Selfie Dos and Don'ts

Another piece I did for Dove's Google+ channel involved a '10 Point Selfie Manifesto', including all the dos and don'ts of snapping a selfie with a friend. 

'Selfies can be a tricky business - especially when they feature our friends too. Follow our 10 Point Selfie Manifesto and make sure your snap is a source of confidence for everyone starring in it...

How many times has your BFF uploaded a profile picture that made you cringe? Yeah, sure, she looks great, but for you? It’s not NEARLY as flattering. We’ve all been there. And yet... we all still do it.   So in a bid to better our skills as selfie takers, we’ve come up with a set of steps to follow next time we’re taking a snap with our best friends. You’ll never have to untag a Facebook photo again (hopefully). Give your next photo session the real beauty treatment with our 10 Point Selfie Manifesto...'

Read my full feature (and see more of the awkward snaps) here.

View Post

Spring Style Rules

This summer I did some freelance work for one of the agencies behind Dove's social account. Among other things, I wrote features for their Google+ channel, including this insight-led piece around Spring Style Rules. 

'Still completely clueless on when to stop wearing tights in April? Yep, us too. See more of the style rules that confuse us in spring...

Our poor wardrobes don’t have it easy in April. With the weather changing more than our natural hair colour seems to, it’s no wonder we don’t know when to stop wearing tights in spring. Or how to dig out last year’s sundresses without causing complete bedroom chaos. But it wouldn’t be April without a spot of mid season nonsense. Here, we celebrate the unique and amazing ways us women transition into spring. Question is, which style hero are you?

Sunglasses Susie 
If you’ve mastered the art of wearing sunglasses with a winter coat, then you’re a marvellous multi-tasking Susie in spring. Conjuring summer shades from your handbag before most friends have even had time to accept it’s already April? Amazing. 

Cautious Cate
Hesitant with a slight stubbornness towards unreliable weather, sound familiar? This is you if you’d happily unbutton your winter coat and maybe consider ditching the scarf. But leaving the house in anything but boots is, understandably, out of the question until May.'

Read my full feature online here.

View Post

Beauty: Natural Sunscreens

It’s never been easier to invest in organic skincare and finding a natural sunscreen is no exception. Organic and mineral sunscreens boast all the benefits of your usual sun protection products, while being free from unwanted chemicals.

When it comes to spoiling us for choice, the organic experts at Badger Balm have crafted an eye-watering collection of natural sunscreens, lip balms and after sun balms, suitable for scent-lovers, sport enthusiastic and families. Sounds good, right?

Read my full feature online at The Green Find. 

View Post

Organic Beauty: Sleeping Well

We all love a good night’s sleep, but mastering the art of feeling calm and relaxed when we need it most can be easier said than done. Whether you suffer from insomnia or simply struggle to switch off at night, there are plenty of organic ways to help improve your bedtime routine.

In a bid to better our sleeping habits, we reveal the 10 best ways to bag a good night’s sleep… the organic way. Notepads at the ready!

1. Drink herbal tea before bed. Clipper’s Organic Snore and Peace (20 bags/£2.25) blends chamomile, lemon balm and lavender for a light bedtime drink. While Aussie brand Love Chai’s loose leaf Sleep Blend of Organic Tisane (60g/$10) is a great caffeine free, herbal option for top tea therapy.

2. Vitamin C  is one of the main sources of nutrients that helps you to sleep better. The tastiest food options? We’d say organic pineapple, strawberries, papaya, broccoli and bell peppers.

3. Having a warm bath before bed can help to lower your core temperature and make you sleepy. Neal’s Yard Soothing Bath Oil (100ml/£14.75) is the ideal pampering partner, containing lavender, geranium, sunflower, almond and soya oils to soften and soothe skin in the process.

Read my full feature online at The Green Find. 

View Post

Beauty With Cate Blanchett

Ahead of awards season, I sat down (literally, on an actual sofa) with Cate Blanchett. In the bloomin’ flesh. Aside from being the loveliest Hollywood starlet you’re likely to meet, the Oscar-winning actress dished her finest skincare secrets and name-dropped her favourite fashion designers. She even listened to me bang on about how gorgeous her purple Stella McCartney suit was. The poor thing. 

Linked with her work as the Global Ambassador for beauty brand SK-II, my interview was split into exclusive pieces for InStyle.co.uk and MarieClaire.co.uk - direct links below.

Cate Blanchett on…

Her Secret To Beautiful Skin (Marie Claire)

Best Beauty Secrets Revealed (InStyle)

British Fashion And How To Rock A Red Carpet (InStyle)

View Post