February Beauty Favourites

How to Stop Dating Someone

This year I started properly “dating” for the first time. When I say this, what I mean is that I’ve started going on lots of first dates with new people – many of whom I find myself not wanting to see for a second time. 

Hey! It happens. You find a potential boyfriend/girlfriend candidate who really wows you on paper, but then when you meet in person you just don’t get those butterflies. Or, maybe you end up going on a couple of dates but then start to find yourself not looking forward to seeing the person again. In either of these scenarios I would seriously advise stopping the dating-train. Honestly, hop off, ASAP!

Life is way too short to endure the company of a relative stranger. It doesn’t matter how bored or lonely you might think you are, it isn’t worth it. Plus, at the end of the day, you’re not only wasting your time but you’re wasting the time of a perfectly decent person who by no fault of their own just isn’t "doing it” for you.

It is at this point that I’m going to give you the most salient piece of dating advice that I’ve ever received: when you reject the person you’re dating it is important for their sake that you’re kind, but for your sake it’s also really important that you’re honest.

If you’re an ambitious young person – or if you’re not quite there yet, but have ever hope of growing into ambition – then many times in you’re lifetime you’re going to find yourself in the position where you have to put yourself first. You will find yourself in charge of rejecting people, as part of both your personal life and your professional life. You will have to turn down social events, friendships, relationships and, one day, you may even be in charge of firing someone.

Learning to manage this element of life is incredibly important and it is also divisive. There is a stark difference between those who can communicate a rejection honestly without offending and those who rely on excuses and lies.

When it comes to dating (or the end of any relationship more generally) I have learnt first hand that managing the end with dignity and maturity can completely revolutionize the experience of a rejection or break-up. However, more importantly, it also sets you up with good patterns of behavior that will make so many future life experiences easier and less stressful.

Instead of saying that you’re no-longer interested in a relationship (when you actually really very much are), why not tell the person that you’re seeing that you acknowledge their virtues but that you just don’t see “a romantic future” with them. I tried out this approach with a boy with whom I’d been on two dates and he replied with an equally polite and mature response. We left things entirely drama-free, but more importantly entirely guilt-free because there were no un-truths involved.

So, to go back to the title of this piece, the best way to stop dating someone is to tell them kindly and honestly that you want to stop dating them. Be brave and approach things head on. It will get easier every single time and then one day “being brave” will feel exactly the same as being yourself.

Kosmea Daily Facial Exfoliant Review

This year I've really upped my skincare game, but one product that I always struggle to find is a good facial exfoliater that'll work on my sensitive combination skin. However, I started using Kosmea's Daily Facial Exfoliant* at the beginning of the month and it has seriously, seriously impressed me. It's completely different from the manual exfoliaters that I've used in the past as it doesn't contain any large or harsh exfoliating particles. Kosmea's Daily Facial Exfoliant has a medium-thick, creamy texture (see image below) and is packed full of crushed camomile followers and very finely ground rose hips which very gently exfoliate your skin. I find that it does leave my skin feeling smoother and softer, but most importantly it isn't left looking red or feeling tight and dry.

It's very comfortable to massage the product into your skin and it's thick enough to be able to sit on the skin without slipping off and creating a mess. Indeed, on the packaging it indicates that you can also use Kosmea's Daily Facial Exfoliant as a face mask by massaging it into your skin before leaving it on your skin for about five minutes. As this exfoliater contains kaolin and rice flower (which both draw out skin impurities to improve skin clarity) I can see this being a great option for oily or blemished skin. 

Kosmea is definitely a luxury brand and their Daily Facial Exfoliant isn't "cheap". However, the high quality ingredients speak for themselves and I've found it a wonderful addition to my routine as I have a  difficult skin-type that many exfoliating products don't cater towards. I think that it would work really well for those who have combination, oily or sensitive skin, and if you'd like to try it for yourself then you can find it on MyPure where it's currently on offer (along with free delivery and many free gifts with purchases over £30).

Which exfoliating product(s) are you currently using?

Attending London Fashion Week as a Non-Fashionista

Last Friday, I was given the incredible opportunity to attend Felder Felder’s London Fashion Week show by a brand called Nailberry – whose nail polishes where being used in the show. Personally, I found it simultaneously wonderful and nerve wracking!

I’ve never considered myself “fashionable”. As a teenager, I grew up passing through one awkward stage to another – the photographs make me cringe. At university my tastes definitely developed and matured, but to this day I am still not what you might call trendy.

I’m not usually unconfident about my style, and certainly on a day-to-day basis I like how I dress. However, when you’re suddenly invited to an event that is entirely fashion-oriented, that is connected with the very creation of the trends from which I feel disconnected, well, that is when I start feel less than confident!

But you know what – it was all okay in the end, more than okay even. When I met up with my friend Charlie and headed towards the venue I just decided to enjoy myself. It isn’t always so simple, but sometimes excitement can just entirely override nerves. Rather than feeling intimated, I came to enjoy the sight of all the weird and wonderful outfits that people were wearing. It was a fascinating insight into a world that I generally tip-toe around.

The show itself was a fantastic insight into the “fashion world”. First off, it was great to see the venue and the layout – and then came the incredible clothes, the beautiful models and the realization that fashion week is an incredibly complex and creative enterprise. The energy was contagious, and I left the show positively buzzing.

I’m not a fashion blogger, or even a fashion-oriented person, but I can and do appreciate the energy I felt last Friday. It was a real privilege to attend the show and the whole experience really inspired me – and I’d like to think that this is the real point behind any and all creative endeavours.

This episode has taught to seize opportunities even when at first glance they appear a little bit scary. I could never have predicted how much I would enjoy myself at London Fashion Week, and to think I might have denied myself that because I was worrying about what I would wear! Lesson learnt - life’s just too short for nonsense like that.

My Haircare Reshuffle

Spring Makeup: Lipstick Picks

Spring may not have officially yet sprung, but I've been changing up the contents of my makeup bag to include some more spring beauty picks. Today I'm sharing some of the lipsticks that I'm going to be reaching for over the coming weeks and months. I've tried to share a variety of colours because when it comes to lipstick I really do like to experiment! 

Topshop Lipstick in Whimsical

I consider Topshop's Whimsical to be somewhat of a beauty-blogging "classic". I saw so much of this lipstick when I first started blogging and when I finally bought it I found it so hard to wear! It's an incredibly pastel, retro coral-pink, and with some serious motivation it can look stunning. I think it's a gorgeous shade for the spring as it works well with minimal makeup as you can make your lips the real focus of your look. I think it would work well with RMK's Vintage Candy Cheeks Blush in 04* and a some heavy eyeliner. It definitely won't be to everyone's tastes but I for one am going to be wearing it out in the coming weeks and months!

Maybelline Colour Drama Velvet Lip Pencil in Nude Perfection

Nude Perfection looks like an incredibly dark nude in my swatch (especially compared to the bright colours surrounding it) but I actually find that it's a very easy-to-wear daytime nude. It's definitely has a bit of that 90's nude-lip trend going for it, but the formula is quite thick and matte which I think looks better on my lips than creamier lipsticks in the same shade. I also think that Maybelline's Colour Drama Velvet Lip Pencils last really well for such affordable lipsticks and they're quite easy to top-up as you can get away with really layering them up. All in all, I think it's a great purse-friendly option if you want to rock a dark-nude/neutral lip this spring.

Yves Rocher Moisturizing Cream Lipstick in Amethyste*

Oh yes! Now this is my sort of bold colour. It's a hot-pink raspberry (not at all amethyst-y) that doesn't just draw attention, it demands it. The formula of Yves Rocher's Mositurizing Cream Lipsticks is really thick and creamy and they apply like a dream. They don't really slip either, and if you can be bothered with lip liners then you'll find that you can get yourself quite a long-lasting finish. My only gripe with the range is that I don't find the colour chart on Yves Rocher's website terribly accurate so if you do decide to invest in any for yourself then I'd highly recommend googling swatches. Amethyste was actually one of Yves Rocher's winter lipstick picks but I spent the last few months obsessed with red lips so I never reached for it. However, coupled with either a shimmering neutral eye (courtesy of either  Bare Minerals Eyeshadow Palette in The Top Shelf, or Urban Decay's Naked 3 Palette) I can see myself wearing this a lot.

Wild About Beauty Lipstick in Cherrie*

I've spoken about Cherrie before on my blog and posted lip swatches. It's another "winter" lipstick that I a) don't want to let go of, and b) I think works really well across the seasons. It's an incredibly bright red with just a slight orange tone. The formula is sheer-to-medium and you can either wear it as a sheer wash of red - which I think I prefer - or you can really layer-up for an incredibly bright lip. I like to add this into my "everyday" makeup when I want to look immediately more polished. There's nothing like a red lip to just give your makeup that little extra oomph and I quite like the sheer formula - I also find it so much easier to apply than heavy matte lips! No lip liner is really needed and you can really smudge it into your lips for a glossy, rosy finish. Obviously it depends on what lipsticks you like, but I'm looking forward to wearing Cherrie more over the next couple of months!


This post is actually the second in a four-part series so if you'd like to catch up on what you've missed then do check out my post on my Spring Blusher Picks! And let me know what sort of lipsticks you like to wear during the spring time, especially if you have anything you'd like to recommend :)

FOTD: Playing With New Makeup

Spring Makeup: Blushing Beauties

(clockwise/left to right: Kevyn Aucoin, NYX, RMK, Mac)

This is the first in what is going to be my spring makeup mini-series - where I share the new beauty products in my collection that I think work perfectly for fresh-faced spring make-up looks. I'm kicking it off with spring blushes and I thought I'd share the range of shades that I'll be reaching for a lot in the coming weeks.

Kevyn Aucoin Creamy Glow in Liquifuchsia*

I thought I'd kick things off with a punchy pink! At first glance Liquifuchsia is a quite an intimidating shade, it's a bright, bright fuchsia but it comes in a seriously gorgeous cream formula that sets down into just a slightly powdery finish. This means that you get all the blendability of a cream product and you can really sheer the colour out until you're happy with the finish. However, you also find that it lasts really, really well and doesn't slip, slide or transfer anywhere that you don't want it. I find that if I buff or stipple this blush slightly higher on my cheeks than I normally would, the finished effect is a really bright, fresh-faced look. You don't even really notice the colour either, as the pink-glow it offers isn't at all stark after a bit of blending. In short, I am in love with the formula of Kevyn Aucoin's Creamy Glows and I think that its price is entirely justified. I also find that it works quite well as a lip colour (I shared a photo on twitter of me wearing it) so I might justify getting another shade on the basis that they're a great multi-tasking product.

NYX Cream Blush in Tickled

I picked this up whilst I was in Greece and it's actually my first NYX Blush. Tickled is a gorgeous shimmering coral colour that reminds me of Sleek's Powder Blush in Rose Gold and Nars' Powder Blush in Orgasm/Super Orgasm - they all have that pretty, shimmery thing going on for them that just makes your cheeks glow. I find the formula of Tickled really thin and sheer (much sheerer than the higher end cream blushes I'm used to), however, this means that you can really build the colour up to the exact finish you want. You won't ever overdo it and end up looking like a doll. It's really easy to apply and blend and the finished look is incredibly brightening and pretty. This is a great budget option and I'm really glad I have it in my collection, I'd definitely like to try more of these blushes in the future.

RMK's Vintage Candy Cheeks Blush in 04*

In comparison to the other blushes I've swatched you might think that RMK's Vintage Candy Cheeks Blush isn't quite as pretty or enticing. However, on my cheeks it does something really special to the way my face looks. It effortlessly adds shape, colour and definition - as well as helping to reduce the natural red-tone of my "english rose" cheeks. Not only do I find the packaging adorable but the colour is sophisticated without being ageing. If you want simple, everyday makeup that's easy to apply and will leave you looking fabulous every time then RMK's Vintage Candy Cheeks Blushes are the one to go for. I like pairing it with a minimal, glossy lip and big winged-out black eyeliner - simple maybe, but oh so chic.

Mac Cremeblend Blush in Brit Wit

I chose Mac's Brit Wit as a Christmas present as I was charmed by the elegance and simplicity of a neutral-pink blush. I thought it would be an easy and natural looking way to add some shape to my face without over-loading it with colour - especially as red-lipsticks been my obsession for the last two months! I was entirely right. Brit Wit is a gorgeous shade and the formula of Mac's Cremeblend Blushes is really nice - it's not as sheer as NYX, and less powdery than Kevyn Aucoin. It reminds me of a cross between Illamasqua's Cream Blushes and Stila's Convertible Colours - not as thick as Stila and not as thin and slippery as Illamasqua. Basically, it's a gorgeous formula that's easy to blend, lasts just long enough (especially if you add a bit of translucent powder) and acts as a perfect "finisher" to any makeup look featuring bold, bright colours on the eyes or lips.

Do you like the shades I chose - which of them is your favourite? 

What blushers will you be reaching for this spring?

RMK's "Vintage Sweets" Spring 2015 Collection (AKA My Valentine's Crush)

A couple of weeks ago I was very kindly invited to celebrate the launch of RMK's Spring Beauty Collection - "Vintage Sweets" - at RMK's Selfridges counter. I was able to see all of the new collection in person, as well as some of RMK's permanent makeup and skincare collection. First, I was offered a facial in which my makeup was removed using RMK's Cleansing Balm - an absolutely gorgeous rose-scented cleanser that left my skin feeling incredibly soft. Once my makeup was completely removed, my skin was prepped and I was then given a makeover by RMK's Senior Makeup Artist, Tatsuya Kaneko (pictured above).

All I can say was that he was simply incredible at his job - identifying all the right products for my skin and applying them absolutely flawlessly. I was shown how to quickly and easily reduce the look of redness in my skin (which is one of my longstanding skin "issues") and then we had a play around with which of the Vintage Sweets Collection would really suit me. It was settled that I would have a grey smokey eye coupled with a subtle pop of colour on my cheeks and a glossy nude lip. I adored the finished look and RMK very kindly agreed to send me some of the collection so I could recreate it for myself at home.

Two of my favourite products from the Vintage Sweets Collection are the double ended mascaras. They come with top and bottom lash brushes in two different colours. I chose Shade 04 (blue and pink) because I saw in person how nice the combination looked. However, they also had options with black and brown so that you could take advantage of a high-end mascara that you could wear to work and then you could add a pop of colour to your lower lashes in the evening. I found that the mascaras gave incredible length and they held a curl really, really well. I've been left knowing that I'll be investing in RMK's mascaras again in the future as they're entirely worth their high-end price tag. 

The other product that I really love is the Drop Gloss in shade 04 (Butterscotch). Not only is the packaging really eye catching - and apparently the swirl will stay in place even after many uses - but it smells exactly like Butterscotch, incredibly sweet. There are four shades in the range, each one has a different name and a scent to match. I've also tried the shade 'Cassis' and that had a much lighter scent and a very pretty pale pink tint. Butterscotch, on the other hand, has a sheer dark-nude tint that's very easy to wear and incredibly glossy.

top to bottom: Sweet Sugar Eyes in Sugar Gray, Vintage Candy Cheeks in 04 (Mocha Brown) and Vintage Sweets Face Colour in 02.

I really can't stress how much I love this collection - everything looks gorgeous and the products all work brilliantly together. I'm aware that I haven't provided swatches but I will be featuring all these products in upcoming makeup looks and beauty posts so keep your eyes peeled for those - along with some tips on how to apply these products to make the most of the collection! 

Whilst I'm at it I'd like to wish you all a very happy Valentine's Day! I hope you've enjoyed this post and do keep your eyes peeled for more on RMK coming up soon - this collection is just stunning and it's my real pleasure to be able to share it with you all.

My Valentine's Day Roses

Tom Reviews: Latherly Shower Experience & BRYT Hair & Body Wash for Him

Hello! It's Tom again - you might remember me from my last guest post, or from some of Angelica's out-and-about in London lifestyle posts in which I quite often get featured! In today's post I’m going to be sharing my thoughts on two quite different men’s shower wash products that I have been fortunate enough to try out for the last month. 

The first, BRYT Skincare’s Hair and Body Wash for Him* (200ml, RRP. £13.99) is a thoroughly premium product that I have been excited to try ever since I first saw its smart and colourful packaging. As with the Gentle Man range I reviewed last time, each product is boxed exquisitely, and a pleasing synergy is maintained between BRYT’s men’s and women’s ranges, with each item featuring an alternately coloured spin on the brand’s circular motif. Therefore, BRYT’s men’s and women’s ranges appear as sublime in a bathroom shared between the sexes as they do huddled together on a store shelf. Despite the kaleidoscopic packaging, BRYT Hair and Body Wash has a masculine fragrance, though this aroma is certainly not overpowering, and didn’t contribute to aggravating my (at times) sensitive skin. It is worth noting here that the BRYT range is free from artificial colours, petrochemicals, parabens and sulphates, removing of the guesswork of choosing suitable products for my awkward skin. In the shower, BRYT performs well on skin and in hair, spreading nicely. In fact I’m unaccustomed to putting anything other than shampoo and conditioner in my hair, but found that BRYT left it feeling soft and clean, and washed out with ease. The clincher for me is that the entire range is made in Great Britain, which is fantastic.

I've also been testing out Latherly's Shower Experience* (200ml, RRP. £4.99), which I enjoyed and found to be a very interesting product, one really unlike anything I have previously used when showering.  Packaged as an aerosol (though Latherly’s Bag On Value dispensing systes keeps the ingredients segregated from the propellant), a spray of Latherly produces a gel that quickly and seamlessly foams up in your hands, ready to use. It is a novel sensation, like having a bubble bath in your shower (especially if you use a little bit too much!). Bearing a mildly sweet unisex fragrance, Latherly Shower Experience is intended for use by both men and women, a fact reflected in the stylish visual design of the product, which splashes teal shapes and writing against a cool matte white background. As someone known for ‘borrowing’ the funky products of my female friends, the fact that such an interesting product is officially sanctioned for male purchase and use is great! Furthermore, Latherly is reasonably priced and, being well within my typical budget, presents good value for such a premium-feeling and (most importantly) a sensitive skin-friendly experience. 

BRYT Skincare and Beauty Crowd were kind enough to send these products over for review purposes. You can purchase BRYT Hair and Body Wash for Him* (200ml) from www.brytskincare.co.uk (alternatively it is also available in some Waitrose stores) for £13.99, and Latherly Shower Experience* (200ml) from www.beautycrowd.com for £4.99.

Introducing Narynda Skincare