Friday, 29 September 2023

How to celebrate ‘Galentine’s Day’ in style

Sure, you’ve heard of Valentine’s Day. You might make special plans each year, from date night with a partner to sending hopeful Valentine’s Day cards to crushes. But have you been missing out on Galentine’s Day?
How to celebrate ‘Galentine’s Day’ in style
image credit

It officially falls on February 13th, the day before the big one, and it’s a great way to honour your best female friendships. Galentine’s Day came about thanks to Amy Poehler’s character in the TV series Parks and Recreation and has since taken off among gals across the world, regardless of relationship status!

Whether this is your first year celebrating or you’re hunting fresh ideas, here are five fun options to get your group chat going.

Sisters’ staycation
Flight prices are going to ‘continue to rise’, according to the Jet2 boss. So if an indulgent trip abroad is beyond your gang’s means, why not holiday together closer to home?

You could book a cottage somewhere and enjoy the British countryside away from work, kids and irritating partners. Or maybe a city-centre apartment is more your group’s vibe.

At the end of the day, location shouldn’t matter too much; being together is what’s important on Galentine’s.

Dinner and drinks
Few activities allow you to properly catch up quite like a night on the town. You could book a meal to settle everyone’s stomachs before moving onto a few bars. Eat, drink and chat, then dance the night away! Square Meal is perfect for finding restaurants, bars and even venues for hire.

Alternatively, why not start early with a bottomless brunch? Or keep things civilised with an alcohol-free event, like coffee or hot cocoa and cake.

Gals’ night in
Of course, there’s no obligation to go out for Galentine’s Day. You could have just as much fun by staying in, especially since it falls on a Monday this year!

You might host a dinner party if you back your skills in the kitchen or keep things simple with a takeaway instead. Once everyone’s fed, move on to high-energy games or a nostalgic movie night.

Pampering
If your gang doesn’t get much opportunity for self-care in everyday life, then a day of pampering could be the answer. Head to your nearest spa or book in for some beauty appointments - not that you need any!

If those options aren’t your style, perhaps some retail therapy will do the trick. Take your time, try new outfits together and offer plenty of positive encouragement!

A healthy challenge
For a completely different approach, your team could take on a physical challenge of some sort. That might mean hiking a nearby mountain, skydiving or just trying a new gym class.

Whatever the case, you’ll feel even better for coming through it together – and more motivated to start!

Could any of these ideas suit your squad this Galentine’s Day?












*this post contains PR samples and/or Affiliate Links unless indicated otherwise - you can learn more on my Disclaimer page.

The Korean Beauty Trends You Need To Jump on Board With

South Korea has always enjoyed a pretty buoyant beauty industry. In 2023, the market for personal care and beauty products was worth more than £10.5 billion. However, it’s only in the past decade or so that the K-Beauty phenomenon has broken the borders of the Korean Peninsula and inspired trends in the West and elsewhere. Nowadays, you’ll find many Korean cosmetics sitting alongside familiar brands online and in your favourite stores. Wondering which K-Beauty trends you should be following? We’ve got you covered.

The Korean Beauty Trends You Need To Jump on Board With

Don’t Be Afraid of Face Oils
If you’ve always wanted to incorporate face oils into your routine but were worried about acne-prone skin reacting to them, K-Beauty has the solution. With Korean beauty products, there’s a key focus on all-natural ingredients, with most face oils derived from plants. When delicately applied, they'll nourish your skin, leaving it hydrated and looking smoother. Not ready to brave the waters of face oils just yet? Korean brand Beauty of Joseon offers some incredibly effective moisturising gels that are perfect for oily skin.

Introducing Filter Creams
Feel like a fraud every time you reach for those filter effects after taking a selfie? If you want to be a little more authentic with your appearance, there’s always filter cream. A staple K-Beauty trend, this stuff does exactly what it says on the tin. Once used, your skin will be glowing, looking as though you’ve reached for your go-filter on a smartphone screen. Need more convincing? Far from being a heavy concealer, it’s actually a moisturiser that will nourish the skin. The fact that unsightly lines and pores are blurred is just a benefit.

Don’t Reach for Those Tweezers Just Yet
You probably spend far too much time perfecting your eyebrows. Whether you’re someone who favours barely-there eyebrows or have embraced the power brow, there’s a fair amount of maintenance involved to keep them looking their best. However, the Koreans like to do things a little differently. Slightly feathered brows with separated strands is the ideal here. What’s more, it’s an easy look to pull off.

Rethink Your Beauty Tools
Your cosmetic case is probably bursting at the seams with applicators and accessories you barely use. However, there’s one beauty tool worth adding to your repertoire. In Korea, spatulas are a staple. They’re perfect for applying thin layers of foundation, making them a must if you’re someone who struggles to achieve an even base. Furthermore, unlike pads and brushes, these trusty tools won’t soak up any of your products as you use them.

Make Life Simple with Multipurpose Products
Tired of spending a small fortune on skincare products? Perhaps you’re simply looking to cut down on the amount of time you’re spending in front of the vanity mirror. Once again, the K-Beauty phenomenon has the answer. In Korea, there’s a growing trend for simplification. As well as doing away with needless steps, K-Beauty skincare puts a focus on incorporating multipurpose products. When choosing things like toners and moisturisers, look for products that combine key active ingredients. As well as saving you precious time every day, your bank balance will thank you.







*this post contains PR samples and/or Affiliate Links unless indicated otherwise - you can learn more on my Disclaimer page.

Thursday, 28 September 2023

ASOS Christmas Beauty Crackers 2023

As has been teased already, alongside their Advent Calendar, ASOS has released three ASOS Christmas Stocking Fillers for 2023 and they are sold in the form of a Christmas Cracker and they're just £12 each - here
ASOS Christmas Beauty Crackers 2023
Whether you want a Skincare Saviour, Make-up Must-Haves or even some Self-care stars, each one of these crackers is superb value for money.

Starting with the Make-Up Must Haves which contains 3 travel size products and is a saving of 57% at just £12 here.
ASOS Christmas Beauty Crackers 2023
Inside you will find:
  • Lottie London Eyeshadow Palette
  • Benefit Fan Fest Mini Mascara: 3g
  • Made by Mitchell Blursh Lights: 6ml – Pink Lynx
On sale now, the Self-care Stars Cracker is priced at £12 - right here.

The second offering is the ASOS Self-Care Stars Stocking Filler and again, is priced at just £12.00 - here.
ASOS Christmas Beauty Crackers 2023
Offering a saving of 42%, inside this offering you will find 4 travel size products for those every day needs.

What’s inside:

  • OUAI Wave Spray: 30ml
  • Malin + Goetz Eucalyptus Deodorant: 5.1g
  • Rituals relaxing candle
  • Olaplex No.8 Bond Intense Moisture Mask: 20ml
On sale now, Self-care Stars Cracker is priced at £12 - right here.

Then finally we have the ASOS Skincare Saviours Cracker and again, as with the previous two offerings, this one is also £12 - right here.
ASOS Christmas Beauty Crackers 2023
Offering a saving of 47%, inside this cracker you will find 3 travel sized products for your face in the form of an eye cream, mask and moisturiser.

What’s inside:

  • Weleda Skin Food Original Moisturiser: 30ml
  • Sand & Sky Australian Emu Apple Super Bounce Mask: 10g
  • Origins GinZing Refreshing Eye Cream: 5ml
On sale now, Skincare Saviours Cracker is priced at £12 - right here.






*this post contains PR samples and/or Affiliate Links unless indicated otherwise - you can learn more on my Disclaimer page.

Selfridges Skincare Kits 2023

Selfridges has released three Selfridges Skincare Kits 2023 . Each box has its very own theme and with it a whole host of brands and their products which fit within that theme.
Selfridges Holiday Beauty Boxes 2023
Each one of the three boxes is brightly coloured and they range in price from £60-£70 making them an absolute bargain to be had.

Starting with The Barrier Building Skincare Kit (£65) and this is my favourite box of the three, especially as it features some of my favourite products.
Selfridges Holiday Beauty Boxes 2023
Taking advice from skincare experts from across the globe, Selfridges have pulled together a box of shield-strengthening blends and have gathered them together to create The Barrier Building Skincare Kit.

Contents:

  • Murad Soothing Oat and Peptide Cleanser 200ml
  • 111SKIN Y Theorem Bio Cellulose Facial Mask
  • Augustinus Bader The Cream 7ml
  • REN Evercalm Overnight Recovery Balm 30ml
  • Laneige Radian-C Cream 10ml
  • Dr.Jart+ Ceramidin™ Skin Barrier moisturising cream 7ml
  • Sunday Riley C.E.O 15% Vitamin C Brightening serum 30ml
  • Biossance Squalane + Hyaluronic Toning Mist 30ml
You can find The Barrier Building Skincare Kit on sale right now, here with Selfridges.

The next box is The Renewing Skincare Kit (£70) which is the most expensive of the three boxes on offer but is quite an exciting box.
Selfridges Holiday Beauty Boxes 2023
Described as being the gift set that is filled with ten favourite anti-ageing blends, each designed to help that youthful radiance and tone stay around a little longer.

Contents:
  • Rodial Retinol Resurfacing Pads – 20 pads
  • Lancôme Advanced Genifque Youth Activating Concentrate 7ml
  • Biossance Squalane + Vitamin C Rose Oil 12ml
  • 111SKIN Celestial Black Diamond Brightening Essence 30ml
  • Kate Somerville Peptide K8 Power Cream 30ml
  • Sisley Sisleÿa L’Intégral Anti-Âge 5ml
  • Paula’s Choice Clinical Ceramide-Enriched Firming Eye Cream 5ml
  • Medik8 Daily Radiance Vitamin C C-Tetra Cream SPF 30 Two-in-One Moisturiser 12.5ml
  • Murad Retinol Youth Eye Masks 5 pack
  • Yves Saint Laurent Pure Shots Clean Reboot Cleanser 10ml
You can find The Renewing Skincare Kit on sale right now, here with Selfridges.

The Final box on offer from Selfrigdes is The Clarifying Skincare (£60) and it is the least expensive box of the three, but still packaged with amazing products.

Selfridges The Clarifying Skincare Kit beauty bundle

The Selfridges The Clarifying Skincare Kit beauty bundle is perfect for those who feel their skin is in need of a refresh and it features ten pore-clearing and radiance-boosting blends to help you redesign your morning and evening skincare routines.

Contents:

  • Kiehl’s Clearly Corrective Dark Spot Solution 15ml
  • Paula’s Choice Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant 30ml
  • REN Evercalm Redness Relief Serum 15ml
  • Dr.Jart+ Cicapair™ Tiger Grass Colour Correcting treatment 5ml
  • The Inkey List Salicylic Acid Cleanser 150ml
  • Dermalogica Skin Smoothing Cream 50ml
  • Caudalie Vinopure Salicylic Spot Solution 15ml
  • Rodial Vit C Brightening Cleansing Pads – 20 pads
  • Eve Lom Rescue Mask 25ml
  • Murad Essential-C Day Moisture Broad Spectrum SPF 30 50ml

You can find The Clarifying Skincare Kit on sale right now, here with Selfridges.

To add to these three amazing boxes, Selfridges also have their very own Advent Calendar for 2023 and it is even better than the offering from 2022.  A full review can be found right here.











*this post contains PR samples and/or Affiliate Links unless indicated otherwise - you can learn more on my Disclaimer page.
Everything written here is done so by the blog owner and it may appear elsewhere.
All content and images © Beautyqueenuk unless otherwise stated. Blog design by Beautyqueenuk