The Latest in Beauty X The Style Luxury Beauty Edit

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I thought The Latest in Beauty X Fabulous Best of 2021 was the last edit of the year but I was wrong! We have one more FABULOUS box to get our mitts on. The Latest in Beauty X The Style Luxury Beauty Edit is available to purchase NOW for £85.00 and features luxury brands such as Verso Skincare, Perricone MD, Murad and more! 

The Luxury Beauty Edit is like no other and offers the ultimate collection of premium beauty. Featuring truly cult brands as well as newer brands making waves, this lineup has received the coveted stamp of approval from the beauty team at Style and LiB. With a value that is over £400 (the highest of the year) and showcasing thirteen of the most respected brands in the business, you can expect a range of indulgent, high-performing, authentically luxurious brands.

3 Temple Spa Gifts for Christmas £30.00 & Under

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When it comes to Christmas gifting, Temple Spa have had one of the best selections this year. From stocking fillers and Secret Santa gifts to gorgeous gift sets and huge bundles - it has been the perfect place to pick up everything you may need for your friends and family. 

I've added a few gift sets to our Christmas gifting for the family so I'm gonna show you three wonderful gifts for the festive season for under £30.00. You'll have to be quick with ordering as there's not long left until the big day now. 

Our Christmas Eve Boxes 2021

I adore the idea of a Christmas Eve Box and it's something we couldn't wait to do for Joshua. Arran and I have a few traditions we've started during our relationship and Christmas Eve is always a chance for us to wear new pyjamas, eat lots of cheese and watch a Christmas film so we've taken that and created a child-friendly version for Joshua with a few added extras - we've even made a little one for Evie this year.

I know they're not for everyone, I think the beauty of Christmas is that we all have our very own traditions and this is just one of ours so I wanted to share what we've put inside ours this year as I always love seeing others suggestions.

The Southampton Family Christmas Trail

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I'm a huge advocate for Southampton and there is no better way than seeing exactly what the city has to offer than getting out and going for a long ol' walk. With Christmas right around the corner now is the perfect time to explore the city and take part in the free Christmas Family Trail which is back this year, bigger and better than ever before. 

There are two trails you can choose to follow, either the North Pole or the South Pole - you could even do both! Both trails take you on an adventure around the city as it lights up for Christmas and has been designed with families in mind. 

Just grab your map and look out for the penguins and polar bears along the way as it is they that will hold the clues you will need to unscramble to claim your prize. 

The Big Beauty Lovers Gift Guide

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It's day four and the final day of my beauty-focused gift guides to take you from Secret Santa to stocking fillers as well as big beauty gifts galore for your nearest and dearest. There's something for every budget, you'll notice a lot of my go-to beauty brands feature which you would've seen on my blog over the last few years and there are some new faves - I'm excited and I hope you are too.

Next up... The Big Beauty Lovers Gift Guide! It's full of the best in beauty, some fabulous gift sets, some of my favourite skincare brands and the face tool that you absolutely need on your bathroom shelf.

The Sleep & Relax Gift Guide

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It's day three of my beauty-focused gift guides to take you from Secret Santa to stocking fillers as well as big beauty gifts galore for your nearest and dearest. There's something for every budget, you'll notice a lot of my go-to beauty brands feature which you would've seen on my blog over the last few years and there are some new faves - I'm excited and I hope you are too.

Next up... The Sleep & Relax Gift Guide! It's full of cosy treats, pamper essentials and the new pyjama launch I've been most excited about.

The Beauty Stocking Filler Gift Guide

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It's day two of my beauty-focused gift guides to take you from Secret Santa to stocking fillers as well as big beauty gifts galore for your nearest and dearest. There's something for every budget, you'll notice a lot of my go-to beauty brands feature which you would've seen on my blog over the last few years and there are some new faves - I'm excited and I hope you are too.

Next up... The Beauty Stocking Filler Gift Guide!

The Eco Stocking Filler Gift Guide

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Ah December - the temperature has dropped, twinkling Christmas trees are popping up all over the place and if you're anything like me then you're about to start your Christmas shopping! I pick up the odd bit here and there but it's December when I really focus on present shopping because for me it just feels more magical. 

This year I've created four beauty-focused gift guides to take you from Secret Santa to stocking fillers as well as big beauty gifts galore for your nearest and dearest. There's something for every budget, you'll notice a lot of my go-to beauty brands feature which you would've seen on my blog over the last few years and there are some new faves - I'm excited and I hope you are too. 

First up... The Eco Stocking Filler Gift Guide!

The Latest in Beauty X Fabulous Best of 2021 Edit

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Could this be the last Latest in Beauty Collection of 2021? If so then it's a blinder and completely CHOCKER full of beauty treats to have your skin, hair and face looking oh so fabulous as you enter the new year. 

It's their first-ever Fabulous Best of 2021 Edit with the entire collection being Latest in Beauty and Fabulous team approved. It is packed with some of the biggest launches, top performers and highest rated products from each of the brands from 2021. Expect to find fourteen tried and tested formulas that are not only great for skin but deliver exactly what they promise too. 

Worth over £123 and boasting ten full-size products, this box will help you master your skincare routine and up your makeup game!

You'll find stand out brands such as Lumene, Lanolips, and Q+A to name just a few so shall we take a look inside...

Christmas Bucket List 2021

With COVID still taking centre stage this year although not quite on the scale of 2020, my bucket list posts have been put on the back burner - I didn't even share an Autumn one. With Christmas being the most wonderful time of year I've managed to whip one up if not just for me but for you too in case you need some festive ideas.

I like to keep my bucket lists filled with things that are easily accomplished be it big or small. They also give me the push to do a little more when all I want to do is hide from the cold with a blanket.

So here are a list of things I'm hoping to do with family this Christmas, I'd love to know what you have planned too.

Christmas 2021 at The Body Shop

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Falalalalalalala... It is the time of year for beauty Christmas launches and The Body Shop has certainly caught my eye this year. A little while ago, I headed into my local store in West Quay for a morning of breakfast nibbles and Christmas fun while we were guided through the new fragrances for this Christmas, what gifts will be available and of course the beauty advent calendars. 

This year's theme is Share the Love which is highly appropriate after the last few years and I can't wait to show you more...

Bedtime Routines & New Mattresses, Introducing Naturalmat

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If there's one topic I've spent a lot of time discussing since becoming a parent it's sleep - it dominates the conversation from that first 'sleep while you can comment' during your pregnancy to those first newborn days when you're practically delirious and surviving on hope and coffee. While sleep can be hard to come by, there are ways you can support your child and in turn, give yourself a welcome break in those early days. 

Where your children sleep is the best place to start and what better way than with their mattress! For our four year old we turned to Naturalmat who handcraft organic mattresses and beds in their factory on the banks of the River Exe, in Devon with 100% natural and organic fibre. With over twenty years of experience, Naturalmat combines carefully selected natural materials for supreme comfort and breathability and are treated with an all-natural anti-bed bug and dust mite formula making them perfect for children with allergies or sensitive skin.

The Latest in Beauty Haul of Fame The Heroes

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Latest in Beauty have released some amazing collections this year and to top it off, the Haul of Fame The Heroes '21 is back for another year and it has even more incredible products for you to get your hands on.

Celebrating some of the top brands that entered the LiB Box Haul of Fame in 2021, inside you can expect ten of the best brands that embody all the things the LiB experts look for in a good brand. Not just any box, this round-up showcases products from bona fide cult and global best selling brands with a one of a kind lineup of science-led formulas, clinically proven ingredients and high-performance products that have a serious payoff and deliver true results.

Available to buy now, the collection includes the most sought after products including four full-size products worth a whopping £192 for just £38.00.

From global bestsellers and cult classics, this is a collection you won't want to miss.

Shopping Black Friday with eBay & a look at my Wishlist

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We're just days away from one of the busiest shopping days of the year, so with Black Friday right around the corner it seemed like as good a time as any to show you what I'll be shopping for this year and how I'll be using eBay to make sure I get the best deals possible. 

If you're unfamiliar with eBay (where have you been?!) then it is the place to buy and sell new and pre-loved items - from electronics, children's toys and appliances to clothing, Christmas jumpers and more. I've been using eBay to sell for quite a number of years now and it's always where I head to first when I need to clear out some clothes and in recent months, where I've been shopping for our children's next clothing size too. 

It's such a great way to make sure nothing goes to waste and that you can give something a new home, especially with Christmas fast approaching. 

3 Foodie Advent Calendars to make you go ooh

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While beauty advent calendars have been my focus for the last few weeks, I couldn't let this time pass by without sharing some foodie calendars too. I'm a big foodie at heart so there's always a chocolate calendar for each of us and a Moo Free Dairy Free special for the four-year-old, little E may get her first one next year, we shall see!

In this post I'll be showing you a chocolate one with a heart from my favourite chocolate brand, another you'll enjoy if you love an 11am snack and a deliciously sweet biscuit calendar that will go straight into the hands of my grandmother who is very excited.

Azamara® Announces New Five-Month World Voyage

Azamara® Announces New Five-Month World Voyage, Visiting More Than Seven Wonders of the World Aboard the Cruise Line’s Newest Ship, Azamara Onward.

The once-in-a-lifetime sailing will bring guests to over 40 countries on six continents

The cruise line dedicated to Destination Immersion® experiences is excited to announce the launch of its new World Voyage aboard the company's newest ship, Azamara Onward. Starting on January 5, 2024, from Fort Lauderdale, Florida, the comprehensive sailing offers immersive and intimate experiences to the World’s Wonders. The 155-night journey will reach over 40 countries in six continents with 22 overnight stays and 27 late nights in port, giving travelers ample time to fully explore the rich culture and history of each destination.

“We are thrilled to finally unveil our World Voyage. With opportunities to visit the Seven Wonders of the World and other iconic sites such as the Great Barrier Reef, the Galapagos, and the Black Sea, we are allowing our guests to check off all their bucket list destinations in one sailing and to connect with more countries and cultures than ever before,” says Carol Cabezas, President of Azamara. “Not only are we taking our guests further, but we are also encouraging them to travel deeper with our unique overnight land experiences, designed to bring travelers to the heart of the destination and giving them enough time to appreciate its culture.”

Highlights of immersive experiences of the World’s Wonders:

• Great Wall of China (three-night land excursion): Travelers will become fully immersed in Beijing with a visit to the Great Wall of China, a guided tour through the Forbidden City and Tiananmen Square, and a rickshaw ride through the hutongs, or narrow alleys dating back to the 16th century.
• Great Pyramids of Giza (shore excursion): Guests are driven to Egypt’s largest city, Cairo. It’s here at the Giza Plateau where the Great Pyramids are found, the only one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World still in existence. An Egyptologist will guide guests through this mortuary complex to the mysterious Sphinx. In addition, travelers will explore other sites such as the Museum of Antiquities and cruise down the Nile river.
• Chichén Itzá (shore excursion): Guests will fly over Caribbean waters and the Mayan Riviera’s tropical jungle to Chichén Itzá, where a tour guide will lead guests through the ruins and immerse travelers in the ancient Mayan way of life.
• Petra (shore excursion): Guests will walk through the Siq, the narrow, winding gorge that leads to the mysterious desert city of Petra, Jordan. Known as the “Rose Red City” for the color of stone from which it was carved, Petra is home to ancient royal tombs, Colonnaded Street, and the Temple of Qasr al-Bint.
• Taj Mahal (three-night land excursion): Travelers will fly to New Delhi for sunrise and sunset visits to the Taj Mahal. Guests will also explore Agra Fort, the main residence of the emperors of the Mughal Dynasty until 1638, and I'timād-ud-Daulah tomb, the Taj Mahal’s precursor.
• Christ the Redeemer (six-night land excursion): Travelers will enjoy a full exploration of Rio de Janeiro, including a visit to Corcovado to view the towering Christ the Redeemer statue, a cable car ride to the summit of Sugarloaf Mountain, and a trip to Iguazú Falls to see both the Brazilian and Argentinian sides of the one of the world’s largest waterfalls.
• Colosseum (shore excursion): Guests will travel back in time to the world of gladiatorial glory inside the Colosseum. A local guide will lead the small group through the 2000-year-old amphitheater that once seated up to 55,000 spectators.

Other immersive overnight experiences available on the World Voyage include a stay on a Great Barrier Reef island, complete with glass bottom boat excursions and snorkeling to see the unique wildlife up close; a journey through the cobblestoned streets of Transylvania, Romania to learn about the life of Vlad the Impaler, who inspired Bram Stoker’s Dracula; and an exploration of the centuries-old rock-cut churches and whimsical “fairy chimneys” of Cappadocia, Turkey with accommodation in a cave hotel.

Azamara’s World Voyage comes with over $22,000 in exclusive amenities, including the company’s signature AzAmazing Evenings – designed to connect guests to the local culture of the destination – $7,000 in onboard credit, business class air travel, a pre-voyage hotel stay and gala, access to exclusive World Voyage events, a premium beverage package for two, and more. Shore excursions and overnight land excursions will be available at an additional price.

To book, please visit azamara.com/worldvoyage or call 888-858-5388. Bookings are currently open to Azamara Circle Loyalty members only and will be open to all on December 7, 2021

Celebrity chef Shivi Ramoutar joins P&O Cruises to create authentic Caribbean dining

Chef and author Shivi Ramoutar is joining P&O Cruises culinary line up as a Local Food Hero as part of the launch of the new ship Arvia which joins the fleet in December 2022. Shivi, who is renowned for her contemporary Caribbean cooking, will bring her vibrant dishes to Arvia for its maiden season from homeport Barbados. 

She will celebrate her passion for the region's cuisine with an exclusive collection of dishes at Taste 360 and The Beach House. As a Local Food Hero Shivi will join José Pizarro and Kjartan Skelde in bringing destinations to life through authentic recipes in restaurants on Arvia.

The Times Ultimate Men's Grooming Edit with Latest in Beauty

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Get excited because The Times X Latest in Beauty Ultimate Men's Grooming Edit is here and it is their first EVER - much to my husband's delight! Available to buy now, the exclusive edit brought to you by Latest in Beauty experts and approved by The Times is worth a whopping £195 and is absolutely packed full of the best grooming products in the business. 

Discover pro-styling products, high-performance grooming and essential skincare all wrapped up within this edit. 

I am dying to show you inside...

Five New In Pieces on My Beauty Shelves

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With a new month comes another new in beauty edition and boy do I have some fabulous products for you! As winter approaches, the products I reach for change and they become so much more intensive and hydrating for the skin so with that in mind I've whipped up this post to give you a closer look into what I'm using right now. 

There seems to be a soothing and hydration theme this month which is perfect as we approach the colder weather, don't you think?

Let's have a look...

The Latest in Beauty Sunday Times Style India Knight Edit

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Hands up who wants to try the best of the best when it comes to beauty? Well, now you can do exactly that because Latest in Beauty has teamed up with The Sunday Times Style to release two special edition boxes! The two boxes, the Sarah Jossel Edit and the India Knight Edit are available to purchase now and come absolutely chocker full of the best in beauty making it the perfect way to access tried and tested beauty for less.

Columnist India Knight is an authority on all things beauty and is known for testing and uncovering some of the very best products in the industry and it'll be her edit that I show you within this post. 

Available to purchase for £45.00 and worth a huge £231, the limited edition edit curates some of the top products from her 2021 Sunday Times Style column and showcases a unique and exceptional lineup of makeup, body care, skincare and haircare. 

Let's look inside...

The Filorga Skincare Advent Calendar

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If there's one thing I love, it's skincare and the Filorga Advent Calendar (£99.00) is the thing of dreams! Available from Look Fantastic, Feel Unique, Flannels and Next, it houses over £200 worth of skin and is jam-packed with beauty favourites. It's the perfect way to countdown to a magical Christmas and the coveted calendar is sure to excite any skincare buff.

The slim built calendar comes in black and is adorned with silver confetti - it opens at the front housing twenty-four boxes filled with all of your skincare treats for the month of December! You'll notice each box contains the products ingredient lists too which is great if you need to check what each product contains.

Be warned, there are spoilers ahead...

Experience the NEW Autumn Menu at HarBar on 6th

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If specially crafted cocktails and delicious food is your thing then you need to get yourself to Southampton Harbour Hotel's HarBar on 6th as they've just introduced a tantalising Autumn menu. Throughout the season you'll be able to enjoy a selection of autumnal dishes, and sip on delicious cocktails from The Isle of Wight Distillery including Mermaid Gin beneath a beautiful canopy of autumnal leaves in fiery red, orange and amber colours.

The beautiful rooftop destination bar, kitchen and club features floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the Solent complete with a terrace with outdoor fire pits making it the perfect location for drinks with friends or lunch with family which is exactly how we found ourselves there one Friday afternoon. 

Five Happy Things // October

Did anyone see October? It feels like the month absolutely flew by in a blink of an eye. Our month has felt exceptionally busy and it has been the first month in a long time that we've had something on the calendar most days. It has been full of finally seeing friends again, lots of good food and plenty of Autumn walks through the city parks. 

We're still making the most of our smalls wins. little memories and happy moments where we can - they don't have to be a huge, momentous thing, they can be just about anything - be it a chocolate bar you treated yourself to or a long walk listening to an audiobook or in my case right now, a really good coffee!

So here are five handpicked happy things from our October...

Inside our Halloween Party for 2021

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I've always been a lover of Halloween, I have fond memories of dressing up as a ghost with a bedsheet over my head or a witch with a broom as a child so I've always wanted to create that magic for our children too. Joshua is an October baby so he saw his first Halloween at two weeks old while wearing a pumpkin outfit and so as the years have gone on, we've dressed up and bought spooky snacks to celebrate.

I went all out last year because we spent most of the year inside and incidentally created some Halloween traditions of our own so with the spookiest month of the year rolling around again, it was party time once again. 

We had one very excited vampire and one tiny pumpkin this year and we had the best time so I wanted to share a peek inside our Halloween Party and give you some inspiration for next year.

The Temple Spa Joyful Places Beauty Advent Calendar 2021

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As October comes to an end, we're fast approaching the most wonderful time of year and I have another beauty advent calendar to show you and oh it's a good'un! 

Featuring 24 doors full of Temple Spa favourites, new treats and award-winning creations, the Temple Spa Joyful Places Beauty Advent Calendar is inspired by our 'happy place'. The award-winning beauty brand suggests it might be a physical place, space, landscape or a little retreat we can escape to in our minds to find inner peace and joy. 

The calendar combines a peaceful inspiring scene with emerging dreamy, hopeful faces and as you open each drawer, you'll be able to turn it around to discover heartwarming messages and daily affirmations. The new design also means you'll be able to re-use it for storing beauty products, jewellery and more once you've opened all your drawers in December.

Be warned, there are spoilers ahead...

The OK! Beauty Box // Hydration Heroes

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Towards the end of 2020, OK! launched their very own beauty box subscription service - one that guarantees a minimum of five handpicked products a month with a minimum value of £60 each month. Now if you've been around these parts since the beginning then you'll know there's no shortage of beauty box reviews on Alice Anne so I've been interested to see just what this one is like. 

Beauty box subscription services have always been hugely popular, once upon a time Birchbox was leading the way but in recent years there has been so much more choice available with a budget to suit every pocket. What makes this one a little different is that it seems the OK! Beauty Box compared to other boxes of the same or similar price point, has the highest guaranteed value per month which is music to my ears. 

USE 67INFLUENCER to get your first box for only £4.95 rather than £15!

Joshua's Halloween Box 2021

A few years ago, I was chatting on Twitter about Halloween boxes and if they were a thing because I really loved the idea of creating one for Joshua. My idea originally stemmed from Christmas Eve Boxes and so I started researching and didn't find much so I thought I'd just create my own and it was super popular so I've since shared the boxes I've made for him ever since. 

We're not really into trick or treating and buckets full of sweets so a Halloween Box was the perfect alternative for our little ghoul and to help make things a little spooky. I love this as our little tradition, I enjoy making them every year and I'll have an extra one to make for Evie in 2022. 

Five Happy Things // September

Oh September - it always feels like the start of a new year, it's probably the relation to school years especially as our son is back at pre-school. I feel like after a completely dismal August we had such a beautiful September and not just because it was full of baby snuggles.

We're still making the most of our smalls wins. little memories and happy moments where we can - they don't have to be a huge, momentous thing, they can be just about anything - be it a chocolate bar you treated yourself to or a long walk listening to an audiobook.

So here are five handpicked happy things from our September ...

The Body Shop Share the Love Big Advent Calendar 2021

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The Body Shop advent calendars are back and it is their biggest and best year yet! This year's theme is Share the Love which you'll notice carries through to not just their advent calendars but their stocking fillers and gifting range too with the words joy, love and kindness adorning most of the collection names and packaging. 

This year, the calendars feature an all-new and unique pop-up construction that transports you to a joyful Christmas world. As The Body Shop is celebrating all of those who spread love selflessly this year you'll become familiar with their character, Joy and her merry collective. Keep a lookout for them in their vibrant illustrations across festive packaging, in their stores and online, as they come together to care for others with creativity and kindness. 

You'll also find behind each "door" is a little act of kindness alongside your daily surprise to help you get inspired and share some magic this festive season.

Be warned, there's spoilers ahead...

L'Occitane Luxury Beauty Advent Calendar 2021

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It's advent calendar season and I have one to show you from one of my favourite skincare brands, L'Occitane.

Every year I share one of L'Occitane's advent calendars and with three to choose from including their oh so beautiful reusable advent you're bound to found the one most suited to you.

I find advent calendars are a great way to discover a new brand and try their products before committing to something full size; So with hand creams, facial cleansers and soaps to their much-loved oils and perfumes, it's a fab treat to open each day in the lead up to Christmas.

Latest in Beauty 24 Days of Advent - The Beauty Edit

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When it comes to beauty advent calendars, I've been waiting patiently to see what Latest in Beauty had in store for us and yesterday I finally had a peek inside!

Available NOW - The Latest in Beauty 24 Days of Advent - The Beauty Edit has landed in time to make your festive season go off with a bang and with twenty-four show-stopping products from everything to makeup, skincare, haircare and more included - you're gonna want to hit that shop now button.

The beauty calendar is worth over £360, their highest value calendar yet and it can be yours for just £70! You can also get £10 off using the code ADVENT10 but be quick because it is absolutely going to sell out.

Just a forewarning, there are plenty of spoilers in this post!

Say HELLO to our newest addition...

On 27th August after some early morning cuddles with our son, Arran and I made our way to our local maternity hospital ready to welcome our daughter. I sit and write this one month later as she sleeps on my chest after it has been the most wonderful month. 

The NEW Clarins Supra Lift & Curl Mascara

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At the end of July, Clarins released a twist on their much loved Supra mascara and having used it for the last month I thought it was high time I gave you the lowdown!

If you've been around these parts for a while, you'll know I've used Clarins Supra for years - it is one of my go-to mascaras and never lets me down so I was intrigued by the Supra Lift & Curl which is a totally new innovation from the French skincare brand.

Shall we take a closer look?

Suffering from Post-Partum hair loss? You need to try the Invati Advanced™ Collection from Aveda

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As soon as you've got used to all that luscious hair during your pregnancy, it starts to fall out in clumps and I mean CLUMPS! I suffered the worst post-partum hair loss with our son so I am more than prepared to have the same thing happen again this time. Thankfully I'm already prepared with the products I used after my first experience of it so it was about time I let you in on a little secret on how I tackled post-partum hair loss.

Aveda as a brand has been a go-to of mine for years, from their haircare and skincare to their makeup - it has been rare that I've found any product misses so it was inevitable that it would be Aveda to come to the rescue of my hair woes.

Latest in Beauty & Fabulous // The Beauty Heroes Active Ingredients Box

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It's time for another Latest in Beauty collection box and for the first time ever, you'll be able to pick up the Fabulous Active Ingredients Edit. The must-have collection is packed with an abundance of full-size products that will make a serious difference to your beauty routine. Inside, you'll find active formulas that include key ingredients like vitamin A, B & C, salicylic acid, hyaluronic acid and more - it's an absolute treat of a beauty edit! 

With the edit worth £160, you can also explore the very best expertly crafted formulas from brands like Alpha-H and AMELIORATE with potent products that genuinely work hard to transform your skin. PLUS, skincare meets haircare with a brand new launch trio from Charles Worthington that will truly improve the overall health of your hair.

The limited collection will retail at £36.00 and you'll also get 15% if you're a LiB Pro member.

You're not going to want to miss this one...

Pixi Pretties - The NEW collection for 2021

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The time has come for another Pixi Pretties collection and I think this is the one that has totally divided me! Over the years, Pixi has teamed up with some much-loved influencers to release the Pixi Pretties Collections and the latest instalment features four gorgeous makeup palettes. 

Created by Denise, Louise Roe, Promise and Tina Yong have helped co-create each of the palettes alongside Pixi's very own Petra and I can guarantee you're gonna love at least one of them. The must-have collection is available to buy now and here is what you can choose from...

Five Brands NEW on my beauty shelves

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It's been a while since I shared a round-up on some brands and products I've been trying out so I've put together this handy post to dive in with what's been new on my beauty shelves. As I'm coming towards the end of my pregnancy I've been at home more so it has given me the chance to really go through what I'm using on my skin, swap out some products for some new releases and of course, give everything in this post a test run before I give you the lowdown.

I have skincare and haircare pieces to show you all of which are available to order online now or grab in-stores. 

Let me know if you spot anything you've had your eye on!

Need to soothe tired, pregnant feet? You need these four products from Lush Cosmetics

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Pregnancy can be hard on the entire body but I've found with both pregnancies, it is my feet that take the brunt of it, especially towards the end. Thankfully, my feet haven't swollen like they did last time but they've still needed a little rest and recuperation in the evenings and this is where some oh so fabulous products from Lush Cosmetics have really helped. 

There have been four products that have been my go-to and I really would recommend them to any pregnant person if you need to give your tootsies a break. 

It's the perfect excuse to lay back, have a pamper and put your feet up!

BITE Beauty finally arrives in the UK!

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Yes... You heard it right, BITE Beauty has finally landed on our shores and I couldn't be any more excited! Just a few weeks ago, ahead of the launch I had an all-important parcel arrive featuring some of their best selling products so I've been getting stuck in and finally experiencing the brand for myself and boy have I been impressed. 

If you're new to BITE, just like I was - lemme give you a quick background...

The brand began after a need for clean beauty that performs to their (and your) high standards. With bold, look-at-me colour and skin-loving ingredients, BITE Beauty is all about making you look and feel good with no settling necessary. Along with creating inclusive shade ranges, BITE is committed to developing formulas with super-satisfying sensorial experiences that boldly feed your senses through colour, flavour, and texture. It's quite a fascinating brand and I've really enjoyed getting to know the products. 

Five Products from Nourish London you should try

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I've dipped in and out of Nourish London over the years but in recent months and with my skin changing during my pregnancy I paid them a little more attention and well... I should've done it years ago! If you're new to the brand, Nourish London is a British organic skincare company offering scientifically developed, highly effective, organic, vegan & cruelty-free skincare powered by ingredients from nature.

Created by Dr Pauline Hili, a renowned expert in organic skincare with over 30 years of experience, Nourish London are fuelled by a passion for innovation, they combine the highest quality natural ingredients with advanced scientific bio-actives to create award-winning organic skincare for beautiful, healthy skin. All of their naturally active products are creatively conceived and made with love at their own factory in London using only the purest, highest quality, cruelty-free ingredients at their optimum levels ensuring they care for your skin as well as for the planet.

Two NEW products you need to add to your beauty stash from Typology

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Oh hello new products from Typology! There have been a lot of new releases recently and I thought I'd pop the two latest products that have landed into my hands into this post and explain a little more about them - especially as they've fitted into my routine quite flawlessly. 

Plus, anything from Typology and I'm there, as you'll know I've spoken about Typology a few times on here and it's a brand I really enjoy using.

Created by Ning Li, the founder of MADE.com, Typology is completely clean, genderless and 100% digital. The Paris-based skincare brand was founded with a mission to promote critical thinking in the personal care arena, intending to break the rules and demystify the complex industry. It's completely stripped back to basics in terms of ingredients and packaging allowing them to design and produce concentrated, natural products that are active, effective and sustainable without a bit of faff in sight.

It's just really great, faff free skincare and I adore it.

My go-to routine for a blissful slumber

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When it comes to sleep, I've had to work quite hard to find the perfect routine for me especially since having children. At the beginning of the year, sleep evaded me due to my current pregnancy but after looking at ways I could encourage it I feel as though I'm finally coming out the other side. 

I think at times we can really underestimate how much our bodies need to rest and recuperate so implementing little ways to encourage this was exactly what I needed to enhance my physical, mental, and emotional wellbeing. 

As a pharmacy-led health and beauty retailer, Boots was where I started on my 'get to sleep' journey so I've put together my routine within this handy blog post on what helps me to rebalance and refocus for a blissful slumber.

Five Happy Things // July

I feel as though we barely touched on July - it absolutely flew by and here we are in another new month already, even closer to baby and our lives changing. We're very much in a weird lockdown but not lockdown limbo at the moment - as I'm in the later stages of pregnancy and unvaccinated it's a bit riskier for me as cases rise so we're still only dipping our toes in. If we've been out we've stayed as far away from people as we can and we're still wearing masks and being careful. 

To be honest, the mask thing will probably stick with us for some time especially on public transport. It's a shame it's viewed the way it is in western society when it's a sign of respect when ill in eastern society - anyway... that's a conversation for another day! 

We're still making the most of our smalls wins. little memories and happy moments where we can - they don't have to be a huge, momentous thing, they can be just about anything - be it a chocolate bar you treated yourself to or a long walk listening to an audiobook.

So here are five handpicked happy things from our July...

Award-winning skincare for your baby from Weleda

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Deciding on what baby skincare products to use can be a bit of a minefield especially if once baby is here, their skin is super sensitive and reacts easily. We've used a few different brands over the years with our son and tend to stick to Mustela, Aveeno and Weleda for him now he's older so going back to Weleda Baby made sense for our newest addition to the family. 

The 100% certified natural baby ranges have been comprehensively designed to work with all types of babies' skin from normal through to hypersensitive. Each product has been researched by their team of midwives and pharmacists to help support the development of healthy skin - especially as Babies' skin is five times thinner than adult skin and frequently changes according to the environment, developmental stage and health.

Latest in Beauty Style Summer Essentials Edit

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The hotly anticipated Style Summer Essentials Edit has landed at Latest in Beauty and you are gonna have to be quick to snap this beauty up! It sold out in just six days last time and with Fenty, MAC Cosmetics, Aveda, and many more brands included it's gonna be a sure-fire hit with beauty fans.

It's bigger, brighter, and bolder than ever before and FULL of 14 beauty-team-approved products as well as a LiB best-kept secret in the form of a spicy and sultry scent from Ted Baker. The box is worth £265 and is the ultimate edit, with some really incredible products that'll deliver amazing results.

The limited collection will retail at £48.00 and you'll also get 15% if you're a LiB Pro member.

You're not going to want to miss this one...

L'Occitane's Essence of Summer with 4 NEW Verbena limited edition collections

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As Summer rolls around it means it is time to get ready for some tantalising limited edition collections from L'Occitane and they have pulled it out of the bag this year! One of my favourite collections from the French skincare brand is Verbena so I love it when they add a little twist to it. 

If you're unfamiliar with Verbena, it is a citrus green and woody scent - beautifully soothing yet surprisingly energising. Historically, Verbena was found in the south of France but over time hotter countries like Morocco began cultivating it and it died out in Provence. It was L'Occitane's wish to replant and restore the verbena tradition in the region and so Philippe and Magalie Mary, their trusted partners, welcomed the idea and started to cultivate the lemon-scented plant in Jouques (Provence), in a natural green oasis, a sheltered land between the mountains and protected by the Natura 2000 European label.

This season, the brand has created four limited edition ranges of refreshing Verbena textures and scents to explore and so I'm going to show you Verbena Citrus.

The CEW 2021 Beauty Awards // Latest in Beauty

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Who's ready for another beauty box from Latest in Beauty? The CEW 2021 Beauty Awards Edit is celebrating excellence and product innovation within the beauty industry and this exclusive edit is a fab way for you to get to grips with the products too. 

CEW is the biggest professional membership organisation for the Beauty Industry in the UK, with over 1000 members from brands and retailers to manufacturers and influencers. Each year they gather together and vote on the best new beauty launches across thirty-three categories and this year is the 16th anniversary of doing just that. 

The edit gives us a sneak peek at what will be showcased and in September the winners will be announced plus you get to pick nine products to curate your box to exactly your specifications. 

Let me show you mine...

Introducing Skin Academy Zero The 100% Natural & Sustainable Skincare Range now available at Feel Unique

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With Feel Unique being the go-to for all things beauty, it was great to see another skincare brand launching with them recently. Skin Academy Zero is a 100% natural and sustainable skincare range that encourages you to have a positive impact on both your skin and the environment. The range includes simplified ingredients, gentle botanical formulas and sustainable packaging putting your skin and our planet first. 

Skin Academy ZERO prides itself on being a small family owned British brand created and manufactured in the UK. All the formulas are SGS-Certified as 100% natural and designed to care for all skin types using plant based ingredients. 

Also, in celebration of their launch with Feel Unique the skincare brand have collaborated with Ecologi, a global environmental organisation and so for every ZERO product sold on Feel Unique, a tree will be planted - amazing right?!

Three facial sunscreens worth your time

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Finding the most suitable facial sunscreen has taken me years and boy have most of the products available now come on in leaps and bounds! Even just a few years ago I found facial sunscreens heavy, gloopy and oily making them terrible to wear under makeup but with brands such as SOS Serum, Institut Esthederm, Bioderma and YSL leading the way with lighter yet effective sunscreens I don't have that problem as much any more. 

I spoke about SOS Serum SPF 50 earlier in the week but for this post, I wanted to focus on three other sunscreens I have on rotation. I use each of them as much as the next depending on my mood, the foundation I'm wearing that day or if I'm makeup free.