How to stop mascara smudging under eyes (tried and tested)

Categories
Beauty Products Make up

After years of never knowing if my mascara would smudge that day, I’ve finally (after over twenty years) found a solution to stop mascara smudging. I can now go all day—even in rain and sweat—and not have any smudging/transferring or panda eye at the end of the day. Over the last six months, I’ve tried […]

Running Leggings for Women: My Top Recommendations After Years of Running

Categories
Couch to 5k Fitness

As the season changes and we’re heading into colder days and nights, I reached towards the back of my workout drawer to find my trusted full-length running leggings from Acai Outdoorwear. I’ve not written about my favourite pieces before, but that’s changing! A little context… I’ve run for over 20 years, on and off. My […]

Verve Greens Powder – my honest review of the Benefits, Taste and Morning Routine

Categories
Fitness Health Wellbeing Mini Beauty Buzz

Verve (or VaVaVerve, as they’re commonly known) is a UK-based brand that sells an 80-ingredient greens drink backed by science. Verve is FDA-approved. The greens powder is free from allergens and vegan/vegetarian safe. They kindly sent me their V80 kit, which includes a large greens pouch, glass water bottle, refillable stainless steel storage tin, and […]

Il Makiage Foundation: Your Full Guide to Shade Ranges and Comparison Colour Swatches

Categories
Make up

Il Makiage ‘Woke up like this’ Foundation has 50 shades for several skin tones and undertones. Having so many is great, but it can come with challenges – how do you know which is for you? That’s where the Il Makiage shade matcher comes in which I’ll talk about below. Now into the foundation shades… […]

How do you run when you have a 9-5?

Categories
Couch to 5k Fitness

How do you fit in a weekday run when you work 9-5, aren’t a morning person and have a busy 5-9? Welcome to my life. Here is my plan on how to successfully have a 30-minute lunchtime run midweek and be back in time for those afternoon Teams calls. If you get an hour’s lunch […]

Dermatica Skincare discounts and offers in 2024

Categories
Skincare

Ready to take the plunge in personalised skincare but don’t want the £24.99 monthly fee? I don’t blame you. With my discount code, you can get your: That gives you over 8 weeks to test the product to see if it’s right for you. To make it last even longer, I’d suggest using less product […]

How do you stay safe when running? Tips from a woman

Categories
Couch to 5k Fitness

I’ve been running on and off for 20 years and wanted to put together a list of all the things I either use or have heard of that’ll help to keep us safe during our running journey. Even if you have all of these things, always be vigilant and have your wits about you. Live […]

Top 9 things to expect when starting Couch to 5k running plan

Categories
Couch to 5k Fitness

You’re excited to start your couch to 5k journey and after doing it myself, you’re going to love it! I still run now, a few years since completing couch to 5k twice. It gave me the confidence to pace myself but it didn’t prepare me for everything – that’s what my blog is for! Here […]

Beginners Couch to 5k top 10 popular running questions answered

Categories
Couch to 5k Fitness

The couch to 5k program gets you running 5k in 30 minutes over a 9-week plan, by gradually increasing distance and total time running (instead of walking) each week. If you’re out of shape and want to improve your fitness, or never worked out, the program would be a great way for you to get […]

Bronzer That’s Fungal Acne Safe (and great for fair skin)

Categories
Skincare

If you’re suffering from fungal acne but want to look like a bronzed goddess without the acne, look no further. I’ve been using one from Amazon, which I’ll tell you about below. I’ve suffered from fungal acne for around a year. Finding products I want to use that are safe and won’t bring me out […]

Shokz OpenFit Discount Promo Coupon Codes (that work) in 2024, updated!

Categories
Fitness

If you’re after Shokz headphones, it’s worth looking for a discount code, as the prices are pretty hefty. I’ve bought OpenFit and got 10% off by signing up to the newsletter on the Shokz website. There are other codes around and I’ve listed below ways to find them. November – Black Friday deals Shokz are […]

Is Il Makiage foundation and concealer non-comedogenic?

Categories
Beauty Products

If you need products that won’t clog your pores, using non-comedogenic products can help. Ingredients such as cocoa butter, and coconut oil will be your worst nightmare! I’ve been using several Il Makiage products for years now – including foundation, primer, and concealer – and decided to review them all, as I’ve got oily skin […]

Top 10 Tips to Prepare For a First Time Cruise

Categories
Travel

If you’re going on a cruise for the first time and want some tips on how you can make it that little bit easier, read my tips below. I’ve been on 4 cruises with P&O Cruises now. From 2 weeks in the Caribbean to a week in the Mediterranean. Over this time I’ve added small […]

How does Tretinoin in Dermatica work and how does it help acne?

Categories
Skincare

Tretinoin is in the cream I’m getting in my personalised Dermatica subscription to fight hyperpigmentation/melasma on my forehead. It’s strong stuff, so I’ve researched it and thought I’d share my findings. [Tretinoin is used for] Topical preparation to reduce hyperpigmentation of skin,such as persistent freckles, dark marks (lentigines) ormelasma. Tretinoin works by increasing the skin […]

Shokz OpenFit Review after using for 2 months

Categories
Fitness

I bought Shokz OpenFit for myself as a birthday present back in July. I figured it was about time I did a thorough review of how I’m using them, what I like, what I dislike and suggestions if you’re not sure about purchasing. First of all, they’re very unique headphones built with certain features, including: […]

Dermatica Prescription Skincare Review for Melasma with Tretinoin

Categories
Skincare

After returning from holiday, I had full-blown melasma/hyperpigmentation from sun damage across my forehead and down the sides of my face. This was entirely new for me, so I had to do some investigating. I’d always had a slight discolouration on my forehead after getting burnt a few years ago, but going on holiday in […]

Foundation Brush vs Beauty Blender – Which One Is Best?

Categories
Make up

I’ve been obsessed with makeup since my teens and have worn lots of different foundations for over 20 years (don’t do the maths). Here are my top tips on the coverage differences between using a brush vs blender when applying your foundation! I have an oily t-zone and dryness around my nose. When wearing foundation, […]

How To Dermaplane Easy At Home in 5 Simple Steps

Categories
Skincare

I’ve dermaplaned my skin for years and I love it! Not only does it remove dead skin cells to make skin appear brighter, it also removes hair, so anything you put on your face, like make-up, smoothes on better and stays on for longer. Here’s how I use Estrid Dermaplaning Kit to get smooth skin. […]

FUL Intense Moisture Hair Mask Treatment Review

Categories
Skincare

Why do you need a hair mask and how is it different from regular conditioner I hear you ask? Well, the FUL hair mask is different. It includes a pH-balanced formula to deeply condition your hair with super nourishing ingredients including shea butter and coconut oil. If like me you use coconut oil after being […]

What are the top 10 benefits to Cordyceps in Mushroom Coffee?

Categories
Health Wellbeing

I’ve replaced my morning coffee with London Nootropics who sell 3 coffee flavours; one of which contains Cordyceps and Ginseng. It’s called ‘MOJO’ and has SO MANY amazing benefits I wanted to write about my experience with it. What are Cordyceps? Cordyceps are a fungus, thought to increase the body’s production of the molecule adenosine triphosphate […]

London Nootropics Adaptogenic Mushroom Coffee review: My Top 10 Favourite Benefits

Categories
Health Wellbeing

After buying 8 large boxes since February 2022, I’ve got a thing or two to say about London Nootropics mushroom coffee! One of the biggest changes is how it’s replaced my morning filter coffee – my favourite thing. I now have ‘Flow’ which is one of the flavours available from the brand. Changing coffee to […]

My Top 10 Favourite Things About Il Makiage Woke Up Like This Foundation

Categories
Make up

Imagine a foundation that not only flawlessly matches your skin tone but also delivers long-lasting coverage and a natural matte finish. EVEN on oily and acne-prone skin (like mine). I’ve tried and tested Il Makiage’s Woke Up Like This foundation so you don’t have to. From its cruelty-free and vegan formula to its skin-friendly ingredients, […]

Facetheory Skincare to the rescue after painful acne – my honest review

Categories
Skincare

Facetheory is a UK-based skincare brand; Leaping Bunny & PETA approved. I’ve been using them for years, as being a bit lazy, I love it when a website makes it super easy to choose products right for you. I go for products to support with oily skin, acne and hyperpigmentation. They have a ‘routine builder’ […]

London Nootropics discount voucher codes to get money off coffee

Categories
Health Wellbeing

Calling all coffee enthusiasts and brain-boosting aficionados! If you’re on the lookout for a unique and invigorating coffee experience, London Nootropics has got you covered. Imagine sipping on a cup of coffee that not only tantalizes your taste buds but also enhances your cognitive abilities, focus, and mental clarity. With their cutting-edge blend of nootropics, […]

Best nootropic natural coffee | Brain focus, anxiety & calm with CBD, Ashwaganda – my review of London Nootropics Zen 

Categories
Health Wellbeing

After trying London Nooptropics earlier this year after seeing the 2 owners on Dragons Den, I’ve decided to review one of their coffees, ‘Zen’, which is described as: Adaptogenic coffee with CBD & Ashwagandha for balancing effects, peace and feelings of calm. Following on from a stressful time, I decided to focus on my health. […]

Il Makiage Exfoliating Power Polish | My honest review

Categories
Make up Skincare

I’m always nervous at trying a new exfoliator. They either break me out in spots because they’re too harsh, or make my oily skin worse. What I like about this Il Makiage exfoliator is that you can be as soft or as hard as you like with the scrubbing, depending on your skin. The tiny […]

Replacing my morning coffee review with London Nootropics adaptogenic coffee

Categories
Health Wellbeing

I saw these guys on Dragon’s Den in Feb 2022 and as they got backing from 2 dragons, I was keen to follow their nootropics coffee journey. I liked them as well – very passionate and knowledgable about the product. I also love coffee which got my attention. London Nootropics sell coffee that comes in […]

My Skin Cycling Routine to help my oily, acne-prone skin

Categories
Skincare

I’ve incorporated skin cycling as my routine for a few months now. I decided to do a big skincare reset after getting home from my holiday in December where I experienced painful acne, caused (I’m 99% sure) by Elemis cleansing balm which triggered fungal-acne (although I haven’t been properly diagnosed). My skin was red raw […]

Malezia Moisturiser Fungal Acne Safe | My full honest review

Categories
Skincare

When I was on holiday towards the end of 2022, I had painful, sore acne. Acne I’ve never had before. It was very sore, all over my face, with painful small-to-large bumps that didn’t have a head. I haven’t been diagnosed properly by a doctor, but I’m pretty sure I had fungal acne caused by […]

Rheal Superfoods review – my morning routine to take more vitamins

Categories
Health Wellbeing

Rheal are a wellness company who sell superfoods as powder. They provide you with a quick and convenient way to get extra goodness with no nasties into your body, to help improve your health. Rheal are a wellness company who make blends (powder) and protein bars, to help to improve your health. It was founded […]

BEIS Sport Sling Crossbody Bag in Beige – my full review

Categories
Fitness

After buying the expandable backpack in September 2022, I’d been keeping my eye out for the sling to be available, as it’s currently out of stock everywhere. Little did I know my eagle-eyed husband signed up to receive stock updates on Revolve.com, and managed to snag one in the days it was in stock. It’s […]

Il Makiage Concealer Shade 2.5 and Blending Brush 140 Review

Categories
Make up

I’ve been using Il Makiage for nearly 2 years now and still keep going back to it. I’ve tried a few other concealers, including Estee Lauder ‘stay in place’ and Mac ‘Pro longwear’, but I still go back to Il Makiage. On the Il Makiage website, the ‘F**K I’m Flawless concealer‘ is described as: long-wear, […]

Il Makiage Foundation Blending Brush #100 – my full review

Categories
Make up

I’ve been using Il Makiage’s foundation and concealer for over a year so I decided to treat myself and purchase the rest of the set – including the foundation brush. It’s £38, so it’s a premium brush, up there with others such as IT Cosmetics (Heavenly Luxe is £36), Bobbie Brown Brush (full coverage, £36) […]

Lacura Aldi Pink Clay Mask to detox for clean skin – my review

Categories
Skincare

After using Sand and Sky’s Australian pink clay for some time (which is around £36 per 60ml – see my blog here) I decided to give this a try after spotting it in Aldi for £2.99 for 60ml. I’ve recently been suffering with fungal acne (I think – not properly diagnosed) on my forehead and […]

Is it worth having a guestbook at a wedding?

Categories
Wedding

It all depends on whether or not you’ll enjoy reading the comments made by guests at your wedding. I personally sit down with my husband every anniversary and read through the comments – they still make us smile (and laugh!). If you aren’t sure, or think you might regret even a tiny bit not having […]

Thriva Home Blood Test Kit – My Full Review After 3rd Time Using

Categories
Health Wellbeing

If you’re wondering if Thriva is worth your time, money and literally – blood – look no further. Thriva blood tests look at a multitude of things, whether you want to check your vitamin B, D, icon or even cholesterol, this could be the test for you. You receive vials in the post you sort […]

Elemis Pro Collagen Cleansing Balm to remove make up – my honest and disappointing review

Categories
Beauty Products

Summary: loved initially but made my acne-flare up – would not recommend for oily skin (continuing to use on eyes only) Of course I was influenced on tiktok to buy this – it was on offer, so I jumped at the chance to pay £15 for 50ml (it’s usually £27). I’ve been using The Body […]

Elemis Cleansing Balm to remove make up on Oily, Acne-prone Skin – full disappointing review

Categories
Skincare

I recently decided to try a new makeup remover from my usual Body Shop camomile cleansing butter – Elemis Pro-Collagen Cleansing Balm. A nourishing cleansing balm that melts away makeup, daily pollutants and impurities for a soft and glowing complexion. I’m extremely wary of new products like this, especially ones where reviewers describe them as […]

Amazon Kindle Oasis vs Amazon Paperwhite 7th Generation – Review and comparison

Categories
Health Wellbeing

If you’re considering upgrading to the Amazon Oasis and unsure if the price is worth it, this article is for you. I read daily on my 7th generation Kindle Paperwhite I’ve had for over 6 years. I’d seen the Oasis and thought it looked beautiful so I had it in my Amazon wish list for […]

Tangle Teezer Compact – my hair’s favourite product

Categories
Health Wellbeing

My hair is really thick and is therefore a nightmare to brush when wet but also in a morning. If I use a normal brush, it pulls my hair so much it causes me pain on my scalp, so now I use my Tangle Teezer before I use the normal brush. It gets out any […]

How does Il Makiage Foundation Shade 35 look on a lighter skin tone – Before after photos and full review

Categories
Beauty Products Make up

What shades are available from Il Makiage, and how do you pick the right one for you? After completing their tool, POWERMATCH, I was matched to 35, which is one of the light colours. Shade 35 is for lighter skin tones. I tested it on my acne-prone skin, dark circles, oily forehead, and hyperpigmentation! They […]

How Does Il Makiage Foundation Shade 35 Cope On Oily Skin

Categories
Beauty Products Make up

Wondering if Il Makiage’s shade 35 foundation is right for you? If you’re like me and have purchased dozens of foundations online, only for it to be the wrong shade and seemingly end up on eBay, this article is for you. I’ve been wearing the Il Makiage ‘Woke Up Like This’ foundation for about a […]

London Nootropics adaptogenic coffee – My honest review after using for 4 months

Categories
Health Wellbeing

I saw these guys on Dragon’s Den in Feb 2022 and as they got backing from 2 dragons, I was keen to follow them in their journey. I liked them as well – very passionate and knowledgable about the product. I also love coffee which got my attention. London Nootropics sell coffee that comes in […]

Murad Age-Balancing Moisturiser SPF 30 – honest review on acne-prone oily skin

Categories
Skincare

I purchased Age-Balancing Moisture Broad Spectrum SPF 30 | PA+++ on Murad.com back in September 2021 and have been using it daily ever since. I wanted to wait before reviewing, to give me time to really understand how it’s changed my skin and what I think of it. It was £65 back in September. It’s […]

Murad Age-Balancing Moisture Broad Spectrum SPF 30 | PA+++- My honest review on my oily skin

Categories
Beauty Products

I purchased Age-Balancing Moisture Broad Spectrum SPF 30 | PA+++ on Murad.com back in September 2021 and have been using it daily ever since. I wanted to wait a little while before reviewing, to give me time to really understand how it’s changed my skin and what I think of it. It was £65 back […]

Il Makiage Discount Promo Codes

Categories
Make up

The only discount code I’ve found is ‘welcome10‘ – this gets you 10% off the Il Makiage website. Don’t forget to spend over £40 to get free delivery – otherwise it’s £3.95. Il Makiage products I’ve written blogs on Il Makiage primer, concealer (F**K I’m Flawless) and foundation (Woke up like this). I love them […]

CeraVe Foaming Cleanser for Normal to Oily Skin – my honest review on oily skin

Categories
Skincare

I’ve never used a cleanser – previously before bed, I’d splash water over my face to ‘clean’ it, or if I’d worn makeup during the day, I’d use my Face Halo with Body Shop camomile cleansing butter to get rid of all the crap that had built up. I never realised that dirt built up […]

Glossier Lash Slick Mascara that’s water resistant – my open and honest review

Categories
Make up

Ever since my favourite mascara of all time was discontinued – NYX Doll Eye – I’ve been in the market for a new favourite mascara and have been working my way through several – most recently, Glossier Lash Slick and I am very impressed. I always go for waterproof mascara. I don’t know why – […]

Tear Trough Dermal Fillers for under eye bag area puffiness- my experience and honest review

Categories
Skincare

This is my 3rd time getting dermal fillers for my puffy under eye bag area. Since my late 20s (I’m now mid 30s) I’ve tried SO MANY products to help reduce the puffiness – absolutely nothing worked, and it’s since visiting my consultant that I know why. She pressed her finger on my eyelid, which […]

The Body Shop Camomile Cleansing Butter – my honest review

Categories
Skincare

How does the Body Shop Camomile take off stubborn make-up and does it irritate sensitive and oily skin? Stick around because that’s what I’m about to review. I’ve been using the cleansing butter for a while to remove stubborn waterproof mascara and when I’m wearing heavier foundation, although as I have both sensitive and oily […]