beauty Archives - Megan Taylor

WHAT’S NEW AND LOVED ON MY BEAUTY SHELF

As a beauty blogger I sometimes get sent new products to try. This is super exciting, yet my skin doesn’t always care for it, going back and forth with random ingredients. Even though this is the case, I am super picky about what I try for the reason that I have been through acne and am apprehensive to try something that I don’t agree with.
There have been many many occasions I have told PR companies that I don’t want to try a new product for reasons such as the ingredients, the brands ethos or that I don’t think my skin will react well. With all of this said, I hope that you fully trust me to only talk about products which I have tried and actually like. These following 5 products are my current most used products which I am really enjoying.

THE MUST HAVE FACE OIL

Did you catch up on my blog a couple of weeks ago on why I am addicted to serums and face oils? Well, I included Angelico serum because it is insanely good for you. Also, it is vegan for those who care 🙂 . I feel like I am repeating myself from my last blog, but incase you missed it, the reason I am so addicted to serums is that they are actually doing you a whole load of good. Each of the oils in your serum are there for a reason and do something fab for your skin. The next biggest bonus to them is that they make for a dreamy surface to lay your foundation on. I use the serum for oily skin because it balances your skins oiliness and prevents any spotty breakouts.

THE PUMPING ACTION

Ok, this little section of this blog actually has a rogue non-pump bottle in the middle…that is because I wanted to place the pump products together, yet I also wanted to add the two make up removers together… #bloggerproblems 😛 . Right, starting with the non-pump product we have an amazing micellar water. I have tried micellar waters in the past because of the amount of buzz they had in the last few years. I must have tried the wrong brand because I wasn’t sold. That was, until now. I adore this one by a relatively new brand called Cocunat who are all about the toxin free beauty products. Check out their website, it is done so well!…I always appreciate a nice website. I use this product solely to take off my eye make up and I really like it, it takes off every smidge and doesn’t leave my eyes sore. I obviously love it a lot as I am on my second bottle.
Pump number one on the left is an eye make remover by The Hero Project called UNDO. It is a chunky monkey of a bottle, nice and stump and filled to the brim with a great product. I love the ease of the pump action, especially if I am feeling a little tired at night. I know I sound a little lazy but every little helps late at night right!? This product removes even the stiffest water proof mascara and has lasted for a very long time considering I have used it almost everyday.
The last pump product is below on the right and is the newest trial of all my products, you may have seen my stories on my first impressions. This new AHA Tonic by Ren is a very new type of product to add to my normally super basic skincare routine. It is a skin resurfacing toner which gently exfoliates. When you rub it on your skin it very quickly tingles which I kind of love because I know it’s doing something. After a couple of weeks of using it every other night I honestly believe my skin feels softer.

WHAT'S NEW AND LOVED ON MY BEAUTY SHELF | Megan Taylor

BANISH DRY SKIN

Another Ren product which I became obsessed with over the Christmas break was the atlantic kelp and magnesium salt scrub. My legs have barely come in contact with the air in about six months now and with daily rubbing against my skinny black jeans my shins can get a little bit dry. So, I have been using this all over my legs with abandon and have seen such an improvement. Back in the summer I talked about why I had become such a salt/sugar scrub addict and it hasn’t lessened. If you have never tried one I highly recommend you get in on the action and smooth your legs, you won’t regret it.

Have you tried any of these products? Which do you think would work best for you?

Copper Make Up Dreams

As I sat down to do my make up this morning I realised my copper addiction is on overdrive. Everything surrounding me is copper. Although this is a bit crazy, it makes me incredibly happy and I wanted to share the beauty with you and show you how you too could have copper make up dreams.

Copper Tray

COPPER TRAY

I started with this copper tray from Oliver Bonas to place any spare bits and bobs that don’t fit in my standard beauty blogger Muji acrylic perspex drawers (does everyone have these?). I adore this tray because I can keep a few of my quick go-to beauty products that I always use or are a funky shape.

Copper Tweezers
Copper Tumbler

TWEEZING IN COPPER

I was given this copper tumbler in my stocking a few years back and at first used it for a cocktail glass. I soon decided that it spent more time in the glass cupboard and it was far too pretty to be hidden. I have a few too many make up brushes and not enough drawers to store them in so I have started putting my most used (and most pretty) brushes in this glass. The only problem with this is that they can get a little dusty. I actually think I may swop the brushes with eyeliners or another enclosed product that wouldn’t matter if it were dusty. The pictured copper tweezers were in a recent Look Fantastic Beauty Box and I love them as much for their capability of shaping my brows as their beauty.

Heated Eyelash Curlers
Copper Eyelash Curlers

EYE LASH CURLERS

I am loving both of these eyelash curlers at the moment but am in a quandary over which works better. I have quite long lashes but they are naturally straight so I always use eyelash curlers. I think both have benefits but the standard metal squeasy type probably give me the best curling effect.

Rosie For Autograph Lip Gloss (My Best Girl Friend)
Too Faced Lipstick (Jelly Bean)

COPPER GLOSSING

Two very different lip effects with these two lipsticks but both packaged beautifully. Again, as I have already said, I am a sucker for anything rose gold or copper and these lipsticks tick the boxes. The Rosie for Autograph lipstick has a glossy effect and is very slightly tinted, the stick is not a true representation of the colour. It is a lot paler than the stick which makes it very easily wearable and is one of those tinted lipsticks that you can apply without a mirror. The Too Faced lipstick is a gorgeous red toned pink lipstick and is probably my favourite lipstick of the moment. The only problem I have with this lipstick is that the twisting opening has stopped working even though there is a lot of lipstick inside it. I have resorted to sticking my little finger in there and dabbing the colour on my lips.

Tinted Lipbalm

ORNAMENTAL BALMS

This tinted lip balm is packages in a beautiful and unusual way. I have never seen a little lip balm pot that looks this way which makes it really precious. I find the lip balm itself a little bit sticky for my liking. If I were single I wouldn’t mind but ever since I met my husband he has shown a dislike for sticky lip products. Until I met Liam I owned more Lancome Juicy Tubes than one person needs. This pot will definitely be staying on display on my dressing table beyond its expiration date.

Few…that’s a lot of copper make up products which my dressing tables aesthetics are thankful for. Can you recommend any more beautiful beauty products that I should invest in?

SHOP ☆ COPPER MAKE UP

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London Fashion Week Social House

My wonderful model booker Hannah, from MOT who unfortunately for me moved to another company a few years back invited me to an exciting London Fashion Week event last week. I thought I would tell you all about it because it was an absolute dream that I wish I would be on all year round. This event was actually a four floor house in the centre of London set up as a retreat especially models and bloggers. Presented by Meitu and Fashion Beauty Monitor I knew I was going to have a good time at the ‘London Fashion Week Social House’.

Floor One
Floor one was set up with a bar that served free drinks including watermelon juice, gin & tonic, Smart water, coffees and teas. Beside this was a spot for scrummy food by Vietvan. In the same room was a lounge of sofas, a table full of nut bars and a TV live streaming LFW.

Floor Two
This room was full of selfie spots with walls that were beautifully decorated. There was also a large table where you could work from and charge your phones and laptops. At one end of the room were two nail technicians from Wah nails doing manicures for anyone that wanted them. I went for a nude nail because I had a job the next day. I love painting my nails but I am not a fan of filing my nails so it was quite a luxury to have them done for me that afternoon.

Floor Three
This floor was a large room full of white chairs set up for some fabulous talks, I wish I had been able to attend them all. I attended a talk on social media and social influencers and left feeling incredibly inspired.

Floor Four
Floor four was a beauty room with hair being done by Revlon and make up by Nyx. Unfortunately I didn’t have time to hang about here being beautified but it looked like heaven and everyone was leaving looking Pinterest style braided. One girl I met had had an insanely awesome striking white eyeliner on her upper lid…I kind of want to replicate this asap!

Overall this whole event and venue was a dream come true and I wish I had had the time to visit everyday. It would be really great if a place like this existed all year round. It is really helpful during fashion week where you need somewhere to spruce up your look and it is even better when there is someone there to do it for you. Also, you can head here in between shows to write up your latest fashion report. Most bloggers don’t have an office to work from and not many actually live in London so it is like having a little homely hub to hide away in.
…bring on next fashion week.

Thank you Meitu and Fashion Beauty Monitor.

My Latest Make Up Obsessions

I am having a bit of a love affair with make up lately and have recently stocked up on plenty of new goodies so expect a lot more make up obsessions to be coming soon to my blog. The pieces I have selected to show you today are from Too Faced, KIKO and Make Up Forever. I hope you enjoy my latest make up obsessions.

KIKO eyeshadow brush
I love KIKO. Everything they sell is affordable so you can try out new products without breaking the bank. This make up brush has been perfect for a bit of precision eye shadow blending.

Make Up Forever eyeshadow brush
This brush is a little chunkier than the KIKO brush which makes it great for an easy application of a large expanse of eye shadow.

Make Up Forever Eyeshadow – Platinum
This eye shadow is absolutely beautiful, it is like a zillion stars clustered together into a little pot. With just a small brush of this on your eyelids when you are on holiday you will be all set to go for your evening ahead.

Too Faced Smokey Eye Palette
I have been a lover of Too Faced for a while now. Their packaging is always very enticing. This Too Faced palette is wonderful. All of the colours are wearable with no eyeshadows that are too “out there”. I normally find that with an eye shadow palette there are colours that I never use but that is not the case with this one. ‘Firefly’ and ‘Cloves’ are my favourite colours to use for a day look and then build it up with the darker colours and the silver ‘In A Flash’.

What make up have you been loving lately?

June 2016 Favourites

It is almost the end of June and I have to say it has been one of my favourite months so far. With a little break at the beginning of the month to Barcelona with my family I have still managed to fit in a lot of wonderful jobs. My blog and writing life have been getting increasingly more exciting and so has my modelling and acting career. It is true…everything comes along at once and tests us in the best way. As I do each month, I have listed a few of my favourite things that I have been loving this month below. Click the link at the bottom of the page for my video where I show you the products up close and tell you why they are all so amazing.

Willow Of London Marble Phone Case

Salty Almonds

Orange Is The New Black Season 4

KIKO Solar Lip Balm

Eyeko Eyeshadow (Topaz and Charcoal)

The Life Changing Magic Of Not Giving A F***

Vogue Subscription

Blogosphere Magazine Event – Goodie Bag Reveal

A couple of weeks ago I was invited to Blogosphere’s cover reveal party for issue 9 and I had a wonderful time. In a little hidden away spot in Soho we entered into a long winding location full of rooms with different entertainment. The goodie bag was rather epic so I have filmed a video showing you everything that was in it.

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What Was In The Goodie Bag

Blogosphere Magzine
Yes To Facial Wipes
The London Tea Company – Pure Camomile
Snact
Lee Stafford – Coco Loco Genius Lotion
Aeos – Refreshing Hydrating Mist
Inika – Ultimate Lip Balm
UBU – Foundation Brush
Evolve – Satin Leg Gloss
You Beauty Box

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Blogosphere Magazine Event - Goodie Bag Reveal

Launch Party For Palmer’s Coconut Oil Formula

This blog post has been a long time coming and I am sorry for the wait. Unfortunately I just had too many other blog post scheduled. Last month I was invited to an event by Palmer’s and their lovely PR team. The location was at the wonderful Ham Yard Hotel. If you are an avid reader of my blog you may remember me recommending Ham Yard Hotel in my ‘A Night Out In Soho’ blog post. Even though I often visit their bar I have never been lucky enough to have drinks on their balcony, until now. The rooftop is idyllic and so quiet that you wouldn’t believe you were a stones throw away from Piccadilly Circus. For more details on Ham Yard Hotel click here.

{A beautiful day for a beautiful location at Ham House Rooftop}

When we entered the lobby it was filled with the scent of coconuts because of both the products and the fact Palmer’s had custom made some candles scented with the fragrance of their products.

{The goodie bag had all the four products in the picture above. There was also a candle scented like the products made especially for the event}

The cocktails and canapés were beautiful and tasted amazing. Like all great events and parties Palmer’s of course had a photo booth which many of us bloggers leapt into and couldn’t get enough of.

{All good parties have to have a photo booth}

{This was my favourite product as it is super thick and moisturising for dry tanned skin}

The evening was quite warm for May so I headed out in skinny jeans, pink pumps and a smart blouse and my Mulberry Lily bag to dress up my outfit a little bit.

{What I Wore – Shirt: Zara, Jeans: Topshop, Shoes: Clarks, Necklace: Monica Vinader, Bag: Mulberry}

April 2016 Favourites

Welcome to May everyone.
I am back again with my Favourite items of the month. This month I have been loving some very old TV shows and of course I will tell you about my favourite healthy stuff that I have discovered.
The link to my latest YouTube video showing you everything is below, along with the links to see them a little closer and where to buy them. What have you been loving this month?

Products Mentioned
Bobble Bottle
Jax Coco Coconut Water
Lean Greens
Original Source Mint Shower Gel
Sally Henson Nail Polish Remover
Sex & The City Box Set
Absolutely Fabulous TV Series

March 2016 Favourite

My latest YouTube video is my March 2016 Favourites. I have compiled everything I have been loving this month and done a little ‘show and tell’ to let you know all about my months favourites from beauty to literature. I have linked below where you can buy all of the products I mention and there is also a link to my rather lengthly video 🙂

Fashion
Zara Jacket

Beauty
Bramley Bubble Bath
Balm Balm Serum
D&G PassionEyes Mascara
Chantecaille Mascara

Food
Coconut Flakes

Digital
Marble iPhone Case
Snapchat @itsmegantaylor1
Thirteen
Olympus Pen
Olympus Pen Strap

Literature
Fool Me Once
Fool Me Once Trailer
I Quit Sugar – Book One
I Quit Sugar – Book Two
I Quit Sugar – Recipe Book
Blogosphere Magazine
The Life Plan

5 Ways To Better Skin {Face Diet}

Whilst everyone is busy chattering away about their New Year New Me diets, I haven’t noticed anyone mentioning their skin? Here I am going to discuss 5 Ways To Better Skin.

A few year ago I suffered with adult acne and my New Years resolution after a year of struggling was to have skin I was happy with.
After lots of research and testing out different diets, remedies, skincare etc I eventually cleared my skin and finally became happy to tie my hair up and show off my face.

This blog post is not going to go into in-depth solutions I came up with of how to clear my acne, yet some simple tips to help.
You probably know all these tips but we all need to be reminded from time to time and there is no better time than January, when we are all feeling eager to renew our lifestyles.

{If you are suffering from acne and need more advice I would be happy to write a more detailed blog post in the future.}

1.Drink more water
I know I know I know every magazine and celebrity has been saying this for years.
It can be a bit of a boring tip because you can’t really see that there is any difference from drinking more water.
Some of the main reasons are that it can flush out your system and also make you feel full up quicker.
Do you know that sometimes when we are hungry we actually just dehydrated?
Water should stop us from binge eating and drinking, in turn preventing us from downing a fizzy drink which can be very bad for our skin.

2.Stop drinking alcohol
What better time than “Dry January” to give up alcohol.
Lots of people are going alcohol free this month so support should be higher than ever and hopefully less opportunities to give in to social temptation.
I gave up drinking wine about six years ago and haven’t had more than a couple of sips to taste it ever since.
One day I realised that every morning that I woke up after even a couple of glasses of wine I would have very dark circles under my eyes.
For some reason I don’t get this with any other alcohol?
My Italian blood does seem to mean that I have naturally dark eyes but the wine definitely made it worse so I immediately stopped and haven’t looked back.
I do however still drink alcohol such as cocktails and I do tend to wake up with a teensy zit the day after a night out, this only happens when I have been drinking so Dry January is definitely going to help me and hopefully help you.

3.Get more sleep
More Sleep = Fresher Face
It is easier said than done but try to aim for 7-8 hours sleep a night.
Your body is busy repairing and rejuvenating whilst you are sleeping so let it get to work.

4.Quit sugar
This is a really difficult point but probably the most important. In basic terms…
Sugar = Insulin = Testosterone = Spots
I am not trying to imply that if you eat sugar you 110% will be covered in spots but it will definitely increase the chance.
{I may write a more in depth blog post on how I quit sugar four days a week if it interests you?}

5.Make Up Free
Try and go make up free once a week.
Let your face have a breather from the claggy oily make up we wear every day.

Hope you all have a wonderful 2016 and don’t forget to still have fun in this January
Although I am going to be fairly strict this month I won’t be adhering to these points on my friends and families birthdays for both my own sanity and to not be too socially inept.

Have you got any tips for us that I should have added?

{I am not claiming to be a dermatologist or nutritionist. All opinions are gained through my own testing}

What I Got For Christmas 2015

I love that every January all the You Tubers show us what they got for Christmas.
Now I have my own You Tube channel, I thought it was about time I did my own “What I Got For Christmas” video.
The video link is at the bottom of this blog post.
I hope you enjoy it.
What are your favourite gifts you received this Christmas?

Urban Outfitter Champagne Glasses (Out Of Stock)
Lucy Bakes Cookbook
Victoria’s Secret PJ’s
B&Q Copper Candle
Baby G Watch
Keith Brymer Jones Mug
Me & Em Pink Gloves
White Company Hat (Out Of Stock)

Instagram: @itsmegantaylor
Twitter: @itsmegantaylor

What’s In My Make-Up Bag {travel edition}

Whenever I go away for a long weekend, I try to streamline my make up kit.
I am quite happy with how minimal I have become.
My aunty gave me this gorgeous make up bag on the morning of my wedding day and I have been using it ever since.
It is big enough to fit my make up, serum, deodorant and hair spray. It even fits my hair brushes.
I take the Urban Decay Naked 2 Basics palette with me on trips as it is smaller than all their other palettes
but still has a nice selection of smokey colours for day and night time.
I never use a cream, I always use Balm Balm’s serum because it is super hydrating and
is full of essential oils that are good for healing scarring.
Have I missed anything that you always take on short trips?

Make Up Bag
Urban Decay Naked 2 Basics
Dove
Elnett – Extra Strength
Maybelline – 220
Rimmel Wake Me Up – 103 True Ivory
Eye Shadow Brush
Blusher Brush
Foundation Brush
Mascara
Eyeliner
Lipcote
Balm Balm Serum
Blusher
Tweezers
Eyelash Curlers
Lipstick– Clarins Jolie Rouge
Sharpener
Red Lipstick

How to airbrush your legs

Make up artist tips #1

I recently had a leg and hand modelling job for Chambord and I was taught a great tip from the make up artist at the shoot.
This is how to airbrush your legs in real life.

{copyright of Chambord}

Next time you have a night out or a wedding to go there is no need to go for that expensive fake tanning session.

What you will need

1. Moisturiser

2. Foundation

3. Powder (optional)

Pick a foundation that you would generally use on your face during the end of your summer holidays when you have caught a little sun.
I like to use this Maybelline Fit Me Foundation because it is light and spreads very easily. You can buy it here.

Chose a moisturiser that melts into your hands and spreads easily without drying out too quickly. I would suggest not using a product with alcohol in the ingredients. This is to prevent it evaporating and in turn not helping spread the foudation.
I use Balm Balm Multi Purpose Frangrance Free Balm because it is 100% organic so no there are no nasties to dry you out. You can buy it here.

Step one

With a bit of moisturiser in your hands, add as much foundation as needed and mix together. Spread evenly over your legs.

Et voila…your legs look seamlessly dolly.

Step two

If you are worried about any foundation transferring onto your clothes you can dab some face powder onto your legs to set the foundation.

Hope this works well for you. Let me know if you try it out.

Megan x

An interview with Keavy Lynch

In 1998 a classic pop song was born and it will forever warm our hearts.

♫ “Some people say I look like me dad…” ♫
{C’est La Vie}

From then on B*Witched were known for their catchy lyrics and Double Denim.

I have had the privilege of knowing Keavy for almost ten years and can vouch for her being one the kindest people I have ever had the pleasure of knowing.
It is no surprise that she is now a trained counsellor sharing her caring side with many others.

Miss Lynch has amazing skin, legs to die for and a thick mane of hair. What is her secret?
I am dying to find out a little more and she has kindly agreed to share some tips with us all.

What should every woman try once in her life?
To put herself first. Women are natural givers and can often forget to think of themselves, especially in a family setting.

What is the best advice you have been given?
If you don’t look after yourself you can’t look after others. You matter too.

What elements do you believe make up a beautiful woman?
Good question!! Confidence, kindness and self care.

What book are you reading at the moment?
The Alchemist. If you haven’t read it, I would recommend it. I loved it and it inspired my spiritual side.

Before I go to bed, I…
Say what I am thankful for.

What is your ultimate stress reliever?
Going for a long walk with my precious dog Paris.

What is your guilty pleasure?
Home and Away.

What do you do to keep fit?
I walk everywhere I can, I love to jog and I have a workout I do at home with free weights and using my own body weight.

When you were in B*Witched did you do your own make up or have a make up artist?
We always had a make up artist. I remember the first time we met with our make up artist, the make up was quite heavy, which I didn’t like but it was all trial and error as we hadn’t worked together before. As soon as we communicated what we wanted he was amazing from then on.

Did growing up with a twin sister influence your fashion sense?
Good question, when we were younger we were dressed the same. When we were old enough we made a conscious effort to dress differently and establish some visible individuality.

Has your skincare routine changed since you were a teenager?
Yes, my skin wasn’t great when I was in my teens to late twenties and I tried so much to correct it. I can honestly say the one things that made most difference was starting to drink hot water and lemon every morning and I have found products that suit me.

What is your one go to beauty product that you couldn’t live without?
I called it my ‘magic’ mascara. I am allergic to the glue for false eye lashes and this is a great substitute when doing big shoots. I use Relian mascara, it has a gel base and then you brush on fibres, it is amazing!!

What are you up to at the moment?
I went back to college a few years ago to do a diploma and a degree and am now a qualified Humanistic Counsellor, I work in Private Practice. I love my work with my clients.
www.keavylynchcounselling.com
I am also the lead singer of my function band called ‘The Collection’
www.thecollectionlive.co.uk

Twitter: @Keavylynch

Hair Help

I think I have stumbled on a hair saviour.
I am sure you have all been there…freshly styled hair but you have to tie your hair up for the gym or simply for those day to day chores where having your hair in your face will just stress you out! On many occasions I have tied my hair up and been left with an unwanted kink in my preened hair. I used to sport the scrunchy look back when I was nine but I don’t feel trendy enough to do that look in the current “ironic” way.
I did found some chunky plain black fabric hair bands from H&M for about £3 which are fab but look like a bit of an old rag on your wrist. This week Popband caught my eye with their pretty elastics and ever since then my wrist has been adorned with a different coloured band each day.
At £8 they are a bit pricier than a standard hair band but the way I think about it is you are also paying for a bit of jewellery. I wear mine to bootcamp classes for the pretty effect but also the fact that there is no kink in my hair afterwards if I don’t have time to wash my hair.
I bought mine from a Joy store but you can buy them online at their PopBand.