Amanda Harrington Face Illuminating Bronzing Mist

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There are so many bronzing and tanning products on the market right now and while formulas have vastly improved overall, it’s still a pretty hit and miss market.

I recently tried a new collection from a very well known Australian tanning brand and couldn’t quite believe how exceptionally orange the products left my face – in contrast I couldn’t have had a more different experience with the Amanda Harrington Face Illuminating Bronzing Mist.

For a bit of background info, Amanda Harrington is a Makeup and Body Artist, with plenty of experience on film sets and photo shoots sculpting bodies using painting and contouring techniques. With more than 10,000 faux tans under her belt, the tanning expert went ahead and launched her own brand, which features gradual tans, luxury brushes, glycolic exfoliating products, bronzing mousses and the facial mists. While the gradual tanning products are one-size-fits-all, the facial Illuminating Bronzing Mist and Illuminating Bronzing Mousse are available in three variations, depending on your natural complexion and undertones. Natural Rose is designed for fairer skins with a cool undertone – perfect for redheads and classic English Rose complexions. Natural Honey is good for medium skin with yellow or peach/golden undertones that may still be fair in Winter but warms up in Summer. If you tan easily but also burn if you’re not careful, Natural Honey is for you. Natural Olive was developed for darker skin tones, think Mediterranean and black skin. If you don’t burn/very rarely burn and go beautifully deep in the sun, this shade has your name on it.

I knew straight away that I would be a Natural Honey girl, but Natural Rose would probably do the trick too. The colour leans brown, rather than orange, and looks really impressively natural. To use the mist, either spray it onto your hand (wear the included gloves if you can, though it does rinse away easily with soap and water – just don’t leave it too long or it will start to develop!) and dab the colour onto a brush or spritz directly onto a brush. You want to use a brush that is fluffy with a bit of density to it, so you can use it to buff and contour. You can buy a couple of special brushes from the Amanda Harrington brand, which I hope to invest in eventually, but for now I’m just using a Real Techniques multitasking brush. Once you’ve got some of the mist on the brush, you can either buff all over or contour/ focus on specific points like you would with your regular bronzer. I like to apply it on the high points of my forehead (blending into hairline), my cheeks, nose and just under my jaw, the go in again and sort of buff and blend all over. I'm wearing the mist in all of these images - in the last one you can see the colour on the top of my hand after I've used it as a makeshift palette!

You’ll be left with a natural, pretty and healthy looking instant glow while a gradual colour builds underneath. In terms of scent, the Illuminating Mist smells a bit like frangipanis, and I honestly don’t detect any of that tell-tale fake tan scent at all! 

The light-reflecting bronzing mist is actually good for the skin too as it contains collagen, green tea and CQ10. It also has a bit of Retinyl Palmitate (Vitamin A) in the mix, which I wasn’t aware of until researching for this article – something to bear in mind if you are pregnant and consciously avoiding Vit A.

I also have the Amanda Harrington Perfect Face Ultimate Gradual Tan which is a good base to apply before the Bronzing Mist. It’s also got a cooling, minty scent and feel to it which I find very refreshing. It’s probably the most subtle gradual tanner I’ve tried – often gradual tanning products are just regular fake tan in disguise – so I definitely recommend it, along with the mist, if you would like a truly buildable, natural colour.

The Amanda Harrington Face Illuminating Bronzing Mist is £28 for 75ml (I use around 3 sprays each time) and the Ultimate Gradual Tan is £23 for 75ml.

Moving To London: An Insider’s Guide

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If you’ve decided that the time has come to make a move to a new city, you might be considering upping sticks and moving to London. If you live in the UK, there’s no city that’s more exciting than the capital - there’s just so much on offer to see and do in London, not to mention the diverse range of opportunities that the city holds. 

Of course, moving to a new city is always challenging, there’s a lot to think about and consider. It’s not easy choosing to up sticks and move to somewhere new, especially when it’s a big change and you’ve not spent much time in the city that you’re planning on moving to. However, the good news is that the best way to get to know any city is by living there, and after a few months in London you will feel like you’ve lived there for years. 

That being said, that doesn’t make the process of moving to a new city any less daunting, does it? There’s so much to think about and consider. A big move comes with a lot that you need to take into account. To help make the process of moving a little easier, below are a few handy tips to take note of. 

Be mindful about where you live 

It’s no secret that accommodation in London is very expensive, or at least it can be. That’s why it’s so important that you are mindful about where in London you move to and where you live. Take the purpose of your move into account; say you’re moving to London to study, your best bet is to opt to look for student accommodation because this will be cheaper than regular accommodation. If you’re not moving to the city to study, look for accommodation that is in the area you want - and need - to be in, and that won’t break the bank. It might take time, but the right accommodation is out there. 

Look for like-minded people 

Moving somewhere new is always going to be scary, especially when you don’t know anyone. As soon as you move to the city, start looking for like-minded people to get to know. By hanging out with other Londoners you will learn how to make the most of the city far quicker. So it’s worth taking the time to look for some like-minded people to hang with. Whether it’s your housemates, friends from work, or people you’ve met on a night out, make an effort to get to know them. 

Get a bike 

If money is short or you’re not keen to have to rely on public transport, get yourself a bike. In a city like London, a bike - or a scooter - acts as a great way to get around. It gives you the independence that you need without having to rely on public transport. 

There you have it, an insider’s guide to moving to London.

7 Makeup Secrets for a Sweat-Proof Look This Summer

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Whether you’ve booked a holiday or are planning a staycation this year, you’ll want to look your best while keeping sweat at bay. Now that the weather is getting warmer, this might mean having to make a couple of little changes to your makeup routine. With a few quick tricks and techniques, you can create a fresh summery look that will last for longer. You won’t have to worry about the high temperatures causing your makeup to run and you can keep your cool. Spend less time worrying about touching up and enjoy outdoor activities instead. Here are seven makeup secrets for a sweat-proof look this summer.

Use an oil-free moisturiser

An oil-free moisturiser will help minimise sweating during the heat than other types. It’s a perfect base for your summer makeup and you can opt for one that has SPF as well. There are plenty of oil-free moisturisers for different skin types, so you can find the one that’s right for you. Here is a list of the best oil-free moisturisers for every skin concern. By opting for one great moisturiser for you this summer you can save money on building a collection of unnecessary products and it’s better for the environment as well.

Sweat-proof sunscreen

During the summer if you’re spending a lot of time outdoors, you’ll need to keep topping up the sunscreen. Even if you don’t burn easily it’s important to do this as too much sun can be very damaging for any skin type. This can be a bit of a hassle, however, as sunscreen can make you sweat and mean you have to redo your makeup as well. One technique you can try is to fill an old compact case with sunscreen and use the pad to apply it. This way you’ll achieve a neater look without ruining your makeup.

Keep makeup minimal

It’s best to keep your makeup to a minimum if you want to avoid a sweaty face in the summer. Choose a couple of products that will help you unlock your confidence and avoid going overboard. This way you can keep cool and enjoy the outdoors for longer. By keeping your look simple, you won’t have to worry about constant touch-ups due to sweating.

Stick to sheer shades and textures

For a subtle yet flattering look, sheer and balmy textures work best for simple summer makeup. Sheer textures are easier to top up in the heat and you can go bolder with the colour if you want to. Sheer shades are more summery as you’re often going to be under bright natural light. For this reason it’s better to avoid shimmers and save these for the cooler evenings.

Stay out of the sun

If you want to protect your skin and avoid sweating, ultimately you need to spend less time in the sun. Those UV rays will cause skin damage and increase the signs of aging. If you have been exposed to too much sun over the years there are a few permanent solutions you can try such as a facelift or treatments for sun damage. Even just fifteen minutes in the sun can start to have an effect, so if you want to protect your skin for longer, it’s important to top up the sunscreen and get plenty of time in the shade.

Achieve long-lasting eye makeup

Long-lasting eye makeup is difficult to achieve on a sweaty summer’s day. Fortunately, there are a few tricks you can try. If you use eyeliner or brow liner, reinforce this with an extra layer of powder. This will keep it drier for longer and prevent it from running if you sweat. Use an eye primer rather than a moisturiser or eye cream as this will create a more solid matte surface. You can then apply powdered eyeshadow for a look that will last longer.

Switch to lip stains

Lip stains are great for the summer because they won’t smudge even if you sweat. You’ll get a strong colour for longer and you can even keep topping up your lip balm over it. You can choose from a range of colours and even go bolder or darker if you prefer. Here are some of the best lip stains this season. Look for makeup options that will minimise smudges and streaks for the summer. Even if the temperatures get balmy, you can then maintain your sweat-proof look for longer. This way you can spend less time topping up and have more fun enjoying your holiday.

Spring Dressing with Saint and Sofia

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 Ethical and sustainable clothing brand Saint and Sofia have some great pieces in right now. Perfect for typically awkward Spring/May weather that doesn't quite know what it's doing, I've got a few lovely transitional pieces to show you and they just happen to be perfect for dressing throughout pregnancy.

The jersey fabric that Saint and Sofia use is buttery soft but heavy enough to let you know it's built to last. It feels beautiful against the skin and my baby bump, which is pretty crucial for me right now - I can't be dealing with uncomfortable clothes!

The Greenwich dresses are so easy to wear and come in a few different colourways, with long sleeved and short sleeved variations. So far I've got a lot of wear out of the gorgeous long sleeved burgundy one, paired with white trainers or black flats. Come Autumn I imagine I'll be pulling it out again to wear with ankle boots or wellies. The Greenwich Dress - Sleeve Burgundy (£68) is made with beautifully soft eco-friendly viscose and has a comfy, relaxed fit.

The short sleeved, Greenwich Dress - Jersey Black (£64) is probably going to get a lot of wear as the weather heats up. The stretchy jersey fabric and tiered skirt design makes it a comfortable and easy choice and is pretty perfect for maternity wear too. I almost forgot to mention, the Greenwich dresses feature POCKETS, which instantly makes them ever more cool.

I've had my eye on the leopard trousers for a while - I like the close yet relaxed fit and of course the leopard print side seam. These are called the Finsbury Pant in Black Leopard (£58) and they are the pull on trousers of dreams that will go with pretty much anything. The Finsbury Pant is made from soft and stretchy Italian fabric that feels great on and there are pockets too! It's worth mentioning that if you're looking for something versatile in terms of maternity wear, these trousers work beautifully as the low-rise design means they sit just under the bump. They will obviously be great for the years to come when I don't have a bump too - I'm actually really looking forward to wearing these post-baby. 

For reference, I am wearing a size 12 in the trousers and a 10 in the dresses.

I am loving these three new additions to my wardrobe and I'm really pleased that they'll be in it for the long run, not just the last few months of pregnancy. Quality jersey clothing is an excellent choice for both day-to-day dressing and maternity wear and Saint and Sofia is looking to be a great option.

Escentual Perfume Blind Trial Discovery Box Set

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In case you didn't know, Escentual is a pretty amazing online beauty shopping destination. They offer    an exceptional (and ever growing) selection of French Pharmacy, mid-range and high end skincare, makeup and fragrance and I've found myself browsing for hours sometimes. If I'm looking for gifts or some Mustela products for my son, Escentual is usually my first port of call- their prices are pretty much unbeatable anyway and they often have amazing sales such as 25% off French Pharmacy brands and site wide discounts popping up frequently.

Today's post is all about something that Escentual launched at the start of the year; the Escentual Perfume Blind Trial. It's a really cool concept that I'm sure brightened a lot of days during recent lockdowns!
Part of the #EscentualScents program and in collaboration with Thomas Dunckley aka The Candy Perfume Boy, the blind trial involves a discovery set of sample sized mystery perfume vials, an exclusive Facebook group and a whole lot of chat about fragrance!
New discovery sets are released every month, available for £19.95 which is credited back to you via Escentual's Pretty Pennies rewards program. Each set is themed, often according to a particular fragrance family, and includes 8 vials of fragrance and a QR code that you can scan that takes you to the exclusive Perfume Blind Trial Facebook group. 

The 2ml vials are marked A to H and contain a mixture of mystery unisex fragrances as well as scents aimed at men and women. The identities of vials A-D are revealed the week after you receive your box via a Facebook Live with Thomas, with E-H unveiled the following fortnight. Escentual will let you know the date and times of the reveals so you won't miss out - make sure you scan the code and sign up to the Facebook group asap too!

The idea behind the blind trial is to get you thinking about scent without the distraction of knowing all the details and hopefully discovering a new favourite that you otherwise might have overlooked. I have the May edition, which is themed as 'Woody' and I'm really enjoying giving them all a try (always on the supplied sampling cards first, just in case my sensitive pregnancy nose has a meltdown).  I'm actually quite intrigued about what the secret scents could be as the majority smell quite traditionally masculine to me! I'll definitely be tuning into the Facebook Live on Thursday night for the big reveal of the first four.
This month's box is now sold out but you can get your hands on June's box here. Boxes will be available for presale to ensure they're sent out in good time for testing and reveals. Don't forget, you get the £19.95 back in the form of loyalty points too.