Showing posts with label Favourites. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Favourites. Show all posts

What do your beauty products say about you? I know we’re a couple of weeks into the new year but I thought it would be fun to break down the last year into beauty products, highlighting which beauty products defined the months for me. To be honest, it was a bit of a tough one trying to remember some of the highlights of the 2021. A year is a long time! 


I suffer with persistent acne so I started the year on antibiotics and prescription cream. I managed to have relatively clear skin up until August when it came back, only worse. By October, I was feeling really self conscious, my mental health was deteriorating rapidly and I went back on antibiotics which is where I am now. Back to square one. I have a dermatology referral in the summer (annoying but going private could turn out to be really expensive). I wrote an acne update back in 2020 but I think another one is due soon!


So, after spending an embarrassing amount of time trying to remember my year, here is a breakdown of my 2021 in beauty products:


My year in beauty products: 2021


January, Epiduo // New year, new set of skin care issues. I had a really bad acne flareup January and had to go back on medication again. I tend to phone my doctor when it gets to the point I can't manage it at home and it's affecting my mental health. Alongside the antibiotics I was on, the doctor also prescribed me EpiDuo, a benzoyl peroxide and adapeline cream. My skin doesn't agree with Benzoyl Peroxide and so my start to the year didn't quite go off with a bang. You can read about my experience with acne so far, here


February, Avène Cicalfate // Back to basics and barrier repair for me. Cicalfate contains calming ingredients which help to soothe the skin and reduce redness. I was still using the EpiDuo cream in February which made my skin quite red so I gravitated towards calming skincare products.


March, Bondi Sands SPF50 // This sunscreen absorbs like an absolute babe. No, seriously, it absorbs very well into the skin without a white cast. The only issue I have is that it can sting your eyes if it gets too close. 


April, Cerave SA Smoothing Cleanser // My acne isn't just contained on my face. I also suffer with body acne  which had flared up at the same time as my face. I wasn't applying the EpiDuo cream to my chest as I was not about to risk my pyjamas having the same fate as half the towels in my house covered in bleach marks. Per some recommendations on Instagram, I decided to try out the SA smoothing cleanser by Cerave. I still use it today, applying it in the shower with about 30-60 seconds contact time before I wash it off. I also apply iD care Barrier Cream to my chest after when I've dried off. This combination helped to clear my chest and back acne something I need to get back into now I'm going to the gym.


May, Garnier Anti dark spots and anti pollution super UV SPF50 // Summer time arrived, well it popped up to say hi, and I picked up this suncream from Garnier which is perfect for wearing under makeup. It dries matte so your makeup can sit perfectly on top. I use this sunscreen exclusively for when I wear any form of coverage. I also picked up its sister SPF spray for suncream top ups.


Flatlay of Bondi Sands face suncream, Avene Cicalfate, Altruist SPF


June, GOW Alpha Arbutin 2% & Kojic Acid 1% Serum // My friend bought this to me for my birthday as it had been on my beauty Wish List for a little while. Kojic acid is meant to be really good for reducing hyperpigmentation and lighten skin discolouration. The product also comes highly recommended by my favourite skincare Twitter accounts. Check out them out here!


July, Chanel Vitalumíere Aqua foundation // For my graduation ceremony, I decided to treat myself to a little bit of luxury and splurge on a Chanel foundation. I prefer water-based foundations as it allows my skin to breathe and is so much easier to apply. You can check out my full review here!


August, Altruist SPF50 // If it isn't broke, don't fix it. Yeah, I didn't listen to that. My beloved Bondi Sands ran out and since it's such a pain to find in store, I switched to Altruist which my friend gifted me back in June. I have very strong mixed views on this SPF. Let me break it down for you: Pro’s: contains Zinc, doesn’t sting my eyes, high SPF. Cons: absolutely useless when applied to slightly damp skin, mostly absorbs (but wouldn't recommend to anyone with a darker skin tone), beads up and transfers onto everyone's clothing. 


September, Nivea Irresistible Smooth Dry Skin body lotion // I love the smell of Nivea products! The smell reminds me of my first ever skincare routine which was made up of their cleanser, toner and moisturiser. I used to love their primer but I think that was discontinued. Anyway, I picked up the body lotion for typical body lotion purposes. 


Garden of Wisdom Alpha Arbutin 2% & Kojic Acid 1% Serum


October, Eucerin Urea repair (with 5% Urea and ceramides) // This is my favourite ever intense moisturiser for super dry skin. The Urea repair normally comes with 5% urea which isn't quite as rich as the one with ceramides. It makes a wonderful night moisturiser too.


November, Differin // Following a severe acne flare up in August, I reached out to my doctor again to try and get some medication. My mental health was suffering really bad and my skin was the worst it had ever been. I asked for Differin cream instead of EpiDuo to avoid causing my skin further irritation.


December, Rituals foaming shower gel // It’s like magic! I have so much fun in the shower using this foaming gel. I love the way it comes out as a gel and you can watch it foam up. It’s really gentle and hydrating on the skin. I even picked up a couple of bottles for my friends and now I have lots of free samples of the stuff!


And that's my year in beauty products.



Love, Aoife xo


Did you know that deodorant contains aluminium? The aluminium is used to cover your pores and stop you from sweating. Which is perfectly fine but I feel like it's quite an aggressive way of saying don't sweat.

For the last month, I swapped my normal Sure deodorant to go organic and use Green People’s Natural Aloe Vera deodorant. I’d heard mixed thoughts on using an organic/ natural deodorant, some good and some bad, so I decided to put it to the test.

NORMAL DEODORANT

I typically buy antiperspirant deodorant because my body likes to sweat a lot. Not that it actually works, I sweat right through it. I then switched to roll-on deodorant because I kept gassing myself out every time I used the spray and I was fed up of the white marks left behind. The main reason I made the switch was that I felt like the normal deodorant was becoming less effective and my armpits were starting to ache.

THE LOWDOWN

Organic deodorant is named so as it does not contain or have as many harsh chemicals and aluminium like normal deodorants on the market. They typically contain some essential oils and organic ingredients. You can read more about the benefits here.


The price range for natural deodorant varies with the most expensive being £22.50 and the cheapest £4.99. (on feelunique.com)  Green People’s deodorant was £10.50 on Feel Unique and is made with 89% organically certified ingredients. The description says it contains a subtle scent of Sandalwood and Chamomile with organic aloe vera, probiotics and zinc ricinoleate which is used to absorb odour particles. The description breaks down the natural ingredients and their purposes.

RUMOURS

When it comes to organic deodorant, a lot of people say there’s a transitional period for the first few weeks. This is where your body adjusts to the new pH in the less chemically filled deodorant which can cause B.O. I was quite worried about this and self-conscious that I could start smelling like a pubescent teenager. They also say that it’s not as strong as a normal deodorant so you will need to reapply it throughout the day. I didn’t mind this but it could start to get annoying after a while. 

As gross as it may sound, I had already stopped wearing normal deodorant a few weeks before and I’d go days without wearing it. This was because I felt better without it on. However, I would wash more as a way to compensate so I didn’t smell. But I never smelt massively bad.

WHAT I LEARNT


I love using organic deodorant. My armpits feel so much better than they used to and there isn’t that sting that comes with normal deodorant. It seems weird but I feel as though my underarms don’t sweat as much as they used to and when they do, it feels like a healthier sweat if that’s possible.

The deodorant is a roll on and dries quite quickly. The B.O smell isn’t as full on as I thought it would be and most times you can’t smell it. Or if it is there then you have to give it a big sniff.  And... no white marks!!

Overall, I’d recommend trying a more natural deodorant. If anything you limit the number of toxins going into your body and it feels so much better than having the sticky sweat that builds up. I don’t know how much this is true, but it probably helps the environment too.

UPDATE: I can officially say I’m out of the transitional period. Last Thursday was the first day where there wasn’t a hint of B.O under my arms at the end of the day. 

Have you ever tried organic deodorant? If not, would you make the swap?


Love, Aoife xo
Happy Christmas Eve!!! Aren’t you feeling Christmassy this cosy evening? Before I begin…..

I just wanna wish you all a Merry Christmas! Whether you're celebrating it with family, friends, loved ones or by yourself, from my family to you, have a great Christmas! Best wishes, Aoife xx

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I’ve seen this Tag bouncing around on other blogger’s site’s and I thought I’d give it a go! We’re coming to the end of Blogmas and before I write my last post, I wanted to do something a little more relaxing. Anyway, I’ll get on with the questions!

What is your favourite Christmas song?

Mariah Carey all the way!! All I want for Christmas is my go-to Christmas song. It gets me in the mood every time!

What’s your favourite Christmas film?

I love watching the rubbish Christmas films!! You know the really cheesy, often low budget, cringe films. With really bad actors that are usually shown on Channel 5 or Netflix. Like the romantic ones that sometimes have princes involved. You know those ones? Those- I love them!

What’s your dream place to visit for the holiday season?

I’d love to experience Christmas in Australia! Or somewhere hot. Everyone will be relaxed and you wouldn’t have to worry about being freezing!

But I’d also like to celebrate it somewhere in the Alps with log cabins, snow, UGG boots and cosy jumpers.

Have you ever had a white Christmas?

Not that I know off. But it sounds amazing though!

Is your tree real or fake?

Fake! All the way! Whilst I love the idea of having a real tree and bringing nature into your home for the festive period. I could not cope with all the needles and bald necks. I might get one in the future but for now, I’m perfectly happy looking at my fake one.

What’s your favourite colour combination of Christmas decorations?

There’s a lot of reds and golds around my house. They compliment the green and go with the interior decor at home.

Does your family have any Christmas Traditions?

We only have one and that falls on Christmas Eve. Before the actual day, me and my Brother always have a bath or shower so we go to bed squeaky clean ready for Santa to drop his gifts during the night. I’m sure that was a trick by my parents to make sure we washed more but it’s stuck. And I think the idea’s cute!

What time do you wake up on Christmas Day?

It varies every year but usually between 8 at the earliest or 10 at the very latest.

Favourite part of Christmas dinner?

Umm…. Pigs in Blankets, obvs!

What is your favourite Christmas drink?

I love a good cup of Cocoa! It has to be Cadbury’s original hot chocolate- the one that comes in the purple tub. Yes, that one!!

What is your Christmas Day Fashion?

The first half is spent in PJ’s. Unwrapping presents, eating breakfast etc. Then it’s time to get ready. I usually wear an occasion dress to make things feel special. 

Do you open your presents before or after dinner?

Before! I mean who’s prepared to wait when there are wrapped gifts under the tree It’s the first thing we do when we come down. 

Can you name all of Santa’s Reindeer? 

Not really, I know there’s Rudolph. I could attempt the rest but I’ll probably end up embarrassing myself.

What makes the holidays special for you?

I think it’s that the whole family comes together. It’s the one time you can guarantee that the whole family will be able to spend more than six hours together! I love that everyone comes together, family, friends, even people you don’t often talk to. It’s the season to show love and be kind to one another. To show you care. It’s a beautiful season. 


Well if you got to the bottom, well done! I hope you enjoyed this little post because I certainly liked answering all of them.

Merry Christmas,


Aoife x
London is such a beautiful city! One of my favourite things to do during winter is to walk around and look at all the winter lights around the city. As London is so massive, with lots to do and see, I thought I do a little post on some of the must-see lights of London. All the pictures were taken mostly at night as that’s the best way to see them. 


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The other day I went out by myself for a mini adventure around London. I started at Somerset house to see the big Christmas Tree next to the skating rink they put up.


From there I walked up to Covent Garden to catch a look at the giant Baubles and Mistletoe. After taking a billion pictures of the baubles and around the square, I walked through Leicester Square and over to Piccadilly Circus, London’s mini Times Square.



Heading up Regent Street, I walked up towards Oxford Circus stopping to look at the Hamley’s window display. I remember as I kid being fascinated with the window displays; they were always amazing to look at!

I took quite a few pictures of the angels hung above the roads. They’re so cute and innocent hung up there. It makes the road beneath feel special.


I followed Oxford Street down to John Lewis to pick something up for my Mum, looking at the hanging lights and Christmas displays around the store. 

I then walked down to Selfridge’s which I ended up getting lost in. They have some cute lights on the side of their building which I think encompasses the romance of Christmas.


After that, I headed back up Oxford Street to walk down New Bond Street, which is my favourite street ever! It’s a road full of designers from Valentino, Dior, Chanel, Cartier, Ralph Lauren, Gucci etc. I love walking down the road when it’s dark and during winter. All the stores glisten and sparkle; it’s magical. I had a lot of fun walking down this street.


I then headed towards Green Park station to head home. London is a great place to walk around and explore as all the attractions are spread out across the city.

Love, Aoife x

P.S- Any places I've missed? Comment recommendations below, I'd love to visit xxx

I love a good nude polish on my fingernails. It's simple, elegant and a colour that compliments every single outfit. And every single skin tone.

When it comes to the festive period, people generally shift towards darker colours. Choosing dark reds, purples, greens to keep in line with the festive colour palette. However, that doesn’t mean we have to leave the nudes outside. 

The great thing about nude colours is that there are so many. The colours that come under the 'nudes' palette is browns, beiges, pastel pinks, whites, and light greys. 

I’ve chosen my top 5 nail polishes that are perfect for the festive period:

1. Essie, Matter of FictionThis pink has a slight sparkle to it, making it the perfect festive pink.

2. Barry M, Cashmere- Usually with such light pinks, they get darker after the second coat. However, this one keeps it's lightness, maintaining the barely there look.
3. Nails Inc, Cornwall Gardens- Grey used to be the colour that was avoided. Now it's not and instead, is a perfect colour to wear. Grey nail polishes nowadays contain warmer tones, meaning it is much more complimentary.

4. Barry M, Almond- It's slightly darker than the Nails Inc one but looks just as great in the cold outdoors.

5. Models Own, HyperGel Naked Glow- This shade is more of a beige colour and it's a gorgeous nude. Perfect for this time of year.


Love, Aoife x


Cinnamon is the perfect winter spice. A little bit of cinnamon in the air brings back a thousand warm and cosy memories. 

Cinnamon Palmiers are my favourite things to make! They’re easy, simple and extremely tasty. I originally got the recipe somewhere off the internet but I can no longer find the original site. But, luckily, I’ve managed to create my own recipe.

Disclaimer- When you become a confident baker, recipe’s start becoming almost like guidelines, they’re there but you don’t have to follow them. With that said, whilst I consider myself a confident baker, I never said I was a great one.


Cinnamon Palmiers:

55g Sugar + spare to use
2-3 teaspoons of cinnamon
2 1/2 tablespoons butter
Ready rolled Puff pastry

To make things simpler, I use a ready rolled puff pastry. This just saves the time of having to roll out a block but it’s up to you. Remember to take the pastry out of the fridge before making the sauce.

Gently heat up the butter in a pan until melted. Keep it on a semi-low heat and slowly add in the sugar whilst stirring to keep a runny consistency. Once that has dissolved, add the cinnamon to the sauce. You’ll end up with a thick runny brown coloured sauce.

Roll out the pastry, making sure it’s flat before spreading the sauce over. Reach all the corners so everything is covered. Once the pastry has been covered, sprinkle a little sugar over the top. Remember to save the rest of the sauce for later.



The next bit is both the fun and tricky part. On the longer sides of the pastry, start rolling the edges towards the centre. Make sure the rolls are tight as this will make the round circles of the palmier. 

Place back in the fridge, wrapped in clingfilm for another 20 mins for the pastry to cool again.

After 20 mins, take the pastry out and unwrap the clingfilm. Get a knife and cut 1.5/2cm thick slices. Place them, with the spirals facing up, on a baking paper lined tray. Once all the pastry has been cut, use the leftover sauce (it may need reheating) and spread over the pieces, sprinkle a little more sugar over them for an extra crunch.

Place in the oven (200 degrees) for 15-20 minutes until they are golden brown. 

Bon Appetit!



Love, Aoife

Dare I ask the question- have you started present shopping yet? Getting your Christmas present shopping done early is the best thing as you can be nice and relaxed by the time Christmas Day comes along. The key to a great Christmas gift is that it’s heartfelt and there was thought put into it.

Being obsessed with everything fashion, beauty and lifestyle, it made sense that I put together a wishlist of my top picks for what to get for Christmas. My edit includes a few must-haves for any fashion lover and those interested in Style, Beauty and personal appearance.

Books

Apologies for the colours, having issues with backgrounds in my uni room
How to be a Parisian- I have been obsessed with everything French lately. They just do everything better from romance to fashion to skincare. How to be a Parisian is a book written by a group of French women who write about every aspect of life. This is definitely one of those of books that anyone interested in Lifestyle would love and for those interested in French living.

Love x Style x LifeGarance Dore - This is definitely on my wishlist for Christmas. I’m going to say it’s somewhat similar to How to be a Parisian as it’s like a guide that takes you through different parts with personal stories weaved in. Nicknamed the French Grace Coddington, this book is guaranteed to set hearts racing and provide an insightful guide to the life of a fashion blogger.

Inside Vogue, Alexandra Shulman- For those who have ever wondered what being the editor at Vogue is like, this book is one for you. It’s a diary by the fabulous and former editor Alexandra Shulman taking the reader through the centenary year. She talks about the Fashion Weeks and Designers to the business of running a magazine and all the work behind the scenes. This book is not only perfect for those interested in fashion but also those interested in magazine journalism too.

The Bare Essentials, Tracy Martin- The perfect stocking filler! For anyone with a love of lingerie and the relationship we have with it, this book is perfect. It’s a short and sweet little book examining the history and how underwear has evolved through the years.

Films

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Confessions of a Shopaholic- For all my shopaholics out there, this is your film! It’s the perfect girls night in film or for when you just need a good laugh. Based on Sophie Kinsella’s novel, Confessions of a Shopaholic (you should read that too), the film featuring Isla Fisher is perfect for anyone obsessed with fashion and shopping. The laugh out loud comedy is full of clothes, shopping and more clothes! A dream, right?

Sex and The City- Friends, Fashion, Manhatten and Sex! The perfect combination. The Sex and the City series and films are a must see!

Devil Wears Prada- Nothing beats a Meryl Streep film especially when she's playing Miranda Priestly. Featuring Anne Hathaway, this film makes the list of films you have to watch at least once and know about.

If you're looking to spend a little more cash, a Jo Malone candle, like this one, is the perfect gift! It smells heavenly and is loved by everyone!

It's a short little edit but those are just a few ideas of what you can get a fashion/ beauty/ lifestyle obsessed fanatic. Some of them I even have on my own wish list!

Love, Aoife x

Winter is well underway now and with the weather getting colder it’s time to update and add a few more pieces to the winter wardrobe. As you may already know, I love to shop and it's probably one of the main reasons why I can cope with the season. The feel of wearing new clothes and the new outfit possibilities is enough to keep me going through the cold.

I thought I’d share with you and do a mini haul of just some of the new pieces I’ve picked up to give you an idea of what I'll be wearing this winter and that might also help you with your winter wardrobe. 


Short Check Dress, Zara- Checked dresses never go out of fashion and this one from Zara is the perfect addition to your winter wardrobe. It's long sleeve and made of a slightly thicker material to keep you warm on the cold winter days. It's casual and stylish with a relaxed A-line silhouette. Accessorise it a thin brown belt and some cute boots. Price: £29.99



Over-the-knee socks, Primark- When you're bored of wearing trousers and tights, over-the-knee socks are a perfect alternative. They keep most of your legs toasty and warm, allowing you to show a little leg and wear a cute miniskirt. The one you never thought you’d get to wear once it hit December. Price: £3





Grey Star Dressing Gown, Next- Sometimes you have to splurge a little to make sure you’re getting a quality product. Next have always had great nightwear/ loungewear that lasts for ages. Sitting in my cold uni room, this dressing gown has been a lifesaver! It’s so cosy to snuggle into and watch a film or just lounge around the house in. It’s one of those dressing gowns you know will keep you warm for years and doesn’t have a one-year expiry date. Price: £26

Down Puffer Anorak with contrasting hood, Zara- I can’t believe it’s taken me this long to get on the Zara puffy coat bandwagon! Not only is it stylish and casual, it's so warm! I’ve been missing out on this. All those days I spent cold in a cheap jacket when I could have been warm and toasty wrapped up in a Zara puffer. Also, the hood is huge and I love the detachable fur trim. Price: £69.99


White Knitted Top, Lindex- I am obsessed with this top!! I love the sleeves and how they flare out, adding a little something to the otherwise plain jumper. It’s 50% wool and is the softest thing I think I’ve ever owned! I usually wear it tucked into my favourite pair of green trousers or some jeans. The only downside is it’s hand wash only so that’s going to be fun. Not. Price: £29.99


So those are just a few recent pieces added to my Winter Wardrobe. I hope you’ve enjoyed it and found inspiration. The key to buying winter clothes is to make sure their versatile (can be worn anywhere) and that they can be worn with anything. Nothing's worse than only being able to pair a jumper with black skinny jeans.


Love, Aoife x