The Seasonal Beauty Edit: 5 Autumn Must-Haves

 

With that Autumnal chill finally due to arrive this weekend, now's the time to give your beauty routine a seasonal refresh. Take five with Skin & Me, Aveda, Everlasting Brows, This Works, and Butterwhips.

Skin + Me Purify + Prep Hydrating Cleanser* (80ml, link)

One of the first things that I switch up in my skincare routine is my cleanser. Typically, I like to use gel-based cleansers during the warmer summer months, but as the season changes, I find myself gravitating towards creamier cleansers. This year, I'm loving everything about Skin + Me Purifying + Prep Hydrating Cleanser. From the squeezy recyclable aluminum tube to the gentle hydrating formula, this simple cleanser ticks all the right boxes for me and keeps my skin nicely moisturised and prepped for the colder weather outside. 

Aveda Botanical Repair Strengthening Leave-In Treatment* (100ml, £26.78, link)

Your hair feels the change of season just like your skin does, and if yours has started to feel a little drier, a little bit of leave-in conditioner often does the trick. I've used various hair treatments from Aveda over the years and they really do make some of the best on the market. I particularly enjoy using their Botanical Repair Strengthening Leave-In Treatment which is an award-winning leave-in conditioner that repairs damage, reduces frizz, prevents breakages, and actually makes your hair feel stronger with regular use. A teeny amount is all you need.

Everlasting Brows Highlighter & Concealer Duo* (£7.95, link)

For an affordable quick fix that makes your whole eye area look instantly brighter and more awake, you can't go wrong with one of these beauties in your makeup bag. Perfect for makeup beginners and cosmetics junkies alike, Everlasting Brows Highlighter & Concealer Duo is a super convenient dual-ended chunky pencil that features a gorgeous gold-shimmer highlighter and a creamy concealer. I like to add the highlighter to the inner corner of my eyes to open them up, as well as underneath the brow bone to make it pop, and the concealer is brilliant for touching up any little imperfections. 

This Works Morning Expert Hyaluronic Serum* (30ml, £37, link)

Changing up your facial serum is an easy way to incorporate a must-have ingredient into your daily skincare routine and at this time of the year, everyone's skin can start to look a little dull. Add some glow back in with This Works Morning Expert Hyaluronic Serum. This is one of my favourite Vitamin C and Hyaluronic Acid-based serums that I've been using on and off for years. One of the key ingredients is a slow-release form of Vitamin C which visibly helps to brighten the complexion, whilst 2% Hyaluronic Acid plumps the skin and smoothes fine lines and wrinkles. A lovely youth boost!

Butterwhips Warmly Relaxing Body Butter* (75g, £18, link)

Whilst some people are lucky enough to say that they don't need a body moisturiser at any time of the year, my terribly dry skin never lets me skip this step, and as soon as the temperature starts to drop, it's calling out for some TLC. Help is on hand with an array of decadently rich body butters, and my skin is currently loving this recyclable tin of Butterwhips Warmly Relaxing Body Butter. Handmade in small batches in the UK, this lovely indie brand is cruelty-free and their body butters are made from 97% organic natural ingredients. This particular one has extracts of Lavender, Bergamot, and Vitamin E, blended into a thick, whipped Shea Butter base. Just gorgeous.

What's on your seasonal beauty shakeup list?

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Introducing: Vegamour GRO Revitalizing Shampoo, Conditioner, Hair Serum & Biotin Gummies review

 

Thicker and fuller hair is on the wishlist of many women's wants when it comes to beauty, and Vegamour is one such brand that aims to help restore, retain and renew your crowning glory. But does it live up to the hype?

Anyone with a social media account will no doubt have heard of Vegamour as this luxury, LA-based haircare brand has a wide range of global followers and some interesting products with innovative formulas. 

I'm not one to get sucked into the hype machine these days, however, my interest does get piqued when I see a brand that's 100% vegan, cruelty-free, and omits a long list of undesirables from its ingredients. Vegamour is free from GMOs, parabens, phthalates, sulfates, silicones, mineral oils, gluten, and synthetic fragrances. 

With this in mind, I was very keen to see whether Vegamour lives up to its hype so I have been testing out some of their bestselling GRO hair products for the past month or so.

Vegamour GRO Revitalizing Shampoo* (236ml, £35) & Conditioner* (236ml, £35)

Packaged in baby pink tubes with stylish gold branding, this luxury duo looks every bit as Insta-worthy as you would expect from a brand that originates from Los Angeles. And we are talking some luxury prices here with the GRO Revitalizing Shampoo and Conditioner setting you back £35 each.

It's all in the formula though, and I have to say that I quickly fell in love with Vegamour as soon as I tried it. The Shampoo boasts an innovative, eco-friendly micro-encapsulation technology that delivers clinically tested plant-based phyto actives straight to your follicles. Two trademarked formulas, Karmatin, made from vegan bSilk ensure that damaged hair cuticles are smoothed and strengthened. Elsewhere, this nutrient-rich shampoo contains wild-harvested Marula, Baobab, and Ximeniea Oils to deeply nourish from root to tip, adding shine and plenty of volume along the way. I noticed a difference after just one use; my fine hair was visibly fuller-looking, more swish-worthy, and had plenty of bounce!

The matching Conditioner shares a similar formula with the same trademarked ingredients and nutrient-rich plant oils, so when used in tandem, they are guaranteed to deliver a very good hair day. Be sure to use only a tiny amount and only leave it one for 60 seconds as instructed as it's seriously rich stuff. 

Vegamour GRO Hair Serum* (30ml, £48)

Vegamour's GRO Hair Serum is the product that you've likely seen on Instagram and this is the crown jewel in the brand's GRO range. This plant-based multi-tasking serum uses a combination of clinically tested phyto actives to reduce the signs of shedding so that it promotes healthier, thicker hair growth. 

Safe to use every day, it contains antioxidant-rich Curcumin derived from Turmeric to fight off free radical damage; Red Clover for its antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties, and Mung Bean sprouts which are full of beneficial vitamins and minerals for your hair such as Zinc, Selenium, Silica, Iron and Vitamins A, B, C, B7 (Biotin) and K.

Incorporating the GRO Hair Serum into my daily routine was super easy; just apply a full dropper full to dry or towel-dried hair and massage it into your scalp. The serum absorbs quickly so I didn't have any issues with greasiness or stickiness, and you can apply it morning or night; I preferred the latter as it was just easier for me to remember to do it.

The key is consistency here and with daily use, you should start to see new hair growth in 90-120 days. I've been using it close to two months now and can definitely see some baby hairs peaking out at the front which is encouraging so I'll continue to use it.

Vegamour GRO Biotin Gummies* (1 month supply, £23)

We all know that beauty starts from the inside and these GRO Biotin Gummies are a great way to ensure that your hair is getting all the essential vitamins that it needs for healthy hair growth. Unlike other brands that just focus on Biotin, Vegamour's proprietary blend contains a combination of all the good stuff; Vitamins A, B5, B6, B12, C, and E, as well as the all-important Biotin, Folic Acid, and Zinc. 

Best of all, these vegan-friendly gummies taste delicious with a fruity Strawberry flavour; one is all you need to take each day for happier hair.

Shop the full range at https://uk.vegamour.com/

Are you a fan of hair growth products?

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Foodie Friday: Staying In With Tails Cocktails: Passion Fruit Martini & Espresso Martini Cocktails review

 

Have you heard the latest? Staying in is the new going out, again! As the cost of living crisis bites, many of us are already cutting back on our social spending and going back to entertaining at home with our nearest and dearest, or simply enjoying a cozy weekend at home in front of the telly. This can often involve some cheeky drinks, so why not make it a little more special, without breaking the bank, with Tails Cocktails?

I first spotted Tails Cocktails on Instagram and as I've always loved the convenience of ready-mixed cocktails, I thought I'd give them a go! 

What attracted me to them the most was that they use the award-winning 42 Below Vodka which is used in bars across the world, so you're getting a premium-tasting drink with each serving. Both cocktails below are 14.9% vol strength. Preparing these cocktails couldn't be simpler; just measure 125ml per drink, add to a cocktail shaker with some ice, shake and pour - easy! Use your fanciest glasses and add a garnish for a finishing touch if desired.

Tails Cocktails Passion Fruit Martini Cocktail (50cl, £15)

Summer feels like it ended such a long time ago but you can bring those sunshine vibes back into your living room with everyone's favourite Passion Fruit Martini Cocktail. This fruity and zingy little number is bursting with tropical citrusy flavour and a hint of sweet vanilla to help balance it out. Wonderfully smooth, it tastes like a tropical dream that's reminiscent of a melted Solero - absolutely delicious! The vodka adds a satisfying kick but it's not too overwhelmingly strong, I thought it was spot on. I finished it off with half a passion fruit as standard.

Tails Cocktails Espresso Martini Cocktail (50cl, £15)

If I could only drink one cocktail for the rest of my life, it would probably be an Espresso Martini. I've tried so many different brands and concoctions and they all have their own little quirk and differences in flavour. However, I'd say Tails is a pretty damn good example of this classic drink. Like its Passion Fruit sister above, the Espresso Martini is wonderfully silky smooth with a nice frothy head; it goes down a treat put it that way! The premium espresso coffee used is the perfect match with the 42 Below Vodka and this one definitely tastes stronger than the Passion Fruit. Very yummy!

Overall Thoughts

If you're looking for some premium-ready mixed cocktails, you really can't go wrong with the quality from Tails Cocktails, and if you were wearing a blindfold, you honestly wouldn't be able to tell that they weren't served straight from an expensive bar. Each bottle contains around four servings which works out at only £3.75 per drink and there's no need for an expensive taxi home either! Save yourself some money and enjoy a weekend in.

Tails Cocktails are available from various stockists including Waitrose and Ocado

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Beauty Empties Round Up: Products I've Used Up

 

It's that time again when I rummage through the wicker basket of empty beauty products under my bathroom sink and share what I've used up recently - here are my Beauty Empties! There's quite a lot this past month with plenty of skincare faves so let's jump straight in.

Therapi Lemon Myrtle No 1 Honey Gel Cleanser

Gel cleansers are a must-have of mine over the summer months as they really suit my oily skin when the weather heats up and Therapi has a fantastic range of them. I've used their Lemon Myrtle Honey Gel Cleanser on and off for years and it's brilliant; gentle, purifying, and perfect as a morning cleanser. Repurchase? As it's now Autumn, I'm switching to a cream cleanser but I'll happily pick this up again next year. 

Sukin Rehydrating Gel Cream* (reviewed here)

My skin often feels dehydrated during summer so another gel-like favourite of mine is a good hydrating moisturiser and I love this one from Sukin. Lovely and lightweight, it sinks straight in and makes a great base for makeup too. Repurchase? I'll certainly consider it again next summer.

Neal's Yard Remedies Bee Lovely Hand Wash*

If you haven't yet had the pleasure of smelling NYR's Bee Lovely range, you need to get yourself to one of their stores ASAP! Honestly, it's such a heavenly and uplifting citrusy scent - I simply adore it! This hand wash was gorgeous. Repurchase? I typically don't purchase hand washes in plastic bottles anymore (this was a PR gift), but I'll see if they sell a hand soap instead!

Kueshi Naturals Lemon Shower Gel

I think this came into my life via a beauty box, I'm not sure but I can't say I was impressed, unfortunately. The lemon scent is very weak and the ingredients are not as clean or natural as it appears. Repurchase? Not for me.

Moor Spa Nourishing Facial Oil* (reviewed here)

A lovely 100% natural facial oil that's great for massages and evening use. A simple but effective blend of highly nourishing plant-based oils and full of essential fatty acids. As with all facial oils, a tiny amount goes a long way so this has lasted me a good 3-4 months. Repurchase? Yes.

Aurelia Botanical Cream Deodorant* (reviewed here)

Hands down one of the best natural deodorants out there and trust me, I have tried a lot of them! This one does the job without any fuss and never lets me down. It's on the more spendy side as it's definitely a luxury product, however, Aurelia do offer a money-back guarantee where you can try it for seven days and then send it back for a full refund if it doesn't work for you. Repurchase? Yes.

Evolve Organic Beauty Rainforest Rescue Blemish Serum* (reviewed here)

My blemish-prone combination skin loves this serum and it's another skincare favourite that I've been using on and off for years. Unlike other targeted spot serums that can dry or strip the skin, this Evolve Rainforest Rescue Blemish Serum is 100% natural and uses Salicylic Acid to keep blemishes and breakouts in check. Repurchase? Yes.

Green People Nordic Roots Apple Complex Moisturiser* (reviewed here)

As my skin sometimes likes to throw tantrums every now and then, I like to keep a fragrance-free moisturiser on hand in my skincare stash for those troublesome moments. Green People's Nordic Roots Apple Complex Moisturiser ticks all the right boxes by providing soothing essential daily moisture when my skin needs it the most. Repurchase? Definitely.

Beauty Pro Coconut Infused Sheet Mask*

Beauty Pro has a fab range of vegan and cruelty-free sheet masks which are 100% plastic-free, plant-based and biodegradable. I've tried several of these masks and the Coconut one is a good all-rounder for when your skin needs a hydrating pick-me-up. Repurchase? Yes.

Rodial Dragon's Blood Jelly Eye Patches

I got these in a beauty box and they surprised me with how effective they are! Amazing for depuffing and revitalizing tired eyes that need a quick fix boost for a special occasion. Repurchase? Tempted!

Flamingo Soap Co Coffee Soap* (reviewed here)

For fans of all things coffee scented, you can't go wrong with this gorgeous soap from Flamingo Soap Co. I've had it in the shower for a while and it smells so good when you're struggling to wake up first thing in the morning! The wraparound paper label is studded with wildflower seeds that you can plant to provide food for the bees - how cool is that? Repurchase? Yes.

What beauty products have you used up recently?

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