What I loved in July......

 

July has flown by, even though I didn't actually do very much, due to being ill, but there were still some loves that I want to share with you today! I really hope that you had a great month?

L'Oreal Steampod 3.0 review - worth the hype/price?

The difference between my hair this year compared to just after getting Covid, is huge. Last year, my hair fell out non-stop for quite a few months - there was literally hair everywhere in the house. Now that it's in better condition, I want to keep it that way - see post here. I still use heat on it, but generally only wash and dry my hair once weekly. I know that some people like to use heat on their hair daily, to keep it straight, but I resist doing that. I have a Dyson Supersonic Hairdryer (review here), GHD Curling Wand and GHD Platinum Straightening Irons, but in the back of my mind for the last few years has been the L'Oreal Steampod, as it's supposed to be less damaging on the hair. It looked quite fiddly with the separate water holder, so when I saw the new 3.0 version, which looked much more sleek, I wanted it and then when I saw that  it was reduced by 20%, I decided to buy it as it is rarely reduced - I've been keeping my eye on it for ages and had never seen a reduction in price before. I always love to make a saving where I can! Now that I've been using it for a while, I wanted to share my thoughts with you, in case you were thinking of buying one, because they're pricey.

3 treats for 3 budgets...

Anything marked with a * was kindly gifted to me, without obligation.

Fancy treating yourself to something this payday? I have three gorgeous products for three budgets for you today, starting at under £10! 

Easy summer makeup....

 

Anything marked with a * was kindly gifted to me, without obligation

I don't know about you, but when the weather heats up, I like to wear less makeup, or at least quick & easy makeup! When I watch Love Island and see some of the girls wearing full coverage bases that don't match their skin, it just makes me crave a lighter look. I have freckles, and like them to show through. Of course, it's a case of each to their own and you do you, but if you're craving a light base and easy to apply makeup, this post is for you!

IT Cosmetics Your Skin But Better Foundation + Skincare review....

 

Sorry for the radio silence on here recently - my health took a turn for the worse, and whilst we're still unsure of the cause, I was on doctor's orders to have complete rest, so that's what I did! I'm still not feeling great, but blogging gives me a routine and a distraction and I had lots of content partly prepped, so I thought that I may as well get back to it. I hope the weather has been as glorious with you as it has been (and still is) here? I had to be very careful not to let any sun on my skin for the first part of the heatwave, due to the medication I was on, but once I could, I enjoyed getting some heat in my bones and am still loving it (well protected, of course!). Anyway, on to today's post, which is another foundation review - I seem to have had a few recently and I have another one coming shortly - I seem to go through phases of buying foundations (but usually wait until I'm almost finished at least one, which I am - my favourite Armani Luminous Silk!). I wanted to buy the IT Cosmetics Your Skin But Better Foundation + Skincare because the more I try from the brand, the more I like. Also the description caught my attention - waterlight, medium but buildable coverage, with a radiant finish - ticks all of my boxes......or does it?

Two new releases from Omorovicza: Queen Of Hungary Evening Mist and Gentle Buffing Gelée

These products were kindly went to me, without obligation.

When my favourite skincare brands releases new products, I sit up and take notice straightaway!  Omorovicza released two new products in June and I was absolutely delighted to be sent both to try, given that I would have bought them anyway, and they arrived at the perfect time, as they were here when I got out of hospital, in need of a good pamper and I just wanted to get the "smell of hospital" off me!  The two new additions to the range are a cleanser in the form of a Gentle Buffing Gelée and an evening version of the Queen of Hungary Mist (one of my all time favourite products). Now that I've been using the products for over a month, I want to share my thoughts - I could easily have done it after a few days, but I always like to test skincare products for at least 4 weeks, sometimes 8, depending on what the product is.

Five stunning summer fragrances....

I've mentioned several times on the blog before that I'm a perfume addict! I sometimes wish that I could just have one signature scent, but I just love too many! I tend to rotate my fragrances seasonally, so today I want to share my top five fragrances for summer!

L'Occitane Summer Verbena collection 2021

 

I was kindly sent all of these products, without any obligation to post.

Every summer, I look forward to the summer Verbena Collection from L'Occitane. I love the original scent, but when they put a twist on it, it's even better.  This year, there are four ranges: Mint, Citrus, Cactus and Classic Verbena. My mother first introduced me to this range way back in 2006 and I always associate it with summer, whether the weather plays ball or not! In an ideal world, I'd be taking these products on holiday, but for the second year in a row, the Verbena range is bringing summer holidays to me, without the need for any travel!

The products I use when I'm feeling really rubbish and want to go from drab to fab (ish!)

Anything marked with a * was kindly gifted to me, without obligation to post.

Regular readers will know that I have Chronic Lyme and M.E., which are invisible illnesses, so just by looking at me, you may not think that there is a war going on inside my body, which has seen me bedridden at times, and feeling ill all of the time. Since being in hospital a few weeks ago, I look and feel even worse than usual. I know that we are our own worst enemies at times, and hard on ourselves, but even my husband and mother, who would usually say that I look fine (even when I don't), have agreed that I just look so exhausted and jaded by everything that has happened me over the past 16 months (we won't mention the other 20 years!). So, when I'm feeling at my worst, I'll enlist my husband to help me, if needed, and do a few things to make me at least look better, even if I don't feel better - although I always feel a little bit better when I know that I look better, if that makes sense! Here are some of the products I use and things that I do....

Charlotte Tilbury Look Of Love Collection

I was kindly sent these products, without obligation.

I was surprised when I saw the new Charlotte Tilbury Look Of Love Collection*, as it seems as though Valentine's Day would be the ideal time to launch a collection like this, but actually, when I received the products and began using them, I could see that summer is a good time to launch it, as the look is minimal glam, which is probably what we're all aiming for this summer. The collection contains two Instant Look In A Palettes, four Look Of Love Lipsticks (which also have refills) and six shades of Tinted Loves, which are lip and cheek stains. I was kindly sent a selection to try and I want to share my thoughts, and some swatches, with you today.

The best products for ultra sensitive skin: face & body

Anything marked with a * was kindly gifted to me, without obligation to post.

 

My skin has always erred on the side of sensitivity, but even more so since becoming ill. I also grew up knowing that my mother had sensitive skin, so she had to be careful what she used.. Thankfully, my skin barrier seems to be getting stronger these days, and some ingredients that used to make my skin react previously (shea butter and Vitamin C), don't appear to at the moment. That said, I still always have a selection of products to use, should my skin flare up. I also remember very clearly periods when my skin would feel burnt, or possibly break out in cystic spots, which were so painful. If this sounds like your skin, I have some great recommendations for you.