My Mum's Beauty essentials

Hi everyone, today I'm talking essential beauty products with my mum! I plan to do a small series where I talk to friends and relatives to find out what their beauty essentials are, and hope to discover some new products in the process! So, over to my mum....


I'd have to say Rationale's beauty products are essential, especially the Prepatory Cleanser and Catalyst facial serum. With the cleanser I love the fact that there's no soap in it so it's not stripping at all. It's also very pure, and doesn't have any parabens. Overall I find it very moisturising and it makes your skin very soft after use. While it's a more expensive cleanser I'd say its definitely worth it as it's so soothing and nourishing. I am slightly biased as my sister sells the products, but they are absolutely brilliant. My sister always says that if you can only get one product from the Rationale range then you need the Catalyst serum.  I use this once a week and it really helps to refine your skin's texture  due to its exfoliating acids and anti ageing properties.

Lipgloss, especially benefit's Hoola lipgloss, is another essential for me. It doesn't have to be specifically this one but I think that any lipgloss makes your lips very shiny and glossy, and natural colours like this always look lovely with a tan. What I like about this one is that its very bronzey and complements a summer tan beautifully, but it's also a really handy travel size that you can throw in your handbag.

A nail varnish is another obvious pick for me, particularly in orange as it's my favourite colour! It's very bright and vibrant, and makes you feel really summery even if you haven't been on holiday. It also dries really quickly and is so affordable. I usually just use this on my toes as I don't often paint my nails, but I love it nonetheless.

First by Van Cleef and Arpels has long been a favourite of mine, and is one of my most worn. I first started wearing it in my early 20s and is my signature fragrance. My older sister was the one to recommend it to me, and people now always remark on it because it's such a lovely unique fragrance that is so different to so many other perfumes that all seem very similar. There's something really distinct about it that I love, it's very individual but very classy.

I love the Boots Protect and Perfect advanced serum and I use it nightly to make it last a bit longer. Whilst using this I've seen a great difference in my skin texture, and fine lines. The formula is very hydrating and firming and feels great on the skin, and I use this nightly when not using Catalyst.


An absolute favourite of mine is the Elizabeth Arden eight hour range. I try to purchase their in flight kit whenever we're travelling which includes the skin protectant, hand treatment ad lip balm. I use the lip balm most often and keep one in my bag and one around the house so I'm never without it. I definitely recommend her range and they would be a desert island product for me as they're so multipurpose.

For makeup I usually keep it minimal but love to add a bit of bronzer to add some colour to my face, and eyeliner to define my eyes. A few favourites would be the No. 7 bronzer and the maybelline twist up eye liner. I find the eyeliner so easy to apply as you don't need a sharpener, and the bronzer's lovely at adding a nice warmth to the skin.

Finally, I wouldn't be without Aveeno cream. Both Saskia and I use this, and it's so moisturising especially as we both have eczema. The colloidal oatmeal helps to soothe and protect any dry skin, and while I use it on my hands you can also use it on your face if your skin is particularly dry. Its perfect for sensitive skin, and its one of the only moisturisers that doesn't irritate my hands when they get particularly dry in the winter- definitely an essential!


Thanks for reading...have thoroughly enjoyed chatting about makeup and skincare with my daughter!

Dénia days

Hi again everyone! Apologies if I've been a bit AWOL again recently, I've recently gotten back from a trip to Dénia in the South of Spain which was absolutely beautiful. It was my first time going there and it had such a lovely vibe, everyone was really relaxed and chilled out in the day, but it was during the evening that the town came to life.  My mum and I found a couple of frozen yoghurt shops down the main street which were absolute heaven, and we also visited the most amazing pizza restraint that made really thin crust pizzas (it also helped that they had free wifi ;). There was a series of fiestas whilst we were there where everyone would take to the streets and celebrate with live music and, on our last night, with fireworks! They were absolutely beautiful to watch and they fitted in so nicely in with the spanish culture of having a shorter day, and then going out late into the evening. Another favourite was definitely visiting the beach club, Zensa which was  lovely and relaxing with soft chill out music playing in the background.There was a pool too so there really was something for everyone. I also managed to fit in going jetskiing and scuba diving,  and overall had a lovely trip! Sorry if this is such a photo heavy post, but I just wanted to give a little update about my travels!

Have you been on holiday anywhere nice this summer?

Saskia xx

New skincare picks

Today on the blog I've got some new skincare picks to share! Anyone who knows me well will know that I'm obsessed with buying new skincare products *guilty as charged* and can't resist trying a few new things. Particularly in the summer weather my skin always favours products that are lighter and fresher to try and avoid shine and give a nice healthy glow.

Recently I've tried the Garner Micellar Cleansing Water and it makes the first step of cleansing so much easier! I've tried Bioderma before but I actually found it to be slightly irritating around my eyes, which is the last thing I want, especially as I wear contact lenses! Its also much more easily accessible and better value for money, so makes a really easy first cleanse, or can be used alone if you're feeling a bit lazy!

The Simple Micellar wipes are also another find, and are relatively new. I'd never seen them before and thought I should try them as they claim to be much more hydrating than normal face wipes. Safe to say, I've used the whole packet and much prefer them to the original version as they seem more moist and more gentle on the skin. It seems every company is jumping on the micellar band wagon after the obsession with the chic simplicity of parisian skincare.

Amie is a brand that not many people know about, but they do some lovely skincare products that are effective but also affordable. Two new products that I hadn't tried before are their Morning Dew Matte-Finish Moisturiser, and the Radiant Dawn Exfoliating Face wash. I've only started using these so can't really comment on long term effects, but the face wash is incredibly refreshing while providing gentle exfoliation, and the moisturiser makes a nice lighter alternative for the summer months! I'd really recommend you check out the brand because they use really natural ingredients and are formulated for sensitive combination skin, and so never strip your skin or leave it feeling tight. I'm still looking for a nice moisturiser with spf, so if you've found any nice ones please let me know in the comments!

On the subject of more natural skincare, I've really been enjoying some products from Liz Earle and Lush. I got the Liz Earle Cleanse and Polish in the Grapefruit and Patchouli scent in a gift set I bought in my last haul, and just like the original it's really effective at removing makeup. For face masks I've been loving Lush's Mask of Magaminty recently. It's very effective at quickly clearing your skin whenever you have a breakout, and due to the peppermint oil it's a very cooling option for the skin which is lovely and refreshing during the summer months.

What new skincare have you been trying lately?


Saskia x