Hi guys,

This week I am bringing to you some of my favourite body care items. We spend so much time making sure our skincare on our face is right but often forget how important the skin on our body is too. I am totally guilty of this at times, especially when I'm in a rush, but I pay for it later when my skin becomes dry, grey looking and dull. Winter is the worst time of year for my skin on my body. The wind chill in addition to the heating being on constantly is a bad combination.  I have put together a post of some of my favourite items that I have been using for a while now that keep my skin feeling great.

Hey my loves,

This week, I'm bringing to you my birth story for baby number three. I gave birth to Lana Rose on Tuesday 15th October at 12.15am, weighing 7 pounds 5 ounces. The birth probably didn't go as well as I had imagined it would due to how quickly she came, but honestly, when I take everything into consideration, it could have been a lot worse. I thought I would also share what I used to help get me there.

Hey guys,

So if you read my posts regularly you are probably wondering why there is no second trimester post. To be honest it's because the second trimester flew by and didn't really cause me any problems whatsoever. This is typical of the second trimester and probably the first time in my pregnancies where , dare I say it, I actually enjoyed the pregnancy!?!? (Reading this back I would say that's taking it too far lol) Compared to my first trimester (click here for post) the second trimester was the complete opposite. I wouldn't say everything completely disappeared but there was nothing apart from a small scare (a heavy bleed which is still unexplained) which really fazed me. 

Hey everyone,

Recently Iconic London had a 20% sale on and I had got a little birthday money so I decided to purchase a few beauty items as I hadn't splurged on myself in a while.  Because of the sale, it meant I got the newly released Brow silk for £16 rather than the usual £20 so I was chuffed with my bargain. Surprisingly, I haven't actually bought any of Iconic's other products but have tried their Illuminating drops and really liked them. So it's not really a brand I was familiar with but the brow silk really appealed to me.

Hi guys,

This week I thought I would bring to you a little round up of what me and my family got up to in the summer holidays. The children are back to school now, so I have finally had the opportunity to write about our little getaway. This year, as I am quite heavily pregnant, we decided to go on holiday in the UK instead of abroad and we picked Wales as we absolutely love it there. One place we hadn't visited before was North Wales, so when we heard good reviews about the Haven based there, we decided to book it and give it a go.

Hey Guys,

This week I am posting a review of a biscuit brand called Biscuiteers. These aren't ordinary biscuits though, as they can be delivered to your door and come in a variety of styles, as I found out when I was gifted some by the brand for my birthday next week! They arrived at the perfect time as it is also my daughter's birthday this week so double the celebration.

Hey guys,

So by now you should know that I'm pregnant! I decided to document my first trimester in a diary format, so parts will be as I am experiencing it and there may also be comments from me reflecting on it later. Even though my blog started off as a motherhood and beauty blog, more recently I have focused a little more on the beauty side of things, but please expect to read more of my experience in pregnancy. The interesting thing is I started my blog nine months after the birth of my second child. So even though there are a lot of post-natal posts (click here) there are no pre-natal ones, so I am making sure I document how I feel every step of the way!

7 weeks

How can I feel so lifeless when I have never been more full of life? I'm pregnant, and the reality is I'm exhausted, not just from feeling tired but from feeling sick, from being constipated, from the smells that are the most overpowering they have ever been. This is my third pregnancy. so you might say you knew what you were getting yourself into. Yes I knew, but when reality hits, there's nothing quite like it. 

Hi guys,

One of my highest requested make-up looks is a glowy, natural, nude look. I recently did a poll on my instagram stories and this came up as favourite compared to other looks such as a smokey eye or bold lip. So I decided to create one using some fantastic products I received recently.

The first thing I will say is that when it comes to creating this type of look your skincare before the make-up application has to be on point. The skin needs to be really hydrated and prepped. So to start with I exfoliated using *Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant, which exfoliates the skin and leaves you with a smooth surface. I then applied *Pixi Glow Tonic Toner and Glow Serum for that extra boost of Glycolic acid, which will reveal new skin cells. I finally applied my *Dermalogica Prisma Protect moisturiser with SPF 30.

Hi Guys,

This week, I am bringing something a little bit different to the blog. Recently, I was invited to a one night's stay at *Chicheley Hall in Newport Pagnall (near Milton Keynes) for me and a plus one. It is a grade II listed, 18th century mansion that is being used as a hotel and wedding venue. It had come at the most perfect time as I needed a little escape from my busy mum and work life (I'll explain why a little later). I couldn't even remember the last time Aaron and I had spent the night away. At first, I wasn't even sure about where Milton Keynes was, as I had never been before but was pleasantly surprised that it was only around one and a half hours drive from Birmingham, so not too far, but far enough to feel like I had got away from the chaos of the city.

Hey guys,

It has been absolutely ages since I last did a favourites post so I thought it was about time as I have been using a few new products recently. The products are a mixture of skincare and make-up and are all amazing so that's why they made the post. 

First up we have a few make-up products I picked up from Pat McGrath Labs when I was in London a few week ago. Selfridges London currently have a pop-up which I'm hoping will become permanent across Selfridges stores as the make-up is beautiful. I have been waiting quite a while since PML was released online in the UK as I wanted to go and swatch products in store. If you follow me on Instagram you would have seen my arm full of swatches and I spent a good hour in the store going through all the products and picking what I wanted carefully. 

I purchased the Fetish Eyes Mascara (£26), which is amazing and building length, volumizing and curling lashes. It literally does all three. You can also achieve different looks with it depending on how many coats you put on so I'm currently obsessed. I also purchased the Lust Gloss in Future Femme (£25) which is a lovely pink shade and highly moisturising. It has little flecks of glitter and I'm partial to a bit of glitter so it was definitely coming home with me. My favourite purchase has to be the Highlighter & Balm duo in Golden (£37). On one side you are given a transparent balm which is packed full of aloe, argan oil and hyaluronic acid. This gives such a natural healthy glow to the skin. I love wearing it on those no make-up days where I just want my skin to look extra dewy. The fact it has so much skincare packed in too make me love it even more. I apply to my lips and they are instantly hydrated. Similarly the gold side is also a balmy texture which makes it perfect for blending into the skin seamlessly. It literally melts into the skin to leave a glow from within. I am so happy with my purchases and love the branding on the packaging too. Pat has nailed it when it comes to her makeup collection.

Next up we have a make-up item I have been using regularly which is the Eye Majic Eyeshadow pads ** (£19.99). These are fantastic little sponge pads which have eyeshadow already applied. You simply apply directly to the lid and drag and the eyeshadow is then transferred to your eyes. Once applied I then run over with a eyeshadow blending blush just to soften some of the lines and it's as simple as that. It saves me so much time and the finished look is really effective. I have a whole tutorial over on my Instagram highlights so feel free to pop over and have a look! You get four different colours in a pack and there are 20 pairs so a great way to try a range of products.

With my skincare I have found my skin becoming more and more sensitive recently and I have even been breaking out in spots. Some are so painful I have never had spots like it before. Overall my skin has been lacking lustre and I tend to blame it on my hormones and they are a bit all over the place at the moment. Whenever my skin is feeling really bad I know I can rely on the Image Skincare Biomolecular Hydrating Recovery Mask ** (£41.95, 5 pack). This is the one sheet mask I know works and have mentioned it on the blog before. It contains volcanic water, red algae, amino acids and gives you brighter skin in one application. I was also recently sent the Image skincare Ormedic Balancing Gel Masque* (£28) which has been really helping with my sensitivity. I can see the redness in my spots calm down and it is very cooling on the skin so perfect for aggravated skin or even skin that may have been treated for example with laser or waxing. The combination of both of these products is great.

Now could I have a favourites post without including a Pixi product? the answer is no. One of my favourite skincare brands which your probably already know! I was so happy to recently find out the Glow range had been extended to include a cleanser, moisturising gel, and serum to name a few. I have spoken about the Glow Tonic many times on my blog and raved about how it is my favourite toner. So when I was sent the rest of the range I was ecstatic. I have been loving the Glow Tonic Serum* (£26) as it literally just continues to add that radiance and glow in a more potent formula. It is full of Glycolic acid which is the holy grail for exfoliating skin and regenerating new skin cells. It has particularly been good for my scarring that I have been getting from these dreadful hormonal spots.

Finally what I can't live without is my Dermalogica Prisma Protect SPF 30 Moisturiser* (£58, 50ml) I actually have been using this every day come rain or shine however especially now with summer coming up SPF is so important! The prism protect is perfect because it is mixed in with a moisturiser so need for separate products. And I don't know about you but I am struggling for shelf space in my beauty cabinet so that's a bonus right there. It leaves no sticky residue and absorbs straight into the skin. A great product.

So this completes my recent favourites. I hope you enjoy and please let me know some of your favourites in the comments below.

Amina xx

*PR Gift. Al opinions are my own.

** PR gift with affiliate link.

Hi Guys,

I thought this week I would bring you a little update on some of the curly hair products I have been using recently. I got my first curly hair cut and colour from the lovely Matt and Rosie at Spring is in the Hair salon, the UK's first dedicated curly hair salon which happens to be in my hometown of Birmingham. It was quit the experience as I have never had my curls cut dry before, but so nice to be in a salon full of curly haired people! Matt literally goes through your hair practically curl by curl until you achieve a shape that suits you. And I think by far what I am most happiest with is the colour. I wanted subtle highlights and Rosie nailed it. While I was there I was recommended the Trepadora Papaya Slip Taming Potion (£18). It is actually a life changing product for me when it comes to my curls. It literally holds every curl in place and can be left to air dry or diffuse, although I find the results better when diffusing. You are left with quite tight, rigid and crispy curls however you literally scrunch it out and your curls turn into these soft ringlets. It is just lovely so I am excited to continue using it!

Hey everyone,

For the past few weeks I have been using the new Clinique Even Better Refresh Foundation* (£30). If you know me well, you will know by now that I don't really like thicker or full coverage foundations, mainly because of how they feel on my skin. This is a medium to high coverage foundation but the reason it appealed to me so much is because it boasts a whole host of skincare within it. 

Hi guys,

This week I am bringing to you a review of the *PMD Kiss (£89). I am always lusting after big, plumper lips. I don't know if this has something to do with the Kylie Jenners and Huda Beauties of the world but I actually do think social media has a lot to do with it. Every face I see on instagram seems to have a big pouting lip and I have actually contemplated getting lip fillers a number of times. But the condition of my lips also aren't the best. I feel like no matter how much water I drink naturally my lips are quite dark and creased. I have done posts previously on how to achieve bigger lips (click here) using products and over lining techniques but the PMD offered something a little more permanent and different so I was really excited to try.

Hi guys,

So it hasn't been long since I did a Pixi post however I did mention last time that I had never tried their make-up! So to my surprise I was actually sent a PR package from the lovely Pixi by Petra team, which included some of their new Eye Reflection Shadow Palettes* (£24) and a fantastic set of brushes*. I have been using them so much I decided to do a post on them. The palette contain a mix of metallic, shimmer, and matte shades so there is definitely something for everyone.

Hey guys,

A few weeks back I was invited to the Stila Spring launch and as always fell head over heels with some of their new releases. You will know by now from my previous posts that I am a big fan. Stila always stand out to me as quite an innovative brand especially being one of the first brands to launch the liquid eyeshadows but they always seem to be coming out with new products and colours that are so current. This Spring their focus is on skin, which as a skin lover I was so happy about. As well as launching new shades in their liquid eyeshadow formats, Stila have also released Skin Perfecting Colours and Primers as well as the In the Buff powder spray (see what I mean about the innovation!).

Hi Everyone,

I recently received the Rodial Collagen Boost Lip Laquers from a fellow beauty addict Safiyah Tasneem and I was so happy to receive them. I have tried bits and bobs from Rodial but this mainly focused around their skincare. If you aren't aware, Rodial have been around since the 1999 and are a beauty brand that groups its products into particular skincare concerns. They also have a more affordable sister brand, Nip + Fab which I too have used many times. You my be familiar with some of their ranges because of the unusual names, such as,  Dragon's Blood (great for hydration), or Bee Venom (perfect for those looking to target the signs of ageing). Rodial's makeup collection launched in 2014, so is relatively new. But from what I have tried I have been impressed, particularly with their concealer and perfect contour shades. 

Hi Everyone,

This week I am bringing to you a review of some of Pixi Beauty's Rose products. I was lucky enough to win these in a competition on Instagram and was so excited when I did as Rose scented products are some of my favourites. You will also know I am already a fan of Pixi products from some of my previous posts (click here). So be prepared for an outpouring of love when it comes to these products. This is only my first impression as I have been using them daily for three weeks, but the plumpness and hydration in my skin is outstanding.