Welcome to Beauty Geek
Thank you so much for visiting
I’ve been writing about my love for beauty for over a decade and at age 39, I’m still at it! I love all things that fall under the beauty umbrella, particularly luxury and indulgent skincare, natural-looking makeup and floral fragrances. I also have a soft spot for long baths and fancy bath foams.
I have had an ongoing battle with acne for most of my adult life, so here I share the products and treatments that help, as well as those that don’t. All of the products featured in the “favourite things” carousel below are products I use and love. I live in London with my beautiful son, Teddy.
If you fancy being social, you can find me at all the sites below. Please come and say “hi!”
a few of my favourite things
✨️I feel like I have been sleeping on IT Cosmetics recently which is crazy as their products are truly amazing! I put together this full face, using exclusively IT Cosmetics, to remind myself just how fab they are ✨️
(Unpaid ad - mix of PR and purchases)
Starting off with a comparison of the Your Skin But Better CC+ Nude Glow versus the original and iconic CC+ Cream. I genuinely love them both; I think Nude Glow is a little less high coverage and a little more glowy, but they both give really good coverage overall with a gorgeous finish.
Next I used the Bye Bye Dark Spot Concealer which is clever hybrid of skincare and makeup designed to both cover and target pigmentation. I used another brand icon, the Bye Bye Under Eye Concealer, and it really did get rid of my bags - I can’t believe how good the coverage is!
Onto the IT Girl Beauty Book which is just amazing! Absolutely rammed full of pretty much everything you need, so I used the Bye Bye Pores Pressed Powder and Bronzer, blush in shade Bubbly, Brow Power Powder in Universal Taupe, eyeshadow in Dash and finally the *stunning* Adorn lip colour. They used to release one of these beauty books every year, but I’m not sure if that still happens and I can’t find any evidence of them online, but if you can get your hands on one then they really are fab.
Finally, a spritz of Your Skin But Better Setting Spray followed by a quick coat of Hello Lashes Volumizing Mascara and there we have it! IT Cosmetics do basics so well; they focus on giving you the tools to subtly enhance and prettify and I love them SO much.
✨️Direct link in bio to Sephora, who are currently running some great IT Cosmetics promos ✨️
#itcosmetics #makeup #beauty #newbeauty #fullface #realskin #acne #adultacne #acnecommunity #ITC #fullcoverage #bbloggers #bbloggersuk
#instabeauty #makeupaddict #beautyaddict #eyeshadow #beautyblogger #beautyreel #grwm #makeupreel #discoverunder10K
#makeuplover #instamakeup #fabat40 #40plusbeauty #40plusmakeup #over40beautysecrets #easymakeup #naturalmakeup @itcosmeticsuki @wpp @sephorauk
🧡 The July Roccabox is all about Sunshine and Self-Care 🧡
(Unpaid ad - PR)
Before I go into the July Roccabox details, I just want to quickly flag that @roccaboxuk have a promo at the moment where you can get 3 mystery boxes for £30, which is extremely good value! I’ve included a link in my bio.
The July Roccabox is small but perfectly formed, containing five products from some really great brands. Here’s what I got:
🧡 Dehlicious Min-Tea Moisture Balm
🧡 Murad Vita-C Exfoliating Facial
🧡 Sentier Fragrance - Monde A Part
🧡 Rodial SPF Drops
🧡 Dr Botanicals Grapefruit & Watermelon Cleanser
I’m starting to plan my holiday skincare (it isn’t until September, but still...) so I’m most happy to see the Murad mini as I love that product so much and it’s the perfect size for my getaway!
🧡 Find Roccabox via a direct link in my bio, where subscriptions start at £15 a month, or you can buy this box as a one-off for £22 🧡
#roccabox #roccaboxjuly #beautybox #unboxing #beautyboxes #ukbeautyboxes #bbloggers #bbloggersuk #beauty #makeup #skincare #beautydeals #skincareaddict #beautytips #skincarejunkie #beautyaddict #makeupaddict #subscriptionbox #skincareblogger #makeupjunkie #skincarecommunity #beautyproducts #giftbox #discoverunder10K
#indiebeauty #skincarelover #ilovemakeup #skincareproducts #makeuplover
🌞Today StyleKorean launched their My Summer BFF box, and it is absolutely amazing! 🌞
(Unpaid ad - PR)
In the box you get seven full-size sunscreens and one full-size cleansing oil for $39, which roughly works out at just under £30, which is just unbelievable value, especially considering that the contents are worth $179, so you really are getting a huge amount for such a tiny price.
Here’s what’s included in the box, as featured in the order I tried them out in my video:
🌞 Beauty of Joseon Matte Sun Stick: Mugwort & Camelia
🌞 Abib Airy Sunstick Smoothing Bar
🌞 VT Cosmetics PDRN Essence Glow Sun Pact
🌞 Heimish Artless Glow Bae SPF50+
🌞 Derma-B Everydy Sun BLock SPF50+
🌞 Tocobo Cica Calming Sun Serum
🌞 Round Lab Birch Juice Moisturizing Sun Cream
🌞 Anua Heartleaf Pore Control Cleansing Oil Mild
There’s such a great mix of sunscreens making this a great opportunity to try out some new products, restock favourites and make sure you’re sorted for the whole summer.
🌞 I’ve included a link in my bio to the box. If you fancy this then move quickly as they always sell out really fast! 🌞
#stylekorean ##stylekoreanbox_bff #stylekoreanbox
#stylekoreanpartner #kbeauty #koreanskincare #spf #sunstick
#suncream #glowysummer #TOCOBO #Derma-B #Abib #anua #ROUNDLAB #BeautyofJoseon #heimish #VTCosmetics @stylekorean_global
#realskin #skincare #newbeauty #beautydeal #acne #acnecommunity #adultacne #40plusskincare #discoverunder10K #sunscreen #koreanbeauty
💜 Real Techniques have some fantastic deals for Prime Day! 💜
(Unpaid ad - PR)
They’ve got loads on offer with some massive savings to be had; from what I can see, this includes pretty much everything in their Amazon store (sets, sponges, individual brushes etc) and even includes the very exciting Shapeshifter collection which I’ve had my eye on for a while! They’ve also massively reduced the gorgeous Au Naturale set (down from £29.99 to £16) which is a total bargain for such a beautiful set.
Also included is this Travel Fantasy Mini Brush Kit (down from £19.99 to £13.18) which is such a handy kit if you have any holidays planned. I took this kit away with me last year, alongside one other RT brush, and it was all I needed for my entire 2 weeks; it’s such a handy and well thought out set, so well worth grabbing this bargain whilst it’s so heavily reduced.
I’ve included a link to the @realtechniques store in my bio. Let me know if you grab yourself anything!
#realtechniques #makeup #makeupbrushes #primeday #primedaydeals #beautydeals #primedaybeauty #beautybargain #discoverunder10K #newbeauty #bbloggers #bbloggersuk #beauty #beautytips #beautyaddict #instabeauty #makeupaddict #makeuptools #makeupsets #makeupbrush #brushsets #rt #rtdeals #realtechniquedeals #primedaybeautydeals #beautysteals #beautyreel #beautynewness #ilovemakeup #addictedtomakeup
I had far too much fun editing this image of the new Charlotte Tilbury Magic Energy fragrance...
(Unpaid ad - PR)
I’m sure you’re fully aware that Team Tilbury have launched an exciting new range of fragrances, but if you’d like to find out more about this particular one then please head on over to my blog (direct link in bio) for a read.
Have a wonderful weekend, everybody! xx
💚 There are so many fabulous sunscreen launches this year, so here’s a little try-on sesh with the new Tocobo Cica Calming Sun Serum 💚
(Unpaid ad - PR)
I am loving the fact that there are so many brands releasing sunscreens that provide solid protection in a formula that won’t break you out, as so many people who are acne-prone struggle to find suitable sunscreens.
This new arrival from Tocobo is non-comedogenic and suitable for all skin types, particularly those who are prone to breakouts or struggle with sensitive skin, and the formula is designed to provide a perfect balance of hydration and oil control, whilst also reducing skin temperature and leaving skin looking fresh and dewy. It doesn’t leave a white cast and the serum formula is extremely lightweight.
💚 Right now it’s available for just $15 (around £12) at StyleKorean - direct link in bio - so now is a great time to try it 💚
#stylekorean #tocobo #cicasunserum #sunserum #tocobosunserum #koreanskincare #skincaretips #sunscreen #kbeauty #glowskin
I am so happy that SUQQU have launched a cream blusher!
(Unpaid ad - PR)
Cream blushes are my absolute biggest weakness. Something about that buttery formula, buildable pigment and diffused finish that gets me every time, so I was thrilled when I heard that @suqqu_europe were launching their Cream Touch Blush & Lip, even if they are limited edition as part of the stunning Touch of Nectar collection.
There are three shades available, I went for 02 which is a bright pinkish red, but don’t be scared of how vivid it is as it blends beautifully into skin, leaving a touch of colour that looks natural and convincing. It’s also that perfect skin-like red that goes really well with a bit of a sunkissed glow, so I’m looking forward to taking this away with me on holiday in September.
The Touch of Nectar collection is available now at Liberty, Cult Beauty and Selfridges. I’ve linked to the Cult Beauty page for the Cream Touch products which are £36 each.
I have a right little smarty pants of a product to share with you today!
(Unpaid ad - PR)
The Kiehl’s Truly Targeted Blemish Clearing Solution is a fabulous concept, providing a liquid version of the humble pimple patch that dries down to not only treat the spot, but also provide a protective layer, so it can be used under makeup and sunscreen, sitting subtly against the skin without any obvious shine or textural changes.
The key ingredients are Salicylic Acid, Licorice Root and Niacinamide, which all work together to not only treat the blemish, but also start treating any residual marks too, so this is a really nifty product!
As you will all no doubt know by now - since I rarely stop bleating on about it - my skin is not a fan of Niacinamide. However, I thought I’d experiment by only using this on active breakouts (science, see?) to see what would happen; it did actually treat my breakouts with surprising efficiency...but it also gave me more breakouts, which makes me overall experience somewhat redundant and counterproductive...but still, science.
If you are fine with Niacinamide and you get breakouts, add this bad boy to your kit, especially right now as Kiehl’s have a 20% off promo (I’m eyeing their new Triple Acid Peel, especially since it DOESN’T contain Niacinamide 🤲🏻) so I’ve included a direct link in my bio where you can currently purchase this awesome blemish treatment for just under £21.
🧡 Are you a fan of the “glass skin” trend? 🧡
(Unpaid ad - PR)
If you are and you haven’t tried anything from K-Beauty superstars, Jumiso, then you are missing out! Creators of one of my all-time favourite skincare products - the Snail Mucin 95+ Peptide Essence - they have extended their essence range to include the new Antioxidant Glow Facial Essence, which I kind of perceive to be an alternative to a daily Vitamin C serum, providing an antioxidant boost in a mix of skin-soothing ingredients, so you get the brightening effect without any irritation.
Yes, it does contain the dreaded Niacinamide (fine for most, but usually not for me!) but I think it’s quite a low percentage, plus it sits among some goodies such as cica and Vitamin E, so I can just about get away with this, especially if I mix in with my beloved, aforementioned mucin and peptide essence.
The finish is glowy and dewy without being greasy or sticky. It plays beautifully with my other skincare (as do all Jumiso products) and it also gives a lovely, lit-from-within, instant glass skin glow that shines through under makeup.
I’ve linked to StyleKorean as they currently have it for 30% off 🤲🏻
💙 As promised, here’s a more thorough review of the new KAINE Kombu cleansers 💙
(Unpaid ad - PR)
First up is the Kombu Jelly Oil Cleanser which I absolutely love as it’s very much my kind of product. It starts off as a fairly firm gel that has good slide, but just enough grip so you feel like your skin is being properly cleansed. After adding a bit of warmth and movement, the texture softens to an oil for that lovely balmy cleanse that feels like such a treat for the skin. At this point you can add some water to turn the product milky and then wash off.
Unfortunately, the Kombu Hydrating Daily Cleanser did not suit my skin at all. I gave it a couple of goes and each time it made my skin sting, and I couldn’t work out why as it’s a gentle foaming product which is the sort of cleanser my skin usually responds really well to. Then I checked the ingredients...can you guess what I’m going to say?
It contains Niacinamide, and quite a bit of it, which is why my skin was having none of it as my skin point blank refuses to tolerate Niacinamide, particularly in high doses. If you’re fine with Niacinamide I’m sure you’ll be fine with this.
💙 I love the fact that KAINE now have a whole line dedicated to the fabulous skincare ingredient that is Kombucha. I’ve linked to cleansing duo in my bio 💙
#sensitiveskin #fermentedskincare #doublecleansing #skincaretips #skincare101 @kaine__official @bazzaal_
✨️✨️For #FragranceFriday I have a review of the stunning Kayali Vanilla Candy Rock Sugar 42 on my blog today ✨️✨️
(Unpaid ad - PR)
Are you a Kayali fragrance fan? I really do find Kayali fragrances so enjoyable to use and fun to play with - I love that you can pair them with other scents to come up with something new!
On the blog I have an introduction, overview and review of one of the newest launches from Kayali, Vanilla Candy Rock Sugar, so please have a read (direct link in bio) and let me know what you think ✨️✨️
💚 Are you familiar with the K-Beauty brand Dr G? 💚
(Unpaid ad - PR)
I was sent a duo from the Dr G Red Blemish line, the Clear Soothing Cream and the Soothing Up Sun, both of which are designed to tackle, treat and calm inflammed and breakout-prone skin. Right up my street, but unfortunately both products contain Niacinamide which my skin reacts to, so I had to tread carefully.
The Clear Soothing Cream is the a beautiful, lightweight hydrator, full of skin-caring ingredients such as cica and fatty acids. It packs a big punch of moisture without flooding the skin, so it’s especially suited to skin that might have a compromised barrier.
The Soothing Up Sun is very much my type of sunscreen, with a good, high protection of SPF50 housed in lots of lovely cica, resulting in a fluid that melts into the skin, leaving it feeling and looking calm and lightly hydrated.
💚 Both of these products are available at Olive Young. I’ve linked to the Dr G page in my bio 💚
#Drg #Drgskincare #dermatologist #koreanskincare #No1inOliveyoung
@bazzaal_ @dr.g_official_global
The Blog
Charlotte Tilbury Magic Energy EDP
Charlotte Tilbury recently made her first foray into fragrance with the Collection of Emotions line, containing six scents themed around particular feelings: we have Love Frequency (woody floral), More Sex (musky sandalwood), Joyphoria (warm floral vanilla), Cosmic Power (spicy amber), Calm Bliss (fresh aquatic) and Magic Energy (woody fresh) and during the exact week that…
Kayali Vanilla Candy Rock Sugar 42
*I now have a dedicated space on my blog for Kayali fragrance reviews, so don’t forget to check it out here* Kayali fragrances have very quickly taken over my fragrance collection as I’m yet to come across a scent I haven’t really enjoyed; if you’re unfamiliar with Kayali scents, then believe the hype as they…
Vichy Mineral 89 – The Full Collection
The Vichy Mineral 89 Hyaluronic Acid Booster is such an iconic product that it spawned an entire line of fabulously hydrating products to suit every skincare need. I thought I’d have a quick look at the whole range so you can find your perfect Mineral 89 routine! Obviously we have to kick things off with…
Bespoke Facial with Vaishali Depala (London Only)
A few weeks ago I turned the grand ol’ age of 40 and I really wanted to do something a bit special to mark it. I had come across Vaishali Depala on Instagram by chance and I had always lusted after her video uploads that demonstrated an amazing facial technique, so I cheekily got in…
Blemish Busters: Banish Skincare
Today marks the start of the final week of my thirties, and here I am, still suffering with acne. Adult acne is something I have struggled with my entire adult life and it is particularly frustrating as the root cause keeps changing; I genuinely believe that there are some people who will always struggle with…
Beauty Tech: AMIRO S2 Seal RF Skin Tightening Device
Last year I promised that 2024 would be the year I would share some amazing beauty tech, and this week I have been sharing some fantastically exciting innovations, finishing off with the AMIRO S2 Seal RF Skin Tightening Device, which is probably the device I get the most questions about when I share images of…