Top Netflix Picks

Image from Contemporary Lighting via Pinterest

Today's post is all about the top TV shows and documentaries that I've been loving on Netflix so hopefully you'll find something new to watch! There are more shows on Netflix that I want to get to such as The Keepers, American Horror Story, Salem, War and Peace, The Last Kingdom and The Lizzie Borden Chronicles so if you have any recommendations based on those and my favourites then let me know in the comments below!

I have to admit that I do love Netflix, I have been subscribed for over a year now and it's perfect for quick, easy entertainment although as I tend to watch it mostly as I work or on my iPhone, I tend to binge watch episode after episode. I'd rather not watch it on my iPhone before bed and I'd love a 4K TV Panasonic instead as watching on my iPhone means that I don't get as much sleep as I probably should as after I've finished watching Netflix, I'l scroll through social media for so long...oops!

British TV Shows: The Thick Of It, Blackadder, QI & The Mighty Boosh

I grew up watching old school British TV such as Blackadder, Allo Allo, Fawlty Towers and Only Fools and Horses so British TV shows are always on my list to watch. The only old school show that I watch now is Blackadder but I also love The Thick Of It, QI (the Stephen Fry episodes) and the whimsical gloriousness that is The Mighty Boosh!

Crime: Luther, Whitechapel, OITNB, Shetland, Sherlock & How To Get Away With Murder

Crime dramas are also a favourite of mine, some of my top picks that aren't on Netflix include Broadchurch, Elementary and Bones. But in terms of Netflix I'd definitely recommend: The Killing (both versions), Whitechapel, Luther (a new one for me), OITNB (after the devastating ending of season 4, I don't know if I'll watch season 5), Sherlock, Shetland and How To Get Away With Murder, the latter I did love but I find the more I get through it, the more samey it gets.

Sci Fi, Fantasy & Historical: Stranger Things, Doctor Who & Marco Polo

Fantasy books are some of my favourites but I don't watch that many fantasy TV shows (if you have any recommendations then let me know in the comments) but I do adore Stranger Things which is kind of a mix between fantasy, sci-fi and paranormal...Season 2 should be live later this year (October I think) and I can't wait. I also love Doctor Who, although not the recent episodes! In terms of historical TV shows then you can't go wrong with Marco Polo as well as Peaky Blinders and The Tudors.

Comedy: The Big Bang Theory & What We Do In The Shadows

I don't watch many comedy TV shows or films but I am always watching The Big Bang Theory, I've lost count of how many times I've watched it. What We Do In The Shadows is a kind of pseudo documentary/film about old school vampires living in modern day New Zealand and I love it although it won't be for everyone.

Documentaries: The Royals, The Secrets Of Great British Castles, Wild China & Mythbusters

I love documentaries, I watch so many and Netflix has a great range to choose from but my current favourites include probably much all of the PBS documentaries about palaces, the monarchy and the secret service! I also love The Secrets of Great British Castles documentary series (can you tell I love history based documentaries). Mythbusters (a kind of documentary....) and Wild China are also great picks. A few non-Netflix documentaries I'd love to recommend include: The Marvellous World of Roald Dahl (BBC but you can find it on Youtube), any of the Horizon documentaries and Dr Michael Mosley's medical documentaries, all of which can be found on Youtube too.

Throwbacks: Matilda, Fresh Prince of Bel Air, A Series of Unfortunate Events & A Knights Tale

I'm a child of the 90's and thankfully if you are too, then Netflix has us covered with throwbacks to watch. Matilda was one of my favourite films growing up which isn't a surprise as it's based on the book created by the amazing Roald Dahl. I also loved the Fresh Prince of Bel Air in my teens as well as the wonderfully melancholy A Series of Unfortunate Events film (I now really like the new Netflix TV series).

Have you watched of any these Netflix and non-Netflix shows? Do you have any recommendations, particularly more dark TV shows or documentaries? 

*This is a sponsored post
*Image from Pinterest 

Read More

Engineering + Tech Behind The Beauty Industry

Image from Daily Chic via Pinterest

When you think of the beauty industry, engineering isn't the first thing that springs to mind. The advancements in professional treatments that are being demanded by an ever knowledgeable public that are expecting more, using more and spending more in the never ending search for improvement if not perfection. These new treatments require a good grasp of not only anatomy and physiology but quite possible chemistry and physics too. Training is becoming more in depth, longer and to a higher level in order to be able to deliver the treatment and use the equipment to industry standards. A new breed of therapist is a combination of nurse and beautician administering injectables like Botox and fillers and performing chemical peels.

Time has moved on from the simple facial to non surgical face lifting, from having your eyebrows tinted for a weeks holiday in the sun to microblading for a semi permanent solution to pale or sparse brows and from being smothered in a cold gel and wrapped in crepe bandages so you may lose half an inch to Cryolipolysis or fat freezing as it is also known.

Have you thought about the technical side of these machines and treatments or just the excellent results though? How about the cosmetic engineers producing new formulas for those leading edge skin care ranges, or the process engineer who has to figure out how to scale up manufacturing amounts from a few jars to thousands of kilos of product. Number one in the technical stakes though has to be the IPL and laser treatments on offer for numerous skin benefits including tightening, lifting and curing acne to the removal of tattoos and permanent hair removal - even including the at home laser hair remover devices on the market.

Just think of the electrical and manufacturing engineers involved in making the laser not to mention the optical engineers providing the UV fused silica lens needed or those building custom made flash or IPL lamps. Finally, how about the technical knowledge needed by the therapist to decide on the spot size or wavelength needed for each different client or treatment type not to mention altering and tweaking the equipment to give the best possible results whist maintaining health and safety regulations.

There’s a lot more to the beauty industry than first meets the eye and this is only going to get more and more involved as new technologies arrive on the scene. The five treatments for 2017 expected to be most in demand according to Cosmetic Digital include:

- Medical facials: concentrating on results and solving problems rather than relaxation.
- Lip enhancement: injectables are used for a fuller pout, albeit with more natural outcomes than the trout pout of old.
- Platelet rich plasma therapy: also known as the vampire facial, where the patient's own blood is taken from the arm, spun in a centrifuge and then the separated platelets are injected back into the problem areas on the face.
- Oxygen infused facials: deliver oxygen under pressure, pushing serums into the skin for deeper absorption. With an impressive list of A listers raving about the results, this is a treatment that's sure to be on the increase this year.
- Cryolipolysis/fat freezing/coolsculpting: Actually removing fat as opposed to emptying fat cells and non invasive, this has to be a winner for many. 

Although there is still a demand for the holistic approach with international methods of massage and exotic oils, technical know how and a huge scientific workforce behind the scene and highly qualified therapists providing the hands on treatments is fast becoming mainstream.

With so many choices, will you try any of these new treatments? Have you ever considered the science and engineering that goes into your beauty products and devices? 

*This is a sponsored post
*Image from Pinterest 

Read More

Biolage Haircare #LiveRAW

As I mentioned in a previous post, I'm trying to move over to more natural haircare as I don't want to carry on using products that contains lots of ingredients that might not be necessarily good for your hair. Biolage have recently released their R.A.W range which features a plant based formula and 97% of the ingredients are from natural sources. The products don't contain silicones, sulphates or artificial colourants.

I was very kindly sent a lovely press pack a few weeks ago with some of the Biolage RAW Nourish range which is designed for dry, dull hair to leave it glossy, nourished and feeling stronger. I love the packaging for this range, the shampoo and conditioner bottles look like juice or smoothie bottles.

*Biolage RAW Nourish Shampoo (£18.29, 325ml)

There are numerous ranges and you can actually take a quiz where you can find out which range would be most suitable for your hair. The nourish range contains honey and quinoa husk and it smells amazing! To me, the shampoo has a sweet and clean scent that's a little salon like.

Even though the shampoo doesn't contain sulphates or silicones, it lathers well which is fantastic as I have tried some shampoos that don't contain silicones/sulphates that don't lather at all. The shampoo leaves my hair clean and smooth without feeling like it's stripping my hair. Overall rating: ★★★★☆, 4/5.

*Biolage RAW Nourish Conditioner (£18.29, 325ml)

Conditioners are alway my favourite products out of a range as they tend to be the products that make the most impact and difference to my hair. The conditioner smells different to the shampoo, it's creamy and musky scented which I really like but I thought the whole range would smell the same but it doesn't.

The conditioner leaves my dry, very tangled and dull hair so much more manageable! My hair has been incredibly tangled recently but this conditioner and the masks have been helping. This conditioner is well worth checking it as it's one of the few conditioners that leave my hair so smooth, soft and shiny instantly! Overall rating: ★★★★★, 5/5.

*Biolage Re-Bodify Clay Mask (£28.59, 400ml)

Now onto the masks which I have been using a lot more recently because I love these masks but also because I have bleached ends so I need to look after my hair much more now as bleach definitely dries out and damages the hair. This hair mask is designed for flat, fine hair and as with the shampoo/conditioner, it doesn't contain parabens or silicones.

I don't have fine hair, mine is very thick especially after using a treatment product recently but I do have flat hair so I was excited to try this mask. I like the scent, it contains ginger and clay; it does have a powdery clay scent. Both masks are so thick but they're still easy to apply.

I always apply hair masks to dry hair as I find that they are more effective as I can leave them on for much longer than I can when I use the masks in the shower. I find this mask does make my hair a little more voluminous but not as much as I'd hoped but I think it's just because my hair is so long and thick rather than a fault with the product. Overall rating: ★★★★☆, 4/5.

*Biolage RAW Re-Hydrate Clay Mask (£28.59, 400ml)

Last but not least is my second favourite product, after the gorgeous conditioner as it is such an effective hair mask and one that I've been using constantly. The mask is designed for dry, dull hair and it contains shea butter and moroccan lava clay.

The mask has a subtle scent (although that might just be because I'm still full of an awful cold) and it is very thick so it's great to use on dry hair as it will stay put. I usually leave masks on my hair for an hour or so before I have a shower and this one has been the mask that I have reached for the most.

It leaves my dry and tangled hair so shiny (but not in a greasy or oily way), smooth, moisturised and soft which is exactly what I want in a hair mask. I've used it three times now as I typically only use masks once a week and I still have a lot left in the pot so even though it is a bit pricey, it will last for a while even with my very long hair! Overall rating: ★★★★★, 5/5.

Have you tried anything from Biolage? What are your current haircare favourites? 

Read More

How To Prepare Your Skin For Summer

Image from Glam Fashion Luxe via Pinterest

Summer has begun and, although we’re stilling waiting for the sun to come out here in the UK, you’ll no doubt be jetting off on that much-anticipated summer holiday soon. So, how can you prepare your skin? Discover some all-important beauty tips here.

Exfoliate Your Skin 

Ideally, you should be exfoliating all year round. However, if you don’t, make it a must to incorporate this crucial step into your beauty regime this summer. You don’t need to exfoliate daily, but doing so once or twice a week will remove dead skin cells and keep your skin soft and smooth. Not only will you scrub away dull and old skin to reveal more radiant skin, your make-up will stay on for longer too!

Drink More Water 

Drinking more water can make a world of difference to your skin. If you’re guilty of not drinking enough H20, carry a bottle of water with you at all times; this way you won’t have an excuse to not drink enough. Aim to drink eight 8-ounce glasses a day, which is the equivalent of about two litres, and you’ll effortlessly help maintain the natural moisture balance of your skin. By drinking plenty of water, you’ll also help to rid your body of harmful toxins. If you struggle with plain water, try adding a few slices of fresh lemon.

Keep Your Skin Hydrated 

Your skin needs to drink too! Keep your skin hydrated by using intensive masques once or twice a week. If you’re not used to doing this, it may seem like a lot of effort, however, if you want healthy skin, you need to invest some time into prepping for it. Use a moisturiser, preferably with an SPF, every day and use a spritz toner throughout the day to give your skin a pick-me-up in the middle of the day. Carry it in your handbag and your skin can have a hit of moisture as and when you want!

Use Sunscreen 

If the sun is shining, you need sunscreen. Even if it’s not a scorcher, you still need to protect your face from harmful UVB rays and early aging. However, while it’s all very well applying sunscreen, it’s important to apply enough. You should use approximately a teaspoon of sunscreen for your face to ensure that your skin is completely protected. Remember to re-apply sunscreen every couple of hours or if you go in the water, be sure to apply more sunscreen as soon as you’ve dried off. Don’t forget to look after your lips. Use a lip sunscreen with an SPF of at least 15 on your lips to prevent your lips from burning. If you follow these simple steps, your skin will be summer-ready in no time.

About the Author 

If your skin is already damaged from the sun, then you may want to consider skin rejuvenation. At The Skin Repair Clinic, we offer a range of anti-ageing treatments in Bristol, Cardiff and Cheltenham. Visit the website today and arrange a free consultation.

Do you follow these rules? Do you have any summer skincare tips or product recommendations? 

*This is a sponsored post
*Image from Pinterest 

Read More

Top Books + AudioBooks Of 2017 So Far

Today's post is quite late as I've been too busy being ill and filming over 80 video clips for a couple of upcoming posts - my go to summer makeup and my spring/summer skincare routine! Here are my favourite books and audiobooks from 2017 so far:

As I'm writing this (2nd July) I've managed to read a whopping 76 books which is almost the same number of books that I read in the entirety of 2016 so I've very happy with my reading progress. Last month I read a lot of shorter books which has bumped up my number of read books and I started listening to audiobooks via BookBeat this year which has also helped to increase the number of read books. I don't have that many favourite books or audiobooks far this year sadly but there is still time to read some amazing books this year!

Here are all of the books that I've read so far this year along with my ratings:

- Happy Ending Not Guaranteed by Liam Hogan - ★★★★☆, 4/5 (short story collection)
- The Worriers Guide To Life by Gemma Correll - ★★★☆☆, 3/5 (illustrated non-fiction)
- Very British Problems Abroad - ★★★★★, 5/5 (illustrated non-fiction/humour)
- On The Trail Of The Sandalwood Smugglers by Simon Constantine - ★★★★☆, 4/5 (non-fiction/graphic novel)
- Danger! Cosmetics To Go by Mira Manga - ★★★★★, 5/5 (illustrated non-fiction)
- Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban by J.K Rowling - ★★★★★, 5/5 (YA/childrens)
- Incendium by A.D Swanston - ★★★☆☆, 3/5 (historial fiction)
- Someone Is Watching by Joy Fielding - ★★★☆☆, 3/5 (thriller/mystery)
- Hygge by Charlotte Abrahams - ★★☆☆☆, 2/5 (non-fiction)
- The United States of Absurdity by Dave Anthony - ★★★★★, 5/5 (illustrated non-fiction/humour)
- The Bear and the Nightingale by Katherine Arden - ★★★★☆, 4/5 (historical/fairytale/folktale)
- The Lost Child of Lychford by Paul Cornell - ★★☆☆☆, 2/5 (novella/urban fantasy)
- Is Canada Even Real by J.C Villamere - ★★☆☆☆, 2/5 (non-fiction)
- Dark Tales by Shirley Jackson - ★★★☆☆, 3/5 (thriller/horror/short stories)
- Those Who Lie by Diana Jeffreys - ★★★☆☆, 3/5 (thriller/mystery)
- The Halloween Tree by Ray Bradbury - ★★★★★, 5/5 (classic/childrens)
- The Tales of Beedle the Bard by J.K Rowling - ★★★★★, 5/5 (YA/childrens)
- Stalin - History in an Hour by Rupert Colley - ★★★☆☆, 3/5 (audiobook)
- Anton Chekov Short Stories - ★★★☆☆, 3/5 (audiobook)
- Sherlock Holmes: The Adventure of the Lions Mane and Other Stories - ★★★☆☆, 3/5 (audiobook)
- Annihilation by Jeff Vandermeer - ★★★☆☆, 3/5 (dystopian/mystery)
- Victorians: Tales of the Flesh in the Age of Decorum by Kathryn Hughes - ★★★★☆, 4/5 (non-fiction)
- The Creeps by Fran Krause - ★★★★☆, 4/5  (graphic novel)
- We Should All Be Feminists by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie - ★★★★★, 5/5 (audiobook)
- The Magician's Lie by Greer Macallister - ★★☆☆☆, 2/5 (YA/mystery)
- The Body Snatcher and Other Stories by Robert Louis Stevenson - ★★☆☆☆, 2/5 (audiobook)
- Dickens: History in an Hour by Kaye Jones - ★★☆☆☆, 2/5 (audiobook)
- The Hidden People by Alison Littlewood - ★★★☆☆, 3/5 (historical/mystery/folktale)
- Witchtown by Cory Putman Oakes - ★★★☆☆, 3/5 (YA/childrens)
- The Dark Room by Jonathan Moore - ★★★☆☆, 3/5 (mystery/thriller)
- The Upstairs Room by Kate Murray-Browne - ★★★☆☆, 3/5 (mystery/thriller)
- Gilded Cage (Dark Gifts, #1) by Vic James - ★★★★☆, 4/5 (YA/dystopian/fantasy)
- Printer's Devil Court by Susan Hill - ★★★☆☆, 3/5 (horror/short story)
- Slade House by David Mitchell - ★★★☆☆, 3/5 (mystery/paranormal)
- The Daylight Gate by Jeanette Winterson - ★★★☆☆, 3/5 (historical/paranormal)
- Other Minds: The Octopus, the Sea, and the Deep Origins of Consciousness by Peter Godfrey-Smith - ★★☆☆☆, 2/5 (audiobook)
- White is for Witching by Helen Oyeyemi - ★★★☆☆, 3/5 (mystery/coming of age/contempory)
- What We See in the Stars: An Illustrated Tour of the Night Sky by Kelsey Oseid - ★★★★☆, 4/5 (non-fiction/illustrated)
- The Tent by Margaret Atwood - ★★★☆☆, 3/5 (short stories)
- The Good People by Hannah Kent - ★★★★☆, 4/5 (historical)
 Alice: The Wanderland Chronicles by J.M. Sullivan - ★★☆☆, 3/5 (YA)
- Random Illustrated Facts: A Collection of Curious, Weird, and Totally Not Boring Things to Know by Mike Lowery - ★★★★☆, 4/5 (non-fiction/illustrated)
- The Russian Revolution: History in an Hour by Rupert Colley - ★★☆☆☆, 2/5 (audiobook)
- Hero Risen (Seeds of Destiny, Book 3) by Andy Livingstone - ★★★★☆, 4/5 (fantasy)
- Reaper Man (Discworld, #11) by Terry Pratchett - ★★★★☆, 4/5 (fantasy)
- We Have Always Lived in the Castle by Shirley Jackson - ★★★☆☆, 3/5 (horror/mystery)
- Our Dark Duet (Monsters of Verity, #2) by Victoria Schwab - ★★★★☆, 4/5 (fantasy/YA)
- Blameless by Claudio Magris - ★★☆☆☆, 2/5 (historical/translated)
 - Animal Farm by George Orwell - ★★★★☆, 4/5 (classic)
- The BFG by Roald Dahl - ★★★★☆, 4/5 (childrens/classic)
- Triumph and Disaster: Five Historical Miniatures by Stefan Zweig - ★★★★☆, 4/5 (historical)
- Three and a Half Deaths by Emma Donoghue - ★★☆☆☆, 2/5 (historical/novella)
- Alice's Adventures In Wonderland by Lewis Carroll - ★★★★☆, 4/5 (classic/childrens)
- The Mayfly by James Hazel - ★★★☆☆, 3/5 (thriller/mystery)
- The Devil's Prayer by Luke Gracias - ★★☆☆☆, 2/5 (mystery/religious/crime)
- The Melancholy Death of Oyster Boy & Other Stories by Tim Burton - ★★★☆☆, 3/5 (short stories/illustrated)
- Lost in Translation: An Illustrated Compendium of Untranslatable Words by Ella Frances Sanders - ★★★☆☆, 3/5 (illustrated/non-fiction)
- Genius and Discovery: Five Historical Miniatures by Stefan Zweig - ★★★★☆, 4/5 (historical)
- Get Well Soon by Marie-Sabine Roger - ★★★★☆, 4/5 (contemporary)
- The Wicked Will Rise (Dorothy Must Die #2) by Danielle Paige - ★★★☆☆, 3/5 (YA)
- The Black Door: Spies, Secret Intelligence and British Prime Ministers by Richard Aldrich - ★★☆☆☆, 2/5 (audiobook)
- A Is for Asteroids, Z Is for Zombies: A Bedtime Book about the Coming Apocalypse by Paul Lewis - ★★★★☆, 4/5 (illustrated/comic)
- Lost Boy by Christina Henry - ★★★★☆, 4/5 (YA/retelling)
- The Tiny Wife by Andrew Kaufman - ★★★☆☆, 3/5 (magical realism/illstrated)
 - Odd & True by Cat Winters - ★★★☆☆, 3/5 (YA/mystery)
- House of Furies by Madeleine Roux - ★★★★☆, 4/5 (audiobook)
- The Medieval Anarchy: History in an Hour by Kaye Jones - ★★★☆☆, 3/5 (audiobook)
- Marx: Philosophy in an Hour by Paul Strathern - ★★☆☆☆, 2/5 (audiobook)
- Quackery: A Brief History of the Worst Ways to Cure Everything by Lydia Kang - ★★★★☆, 4/5 (non-fiction)
- Machiavelli: Philosophy in an Hour by Paul Strathern - ★★★☆☆, 3/5 (audiobook)
- Soot by Andrew Martin - ★★☆☆☆, 2/5 (historical/mystery/crime)
- Know It All Chemistry: The 50 Most Elemental Concepts in Chemistry, Each Explained in Under a Minute by Nivaldo J. Tro - ★★★☆☆, 3/5 (non-fiction)
- Deer Life by Ron Sexsmith - ★★★☆☆, 3/5 (YA/childrens)
- The Hanging Girl by Eileen Cook - ★★★☆☆, 3/5 (YA/mystery/thriller)
 American War by Omar El Akkad - ★★★★★, 5/5 - (dystopian)
- The Handmaid's Tale by Margaret Atwood - ★★★★☆, 4/5 (dystopian)

You can see my favourite books and audiobooks in the collage above and I hope that there will be a lot more in the second half of the year! I'm currently reading War and Peace so wish me luck as it's gigantic and by gigantic I mean over 1,000 pages...

If you wanted to subscribe to BookBeat then it's £14.90 per month and there isn't a limited on how many audiobooks you can listen to but you can get a ONE MONTH free trial using this link (it's not an affiliate link) rather than the normal two week free trial.

Are we friends on GoodReads? Have you read any of these books? Do you listen to audiobooks? 

Read More

RayBan Erika Sunglasses ft. WatchShop.com

Most of my life I've hated sunglasses, I just didn't like them (apart from my polkadot minnie mouse ones I had in primary school as they were amazing!) but since learning to drive last year I wear them constantly and they've become a staple in my handbag and in the car too.

I have a few cheaper pairs and a couple of high end sunglasses too, I love my Marc by Marc Jacobs ones but when the opportunity arose to try some Raybans, I couldn't contain my excitement as I've wanted them for over a year now. They have so many classic styles that look amazing but the sunglasses that I really wanted were the *Rayban Erika Metal Sunglasses (£107, WatchShop.com) which I was very kindly sent a few weeks ago from Watch Shop. WatchShop.com is known for selling gorgeous jewellery and watches but they've recently started selling designer sunglasses.

The Erika style is just gorgeous, it's slightly similar to the wayfarer style but the frame is smaller, thinner and not as bulky, in my opinion. I love the classic style, design and the option I have is the unisex colour/style with black frames and grey graduated lens. The sunglasses come with the cute tan Rayban sunglasses case which isn't as padded as I hoped it would be. It also comes with a lens cleaning cloth and manufactures information note on how to clean, maintain and general information about the sunglasses and the level of protection.

I have been wearing the sunglasses constantly as they're perfect for driving, they feel more secure than when I wear my cheaper plastic sunglasses and even though they are composed of metal, they actually feel comfortable. They offer great UV protection, they are easy to throw in my bag or keep in the car to use when I need them and they go with so many outfits, unlike some of my other sunglasses.

They are my first Raybans and I love them, from the little Rayban logo on the lens to the style of the frames and case. They are surprisingly comfortable, lightweight to an extent and less bulky than my plastic sunglasses with thicker frames. Unlike some larger glasses and sunglasses, these don't tend to give me a headache. There are so many other Rayban sunglasses to choose from on WatchShop.com as well as other designer brands including Versace, Calvin Klein and others.

Do you own a pair of Raybans? Have you purchased from WatchShop.com?

Read More