The Battle Of The Mascaras

- If a product is marked with a * it is a PR sample, but under no obligation to review. All links in this post are affiliate links. -

Mascara tends to be one of the first makeup products you'll ever try and unless you go makeup free, you probably will use it for the rest of your life. Although it's a staple in many people's makeup bag, it can be overlooked, so today I'm sharing with you some of my favourites and thoughts on whether you should go for a high end or budget daily mascara. 

High Street or High End? 

The first battle is whether you opt for a high end or high street mascara which ultimately decides whether you spend £5 or £25 on getting longer, fuller lashes. The Rimmel London Scandaleyes Volume on Demand was a surprise find of mine, as I only picked it up after needing a new mascara on a whim. It can be easily built up for a fuller look and it doesn't flake (which is a bugbear of mine), the only criticism would be that it can be difficult to get off, but if you struggle with longevity then check this out - At under £8 it's a steal! 

I'm not only picky with my mascaras, but even when I do find one that I love, I feel like there's still so many on the market that I should try. That's why when I do re-purchase one, I know it's something that I have to share. The Nars Climax Mascara* is one I've owned multiples of since it's release, so it's safe to say I recommend it if you're looking to splurge on an high end mascara that have great longevity whilst offering volume and length too. 

Volume or Length? 

At the end of the day, I think mascara is one of the trickiest product to recommend to people as some like theirs natural with fluttering lashes, whilst others enjoy having fuller, thicker ones. For me, I prefer a super black, long lasting mascara that offers volume at the root and adding length without weighing my lashes down. 

It all comes down to the wand for me, I personally am turned off by the plastic feeling bristles as I find they irritate my sensitive eyes and can be rather prickly along the lash line. The Urban Decay Troublemaker Mascara* is one that I adore, but it's definitely on the borderline for me due to it's spiked texture. That being said, those types of wands can sometimes be best for those looking for separated, lengthened lashes, whereas I prefer fluffy wands for added volume at the root. You may want your mascara to look natural or you want the ability to build it up for more drama, so finding a non-flakey formula is essential. 

Mascara Dupes? 

When it comes to makeup dupes, I think mascara dupes are some of the best out there. From the wand look and feel right through to the formula and perks of the mascara, sometimes trying out the famous dupe can make you decide if you want to splurge on the high end version. The L'Oreal Lash Paradise is a new addition to my collection, but when I tried it I immediately saw the similarities between it and the Too Faced Better Than Sex, which is an old favourite of mine. There's not much difference in them even down to the colour of the packaging, they add length and volume, didn't smudge and lasted on my lashes.  

What's your favourite mascara? 

The Best Products For A Hormonal Breakout

- If a product is marked with a * it is a PR sample, but was sent under no obligation to review. All links in this post are affiliate links. - 

It's days leading up to your period, you're already feeling the PMS and then you get a spot on your face that not only looks angry, but it's painful too. It feels like a monthly occurrence for me at the moment. Over the last couple of months, I decided enough was enough and decided to dedicate some time in the evenings to give my complexion the TLC it deserves and here are the products I used to do it. 

It's usually my chin area that gets the most painful as the spots tend to live under the surface for a few days causing redness and swelling. I dug out the Origins Clear Improvement Mask as it used to be a firm favourite, but I hadn't used it in a while. I only apply this mask to areas that need deep cleansing, so I avoid any parts of my face that are prone to dryness or irritation like the cheeks. I can't single handily say it was this that cleared my spot up, but it reduced how angry it looked as well as making it easier to conceal with makeup. 

Next up we have the Nip+Fab Glycolic Fix Night Pads* which I got a while back and I tend to use sparingly. They're super intensive, kind of reminding me of the Pixi Glow Tonic*, but these not only help my skin feel softer, smoother and brighter through exfoliation, but they also reduce blemishes too! 

As I tend to focus on chemical exfoliation during the lead up and week of my period, I like to concentrate on giving hydration back into my skin as well. The Drunk Elephant F-Balm* is described as a skin quenching overnight mask and I that's exactly how I'd describe it. It sinks into my skin whilst I take a bath, get changed for bed and settle in with a book then when I was it off, I'm left with a complexion that no longer feels sore and parched.

For added moisture, I do regularly use an oil when I can and the Herbivore Emerald Oil* is the one I'm currently reaching for. It's a little thicker that the oils I'd usually go for, but once you know not to apply it directly before you go to sleep, then you'll be fine as it gets to work whilst you watch TV. As I struggle with dryness as well as blemishes, this helps to smooth over any dry patches left by spots, but helps banish the dry patches around my cheeks. 

What's your favourite products for when you're having a hormonal breakout? 

The Best Cream Makeup Products

- If a product is marked with a * it is a PR sample, but was sent under no obligation to review. All links in this post are affiliate links. -

During the Summer, I think we all strive to achieve fresh, glowing skin and although skincare is definitely behind it, cream products can offer a helping hand when you need it too. Today I am sharing with you my top favourites that I've been using through Spring and into Summer too.  

We're one product in and I'm already bending the rules with what actually is considered a cream product, but I couldn't not mention the Charlotte Tilbury Wonderglow*. It's the perfect base option during the Summer as it adds a dreamy glow to your complexion, whilst being able to be worn alone or underneath makeup. It's a great option when you want to load up on other cream products in your routine like the Nars Soft Matte Complete Concealer* as although it's comfortable to wear, it doesn't slip and slide when it gets warmer. 

After I apply my foundation and concealer, that's when the fun really starts and I go in with the Milk Makeup Baked Bronzer to help define my features and add a warmth too. The hue sits in-between one made for contouring and one for bronzing up your face, so I find this is a great allrounder. The cream to powder finish makes it easy to blend into your skin using a sponge, but it has great staying power too. On top of that, I go in with either the Glossier Cloud Paint or Bobbi Brown Pot Rouge, the latter is one that I always come back to in the Summer as the shade offers a pop of colour, but the Glossier offering is my go-to if I want something with better longevity and less sheen. 

When I first got the Glossier Haloscope I struggled a little with how to apply it without disrupting the makeup underneath, but I find warming it up in-between my fingers before tapping it along my cheekbones does the trick. It's a great alternative to a powder highlighter and gives a natural radiance to your face. 

"Cream products can be worked into the skin using just your fingers, making them a great option for on-the-go application."

The By Terry Ombre Blackstars have been around the blogging scene for some time now, especially a few years ago when they were all the rage. They still are some of my favourite cream eyeshadow products, especially Bronze Moon and Misty Rock as the brown shades can be smudged along the lash line for an easy smokey effect. 

Technically all lipsticks are cream, but I had to feature the Nars Good Times Matte Lip Pencil* in this post as it's one I've been reaching for lately. It's comfortable, can be used to not only line your lips, but fill in them too and the colour is beautiful for everyday wear - what's not to love! 

What are your favourite cream makeup products? 

Five Charlotte Tilbury Lipsticks I Recommend

- If a product is marked with a * it is a PR sample, but was sent under no obligation to review. All links in this blog post are affiliate links. -

It won't come as a surprise that Charlotte Tilbury lipsticks are some of my favourites to wear. There's a variety of shades to choose, from classic reds to the perfect nudes, but as there's so many it can be a little overwhelming if you don't know what one you want the most. I've compiled a list of my current top five Charlotte Tilbury lipsticks, so you can narrow your wishlist down a little further. 

One For Everyday...

It always surprises me that I haven't used the The Duchess Lipstick* up yet as it's been a handbag favourite of mine for sometime. Whenever I'm not sure what to wear, I always reach for this as it's a pink hue that goes with a variety of makeup looks and came be worn from day to night easily. 

Just The Right Nude...

If you haven't heard of Pillow Talk* by now I can only assume you've been living under a rock. It's one of my go-to lipsticks and I've actually owned more than one tube of it, which is something this beauty blogger doesn't get to do often. Personally it's the perfect hue for my skin tone and I find it super easy to wear no matter the occasion. 

The Pink One...

When I first saw the Hot Lips 2 collection featuring the funky new packaging, I knew I had to have one. They're all beautifully packaged, a spin on their usual classic rose gold casing. Dancefloor Princess* was a shade that is more of a traditional light pink in comparison to The Duchess and Pillow Talk, but nevertheless I think the comfortable formula makes for a perfect lipstick for Spring and Summer. 

For A Special Occasion... 

I would have never have thought that I would suit nor wear a fuchsia lipstick, but Charlotte's The Queen* got me hooked. Although it's a vibrant pink hue I don't wear self conscious in this and it's a great alternative to a red for a night out. I especially love wearing it in the Summer evenings, but to be honest if I'm wearing a simple black outfit this is the perfect addition. 

The Perfect Red... 

Talking of red lipstick, one of my favourites has the be Legendary Queen*, a darker take on the classic pillar box red, but dreamy nevertheless. I find it sits perfectly between a berry and a red, so this can be worn throughout the warmer months, into Autumn and for Christmas time too. It's one of the handful of reds that I trust not to smudge or bleed, so it's safe to say it's going to be long time favourite. 

What's your favourite Charlotte Tilbury Lipstick? 

5 Ways To Create The Ultimate Relaxing Bath

- If a product is marked with a * it is a PR sample, but was sent under no obligation to review. All links in this post are affiliate links. -

Summer isn't traditionally bath season for me, I tend to opt for refreshing showers over a cosy soak, but as I've been struggling to relax in the evenings, I've been having one when I can. As I don't seem to do anything by halves, I've been adding some extra steps to make my bath time extra cosy and relaxing. 

Adding Essential Oils 

This was a total game changer for me when it came to upping my bath regime and over the last couple of months I looked further into what essential oils work best. From the information I found, it's best to have a carrier oil (these almond/coconut oils are my favourites) when using essential oils as it makes it safer, won't irritate your skin and won't just sit on the top of the bath. I personally use this lavender offering because I associate the scent with sleep and feeling calm, but I've heard that chamomile and rose are great options too. 

Soaking With Bubbles and Bath Salts 

A relaxing bath wouldn't be the same without an abundance of bubbles to sink into, but I've added Epson and Himalayan Salts to my routine as I've found that they help me unwind further, as well as tending to my sore muscles especially after a workout. 

"If you want to make your bath time extra cosy, essentials oils, bath salts and candles are my go-to". 

Luxe Feeling Products  

In the bath, I enjoy using products that can lather up on the skin if I'm shaving, but I also love the L'Occitane Almond Oil* for when I want to add more moisture to my routine. Adding luxe feeling products to my regime doesn't stop there as when I hop out of the bath, I've been concentrating on my hands and feet, making sure to spend a little extra time on those too. The Soap and Glory Heel Genius* and Call of Fruity Hand Cream* have been my go-to when getting my feet in tip top condition ready to be shown again this Summer and heal my hands from using lots of hand sanitiser recently. 

Soft Candle Light  

Although it only gets dark towards 10pm at the moment, I still like to light a few candles to dot around my bathroom to create a soft light. This is especially dreamy if you can see the pink and orange skies of the sunset whilst you soak or if you can hear the pitter patter of rain on your window. 

Stick On A Playlist  

I've loved making Spotify playlists recently and I've got a few that I find easy to relax to. I'll link one of my favourites below, but I'd definitely recommend sticking on a playlist to unwind if you struggle to stay in the bath for longer than five minutes at a time. 

What does your perfect bath consist of? 

Binge Worthy Netflix TV Series For All Occasions

We all know the struggles of Netflix, you want to watch something, but after endless scrolling you still can't find anything that floats your boat and you end up resorting to re-watching your favourite series again. I've been there! I've been working on this blog post for a little while, sharing with you my recent favourites and giving you a series to watch no matter what genre you're into. 

Fantasy 

Although I personally enjoy watching the fantasy genre more in the chillier months when I can cosy up with blankets and a steaming hot cup of tea, I'm currently making my way through The Vampire Diaries - I know I'm late to the party. 

- The Vampire Diaries 

- I Am Not Okay With This

- Chilling Adventures of Sabrina 

- Umbrella Academy 

- Stranger Things

Easy To Watch/Reality TV 

Whenever I'm having a lazy Sunday or I want an easy watch before bed, I always opt for one of the below. I watched Cheer a few months ago and it was one of the best decisions because it's seriously addictive, you'll easily manage to watch it in a few days! 

- Cheer

- Jail Birds

- Below Deck

- Selling Sunset

- Too Hot To Handle

Feel Good 

I've got plans to re-watch Gilmore Girls again towards the start of Autumn as it always give me serious cosy feels and as there's a lot of seasons to get through, it's a great binge worthy option. I've spoken about Sex Education many times before, but honestly it's one of the best series Netflix has created in my opinion - so good! 

- Gilmore Girls

- Sex Education 

- The Good Place

- Tiny House Nation

- Queer Eye

Drama

After many people failed to enjoy the latest of The Sinner (I nearly quit half way through) you may want to restore your faith in thriller series and opt for one of my suggestions below. They're all super gripping, easy to watch and I'm sure you'll love them too. 

- The Stranger

- Mindhunter 

- Dead To Me

- You

- Orange Is The New Black

When You Want To Laugh 

I feel like this is a good time to let you know that series two of Derry Girls are now available on Netflix, but of course I've already watched them all a few times over. Below I've picked five of my personal favourites, Friday Night Dinner is a more of a classic sitcom style comedy whereas  End of The F***ing World has a different twist to it.  

- Derry Girls

- Chewing Gum

- Friday Night Dinner

- Santa Clarita Diet

- End of The F***ing World 

True Crime 

I'm slightly obsessed with true crime YouTube at the moment, so obviously it's trickled over into my Netflix habits too. I quite enjoy watching a TV series then being able to research more about it afterwards and below are some of my favourite docuseries and true crime inspired programmes. 

- When They See Us 

- Dirty John

- Abducted In Plain Sight

- Don't F**k With Cats

- Tiger King 

What are your favourite Netflix TV series to binge watch at the moment? 

Five Summer Lipsticks I've Been Using

- If a product is marked with a * it is a PR product, but was sent with no obligation to review. All links in this blog post are affiliate links. -

When Summer comes around, I tend to keep my lips simple; opting for a lightweight formula and easy to wear shade. This could come in the form of a lip plumping gloss, pink lip balm or a nude lipstick, so as I know a few of you would like to know what I'd been using, I thought I would share a handful of my current favourites with you. 

First up is the Charlotte Tilbury The Duchess Lipstick* which is the perfect pink shade for everyday wear. It's moisturising formula sits comfortably on the lips and be easily topped up throughout the day. It's been a handbag favourite for a while and if you've tried it, you'd understand why. 

Seeing as we've stayed inside for the last few months, I've been trying to focus on getting my skin in tip top condition and that included my lips. The Girl Undiscovered Pink Skies Balm* is great as you apply it thinly so that it can get to work throughout the day or if you apply it a little thicker, you can use it like you would a lip mask. The cinnamon scent feels comforting to me in the Summer, whilst the balm to oil texture makes for a super nourishing feel. 

Talking of hydrating, the Fresh Sugar Lip Treatments are my absolute favourites for when I want to add a little colour to my makeup routine without going OTT. They have a variety of colours, but tulip is the shade I'm currently using as it's brighter than anything else I've tried from them as the fuchsia really stands out when the rest of my makeup is neutral.  

Although I'm trying to experiment and use lipsticks again, the Glossier Balm Dot Com's can be worn on their own or underneath lipstick ready for application. I'm currently using the coconut and birthday offering, the latter is great if you want a twist on your normal lip balm. They're simple, but I quite like to just throw it in my handbag. 

Lastly I've been using the Nars Good Times Velvet Lip Pencil* which has a nude hue that looks perfect with natural makeup. As it's in lip pencil form, it's easy to line your lips with and then fill it in with the same shade. Despite matte products being a little drying at times, I find that this not only has great staying power, but it also feels comfortable on the lips too. 

What lipsticks have you been using lately? 

Simple Houseplant Tips For Beginners

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During lockdown I've learnt a lot more about how to care for houseplants, grow herb and even more of them through propagation. Although I'm no expert, I've definitely learnt some tips and tricks over the last few months and I think they'd be perfect for those who are beginners too. 

The Easiest Houseplants? | Since growing my houseplant collection, I've learnt a lot about the needs and wants of each plant and thus, I know the fussy ones a mile off. If you want an easy houseplant I would personally suggest a pothos and philodendron as they are fast growers meaning you have the thrill of seeing new leaves pop up, but they're pretty forgiving when it comes to forgetting to water them and they don't mind shady areas either. That being said, each plant is different, I've killed my fair share of "easy houseplants" before, whilst notoriously hard ones have been thriving in unlikely spots. It's all trial and error and I would always suggest not having your heart set on where your houseplant will sit as this may not be the best place for it. 

"I've had great luck with the Chinese Money Plant and Mother In-Law's Tongue if you want to grow your houseplant collection. " 

You Need A Pot With Drainage Holes | In fact, if you keep killing your plants, you're probably overwatering them. Aside from my Boston fern, most of my plants don't like to be watered until their soil is completely dry. I didn't know this until I looked into it further, but despite a cover pot looking super pretty, leaving your plant in the nursery pot to begin with will mean you don't have to worry about root rot (watering with no drainage), but will get your houseplant used to the lighting and humidity of a certain area of your house. You don't have to give up pretty cover pots at all - Sass and Belle Planters are some of my favourites if you want to check them out! 

Water Propagate Your Herbs | If you want to feel like you have a grip of gardening, I'd check out water propagation. It makes you feel like you're a magician! When I bought my mint and basil windowsill plants, I decided that I wanted to make sure I had a few healthy plants to use throughout Summer, so I looked into water propagation. All you have to do is snip a few stems off your plants, making sure to leave 7cm of clear stem and put them in an old jar with water (I use a pesto one) and leave for 2-3 weeks until you'll see long roots grow. Once you see growth, take them out and re-pot them in a 12-15cm plant pot with good drainage. I like to use 5-6 stems per pot to begin with as I find this creates a fuller looking plant. 

Planta App |  I've spoken about the Planta app several times before, but even if you only a handful of houseplants I'd still recommend getting this app. It helps to keep on top of your watering schedule, giving you reminders when you need to check on your plant. It helps you choose a new plant and where it needs to go too - great for beginners! On top of this great app, I would recommend checking out Planterina and Harli G on YouTube if you have more complex houseplants or problems that you want helping out with. Not only is plant YouTube super wholesome and I find it relaxing to watch - it's helpful too! 

"I saw a difference in my plant growth as soon as I start using plant fertiliser. " 

Fertiliser Will Help | I convinced myself for the longest time that because I wasn't taking gardening seriously, I didn't need fertiliser for my plants. I'd heard stories of over-feeding and burning, so I thought that I wouldn't bother with the extra effort. How wrong was I! As soon as I took the time to feed my plants, the amount of growth I've seen is unbelievable. I personally use Baby Bio as it's cheap and cheerful, plus I've seen around six new leaves on my Monstera since using it. 

What are your favourite houseplant care tips? 

Cosy Summer Activities

Feeling cosy all year round is a goal of mine, but when it's Summer and the weather is blazing hot and the sunshine is out, it doesn't inspire you to gather your candles and blankets to have an evening in. That being said, I wasn't willing to give up on my comfortable, cosy dreams and I've compiled a list of my favourite Summer activities to calm and feel relaxed doing. 

Summer Baking | The weather is reaching the mid-thirties and the last thing you want to do is stress over whether or not your cake is going to rise, whilst already sweating from heat exhaustion. Baking in the Summer doesn't always have to be about the oven, make a delicious Eton Mess, homemade smoothie ice lollies or even just a simple lemon cheesecake. 

Have A Film Night | When there's a break in the weather, it's feeling stormy and windy, I like to make the most of it by having traditionally cosy evenings in with the fairy lights twinkling, a mug of tea and my favourite TV show or film on. I know during Summer it can be disappointing not to always have the blazing sun, but making the most of the down days definitely helps me (not miss Autumn as much!). 

Create A Fort | I've been utilising my washing line a lot recently and not just by getting the washing dried super quickly, but by making dens outside too. We're lucky that our garden gets the sun directly pretty much from noon until early evening, but that also means that we rely on outdoor shades for a bit of sun relief. It feels cosy when you pair it with a book and picnic. In the evening, you can even take it outside bundling lots of blankets to keep the chill off, lighting a citronella candle and playing some soft music to watch the stars. 

Watch The Sunset | I've been enjoying going for daily walks, but when the weather is super warm, I like to move them to the evening so I can catch the sunset too. As the sky changes colours, you can hear the birds singing and animals coming out which never fails to make me feel happy!

Upgrade Your Shower | I've got to admit I was entirely inspired by Tik Tok after seeing several videos from people on how they have recently upgraded their shower time. I know that I am guilty for jumping in and out of the shower as quick as possible, but then I discovered that you can hang eucalyptus for a refreshing twist as well as using essential oils to scent the bathroom. I take some extra time to scrub my body and using any moisturising oils to keep my body feeling supple. 

What are your favourite cosy activities to do in the Summer?