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PRETTY IN PINK 11 MAKEUP ITEMS FOR WHEN YOU'RE FEELING TIRED AND SICK.
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CHRISTMAS PARTY DRESSES.
The festive season is already upon us, and we're already less than 4 weeks away from Christmas can you believe it? The big question for most of us though is - what to wear for those Christmas parties?! So for today's post I've had a good trawl of all the beautiful frocks around to help you out with your clothing quandry - so have a peek and let me know your favourites!
So what do you think guys? Burgundy? Sequins? Velvet? Silk? What are your favourites? I'm still undecided with what I'm going to go for so let me know what you think I should pick too!
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CHRISTMAS GIFT GUIDE 2016.
At last it's December and Christmas is finally around the corner! I'm here today with my Christmas Gift Guide 2016 - and this year it's super lengthy (honestly, this post took me ages!) covering everything from luxury to affordable, from Dad to Mum to your other half to a few cheeky pieces for yourself? Hopefully you find an idea you've been hunting for!
- F O R T H E M I N I M A L I S T
3. Blush mules 4. Tie wrap skirt (available in blush too)
7. Leather mule flats - that look far more expensive than they are! 8. Simple rose gold bangle
9. Marble slab tray 10. Silver mesh watch 11. Studded mid-heels
- F O R T H E M A N I N Y O U R L I F E
2. Skeleton watch of dreams (also check out this one for a much more affordable option)
3. Spy camera! (let him get 'up to no good' with his buddies!) 4. The matte-black Raybans
5. Leather notebook (why not get this one engraved?) 6. Cosy tartan scarf
10. Go Pro 11. A cosy rugger top
- F O R T H E F O O D I E
3. Copper kitchenware 4. Pizza scissors (these things are genius - we use them all the time!)
8. A perfect coffee table book - culture, history, food and fragrance all wrapped into one.
9. Truly delicious truffles 10. Brandy butter popcorn - perfect for Christmas
- F O R T H E B U D D I N G P H O T O G R A P H E R (Bloggers included here!)
1360 degree camera arm - get your camera at any angle with this beauty!
4. Softboxes! 5. Flatlay arm - take the perfect flatlay with this tripod attachment
6. Sturdy camera wrist strap 7. Photography book - a really useful guide for any SLR user
- F O R T H E L U X E L O V E R
6. Oskia skincare set - which includes Bedtime Boost!![]()
7. Rose gold watch 8. YSL bag of dreams
11. Louboutin lippie 12. This incredible dress 13. Moulded luxe bowl
- F O R T H E T E C H I E
4. Chromecast 5. Wifi external harddrive - especially great for the traveller
6. Attachable phone lenses - take better pics with your Iphone like wide angle and macro
7. Lighting/USB keychain (saves you from carrying around your cable!)
8. Wireless earphones 9. This superb camera (upgrade here for the newer model or downgrade here to save some pennies - all 3 are excellent)
10. Key finder (I might need to buy myself one of these too..)
- F O R T H E B E A U T Y B U F F
2. Tulip sheet masks - these aren't full face sheets but cut out petals instead, really novel and fun!
12. Burberry Christmas beauty - just gorgeous right? 13. Oskia Renaissance collection - great value in this kit with 3 full size products
14. Good skin set with Omorovicza ![]()
15. Metallic shadow pigments - these are so beautiful and shiny
16. Budgeproof liner set - includes all your neutrals and a little glitz too 17. Eat Beautiful book - this would be a great prop for bloggers too
- F O R T H E P A M P E R P U S S
4. Silk pillowcase - who doesn't want good skin and hair for Christmas? 5. Set of foil sheet masks - I really like these ones
6. Cherry blossom body set 7. Dozy-fiers 8. Cable-knit mermaid tail blankie! 9. Set of Diptyque candles
10. Fluffy peony eye mask 11. Fleecey duvet slippers - available in a minky-grey shade too
- S T O C K I N G F I L L E R S
4. The Perfect Pouch - this one comes in many different colours, each with a different foiled slogan
5. Baked blush 6. Tiled phone case - isn't this one gorgeous?
7. Cashmere comb - for combing down your beautifully delicate cashmere sweaters
8. Portable humidifier - stop your skin drying out! 9. Christmas pudding slipper socks
10. Screen Burn - this book is just hilariously well-written
11. Rose gold and marble monogram notebook - a cute, personalised gift
15. Cute cat mug 16. Lace up flats 17. Byredo candle 18. Bow n Arrow liquid lip duo
And there you have it!
I hope you've enjoyed this year's bumper collection. Whatever you go for, Happy Shopping and Happy Christmas!
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KOREAN SKINCARE | TROIAREUKE
I've been dying to share today's post with you!
If you've not heard of Troiareuke, they're a Korean brand that's annoyingly difficult to get hold of in the UK, in fact no, outside of Korea. I had a go at it around 6 months ago, failed and forgot about it. New Troiareuke stockists for the western market (meaning we can now get it worldwide yasssss), KBeautyBay, recently got in contact, as if the answer to my woes, asking if I'd like to try some skincare - to which I said YES, I've been dying to for months! So today I'm excited to finally share how I've got on with my picks eek!
The cushion foundation that's supposed to give you a little extra - H+ for Healing. With frankly quite clinical packaging (the white and green looks distinctly 'medical' to me), this cushion comes in the usual compact - mirror, air-tight layer, SPF 50 formula and air puff all included.
On first impressions, you'd be forgiven for thinking this is nothing special - the sponge soaked in foundation and air puff all seem very ordinary. On the back of my hand though, there's a lovely, hydrated appearance to the product, due to the Skin Moisture Shield - a thin film of moisture formed on the skin to help prevent trans-epidermal water loss and protect from drying external factors.
On the skin it's immediately noticeable that the balance between lightness and coverage appears to be perfect. The cushion gives at the very least a medium-buildable coverage (so much so that I don't generally use concealer, you could get to pretty full coverage with this, and for reference the first selfie is cushion + Skin Complex Formula only - you can still see my hyperpigmentation a little on my cheek, and the second is with the rest of my makeup, including the new Rosie For Autograph palette - review and swatches etc here) but still feels lightweight, in fact, nigh on weightless on the skin. For a cushion that claims to control excess sebum and be suitable for oilier skins, this has a dewier finish than I'd expected (it's closer to my favourite IOPE than Etude House's Real Powder for reference) - although it's interesting that it's initial finish is how it stays for the rest of the day, and they've somehow managed to impart a hydrated finish that doesn't get any oilier? There's one detrimental factor to this cushion and that's that it's only available in the one shade - fantastic if you're around an NC/NW 15-20 but a real disappointment if you're not.
This cream is something of an excitement for me. If you were to assume that this were any ordinary moisturiser then you might be somewhat underwhelmed when you see how little product you get - 25ml to be exact - I almost initially thought this was a sample size.
This is, in fact, a specialist treatment - originally used after in-house post skin-resurfacing to aid recovery, skin regeneration and prevent dehydration of treated areas. The 'Water Shine Effect' leaves your skin feeling and looking positively glistening without shimmer or greasiness.
Ingredients
Water, Squalane, Glycerin, Cyclopentasiloxane, Cetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone, 1,2-Hexanediol, Sodium Chloride, Dimethicone, Lauryl PEG-9 Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Dimethicone, Panthenol, Bergamot Fruit Extract, Butylene Glycol, Disodium EDTA, Orange Fruit Extract, Tangerine Fruit Extract, Phytosphingosine, Ascorbic Acid, Lactic Acid, Citric Acid, Portulaca Oleracea Extract, Copper Tripeptide-1, Ceramide 3, C8-12 Acid Triglyceride, Cholesterol, Hydrogenated Lethicin, Stearic Acid, Oleic Acid.
The cream's predominant ingredient is squalane, a naturally occuring compound present in our skin's lipid barrier that prevents moisture loss, whilst restoring suppleness and elasticity. Glycerin, panthenol, portulaca oleracea, ceramide 3, cholesterol and the fatty acid phytosphingosine all also contribute to skin moisturisation, hydration and reducing inflammation and it's clear to see that on the skin. Whilst it feels quite rich on first impressions, there's a slip and slide provided by the use of silicones that makes this smooth right out on my skin. This is a product that I feel benefits from knowledge and proper application, rather than something you can just slap on in whatever situation. Directions I've found via research suggest not using this on acne prone or troublesome pore areas and having played about with it I fully second that instruction - I've applied this to my entire face and I looked really shiny, like a billiard ball. Instead, you're advised to use this on specifically targeted areas, like under the eyes, the crows feet area, along your smile lines or on the lips. It's a really comfortable formula to wear, not sticky nor oily, and makes the targeted area look legitimately dewy - this is my idea of the ultimate chok chok/mul gwang finish.
Antioxidants and humectants add moisture to the skin in this specialised spray toner. What makes it genius (and where I completely missed the point) is that this toner is formulated to mix with any one of Troiareuke's four ampoules for targeted skin concerns - green for calming and soothing, red for elasticity and anti-wrinkle, yellow for brightening and blue for anti-bacteria/acne. Fortunately for me, their toner-ampoule range is very much customisable, and you can use this alone as a spray-on toner/hydrator to be used before or after makeup, and use the ampoules on their own too.
Ingredients
Water, Glycerin, Butylene Glycol, Japanese Red Pine Bark Extract, Dipropylene Glycol, Sodium Hyaluronate, Rosa Centifolia Flower Extract, Camomile Flower Extract, Jasmine Extract, Rosa Canina Fruit Extract, Hibiscus Flower Extract, Satsuma Mandarin Peel Extract, Saururus Chinensis Extract, Houttuynia Cordata Extract, Chestnut Shell Extract, Salicornia Herbecea Extract, Honeysuckle Flower Extract, Zanthoxylum Piperitum Fruit Extract, Pulsatilla Koreana Extract, Grapefruit Fruit Extract, Niacinamide, Betaine, Hydroxyethylcellulose, PEG-60 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Propylene Glycol, Calendula Flower Extract, Tilia Cordata Flower Extract, Centaurea Cyanus Flower Extract, Hypericum Perforatum Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract, Allantoin, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Disodium EDTA, Perfume.
This toner claims to have a 'strong antioxidant effect', which I think is justified when you look at how many botanical extracts it includes - 10 flower extracts alone. It has a delicious scent - no doubt a combination of the fruity extracts and some fragrance - which reminds me wholeheartedly of the Korean skincare I used to obsess over years ago (specially curated boxes of Asia-exclusive Dior that I used to pander my family for in the Seoul department stores). On the skin I love how this feels. It's not so insipid and 'nothing-y' as water or other super light toners - it leaves behind a hydration and plumping effect that you can feel and is evident. I don't know whether my spray was faulty but it's not so much of a fine mist, more of a 'squirt', so I'd advise dispensing first onto a cotton pad.
You can pick up as much or as little from the Troiareuke range via KBeautyBay (who ship worldwide) and use the code barelytherebeauty007 for 15% off your order so don't forget to save when you checkout (I make no gains from this code so use as freely as you wish!).
Do let me know if you pick up anything - I'm sure you'll love it!
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KOREAN SKINCARE | FRESH ROSE MASK DUPE
'Winter' is my perfect excuse to indulge my love for face masks.
Today's one I'm particularly excited because what I have to share is a massive dupe for another coveted, 'trendy' (I hate that word) and expensive mask. You probably already know I'm talking about the Fresh Rose Face Mask, which is just about everything I love in a good, basic face mask - namely botanical extracts, soothing and antioxidant properties, damn well hydrating and a gel or jelly texture.
You may have already seen me sneak this mask into my Korean Skincare Dupes post - but for those who haven't, I introduce Korea's Dearpacker Royal Black Tea & Black Rose Mask. A deeply hydrating gel made from 70% black tea and rose extracts, this mask calms, plumps and replenishes the skin with lost moisture.
Packaging for me is neither here nor there if I'm perfectly honest. The lid design is pretty enough (actually the box is really pretty and cute - it makes me want a quaint little tea party with Viennese Whirls or something) but the jar itself is plastic and I admit I yearn for it to be glass. I suppose what more can I expect with it being more affordable - Fresh is still plastic at $62!
On first impressions this mask has a fresh, citrus-y rose scent - you can actually pick out the rose and tea which I think is reassuring. The jelly consistency is a delight with all it's bounciness - I adore this kind of texture if I haven't emphasised that enough already. There's a caramel tinge to the gel, just like the Fresh mask, inside of which little particles of tea are suspended, and the packaging is inclusive of the obligatory 'tiny spatula' to save you dipping your fingers into it.
Ingredients
Rose Extract, Black Tea Extract, Glycerin, Butylene Glycol, Dipropylene Glycol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Sophorae Fructus Extract, Panthenol, Rose Oil, Sweet Almond Oil, Calendula Oil, Borage Oil, Rosemary Leaf Oil, Chamomile Flower Oil, Lavender Oil, Black Tea Leaf, Lemon Peel Oil, Bergamot Fruit Oil, Orange Peel Oil, Juniper Oil, Methyl Gluceth 20, Propanediol, PEG 60 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Carbomer, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Glyceryl Acrylate/Acrylic Acid Copolymer, Potassium Hydroxide, EDTA, Trisodium Iodide, Fragrance, Limonene, Linalool.
and in comparison to Fresh:
Aqua (Water), Butylene Glycol, Glycerin, Pentylene Glycol, PEG-60 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Rosa Centifolia Flower, Maris Aqua (Sea Water), Rosa Damascena Flower Water, Cucumis Sativus (Cucumber) Fruit Extract, Anthemis Nobilis Flower Oil, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Porphyridium Cruentum Extract, Rosa Damascena Flower Oil, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract, Aspalathus Linearis Leaf Extract, Faex (Yeast Extract), Sodium Hyaluronate, Carbomer, Tetrasodium EDTA, Sodium Hydroxide, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Glyceryl Acrylate/Acrylic Acid Copolymer, Caramel, Maltodextrin, Parfum (Fragrance), BHT, Citronellol, Phenoxyethanol.
You can see that the two formulas are pretty similar - the Fresh contains more/different botanical extracts but the Dearpacker has it's active ingredients at the forefront of the list - which, to be frank, I prefer. I would just say that the inclusion of citrus and lavender oils could potentially be irritating to uber-sensitive skins so bear that in mind if you react to things like that - I can honestly say though I've had no hint of irritation and my skin loves this mask.
On the skin the mask has a lovely cooling sensation, obviously even more so if you use it from the fridge - great for post-hot bath or summer situations. Speckled with little bits of tea, I've got to admit I look somewhat diseased when wearing this - but the results are more than worth it. It's recommend to keep this on for around 10 minutes - but I slather on a thick layer and leave it on longer - sometimes in conjunction with my Silicone mask to prevent evaporation, which is a real help. After perhaps half an hour, I rinse away the mask and my skin feels gloriously plump, hydrated and youthful. I definitely feel that gel masks like this are some of the best hydrators, and the proof is in the pudding. Giving such soft skin, this mask I find is exceptionally useful to use prior to makeup, as everything glides on effortlessly, or whilst multimasking - where I'll take my Alpha H Pore mask through the centre of my face and the Dearpacker everywhere else.
I also picked out the Black Ginseng Hydromask - a hydrogel sheet mask that promises to brighten and anti-age. A super smooth, slippery mask that's divided into two parts, fits to the contours of your face perfectly for maximum surface area. With high concentrations of niacinamide (our favourite brightening ingredient), green tea antioxidants and wonder-extract ginseng, it's a great 'better-than-basic' mask that offers a little more than 'just' hydration.
Ingredients
Purified Water, Glycerin, Butylene Glycol, Niacinamide, Ceratonia Siliqua Gum, Carrageenan Extract, 1,2-Hexanediol, Ginseng Extract (100ppm), Chinese Skullcap Extract, Green Tea Extract, Artemisia Princeps Leaf Extract, Horsetail Extract, Caprylic Glycol, Citrus Junos Fruit Extract, Lactobacillus Ferment, Castor Oil, Phenoxyethanol, Black Iron Oxide, PEG 60 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Allantoin, Pine Leaf Extract, Birch Sap, Honey Extract, Pine Mushroom Extract, Ethylhexyl Glycerin, Adenosine, Disodium, Synthetic Fluorphlogopite, Titanium Dioxide, Red Iron Oxide, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizite, Bergamot Berry Oil, Lime Oil, Sandalwood Oil, Juniper Oil, Coriander Oil, Rosemary Leaf Oil, Secret Tree Oil, Gold (1ppm), Potassium Hydroxide.
I love coming across products I can rave about - especially face masks, that have the potential to make such a big difference to the skin - and happily, these are some of them. I think the tea and rose mask especially will be keeping it's place front and centre of my skincare collection. BBcosmetics were also kind enough to offer the coupon code BARELYTHEREBEAUTY for 8% off your order (from which I make no gains), so feel free to go wild! They stock more of the Dearpacker mask range - like the Miracle Time Lifting Mask or the nourishing Avocado Mascream (mask/cream).
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11 TIPS FOR TAKING BRIGHTER BLOG PHOTOS THIS WINTER.
One of my most commonly asked questions is regarding photography - especially now that we're into the dull depths of Winter and light seems at a premium. I've had so many requests to talk about this subject, so today I'm sharing my favourite tips and tricks to still achieve beautiful photos whatever the weather. Hopefully there's something among them that you can take away!
S H U T T E R S P E E D + U S I N G A T R I P O D
Really simply put, the slower the shutter speed, the more time your camera's sensor is exposed to light. For lower light situations, slower shutter speeds can be useful to make your photos brighter, but the opportunity cost is a potentially blurry photo. No matter how still you think you're standing above that flatlay, a tripod is always going to trump you to make sure your pic is as clear as possible. Something really good quality and sturdy like this one that I use is an excellent investment.
M A K E T H E M O S T O F N A T U R A L L I G H T
It may seem desperately obvious but try to get as much natural light as you can possibly manage. If the weather is fine, go outside - the light levels are just infinitely better out in the open. If not, make sure you get right up close to a window or french door etc - I'm lucky that our house is fairly well lit on a decent day, but I've even found myself working on windowsills to get the light I need.
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| Without a reflector |
If you're working at a window, your light source is coming in from one direction, meaning the opposite side is looking a little dull. I never used to be a believer, but I've since learnt what a difference reflectors can make to bounce light around your photo and minimise shadows. I switch constantly between using this reflector and some of this white boarding - placing it at the edge of my photo, on the opposite side to my light source.
A P E R T U R E
Aka the little 'hole in the lens', this behaves like a pupil in the eye, letting more or less light into the camera. The smaller the f-stop number, the more light is allowed into the camera, so in winter and situations that lack light, try shooting with as low an f-stop as you can manage.
Following on from the last point, a low f-stop number also allows you to get those 'blurred background' shots we love, so embrace it. Rather than favouring flatlays, try getting in close to your subjects, allowing you to make the most of the low f-stop and get the most light. Pancake or prime lenses like this one for Sony cameras like mine, or this one for Canon, are great for close up work and have low f-stop boundaries to allow you to access the most light, and ultimately get a brighter photograph.
(Image source: What's In My Autumn Makeup Bag post)
I S O
Again in laymens terms, the ISO refers to the sensivity of your camera's sensor. A low ISO figure means your camera has to collect more light to achieve the exposure, so turning up your ISO, simply put, makes your photos brighter. Unfortunately it also makes them noisier/grainier too so I like to keep mine around 250 - so for everyone asking how I get my photos to be clear and crisp, that's how!
A R T I F I C I A L L I G H T
Whilst I've so far been shooting with natural light - it's my much preferred method - sometimes you need a little support. Artificial lighting can be used like reflectors, except rather than reflecting the original source of light, they provide you with a secondary, supplementary source. Try daylight softboxes like these, or speedlites that you can bounce off the reflectors/whiteboards we mentioned earlier, to get the most natural results.
B A C K G R O U N D S
I've read quite a few tips that suggest using as bright and white a background as possible is best when it comes to making your photos brighter, and to an extent they're right. But I also think that can sometimes be making things more difficult for yourself. I, as we all do, know the struggle of trying to get white to look white - and white background flatlays can be difficult enough, let alone when your lighting situation is poor. One tip I like to employ is the use of fabric backgrounds. The texture of the scarf/rug/whatever you have at hand, absorbs light slightly, which results in a much more evenly lit picture, especially if you're working by a window etc. This makes my life a lot easier in the editing stage, as I don't get overexposed or washed out areas when I brighten the image. The folds and pleats you create in the fabric also create shadow that's supposed to be there, as opposed to feeling like you have to eliminate all shadow. I also think that using darker backgrounds can have a similar result as generally I'm wanting my subjects (the makeup etc) to look bright and clear, and if I had to choose, I'd rather they were bright than the background. Using black board or acrylic like this stuff for example, and my picture has a darker, moodier feel about it which I actually quite enjoy.
B L O C K S H O O T I N G
In the spirit of chasing the light, take advantage of what few sunny days you can get by trying to block shoot a number of posts whilst the light is good. If I'm lucky enough to get a bright Saturday morning, I'll try and take maybe two or three posts worth of photos.
(Image souces: Kevyn Aucoin Neo Bronzer Review post
Korean Skincare Tips For Acne & Acne Scarring post)
Korean Skincare Tips For Acne & Acne Scarring post)
E M B R A C E T H E L I G H T Y O U H A V E
The light across the seasons behaves differently, and whilst Autumn and Winter don't tend to have that effortless light that shines from directly above, that makes taking photos in full sun a doddle, they do still have crisp, cold days where the sun's rays tend to come at you horizontally (drivers you'll know the kind of blinding rays I'm taking about!). This is the kind of light to embrace too, just by changing up your photography style a little. Glass objects work beautifully in this kind of light, like in the photo above.
E D I T I N G
Whilst a lot of my tips focus on what you can do to brighten your photos before you make the shot - a large percentage of achieving a bright final product is via editing for me. I use Photoshop and tend to find editing in raw the best method for bright photos - you have the most control and can edit out blue/yellow tints as well as increase the exposure and clarity if needs be. (Let me know in the comments if you'd like a post on how I edit my photos!)
Do let me know if you have any photography questions or requests, eg if you'd like to know what my setup is, or my editing process etc. and I hope you've found something helpful within this post!
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![bright-blog-photos-how-to-photography-tips-barely-there-beauty]( "bright-blog-photos-how-to-photography-tips-barely-there-beauty")
Do let me know if you have any photography questions or requests, eg if you'd like to know what my setup is, or my editing process etc. and I hope you've found something helpful within this post!
S H O P T H E P O S T
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PURLISSE SKINCARE.
For those of you that haven't yet tried Purlisse, I urge you to read this post.
A bit of a coming together of Chinese and French beauty ideals, Purlisse aim to bring us safe but effective skincare, and when their lovely team contacted me re. trying out some of their stuff I could only but oblige. They were kind enough to let me choose some goodies too, and I've got everything from serums to SPF's to sheet masks to share - so let's jump in!
E S S E N T I A L D A I L Y M O I S T U R I S E R S P F 3 0
I think this is the understated jewel in the crown for me. One of those basic numbers that aren't all glitz and gleam, that don't fight for your attention amongst your skincare collection, but that you find yourself missing when you forget to take them on your travels, and that you mindlessly repurchase again and again. This lightweight moisturiser feels moisturisng enough for my normal/combo skin without looking or feeling greasy, heavy or silicone-y. The smooth, slippery texture blends really well onto my skin, without leaving any hint of white cast, and my skin's got this great glow about it post application. With both broad spectrum sun protection and antioxidants, this combines my daily want for protection against free radicals and sun damage - the perfect one-and-done for a) the lazy girl like me, b) travellers/weekenders.
Ingredients:
Sunscreens: Avobenzone 2.00% / Homosalate 8.00% / Octinoxate 7.50% / Octisalate 5.00% / Oxybenzone 5.00%.
Other Ingredients: Water (Aqua), Glycerin, Cetearyl Alcohol, Dimethicone, Cyclopentasiloxane, Tocopheryl Acetate, Hydrolyzed Lupine Protein Octenylsuccinate, Alaria Esculenta Extract, Butylene Glycol, Hydrolyzed Soy Protein, Sodium Hyaluronate, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Nymphaea Coerulea Flower Extract, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Dicetyl Phosphate, Ceteth-10 Phosphate, Aminomethyl Propanol, Carbomer, Disodium EDTA, Caprylyl Glycol, Phenoxyethanol, Chlorphenesin, Geraniol, Limonene, Citrus Medica Limonum (Lemon) Peel Oil, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis (Orange) Oil, Citrus Aurantium Bergamia (Bergamot) Fruit Oil, Pelargonium Graveolens Flower Oil, Cymbopogon Martini Oil, Citrus Aurantifolia (Lime) Oil, Juniperus Mexicana Oil, Tagetes Minuta Flower Oil, Michelia Alba Flower Oil.
C L E A N S I N G M I L K
This gentle cleanser has a texture somewhere between a cream and gel. Enriched with soy, oat and green tea, I'm giving Pur-lisse double thumbs up for formulating it so gently - it's evident on the skin that this is lovely and soothing. Whilst it claims to be a one-and-done cleanser, I think this might only be true if you use makeup with.. let's say a light hand. I'm not against that though, I love my Grown Alchemist Gentle Gel and Oskia Renaissance cleansers and they're both very much second cleansers for me. During and after using this, my skin feels soothed, plump and happy - none of the stripped sensations of cleansers we used to use, thinking they were good (I'm looking at you Clinique 1-2-3 step). You get a lot of product with the Purlisse cleanser too which I like as I love to be liberal with my cleansers, and it comes in a nice, big squeezy tube which I think is excellently practical packaging.
Ingredients:
Water (Aqua), Disodium Cocoamphodiacetate, Acrylates Copolymer, Neopentyl Glycol Dicaprylate/Dicaprate, Tridecyl Stearate, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Polysorbate 80, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Hydrolyzed Soy Protein, Hydrolyzed Lupine Protein Octenylsuccinate, Alaria Esculenta Extract, Butylene Glycol, Avena Sativa (Oat) Kernel Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Nymphaea Coerulea Flower Extract, Methyl Gluceth-20, PEG-7 Glyceryl Cocoate, Glycerin, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Laureth-4, Tridecyl Trimellitate, Carbomer, Aminomethyl Propanol, Disodium EDTA, Caprylyl Glycol, Phenoxyethanol, Chlorphenesin, Limonene, Citrus Medica Limonum (Lemon) Peel Oil, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis (Orange) Oil, Citrus Aurantium Bergamia (Bergamot) Fruit Oil, Pelargonium Graveolens Flower Oil, Cymbopogon Martini Oil, Citrus Aurantifolia (Lime) Oil, Juniperus Mexicana Oil, Tagetes Minuta Flower Oil, Michelia Alba Flower Oil.
![purlisse-sheet-mask-review-blue-lotus-seaweed]( "purlisse-sheet-mask-review-blue-lotus-seaweed")
B L U E L O T U S + S E A W E E D S H E E T M A S K S
My sheet mask collection is growing exponentially but I'm happy to accommodate the Purlisse masks (it's a tough life right?) which claim to soothe, balance, hydrate and brighten. The fabric is slightly on the thick side, although they adhere well to the face (don't be afraid to tailor some strategic slits should you need it to fit better). I've been to a Korean spa where they wrapped you up in seaweed and I came out feeling born anew so thought these masks are something I clearly need to try. Laminaria Japonica seaweed is one preferred for it's positive effects on skin, capable of reducing transepidermal water loss and eliminating toxins, often reserved for good quality skincare. I just can't say that these top Whamisa/Blossom Jeju for me but they're very good - my skin felt really calm and hydrated after just the one use, making it a great one for before makeup.
Ingredients:
Water,Glycerin, Butylene Glycol,Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract ,Phenoxyethanol, Carbomer, Triethanolamine,Allantoin, Betaine,PEG-60 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Chlorphenesin,Xanthan Gum, Hamamelis Virginiana (Witch Hazel) Extract, Morus Alba Bark Extract,Disodium EDTA,1,2-Hexanediol,Propanediol,Caprylyl Glycol, Illicium Verum (Anise) Fruit Extract, Sodium Polyacrylate, Fragrance
![purlisse-skincare-review-swatches-try-on]( "purlisse-skincare-review-swatches-try-on")
Ingredients:
Water (Aqua), Disodium Cocoamphodiacetate, Acrylates Copolymer, Neopentyl Glycol Dicaprylate/Dicaprate, Tridecyl Stearate, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Polysorbate 80, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Hydrolyzed Soy Protein, Hydrolyzed Lupine Protein Octenylsuccinate, Alaria Esculenta Extract, Butylene Glycol, Avena Sativa (Oat) Kernel Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Nymphaea Coerulea Flower Extract, Methyl Gluceth-20, PEG-7 Glyceryl Cocoate, Glycerin, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Laureth-4, Tridecyl Trimellitate, Carbomer, Aminomethyl Propanol, Disodium EDTA, Caprylyl Glycol, Phenoxyethanol, Chlorphenesin, Limonene, Citrus Medica Limonum (Lemon) Peel Oil, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis (Orange) Oil, Citrus Aurantium Bergamia (Bergamot) Fruit Oil, Pelargonium Graveolens Flower Oil, Cymbopogon Martini Oil, Citrus Aurantifolia (Lime) Oil, Juniperus Mexicana Oil, Tagetes Minuta Flower Oil, Michelia Alba Flower Oil.
B L U E L O T U S + S E A W E E D S H E E T M A S K S
My sheet mask collection is growing exponentially but I'm happy to accommodate the Purlisse masks (it's a tough life right?) which claim to soothe, balance, hydrate and brighten. The fabric is slightly on the thick side, although they adhere well to the face (don't be afraid to tailor some strategic slits should you need it to fit better). I've been to a Korean spa where they wrapped you up in seaweed and I came out feeling born anew so thought these masks are something I clearly need to try. Laminaria Japonica seaweed is one preferred for it's positive effects on skin, capable of reducing transepidermal water loss and eliminating toxins, often reserved for good quality skincare. I just can't say that these top Whamisa/Blossom Jeju for me but they're very good - my skin felt really calm and hydrated after just the one use, making it a great one for before makeup.
Ingredients:
Water,Glycerin, Butylene Glycol,Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract ,Phenoxyethanol, Carbomer, Triethanolamine,Allantoin, Betaine,PEG-60 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Chlorphenesin,Xanthan Gum, Hamamelis Virginiana (Witch Hazel) Extract, Morus Alba Bark Extract,Disodium EDTA,1,2-Hexanediol,Propanediol,Caprylyl Glycol, Illicium Verum (Anise) Fruit Extract, Sodium Polyacrylate, Fragrance
E Y E A D O R E S E R U M
I find that eye creams are a tough category of skincare for me. Some I find too drying, others I find too moisturising and leave that slick, unattractive shine below my eyes (because I wanted my dark circles to be highlighted and shiny..) and then there are those that seemingly do nothing at all. The Purlisse seems to fall somewhere in the middle, with the added benefits of antioxidants, depuffing agents and a number of peptides for long term firming and anti-wrinkle benefits. I initially wasn't overenthused about the slippy, silicone feel of this but in practise it seems to fill in fine lines and make concealer apply and look much better, and the bulk of the ingredients definitely make me want to reach for this. My only slight criticism is of the fine gold shimmer/glitter in this formula - although it's only noticeable should I look closely at my face so it's something I'm happy to overlook.
Ingredients:
Cyclopentasiloxane, Water (Aqua), Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Cyclotetrasiloxane, Dimethicone, Pentylene Glycol, Glycerin, Isododecane, Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Methyl Gluceth-20, Squalane, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Laureth -7, Hydrolyzed Lupine Protein Octenylsuccinate, Alaria Esculenta Extract, Butylene Glycol, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Hydrolyzed Soy Protein, Nymphaea Coerulea Flower Extract, Steareth-20, Chrysin, N-Hydroxysuccinimide, Palmitoyl Oligopeptide, Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7, Hesperidin Methyl Chalcone, Dipeptide-2, Macrocystis Pyrifera Extract, Hydrolyzed Wheat Protein, Tocopheryl Acetate, Panthenol, Oryza Sativa (Rice) Bran Oil, Sodium Hyaluronate, PEG/PPG-18/18 Dimethicone, PVP, Sodium Chloride, Phenoxyethanol, Sodium Benzoate, Mica (CI 77019), Titanium Dioxide (CI 77891), Iron Oxides (CI 77491).
I find that eye creams are a tough category of skincare for me. Some I find too drying, others I find too moisturising and leave that slick, unattractive shine below my eyes (because I wanted my dark circles to be highlighted and shiny..) and then there are those that seemingly do nothing at all. The Purlisse seems to fall somewhere in the middle, with the added benefits of antioxidants, depuffing agents and a number of peptides for long term firming and anti-wrinkle benefits. I initially wasn't overenthused about the slippy, silicone feel of this but in practise it seems to fill in fine lines and make concealer apply and look much better, and the bulk of the ingredients definitely make me want to reach for this. My only slight criticism is of the fine gold shimmer/glitter in this formula - although it's only noticeable should I look closely at my face so it's something I'm happy to overlook.
Ingredients:
Cyclopentasiloxane, Water (Aqua), Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Cyclotetrasiloxane, Dimethicone, Pentylene Glycol, Glycerin, Isododecane, Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Methyl Gluceth-20, Squalane, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Laureth -7, Hydrolyzed Lupine Protein Octenylsuccinate, Alaria Esculenta Extract, Butylene Glycol, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Hydrolyzed Soy Protein, Nymphaea Coerulea Flower Extract, Steareth-20, Chrysin, N-Hydroxysuccinimide, Palmitoyl Oligopeptide, Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7, Hesperidin Methyl Chalcone, Dipeptide-2, Macrocystis Pyrifera Extract, Hydrolyzed Wheat Protein, Tocopheryl Acetate, Panthenol, Oryza Sativa (Rice) Bran Oil, Sodium Hyaluronate, PEG/PPG-18/18 Dimethicone, PVP, Sodium Chloride, Phenoxyethanol, Sodium Benzoate, Mica (CI 77019), Titanium Dioxide (CI 77891), Iron Oxides (CI 77491).
B R I G H T E N I N G S E R U M
Considering Purlisse seem to be known for their natural approach to bright skin, this serum should be their stand out product. And I've got to say I'm impressed. There's all sorts to commend in this formula - a stabilised form of vitamin C, proteins and skin fortifying ingredients, moisturisers/hydrators like avocado oil, vitamin E, sodium hyaluronate and squalane, antioxidants and plant extracts, and my old-fashioned, brightening favourite, Alpha-Arbutin - it's so nice to see this again! A milky serum, this sheers out completely and feels lovely and light on the skin - I think it'd be perfectly suitable for oilier skins and a great layering piece for those with dry skin. I've already noticed an overall bright look to my complexion after a few weeks and I'm actually pretty hopeful to see results on my hyperpigmentation - this could be a good, more low-maintenance alternative to a vitamin C serum?
Ingredients:
Water (Aqua), Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Diglycerin, Cetearyl Alcohol, Dimethicone, Squalane, Trimethylpentanediol/Adipic Acid Copolymer, Tocopheryl Acetate, Persea Gratissima (Avocado) Oil, Sodium Hyaluronate, Butylene Glycol, Melia Azadirachta Leaf Extract, Hydrolyzed Prunus Domestica, Hydrolyzed Lupine Protein Octenylsuccinate, Alaria Esculenta Extract, Hydrolyzed Soy Protein, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Nymphaea Coerulea Flower Extract, Biotin, Alpha-Arbutin, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Magnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate, Panthenol, Glycerin, Glycereth-26, Dicetyl Phosphate, Ceteth-10 Phosphate, Cetyl Alcohol, Sclerotium Gum, Aminomethyl Propanol, Disodium EDTA, Caprylyl Glycol, Chlorphenesin, Phenoxyethanol, Geraniol, Limonene, Citrus Medica Limonum (Lemon) Peel Oil, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis (Orange) Oil, Citrus Aurantium Bergamia (Bergamot) Fruit Oil, Pelargonium Graveolens Flower Oil, Cymbopogon Martini Oil, Citrus Aurantifolia (Lime) Oil, Juniperus Mexicana Oil, Tagetes Minuta Flower Oil, Michelia Alba Flower Oil.
![barely-there-beauty-blog-flatlay-photography-marble]( "barely-there-beauty-blog-flatlay-photography-marble")
It's lovely to find a brand that seems so consistent. I tried a fair few products and none were sub-par, which makes me feel confident in the brand - I'd love to try their BB cream next which I've heard great things about from other bloggers!
Considering Purlisse seem to be known for their natural approach to bright skin, this serum should be their stand out product. And I've got to say I'm impressed. There's all sorts to commend in this formula - a stabilised form of vitamin C, proteins and skin fortifying ingredients, moisturisers/hydrators like avocado oil, vitamin E, sodium hyaluronate and squalane, antioxidants and plant extracts, and my old-fashioned, brightening favourite, Alpha-Arbutin - it's so nice to see this again! A milky serum, this sheers out completely and feels lovely and light on the skin - I think it'd be perfectly suitable for oilier skins and a great layering piece for those with dry skin. I've already noticed an overall bright look to my complexion after a few weeks and I'm actually pretty hopeful to see results on my hyperpigmentation - this could be a good, more low-maintenance alternative to a vitamin C serum?
Ingredients:
Water (Aqua), Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Diglycerin, Cetearyl Alcohol, Dimethicone, Squalane, Trimethylpentanediol/Adipic Acid Copolymer, Tocopheryl Acetate, Persea Gratissima (Avocado) Oil, Sodium Hyaluronate, Butylene Glycol, Melia Azadirachta Leaf Extract, Hydrolyzed Prunus Domestica, Hydrolyzed Lupine Protein Octenylsuccinate, Alaria Esculenta Extract, Hydrolyzed Soy Protein, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Nymphaea Coerulea Flower Extract, Biotin, Alpha-Arbutin, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Magnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate, Panthenol, Glycerin, Glycereth-26, Dicetyl Phosphate, Ceteth-10 Phosphate, Cetyl Alcohol, Sclerotium Gum, Aminomethyl Propanol, Disodium EDTA, Caprylyl Glycol, Chlorphenesin, Phenoxyethanol, Geraniol, Limonene, Citrus Medica Limonum (Lemon) Peel Oil, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis (Orange) Oil, Citrus Aurantium Bergamia (Bergamot) Fruit Oil, Pelargonium Graveolens Flower Oil, Cymbopogon Martini Oil, Citrus Aurantifolia (Lime) Oil, Juniperus Mexicana Oil, Tagetes Minuta Flower Oil, Michelia Alba Flower Oil.
It's lovely to find a brand that seems so consistent. I tried a fair few products and none were sub-par, which makes me feel confident in the brand - I'd love to try their BB cream next which I've heard great things about from other bloggers!
Have you tried Purlisse skincare?
S H O P T H E P O S T
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CLASSIC CHRISTMAS MAKEUP.
I did say I wouldn't be doing a red lip this Christmas...
And I'm technically keeping my word because I've got another look coming up very shortly that's something a little different - but today I'm sticking to just about every Christmas Makeup cliche - a classic red lip and pin up eye #sorrynotsorry!
After a generous helping of Banila Co Flower Honey Essence Oil (so good) as a primer/glow-giver, I'm using Nars Sheer Glow to even out my skin (it actually feels pretty full coverage after using BB creams and glowy cushions for the entirety of summer and autumn!) and block out any redness that might be brought out by my lip colour of choice. My Bourjois concealer is my go-to lately, it really behaves like a high end product for me. I'm powdering, both for longevity and to get a seamless blend with my cheek products later, with the Dior Nude Air loose powder which I've absolutely been loving using. It's one of those magical powders that fills in pores and fine lines and makes you look airbrushed - I actually compared it to La Prairie's powder in store the other day and they're utterly comparable - a chance to save some dolla'! For cheeks I'm just using a little of my favourite Innisfree contour shade and Burberry's Earthy blush for some natural shadow and Rosie For Autograph's loose highlighter which is just gorgeous - you all need to go out and get this one.
I'm usually a gold-over-silver girl, but this year has seen me favour the cool tones of pewters, greys and gun metals, so a silvery eye it is. I'm smudging a little of No7's Metallic Eyes pencil along the lash line and outer corners for a base/some depth. No7's Pewter Shine is a beautiful metallic grey with a warmth to it that makes it uber flattering to wear - it's one best tapped in with fingers. Obligatory winged liner time and I'm using Rimmel's liquid liner, which if you read my Scandaleyes Reloaded Range post, you'll know is excellent. Just some Burberry mascara (yes maaaaam, this is excellent) and some lashes because it's Christmas and more is more.
S H O P T H E P O S T
There are countless red lipsticks around - and picking just one is quite the task, but, as it's impressed me so much, I'm plumping for Rimmel's The Only One Matte in Take The Stage this year - you can see full collection swatches here. This red is a firmly neutral, primary red with lots of zing and a great formula. Not too matte, really comfortable, even, rich pigment and long lasting, it's the obvious choice to get you through Christmas - and all at a steal of a price. I then went in with a little bit of Rosie's LOL lipstick just in the centre of the lip for some subtle dimension, not a necessary step but adds a pretty detail.
Well this makeup turned out to be rather drugstore friendly! On my hair, all I have on is 5 drops of the Grow Gorgeous Strengthening Oil (you can read my review here - I love this stuff!) and have otherwise left it air-dried, wild and free.
What makeup look will you be sporting this Christmas?
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BLUSH & BLACK HOLIDAY 2016 MAKEUP + OUTFIT
For my second holiday look, I thought I'd veer slightly from the classic, pin up look and red lip that you'll have seen in my Classic Christmas Makeup post and go for something a little different - this is what I'm planning to sport for New Year's Eve! And want to know what my dress and shoes are? I've rarely spoken about fashion so far on BTB (except for my party dress picks for this holiday season here!) but today's post comes complete with my chosen outfit segment too!
I wanted to go really light, fresh and glowy with my base so I'm starting off with one of my Purlisse sheet masks, which I've just talked about along with a bunch of their skincare in this post. The masks are a great one to use before makeup as they've got a noticeable brightening effect. After patting in the excess, I'm using Burberry's Nude Radiance, like a primer, in areas I'd like highlighted. Using this under makeup is just sublime I can't get enough of it. I'm using my IOPE cushion to even out my skintone and give me that incredibly natural finish I love to favour. After the lightest dusting of my Dior loose powder, I'm adding a teensy bit of subtle shading and warmth with my Ambient palette - these powders just make your skin look incredible. I'm going in with two highlighters (because more is more) I've not mentioned before, starting off with this cream stick from H&M. This beautiful champagne-pink is so stunning. To set that and add more creamy shine, I'm using my baked highlighter from New Look. I can't say enough about these two drugstore highlighters, they're both smooth, even, gorgeous in both colour and texture - they're affordability is just a bonus!
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Whilst the last look was all pewter shine, this time I'm sticking to the most simple of looks using my Lolita palette - especially the opalescent shade to the right of centre, it really brightens and opens my eyes. One little trick I've enjoyed lately is 'topcoat' my eye look with a little swish of Radiant Light - it helps to mesh cooler tones in with my warm skintone. Just a flourish of Burberry mascara and my mink-y lashes completes the eyes - you could add a little of Charlotte Tilbury's Eye Cheat on the waterline as it's not too stark or brash.
For lips I have two options. I'm wholly tempted to call it a day with my Burberry gloss-balm as it's so low maintenance and I actually get pleasure from applying and reapplying it - the applicator is a wonderfully cooling, ceramic number. However, Rimmel have thrown me a spanner in the works by sending over a couple of their Provocalips 16 hr wear lipsticks. Supposedly 'kiss-proof' I thought 'no way.' but these things are magical. Top off the matte, liquid colour with the waxy, balm-like top coat and not only does it turn your matte lip into a beautiful, creamy, smooth lipstick look, but it's legitimately budge-proof. I was kissing my other half, chugging water like a trooper - Nothing. At. All. It's witchcraft I'm telling you. But the kind of witchcraft that is absolutely welcome for the night out that you need your bold, bright lip to stay perfect.
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Whilst the last look was all pewter shine, this time I'm sticking to the most simple of looks using my Lolita palette - especially the opalescent shade to the right of centre, it really brightens and opens my eyes. One little trick I've enjoyed lately is 'topcoat' my eye look with a little swish of Radiant Light - it helps to mesh cooler tones in with my warm skintone. Just a flourish of Burberry mascara and my mink-y lashes completes the eyes - you could add a little of Charlotte Tilbury's Eye Cheat on the waterline as it's not too stark or brash.
For lips I have two options. I'm wholly tempted to call it a day with my Burberry gloss-balm as it's so low maintenance and I actually get pleasure from applying and reapplying it - the applicator is a wonderfully cooling, ceramic number. However, Rimmel have thrown me a spanner in the works by sending over a couple of their Provocalips 16 hr wear lipsticks. Supposedly 'kiss-proof' I thought 'no way.' but these things are magical. Top off the matte, liquid colour with the waxy, balm-like top coat and not only does it turn your matte lip into a beautiful, creamy, smooth lipstick look, but it's legitimately budge-proof. I was kissing my other half, chugging water like a trooper - Nothing. At. All. It's witchcraft I'm telling you. But the kind of witchcraft that is absolutely welcome for the night out that you need your bold, bright lip to stay perfect.
S H O P T H E M A K E U P
Blush Cutout Dress // Lace Up Block Heels
Onto the outfit. I love this structured, overlay dress with all of it's cutout detail. A little above the knee, in the gorgeous blush shade I can't get enough of lately, it looks like it ought to be a lot more expensive than it is! Paired with some tassle-tastic lace-up block heels and I'm ready for the night!
Onto the outfit. I love this structured, overlay dress with all of it's cutout detail. A little above the knee, in the gorgeous blush shade I can't get enough of lately, it looks like it ought to be a lot more expensive than it is! Paired with some tassle-tastic lace-up block heels and I'm ready for the night!
S H O P T H E L O O K
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GINGERBREAD NUTELLA HOT CHOCOLATE.
These little babies are damnably delicious. A sinful mix of chocolate, sugar, spices, and gooey Nutella, this is the drink I'm reaching for this festive period - I can't get enough of it's spicy, Yuletide kick. So let's forgo any thoughts of healthy eating and get sipping on this divine concoction!
There are a number of ways to go about making a hot chocolate but the all-in-one method that I adopt is so simple to whip up, here's what you'll need for two overflowing cups:
600ml milk
1.5 tsps ground ginger
1 tsp cinnamon
1/4 tsp nutmeg
3 tbsps cocoa
4 tsps sugar (I use light muscavado but whatever you have)
2 tbsps Nutella
Double cream, whipped
Marshmallows
Galaxy Ripples
The method for this couldn't be simpler. Warm up your milk in a saucepan, then add in the spices, cocoa and Nutella - I find a small whisk helps everything come together. Heat gently on the stove for around 10 minutes until the milk is hot and steaming but hasn't reached a boil. Pour into mugs/coffee glasses before topping with whipped cream, marshmallows and chopped/crumbled Ripple bars.
You can vary the amount of sugar/cocoa depending on your taste, I like my hot choccies strong, sweet and spicy. If you find the spices remain a little gritty in the finished choc, feel free to strain it through a muslin cloth, or infuse them in a stock syrup first. And if you like a richer, more bitter taste (my other half likes 90% chocolate), then replace the Nutella with a few squares of extra dark chocolate. You could even try adding rum or liqueurs to this, like a hot cocktail.
I actually have a steaming mug beside me as I type this now! So pour yourself one too and join me by the fire yes?
Whatever you're doing, have a wonderfully happy and healthy Christmas you gorgeous lot.
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BEST OF BEAUTY 2016 FAVOURITES
Today's post is the kind I love to read. From eyes to lips, drugstore to pricey, I'm sharing my tiptop makeup favourites of the past year - the tried and true, the long-term favourites, the products I've been reaching for again and again this year. So let's jump in!
Top base of the year is quite the accolade from me, as base is my thing. My numero uno of 2016 has to be my Etude House Real Powder cushion - it's not your average cushion, instead giving this beautiful, velvety finish that doesn't need powdering, lasts for hours on end, smoothes over your pores and looks impeccably natural yet polished on my skin.
I'm sure many of you share my love for the Marc Jacobs Air Blushes - they've been quite the hit this year for their soft, velvety deliciousness. Flesh and Fantasy is by far my favourite shade, the leftmost edge makes for a beautiful highlight, whilst the right edge is gorgeously mauve-come-blush toned and gives my cheek a beautifully rosy glow. Burberry's Nude Radiance is an absolute must. Within it's silky smooth formula, pearly pink pigments give your skin the most beautiful, glistening sheen - if it's a fine, ethereal opalescence you want then this one certainly won't disappoint, it just exudes quality. Really versatile, I love using this underneath or after makeup to make my skin look naturally radiant.
One palette that I've been using endlessly is the Hourglass Ambient palette. It's more compact than it's larger cousins, meaning it's come on more weekends away with me, and the larger pan size makes it so easy to work with. With a warm shade, a bright, 'highlight' shade and a neutral, versatile beige, this is a fab collection of stunning finishing powders to top off any makeup look.
My YSL Contour palette is a little slice of luxury. With handsome packaging, the contents are equally as refined - this is my go-to for a subtle, indiscernible cheek. Both the contour and highlight shades are beautifully delicate and natural - I'm in love!
I can't recite many the name of a palette where I equally adore the highlighting, blush and bronze/contour shades. Rimmel's Sculpting palette however is my exception. The powders are such great quality - smooth, creamy and flattering, and it's really surprised me how amazing this looks on my skin - I reach for it almost everyday. Tom Ford's Shimmer Shot turned out to be just as beautiful as I'd hoped and anticipated. A beautiful, oyster-champagne that's seemingly unique, this is another multi-use highlighting liquid that I'm reaching for time and again. And yes, both this and the Burberry Nude Radiance are fully justifiable!
Now I'm not saying that I've fallen out of love with my Laura Mercier translucent powder but Dior's loose powder just keeps finding it's way into my hands when I'm doing my makeup. I used it to set my Classic Holiday Makeup and mentioned there that it's the kind of magical powder that fills in your pores and smoothes out fine lines - not one that gets talked about a lot but I really love it. L'Oreal's Lumi concealer could fool me into believing it was a high end product. The gorgeous, rose gold packaging aside, this concealer is brightening, light in texture and gives life to my dark, dismal under eye area.
As you can imagine, it was so dreadfully difficult to choose a top eyeshadow of the year, so I've gone for the safe bet of Charlotte Tilbury Eyes To Mesmerise. Marie Antoinette is the most simple, one-and-done shade that's flattering for all, whatever the occasion. Should you want a minimal, no fuss manicure, then the Barry M Mani Mask is top of my list. It takes my nails from plain and unkempt to perfectly preened in a couple of coats and is appropriate for any situation.
Chanel's Deauville is arguably my most worn lippie. Uber low maintenance, and it's gorgeous, muted mauve/pink/brown tones are effortless whether you're out to a girly lunch, off for a spot of shopping or at a sultry, candlelight dinner. Rimmel's liner is another item of their range to surprise me. Inky black, pigmented and long-wearing, you can really save some dollars by choosing this over a high end alternative.
I've got to give a mention to the Aerin and Rosie For Autograph lipsticks. Both are that gorgeous, classic lipstick finish that remind me of an earlier era - creamy, smooth, not too glossy, not too matte, pigmented - just timeless. Give the dark, rich Poppy or rosy Lady Rose from RFA a whirl, you won't regret it! And speaking of Rosie For Autograph, the makeup launch has been one of the highlights of the beauty 2016 calendar so it's apt that we talk about her loose highlighter. And what a highlighter - pigmented but not too brash, the formula is so exquisite that I can sweep this on with abandon - a beautiful shade to flatter all.
When I've wanted something a little deeper and more sultry than my CT cream shadow but just as easy to throw on, I've been reaching for Kiko's Pearly Chocolate Cream Crush. A warm, chocolate-y brown with subtle shimmer, it's so flattering on all eye colours and the formula excels.
Of all the eye palettes, it's the Marc Jacobs Lolita that I've reached for the most. You'll have seen me feature this in my High End Beauty Worth The Splurge post and I'm bringing it to the fore again. With a mix of matte and shimmer neutrals, this has got to be one of the most perfect all-rounders in my eyes. Slimline and sleek, it's great to slip into your makeup or travel bag.
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THE END OF YEAR EDIT 2016
A new year is almost upon us again - it's bonkers how quickly time seems to pass, right?
Before we begin, I just want to say a huge thank you to you, for the love and support I've received over the past year. Barely There Beauty has grown, and me with it, and each comment, kind word or compliment really makes my day. It's madness to contemplate people actually reading my blog and enjoying my Instagram photos etc, I'm so thoroughly appreciative - my readers are the best!
Onto the post, I love reading yearly roundups so I'm sharing 12 of my very favourite and most popular posts with you today, one for each month, so grab a comfy chair and have a catch up with me - for the last time in 2016!
I had such a struggle with my photographs come the colder weather and lack of light (by all means skip back through my earlier posts if you want a laugh!), but I've really learnt so much about my camera, my setup and how to get the most out of the cloudy skies as possible, and taking brighter photos in general. I also had so many of you request some photography tips (which honestly is such huge flattery!) so I've compiled my top 11 tips and secrets in the above post, hope you find something in there helpful!
Although I wrote this post back in September, I still reach for the featured lippies on the regular, they've become quite the favourites and I absolutely love both the lipsticks shades and the plummy gorgeousness I picked for the props etc. Must also say a huge thank you as well to the bunch of you that commented - it's one of my 'most commented' posts!
I love reading WIMMB posts, and I loved writing and taking the photos for this one. It also features one of the single best deluxe-dupes of the year - that eyeshadow palette!
Acne and scarring is a fairly new thing for me (thank you hormonal 20's..). This is a topic I get so many questions about and I found it really rewarding to pop all my tips together into one post and get so much lovely feedback about it! I don't do them too often but I love large skincare posts like this - I get a lot of requests for them so I think I'll be writing up another big one in the new year.
Another really popular one was this selection of some of my favourite fall eyeshadows - in the beautiful burgundy, plum, rose gold and chocolate shades that I absolutely adore. The photos in this post are a prime example of all of my tips from my brighter blog photos post coming together too.
I loved setting up the photos for this post (I think this is becoming a theme for this post). I love looking back at favourites posts like these to remind me of any products that I might have since forgotten to use - namely that beautiful L'Oreal powder this time!
I completely loved how this makeup turned out. The gorgeously classic pin up eyes and lips are timeless, and I'm really enjoying that a lot of the keystones of this look are from the drugstore - that red lippie in particular is ridiculously good for it's minimal price tag.
Finding dupes for products is so exciting - who else is with me?! Korean skincare is a great area to find dupes, that are just as good, if not better than their more expensive counterparts, and I've found 14 amazing ones to share with you this year.
I feel so accustomed with this brand now that it seems like madness this was only launched earlier this year. The packaging I think is stunning and every product I've tried has impressed me - in particular their beautiful lipsticks and powder highlighter. Oh and of course the gorgeous eye and face palette, a real winner. Really if you haven't tried this brand then absolutely put it to the top of your list.
Just because a product is expensive, really doesn't mean that it's worth it's sky high price point. However, I do have a selection of items that are absolutely worth every penny to me and I share a bunch of them with you in this post. The MJ palettes in particular I think are great value - around £40 for 7 gorgeous shades, in exquisite formulas whether they're matte or shimmer.
Another WIMMB, this one I still find useful to refer back to when I'm away for the weekend or a few days.
I hope you all have a wonderful NYE my lovelies, and wish you all the best for 2017 - let's make it an amazing one.
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7 WAYS TO START YOUR YEAR OFF ON THE RIGHT FOOT.
2017 is upon us and we're about to embark on another bright, new year, and what better a time to give your life a quick assessment and implement a few lifestyle changes. Today I'm sharing several ideas to make sure you start your year off on the right foot. Hopefully you'll find something that resonates with you - let's jump in!
P U T Y O U R S E L F F I R S T
'Be with someone that makes you happy'
I'm a firm believer that you can achieve almost anything, and be the best you can for your own life and for others in it, with a little confidence, self love and a lot of motivation and dedication. For me, the root of accomplishing all of that starts at home, with yourself. It's perfectly OK to not be a people pleaser, in favour of putting yourself first a little, and if you're like me and haven't got that down yet, the new year is the perfect time to start putting some changes into practice, like trying to say no more to things you feel obliged to do but don't actually benefit you.
T H I N K A B O U T W H A T Y O U R E A L L Y W A N T
'The time will pass anyway so make the most of each and every day'
Have a really thorough think about what it is you want out of the next year - whether that's to lose weight, excel in your career, to grow your blog or to experience more, give yourself a small selection of smaller goals and one or two large ones to focus your energies on for 2017. Rather than making new year's resolutions, try to think about what lifestyle tweaks you can make to get you one step closer each time - everything you do helps or hinders your journey to achieving what you want.
E X E R C I S E I N T H E A M
I am going to really struggle taking heed to my own advice here! But every time I've managed to exercise a little in the mornings, even if it's only 10-15 minutes, it's always set me up to feeling motivated and proactive for longer than usual - not to mention it makes me want to eat healthier too, which is no bad side effect!
D E C L U T T E R Y O U R S P A C E
'A tidy space for a tidy mind'
I think all of us dream of a vast expanse of clear desk space when we knuckle down to get some work done, I know I certainly do - even if that ideal doesn't always arrive at fruition. I think tossing away that hoarder mentality of 'well I might need this later...' could really do us a favour, in starting the new year off with a big clear out. Minimalism FTW!
W R I T E T H R E E L E T T E R S
I can't remember where I saw a similar idea to this but I think it's a really nice one - and that's writing letters to three people in your life, letting them know how much they mean to you. In the spirit of 'digital detox', I think receiving a handwritten letter is a really beautiful, poignant and underrated thing, and both improves yours and their well being. You could refrain from sending them altogether if it's something you just want to do for yourself - you'll still remind yourself of the profound effects they have by being in your corner.
R E - E S T A B L I S H Y O U R C O N N E C T I O N S
Much like the prior point, take the new year as an opportunity to get back in contact with friends and acquaintances that you've inevitably lost touch with. I don't know about you but I'm abysmal at maintaining regular and frequent correspondence with friends - it's a real wonder why they put up with me at all! Busy times and stress can make the period you've not spoken snowball until before you know it it's been several weeks since your last message and you haven't met up in months! Send a quick text to all in your phonebook just catching up - you'll both feel better for it.
A C C E P T T H A T Y O U W O N ' T P L E A S E E V E R Y O N E
There is far too much diversity in people for you to ever hope to be liked and accepted by everyone - fact. That's something that I've personally struggled with, which has ended up in me stifling my own wants and progress to become a people pleaser - utterly boring and detrimental in equal measure don't you think? I appreciate how far from simple it might appear (I'm not quite there yet so I fully understand!) but the sooner you can accept the above, the sooner you start caring less about everyone else, freeing up that energy to better your own life for yourself and those around you. And that's quite the worthwhile new year's resolution if I ever heard one!
Most importantly, smile more, laugh more, indulge if you want to, worry less, and enjoy yourself as much as you can.
I hope you all had a wondrous NY and may all your new year wishes come true.
xx
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7 WAYS TO ENHANCE YOUR NATURAL BEAUTY.
Whilst I love experimenting with makeup, playing with colour and trying out a new or different style, this blog's very namesake is the style of makeup I love most. Today I'm sharing 7 ways to enhance your own natural beauty and embrace being a better version of yourself, including some of my own personal top tips that help me do just that. So if you're interested in a natural, fresh-faced look, keep on reading!
C O M P L I M E N T R A T H E R T H A N C O N T R A S T
Enhance what you have by choosing colours close to your natural hues. Take mental note of the colour your cheeks turn after a brisk walk and find a similar tone in your blush. I find rosy pinks in general that give a soft sheen are pretty universally flattering - I particularly love the Marc Jacobs Air Blush in Flesh & Fantasy as it's so soft and blendable on the skin. Liquid blushes like Daniel Sandler's Watercolour blush, or cream formulas generally look incredibly natural too - my favourites are the Chanel Healthy Glow blush stick in 02 and Stila's Convertible Colour in Peony.
T R E A T Y O U R H A I R
Just a fresh trim can add such life to your locks, which in turn lifts your whole aesthetic. I like to go for a fairly blunt cut so that my ends look nice and weighty (or as much is possible for fine hair like mine!). For my hair, no amount of conditioning is too much, so I like to apply hair masks and treatments as often as possible. I've used the Macadamia Deep Repair Masque for years and it remains a firm favourite - even if only for the smell! A divine, sweet, fruity scent and it's slightly oily texture makes my hair feel delicious and soft. I can't wait to get my hands on the Edward Bess Hair Hero too - it's supposed to make your hair smooth, strong and glossy, and if it helps me get anywhere close to his locks then I'm in.
E A T V I T A M I N - R I C H F O O D S
We all know that beauty starts from within so I won't linger too long. Eat lots of colourful fruit and veg, leafy greens, healthy fats, drink lots of water and don't go cutting out major food groups - a balanced, nutrient-dense diet is failsafe. I do love a good dessert though, and my Healthy Raspberry & Rose Cupcakes are a great way to satisfy your sweet tooth whilst getting your fibre and healthy fats - so tasty.
A S E A M L E S S B A S E
I think base is my favourite part of makeup and I think I've become pretty good at getting things looking light, natural and seamless through all the practice! In my mind, achieving this is down to both product and application in equal parts. My favourite foundations are the Hera UV Mist (I love this one), the Etude House Real Powder cushion, Charlotte Tilbury Magic Foundation, and my new love, the Hourglass Vanish stick foundation - I think a velvet finish looks most skin-like and undetectable. I only apply foundation sparingly where I need it - across the tops of my cheeks, my chin and a little between my brows and nose just to even out redness - and blend thoroughly with an airpuff, it's absolutely the best way to apply for me.
My top tip for natural skin is to apply just enough foundation so that you'd be happy to go out if you were to stop there - if my face looks flat, mask-like, or it looks like I desperately need blush, lip or eye makeup to bring the look together then I've gone too far.
My top tip for natural skin is to apply just enough foundation so that you'd be happy to go out if you were to stop there - if my face looks flat, mask-like, or it looks like I desperately need blush, lip or eye makeup to bring the look together then I've gone too far.
L O W K E Y M A K E U P
Yes less is more but enhancing natural beauty doesn't mean no makeup altogether. Rather than do liner, try tightlining your upper waterline with a dark gel liner - my hands down favourite is the Barry M Bold Waterproof liner - it's smudge and waterproof and deep inky black. I like to take a little more on a flat brush and wiggle it into my lashline, just to add the definition I want and make my lashes look a bit thicker - they need all the help they can get!
For lips, I love a soft Bobbi Brown neutral like Italian Rose, but have grativated to oils lately - they feel so great on the lips too. Something like the YSL Volupte Tint In Oil or Clarins Lip Comfort Oil are perfect picks. Rather than sitting on the lips, they sink in for that pillow-lip plumpness I love.
For lips, I love a soft Bobbi Brown neutral like Italian Rose, but have grativated to oils lately - they feel so great on the lips too. Something like the YSL Volupte Tint In Oil or Clarins Lip Comfort Oil are perfect picks. Rather than sitting on the lips, they sink in for that pillow-lip plumpness I love.
T R Y C R E A M Y T E X T U R E S
I just cannot resist a subtle cream highlight. Something with super fine shimmer and a voluminous texture that picks up the light when you turn your head - divine. Kevyn Aucoin's Candlelight cream has been a long time favourite, it's definitely one of the best. Two newer additions, that have quickly become firm favourites for me, are the Burberry Nude Radiance and Rosie For Autograph's cream highlight, which features in her gorgeous palette - reviewed here.
A top trick that I love to do is to apply some of the REN Beauty Shot along my cheekbones instead of highlighter - it's plump and slightly glossy and is the most beautiful, natural highlight ever.
A top trick that I love to do is to apply some of the REN Beauty Shot along my cheekbones instead of highlighter - it's plump and slightly glossy and is the most beautiful, natural highlight ever.
D O O N E T H I N G F O R Y O U R S E L F E V E R Y D A Y
Inner confidence and happiness shows on the outside, fact, so feeding your ego with positive affirmations can do wonders. Treat yourself to little pleasures every single day - cook yourself a nutritious and tasty breakfast, or read some inspiring quotes, run a bath, write down something that made you happy, do something crafty, give yourself a manicure, or bake yourself a cake and splurge on frivolous cake decorations. Whatever it is, make sure to treat your soul everyday with something little, and you'll soon see and feel the benefits.
S H O P T H E P O S T
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BEST OF BURBERRY BEAUTY.
Burberry is swiftly becoming one of my all time favourite beauty brands. The quite often premium prices are largely justified by the exquisite formulas, housed in equally exquisite packaging - a lot of the time complete with little luxurious touches. I've acquired quite a few of their products during 2016, so today I'm sharing my favourite pieces from my collection - calling all beauty lovers for this one!
Cat Lashes Mascara - (here for US)
If you've been a long time reader here, you'll know my 'the struggle is real' situation with mascaras, and how, whilst I've tried countless, it's only the Chanel Inimitable Waterproof that's made the cut - for seven odd years. Without exaggeration, no other mascara holds a curl on my stubborn Asian lashes and lasts all day without flaking or smudging - until this sweet, precious little gift from Burberry entered my life. Every element of this mascara is something to shout about, from the gorgeous, signature Burberry packaging to the beautiful, hourglass shaped brush that fans out every last lash, to the formula that really performs. I really can't say enough about this mascara, you absolutely must give it a try!
Fresh Glow Fluid in 01 Nude Radiance - (here for US)
I like these kinds of posts where I get to gush profusely about products, although it's hard not to keep repeating the same superlatives! The Nude Radiance fluid is the most gorgeous, versatile fluid that can be used alone, as a primer, as a highlighter or mixed into foundation. It's texture is so smooth and silky, and the particles of shimmer so small and ethereal, it looks incredibly beautiful on the skin and you can wear it all over without looking shimmery. A really good alternative to the By Terry Impearlious Elixir De Perle. There's also a warmer, darker shade, Golden Radiance, for those with a darker skin tone.
Light Glow Blush - (here for US)
I can't think of a single thing not to love about the Burberry blushes. The packaging is beautifully weighty, with sleek lines and a magnetic closure - really simple and luxurious. Embossed with the classic Burberry tartan, the blushes may seem powdery and dry but apply beautifully to the skin, blending seamlessly whilst offering buildable pigment. Cameo and Earthy (see me wearing the latter on my Insta) are my two favourite shades, the former a mauve-toned, rosy pink, the latter a soft, taupe-pink that looks impeccable used almost like a contour powder.
Fresh Glow BB - (here for US)
This is a great one to have in the arsenal when your skin is feeling distinctly dull and lacklustre. Giving all the youth, glow and healthiness you could want, it's probably the most radiant tinted moisturiser style base I own, and without any sign of shimmer. On a good skin day, I like to wear this alone, but it's equally suited to wear as a primer underneath another foundation. Shade 02 Medium, the middle of three shades, is a great match for an NC ~20 skin.
S H O P T H E P O S T
Sheer Powder - (here for US)
I love love love my Dior loose powder, and I've quite perfected my application methods with it for a flawless finish, but loose powders aren't the most travel-friendly of items to be throwing into your handbag. Burberry's Sheer Luminous pressed powder is creamy, soft and silky smooth, and perfect for touch ups. I like to use a velour puff to press it on just where I need it, before spraying over a little of my Real Radiance mist to mesh everything together - and good as new.
First Kiss Balm - (here for US)
Whilst I know you can pick up countless tinted balms, at all price points, there are several reasons to add this one to your collection. A neat little tube means perfect for travel, the ceramic tip applicator feels so lovely and cooling on the lips and the formula is light, hydrating and delicately tinted - somewhere in between a balm and a gloss, they're actually very moisturising. All five shades are perfectly pretty, although Soft Peach (which applies near clear) is my favourite - my go to lip product for everyday.
Cashmere Foundation - (here for US)
I really haven't heard too many people talk about this foundation. Supposedly more matte than their more popular Fresh Glow foundation, the Cashmere is designed for everyday wear with it's long wear, apparently waterproof formula and SPF 20. Although Burberry claim it's light-as-air feel, I was pretty dubious prior to trying it, that a matte, long wear formula could really be as light as I wanted. But it really comes through on it's promise. The foundation is a lot more fluid and slippery than I was expecting, making blending a doddle, and I'm genuinely surprised at how well this stuff lasts. On my normal-combo skin, I don't need to powder at all and it'll last me the entire day without breaking up or moving around on my face. My only qualm is the shade range - not every step up/down in shade has a cool/warm undertone so finding the perfect shade for my personal skin tone was a bit tricky. If you're lucky enough to find a spot on colour match though, you're really quids in.
You may have noticed that I've left out some cult favourites (Pale Barley and the English Rose lippie for example) - purely because I've only played with samples, and I tend to personally favour face products a little better, but the eye and lip items are big favourites with other beauty lovers and for good reason - I may well post a v2.0 of this post at a later date including some!
Have you tried Burberry Beauty? Let me know your favourites down in the comments!
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HOW & WHY TO START A DIGITAL DETOX
I've been thinking about my reliance on electronic devices for a while now. I read somewhere that the average person checks their phone 200 times a day, or every 6 and a half minutes, which when you see it written down like that, is completely ludicrous - I actually bet that my aimless phone browsing is contributing to how unproductive I can be! So combined with that, my talk about self-improvement in my 7 Ways To Start Your Year Right post, and in the spirit of wellness and wellbeing for 2017, I've been thinking about how to divert wasted time away from my phone/iPad/etc to things considerably more meaningful and positive - not to mention how many fewer headaches I'd suffer from.. so keep reading for my thoughts and tips on how to start and maintain a digital detox.
M A K E L I S T S
As with all troubleshooting in my opinion, I think you've got to firstly assess how bad your situation really is! Make a list of the gadgets you own and use, to see how dependent you are on technology, and then make another list of hobbies, activities and people you'd like to attribute more time to. Having things down on paper really helps me to visual how I could be better spending my time.
T H I N K A B O U T W H A T Y O U C A N G I V E U P C O M P L E T E L Y
If there's anything in the list that jumps out at you for being a complete waste of time, that's an easy one to cull. For me for example, whilst I still have an account for 'emergency purposes', I stopped using Facebook a few years ago and have found that that was an excellent decision - I dislike the platform/their ethos greatly anyway and the temptation to just 'FB message' people rather than meeting up or giving them a ring was enough to turn me off it completely.
G I V E Y O U R S E L F A D A I L Y A L L O W A N C E
Rather than using your devices completely freely during the day, try giving yourself set and distinct periods - eg whilst you're exercising, 30 minutes during lunch, or an hour in the evenings to keep up with your blog. Even at weekends, on a 'blogging day', I'm finding it easier to allow myself say 2 hours for taking photographs, and then 3 hours to write up a post or two. I've found that concentrating on just one thing at a time rather than multitasking with my phone throughout the day means I'm more productive too.
M A K E R U L E S F O R Y O U R S E L F
If you're trying to achieve a general decrease in electronic device dependency, try incorporating little rules for yourself to abide by day to day. Whether it's checking your emails no more than every 3 hours, only having one tab open on your browser at a time, or going for a walk every lunch time to escape the screens, habits form after around 3 weeks, and these will slowly become completely routine for you. My new one is going to be no screens once I've gone to bed - because lying around with the iPad before I sleep is really not helping!
O U T O F S I G H T , O U T O F M I N D
This is so obvious I feel like I'm cheating you slightly by giving it as a tip! But if your phone (substitute with any of your devices) isn't there, you won't use it. So don't make life hard for yourself by having it within range (or at least put it on Airplane Mode) when you're 'not supposed to be using it' (eg during quality time snuggling with your loved one, a meeting, a family get-together). You could try creating a 'gadgets holder/corner' where all your gadgets can sit safely out of the way. Also it's amazingly freeing to go for a walk in the country or pop down to the shops without it, that's something I love doing.
B O O K A G A D G E T - F R E E W E E K E N D A W A Y
If it's something more than small lifestyle changes you're looking to make for your everyday life, then you should definitely consider taking a break from technology altogether - in the delicious form of having a relaxing weekend away, free of social media and emails! I'm allowing cameras because I'm generally snap-happy, but for goodness sake leave your laptops at home and don't even think about writing up blog posts whilst you're away! Pick somewhere beautiful, perhaps a country manor, with in house spa and woodland copses and sandy beaches a short drive away. And of course take a special someone with you to share the quality time.
D O N ' T G E T S U C K E D I N T O S O C I A L M E D I A
Don't get me wrong - social media can be great, and I'm so grateful to have met some wonderful people via it (Instagram is a particular favourite!) but social media, I feel, is a bit of a potential life-trap and can have more negative effects that positive ones if you're not careful. It's all too easy to start feeling down comparing yourself to everyone else's 'perfect Instagram lives' (which is most likely, a curated, heavily edited snippet of their life), and it's the easiest way in the world to waste hours of time, just scrolling through Twitter or Insta feeds, with nothing to show at the end of it. Don't worry about feeling like you need to fit in by utilising social media every hour of the day. I see bloggers that seem to be online 24/7, commenting on every last post, and whilst I admire their dedication, I can't help but think their 'offline life' must just be a bit empty - because I don't think you can sustain both in that way - I certainly can't! Whilst social media is both fun and useful, just don't let the number of followers you've lost or what your stats are take your focus away from what's really important in life.
B A B Y S T E P S
It's unquestionable that technology has become embedded into our everyday lives - so much so that we barely even notice how much we use it. My point being - don't fret about struggling with your digital detox! And don't try and take on too much at once - try to focus on making small, sustainable lifestyle changes rather than worrying about being a perfectionist about it all. Every little step you take helps, and you'll soon start reaping the benefits - feeling less frazzled from staring at screens all day, spending more time with your significant other (mine's already thankful for my changes!), having more time to do the things you want to, it's all uphill from here!
Let me know if you're looking to lessen your tech-addictions this year and any tips you'll be following - we can do it guys!
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PESTLE & MORTAR SUPERSTAR RETINOL OIL.
Whilst I'm well aware that I am more than fashionably late to this party, I've had a bunch of requests to review the Superstar Retinol Oil from Pestle & Mortar - and I actually thought it'd be useful to compare it to Sunday Riley's Luna - of which I am a long-time lover. So if you're interested in hearing my thoughts on the latest retinol oil on the block, keep on reading!
As customary now on BTB, let's give a quick nod to the packaging first - I mean, there's very little to say because it's so minimalist and inoffensive, you're bound to like it. Tough, matte, black plastic bottle with a pump dispenser, it's nice and thin and travel friendly. The oil inside is neither particularly thick nor fluid, and is distinctly yellow in colour - in fact it looks just like rapeseed oil, although I sincerely hope it performs better than rapeseed!
Ingredients
Vitis Vinifera (Grape) Seed Oil*, Simmondsia Chinensis (Jojoba) Seed Oil*, Persea Gratissima (Avocado) Oil*, Rosa Canina (Fruit) Oil*, Punica Granatum (Pomegranate) Seed Oil**, Ribes Nigrum (Black Currant) Oil*, Hydroxypinacolone Retinoate, Retinyl Palmitate, Daucus Carota Sativa (Carrot) Seed Oil***, Nigella Sativa (Black Cumin) Seed Oil**, Calophyllum Inophyllum (Tamanu/Foraha) Seed Oil**, Vaccinium Macrocarpon (Cranberry) Seed Oil*, Dimethyl Isosorbide, Tocopherol, Calendula Officinalis Flower Oil**, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Oil**.
*Cold Pressed | **Cold Pressed and Organic| ***Steam distilled
Taking a look through the ingredients is quite a reassuring experience - lots of 'cold pressed' and 'organic' and 'steam distilled' ensures you're getting good quality oils, high in vitamins, omegas and fatty acids etc. A personal joy is to see the inclusion of black cumin oil - I've been using haircare products containing this and boy is it working on my locks (upcoming post due soon!). It's got quite the distinctive scent, which you can definitely smell in the product.
The star of the show here is Hydroxypinacolone Retinoate (along with Dimethyl Isosorbide to enhance it's penetration), a retinyl ester that works in the same (albeit weaker) way as retinols, without actually having to be converted to a retinol (I think things get a little confusing here because many, myself included, interchange 'retinol' with 'retinoid' and 'retinyl' and 'retinyl ester' etc - both Superstar and Luna for example print 'Retinol' on their bottle). Hydroxypinacolone Retinoate is touted to cause less irritation than retinols or Retin-A so has been marketed to be suitable for 'retinol beginners'. It's also the same stuff in Luna, which we'll move onto later. Retinols are just about the only ingredient with proven anti-aging benefits (reversing fine lines, boosting collagen production, increasing cell turnover etc) but their efficacy is all dependent on the type, percentage and stability. The pump and opaque bottle with the Superstar oil is a good start, protecting your product from light and air degredation.
On the skin it feels as any other oil would, in all honesty. Thanks to a base high in jojoba oil, it sinks in pretty readily and is nice and lightweight, although definitely leaves that glistening sheen on the skin, moreso on my face than on my hand. The black cumin/avocado oil scent isn't particularly pleasant but it's faint and dissipates completely after around 10 minutes. This is designed to wear at night (hopefully implying that the concentration of hydroxypinacolone retinoate is high enough to actually do something), and like most new products, I've been testing it out both alone and with other products to see how it fares.
One pump is more than enough (perhaps too much) for my face, and even after massaging it in, it does feel a little oily - perhaps a problem if getting any oil onto your sheets and pillows is also a pet peeve. However, come morning, my face felt soft, plump and hydrated, even after wearing this alone, which is an excellent sign. I'm relatively new to the retinols game but this caused no hint of irritation or peeling, and I actually think it helped to calm some of my active blemishes (which is incidentally a side effect I also noticed with Luna). I think this would be suitable for all skin types, whether you're dry or oily too. All in all, I think with the proviso that hydroxypinacolone retinoate is actually effective (and I'll update when I've used Superstar for longer), I'm going to give this product a huge thumbs up - I think the emphasis on minimalism and quality really makes it stand out.
Luna ingredients
Persea Gratissima (Extra Virgin, Cold Pressed Avocado) Oil, Vitis Vinifera (Organic, Cold Pressed Concord Grape) Seed Oil, Rubus Fruticosus (Cold Pressed Blackberry) Seed Oil, Salvia Hispanica (Cold Pressed Chia) Oil, Dimethyl Isosorbide (And) Hydroxypinacolone Retinoate, Chamomila Recutita (Matricaria) Flower Oil, Tanacetum Annuum (Blue Tansy) Oil, Anthemis Nobilis (English Chamomile) Oil, Eriocephalus Punctualatus (Cape Chamomile) Oil, Citrus Aurantium Amara (Neroli) Oil, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis (Blood Orange) Oil, Cananga Odorata Flower (Ylang Ylang) Oil, Vetivera Zizanoides (Vetiver) Oil, Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Oil (And) Rosmarinus Officinalis (Rosemary) Leaf Extract, CI 61565 (Green 6), CI 60725 (Violet 2).
You only need to eyeball both sets of ingredients to see these products are bound to be very similar. Avocado, grape, blackberry oils, lots of 'organic' and 'cold pressed', the same retinyl ester and penetration enhancer etc. Luna comes in a glass bottle with pipette and the oil is bright blue, blending out to clear - something I actually like as it shows me where I've applied and massaged the product in properly. I actually prefer the action of the pipette, as one pump of Superstar is too much for me, and a few drops of Luna is perfect, however, in the spirit of preserving the efficacy of the ingredients, I supposed I'll sacrifice the pipette and opt for the pump as the better option.
On the skin, I'd argue that Luna sinks in that little bit better on my face, and Superstar leaves me feeling that little bit more hydrated come the morning but the differences are really negligible. What I think is less negligible is the price difference - Luna is £85 for 30ml, £22 more than Superstar for the same volume. I've being using Luna interchangeably with my other skincare for around a year now and I really like it's results (again, no hint of irritation on my reasonably sensitive skin) - whether or not Superstar performs in the same way, we'll have to see, but frankly, I'm hopeful that it's going to turn out to be a star product!
Pick it up here: Pestle & Mortar Superstar Retinol Oil £63
Have you tried either of these retinol night oils? (I'm actually now wondering if a base of oils works better than a base of serum for example?) Do let me know your thoughts below!
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MORNING ROUTINE FOR A BETTER DAY.
I like routines. And mornings are the perfect time to create a short ritual that can determine how the rest of your day goes and improve your life. I'm loving the spout of wellness posts I've been sharing recently, so here are some things I've been trying my utmost to stick to this year - I'm already seeing positive effects!
W A K E U P E A R L I E R
I hate rushing in the morning. I love/need to have a relaxed, leisurely morning otherwise I push myself into being in a bad mood for later on. Waking up a little earlier to lay in bed and acclimatise just works so well for me - I feel so much less groggy after getting up.
D R I N K Y O U R L E M O N W A T E R
Even after having seen this tip on every second Pinterest page, I've always been dubious about exactly how good for you drinking water with bits of lemon in it can be. Turns out very good, and something I now aim to do every morning - I try and drink a glass around 20 minutes after waking up. I've found it definitely makes me feeling less bloated for most of the day and actually seems to give me more energy.
E X E R T Y O U R S E L F
I'm into the sun salutation it's official. Just a quick stretch out and a little exertion honestly makes me feel exponentially better than days I don't manage to squeeze a little exercise in. Even just 10 minutes gets me feeling more motivated for the day - which to me sounds like a really good exchange.
R U N Y O U R S H O W E R H O T T O C O L D
If you can manage it, switching your water from hot to cold and back at the end of your shower really wakes you up and gets you feeling super invigorated - really, it works wonders if you're feeling sluggish and lacklustre. In conjunction, I love to use my Revive shower oil, which has a deliciously energizing herbally-grapefruit scent - perfect for supercharging my morning on a cold, January day.
E A T A N U T R I T I O N A L B R E A K F A S T
Everything you've heard about breakfast being the most important meal of the day is true, so after my lemon water, stretch and shower, I'll pop downstairs to make myself a nutritional breakfast. Eating something full of nutrients, protein and with enough calories, for my first meal gives me so much energy for the day - although I also place a lot of importance on my enjoyment of breakfast. I think if you're fond of these 'trendy', uber healthy, low carb, Pinterest-worthy breakfasts, then all hail to you, but they personally make me a bit miserable. At the moment I'm loving a Korean snack-street foodstuff of vegetably omelette on toast - so delicious!
G I V E Y O U R S E L F A M I N I F A C I A L
I love to turn my morning skincare regime into a mini pamper session, just as an opportunity to add a little free luxury and happiness into my everyday life. As first mentioned in my Korean Skincare Acne Tips post, I only wash my face with water in the mornings, after which I'll follow up with some kind of spray toner. Whilst my skincare changes all the time, I'm completely loving (and using daily) my second bottle of the Real Radiance Mist which is one of the best facial mists I've tried. After letting that sink in, I've been following things up with firstly my Yuripibu serum (review here), then my Honey Flower Essence Oil (literally brilliant), finishing with my Purlisse SPF (review here). I feel like the sum of these four products is greater than their already excellent parts - my skin feels super plump and hydrated even in this horrible weather, and without using oils in the daytime.
P O S I T I V E A F F I R M A T I O N S
To get myself in the right mindset for the day, I like to finish off my morning routine with a couple of little mindfulness practises, firstly by saying or writing down some positive affirmations. Something like just telling yourself you're going to make some positive changes today, that it's going to be a good day, that you're going to be productive and not procrastinate, that you're going to be motivated, or being aware of things you're grateful for helps to harbour a little positivity to start the day.
C H E C K Y O U R G O A L S
I mentioned creating short and longer term goals in my 7 Ways To Start 2017 Off Right post so the last step of my morning routine is to remind myself of these goals, and also my to-do list, to help focus my mind on what I aim to achieve today. Just a quick daily reassessment does the wonder of good!
What are your morning essentials?
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FRESH FACED IN FIVE MINUTES.
Every girl needs a 5-minute look in their arsenal when time is 'of the essence' (read - you drastically overslept and the chap is coming to get you asap!). This has been my go-to selection of products I instinctively reach for when I need to look polished, preened and put together, and it looks like I've spent a lot longer on my makeup than a mere 5 minutes.
When I'm really strapped for time, and there's no time for my proper morning skin routine, I reach for my tried and true, multitasking skincare bits to prime, hydrate and perfect in just the couple of steps. I only really realised how hydrating my Yuripibu serum (review here) is when I stopped using it, so that's my no-brainer first step. No matter how rushed I am, I refuse to skip my SPF if I'm going out. I love both my Purlisse Daily Moisturiser (SPF 30 and review here) and my Verso Day Cream (SPF 15) for their wonderfully smooth, voluminous texture that plumps up my skin and leaves it radiant and healthy looking.
Burberry's Nude Radiance has been a key element to the 'fresh faced' part of my makeup. I talked about it in my Best Of Burberry Beauty post here but it's the silky texture and teeny tiny shimmer particles in this that make it so special. I'll apply a little bit underneath foundation, quite broadly, on areas I want highlighted and it imparts a beautiful sheen that's imperceptible once I've got the rest of my makeup on - it just makes my skin look super healthy and radiant, I urge you to try it if you haven't already.
You can't beat a cushion foundation for speed and I'm spoilt for choice, but it's my Troipeel H+ cushion (review here) that's featuring front and centre for me lately. It's really quite pigmented so I just apply in areas that I need it. This stuff is such a saviour when I'm in a hurry as it applies and blends beautifully, and whilst it's not fully matte, I don't need to powder it.
The Radiance Reveal concealer from Bourjois makes all the difference to quickly highlight and spot conceal. I just swoop a teeny bit onto the darkest part of my undereye circles and it's forgiving enough to blend out seamlessly with either fingers or the airpuff from my foundation.
Chanel's Joues Contraste's are some of my favourite blushes, especially for a speedy makeup (and I think they've become forgotten amidst some of the newer launches) - they're generally delicately pigmented so you really can't go wrong. I swirl my brush liberally (into Alezane this time, which I adore - massively undderated) and it doesn't seem to matter how I apply it, it ends up looking flawlessly blended and natural.
For highlighter I've three options and it's really whatever I notice first that makes the cut - they're all beautiful. I've had a bit of a hiatus from Stila's Kitten highlighting duo (having just completely forgotten I owned the thing) but now that we're reunited, I'm back in love. I just use the same brush as above (currently the Nars Yachiyo) to swirl both colours together and blend just onto my cheekbones as Burberry's Nude Radiance takes care of the rest of my face - teamwork! My two newer foolproof favourites are the New Look Baked highlighter that's really as smooth and even and gorgeous as the Laura Mercier Matte Radiance, and H&M's Glow To Go cream highlighting stick - which I think is exceptional for the price. Both are nude-y pinks that give the softest sheen, blend effortlessly and look amazing on the skin.
No time for eye makeup! So it's just a quick obligatory curl with my No7 lash curler, which I find is shaped really well, and a few licks of Burberry's Cat Lashes mascara. I mentioned this in my Best Of Burberry post and I'm completely enamoured with it.
Even though I'm sacrificing eyeshadow to get my skin looking really healthy and put together in the little time I have, I feel a little brow work is neccessary (especially as I have a scar in mine that really needs filling in). I always find that brows are really easy to overdo, especially if you're heavy handed with a dark or pigmented product, which is why I'm plumping for MAC's Omega shadow (you can see how well loved mine is) - the perfect cool-toned taupe that I can quickly brush through my brows in a jiffy. I've also been loving Tony Moly's Silky Touch Brow - very affordable, great shades and give a fab result.
My final touch, that I'll apply as I'm stepping out of the door (or frankly. in the car), is my Burberry First Kiss. Although marketed as more of a balm-gloss, this is in fact really hydrating, moisturising, comfortable to wear and not in the slightest sticky. Soft Peach goes on pretty clear but there are four other shades available should something a little more tinted be your fancy.
And that's it. It seems like a lot of steps when written down (!) but that's likely due to my waffle-y tone - this actually takes me just the 5 minutes because of the effortless nature of the products I've chosen!
SHOP THE POST
What are your five minute face essentials?
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7 WAYS TO BEAT YOUR WINTER WOES.
Not everyone enjoys January. Whether you're feeling bloated from Christmas festivities, depressed at your depleted bank balance, feeling like you're already failing at your new year resolutions, or dreading those early morning starts for work, January can leave you feeling not quite as motivated as you'd hoped. Combine that with the lack of light and cold weather and it's no wonder it can all have anything from a mild to severe effect on our mood. If I'm not careful, I can fall foul of S.A.D or the winter blues, and if the change in seasons has left you feeling down in the dumps too, my tips could soon help you on your way to feeling a little brighter.
W A L K I N Y O U R L U N C H B R E A K
As a lack of light is a large part of feeling down in winter, I think it's important to get outside as much as I can during the day. Whilst it may seem bright enough in the office or your white-walled home, in fact it's many times weaker than a decent Winter's morning - meaning you're seriously missing out on the exposure that could lift your mood. Also it's a great chance to incorporate some tips from my Digital Detox post by escaping the screens and leaving my phone in my back pocket!
S U R R O U N D Y O U R S E L F W I T H P L A N T S A N D F L O W E R S
When winter rolls around, one of the everyday things I miss most is the lush greenery of summer. Aside from making your space look fresher and cleaner, bringing in some evergreen plants can purify the air, helping with asthma and headaches. Succulents and ferns are really easy to look after, and things like peace lilies thrive in low light conditions. Failing that, pick up some fresh cut flowers to add colour and brighten your mood - it's such an inexpensive way to deck out your home with joy.
K E E P C O S Y
Another cause of the winter blues is the drop in temperature - especially that kind of chill that gets into your bones. Stave off the misery by wearing warm clothing (slippers and cosy socks a must - I love my cosy little sheepyskins) and always having warm drinks on hand - I've been gorging on my Gingerbread Hot Chocolate recipe, it's amazing. And a blanket is obligatory too, I love this super fluffy blush blanket - although this Mermaid Tail blankie seems far more exciting don't you think?!
E A T M O O D B O O S T I N G F O O D S
There's a reason we crave chocolate - the good quality stuff contains pretty high levels of tryptophan, an amino acid involved in the manufacture of serotonin - the 'happy hormone'. Dark chocolate is your best bet, although I take this as an opportunity to eat both milk and white too.. Omega 3's are said to boost your mood too, so tuck into more flax seeds, walnuts and salmon during winter - I love to throw a load of nuts and seeds into my houmous, not to mention fresh chilli for some zing.
T R Y A L I G H T B O X
Waking up in the mornings to a dark room is the most depressing start to the day. Using a lightbox like this one in the mornings can help you wake up more naturally, gradually getting brighter and simulating light from the sun, they leave you already feeling better before your day has even started. You can even have it around during breakfast to reinforce your body clock and help stop you feeling groggy when it's dark outside.
T A K E T I M E I N T H E M O R N I N G T O A D J U S T
In case I needed to reiterate the previous point, mornings are definitely the worst time for me - waking up to darkness and cold is nigh on soul-destroying! Something I've found to really help is actually setting the alarm 15-30 minutes earlier than I need and spending some time awake in bed just adjusting to the morning. Watching a Youtube vid or two really helps me 'acclimatise', making getting up much easier.
S P E N D M O R E T I M E W I T H T H O S E Y O U L O V E
Even though you may well feel like curling up and hibernating, make the effort to keep in touch with those you care about, and push yourself into accepting those invitations you'd really love to just give a miss. A little nod to my Digital Detox post, keep your interactions as meaningful as possible by meeting up face to face whenever possible rather than wiling away the hours on social media. (This is going to get seriously soppy but I was listening to Coldplay's Everglow, and the lyric 'life is short as the falling of snow' really jumped out at me and it just makes me want to cherish every last moment with the ones I love and put time into the things and people that matter, because life's about doing things that make you happy and making memories and sharing those moments with the people you really care about right?)
What are your tips for staving off your winter woes?
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