Beauty, Bargains and Beyond

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 ...

Hi everyone It feels amazing to be back! Whether it's jumping into a hobby, getting back to an old routine, or just returning to a place that feels like home, there's something so refreshing about it. We've all had times when life pulls us away from things we love. Coming back to those things? It's like rediscovering old treasures. It gives us a sense of security, reminding us of who we are and where we've been. And while we're returning to the familiar, we often see it with fresh eyes. We've grown and changed, and this new perspective can bring even more excitement. So, here's to us and the journey ahead. Let's make the most of it! After all, it's good to be back. Lets see what 2025 has in store for us.   Leigh 💜

  Leigh 💜