Hello!

Hello!

Logging into this blog after an extended leave feels like finally meeting an old friend when life has got in the way and you’ve had to reschedule more times than you would want to admit! So much has happened, yet you pick up right where you left off!

If you are one of my old followers who happens to stumble across this – it is so good to see you! How are you?

While being absent from this blog and YouTube I have still been posting on Instagram – mainly life and family, which keeps me busy! Please do come and say Hi @natalyafgm!

As a very brief life update of the last 3 years… After moving and refurbishing our new house I finished redecorating pretty speedily in preparation for our new arrival. Though I feel like the house needs an update already due to its intensive use! I had my son Joshua in January 2017. We had a tough first year following a long (73 hours!) complicated birth, colic, recurrent mastitis and 15 months of intense sleep deprivation, but he is wonderful  - intelligent, sensitive, fun, cheeky and the absolute love of my life! Maxie is now 11- he has had a few tummy issues, but is doing well and has been the most patient big (cat) brother we could have hoped for! I went back to work full time in Jan 2018 and have been doing my best to balance the spinning plates of toddler, career, childcare, home, husband, friends, family... the list seems endless. I rarely feel like I have the right balance, but I know where my priorities are.

I would love to find the time to blog again as a creative outlet for myself, but with working full time and keeping a toddler entertained often any energy I have left after the intense negotiation that is ‘bedtime’ is just enough to watch an episode of Love Island (or Netflix or any other reality TV rubbish that doesn’t involve any brain engagement)!

My interests have also changed, which I think is natural now being at a different stage in my life. Do you still read blogs? What are you interested in? I still love beauty, but it’s a much smaller part of my world and has become pretty routine and time efficient. My main priorities at the moment are health (especially in terms of fertility, which has been a really difficult journey for us), toddler behaviour/ nutrition/development/activities and still having a little fun thrown in so I am not a slave to the routine - which can be beauty, fashion, self-care, fitness, food, fun places to visit.

I have shared so much over the years and feel like it would be nice to speak to you all in my former little corner of the internet! Is there anything in particular that you would find interesting? 

Speak to you soon my lovelies! xxx

Review: Urban Decay Naked Skin One & Done Hybrid Complexion Perfector

With the Summer months (slowly) approaching I always look forward to switching up my make up routine with brighter colours and lighter textures. So when the new Urban Decay Naked Skin One & Done Hybrid Complexion Perfector was sent to me for review I was immediately excited to try it out.

One & Done is a new base in the Urban Decay range that fits within it's Naked line up. It's an oil-free, hybrid complexion cream that aims to instantly and completely blur imperfections and even out skintone for a natural result. The innovative, lightweight formula provides coverage, hydration, and optical blurring. It aims to transform the look of your skin with light-diffusing spheres so that flaws seem to disappear. Over time it also aims to help pores appear smaller and skin to look noticeably firmer and more radiant. The formula is infused with nourishing ingredients (including peptides, vitamins and moisturizers).

(One pump in shade Light)

 

This product has very light coverage so rather than foundation I would compare it to a tinted moisturiser, BB or CC cream. While it adds a hint of colour it's blurring properties also help to hide imperfections and pores leaving the skin with a soft glow. It melts into the skin beautifully, feels very lightweight and looks extremely natural, almost as if you are not wearing makeup at all. I think it would work well on all skin types as it feels hydrating, but sinks into the skin quickly so it doesn't look too shiny or dry too matte.

(Blended)

With an SPF of 20 it's perfect for use in the sunnier months to protect your skin and give it a tint. I have been wearing it alone on casual/ no makeup days just to even out my skin tone and add SPF, but on work days I personally prefer a more polished look with more coverage so I have enjoyed using it as a primer before my foundation. It works equally well as a primer and makes my foundation last longer, while blurring pores and dehydration lines. It will definitely be a must for my makeup bag when I travel as it's super versatile and effortless!

Urban Decay Naked Skin One & Done Hybrid Complexion Perfector retails at £25 for 40ml here and comes in 6 shades.
 

Review: Face Place Facial at Rosewood London

Oh, what I wouldn't do for perfect skin! After posting the below photo on Instagram (@NatalyaFGM) I had so many of you getting in touch asking about the Face Place facial that I thought a proper review would be helpful! While it does look like something out of a torture chamber the Face Place treatment itself is very relaxing and definitely one I would recommend, mainly because it's something a bit different that may give your skin that little extra boost. Often skin can become accustomed to certain products and treatments so I always think it’s good to switch it up and try something new!

(My best impression of Hannibal Lecter)

The Face Place treatment at the Sense Spa at Rosewood London comes straight from LA (and those of you who love reality TV may have spotted it featured in RHOBH a few times). The facial consists of two main parts - first a deep manual cleansing of all facial pores, followed by the use of galvanic current to deliver improved skin tone, firmness, fewer lines and a clearer complexion. Each facial is bespoke to a client’s requirements, so mine concentrated on hydration and deep cleansing. I am always trying to keep my pores in check and find that this treatment leaves my skin feeling nourished, but also clear and blemish free. The facialist Rowan Hall-Farrise is amazing at adapting the facial to different skin types and is a source of so much skincare knowledge that I would definitely recommend addressing her with any of your skin concerns. She’s also absolutely lovely so we barely stop chatting throughout!

After a gentle cleanse the pores are softened using moist yucca root infused heated pads and a cone placed on top that acts as mini face sauna. Rowan then uses magnifying glasses and a vacuum machine taking away dead skin cells to make sure that every pore is squeaky clean. I am a big fan of extraction as my skin is oily and I do wear makeup most days so it is prone to congestion. At the same time my skin is very sensitive so any breakouts (which tend to be hormonal) take a very long time to heal and often scar. After the extraction, which is at times uncomfortable, but never too painful, a spray of collagen follows.

For the current treatment itself warm pads are applied soaked in a solution of vitamins and minerals including vitamin C that helps skin regeneration and stimulate collagen production and anti-inflammatory Zinc. A warm wet pad is also applied underneath you to help the conduction of the current. Once connected as scary as the mask looks all that is palpable is a slight tingling sensation on the skin and a strange, but not unpleasant, metallic taste in the mouth. While the current is working you can enjoy a hand and arm massage, which is incredibly relaxing. After the treatment Rowan applies a Skinceuticals hydrating mask, but in general this facial doesn’t use too many products as it is all about the extraction technique and the use of current to promote deep penetration of vitamins into the skin.

After the treatment my skin is left pink for about an hour and a few hours later it already looks clearer and smoother and feels plumper. The treatment is great for sensitive skin as it doesn’t use any harsh products and I don’t experience any dryness afterwards.

Have you heard of Face Place before? Have you experienced any treatments using galvanic current? I would love to hear your thoughts!

Review: Zelens Lip Treatment Oil and Power A High Potency Vitamin A Treatment Drops

About a month ago I had the pleasure of meeting Dr Lens, plastic surgeon and creator of the Zelens skincare brand. Having never tried any Zelens products before I was interested to learn about his philosophy of combining active biotechnology ingredients with pure molecules derived from botanicals, as well as quiz him on a few of my skin concerns such as sun exposure – do we leave the SPF off to gain some vitamin D or is protection from the sun more important? While the jury is still out on this issue I have been trying out a few of the products from the Zelens range!

The product I have used every day since opening it is the amazing Zelens Lip Treatment Oil (£40). I didn’t initially like the idea of a lip oil as I thought it would feel unpleasantly greasy and would either be too thick or smear too easily. However, this oil is light, with a wonderfully smooth and comforting texture that stays put on the lips, giving them a beautiful gloss. The Zelens lip oil contains 9 plant oils infused with powerful botanicals, vitamins, peptides and other anti-aging ingredients. It has a very subtle fragrance and no taste. It hydrates lips, delivering instant moisture, strengthening the lipid barrier and protecting against environmental damage. It also helps to smooth and fill in fine lines and wrinkles while improving lip texture, plumpness and shape. I absolutely love it, especially for use in the morning – I apply it straight after foundation and by the time the rest of my face is done my lips are soft, smooth and primed for the day! It’s great to use under lipstick as a base or over lip products as a gloss and sealer of moisture. 

The second product I have used with equal enthusiasm is the Power A High Potency Vitamin A Treatment Drops (£115). Being new to retinol and having very fair, sensitive skin I began to use this cautiously, but am happy to report that my skin hasn’t reacted to it at all. I have seen no dryness or irritation and am super impressed by how gentle it has been on my delicate skin! Zelens Vitamin A concentrate contains a powerful combination of pure, encapsulated retinol and two retinoids. This time-released, oil-free retinol treatment promotes skin renewal and improves skin tone and texture with minimal or no irritation. It aims to reduce the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles and dark spots resulting from aging and sun damage. Additionally it helps to clear blemishes and diminish the look of enlarged pores. I have definitely seen an improvement in my skin after a few weeks of use. I usually apply a few drops at night (and while this product is quite pricey I’m happy to say that a little really does go a long way) and my skin feels smoother by morning.

I am excited to have found a new skincare range that works so well with my skin and also answers many of my skin concerns and look forward to trying more Zelens products in the future, and as ever, sharing my experience with you!

Review: The Balm Mary-Lou Manizer Highlighter and NUDE'tude Nude eyeshadow palette

One of the best things about moving house is having the opportunity to reorganise! I took full advantage of this, especially in de-cluttering my makeup. It has been so much fun being able to try new things from my stash!

One of the products I have really enjoyed recently is the Mory-Lou Manizer from The Balm. I have no idea how long it was hiding in the hack of a drawer, as it is by no means a new product, but I thought I would give it a chance when I cleared out some of my older highlighters.

This highlighting powder comes in a round mirrored compact. It is super soft and smooth and applies absolutely effortlessly. I would describe it as a warm champagne colour that is very reflective, but with no glitter or sparkles, just a satin sheen.

A little definitely goes a long way as the pigmentation is very good.

I use it as a highlight on my cheekbones, with a thin fan brush and a very light touch. It's also great as an eyeshadow - either an all over base lid colour, a brow or inner corner highlight.

It just adds the most amazing glow to the face and goes with most blush colours I have tried as it is neither too warm/ gold toned or silver/ cool toned. Sometimes highlighters can look a little off on very light skin like mine, but I find this one to add the perfect amount of radiance, without adding too much colour.

The Balm Mary-Lou Manizer is available from Superdrug here for £17.49.

I am also currently trying out The Balm NUDE'tude Nude eyeshadow palette (£29.99), which has a great selection of neutral, wearable eyeshadows. The texture is super smooth and they have great pigmentation. My favourite eye shadow is stand-offish - a nude, pinky toned shimmery colour that is perfect as an effortless all over lid colour!