me on my laptop searching for holidays I can't afford. We've booked one though, a bargain price in a hotel location. Bring on July! I thought I'd kick off my summer travel series with a look in my suitcase at the skincare products I take with me on my journeys. My suitcase itself is from American Tourister and the colour matches my car perfectly (who doesn't love pink?). It's a cabin case, but big enough that it'll be my only one for my trips this year as with two sections, I can cram literally everything in. It's perfect.
Let's start with the basics. I cannot live without my Liz Earle Cleanse and Polish. The only thing I use that makes me feel completely clean and soft, and gets rid of eye makeup without making them sore too. If I'm having a pamper night, I'll use this mini bottle of Glam Glow's Gravitymud firming mask, and wipe it off using the Image cleaning wipes. Then I'll slap on some LanoLips Lip ointment (can be used anywhere) because no matter what time of year, my lips will be dry. At this point I like to use my jade roller just to go over my face. As we all know I have no idea what I'm actually doing here and mostly roll for fun.
Anyway, my current moisturizer is the Bioderma soothing cream and let me tell you does this stuff sooth. It's beyond rich and thick enough to feel a different but not stay sticky on your skin. I am loving it right now and can't image a day without using it. I've forgone makeup primers too just because I didn't feel the need after using this. 10/10. As it's summer (apparently), I'm trying to add more SPF into my routine, so a quick mist of the Bioderma Moisturising anti-uv mist is fab. Plus it's cooling on the face on a really hot (and sticky) day. For any extra dry bits, I'll add a little of the Neil's Yard Wild Rose Beauty Balm before makeup or anything as I find this, plus moisturiser, really helps for foundation to glide over and last longer on problem areas.
Lastly, body skin wise, I love using this mini bottle of the L'Occitane shower oil as there's nothing like smooth skin after shaving to help you feel fab in the summer. Plus is smells great too. Before I head out, my go to sun cream is the Bioderma 50+ sun mist. I know I won't tan, so why bother with it when I can add extra SPF, save my skin and just fake it later on?
Have a great summer all x
*Some of the products featured in this post were gifted/samples. All views are my own and this post is not sponsored.
April. The sun has officially come (and nearly gone again) and the winter candles are swapped for bright fresh flowers. I think it's time for this months new ins and very loved products.
Skincare:
A few new in products from the labs at No7. I'm a sucker for anything that tells me I'll look younger (at 22) so this firming cream sounds good, and my mum has put her name down on the dark circle one already. If they're decent, you'll know next month (or whenever I write the next BE, unpredictable).
Image skincare is a new brand for me, and one you'd be more likely to find at a spa. I headed down to one of their product launches and with a very intimate (5 of us!) talk from one of the leading faces of the brand, I learned just how much I needed, and what everyone else was already loving. I have a shopping list ready to go. I was kindly gifted the wipes and face mask and was told to use the wipes to take OFF the mask. Can you believe it. What an idea. The mask doesn't dry all horrid and flakey either and the wipes are WET. Very nice, yes.
As a Dermalogica 'Skinfluencer', I'm sent various products every now and then to try out. Recently I was sent their new Prisma Protect cream that I used before one of their primers that I LOVE and so far I've had a few compliments on my skin already. A smooth base is your first goal to happy makeup.
Makeup:
My current, and long time favourites. The cheap and very cheerful Makeup Revolution Foundation is one I cannot stop shouting about. I've stopped using my Nars and wasn't too sad when my Urban Decay one ran out because I had this to fall back on. And fall back I'll be doing as it is WONDERFUL. My number one drugstore foundation for sure, and maybe number 1 or 2 with that UD one in the mix. I love it. Buy it. You need it (probs not).
Eyes wise, I cannot get enough of the Better than Sex mascara by Too Faced. There is no other like it. I've been through tubes and tubes and when I received a little one in a gift set at Christmas, I was very happy. The Kiko eyeliner is literal perfection for small lines upon the lid and a small (or large, whatever) wing too. The only one I could ever use and actually flick with. It's magic, basically. *Paid for myself.
A place to go...
An avid Duck & Dry fan, when I was invited down to their new Primark Duck & Dry Express, I was thrilled. My booking was at a different time to what it should have been, but nevertheless I sat patiently for my new time. Still asked to wait after the time had passed, I overheard the manager (I assume?) tell the eyebrow lady to do hers next (perks of the job ay). I finally sat down and and kindly said to eyebrower that they didn't really need shaping, just a clear up of the extra hairs around the side. She told me to stop speaking and that she was a professional and will do what she needs to do. First eyebrow down after what seemed like 10-15 minutes (legit). She added a bit of pencil in the gaps and all was well. She then started on the left brow and did. not. stop. I have never been in so much pain on my face. I'm used to threading and waxing, but she would thread and rethread and over again of the same spot until I was bleeding. After a while I hear "there's nothing there" "it's so thin". Let me tell you; I have NEVER had thin eyebrows in my life. I came out of the womb with big fluffy brows and they are a staple on my face. To hear the word 'thin' made my stomach turn. Yet she carried on. Plucking and plucking with her tweezers like there was no tomorrow.
Below is the photo I sent to a few pals once I'd properly seen what she had done. After filling in the left one and showing me a mirror, I could have cried. When she said my eyebrows were "too close together" I thought she'd thread the middle bit and be done with it, as that has never been said before. But mrs 'professional semi permanent tattoo brow artist' had literally made one a few cm higher than the other. The photo shows the height difference but not the thinness of the left brow. Once I'd got home I took the brow pencil off and was left with an eyebrow half the thickness of the other. Just after it was done I went to lunch with my cousin and even HE pointed it out. I was, and still am, horrified. A week later and the little hairs are starting to grow back, but far higher than my eyebrow (where they're actually meant to be) which means I'll have a gap between what I've got, and what is now growing.
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| Before: BUSHY EYEBROWS WITH A NATURAL ARCH |
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| After: UNSEEN THINNESS OF LEFT BROW AND MUCH HIGHER THAN THE RIGHT ONE My friends asked if it was permanent, and were mortified that someone could claim they were a professional and tell me not to tell her what needs doing, could do that. I'd understand if I'd have paid £2 on a stall in a shopping center, or I was one of her first customers but not this. I haven't spoken to anyone at Duck and Dry about it yet, purley because I love the brand so much. And on that note, I'll be a tad calmer and tell you about the hairstyle I was also given... When I finished my brows, I was then asked to wait even longer as only one hair stylist was working. By the time I had gotten on the hair chair, I'd been there for a good hour and a half and still hadn't had my second treatment. I asked the hairstylist for something curly and with volume, which he delivered in around 10 minutes. I absolutely loved the style and am gutted that I didn't get his name. The staff at the express were lovely in themselves mostly. I'm gutted about the brow situation because I'd have loved to come in and treat myself to a manicure or a style after a brow session once or twice a month. I would recommend the hair stylists any day of the week, having tried a few at Spitalfields, Oxford Street and pop ups at events. I wouldn't personally get my eyebrows done there again, but maybe another person would be different? -------------------------------------------- All products* and experiences mentioned in this post were complimentary by the brand or PR. |
Primer by Dermologica / Moisturizer by Freshly Cosmetics / Eye serum by Freshly Cosmetics / Red lipstick by Kiko / Highlighter by Guerlain / Nude lipstick by Tom Ford / Brushes by LGFG /
We'll start with the skincare. I am lucky enough to be apart of the Dermologica Skinfluencer programme where I was sent a few bits and bobs to try out. The one standout product for me has to be the Skinperfect Primer. An orangey base smooth mousse is the best description you're going to get here. With SPF 30 it's helpful for these late winter sunny days. Freshly kindly sent me a moisturizer and an eye serum to try, both of which have not made my skin breakout of eye bags dry up. A first for the eyes. I've only used thm both for a week or so, so I want to wait a tad longer for a full opinion, but so far so blooming good.
Make up next and I bit a very large bullet and bought a Tom Ford lipstick the same day as a Guerlain highlighter. Both valid and well used purchases. I would have wished for the lipstick to be a bit creamier, or less orange based, but that's just me and I knew what I was buying before I did. I researched both products endlessly and decided they were good to go. The highlighter is a subtle shade of gold, and it's a thumbs up from me.
Kiko launched a range of Valentines inspired products and I was sent a few to try. One was this Sweetheart Lipstick of a red and pinky/purpley variety. Smooth enough, and fab packaging. It's a colour for a fancy dinner or event rather than an every day, but that's my personal preference. I think the collection is on sale now since V day has been and gone, so pop down (or online) if you fancied catching it before they disappear.
Lastly, Look Good Feel Better got in touch to talk about their new range of brushes, available in stores, which donates proceedings to the charity. The charity aim to make those suffering with the likes of cancer, to feel like themselves again for a day. I first heard of the brand when my mother was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2017. The hospital where she had her treatment had a small room of sofas, books and leaflets giving advice for families, and for the patients themselves on things like wigs. One of these was for Look Good Feel Better. They ran sessions for people to go in, free of charge, and learn how to do makeup during and after their treatment. My mum lost all of her hair including eyebrows, so the sessions would teach a way of helping any anxiety that comes with treatment. When the charity sent me the brush set to mule over, I was so very happy to talk about it. I can't think of a better business to give my money to for my own beauty interests, that also help people in these situations, like my mother was.
My hair.
For a while I wanted bangs, as the Americans call it. A side fringe or a full fringe was the question and upon being invited down to Rush's new salon in Farringdon, I chose a parted, both sided one that would hang perfectly if I wished to have my hair up for a change. I had quite a bt chopped off, more than initially wanted, but it's just hair, it'll grow back. The salon is lovely in itself, with flowers and balloons left over from the opening, and a new set of stylists at the ready. Mine was a lovely lady called Romina who may have convinced me to think about a blonde balayage the near future.
This post contains gifts and affiliate links.
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