15 Things That Made Me Happy This Summer

When it comes to 'feel good' posts, I didn't expect to be able to write one for this summer. The loss of loved ones this year has rocked me, along with a lot of other things and it seems like one of those years you don't look back on with anything other than sadness. HOWEVER, I made a point to sit down and write this post because I wanted to remind myself that despite sadness and huge loss, this summer has presented some really happy moments. And I'm so glad I did because it's made me look at my overall impression of this year completely differently!

My Current Make Up Obsession: Bobbi Brown Nude Edition Palettes

A few weeks ago I had the most pinch-worthy package turn up on my doorstep. My friends at Fabled by Marie Claire, had sent me the new Bobbi Brown Nudes Edition Palettes along with some other amazing goodies. And it made not only my day, but my week and probably my month too. Bobbi Brown is one of those brands: the creme-de-la-creme, elite and one of the very best in the beauty industry. Polished in appearance in everything from products to their make up counters, Bobbi Brown is without doubt one of make up's finest and most highly ranked brands. So receiving a PR package of their goodies was a really exciting moment for me. (Thank you Fabled, for making it happen!)

Miller Harris CEO Sarah Rotherham Talks All Things Fragrance With Me

It's not every day that you get the opportunity to speak to speak to someone like Sarah Rotherham. Someone with a proven track record in all things scent and the current CEO of luxury fragrance brand, Miller Harris. Not just that, but Sarah has also played vital roles at Molton Brown, Penhaligon's and spent time as the chief executive of Cradle, the holding company for Penhaligon’s as well as L’Artisan Perfumer and the Erno Laszlo skincare brand.What's even more is that the successes she's seen while working for all of these brands has been integral in their current standing. For example, under her watch, Penhaligon’s grew to 18 UK stores with 25 overseas, and their sales rose from £9m to £35m worldwide. A common story on all of the brands she worked on. 

2 Minute Beauty Time - Tropic Skincare Sun Care Discovery Kit

It's time for a new 2 Minute Beauty Time post! I know you guys like quick and punchy reviews on key seasonal products, so today I'm focusing on the Tropic Skincare Sun Care Discovery Kit. Seeing as we're in the middle of the summer holidays and we've had the most intense heatwave ever, I think we've all become friends with our daily sun care products, haven't we? 

Upping My Brow Game

I'm so late to the brow party that it's practically packing-down and home time. Somehow out of nowhere, the need to have a strong brow game has become integral in the beauty world over recent years. Which completely bypassed me as someone who has always naturally had a good shaped brow and really not been that fussed about theirs. Until recently when I started to notice that mine were thinning out and looking patchy. So I knew it was time I upped my brow game.

Ten Reasons Love Makeup Should Be on Your Radar

When it comes to make up stockists, there's a lot out there. Let's make no mistake in that. You can buy make up from corner shops these days, and while you're at the supermarket too. There's no shortage of places to pick up a new product or two. So in order for specialist and dedicated stockists to stand out, they have to really up their game. As a beauty blogger who is OBSESSED with make up, I'm forever finding and searching out new places to buy my favourite brands. I like to shop about, what can I say! And sometimes, just sometimes I stumble upon an absolute gem. The recent of which is Love Makeup.

Creating My Own Nudestix Pick A Palette

When it comes to Nudestix, they have a soft place in my heart. Before they got BIG here in the UK, I'd already been a loyal user of their pencils for years - because I picked some up from the States and never looked back. So now I see their counter in Harvey Nichols, and how loved they're becoming in the UK, I'm even happier that they're getting the recognition they deserve here too. And plus, it makes it so much easier to add to my Nudestix collection now too!

The Definitive Summer Skincare Guide

Ever felt so completely overwhelmed with the huge amount of skincare info on the web? Sometimes looking for an answer can be more confusing than asking the question - especially when it comes to what skincare products to try. We all have different skincare concerns, different skin types and tones and it's rare to find all the relevant information you need in one place. Which is why, for so long I've wanted to create this post. The definitive summer skincare guide - that one place to find the low-down on all the products to add to your skin regime this summer - broken down by requirement. So hopefully it will keep things easy for you.

July: New In Beauty & Monthly Favourites

We're back at that time of the month again: time for me to round up the products I've been loving and all the exciting new-in beauty launches. July has been a busy one with a lot going on but there's been some real stand out products for me this month, so this post has been a lot of fun to write! As well as this, not only have we had the longest and probably the most intense heatwave that the U.K can remember, we've also had the launches of some fab new goodies. So here's the July New In Beauty & Monthly Favourites...

How To Make Pinterest REALLY Work For Your Blog or Brand

How I Get Nearly One Million Unique Views on Pinterest A Month - And You Can Too!

I'm going to start by saying that this is what I have done to build Pinterest into a successful driver of traffic to my blog. Some of the things I've done and focused upon, are the opposites of what others have previously said and widely told others to focus on. But I can only tell you guys what has worked for me - and how to apply that to your blog or brand.

What's In My Bag - The Beach Bag Edit

I'm currently on a major countdown to my summer holiday and I can't flipping wait. I need this holiday as physically and mentally I need a rest. A breather and time to just dial down is exactly what the Doctor ordered. So a little while ago I booked us a week in the sun, and now it's only a week away, which has come round so quick! I've got to be honest, I've never looked forward to some time off more!

What £250 Looks Like From Sephora - And Why It's No Longer Worth Shopping With Them From The UK

When it comes to make up hauls, there's the good and the excellent. Then there's the perceived make up Mecca, Sephora. Ask any make up addict and it's the dream. Any make up junkie who steps foot in a country that homes a Sephora store will hot-foot it there faster than you can say 'haul' and swiftly pick up a collection of pre-planned purchases. Because when it comes to make up shopping, Sephora is the one to beat - right? I've been one of those girls many, many times. And in the absence of many physical visits, I'm prone to making the odd (usually twice a year) bonanza haul online. I look forward to these times and spend months deciding what I'm going to order. 

How I'm Getting More Body Confident With Upbra

Today I'm going to blog about something that you'll have never seen me talk about here before. I'm an open book when it comes to pretty much everything, and I've blogged about even some of the hardest topics in my life. But one thing I've never written about is something that has always been a big issue for me and given me a lot of body hang-ups: my breasts. Or should I honestly say, my lack of them.

Eight Charlotte Tilbury Summer Essentials

Charlote Tilbury will forever be one of the brands with the highest of reputations. With such a strong brand based on timeless beauty, it's been created to elude to all things glamourous - but only in the very most classy way. It's top level. It's excellence embodied and it's just pure luxury. Within the luxury comes a make up line that's forever extending with amazing goodies and a skincare collection that's already established some cult status products. (Magic Cream, I'm looking at you.) And while not everyone can afford a big splurge on multiple purchases, the Charlotte Tilbury reputation means even if you can't buy it regularly, you still aspire to. And you'll likely treat yourself once in a while, walking away from the counter with excitement and deep satisfaction. (Not just me, right?!)

Five Reasons To Try A Unisex Fragrance

When it comes to fragrances I think I have a very specific taste - as do most people. I know what I like and what I don't, and I never smell something once and change my mind. I know from the fist time I smell something, whether it's for me or not. Love at first sight kinda thing, in the scent sense obviously. I've learned a lot about fragrance since I started blogging - base notes, mid notes etc. And I've come to know what to look for in a new perfume.

My Journey To Straight Teeth - The Half Way Point

As you guys will know, a few months back I started my teeth straightening treatment with Your Smile Direct. If you missed all the videos and chats I did about this, let me just quickly fill you in - I have always hated my teeth. In fact, hate isn't the right word...I've always been ashamed of them. And I honestly think that is worse. You'll never see me smile in photo's with my teeth showing - ever. And I have always been painfully embarrassed of them. I think I should have had a brace back when I was a young girl, but for whatever reason, it never happened. As a result my teeth are crooked on the top and bottom and my biggest problem was my 'fangs.' (the side ones that hang down) but mine are also protruding and I just hate them so much. They've caused me a lot of insecurity growing up. And if you have any type of body hang-up, you'll know how truly rubbish that feels.

Laura Lee Nudie Patootie Full Review & Swatches

A palette that recently caught my magpie eye for makeup, was the Laura Lee Nudie Patootie. I'll be honest, I didn't NEED another nude palette. In fact, far from it - I have so many that I barely use the ones I have. So buying another was something that wasn't even on my radar...However when I saw the picture of the colours, I just melted into a pile of make-up loving blubber. There's no denying Nudie Patootie is a stunning looking palette. But I know a lot of people have been on the fence about it, so I wanted to write up my review to help you decide whether to make the splurge or save your pennies...

2 Minute Beauty Time - How To Get Happy Summer Feet

During the summer there is often one area that we forget about... When it comes to summer preparations we'll moisturise and exfoliate, use lip balms for nourishment and apply SPF as often as it's needed. But quite often we forget about a really key area - our feet. Suddenly we go from boots, socks and wellies in the winter - to flip flops. And our poor feet don't often know how to adapt. more than that, our feet are like any other area of our bodies - they require regular TLC!

Inside The Cult Beauty 10th Birthday Box

My good friends over at Cult Beauty really have gone to town recently. In aid of their big 1-0 birthday we've had some fab events and offers, which has been the perfect way for everyone to enjoy the celebrations. First we had the Gift With Purchase last month which saw spends over £170 receive a Goody Bag with ten full sized products worth over £240! (Which I took FULL advantage of!) And then there's been the individual special offers (like 15% off spends over £20 last week) and an amazing birthday party to boot.

A HUGE World Duty Free Haul! (Part 2)

As you guys know, I recently went along to the Gatwick Summer Festival as a guest of my good friends at World Duty Free. I blogged all about how fantastic the event was, what I got up to and why the first ever #GatwickSummerFestival is just so darn fabulous. So make sure you check out Part 1 in my previous post! This will explain everything you need to know about all of the fun festival themed activities going on at the Gatwick North and South Terminals, all the travel exclusives you can pick up, and there's a chance to win up to £5,000 worth of airport vouchers too. So make sure you have a read of my post first...

Celebrating The Gatwick Summer Festival With World Duty Free (Part 1)

Two weeks ago you'll have seen on my Instagram Stories that I headed to Gatwick Airport as a guest of World Duty Free. They were hosting a BIG celebration in aid of their first ever Summer Festival and I had quite frankly, the best time! I'm already a huge fan of World Duty Free - the beauty lover inside me gets giddy at the thought of shopping there before my holidays and I often head there with a huge list, ready to stock up on all my favourites as well as treating myself to lots of new goodies. So the opportunity of a shopping spree at one of the best beauty destinations in the UK was a dream come true!

Ten Things To Pack In Your Holiday Handbag

When it comes to packing for our holidays, we all focus on the suitcase right? We sort our swimwear out, pack our night-out dresses and force in way more shoes than is necessary. (Just me?) But one thing I always neglect and I'm very guilty of, is leaving my holiday handbag packing to the last minute and then having a mad dash round the house literally when I should have been in the car five minutes ago. So to make things easier, I've created a little list of the things that we should all remember to pack in our holiday handbag.

Eyeshadow - The Glitter Edit

Are you a festival lover? Off on a girls holiday? Or even just a make-up junkie who hasn't missed the huge rise of popularity for glitter eye looks? I've never been to a festival and rather than a fun girls holiday, I'm off on a much-needed quiet break to Greece next month. But that doesn't mean I've missed the glitter-boat, or that I can't love the trend as much as the next girl. No, if you think you're too old, too 'safe' in your style for Glitter Eyes, then my friends you are WRONG!

Our Day At The Newmarket Races

As a family we try and set aside certain times during the week to spend together. That freelance life, motherhood and the daily jungle of school-runs, P.E kits and feeding times can often mean we get to the weekend in the blink of an eye. And it also means that family time is precious to us, and we try to make sure we make memories with the boys - the sort they'll remember as they grow up. It's because of this that we like to dedicate certain days to take the boys on special trips and dedicated family days, and this weekend we went on one of the best we've been to, at the Newmarket Racecourses Discovery Day.

Five Happy Things About The GlamGlow x My Little Pony Collection

If you've read my blog or seen my Instagram before, you'll know that one of my favourite face mask brands is GlamGlow. I've got a healthy collection of their mud masks and they're one brand I turn to weekly without fail for skin TLC. I was so excited when they started to introduce 'normal' daily skincare into their existing product catalogue because it finally meant I could use GlamGlow on a daily basis. I rate their masks so highly that I knew I'd love the skincare, and I did. (Check out my thoughts on X and X.)

Clarins Summer 2018 Collection

When it comes to seasonal make up, there's few brands who nail a summer launch like Clarins do. Every year I find myself getting just that little bit excited ahead of the summer because I know whatever they have in store for us, will be wonderful. And the Clarins Summer 2018 Collection did not disappoint.

Sunless Tanning - How To Get The Perfect Natural Looking Tan

As someone with very fair skin, I've tried a lot of products to help me achieve that all over bronzed look that is usually only achievable with a week of sunbathing on an exotic holiday. Over the years I've gone from tanning a lovely golden brown to not tanning at all. Maybe it's the hormone changes after having children - who knows? But for some reason, once I got past my teens, I stopped tanning - and when on holiday I usually went straight to the red stage. The dangerous stage. 

Two Minute BeautyTime: The Salvatore Ferragamo Mini Signorina Collection

Two Minute Time is focused on one of my much loved brands of perfume today. I've talked about Salvatore Ferragamo fragrances multiple times, and my love affair with them started after a close friend introduced me to Signorina Misteriosa. The perfect scent for musk lovers, I'd never smelt anything like it. It was to me, the definition of sexy and sultry and for that reason I've always had a bottle on the go - and always one as a back up too.

Brand Focus: Laura Geller

Laura Geller.

One American brand I rate highly and think are way under rated. I'm forever recommending their highlighters, loving their lippies and at Christmas I love their Holiday Sets. I think more people should try their products, because once they do, they'll be hooked - just like I was. I love when brands produce amazing products in quick succession, just as Laura Geller have recently, because it means I can do a thorough Brand Focus piece. Which are some of my favourites to write!

Summer Scents - Matching Your Perfume To Your Home Fragrance

When it comes to fragrance we all have scents that evoke memories and transport us to another place for a moment or two. Whether it's the aftershave your first boyfriend used to wear, or the perfume your Nanna used to always buy you at Christmas while you were growing up...no matter what the memory is, scent has a way of allowing us to time travel, even if just for a moment.

Time For A Little Hair TLC

When it comes to my hair, I have to be really cautious about the products I use. My hair is super fine and thin, but there's a lot of it (so my hairdresser tells me!) Which means that I feel like I have the flattest hair in the world, and serums, masks and things like that can be great for encouraging growth and strengthening my hair - but they instantly make my locks look even flatter. Which isn't a good look on anyone, let's be honest!

Getting The Summer Glow Using The New Bare Minerals Crystalline Glow Collection

If there was one thing I wasn't expecting on a dreary Friday afternoon, it was a gorgeous pink box to be delivered. Anything in a pink box instantly makes me happy because hey, this girl loves pink - have you seen my Instagram feed?! Anyway, upon opening it, the excitement got real. The lovely folks at Bare Minerals had released a rose gold themed, limited edition collection called Crystalline Glow and it is everything I love about make up. And as a girly-girl anything with a rose gold focus wins my heart quickly.

Getting In Shape for Summer

When I first heard about So Shape, I didn't really pay much attention, but the more I heard and saw, the more intrigued I became. Slowly I began to start wondering if something like So Shape could work for me? I've always been a bit cynical of fads and weight loss programs, probably because in all honesty, I hadn't felt like I needed them before. I've always had a high metabolism so if anything, I spent years struggling to put weight on. But that changed for me when I had my second child.

Cheating The Ombre Look With The By Terry Twist-On Lipsticks

If you're a lover of the old school darker lip line and lighter lipstick (like me) then you're going to want to get your hands on the By Terry Twist-On Lipsticks. Despite being so well presented back in the 80's, a well lined lip has never gone out of fashion. Nowadays you can apply on the outer line, the lips themselves to create fuller illusions and all over as a lip colour. Pretty nifty huh?

May Favourites & New In Beauty

Where is this year going? Because all of a sudden we're in summer, it's June and holiday season, summer term breaks and cute sundresses are upon us. I love the warm weather, and summer just makes me feel better in every way. Something about blue skies and sunshine just has that effect right? But with another month arriving, it gives me the opportunity to showcase some of my monthly favourites and also talk to you about what's been new-in this month. May has been a great month, but I feel like I say that every time I write these posts - probably because they're some of my favourites to write! but genuinely, this could be *possibly* my favourite month for writing this post!

One Essential Skincare Product You Need To Pick Up For Your Travels

When it comes to beauty shopping for your holidays, there's so much I like to spoil myself with. I am a real holiday lover - I work hard to afford a good trip and I like to take lots of new make up and skincare products with me, making it the ultimate in treat time and relaxation. It's the biggest reason you'll find me in World Duty Free until the last possible minute before the flight!

Things That Seemed Liked A Good Idea At 3am

As anyone with sleeping problems will know, those pitch black moments, laying wide awake, staring at the ceiling, can be really dull. So if you're anything like me, you'll start thinking to fill the void and suddenly your mentally knee deep in plotting how to spend the imaginary lottery win you're certain to get...It's also those moments when I've had some of my best (and worst) ideas, and me being me, I've followed through with a large number of them. The joys of ideas at 3am is usually that they seem amazing handful of opportunity...but in reality they're actually some of the most misguided decisions you can make. For example:

ASOS Launch Their Own Make Up Range

Nailing fashion and style, ASOS are the King, and Queen of online shopping destinations. Everyone has used ASOS and if you haven't you're in the minority for sure. However gradually they're taking world domination one step further - and launching their own ASOS Design range of cosmetics. 

The Game Changing IT Cosmetics Trio

When it comes to skincare I will try lots of great products but always rely on a trusty skincare routine for my daily usage. There's a certain type of product that I use - make up removing, cleansing, toning, moisturising etc And while I will toy with serums, treatments, oils and masks, I will never stray far from three-four products for everyday skin care.

Testing & Swatching The ENTIRE YSL Volupte Liquid Colour Balm Collection!

When it comes to lip products, everyone loves the matte finishes these days don't they? The amount of brands creating lip kits and the like to satisfy the matte lip lovers is crazy. They're everywhere and there's a version for every budget. I'm okay with matte lips, okay being the operative word. I'm fussy about the formula of matte lip products, most probably because my heart belongs to more creamy or glossy finishes. Just personal preference but I will always reach for the finishes which offer dimension over a flat matte, any day. Each to their own right?

How I Practice Daily Self Care

I've never needed time for myself more than I do recently. I love my job - blogging and freelancing - but I also have a baby (teething and crawling), a son, a fiance, a house to run and numerous other things. Short of a tropical holiday right now, I'm in need of regular breaks. Not just breaks, but time to love myself. Because in the words of Ru Paul "If you can't love yourself, how in the hell you gonna love somebody else?"

Father's Day Gift Guide - The Grooming Edit

When it comes to the men in my life, they're all about grooming. Between my fiance, my brother, my Dad...they're all very into taking care of their appearance. Not to the extent that they do anything other than make sure they're clean, fresh and smelling great, you know, the norm. Which makes things like Christmas and Birthday's really easy for me, because you can't go wrong with male grooming products. I could probably buy all of them the same and they'd still be over the moon to be honest. A good aftershave, some smellies and a nice bath set and they'd be happy with any. It's a good job too because the beauty blogger in me loves giving beauty and grooming style gifts for any occasion. 

The One Place You May Be Overlooking For Beauty Shopping...

When it comes to shopping for beauty products, we've all got our favourites haven't we? We've got the amazing all-in-one's like my good friends Cult Beauty and co. Then we've got department stores galore - all with mostly the same brands, but a few exclusives which mean we could never be fully loyal to just one. Then there's the direct brands that are only sold online, and the overseas brands too that we can't get very easily either. Without the make up mecca, Sephora, opening it's doors here in the UK and making all our beauty dreams come true, we do tend to have to shop around for our beauty buys. That's okay, but did you know there's somewhere closer than you think that you may have overlooked?

How To Get Warm Neutral Eye Looks In A Snap

As ever, I'm always looking out for the best eyeshadow palettes for complete looks. Eyeshadow palettes are my number one favourite piece of make up. I have so many but I'll never stop adding to my collection because palettes are bae - right boys and girls?

Why Having Children Young Was The Best Thing I Ever Did

As a mum of two, I live in the constant mum-mode whirlwind. I have two boys - one nearly 8 years old and one nine month - yes, there's a big gap between the two of them. I am now the ripe old age of 3-0 and quite content to be a Mummy of two, a fiance, a homemaker and the such. But it's not an easy task - parenthood is tough, and motherhood is at times the most testing role I've ever had to undertake. But I wouldn't change it for the world. My children mean everything to me.

L'Oreal Infaillible Takes A New Turn (With Swatches of All The Foundation Sticks!)

A while back I wrote about the L'Oreal Infallible range when it first landed on my doorstep. I was pretty impressed with the longevity the foundation provided, and could see why everyone raved about it. The Infallible collection in itself has since become like it's own brand-within-a-brand, because eit's so well recognised now. So when the new collection from the range dropped, I was excited to say the least. not just because I knew it could only get better, but because they had some seriously attractive looking pieces and some much needed additions to the Infallible range.

April Favourites & New In Beauty

First off, yes I'm late. No, not that kinda late (two kids is enough for me!) but late in delivering this (last) months Favourites and New In Beauty post. I'm a poor excuse for a blogger but I do have a valid reason - laryngitis and a throat infection. I'm still fighting it off, but fortunately my voice has returned - along with a bit more energy. Hurray! So, although it's a week late, I hope you'll still enjoy reading about the items I loved most last month, and what's new in too. And hopefully, as ever, you'll find some golden goodies to try this month.

The New Extra Firming Duo From Clarins

My mum has always sworn by Clarins. 

It was the first premium skincare brand she introduced me to as a teenager and she still to this day swears by them. Her dressing table is adorned with her trusty favourite products and although she tries new things once in a while, she will never stray far from her beloved Clarins. It's one of the reasons I love the brand so much - if they've been good enough for my mum (and she looks fabulous at 52) then they're good enough for me. 

Three Fragrances To Mix Up Your Perfume Collection

When it comes to perfume we all have our own tastes don't we? We know what we like and rarely tend to step outside of our comfort zone with that - and to be honest, what's wrong with that? No-one would realistically buy a perfume that they didn't absolutely love, because if you don't like it, you're not going to wear it are you? But with so much choice it can sometimes be tricky to see the really good hidden treasures in the fragrance field. So I've put together a little list of three fragrance that you may not have considered before, but they'll mix up your perfume collection in a really great way...

Six Reasons To Try SBC Gels Collagen Body Polish

You'll remember that a few months ago, I spoke to you guys about why now is the right time to introduce collagen into your skincare routine. Since then I've been a fond fan of the SBC Gels range of products and have extended my collection two fold. QVC favourites, SBC have proved time and time again that their products perform and offer a high intensity type of skin and body care. So when I heard that my original favourite collection, the Collagen range, was being extended to include the brand new Collagen Body Polish, it was a total no-brainer that I'd be giving it a go.