VLOG 30 - IT'S ROADSHOW TIME!

HI ALL!

No I have NOT left YouTube. I just happen to have a full-time job in the retail industry and it's the fourth quarter aka Hell on Earth. :)
There will be more videos, more vlogs, just cut me some slack please thank you kindly alrighty then Bob's Your Uncle Please Hold Caller.

Massive thanks to the brilliant team at Pixi:
Amanda, whose professionalism, dedication to her work and knowledge of her craft continue to inspire me every single day.
Ffiona, THE loveliest person who makes everyone feel so at ease and can execute a detailed plan with her eyes closed and no wifi connection.
Emera, Syd, Jen, Amy and Catherine who take care of M&S stores so brilliantly and Holly and Johannes who held the fort and took many an anguished travel phone call back at the ranch. #teamawesome

More thanks to M&S for making us feel so welcome in your stores. Impossible to single anyone out - your Head Office and Store teams are brilliant.

And finally, even bigger thanks to all of you that took time out of your days to come and see us. It was our absolute pleasure.

The Roadshow will return in 2017.


Mentioned in this vlog:

Annee De Mamiel Seasonal Atunement: The Sanderson Hotel: Seasonal Atunement

Rowena's Blog: cosmetic-candy.com

Ruth's CEW Award Win!: www.amodelrecommends.com/sunday-tittle-tattle-taking-stock

www.marksandspencer.com/pixi

*This post contains no affiliate links. The Pixi Roadshow was my idea and part of my work as a very proud Pixi Brand Ambassador.
See my full disclaimer here: http://bit.ly/1rpEmSq

The views expressed on this site are the author's own and are provided for informational purposes only. The author makes no warranties about the suitability of any product or treatment referenced or reviewed here for any person other than herself and any reliance placed on these reviews or references by you is done so solely at your own risk. Nothing on this site shall be construed as providing dermatological, medical or other such advice and you are always advised to seek the advice of a suitable professional should you have any such concerns.


*This post contains some affiliate links. If you are happy to click on them and support the blog, thank you very much. If you would rather not, just google the product. It's all good. See my full disclaimer here: http://bit.ly/1rpEmSq The views expressed on this site are the author's own and are provided for informational purposes only. The author makes no warranties about the suitability of any product or treatment referenced or reviewed here for any person other than herself and any reliance placed on these reviews or references by you is done so solely at your own risk. Nothing on this site shall be construed as providing dermatological, medical or other such advice and you are always advised to seek the advice of a suitable professional should you have any such concerns.

Pixi Roadshow

This month and next Amanda and I are hitting the road in M&S stores nationwide for a Pixi Roadshow.

Join us for Q&As, makeovers and mini express facials amongst much nagging and ranting.

Q&As are scheduled to take place on the hour for 20-30 minutes starting at 12PM, 1PM, 2PM and 3PM.

I personally am really excited to come to cities I haven't yet been to in 'blogger' mode, including the home planet, Liverpool! 

Tickets aren't necessary but please do email eventsuk@pixibeauty.com so that we have an idea of numbers.

Dates are as follows:

London, Colney

Marks & Spencer

Barnet Road London Colney

St Albans, AL2 1AB

Wednesday, October  12th  2016

12PM – 4PM

Southampton, Hedge End

Marks & Spencer

Tollbar Way Hedge End

Southampton, SO30 2UH

Friday, October 14th 2016

12PM – 4PM 

Newcastle

Marks & Spencer

77-87 Northumberland Street

Newcastle-Upon-Tyne, NE1 7AS

Wednesdays, October 19th 2016

12PM – 4PM

Liverpool

Marks & Spencer

35 Church Street

Liverpool, L1 1DF

Thursday, October 27th 2016

12PM – 4PM

Manchester

Marks & Spencer

7 Market Street

Manchester, M1 1WT

Friday, October 28th 2016

12PM – 4PM

WALES:

Cardiff, Culverhouse Cross

Marks & Spencer

Copthorne Way Culverhouse Cross

Cardiff, CF5 6YZ

Wednesday, November 2nd 2016

12PM – 4PM

IRELAND:

Belfast, Lisburn

Marks & Spencer

157 Hillsborough Road Sprucefield,

Lisburn, BT27 5UJ

Thursday November 3rd 2016

12PM – 4PM

Dublin, Grafton Street

Marks & Spencer

15-20 Grafton St

Dublin 2, Ireland

4th November 2016

12PM – 4PM

*My gorgeous Scots. We're trying I promise. We're reliant on M&S logistics. If they can't sort it I'll come on my own. Promise.

SPF BODY Recommendations Round-up

I've had some urgent requests on social media and in the comments section from people going away on holiday imminently that want SPF recommendations 'NOW'. LOL

So let's make like speed-dating and run through some of my favourites - I don't want to get shouted at for being too slow! ;)

It is worth remembering that:

SPF items are the most widely-varied legislated beauty products on the market. An ingredient that I mention in a product might be completely different in the US or Australia. Do your research in your own country before you buy. The main differences are between Australia, Europe and the US. For the rest of you it will depend where the brands that are sold in your country are made. 

Things to look out for: fragrance or alcohol really high on the inci list - probably best avoided if you're sensitive.

Try and avoid methylisothiazolinone if you can see an ingredients list and are particularly sensitive - it's one of the biggest allergens around at the moment in leave-on products and although Europe is ahead of the game, it's still readily used in the US in particular. I tried to include Ulta own-brand SPFs in this overview because they look good from the outset but they all contain it so I left them out.

Once-a-day formulas. Not a fan of promoting once-a-day SPFs. And frankly, using them on children and actually not reapplying them throughout the day is tantamount to child abuse. What I would do, is use them in the morning and top up with a spray. But only applying SPF once a day and never reapplying is too dangerous, especially on children.

Supermarket/chemist (Boots/Superdrug/Sainsbury's etc in the UK) products are incredibly cheap, but can come with more fragrance and higher levels of alcohol - do your research - and by all means if you find a great one, share in the comments! The huge exception is below in the overview as a Star Buy.

If in doubt, don't go over a 50. I personally tend to stick to 30 on my body these days as I know I have to reapply it, whereas a 50 makes me think 'It'll be ok'. The difference in strength between a 30 and 50 is between 1% and 4% depending on the product - its not an 'extra 20'.

This is an overview and obviously won't be in-depth, but if you are happy to roll with my recommendations (plus boring stock pictures) and check the details out for yourself - I'll provide links - then off we go:

What I take on holiday for me:

Clarins
I know they've been on the blog already with the face, but this is an evergreen product range for us. We've never burned or had any issues. Broad Spectrum. This SPF30 is the best IMO. It's £19.50 for 125ml.

There is also an SPF20 that comes in a 200ml size for £21.00. Both great and available here. 

Clinique

Ava has just been dispatched on her hols with this SPF35 stick by Clinique - fragrance-free and perfect for kids as they seem to find it easier to apply that a lotion. She has creams as well of course, but she actually enjoys using this and with children/teens, that's half the battle right there.

Clinique SPP body products are especially great for those of you with fragrance issues. Being Clinique, all of the sun products are fragrance and oil free (check your region) and Broad Spectrum (across the board). Available here.

Marks & Spencer - *STAR BUY*

This is the exception to the own-label warning in the bullet points at the beginning. Good old M&S list their ingredients, have all the appropriate warnings, are Made in England, in an eco-factory, BUAV approved (cruelty-free) at source, vegetarian and HALF PRICE at the moment. 

UK people: run, do not walk, to your local M&S and clear the shelves. Also available here.

Decleor

Decleor have long made great sun products and I know it's not relevant, but their red, soft touch packaging is easily my favourite. The 50 for body is a good place to start. It's £24.00 for 150ml and available here.

Hawaiian Tropic

I include this as I've probably used a bottle of some sort of Hawaiian Tropic every year of my life. What we won't do is talk about/recommend the SPF4/6 etc because that's just crazy talk. Stick to the 30s and 50s, enjoy the scent and reminisce and laugh about my generation that would lie on foil and use baby oil. Or you know, don't. *fries* Available here.

Coola

Coola has one of the best websites I've seen for descriptions, warnings and clear ingredient listings. It puts everyone else to shame. They're clear about nano, fragrance and give true water-resistant times. The 30 in the picture above is particularly lush. Available here. 

Bioderma

Available everywhere in mainland Europe and not extortionate, stick with the 50s as the 20 and 30 only come in sprays. Available here. 

Hampton Sun

I've worked with Hampton Sun for nearly 5 years. Just putting that out there. I stay with them because I love the products. That's why they are listed here, not the former. This in particular, is wonderful as a baby body SPF OR facial SPF for an adult. I use it on Max, Ava and myself. Available here.


If you have any other quick yes or no questions do please leave me a comment below and I'll do my best to answer them in a timely fashion! :)

Emma Hardie launches in M&S AND a little giveaway to celebrate...

NEWSFLASH. Those of you that mention how hard it is to get some of my recommendations... one of my desert island products is about to launch in Marks & Bloody Spencer. Note to non-UK readers, it's ackchewally called Marks & Spencer. I totally added the 'bloody' myself. I think it has a ring to it.

*moving swiftly on*

Emma Hardie, she of the wizard hands and balming cleanser of loveliness....

is now available in selected M&S stores and M&S online. They are launching the new Midas Touch Face Serum exclusively in M&S (review coming) - AND offering one lovely reader the opportunity to win not only the serum, but her beautiful facial oil and the Moringa Balm.

To enter simply do so via the Rafflecopter widget below. This one is UK only, BUT, you can enter from anywhere if you can give me a UK address to post the prize to AND you can enter once a day for the duration of the giveaway.

Congrats on the expansion of the line Emma. That Moringa needs to be available everywhere!!!

Good Luck everyone! And thank you Emma!

www.marksandspencer.com/emmahardie


a Rafflecopter giveaway


(I'm disabling comments again so people don't get confused and think they have entered by leaving a comment! Hope that makes sense.)