london

My Anti-Ageing Skincare Routine At 25

product review, skincare

You may be thinking it is a little premature for me to start thinking about my skin ageing. Why am I worrying about wrinkles before I even get old? But the truth is, would you wait to clean your car after 6 months? Would you let leaves, pollution, dirty rain water (plus more additionally disgusting things) build up to the point your car is unrecognisable? The answer is no. When we can visually see something depreciating and decaying, we often step in to stop the process. Why should our skin be any different?

In fact we should be even more stringent with our skin because it has to endure a lot. So I’ve decided to actively start to maintain my skin and do everything I can, yes at age 25, to eradicate the chances of premature ageing. Of course, having a good skincare routine isn’t going to roll back decades for us. There are many other external factors which can age skin. Stress, smoking, sun damage and even genetics can make us predisposed to ageing. That is why it is mandatory to replenish the skin where you can.

As a blogger / reviewer / social media influencer / I don’t even know what to refer to myself as anymore, I have reviewed a plethora of skincare products. What works for me personally is keeping to a routine, consistency is key. Decent products that work together.

I’ve recently been using the Drops of Youth collection by The Body Shop, combined with the Oils of Life intensely revitalising cream. These products are from two of The Body Shops Premium skincare ranges, thus, they are a little pricier but well worth it. Here is a breakdown of each product and the order in which I use them;

– Drops of Youth, Youth essence lotion, £15 for 160ml

A gel to water toner which is to be used straight after cleansing. It is extremely hydrating, infused with a blend of three plant stem cells. This sits well with my skin in particular as it’s more of an oily toner, as opposed to conventionally stringent toners.

– Drops of Youth, Youth Concentrate, £33 for 50ml

This is essentially a serum concentrate designed to target the first signs of ageing. It smells magnificent, and leave your skin with a moisturising glow.

– Drops of Youth, Youth Bouncy Eye Mask, £18 for 20ml

An absolute wonder of a product. The eye mask can be applied directly under eyes to refresh them, or used as an overnight sleeping mask. I personally suffer terribly with dark circles and this is the only product that has ever visibly improved them. Enriched with cucumber extract, the non sticky formula helps to address the first signs of ageing.

– Oils of Life, Intensely Revitalising Cream, £26 for 50ml

This cream infuses three well known seed oils from around the world, with perfecting micro pearls that replenish skin. I have been using this as the last step in my routine, both day and night. It is light enough for use in the day, but is excellent as an overnight treatment cream. Designed to fight the signs of ageing and provide intense replenishment to skin. Love it, and how silky it makes my skin feel.

The Drops of Youth and Oils of Life collections are available on The Body Shop website, and in store. You can also order through a consultant like myself; send me a message for further information.

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Aadnevik SS19 London Fashion Week collection

Events & launches

Aadnevik is a name in fashion synonymous with femininity; a London based atelier that dresses celebrities alike. The brand was created by Kristian Aadnevik, and is now a design partnership between himself and wife, Hila Aadnevik. Basing their entire brand on values such as family tradition, passion and hard work. With made to measure bespoke pieces available, attention to detail and accentuating the female form have become key characteristics to Aadnevik pieces.

You can imagine my sheer excitement when I was asked last week to attend Aadnevik’s SS19 show for LFW. On behalf of The Beauty Guild Gazette I had been granted backstage access, and a ticket to the main fashion show. I tried to act all coy about it, but truth be told this was my very first fashion show in the flesh! Within my mind I had been attending them since I was a little girl. Aimlessly sitting for hours watching Versace runway shows, fingering my way through Vogue magazines and designing my own stylistic dresses (that were basically huge squares with bows on). This was a huge tick off of my life bucket list.

How was my first fashion show at LFW?

As mentioned I had backstage access, I managed to gather some half decent pictures on my iPhone. Moroccan oil were doing the hair styles on the models, and the look was very natural. The idea was to juxtapose innocent, natural waves with the sensuality of the dresses and fierce eye make up. Think of a grown up sexy version of Alice in Wonderland.

You can see all the models had their hair plaited, with heat applied to help the waves have extra staying power. Then, products were ran through the hair as the plaits were let out. Revealing loose waves that anyone could obtain.

The eye make up was a bold blue, reminiscent of mermaid eye make up. Ethereal feels all round. The entire collection was inspired by Alice in Wonderland, and this theme flowed throughout.

The dresses were nothing short of absolutely beautiful. Lace, leather, sheer, silk. The epitome of luxurious, with a hint of enchantment.

All of the dresses together;

Overall I loved the excitement of the runway. Watching the stunning models seamlessly saunter up and down in these opulent pieces, I was in fashion heaven. Yes fashion shows are hectic. Yes they usually run late and have crowds squeezed into one tiny room with sweat dripping your back. Is the actual show worth all of this? Yes. It certainly was. And this will not be my last visit to London Fashion Week.

Beauty Kitchen The Protector hair primer review

product review

So you’ve heard of a primer for your skin right? Smoothing it on like filler, prepping your skin before make up application. It has become a staple in our modern make up routines. What about a primer for your hair?

I was lucky enough to be sent a box of free goodies from Triyit; a company that launches social media campaigns to raise the profile of new and upcoming products. By sending out these products (completely free of charge!) to a matching demographic, and offering prizes for pics – the profile of these products and brands gets consequently raised.

In the most recent campaign, amongst the goodies we received was a Karine Jackson & Beauty Kitchen The Protector Multi purpose primer for hair. I was instantly drawn to its packaging, it has a somewhat environmental yet modern feel. The mantra behind the product adheres to this image. The primer is formulated by 100% natural ingredients, which in turn shields hair from brush and heat damage, protects from UV Rays and pollution.

Karine Jackson is actually a global pioneer for natural, ethically sourced & vegan hair care. The entire range she’s collaborated with The Beauty Kirchen to create is 100% natural and 100% vegan.

I think it’s really important that beauty products are embracing the need to protect against pollution. I’ve seen pollution protection in skincare in recent years – but overjoyed to now see this progression appearing in hair care products. External, environmental factors like pollutants in the atmosphere and weather conditions can cause lacklustre, flat, dried out hair.

What did I think of the primer?

I love applying this type of priming product to my hair after towel drying it. I’m very careful to only apply to the ends, as my hair can get greasy super fast.

Using this felt like a spa treatment, it has a really herbal, Ayurvedic smell that reminds me of Camden market in a reminiscent way. After blow drying my hair, it was super super soft – I could feel the difference from the wash before without using the primer.

As mentioned above, I think with a product like this that has been produced with morality in mind for a millennial market. It’s also about conscience. Not just a product that looks aesthetically fabulous and makes your hair soft. In all honesty any decent hair care product can do that. But actually buying into a brand and product that believes in the power of nature. The necessity of protection from environmental element exposure to hair and skin. A guilt free product.

Probably the best beauty quote I’ve ever heard in passing is the following: ‘You shouldn’t apply anything to your hair and skin that you wouldn’t eat.’

It’s metaphorical, obviously don’t go swallowing your Body Shop Vitamin E moisturiser. The point is to apply non chemical, non damaging products to your skin and hair.

Power to the primer! And pow to the power of nature ☄️

Karine Jackson’s The Protector Multi-Purpose Primer is £14 for 50ml, and available here

Rodin Mermaid Collection Luxury Lip Oil review

product review

What could be more enchanting than an entire beauty collection dedicated to a mythical creature? Linda Rodin (creator of Rodin Olio Lusso), always felt she was a mermaid in a previous life. She enlisted the help of her artist friend Donald Robertson to collaborate and design this simply magical mermaid collection. Donald’s artwork on the packaging of the entire collection makes the ever classy Rodin products even more alluring.

I have been reviewing the Mermaid Luxury Lip Oil. The mermaid collection has a running theme of illumination and fantasy. Each product designed to shine and glow gloriously. The Luxury lip oil is a gold based lip oil that universally suits all. It provides an incandescent shine reminiscent of, well, mermaids.

How does the Luxury Lip Oil perform?

Once you have got over the sheer excitement of the packaging and concept of potentially looking like a mermaid; using the product gives the exact same feeling!

The Luxury Lip Oil glides seamlessly onto bare lips, or alternatively on top of lipstick. Glossy, but not sticky, metallic lips are the outcome. What I really love is the lip oil not only looks aesthetically fantastic, it contains an array of nourishing ingredients including Vitamin E, Sunflower Oil and Olive Fruit Oil. These moisturising ingredients are particularly helpful at protecting sensitive lips, and even more relevant in the recent blistering heat we’ve been experiencing the UK. Excessive heat and sun ray exposure not only dries skin, but lips too.

A lip oil is one of those products that you wouldn’t necessarily fall into a shop rushing to buy, but once you have it you cannot imagine life without it. I believe this lip oil is great for summer, to enhance a naturally radiant look.

I think this product could be used to create an eye catching lip look, that can be worn both casually or dressed up. I’m excited to attempt to create some stunning looks with this by the time I jet off this year so stay tuned!

Follow me on Instagram to stay up to date with my make up looks; @versaceblonde

Rodin Olio Lusso’s Mermaid Collection is available at Liberty London. The Mermaid Luxury Lip Oil retails at £25 and is available here.

Primark PS My Perfect Colour liquid concealer review

product review

I have generally been really impressed with any of the make up / skincare items I have ever purchased from Primark. What could be better than saving money and still maintaining high quality products? Being part of a millennial generation that are forcibly living with parents until they are 30, saving money is mandatory for us. I love beauty, I love writing about beauty – but I also love finding a beauty bargain.

In recent years Primark have been ahead of their beauty game. They have launched cult glitter eyeshadow palettes. Cult pigmented highlighters. Amazing false lashes for £1. So the liquid concealer I have purchased for £2, has impeccably high standards to meet.

My Perfect Colour Liquid Concealer (Shade Ivory) review

The simple packaging and branding on the tube makes the concealer appear to be a more expensive high street brand. Looking at this product you would never guess that it costs £2. It doesn’t look cheap, and I like that.

How does it perform?

Fundamentally for me concealer needs to hide my horrific dark circles. If it can’t do that, for me it’s useless. Luckily, after suffering with acne for little over ten years I don’t have much scarring or any blemishes. I’ve cut down on wearing foundation too – but concealer is needed for the delicate under eye area.

The Primark PS liquid concealer has a soft brush which is great for the under eye area. I like to apply my concealer with the brush that comes with the product – and further blend in with a Real Techniques brush.

The consistency of this concealer when applied is a little powdery. Instead of a silky flawless finish, it provides only medium coverage with a powder finish. This wouldn’t be ideal if you are looking for a heavy full coverage.

However, I still believe this is a great product for 2 pounds. It’s buildable, it looks natural and it comes in an array of colours. Another thing which we demand as millennials is diversity. Whenever I purchase a concealer I make an observation of the range of colours available. I think it’s important that the beauty industry loses its air of exclusivity and embraces diversity.

Overall I think this concealer is good. It’s not a game changer, but for the small price it costs it’s great for covering small blemishes or to use for contouring. It would be perfect for contouring. And who doesn’t love a cheeky bit of contouring!?

(Pictured above a glowy look created on me using the said concealer)

Best of beauty this April – Spring picks

product review

Despite the extremely bi-polar weather that we are currently experiencing, it is officially Spring. Spring is often associated with new, fresh beginnings. This means we often switch up our make up too. Fresh, lighter make up, and a perfect excuse to refresh our product stock. (I’m using the word stock purposely, because I own so many products I could indefinitely open a shop).

Here are my favourite picks of what I’ve been loving this April;

1. Malin + Goetz Cilantro Conditioner, £20 for 236ml

Although this seems rather pricey for a conditioner, this 236ml size would last me years as I have been co-washing my hair recently. However, when I dye my roots every 6-8 weeks consequently I have to wash my hair (annoyingly as it’s so much commitment); and have fallen in love with this conditioner. It smells like a spa treatment, a natural relaxing scent. And it contains absorbent fatty acids, which are brilliant for over processed hair such as mine. It doesn’t weigh my hair down like some conditioners do, but leaves hair feeling revitalised and healthy.

2. Rodial Clear Brazilian Tanning Gel, £35 for 150ml

This is an amazing product for busy individuals wanting a natural looking tan. Again, it’s quite pricey but you can use it sparingly.

The formulation is super lightweight, meaning you can apply the gel like a normal moisturiser and gain a light, even tan.

3. Reb’l Fleur Body Must by Rihanna, reduced to £5 at Boots

Found this complete bargain whilst picking up all my beauty essentials on a recent trip to Boots. I don’t usually buy celebrity perfumes, which is probably not the wisest of choices from an economical point of view. I’ve realised they are usually cheaper than their designer counterparts, and can become some of your favourite scents. This Rihanna body mist smells gorgeous, it’s a girly scent perfect for Spring. Plus the 236ml bottle means that even wasteful individuals like myself won’t have to worry about using it up too quickly.

4. NYX Lid Lingerie Eyeshadow Palette, £9

This is £9 very well spent. Consisting of 6 basic looking colours, this palette has taken me from Winter to Spring effortlessly. With a beautiful combination of natural nude shades and bright colours. You can create an array of looks by experimenting.

(As pictured) You can create natural, pretty looks with the nude shades. You can easily convert these into more dramatic looks by adding in the brights; or alternatively by building the colour up.

How to get more beauty bang for your buck

On another note I wanted to talk about one of my personal goals for Spring, that I think may help everyone. I’ve been really disciplined in saving money this year, and yes that includes spending on beauty products (waaaah *sadface*).

As I’ve mentioned I took a trip to my local Boots last week to stock up on some essentials; and I managed to get all the products in this picture for £25!

I would like to share my tips on how to get the best beauty bang for your buck. Here are my top tips;

1. Special Offers

Of course when shopping everybody keeps their eye out for special offers, but you can be smart with offers. By stocking up on products that you don’t need immediately but in future, you will save yourself some serious money. For example, on my shopping trip I didn’t need two bottles of dry shampoo but seeing as they were half price, I got one for future use.

Building up a useful stock of products helps you not to buy needlessly. I’ve made a pact this year to use a product up fully before buying another similar product.

2. Clearance

Again, always check the reduced items on sale. I picked up this lovely Rihanna body mist for £5, which doubles as a perfume for me. I didn’t need it right now, but I was aware that my current perfume is running out; and £5 is much cheaper than any perfume I would have picked out in Boots. You will save a lot of money buying in advance.

3. Don’t double up

Another important fact to remember about beauty products, is that they do in fact have expiration dates. So we may think having 10 moisturisers in our drawer is a good idea – but actually you only use one at a time, and by the time you come to use the other 9, they may not be fit for purpose. Consumer wastage is a huge part of our capitalist culture, but it needn’t be. We can avoid endlessly throwing away products by sensibly buying what we need. Unless, as stated above it’s a product that you are aware you use everyday, and gets used up fairly quickly.

Ultimately, what we need to do is shop with a clarity. Instead of being blinded by pretty marketing campaigns, think about what you actually need and actually use.

4. Don’t be blinded by names

There are also certain products whereby you needn’t buy a known name brand. For example, I needed hay fever tablets. Instead of opting for Piriton allergy tablets which were around the £4 mark. I got an unbranded packet of allergy tablets for 85p, and generally when you cross check the ingredients in both branded and non branded – you find they are scarily similar. Naturally, this won’t be applicable for every product. But where you can, I would advise sticking to non branded as you will save a bundle of cash.

Happy saving!

La Mer: Crème De La Mer Moisturising Cream review

product review

La Mer is one of those luxury brands that I have forever admired from afar. One of the main reasons being that it’s pricey, the skincare range starts from £100+. I have always wondered whether the prices were justified, if you spend £220 on a cream does it make you look 10 years younger? Glow like a unicorn? Or just fit into a certain societal stereotype?

I’m a huge fan of budget skincare and make-up. Who doesn’t want a product that performs as well as a high end one for half the price? It’s just logic. But recently I’ve started to delve deeper, and it’s not always that simple. I started to compare ingredients used within skincare. And you will notice that high end products use the same ingredients as budget ones. Let’s use Vitamin C as an example, two products can contain the Vitamin. However, is there a difference in potency? The way the ingredients are formulated could differentiate? These are the questions we should be asking when buying skincare.

My best advice when purchasing skincare is to research ingredients. If you know what ingredients do for your skin, you are then making more informed choices when choosing skincare. In turn, your skin should reward you.

Crème De La Mer Moisturising Cream, £120 for 30ml – Review

When we read skincare reviews, it’s often important to remember that everyone has a different skin type. What works for one person, doesn’t always work for everyone. Crème De La Mer is a heavy Moisturising cream that is aimed at those with dry skin. It claims to minimise pores, reduce fine lines and give a natural glow.

In terms of ingredients, these aren’t mentioned explicitly on the La Mer website. I found this odd, as high end face creams often boast about their natural ingredients. I did some online searching and I found that the cream does contain some natural products; Seaweed Extract, Eucalyptus Leaf Oil, Mineral Oil & Sesame Seed Oil. All of these ingredients are known for their hydrating properties to skin. But, disappointingly the cream also contains Linalool (for Fragrance), preservatives and Alcohol – all of these ingredients aren’t great for those with sensitive skin, or or allergies (Quora, 2018).

I have only been using the cream for a few days but I do notice a huge difference. I have stubborn dry patches that are often irritated by creams, this one soothes it. As soon as you apply Crème De La Mer, your entire complexion is lit up. It’s like putting on a spotlight in a dark room. I can visually see from the difference in my own skin, why this has become a cult cream for many woman.

It’s very rich in texture and thick. You don’t need a lot of it. Before you apply to your face, you must rub it in your hands to warm the cream. As it becomes translucent you rub onto your skin. This is brilliant for those who want bare faced beauty, and a natural glow.

Worth £120 for 30ml?

I’d say this really comes down to personal preference. In a sense, yes it is worth it. Simply because it is a heavy cream, you only need apply a small amount. It will last you at least 6 months. It performs as it claims. It just comes down to how much you are willing to or can afford to invest in your skin!