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The Skinsense Hydranet range

Weekend wishlist: the Skinsense Hydranet range

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Hola! I’m being a rebel and doing my weekend wishlist a day early today (let’s face it, every day is like a weekend at the moment isn’t it?), but there’s a method in my madness as the Skinsense Hydranet range is Today’s Special Value at QVC, meaning that you’re going to get all these products for just £32 so obviously I had to give you the heads up. Read on to find out all about my favourite Skinsense bits, and about the Skinsense Hydranet TSV in particular.

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The big Christmas beauty gift guide

The great big Christmas beauty gift guide

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Following on from my great big Christmas gift guide, I just had to make a separate gift guide for all the gorgeous beauty stuff I’ve loved this year (and longer). I think beauty just makes the best present, whether you’re buying for teenagers, friends, Mums (or husbands - Mr E loves a bit of skincare), or even for a bit of self gifting (we’re worth it too). You can give eco/sustainable, practical, or luxe that people wouldn’t necessarily buy themselves, and, as I said in my last gift guide, it doesn’t get better than giving someone a gift that is both beautiful and useful (paraphrasing Mr Morris there). So here’s my great big Christmas beauty gift guide/great big roundup of all the beauty bits I’ve adored this year.

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Taking my beauty routine from summer into autumn

Taking my beauty routine from summer into autumn

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It’s so weird when you go away around September time. In those few days, everything seems to have changed. The glowing green leaves on my favourite tree in the garden (the glorious Parrotia) have developed a burgundy tinge, and although it’s still warm, there’s a different feel to the air, especially first thing in the morning (the best time for walkies, as far as Lyra is concerned). That’s not to say that I’m unhappy, though, I LOVE autumn, and everything that she (it?) brings. I’m already stockpiling scented candles and have just bought a gorgeously soft new pompom throw for the sofa. Lyra and I love a snuggle almost as much as we love a brisk, crunchy walk through the autumn leaves. Throw in a hot chocolate and a marshmallow or two (or a nice velvety glass of red) and I’m a happy bunny. Skincare-wise, though, I’m feeling a bit scrunchy and crunchy too, after our wonderful heatwave and a couple of trips away. I know I’ve had too much sun, and my hair is feeling dry too, so I’m ready for a bit of TLC. I thought I’d share with you a few new discoveries of mine from M&S that will take your beauty routine from summer into autumn, and quench that parched summer skin at the same time.

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The Estée Lauder #Gameface beauty box

Weekend wishlist: Estée Lauder #Gameface beauty box

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I flipping love a mini product, don’t you? And if you know any students that are heading off to university this autumn, this gorgeous Estée Lauder #Gameface beauty box, specially curated to be the ultimate Freshers survival kit, is just the perfect gift to see them off with a big smile on their faces. I wrote recently about taking the leap from home to uni, and it’s a daunting prospect for even the most confident student, so anything that’s going to give them a lift - and make them look and feel their best too - is most welcome. Also, for most new students, money is really tight, so this many products are going to be really welcome, especially when the box contains so many brilliant Estée brands.

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M&S Summer Beauty Box 2018

The M&S Summer Beauty Box: don’t miss out!

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When it comes to this time of year, I start keeping a little M&S wishlist. Rather than popping those essential five packs of cotton undies, and Rosie for Autograph Insta Glow Matte Bronzer (literally the pretties matte bronzer, I’ve hit pan on two of these beauties now) into my online basket, I start to keep a note of what I’m after so I can take advantage of the frankly brilliant M&S Summer Beauty Box. What’s the big deal, you may ask? Well, the M&S Beauty Box lets you try all sorts of incredible new products, many of the sizes are absolutely perfect for travel too. And the best bit? You get the whole lot, worth £135, for just £15 when you spend £40 on clothing, beauty and home. The deal starts today and I’ve got a sneaky peek inside the box, especially for you.

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SculpSure body contouring at S-Thetics Clinic, Beaconsfield

SculpSure body contouring at S-Thetics Clinic, Beaconsfield

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I’ve never been particularly tiny or particularly big, so apart from the few occasions over the years when I’ve completely and unhealthily starved myself down to a ridiculous and completely unsustainable size 8, I’m generally around a healthy size 12. We eat quite well (we’re experimenting more with meat free, veggie-rich recipes at the moment and loving it) and try to be sensible with alcohol. Add that reasonably healthy lifestyle to the fact that, thanks to the NHS Couch to 5k programme I’m now running 5k three times a week and I’m kind of annoyed that I haven’t really toned up that much. Cue, then, the most exciting email I’ve had in ages from the fabulous S-Thetics Clinic in Beaconsfield, inviting me to come and try SculpSure body contouring: the first ever treatment to use gentle heat technology to eliminate stubborn body fat without going under the knife.

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HD Brows at Bloom Beauty Bar, Berkhamsted

HD Brows at Bloom Beauty Bar, Berkhamsted

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Do you do much to your brows? I actually don’t mind the shape of mine, but I do think that every time I go and get them threaded, they seem to take a tiny bit more away and I’ve started to notice recently that this means they’re a bit thinner than I’d like them. I mentioned this to Nat Lupton, owner of The Hair Secret in Berkhamsted (my favourite hair salon - I’m going there tomorrow for a mega-makeover - watch this space!), and she recommended that I book in for HD Brows at Bloom Beauty Bar, located just inside the salon, with their mega-talented make-up artist and HD Brow specialist Zoe Kennedy.

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The weekend wishlist - The Ordinary

The weekend wishlist: The Ordinary skincare range

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I don’t know about you but I feel a bit like I’m on a never ending search for good skincare products. Every time I find one I really like, by the end of the pot (or sometimes halfway through) I’m already thinking that it’s not quite right - generally it’s because I find everything a bit greasy. It will feel fine in the morning, but by lunchtime my forehead is shiny and I already know this one’s not for me. I think I mentioned a while ago that I’m a huge fan of Nadine Baggott’s #Thebeautyknowitall YouTube channel, and she’d recommended The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid - in fact she recommended quite a few products in the range. I was especially interested as, like me, Nadine really doesn’t like the feel of creams on her face and prefers to use more lightweight serum formulas, so after I’d ordered the Hyaluronic Acid, I decided to give a couple of the other things from The Ordinary skincare range a go, and so far, I’m really loving them.

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A Botox update and microneedling

Post 40 beauty: a Botox update and microneedling

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So it’s now been a couple of weeks since I’ve had my Botox treatment at One Stop Doctors, and as promised, I’m coming back to you to let you know how I got on. I’ve also been back to have a microneedling treatment, which, as you’ll read below is quite strange, but wow, the results are really amazing. So let’s crack on, then. Here’s a Botox update and microneedling report - with pictures!

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M&S Summer Beauty Box 22-26 June 2017

Weekend wishlist: the M&S Summer Beauty Box

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Okay, so I’m aware that I’m publishing my weekend wishlist on a Thursday, but there’s a good reason for this: I wanted to give you a heads up about the return of the legendary M&S Summer Beauty Box! It’s always hugely popular and I think last year sold out within hours, so it’s really important that you get in there quickly! The offer is: spend £40 across clothing, homeware and beauty and get a beauty box gift - worth £105 - for just £10. The offer is valid from today until 26th June 2017 (but it’s doubtful whether stocks will last that long). The M&S Summer Beauty Box contains all sorts of gorgeous goodies, so if you’re planning a little M&S shop, this is the perfect time to do it!

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Post 40 beauty: what it's really like to have Botox

Post 40 beauty: what it’s really like to have Botox

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So if you’ve been following along with my post 40 beauty diary, you’ll know that I’ve been trying hard to take better care of my skin, and trying out a few different treatments with the lovely people at One Stop Doctors, a brand new medical facility in Hemel Hempstead. After my consultation with GP and Aesthetic Doctor, Dr Heidi Miller, I was really excited to take the next step and book in for some Botox. If you’ve been considering having any aesthetic treatments, I thought it might be helpful to give you a completely honest account of what it’s really like to have Botox.

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In flight travel heroes

The weekend wishlist: in-flight beauty heroes

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The more I travel, the more I seem to pare down my in-flight beauty kit. At one stage, I was lugging all manner of things in a huge carry-on bag, but recently, I’ve started to realise that I wasn’t actually using half the products. If you’re a regular reader, you’ll know that last week, I travelled to Florida on Norwegian’s Dreamliner, which gives you a bit of added help in the in-flight beauty department by reducing the effects of jet lag with lots of lovely fresh air and adjusting cabin pressure to optimum levels. There’s also smart mood lighting, which is very relaxing, and 65% larger windows, but still, flying is very dehydrating, and it helps to whip off all your makeup and treat your skin to some extra moisture while you’ve got the chance to sit back and relax. I thought I’d tell you about my in-flight beauty heroes - the ones that made the cut and still travel with me every time.

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Mother's Day beauty with M & S

Weekend wishlist: Mother’s Day beauty with M & S

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Now our boys are older and have their own money, when it comes to gifting they tend to just ask what I’d like. I’m always happy with flowers or chocolates, but when they or Mr E want to buy me something lovely that I might not splurge on for myself, I tend to head straight for beauty products. You already know that I’m a big fan of M & S beauty, so I thought I’d pick a few things that I love that would make amazing Mother’s Day gifts (or, frankly, a well-deserved bit of self-gifting too). Read on to find my top picks for Mother’s Day beauty with M & S:

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New spring beauty finds: Gosh Lumi Drops in Rose Blush

The weekend wishlist: new spring beauty finds!

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I spend so much money on products that aren’t right for me. My worst one was getting my foundation done at the Chanel counter at Gatwick, then purchasing the product and not realising until I went to the loo on the plane and looked in the mirror that my face was literally orange (top tip, try to approach someone on a make-up counter whose own make-up style you really like). I have to say, though, that when I took it back to the Chanel counter at John Lewis, they changed it for me. I also find I make a lot of mistakes buying online, with products not being the right colour or texture for me. Happily, though, I occasionally have some amazingly good accidental discoveries, and I’m on a roll recently, so I thought I’d share them with you.

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20% off REN Skincare exclusively for English Mum readers!

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WHAT a weekend. We had our amazing summer sparklers party on Friday night. I am absolutely rubbish and took NO pictures, but we had such a fun time and - apart from the fact that I was an idiot and bought single cream, so my pavlova ended up being ‘deconstructed’ - it all went really well. More of this very soon! I had a complete day off anything to do with health and fitness on Friday: I scoffed pavlova and cheese and all those good things, but now I’m back on it: exercising regularly (I WILL be toned and fit by our holiday in September), drinking loads of water and looking after my body and my skin, which brings me neatly on to my EXCLUSIVE offer: 20% off REN Skincare exclusively for you guys!

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Beauty essentials for Walt Disney World

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When you’re packing for holidays, you don’t want to lug your entire beauty routine with you in your case. One: it takes up loads of room and two: it’s a holiday! Time for a pared down, simple beauty routine that gives you more time to have fun. This weekend I’m heading to Walt Disney World Resort Florida with my birthday boy, Charlie, who is 18 tomorrow (I KNOW!) so I thought I’d share my thoughts on beauty essentials for the parks: just enough to keep you looking glowy and gorgeous ready for those selfies with Minnie Mouse (oh, you bet I’ll be stalking her, she’s my fave!).

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