A while back, I wrote about being super impressed by Iceland’s No Bull Vegan Burgers. I still think they’re amazing, so I’m thrilled to report that Iceland has expanded the No Bull range with some outstanding beef substitutes. There are also some very good chicken replacements, but this review will cover the beefier options. Here…
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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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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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2017 was the year I changed almost every makeup product I use. It was also the year I moved to a less ‘made up’ look, especially for daytime. I tried a lot of products, and I’m sorry to say that quite a few were duds. But there were some amazing standouts. These are the ones…
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I’m just getting over the first cold I’ve had in years, and I have to say that my skin didn’t handle it well. Three days of decongestants, nose blowing and feeling tearful left my skin in a bad state. It was dehydrated, dry and chapped in a few places. Time for a bit of TLC. The…
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Since I’ve been using Revitalash growth serum, my lashes have grown quite long. Sadly, they’re also very straight, so without curling them it appears I have no lashes at all. I’ve been using the Shu Umura lash curler for years and been quite happy with it, but recently I heard about a new lash curler from…
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Skincare doesn’t have to be expensive. Superdrug proved this years ago with their wonderful hydrating facial serum. But what about skincare with effective active ingredients? Can these also be affordable? If you’ve tried any products from The Ordinary, you’ll know the answer is a resounding yes. If your skin lacks hydration, Hyaluronic Acid 2% +…
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I’ve been on the hunt for a holy grail foundation for awhile. A couple have come close – It Cosmetics Your Skin But Better CC Cream and Perricone No Foundation Serum Foundation, but neither are perfect. I like them both because they look like skin once applied, but the colours on offer are limited, and…
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It’s been a whole year since I started writing makeup and skincare reviews here at Fig & Pen, and I’ve enjoyed it more than I can say. Since I only review things I like, I can be positive and promote the products I truly believe in. And I hope I’ve been able to help others…
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A few weeks ago, I noticed I was running low on my usual night cream. It’s quite expensive, but I do feel it works. I’d heard about Olay’s Regenerist 3-Point Cream from a trusted YouTuber I follow, so I decided to give it a try. If it’s as good as advertised, it could save me…
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A lovely reader asked me recently how my beloved Emma Hardie cleanser compared to Clinique’s Take the Day Off Cleansing Balm, £22. Since I’d not used it before, it was the perfect time to buy a jar and try it out – and I have to say, I’m impressed! When I opened the Take the Day…
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I often skip cleaning my face in the morning – just a bit of warm water and a gentle buff with a muslin cloth works well, especially on my dry, sensitive skin. When I do need to use a cleanser in the morning, it has to be super gentle. Natural Being Manuka Creamy Cleanser, £13, is one…
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Having grown up in Alabama in the 80s, I know a thing or two about big hair. It’s not as fashionable as it once was, but I’m still a fan. Even through the board-straight, flat-haired Rachel-from-Friends years, I loved big hair. There are a few ways to achieve big hair, but I’ve found the easiest and…
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Cushion cosmetics have been around for years, but I’ve stayed away from them for a few reasons – the main one being they appear gimmicky and are not good value for money. So much investment goes into the packaging that the product inside is often a fraction of the amount you’d get if you bought the same formulation…
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