Rachael Louise Stubbs

AUTUMN BEAUTY ESSENTIALS

September 26, 2021September 24, 2021by Rachael Louise StubbsLeave a Comment

With the change in season, comes a change in our beauty routines. From hydrating skincare to combat the colder weather to tonal make-up, here are my favourite autumnal beauty picks.

VICHY Mineral 89 Hyaluronic Acid*

This product is an utter godsend for dry, parched skin. The product’s main ingredient, Hyaluronic Acid, helps hydrate the skin. It’s light gel-like formula helps to improve the skin’s barrier function to defend against environmental aggressors – which great when we are coming into the colder months. I like to put it on before my moisturiser in both the morning and evening time.

Glossier You Eau De Parfum

I loooove this perfume for autumn. It’s fresh and floral but also has a warm, woody feel to it which is perfect for the transition. It’s slightly sweet but not too sweet and quite creamy too… it’s just perfect for those cooler days. Whether it’s date night, back to work or you just feel like a nice scent, this one is for you.

Urban Decay Naked Reloaded Palette*

Bronzed and brown colours are perfect for autumn. Packed with 12 wearable tones, this palette ranges from chocolate brown to opulent rose gold, which means there are shades for every occasion. I love wearing a darker eye in autumn too, so a chocolaty one is my go-to!

Embryolisse Lait-Crème Sensitive*

If you are tired of taking several products with you on the go, the Embryolisse Lait-Crème Sensitive is perfect for you. It’s brilliant for all year round but the sensitive version is great for any sensitised skin (which often happens to my skin as the weather changes).

A host of Vitamins and Fatty Acids assist with drenching your base in long-lasting moisture, while also encouraging a shield against harsh external aggressors. The fast-absorbing formula can be used as a primer, moisturiser, mask, after-shave product and cleansing milk.

Rose Inc Blush Divine Lip & Cheek Tint in Foxglove

If you follow me on Instagram, you will know how excited I am about the launch of Rose Inc Beauty… I have been following the platform since it’s launch so it’s really a dream for me. The products haven’t disappointed either… I love them!! This tint is perfect to use on the lips and cheeks (or anywhere else you may want to). It has the softest, loveliest texture and the pigment is amazing! I think Foxglove is the perfect colour to transition into autumn, so I am excited to use it more. Also, I will be doing a Rose Inc Beauty review soon, so keep your eyes peeled…

*Please note that these items contain affiliate links.

Wellness

MY GUIDE TO JOURNALING

September 5, 2021by Rachael Louise StubbsLeave a Comment

One of my goals for 2021 was to start journaling – and my gosh I am glad I started. Journaling has been an amazing way for me to process feelings, deal with hard days and set goals for myself. Here, I will take you through how I journal, step-by-step.

What you will need:

A notebook and a pen… that’s it. I normally have an A5 notebook that is blank – this means I have the freedom to write whatever I want, wherever I want. I also like to date my pages so I can look back and reflect.

Write about your day

Whether it’s the morning time and I have worries about the day, it’s the end of the day and I have had a stressful one or even if it’s been a good day, I like to just write about it to get any of my feelings on paper. I sometimes find that the thing that makes me anxious is having lots of overriding thoughts in my head, so writing them out makes everything seem clearer and more manageable. I like to read back on some of my days a few weeks later and reflect on them… funnily enough 95% of the problems or issues I have written about seem like nothing a few weeks later which really puts things into perspective.

Write down decisions you need to make/things you need to do

After I have written about my day, I like to write about any decisions I need to make or my to-do list. Again, I can sometimes feel overwhelmed by a never-ending to-do list that is sitting in my head. Whenever I write everything down, it is easy for me to see how much I need to get done that day/week and it’s also a great way to figure out what to prioritise.

Write down your goals

This is my favourite part of journaling. I love to write down any goals or manifestations in my notebook – I feel like once I have written it down it kind of sets my goal ‘in stone’. I am also a huge believer in manifesting – I believe that when you set yourself a goal, put it out there and truly believe that it can happen, it’s a huge step towards achieving your goal. Once it is written down, it is easy for me to figure out a way to achieve my goals and then reflect back to see if I have achieved them. You won’t believe the amount of goals I have written down this year which I have achieved – it’s amazing!

Write down what you are grateful for

I normally end my journaling session by writing down what I am grateful for that day – it is a fab way to keep everything really positive and whenever I am feeling down I like to reflect on previous days to remind myself about all the things I can be grateful for. It can be something as little as going on a nice walk that day, or having a good night’s sleep!

And that’s it! I try and journal everyday, but sometimes life just gets in the way, so I just try to focus on doing it as much as possible. I would love to know if this inspires you to start journaling – let me know in the comments below!

Beauty

MY GUIDE TO SKINCARE ACIDS

August 22, 2021September 5, 2021by Rachael Louise StubbsLeave a Comment

In the last year or so, everyone has become obsessed with adding acids into their skincare routine. It can be a little overwhelming knowing what acids are right for your skin so I have whittled down the four best and easiest to use acids for you.

What are acids?

Acids are a skincare ingredient often used for exfoliation. There are two main groups of acids in skincare: alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs) and beta hydroxy acids (BHAs). Both groups loosen the fluid that binds cells to the upper layers of the skin, which results in a smoother, brighter surface. As the acid dissolves the binding between skin cells, thousands of them usually come off at the same time which often causes shedding of dead skin cells. Here’s a rundown of my four favourite acids…

Glycolic acid

Gylcolic acid is a great starter acid. A type of alpha-hydroxy acid, it’s often recommended by dermatologists to acid newbies because it’s gentle and has proven anti-ageing properties. Compared to other acids, glycolic has the smallest molecules and thus penetrates the skin most easily for dramatic results. The ingredient can also tackle hyperpigmentation and dullness.

Salicylic acid

For those of you suffering from acne, blackheads and congestion – this one’s for you. A type of beta-hydroxy acid, salicylic is the second most common acid because of its ubiquity in acne products. As its molecules are larger than glycolic, its treatment percentages are lower. Its anti-inflammatory properties will help dissolve dead-skin buildup which causes congestion. Because it’s great at unclogging pores, it is also ideal for people with larger pores who want to minimise their appearance.

Hyaluronic acid

If you have dry-skin concerns, try hyaluronic acid. It’s not like the others in that it doesn’t dissolve dead skin – it’s actually a natural carbohydrate and humectant found in the human body that cushions and lubricates skin. We are all born with a high amount of hyaluronic acid however the amount in our bodies decreases as we age, so it is good to add a little boost every day to keep those hydration levels high. Hyaluronic acid serums are a great way to add moisture to the skin as their molecules are small enough to penetrate the skins surface.

Lactic acid

Lactic acid is a rare acid that works as a moisturiser and exfoliator at the same time. It is almost like a milder version of glycolic that’s great for smoothing the skin, whether it be on your body or your face. Because of its mildness its perfect for those with sensitive skin. It can be used to exfoliate the skin, lighten dark spots, and improve the look of fine lines and wrinkles.

And that’s it! Make sure to incorporate these into your skincare routine for glowing, healthy and hydrated skin.

Beauty

THE BEST HIGH-STREET BEAUTY DUPES

July 25, 2021September 5, 2021by Rachael Louise StubbsLeave a Comment

Is there anything worse than finding an incredible beauty product but the price tag makes it painful to replace? I have found some fab dupes at a fraction of the price…

I’m always looking for products that give me the glowiest, dewiest skin ever, all year round. A serum or oil is a great way to achieve this, especially a hydrating one.

I discovered Glossier Futuredew which is an oil-serum hybrid that sits perfectly on its own or under make-up. It’s a cult product that works wonders, however, for a serum, it is slightly on the pricier side.

Futuredew Dupe:

I discovered this Boots Glow Serum at the airport quite randomly and am so glad I did! The serum has the same consistency and creates a light catching glow and helps to boost hydration.

A smokey eye is my go-to, and if there is any palette to create this look it’s the Urban Decay Heat Palette. It contains a set of 12 bronzed shades for creating sultry, smokey looks. The eyeshadows range from shimmering copper to metallic red and look incredible on any skin tone.

If you love this slightly pricier palette, try this:

This Rimmel palette contains shades of amber-inspired eye shadows in metallic, matte and shimmer finishes. This much more affordable palette offers amazing value—and the shadows are pigmented, blendable and long-lasting.

Rimmel Magnif’eyes 12 Pan Shade Palette – Spice

Is there anything better than using a cleansing balm at the end of the day to take make-up off and deeply cleanse the skin? The Clinique cleansing balm is a classic, which works wonders at melting make-up off and refreshing the skin.

Clinique Take The Day Off Cleansing Balm

If you love this cleanser, try this:

I found the Formula Cleansing Balm in Marks and Spencers and fell in love. Its rich blend melts into an oil to dissolve make-up and impurities. Its non-greasy formula contains sweet almond oil which helps to moisturise and soften skin, while grape seed oil helps defend skin against free radical damage – its a winner!

Blusher is really making a comeback right now, however I have always loved wearing blusher. A classic for me has always been NARS Blush in Orgasm. It is a natural pink colour and lasts all day.

Try this alternative:

The pigment on this blusher by Sleek is amazing! It is so intensely pigmented – so if you like to brighten the apples of you cheeks, this one is for you. The colour, Issa Mood, is a fabulous alternative to NARS, for a fifth of the price.

Beauty

MY FAVOURITE EXFOLIATING PRODUCTS

July 11, 2021July 8, 2021by Rachael Louise StubbsLeave a Comment

My top products for getting silky, smooth skin from head-to-toe.

I am all about regular exfoliation to keep skin healthy and radiant. We shed 1000’s of dead skin cells a day and if we aren’t actively exfoliating them off our skin, they will either leave a dull, gloomy layer or clog pores which leads to breakouts – no thank you!

Keep your skin glowing and healthy from head-to-toe with some of these products:

Beauty Pie Fruitizyme Five Minute Facial

A facial in 5 minutes? Sign me up! This is a gorgeous AHA resurfacing treatment that works to slough away any dead skin cells and clear out the pores. Because I have quite congested skin, I keep it on for 10 minutes and use twice a week – I’m obsessed!

Paula’s Choice 2% BHA Exfoliant

This is a cult exfoliating product and if you haven’t tried it yet, add it to your basket this month! It is a leave on liquid exfoliant which is more gentle on the skin, so if you suffer from congestion or breakouts but have quite sensitive/reactive skin – this one’s for you. The gentle, lightweight fluid quickly exfoliates dead skin cells both on the surface and deep inside pores to reveal smoother, clearer, more radiant-looking skin. It contains salicylic acid, which has anti-inflammatory properties and helps to reduce blackheads, blemishes and redness.

First Aid Beauty KP Bump Eraser Body Scrub with 10% AHA

If you suffer from keratosis pilaris (more commonly known as chicken skin or strawberry skin), this will be your saviour!

This body scrub contains a combination of chemical and physical exfoliators that sweep away dry, rough bumps to reveal exceptionally smooth skin (trust me).

It contains 10% AHA and buffing beads which both deliver the benefits of a chemical peel and micro-dermabrasion treatment in one.

BYREDO Hand Scrub

Who doesn’t love a luxurious hand scrub? Byredo is my go-to for hand creams and scrubs as they are so nourishing and the scent selection is just divine. It is quite a treat but well worth it…

Ameliorate Transforming Body Lotion

This is obviously a body moisturiser, but it still has exfoliating properties. It has an incredible formulation which combines alpha-hydroxy therapy with a unique complex of natural ingredients, to enhance skin condition and support its own exfoliation processes. It’s magical ingredient, lactic acid (AHA) – has a ‘resurfacing’ effect which helps to create a smoother, more-refined skin texture, while glycerine, milk protein complex and sodium lactate combine to deeply moisturise.

Goodbye dry, bumpy skin!

Beauty

SUMMER SKIN ESSENTIALS

June 27, 2021June 27, 2021by Rachael Louise StubbsLeave a Comment

Summer is *finally* here, which means it’s time to switch up our beauty routine. Here’s some of my favourite beauty products for summer…

bareMinerals Complexion Rescue Tinted Hydrating Gel Cream SPF

This is the perfect lightweight coverage for those warmer summer days. It gives a gorgeous, glowing complexion and covers most imperfections. It is also super buildable so you can increase coverage if you’d prefer.

Caudalie Vinoperfect Complexion Correcting Radiance Serum 30ml

If you are looking for a serum to give you an instant glow, this is the one for you! It’s formulated using Caudalie’s patented Viniferine, which has an efficacy rate that’s 62 times greater than Vitamin C, making it even more powerful when it comes to creating an even, glowy tone. It is also great if you suffer from dark spots or acne scars.

Lumene Nordic C Valo Glow Refresh Hydrating Mist 50ml

For those much warmer days, this is the perfect refreshing mist to cool down and hydrate the skin. It has a lovely combination of Arctic Spring Water, Vitamin C and Nordic Cloudberry Extract to brighten and refresh the skin.

Beauty Pie Triple Beauty Luminizing Wand

I loooove a highlighter for summer – it is the perfect way to level up any look and give it that sun kissed glow. The wand is the perfect applicator and the pigment is really great.

Algenist Alive Prebiotic Balancing Mask

In the summer I am always looking for a mask that detoxifies but also hydrates. This is exactly the ticket! Formulated with an algae-derived prebiotic and probiotic to target unbalanced bacteria on the skin’s surface, the mask hydrates and detoxifies for radiant skin.

La Roche-Posay Anthelios Ultra-Light Invisible Fluid SPF50

It wouldn’t be a summer skincare routine without SPF 50! Although we should be wearing SPF ALL year round, summer is the time to up your intake. This is a fab, lightweight SPF that offers great protection and doesn’t leave a white cast.

Beauty

MY FACIAL SPF GUIDE

June 12, 2021June 12, 2021by Rachael Louise StubbsLeave a Comment

SPF is a hot topic right now – here’s my top tips when it comes to protecting our skin from the sun and my recommended products.

The summer sun has finally made an appearance and hopefully, it’s here to stay. Whilst we should be wearing SPF all year round, it’s even more important to make sure you’re protected during the summer months. Our skin is exposed to UVB ray (the rays that cause burning), and UVA (the deeply penetrating rays responsible for ageing) all year round, but even more-so in the summer when our skin is exposed to more sun. I have been a big advocate for SPF (mainly thanks to my mum) for years and am aware that the benefits of me wearing SPF on my face everyday will really payoff in the long run. Furthermore, I never use sun-beds and try and stay out of the sun in general – I want to have healthy, young-looking skin for as long as possible!

A good face SPF will block the harmful effects of UVA and UVB rays emitted from the sun, which are detrimental to the collagen and elasticity levels in our skin. These rays can also increase the chances of pigmentation, fine lines and wrinkles, as well as your risk of skin cancer, so it is super important to be wearing your sunblock everyday.

What SPF should we use for our face?

According to the Skin Cancer Foundation, SPF 30 blocks nearly 97% of UVB radiation while SPF 50 blocks about 98% meaning, SPF 50 is the best facial SPF… but only slightly. It is important to not use a body sunscreen on our faces as well – it is a lot thicker than a facial one which can lead to clogged pores and breakouts.

I really recommend avoiding moisturisers with SPF in them and just using them as separate products – you don’t get the same protection from a moisturiser/foundation with SPF built in.

How often should you apply SPF?

SPF should be applied as the last step in your skincare routine in the morning. If I am spending a lot of time outside during the day in the sun, I will apply every 3 hours afterwards to make sure my skin is fully protected.

My facial SPF recommendations:

Facial SPF’s have historically been known for being sticky, greasy and spot-inducing, but today, the best face SPFs are anything but. Here are a few of my favourite, lightweight SPF’s.

La Roche-Posay Spf 50

This SPF is a very lightweight cream that glides on the skin without leaving that dreaded white cast. It is also not greasy, and goes on perfect under make-up, so a great option if you wear make-up every day!

Heliocare 360 Water Gel SPF

This is my favourite SPF that I am wearing every day right now – and quite a lot of my friends and family are too. It is hydrating, has no white cast and doesn’t clog pores – winner!

Ambre Solaire Super UV Anti Dark Spots & Anti Pollution Face Fluid SPF50+

This lightweight formula offers very high SPF protection to help prevent sun induced dark spots, while protecting skin from pollution induced oxidative stress. It’s non-comedogenic, lightweight and very reasonably priced.

La Roche-Posay Anthelios Sun Protection Face Mist

For those looking for an SPF to apply easily throughout the day – this is perfect! The invisible spray immediately absorbs with an ultra-dry finish. It doesn’t leave any white marks and is water-resistant too. Furthermore, it can be worn under or on-top of make up.

Wellness

25 THINGS I HAVE LEARNED BY 25

May 29, 2021May 29, 2021by Rachael Louise StubbsLeave a Comment

These include some things I wish I knew 10 years ago…

I just turned 25 (yay) and whilst I may still be young, I feel like I have learned a lot in my 25 years.

You create your own happiness, it doesn’t just ‘happen’.
Focus on quality not quantity when it comes to friends.
Trust your gut – you will most likely be right and if not think about why your gut was telling you otherwise.
Always be kinder than you feel.
Spend your money on good quality things.
Save!!!! At University I always made the point of saving as little as £5 a week and it added up!
Never feel pressured into doing anything – if your friends are pressuring you into doing something you don’t want to do, they aren’t your friends.
Make a vision board every year of your life.
You can’t please everyone, so don’t waste time trying to do so.
Think before you spend (still working on this)!
There’s no such thing as ‘perfect skin’.
Putting yourself first isn’t selfish.
Communicate, communicate, communicate.
Don’t procrastinate, just get it done! You will need to do it at some point so might as well do it before it stresses you out.
If something isn’t making you happy – walk away. Life is too short!
Embrace those things you are self-conscious about, they are what make you unique (my height is mine).
You often learn a lot more from failures than from successes – it’s perfectly okay and normal to fail.
It may be hard, but try your best to forgive people – life is too short to hold grudges and it isn’t fun to have negative energy between you and another person.
There is more than one way to be ‘clever’, it doesn’t just depend on your school grades. I have met a lot of people who got straight A’s at school but have little emotional intelligence. Everyone is intelligent in their own way.
Look after your teeth!
Despite what you may see, you never know what someone is going through.
Don’t rush something you want to last forever.
You will never regret exercising and looking after your health.
You attract what you put out – if you have a negative attitude, it is most likely you will attract negative things into your life.
Look after your mental health, and talk about it with friends and family! It is SO important.

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HOW I BECAME A FACIALIST

May 9, 2021May 8, 2021by Rachael Louise StubbsLeave a Comment

From picking my course to training to assessments… here’s how I qualified.

I have been fascinated by the skin for quite a while now and really wanted to find a way to learn more, in a professional setting. I then realised, after speaking to my beauty therapist mother, that I could indeed do just that whilst also learning how to become a facialist! I am now qualified with a Level 2 VTCT in Skincare and Facial Massage and also have a qualification in Facial Electrical Treatments. This is something I have worked really hard at and was very time consuming on top of a full time job but it was so worth it!

Here’s how I did it…

Level 2 VTCT Skincare and Facial Massage

Obviously working Monday-Friday meant that I needed to find a course that would fit flexibly to my schedule so I started researching weekend courses and focused on London with me being based here right now. I stumbled across the London School of Beauty and Makeup (LSBM) where I saw they offered a 6 week course in skincare and facial massage that took place on weekends – perfect! The one downside I’d say was that it was very expensive… £995 to be exact, so I took a little while to think about it and figured I could make that money back when I started offering facials, so applied and was booked onto the course!

I turned up on the first day and we were thrown straight into the deep-end with anatomy and physiology lessons and learning the basics of a facial – I didn’t expect it but of course, we only had 6 weeks to learn everything! We learned all about Health & Safety in the salon, skincare, anatomy and physiology and of course how to do a facial! The facial itself consists of cleanse – skin analysis – deep cleanse – steam – extractions – exfoliate – facial massage – mask – moisturise. It was intense!

In order to pass the qualification, we had to pass a Health & Safety exam, a Covid-compliant exam, an Anatomy & Physiology Exam, a skincare exam and 3 practical exams. This meant that a lot of my spare time for those 6 weeks involved studying, researching and also practising my facial massage. I won’t lie – it was stressful, but it was so worth it! I absolutely loved the course and felt completely in my element. 6 weeks later I passed and became qualified… woo!

Facial Electrical Treatments

As I loved my Skincare and Facial Massage course, I was really keen to then do my facial electrical treatments course. My lovely lecturer from my LSBM course, Carol, has her own training school where she teaches facial electrics, and because I had such a lovely experience with her, I decided to book onto her course with my friend, Debbie. This course meant that in the space of a day I learned how to do Microcurrent, Galvanic and High-Frequency treatments. You may be wondering what these are so I’ll explain them:

Microcurrent Facial – A microcurrent facial uses low-voltage electricity to stimulate the facial muscles – it’s almost like a “workout” for the face. The goal is to encourage the muscles to look more defined, growth of Adenosine triphosphate (a molecular unit which prevents ageing), and collagen development.

Galvanic Facial – Galvanic is great for most skin types, whether oily, normal, or dry. It boosts the effectiveness of any skin treatment, and because water-soluble substances are presented to the skin, it increases the skin’s ability to absorb, allowing the active ingredients of the facial as well as skin products to penetrate deeper. This is especially great if you have very dry skin, or ageing skin and want to reap the benefits of your skincare routine.

High Frequency Facial – High Frequency is an electrical current and radio frequency used to stimulate, sanitise and heal the skin. The High Frequency current generates warmth in the skin and stimulates nerve endings. This in turn increases blood circulation and encourages healthy cell function and promotes skin healing. It also has germicidal and bacterial effect which can help eliminate and prevent acne.

This meant I covered all bases when it came to facials that tackle ageing skin, dry skin and acne-prone skin. Again it was an intense day that involved an exam at the end, but it was so much fun geeking out with the facial machines and learning how to do them – especially as I have had all those treatments myself before!

So, what’s next?

I am planning on offering at-home facials very soon in London! Keep an eye on my facial page for any updates.

Interested?

If you have ever thought about doing a similar course, I would really recommend you go for it! I have linked the courses below and if you have any questions, leave it in the comments and I will answer!

VTCT Level 2 Facial Massage & Skincare

Red Bard Training Facial Electrical Treatments

Beauty

SKINCARE PRODUCTS UNDER £20 THAT YOU’LL LOVE

April 25, 2021April 25, 2021by Rachael Louise StubbsLeave a Comment

Skincare can be a minefield… one which can encourage you to spend hundreds of pounds on products you do not need. I’ve whittled down my favourite skincare products that are under £20 and are really very great.

CeraVe Hydrating Cleanser

This cleanser is one of the few cleansers I have found that lives up to the hype. It is super hydrating and properly cleans the skin without stripping it of its natural moisture.

Beauty Bay Blemish Paste

If you like to dry out your spots, this one is for you. I have found this paste is great for pustules (spots with whiteheads) and dries them out literally overnight. It contains salicylic acid which is great for tackling angry, red spots.

Embryolisse Lait-Creme Concentre

A cult classic – I am obsessed. This is a hydrating, 5-1 cream which works as a moisturiser, primer, cleanser, hydrating mask and after-shave product. It is a really hydrating cream that grips make-up so well. Also… who doesn’t love a multi-functional product?

Nuxe Lip Balm

Is there anything worse than dry lips? Nuxe Honey Lip Balm is one of the best lip balms I have found that hydrates lips and keeps them hydrated – who knew it was such a challenge?

La Roche-Posay Spf 50

I bang on about the importance of SPF, so of course I had to include one. This SPF is a very lightweight cream that glides on the skin without leaving that dreaded white cast. It is also not greasy, which is perfect for the face!

The Ordinary Salicylic Acid Mask

I love a good clay mask to pull out any impurities in the pores. This mask often sells out (and for good reason), as it is super effective and a great price. It also contains salicylic acid, so is great for those who are prone to blackheads and breakouts.