When it concerns highlighting in makeup, I’m well versed, well practiced, and well equipped with every inspiration, technique, and product to colour myself and and every variation of iridescent. When it comes to hair highlighting however, I’ve been sceptical to say the least, until recently, harbouring no desire in my 24 years to enter a hair salon for anything but a cut and blowdry. The occupational hazard of beauty writing however is [aside from a bathroom overrun with beauty products and sleeve-cuffs stained with lipstick pigments] the slippery slope that sees one increasingly pulled into the world of beauty treatments. Undoubtedly the area advancing most rapidly - more so in my opinion than product development - going for a facial is no longer a simple process of face mask application, and getting a manicure requires more than just a deliberation over shade choice.
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The first month in my new flat has meant many things - including multiple trips to Ikea, late nights spent flat-packing, a lengthy wait for Internet installation, and numerous flat parties - but notably also, the time and space with which to rediscover [and refine] my beauty stash. Throw in a few new launches [of which there are always many at this time of year] and it's been a busy month of swatching and sniffing, culminating in a lengthy list of favourites, narrowed down to the below five for your reading pleasure. Enjoy.
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Oh, hey. Long, long, long time no see. Forgive my radio silence over the past few months; juggling a full-time job with thesis writing, three weeks in the Canadian wild, a fortnight sleeping on a friend's couch, and a hectic house move [try hauling all of your belongings across a city without a car] left little [read: no] time for any extra-curricular beauty writing. I'm easing myself back into the swing of things [yes, content should resume a regular schedule within the next few weeks] with a roundup of some of my favourite products from the past month. I've spent the majority of it living out of a carry-on, relying on a selection of chosen favourites and new launches as the mainstay of my beauty routine. Needless to say, now that I'm settled in a new flat - complete with spacious bathroom - I'm looking forward to 'rediscovering my stash'.
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It's often said that fashion writers shop for a living, but beauty writers? A significant portion of our job [on top of pitching articles, interviewing experts, brainstorming, writing, briefing etc etc] is actually trying the myriad of products out there in order to inform you what's worth spending your hard-earned pennies on. Every evening is an experimentation in a new wrinkle-reducing face cream, multitasking hair oil, or long-lasting lipstick, so trust me when I say that the products that make it into my Grace Notes posts are well and truly the best of the bunch,
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Despite numerous and frequent facelifts, one thing has remained a constant in the lifespan of this blog [which turned three last month!]; the monthly favourites post may have fallen from favour with some, but remains by far one of my favourite posts to compile. And, As a blog reader myself, such features not only indicate a genuine passion for beauty but also demonstrates personality and individuality in a sea of clickbait post titles. Essentially, favourites posts take us back to blogging basics - honest, transparent reviews of the products we love most
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I've been trying to stay loyal to the products I use [in attempt both to streamline my collection and to keep my complexion in check], but in the past month beauty has played a bigger role than ever in my life so it's been hard. I've had increasing exposure to and opportunities to try the latest and greatest in beauty launches - a few of which I've debriefed on below.
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There are few beauty concerns that affect every single one of us, but of those, frizzy hair is perhaps the most universally endured. It's a common conundrum - the resultant culmination of the havoc that central-heating, air-conditioning, rain, humidity, and styling tools wreaks upon our locks - manifest in flyaway roots, frizzy lengths, and fluffy ends.
Over the last few weeks, I've been on a quest to find the products [and tools] guaranteed to give me smooth, sleek hair. Some were okay, some really didn't do the trick, and others nailed it. Here are my five favourites.
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Beauty-wise, February for me is never about extravagant, indulgent beauty purchases - emerging from the rear end of winter with dull skin and frizzy hair calls for products that do exactly what they say they will. The past month has been one of the busiest of my life, and my lifestyle has more than reflected in my beauty picks this month; five products all with one thing in common, the ability to perform at maximum potential with minimal effort required.
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February 14th falling on a Sunday means you can devote the entire day to primping and preening; whether in preparation for date night or by means of luxeing up your 'secret single behaviour'. If your sweetheart has scheduled a candlelit dinner, schedule extra prep time to indulge before arming yourself with with your beauty secret weapons [there's no underestimating the power of lipstick and perfume]. And for single gals? On perhaps the one day when it's not only allowed, but also actively encouraged to splurge on oneself, a few chic upgrades to your regular beauty routine can go a long way. At the very least, today is the ultimate excuse for a girl to indulge during a rare free moment in her overpacked schedule.
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Between the post-festive slump and January blues, the month may not be everyone’s favourite time of year, but for me January is great for two things: my birthday, and new beauty launches. Whilst not all of the below are hot off the press per se, they’re all new to my routine, and as you’ll see, I’m quite smitten
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With every season there comes a point when one’s hair starts to revolt. Whether in protest against styling routines or climate extremes, as in summer, winter inflicts its own woes upon our hair and further compounds existing problems. The result? A cold weather conundrum of brittle locks, frizz, flyaways, dry ends, and the inability to get any style to last. At the mercy of ice cold winds and scorching central heating, we must adhere to that most imperative of beauty protocols; with damage, must come repair.
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Despite my best intentions, a ‘year in beauty’ post didn't quite make it into the works this year. Given the time I could easily have compiled an exhaustive list of brands and products I’ve used and loved this year, but I’ve edited it down to just ten in order to truly set the elite above and apart. These are the best of the best, each 100% guaranteed a repurchase and a permanent home in my makeup drawers/bathroom cabinet/heart. If you’re a long-term reader you’ll undoubtedly recognise these from numerous posts, and my monthly favourites roundups throughout the year.
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