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Mummy and the Beasties | For everyone with little monsters in their lives

A Guide To Finding Your Ideal Foundation

April 22, 2022 by 881bNoWt Leave a Comment

The beauty industry in the UK is one of the most popular and profitable being worth approximately over £17 million and statistics indicate that this will increase as the year progresses.

While beauty may be great for the national economy, it is not beneficial for the consumer’s pocket. Records show that the average British female will spend an overwhelming £100,000 on beauty products in her lifetime. It is seen that facial beauty products occupy the largest proportion of this amount with the average annual spending amount being approximately £279.41. That calculates to be £18,000 or so across the woman’s overall life span.

One of the top attributes all women aspire towards is having a healthy complexion. Statistics show that approximately 24% of females cite dry and cracked skin as their largest concern, with oily complexions following closely at 22%. Contrary to popular belief, acne is not the most concerning attribute coming in at only 15%; however, it does still contribute to the disruption of a healthy of complexion. This explains why foundation is another big facial beauty product expense.

By using a high quality foundation from a designer brand, it is possible to gain a healthy complexion. Unfortunately, this designer brand setting can cost the average person up to £30 or more; therefore, it is essential that we find the best foundation first time around to avoid unnecessary expenditure. While colour-matching is often performed in-store, the artificial lighting and professional application can result in choosing the incorrect product.

Needless to say, it would be ideal if we could take home generous samples of brand foundations to try each for several days. You would not have to waste money on products that are not well-suited to your skin type or tone.

• The Clinique Superblanced™ Silk Makeup SPF 15 10-Day Sample

As part of the free samples selection was this Clinique foundation product. A new, highly rated item that is ideal if you are searching for a foundation offering sheer to moderate coverage. It has an oil-free base with a natural, ‘naked’ matte finish making it perfect for combination or oily skin types.

The unique formula of Clinique’s Silk Makeup sample is beneficial because it adds moisture to the skin removing oil where required. This mixture not only improves the skin’s complexion, but also makes the wear comfortable throughout the day. The SPF protection is a bonus feature helping the skin appear vibrant and as attractive as it would without a foundation.

Even with the advantages of the product, a bottle of this foundation costs a mere £23 making it ideal for your skin and pocket.

The Clinique Superblanced™ Silk Makeup SPF 15 foundation was the first sample I tried and I was initially very impressed with its performance. The assistant at the beauty store matched my skin tone well applying blusher and lipstick in addition. I walked out of Boots pharmacy feeling like a model, convinced I had located my perfect product. Unfortunately, this was not the case.

As time passed, I attempted to replicate the initial look created by the assistant at Boots. Sadly, I found this procedure too difficult to perform and I found that the foundation was not blending correctly. It began appearing too rigid and heavy for my preference and I was no longer interested in the formula.

• The Estee Lauder Double Wear Stay-in-Place Makeup SPF 10 10-Day Sample

Voted first in the United Kingdom, the Double Wear by Estee Lauder is an iconic foundation beauty product. Its promise to keep the wearer appearing fresh and natural-looking is the base of its cult following. Regardless of what you are doing, where you are, the climate or culture, Estee Lauder ensure that you will continue looking flawless.

When collecting my sample from the House of Fraser, the Estee Lauder beauty counter assistant provided me with information regarding the product and its advantages. She used an eye match tool to find the ideal colour for me and tested a sample near my neck.

I will admit, I was not keen on the foundation in the beginning as I prefer lighter formulas. I was also put off by the product’s supposed 24-hour durability. I felt the foundation was not suitable to my face and as the product was not applied to my face in-store, I had yet to determine whether or not it was worth my time.

When I used the sample at home, I began to take an interest and it grew on me. While I do find the formula to be slightly heavy, the colour tone match was perfect and looked natural. I am also highly impressed with the buildability of the foundation.

• The Smashbox Studio Skin 15-Hour Wear Hydrating Foundation 7-Day Sample

As noted in Glamour Magazine, the Smashbox Studio Skin foundation is one of the most beneficial beauty products and is definitely worth spending money on. Created without the use of chemicals, oils or dangerous fragrances, this product can hydrate the skin without unwanted shine.

The Smashbox Studio Skin Hydrating foundation is a highly practical option for daily use. It is perspiration-resistant and offers 15-hour coverage for the wearer, which is ideal for people who have busy lives or enjoy attending the gym after work.

Disregarding the popular Studio Skin Primer, I had not used a Smashbox product before in my beauty regime. I was slightly dubious about the product; however, the counter assistant at Boots assured me that this foundation was fantastic. In fact, to convince me she even threw in a hydrating prima sample.

Similar to the Estee Lauder option mentioned above, this product was tested on a small portion of my face. It was only once I returned home that I was able to see the full effect on my entire face. The result: I like the product.

Smashbox has really smashed it out of the box with this foundation. It is beneficial in that it glides on easily during application and was not too matte in appearance. Lighter than the other samples, it met my colour preference and skin tone needs.

• The Estee Lauder Double Wear Nude Cushion Stick Radiant Makeup 10-Day Sample

A second free sample from Estee Lauder was the Double Wear Nude Cushion Stick foundation product. This was an ideal option because it presented as a liquid makeup stick and a pro tool in one.

The formula was light in weight and hydrating giving the skin a healthy complexion. It is easily used for sheer to medium coverage and can last for approximately eight hours.

Life

Best Ways of Living Frugally

April 10, 2022 by 881bNoWt Leave a Comment

Before you start saving your money, you should understand the basic difference between a want and a need. You have to specific about what things really matter and what things do not. Only then you can start living your life more frugally, goal-oriented and efficient. Below are some of the basic tips for living frugally.

1- Learn Your Resources
You cannot live frugally until you know your money, where it comes from, where does it go and how much of it comes and goes. It is like one of the basic need to live frugally. If you would not have a strong grasp on your financials, you will never be able to live frugally.

2- Spend Less Than You Earn
Once you know everything about your resources, it is time to make changes and live below what you earn. The cut you will make from your expenses by living on a lower budget than the amount you earn will open doors for investments, savings, and will eventually fuel your finances to stability. If are never able to cut your expenses and save more money then you will never be able to make it for a frugal lifestyle.

3- Learn the Difference between Expenditure and Investments
You might think that spending and investing are similar to each other but you have never been so wrong. When you talk about investments, you spend your cash for the sake of profits or in other words, to get a tangible asset like training for a job skill, buying a house that will not only save you rent money but will probably be sold at a higher rate, and investing in shares etc. On the contrary, spending is the expenditure of money for buying something that will not increase in its value but will become cheaper with respect to time, for example, eating out, buying new clothes or a cell phone.
Living frugally doesn’t necessarily mean that you always prefer investments overspending as you cannot live without spending money on your basic needs but it is helpful to know the basic difference between these two.

4- Always Go for Quality
Frugal life does not mean that should always go for purchasing something cheap, it is actually about looking out for the best option which can be giving preference to quality rather than price sometimes. For example, a t-shirt that you will buy for $3 but will not last a month and you would have to buy another one for each month will not take preference over buying a t-shirt that will cost $15 but will easily cover you up for the rest of the year.

Life

8 Baby Shower Ideas

March 14, 2022 by 881bNoWt Leave a Comment

Baby showers are fun and an important part of becoming a mother. But sometimes they can be expensive and a little difficult to arrange. Here we discuss 8 ways of arranging a baby shower that is more thought full and less expensive.

  1. Baby Starter kits
    Many companies offer free baby stuff
    hat include nappies, wipers, feeder bottles etc. This also can be a great gift.
  2. Gifts for the older siblings

The older siblings can feel a little neglected once a new baby comes. While you are giving gifts for the new born it is a good idea to include the older child as well so that he/ she doesn’t feel left out. You can give a free ticket to XYZ circus, age appropriate computer games or coloring books.

  1. Baby Formula
    Choosing a baby formula is not easy for starters they are very expensive and second not every formula suits every baby’s needs. There are many brands providing free samples, you can give them as a gift. It will save the parents the hassle from choosing different brand, this way they will have a number of choices right there in their hands.
  2. Nappies
    Every baby needs nappies and it is one of the biggest expenses. You can give samples of different brands of nappies so the parents can easily choose which suits them(i.e. the baby) the best.
  3. Baby Wipes
    The great philosophers of ancient times once said “nappies and Wipes go hand in hand” (ok may be they did not but they do don’t they). Every time you change a diaper you also need one or more wipes. The problem is babies have sensitive skin and not all brands can suit them. You can give the parents samples of different brands of wipes then they can easily find out which brand suits best the baby.
  4. Baby portraits
    We never get tired of seeing photos of newborn babies. This can also be a great gift as many studios offer free prints or at very little charge for infants and it is something that parents will always remember and cherish.
  5. Safety ID kit
    The most important part of being a parent is keeping your
    child safe. Many companies offer free Baby safety I.D. kits and this will be a very useful, thoughtful and loving gift that anyone can give.
  6. Shopping bags that are reusable
    As the family is expanding so will their grocery and they will need something to carry it in. Companies often give away free tote bags which has their logo or advertisement on it. It can also be a great gift.

Life

Which is the Best Beauty Subscription Box?

November 10, 2021 by 881bNoWt Leave a Comment

Glossy Box or Birchbox?

In last few years the demand and sales of the beauty products have skyrocketed and as per the report of the British Beauty Council, £2.2 billion were spent in the United Kingdom on beauty services and products during the year 2018, which clearly shows that there are a lot of people who are obsessed with beauty and many of them requested to provide my thoughts on which beauty subscription boxes is the best option to go with.
After I got a lot of requests, I started searching and here’s what I found out.

Before getting deeper into to question we need to actually understand the types of boxes. I’ve gone through a lot of beauty boxes but there are only two in which I got stucked, Glossybox and the Birchbox. To be very honest it was really difficult for me to make a final decision on them that’s why I thought I’ll explain both with their pros and cons so let’s dive in a bit deeper and have a look what I found out.

Glossybox
Glossybox allows you to treat yourself with a perfect combination of deluxe and full sized beauty product samples from top brands. Each month they deliver you a value box loaded with latest makeup products, tools and beauty creams and the best thing is that it only costs you £13.25 per month.
Let’s take a look at its pros and cons.

Pros
• With Glossybox subscription, you will receive a box containing top products from national and international brands.
• They will deliver you a box loaded with products of worth up to £47 and you won’t receive any product twice.
• Each month with your beauty box you will receive a coupon code which can be spent to buy other products, which is quite interesting in my opinion

Cons

• Glossybox doesn’t send you the products according to your profile as they send you a blend of products.
• If you are willing to buy some specific products then you’ll need to visit each brand’s website accordingly as Glossybox doesn’t allow you to buy a specific item.

 

Birchbox
Honestly speaking when it comes to beauty boxes, the Birchbox will be always on the top of the list and there’s no second thought on it but like other it also has some pros and cons. Birchbox allows you to get their monthly subscription at only £12.95 a month and once you’ve subscribed to their service you will receive a beautiful box each month at your doorsteps containing 2 high quality beauty and life style samples. The best thing is that these samples will be picked according to your profile and other than samples you will also receive some coupons which you can use on your next purchase to buy some of your favorite products.
Unlike Glossybox, Birchbox offers you three different plans to go with which are monthly subscription, three months and six months subscription plan.

Pros

• Once you have subscribed to their service, each month you will get a perfect blend of products according to your choice and if you want to try a specific product before you actually buy it then these samples are the best option for you.
• The interesting thing about Birchbox is that you will earn reward points for reviewing products and you can use them to purchase a lot of other full sized products and not only that, you will also receive £15 for referring each friend, I also used a coupon I receive and I got a beautiful makeup bag in exchange of my coupon code.
• Also if you purchase their products to certain amount, you will get a lot of promo codes which can spent to get yourself popular titles.

Cons
• With Birchbox the product samples you will receive each month from huge brands are small in size.
• The turning point of Birchbox is that the amount you will pay each month to get the products from Birchbox, the amount will be same if you buy them individually.

So this was all the things I noticed in both of the boxes as I have subscribed to both of them. Frankly speaking if I tell you about my personal preference then it’s the Glossybox for sure as the products you will receive each month, costs up to 47 pounds usually and they are always high-quality and full-sized ones as compared to the Birchbox. So yes in my opinion Glossybox is better than Birchbox.
You can also share your thoughts with me by using the comments section below and I’d love to hear from you too.

Product Testing

Review of Britax B-MOTION 4

May 29, 2021 by 881bNoWt Leave a Comment

Back in February I was invited to become a Britax Mumbassador and I certainly didn’t need asking twice. As always we are happy to try out new products. Pushchairs and car seats are no exception!

When I was given the opportunity to try out one of their pushchair/strollers it came at the right time for us needing an upgrade from our trusty ageing stroller. It had served its purpose but after four years use its easy handing and nifty steering wheels were not as they once were.

The key requirements we look for in a stroller are that they are easy to handle, compact and lightweight.

The one that fitted the bill to best suit our needs was the brand new B-MOTION 4.  I mentioned that our previous stroller had been getting a little tired looking and certainly not maneouvering like it once did and I really wanted a stroller that enabled me to to push it one handed. I usually need a free arm for my four year old or a shopping basket/both and colliding with people and stands in shops is not helpful and often stressful.

Now firstly, if you want a ‘light’ stroller then this is more than likely not going to be what you are looking for. It weighs in at 10.5 kgs, so not too much but you can definitely feel the weight more than umbrella folding style strollers. This pushchair is ideal for use from birth as it fully reclines, so it takes away the need for the carry cot attachment – although this is still available to use with it (purchased separately). It all very much depends on your needs but I found that with my first travel system, I barely used the carry cot as my son disliked lying down completely flat it in.

The colours available are called Neon Black or Chili Pepper (red). More colours would be nice in the future and I am sure they will be in the pipeline at some point. We opted for black as you can see from the pictures below.

The design enables you to release the stroller using one hand, using a quick release lever. It took me a little while to master opening it when it first arrived as once you have released the lever you need to pull a handle situated where the stroller folds in two on the top. It can certainly be opened using one hand but it does take a fair amount of force to encourage it to open fully. Once it does it clicks into place with its automatic chassis lock and you’re ready to go.

Product Testing

Win a LeapFrog Tag Reading System Book

May 28, 2021 by 881bNoWt Leave a Comment

We are massive fans of the Leapfrog Tag reading system in this house. Leapfrog anything in fact. Last Christmas Beastie received a tag reader along with some story books and an interactive map of the world. The world map has to be my absolute favourite and you know I could learn a thing or two with him…

If you’re like me and keen to find fun ways to help your little ones learn how to read, then the tag reading systems might be the answer you have been looking for. There are lots of products in the range which are aimed at different age groups.

As Beastie has recently started school he’s actively developing his reading skills and the alphabet. It’s all about phonics this term and it’s great to see how his enthusiasm is growing each day and how much he really wants to learn. Little sponges that they are.

The Tag Learn to Read Series combines fun stories with audio to help children identify letter sounds and hear how they come together to form words. If sitting down and reading through books isn’t engaging your child enough then this is a way of bringing the words to life as well as helping them absorb the information. You can see other Leapfrog education items here.

If you would like the opportunity to get a Leapfrog Tag Reading System Book then you have the chance to get one here courtesy of Argos.

*Please note that it doesn’t include the tag reader.

 

LeapFrog_Tag_reading-system

 

Argos

Giveaway

Mamas And Papas Confident You Campaign

May 28, 2021 by 881bNoWt Leave a Comment

The Confident You Campaign is something that all mums can relate to, whether it’s your first baby or your fifth! Having a baby changes the dynamics in your life in lots of different ways, some you are prepared for and some can come as a complete surprise.

Mamas and Papas recently completed a national survey of roughly around 2000 new mums about their health and fitness attitudes. Based on previous research, they found that their target audience of mums who are 25-34, are worried about their personal appearance and weight. They are inclined to do activities to stay fit, but find it hard to manage their time around family life and as a result, they often skip meals or eat unhealthy. Their research found some interesting results, which shows that actually the new generation of mums are very active in the diets and exercise – post pregnancy. See what Mamas and Papas found with the Confident You survey.

Since becoming a mum myself, I can relate to a lot of the findings. On a personal level, I know that I have at times struggled with my appearance, what I should and shouldn’t be eating, while at the same time trying to look after children. My kids pretty much always trump my needs but that’s the sacrifice I am happy to make while they are still fairly small. I’m still trying to find the elusive balance, however, I don’t let that defeat me and I’m always striving to keep us healthy as a family.

Having children definitely makes you look at your own diet. Not only do you want them to have nutritious food but you also have an example to set as well as having the energy to keep up with them. I also feel that despite not actually doing any proper exercise *cough* I’m fitter than pre-children , simply as I’m running around after them. My life was much more sedentary before!

Life

6 Months Old

May 27, 2021 by 881bNoWt Leave a Comment

I’m a week late, but this little girly has turned six months. Half a year already having this little ray of sunshine in our lives. Although each stage in a baby’s development is special, she’s at the point where things are really starting to become a little more interesting for her and also for us.

She’s started the weaning journey now, which really marks the end of an era for me. As demanding as it can be exclusively breastfeeding, it’s always been a time that I have cherished with all my babies. As we’re still in the early stages of weaning, there hasn’t really been any marked change in taking milk and like with both my boys, I hope to continue until about the one year mark.

She’s not yet sitting up by herself but she’s sturdy none the less. I’m in no hurry for her to rush and reach her milestones, after all she’ll grow up at some point and these baby months will be over in a blink of an eye. She’ll probably surprise us all one day and be one of these babies that skips stages or does something a little different to her brothers, like bum shuffling!

Getting a photo of her with the milestone card was pretty challenging. Once she had her eye on it, she was stopping at nothing until she got it. She went to great lengths to swipe it which shows what a determined little girl she is becoming.

She really is such a smiley baby but as luck would have it, I don’t always manage to capture it on camera. She’s clued up already, as when the camera comes out, her face changes. I think she’s getting used to me snapping away and using her as my latest muse but it won’t be long until things will be very much on her terms.

I just love her little expressions that she’s making now. My husband and I always joke that it makes a change to have a baby with expressions. Simply because both the boys had such fair eyebrows, you could hardly detect that they had any! So they always looked more surprised than anything. The way she furrows her brow in an inquisitive way is just so cute.

She’s definitely got us all wrapped around her little finger and in particular her biggest brother. He completely dotes on her and it’s so lovely to see.

As hard work as having three children can be, we still pinch ourselves that we decided to try for one last baby that turned out to be a girl. Six months later and it still feels surreal to say I have a daughter and yet it’s like she’s always been part of our family now.

Life

Big Changes

May 27, 2021 by 881bNoWt Leave a Comment

It doesn’t take much for me to be quiet on my blog lately. Life can be pretty hectic most days and I do struggle to find a happy medium where I can do all I need to and set time aside for the blog. In a nutshell, I managed blogging with more ease with only one Beastie!

Anyway one of the main reasons I have been finding life busy is the fact we have moved. It all happened rather fast and it’s been a bit of a whirlwind. We made the decision to move in with my husbands family while we rent out our flat. This way we hope to save lots of pennies to one day buy that house (and garden!) we have been dreaming of.

So big changes all round and not least for the boys. What I am loving is the fact they now have a bigger bedroom to share which also doubles up as a playroom for them. Their old bedroom was so crammed to the rafters with their beds and cots and chest of drawers that they had no room to actually play and have their toys in there. Beastie also found it very hard to settle at night in there and just didn’t enjoy it like a child should with their ‘own’ room.

This is where their new room is going to be different. We have given them as much floor space as possible by putting their beds in one corner, one big boy bed and one cotbed. My husband was keen to take down the cot sides for Baby Beastie but I didn’t feel the need to do this yet. He hasn’t made another bid for freedom for quite a while and the longer I can keep him contained in his cot the better. When Beastie was set loose, we ended up with him in our bed for another year and I am keen to prevent history repeating itself. As the cotbed is still up then the baby monitor will stay in place. He has a movement sensor mat under his mattress and unlike his brother, he doesn’t set it off all of the time. It’s piece of mind for me and as long as he stays put in his bed, it shall stay put.

It also means his big brother can get in to keep him company and look after him from time to time. That’s what big brothers are for…

Life

A Holiday To Really Remember As A #MarkWarnerMum

May 27, 2021 by 881bNoWt Leave a Comment

So what makes the perfect holiday? It can be any number of factors that makes a holiday truly amazing and unforgettable. Yet fundamentally it starts with being together and getting away from it all.

It’s so hard to switch off from work mode when at home and concentrate on spending time with the kids. It’s not always easy to find the time to properly play with them, actually listen to what they have to say and respond with genuine interest. Yet it’s so important to nurture their little personalities and let them grow.

For me, it’s always been about sunny holidays. Nothing quite beats that feeling of the sun on my face and body. When I lie on a sun lounger and feel the warm breeze around me, I instantly relax. I’ll open my eyes and squint up to the vast expanse of blue sky and think to myself, ‘this is what life is all about’. If only I could bottle this feeling and sprinkle it around on rainy days…

Of course now I have a family, my sun lounging days are few and far between, but do you know what? Holidays are also a lot more fun now children are involved. They give you more of a reason to get out there and enjoy yourself and we can always learn a lot from kids.

Our holidays are now about seeking adventures with three little people in tow. Three little people that only want to enjoy themselves to the max and only see the world through innocent eyes. We want their adventures to be ones that they always remember and shape the memories from their childhood. Memories that we make together as a family and will always be cherished. The kind you reminisce about for the rest of your life and aspire to recreate. The carefree days.

Last summer we were still a family of four and a bump and we were limited in what we could do on holiday.

Now we have a little lady who has joined the ranks and it’s exciting that our children’s adventures will now be as a threesome. This summer, she will be big enough to enjoy her first holiday and she has two big brothers who can’t wait to go swimming with her.

Being in a position to sit by the poolside and just wile the time away having a little chat. Nothing is standing in your way of spending quality time just hanging out together. No pressing schedules or workloads, apart from what activity might be next or what time you plan to get ready to go out and get something to eat.

It’s also essential to look the part on holiday. Holiday accessories are key.

Sometimes it’s nice to feel the sun on your back while you dip your toes in the water. Just hanging out together, appreciating each others company.

Sunshine, pools and water jets are a pretty cool combination. However, there’s always the initial shock of that first plunge…

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When it all gets a bit too much, cuddles wrapped up in a towel can make everything better.

When it’s summertime, you can dance around in your pants if you want to.

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And walk around without a care in the world…also in your pants if you want to.

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You can wear big cheesy grins.

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It’s also a time to let your imagination run wild. Don’t you just love the magic of make believe?

It’s perfect for learning new skills in the sun…

And it’s about simply having the time to wind down after an exhausting day outdoors…

So as a family we’re more than ready for some new adventures and challenges. The boys are at the stage where they really want to try new activities and the fearless attitude is still very much present. Something I now envy!

We want to soak up the sun on an amazing beach resort while trying out exciting pursuits on the sea. Or wrap up warm on the ski slopes and get to grips with an entirely new skill. A chance to experience what the resorts have to offer for the whole of the family, while getting some much needed time as a couple. It’s the best of both worlds.

Also, we’re crucially overdue a proper family photograph too. This is the only snap of the five of us and no one really wants Christmas thrust in their face right now, do they? I’m thinking of one with sunkissed skin and a nice sunset as a backdrop.

We love to tell a story through photos and video and our adventures on a holiday of our dreams would be no less. In fact we’re intrigued with what we could come up with…

Our holidays might not be perfect, but it’s all about being together. Having nothing that gets in the way of being silly, laughing, smiling and doing what we want to do everyday. Falling into bed everynight after a day spent doing what makes our hearts happy. That pretty much sounds like bliss.

Life

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Recent Posts

  • A Guide To Finding Your Ideal Foundation
  • Best Ways of Living Frugally
  • 8 Baby Shower Ideas
  • Which is the Best Beauty Subscription Box?
  • Review of Britax B-MOTION 4

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