Wellness Practices at Home with Very UK

What is wellness? According to the Global Wellness Institute: wellness is "the active pursuit of activities, choices and lifestyles that lead to a state of holistic health". Wellness is a multidimensional pursuit including physical, mental, emotional, spiritual, social and environmental aspects, which can be difficult to manage and maintain. Achieving wellness in one aspect can be difficult especially during the current global pandemic and political chaos but there are many simple and small changes you can make to improve aspects of your wellness at home. 

Wellness At Your Desk 

Many of us have been working from home for most of the year which can have its positives (*cough* working in pyjamas *cough*) as well as its negatives such as the difficulty in finding a work/life balance. I've personally found that since the start of the pandemic and the almost constant lockdown we've had in Manchester, I'm not as productive as I used to be and I am easily distracted by incoming news articles and coronavirus statistics. 

To try and combat feelings of anxiety and stress during the working day I've started to make small changes and positive habits while at my desk including putting on a little makeup, lighting a candle, taking regular breaks and using calming products. Stretching routines or basic exercises at your desk, music or dance breaks, breathing meditation and drinking enough water throughout the day are also great wellness practices you could add into your daily working routine while at home. 

Putting on makeup may not seem like a healthy habit or a wellness practice but I find the process of applying skincare and makeup not only relaxing but it gives me a definite starting point to my working day and makes me feel a little better too. I've been wearing makeup since my early teens, makeup is something I love to wear and experiment with, although it is very different now compared to my teenage years (no heavy black kohl liner and dream matte mousse anymore!). 

However, the process and the stress relief it gives is the same. I remember getting ready on the morning of my practical driving test, I'd failed my first test so naturally my anxiety levels were even higher as it felt like I HAD to pass the second time but as soon as I'd started applying my makeup, I felt instantly calmer and less anxious. The process is familiar, easy and almost soothing in its repetition and routine which has helped during lockdown when days have blended into one 'oh no what next' blur.

Makeup Mindfulness

I haven't been wearing much makeup this year, apart from brows and mascara as I think they can have the most dramatic impact without wearing a full face of makeup. However, there is one new-to-me base product that I've fallen in love with and the fall was instantaneous! The *Elemis Superfood Glow Priming Moisturiser (£39, 60ml) is a natural radiant glow booster in a bottle that instantly makes my skin look brighter, fresher, luminous and healthier - as though I'd had three litres of water and a peaceful ten hours sleep, which is never the case. I find that skincare or makeup labelled as 'glowing' or 'radiant' fall into two categories: chunky glitter or greasy. Thankfully this amazing beauty product is neither as it genuinely gives my skin a fresh faced, radiant glow that looks natural and beautiful either worn on its own or underneath my CC cream. 

Relaxation and unwinding after the working day is important but what about using relaxing products and techniques during your working hours? I often find myself lighting a candle, especially at this time of the year, to make my home office feel cosier and smell wonderful! Scents have been used within relaxation rituals, cosmetics and bathing products for centuries and there are many studies to suggest that various scents can produce positive psychophysiological effects. 

A metanalysis of available literature conducted in 2016 by Sowndhararajan et all, suggests that there is a significant connection between scents (olfactory stimulation) and human brain function such as cognition and mood. For example, lavender has been found repeatedly, by various researchers, to reduce anxiety and stress levels and improve mood. Camomile, orange, bergamot and ylang-ylang essential oils have also been found to produce calming effects. 

Scents For Relaxation

Scent is very personal to each individual and there are differences in the effects of various scents on men and women. I personally find that certain scents can have a very calming and relaxing effect on my mind. Lavender is one of my favourite scents and I will happily purchase any candle or product that contains lavender for the wonderfully relaxing scent it provides, although my bank balance isn't quite as happy about it. 

Patchouli and ylang-ylang are also calming scents for me but sometimes I don't want to burn a candle or open another diffuser so a handy, easy to use roller ball is a fantastic solution, especially while working, on the go or at your desk. I've loved the Aromatherapy Associates bath oils for years but I haven't tried much else from the brand so I was very happy to receive the *Aromatherapy Associates Deep Relax Roller Ball (£22, 10ml) which smells as calming as the name suggests. I've been using it on my wrists and a little behind my ears during the day to help me feel a calmer and more relaxed. It's nice to have a little break throughout the day to stretch, apply a scented product and to re-focus on the tasks ahead.  

Its The Little Things 

Hand washing is more essential than ever before and with it comes dry, tight and uncomfortable skin that will only get worse with winter approaching. A deeply nourishing and replenishing hand cream can instantly transform the skin, leaving it smoother and moisturised as well as much more comfortable. One of my all time favourite hand creams is the *L'Occitane Shea Butter Hand Cream (£21.99, 150ml), which I've tried numerous variations of but I always come back to the original (or the cherry blossom scent because I can't get enough of it). 

L'Occitane has been one of my favourite pampering and fragrance brands for the past ten years! I absolutely adore the L'Occitane cherry blossom range as it brings back lovely summer holiday memories and the scent itself is sweet, floral and feminine. I also love their famous hand cream as it instantly calms  the skin, leaving it smoother and moisturised but much more supple too. I cannot recommend it enough and it would make a lovely gift for someone special this Christmas or as a treat for yourself, you deserve it.

Everyday Self Care 

Pampering and self care shouldn't be restricted to occasional pampering evenings. It can be something you incorporate, even in a small way, into your everyday skincare routine! My skincare routine changes constantly depending on the weather, the new products I am reviewing and what my skin needs at the time - it's an intuitive process that just needs a little knowledge and practice. Speaking of skincare knowledge, I cannot recommend Skincare by Caroline Hirons enough as it is filled with no-nonsense skincare advice. Also the audiobook is hilarious, especially the bloopers! 

CBD Skincare 

CBD has been one of the most hyped new skincare ingredients of the past year and it has some bold claims. CBD or cannabidiol is derived from the Cannabid Sativa plant and has been claimed to help reduce certain health complaints when ingested (such as back pain) or provide moisture when added to skincare, among other benefits. I've tried a couple of products containing CBD and while I am currently on the fence about the hyped claims, I am still happy to try new products and continue to use them continuously to see if there are any benefits. 

I'm currently using the *Perricone MD Hypoallergenic Nourishing & Calming Moisturiser (£59, 59ml) which claims to visibly reduce the appearance of dry, flaky skin and deeply soothe stressed or angry skin, the latter is a great way to describe my lockdown skin unfortunately! The moisturiser feels very nourishing and moisturising without leaving a heavy or greasy residue and I adore the packaging. So far, so good, I'll be sure to include it within a post or on my Instagram (@ofbeautyand) in the future. 

Nourishing Oils 

One of the most luxurious and comforting skincare products I've discovered lately has to be the wonderful *Emma Hardie Brilliance Facial Oil (£39, 30ml) which not only smells utterly wonderful but it leaves my skin feeling incredible too. The mini sample bottle will be included in my autumn empties post so stay tuned. Facial oils are a staple within my autumn and winter skincare routine as even though I don't suffer with eczema on my face anymore, it can still become tight and dry during the harsh, colder months, especially in dreary Manchester! 

Nourishing products are ideal for this time of the year and as they give my skin a comforting blanket of moisturise that it desperately needs. There's nothing better for my skin right now than the Emma Hardie facial oil (which is probably my all time favourite facial oil and I've tried many). As well as feeling soothing on the skin, the scent is equally as relaxing and calming which makes it a doubly perfect product to use if you and your skin are feeling a little worn out and in need of some TLC. 

Everyday Targeted Treatments 

Pampering nights are fantastic for relaxing, de-stressing and treating your body as well as calming the mind but why not enhance your everyday skincare routine with a targeted treatment or two. Depending on how my skin is feeling I've either been using spot treatments or calming creams as my skin is behaving like a temperamental teenager currently (sadly I can't give it a time out) but you can tailor your skincare each day to it's specific needs. Here are a few recommendations and well loved products to target troublesome issues for the skin, hair and body that you could add into your daily or weekly routine: 

• *REN Overnight Glow Dark Spot Sleeping Cream (£49) 
• *Philip Kingsley 5 in 1 Elasti-styler Treatment (£34, 150ml) 
• Elemis Superfood Vital Veggie Mask (£30, 75ml)
• *Sanctuary Spa Calming CBD Oil (£11.99, 45ml)

Spa At Home 

Creating a spa-like experience in your own home can be as simple as lighting a candle, reading a good book in the bath and using a few 'special occasion' treatment products or you could go all out with masks, treatments, beauty tools, a soothing playlist and maybe even a glass or two of wine. However you decide to spend your pampering time doesn't matter as long as you take time for yourself, unwind and not only look after your skin, hair and body with wonderful products but also calm your mind and try to de-stress, which I think all of us need after everything 2020 has had in store. 

Special Weekly Treatments

I love to use 'special occasion' or treatment products during the week or as and when my skin needs them as I don't think there is any benefit to leaving a product unused for an unnamed day in the future when you could be enjoying and benefiting from it now. However, there are certain products (and they don't have to be luxury items) that I love to use for a typical pampering evening such as face masks, hair masks and indulgent treatment products. 

Acid toners have also made a huge resurgence in 2020 which some of the most loved being from Pixi Beauty. I have been alternating between using the new Pixi clarity tonic and the famous Pixi glow tonic once or twice per week as an extra step in my skincare or as part of my pampering evenings to exfoliate, brighten and clear my skin. I personally think that using acid toners more than a few times per week could potentially irritate the skin, depending on your skin type so please proceed with caution. 

I've recently delved into the world of vitamin C as another popular skincare ingredient with the *Pixi Beauty Best of Vitamin-C (£20) which is a fantastic set if you are new to the brand - they have some many fantastic mini sets to choose from. The autumn and winter months can affect your mood and emotions as well as your skin so a boost of brightening vitamin C might be a great option to try to lift the winter blues and boost the skins luminosity. 

Skincare Tools & Taking Time For Yourself 

Taking time for yourself, either with a busy schedule or commitments, might be a challenge but it will be worth it to use those well loved or new and exciting products as well as having some much needed me time. Fitting in time for healthy habits such as looking after yourself, reading and de-stressing is something that shouldn't be ignored or cancelled. In the work focused, social media filled world we live in, it is easy to always be online, working or simply scrolling and wellness practices are sadly forgotten - it is NOT selfish to look after yourself, you are important. 

I love using bath bombs and indulgent, rich skincare on pampering evenings but I also love simple skincare tools as well that help to enhance my pamper routine. I typically forget to use my quartz roller and gua sha on a daily basis but I always use them on pampering evenings; both of which have been used for centuries to tone the skin and relieve muscle tension. I find it to be such a therapeutic and tension relieving process that feels great, it helps to reduce my persistent tension headaches and it only takes a minute or two. 

The final skincare tool I want to recommend is one that reminds me of my teens, the *Magnitone Steam Ahead Facial Sauna (£29.99) is admittedly a far better version of the facial steamer I used in the early 00's (I thought I was very fancy!). The facial steamer is a quick and easy to use skincare device that helps to unclog pores, primes the skin for gentle exfoliation, cleanses and hydrates. It is a great way to refresh and hydrate the skin while feeling like you are in a spa within your own home, even if you only have five or ten minutes to spare. 

Wellness Tips

I hope you found a few products recommendations as well as some tips or advice within today's wellness focused post with Very UK. I think it is easy to view pampering and wellness practices as selfish or something we don't have time for but looking after yourself, whether you are focusing on your mental health, emotional wellbeing or simply your skin (or all three), is vitally important especially as we are currently living through an extremely difficult time. Here are a few parting wellness tips, after a very long blog post, that I hope you can try to implement into your daily or weekly routine: 

• Stick to your self care routines
• Try new healthy habits
• Begin with small manageable positive changes 
• Talk and get help if you need it 
• Enjoy the little things
• Don't put pressure on yourself to change or improve immediately 
• Put things into perspective
• (Most importantly) Look after yourself 

Have you tried any of these products? Do you have any wellness practices that you can share in the comments below? Do you have any relaxation product recommendations?  

*Gifted 

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September Beauty Favourites 2020

I have found so many fantastic new products over the past couple of months so I wanted to share my recent beauty favourites today which includes skincare, hair removal and an absolutely adorable advent calendar! If you've been following my social media (@ofbeautyand) then you'll have had a sneak peek of these products over the past month. Stay tuned for more favourites posts as well as my summer empties post which will be filled with mini product reviews!

*FFS Shaving Kit (from £9.95 per month)

I have reviewed a few products from FFS (formerly Friction Free Shaving) on my blog previously but I'm still loving their razors and natural deodorant. I love the rose gold handle (particularly with the personalised engraving) but I think that I like their new Iris handle even more! The Iris handle includes the same ergonomic, easy to use design and engraving option but the handle features a gunmetal and lavender colour combination which is just gorgeous! 

I love the razor design, colours and how sharp the blades are as it gives the most smooth and close shave without the irritation I've experienced from cheaper disposable razors. The kit can be purchased as a monthly subscription (or every two months) and you can add extras to your kit such as a natural deodorant, body scrub, body balm, wax strips or a shaving cream. I've tried the balm, deodorant and now the shaving cream; all three have been gentle but effective. If you're looking for a more eco-friendly shaving option, check out FFS. 

*Temple Spa BeCalm Soothing Face Mask (£28, 65ml)

Another brand that I've loved for a while is Temple Spa; I reviewed a few of their pampering and body care products back in 2017 and loved everything. I also adored their concealer and I'd highly recommend it as a brightening concealer, particularly for those with dry skin. Until recently I hadn't tried any of their skincare and I'm glad I have because, once again, I've fallen in love! 

The soothing face mask contains a blend of Mediterranean botanicals, aubergine, liquorice and apricot along with probiotics to soothe and nourish sensitive skin. I've been using it for around the past couple of weeks and I've noticed that after every use, my skin feels more comfortable, moisturised and softer. I'll definitely be using this mask often throughout the colder months when my skin needs a little more moisture and TLC. 

*Temple Spa Glowcolic (£20, 150ml)

Another product that would be ideal for the colder months is their new glycolic acid toner which is designed to resurface, exfoliate and renew the skin. I've tried quite a few glycolic acid toners, I think this is probably the fifth I've tried over the past year and so far, so good. The toner comes in a handy pump bottle, it hasn't irritated my skin and the result so far have all been positive. 

Since using the toner every other day (as I used to have sensitive skin and I don't want to potential irritate it by using too much), I've noticed an improvement in the texture and clarity of my skin. If you are new to acid toners and you're looking to start with an effective but gentle option from a brand that has won 'best luxury skincare brand for 2020' then definitely check out the Temple Spa Glowcolic toner. 

*Temple Spa Be Gone Kind-Hearted Cleansing Creme (£21, 150ml)

My favourite product from the three I was very kindly sent is their cleansing creme which I was surprised by as not only do cleansers not excite me in the way that new acid toners or treatments do but it also looks a little nondescript. However do not be fooled, this cleansing creme is a superhero in disguise! The creme contains vitamins A and E, probiotics and the Temple Spa Calmaderm complex which is designed for those with sensitive skin. 

The cleansing creme has the most unusual but incredibly smooth and silky texture that glides over the skin effortlessly so there's no scrubbing or irritation while cleansing. Not only does it feel wonderful on the skin but it leaves it feeling incredible too. Since lockdown my skin has gone a little haywire and since using this cleanser my skin has calmed down, it feels much more comfortable and the dryness I was experiencing over my breakouts has reduced. If you have normal to dry or sensitive skin then this little unassuming cleansing creme will be your best friend during the upcoming colder months and I know that I'll be purchasing it in the future - it is a magic in a tub! I'll be including this wonder product alongside my other current skincare favourites as part of my upcoming autumn skincare routine and favourites so stay tuned. 

*Bomb Cosmetics Bathe, Sleep, Be Merry and Repeat Advent Calendar (£19.99)

Last but definitely not least is my first advent calendar of the year and it has to be one of the cutest I've ever bought or received! I'm lucky enough to be a Bomb Cosmetics ambassador so I was very kindly sent this adorable advent calendar and I couldn't be happier with it. It contains 24 mini products to try including handmade soap, bath blasters, bath mallows and bath creamers, all of which smell divine. I have been using some of the products over the past couple of weeks and my favourites so far have to be the pink pamper soap and rose bath creamer (which looks so beautiful) but I can't wait to try the others. Make sure you are following me on Instagram (@ofbeautyand) for more sneak peeks into the advent calendar as well as reviews.

Have you tried any of these products? Will you be picking up a beauty advent calendar this year?

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*5 Ways To Save Money This Autumn

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September is #Secondhand September which has started to make me think about my shopping habits and spending recently. During lockdown (we are currently still in lockdown in Manchester), I surprisingly didn't resort to retail therapy as I thought I would (not going to lie, I'm quite proud of myself). However, I do still want to cut back on my spending and save a little as many aspects of life are very uncertain in our current situation. I hope today's post gives you a few tips on how to save a little money over the next few months and if you have are tips of your own, leave them in the comments below!

Use What You Have & Upcycle 

Firstly, reusing and upcycling items, instead of purchasing new products. Using up products instead of throwing them away is one of the easiest options to save money. If you follow me on Instagram (@ofbeautyand) you may have seen my empties sneak peeks (my empties posts will be live at the end of the month) showing some of the items I have used up over lockdown. I used to be one of those people who would use up half a product and then move onto another or buy something new but having a basket in the bathroom that I am fill up with empty products definitely gives me the motivation to use up the half finished products I already have rather than spending money on new items - it is very satisfying throwing everything away when it is full!

Shopping Secondhand

Secondhand September is underway and while it isn't necessarily going to help you save a lot of money; it can help reduce your spending compared to buying new items when you need to. Shopping secondhand is also far better for the environment and is a more sustainable way to shop. Sustainability and environmentally conscious shopping is something we all need to be more mindful of in 2020. 

Review Your Bills + Shop For Better Deals

Shopping for better deals, whether you are shopping secondhand, looking for a discount code or switching providers, can all save you a little money which all adds up! Switching electricity, internet, insurance, phone or gas providers, for example, might be a little bit of hassle but it could potentially save you quite a significant amount of money. 

Make or Grow Your Own

Making your own 'fakeaway' dinners, upcycling old furniture, growing your own herbs or vegetables are not only more sustainable and eco-friendly alternatives but can save you extra cash too. Takeaways can be quite expensive, if there aren't any offers or discount codes, so why not make your own. Growing you own vegetables or herbs may take more than a little time but it is so satisfying to be able to eat what you have grown in your own home. Also, if you want to change piece of worn out furniture, why not upcycling it instead of purchasing something new? Gardening and upcycling may also turn into rewarding new hobbies!

Cutting Costs 

Making a list of your expenses and cutting costs where you can is great for not just saving money but it means that you can keep track of your spending which in turn may make you more mindful about your spending habits. I've started to write down all of my purchases each month and while at the time small and inexpensive items don't seem like a problem, when they are totalled at the end of the month, it can add up to more money than you'd thought. 

Cutting costs can also take the form of energy saving and more environmentally friendly lighting. Inui are leading LED lighting specialists offering a wide range of LED lighting for commercial, industrial and domestic use. LED lighting can be a cheaper option and it can typically last longer than traditional light bulbs which may also save you money in the future!

Do you have any money saving tips? 

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Lockdown Empties

Lockdown has been difficult in many ways but for me, there have been a couple of positives including having more time for relaxing, reading and pampering which has been necessary for stopping my anxiety from taking over! So during lockdown I decided to try and read as much as I can and use up some of the plethora of face masks, hair masks, bath bombs, samples and the many half-used products I have. 

Thankfully I was able to use up a lot of products that I'd half finished as well as samples; some of the products were surprising favourites and others were more than a little disappointing unfortunately. When I first started my blog, I used to write regular empties posts as I think they're much more valuable and thorough compared to mini reviews or initial impressions. I will be posting a summer empties post at the end of September and I might make it a seasonal series! 

Skincare 

I'll begin with the category I have the most empties from and that's skincare! I didn't realise how many skincare products I'd used up until I started gathering them together to photograph all of my empties. From May to April I used up five face masks, one face mist, one moisturiser and two serums, although I think I did throw away a few products before I started collecting my empties at the end of May. 

I won't go through all of my skincare empties individually but my favourite products have include: the First Aid Beauty Ultra Repair Cream (a gorgeous gentle moisturiser), First Aid Beauty Radiance Pads (instantly smooth and exfoliated skin in a tub) and the Shangpree Aroma Blend Calming Mask (a heavenly Korean sheet mask). I will be buying all of three items in the future as my skin adored them all! 

I also used up a few sample sizes from Glamglow and Kiehls which were part of a limited edition box from Latest In Beauty: the Kiehls Rare Earth Deep Pore Cleansing Mask (which my currently blemish prone and congested skin loved) and the Glamglow BerryGlow Mask (which was ideal for helping my skin look a little less...awful due to the stress of lockdown). If you're looking for a great value for money beauty box then I cannot recommend the Latest In Beauty boxes enough. 

Last but not least I wanted to mention the Beauty Laundrette Sheet Mask which was a great post-sun skincare treat to add hydration and soothe the skin. During lockdown I've been using up not only my half-finished products but the mountain of sheet masks I have too and this mask was one of my favourites. I've finally jumped onto the sheet mask bandwagon and I'm not getting off. 

Bath & Body 

I was surprised by how few body products I'd used up in during lockdown as I only have two! First up, the gorgeous Molton Brown Ylang Ylang Body Scrub which has to be one of the most effective and heavenly scented body scrubs I've ever used. I'm a huge fan of Molton Brown products and I've loved every single one but this body scrub is at the top of the list so far. The second and final body product was the FFS Post-Shave Balm which I loved to soothe and hydrate my skin after shaving. 

Lush Empties

Within April I started to have pampering Sundays as I've been feeling quite anxious and it was also an opportunity to use the Lush bath bombs I needed to use up before they were too old. The first bath bomb I finished was one of my favourites, Twilight, as it smells absolutely heavenly! I also used up Intergalactic which I used to love but now I can't stand bath bombs that contains tonnes of glitter as it just means more cleaning up afterwards. 

My final bath bomb is by far the worst Lush bath bomb I've ever used and others might agree with me as it doesn't seem to be on the website anymore. What is this bath bomb I hear you frustratingly ask? It was the Lush Dark Arts Jelly Bomb. It was my first jelly bomb and I think it's safe to say that the concept of jelly bombs kind of...bombed as there's only one on the website. I do still have the Snow Fairy Jelly Bomb to use but sadly I don't have high hopes for it now. 

As well as bath bombs I also used up my Lush Olive Branch Naked Shower Gel which has quickly become one of my favourite products from Lush as it not only smells lovely but it lathers well, leaves my skin feeling moisturised and it doubles up as a shaving cream too. I will definitely be buying another naked shower gel from Lush as soon as I can. 

Haircare 

The next category is haircare and I'm not surprised that I only have three items as I tend to be quite fickle with my haircare products and it usually takes me a while to finish products, especially full sized items. My favourite haircare product from lockdown was the Schwarzkopf Color Expert Dye in Dark Brown which is another item I received as part of a Latest In Beauty box - I told you they were fantastic boxes! The dye was one of the easiest, quickest and fuss-free dyes I've ever used and the grey coverage was great. 

I also used up two mini hair masks recently and my favourite of the two was the Living Proof Restore Mask which was a fantastic, effective and deeply nourishing hair mask that my tangle-prone and dry hair seemed to love. Sadly I didn't quite love the Wella Nutri-Enrich Mask as it was just quite average, in my opinion. 

Home Fragrance

Home fragrance, whether in the form of candles and wax melts or room sprays, are some of my favourite items to buy and use as I love a clean and fresh smelling home. I used up the lovely Feather and Down Candle during lockdown and while I loved the scent, it wasn't as strong as I would have liked it to be unfortunately. 

Thankfully I have more than a few room sprays that were very strong including the: Puressential Rest & Relax Spray (one of the strongest room spray I've used), the wonderful Feather and Down Pillow Mist (which I spray at every opportunity) and the Mio Liquid Yoga Spray (a relaxing room spray). I would highly recommend both the Feather and Down as well as the Puressential sprays!

Makeup 

Lastly, the makeup items and I have not one, not two but three brow pencils within my lockdown empties stash! I didn't know that I used up brow pencils so frequently but I do fill in my brows almost everyday so I think I'm quite the brow pencil expert by now! I think all three brow pencils are fantastic and I've bought them multiple times over the past year or so and I'd recommend them all. 

The Maybelline Total Temptation Brow Pencil is ideal for those just starting out using brow pencils or those who want a subtle, natural effect. The Barry M Brow Wand is pretty much the opposite as it's fantastic for very bold, thick and unruly brows. Lastly the Maybelline Brow Precise is a great balance between the previous two as it can be built up for dark, bold brows but it can also be brushed out for more natural but precise brows too. 

The final makeup item I finished during lockdown is the Kat Von D Go Big Or Go Home Mascara which is a mascara I've raved about on my blog previously (it was yet again an item I've loved from a Latest In Beauty box). I have started to get into the habit of throwing away makeup when it is quite old which I think is a good habit to get into and something I should have been doing years ago...oops. 

Have you tried any of these products? What have you used up during lockdown? 

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June Beauty Favourites 2020

I've starting loving writing my monthly or bi-monthly favourites posts as well as a lockdown empties post (that's coming soon) so today's post is a short and sweet review of some of my favourite products from the month of June. I could have included many more products but you'll hear about some of them in my lockdown empties posts and my very long overdue winter and spring favourites post. I hope you all like reading about favourite products, empties and mini reviews as there are quite a few coming soon on my blog. You can always get a sneak peek of what I'm using, loving and receiving on my Instagram stories (@ofbeautyand). 

*Bubble T Cosmetics Hand Cleansing Gels (£2.50 each, 50ml)

I am very lucky to receive lots of lovely products from the amazing people over at Bubble T Cosmetics and I recently received their new hand sanitisers in the post. I have four of the six that are available including: gin and tonic, lemon, pina colada and mango, all of which have the cutest packaging design. The Bubble T Cosmetics hand sanitisers contain 70% alcohol with a fruity scent. As with their other products, the sanitisers are cruelty free which is fantastic!

I've been using the gin and tonic option the most as they are perfect sizes to keep in my handbag or the car and they have a pleasant scent unlike some of the other hand sanitisers we've been using during lockdown. Over the past couple of weeks I have developed little eczema again on my fingers (maybe due to stress) but thankfully it isn't too bad and if I avoid using the sanitiser on those tiny areas then I have no irritation. I think they're fantastic little hand sanitisers that I definitely prefer them over all of the others I've used since lockdown began. 

*COSRX Clear Fit Master Patch (£4.80)

As well as a little eczema on my fingers, I've also been having trouble with my skin as I've now developed a few areas of many spots and redness on my cheeks which have annoyingly been a constant on my face for the past couple of months. I've never really experienced spots or blemishes before (probably because I had eczema over half of my face for more than ten years until January 2019) so I haven't known what to use. Thankfully I was very kindly sent a couple of spot and acne patches from the Korean brand COSRX which as far as I know is cruelty free and vegan friendly!

The Clear Fit Master Patch set comes with 18 small patches that are a great size for smaller or individual spots. They are 'invisible' and absorb impurities as well as oil throughout the day. The patches also provide a barrier against external irritants as well as makeup. I find that they are relatively 'invisible' and not very noticeable from a distance but they become apparent if you look closer or from a certain angle. I've been loving using these little patches and after keeping a couple of patches on my spots overnight, I do notice that they are flatter in the morning. 

*COSRX AC Collection Acne Patch (£7) 

As much as I love using the previous patches from COSRX, my favourite set of the two has to be the acne patches. I don't think that the collection of persistent spots I have is acne but these patches have been the most effective out of the two sets for my skin. The patches act as a protective barrier, they absorb oil and impurities and they are formulated with Centella Asiatica extract which is a well known medicinal plant that is used to treat small wounds, burns and psoriasis. 

The set comes with 26 patches in small, medium and large sizes and they are much more noticeable compared to the others so I've only been wearing them overnight or in the evening. I've been using the largest patches to cover a larger area of spots and my skin is significantly better the next day although I find that I have to use them consistently to get the benefits. If you're looking for effective spot patches from a cruelty free and vegan friendly brand then I cannot recommend these from COSRX enough. 

*Estrid Starter Kit (£7.95)

Last but not least is my current razor and holder from Estrid that I've previously reviewed on my blog so check out that post for more in-depth information about the kit. The razor and wall mounted holder from Estrid is just so convenient, from the super handy holder to the comfortable handle and the lovely moisturising strips, it's one of the most convenient, easy and fuss free razors I've ever used. I get a very clean and close shave each time without having to use shave gels. What could make the razor even better? It is vegan friendly, what more could you ask for! 

Have you tried any of these products? What items have you been loving throughout the month of June? 

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April + May Favourites 2020

During the lockdown period I've discovered so many new favourite products so I wanted to share them with you today. From one lifestyle favourite to skincare, body care and a fragrance favourite. I do have so many more favourites than what I'll be reviewing in today's post but they will be reviewed in my very belated winter favourites post which will showcase all of the genuinely fantastic products I used and loved throughout the months of December, January and February.

*Barley Cup Cereal Drink 

I'll begin with the one lifestyle favourite I have for the past two months and it's a new drink! I was sent a couple of samples of barley drink which is a vegan friendly cereal drink that is made of barley, rye and chicory. It is naturally caffeine free and low calorie which is something I've been looking for recently as I have wanted to reduce my caffeine intake. I used to love Horlicks drinks growing up and it is very nostalgic to me so I hoped these would be a little similar and they are to an extent. The flavour is very nutty, roasted and earthy which I love but it's much stronger than I thought; however I do love it and I will be looking out for it in the future (when the world is a little less chaotic).

*Bubble T Soapscription 

I've already reviewed this shower gel subscription service a few times on my blog so I will keep this section short and sweet. I've been lucky enough to receive a few of the soapscription boxes over the past few months and I loved each one. I think it's such a great idea, especially as we are currently in lockdown until mid-June. I've liked every scent I've tried from them, particularly as they all tend to be quite unique. Click on the link above for more subscription box recommendations to help you get through lockdown!

*Daisy by Marc Jacobs via Perfume Direct 

Another favourite is one I've also reviewed on my blog previously but I wanted to include it in todays post as it is the fragrance I've been wearing non-stop since I received it back in April. The 'daisy' range from Marc Jacobs is very nostalgic to me as it is a fragrance I grew up wearing so I was very happy to receive a bottle to review from the lovely people at Perfume Direct. If you're looking for the perfect spring fragrance that will last all day, look no further.

*Pixi Glow Tonic 

One of my winter favourites has to be the First Aid Beauty radiance pads but I used up them up and since then I've been loving the Pixi glow tonic. I find the First Aid Beauty pads to be instantly smoothing, softening and exfoliating but the glow tonic is just as effective. I have found the tonic to be gentle, effective and it has been helping massively with the breakouts I've been having. I cannot recommend it enough as it's helping my skin to stay smooth and clear during all of the stress of lockdown.

*Bomb Cosmetics Build Your Own Soap (£7.99)

Last but not least for today's post is one of my more recent favourites and it's the soap I designed via Bomb Cosmetics. I'm lucky enough to be a Bomb Cosmetics ambassador so I receive their products to review but I have been using their products since before I started my blog! One of their newer products is a 'build your own soap' feature which I think is a fantastic idea and it would make a very cute and practical personalised gift. Check out the link above for more information on the soap and don't forget to use the code: STAYSAFE10 to get 10% off your order as well as a free slice of soap!

Stay tuned for my upcoming lockdown empties and winer favourites posts for more product reviews and recommendations!

Have you tried any of these products? What have you been loving recently? 

*gifted

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Makeup Dupes ft. Beauty Base

Back in the early days of blogging there were certain posts that everyone published including monthly favourites, OOTDs, empties, week in photographs posts and of course, dupe posts. If you don't know, a dupe is a product that is similar to another (in terms of shade, formula, packaging etc) but dupes are usually cheaper. I haven't seen any dupes posts for so long and I also haven't seen many favourites posts but I'll be bringing you both this month!

Today's post is all about three dupes that I've found recently via Beauty Base who kindly sent me these products to try out. Beauty Base has a great range of makeup from brands such as Milani, LA Girl, Eylure (which is a brand you already know that I adore) and many others, all at great prices.

*Milani Amore Matte Lip Creme (£9.95)

I have tried one of these before and liked it but this one is even better! I have the shade '10 adorable' which is a perfect 90's nude shade that's great of everyday. I have tried a lot of liquid lipsticks from Crown Brushes, TheBalm, Colorpop, The Body Shop and so many other brands and it can be very hit or miss. Some can be flaky, dry and very matte and others can be sticky, patchy or oily feeling but this one is fantastic.

The shade is gorgeous, it applies like a dream and it lasts really well so I can't recommend it enough. I think it's better than the The Body Shop options, in my opinion. I didn't like the other shade I tried as it was flaky but the shade '10 adorable's is perfection. I also think that even though they are cheaper, they are comparable to TheBalm liquid lipsticks too.

*W7 Mighty Mattes Palette (£6.99 - sale)

I've tried a couple of products from W7 previously and I liked them for the price but this palette has to be my favourite product from W7! I'm all about matte eyeshadows, I don't like shimmery shades or metallic shades so an all matte palette is just perfect. I like the packaging as it isn't cardboard, it's a metal tin and the shades aren't too dark - there are a lot of lighter shades.

I have quite a few matte palettes and while I adore them all, particularly TheBalm Meet Matt(e) Ador and TheBalm Meet Matt(e) Nude palettes (they are definitely worth checking out), I think this palette is almost just as good! The pigmentation is fantastic, they apply well and for less than £10, you really can't go wrong!

*Milani Prep + Set + Go Powder (£12.95)

We all know how much I love the Vichy Dermablend Powder and don't get me wrong I still do and I'll continue to use it but I find it being a loose powder a bit annoying so this Milani pressed powder is a great dupe. It has the same mattifying and setting abilities as the Vichy powder but it is in a pressed powder compact which makes it easier and quicker to use! I do think the Vichy powder is a little better but for the convenience of the Milani powder, I'll be using it more and it's cheaper too.

I cannot recommend these products enough, they were all fantastic and turned out to be very similar and great dupes for some more expensive or harder to find products! Now onto my quick video which features swatches of all of the products from Beauty Base and a mini tutorial for a quick, everyday makeup look.

Have you tried any of these products or brands? Do you have any great dupes? 

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My Little Energy Box (Jan 2015)

My Little Box is the one beauty/lifestyle subscription box that I am subscribed too and the previous box I received was fantastic so I couldn't wait to see what this new years box had instore! The theme is new year, new you and energy. Here are the items in the box and my thoughts:

Firstly, the magazine and little print that come in the box every time are quite cute and useful - I will definitely be reading the magazine later today. There is also a 2015 calendar which is also cute but I don't really have anywhere to hang it. The final lifestyle item is a sports bag which says 'good energy is contagious' on it. It is a good sized bag, it has a inner pocket and it would be good for taking to the gym however I don't really know what I would use it for; I might use it for empties. I am a bit disappointed with the lifestyle items in this box, they are personally not very useful or exciting to me.

Now to the beauty, the first item is a gorgeous Nails Inc polish in the shade 'Tate' (10ml) which I don't have and I will be painting my nails with this shade very soon! Next up is an item from the My Little Box's own beauty range - the Energising Face & Body Mist which has a slight floral/chamomile scent, in my opinion and the spray is very fine so it will be fantastic as a facial spray. I will be re-using this bottle. Lastly, the Talika Paris Photo-Hydra Day (30ml) from a brand that I haven't heard of but it claims to be a deep facial moisturising cream so I can't wait to give it a go, hopefully it won't irritate my skin. 

Overall, I love the presentation and design of this box, as the previous one it is very pinterest worthy and I am very happy with the magazine and all three beauty products; I'm excited to try them out. However, I am quite disappointed with the lifestyle items as I won't really use them and in my opinion they are boring additions to the box - I definitely would have preferred other items! I am going to stay subscribed because I think the valentines box next month will be great. Overall rating:  ★★★☆☆, 3/5.

Are you subscribed to My Little Box? What do you think of the items in this months box?

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Review: Travel Beauty Picks

At the beginning of August I published a post all about my initial impressions of some travel beauty picks I was kindly sent for review, click here to check out the post.  I have been testing the product while on holiday - I have a lot of travel/holiday posts coming soon! Here are my full reviews of the travel beauty picks I received!

*Guinot Moisturising Sunscreen Balm For Lips SPF20 (£13.95, 15ml): Before my holiday I created a 'mini-mergency' kit which I kept in my handbag that included a range of beauty travel picks and beauty emergency essentials including these two Guinot SPF products. The 50+ stick came in handy although the star product is the sunscreen lip balm! The lip balm smells so nice, it is thick and nourishing and smoothing. It was a lifesaver product while on holiday! Overall rating for both products: ★★★★★, 5/5. 

*Carex Complete Strawberry Laces Hand Gel (£1.45, 50ml): An essential for travelling! The scent is so much nicer than other hand sanitisers I have used (apart from the couple of bath and body works sanitisers I have). Very quick and easy to use on the go and it dries quickly too. Overall rating: ★★★★★, 5/5.

*Ted Baker Mia EDT Purse Spray (£15, 10ml): This perfume was so handy while on holiday, I have actually used up the whole bottle and it will be in an empties blog post in a month or so. The bottle is so pretty as is the scent. It lasts well although it definitely isn't the most long-lasting fragrance I have tried. Perfect for travelling! Overall rating: ★★★★★, 5/5.

*Dermalex Skin Treatment Cream for Rosacea & Couperose (£18.99, 30g): I have been using this cream for about four weeks on and off and it was a nice product to use. It applied like any other cream and it did reduce my facial redness although there was not a massive difference but a slight change. I think with longer term use it would work very well. ★★★★☆, 4/5. 

There are my travel beauty full reviews! Have you tried any of these products, if so what did you think of them? 

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Empties #5

I haven't posted an empties post for so long - maybe April last year! I have been storing empties for months and I have only just got round to reviewing and photographing them! This post contains a mixture of body care, hair care, skincare and makeup tools. 

Kerastase Cristalliste Hair Mask: I just have a sample of this hair mask and I managed to get one good use out of it and I really liked it. It smells really nice, it an expensive salon and it let my hair feeling super soft, smooth and detangled. I would consider buying it, even through it is probably quite expensive being Kerastase. ★★★★☆, 4/5. 

Cosmpolitan Beauty Foundation Sponge: I have gone through about five of these sponges over a couple of years and I really like them from liquid foundation. They are quite cheap, although the Real Techniques one is slightly cheaper. I dampen the sponge then press the foundation onto my skin, it is a fantastic way of applying foundation if you have dry/flaky skin. ★★★★☆, 4/5. 

Real Techniques Miracle Complexion Sponge: I thought this one would be a slightly cheaper dupe to the Cosmo one but it isn't, don't get me wrong I like it but it is not amazing. The Cosmo sponge even when damp is quite firm and this one is really squishy which I don't like, it makes applying my foundation a little messier and less controlled. I probably won't be buying this one again, I might get the Beauty Blender or the Cosmo on again. ★★★☆☆, 3/5. 

Dove Beauty Bath Cream: Dove is one of my favourite body care brands as they products just work really well and they smell amazing! I adore the original Dove scent and this body wash is so lovely, it doesn't strip/dry out the skin and it feels quite luxe on the skin. ★★★★★, 5/5. 

Boots Botanics Cocoa Body Butter: I received a set of these a couple of years ago and this is the last one I had and it was one of my favourites. The scent is gorgeous and comforting and it was just a really good, fairly quickly absorbing body butter. ★★★★☆, 4/5. 

Avene Rich Compansating Cream: I have kept trying to use this product on and off for about three years or so and each time I haven't been able to get on with it. My skin does become a bit irritated by this, the only times I can use this product is when I am completely eczema/sensitivity free which is quite rare. So I do have a little bit left but I have to throw it away, sadly as I love all of the other Avene products I have tried. ★☆☆☆☆, 1/5. 

There are my empties! Have you tried any of these products, if so, what do you think?

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What would you repurchase # 1

Here are some of my fairly recent empties that I loved and would repurchase in the future - I have already repurchased some of them. There is a mixture of skincare, body care and makeup items. Obviously I couldn't talk about all of the items I wanted to in this one post because it would be far too long, but I have missed out items such as the Caudalie Beauty Elixir (I love that stuff!) and the Tweezerman Brow Mousse - both of which I would definitely repurchase. 

All images from Google

1. Bliss Blood Orange and White Pepper Body Butter: I received this in the Harrods Glossy Box last year and I have been saving it for special days because I just love this product - the price for the full size bottle is quite expensive but you can buy the small travel size for around £6 online. The body butter smells divine, it is hydrating but not sticky or heavy and it absorbs quickly. 

2. Clinique 7 Day Facial Scrub Cream: I have been using this product on and off for almost a year (naughty, naughty I know) but I love this scrub. It is gentle on my sensitive eczema prone skin but it really exfoliates and leave my skin so smooth. I have done a full review post on this product already - click here. I will definitely repurchase this product as I find myself wishing I had it. 

3. Cosmopolitan Beauty Foundation Sponge: I have repurchased this foundation sponge about six or seven times, I love it! I use it for applying my liquid foundations. I find that it is amazing for applying foundation onto dry/flaky skin because it doesn't emphasise the dryness. This is a lifesaver product for me! 

4. Caudalie Crushed Cabernet Body Scrub: I received this scrub as a free gift with purchase online and I actually have two. I like the smell of this product, as with all Caudalie products, it smells so fresh and natural. The scrub is exfoliating but moisturising too. A product I will repurchase when it is on offer/sale because it is pretty expensive. 

5. Simple Rich Moisturiser: I have gone through about ten or more bottles of this moisturiser. This product is my fail safe, go to facial moisturiser because I know it is one of the few products I can use when my eczema flares up badly. 

6. Caudalie Nourishing Body Lotion: I had a travel size bottle of this product a year or so ago and I took it on holiday with me and I LOVED it! It smells amazing, it is hydrating, it absorbs quickly and it is fantastic for sunburn. I will be buying this again even through it is a bit expensive, as with all Caudalie products. 

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