LauraHadley.co.uk: beauty

beauty

A Roaccutane Update

I began my Roaccutane journey in March and have since only made one update post as the whole situation ended up a bit more complicated than I would have anticipated. The appointments are only available to go to between 9am and 5pm so my partner has to take a half day off work in order for me to attend, but he had sorted it out with work. I was told that Roaccutane will stay in the system for a while, so after I'd had one appointment at the end of April cancelled and move to the middle of May, my acne all of a sudden started to come back despite me being told it wouldn't.

I found it hard to write updates as every appointment has been difficult in the sense of finding parking and paying for it, as up until recently I've not had a disabled blue badge. We've had to only use the hospital pharmacy which shuts at 5 and I've been given 4pm appointments sometimes so we've had to go back the following day to pick the medicine up. I've been seeing a few different Dermatologists and Nurse Specialists so I've not had consistent appointments; some have wanted to know a lot about what has been going on with my skin and mental health, and others have wanted me to be in and out and it's very confusing. I was hoping to start this journey and document it to help others but I genuinely wouldn't want someone to take everything I've said with the idea that that's how their own appointments would go, because it will differ from hospital to hospital. If I had the money I would have gone to a private Dermatologist but that isn't the case when as a couple we're living off one income that soon won't be enough to sustain us efficiently.

Unfortunately, I was supposed to attend my appointment yesterday but the battery in Andy's car went and we had to call recovery so I missed it. Now there's a two-week wait and I had been taking half dose of Roaccutane already as I keep getting scheduled appointments that are longer than 28 days apart. With a few months until the wedding day I am concerned, given that my spots have already started to come back with a half dose, never mind going cold turkey for a fortnight and then going back on the medicine. I wish I could increase my dosage too as the slight change in dosage and my spots just come back. I'm worried that I'll still end up having acne on my wedding day. There isn't much I can do aside from trying to request a specific Dermatologist appointment and hope Andy's work allows him to take me because I don't have anyone else to help and the hospital is too far away. I'm crossing my fingers that it all works out okay.

Roaccutane Month 1 Diary

In the middle of February, I saw my Dermatologist and she agreed to start my Roaccutane journey. I signed the form to agree I wouldn't get pregnant (a bit like this one) and we spoke about my dosage. I was going to start on 20mg for 7 days, then go onto 40mg. I had to do fasting blood tests once before I was signed off for the medication and once two weeks later to look at my lipids. I was warned that if my lipids went up too much I could be taken off the medicine as it alone can cause it, as can your diet.

My first fasting blood test was not pleasant. I am absolutely fine with regular blood tests and always make sure I eat and I usually have an electrolyte drink beforehand because of my POTS. Having a fasting blood test with POTS is bound to be a disaster, as no amount of water I drank beforehand actually hydrated me, and the nurse struggled to take blood as I was dehydrated. No salt that day and water not going into my blood flow meant I was in the worst possible state. I managed to get through the bloods, went around the corner in my wheelchair and I started to get vision problems. I tried to raise my legs in case of blood pooling but it's a bit hard when you can only put them out straight in front of you. We wheeled to the front of the shop inside the hospital and I started to feel really sick. I passed out, sat down. My head was rolling and I was so certain I'd be sick. My partner got some salty snacks and an electrolyte drink for me but it was too late. I just did not anticipate this happening. Once I'd got home I realised I had to do something about going for the next round of bloods as I couldn't keep doing this.
My GP prescribed me salt tablets to have a short while before having my bloods done and I took these just before leaving the house, about 40 minutes before the bloods were taken. I wore my compression socks to attempt to prevent blood pooling in my legs and feet. I made up a salty electrolyte drink to have immediately after the bloods were taken and on advice from my GP I brought along some salty crisps too. This time they used the smallest needle so I barely felt a thing, I wheeled back to the waiting room and ate my crisps and drank some of my drink. I went to the disabled loo and then wheeled to the shop. I was absolutely fine and it clearly showed how important salt is to POTS patients.
Yesterday I had my first follow up appointment where I did the urine sample (read my previous post to find out why I'm doing it differently) and they said after the second blood test my lipids were up and I had to remain on 40mg for the next month and then we will see what to do. I have to do another blood test and if the lipids are still up I have to drop back down to 20mg which I really don't want to do. The Dermatologist went through my symptoms: is my skin dry and sensitive, did I have headaches, have I had nose bleeds and so on. My lips have been the biggest problem so far, they sting and I need to apply Vaseline multiple times a day. I recently bought another product that I'm trying out so if it works I'll do a skincare post recommending what is currently working for me. The other big problem is my scalp. Before starting Roaccutane I often washed my hair once a week and this was mainly to refresh my curly hair. In January I got to 2 weeks before washing it and it didn't look greasy at all. I have washed my hair once since starting Roaccutane (I washed it the day I picked up the prescription) and my scalp went super dry and huge flakes appeared. I've bought a specialist shampoo by Eucerin to try to help so I can report back on that too. It's currently been 2 weeks since I've washed it and will wash it this week with the new shampoo, and a bond treatment to help repair my hair. Since the oil is depleting in my body I think I will try to oil my hair and scalp more often.
Spots wise, I had some nasty ones pop up every now and then on my face, and for some reason my shoulders too? I have acne on my face, neck, chest, back and thighs but have never really had spots on my shoulders. I've tried my best not to pick at all which has been going well. I have some blackheads that seem a bit raised but they've not changed since they came up. The texture of my skin has massively reduced and it's so odd touching my skin and it being smooth? I have been getting random flare-ups of hives (which I've already been diagnosed with, along with random red patches on my face. My skin also becomes warm where these patches are. I've been wearing SPF when leaving the house including SPF in lip balm as that's super important. I've bought some hats as well to give more protection from the sun by helping to shade my face and cover my scalp.
I've been watching Katie Snooks discuss her Roaccutane journey, both when her YouTube series came out and when the BBC Doc came out but also rewatching the series as now it's super relevant to me. I would highly recommend reading her blog posts about acne and Roaccutane if you're struggling like me too. I'm not going to be posting any photos until I've completed by Roaccutance journey. I know everyone's journey is different so I'd rather show a range of photos at the end to show a range of what my skin was like across the period.

AD/PR Sample | Trying Out Some Cetaphil Skincare Products

I've had problems with my skin since I was a teenager, and I've been trying to find products that work for my skin that give me the best results. I have combination skin which presents its challenges when trying to find products that work well and suit both aspects of my skin. I also have acne which I'm currently on medication for, however, this isn't clearing things up fully so I'm still using some skincare products that are more tailored to what my skin needs. Having products that are more caring and gentle on the skin is important for me to prevent my skin from flaring up and causing me more issues. I was pleased when Cetaphil contacted me and asked if I'd like to try out some of their products. I've used their products in the past before and been pleased with how they performed so I was keen to get my hands on some more of their range.

Cetaphil are known for their skincare products in the UK, being one of the leaders in this area. Their products, which include lotions, facial washes, and creams have been specially designed to help with limiting skin problems which will always be a positive thing. The first product I was sent was the Cetaphil Daily Defence Moisturiser 50g (£12.99) which is a face moisturiser that is designed for all skin types including sensitive skin. It has UVA protection due to the SPF 50+ contained within which is great given its such as light-weight cream. There is no added fragrance which I found to be good as sometimes certain face cream scents can affect me, and it's really hydrating without blocking your pores which is what you need, particularly for a product that you are using daily on the face and neck. I can definitely see this becoming useful into the summer months when the UVA protection will be even more welcomed to help against the sunlight.

I also received the Cetaphil Pro Moisture-Lipid Body Wash 295ml (£14.99), a mild cleansing wash that is specifically designed for those with sensitive, dry, or very dry and itchy skin, with it also being suitable for eczema-prone skin. It contains mild cleansing ingredients along with moisturising ingredients that help to nourish dry skin to give a clean and smooth feel that is less itchy. The body wash has been clinically tested on people with dry skin and with it also being soap and fragrance-free it helps prevent any irritation to the skin. Simply massage into wet skin to lather up and then rinse off to help clean and soothe and leave your skin feeling calmer.

The last product I received was the Cetaphil Oily Skin Cleanser 236ml (£8.99). This cleanser is designed for use on your face for those with oily or combination skin which will be ideal for me. One of the issues I've experienced with cleansers in the past is that my face can go from oily to quite a dry and slightly irritated feel as they have stripped all of the moisture from my skin. The gentle foaming action of this product has been created to remove surface dirt, oils, skin debris along with light makeup without drying out the skin. The soap-free formula that does not block pores can be used both morning and evening, with only a small amount being needed to massage into wet skin and then simply rinse off for a clean feeling. I like the product having a pump top as this makes it handy to use to easily apply. As I said previously, I've used Cetaphil products in the past and have been impressed with the results and I have positive initial impressions of the three I've received recently so I'm looking forward to using this regularly as part of my skincare routine.

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This is a sponsored post

AD/PR Sample | Maybelline Color Strike Eyeshadow Pen

Maybelline New York is the number one global cosmetics brand that has products available in almost 130 countries across the world. They have been creating makeup products for many, many years, and were the company that introduced the first daily-use modern mascara back in 1917. I've used Maybelline's Total Temptation Mascara for years now and I swear by it, so I know that they already produce good quality eye products.

They have recently launched a new eyeshadow with a bit of a difference. There's no palette or brush in sight, as this one comes in a pen with a precise cushion tip. It's smaller than my mascara so could easily be thrown into a small bag to take out. I can see this coming in really handy, as being able to have a product to top up my eyeshadow if I was out on a particularly long day would be great, particularly given that I have oily eyelids so I'm more prone to needing to touch them up, regardless of which eye product I'm using.

The eyeshadow is a cream-to-powder pen that can give you up to 12 hours of wear with only one easy strike without having any fallout due to the way the cushion tip glides across your eyelid to apply. It's also smudge, crease, and fade resistant to give you a long-wearing eyeshadow that has a 'bold color impact'. Several matte and metallic shades are available including Tempt, Spark, Chase, Hustle, Ace, Crave, Charm among others, to give plenty of choices to suit your style. I received the Spark and Rally shades Spark is my favourite of the two as it's more of an everyday shade for me. You could wear them alone or with other eyeshadows depending on the look, and the lighter shades could double as an inner eye and below the brow highlighter too.

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AD/PR Sample | My Glossier Summer Picks

It's been a couple of months since I picked up some of Glossier's bits for spring. I had a browse on their website recently and chose three products to try out. The first thing I ever heard about Glossier was their balms, and although I've had the chance to try out a couple of them previously, I fancied testing out their birthday balm this time around so that was on my list to pick up. Glossier offers both makeup and skincare products, along with a few body and fragrance items too. They have their own beauty website called Into The Gloss which allows people to share the products they love which help to drive the ideas for the new items they bring out which ensure they are designed around what people actually want and need.

The Pro Tip Brush Point Liquid Eyeliner (£15) is a black liquid eyeliner that will allow you to get "a smooth, precise line every time". The smudge-resistant formula and incredibly fine tip will make getting that perfect line achievable. It has flexible fibers that will curve along the lash line to make it nice and easy when applying. The quick-drying time helps you to build this product up to create the look you are going for which can last for up to 12 hours, although as it's a densely pigmented product, you shouldn't need to apply too much each time you wear it. With certain products, they tend to get decreasingly effective over time, but the Pro Tip has an internal ball shaker that means the formula can move around evenly inside the product to ensure you get that smooth line each time you use it without it dragging on application. I've found it easier to achieve a good line with this product as the fine tip makes it much easier to apply exactly where you want it.

The second product that I picked up was the Wowder Weightless Finishing Powder (£18). Glossier say that it will give you the "perfect matte-not-flat finish" as it is designed to reduce shine, set your makeup along with softening the appearance of your pores. You can apply this across any area of your face where you want to reduce the shine and it won't leave a film on your skin. It also won't show up when taking photos with flash which I'm really happy about as this is something I've experienced before with other products and it can be super annoying. Another bonus of this powder is that it doesn't get stuck in your fine lines which can sometimes be a problem with certain powders I've used in the past which then affected the overall appearance on my makeup. This Wowder should enhance your makeup rather than giving a cakey layer over the top while still helping to tackle oily skin. I'm excited to keep using this as I'm impressed so far.

As I mentioned earlier, I was lucky enough to test out some of the Glossier balms previously, but the one I've been looking forward to most is the Balm Dotcom (£10) in the Birthday flavour. Not only will this hydrate, but the natural emollients and antioxidants also help dry skin to improve the condition of your lips. It combines Beeswax, Caster Oil and Lanolin to boost and seal in moisture without making your lips shiny. Not only do I adore the packaging of the birthday flavour balm, because who doesn't like something sparkly and glittery, but I also love the subtle shimmer it gives when you wear it along with the vanilla cake flavour. I love funfetti cake and I've had birthday cake pancakes before so anytime I see something like this I am drawn to it for its appearance and flavour. It's perfect if you don't feel like wearing lipstick or lipgloss but want something a bit more than a clear lip balm to still give your lips that little pop.

I've loved trying some other Glossier bits again. I've been really impressed by what I've had so far as you can tell they have really thought about the products they create. They don't overcomplicate things, just produce quality products that work well for what they are designed without having a big price tag. I'd definitely recommend having a browse on their website and see for yourself what products you like.

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AD/Gifted | Honey Bunny Lashes

Lashes are a staple item that many people wear on a regular basis, whether this is using more subtle and natural ones or going for a bolder pair for events. As I have hooded eyes, people have previously made derogatory comments about the appearance of my eyes which has made me self conscious. Since then, I have found that wearing the right lashes can really open up your eyes and has definitely helped to boost my confidence. There are numerous different options when it comes to buying lashes, and many of them are made from real mink (and minks are animals). I have been a vegetarian for 7 months now and don't buy products made from real animal fur and I cannot stand animal print items for the same reason too, so I'm trying to be as ethical with my choices as possible. Honey Bunny Lashes are the first fully cruelty-free and vegan luxury lash brand in the UK, and they got in touch to see if I would like to test out some of the lashes. They produce both natural and more dramatic lashes that are the closest thing to mink, without actually being made from minks. The company started up in December 2019 with the aim of bringing "cruelty-free vegan glamour to everyone".

The lashes from Honey Bunny Lashes are layered & stacked and also taper at the ends to give the look of mink ones without any use of animal fur. I was really impressed by how lightweight and soft they are and the very high-quality look and feel to them. These ones I was sent are not too dramatic but a little longer and fuller than a subtle lash. As I have blonde eyelashes I'm inclined to think that anything that isn't quite short and thin would be more of a dramatic lash but that's only because when I don't wear mascara you can't see my lashes. If you have dark lashes they are definitely more of a natural style. They are exactly my kind of length and thickness and I would only really wear this style or none at all. I was also sent this super handy Lash Applicator which is going to save me a lot of hassle when applying them. I have previously used a pair of tweezers and nearly always end up dropping them when picking them up from the packaging or poking myself in the eye from using normal pointed tweezers. The applicator is curved to match the shape of the lashes - I've used it backwards in the photo above to help display them, but you can see how they will grip onto the lashes to make application nice and easy.

The lash glue is non-animal tested and as no animal ingredients are used to make it this is suitable for vegans. It has a brush applicator to make applying the glue to the lashes easier, and with the glue being black it means that you are less likely to notice the glue against the lashes. If you do wear an eyeliner then any mistakes with black glue can also easily be blended and hidden anyway. The Honey Bunny Lashes start at £10 and you get free glue with each purchase you make. And when you consider that they can be reused up to an impressive 25 times, it's quite good value. If you wanted to pick up any additional glue you can grab one from £8 and if you normally, like me, struggle when applying your lashes then the applicator is only £8 which I'd say is a very good value given that you'll get a specifically designed product that you will have forever. If you want to pick up some quality lashes while also purchasing cruelty-free then it's well worth checking out Honey Bunny Lashes for your next set.

Products were gifted by Honey Bunny Lashes

AD/Gifted - Pixi Retinol & Jasmine Skintreats Collection

I was really excited to receive a Pixi package in the post recently that contained their new Retinol & Jasmine Skintreats Collection. Pixi is a beauty brand that is passionate about skincare, with its mission being to "bring out the natural beauty in all women - to make women look like themselves, only better". Their products are designed to get you looking your best without the fuss and the need to spend loads of time getting ready. The new collection has been created to renew and rejuvenate your skin. It comes with six products that are used in five steps to accomplish a more refined and renewed complexion. The set came in this super handy travel back that opens up into two bigger sections, a smaller pocket and a hook so you can hang this up while you are away. It's a good size that could pack your essentials in while away on your travels.

The first step uses the Retinol Jasmine Cleanser, with the Retinol to help smooth your skin, anti-inflammatory jasmine oil to soothe, and ceramide to help lock-in the moisture. You can apply this every day and only need a small amount to massage into your face and then simply rinse off with water or a damp face cloth. After cleansing, you'd pick up the Retinol Tonic which contains the time-release retinol to clarify and soothe, the elderflower which illuminates and softens, and the chamomile will help to reduce redness and calm. Simply apply some of the tonic to a cotton pad and wipe across the face, neck, and lower neckline. This can be done both morning and evening after you have cleansed.

The third step of the skincare routine is to treat with oil, one in the morning and one in the evening. A Jasmine Oil Blend can be used in the AM to help your skin to recover from dullness and moisture loss. It contains evening primrose which will improve circulation, the jasmine flower extract to calm and revitalise and the grapeseed oil to nourish. Your PM product is the Overnight Retinol Oil which has peptides to rejuvenate and firm up, ceramide NP to keep the moisture in and time-release retinol to clarify and soothe. Both of these oils only need a few drops to be warmed in your hands and then gently patted onto your skin to apply.

The next step is to moisturize using the Retinol Jasmine Lotion that has a youth-enhancing effect. Your skin will be clarified and smooth by te retinol, rejuvenated, and firmed up by the peptides and illuminated and nourished by the jasmine oil. It should also contribute to longer-term healthier skin appearance which is always welcomed. The fifth and final step using the Pixi Retinol & Jasmine Skintreats Collection is to nourish your skin with the Retinol Eye Cream. Smoothing and refining are taken care of by the retinol, the caffeine will invigorate and depuff and the peptides will firm and revitalize which all help to reduce the appearance of fine lines. It can be used both around the eyes and the lips. As first impressions go, I've enjoyed trying out the new range. I mean, I love most of Pixi's products and use them on a daily basis. Definitely give them a go if you're looking to try out a new skincare brand, or even have a look at their makeup if you're looking to switch up your beauty regime.

Products were gifted by Pixi

AD/Gifted | My Glossier Spring Picks

I've written about Glossier previously when I reviewed some of their favourite products. The company concentrates on taking inspiration and information from people who share what products they love, to ensure that are creating beauty products that you wish existed. It's about time that I had a pick-me-up seen as our wedding that was due to take place this month has had to be postponed due to you know what. I had a browse through their website and picked out three products to try out. There is something about the Glossier product design that I love, with the minimalist packaging and branding looking great and is one I always recognise as theirs.

The first product I tried was the Generation G Lipstick (£14) in the shade Cake. It's a sheer matte lipstick designed to always give that freshly applied look without showing any excess product on your lips. The dialled-down pigment provides a casual look, and because it adjusts with your natural lip colour it will appear slightly different on those wearing it. Due to the 'diffused matte texture' you can easily apply this wherever you are and not have to worry, so it would definitely be one to keep in your handbag for the day. The buildable nature of the lipstick means you can layer up without it looking as though you have applied too much product while still providing you with an enhanced lip look. It's a vegan, cruelty-free, paraben-free, hypoallergenic, allergy tested and dermatologist tested product which will give you some peace of mind when using it. There are six different shades available ranging from peach to plum to give you the choice to match your own style.

You might notice from my last Glossier review post that I loved the Boy Brow Grooming Pomade (£14), so much so that I've decided to pick it up again! I have the Blond shade which suits me better as I have fair skin, but it also comes in Brown, Black and Clear for other skin types and hair colours. This product is a "brushable creamy wax" that will help to shape, groom and thicken your brows. Applying this product can be as easy as one swipe and you're done and it will give you a flexible hold without any flaking or stiffening of the wax. Ingredients contained in the Boy Brow are designed to moisturise and condition your brows while also being alcohol-free, paraben-free, fragrance-free, cruelty-free, hypoallergenic, ophthalmologist tested, dermatologist tested as well as being suitable for all skin types. As far as I can say for now, there is no other brow gel that is better. This is a lifesaver.

The last product I picked up was the Soothing Face Mist Rosewater Spray (£13), a face spray to help soothe and hydrate stressed skin without the need to rub into your face. If you apply it immediately before moisturiser and serum it will help seal in hydration to your skin but can also be used during the day when you feel like you need it. I'd just give myself a quick spritz when I desired. The product contains glycerin to seal in the moisture, rosewater to soothe and aloe to hydrate which all come together to provide a refreshing spray. With it being non-irritating, alcohol-free, cruelty-free, vegan, hypoallergenic, dermatologist tested and suitable for all skin types, you can rest assured you are providing your skin with the healthy boost it needs.

Glossier has a range of carefully designed products for you to choose from including makeup, skincare, fragrance and body products. I already have a few of Glossier's items as staples in my makeup bag and can see this expanding as I try more products. Thanks again to Glossier for letting me test some products and I look forward to seeing what else is going to be released in the future.

Products were gifted to me by Glossier.

An Introduction To Glossier's Favourite Products

Glossier is a beauty brand with a difference. Their approach to beauty is based around using the thoughts, opinions and feedback from the people who use their products to inspire their improvements and inventions. The company was founded with the focus that beauty is about celebrating the individual and that personal choice in products should be determined by the user of them, not the brand. You'll know what works best for your skin, and Glossier offers a range of products that you can choose from to get the most suitable. I can resonate with where the brand is coming from as I've often tried products from other brands 'because that's what I should be using' only to find it doesn't actually work for my skin or style and I go back to what I know works for me. I'm excited to try out some products Glossier have sent to see how they are. The Lash Slick Film Form Mascara (£14) is designed as an everyday mascara to emphasise, sculpt, curl and lengthen your lashes rather than clumping them together. It has mini fibres that cover your lashes from the root right through to the tip to lengthen them. The mascara is also water-resistant but will still rinse off nice and easy with some warm water at the end of the day. I liked the feel of the wand on this mascara as the bristles are gentle on the lashes which makes it pleasant to use.

I also tried out a couple of the Balm Dotcom Universal Skin Salve (£10), one in Berry and one in Rose. They also offer 6 other colours that each give their own subtle tint. These products can be used as lip balm or skin ointment, with the natural moisturiser and antioxidants contained within meant to help with dry and chafed skin. I've been using the Rose one a lot recently and was impressed at how long it lasted, along with noticing my lips are a lot smoother than before. The Milky Jelly Cleanser Conditioning Face Wash (£15) is designed as a product to use daily for freshening up in the morning or remove makeup and dirt in the evening. It leaves your skin feeling soft and healthy and can also be used around your eyes. This cleanser also comes in a mini size (£8) which would be ideal to throw in your travel bag. Another skincare product I received was the Invisible Shield Daily Sunscreen + (£20). It has a clear watergel formula that is perfect for those who don't like wearing suncream as it soaks straight into the skin, is not greasy and with SPF 30 you'll be protected against harmful sun rays. An additional feature of this product is that it "works to neutralize harmful free radicals, and keeps pollutant junk from getting in".

Brow products are one of my stable items due to my blonde eyebrows meaning I always need to fill them in, so I was pleased to have the Boy Brow Grooming Pomade (£14) to try as this is so much quicker to apply compared to a powder or pencil. This one comes in four different shades, I received the blonde and the brown shade, and it's designed to be a product that can groom, thicken and shape your brows to where you want them. It has a creamy wax formula that will hold your brows in place without causing them to flake or harden. The blonde Boy Brow has impressed me a lot and has become a daily staple for me. A lot of blonde brow products tend to have a warm tone to them, which can come across as 'strawberry blonde' which is not helpful to someone with ashy blonde hair. Now and again I do dye my hair different colours so I'll come to use the brown shade, but for now, I'm really impressed with the colour and applicator of this product.

The Lip Gloss (£11) comes in three different shades; a Clear, Holographic and the Red, which I received, which will give a "subtle, sheer tint". The applicator is designed to pick up the perfect amount to allow for an easy and smooth application. It's been years since I've worn a lip gloss but it was a pleasant switch up and a welcome change. The last product I received was the Cloud Paint Seamless Cheek Colour (£15) in the Puff shade. It's super easy to apply the gel-cream with your finger to add some colour to your cheeks and with this product, it's a sheer enough help you look naturally flushed. I was hesitant when I saw the cloud paint in the bag as I'm not one to stray away from powder blushes because I'm used to them and know the right amount to apply. After testing this out I was relieved to find that it gives a natural look and is easy to build up, it will just take a little getting used to the amount needed. Thank you to Glossier for sending some of their favourite products to try. I've been really impressed so far and I'm already starting to look into which products to buy in the future.

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Getting Wedding Ready | AD

In collaboration with Cosmetify

Weddings are one of the biggest and most important events you will probably attend, whether this is as a guest, part of the wedding party or it's you that is getting married. Preparing for a wedding involves a number of things, including sorting out everything beauty related. This is where Cosmetify comes in. It's a website that lets you discover all things beauty, be it hair, makeup, skincare, grooming, toiletries or electricals. You can search the site for the items you're wanting, and with nearly 1,500 brands, over 155,000 products across 29 beauty retailers there should be more than enough for you to choose from. Having a user-friendly website makes things nice and easy to find what you are looking for, with the filter option allowing you to compare items by price, ingredients and brand. This time of year signals the start of the most popular time for tying the knot, and with my own wedding being in May next year, I'm starting to look at the various items I'll need for my big day.

I've been thinking for a while about what types of things I'd like for my wedding and what I need to be doing to prepare. Getting my skincare routine sorted will be important to ensure my skin is as good as it can be, so being able to search through the different options would come in very handy to help find something. I've used various skincare products previously and have wanted more choice to ensure that what I find will be best suited to my skin. Nails are another key consideration for the day, and I've already been looking around to see what style and colour options I could go for but have yet to have any luck so I'm keen to see the ranges on Cosmetify. When it comes to makeup for a wedding you can do it a few different ways. Some people will pay to get this done by a makeup artist, and others choose to do it themselves. I'm swaying more towards doing it myself as I know what style I like and don't want to worry about someone else doing it how they think I should have it rather than what I want. It also means I can practice as many times as I like to perfect the look I want.

When it comes to wedding prep it might be easier to overlook what the groom may need. Cosmetify doesn't just cater to the brides, as they have a big range of men's grooming products too. I know my husband-to-be will be wanting to find some items including an aftershave for the day, something to help sort out his facial hair along with some hair wax that he can test out to ensure that his hairstyle will remain in place all day. For doing a wedding party proposal for both the bridesmaids and groomsmen, we made a box and filled it with a mix of products to help them get ready on the day, along with some token gifts, so a website like this allows you to not only search for yourself but to find goodies for others too.

Beauty Shopping At Coliseum Shopping Park*

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I was recently invited to go and explore Coliseum Shopping Park to go and shop for some beauty items and do some more retail therapy. The park is based around 35 minutes away from me, in South Liverpool, and it's easy to find just off the M53. There is plenty of parking available within the retail park so it won't be far to pop your purchases into the boot before moving onto the next store. Coliseum Shopping Park is open from 9am until 8pm during the week, 8am to 8pm on Saturdays and 11am to 5pm on Sundays so there should be a convenient time for you to visit. It features quite a few major stores, and I headed over to Boots to pick up some beauty bits.

The first item I picked up was the Spectrum Mean Girls 7 Piece Lip Brush Set and Bag (£40.00) which is something I've been looking at for ages. I've always loved Spectrum but have never owned a set of their brushes before, so when they brought out this Mean Girls Burn Book themed set, it just seemed the perfect one to choose. Along with the 7 brushes, the set includes a silicone blending sponge, a hot pink bag and the burn book compact mirror. I love the look of these brushes, so it didn't take me long to put them in my makeup brush storage that you can see in the background of the picture.

The second product I went for was the Spa in a Jar from Sanctuary Spa (£10.00). Having something to help you have a relaxing wind-down and give yourself a spa treatment in your own home will be welcomed. The gift jar contains a body wash, body lotion, foaming bath soak, hand cream and a body puff. I love how this is all packaged up in one jar which could fit nicely in the bathroom so that you have all of your products in one place, and then it gives you a reusable jar for your other items. The last item I got from Boots was the Jack Wills Cosmetic Brush Gift Set (£15.00). There are 4 brushes included along with a brush pouch. I often struggle with taking my makeup brushes away with me, so having a bag for them would be useful. Due to its handy size, it could be the perfect set to pop in your suitcase when you are going away on a short trip.

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I had a great day picking up some beauty bits at Coliseum Shopping Park last weekend. They have a number of big name stores which is ideal for some retail therapy. I particularly enjoyed seeing the retail park all festive! 🛍 Head over to my blog post (link in bio) to see what I picked up🎄#ad #coliseumshoppingpark #beauty #northwest #shopping #christmastree

A post shared by Laura Hadley 💍👩🏼‍🦱 (@laurahadleyx) on Dec 9, 2018 at 10:44am PST

I had a great day shopping at Coliseum Shopping Park and it was lovely to see it all festive, with the Christmas tree looking particular nice once the sun had gone down and the lights were shining brightly. There are a number of big name stores in the park which makes it easier to find yourself some items, whether this is for yourself or ones you are picking up for friends and family.

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