Beauty Hacks 101 - Tweezerfile

**Disclaimer: This post contains products that were kindly gifted for the purpose of review and are therefore listed as an unpaid advertisement. All opinions are my own**

It's 2021, we are still in lockdown and with everything closed here in the UK, we have spent a lot of time over the past year trying to find ways to maintain our beauty routines without being able to go to a beauty therapist for our regular treatments. With that comes the development of useful beauty hacks to make life a little easier and one of them is Tweezerfile. I have to admit, I have never considered the fact that tweezers can go dull or that you can file them to bring them back to life. If they stop working you just get a new pair right? Now obviously that way of thinking is wasteful and definitely not environmentally friendly. So Tweezerfile seems like the perfect solution! But why has nobody thought of it before? I caught up with founder Lucy Zender to find out more. Let's meet Lucy!

Christmas Beauty Gift Guide 2020

**Disclaimer: This post contains products that were kindly gifted for the purpose of review and are therefore listed as an unpaid advertisement. Products that were gifted are marked with *. The post contains affiliate links. All opinions are my own**

Can you believe that Christmas is less than a month away?! To say that 2020 has been a strange year would be the understatement of the century! But even though this year might as well be cancelled, I am still looking forward to Christmas and I hope you are too. To get you in the mood and hopefully help you find something nice for your loved ones, I've put together a little beauty gift guide. In this guide, you'll find makeup, skincare and bodycare for all budgets. Have a read and hopefully it will make you feel inspired.🎄

4 Ways To Look Cute During Lockdown

**Disclaimer: This post contains products that were kindly gifted for the purpose of review and are therefore listed as an unpaid advertisement. All opinions are my own**

Welcome to week...oh whatever, I can't even remember how many weeks it has been since the start of lockdown. But here in the UK we are still spending most of our time at home (which is a good thing in my opinion if we want to get rid of good old Corona..) so I figured it was about time I shared some looks with you and some tips to look cute even though we're not going anywhere. Just a few things from Femme Luxe Finery that have really helped me feel a little more normal on a daily basis. Femme Luxe Finery is a super cute online shop that sells clothing, shoes and accessories that are all totally Insta-worthy yet so comfortable. I know, that sounds perfect right?! They have kindly gifted me a few pieces so let me show you what items I've picked and how to style them.

Last Minute Christmas Beauty Gift Guide

**Disclaimer: This post contains products that were kindly sent to me for the purpose of review and are therefore listed as an advertisement. All opinions are my own**

Can you believe Christmas is only 10 days away?! Have you finished your Christmas shopping yet? If you have, well done! If you haven't, I've got you covered with this last minute Christmas beauty gift guide. Read on and allow your head to be filled with all the last minute beauty inspiration you need.

Review: Essence Cosmetics Crystal Power Collection

**Disclaimer: This post contains products that were kindly sent to me for the purpose of review and are therefore listed as an advertisement. All opinions are my own**

Hello! I can't believe it's the first of December. Are you counting down til Christmas yet? Before I throw a little beauty gift guide your way, I wanted to share one more Autumn/Winter collection with you and you'll be pleased to know it's an affordable one. Meet the Crystal Power Collection by Essence Cosmetics. In this blog post I'll talk you through the products, show you some swatches and some makeup looks of course as well as giving you my honest opinion about each of the items to give you an idea. Does that sound good? Okay, read on!

Review: Victoria Beckham Beauty Lid Lustre

**This post contains affiliate links**

Victoria Beckham, in my book, is one of the most successful women in the UK. From the Spice Girls to her own fashion brand, from Estée Lauder to Victoria Beckham Beauty. That's right. Last September, Victoria Beckham Beauty finally launched. Starting off with four eyeshadow palettes, four eyeshadows and three eyeliners with lips to follow soon after. Is this just another mediocre brand attached to a famous face, or do the products really offer something worth buying? In this post I am reviewing two of the Lid Lustre single eyeshadows. Read on to see what it's all about.

8 Holiday Beauty Essentials Your Suitcase Needs This Summer

**Disclaimer: This post contains products that were kindly sent to me for the purpose of review and are therefore listed as an advertisement. All opinions are my own**

Can you believe it's the last day of June?! Half of 2019 is gone, that's it, done! And as we are approaching July, the summer holiday season starts. Whatever your plans, if you're struggling to keep your beauty to a minimum or simply don't know what to bring, no worries! I've got you covered with my top 8 holiday beauty essentials you need this summer!

Revlon Candid: The Next Best Thing in Drugstore Makeup?

**Disclaimer: The products in this post were kindly sent to me for the purpose of review and are therefore listed as an advertisement. All opinions are my own**

When it comes to my base, I am quite picky. Having combination skin with an oily T-zone, but dehydrated and sensitive cheeks can make it hard to find a foundation that works for both. One brand that I have been very impressed with is Revlon. For years my daily go-to foundation has been the Colorstay for combination/oily skin. It's not too heavy, has a great semi-matte finish and lasts all day. So when I found out Revlon were releasing the new Photoready Candid range that focuses on anti-pollution I was intrigued and had to try it! Does it live up to Colorstay? Read on and find out.

Trinny London: Stackable, Travel-friendly Makeup

**Disclaimer: The products in this post were kindly sent to me for the purpose of review and are therefore listed as an advertisement. All opinions are my own**

Hello June! We are nearing Summer and the season of travel and holidays. As airlines are becoming stricter when it comes to baggage allowance, and are charging for absolutely everything (Yes Ryanair, I am looking at you. I can't believe you are charging for cabin luggage!), travel-friendly beauty is a must. Trinny London does not only satisfy your need for mini's, they are stackable too! The only thing is, you do have to spend a few pennies! But perhaps it might just be worth it? Let's find out..

Review: Blink Brow Bar Shape and Tint

**Disclaimer: The products and services in this post were kindly gifted for the purpose of review and are therefore listed as an unpaid advertisement. All opinions are my own**

Brows, most of us have them and they come in all sorts of shapes and sizes. From the thin, overplucked ones I've seen growing up, to the fuller, bushy brows we are seeing today. One thing is clear, brows form the frame of our faces so taking care of them and making them look the best they can be is key. Now like me, you can choose to do this at home. However, getting them done at the salon is such a nice treat and nowadays there are so many amazing brow bars out there. So when Blink Brow Bar invited me to pop by their bar at Selfridges, Birmingham I couldn't say no! Curious to see what I got done and what services they offer? Read on and find out!

Diego Dalla Palma Full Face Palette and Nudissimo Lipsticks Review

**Disclaimer: The products in this post were kindly sent to me for the purpose of review and are therefore listed as an advertisement. All opinions are my own**

Being a beauty blogger means trying out new products and I must admit, over the years I have gathered quite a few! However, on a daily basis I find myself reaching for the same staple items in my makeup bag and to be honest, I love a quick makeup routine with products that serve multiple purposes. So I end up using my bronzer and highlighter on my eyes. Although I own a small pile of lipsticks, I hardly ever wear any and my quest for the perfect nude continues.. Or have I finally found it in the Diego Dalla Palma Nudissimo lipsticks? And is their Full Face Palette really the only palette you need to create a full face of makeup? Let me tell you all about it in this post.

English Mineral Makeup Company Review

**Disclaimer: The products in this post were sent by PR for review consideration without the obligation to post. All opinions are my own.**

Spring is officially here and as the temperatures go up towards Summer, the makeup items I grab for change. Liquid foundations that suffocate my skin? No, thank you! What about the other kid on the block? Mineral foundations, made with, yes you've got that right, minerals! Minerals have antibacterial and anti-inflammatory characteristics and protect your skin rather than doing it harm. They are also perfect for sensitive skin. The English Mineral Makeup Company has come up with colour correctors, foundations and blushes, but will they do the trick? Let's have a look.

Valentines Day Wishlist: Top 5 Things To Get Date Ready [AD]

This post is a paid advertisement in collaboration with Panasonic, however all opinions shared in this post are 100% my own.

Valentine's Day is just over a week away which means lots of limited edition beauty releases. Whether you have an important date planned with that special person, or whether you're planning a Galentine's Day in or out, with this wishlist I guarantee you'll be date ready!

1. Great Hair

For me personally, looking the best I can be starts with a good hair day. Unfortunately I am not blessed with a great head of hair. It's straight, thin and falls out easily. Any volume I manage to add tends to last all but two seconds! At least I can do something about the dull colour by adding highlights every once in a while. Anyway, if you have fine hair like me that lacks in volume, you might agree that a good hair dryer is key. One that I currently have on my wish list is a portable hair dryer by Panasonic.

Panasonic Nanoe Ion Hair Dryer in Pink - Image credit: Panasonic official website

The Nanoe Ion Hair Dryer (£109.99) makes use of the Nanoe technology which is said to maintain up to 1000 times more moisture than a regular hair dryer, resulting in shiny, frizz free hair. I absolutely love the sound of this because with my fine hair I feel that I have to use a hair dryer to create volume, but with that comes damage caused by my brush and the hair dryer, and very dry ends. So I'm definitely up for anything that could reduce this! Besides, the hair dryer is available in trendy rose gold and hot pink, what's not to love?!

2. Flawless Base

YSL All Hours Liquid Foundation - Image credit: YSL official website

To many of us, makeup and achieving that flawless base is just as important as having amazing hair (the song does state 'It's all about that base' after all!). The foundation that does that for me is the All Hours Liquid Foundation by YSL (£35). This foundation is definitely full coverage and has a matte finish. YSL claim the foundation offers a 24hr matte finish and they are not lying. It really does stay put all day. With this does come that you need to work it fast, because once it dries that's it! I work it in with a dense brush and finish with a beauty blender.

Hourglass Vanish Seamless Foundation Stick - Image credit: Hourglass, Harvey Nichols website

If you're looking for a quick fix, you might be better off with a foundation stick. I have been using the Hourglass Vanish Seamless Foundation Stick (£42). It's quick and easy to use and a little goes a long way. I use a brush to blend it in, which it does really nicely. It has a satin finish and can be built up to full coverage that lasts up to 12 hours.

Revlon Colorstay Foundation Combination/Oily - Image credit: Revlon, Superdrug website

In case the above two options are a little outside of your budget, I also love the Revlon Colorstay Foundation for combination/oily skin (£12.99). This drugstore foundation is my everyday go-to, offers medium coverage and a velvet matte finish that lasts all day. It's oil free which is perfect for combination/oily skin, but rest assured if you have normal/dry skin, because Colorstay also comes in a normal/dry version. I apply this liquid foundation with a dense brush and finish with a beauty blender.

3. Killer Lashes

Lancôme Monsieur BIG Mascara - Image credit: Lancôme official website

If you really want to get someone's attention, you need to flutter those eyelashes and show them what you've got! I find that mascara really finish the look and I know I wouldn't be the same without it. This Valentine's Day there are so many limited editions out there. One that I've got my eyes on is the Monsieur BIG by Lancôme (£21.50), because it's meant to provide thicker lashes than ever before without clumping. Besides, how pretty is the Valentine's Day Limited Edition?! Definitely one I am considering getting right now.

4. Bold Statement Lips

Of course it's not all about the eyes and a bold statement lippie is just as important. Whether you're a pink girl or love your reds, do whatever makes you feel comfortable. Personally I am a nude lip kind of girl, but I do like going for something a bit more statement every once in a while. One of my favourite lipstick formulas is the YSL Rouge Volupté Shine (£29) as it's pretty glossy without the sticky formula of a lip gloss. The lipstick is super nourishing, moisturises the lips and is super comfortable to wear. This Valentine's Day, YSL has released 5 new fashionable shades of the Rouge Volupté Shine Oil-In-Stick lipstick with limited edition hearts and arrows on the packaging. How cute is that!

YSL Rouge Volupté Shine - Image credit: YSL official website

If you are looking for an alternative on a budget, you must give Kiko Milano's Sweetheart lipstick (£6.90) a try. Super cute in its heart-shaped design and just like the YSL lipstick, creamy and shiny. I have previously reviewed the Kiko Milano Valentine's Day limited edition lipstick (read here), and this time they have released the lipsticks in a two-tone version to create that beautiful ombre effect. Definitely worth a try if you ask me.

5. A Touch of Bling

With Valentine's Day come gifts and in my opinion some bling to show off when you're out on a date. For me, the most elegant jewellery is a gorgeous tennis bracelet. I don't know what it is, but I love the way they sit around a beautiful wrist. Now I am a big fan of rose gold, so for the purpose of this wishlist I have picked out one by Swarovski and one on a budget by Warren James who always have some amazing deals.

Swarovski Rose Gold Plated Tennis Bracelet - Image credit: Swarovski official website

Swarovski Rose Gold Plated Tennis Bracelet (£129)

Warren James Sterling Silver Rose Gold Finish Friendship Bracelet - Image credit: Warren James official website

Warren James Sterling Silver Rose Gold Finish Friendship Bracelet (£24, currently £19)

That concludes my little Valentine's Day wishlist. I hope it has inspired you for this year's Valentine's, no matter what your plans are.

Beauty Outlet At Resorts World Birmingham: First Impression and Giveaway!

What do you do when a new beauty outlet store opens near you? Check it out of course! After the soft opening on Saturday 29 September, Beauty Outlet officially opened it's doors at Resorts World Birmingham on 06 October. I decided to pop by the following day to check out the store itself and the items they have to offer.

Vivid And Vibrant: The New Stila AW18 Collection Revealed

September is one of my favourite months. It's the month of fashion weeks, fall collections appearing in stores and makeup brands showcasing their new Autumn/Winter lines. In this blog post, I want to introduce you to possibly the most amazing Autumn/Winter collection of one of my all-time favourite makeup brands: the Vivid & Vibrant collection by Stila.

Coventry Bloggers × The Body Shop

Just over a week ago, I attended a blogger event at The Body Shop in Coventry to hear more about their new launches of this season. Now I have been using products from The Body Shop as long as I can remember. It was definitely a brand I grew up with in the Netherlands, always carrying a tub of their lip balm in my bag and looking out for bath and shower gift sets to give to my friends for their birthdays. In this post I'll be sharing their latest bodycare, skincare and makeup launches with you.

Three Primers I've Loved During The UK Heatwave

As I am writing this blog post, I look outside and see nothing but grey clouds and rain. Over the last few weeks, the UK weather has done a 180 degree turn going from a 30 °C heatwave to 15 °C with a cold feeling breeze. I'm not complaining though because I'm definitely not a heatwave sort of person at all. I have fair skin, so burn easily and unfortunately I sweat as well, so anything above 24 degrees and I feel like my makeup is dripping off my face! Dealing with the heatwave really made me rethink my makeup routine. How do I prevent my makeup from moving? The answer seemed simple: by using a good primer. However, finding the right primer that works can prove a little tricky. In this post I am sharing my top three favourites that really worked for me this summer.

First Impressions: Checking Out the New NYX Store at Birmingham Bullring

Last month something quite exciting happened. NYX Cosmetics opened its doors to one of the first standalone makeup stores in the UK at the Bullring here in Birmingham. I had the opportunity to check it out before the big opening to the public and it wouldn't be the same without sharing my experience with you...

REVIEW: HAX Cut Crease Kit

THE new beauty hack, all in one box?

As a beauty blogger one of the things I obviously love most is trying new makeup. Not only do I love a new foundation or eyeshadow palette, but how about a new beauty hack that will help you create the perfect cut crease? Yes, please!

The Future Of Makeup All In One Capsule

For most of us travelling is part of our lives, whether it's for leisure or work. Trying to fit all your favourite makeup and skincare products in one bag can be tricky and I for one don't always enjoy carrying around a large makeup bag. Pressplay Cosmetics have found THE solution for this: a makeup Capsule the size of a large smartphone that is lightweight and holds all your makeup essentials. How it works? Let me show you!