beauty

Beauty Products I’m Taking Into 2022 With Me

by hannah maisieLeave a Comment on Beauty Products I’m Taking Into 2022 With Me

I love trying new beauty products but sometimes when I find a product I love, I just hold onto it and keep repurchasing. I mean if it works for your skin then why not, especially as mine can be sensitive. I’m looking forward to seeing what new products are launched into the beautysphere this year but there are definitely some staples that I will be carrying over from 2021.

Lacura Q10 Moisturiser – I could rave about this day in and day out, it’s literally £1.50! I mean apart from the unreal price tag this is actually a great product. It leaves my skin feeling super hydrated and provides a great base for my makeup. Aldi have been praised for their Lacura beauty line and it’s so easy to see why; the products are great quality and super affordable. I know this is going to be a staple for years to come.

The Ordinary AHA 30% + BHA 2% Peeling Solution – With this one being a peel, I don’t use it too often but every time I do, I love it! My skin is always glowing and again the next time I wear makeup, it’s definitely longer wearing.

No 7 Stay Perfect Foundation – I can’t even tell you how many years I have been using this. I was colour matched perfectly so it’s great to be able to walk in, grab a bottle and know that it is going to match my skin tone and not make me look orange. I have tried a few other foundations since using this one but I just always come back to it! It’s a medium coverage which you can easily build so it’s perfect for all day everyday.

Nivea Micellar Water – I’ve recently been using more cream cleansers and cleansing balms but I will always have a bottle of micellar water to hand as it’s so quick and easy. Let’s face it, we all get into bed with a full face of makeup on, get comfy and can’t be bothered to do a full skincare routine so this is just a must for my lazy days, which I must admit there are a lot of.

Goodness Every Morning Moisturiser – Ending the same way I started; with a moisturiser because let’s face it, you can’t ever have too many. I actually picked this one up in TK Maxx and was immediately enticed by all of the natural ingredients and super foods in it. I use this mainly at night and my skin is so soft and hydrated in the morning. I’ll definitely be getting some more products from this brand.

What are some of your staple products for 2022?

beauty, Events

Seekology Event

by hannah maisieLeave a Comment on Seekology Event

Who remembers the days before Covid where we could actually go to blogger events? Well I was kindly invited to my first one last night which was hosted by Seekology, a company created to showcase independent British brands and it was fab!

The event was held in Covent Garden ahead of their pop up store which opens today until 19th September to coincide with British Beauty week – so exciting. The store will showcase 25 independent British brands who were all on display for us to get hands on with. There was a complete mix of different products including henna, soy wax candles, natural skincare and pyjamas and each were so uniquely beautiful. As soon as I arrived I was overwhelmed by how pretty everything was set out, each brand had it’s own space to really show off what they were about. I wasted no time in heading for a glass of prosecco so I could get a lay of the land before mingling with the brand owners and other bloggers. It was so interesting and motivating learning about how each brand came to be and how they are succeeding and thriving.

I think the effects of Covid are still very apparent, especially for smaller, independent businesses, so this event was fantastic at bringing them to our radars and making sure they were really celebrated. Each brand was so different from the others but they all had one thing in common, in that they are really exactly what they claim to be, no showing off. I loved every brand but my personal favourite of the evening was Juni Cosmetics which was created by makeup artist Madeleine White and focuses on lip care. The products on show were absolutely beautiful, a full range of classic everyday lipsticks to suite every skin tone. The packaging is also completely recyclable as it is made from aluminium as opposed to plastic so you know that you are doing your part for the environment which is definitely something that is super important to me.

Some of the other brands that are part of the pop up are:

Skin Genius – https://skin-genius.co.uk/

Clarity Blend – https://www.clarityblend.com/

Jenny Betts – https://www.jennybettslondon.co.uk/

Heka Aromatherapy – https://www.hekaaromatherapy.com/

Hopefully this is the start of more regular events again because I didn’t realise just how much I missed it.

Uncategorized

Good Molecules’ Glycolic Exfoliating Toner Review

by hannah maisieLeave a Comment on Good Molecules’ Glycolic Exfoliating Toner Review

I have mentioned Good Molecules on here and my Instagram before so when this new product showed up at my door, I was thrilled. I don’t know what it is I love the most about them; their products and how amazing they leave my skin feeling or the great team behind the brand.


Toners have been a staple in my skincare routine for a while now and I will typically use one both morning and night to allow my skin to absorb any products I put on after and the new Glycolic Exfoliating Toner has been a fantastic addition. The toner is gentle enough to use both morning and evening and I will put a few drops on a cotton pad and move around my face in circular motions.

Immediately my skin feels cleaner, tighter and a lot softer. I always always follow up with a spot of moisturiser and particularly with this one as it is gentle exfoliating the skin so I don’t want to leave it too dry. I have definitely noticed that my skin looks a lot brighter and not as dull since I started using it a few weeks ago, which is something I am always looking for in skincare. I am just obsessed.

*this post contains a gifted item but all opinions are my own

beauty

Is The Aldi Skincare Range Worth The Hype?

by hannah maisie2 Comments on Is The Aldi Skincare Range Worth The Hype?

If you know me, you will know I am a huge fan of Aldi, not just in general but more specifically their skincare. I’ve featured some of their products on my blog and YouTube before but is it really worth the hype? Some of the products that they have come out with are quite similar to higher end products but are successful in their own right; with some even wining awards and special recognition.

Now when Aldi first came out with skincare, I’ll admit, I was sceptical. Mostly because it was a supermarket and they aren’t renowned for their cosmetics, least not their own brand but as they say ‘never judge a book by it’s cover.’ Now I can’t remember what product I used first but what I do know is that it was years ago and I haven’t looked back since. I’ve tried everything from moisturisers, toners, hot cloth cleansers and eye creams and if you asked me to pick a favourite, I don’t think I could. That’s how much I love everything.

There are products to suit all skin types and textures and most of the products are cruelty free – which is definitely something I look out for the most when looking for products. The formulas are so gentle and soft and everything I have tried has left my face feeling clean, soft and nourished without leaving a huge hole in my purse. My current favourite products I am using daily are the avocado eye cream, the Q10 moisturiser and the H2O sleeping mask.

I mean I could have told you in the first sentence that yes; the Lacura range is worth the hype but of course I wanted to build some suspense ha! Have you tried any of the skincare from Aldi and if so, what one is your favourite?

Lifestyle

I’m Crazy About Tiffany’s

by hannah maisie5 Comments on I’m Crazy About Tiffany’s

Situated in the heart of Leigh-on-Sea is Mad Dogs and Englishmen, home to the best themed afternoon teas in Essex. I have to put that in bold to really emphasise how good they are. Now I’ve been to my fair share of afternoon teas both themed and un themed but this is one that I just keep coming back too. I don’t know if it’s the delicious food, incredibly friendly staff of the perfect attention to detail but they just keep surprising me time and time again. Some of the themes of their teas are Beauty and the Beast, The Great Gatsby, Mary Poppins and you guessed it, Breakfast at Tiffany’s.

I went to the Mary Poppins themed tea just before Christmas and still rave about it to this day so I had extremely high hopes for this one and seeing as BAT is one of my favourite films, I was more than ready to embrace my inner Holly Golightly. I had seen a couple of pictures on Instagram but it was so much more amazing in person. The minute you walk in, you feel as though you have stepped through the TV screen.

There were so many little details like tiffany coloured boxes on the tables which were placed next to the perfect tiffany blue coloured trinket boxes that were home to Haribo rings. Around the room were pictures of Holly Golightly mixed with mannequins dressed in their iconic LBD’s and pearl necklaces. It was honestly everything I was hoping it would be and so much more; there wasn’t a single corner that hadn’t been decorated.

As soon as we sat down, we browsed the tea menu and read through the list of all of the delights we were about to eat. My sister is vegan which we told them about when we booked and I genuinely think hers was better than ours, they were so accommodating for all dietary requirements. As they brought out all the goodies, they kindly explained what everything was and I’ll be honest mine didn’t last long at all. Everything was just so delicious. After the sandwiches, we had a little break before they arrived with the cakes, now where do I begin with this. My sister put it perfectly when she said that they all looked like a showstopper round from GBBO; I’m talking white chocolate laced bracelets, gin and tonic cupcakes topped with little edible tiffany boxes to tiffany blue coloured macaroons, the attention to detail really was second to none. Again, mine didn’t really hang about too long because it was all so good.

I walked out feeling so content and full of copious amounts of tea and all the scrummy treats. If afternoon tea is your thing, I really can’t recommend Mad Dogs any more, it is such good value for money and is such a special experience. We took mum for her birthday and she absolutely loved it! We’ve even booked to go back next month for the Beauty and the Beast one.

beauty

First Impressions: Collection Lasting Perfection Dewy Foundation

by hannah maisieLeave a Comment on First Impressions: Collection Lasting Perfection Dewy Foundation

I have seen so many people raving about the new Lasting Perfection Dewy foundation from Collection so I had to give it a go especially as I am a huge fan of the concealer. I am currently using the No.7 Lasting Perfection foundation and have been for years and I absolutely love it but I wanted to see how this one compared. I found the foundation in Superdrug and it was only £6; which for a foundation which claims to be full coverage, I thought was a steal.

When I pumped the foundation onto my sponge, it did feel quite thick and gloopy and as someone who suffers with dry skin I was quite worried but I had no reason too as it blended so well. I did struggle with finding a shade as you can’t swatch in store and we all know how appalling the lighting in drugstores are; so I played it safe and went for shade 5 which actually matched me pretty well but the fact it was so blendable reassured me that if I went a shade too dark it wouldn’t be the end of the world. Now, the true question I hear you ask; is it full coverage? I’d say no, it was more medium but it was definitely buildable and even with a few layers it didn’t feel or look cakey on my skin. It actually felt so natural and lightweight which I was really impressed by.

I did my makeup at about 10am and went on quite a long walk as I really wanted to put it to the test. As soon as I put it on, I was in love; it looked so flawless and radiant on my skin and the rest of my makeup sat on top of it really well. I wondered if it would look as good outside in natural daylight and it definitely did; so lightweight and dewy. I kept the makeup on until the evening at around 8pm and I was so pleased with how it looked. I do tend to get quite an oily T zone and I found that this was still the case but the make up didn’t really move around and with a bit of powder I think it would have looked as good as it did when I first put it on.

Taking the makeup off was also super easy, I just used some micellar water and cleanser and it came right off and didn’t leave my skin feeling irritated or like I still had product on which is something I find thicker foundations can do. I mean for £6 I am so impressed with this foundation and already can’t wait to wear it again. If you have oily skin, they do also do a matte version of the Lasting Perfection foundation which I believe is the same price so there is definitely something for everyone.

Have you ever tried it and if not what is your favourite foundation currently?

Uncategorized

Goodbye 2020, Hello 2021

by hannah maisieLeave a Comment on Goodbye 2020, Hello 2021

Eeeek, Happy New Year! First blog post of 2021 lets go! Now while 2020 was a complete shit show, it did have many positive moments and taught us to take life at a slower pace and really appreciate the little things which is something I want to continue into the new year, as I, like most of us, have a tendency to take things for granted. That got me thinking about all of the things I want to achieve/focus on in 2021; not necessarily resolutions but just what I want to aim for so here goes:

  • Learn Spanish – I love the language and have been learning it on/off for a while but I want to get as close to fluent as possible
  • To spend more time creating online content – My blog took a bit of a backseat in 2020 so that is definitely going to change but I also want to give more attention to my Youtube channel and Instagram. Creating content online makes me so happy so it is definitely the thing I want to give the most energy and time to this year (make sure you follow me so you don’t miss out ;))
  • Making this my year – I love making the people around me happy and giving them the most support but sometimes I forget to do that to myself so I want to make sure that I am making time for myself and what makes me happy without caring about what people think. Definitely something I should have been doing a long time ago but better late than never right
  • Exploring more of England and the UK – of course this relies massively on where we’re at with restrictions and lockdowns but moving to Staffordshire showed me that we are surrounded by some many beautiful places so I want to have more weekend adventures exploring as many as possible

What are you hoping to achieve in 2021?

Lifestyle, Personal

New Home, New Job, New Location

by hannah maisie4 Comments on New Home, New Job, New Location

I can’t believe I am going to write this but 2020 hasn’t been all bad. I mean it has been a total shit show let’s be honest but in the mix of it all, there have been some positives which I think is so important to focus on right now.

Let’s go back to June/July time; I was furloughed from my job where I had worked for 3 years and needless to say I struggled; a lot. It was so hard to not take it personally; to feel like I had done something wrong or was on the brink of being fired. I knew I was worth more than hanging around to see what would happen so I bit the bullet and started applying for jobs. I was so lucky to find one that I actually really enjoy, I know it’s a tough place right now for so many people. I started my new job in August and I love it, I get to work from home and my boss is the nicest person you could meet.

Fast forward a few weeks to the end of August and my boyfriend also gets a new job (yay yay) but this one had a catch, the job was in Staffordshire – a long cry from my beloved Essex; but only for a few months. So, I bet you guessed what happened next; we moved! Luckily, as I work remotely I was able to join him on this adventure and that’s the current situation; both with new jobs, in a new city in our very own little home, who would have thought.

The last few weeks and months have been crazy, a real mix of emotions but it’s so exciting and just goes to show that even in the strangest of times (I REFUSE to say unprece-*gags*) there are little moments of happiness and positivity that need to be remembered and cherished, no matter how big or small.

What are some positive things that have happened to you this year so far??

beauty

Natural Beauty: Coconut & Orange Deo | Guest post by To Be Natural Beauty

by hannah maisieLeave a Comment on Natural Beauty: Coconut & Orange Deo | Guest post by To Be Natural Beauty

Hi everyone! I am B (to.be_natural_beauty) and I’m joining Hannah today for a much welcome blog collaboration. Hope you enjoy the topic

Some people call it eco-beauty. Some people call it a green luxury. Some may believe it is only related to products to use on your skin. Some believe that it goes from what we eat to what we wear. The fact is that it is all around us and nowadays it’s challenging to find someone who doesn’t care (in one way or another) for this topic.

I was 6 years old when I first started to look at natural beauty and my interest in it grew up together with me. Today, I am an aroma, massage and reflexology therapist in love with natural ingredients and their impact on our health and body.

Since I’ve started to make my own blends and natural beauty products, I saw that I had in hands the perfect opportunity to not only adjust my life to a more natural living purpose but also to integrate the zero-waste culture in it. The truth is that nature gives us all we need to live a healthy life and because of the way the society is structured we will always find something around us that is worth repurposing so, why not give it a try?

Let me give you an example: even though I have always tried to live a natural lifestyle, there were a few swaps that I have always struggled to do. Deodorant, toothpaste, mouthwash I just couldn’t believe they would be as good as the ones we bought from the supermarket. And, to be honest with you, I was super scared of going out and suddenly the sweaty smell was coming from me… But, one day, we stayed at home and I decided to give it a try. And you know what? It worked! And today, I wouldn’t swap my natural ingredient deodorant for any other! Can you imagine the relief of knowing that you won’t stink but also that you are not using any chemical, no antiperspirant stuff on your skin? Trust me, that is gold! I’ll share the recipe with you so that you can try and let me know your thoughts:

Natural Coconut & Orange deodorant:

1/3 cup of coconut oil;

¼ cup Baking soda;

¼ cup arrowroot powder;

4 tablespoons of corn starch;

10 to 15 drops of Sweet orange essential oil.

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Mix the dry ingredients and add the melted coconut oil and the orange essential oil after. Put it in a repurposed deodorant container and you’re good to go! You can also find the video and the recipe on my Instagram page to.be_natural_beauty.

It doesn’t get any easier than this to be a natural beaut!

Lifestyle

How to Care for Acne Prone Skin | Guest Post by The Makeup By Beth

by hannah maisieLeave a Comment on How to Care for Acne Prone Skin | Guest Post by The Makeup By Beth

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In regards to ance, it is usually deemed as breakouts of spots that are hard to get rid of and can be painful to touch. But it is so much more than that, when I was 13/14 I had the worst acne of my life. I was so frustrated trying these products that were pushed to teens that were the same age as me but cost a fortune and didn’t work. In the end I had to go to the Dr to get some proper prescribed cream to clear it. Now I am in my twenties, I still suffer with the odd bout of spots and skin issues. So in this post I want to show you how to care for acne prone skin.

 

It is important to still follow the standard skincare routines so cleanse, moisturise, exfoliate and wear SPF, but when your skin is spot prone you have to do these things a little differently. Always pay attention to your skin and how it reacts to certain products too. As this will obviously be the indicator of what needs to be removed or replaced in your routine.

Cleansing

 

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You should alway start off daily skincare by cleansing. With cleansers they take away makeup residue, remove toxins and get rid of the build up of oil. Of course with oil and makeup residue, when they sit on the skin they clog the pores or even make your pores larger in size.  I like using foaming cleaners personally but here a list for you to take a look which one you may prefer! Remember it’s all about looking at what works for you. Another favourite cleanser of mine is a balm cleanser I use for double cleansing and that is Clean It Zero Balm. 

Moisturising

You need to moisturise obviously so your skin doesn’t dry out or become flaky. The best route to go down with moisturisers is to go for ones that are non-comedogenic (won’t sink into pores) and are oil free. One I would heavily recommend is Cetaphil Daily Defence with SPF. It’s a two in one product, you can get this product without SPF too. I have used both and recommend them. 

 

Exfoliating

This step IS NOT one that should be done daily, roughly 2-3 times a week works perfectly when it comes to exfoliation. Overdoing it will cause your skin to be stripped of it’s oils, it also becomes dehydrated and causes more acne. Aim to use one with salicylic acid as that ingredient is one used to treat breakouts. The one I recommend is Paula’s Choice Liquid Exfoliator or The Ordinary Peeling Solution.

 

Sunscreen

Sun protection is essential. Sun damage is no joke and causes a matter of issues from collagen damage (you’ll age harsher and quicker), dark spots and rough patches. When out in the sun you need to wear SPF and even SPF on the lips is advised. You can pick up cheap lip balms that will protect you in the sunshine. In regards to sunscreen, with acne prone skin it’s advised to go for creams that again are non-comedogenic. Cerave has a cream that is fragrance free and also oil free. This can be bought under £10 from superdrug!

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One word of warning with SPF, do NOT wear it if you are going to be doing any flash photography, you’ll look like Casper in the photos. Obviously sun creams are designed to reflect light away so of course you will get flashback in photos. It would be best to use a foundation with an SPF in. The one I use is the Maybelline Urban Cover. 

 

Other causes of acne

 

If you have a period then you’ll 100% experience an increase in spots. Because of the hormones, your glands produce more oil which causes clogging of pores and getting breakouts. Also, for teens it’s hormonal too. Once again their glands produce excess oil also. 

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Diet is also a contributor, personally if I eat rubbish, which I have been doing during lockdown, my breakouts are more frequent. Chocolate is a curse for my skin, but I do love to eat it. Make sure you’re staying hydrated, we all hear about how water clears up your skin but the reason behind it is because when our skin is dehydrated it will overproduce oils. Water helps with the build up of oil and gets rid of old skin cells. 

If it ever becomes unmanageable, feel free to see your Dr and see what they say. But firstly try to make changes where you can and see what happens. Perfect skin doesn’t happen overnight! 

Thank you to Hannah for allowing me to guest post on her blog! If you would like to check me out, here are my links:

 

Instagram

Pinterest

Twitter

 

themakeupbybeth x