Welcome to my blog! I have been running this blog for years and I love to write about makeup, fashion and lifestyle. Check out my blog for reviews, outfits and the occasional longer piece expressing my feelings on topics and trends.
A few weeks ago I took a trip to Bicester Village in Oxford. This is one of my favourite free places to go for a day trip. It’s lovely there and it’s so fun to look around. I really enjoy places like this where you can always see something new and the atmosphere is great. I wore a layered outfit that’s great for this time of year.
My spring outfit for shopping!
I’m wearing some of my favourite items here. I often wear an all black look and feel it’s always a classic, go to way to feel put together. I’m wearing basic black jeans but with some chunky platform boots which I love. I was super comfortable all day and not hot or cold!
Lace top: River Island, Cardigan: Hollister, Black Jeans: Hollister, Boots: Missguided, Bag: Coach
Today’s post is about some lovely products that I have been using lately! I have been playing around with some different products and trying some new things recently. I’m really enjoying experimenting more with skincare and trying different treatments. I usually stick to what I know. Some of these products are long time favourites and others are newer to my routine.
I’m loving the aesthetic of all these products together! First off I have the Origins Gentle Dermabrasion. I like to use this on the body and not too much on the face as I find scrubs can be a bit harsh. This is great for occasional use however! I also have here the Aveda Botanical Repair mask. I love the Shampure range and this came in a set. This is great for my dry ends!
For fragrance, I have the Jo Malone French Lime Blossom cologne. This is a beautiful fragrance and so perfect for spring. It’s super fresh and has citrus notes too. Next up I have a long time favourite, the La Mer Tonic. I always use this when I want to give my skin a treat as it always feels so fresh. It does have a light fragrance but it’s not overpowering.
To finish with some more skincare, I have the Origins Frothy Face wash. This is great when my skin is a little more oily and it leaves my face feeling very clean and fresh. I always go back to this one now. Lastly, I have the Estée Lauder Night Repair serum. I use this on and off and I’m always impressed by the results when I use it.
I have a super exciting review for you today! Today, I am going to be talking about the NEW Jolie Beauty RidicuLash Serum and how to apply it. This product is an innovative lash serum that you can apply overnight to strengthen and lengthen your lashes. Jolie Beauty is one of my favourite brands, I’m a huge fan of their palettes and lashes. You can see a review on their lashes and lash glue just a few posts back on my blog. I will also link this post here. Jolie Beauty Lashes and Glue Review
Into the review! As I mentioned, Jolie Beauty is one of my favourite brands and I was so excited when they got in touch and asked me to review this product. I received the item and was so excited to try it. It comes in a very beautiful unit carton, with a holographic effect. I do appreciate when brands give you a full experience when it comes to a product, including the outer packaging! The item comes in a sleek, pink tube with a brush for easy application. I appreciate this size brush, as you can use a really small amount of product on the lashes but easily build it up if needed.
Here are some images of the product! As you can see, the design is just beautiful. The brush picks up a good amount of the serum, and you can easily wipe it off a little if needed using the tube. This [product claims to help the lashes grow, as seen on the packaging. Let’s start by saying I have fairly long lashes naturally, but they do tend to shed easily and sometimes feel as though they could be softer too. This product claims to keep lashes long and strong with continued use. I have used this product as often as I can and often I have applied it overnight as that has been the most convenient for me.
The image on the left shows my lases with no makeup at all, before I started using the lash serum. Please excuse my dark circles in this picture. You can see I have some uneven spots and my lashes look like they could use a treatment. In the picture on the right you can see my lashes after using the serum for around 6 weeks. I did have the odd day where I forgot to apply the serum, but that didn’t matter as there is still a really amazing difference. The biggest difference for me is the strength and softness of my lashes. They feel a lot nicer and have shed less since using the RidicuLash Serum. I applied a thin layer of the product to my upper lash line as instructed by the directions. I do feel a difference in length too, especially on the outer corners of my lashes. I also find my lashes hold a curl better, which is fantastic. One thing to be careful with as mentioned in the directions, the product is quite fluid so make sure to apply carefully and gently remove any excess if needed!
Overall, I have been loving this product and I would definitely recommend trying it out! I think it would be fantastic if you wanted to give your lashes a boost. I found it really makes a difference and I love having this as a step in my self care/skincare routine! You can see the RidicuLash Serum here.
*This product was sent for review but this post is not sponsored*
Today I have a really fun review featuring some amazing new products from the brand Jolie Beauty! Jolie Beauty is a UK based indie makeup brand that has some pretty famous products. Their most popular is probably the Bomb Dot Com palette, you can see a review of that on my blog HERE (SPOILER ALERT: I love it!)
I’ve been a long time fan of this brand, I actually reviewed one of their palettes years ago on my YouTube channel and I was obsessed! I’m definitely loving this brand and the innovative products they come out with. When they contacted me to collaborate again I was so pleased. The products featured in this post were sent for review, but all opinions are my own and I’m going to give you all the facts including a video of me applying the lashes! You can have a look at all the Jolie Beauty Lashes here!
Here I have the AMAZING bundle of lashes and the lash glue pictured. I also have the NEW RevitaLash Serum, I love this packaging and there’s a review coming soon. Featured here is the Lash Lovers Bundle IV which includes four different lash sets. This bundle is gorgeous and includes the following styles.
First we have Lillie, these are so pretty! These lashes would be perfect for a fanned-out look to elongate the eyes. They are slightly thicker and longer on the ends and I love that style. Next is Vivienne, these have some serious drama! These are long and fluffy and a very classic style for very full lashes. Next we have April! These are a softer look and are reminiscent of demi-lashes. Lastly lets talk about Melody. These are more spaced out and that very classic Instagram style lash where the style is doll-like. These would be perfect for so many looks! This is a good bundle to go for if you are looking for some range, it would be a great one to go for if you do lots of different looks.
Here I have some photos of me wearing the Lillie lashes! I used the lash lock glue to apply, and I will say I like the fact it comes with a brush applicator and not a squeeze tube because you can get a precise application. This means no more glue everywhere! As you can see the lashes applied well and I think the clear band makes them easier to apply, as well as looking generally better on the eyes! I sometimes like a band on lashes but these were actually much easier to apply.
I have a video here of the application process if you want to see it in real-time! This look features the full application of the Lillie lashes and shows how easy it was.
Now for my overall verdict! I’m loving the idea of the Jolie Beauty Lash Lover lash bundles, it’s so easy to get stuck in the same routine when it comes to lash styles. I like that each style is sold separately too! The lashes are high quality, they feel silky and smooth due to the faux-mink effect. I think they give great volume and look great for a romantic and glamourous look. I would love to try some with a regular band too instead of a clear one just for some variety!
The Lash Lock glue is a new favourite of mine! It doesn’t have that strange smell that some glues do, personally I am not a fan of DUO for that exact reason. This is definitely a HUGE upgrade from classic lash glues and makes such a difference when prepping and applying lashes. I would for sure recommend this, even for beginners because it will make things much easier.
I hope you enjoyed this review! I would love if you checked out my videos on YouTube and my Instagram! Thanks again to Jolie Beauty, you’re the best!
Today I have an outfit for you featuring something I have NEVER worn! I really love the look of thigh-high boots but I never took the plunge and bought some until late last year. I was determined to style these and not leave them hanging about in my wardrobe, so when the rain eased off this weekend I decide to wear them. The pair I have are faux-suede and I love the style and texture.
I’m really happy with this outfit and I’m definitely going to be wearing it again soon. I have this black button up dress on with a checked blazer style long coat. I have had this coat for ages but you will definitely be able to find this style still. I’m wearing the same bag I always do and my usual jewellery. I even have my outfit matched to my phone case!
Coat: Brave Soul at ASOS (Old) Dress: ASOS Tights: M&S Boots: New Look Bag: Coach
Today, I’m going to be talking all about my current skincare routine! In complete honesty, I didn’t plan this routine much at all! I have just found that I have settled into something that works really well for me. I have a few products in here that I’ve loved for ages and a few newer items but I’ve been doing these steps for quite a few weeks and loving it. My skin is going through some changes right now as I’ve had a few pimples which isn’t common for me! This routine is gentle enough for sensitive skin but helps my dryness loads.
As a quick side note, I have been using an eye cream too but I haven’t included one in this routine as I haven’t found one I really love yet! Products marked with a * were gifted/PR!
After cleansing my skin, I use the PIXI Glow Tonic* avoiding the eye area. This is a long-time favourite of mine and I have this huge one they very kindly sent over! I find this super refreshing and I go between this and the Paula’s Choice depending on how I’m feeling. The Paula’s Choice 2% BHA is a great one! I use it in rotation with the PIXI!
I then use the Estée Lauder Night Repair! I’ve had a few minis of this in my collection for a while. I have been using this for a few weeks and I have seen a noticeable change in my skin which is fantastic. I have a small scar and it has faded slightly more since using this skincare routine. I like this a lot and it is definitely worth a lot of the hype that it receives!
I then use the Lumene Nordic Berry Oil Cocktail! I got this in a Birchbox and it’s been amazing for my dry skin. This is perfect for those winter days when you want fresh, dewy and luminous skin. This product is one of my favourite discoveries through Birchbox. After this product, I follow up with the Lancôme Hydra Zen Night Cream. This moisturiser is rich but refreshing and feels great on the skin. I always wake up with smooth skin using this combo!
Lastly, I use the BarryM Lip Rehab. This lip mask has avocado oil and really moisturises the lips. I love how this works overnight to smooth dry lips and it’s much more effective than a standard lip balm. I use this almost every day and it has made a HUGE difference and it is super affordable!
One of my goals in 2020 was to be happy in my space. For me, this meant feeling happy and relaxed on my room, as well as feeling more organised.
My room is average sized, and I had all the basic items in my room of course. But last year my goal was to feel like it was MY space that felt like a reflection of my personality and style. That’s where the big bedroom makeover of 2020 came in. My mum and I went to IKEA, Dunhelm and some vintage shops and found great items for my room. This wasn’t all about buying new things, but repurposing what I had too.
My favourite spot!
You can see the new wallpaper here which I LOVE! It has made the biggest change to me. We got this fantastic IKEA unit which helped with my storage problem, and gave me an extra place to do my makeup. I arranged some items in an ✨aesthetic✨ way to style up the unit! I added some bits and pieces to make it feel authentic and true to me.
Here I have some decorations to spruce up my unit. These make me feel really happy just to look at them every day! I added this cute plate with some candles. Fragrances on a mirrored surface I have always loved so I did that too!
I’m so happy to have these changes to my space and I feel accomplished in my goals looking around these items. I want to get me into keeping things looking good in my space so I hope this inspired you too!
Today’s look is one of my favourite outfits I have ever put together! I’m wearing some pieces that I’m in love with and haven’t worn much before and therefore I felt really happy and confident in this outfit. I wore this to go shopping in Winchester and I had a great time and felt great. This look is made up of two colours: black and white, and if you know me, that’s pretty typical of my style!
I recently purchased a new jumper from All Saints for a great price. Usually I only get t-shirts from there as the items are pricey but I fell in love with this! I’m also wearing my usual bag and accessories because I find they go with everything! Below is a photo of the look I took in Anthropologie.
This look reminds me of a mashup between early 2000’s era Gerard Way and Freddie Krueger which is quite funny really! But seriously, these captain style hats were a huge trend but I’m personally still loving them when worn with a matching outfit! This is actually a kids size hat because of my weird shaped and sized head! I have got a faux leather skirt on, but I almost wanted the jumper to look like an oversized dress more than a top. I’ve listed the items I’m wearing below!
Hat: River Island Jumper: All Saints LINKED SIMILAR! ON SALE Skirt: TopShop Tights: Calvin Klein Boots: Krush (From TkMaxx) Bag: Coach
Today’s post is another Empties post! I love reading and writing posts like this so I’m gonna get into it. Let me know your current favs you have used up in the comments!
1. fresh Soy Face Cleanser: I’m loving this product! I have already bought a new one and it’s become one of my favourite cleansers. 9/10 2. Lush Breath of Fresh Air Toner: This a super refreshing product and lasts ages! 8/10 3. La Mer The Tonic: Used this lots before! A true favourite 9/10 4. Simple Micellar Water: This is an easy, no fuss makeup remover and I liked it a lot. 8/10 5. Clinique Dramatically Different Cream: I love this one! It’s rich and very moisturising. I’ve gone through a few of these! 9/10 6. Herbal Essentials Micellar Water: This brand is one I haven’t used much before! It’s a great makeup remover and I’d love to try it again. 8/10 7. Lancôme Hydra Zen Day: This is lovely cream, so fresh in the skin but gives long lasting moisture. 9/10
Becca First Light Primer: This has a purple tint, which is supposed to brighten the skin. It’s quite dewy, with a bit of a shimmer to it. It took me ages to use this up, but I honestly can’t remember it being that amazing, so I probably wouldn’t buy again! 6/10
NYX Precision Brow Pencil in Taupe: This is a super easy product to use and an old favourite of mine! I love using this as an everyday brow product. 9/10
Benefit Precisely my Brow in Shade 3 Mini Size: This pencil is quite soft and easy to apply. It’s so good for hair like strokes for a natural, feathered brow! 9/10
Collection lip liner in Nude Rose: This is the best lip liner you will get for this price! It’s creamy, easy to apply and less than £2 if you catch it on sale. It dupes many more expensive products. 9/10
Smashbox Superfan mascara: This is a great mascara for length and it does give a decent lift too! I like this for a slightly more natural lash look as it’d not super thickening but does define the lashes well. 8/10
Benefit Bag Gal Bang: This mascara is AMAZING. It’s so good, literally my favourite one ever. It adds so much lift and volume it’s crazy. It’s really just the best! 10/10
Milk Makeup Concealer: I love this but Milk Makeup’s prices on Cult Beauty have shot waaaaay up! It’s ridiculous. So looks like I won’t be buying much for a bit, I just think it’s a shame it’s gotten so expensive. This is very good though, and I would get it again. 8/10
Makeup Obsession Concealer: This is a great concealer! I actually got this on mega sale for about £2 on clearance and it’s really good. Very hydrating which I love. Sadly, I don’t think they make this anymore but maybe have a look on the website.
Hollister Cali Perfume: This is a light and fresh perfume and easy to pop in a bag for an everyday perfume. It’s affordable and lasts a long time on the skin which is great. 8/10
Beauty Laundrette Creamy Body Moisturiser: I love this! This is an airy moisturiser that sinks into the skin really easily. It smells really fruity and nice. 9/10
Rituals Sakura Hand Balm: This really helps my eczema prone hands which is great! It’s not sticky either, and has a lovely scent. I have repurchased this already! 10/10
Today I want to talk about wellness, mindfulness and life and style! Of course we have all had a turbulent year. I have been going through a personal mindfulness journey and learning some more techniques for peace and positivity. I also think there is such a think as “toxic positivity”. We need to allow ourselves to feel emotions and overcome them by acknowledging them.
“You have to feel pain for heal from it.” Harmony Nice on YouTube
I started meditation using my FitBit and practicing these rituals more often. I have found it makes time for me, as I feel more mentally organised and prepared when I have meditated. Sometimes I practice right before I sleep to calm myself, as sleeping properly has been a bit of an issue for me recently. As a side note I have been using Valerian Root extract as a sleeping aid and it has certainly been helpful. Mostly I have tried to use some mindfulness techniques to create a better atmosphere for myself. I have some tips below.
1. Journal, but only when YOU want to. I purchased a small bullet journal and wrote down my struggles, gratitudes and breakthroughs. This sounds a bit cliche, but it’s quite simple. I write things down that I want to express. If I’ve had a hard day, I write it down and try and write one positive thing to go with it. It’s not easy straight away but I have found it super helpful!
2. Updating your space. This doesn’t have to cost a lot of money, it can even be free! Fill your room or home with things that give you joy. Paint something and hang it up, add some plants or just something to organise your space. I reorganised all my makeup and beauty this year and it’s made a huge difference. If you want to spend some money, update your bedding, curtains and refresh small objects or decor.
3. Get outside when you can. Going for a walk, hike or run makes a big difference to me. Even if you don’t want to go fast, a ten minute walk in nature can help clear your mind. Sometimes I make a coffee and go for a walk, there’s something about having a hot drink or food in cool weather that feels so refreshing to me!
4. Take time alone. I have struggled for many years with keeping up to date with my hobbies. I used to read every day, I stopped. I used to draw every day and stopped. This year I have pushed myself to break through this and do more for myself. I have stated playing with paints, drawing on my tablet and doodling in my journal.
5. Keep a diary. I have been through a lot this year with schedule changes. I was furloughed, made redundant then got two news jobs. This meant lots of interviews, changes and updates. I started keeping a diary and that has helped so much. I try and check off a few tasks a day and it’s kept me motivated.
6. Stay active. I have started being much more active this year and it’s made me much more motivated. I got some new gym clothes and treated myself to some weights and bands. I try and do some cardio and weights as often as I can.
I hope you enjoyed this post! Comment below some of your fav mindful tips and tricks.
