Ah, makeup. We all want to wear it, yet we all somehow want to look like we aren’t wearing it. It’s a paradox of the first degree, and possibly rooted in problematic virgin-whore dichotomies and our old fave, unrealistic beauty standards. Essays could be written on the topic. But that’s not what I’m doing today. […]
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It’s been a while since I rounded up some of my favourite beauty buys and thanks to my work at Slapp, I’ve found even more excuse to experiment. I’ve noticed a real difference in products since I started Blush back in 2010. Formulas have advanced and we’ve picked up a few more skincare steps along […]
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There’s something about lip gloss. It has an oddly adolescent reputation, sort of a “lipstick light” for those not quite ready to take the plunge. And while teenagerhood is, to me, always an aspirational state, I do think there’s something to be said for a more serious lip gloss. Gloss for grown-ups, if you will. […]
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If you’re a fan of Cool Girls (and let’s face it, who isn’t?) you may be familiar with the original and best, iconic stylist Linda Rodin. Even by looking at her you can tell she’s cool – white hair, oversized glasses, clean skin and neon lipstick is her uniform. Plus, she never got married because […]
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I think the whole world now agrees that SPF is, broadly a good thing. We have a scientifically proven way to prevent burning, premature skin ageing and cancer, so it seems a bit remiss to not bother using it. Yet, still SPF products tend to have a bad rep. They’re usually very much function over […]
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In a world of Instagram lip art, glitter, and ombré, there’s something to be said for a low maintenance lip look. And while I’m a huge fan of a clear gloss or (gasp) just leaving them bare, sometimes there’s a need for a little something more. Something which looks like, your lips but better. Enter, […]
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If ever a makeup item has defined a time, surely it is highlighter defining right now. I’m not that old (I really promise I’m not), but I remember a time when highlighters solely referred to neon pens. In fact, I remember discovering Benefit High Beam (which I’m pretty sure was the first mass-market highlight) and […]
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Cool Girl Hair is a timeless ideal. Even without describing it, I think you know what I mean – hair that falls just so, is perfectly somehow both soft ‘n’ shiny, yet texturised ‘n’ tousled, and most importantly, hair that is totally effortless, requiring no product or styling. After years of extensive research, I’ll go […]
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Though I’m not confident in many statements when it comes to beauty, I feel pretty safe in saying that warm eyeshadows are not going anywhere anytime soon. I think this is because they’re a great balance between playing it safe vs. making a statement; as they’re brown-based but with hints of colour, to add an […]
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When it comes to makeup, in spite of my intense love for it, I am fundamentally quite lazy. I’ve accepted it, and therefore no one can use it against me. I probably wear makeup twice a week, and when I do it’s usually as few products as possible. Except when it comes to glitter, but […]
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Although there’s a time and a place for a full, beaming, metallic highlighter, I think the future of glow is an altogether more subtle affair. Something which mimics a naturally healthy and hydrated complexion, combining dewy oils with a subtle wash of colour, or iridescent pigment, is a totally cute and modern way to shine. […]
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For those who may fall into the category of ‘stylistically challenged’ when it comes to hair, such as myself, a good texturizing spray can be a total godsend. They can take hair from “messy by accident” to “messy on purpose” – which is a huge distinction. Plus, the effort is minimal, and the skill required […]
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If you have your finger on the natural beauty pulse, you’ll likely have heard of Tata Harper. It’s the name of a brand and also the name of a woman, which is pretty cool. She makes tons of expensive and beautiful skincare from her home farm in Vermont (probably not actually, but let’s focus on […]
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Once again I’ve left my Christmas shopping list to the last minute, but I’m sure you’re all used to this by now. With less than 2 weeks til Christmas, I thought it was about time I compiled my list of all of the things that are top of my Christmas list, that would make perfect […]
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Since launching a couple of years ago, & Other Stories has fast become the bane of my wallet and the light of my life. Grown-up fashion for Zara fans, looking for something a little more unique,;Stories also happens to be perfect, for those who may have grown out of Topshop, but aren’t quite minimal enough for […]
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So it’s been a while since I last posted, and for that I am truly sorry. Slapp is consuming all of my time, but if you are looking for some Beauty advice, or news on the latest launches, I would suggest heading over to the app. In other news, I have been trying out a lot […]
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We all know we’re supposed to take care of our skin and thanks to a post-teen dabble in the Clinique 3 -step programme, most of us know what skin type we are. I have the pleasure of being Combination: which basically means I’m a little of everything. A bit dry here and a bit oily […]
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With new launches dropping every day, it’s often hard to decipher the good from the great. I’ve tried a tonne of products over the last few months and will be bringing you my ultimate faves in the coming weeks. First up are some of the makeup products and tools, I’ve been reaching for this month. There’s […]
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I’ve long been a fan of the legendary Jo Malone. Who doesn’t know the story of how the self made entrepreneur built one of the most recognisable luxury fragrance brands, only to lose the rights to her name, and the option of working in the industry, she had so significantly shaped. After a 5 year […]
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You know a product is good, when it’s the one thing you turn to in your hour of need. For me, there are a few products that I can’t live without and have on constant rotation: Nars’ Radiance Creamy Concealer and All Day Luminous, Trilogy’s Rosehip Oil, Liz Earle’s Cleanse and Polish and Dermalogica’s Multi Active […]
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Zara is one of those not so secret gems. You can always rely on it, for that last minute change of clothes before an event, that trend led piece you’re not quite ready to invest in, or those strappy sandals you need for your bestie’s wedding. It’s the high street’s answer to affordable chic. Another […]
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The realest versus in life, is that of expensive vs. cheap. Think about it – aren’t we always wondering where is best to treat one’s self, and where frugality is in itself the best reward? And nowhere is this more prevalent than in beauty. It’s really the only place where a product can cost £500 […]
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I reviewed Time Bomb, way back when I started Blush. I remember the press launch so clearly. I was super nervous and kind of hanging around the display, when the lovely founder, Gail Federici came over to chat. What I didn’t know until the event, was that Gail was formerly CEO at John Frieda and was […]
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Mascara is the best-selling beauty product in the UK for good reason. If I’m honest there are very few mascaras which even touch the sides witj my excuse for eyelashes, but I guess that makes me the perfect person to judge. Over the years I have tried some pretty fantastic mascaras, Lancome Hypnose, YSL Volume Effet […]
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As a big fan of a light “base” and an even bigger fan of a marketing ploy, my recent trip to America warranted my stockpiling of various tinted moisturisers, BB and CC creams. While these are US brands, they are available to track down via our good friend the internet, and if you’re into this […]
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