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…And just like that………we are amongst the month of July! Not long until Christmas folks. 176??? days in fact.
I’ve been super busy this last month which has been GREAT. I feel like I’m getting back into the swing of work, blogging and creating content. I had a *very* quiet last couple of months so it’s nice to be busy to be honest. Juggling being a full-time mum AND a part-time blogger can be testing at times but as I love my work so much, it doesn’t feel *so* bad when it eats into most evenings and weekends. I just really make sure I get some good quality family time squeezed in and all is well.
I’ve had a lot of new launches and products land on my doorstep in the last couple of months so I’ve found myself trying out so many new things ; makeup, lotions, potions and everything in between. I’m gong to quickly chat about some of the stand-out beauty products that are taking up a more permanent spot on my beauty shelves.
PS the majority of these products are available on Look Fantastic and you can get 20% off them using my code LAURA_LF!
S K I N C A R E:
Cleansers are one of my favourite skincare products to used : I’m a bit of a cleanser hoarder and I often have a fair few on the go. This month it’s been all about the GORGEOUS Ole Henriksen Truth Juice Daily Cleanser in the shower for my morning re-fresh and cleanser. This is honestly one of the most perfect morning cleansers I have discovered. It’s light and foaming, it feels super refreshing AND it honestly smells like a dream : it’s like tango! For a more deep / PM cleanse then I’ve been dipping into the Erborian Solid Cleansing Oil which smells really fresh (green and clean smelling!) and removes makeup and grime easily and effectively.
Eye treats are always on the go and I’ve been using a lot of eye masks and patches this month with all the early starts etc. I’ve also been really enjoying the Vichy Mineral 89 Eyes Hyaluronic Acid & Caffeine eye serum. It’s lightweight, it doesn’t break me out (I have to be VERY careful with eye creams!) and it sits beautifully under concealer. It’s one of those gel-type serums and it absorbs quickly and makes me feel tighter and brighter straight away. Also super affordable at just £15 at the mo over on Look Fantastic!
You know I am a big fan of the Elemis Pro-Collagen Rose Mist as I’ve chatted about it so much on here : well HELLO it’s back again and I’m finding it great to add a burst of hydration as and when I need on warmers days.
It’s been a MEGA serum month as I’m going through lots of empties, starting new ones and finding my perfect routine. I’m flitting between about 4 at the moment. The Tropic Rainforest Dew is a really EASY serum. It’s nothing too fancy, it’s just a super lightweight hyaluronic-based (feels watery!) hydrating serum that just works with everything. Another fab hydrating serum and a little more fancy in terms of ingredients is the Medik8 Hydr8 B5 Serum ; this is one of my favourite hyaluronic serums I have used for a long while. It’s simple but effective and I do find that with any of the Medik8 products I have tried – they just work! If you have over-worked and under-loved skin then the Dr Dennis Gross Stress Rescue Super Serum is one to try, I have used this for a few years now and it never fails me. When you haven’t been treating your skin right and it starts to show : enlarged pores, patchiness, redness, more lines, sallow and tired looking : this serum contains a wealth of ingredients to revitalise, calm and really nourish the skin!
Moistursiers! Day time I am needing something nice and lightweight and I’m back on one of my favourites which I have mentioned on here quite a few times… the Dr Dennis Gross Hyaluronic Marine Oil-Free Moisture Cushion. One of the best ‘gel’ lightweight moisturisers I have ever used. Great for oily/combo skin and for use in the summer months when our skin can be a little oilier. It’s incredible and feels glorious on the skin. Also a great makeup primer.
For a perfect PM moisturiser I have just cracked into my FIRST ever Youth To the People skincare product and it’s the Superberry Hydrate + Glow Dream Mask. There has been so much hype around this brand and it’s recently launched onto Cult Beauty and I was so fortunate to be sent a few of the products to try. Everything has honestly been incredible and I will be writing a more full and in-depth review soon of everything.
Last up : SPF! Always on the hunt for that perfect SPF 50 which doesn’t break me out or make me feel really clogged down. I think the best I have found on my travels is still the MURAD City Skin Age Defense SPF 50 which I have definitely chatted about before. Depending on how my skin is feeling I will wear this as my moisturiser over serum or simply as a last step over my skincare routine. Pssst this is currently £12 off over on Look Fantastic at the moment!
New Hair Clips + Scrunchies. Ok why do I have 34 scrunches when I used to have 2?! I CANNOT stop buying them and I love them. Me and Margot are donning them on the daily and they just feel so much more gentle on the hair – no tugging! Plus, they look more fun and cute and I am a total convert back to the old school big scrunchie! I also have added a few fun hair clips to my collection and picked up some great ones in Primark last week.
My Beauty Room Overhaul. I did a little makeover Instagram Reel which you can see RIGHT HERE which shows off my office beauty room tidy and re-jig. I spend so much time working here but it very quickly gets unorganised, so messy and just a stressful place to work with things strewn all over! I spent some time over the last couple of weeks having a really good clear-out and updating and refreshing my storage. It just feels so much easier to work in there now!
Narciso Rodriguez For Her Pure Musc Eau De Parfum. Ok WOW. I have been wearing this pretty much daily since my pals over at The Perfume Shop sent this over to me last month. I haven’t worn a Narciso Rodriguez perfume since my days listening to Noughties Garage with bacardi breezer in hand and Miss Sixty jeans….This was back in the day when they launched their original scent in the pink bottle. The Pure Musc is a perfect blend of Jasmine, Orange Blossom, Musc, Cashmeran, Amber & Patchouli : it’s honestly stunning and I love it. Give it a whiff when you next can.
M A K E U P:
My first LOVE. Let’s chat MAKEUP!
Bases. I have recently been working with Iconic London on their latest launch, the Radiance Booster and honestly I’m still using this every day with on it’s own or under concealer/foundation. This is basically pigment/coverage mixed with GLOW and it gives you the most healthy and radiant-looking skin. This is most comparable to the Charlotte Tilbury Hollywood Flawless Filter by the way (you can see my full review of that HERE) and I LOVE IT.
For something a little heavier but not *too much*, the Typology Paris Tinted Serum Foundation is a wonderful light-medium coverage base and definitely a makeup-skincare hybrid. It feels GOOD on your skin, like it’s doing something more than just covering and that’s probably due to the kick of Vitamin C, Squalene and Aloe Vera. I’ve been finishing my base with dabs of the Bareminerals Liquid Mineral Concealer which is my new favourite I think. If you want a concealer that feels serum-like and glowy – not too thick or cakey then this could be the one for you. Feels light, perfect for under the eye and all over the face to cover redness and un-eveness.
NEW BRONZER LOVE ALERT! Super late to the game with this but I purchased the Fenty Sun Stalk’r Instant Warmth Bronzer (shade I$land Ting) a few months ago and it’s my most-used at the moment. It’s super soft and creamy-feeling and really easy to blend PLUS it’s perfectly matte with no shimmer. I also love how many shades they do so you can find that perfect tone for you that doesn’t make you look flat or grey like some matte bronzers can!
Lanolips has been a brand I have used for SO many years and I’ve just been re-discovering some of their newer launches. The Lanolips Tinted Balm SPF30 in shade ‘Rose’ is my jam as it’s perfect for a really natural-looking lip, gives a tint of colour and keeps the lips both soft and protected with SPF30.
Spectrum Makeup Brushes. Just love these for a great quality, cruelty-free and more budget makeup brush option. I have the infamous Spectrum x Katie Jane Hughes Collection (peep my review HERE) and these are more luxury but they also do a wealth of other collections that are really affordable and great. I love my latest addition which is the 10-Piece Malachite Brush Set which is a perfect set to dip your toe in with and gives you both face & eye basic brushes to see you through.
ALSO, some really exciting new for Spectrum Collections is that they have just launched on Look Fantastic and my 20% off code is working on them yessssssssssss!! (LAURA_LF btw)
Living Proof Perfect Hair Day (PHD) Dry Shampoo = The dream dry shampoo and hands down the best I have ever used. I go through this SO rapidly and it’s perfect for even a messy mom bun when you just want to get rid of that oily finish ; both look and feel. If you have finer hair like myself, this is also great to put straight into the roots after a blow-dry to give that bit of texture and oomph too!
Last up in this MASSIVE beauty round-up of my monthly favourites is some pretty nail polishes. The Essie Blanc Nail Polish is a really perfect sheer white/cream which just makes the nails look bright and healthy. A couple of layers gives you a more white, but still slightly transparent finish and it’s just a super chic finish to the nails – you can’t go wrong! For a hint of seasonal pastel green then the Barry M ‘Pistachio’ is THE ONE. Love this shade and I have always thought Barry M do some of the best high street nail polishes.
And BREATHE. Sorry my monthly round-ups are seemingly getting longer and longer every month and I try so hard to keep them refined and concise! Next month maybe I will learn. Do let me know any feedback or input you have and as always, if you have any beauty/makeup questions then just drop them below for me to answer!
Have a great July! x