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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For many years I championed the pale look in lieu of jumping upon the faux tan bandwagon; admittedly, partly from laziness and partly from fear of a category of beauty to which Boots devotes a section larger than that housing toothpaste [an overwhelming enough category as it is]. However, pursuing a career in beauty writing meant that, inevitably, parcels of false tan began to frequent my doorstep, and [after initially surrendering these to the depths of my wardrobe] curiosity eventually got the better of me. I’ve since discovered that, as extensive and overwhelming as the range on offer is, it’s very easy to sort the good from the bad, and admittedly this is a task typically aided by a higher price tag...
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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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December brought with it an explosion of festivity and cheer that couldn't help but inspire me to shake up my beauty regime just a little - see below, a do-it-all primer, a new hue of eyeshadow, and an indulgent in-shower treatment. Similarly, the weather’s effect upon my complexion called for a boost on the hydration front, and if there’s one thing I’ve learnt this year it’s that moisture can [and should] be sought from more than just one’s moisturiser. This month, replacing my makeup remover with a cleansing oil, followed up by a luxe treatment oil has been just the ticket in restoring a much-needed glow.
Read MoreInspire your last minute shopping dash with a compilation of gift edits catered to fit some of life’s most intricate personalities.
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If the inevitable increased spending activity ahead of the holidays is already giving you an uneasy feeling, and preventing any self-indulgent beauty purchases, then consult this compilation for ten beauty buys that strike the perfect balance between quality and affordability. Because editing your beauty routine for winter [and amping up the the luxe factor] needn't always come hand in hand with an extravagant price tag...
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Like most people, when the weather shifts to winter mode my skin takes on new characteristics; it demonstrates a difficulty in retaining moisture by not playing well with the makeup I apply, and reacts to anything my body disagrees with with heightened sensitivity. My worst hormonal breakouts have occurred in the winter months, and whilst for nine months of the year my complexion is far from dry, come winter, redness and dry patches make their ritual appearance. These symptoms are from from unusual given the seasonal and environmental stressors at play, but call for a powerhouse skincare routine that features tried, tested, and hydration-oriented products.
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This month's standout products are far from exceptionally profound additions to my beauty routine; instead they've assimilated themselves with a quiet subtlety that has rendered them the sorts of staples that go almost unnoticed, despite their efficiency. Meet the five hero products you didn't know you needed...
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Since I’m a winter-lover through and through, writing this season’s content is one of my favourite times of the year. Come November I relish the chance to shake up my beauty routine; the shelves of department store beauty halls are always crowded with exciting new releases, and old favourites come back into play, bringing nostalgic scents and reaping seasonal benefits.
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Those who do daily battle with high-maintenance complexions will be well aware that conventional skincare diktat is far from enough when it comes to offering salvation to specific skincare ailments. In this case, popular 'do-it-all' products sound good on principle, but rarely perform in practice. The beauty of the below is that these products are designed with just one goal in mind, rescue [anything else is an added bonus]. Meet the bolt-on additions that will render your reoccurring skincare emergencies a thing of the past.
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We're often so focussed upon the products we're layering onto our skin to remedy our skincare concerns that we neglect to acknowledge that what goes in to our bodies can have just as much effect upon our complexions. Whilst no pill can compensate for a poor diet or lack of sleep, the case for supplementation is that our lifestyles are packed with variables that are more often that not contributing towards the depletion of those vitamins and minerals vital to maintaining good skin health.
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Following my recent Sisley facial, I was prescribed a shortlist of products with which to maintain the results of the treatment. In the immediate days following my facial I suffered from a spout of breakouts [which my facialist had warned me to expect - the successful result of any effective skin detox], which then cleared up to reveal a bright, calm, and healthy complexion [redness noticeably reduced and not a spot in sight]. When it comes to maintaining this post-facial glow however, certain rules must be adhered to. Essentially, vigilant commitment to a dedicated routine, acknowledgement that less is never more in the world of skincare [being frugal with your products is far from beneficial], and above all, an arsenal of products tailored towards your specific concerns.
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Whilst I'm rarely short of beauty products [and as much as I love trying new launches], I am a creature of habit; especially when it comes to beauty products that work really really well, do exactly what they say they will, and make a difference with immediate and lasting effect. This is especially true of skincare; for after years of struggling to find the perfect products for my complexion, when I do fall upon The One, I'm loathe to risk replacing it and tend to stick to those I love.
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They may have fallen from favour within the wider blogging community, but I will always remain both an avid reader and committed author of monthly favourites posts. I will always relish a peek into another's bathroom cabinet or makeup bag, and the idea of presenting a capsule collection of beloved beauty products to you on a monthly basis still excites me - barely has the month begun and I am already racking up a list of likely candidates. Today, meet five firm favourites from October, the best of the best of the month.
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