FASHION - Summer Layering

This ever-changing weather leaves me struggling with what to wear.  Cooler mornings turn into warm afternoons and the only solution seems to be layering.  Lightweight knitwear and sweaters are ideal for throwing on over cotton shirts and camisoles to avoid feeling the morning chill.  Pretty pastel colours and feminine details give them a romantic, etherial feel that work perfectly for these early Summer days.

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Pink Pearl Knit / SHEIN - £15.99

Shop a few more of my summer knitwear favourites below:

 Grey Cocoon Cardigan / SHEIN - £15.99

Wrap sweater / SHEIN - £12.97

Bardot Fitted Sweater / SHEIN - £8.99

BEAUTY - My weekend make-up routine

I used to love spending my mornings dabbling with products before work.  Taking time to layer up  until I looked adequately groomed was a joy.  Then the baby arrived and mornings disappeared in a muddle of nappy changes and cereal fights.  Since then speed has become a priority and I have refined what was my simple weekend make-up regime to use for every day.  I can look fresh faced in under five minutes. 

This speedy masterclass is due to a few products that really do what they say on the tin and I've been wanting to fill you in on them for a while now.  Here are the products I couldn't live without and my tips and tricks for a stress free make-up morning.

IT'S ALL ABOUT THE BASE

Keeping a small make-up bag in a room that I can occupy baby in is simple but makes all the difference.  It takes twice as long when she is pulling products off my dressing table and I'm having to watch what she is up to.

A hydrated face is key before beginning.  Following a swift cleanse and a dap of serum and moisturiser (see what I'm currently using here ) I use a pea sized amount of this life changing studio face and body foundation by Mac.  This lightweight, buildable colour feels hydrating, cooling and smells amazing.  I apply with a foundation brush and it glides on with no streaks and minimal blending needed.  For a natural look just apply thinly or in selected areas or layer up for a more 'done' look.  It lasts ALL day and I never feel the need to top up.  I'm using shade N2.

For those days when the eye bags are taking over I use my Kiko Colour Correct palette to touch up blemishes.  The smooth texture glides on with no caking.  Find it here.  Kiko's Flawless Fusion bronzing powder in 01 is my go-to for a little holiday glow.  I re-buy this product time and again.

EYE GLOW

My brows are so fair that a brow pencil is essential.  Benefit's Goof Proof is idiot proof as its angled head makes it super easy to apply.  The waxy formula doesn't budge so you can swipe and forget about it. The built in brow brush means it's the only item you need to rummage around for.  

I used to be an eye liner fiend but recently I'm preferring the more natural effect of using a cream eye shadow.  Glossier's Lidstar in cub and Shiseido's cream eye colours are alternated for a pretty, burnt pink/copper colouring.  A flick of black mascara and I'm done.

LIP CARE

Nuxe honey lip balm hydrates lips all day so I always apply morning and night.  I'll pop a lipstick in my bag to apply en-route.  Which is my favourite lipstick?  This changes daily!

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BEAUTY - Fresh faced beauty buys

The arrival of warmer days always reminds me of waking up from hibernation.  No more mornings stumbling around in the dark or trying to wake up with the use of gallons of coffee.  The sun is up and the day has that smell of excitement.  

Instead of avoiding that tedious weekly morning ritual for as long as possible I'm up and dressed in a matter of minutes.  A quick shower and into some form of lightweight dress and I'm done.

As the days warm up skincare quickly takes over from make-up for me.  I've always been a lover of that fresh faced, low maintenance Parisian look rather than a full perfect face.  A good cleanse and moisturise is important all year round, however if you're only planning a sun kissed glow with a dash of mascara it's even more important to find those perfect products.  

I'm a strong believer in a skincare routine not being a hassle and as you get older you discover those forever products that you stock up on time and again.  Several of my go to's have always been from French beauty brand Caudalie.  I have lost track of how many people I have recommended their Beauty Elixir to, always with glowing reviews following.  I have a mini in my handbag at all time.  However there were lots of the brands products that I hadn't tried and until recently were kind of tricky to get hold of.  

Then gorgeous luxury beauty box brand Latest in Beauty launched a huge selection of their products to pop into your build your own boxes!  Fantastic.  Over the past few weeks I've been only using Caudalie for my skincare routine and my face has never looked or smelt so good.

I didn't try anything that I didn't fall in love with.  This is so unusual with a beauty brand who usually have one or two hero products.  Every product smelt divine.  I tried three of their cleansing products which can be mixed together or used alone to remove grime and dirt.  One of my favourite items which I definitely didn't expect to love as much as I did was the Foaming Cleanser.  I ended up keeping this in the shower and a pump or two of this in the morning is so refreshing.  They have a cleanser for everyone with a great micellar water and lightweight hydrating cleansing oil.  You can't beat a micellar water for a speedy routine after a long day.

The other products I fell in love with are the Vine Activ glow activating serum and moisturiser.  I've been feeling under the weather for some time now and this has been reflected in my skin.  These products have plumped and bought life back to my skin.  I am stocking up!

If you haven't come across Latest in Beauty's stunning treats then hop over to their pretty site.  You  choose exactly what you want to try in your box from an inspiring edit of the best beauty products around including from Caudalie.  What better way to test out these skin saviours?

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Latest in Beauty - Beauty Box with Caudalie

STYLE - Woven wonders

I'm excited to channel my inner Parisian this summer embracing both style and comfort with the shoe of the season, the espadrille.  They have been bubbling away in the background for a couple of years and have now arrived on every High Street.  I'm not sure there is anything this staple doesn't work with but I'm especially loving them paired with a wrap dress or straight-leg jeans.  Comfy enough to wear all day running around after a toddler or racing to the office.  I've just purchased a classic black pair but think I need a colour pop too!  Do I go for the pastel blue Topshop or the yellow Castaner?  Shop my favourites edit below all for under £105.

Images via Pinterest

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