My Weekday Morning Routine

A good day starts with a good morning routine. As a believer in how you start your day reflects throughout the day, I always like to make the most of my morning and give myself plenty of time to ensure it gets off to the best start.

I'm naturally a morning person and find the first part of my day my most productive, so on weekdays I like to get up at 6am. The first thing I do is head downstairs and make myself a hot water and lemon.

Whether it be a cold dark December morning or a bright and breezy summers day, I put on my trainers and go for a brisk 30 minute walk or run. I love exercising in the morning, it works wonders on your energy levels and gives you a positive mindset (either I'm going to continue being healthy for the rest of the day or I've earned my 3pm cup of tea and cake!)

Next I'll shower, do my skin care routine, make up and get dressed for the day, before making myself a nutritious breakfast. My current go-to breakfast is natural yoghurt with either berries or banana, sprinkled with crushed almonds. Delicious. I'll sit down with my breakfast and coffee and plan my day ahead.

I've already achieved so much. I've treated my body to 30 minutes of fresh air and released so many endorphins doing so, I've indulged in a healthy breakfast, treated my skin and allowed myself enough time to make myself feel good by putting on my favourite lipstick, yet I'm still in the office by 8.30am motivated with a clear mind and a positive outlook for the day ahead.

Its amazing how just adding 30 minutes to your morning before you leave the house can change how your day turns out.

CL x

Autumn Lip Edit

When I think of autumn, rich berry and burnt orange tones come to mind, but there is so much more to it when it comes to choosing the perfect autumn lip shade... think creamy mocha and spiced mahogany. 

A nude lip has become my signature look. I find it goes with any outfit, I mean, please tell me I'm not the only one who matches her lipstick to her outfit? To me, a nude lip brings sophistication leaving me feeling put together and polished without feeling overdone. So for the autumn, you won't be surprised to see three nude lip combinations in my lipstick wardrobe.

The first one being a classic favourite. Mac Velvet Teddy - my fail safe every day nude lip. This deep beige tone works perfectly layered over Mac Whirl lip pencil adding a subtle fullness and sumptuous hydration.

Rebel is a really dark rich plum colour, perfect for adding a seasonal touch to an all black outfit. Its great for an evening and paired with a copper eye, you'll have the ultimate party look. Applied on top of Mac Vino lip pencil, the highly pigmented duo will deliver maximum longevity.

Mac Verve can be worn day and night. With its creamy mocha tones and satin formula, its the most hydrating of them all keeping my lips moisturised and hydrated whilst looking effortlessly chic.

It wouldn't be an autumn lip edit without a classic berry red. Mac Viva Glam 1 is a shade I have had in my collection a while and its generous pigmentation gives a beautiful full coverage. Gliding onto the lips, its a gorgeous cool-toned red suiting many complexions. I love pairing with Mac Kiss Me Quick liner for a statement lip.

Lady Be Good sits right at the top of my nude spectrum with its stunning warm peach tones. Being a liquid lipstick, I find it so smooth and easy to apply, yet it lasts all day and will transform any make up look.

I would love to know your recommendations of what to add next to my lipstick collection. Please leave me a comment below telling me your favourite lip combinations.

CL x

My Relaxation Ritual

During the week, its go go go, which is why relaxation is so important and at the end of a busy week I most look forward to indulging in my own little ritual of relaxation.

Step one to creating my own little escape is setting the ambience. I'll turn off any bright lights and light one of my favourite scented candles. The Jo Malone Peony and Blush Suede candle has the most dreamy fragrance of red apple, jasmine and soft blush suede, transforming my room with luxury and opulence. 

I'll take off all the days make up and run myself a hot bath full of bubbles. I'll always treat myself to a luxurious bath oil and soak in the silky water to restore calm and balance to my mind while also leaving my skin intensely nourished. I leave the bath feeling as though I have just left the spa.

For ultimate tranquility, I'll make myself a cup of camomile tea. My love for posh tea is no secret and there is just something so warming and comforting about sipping on a luxurious blend of camomile, lemon balm and lavender.

I'll massage my body with a restorative body oil to rebalance and treat my skin, add a few drops of my face oil and mist the room with my favourite The White Company Seychelles Home Spray to create a therapeutic scent and an instantly indulgent atmosphere.

...bliss

CL x

Travel Beauty Essentials

Seeing as I have recently returned from a little summer getaway, I thought I'd pop together a little guide of my travel beauty essentials.

When you only get 20kg of luggage allowance and you love clothes, shoes and luxuries as much as I do, it doesn't leave much room for those unnecessary beauty bits that I just always happen to pack for the sake of it, so organisation is key!

My first essential is a good cleansing routine. I start the day with the Clinique 3-Step System; a routine that I know and trust. The Liquid Facial Soap cleanses my skin without stripping it of natural oils, leaving my skin glowing and refreshed. The Clarifying Lotion gently exfoliates and the Dramatically Different Moisturizing Lotion is so lightweight, meaning its perfect for the sunny days also containing SPF 30.

I never travel without micellar or cleansing water, so the Clinique Take the Day Off Cleansing Water is also a must have in my travel skincare.

Essentials packed, its time for those 'very essential' non essentials. If you can't try and test new beauty products when you're on holiday then when can you?! Currently I'm using Elemis Pro-Collagen Hydra-Gel Eye Masks as a little treat for my tired eyes, which not only smooth, tighten and hydrate but also instantly reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. I'll leave them on for 15-20 minutes, the perfect amount of time to sit down, flick through the pages of my current read 'My Not So Perfect Life by Sophie Kinsella' and sip on a strawberry daiquiri. 

I'll then remove the eye masks and apply my Elemis Pro-Radience Illuminating Eye Balm. Absolute must have mini's also in my travel bag are my Elemis Papaya Enzyme Peel and trusty Elizabeth Arden Eight Hour Cream.

When it comes to holiday make up, natural is my go-to look. I tend not to wear make up during the day on holiday and the products I use in the evening will just give a light coverage to enhance my holiday glow.

I've been using Mac Studio Fix Foundation for years, and on holiday will just apply the smallest amount to even out my skin tone and cover any imperfections. I skip the concealer step and next pop on my Soleil Tan De Chanel to bronze and contour before adding a little bit of Mac blush in 'Melba' to add colour to my cheeks.

I get my brows HD'd by the fabulous Hollie Parkes, so to just finish them off on holiday I use a touch of my High Definition Pro Pencil and set them with the High Definition Brow Beater. I go very natural on my eyes just adding a coat of my favourite Marc Jacobs Mascara.

To finish my look, I will line my lips with Mac 'Whirl' and pop on a coat of liquid lipstick in 'Lady be Good.'

Haircare wise, I keep it simple with my travel size Bed Head favourites, Morrocan Oil for the ends of my hair and my trusty Kerastase Serum Therapiste.

... and you can't go to the airport without picking up a new fragrance at duty free. This year my summer holiday scent is 'Black Opium Floral Shock' by Yves Saint Laurent and I know each time I spritz it now I'm home, it'll remind me of those dreamy long summer days.

CL x