Beauty, Bargains and Beyond

*I received this product for free but the opinions are my own. There’s something magical about the moment you sit down to get ready. The quiet hum of anticipation. The soft clink of brushes. The warm glow of light catching your cheekbones just right. The Studio Creator Hollywood Mirror taps into that magic and turns your everyday routine into a mini production set. It’s not just for people filming GRWM content. It’s for anyone who wants to feel a little more fabulous while doing the ordinary. Unboxing the mirror feels like opening a backstage pass. It’s sleek but not bulky, with a clean white frame and a detachable tray that’s perfect for corralling lip glosses, hair clips, or that one rogue mascara you always lose. The real star is the rotating phone holder. It’s a game-changer if you’re filming tutorials, snapping selfies, or just want to watch a video while you do your makeup. The mirror offers three light modes, white, natural, and warm which you can toggle with a simple touch. Mor...

If you’ve ever fallen down the rabbit hole of Korean skincare, you’ll know the thrill of discovering a product that feels like it was made just for you. That’s exactly the vibe Skin Cupid delivers. Whether you’re browsing their website or stepping into their flagship London store, it’s a full-on glow up experience.  I must admit I had not heard of this store before, and I only came across it when I was in London for the weekend and happened upon it when I was walking down Charing Cross Road I couldn't resist going in.  How was I to know it would become my new favourite store. Walking into Skin Cupid’s London store feels like entering a skincare sanctuary. The layout is clean, calming, and thoughtfully curated, with no clutter. Just rows of sleek bottles and pastel packaging that whisper promises of hydration, radiance, and skin first selfcare. The staff are genuinely lovely. Trained to demystify ingredients and routines, they guide you like skincare soulmates rather than sale...

If you’re anything like me, you love a skincare ritual that feels indulgent but doesn’t dent your wallet. Enter Primark’s PS Reusable Face and Neck Patches , a £4 wonder that promises spa like results with a DIY twist. These silicone-style patches are designed to be layered over your favourite serums or moisturisers. Think of them as a seal that locks in hydration and helps active ingredients sink deeper into the skin. They mimic the effect of a sheet mask, but without the waste and you can reuse them again and again. Straight out of the packaging, they feel soft, flexible, and surprisingly luxe for the price. The patches come in a neutral tone and are shaped to hug the contours of your face and neck. Application is easy you just smooth them over freshly treated skin and relax for 15–20 minutes while they do their thing. Hydration Boost - Used over a hyaluronic acid serum, they noticeably plump and soften the skin. Neck Care - The neck patch is a game-changer, especially if you’re gui...

I just wanted to do a quick post to mention how much I am loving the Primark SPF products at the moment. If you love the pricey Supergoop! products (review here ), and also the elf dupes (see my review here ), which are more reasonably priced, then I can heartily recommend the Primark Sun products, which cost £5 for 30ml - 40ml. The Invisible Mattifying Face Primer SPF50 is very similar to Supergoop! Unseen Sunscreen. Its very lightweight and clear and gives a matte finish. It works well under makeup and has a watermelon fragrance, but don't worry its very light. The Lightweight Daily Face SPF50+ is a more traditional creamy SPF which leaves a dewy glow finish.  It doesn't leave a greasy finish and is also lightly fragranced. This one is similar to Supergoop! Glowscreen. These products are great value and I will continue to use them throughout autumn and winter to protect my face. I purchased this product with my own money

If you’ve been eyeing Phlur’s cult favorite fragrances, but your wallet says "No Can Do”, Primark has swooped in with a sweet-smelling solution. The high street giant is now offering affordable dupes that echo the vibe of Phlur’s beloved scents, but without the luxury price tag. These Primark versions capture the essence of Phlur’s minimalist, emotionally evocative fragrances, but retail for under £5, a fraction of the £25+ price tag for a full-size Phlur bottle. I love them because they are affordable and perfect for everyday wear without the guilt of spending a lot of money. They have stylish packaging with sleek bottles that look far more luxe than their price.  They are also great for layering, you can mix and match to create your own signature scent. Whether you’re a fragrance fanatic or just want something fresh for your handbag, Primark’s Phlur inspired perfumes are a savvy way to smell divine on a budget. I picked up the Whipped Cream Eau De Parfum, which costs £5 for 50ml...

If your skincare routine is crying out for a multitasking hero, Hawaiian Tropic’s Hydrating Protection Face Lotion SPF30 might just be the tropical escape your complexion needs. This lightweight lotion is more than just a sunscreen, it’s a hydration powerhouse that leaves your skin looking fresh, dewy, and ready for anything. This face lotion is infused with hydrating ribbons delivering up to 12 hours of moisturisation. Whether your skin is parched from winter winds or summer sun, the formula hydrates your face with soothing moisture without clogging pores or leaving a greasy residue. One of the standout features of this SPF is how easy it is to apply on the go. It's fast-absorbing and glides onto skin like a dream, even over stubble. It blends seamlessly across all skin tones and doesn’t leave behind a chalky white cast, making it perfect for those rushed mornings or mid-day touch-ups. Forget the matte, flat look some sunscreens leave behind. Hawaiian Tropic’s Face Lotion SPF30 of...

London is a city that never sleeps, never slows down, and never stops surprising you. Whether you're a first-time visitor or a seasoned local, there’s always something new to discover. Here are 10 things to do in London that will make your heart beat a little faster and your Instagram pop. 1. 🧀 Explore Borough Market Nestled beneath the railway arches near London Bridge, Borough Market is a food lover’s paradise. With over 100 stalls offering everything from artisan cheeses to sizzling street food, it’s the perfect place to graze your way through global flavours.  2. 🎭 Catch a West End Show London’s West End is the Broadway of Europe, and the line up is spectacular. Whether you’re belting out ABBA tunes at Mamma Mia! , crying through Les Misérables , or gasping at the magic of Harry Potter and the Cursed Child , there’s a show for every mood. Book ahead for the best seats and prepare to be dazzled. I already have tickets for The Devil Wears Prada and Hadestown, and I can't wa...

I have too much stuff! There I have said it, I have fallen victim to overconsumption and I need to stop. Since its 1st September 2025, I want to start the month with some good habits, that will help me to declutter my life and stop buying things that I don't need. Whether it's the next big thing in skincare, or buying books and clothes that I just don't need, this is the start of my decluttering journey and I will keep you posted. Here are some ideas that I am going to try this month: Start with a single drawer  - Choose one drawer, maybe in your kitchen, desk, or bathroom and empty it completely. Only put back what you actually use. The 12-12-12 Challenge  - Find 12 items to throw away, 12 to donate, and 12 to sell on eBay or Vinted or giveaway to friends or family. It’s a quick way to make a noticeable dent. Declutter by category, not location - Instead of tackling a room, focus on one category, like books, shoes, or mugs. It helps you see duplicates and excess more cl...

If you’ve ever stared down a halo of baby hairs mid photo shoot or wrestled with rogue strands during a slick bun attempt, you’ll know the struggle is real. Enter Primark PS Hair Wax Stick. At just £3.50, it promises to tame flyaways, moisturise and hold hair, all without the faff of gels or sprays. But does it deliver? The packaging is compact, handbag friendly and it gives grab and go energy. The scent is subtle and clean with no overpowering fragrance, which is a win if you’re layering with other hair products. Texture wise, it’s smooth and waxy without being greasy. It glides on easily and doesn’t leave that dreaded sticky residue. Infused with jojoba oil, this stick doesn’t just style, it nourishes. Ideal for dry or damaged hairlines, it adds a touch of hydration while keeping everything in place. I tried it with my signature hairstyle which is a low ponytail which when done on my frizzy curly hair I am cursed with stubborn flyaways and it held up beautifully. The wax offers a g...

When you’re dealing with dry skin, especially during an eczema flare-up, finding the right body wash can feel like an endless cycle of trial and error. Most cleansers either strip the skin, leave behind a filmy residue, or offer temporary hydration that fades within minutes. But after using Naturium’s The Glow Getter Multi-Oil Body Wash, I can confidently say I’ve found something that genuinely works. I first picked this up on a whim after hearing good things about Naturium's approach to skincare, and honestly, I wasn’t expecting much. But from the very first use, I noticed a difference. The texture is luxurious, a rich, silky oil that transforms into a light lather. It feels more like a nourishing treatment than a typical body wash. What really makes this product stand out, though, is how soothing it is. My skin was going through a rough patch, with eczema flaring on my arms and neck. After using The Glow Getter in the shower, I noticed the immediate post-wash tightness and itchin...

There’s something quietly satisfying about discovering a product that punches well above its price tag  especially when it’s tucked away on a supermarket shelf. Aldi’s Lacura range has built a bit of a cult following for exactly that reason: affordable skincare that doesn’t feel like a compromise and their Scalp and Body Scrub? It’s the kind of multitasker that earns a permanent spot in your shower caddy. The packaging is simple, no-frills but don’t let that fool you. The texture inside is creamy with just the right amount of grit.  There's no overpowering florals or synthetic sweetness here just a subtle scent that makes you feel like you’ve wandered into a spa treatment room rather than the middle aisle at Aldi. Used on the scalp, it’s surprisingly gentle. The exfoliating particles lift product build-up and excess oil without leaving your hair feeling squeaky or stripped. Massage it in after shampooing and you’ll notice your roots feel lighter, your scalp less itchy especi...

Hey everyone It’s been a busy year, full of twists, turns, and a whole lot of life happening behind the scenes. Some days flew by, others dragged, and somewhere in the middle, the blog took a quiet little pause. Not planned, just necessary. There’s been a lot going on — the kind of “a lot” that doesn’t always fit neatly into a caption or a tidy update. But I’ve missed writing, missed sharing, and missed this little corner of the internet. So here I am, slowly easing back in. No big declarations, just a gentle restart. I’ve got a few ideas brewing, some posts half-written, and a renewed sense of why I started this in the first place. Thanks for sticking around — or for popping back in. Let’s see where this goes.

I have been going through all my foundations and tinted moisturisers to work out if they still suit me and I have to say that I have found a few that were totally wrong for me, in both colour and for my skin type (Hourglass Immaculate Liquid Powder foundation cost me £55 and even though I was colour matched in store it ended up being way too dark for me and also not really suitable for my dry skin). Buying the wrong foundation can be costly, so I definitely need to be more careful going forward when I purchase this kind of product. One of the products that was suitable for my skin was the Fenty Beauty Eaze Drop Blurring Skin Tint. This product is more like a hydrating tinted moisturiser which gives a blurring effect to the skin. It does state that it is a light to medium coverage, but I didn't try to build it up to medium coverage as I prefer a light coverage that just evens out my skin tone. This product comes in 25 shades and my shade is 5 - Light Medium with Warm Yellow Underton...

As a person who has dry, frizzy, curly hair I love the JVN Hair Care Range.  The JVN Complete Nourishing Shine Drops are infused with meadowfoam ester, hibiscus extract, and squalane, making your hair shiny and protected from damage, humidity, and colour fading. One of the standout features is the lightweight formula that absorbs quickly without leaving a greasy residue. It effectively tames frizz and flyaways, leaving your hair smooth and manageable. Plus, the subtle fragrance with notes of honey, florals, grapefruit, and tangerine makes the application a pleasant experience. I love the natural-looking shine these drops provide and my hair feels healthier and more vibrant with just a small amount of the product. It costs £23 for 50ml which is a lot but the benefits are worth it. The JVN Complete Nourishing Shine Drops are a fantastic addition to my hair care routine, delivering lightweight shine and effective frizz control.  Another of my favourite JVN products is the JVN Co...

I have found a great dupe for the Supergoop! Unseen Sunscreen SPF30. This product is my absolute favourite SPF as its clear, so its very easy to apply on the go and it doesn't take ages to sink in or leave a greasy residue. It is quite pricey though at £36.50 for 50ml.  e.l.f. have a similar product called Suntouchable! Invisible Sunscreen SPF30. This costs a bargain £14 for 50ml. It has an identical clear consistency and like the Supergoop! product it is not fragranced. This is a multitasking product that also works as a primer, that blurs the skin and works really great under foundation. It feels hydrating and works on all skin types and contains meadowfoam seed oil and aloe. It does contain dimethicone which is a silicone based polymer, so if you are not keen on the slippery feel of silicone skincare products, then this one is not for you. I would say that the e.l.f. product has a slightly wetter feel to it, whereas the Supergoop! product feels more velvety on the skin at first...

I've always loved Kiehl's it has some great products.  If you like Kiehl's products then it's definitely worth signing up.  It's a free rewards program that has exclusive offers and complimentary treats, and lets you earn points that you can build up to receive vouchers that you can use in store or online.  Once you have signed up you get the following benefits: Free UK delivery with no minimum spend A birthday treat Free voucher for £10 or £15 when you have built up 150 points depending on what level you are (there are 3 different levels) Earn 5 points for each empty full size Kiehl's item you return to the store 4 complimentary In-store consultations per year where you can earn 20 points per consultation (you can also do 2 virtual consultations per year for 20 points each). Refer up to 10 friends a year and earn 50 points per referral Access to Friends and Family Sale There are 3 tiers depending on how many points you have earned.  If you are in one of the top...

I'm always on the lookout for good sunscreens which are lightweight and easy to use.  e.l.f. Skin Suntouchable Whoa Glow SPF 30 Sunscreen  is a lightweight formula that feels non greasy and absorbs well into the skin. It leaves the skin with a radiant, dewy glow and helps makeup stay put for longer. It's also vegan and cruelty-free, made in a Fair-Trade Certified factory. The key ingredients include Aloe, which soothes and hydrates the skin, Hyaluronic Acid, which attracts and binds water into the skin, and Squalane, which moisturises and softens the skin. To use just apply as the last step in your skincare routine. Blend evenly and allow it to set for at least 15 minutes before sun exposure. Reapply every two hours for continuous protection. The sunscreen is lightweight and hydrating, leaves a natural glow without a white cast, works well as a makeup primer, and is affordable and widely available. The e.l.f. Skin Suntouchable Whoa Glow SPF 30 sunscreen is a great budget-frien...

I wanted to write down some goals for 2025, to help me monitor my progress and keep myself accountable. Here is a quick rundown of some of the things that I want to achieve this year: Try to avoid buying anything new and/or full price in 2025. I will allow myself to purchase items from charity shops and repurchase any health and beauty products that I fully run out of, but I do want to become more mindful of my purchases in 2025. Just because something is in the sale, doesn't mean that I have to buy it! Declutter, Declutter, Declutter. I will be shopping my huge stash of products and clothing this year, but I also want to get rid of anything that I can't make use of as well. I will be aiming to sell some things on eBay, Vinted and Depop to recoup some of the money that I have wasted in the past, donating things to charity and also sending some things to be recycled. My bedroom is a hoarders delight right now, with piles of clothes stashed in bags and piles of boxes stashed in b...

If you have dry, curly hair, you know that finding a product that hydrates, defines, and protects without weighing your curls down can feel like an endless search. Enter Olaplex Nº.9 Bond Protector Nourishing Hair Serum, a product that promises to provide nourishment, frizz control, and protection for your hair while maintaining the integrity of your natural curls. As someone with dry, curly hair, I was excited to give this serum a try.  Olaplex Nº.9 comes in a sleek, modern-looking bottle with a pump dispenser. The design feels both luxe and practical.  Its easy to hold and control the amount of product you dispense. The serum itself has a lightweight, gel-like consistency that isn’t overly runny, but not too thick either. It has a subtle, pleasant fragrance that’s not overpowering, just a light, clean scent that dissipates after a few minutes. Curly hair tends to be on the drier side, and finding products that add moisture without causing frizz or weighing down curls is cruc...

In an era where sustainability is more important than ever, Boots has stepped up to the plate with an initiative that's both impactful and user-friendly. The Recycle at Boots programme is designed to help customers recycle their empty beauty, health, and wellness products. It's a simple, yet effective way to contribute to environmental conservation while also reaping some rewards for your efforts. The Recycle at Boots programme is available in 800 stores across the UK. The process is straightforward. First, sign up for the programme online or through the Boots app. Then, use the app to take a photo of the items you want to recycle.  There are a few questions you need to answer for each product and then off it goes to be reviewed and hopefully approved.   After your products have been approved you can then drop off your scanned items at a participating Boots store in the box provided in store.  Not only is this programme good for the environment, but it also offers gr...

As the calendar turns to a new year, there’s a familiar tradition that many of us engage in, setting New Year’s resolutions. It’s a time when we reflect on the past and look ahead to the future, hoping to make positive changes in our lives. Whether it’s a commitment to better health, learning a new skill, or being more present with family, resolutions are an opportunity to start fresh. However, if you’re like most people (including me!), you’ve probably experienced the common phenomenon of resolution burnout. By February (if not before), many of those ambitious goals seem like distant memories, and the motivation wanes. But it doesn’t have to be this way! The key to sticking with your New Year’s resolutions is setting the right kind of goals and maintaining the right mindset. In this post, we’ll explore how you can make resolutions that you’ll actually keep in 2025. 1. Be Specific, Not Vague One of the biggest mistakes people make when setting resolutions is being too general. "I ...