Beauty and Bentley

I've heard great stuff about Ole Henriksen skincare and a few months back I got a tester kit of mini products to try which I'm going to review for you today. I love these kinds of kits that allow you to try out products before committing to the full-size bottles especially when it's from a more expensive brand. 

Ole Henriksen Truth Serum 

This serum is filled with ingredients like vitamin C and collagen to brighten and firm the skin. It has a citrusy scent that fits with their bright orange packaging and it glides over the skin to leave your skin looking super smooth and refreshed. A 30ml bottle costs around £42 which is more than I would usually spend on skincare but I would consider repurchasing it again in the future if I wanted to treat myself.

Ole Henriksen Banana Bright Eye Cream

I have very dark eyes so I was especially excited about this product, the cream is a soft banana-yellow shade with some light-reflecting particles to help colour correct and instantly lift the eye area. I love how this cream feels, it's light but still feels super hydrating and smooth, although I don't think anything truly fixes dark circles, I do think this eye cream helps with overall brightening and keeps the eye area looking smoother and more youthful.

Ole Henriksen C-Rush Brightening Gel Creme

This was the other product that I was most excited to try from this line as I'd heard so many good things. This is a really lightweight gel-cream formula that packs a punch, it hydrates and brightens so it's great if your skin is looking a little lacklustre. The gel-cream texture also makes this great for applying under make-up as it doesn't feel greasy and it absorbs quickly into the skin. This is something I could definitely see myself repurchasing.



Ole Henriksen Banana Bright Face Primer
I'm not a massive primer fan, personally, I think many of them don't do anything but I actually quite enjoy this one. This primer can be used in a few different ways and it adds a really nice glow to the skin without looking glittery or shimmery which I love and make-up applies very nicely on top. I don't know if I would rush out to buy this again as it is quite expensive and it's not changed my life but I do think it is a good primer and if you have the cash to spend and like this kind of primer then I would recommend it.


So the conclusion, I liked everything from this range and I definitely want to try some products from their other ranges, the two products I'm most likely to repurchase are the Banana Bright Eye Cream and the C-Rush Brightening Gel Creme.

I was unable to find this exact kit to link but a similar version is available here!

I'm sure some of you have seen these super cute lash wands that come in a little tube so you can throw them in your purse or just keep in your make-up bag without them getting covered in dust and dirt, well you can purchase them from websites like Etsy but you can also make them on your own and today I'm going to teach you how.

What You Need

12x100mm Plastic Test Tubes

Flat Round 12mm Crystals/Gems

Mascara Wands

Hot Glue Gun

Scissors

You can pick up all of these items from websites like Amazon and eBay and there are a bunch of different options for colours and style or gems and lash wands, I'll link a few different options below to give you ideas.

First, you need to take each of the caps from the test tubes and make a small hole in the base so the lash wands will fit inside, do this carefully using your scissors then push the lash wand through.

 Next, you want to fill the caps with hot glue and place one of your gems/crystals on top, leave to cool then pop your lash wands into their test tubes, voila!

These are super easy to make and can be sold to clients alone or included in aftercare/welcome bags.

If you want to learn more about how to be a successful lash artist check out my ebook here!

Things are pretty crazy at the minute, we are in the midst of a global pandemic which is unlike anything we have ever seen, due to this most of us are stuck at home, many of us no longer working and struggling fo things to do to pass the time. I've put together a list of some ideas that will hopefully keep you all sane during this difficult time.

1. Self-care - If there was ever a time to look after ourselves and invest in some much-needed self-care, it's now. This doesn't need to be all bubble baths and face masks, although I do highly recommend these, you can take this time to do some self-development, maybe start exercising, meditating, reading or journaling.

2. Digital Detox - It can be difficult to stay away from our phones at a time like this but try to set aside some time each day to put all the technology down, constantly keeping tabs on the news and what's happening can cause some serious anxiety, a digital detox can do wonders for your mental health even if just for an hour each day. 

3. Learn a new skill - We've got more free time than ever before why not make the most of it and teach yourself something new, this could be cooking, baking, sewing, knitting, painting, or any other kind of crafting. 

4. Open windows and let in as much natural light as possible - If you can it's great to actually go outdoors and get some exercise, whilst following government guidelines obviously, but when you are at home make sure you are letting in as much natural light as possible and open up those windows for some fresh air. It can be tempting at a time like this to go into hibernation and stay cooped up in the house but it's not good for our mental health if you can, sit outside in your garden maybe with your morning cup of tea and take a little moment for yourself.

5. Get dressed - By no means am I saying you need to get dressed every day, I love a day in my pyjamas as much as anyone but it can make you feel a little lazy and unmotivated, try to get up and get dressed even for just a few hours each day to try and keep some sort of normality. I also recommend occasionally doing your hair/make-up even if you aren't going anywhere, it'll make you feel good and it's a great time to try out some new looks, maybe master that winged eyeliner.

6. Create a morning/evening routine - Your usual routine has probably changed in some way even if you are still working and some of you who have been most affected may have no routine at all. We enjoy routine, most of us need it so create a new one even if it's only going to be temporary it can help to get you moving and feeling more motivated if you set out what you want to achieve every morning/evening. This doesn't mean you need to find loads of different thing to do every day, it can be a very relaxed routine, maybe that's exactly what you need. 

7. Have a clear-out - This is the perfect time to have a clear out,  you're probably more aware than ever of what actually matters to you and you can go as big or as small as you like with this maybe you purge your entire wardrobe or maybe you just finally clear out that junk drawer in the kitchen, either way having a clean and organised space helps to clear and calm the mind.

8. Make a list of everything you want to do when life goes back to normal - Writing down all the stuff you want to do when we are all able to carry on with our lives will give you something to look forward to, these can be small things, visiting family, going for a drink with a friend, anything!

9. Practice gratitude - I think this situation has shown us all just how much we take for granted so it's the perfect time to start practising gratitude, you can do this in different kinds of ways from journaling to waking up each morning and thinking about three things you are grateful for you just need to find what works best for you, it's a great way to start shifting your perspective and getting you to think more positively.

10. Find a bunch of new books to read/ podcasts to listen to - This is an obvious one, find things to read/listen to to help you pass the time. People often think they're too busy to sit down and read a book but it's a great way to stop thinking about everything that's going on whilst keeping you away from social media.

11. Start a blog/YouTube channel - If you have ever wanted to start a blog/podcast/YouTube channel this is the time, there's a ton of resources online showing you exactly how to do it and with everyone spending more time than ever online you've got the best chances of building an audience.

12. Start an online business - This is another one for all of you who have so many ideas and ambitions but never have enough time, now there's no excuse! You might think that with everything that's going on people don't have money to spend which will be the case for some but others will actually be better off now than they were before, there's still money to be made and opportunities to take (just don't be sleazy in your approach to selling and don't take advantage of others at a time like this). 

13. Take an online course - I've seen loads of offers for online courses and quite a few that are free so why not take this opportunity to learn something new, maybe you want to change careers or just find a new hobby there's something out there for everyone.

14. Stay in touch - Don't forget to check in with your loved ones, pick up the phone, send a text, make sure everyone's okay and look after each other.

I've mentioned before on this blog that I also work as a lash artist and I've been wanting to create some content around this for a while so I thought I'd start with the basics and give you some pros and cons for anyone who's considering training to become a lash artist.

Let's get the bad stuff out the way with first!

Cons

You can work from home - This is going in the pros and cons list, the reason it can be seen as a con is that you are inviting strangers into your home which can be quite intimidating it also means your house needs to be clean and tidy all the time or at least any time you have clients and you'll also need a dedicated space to work from.

It can be difficult to have a good work/life balance - If you work for yourself and especially from your own home it can be difficult to switch off from work mode and actually take a time out. You'll find you never want to turn away potential clients and because you can set your own hours you can end up working into the night with almost no breaks.

No set wage - This is a big one, when working for yourself as a lash artist you'll have no way of guaranteeing your wage each month, you will have quiet periods when you aren't making as much money, especially when you're first starting out so it's important to have some savings aside for a rainy day.

You'll need to deal with difficult clients - When you work for yourself you're the one that will need to deal with complaints, people showing up late or not at all and occasionally people that are just plain rude. This can be difficult and sometime it will knock your confidence but it's all part of being a business owner and there are policies you can put in place to minimise any issues.

Takes a toll on the body - You'll find yourself getting a sore back, neck and hands if you don't take care of your body, I recommend taking up some kind of yoga or stretching to prevent injuries as lashing can be physically exhausting which many people probably wouldn't think of.

Now let's get positive!

Pros

Be your own boss - Most of us have worked for someone awful in our lifetime and dreamed of being our own boss well becoming a lash artist can give you that freedom you always dreamed of. You are the boss and you can take your business in whatever direction you choose, maybe you're content being self-employed and working or alone or maybe you want to own several salons and have a team of lash artists working under you, the possibilities are endless.

Make your own hours - As the boss, you can decide when you want to work and how often, I mentioned in the cons that it can be difficult to have a good work/life balance so you need to be disciplined, when it's your day off don't back down and book in that one girl looking for a last-minute appointment. In the beginning, it's a little different as you want to get as many clients through your door as possible but as you grow you need to set boundaries and have a set working schedule.

Set your own prices - Yes you won't have a set income but you can set your own prices and make as much money as you like, it's all about how much you value yourself and how much work you put in to build your business.

Can work from home - As I've already mentioned this made it into both the pros and cons list, the benefits are you'll have no travelling and no rent to pay (other than the rent/mortgage you already pay), it can be very expensive to rent space in a salon so working from home can be a great option it really just depends on your lifestyle and if you are renting your home you'll need to make sure you get permission from your landlord to run a business from the property.

Startup costs are low - In terms of starting your own business becoming a lash artist is fairly inexpensive, after your training the essentials that you need to pick up like a massage table can be pretty cheap depending on where you buy from and as the business grows you can upgrade everything.

My final pro is that you get to be creative and make people feel good about themselves, it's amazing being able to give someone that extra bit of confidence and see them walk out of your doors that little bit happier!

I've created an ebook all about how to become a successful lash artist, it's got advice on how to get clients, social media and some practical advice on mapping, eye styling and layering, click here if you want to check it out or get some more information! Note: this ebook does not teach you how to apply eyelash extensions, it's aimed at new lash artists looking to learn more!

Okay, so I've talked quite a bit about skincare products recently and today we've got more, I've always loved skincare but recently it's been kicked up a gear maybe it's something to do with the horrifying fact that I turn 30 next year, who knows! Either way, I've been especially interested in skincare devices and I've picked up a few bits that I've still got to review but today we are going to be talking about something that was very kindly gifted to me by PMD, the Personal Microderm.

The PMD Personal Microderm (classic) costs £145 and is described as a revolutionary at-home device providing the same brilliant results as professional, in-office microdermabrasion treatments. It combines Patented Spinning Disc technology with Perfectly Calibrated Vacuum Suction to leave skin looking fresh and radiant. That all sounds amazing right, well I've been putting it to the test for the last few weeks and I'm ready to give you my thoughts.

The packaging is really nice, the box gives lots of really clear easy to read instructions and the device itself comes in 7 different colours, I chose Blush, a beautiful soft pink shade. You'll receive your device, power adapter, reusable filter, 2 caps (one for the face and one for the body) and 6 discs plus a training disc. It's really easy to set us you just plug it in, make sure your filter is in place with your chosen disc and cap and away you go. You receive 6 discs, 2 different sizes in 3 different colours, the smaller sizes are for use on the face and the larger sizes can be used on the body. The different colours of the discs indicate how intense the results will be, you should start with the training disc which is white to get used to using the device and see how it feels, then you can upgrade to the grey discs which are for sensitive skin, slowly work through the colours as the weeks go by and your skin adjusts and becomes more tolerant, if you go too intense too quickly you may irritate the skin.

To use the Personal Microderm you want to make sure you have clean, dry skin, switch the device on and whilst gently pulling the skin, glide the device over the face and work up the face in sections. You shouldn't stop in one area or move slowly these should be quick sweeping motions to get the best results and avoid and sensitivity or irritation. When finished you can use a soothing toner and moisturiser and wash the cap and filter.

Okay, so I've been using this for a couple of weeks now and so far I'm loving it, it leaves your skin feeling so soft and smooth and I feel like it's helping with my acne scarring although I'll need to continue using it for a bit longer to be sure. I recommend you don't use this any more than once a week and be careful about which disc you choose if you have sensitive skin as it can be quite intense. It can feel a little strange the first couple of times you use it but it's not painful and once you get the hang of it, it's very quick and easy and gives great results. This could be considered fairly expensive although I find that most skincare devices don't come cheap but I think it's worth the investment as you would no longer need to spend money on exfoliating skincare products but do keep in mind you'll need to replace each disc after about a month if using once a week. These cost about £19 and you'll receive a new filter, 4 smaller discs and 2 larger discs in your chosen colour which I think is very reasonable. 

So, overall, I'm loving my Personal Microderm and I'm excited to see what other long term benefits I see as the weeks go on, this is definitely up there as one of my favourite skincare devices that I currently own!