A Gift Guide For Good Guys

My final gift guide of the year is here and it is all about the good guys who deserve something special. Whether you're gifting a man in his early twenties or one facing a midlife crisis, I've got some great suggestions...

A Gift Guide For Tiny Humans

There is nothing more fun than gifting children at Christmas. There is always a large number of fab gifts on offer and the process of finding the perfect one will always get you feeling nostalgic and Christmassy. It is also guaranteed to bring out your inner child! As the choice this year is pretty overwhelming, I've put together a few of the best presents I've found for girls and boys, that suit a wide range of ages.

Christmas Gift Guide: Gadgets & Tools For Girls

It's not hard to find women who loves beauty products, whether it's skincare, makeup, or the whole shebang! But if there is a beauty product that really gets a beauty girl going, it's a gadget or tool. 2020 has brought many bad things, but it has also delivered some of the best beauty gadgets in a long time. Below are some of the best and they make for perfect Christmas presents...

A Gift Guide For Girls

When it comes to compiling a Christmas gift guide for the girls, I find it easy breezy beautiful. After all, I'm a woman, so it's not too hard to think of gifts us ladies would love this holiday season. During the last two months, I trawled the shops (when I legally could!), spent hours on the internet, and had many conversations with lovely PRs to discover this year's greatest gifts. The end result is a gorgeous selection of present ideas that include everything from beauty and gadgets, to art and books...

Introducing The First Vitamin Gummy Advent Calendar!

Now I love an advent calendar as much as the next gal. After all, who doesn't love a dose of chocolate each morning before you've even had breakfast?! But what if I told you there is an advent calendar that is full of tasty candy that actually benefits your body. Now, I'm not talking about actual candy of course, but something very similar... vitamin gummies! The advent calendar in question comes from Nourished, a tech start-up who has developed the world’s first truly personalised vitamin using patented 3D printing technology and a unique vegan encapsulation formula.

The Holy Toning Trinity

Having recently bleached my hair blonde, I finally understand the importance of a good purple toner. It's very easy for bleached hair to go brassy and yellow, so using products that help neutralise the colour and add brightness couldn't be more important. Two of the best products you can use to removing brassy tones and maintaining a brilliant blonde colour are a purple shampoo and purple conditioner. There are many on the market but the three I use to get my locks light and brass-free are as follows...

The Lowdown | DUOLAB

If beauty gadgets get you going, then you're going to lose your sh*t over this one.

The DUOLAB is a device that blends fresh skincare formulas together to create ready-to-apply skincare product that is designed to treat whatever skin issue you're experiencing at that very moment. Impressive, huh!?

New Brand Alert | Innersense

There is a haircare brand on the block that sets out to provide so much more than just a hair care range. Now to be honest, this brand isn't all that new, but it's new to me, so I wanted to sing its praises! The brand is Innersense Organic Beauty and it is dedicated to purity, peace of mind, and self-care. The brand has a mission to empower, inform, and inspire through beauty and wellness, helping customers make healthier, cleaner choices that align with their personal values.

Review | No7 Advanced Retinol 1.5% Complex Night Concentrate

No7’s Advanced Retinol 1.5% Complex Night Concentrate is one of the most popular launches of 2020. 81% of women said the product visibly transformed their skin and 1.3 products have been sold per minute since it launched. I obviously had to review it...

Review | L’ATELIER GREEN Nail Polish

L’ATELIER GREEN is a French nail brand focused around nail health and nourishment.

The brand was founded by sisters, Hamida and Yasmine, who have over 15 years of beauty industry experience. The sisters, whose experience lies in the natural beauty world, saw a gap in the market for a nail varnish and treatments that looked beautiful and cared for nails. They understood the need for a product that not only provided a gorgeous colour, shine, and long-lasting effect, but one that nourished nails. The result was L’ATELIER GREEN, a nail brand that creates polishes that are truly kind and gentle to the nails, allowing them to breath whilst never compromising on colour and shine.

Review | MUGLER Angel Nova

MUGLER has added a new addition to its fragrances universe. It is Angel Nova, a new take on the iconic Angel fragrance that launched 30 years ago. I'm a huge fan of Angel, so I was excited to review this newbie.

Review | Nailpad

Nailpad is a simple and affordable product that I couldn't wait to review. Spoiler alert, I f**king love it...

Review | Love Luna Period Pants

If I had to tell you my favourite product launch of the last five years, I would probably say it's Love Luna's Period Pants. I was desperate to review these briefs and thank the good Lord I did. They have literally improved my life...

Shaving Face

Women shave their legs, under arms, top lip and even their hoo-ha, so why don't we shave our faces? And, for those of us who do, why are we so f**king secretive?! There are so many benefits to picking up the razor, so let's stop saving face about shaving face....

Review | Sunday Riley ICE Ceramide Moisturizing Cream

The Sunday Riley ICE Ceramide Moisturizing Cream promises to deliver plump-looking, baby soft skin by replenishing lipid levels and strengthening skin’s natural moisture barrier. I, of course, had to review it to see if it makes good on its promise. 

Review | YSL Illicite Nudes

YSL recently launched a new lip collection, Illicit Nudes, and it gives nude lip lovers the best of both worlds; the option of a glossy or matte finish. There are two lipsticks in the collection, the Rouge Pur Couture The Slim Glow Matte Lipstick and the Vernis À Lèvres Water Stain Glow Lip Stain. Being a huge YSL fan, I had to review them...

Review | DAVISAGE DVS VISAGER

The DAVISAGE DVS VISAGER is a facial tool that uses state of the art Japanese technology to stimulate cellular renewal, boost collagen regeneration, and improve skin elasticity. It is designed to maximise the many benefits of the DAVISAGE Face X’cercise program, made up of both products and facial exercises (including acupressure massage and lymphatic drainage massage).

Review | Essie Expressie

Earlier this year, OG nail brand Essie delivered one of its biggest launches to date and it is perfect for gals on the go. It is Essie Expressie, a one-step colour and shine nail polish that dries in about a minute. Let's review it...

Waken | Mouthwash 2.0

Mouthwash has to be one of the most boring elements of a daily routine. They all seem to have the same artificial taste, the same plastic packaging, and, more often than not, they burn the mouth. Leading to the question, what is even in mouthwash?! Luckily there is a newish brand on the block that makes mouthwash enjoyable and it uses nothing but natural ingredients. The brand is Waken...

Milk-Free Must Haves

Over the last couple of years, I've developed an intolerance to milk. I can consume milk, however if I have more than a little bit I start to experience bad neausea and gas. Not great. Avoiding milk has its challenges but luckily there are some great alternatives on the market. Oatley, for one, is my saving grace. Oatley is basically oatmilk that makes for the perfect milk alternative. Now, it doesn't "taste like milk", nothing does, and anyone that tells you something taste like something it isn't, don't believe them. But Oatley is similar to milk in its creaminess and consistency.

However, as great as Oatley is, until recently I couldn't find any other good milk-based product alternatives. Mainly in the sweet arena. I am a chocolate and pudding fiend, so finding sweet products that are free of milk has its challenges. Annoyingly, although most supermarkets have quite big free from sections, it seems as if the sweet options are only ever free of gluten and not milk. And, when they are free of milk, the options are seriously low.

Luckily, I recently discovered a brand that has changed the game for me... Rhythm108. 

Review | Beached State of Hydrate

State of Hydrate is a new mask from Beached. It is designed for those with dehydrated skin... so I obviously had to review it (for those that don't know, my skin is forever thirsty). 

Review | Urban Decay Stoned Vibes

Urban Decay new palette, Stoned Vibes, is for those among us that are anything but subtle. Cue the review...

Review | Giorgio Armani My Way

Giorgio Armani has just launched an uber feminine perfume that I've been desperate to review. 

Designed to "capture a spirit of curiosity and connection", My way is a contemporary floral fragrance created by Master perfumer Carlos Benaïm. Carlos Benaïm is the man behind some of the world's most iconic scents, including Calvin Klein's Euphoria, Viktor & Rolf's Flowerbomb, and Givenchy's Very Irresistible.

New Brand Alert | Freya + Bailey

Freya + Bailey is a new skincare brand dedicated to creating genuine skincare solutions for stress out skin...

New Brand Alert | Wake Skincare

A new British skincare brand has emerged that is designed for a huge group of people.... screen addicts. The brand is Wake Skincare.

What's The Beau(Tee)? | Childs Farm Launches Adult Brand

Childs Farm, one of the biggest names in the baby and child skincare business, is delving into the world of adult skincare with new brand Farmologie.

Review | AQUIS Hair Turban

There is a product I've used and loved for so long now, that it's about time I shared info on how bloody brilliant it is. So here is my review of the AQUIS Hair Turban...

Interview: Howard Murad M.D | Founder Of Murad

Murad is a name all true beauty lovers should know. However, for those that don't, Howard Murad M.D. is a board certified dermatologist, trained pharmacist and Associate Clinical Professor of Medicine at the Geffen School of Medicine, UCLA. He has personally treated over 50,000 patients, which helped him to create the solution-driven skincare brand we know today, Murad.

I recently got the chance to grill Howard Murad on all things beauty. Here's how it went down...

Review | Murad City Skin Age Defense Broad Spectrum SPF 50

When it comes to facial sun protection, I won't apply anything less than SPF 50 on my face, mainly because I want the protection to last as long as possible. However, it is very difficult to find a facial product containing SPF 50 that doesn't dry out my skin, feel uncomfortable or heavy, or leave a horrible white or grey film behind. I was recently sent Murad's City Skin Age Defense Broad Spectrum SPF 50 to try and had my reservations. Like I said, a good SPF 50 is a rare gem... but it turns out this Murad product is one of them.

New Brand Alert | Potion Paris

A new fragrance brand has landed in the UK and it combines uniqueness, nature, and luxury...

The (skin) Problem with Face Masks

Credit: Audere Beaute

News of face masks being made compulsory in shops, to fight coronavirus (COVID-19), has raised many questions. The one I'm hearing a lot is whether face masks can cause any skin problems. Luckily I got the opportunity to speak with Dr Tiina Meder - dermatologist, doctor, and founder of Meder Beauty Science - to get some the answers. Spoiler alert, wearing a face mask can cause breakouts, redness, and irritation...

Father's Day Gift Ideas

If your lockdown experience has been anything like mine, you probably regularly forget what day it is and miss important events... Father’s Day being one of them. If you’re without a card of gift, don’t fret, I have some fab suggestions…

Motherhood | Father's Day Gifts for New Dads

There are hundreds of dads across the country that will soon be celebrating their very first Father's Day. To make this day as special as possible, I've selected some gifts that I think would be perfect for the new dad in your life...

Summer-Ready Feet with Margaret Dabbs London

Summer is here and the sandals are out, which isn’t the best look if - like me - your feet are hobbit-like. My feet have been in need of some serious TLC for some time. So, to get them summer-ready I looked to the ultimate foot care brand, Margaret Dabbs London...

Motherhood | Craft Coffee Club Review

If there is one thing I depended on in the early days of Ezra's birth it was coffee, coffee, and more coffee (it still is to be honest). You have such little sleep during the first few weeks that these drinkable pick-me-ups are perfect. The problem is, the more sleep deprivation you have, the more you forget to keep your coffee supply up. Luckily there is a monthly subscription box that will deliver those beautiful beans direct to your door. The brand is Craft Coffee Club and I was luckily enough to review a box after Ezra was born.

Review | Biossance Squalane + Glycolic Renewal Facial

Biossance is a clean beauty brand that launched in the UK earlier this year. I recently got my hands on the brand's Squalane + Glycolic Renewal Facial to review. Spoiler alert... I love it.

Review | OGX Apple Cider Vinegar Shampoo & Conditioner

I don't think there is a haircare brand on earth that seems to have as many collections as OGX. The brand seems to have, at one stage, included every technology, every scent, and every superfood imaginable in its haircare products and I'm here for it. The latest interesting ingredient to carry a OGX collection is apple cider vinegar.

Review | IT Cosmetics Confidence in Your Beauty Sleep Night Cream

The IT Cosmetics Confidence range has a new addition, which also happens to be a first for the brand in general. A night cream! The Confidence in Your Beauty Sleep Night Cream, to be exact, and I've been desperate to review it...

Motherhood | My Baby's Birth Didn't Bring Overwhelming Love

I always imagined the moment I'd give birth. I pictured - with such clarity - my baby being passed to me, followed immediately with a feeling of such love that I would be close to hysterical, with tears streaming down my cheeks. I'm a huge family girl with enormous love for my partner, parents, and friends. So I understandably assumed that the baby I birthed, that I carried for close to 10 months, would bring a level of love that I couldn't possibly fathom... but it didn't.

Review | Antipodes Baptise Ultra-Hydrating Gel

Antipodes is one of my favourite skincare brands and, when I heard it was launching Baptise, a gel moisturiser designed for dehydrated skin, I had to review it. I'm a huge fan of the New Zealand brand's Hosanna H2O Skin Plumping Serum and have been praying for something similar in moisturiser form. It looks like my prayers have been answered...

New Brand Alert | TRUE Skincare

TRUE Skincare is a new British skincare brand born out of a desire to create a beauty range that ticks every beauty buyer's box. And, surprisingly, it does just that...

Review | Murad Retinol Youth Renewal Collection

Murad has just released the new and improved Retinol Youth Renewal Collection, which is great news for those seeking eternal looking youth, without the need for injectables...

Quarantine Beauty | Coloured Hair

Self isolation has taken a toll on all things beauty and one of the biggest problems facing most women is their hair colour. Either their roots are starting to show or their greys are coming out to play... not good if you need to appear on Zoom. For those with an all over colour, you have a few options. As for girls with highlights, I have no suggestions other than letting those roots grow out and calling it balayage...

New Brand Alert | Q+A

Now y'all know I love it when a new beauty brand comes to market and I love it even more when said brand is British. Call me old fashioned but it's nice to support your fellow ccountrymen and women. Luckily for me, February saw the launch of yet another British beauty brand. It goes by the name Q+A and its focus is skin-benefitting simplicity...

Quarantine Beauty | Eyebrows

Self-isolating isn't the greatest thing in the world, especially when the sun finally makes an appearance BUT it's for the good of the country so stay at home, kweens. Sadly, without the regular trips to the hairdresser, nail salon, spa, or clinic, our personal upkeep will be taking a hit. However, being under quarantine may have its benefits. By not having to face a goddamn soul, you have the freedom to either try something completely new or correct something that's been bugging you for months, safe in the knowledge that - if it goes to shit - no one will see it!

So, for those looking for beauty ideas during this crazy time, I have a quarantine mini series for you. Each post will have a different beauty focus - whether that be nails, hair, or skin. This one is all about the brows...

Motherhood | Elvie Pump Review

When I found out I was pregnant, there were a few products I knew I had to get my hands on, and the Elvie Pump was one of them. Having used it for now three months, I felt a review was overdue.

What's The Beau(Tee)? | Starface Lands in the UK

Starface is a new American beauty brand fighting pesky pimples, one star at a time. I'm pleased to announce it has finally landed in the UK...

Motherhood | My Breastfeeding Experience

I always knew I wanted to breastfeed, even pre-pregnancy. I've always felt breastmilk is the best possible thing you can feed a baby and I've always found it amazing that our own bodies can feed our babies. I don't judge those who don't breastfeed - whether they can't or simply don't want to - as the choice to breastfeed, combination feed, or formula feed is down to what works best for you and your baby. However, as much as I've always wanted to breastfeed, I never knew how challenging it can be until I tried...

New Brand Alert | Luneia

A new brand is in town and it is all about high performance skincare with a conscience. It is called Luneia...

Review | Murad Night Fix Enzyme Treatment

Murad is no stranger to producing science-led, highly effective skincare products. So when I started trialling the American brand's new Night Fix Enzyme Treatment I had high expectations, and boy were they met...