Skincare trends: What’s ’slugging’ and should you do it?

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The not so new skincare trend is having a return to the limelight thanks to the new release from Cerave and that video from James Welsch. But what the hell is ‘slugging’ and should you do it? I’ve tried ‘slugging’ for just over a month, here are my thoughts.

What’s up in beauty: my autumn faves

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Remember when I restarted my beauty favourite posts back with My Summer Faves? Well before we officially enter winter on Monday, here are my autumn faves, creme de la creme of beauty I’ve used not stop using in the last 3 months. There’s even a hair product (again, I know!), so grab a cuppa, sit comfortably & let’s get on with it!

What happened when I’ve tried Apothaka Skincare for a week

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Apothaka Skincare is an independent female-owned UK skincare brand loved by many skincare bloggers but are the products any good? The products promise a healthy skin barrier and who wouldn’t want that? I’ve tried almost an entire range exclusively for 7 days to see if it helps calm my often irritated skin. Here are my thoughts.

Luxury Christmas gift guide (beauty and gadgets)

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It has been some year this 2020, so if budget allows, why not treat yourself or your friends and family to some luxury beauty or maybe even some gadgets? Here's my guide to ultimate luxury treats ready to put a smile on someone's (your) face.

Beauty addict Christmas gift guide (under £50)

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This Christmas may look and feel a little different but let's not let it. I don't know about you but nothing gives me more pleasure than gifting some perfect pressies to my friends and family, so why not do this year too, and find a beautiful gift for your closed ones. I posted a budget-friendly version yesterday, and today we're going mid-price and focusing on pretty makeup and self-care perfect skincare. If that sounds like something you'd enjoy than keep on reading.

Budget-friendly Christmas gifts and stocking fillers (under £30!)

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Christmas is already around the corner and the time has come for showing you the best picks for any beauty lover for Christmas 2020. If you're into makeup or skincare, I have some incredible, yet budget Queen-friendly gifts and stocking fillers for you, your family and friends. Christmas may be a bit different for all of us this year, but that's not the reason not to get some holiday cheer going on.

Foundation Friday #1: KVD Vegan Beauty True Portrait foundation review

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Foundation Friday’s here we go, starting with the one and only KVD Vegan Beauty True Portrait foundation, aka a dream base for light to medium coverage lovers. Want to know if it’s worth your money, then keep on reading.

Lockdown style 5-minutes facial at home: Dermalogica Hydro Masque Exfoliant review

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I love a good pamper but sometimes work and life becomes a bit much and I barely have a minute to myself. Brand new Dermalogica Hydro Masque Exfoliant combines the powers of a hydrating mask and gentle, yet powerful exfoliator designed to make us glow in just 5 minutes. Plus it’s fun. Let’s get onto the review now, shall we?

K-Beauty tested #2: Huxley Secret of Sahara Eye Cream Concentrate On

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Taking on quite a controversial subject in a skincare community. Eye cream, do we need it? I say yes. And if you can find yourself one to plump your 35 years old under eyes, you hold on to it for as long as you can. Say hello to my one and only little pot magic: Huxley Secret of Sahara Eye Cream: Concentrate On.

Diego Dalla Palma Cruise Collection 2020 review with swatches

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When the new Diego Dalla Palma summer collection drops you know it’s going to be a good one. Combination of beautiful packaging, stunning formulas and the colour story got me hooked. Here are my thoughts on Cruise Collection 2020, if you’re looking to extend the summer for just a little bit longer!

Aromatica Reviving Rose Infusion: skin barrier-friendly K-Beauty line that will blow your mind

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2020 hasn't been easy, life hasn't been quite the same nor has our skin. We may not be sitting in fully air-conditioned offices all the time, or wear too much makeup anymore, so in theory, we should be okay right? Wrong. I don't know about you but I've never experienced quite as many problems with my skin until this year. I stopped commuting, I'm no longer stressed as hell every single day, I have time to cook and meditate yet my skin has been nothing but stressed AF. 

If that sounds like you and you've been feeling a little dry or dehydrated and your skin's been irritated, then let me introduce you to the next best thing for unhappy skin. Yes, my love for Korean skincare knows no bounds but even I might have whispered a little 'wow' to my cat (LOL) when I first saw a press release for Aromatica's new rose-based range Reviving Rose Infusion. If skin-loving ingredients are your thing, you're into beautiful packaging and desperately trying to repair your skin's moisture barrier, then you may want to read more!

So has Aromatica's new launch exceeded my already high expectations? It might have done just that.

IMAGE SKINCARE AGELESS TOTAL OVERNIGHT RETINOL MASQUE REVIEW

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I never believed in 1-product nighttime routine until I met Image Ageless Total Overnight Retinol Masque* by Image Skincare. Now, almost 4 weeks in, I’m finally ready to share my thoughts. Grab a cuppa, sit comfortably and let’s chat!

THE £2.50 CREAM BLUSHERS NO ONE IS TALKING ABOUT (BUT THEY SHOULD!) + TIPS ON HOW TO GET BLUSH RIGHT EVERY TIME

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I love me a cream blush. Creams look good on young skin but can truly transform the look of older complexions. A little blush here and there can be enough to add a little colour and make you look radiant and who doesn’t want that healthy flush? Let’s chat about £2.50 cream blushers worth all the hype but no one is talking about them! Say hello to MUA Makeup Academy Blushed Liquid Cream Blush.

WHAT’S UP IN BEAUTY: MY SUMMER FAVES

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Beauty favourites: summer 2020

Beauty favourites. It’s been a while. Remember the good old days of monthly favourites? I don’t want to commit to that, but there’s been a few bits I’ve been using EVERY SINGLE DAY lately and that must count for something. Welcome to (not) monthly favourites reimagined.

£10 FACE LIFT AT HOME

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I’m always down for a facial but lockdown has proven difficult to maintain a facial routine, so I decided to fix that. Enter beauty maintenance at home. Luxury treatments that WORK. Facial-like experience at a fraction of a price from the comfort of my sofa. I didn’t expect this road to take me to a £10 facelift but here we are. Intrigued?

INGREDIENTS A-Z: B IS FOR BAKUCHIOL

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Happy Wednesday my beloved Drama Queens. I’m starting this week on a blogging high and I feel like I’m back, properly, for the first time in forever! And today, we’re chatting Bakuchiol and no, it’s not an ancient witchcraft spell, but a rather new skincare ingredient. But is it a trend that’s here to stay, or maybe just another fad? This blogger investigates.

HERE’S WHY YOU SHOULD USE GEL MOISTURISERS IN SUMMER

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Can we all take a moment to appreciate British spring/summer this year? So far so good, right? With all international travel out of the window, at least we can enjoy some sunshine at home. You won’t see me complaining but... Summer heat comes with its own skincare issues that need addressing. Here’s why I swap my rich creams and potions for gel moisturisers in summer.

TOP SHELF REVIEW: DEVIANT GENTLE RESURFACING LIQUID

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Have you been using acids for years and starting to pay the piper? Over exfoliation is a thing even if I dismissed it not so long ago. I didn’t want to give up on acids, but I needed a product that does what it says on the box without compromising my skin’s barrier even more. Here’s what happened when I used Deviant Gentle Resurfacing Liquid for 6 months.

NEW IN: URBAN DECAY NAKED ULTRAVIOLET REVIEW WITH SWATCHES

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There’s a new Naked in town and it’s beautiful. Urban Decay Naked Ultraviolet palette dropped a week or so ago but is it worth the splurge? Let’s chat.

K-BEAUTY TESTED #1: I’M FROM FIG BOOSTING ESSENCE

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Imagine finding a product that will single-handedly, as if by magic, rid your skin of dehydration. Too good to be true? I thoughts so too, until I’m From Fig Boosting Essence came to be. Let’s dive in, shall we?

THESE SHEET MASKS ARE ACTUALLY AMAZING (UNLIKE SOME!)

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Simple titles. We’re changing it up. I love a sheet mask, we know this, but I rarely buy one more than once. Why? Because finding a sheet that’s not shit is harder than you think.

THIS NON ESSENTIAL SKINCARE STEP WILL CHANGE YOUR LIFE FOREVER

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Ah toners, remember when they were the butt joke of the community and everyone proclaimed they are not important? From toners to essences, I’m here to tell you, why I can’t live without it and why! Are you ready for a new skin? Let's go!

MOTHER’S DAY BEAUTY GIFT GUIDE FOR EVERY BUDGET

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Mother's Day Gift Guide

I don’t know about you but I tend to celebrate Mother’s Day twice and when I say me, I meant my Momma. She is now used to having two as she celebrates both British Mothering Sunday in March as well as Polish Mother’s Day in May. I mean why wouldn’t you. She does not know that Americans have yet another date, so let’s please keep it between us, as I don’t think I can afford it! Here’s a list of awesome gifts for kick-ass Moms of all ages! Whether you treating your Momma, yourself or a friend who may not have had the easiest time this time of year here’s some beauty picks I think every woman in your life may enjoy!

NEW MAKEUP I CAN'T BE WITHOUT

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New makeup I can't live without

I am a makeupoholic, I receive makeup in PR, and I buy at least that double that, if not more. Often I use it for a month or so, test it and move on to something new, but sometimes I discover gems I simply want to keep in the rotation for much longer since I naturally gravitate towards them. Today’s 5 picks are just that: the makeup bits that impressed me so much, I can’t imagine ever not loving them.

GLOW IN A JAR #2: DR DENNIS GROSS ALPHA BETA EXFOLIATING MOISTURISER

 ***This post contains not-gifted items, current relationship with the brand acknowledged. Gifted products mentions are present. All links used are affiliate***

From 'dull to glow' moisturiser

I don’t expect a lot from my skincare, said no one ever. And if you don’t, then you’re doing it wrong. I expect a lot from the products I choose to put on my face. A healthy glow is what I aim for and what I demand from the best out there. Recently I fell for a new moisturiser that ticks all my boxes. Does that sound like something you’d need in your life right now? Then please keep on reading.

EVERYDAY BEAUTY ESSENTIALS I DON'T TALK ABOUT ENOUGH

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Hair and face essentials

Hey Queens, how are we this lovely March morning? Spring is just around the corner, but as it’s still a bit cold, I thought we should sit down and have a little chat about beauty essentials beauty bloggers rarely talk about. I have a secret to perfect hair, the only affordable micellar I truly rate and the lip balm to end all lip balms. If that sounds like something you’re interested in, please keep on reading. 

BEAUTY ON A BUDGET #3

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Beauty on a budget

We’re back baby. Bringing back one of your favourites, we’re talking awesome makeup on a budget straight from the aisles of Boots and Superdrug. All £10 and below. All amazing. New serum wonder. Delivering glowing coverage. Dreamy eyeshadow palette & another mascara below £5 that will knock your socks off. Treat yourself without breaking the bank!

BEST FOUNDATION FOR MATURE SKIN? LAURA MERCIER FLAWLESS LUMIÈRE

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Laura Mercier Flawless Lumière foundation - is it any good?

I always get excited about new foundations so when I was invited to visit the Laura Mercier counter at John Lewis, Grand Central in Birmingham, I was secretly hoping to have a little play with their Flawless Lumière Foundation. I was not only allowed to play but also brought home the bottle with me! So if you’re interested, here are my thoughts on it.

TAKE A BATH WITH ME #4: ALL THE BUBBLES, SUSTAINABLE SHAMPOO AND SCENTS TO DIE FOR.

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Bath, body and hair luxury favourites

It’s been a while I admit, but I’m back with some of my recent bath, body and hair favourites aka everything you may need to self-care at home. If you’re a bath person that loves to treat her/himself, then please keep on reading.

THE INKEY LIST: SKINCARE THAT WORKS ON A BUDGET

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The Inkey List: top 5 picks

When it comes to skincare I’m often too boujee for my own good, so to find some affordable gems without sacrificing on the luxurious textures and formulas - gimme me all of that. The Inkey List is the answer to anyone who may not be able to or want to spend a fortune on their face but at the same time is very conscious of the need for great routine that keep your face happy and glowing. Let’s chat my favourite picks for a complete skincare routine under £43!

HOW TO SKIN CARE WHEN YOU’RE LAZY AF - LUXURY EVENING EDIT

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Lazy gal evening routine

Following a great reception of the lazy AF morning routine and not at all because I had this one ready as well (lol), here’s a 5 minute routine for my busy boys and girls. We are not about compromising on quality here on Beauty Drama Queen so there may be less steps, but you’re getting all the benefits! There’s a method in my madness, I promise!

HOW TO SKIN CARE WHEN YOU’RE LAZY AF - LUXURY MORNING EDIT

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Morning routine in 4-steps

I’m lazy alright, perhaps not skincare routine kinda lazy, but give me an ironing board and I’ll find a way to beat you to death with it (or at least my thoughts on it!). I often hear that the biggest problem you face when trying to care for your skin is a lack of time. And I get it, so I compiled a quick and easy routines for when you’re not feeling like spending 20 mins on lathering products on your face. Interested?

THAT OILGASMIC FEELING

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Oilgasm in a bottle: Beuti Skincare The Beauty Sleep Elixir

If you’re new to Beauty Drama Queen, you may not be familiar with a term 'oilgasm', so welcome and let me tell you all about it. I try and test a lot of skincare and facial oils especially are my undoing. Not every oil can reach the holy grail status and oilgasm is reserved for creme de la creme of oils. Only two so far have reached that status, but have I found the third..?

OUT WITH THE OLD, IN WITH THE NEW: 2 HYDRATING SERUMS WORTH YOUR MONEY

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2 hydrating serums worth your money

Serum is such an important step in a skincare routine, as it’s that one product that if made right, really delivers it’s acting ingredients deeper than moisturiser or oil ever could. So sit back, relax and let me tell you about 2 fantastic hydrating serums that help my skin overcome harsh winter dehydration. 

THE ANSWER TO THE ULTIMATE DEWY SKIN

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Glossier Futuredew: one step to glow

Wow Queens, it’s been a while. I’m sorry but life certainly got in a way and half working MacBook was there to blame too. Now I’m back, a grand lighter but with a beautiful gold MacBook Air and tons of ideas for posts. I had a few end of year posts pre-written but it’s now February, so I’m back with a new content and jumping straight into what this Drama Queen knows best: my new secret to natural glass skin in 1 simple step. Hey, Glossier Futuredew, I see you girl.