Ahoy DesignsHey! Welcome to my blog, I’m Rachael. This is where I review all sorts of random things including stationary and wedding tips & advice. I mainly blog about vegan and cruelty-free beauty products.
Some of my blogs include affiliate links where I get paid when you click through & buy. This doesn't increase the cost you pay. My blogs are my point of view & experience. I don't promote anything I don't like or believe in.
Why do we get spots? How come they suddenly appear? Sometimes our skin is great in the morning but by bedtime, we’re covered. I will talk about why you might be getting spots, plus simple, easy but effective ways to reduce them. This is from my own experience as a 36-year-old millennial who made small […]
If you’ve been scrolling through wellness websites or social media, you’ve probably seen the buzz around the JSHealth Hair + Energy Formula. It’s one of their most popular supplements, promising to support healthy hair growth and boost energy levels—a winning combo for anyone looking to update their self-care routine. I’ve been using it myself for […]
Who doesn’t love a great deal, especially when it comes to self-care and wellness? JSHealth is known for their premium supplements that support everything from hair growth to stress relief. But let’s face it—quality products can add up. That’s where discount codes come in! Whether you’re a long-time fan of JSHealth or trying their products […]
I bought the £3.99 Lacura body cream (OUAI dupe!) from Aldi before I decided to splurge on the £38 OUAI one, so now I have both to use. It works out well because I can give you my thoughts after using both on a daily (alternative) basis. OUAI is a modern hair and body care […]
As you can tell from the title, the OUAI Body Cream in ‘melrose place’ is my all-time new favourite moisturiser. I got it only at the start of October, but it’s already part of my staple products due to its quality and gorgeousness. I’ve never been someone who likes to drench themselves in body moisturiser […]
When choosing a foundation for acne-prone skin, opting for non-comedogenic formulas is essential. These foundations are designed not to clog pores, helping to reduce the risk of breakouts. I’ll list some of the best non-comedogenic foundations safe for acne-prone skin, ensuring you can achieve coverage without compromising your skin’s health. This info is true and […]
Fancy some new outdoor clothing? Yeah, me too! Acai Outdoorwear is my top brand for outdoor walking and running gear. I have a few items that I love (listed below!). Get a discount: Use my friends and family link Get £10 off your first £50 spend. I’ll also get money off my next purchase. Use […]
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 […]
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 (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 ‘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 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 […]
Ready to get your own personalised skincare? With your first monthly order, it’s discounted to £2.50. That gives you over four weeks with regular check-ins to test the product to see if it’s right for you. To make it last even longer, I’d suggest using less product and 4-5 days a week instead of 7, […]
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. Due to the recent tragic murder of Laken Riley who was strangled whilst out on a run, I […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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. £5 off Get £5 off by using […]
If you’re worried about clogged pores, switching to non-comedogenic products is a game-changer. Steer clear of ingredients like cocoa butter and coconut oil—they’re a recipe for breakouts! I’ve been using Il Makiage products for years—foundation, primer, concealer, the works. As someone with oily, breakout-prone skin, I thought it was time to share my honest thoughts […]
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 […]
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 […]
I bought Shokz OpenFit for myself as a birthday present in July ’23. Now that I’ve had them for a few months, I figured it was about time I did a thorough review. I’ll go into how I’m using them, what I like, what I dislike, and suggestions if you’re not sure about purchasing. First […]
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 […]
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, […]
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. […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 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’ […]
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, […]
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. […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 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 […]
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 […]
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, […]
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) […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
Wondering how the Il Makiage Foundation copes on oily skin that’s like a frying pan in the afternoon? and what shade 35 looks like? I had these questions so I bought it myself and have reviewed it for you here. I’ve now had the foundation 3+ years and have bought it several times. My article […]
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 […]
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 […]