I rarely review skincare these days because I’m happy with the routine I have. I don’t see a need to try new things when my current regime works so well. I did have one niggle, though. My favourite hydrating serum is made by a company who sell their products in China. This means that there…
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In an effort to reduce spending, I cut way back on my skincare budget. I tried exchanging my favourite products for like-for-like cheaper alternatives and I’m sad to say that the difference in the appearance of my skin was noticeable. Over time it became more lined, dull, and textured, especially now that the weather is…
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I’m one of the unfortunate few who can’t use an effective dose of retinol. I’ve tried many times, and my skin always reacts badly. While I understand some sensitivity and peeling is to be expected, having my eyelids become swollen and inflamed (I don’t put strong actives on my eyelids – ever) was an irritation…
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I was so excited to hear Milk Makeup would be available from Cult Beauty back in January. I love ethical brands, and Milk is one that gets a lot of good press. I didn’t go too crazy with my first purchase, but I wish I had. I’m super impressed with the few things I got.…
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When I wrote weekly skincare reviews, I was trying new products nearly every day. It was fun, but it didn’t do my skin any favours. Now that I have a routine that works, I’m not keen on losing progress by using something that might irritate or upset my skin. I stick to my holy grail…
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Is it possible to achieve salon-quality hair colour at home? For a long time, the answer was no. I’ve tried loads of at-home hair colours, but I’ve never found any drugstore colour that could match the salon, so I decided to try eSalon – a company producing custom colour for salon-quality results at home. After seeing…
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Since giving up eating meat a few months ago, I’ve been making an effort to ensure the cosmetics I use are also cruelty free. One of the safest ways to do this is to choose vegan products. If I’m honest, I was a bit concerned that these products wouldn’t be as good as what I…
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I was sad to discover my favourite day serum – the one I’ve been repurchasing for years – is not cruelty free. I made a bad assumption that because the brand is French and there are strict laws against animal testing in the EU, my serum would comply. What I didn’t realise is that this…
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Vapour Beauty products tick a multitude of boxes for me. They’re organic and ethical, which means I can use them without guilt. They can be used to achieve a natural look, which is pretty much my signature these days. Because they’re mostly cream/stick formulations, they work well on mature skin, so I don’t have to…
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When Glossier website went live in the UK, one look at the models told me it probably wasn’t the brand for me. Everyone looked so young and fresh-faced, so what could this company possibly offer a middle-aged woman? Well, a lot, actually! I’ve written about Glossier products in the past, and I’m still using their…
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Since simplifying my nighttime skincare routine, my skin is much healthier and happier. I embraced a more refined approach my day time regime a year ago, simply to cut down on time spent in the morning. My skin has benefitted from using just three products, and whether I’m wearing makeup or not, my skin looks…
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I have dry, itchy, uncomfortable skin which is exacerbated by cold weather. By the end of January, I’m miserable and desperately searching relief. I am not a fan of body lotion – it’s cold, sticky, and delays my getting dressed in the morning, but I’ve always treated it as a necessary-and-somewhat-effective evil. I’ve tried a…
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Since the beginning of the year, I’ve been on a mission to simplify. I began by examining parts of my life that I felt were overcomplicated, and skincare was one of these areas. I was spending too much money, effort, and time on my regime – and I was constantly buying things I didn’t finish…
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A bit late, but as promised, I’ve compiled a list of my most-loved skincare from 2017. It wasn’t a year of discovery for me, as I tend not to vary my skincare too much. There were a few standout products, though, and I’m happy to report, all of these are quite reasonably priced. I recently…
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I was rummaging around in my desk drawer last weekend and came across an unopened box containing a jar of Suqqu Foundation. I’ve no idea how long it had been in there, but I would reckon at least a year as that’s when I drifted away from wearing it nearly every day. At £62, it isn’t…
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Fig and Pen 