Summer is the perfect time to spice up your accessories and with the weather being so amazing in the UK at the moment you need not wait for your holidays! Here I’ve rounded up a selection of the cutest bag with all the shopping links below.
Shop Ganni Snake Effect Buckle Bag
Shop ZARA Tote with Wooden Handles
I decided to take two of the newest OUAI products on my holidays to test them out at a time when I want effortless styling more than ever. Shopping links are below.
Sun of a Beach Ombré Spray
This product took it’s time to have strong results on me, I had a two week holiday and it was only in the second week in intense sunshine that I saw any major changes. However, once the product got going it did make a remarkable difference to my hair. My hair is naturally a mousey brown, but has warm undertones so the resulting colour varied from really blonde highlights to just a lighter copper colour. The difference in shades made my hair look really naturally sun kissed. My friends were all quite astonished at the difference it made, and perhaps the gradual nature of this product makes it harder to recognise yourself. I definitely did not want to splash out or commit to getting my hair coloured this summer, so this OUAI product was a perfect substitute if you just want to enhance your sun kissed hair.
Air Dry Foam
I hardly ever blow dry my hair, it’s not something I ever leave time for in my morning routine and I find my hair goes very frizzy from a blow dry so needs styling after which is too much effort for me on a daily basis. However, my hair is a bit all over the place, sometimes drying with curls, or a puff of frizzy nothing and other times relatively straight. It would be nice to have an easy product that could help me roughly control the outcome. Enter Air Dry Foam. When I first saw this advertised I felt like it was possibly too good to be true, but following my holiday trial (in over 70% humidity!) it has become a firm favourite of mine and no doubt a regular in my routine. It feels like my hair has been conditioned with no weight at all, making it tamed and smooth without any of the heaviness or oiliness of a serum. For fuss free styling, this is the product.
Shop Sun of a Beach Ombré Spray
If you are prone to the occasional break out, where one volcanic spot is stealing all the attention from your otherwise okay skin, then these are a god send. They are little round circles, coming in three (all small mind) sizes, that are designed to cover your pimples in such cases. To draw an odd comparison if you have ever used the Compeed blister plasters (they are the best) it works very much the same but on a smaller scale. The clear plasters form a protective layer over the spot, absorbing any excess sebum or pus, whilst soothing redness and inflammation. I have found them to be tiny saviours on many occasions! Now, to manage your expectations, they do not necessarily heal your spots magically but they do go a long way in assisting the process. If like me, you are likely to pick at spots these are perfect to stop the habit and keep the area clean. I have been known to wear them in public, but whilst not visible on a fleeting look they are definitely not invisible so do not wear them on a first date, job interview, to a party etc.
They are a great price too, only £3.99! Really cannot recommend these enough and so good to have stashed away incase of a skin emergency!
I first came across this brand on Freja Wewer’s Instagram account, and whilst I don’t love everything they do, they now and again bring out some really amazing collections or pieces that mix easily into your wardrobe but provide an on-trend update. Their high summer pieces for this year will do just that and here I have gathered a few of the best bits and the shopping links are below.
I am a sucker for anything that helps to fake a sun kissed look, so when I heard about Tan-Luxe drops I had to give them a try. Unlike the usual lotions and foams, you use only a few drops of these products mixed in with your usual moisturiser, to transform those products into self tanners.
I read a review before purchasing these items and the reviewer described them as being powerful enough to only require 1-2 drops per application. I was sceptical to say the least, but surprisingly I found this to be true (note: I did choose medium to dark in both Face & Body). It is definitely a case of trial of error, but I would suggest starting with just a couple of drops because one too many can make a big, big difference.
The colour is really natural- I’ve only had comments enquiring how I’ve got such a nice tan in Manchester. It’s pure golden brown, not too deep nor too yellow/orange. Only word of warning, the instructions imply you don’t need to use a mitt, instead just guiding you to wash your hands after thoroughly. However, when I’m tanning my whole body I have been left with orange paws even after washing them. I would strongly advise still using a mitt!
There is absolutely no fake tan smell, you only smell like the moisturiser you choose to mix it with. I mix my facial drops with Glossier priming moisturiser, which is my usual daily moisturiser. This has made using tan on my face much easier, as I often found other facial tans were too rich and made me have break outs.
I would definitely recommend this product as the colour outcome is so lovely and natural. I would recommend buying the small travel sizes first to give them a try and they are perfect to take on holiday this summer.
Positive thinking! Even if the UK remains under a cloud 365 days a year, there might be holidays abroad to look forward to, which brings me on to one of my favourite things to shop for: SWIM.
After booking flights to Barbados, I have been dedicated to the search for a new bikini, finding my perfect one on asos. After buying a Hunza G swimsuit last year I am a huge fan of the crinkle style and it seems to be the link in most of my favourites this year. Here I have rounded up my favourite from my searches, all shopping links are below.
HAPPY HALLOWEEN AND GLOSSIER UK LAUNCH MONTH!
My second Glossier delivery arrived this morning! My delivery was smaller this time and the majority was reordering items I bought the first time- so that’s a testament in itself! This time in my Phase 1 set, for a change, I chose birthday balm which I am alarmingly excited about. It sparkles and smells of cake. No more explanation needed.
Please see below the link to my first review where in more detail I go through lots of the products.
Tomorrow, I am attending a Glossier Cocktail Party in Manchester which I’m super excited about!
Whilst shopping around can be fun to discover new brands and styles, for some staples it’s good to know some fail safe brands that just nail those pieces. Below area few examples of these which I wanted to share:
T-Shirts = Sunspel
Why? Well they don’t become misshapen over time, they’re super soft and I buy the mens tees as they have a higher crew neck which I prefer.
Jeans= Re/Done
You know Levis styles which you dream of coming across in vintage stores, but in reality they never fit quite how you imagined? Well Re/Done takes those jeans and repurpose them so they do fit just right in that 90s inspired style. On the pricey side, but a good pair of jeans will last you many years to come!
Fine Knits= Uniqlo
Really soft knits in all the colours you could wish for, and at a price you can’t complain about. I choose the mens extra fine merino wool sweaters because again I prefer the high crew neck style.
Undies= COS
If like me, you hate underwired bras with heavy padding then COS underwear might be for you. They mix from really pretty, delicate lace undies to just super comfy, everyday cotton sets, so all is taken care of.
Here are some of the best pieces that have now become up to 50% off.
Reformation do increase the reductions almost week on week, so if you willing to risk waiting I think some things will be further reduced to 70% off- but as a warning the sale sells pretty rapidly so your favourite pieces may be gone by the final sale!
I’m back in Manchester ready for another year of uni, and whilst Autumn is still a month away I’m ready to start looking at clothes for my favourite time of year. In this post I’ve rounded up some of my favourite pieces from across the high street. I’m taking a trip to Amsterdam at the beginning of September so I’ve included pieces I’d love to be packing for my trip. All the shopping links are below.
Shop Whistles Split Front Jean
Shop Whistles Lara Faux Fur Cocoon Coat
Shop ZARA Checked Double Breasted Jacket
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