Category:

British Beauty

British Beauty

Budget beauty: Burt’s Bees lip product review

by Lina Clémence
written by Lina Clémence


I often get asked for affordable natural make up recommendations and Burt’s Bees is one of my go to brands for accessible products that won’t break the bank. The brand is widely available across the US and Europe, I can find these products on the high-street and they also have a nice range of shades and finishes. 
*Burt’s Bees Satin Lipsticks (£9.99)- Available in eighteen shades and with a moisturising finish, these lipsticks are 100% natural. I have two of the shades, both wearable for everyday and with a lovely creamy feel. The packaging feels very lightweight and is made of 60% recycled materials. The pigmentation is on the sheerer side but you can build them up if you choose. 



Sunset cruise is a nude with a pink undertone and Blush basin is a nude with a brown undertone. The range also has some gorgeous berries and pinks and I would definitely like to try some of the darker shades to see how they compare. 



*Burt’s Bees Matte Lip crayons (£9.99) – The Lip crayons come in two varieties, matte and gloss and I chose three of the matte colours. I am convinced I actually had four, but I can’t find the fourth, it is probably in a handbag somewhere. These are slightly more pigmented than the Lipsticks and the finish is less shiny although still very comfortable on the lips. I really like how easy these are to apply, they are extremely portable thanks to the crayon format and the packaging is sturdy.

Niagara overlook – A light coral colour, easy to wear, looks best with a slight tan. 
Hawaiian Smoulder – True pink, nice for brightening up an every day look. 
Napa Vineyard – A gorgeous red with blue undertones, gorgeous as a statement lip. 



*Burt’s Bees Lip gloss and *Tinted lip balm 

I also have one of the lip glosses and several of the lip balms. The tinted lip balms are fantastic for everyday wear if you just want a hint of colour and they feel nourishing on the lips thanks to the plant oils, beeswax and lanolin. 


Although all of the products are natural and cruelty free (Currently owned by Clorox a parent company that does test but I double checked with Leaping Bunny and Logical Harmony who both class them as cruelty free) none of the Burt’s Bees lip products are suitable for vegans as they contain beeswax, lanolin and some contain carmine. 


I really like Burt’s Bees for lip products at great prices, the branding and packaging is really lovely. I personally find them to be a nice gateway brand to natural beauty. 


Ana x 



Post contains some PR samples, some products purchased by me and affiliate links (Affiliate links are marked with a *) please see my full disclaimer for details.


0 comments
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail
British Beauty

My Beauty Bay Haul – Look Good, Feel Good! – All Things Aesthetic

by Lina Clémence
written by Lina Clémence


Hi guys! I hope this week has been as good as it can be at the moment. Unfortunately for me, I’ve started displaying a few symptoms and have been pretty under the weather, which is why my post is coming a little later than usual – sorry! Luckily, before I started to feel unwell, I got to try out some new products I ordered from Beauty Bay! While this might not work for everyone, for me personally, getting a little glammed up makes me feel really good about myself, even when in lock down. I’ve spent the past few weeks looking…different…based on the fact I’ve not had to get ready to go anywhere. Now I’m unwell, I’ve reverted back to that look, but before that I had a lot of fun trying out my new products and putting makeup on when I was feeling rubbish! Here’s a little before and after for you:

Being in lock down has meant I’ve managed to save up, so I thought I was due a little pick-me-up! Here are the products used to create this look…

Product 1 – The Brushes

Riiiight so I have just realised I managed to miss one out! Great start…can you tell I’m not quite with it?

Brand? BH Cosmetics
Cruelty free? Yes
Price? £20
Where can I buy? Beauty Bay

The last time I bought myself new brushes was well over a year ago now! This meant that it was time for a change. I know I said I was treating myself, but I didn’t want to go overboard on the price, so I went straight for BH cosmetics, which has always had rave reviews but maintains an affordable price range. This ten piece set includes:

  • 123 Flat Top Buffing Brush – A flat topped, fluffy brush for blending.
  • 124 Tapered Face Blending Brush – A tapered brush designed to sculpt and contour.
  • 125 Tapered Contour Brush – A long bristled tapered brush also for contouring, providing a natural finish.
  • 126 Precision Blush Brush – A fluffy bristled brush created used to apply blush to the cheeks.
  • 127 Angled Face Shader Brush – A thin brush, used to create a chiselled finish to your contour.
  • 128 Small Blending Brush – A small, dense brush, perfect for blending out eye shadows.
  • 129 Small Round Blending Brush – A bristled brush for a soft-focus finish to your eye look.
  • 130 Large Shader Brush – A flat bristled brush created to add colour to your eyelids.
  • 131 Nose Contour Brush – A brush designed to sculpt the sides of the nose for a slimmer appearance.
  • 132 Precision Detailer Brush – A long brush ideal for applying shadow along the lash line.

New makeup brushes always feel great, but these are honestly amazing! I particularly lovely the flat topped brush hand the tapered contour brush, as they made my base makeup look super smooth. I’m also a major fan of the nose contour brush as I am REALLY insecure about my nose, so anything that makes it look smaller is a yes from me. I would definitely advise you to try these brushes if you’re looking for a good brand that won’t break the bank.

Product 2 – The Highlighter

Brand? Beauty Bay
Cruelty free? Yes
Price? £12
Where can I buy? Beauty Bay

I managed to break my Doll Beauty highlighter a few weeks ago, which of course meant it was time for a new one! A palette I’ve wanted to try for a while is the Beauty Bay Brilliance Bouncy Beam highlighter palette as the colours are just insane! This palette is a bargain as you get four highlighters, meaning that they’re technically £3 each. The lighter I used is ‘Radiant’ for contouring my cheeks, ‘Strobe’ for the corner of my eyes and a mix of ‘Charmed’ and ‘Shine Bright’ for contouring my nose, upper cheeks and upper lip. They have a great staying power and the colour transfers so well onto the face – the issue with a lot of highlighters is that they look great, but they are too dusty to display a good colour. They’re also not too OTT but you can build with them. This means you can achieve a natural look or a glam look depending on your mood. My favourite highlighting brush is the NABLA brush which you can buy here for £10.50!

I went for a slightly more natural look here, but I think the highlighter looks fab!

Product 3 – The Lashes

Brand? Doll Beauty
Cruelty free? Unfortunately not 😦
Price? £10
Where can I buy? Beauty Bay

So, I wasn’t actually sure if I wanted to promote these lashes given that they’re not cruelty free, but I will give an honest opinion. They’re nice, and they were a good balance between natural and glam – see the below pic. However, they don’t hold that well and I actually bought them thinking they were cruelty free (the website says it is cruelty free but when I read the lash packaging it said mink hair). If you are interested, I am wearing the ‘Eva’ style, which I do genuinely like. However, they’re pretty expensive and, while good, I would say you can find some better alternatives in the SoSu by Suzanne Jackson, a range you can shop here.

You can actually see where they’ve not taken so well in the corners!

And that’s the end of this week’s post – thank you for reading! If you’re struggling in lock down, or even just in general, feel free to drop me a message or leave a comment. I also would love to hear some suggestions for products to try, so let me know your thoughts!

Have a great Easter weekend, and STAY AT HOME everyone! xxx


0 comments
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail
British Beauty

Skin+Me Review

by Lina Clémence
written by Lina Clémence


It’s been a while since I did a dedicated review to a single skincare product. But this one warrants a moment in the spotlight. Because the results have already really impressed me.

Ad info: post features product provided via PR for review.

First things first..

What is Skin+Me?

Well, I say it’s a single skincare product, but in actual fact it’s more of a service that provides the user with a single product. However that product is customised to really suit that individuals needs. Creating a custom blend of ingredients to meet the skin requirements as outline in the survey you take ahead of signing up.

Who is the service for?

The two ‘main’ issues the range supports are acne and anti-ageing, so if these are things you want to tackle then it could suit you. Also, if you’re someone who is a bit ‘over’ the excessive range of brands and products out there then this single product solution is for you.

Custom products sound expensive right? The subscription costs £19.99 (plus p&p) a month. You sign up and each month you get a delivery of your new prescription. It comes in a recyclable dispenser that you twist until it clicks to dispense the exact amount of product you need each time. There’s a measure on the side so you can keep track of where you are. With the idea being each month gives you the exact amount you need. Helping prevent your products being ineffective due to using either too little or too much product.

skin & me product shot

The review:

I am currently around 5 weeks into using the Skin+Me product. I’ve been itching to sit down and write my thoughts on it since about week two when I had my first ‘woah’ moment of seeing results. Whilst I did update some skincare (mainly cleared out expired products) after having my son in August. It was only in September I decided to add in the serious retinol step, doing so a single product wise to ensure my skin didn’t freak out. The advice from Skin+Me also advises to keep your skincare routine around their product pretty gentle and simple. They share recommendations when you do your custom quiz.

For me, that’s probably been the biggest ‘challenge’, being the beauty junkie I am, I do like to try lots of things and play with product. I usually tend to choose what I use each day depending on how my skin feels or how I feel in myself. So cutting back and just being consistent and using a limited range was not something that comes naturally to me!

My main ‘issues’ to tackle are generally dull skin (thanks lack of sleep due to tiny baby) and general lines and wrinkles. I want to say first signs, but I’m 37 now so probably kidding myself a little bit. My first Skin+Me prescription contained Tretinoin 0.006%, Niacinamide 4% & Azelaic Acid 4%.

This is my first time dipping my toe into using Tretinoin (the prescription grade retinol) and so far I’m pleased to say it’s going well. My skin feels very radiant and glow. There’s a bit of a feeling of ‘tightness’ in my skin. Not in a bad way, it just feels a little taught.

skin & me product shot

The % strength is definitely on the low end, in my second month prescription it increases to 0.009%, the idea being that starting low and increasing gradually allows skin to adapt and reap the benefits without any nasty side effects. Tretinoin/Retinol products are all about cell turnover so can cause some dryness and flaking. I have had some flaking/chapping on my upper lip. I initially thought this was related to a cold. But I now think may be connected to the introduction of tretinoin to my routine. Not a significant issue at all, just something to be aware of.

I’m now into my second month and really pleased with results so far. The picture in this post is an unedited photo taken just two weeks into my trial. Having changed nothing else in my routine (& not wearing any makeup) can really vouch that the smoothness and glow is down to Skin+Me.

The other general thing I like about it is the affordable price and simple routine concept that a decent cleanser, moisturiser (SPF for day) is about all you need. Give or take. So far so good and looking forward to seeing continued results. The only thing that might be a hiccup for me is my attention span and my own little internal niggle of wanting to try new things! Must try to resist and stick with what works!

You can get your first month for free (just pay P&P) with the code: JENNIFET5FK4 on the Skin+Me Website (referral link available to all customers. If you sign up I receive credit on my Skin+Me account).

Ad info: post features product provided via PR for review.


0 comments
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail
British Beauty

Makeup and Beauty Blog Monday Poll, Vol. 883

by Lina Clémence
written by Lina Clémence


This made me laugh so hard! Happy Monday 🙂

So…what is the Monday Poll?

Excellent question! It isn’t, contrary to its name, an actual poll, like with little clicky buttons. It’s just a list of more or less random questions I’ve been posting on this blog every Monday morning for the past quadrillion years (since 2007).

1. Do you care about Labubus?

Nah, I just don’t get the hype.

2. What’s your favorite summer dessert?

Hmm, all of them? If pressed to pick one, then ice cream.

3. Do you have plans for the Fourth of July yet?

Connor will be dancing with her dance team in the town parade, so that’s our main event during the day. We’ll probably do a barbeque at home after the parade. Where we live doesn’t allow fireworks, so we may or may not go looking for a fireworks display. We’ll see how ambitious we’re feeling!

4. How do you feel about maxi dresses?

If it’s in a petite size and the print isn’t too overwhelming, then I’ll rock a maxi dress, for sure.

5. What is the last thing you had to drink?

I’m chugging a huge bottle of cold water as I type this. Oh, and you know what? I don’t know how I made it through the ‘80s and ‘90s because I barely drank any water back then, LOL! I don’t remember feeling awful at the time, but I guess that was due to the magic of being young. Now if I don’t drink massive amounts of water throughout the day I feel it in my body, my brain, my skin, sheesh, even my eyes feel dry if I don’t have enough water, haha!

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

P.S. Here are the questions to copy/paste with your answers in a comment. Talk to ya soon.

1. Do you care about Labubus?
2. What’s your favorite summer dessert?
3. Do you have plans for the Fourth of July yet?
4. How do you feel about maxi dresses?
5. What is the last thing you had to drink?


0 comments
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail
British Beauty

SHOPPING FOR A NEWBORN *UPDATED EDIT* – Lily Pebbles

by Lina Clémence
written by Lina Clémence



Despite being told left, right and centre that newborn babies really don’t need much stuff, it’s impossible not to get sucked into the world of baby shopping and it can be really quite overwhelming! On one hand I know that a newborn doesn’t need all the stuff, but on the other I feel like you only have your first baby once and there’s no harm enjoying that. So I feel like I’ve been somewhere in the middle when it comes to shopping. I’m letting myself enjoy the process and buy a few unnecessary bits just because they’re cute, but I’m also trying to be practical and not go too over the top. In fact one of my tactics has been, instead of asking friends and family what I should be buying, I’ve been asking what was the one thing they bought that they ended up not needing or using. Of course you have to factor in that every baby is totally different and what works for one might not work for another, and that’s something no-one knows until the time comes.

I think it’s quite common for people in the UK to start thinking about shopping after their 20 week scan, so that’s what we did and we didn’t jump in head first, we eased our way in. I started by researching online and chatting to friends and family. Compiling a Google list that Rich and I could both log into and edit helped me get my head around it and stopped me impulse buying every time I saw something cute. In fact we didn’t even go into a shop until I was maybe 23 weeks. I’m aware that a baby doesn’t go into it’s own bedroom right at the beginning, but we didn’t want to be decorating and sorting out a room with a newborn so that’s something we wanted to sort beforehand. I gave Rich some specific jobs so that he could be involved and know exactly how he could help, so he was in charge of researching things like baby monitors, cot mattress and baby slings.

*UPDATE*

Hello, Lily post-baby talking now… I was almost spot-on with all of my purchases, but since actually having a baby myself I’ve learnt so much and I thought I’d update this blog post and share a much more experience based checklist. Of course these are not essentials and everyone’s budget will be totally different, so feel free to adapt the list to what you need. This is just what I send my girlfriends when they ask me, and so I thought I’d make it public! As you’ll see on the checklist there’s an A and a B list, because not everything is needed for the first few weeks when a baby is a newborn. I found it really helpful to do all my research when pregnant and have all my links ready to go for when I needed to make the purchases, but to not buy the items until I needed them and it spread out the costs a bit too.

Click the link below to download my newborn “essentials” checklist. 

NEWBORN SHOPPING LIST

Watch the video where I talk in more detail about the specific products I used and liked below. 

NEWBORN ESSENTIALS VIDEO

SHOP SOME OF MY FAVOURITES HERE

 

Photos by Emma Croman


0 comments
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail
British Beauty

15 Ways to Get Your Camembert Fix This Christmas 

by Lina Clémence
written by Lina Clémence


Christmas won’t be Christmas without any camembert, or so the famous first line in Little Women goes…

This gorgeously gooey baked cheese is a dinner party classic, and for good reason! Whether it’s served as a mini-fondue on a grazing board ready for guests to tuck in with hunks of toasted sourdough, an elite starter flavoured with fresh rosemary and garlic, or the star in show of a picky bits tea, this humble cheese can take the most vanilla of dinner plans and transform them into a festive feast. 

If you’re looking for a way to reinvent the camembert wheel this Christmas, then you’ve landed in the right place because CheeseTok has been good to us this year, inspiring creative recipes aplenty. From truffle-flavoured creations to pigs in blankets pasta wheels and cranberry and camembert pastry twists, consider this the only inspo you need to make sure you take the crown for hostess with the mostest this Christmas. 

Baked Camembert With Honey & Chilli

A classic throw-in-the-oven, minimal effort dish is a busy hostess’s best friend, and this chilli and honey baked camembert is as 10/10 delicious as it is easy. Simply score your camembert, add some sprigs of rosemary and drizzle with honey and chilli flakes before baking, and prepare to wow. Serve with toasted sourdough, crackers or a slice of fluffy focaccia and enjoy the most moreish starter you’ll be thinking about for days afterwards. Find the recipe on Lindsey’s website here.

Camembert Sandwich

The sandwich of all sandwiches, consider this the most elite lunch choice you can make throughout the festive season. Melted between a toasted crusty loaf or bagel, this summery take on a Christmas classic features strawberries, blueberries and a generous drizzle of balsamic glaze that’s sure to have your tastebuds dancing. 

Caramelised Camembert Potato Fondue

If there were two things in this world that we simply never tire of, let it be known it’s cheese and potatoes. This god tier recipe is one that combines the best bits of both, with a base of caramelised onions and creamy mash, topped with half a camembert, sprigs of rosemary, cloves of garlic and a drizzle of honey for the perfect mix of sweetness and tanginess. A guaranteed crowd-pleaser, make sure it’s placed at your end of the table at dinner…

Truffle Baked Camembert Cheese

Elevate your camembert with a shaved truffle finish (*chef’s kiss*) and the most elite means of taking a traditional Christmas starter from predictable to perfection. Made all the better by the addition of a generous portion of confit garlic, this dish is one of few ingredients but guaranteed to have your guests requesting it time and time again. 

Camembert Spaghetti

Two words. Camembert Spaghetti- we’re sold. Once again made all the more delicious by the addition of copious amounts of garlic, this creamy spaghetti dish is comfort food central and one that’s perfect for December when your fridge is packed with an eclectic mix of ingredients that don’t exactly make a cohesive meal. With minimal ingredients, this pasta dish feels like a step up from your go-to pesto pasta with all the same comforting qualities. Midweek dinners just got all the more delicious. 

Camembert Croissant Sandwich

Sweet and savoury marry perfectly in this croissant sandwich, stepping up from the classic cheddar and ham filling with a combination that’s sure to become a staple of your festive brunch menus. With a generous jam base, melted camembert middle and chopped walnut topping, the mix of textures and flavours elevate this breakfast choice and make it the perfect Christmas morning combination that’s guaranteed to impress the in-laws. 

Pesto Baked Camembert

Speaking of pesto, this baked camembert with twisted pesto pastry is a tear and share dream, creating the perfect centrepiece for Boxing Day ‘picky bits’ in a way that wows. To make it even easier, purchase pre-rolled pastry and simply cut and twist in an impressive but surprisingly easy to replicate design, and hey presto (or should we say pesto?), you’ve created a God tier recipe in less than 10 minutes. Experiment with sundried tomato or spiced pestos for a warming kick and enjoy in front of your seventh re-run of The Holiday of the festive season. 

Chipotle Honey Baked Camembert

Realistically cheese goes well with most things, but add a little chipotle sauce, fresh spring onions and a generous dose of honey and you may well have just created food heaven. With the perfect warming kick for a cold and crisp winter’s day, pair this spiced and saucy camembert with an equally delicious crusty loaf and prepare to welcome in your new foodie obsession. 

Rosemary and Garlic Camembert with Fluffy Bread Balls 

If your dreams are often consumed by Pizza Express’ dreamy dough balls (same), look no further than this recipe for an at-home version of their doughy dynamic but bigger and better. With a honey and rosemary roasted camembert at the centre of this delicious sharing showstopper, take a dreamy December afternoon to prepare a batch of these fluffy and moreish bread rolls (it’s easier than you think) and enjoy them with a delightfully cheesy centrepiece or with a leftover Turkey and stuffing filling too. Bellissimo!  

Super Easy Garlic Camembert Boat

Christmas calls for cheese and carbs on the hour every hour, and what better way to honour that tradition than with a camembert baked tiger bloomer? Stuffed with not one but two baked camembert rounds for double the joy and drizzled in oozy garlic rosemary butter, it’s a yuletide delicacy sure to please the crowds. And there’s no danger of any vampires coming anywhere near you – it’s a win win.

Camembert & Cranberry Twists

Want a bit of crunch with your camembert? Enter camembert and cranberry twists, baked to perfection and ready to share ‘n’ tear in 20 minutes flat. To make, simply roll out your Jus-Rol pastry and cut into two circles. Spread your first circle with a generous layer of spicy cranberry sauce, place your camembert wheel in the middle and then place your second layer of pastry over the top. Seal the edges with a fork to secure the layers and cut slices into the pastry ready to make your twists. Beat one egg and egg wash the whole pastry. Once complete, twist each of your sections into place and bake for 20 minutes until golden. 

Cut the top off the top ready for dipping and dig in! Praise be, PastryTok. If you fancy adding a side of ‘health’, serve alongside a portion of crunchy crudités for a fresh palate cleanser between the puff pastry. 

Camembert Baked Potato

If there’s one woman who never fails to come *through* with those convenient 10/10 recipes, it’s Poppy. Take your week-night Jacky P dinner and make it festive with this cheesy, caramelised red onion dreamboat, studded with garlic and seasoned to perfection. Yes. Please.

Pigs In Blankets Camembert Pasta Wheels

Meet the holiday hybrid we didn’t know we needed. Pigs in blankets are a firm favourite at Christmas time so combining them with cheese and carbs is nothing short of culinary genius. Plate it up and shovel it into your merry mouth at your earliest convenience.  Merry dirty dinner December, one and all. 

Honey & Camembert On Ciabatta 

For all the times you’re craving a Pret-level Christmas sarnie but cba to venture outside, consider this honey and cam ciabatta your lazy work-from-home lunch of dreams. Winter warmer? Completed it pal. 

Camembert Wagyu Burger

For a holly, jolly Christmas look no further than this deep fried camembert wheel. This mammoth C-Bert creation is not for the faint of heart as it calls for an entire wheel of cheese, sandwiched between layers of caramelised onion and a wagyu burger. Admittedly, there’s a lot going on but if you’re B-I-G on cheese, then this maximalist meat feast is as God-tier as it gets. Note to self: there’s no way to eat this gracefully, so prepare to have a cheese-coated soul at the end of this . Villain mode: activated. 




0 comments
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail
British Beauty

What Does Heat Damaged Hair Look Like?

by Lina Clémence
written by Lina Clémence


We all know how we get heat damaged hair, but what does heat damaged hair look like? How can you tell if your hair is showing signs of heat damage, and what can we do with heat damaged hair? I’m going to explain all about heat damaged hair, so keep on reading to find out more…

What Does Heat Damaged Hair Look Like?

Why Do Hot Hair Tools Cause Heat Damage?

All hot hair tools (like hair straighteners and curling irons) can cause heat damage. When you’re using them, you’re exposing your hair to high temperatures, and it’s these temperatures that strip moisture from the hair.

Damages usually happens when your protective cuticle layer is lifted, as this ends up causing brittleness and breakage.

Keratin proteins inside your hair strands’ structure is affected by extreme heat, and this causes a reduction in elasticity and strength.

When it comes to the temperature that can cause damage, even temperatures as low as 300°F (149°C) can cause significant hair damage.

Using heat tools on your hair frequently, without using heat protection products will make your hair more porous, and this will then make your hair more vulnerable to environmental damage.

As your hair’s cuticle layer is affected, it can make you hair less smooth, making your hair more dull and frizzy too, which will make it difficult to style.

What Does Heat Damaged Hair Look Like?

Heat damaged hair has multiple signs, with the most obvious being split ends, with strands splitting into multiple directions. The split ends will make your hair more prone to damage, and it’ll become harder to style.

You’ll notice more tangles and knots, and the texture will feel rough and frizzy, giving you lots of flyaways.

An increase in the hair’s porosity leads to uneven moisture retention, so it’ll be dry and fragile. 

Tips To Prevent Your Hair Getting Heat Damage

Tips To Prevent Your Hair Getting Heat Damage

Limit the use of heat styling tools as much as you can, using heat-free styling methods when you can, to reduce the amount of heat tools usage.

If you *have* to use heat tools, always use a heat protection spray, as this will give you a protective barrier, and your hair will be less likely to be damaged from the high temperatures. 

Using high quality hot tools will potentially prevent the worst heat damage, as they tend to have adjustable heat settings, so you can choose lower temperatures to prevent unnecessary hair damage. 

Can You Fix Heat Damaged Hair?

Ultimately, we can’t get rid of heat damage or split ends. All we can do is cut the damage out of our hair, but we can do steps to make hair look better.

Ensure you use super hydrating haircare products containing peptides and amino acids, as they’ll help repair damage and add moisture. 

Make sure you book regular haircuts to trim off the split ends, so they don’t break up further up the hair shaft. This will also encourage healthier growth. 

Use bond-building haircare products, to strengthen your hair, and rebuild its internal structure, and where possible, use heat-free styling options to prevent potential damage.


0 comments
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail
British Beauty

How to Update Your Home for Spring

by Lina Clémence
written by Lina Clémence


As the days grow longer and our spring bulbs begin to bloom, it’s the perfect time to refresh your home for spring. Updating your home for spring doesn’t have to be complicated or expensive; a few simple updates can bring in light, colour, and a fresh feeling that reflects the beauty of the season. Here are some easy ways to give your space a spring makeover!

 

Declutter and Deep Clean

Spring is synonymous with renewal, making it the ideal time to declutter and deep clean your home. I’d recommend decluttering bit by bit; tackling one area at a time, such as tackling your pantry cupboard on a Saturday morning, taking a break then tackling your beauty products in the afternoon. You could also pack away any winter decor, take unwanted items to a local charity shop, and give your home a thorough cleaning. Open all of your windows and doors to let in fresh air and natural light while you work!

 

Bring the Outdoors in

Embrace nature by incorporating fresh flowers and greenery within your home. Whether it’s a bouquet of tulips on the dining table, some freshly potted spring bulbs dotted around your living room or a potted shrub on your hallway table, bringing nature into your home instantly breathes life into a space. If you have any house plants, now could be a good time to give them a refresh too – move them into a larger pot if needed, refresh their compost so they have plenty of nutrients, and trim any dead or infected leaves.

 


 

Update Your Decor

Introduce bright and cheerful colours into your home by swapping out your homeware such as cushion covers, vases, artwork and crockery. Small decor swaps can make a big impact! Try to incorporate decorative accents in light and bright spring shades such as butter yellow, green, or pale pink.

Don’t underestimate the impact of swapping out your cushion covers; trading heavy materials in dark colours to light fabrics such as linen in a paler colour can be all your living room needs to feel fresher. This switch can be very inexpensive, plus storing a spare set of cushion covers should be easy, even if you’re tight on storage space.

Switch out Your Home Scents

If you’ve still got winter candles dotted around your home, filling the air with scents such as orange, cinnamon and clove,  try updating your candle and diffuser scents to something fresher, perhaps involving citrus scents and delicate florals. If you have an essential oil diffuser, like my fantastic diffuser from Aromatherapy Associates, switch out the essential oils you’re using, choosing more spring-like scents.

 


 


0 comments
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail
British Beauty

Flowers FLORA Exhibition 2025 Saatchi Gallery

by Lina Clémence
written by Lina Clémence


FLOWERS – Flora In Contemporary Art & Culture is an exhibition currently running at the Saatchi Gallery and I thought it would be the perfect way to enjoy an afternoon as we step into Spring in London.

Flowers are part of our everyday lives, whether we’re welcoming a new life, mourning a loss, or celebrating love, they’re always there. We give them to our partners, family, and friends, displaying them at weddings, offering them as symbols of good luck or congratulations, and using them to spread joy and hope. It seems that every milestone in our lives is marked by flowers, each one a powerful symbol of meaning.

The exhibition focuses on flowers as inspiration in the art world, whether that is through the form of paint, photography, fashion, film or music, they are an intricate part of our being.

Schiaparelli-Daniel-Roseberry-Wedding-Dress-2024JPG
Saatchi-Gallery-Flowers-Flora-Exhibition-7
Vivienne-Westwood-Andreas-Kronthaler-AW20:21
Vivienne-Westwood-Andreas-Kronthaler-AW21:22
Saatchi-Gallery-Flowers-Flora-Exhibition
Sandro-Botticelli-Primavera
Amy-Sheldon-Herald-Of-Spring
Saatchi-Gallery-Flowers-Flora-Exhibition-6
Saatchi-Gallery-Flowers-Flora-Exhibition-1
Saatchi-Gallery-Flowers-Flora-Exhibition-2025
Nick-Knight-Rose-I
Saatchi-Gallery-Flowers-Flora-Exhibition-3
Saatchi-Gallery-Flowers-Flora-Exhibition-4
Saatchi-Gallery-Flowers-Flora-Exhibition-5
Mary-Quant
Saatchi-Gallery-Flowers-Flora-Exhibition-12
Saatchi-Gallery-Flowers-Flora-Exhibition-13
Saatchi-Gallery-Flowers-Flora-Exhibition-14
Saatchi-Gallery-Flowers-Flora-Exhibition-10
Saatchi-Gallery-Flowers-Flora-Exhibition-15
Jean-Baptiste-Bosschaert-Still-Life-With-Flowers
Takashi-Murakami
Tim-Walker-Pastel-Cats
Heath-Kane
Saatchi-Gallery-Flowers-Flora-Exhibition-11
Jeff-Koons
Saatchi-Gallery-Flowers-Flora-Exhibition-2
Saatchi-Gallery-Flowers-Flora-Exhibition-9
Saatchi-Gallery-Flowers-Flora-Exhibition-8

This post may contain affiliate links, meaning when you click the links and make a purchase, we can receive a commission. 


0 comments
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail
British Beauty

Friday Treat : The Dress Five Ways

by Lina Clémence
written by Lina Clémence


You know those heavy and heady sunny days where every single item of clothing feels too much on your skin? This dress – in five options – from H&M is the least amount of clothes you can decently wear (add bra and knickers as your own preference) and be seen in public. It’s this same dress that can take you to Tesco to stock up on ice as well as it can take you to the shore to dip your toes in the sea.

In a blend of 81% viscose and 19% polyamide, it’s going to catch any welcome wisp of a breeze and look gently floaty. The frills are dropped so the effect will be sleek and streamlined rather than puffy.

Personally, the blue option is my favourite – I think I might, if it’s not one of those stifling city days, wear a racer back white t-shirt underneath. Otherwise, I’ll just be flopping about in the garden with Dora seeking shade and drinking the coldest drink I can find.

For £27.99, in sizes XS to 4XL I feel like it’s an absolute snip – don’t forget if it’s too long you can fray the hem which would look great with flip flops and a bright orange/red polish on your toes. A wide brimmed hat, a pair of sunglasses and a glass of rose are the only accessories to consider. It’s HERE. I am wearing a size M (no bra and my yoga tracky bottoms underneath – reason 8,550 why I’m not a fashion influencer) – I’m 5ft 3 so you can see the length is fine and it’s adjustable at the straps – I think this dress can finish anywhere and still look ok. My bust size is a D and if I’d had more time I would have tried on the L as well for a bit more of a streamlined fall.


0 comments
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail