Signing off for the festive season......

 

I'm finishing up for the year a little earlier than normal this year. I just feel so burnt out after the year I've had, so I need a little break before Christmas or else I'll sleep through the whole day! I'm going to spend time watching Christmas films, listening to festive music and generally chilling out. Anyone working in retail, I feel for you, as I did it part-time all of the way through university. If you are going to the shops over the next week, please have patience and treat the staff kindly, and with respect.

Last minute Christmas Gift Guide 2021 for all budgets...

 

I know that this is quite last minute, but a lot of people like to leave their shopping until Christmas week! I know two people who leave it until Christmas Eve - I think I'd come out in a rash (but then again, I have over 20 to buy for!)! Today's post is for all of the last minute shoppers, as there is still time for delivery (just about!), so let's get into it. As always, anything marked with a * was kindly gifted to me, without obligation.

Books and Journals that will help you stick to your goals

It's that time of year, where many people are looking forward to getting into a new year. I personally don't believe that you need to wait for a particular month, to make changes to your life, but a lot of people see January as the perfect time to make resolutions and new plans for their life, Today, I want to share some books and journals that I personally enjoy and find useful, and even if you aren't in the "make improvements to your life" mindset yourself, they could make nice Christmas gifts for people who love fresh starts, or just want to make improvements in one area of their life.

The best tools and products for achieving waves in your hair (and making them last)

None of these products were sent to me.

Before I start, I'll make it clear that I'm not a hairdresser, or even a hair expert - I'm a total amateur, but over the last 12-18 months, I have found myself wearing my hair in waves more often than straight. I think since getting it balayaged, it shows the blend of colours better when it's waved (although I do love smooth, sleek hair too). It has taken me some time to be able to achieve waves that I am happy with, so I thought that I'd share what I use with you, in case any other total novices want to try to create some waves in their hair over the festive period. Remember - I'm no expert........

Fenty Skin overview

These products were kindly gifted to me, without obligation.

 I was lucky enough to be sent some Fenty Beauty products a few months ago, which I reviewed here, and I was also sent some Fenty skincare, which I was delighted about, as I had only tried the Body Butta Whipped Oil Body Cream previously (and loved it!).  It takes longer to test skincare which is why it's taken me three months since receiving the products to share my thoughts, so let's get started!

A Charlotte Tilbury Christmas....

 

Everything, apart from one lipstick, was kindly gifted to me, without obligation.

I had to dedicate a whole post to Charlotte Tilbury Christmas releases, because there are so many beautiful products, and something for all budgets! 

A L'Occitane Christmas

 

These products were kindly sent to me, without obligation.

Every year I say it - you can't beat L'Occitane for their festive packaging! What's even better, is that apart from being so bright and cheery, it's also fully recyclable (although I'll be keeping the boxes to store things in - they're too pretty to part with!). This year, the limited edition ranges include fragrance and bath & body products. These products can be bought individually, or in sets, where you can make a saving. I know that I would be thrilled to find anything from this brand under the tree on Christmas morning!

What I loved in November.....

 

Thankfully, November was a less eventful month than October for my husband and I! We're still trying to process all that happened in October, so we decided that November was about doing things that made us happy, no matter how small. 

Christmas Gift Guide 2021: Fragrance and candles

 

Welcome to Day Five of my festive Gift Guides, and this is probably my favourite category, as I absolutely adore fragrances - both personal and home! If you know someone with similar taste, then keep reading!

Christmas Gift Guide 2021: Palettes

 

Welcome to Day Four of my Gift Guides! Today, we're talking palettes and I could probably include 100, but I've narrowed it down and haven't included any from previous years. If you know a palette addict like me, keep reading.....

Christmas Gift Guide 2021: £50+

 

Welcome to Day Three of my 2021 Christmas Gift Guides! I really hope I'm providing you with some gift inspiration (for yourself, or others!). Today, the budget is above £50, but don't worry as there's nothing too extortionate! I remember once seeing a stocking filler gift guide, with a watch priced at £400 in it! The most I'd spend on a stocking filler is £20, and that's being generous! With that in mind, this is my most expensive gift guide, but there's nothing here that I wouldn't spend my own money on (or already have!). As always, anything gifted to me, will be marked with a *.

Christmas Gift Guide 2021: £25-50

 

Welcome to Day Two of my Gift Guides! Today, we're focusing on the £25-50 price bracket, and as always, anything that was gifted to me will be marked with a *. So, let's get into it!

Christmas Gift Guide 2021: Under £25

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

Welcome to the first of my Christmas Gift Guides of 2021! I know it may seem early, but I like to do my gift guides before Black Friday, so that if you have your eye on anything, you can add it to your basket, and hopefully get a good deal this weekend (although I do have some discount codes included in this post)! I always do giveaways to coincide with my gift guides, but I've noticed in the past that some people unfollow me as soon as they've received their prize, which leaves a sour taste if I'm honest. I think that this year, I will donate some products/sets to the staff at the hospital who took care of my Mam when she had her stroke, and I'll randomly choose some people who leave a comment both here and on Instagram, and send them a private message to say they've won a prize. It feels more sincere to me. This first post is all about gifts under £25, and there really are some bargains to be had!

IT Cosmetics Skin Boosters

 

These products were kindly sent to me, without obligation.

This is more of an FYI post, rather than a whole review, as it will take months for me to use all of these, but full reviews will come in time. Most people associate IT Cosmetics with their famous and much-loved CC Cream, but if you are yet to try their skincare, I urge you to, as the products are simply divine! I have yet to try a product that I haven't loved - not just liked, LOVED! When I first saw that they were releasing four targeted boosters, (currently reduced by 25% on Feel Unique), I knew that I'd have to try at least some of them. Fortunately for me, I was very kindly sent all four! Given that I like to test skincare products for a good 6-8 weeks (depending on the product), before posting a review, it will take time for me to give you thorough reviews, as I said, but I thought that I'd give you some information about each one for the moment, because most people tend to switch up some skincare products as the seasons change.

My current favourite nude lip picks

None of these products were gifted to me.

No matter what the time of year, I just cannot resist a nude lip! Yes, I'll try a coral in Summer, a berry in Autumn and a red for Christmas, but my go-to will always be a nude, because it's easy and works with all eye looks. Today, I want to share my current six top nude lip products.....

The colder months skincare additions/switch up......

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

While September's weather confused us, with some very sunny days, there is no doubting that it is Autumn now and the temperature really has dropped. Given this, I've added a few more products into my routine, to help combat any dry patches and keep my skin happy. I'm still using the majority of products that I've shown you over the past few months, but I've added a few new (or repurchased) ones in too.

Lancôme L'Absolu Rouge Drama Ink Review & Swatches

These products were kindly gifted to me, without obligation.

Since around May/June of this year, so many brands have released lip products. Last year, there wasn't much point, because we all wore masks, pretty much all the time, apart from when at home, but now that the world is opening up, people have more opportunities to show off their full face of makeup, which includes a lip product. Personally, I'm still wearing a mask every time I leave the house (I even double masked when we went to the cinema to see Bond!), however, I like knowing that I have a nice lip product on underneath, preferably one that won't budge, so I was delighted to be sent some of the new Lancôme  L'Absolu Rouge Drama Ink to try.

Charlotte Tilbury Cryotherapy Skincare Review

 

These products were kindly gifted to me, without obligation.

If you've read any of my posts over the past 6 weeks, you'll know that I was very ill for 4-6 weeks, beginning in August. What really alarmed me was how my skin reacted, either to the illness, or the medication (it's difficult to tell which, as the meds were changed a few times to find the right combination, but also to try to get rid of the infection completely, which proved to be very difficult. My skin felt like it was on fire, from head to toe, but it was also severely dehydrated - I could not get enough water into me, my lips felt shrivelled up and my hands need constant re-application of hand cream. I even drew blood and had what looked like cat scratches on my arms, but it was actually me doing it, when I was asleep. When I was awake, I was tormented and was constantly applying oils, lotions, mists etc. It was around this time that Charlotte Tilbury released her Cryotherapy range and the P.R. girls very kindly sent me the mask, eye cream and some other products, in the hope that they would help my burning skin. There were also a lot of tears, which lead to very puffy eyes (my Father in Law died and my mother has a stroke in the space of two weeks), so I was very curious about how it would help reduce puffy eyes and a puffy face, in general. How did I get on.....

What I loved in October......

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

 

I have to say that October 2021 was probably the toughest of my life. So many things happened, that made it feel like a rollercoaster that I wanted to get off, but it just wouldn't stop! I'm not usually one to dwell negatively on things, but it was definitely an unexpectedly difficult month, but we made it through.  I don't have a lot of loves to share, but there are always some!

Three chemical body exfoliators and body lotions that work to get rid of bumpy, chicken skin!

Anything marked with a * was kindly gifted to me.

I don't know about you, but my Keratosis Pilaris seems to get worse at this time of year. For me, it's mainly on my upper arms, but some people have it on their thighs, bum, and other areas. It doesn't cause my skin to itch, but I like my skin to feel soft and smooth, so I will do whatever it takes to get rid of it. Fortunately, things have come a long way from abrasive scrubs that we used back in the day, and there are now a number of products on the market that can eliminate this irritating condition, which is essentially blocked hair follicles. It's definitely a first world problem in the grand scheme of things, but one that bothers me, so if I can get rid of it, I will!

3 treats for 3 budgets....

 

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

I actually haven't done one of these posts since July, and this will probably be my last of 2021 because next month, I'll be doing gift guides and I don't do them in December, as everyone is busy Christmas shopping, or shopping the sales! So, let's get into it.....

My Armani Beauty splurge (and save 20%!)

Armani Luminous Silk is my most repurchased foundation, so when when I was buying it recently, I decided to purchase a few other products from the brand too, because for some reason, I hadn't really explored the brand very much, despite loving the foundation so much! My LYMIN code worked, which saved me 20% when I purchased on Look Fantastic, and you know I can't resist a good deal, so I bought a few things that I've had my eye on for a while. Sometimes, the brand is already reduced, but if you find that it isn't, then using my code will save you 20%.

Charlotte Tilbury Super Nudes Collection: review & swatches

 

As soon as I saw the Nudegasm palette, I wanted it. I love a nude lip, so basically this collection was made for me! I already had the Super Nudes eyeshadow palette, so I just skipped the dual ended liner (which I'm still tempted to get) and two of the nude lipsticks. The idea is that there is a nude lipstick for everyone, but I still bought three and I like all three on me. They can be altered, depending on if you want to wear a lip pencil under them, so you don't really need to buy more than one, but I find it hard to resist a Charlotte Tilbury lipstick! So, is this range worth the hype.....

Some new additions to the Ecooking line up that you need to know about!

 

All of these products were kindly sent to me, without obligation.

*Please note that this is pre-written and scheduled content,  before I knew what would happen family-wise in the past 2 weeks*

One of my favourite brand discoveries over the past few years, has been Eccoking, which is a Danish brand, founded in the kitchen of Tina Søgaard, who decided to make her own range of products when she couldn't find any products that were working for her skin. I'm lucky enough to have been sent several products, but I have also repeatedly repurchased several products also. When they released more products, back in August, I was lucky enough to be sent most of them to try and am ready to share my thoughts today. In the photo above, I had just received them - they look a little more used now!

The Vitamin C Edit.....

 

*Please note that this is pre-written and scheduled content,  before I knew what would happen family-wise in the past 2 weeks*

Vitamin C is a non-negotiable ingredient for me, however it has taken a long time to find the right products, and the right balance of use, as my skin used to react so badly to it - inflammation and a burning feeling. I felt like giving up on it at one point, because I just couldn't find the right products, but I persevered because of the brightening results it gives, and my skin is naturally dull (due to being so dry), so I knew that I had to find a way to incorporate it into my routine. I'm glad I did, because I now have products that I can use on a daily basis! Today, I want to share my absolute favourite Vitamin C products, that really make a very noticeable difference to my skin, without any adverse reactions. 

How to make luxury bags and accessories shopping more affordable and what you don't need more than one of

 

*Please note that this is pre-written and scheduled content,  before I knew what would happen family-wise in the past 2 weeks*

As well as beauty, luxury bags (much more so than luxury fashion), are my thing. I don't have a massive collection and my aim would be to build up a curated collection of classic bags that fit my wardrobe/style, rather than aim for owning lots of bags, for the sake of it. I'm not a fashion blogger, I don't get gifted bags from brands, they're just something that I love. I've always loved them and think they can elevate an inexpensive outfit. If you take care of them, they will last for years and still look as good as new, although some look even better with age. Today, I want to share my top tips for making savings, should you want to get into the luxury market.

Some of my sickbed purchases.......

*Please note that this is pre-written and scheduled content,  before I knew what would happen family-wise in the past 2 weeks*

I'll begin by saying that I had planned on a no-spend September (!!!), but the combination of some birthday money/vouchers and basically being bedridden, resulted in this haul, plus some of it was bought in August! It's a looooooong time since I bought so many things so close together (I used to do a lot of hauls when I first started blogging!), but as a blogger, I do think that it's good to spend your own money on products, rather than just writing about products you've received in P.R. - I know that's what I prefer to read anyway - a good mixture! I suppose I went a little wild but I probably won't buy much for the rest of the year (I say as I see a lot of the holiday sets being released......!). After what I've been through, I've no need to justify making any purchases  - I'm just glad to be alive to be able to use them! So, on to what I bought and why...... (Oh and remember to use the code LYMIN at checkout on Look Fantastic to save 20% - I use it every time and it will generally work on most products/brands, unless they are already reduced).

The best solution based products......

 

I can't say that I only have one skin issue, because I'd be lying! I have several, but by keeping on top of my skincare routine, you may not notice them, but consistency is key for me. If I'm inconsistent, it shows in my skin, even more so as we age (sorry to tell all you people in your early 20s). I personally am not interested in going down the botox or fillers route - but each to their own, and never say never. Instead, I depend on effective products to keep my skin looking its best and I'm going to share some of them with you today.

Some recent skincare additions that have stolen my heart......

 

All of these products, apart from the Then I Met You Cleansing Balm and By Terry Moisturiser, have been kindly sent to me, without obligation.

I'm lucky enough to be sent products (although I do turn down more than I accept), which I am under no obligation to post about. I like that there is no obligation, as it takes pressure off, although I have no problem sharing negative reviews, if I don't like a product - I will say why it doesn't work for me, rather than say a product is just bad! Over the past few months, I've received a variety of products, which I've been testing (some for longer than others) and these are the ones I have enjoyed using  the most.

My current haircare lineup that has my hair in the best condition its been in for years.....

 

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

Since losing so much of my hair last year post-Covid, I've been on a mission to get my hair into good condition and keep it that way, and I'm happy to say that I've achieved that - I was really worried when I got infected again in August, but this time around, I didn't lose any hair. My hair has grown so much (I can see regrowth around my hairline) and I basically just need a trim when I am due a haircut, because my split ends are at a minimum. It's years since I've been so happy with my hair, and since it has been in such good condition, so I thought that I would share the products that I am using regularly with you today in case your hair is brittle, falling out or just generally in bad condition. It might look like this post is sponsored by Kérastase but it isn't (I wish!) - it's just a brand that I love and have used for over 20 years.

My most decadent at home facial featuring Omorovicza's new Queen Cleanser and Cream

 

Some of these products were gifted to me, without obligation.

At the risk of boring you all, you'll know that I have been very, very ill recently. I'm still nowhere near recovered - that will take a long time, but as soon as I had the strength to do a DIY facial, I was on it! I have two vouchers for facials, but I don't know when I'll get into the city centre to have them, so I decided to bring the spa to me! I used all products from my favourite brand, Omorovicza, including the two new releases: Queen Cleanser* and Queen Cream*. Regular readers will know how much I adore this brand, so it was a no-brainer that if I wanted to make myself look and feel better, that I'd use this brand exclusively. One day, I'll go for an actual Omorovicza facial, but in the meantime, my DIY job worked wonders! To save 15% on all Omorovicza products, enter the code SIOBHAN at checkout (not affiliated).

Shopping in Arnotts Beauty Hall and Brown Thomas, with free shipping on orders over €50/£50

 

This post is aimed at my readers is Ireland and Northern Ireland, as currently Arnotts and Brown Thomas only deliver within the 32 counties. Usually delivery costs €5/£5 upwards, but I have a special code for you that lasts for 1 week from today, which gives free delivery on all orders over €50/£50. I like to make savings wherever I can, and I also like to share them with you1  Both stores have a vast range of brands, so I want to share some of my favourites today, and with the Christmas gift sets arriving, now could be a good time to get started. I don't know about you, but I hate paying for delivery, so I'll be making the most of this offer! For Arnotts, it's ARNLYMIN21 and for Brown Thomas, it's BTLYMIN21. You just enter these at the checkout, to get free delivery.

Why everyone needs some MOR in their lives.....

 

These products were kindly gifted to me, without obligation.

Mor is a brand that I discovered a few years ago and I have yet to encounter a product that I don't like, but what I can't understand is why the brand doesn't receive more hype! It's an Australian brand, which celebrates its 20th birthday this year. They really know how to blend notes to produce the most beautiful scents, giving the likes of Jo Malone a run for its money. The products are all reasonably priced, available from Feel Unique, or you can even pick them up while doing your grocery shopping in Waitrose, in the UK, yet they add some luxury to your daily life. Today, I want to tell you about the new Correspondence Range....

New Urban Decay lip product releases and their incredible charity collaboration

                 

All of these lip products were kindly sent to me, without obligation.

Urban Decay have given their Vice lipsticks a makeover, not just in terms of look, but in terms of formula too. They are now vegan, there are 35 shades available in a variety of finishes: matte, cream and shine, all of which are hydrating and comfortable to wear, as they are infused with aloe vera and avocado oil. As you'll see from the swatches, all are very pigmented too, so one swipe and you're good to go. I was kindly sent four lipsticks and one Plumping Lip Shine Balm (I love this type of lip product), which I want to share my thoughts on today, but I also want to tell you about the fantastic charity partnership between Urban Decay and Cybersmile, which is a global Anti-Bullying Campaign, and how you can get involved (it's so easy to show your support).

My candle collection...... something that brings me true joy!

 

I'm a self-confessed fragrance addict, in all its forms! Even on duvet/pj days, I will wear perfume, I always have diffusers around the house and I use my Neom Wellbeing Diffuser Pod daily, but I also love candles... not just for cosy Autumn/Winter nights, I use them all year round! I do it because having a nice scent in a room brings me joy and I'm all about anything that brings me joy - sometimes, it's the smallest of things that can brighten your day, and in my case, it's a nice candle. They're one of my favourite gifts to receive (apart from anything clove, pumpkin or cinnamon scented - I just don't like that aroma). Today, I'm sharing some of my favourite brands with you. I like a candle that will give off a good scent when lit, rather than just in the box, and I also like it to smell authentic, rather than synthetic. The aesthetics obviously play their part, but they wouldn't be the deciding factor in whether or not I buy a candle. So, on to my favourites (in no particular order)....

Swatches of all Charlotte Tilbury Eyes To Mesmerise

 

I own  A LOT of eyeshadow palettes, but I have fallen for cream shadows for a quick and easy look over the past few years, and it's hard to find any to beat Charlotte Tilbury Eyes To Mesmerise. In fact, I love them so much that I have every shade (except some limited editions that I was gutted to miss out on!). The reason I love these particular ones so much,  is that despite the fact that I have oily lids, they don't crease on me and are pretty much budge-proof for the day. That, and the fact that they are ridiculously quick and easy to use and look put together, even when you don't have the time/energy/enthusiasm to make an effort! They also seem to make lids look smoother than they actually are - ideal if your lids aren't line-free, and they even feel cooling when applied. They're all round winners to me, so if you have yet to try them, I really urge you to and maybe these swatches will help you to find your perfect shade.

L'Occitane Cherry Blossom Infusion Collection - holding on to the scent of summer a little longer....

 

All of these products were kindly sent to me, without obligation.

I really did mean to post about this beautiful range of products much sooner, but being so ill delayed it - better late than never and all of that though, as they are still available, despite being limited edition! As you know, I'm an absolutely massive fan of L'Occitane as a brand, for so many reasons - it's environmental commitment, dedication to helping communities in a sustainable way, plus the products always smell and feel divine! This new twist on the Cherry Blossom Collection is delectable - light, feminine and airy, with notes of lemon, mandarin and bitter orange. There are four products in the range, all. of which I was very kindly sent.

NEW SKINCARE BRAND! At1 skincare review

 

All of these products were kindly gifted to me, without obligation.

One of the things that I love most about blogging, is discovering new brands and I was thrilled when I was asked if I would like to test a brand new skincare brand. It is called At1, is exclusive to All Beauty and currently has a streamlined seven products in the line up; all of which I was kindly sent to try. I have been using them for probably around 8 weeks, if not a little longer, now, but am only getting around to telling you about them now, due to my delay in posting because I was so ill. When I started to test them, my skin was its usual self - dry and dull (if not using regular exfoliation/masks), but as time went on, my skin began to burn - nothing to do with the products, but everything to do with the illness and medication I was put on. So really, it was the perfect time to test the products as the difference in my skin was extreme! Let me tell you how I got on......

Where have I been? A catch up!

 

Just some of the medication from one of the weeks I was off. We had to try several types to eventually get me on an even keel.

Well, hello! Long time, no blog! I have never taken so long away from posting before, but despite having lots of draft posts, I was far too ill to finish and publish any (some I have scrapped!). August was one hell of a month for me - at one point, I thought I might actually have to say my goodbyes. My health was horrendously bad - I have never experienced anything like it, and if you've been around here for a while, you'll know that I've been ill for over 20 years and have been through a lot, but the past month was the worst ever. I am double vaccinated, before anybody might think that I'm not, and that's what saved my life. If you are on the fence about getting vaccinated still, I would urge you to reconsider, as it protects those around you, who are medically vulnerable, as well as yourself (please read this article if you are in two minds as it may help you to understand the importance of being vaccinated, if you can do so: https://www.latimes.com/opinion/story/2021-08-17/vaccinated-covid-doctor-shot). I'm not going to go into all of the detail of what happened to me or what happens next, but felt I should explain my absence, as I've never gone this long without posting since I started my blog around 7 years ago. I'm nowhere near fully recovered, but blogging gives me something else to think about and I need that right now, plus I feel like I have so much to chat to you about!

That said, there were also some positives in August. It was my birthday, my niece's birthday and we celebrated our wedding anniversary, so I will always love the eighth month! This year is whizzing by and I'm already thinking about whether or not to do Christmas Gift Guides.......? Would love to hear your thoughts on that! I'm going to catch you up on some lifestyle favourites (I say lifestyle - I was in bed for weeks!) - tv, food, accessories etc. Also, I  would love to hear how life is with you? I've chatted to some of you in DMs, but I've missed this little community.

Some current loves....

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

It's a while since I did one of these posts and I have a number products that I'm using consistently, and loving! Some I have had for a while and two are new, as they were birthday gifts last weekend. If anything was sent to me, it will be marked with a * and I'm not obliged to post about them - I just love them! I have ten products, so let's get into it....

Make Up Forever Reboot Active Care Revitalizing Foundation Review

 

Sorry (again) for the radio silence - I seem to have said that a lot recently, but this time it wasn't due to illness, it was my birthday and I just decided to take a little break to enjoy the celebrations and time with my husband. I was truly spoilt, and, as always, my favourite things to receive are the homemade cards from my nephews and niece. I received some fabulous gifts too, but cards always mean the most to me! Anyway, back to today's post and it's (another) foundation review. I feel like I don't do many foundation reviews overall, but then a few in a short space of time, and my most viewed post is actually a foundation review, so I guess they're popular! Today, I'm talking about Make Up Forever Reboot Active Care Revitalizing Foundation. It's a while since I've bought anything from this brand (for no particular reason), but this really caught my attention and I had to buy it - I'm on a foundation purchase ban now for a while!! So, let me share my thoughts with you...

Dermalogica Smart Response Serum Review

 

This was kindly sent to me, without obligation.

Regular readers will know that one of my top three skincare brands is Dermalogica*. I used the brand exclusively for 6 months prior to our wedding, and have had some products from the brand in my stash for the past 17/18 years. It was the first high end skincare brand that I used, with the famous Daily Microfoliant being the first product I purchased, which is still a staple in my skincare cabinet to this day. All these years later, I still get excited when they release a product, and they are getting better and better all of the time! I'm lucky enough to be part of the Skinfluencer programme, so I was kindly sent their latest release: Smart Response Serum*. I have been using this serum for just over two months now, am over half way through it, so thought that it was about time that I did a review.

New brand overview: Refy

 

I recently came across Jess Hunt's brand, Refy, on Instagram and was instantly intrigued. I know that big, bushy brows are very in at the moment and I used to have those back in the day.......when they weren't on trend! I look at Jess' brows and wish I had never taken a tweezer to mine! Jess has created the brand so that others can create the full brow look that she rocks, and also some cheek products to re-create the glowing skin look that she is also renowned for. They can be bought individually, or in sets, so I went for the Summer Skin Collection and Brow Collection, which is available in three shades - Light, Medium and Dark. 

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!