Posts about: beauty
31/01/2017
i figured i'd start off the week with a super simple DIY. i love making soaps, they make great gifts and you get to melt stuff (which is always high on my agenda.) in the past i've generally stuck to novelty ones like this but today i'm sharing a more grown up version- detox charcoal soap!
15/09/2016
as we inch closer towards october i'm starting to get excited about autumnal nights, i've always looked forward the time of year when our days become shorter and our evenings get darker! i find autumn a magical time of year, although i miss the balmy days of summer i adore the change in season and the giant mugs of hot chocolate it brings.
with our summer drawing to a close i thought it was the perfect time to talk pampering! i've been meaning to put together a post about my perfect night in for a while. james and i are creatures of habit- we both love to spend a sunday night relaxing together.
here are five things i think you need for the perfect night in!
unleash your pamper products.
i start the night off with a long bubble bath (essential right?) i throw in my favourite products, give my skin a good polish with lush exfoliator or my molten brown bar and finish up with a healthy lather of moisturiser. i'm still using this DIY cream minus the aloe vera.
during the week i try and keep up with my skincare regime but on a pamper night i love to go the extra mile and treat my skin to a few extra products in my arsenal. first up- getting rid of any make up residue with my aesop facewash, then i opt for a face mask, current faves are my antipodes aura manuka honey* and aesop parsley seed mask, both of these are gentle but deep cleansing. i tend to give my skin a good spritz of serozinc toner after and then finish off with my power duo- estee lauder advanced night repair ampoules* and revitalizing supreme +* to plump my skin. my skin always drinks up products after a face mask so this rich cream is a lovely way to finish.
after my face is fully loaded i move onto my hands, cuticle oil and hand cream is a must especially if i've had a gel mani. i love to give myself a pedicure at home too, starting off with a foot soak and scrub, i give my toes a quick tidy and polish and then slather them in moisturiser for a head to toe pamper session.
create some atmosphere.
a cosy night isn't complete with a few essential ingredients- candlelight and soft lighting is key! i have a big collection of scented candles but i'll only burn one at a time, for extra light and atmosphere i'll light tall taper candles with tea lights scattered around at various heights. i also like to grab a big knitted throw and some oversized cushions or pillows to pile on the sofa to snuggle into. i might have a small lamp or string of fairy lights on but NEVER the ceiling lights.
grab some snacks.
food, my other great love! a night in is always a little indulgent so you have to have some tasty snacks to hand. if i'm being healthier it may be a picky selection of meats, crackers, olives, dips and vegetables. other nights i'll pop to m&s or waitrose and grab a pizza and a bottle of pinot! if all else fails we reach for the phone and get a take out. we don't really tend to eat desserts but we always have popcorn and hot chocolate within easy reach.. obvs.
wear comfy threads.
..aka pyjamas or joggers! i love investing in new pj's and loungewear, comfort and oversized wins every time folks. if i want to look less slob-esque i'll wear a pair of boyfriend jeans and a tee.
don't forget the entertainment.
i remember telling a friend james and i had an evening of 'netflix and chill' planned before i twigged as to that particular code (AWKS) but getting stuck into a good boxset or film is a big part of any night in for me. at the minute we just finished watching 'the night of' (currently on sky atlantic or catch the boxset on now tv) we've also been working out way through new episodes of narcos and bloodline on netflix. if you're into a good documentary or crime store check out my fave netflix offerings!
my last piece of advise? put your phone on airplane mode, cause nobody should come between a girl and her night off!
back soon
caroline x
04/07/2016
when i got home from santorini i wanted to avoid post holiday skin peeling at all costs! after a week of sun worshipping i decided to make my own aftersun lotion and it's worked miracles- this is my second batch and i'll definitely make more as its a great all round moisturiser!
13/06/2016
it's been a while since i ventured into writing a beauty post but summer make up is my absolute favourite (and there are a few products i'm heart eyed about right now that i wanted to share!)
i tend to completely change my make up in summer, for me liquid foundation is a no go. i want light breathable products and a really fresh faced look! i wanted to tell you about my go to products for a natural 'glowing skin' kinda radiance.
this is a lovely mineral foundation with light- medium coverage. i always use concealer to cover any imperfections before applying this with a large brush, you can build it up to even out skin tone and it doesn't have that clogging feel of a liquid foundation which is my pet peeve in summer.
a new purchase and one that i'm already 100% into. it's just like tinted vaseline but the packaging is super cute so i'm hooked! when dabbed onto your cheeks it gives a gorgeous dewy highlight and a hint of colour.
i bought this recently and the feel of this product is bizarre, but in a nice way. it doesn't feel like a serum at all, it's almost like a primer which leaves my skin feeling smoothed out before i apply concealer. i wouldn't use it at night (estee lauder advanced night repair always wins out) but it's a lovely daytime option to give your skin a boost.
i'm forever hunting for my next highlighting product and this cream highlighter from the estee edit is the best replacement for benefit high beam i've ever found! not only is the peachy gold shade perfect for creating a daytime cheekbone highlight the bottle is big enough to last me well into next year. perfect for creating a glowing shine without looking greasy!
i discovered this product through james' sister who works in the beauty industry. it's basically a face mist pumped full of vitamins and goodies. i tend to use it for setting my make up- a few light sprays completely refreshes my face and makes my skin feel even less 'made up' it's also brilliant for taking on flights to keep your skin plumped and refreshed.
for me summer make up is all about the base, finding the right products is the best feeling (concealer is aways my hero on bad skin days never foundation!) once i've got my skin looking and feeling more radiant i simply finish off with mascara, a little eyeliner and a touch of blush.
what are your summer essentials? i'd love to hear your recommendations!
back soon
caroline x
14/03/2016
sugar scrubs are really simple and so effective. i have chapped lips like 99% of the time and there's only so much lip balm i can apply especially if i'm considering sporting lipstick (which forever clings to any uneven patches on me!)
09/10/2015
a few years ago I hated the transition into a/w nails. now I actively look forward to it.
I found myself sporting black nails this summer when I'd usually be caught wearing baby blues and pastels. turns out I've really grown into wearing deeper, richer shades on my nails these days.
I've been dusting off my favourite winter shades so I figured I'd round them up for you. looking for a new polish? well read on and see if anything catches your fancy..
top row left to right- models own hyper gel bermuda blue, models own twilight in teal, models own hyper gel ebony green, barry m grey, models own hyper gel raven red.
bottom row left to right- barry m gelly in lychee, models own chrome gold, barry m gelly in mustard, topshop nails in pillar box, models own twilight marsala.
my winter shades are still colourful but it's a richer jewel tone selection. switch out the pastels for vivid blues and reds dark enough to pass as black until they catch the light.
models own are my most used polishes as I like their hyper gels. the colour choice is really good and their new twilight collection has some lovely shades (the ebony green and raven red from their last a/w gel collection are still firm favourites of mine.) I also picked a few barry m polishes, their mustard is such a wicked shade and goes perfectly with all the 70's vibes doing the rounds this season.
do you have any nail polish favourites, let me know?
back soon
caroline x
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