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My Current Beauty Faves | July 2016

Beauty FavesMy Current Beauty Faves | July 2016

Confession time! I don’t like watching beauty videos (unless it’s 100 Coats). I know I’m going against the grain here, but they just don’t appeal to me. That said, I’ve always appreciated a monthly favourites video. Basically I want my information short and sweet. I wanna know which products you loved this month, and which you hated. Since I don’t have the time to review every single beauty product I’m currently loving, I decided that a monthly Beauty Faves post was the best way to go about it.

My Beauty Faves | July

  • Sephora Express Drying Oil – Place a drop on newly painted nails and they dry within 1 minute. The perfect solution for clumsy ol’me.
  • Sleek Matte Me Lip Cream | Birthday Suit – The perfect matte lip cream. My perfect shade. The Sleek Matte Me lip creams do not budge through drinking and eating – no lie! I love it so much I’ve stocked up.
  • YSL Vinyl Couture Mascara | I’m The Clash #1* – I only ask for 2 things in a mascara. That it holds my lashes up – they point downwards usually – and that it doesn’t smudge. YSL have certainly come to my rescue with this one.
  • YSL Touche Eclat Concealer & Highlighter | Luminous Radiance #1*- Yes I know I’m late to hop on the bandwagon, but now I’m on it, I ain’t gettin off! This is the perfect tool to add a bit of luminosity to my face.
  • Barry M Gelly Nail Paint | Almond – This is a dupe of my favourite Nails Inc polish – everyone compliments this colour – and I honestly can’t tell the difference when it comes to shade or wear.  At £11 cheaper than it’s twin, I know which one I’ll be sticking with from now on.
  • Canmake Day & Night Treatment Lip Scrub – I picked this up in Japan and haven’t put it down since. It exfoliates my lips gently (it’s a sugar scrub), and prepares them for lipstick. Alternatively, I use it at night after removing my make-up – to prepare my lips for the following day.
  • Trilogy Daily Defence Moisturiser SPF15* – For a pale lady such as myself, a moisturiser containing SPF is a must! This day cream is thick, but absorbs quickly, and is the perfect base for my make-up.
  • CHANEL Coco Mademoiselle Eau de Toilette – I’ve always loved this scent, and so does everyone else! I get numerous compliments when I spritz this on, and everyone says it’s lovely.
  • Collection Precision Contouring Crayon – This one is sneak peek! It isn’t out yet, but it will be soon. Trust me, if you contour, you NEED this crayon in your life. It applies smoothly, and blends like an angel.

There you have it! My July Beauty Faves. Keep an eye out for more beauty reviews and recommendations here.

Beauty Faves Beauty Faves Beauty Faves

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A Wanted Man Cafe… and Brow Bar Waxing Salon?

a wanted manA Wanted Man | Cafe & Beauty Salon | Website
330 Kings Road, SW3, Chelsea, London

Ever popped by your local cafe and thought you’d get an espresso and a wax to go? No probably not, and whereas the concept may sound a little odd, it’s utterly brilliant. At least that’s what I realised when I stopped by A Wanted Man last week, and did just that.

A Wanted Man | Beauty Salon

In my opinion, any kind of beauty treatment should always be followed by immense relaxation…and food. So a beauty salon located above a cafe is the perfect solution, no? Yes! Say hello to A Wanted Man, the new location from the Ministry of Waxing – yes, THE Ministry of Waxing. Located on Chelsea’s Kings Road, the brow bar and waxing salon sits above a modern, cosy cafe, with an old Western theme.

The Wild West theme flows through to the salon reception upstairs, and through to the treatment corners. I went for a slightly more “private” treatment, so I ventured even further upstairs to a private room. My booking was with Kanada, who was extremely professional, and very friendly. I won’t go into too much detail, but I was left feeling very content with both the service, and the results.

A Wanted Man | Cafe

After my treatment I headed downstairs for lunch. Coz that’s what you do at A Wanted Man. Unless you decide to do it the other way around of course (which is fine too, no one’s gonna judge ya). There’s a very prominent laid-back, 70s vibe to the cafe; I love contemporary interiors with a classic influence.

The coffee here is roasted by Singapore-based specialty coffee roasters, A Common Man, borne out of Five Senses Coffee of Melbourne. I ordered a flat white, which to me is the perfect way of testing coffee – even better if you can have an espresso alongside it. The coffee itself was smooth and went down a treat. Whilst I sipped on said beverage, I waited for my Rainbow Salad. Honestly it was very difficult to choose what to order. The menu isn’t too extensive – that’s a good thing – but everything sounds absolutely mouthwatering. And Instagram-friendly too! My salad arrived in good time and tasted fresh, wholesome and delicious. You can’t really ask for more. Still it’s really no surprise when you find out that the menu is crafted by Michel Bras-trained chefs, Benjamin Darnaud (previously at Viande & Chef in Paris) and Vincent Dery.

Final Thoughts

A Wanted Man is a wonderful addition to Chelsea, and the Ministry of Waxing. Whereas combining both the luxury of a beauty salon, and the comfort of a cafe may still be relatively new to the UK, it’s certainly not lost on its customers; be them new or loyal. Let’s just say that I don’t always go for a wax, but when I do it’s the Ministry of Waxing (brownie points to those who get the reference).

I would highly recommend A Wanted Man, whether you want a beauty treatment, coffee & food, or both! You won’t be disappointed.

 

You’ll find AWM on Drip App – so don’t forget to use “EXG878” to get £4 free credit and “BLOOMZY20” for an additional 20% off!

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The Canary Hair Salon and Vegan Cafe | Beauty

The Canary hairThe Canary Hair Salon & Cafe* | Bethnal Green, E2 6QA | Nearest Tube: Bethnal Green | Website

You know I love lifestyle stores. So imagine my joy when I was invited down to The Canary hair salon in Bethnal Green. Now I wasn’t giddy purely because I was getting a hair cut – although I do often feel like that – but because The Canary is a little different to most hair salons in London. Attached to their salon is a cafe. A vegetarian and vegan cafe at that! Good coffee. Good food. Good hair. You can’t ask for more!

The food

I popped by on a Saturday around 12. We grabbed a chair in the well lit space, and ordered a couple of coffees, which I handily paid for with my Drip App. I was introduced to my stylist Emma as I sipped on mine (flat white, no sugar), and I automatically felt relaxed. After my haircut we had a bite to eat. I had a blueberry muffin, and Ben tried a mushroom and tarragon croissant. We both agreed that the food was fresh and delicious. Even better, it tasted homemade.

The haircut

When I did eventually hop in the seat, we chatted about what I wanted done. I asked whether I should get some layers put in; something I hated years ago but somehow felt might finally suit me. Emma told me that she thought my sharp bob suited me style perfectly, and that layers might ruin what I was going for. She was so right, and I’m glad she said it, because it stopped me getting a hair cut I would have undoubtedly hated afterwards. No one was rushing me, and Emma seemed very professional and easy going. Conversation flowed smoothly throughout, so there were no awkward silences, and I was done in about an hour.

Final thoughts on The Canary hair salon…

As I suspected, Emma was very professional and did a wonderful job on my haircut. My fringe wasn’t exactly how I like it, but I’m pretty fussy about my hair. That said, overall I was happy with my hair cut. The Canary is still a little quiet, but with such friendly staff it comes to life. I have my favourite hair salon (because it’s directly under my apartment), but I would still go back for a coffee and to chill out. Whether you’re after a cut, or some sustenance, The Canary is worth stopping by for sure. Prices for womens cuts start at £56 and mens at £45.

You can visit The Canary at 61 Old Bethnal Green Road, London or online here.
Make sure to check out Drip App for some of London’s best independent coffee shops!

The Canary hair The Canary hair The Canary hair The Canary hair The Canary hair

bloomzy /

Dr Organic Snail Gel Hand & Nail Elixir | Review

dr organic snail gelDr Organic Snail Gel Hand & Nail Elixir*

You must all know my love for snail gel products by now. Well if you don’t, trust me when I say I love them. So much so in fact, that I’ve tried out pretty much all of the Dr Organic snail gel range. I’ve had a few ups and downs with the products. Some were amazing, whilst others failed to hit the bat. Mostly though I’ve enjoyed testing them all out. That’s why I was happy when I recently discovered their Hand & Nail Elixir hiding in one of my drawers. Yes I do have a bad habit of hoarding beauty products. However as this was during one of my “clear outs” I decided to unbox it and make an effort to use it everyday. After all, I couldn’t resist adding another product to my list.

Pros

  • Smells great
  • Light
  • Hydrating
  • Absorbs quickly

Cons

  • Runny consistency

Final thoughts on: Dr Organic Snail Gel Hand & Nail Elixir

I love the smell of Dr Organic’s snail gel products, and this hand cream is no different. The subtle lemongrass scent is refreshing and zesty. Definitely a plus for me. However we all know that hydration is the key element when it comes to hand cream. Well this does as any other average hand cream would. It’s hydrating, although not overly so; meaning you may feel the need to apply more later in the day. My theory is that this is due to the runny consistency of the cream itself. However this does mean that it absorbs quickly. Swings and roundabouts, ey? At £14.99 I wouldn’t purchase this, as it’s a little too expensive for a lightly hydrating hand cream. Even if it does smell amazing.

You can buy Dr Organic Snail Gel Hand & Nail Elixir in Holland & Barrett stores, and online.

dr organic snail gel dr organic snail gel

bloomzy /

Skincere Day Cream | Review

skincereSkincere Day Cream*

It can be difficult to find good skincare when you have sensitive skin. Even harder when you have an allergy or intolerance. Honestly I don’t see many products boasting this kind of status. Well hello Skincere! A few of Skincere’s products showed up at my door recently, and I was a curious. The brand boasts a 100% natural skincare range. Now that may sound average, but most “natural” skincare products are only natural to a certain extent. A lot of them are around 70-90%…which is great. But to find a 100% product, well that’s really awesome. So I decided to test them out, starting with the Day Cream.

Pros

  • Wheat free, Soya Free & Dairy Free
  • Perfect for sensitive skin
  • Light & hydrating
  • Smooth application

Cons

  • Takes a minute to absorb

Final thoughts on: Skincere Day Cream

I found it hard to find anything bad about this day cream. I have sensitive skin, and occasionally allergic reactions to some products. That doesn’t mean I worry when trying out a new product, but it does make me feel better if I know the product is made specifically to avoid this happening. I’m also impressed with the wheat, soya and dairy free – I may not have an intolerance, but I’m sure those who do will be impressed too. As for using the product, it applies well – the cream is light and soft on the skin. It does take a little bit to absorb, but when it has done, it’s hydrating and it doesn’t feel heavy at all. I’ve found my makeup works well with it too – always a plus. It is £24.99, which is a little expensive. However if I had a history of allergic reactions/intolerances to ingredients in skincare products, this is definitely something I would snap up straightaway.

Skincere’s Day Cream is now half price on their website. You can also purchase Skincere products in Holland & Barrett stores, and online.

Thanks to Bloomon for my gorgeous bouquet, and the flowers included in this post.

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Dr Pierre Ricaud Collagenes 9 Eye Cream | Review

dr pierre ricaud Collagenes 9Dr Pierre Ricaud Collagenes 9 Eye Lifting Treatment Cream*

French skincare products proudly sit in my top 3 (next to Korean & Japanese). However it’s fair to say I stick to the same brands I know and love. Recently I changed this, with the introduction of a few Dr Pierre Ricaud products. You may recognise the brand, as it is a part of the Yves Rocher family – yes, the same as Petit Bateau. With such well known parents, I was eager to see what this new (to me at least) brand had to offer.

Pros:
– On/Off head function
– Brush applicator
– Soothing and gentle on skin

Cons:
– Brush applicator can become dirty
– Higher end price point

Notes:
First off, packaging. This little cutie is compact and easy to travel with. The brush applicator attached to the tube is great, and isn’t something I see very often in eye creams. I found this much better than applying on to the skin with my finger. Honestly I’m going to be sad when I have to go back to regular tubes. Every eye cream should have one of these! The on/off function means you won’t accidentally waste any product, and supposedly stops contamination. That said, I found that if I had not removed every single inch of my eye make-up – it happens to us all – then the brush becomes dirty. This can be remedied by gently cleaning it on the back of your hand, but it does make me wonder if this is why more brands don’t use brush applicators on their tubes.

I love this eye cream. It’s soothing and gentle on my skin, and it lifts my eyes when they’re feeling a little down. I find this particularly useful in the morning, when my eye bags are a little more puffy than usual (hello restless sleep). At £23 this is on the higher end of the skincare price point. I really like the product, but the price would definitely have me thinking before I purchased it.

You can purchase Dr Pierre Ricaud Collagenes 9 Eye Lifting Treatment Cream online at Dr Pierre Ricaud.
It is currently half price at £12.50 (was £23)!

dr pierre ricaud Collagenes 9 dr pierre ricaud Collagenes 9 dr pierre ricaud Collagenes 9 dr pierre ricaud Collagenes 9

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Blogs I’ll Still Be Reading in 2016

in-the-window-interior-design-2Old photo is old…but relevant

Looking back at my ‘Blogs I’ll Still Be Reading in 2015‘ I’m pretty darn proud of myself. My predications were spot on. Actually what I should be saying is, well done to my favourite bloggers for all the awesome content they brought out during 2015. Well I don’t expect next year to be much different, but my reading preferences have altered slightly; some of my old favourites are still in there, but there’s some new additions too.

Blogs I’ll Still Be Reading in 2016

  • Park and Cube – Inspirational photography and awesome lifestyle posts.
  • Joe Allam – Full of interesting content for lovers of photography.
  • The Bearded Bakery – Mike always posts the best recipes…and he uses a lot of matcha!
  • Worship Blues – Meaningful words and photos. A blog with a lot of soul.
  • Vasilieva – An image heavy blog, with a hauntingly beautiful photography style.
  • I Heart Alice – I love Alice’s photos, her style, and her personality. This lovely lady is a triple threat!
  • Chopstickpanorama – I had to include VA! She continues to help drive me to do my best. And I just love her photos!
  • Style and Wellbeing – It can be difficult to find a blog that fits your style exactly, but I fell in love as soon as I set eyes upon Brittany’s blog.

 

I hope to continue discovering more amazing blogs in 2016. Feel free to leave your own, or your favourite blogs in the comments below.