Tag Archives: beauty

The 2017 Christmas Gift Guide: 12 Unique Beauty Gifts You Haven’t Thought of Yet

Can you believe it’s already that time of year? Christmas is around the corner and I’m really feeling the festive spirit this year! As always, I have lots of gorgeous gift guides planned for you but I’m taking a different approach this year! I personally love giving and receiving presents that are a little different, a little out of the box, something you may not have thought of before. That’s why this year, I’m sharing gifts for the special ones in your life that you may not have thought of before. I guarantee they will all blow their stockings off!

To kick things off I’m starting with the perfect presents for the beauty junkie. Every single one of these 12 presents has been carefully curated for that makeup lover in your life. Trust me, one of these things is probably on their wishlist already! There is something for everyone in every price range! Although some items look really expensive, I was pleasantly surprised by some of the prices!

If this isn’t what you’re looking for, don’t worry! I have many more gift guides coming your way. You can find the schedule at the bottom of this post so you know when to check back!

Dafni Straightening Hair Brush

Le Mini Macaroon Gel Nail Set

Brush Cleaner

Kilian Perfume & Case

Bobbi Brown Beauty Case

Customised Maison Margiela Perfume

Net-A-Porter Beauty On The Go Favourites

Free People Silk Robe

Slip Silk Pillow Case & Mask

Fenty Match Stix Trio

Loella Brushes

Marble Brush Holder

Which one will you be getting for the beauty junkie in your life? Share your favourite!

Makeup Bag Must Haves: The Prettiest Makeup Brushes

Makeup Brushes To Make You Smile

Who doesn’t love a great makeup brush set? Now make that same set vegan and cruelty-free, colorful (red!!) and affordable too? I think that’s the makings of a great set of makeup brushes! Loella is a brand new beauty brand, who brushes are everything I’ve listed and so much more. The company was actually started by a dear friend of mine. She wanted to inject a little bit of fun and color into our everyday makeup routines and Loella was born! With her very first collection of brushes out, Girl on Fire (so aptly named, with them being red and such), I was lucky enough to get an entire set to try. Now, I’m usually quite fussy about brushes. I know how easy it is to get a brush that doesn’t work very well, nor does it last very long. These brushes do work very well, and they do last! I’m also a total sucker for the gorgeous color! You can buy these makeup brushes as a set of 5, 10 or individually! Don’t worry if red isn’t your color, she has a new set coming out at the end of this year!

What do you guys think of these makeup brushes? Are they going in your makeup bag?

Get Prettier Brushes: Loella

You can buy the sets here or you can grab some individual brushes to try them out here!

What do you think of these brushes?

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5 Ways I Use NYX To Enhance My Makeup

I’ve heard a lot about NYX Makeup. I’ve seen them pop up at department stores, I’ve seen girls around me use their products, and I’ve admired the colour ranges. So when the lovely people at Debenhams offered to send me the new NYX makeup range in celebration of their launch, I couldn’t wait to try these products out for myself. After experimenting with the amazing products, Ive picked up five key ways that the new NYX products can enhance your makeup look!

Shop the new NYX range here!

There’s nothing worse than shiny patches on your face that aren’t meant to be there. A build up of oil can ruin your look. That’s why the NYX Shine killer is perfect for mattefying areas of your face and removing excess oil!

I love the Strobe Genius palette because it takes highlighting to a new level. Rather than my single shade of highlighter, I’m able to combine three different shades to create a more natural and gradual effect.

A simple way to make your eyes pop is actually with burgundy eye shadow! The NYX Ultimate palette has the perfect shade of red and brown. Combine them in the crease of your eye to really make your eyes stand out!

Eyeshadow isn’t just for your eyes! Add some ombre shine to your lips for the night, combining the gold from the NYX Ultimate palette and soft matte NYX lip cream!

Going from one place to another? Take your lips from matte to gloss in a simple step using the NYX butter gloss! I love having so many options so easily!

The new NYX range will be available in Debenhams shortly! Can’t wait to hear what you think!

Makeup Bag Must Haves: The Coolest New Eyeliner

Eyeliner Just Got Cooler…

Eyeliner is a staple for everyone’s makeup bag. I know that so many of us ask how to apply eyeliner, but what I’ve realised is that the type you have makes a huge difference! I’m always hunting for the best one out there, and I like to look beyond just the regular black shade. My latest discovery is the gorgeous blue Kajal from 3ina. I love the creamy texture and the pencil design makes it easy to grip and apply. Perfect for a bold look or even for blending. Plus, this pencil is cruelty free, which makes it even better don’t you think?

Get Bolder Eyes: The 3ina Kajal

Shop this amazing pencil here

It’s also available in other colours including black, brown and even green!

Would you try blue eyeliner?

Beauty Tips from the Experts at Dior, Jo Malone and Miller Harris…

Last week I was lucky enough to have a day of pampering in the beauty quarter of London, Covent Garden. It was only recently that I learnt that all our favourite brands including Dior, Jo Malone, Charlotte Tilbury, and so many more, have dedicated beauty only stores around Covent Garden! Through my day, I got to try out some brand new products and more importantly pick up some amazing beauty tips to share with you all!

My day started out at Dior makeup. It’s no secret that I am a die-hard Dior girl so I was ecstatic at the chance to be able to try out their new makeup range as well as their new perfume, Miss Dior. Throughout my makeover, I picked up some fabulous makeup tips that have changed my routine for sure!

My second stop on the Beautython was at Miller Harris. A British perfumery focused in french techniques, each fragrance offers a story of it’s own. Here is where I learnt a bit more about picking a fragrance best suited for you…

My final stop was at the beautiful Jo Malone. Jo Malone scents fill my home from candles to bath wash so I was most excited to receive a hand and arm massage here. Here is where I learnt a bit more about the keys to keeping your body moisturised, and locking in your favourite scents…

I hope you enjoyed the beauty tips I learnt in the beauty quarter of London. The Covent Garden Beautython is offering exclusive experiences until the 3rd of September but the beauty adventure continues long after!

Thank you Covent Garden for sponsoring this post. All thoughts and opinions remain my own

How I Get My Hair Shiny: My Hair Secrets Revealed!

The Secret to Shiny Hair Revealed…

Haircare has been an important part of my beauty routine forever. I take great pride in my hair and I like to maintain the thickness as much as I can. One of the goals we all have, is how to get shiny hair. We all want hair that is thick, healthy, shiny and soft right? It might seem like it takes an army, but great hair is around the corner. Today, I’m revealing to you the secret behind my haircare routine and all the products I use to get my hair where it needs to be!

Just keep scrolling for the answers to all your hair care woes! If I haven’t answered one of them, feel free to ask me about it in the comments or share your favourite hair tips with me!

The following post includes affiliate links however all thoughts and opinions remain my own and this post is not sponsored in any way.

Shop my Favourite Haircare Products

For Cleaner Hair Quickly: Ouai Dry Shampoo Foam

So I usually avoid dry shampoo. I hate the texture it leaves on my hair and it always makes me feel ickier. This was until I discovered this dry shampoo foam! I know that the texture isn’t necessarily for everyone but I feel cleaner when I use it (I know it’s a quick fix but still!) and I like that it doesn’t leave my hair feeling dry!

Ouai Dry Shampoo Foam

For Beach Waves: GHD Wand or Ouai Surf Spray

Depending on how much time I have, I opt for one of the following products for that beach wave look.

If I’m low on time, which I usually am, I use the Ouai Surf Spray. I find a quick spritz of this into wet hair gives you that beach hair look pretty quickly!

If I’m on my way out for something more special, I find that this GHD wand is the best in the business. The shape of the wand is more rectangular which gives you those looser beachy waves!

Remember, I usually try and air-dry my hair as much as possible and if I really want those waves, I just braid my hair for a couple of hours and let it go! That’s also an easy way to get waves!

Ouai Wave Spray

GHD Curve Classic Wand

For Heat Protection: Gisou Propolis Heat Protect Spray

If you blow dry your hair, or curl it, or use any type of heated product on it, remember that you need to use some sort of heat protective spray. A lot of heat protector sprays have quite a few chemicals in them and are not really good for your hair or for your skin! That’s why, for healthier hair, I use the Gisou Heat Protect Spray. I like that it’s all-natural and doesn’t have harmful chemicals!

Gisou Propolis Heat Protectant

For Shiny Hair & Softer Ends: Gisou Honey Hair Oil

This is a newer addition to my haircare routine. When I was younger, oiling my hair was a part of my everyday routine so it’s no surprise that some sort of hair oil has followed me to my adulthood.

I love using the Gisou oil on the ends of my hair. It softens my hair and gives me shiny hair as well! I’ve noticed that it does help with my split ends too!

The best part is that although it’s a bit pricey, you only need a few drops for a great effect, so it lasts for a long time!

Gisou Honey Hair Oil

What haircare products do you swear by?

What My Mother Taught Me About Skincare this Mother’s Day

Celebrating my mother & everything she’s taught me…

don’t think that we should celebrate our mothers on just one day, I think we should celebrate them on every day. They are there for us when we need them, they pick us up when we fall, they watch us grow and they guide us no matter what. My mum is like my best friend and what I love is that we get to share all our tips and tricks with each other, whether it be about fashion (Yes you all know I’ve taken her handbags and shoes – what amazing condition she’s kept them in!) or beauty. My mum always knows the answer to whatever it may be. So, to celebrate this Mothering Sunday, I’m sharing with you the five most important lessons my mother has taught me about skin care and beauty – after all, Mother knows best!

1 Hydrate, Hydrate, Hydrate!

There is literally no better medicine for your skin than water. You should be drinking at least 2 litres of water a day. My mum knows better than anyone that I am pretty useless at this on most days but when I do hydrate I notice an amazing difference in my skin – it’s so amazing what a little bit of water can do for you! Just by increasing my water intake, I felt like my break outs were less intense – this was when I was drinking at least 2 litres of water a day. I also suggest a glass of water after caffeinated drinks!

2 Never Sleep With Make-Up On

No matter what time you come home, no matter how many drinks you’ve had, no matter whether you’ve had a long hard day, NEVER, I repeat never, sleep with your make up on! Cleansing and washing your face before you go to bed is one of the most important things to do for your skin – it allows your skin to breathe and prevents further break outs. I like to moisturise my face before I sleep as well with an almond oil.

3 Keep It Natural

My mother is so conscious about what she puts on her skin and by extension so am I. I try to go for products that are natural – after all putting a ton of chemicals on your face is not really healthy! I like to go for products that have natural ingredients and also that suit my skin. It’s so important to try and see what suits you and go with that! This isn’t just about what you put on your face – it’s also about your hair!. Try and keep your hair away from your face as much as possible to prevent break outs and make sure you are using a shampoo that is kind not only to your hair but also to your scalp and skin.

4 Eat For Your Skin

Eating habits are so important for having good skin. Everything in moderation and making sure that you’re getting your vitamins is important for healthy glowing skin. I’ve recently cut down massively on my refined sugar intake and have of course been eating better (thanks mum!) and I’ve seen a huge difference in my skin! Eating with the season is also very important – try to avoid anything that makes your body feel to heavy because that usually results in your skin breaking out! (Dried fruits are such a huge culprit, although they seem like such a good snack – avoid! Replace them with almonds instead, good for your skin and good for your metabolism!)

5 It’s About What’s On the Inside

To look and feel good on the outside, means you need to look and feel good on the inside. No matter what, always remember that beauty on the inside leads to a glow on the outside! When you feel happy, when you start the day with a positive note, it shows on the outside and it shows on your skin. I see that first hand – on days when Im upset my skin reacts as badly as I am feeling! So try to stay positive and keep the good vibes flowing!

I wish I was with my mom to celebrate Mother’s Day with her but she knows I’m sending her so much love from London! If you’re looking to treat your mum to some special beauty products this Mothers Day, why not check out the Debenhams beauty section? They sent me a little goodie package to share with my mum and it really has the cutest things!

Thank you Debenhams for patterning with me on this post.

What are your favourite skin tips?

How To Perfect That Winged Eyeliner Look

Three Steps to the Perfect Wing

The winged eyeliner look. It seems almost impossible. We get up to the mirror, eyeliner in hand, deep breath and then suddenly we get shaky! Trust me, it’s not as intimidating or as hard as you might think to get the look just right. So much so, that it’s my go to when I have a night out. I love this look because you can have so much fun with it! It really makes your eyes pop as well. You can go for a thick line with a big flick for a dramatic look, you can experiment with colours, or you can go for a thin line with a smaller flick for a more subtle look! Either way, getting your basics down for the perfect eyeliner wing is important and here’s how you achieve this beauty look!

Step One

Okay here we go! At this point, if you were going to put any eye shadow on, it should be on already! (Would you guys be interested in a post about how to make your eyes pop with eye shadow?) Look at your eye, where do you want the wing to end? Make a dot with your eyeliner at the spot where you want the tip of your wing to be. Remember, your flick goes upward so keep that in mind when making the dot!

Step Two

Now, from the dot that you just drew, draw a line towards the middle of your eyelid. Don’t worry that there is space between the end of the lid and the line – you are going to fill this in! Go back to the tip of the wing and start to fill in the gap. You’ll see your wing take shape and the line will also become more defined.

The Tools

Liquid Eyeliner: Charlotte Tilbury

Under Eye Concealer: Charlotte Tilbury

Blender Brush: Hourglass

Brow Brush: Edward Bess

Eyeshadow Brush: Illamasqua

Eyelash comb: Tweezerman

Mascara: YSL (I swear by this one!)

Gel Eyeshadow: Charlotte Tilbury

Eyeshadow Palette: Charlotte Tilbury

Blender: Beautyblender

Step Three

Now from the centre of your eyelid, make an even line to the inside tip of your eyelid to complete the wing! Voila! So simple! The key is to just start from the end and go from there!

What are your tips for the perfect winged look? Favourite products?

How to Make Your Nail Polish Last

Making your nail polish last is easier than it seems…

How many times have you given yourself the perfect manicure only to have it chipped? It’s so frustrating right? I have forever been in search of how to make nail polish last longer, how to make that manicure stay perfect for longer, just how to make the manicure look good for the week right? I’ve looked far and wide and tried all the tricks in the book to share the top five tips to making your nail polish last! Let’s get started shall we? Brushes at the ready!

File Right

The first step to making that manicure last is to get the basics right. Filing isn’t just impromptu motions on your finger nails like they do in the movies. Try and mimic the shape of your cuticle bed on your nails. This stops your nails from chipping!

Focus on the Edge

When applying a base coat (which is super important by the way! Never skip a base coat!) apply an extra coat just to the tips of your nails. This is the part of your nail that always gives way first so applying an extra base coat layer there is sure to secure your nail polish for longer!

Dry Time

Be sure to give your nails the appropriate amount of time to dry! I know that it seems dry after about 5 minutes, but it’s not! Think about all the layers you have on your nails, so you need to make sure that it’s dry all the way through! I give my nails at least 20 minutes until I consider them dry!

Proper Top Coats

A top coat is super important for your nails. I suggest also applying an extra layer of the top coat to the edges of your nails to secure the polish at this stage as well. More so, to speed up the drying time and to make sure it lasts, I like to use two products; the Essie quick dry drops and the Mavala quick dry spray. These are two super powerful tools to have in your nail arsenal!

Refresh!

The manicure may be done but your job isn’t over quite yet! Keep refreshing the top coat on your nails to keep them shiny, and to keep that manicure lasting all week long!

The nail polishes I used in this post are:

Bang the Dream by Smith & Cult

Mod About You by OPI

Chinchilly by Essie

These top five tips are sure to make your nails looking great all the time. I really think nails are such an important part of your look – it’s the first thing anyone looks at when you shake their hand or meet them for the first time, and a clean manicure always makes a great impression! What are some of your manicure tips?