Category: Beauty

S T Y L E | faffing around over lockdown …

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My mum always used to say I was a ‘faffer ‘ who liked nothing better than ‘faffing around’ with skincare and beauty bits .

F A F F E R – to spend your time doing a lot of things that are not important instead of the thing you should be doing . i.e “Tracey please stop faffing around”

I in turn always blamed Mum and her Avon [lady] sample kit. I can still see it now her little suitcase of complete and utter joy. The bundles of sachets of cream and THOSE Lipstick samples. Back in the 80’s lipstick samples were actually miniature lipsticks ; absolutely brilliant for handing out to customers with their monthly catalogue as they could fit through the letterbox. Great to try before you buy AND for my tiny hands to pinch & play with.

I’m not sure why they stopped doing them; in today’s weird ‘social distancing’ climate they would be ideal. Bring them back!

I found these photographs on Pinterest [ below ] can anybody remember them too?

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B E A U T Y | first impressions – Antipodes Skincare

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* Gifted products with no obligation to post. Contains affiliate links *

A few years ago I stumbled upon the brand Antipodes. I can’t remember which but if I recall rightly I had just read a blog post or watched a vlog by Megan from ‘Wonderful You‘ 

She was running through her daily skincare routine which included the ‘Juliet Brightening Cleanser’ . I immediately searched online and purchased it ; I mean she had amazing skin! What was there to lose? A lot actually . I’ve found in the past what works for somebody else might not necessarily work for you and it’s a total waste of money. [That’s why I wish more brands did sample sizes] BUT on this occasion we happened to love each other … and so my love affair with Juliet began.

I adore this cleanser and the brands ethos ; they are cruelty free, organic and vegan approved. I have made several purchases of the cleanser since. I am lucky in that I am in the position where brands send me products to try but I always seem to steer back to this cleanser.

Fast forward to a few days ago and the delivery of a care parcel from Antipodes.

Mucho excitement on my part !

I was kindly gifted:

  • Baptise H20 Ultra-Hydrating Water Gel
  • Kiwi Seed Gold Luminous Eye Cream
  • Moisture Boost Natural Lipstick in Forest Berry Red & Queenstown Hot Chocolate

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B E A U T Y | SPF talk

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One item of my skincare I never miss out on is my SPF. I wear it daily come rain ,wind or shine . There is no point spending time and money on other areas of your routine if you are going to skip on your protection.

FACT | Short term sun damage presents as sunburn. Long term unprotected sun exposure causes gradual damage to skin known as sun damage or photoageing , and accounts for around 90% of the signs of skin-ageing.

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B E A U T Y | with Rebecca Elsdon Advanced Skincare

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If you’ve been hanging around here for a while with me you will know I love skincare and beauty.

You will also know that I had acne in my early 20’s which has left me with some scarring and hypo-pigmentation. ‘Bug-bears’ I have been trying to improve over the years!

I’ve had lots of treatments from derma roller to TCA peels to lazer but always with the words of a not so tactful therapist lingering in the back of my mind ‘we can’t perform miracles!‘ I’m not daft , a scar is a scar, skin that’s lost pigmentation will never regain it BUT I do believe that with lots of care, with the correct treatments and products you can improve your skins appearance.

So with that in mind and after discovering and talking on Instagram I made an appointment for a consultation with Rebecca Elsdon Advanced Skincare & Aesthetics’s and I couldn’t have been more excited.

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8 0 ‘s M A K E U P | inspired by Stranger Things

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Last Thursday evening I was invited to see ‘Stranger Things’ at the Secret Cinema in London with M.A.C Cosmetics [ part of a paid partnership ] and to attend a couple of Fashion Shows the following day as part of London Fashion Week.

I packed my bags, happy at the prospect of leaving Sheffield for a couple of days and heading down to the ‘big smoke’

London is always fun and I’ve become quite fond of the 2 hour train journey down where all I do is sit, drink coffee, munch on chocolate bars , contemplate life … and read.

Yes folks you heard correctly I am back reading ‘ Feel the Fear and do it anyway‘ … because I was doing all those things !

S E C R E T C I N E M A | stranger things

It’s immersive cinema and in all honesty I wasn’t sure what to expect? We weren’t told were it was. We were Just informed that a taxi would pick us up at the hotel and drop us off . A guide would meet us at the other end and take us across to the secret location. I was intrigued already!

As soon as I entered the ‘cinema’ it felt as though I had been transported back to Hawkins. To be exact 4th July , 1985. If you are not familiar with Stranger Things Hawkins is the town in which the series is set.

Your mobile phone and camera are confiscated as you enter the cinema so there are no photos or instagram moments from the night. It felt very bizarre but I guess it’s so it keeps it intriguing and doesn’t spoil it for anyone else.

It’s actually a grand idea; it makes you feel ‘in the moment‘ . As you are not stopping every few minutes to record something on your phone you can just enjoy the experience.

It really was like being back in 1985 when mobiles didn’t even exist !

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B E A U T Y | M.A.C ‘Starring You’

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Press Event & Hotel Stay as part of my role as Regional Brand Ambassador. I am not under any obligation to write this post

On a rainy , dismal Thursday October evening what better way to spend an evening than under the stars [quite literally] in London’s Natural History Museum celebrating the launch of the new ‘Starring You‘ holiday collection from M.A.C cosmetics

I have never been to the Natural History Museum before but from what I saw it’s an impressive, beautiful building.

I didn’t see the whale ! I didn’t see the ice rink either but apparently I walked right past it on the way in.

Note to self – must go back and find the whale. .. and the ice rink ! #blindasabat

We were led to the Moon Room. Don’t quote me; I’m sure that’s not it’s official name.

It looked absolutely stunning . Like something you’d imagine cropping up in a Harry Potter movie … only the grown up version … with Prosecco. Here’s to always being gobsmacked; in awe of your surroundings with a childlike wonder !

I am currently trying to figure out how I can work a moon and stars into my tiny living room decor?

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