Trinny London Makeup

Since having a baby my self-confidence has taken a dip. What used to be a well thought out outfit with jewellery and accessories has now become a uniform of jeggings, a shirt, and Chelsea boots. Where I used to have time to put on makeup, play with my hair I now have a small person to care for and entertain.  

I hide from mirrors, cameras and generally, dislike the way that I now look. I'm not unique many friends who have had babies have gone through the same thing, what was once a clear and defined knowledge of what they looked good in goes out the window to what can I breastfeed in, what is clean, what hides a still very much post-pregnancy tummy.  

Over time this harms your confidence, how you view yourself and any recollection of what was your true sense of self and style has long since passed. 

In the interest of being a loving and supportive partner, my other half staged a mini-intervention and booked me a visit to Trinny London, who have launched a makeup brand and offer professional makeup sessions for £45. 

Growing up I used to love watching Trinny on a tv programme called What Not to Wear, where she would whip women into shape and help them find the most flattering styles. Trinny now does similar via her Instagram account, often set in her bathroom with special guests,  if you haven't checked it out its fab at sharing musings about the latest fashion trends, beauty and wardrobe secrets. Her bathroom has an enviable makeup collection with 97 draws crammed with makeup which is quite the stash to behold.     

So off I went to South Kensington, where hidden down an Instagramable side street is Trinny London. 

Knocking on the door I was a little nervous about what to expect but the nerves soon dwindled when an exuberant Trinny appeared, busily flitting from one room to the next talking as she went. What you see on her channel is exactly what she is like in real life, wild excitement and chatting a million miles to the dozen. 

In the upstairs studio, I was introduced to the makeup team who quickly asked me several questions about my skin type, the colours I like wearing and products that I love. Once that was out of the way the makeup artist set to work applying Trinny makeup to match my skin. 

The first thing to say is that the products come in lovely packaging and are stackable.  

The makeup range has been created specifically to be applied using your fingers, which is music to my ears.  Not having to be reliant on brushes to apply the makeup means that all the products can be applied anywhere and makes them perfect for travelling. 

The products are creamy in consistency which means applying and layering the eyeshadows up is also really easy. 

So what products have I repurchased, the BFF Skin Perfector is an absolute favourite, this has to be the easiest makeup I have ever purchased. It is so easy to apply that the hassle of using it has been entirely taken out, with built-in sun protection, its lightweight, moisturising and liberates dehydrated skin to make it look healthy and glowy.   

I've also enjoyed wearing Lip Luxe in the shade of Eugenie, which again is a low maintenance lipstick. As it's in a pot it can travel anywhere and the fact you can use your fingers means that a mirror is not necessary. 

A dusky pink nude is perfect for everyday use as it's subtle in colour. It lovely and moisturising and has a high pigment so a little goes a long way and a jar can easily last a good few months.  

So here's the finished look:

I had a really lovely time and the intervention certainly helped to make me feel a bit better. What I have learnt to appreciate is that a positive attitude plays an important part in how you feel about yourself. 

I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas and wishing you all a happy and healthy 2020. 

Have you tried any of the Trinny makeup? Any good suggestions to get yourself out of a rut, share with me in the comments below.  

https://trinnylondon.com/us

One month using Drunk Elephant only

I'm addicted to anything miniature that is practical to take away on a long weekend. For me they are the perfect introduction to a brand; you can test out all the essentials in one go and see if you want to purchase the full size. This is a great way to avoid any disappointments that may result from shelling out a small fortune for the full-size product without testing it first. 

Unless you've been hiding under a rock you will probably have heard all the hype going around the beauty industry about Drunk Elephant. It's probably one of the most wanted skin care brands of the moment. There is something intriguing about Drunk Elephant, who have stayed and excelled well beyond the hype. 

Tiffany the brands' founder had all sorts of skin issues herself and believed that much of her problems were rooted in 6 suspicious ingredients (essential oils, fragrance/dyes, silicones, sodium lauryl sulphate, drying alcohols and chemical screens). Drunk Elephant prides itself on being a clean clinical brand that has removed these ingredients from all of its products.  

Before splurging out on any full-size products, I settled on trying out The Littles a set of seven miniatures (£71), the perfect introduction to the brand. 

The brand is built on an ethical ethos which is an important must, but I personally found the excessive packaging of cardboard sleeve and plastic wash bag was a strange juxtaposition to this. 

But that said I love the brightly coloured packaging, its so pretty and the small sizes make them perfect for grabbing and taking on any adventure. The best bit is the products can be mixed together and they have specifically been developed to balance and reset your skin. 

I've been using the Drunk Elephant miniatures for just over a month and I can honestly say that for the most part, I am underwhelmed. Whilst I have noticed a difference when using some of the products with better moisture in my skin and a noticeable soothing of the redness on my cheeks; too many of the miniatures left me wanting. Read on to find out which products are a firm favourite and those that just didn't make the cut.    

Beste No. 9 Jelly Cleanser:

Let us start with the positives: I loved the jelly like consistency; it lathers well and the fact that it's fragrance free is nice. It easily manages to get rid of makeup especially mascara. But the big downside for me was that it dried out my skin and was very stripping of nourishment. However, if you have oily skin this would be a perfect compliment. For those of you with a drier complexion Drug Elephant have better alternatives; the Pekee Bar would definitely be one of them.

Drunk Elephant has recently changed the formula of the jelly cleanser which is now meant to be more moisturising, but at £27 for the full-size product, I am not sure I would take the risk on purchasing. 

C-Firma Day Serum: 

Having used this for a month I have learnt some tricks on how to get the most out of this little beauty. Less is most definitely more. I was massively overzealous with how much I used the first few times. It is wise to store this in the fridge which helps with oxidisation, but also makes for a cold and refreshing morning pick me up to your skin. 

I have dry and dehydrated skin and I found that the formula managed to even out my skin tone and remove the dead skin around my jawline and cheeks. The product does have a strange almost alcohol smell and leaves a sticky feeling initially, so if this would annoy you then this is probably not the product for you. 

The full-size product costs £67. Given the results, I have seen and that the product can be placed under makeup to work its magic, I would purchase this as a full-size product.

B-Hydra Intensive Hydration Serum:

I found that the serum absorbed quickly and continued to hydrate my skin as the day went on. But for what it is and the £44 price tag, there are better products to be had and I definitely won't be buying a full size of this product. 

T.L.C Framboos Glycolic Night Serum: 

The first Glycolic I ever used was Sunday Riley Good Genes which I absolutely love. So when I saw Drunk Elephant did a Glycolic Night Serum I was excited to try it out. Initially, I didn't really see any difference, but over time it definitely reduced the spots on my chin and evened out the texture of my skin and complexion. But this came at a price to my dry skin, which ended up being incredibly dehydrated due to the use of this product. If you have oily skin, acne or hormonal spots this product would be great for you but if your skin is sensitive or dry I am not sure this product would suit your skin type. 

The Drunk Elephant T.L.C Framboos Glycolic Night Serum costs £76, which is £9 cheaper than the Sunday Riley Good Genes. Given that I prefer the texture, consistency and results from the Sunday Reilly Good Genes, I personally would be willing to pay that bit more for better results and for a product that was more favourable to my skin type.  

Shaba Complex Eye Serum: 

After years of no sleep, I have the worst dark circles under my eyes. In reality, no beauty product is going to get rid of this but my hope in an eye serum is it might help to reduce them. 

The Drunk Elephant eye serum is smooth, refreshing and light in consistency when applied. I found it incredibly moisturising, but as for noticeable results in my dark circles, it made absolutely no difference.

Given that this product retails at £50 for the results this is not a product I would purchase in the larger size. 

Virgin Marula Luxury Facial Oil: 

I should start by saying I am a convert to facial oils, having been a lover of the Sarah Chapman Skinesis Morning Facial for a number of years. 

When I saw that the Drunk Elephant Littles contained the Virgin Marula Luxury Facial Oil I was keen to give it a try and see if it would make me trade in my Sarah Chapman. 

The positives first; a little oil goes a very long way, it is light, absorbs quickly and most definitely improved the appearance of my skin. But sadly it just didn't match up to my love for the Sarah Chapman Skinesis and it is for this reason that I wouldn't purchase the full size. If price matters you might feel differently as there is an £18 difference, with the Drunk Elephant Virgin Marula Luxury Facial Oil retailing for £34 and the Sarah Chapman same size equivalent £52.  

One small gripe I have for the cylindrical containers is I wish they had a window so you could see when you are near the end of the product.  

Lala Retro Whipped Cream:

I must admit that I was beginning to lose faith in finding a Drunk Elephant product that I would love, but the Lala Retro Whipped Cream turned it around. As you know I have very dry and dehydrated skin this product is like whipped cream that moisturised my skin long after being applied. The texture of the cream is silk, a dream to apply and my skin is wonderfully hydrated and nourished. 

The full-size product costs £50 and for me, it was worth every penny. The Lala Retro Whipped Cream will be heaven sent in winter and as such, I have already made a repurchase of this product. 

Final thoughts on Drunk Elephant: 
The Littles set is perfect for anyone that wants to try Drunk Elephant without forking out on lots of full-size products. I found it great for travelling as it was so easy to just pick up. Whilst the products can be used separately I personally think they work best together as a beauty routine to reset your skin.  

My overall impression of Drunk Elephant is they have some great products but for me, they don't quite meet the hype and are priced a bit too high. 

Have you used any Drunk Elephant products? What did you think, share in the comments below. 

www.drunkelephant.com

Shangri La Hotel afternoon tea

Some of my fondest memories of London are having afternoon tea. What better way to while away a few hours than dainty sandwiches, delicate cakes and warm scones with jam. I love afternoon teas but having had quite my fair share, one thing for sure is that they most definitely are not all equal. For me the quality of the afternoon tea and service are all very well and good, but so too is where it’s served.

London offers some of the most quintessential English afternoon teas but a highlight of them all for me has to be Ting Shanghai-La Hotel at the Shard. Set on the 35th floor, with ceiling to floor windows you are provided with a breathtaking view over London. 

We were lucky to be seated directly above Tower Bridge and the HMS Belfast.

To celebrate the Royal wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, the hotel had created the Royal Botanical Afternoon Tea. The tea was based around the flowers grown in the royal garden. 

As we sunk into the comfortable deep seats, we began our afternoon tea with a lovely glass of zesty, crisp Bollinger, La Grande Année, 2007. 

Whilst the sun raged outside we happily sat chatting in the air conditioned surroundings, sipping our chilled champagne and looking out at the spectacular view of London, a view which even now I still never tire. 

Champagne was followed with a theatrical presentation of Calamansi tea, served over dry ice.  The tea was provided to cleanse the palate and reminded me of lemon sherbet. 

We thoroughly enjoyed the theatrical show of smoke billowing across the table. The presentation of the tea is definitely one of the more interesting ways to begin an afternoon tea. 

Ting offers an extensive tea selection and whilst staff are happy to guide you, I opted for Rose bud, a favourite with a wonderful floral aroma and a delicate rose flavour. 

But let me get on with the main event as I am sure most of you are interested to know what came next.

The savouries offered some of the usual suspects, hot smoked salmon with cucumber and juniper cream. 

Myrtle, roasted chicken, mustard and Tarragon. 

Heritage tomato, lemon, ricotta and walnut. 

My favourite offering had to be the Bermondsey honey, goat's curd and lavender rye, not only beautiful presented but delicious too.

Unfortunately the same could not be said for the Dorset crab, seaweed mayonnaise and pumpernickel. 

Whilst the individual ingredients were delicious the rye bread and the many layers of it simply made it too dry. The bread overpowered the ingredients of the sandwich.

Next up we were served warm scones, with strawberry jam and clotted cream. The delivery of scones is something very much for me that can make or break the success of an afternoon tea. 

But I'm pleased to report that the English plain and raisin scones both lived up to my high expectations, lite and fluffy. 

Make sure though you save room for the sweets which truly are a work of art. Almost too good to eat!

My personal favourite had to be the apple tart with caramelised apple and Elderflower. The shortbread pastry had a wonderful buttery taste and the creaminess of the apple a real delight.    

Raspberry rose: lychee mousse, raspberry confit with rose. The delicate taste of raspberry with the rose was lovely and refreshing. 

Cassis violet macaron, blackcurrant confiture and violet creme. For me this was too sweet, but I think this was more to do with what had gone before. If you weren't as greedy as me and ate it as a stand alone, I think I might have felt differently. 

Cherry blossom roulade, chocolate vanilla and sour cherry. A perfect sized dessert, in which I enjoyed the tartness of the chocolate balanced against the sourness of cherry. 

Milk chocolate religieuse, Earl Grey tea and grapefruit compote. Wow this was an amazing dessert with so many of my favourite flavours. 

 

The waiting staff never once rushed us, which I loved. The staff were attentive, with great knowledge of the available teas and treated each tea as something to savour. 

We whiled away a wonderful afternoon. Ting restaurant is definitely a perfect setting for a relaxed afternoon tea, with views to set it apart from other locations we have experienced.

After over filling our bellies how we wished we could snuggle up in the hotels wonderful rooms and slumber for a few hours. 

We will most certainly be back. 

www.ting-shangri-la.com

Peter Thomas Roth first impressions

Everyone's skin type is different so finding a face mask to perfect your skincare routine can be a challenge. It's taken me many years to understand that I have combination skin, my skin is mainly dry with my T zone (nose, forehead and chin) being slightly more oily. It's also prone to being sensitive.  

As a busy mum, face masks for me are a quick and easy way to pep up my skin. The Peter Thomas Roth Mask-A-Holic face masks (£72), a collection of five 150ml full sized pots in one collection represents real value for money. 

Blue Marine Algae (£34):This was the mask I was most looking forward to using, mainly as it states it has intensely hydrating properties, so perfect for my dry skin. 

Applying to the skin it is clear and has a gel like consistency which was cooling. After a while the gel tingles and gives a warming sensation on the skin. If you have sensitive skin then this face mask might not be for you. I personally didn't really like the sticky wet feeling that the Algae had and I saw absolutely no difference in the moisture of my skin post application. It's for this reason that I wouldn't repurchase. 

24K Gold Mask (£48): Probably the most intriguing and luxurious of the five masks with pure 24K gold and colloidal gold. 


The product looks incredibly pretty both in the pot and when applied to the skin as it gives off a wonderful shimmer. It claims to tighten the skin, lifting, firming and brightening. I can't say that my face felt lifted or firmer but it did have a smoother appearance and was refreshing. 

Cucumber Gel Mask (£28):My skin can sometimes get flushed and irritated, this cooling and hydrating face mask is perfect for refreshing the skin. With cucumber, aloe vera, papaya, pineapple and chamomile it has lots of soothing ingredients. 

I keep this face mask in the fridge so it is wonderful and cold, when applied the gel doesn't sting which makes it perfect for sensitive skin and can even be placed under the eyes. 

I can't say I saw any major changes in the hydration of my skin after use but I am sure it will be loved in the Summer months to sooth and calm a sun kissed face. 


Pumpkin Enzyme Mask(£42):The first thing that you notice on opening the face mask is the smell of pumpkin spice, definitely reminiscent of Christmas. 

Applying the face mask you instantly notice that it has a thicker grainier consistency, you can feel it working with a tingly sensation. I have to point out at this point if you have really sensitive skin, I am not sure this is the mask for you. I personally had no problems, but it is an exfoliate so slightly stronger and will easily remove dead skin. I really loved this face mask as it evened out my complexion and my skin felt smoother.   

It can be quite a stripping face mask so I will use this once a month to pick my skin up.  

Irish Moor Mud: Unless you have been living under a rock I am sure you are all aware of the major hype there has been in the last couple of months about charcoal activated face masks. I don't know about you, but I have been taking serious pleasure in watching people on YouTube making their eyes water, pealing them off to reveal loads of rubbish and tons of blackheads. 

The consistency and texture of this face mask is different, it is smooth to apply remains fairly translucent and does not dry. The product has very little smell and definitely not anything reminiscent of a moor. I did find that it was slightly tingly, but I personally like this as it feels like it is doing something.

This was the only mask out of the five, that I found value in the removal tool. 

The tool was nifty at removing stubborn parts around the nose, eyes and hairline. This mask was by far my favourite out of the five, on removal my skin instantly looked refreshed and has worked well to remove spots around my T-zone. 

Overall the box set represents great value for money and a wonderful way to try many of the Perter Thomas Roth face masks. Out of the five I will only most likely repurchase the pumpkin enzyme mask and Irish moor mud, both of which over longer usage have done wonders for bringing a tired mothers skin back to life with little investment and time on my behalf. 

Since purchasing this box set, Peter Thomas Roth has released a smaller sample size with six travel versions (£24) which you can find here. Each tube has between two/three applications a perfect way to try them out. 

Have you tried any Peter Thomas Roth products? What are your skin care recommendations and tips? Share in the comments below.