Bristol City Break Photo Diary Day 1

September 20, 2026 - Vicki

I spent a few days in Bristol, and although I have been before, I am usually there for a gig, theatre, or to catch a flight, so I haven’t had much time to really explore the city. So we booked a few days with no agenda or set plans; it was lovely to take our time, and the weather was incredible. We tried not to use our phones to look for places to go and just went with the flow, and we discovered some great places & had a great time.

Bristol is such a colourful city; it feels so creative and alive. The architecture is beautiful and full of history. Every street you go down is interesting and inspiring. We tried as much as possible to explore off the beaten track, take the side streets and get off the main busy areas, and Bristol is full of hidden gems, lots of street art and quirky buildings.

We went to the free museum; I love that so many of the galleries and museums in the UK are free (obviously they encourage a donation). It was pretty good. I love taxidermy, and they had a lot of animals, including the infamous gorilla named Alfred from Bristol Zoo. The Egyptian section had a video of them unwrapping a mummy, which was fascinating, and there was also a Wallace & Gromit trail (meant for kids, but we loved it). Well worth a visit. The cathedral was also beautiful, and the College Green area of Bristol is a great place for a picnic lunch or to sit with your coffee and enjoy the architecture and buzz of the city in the Summer.

There is no shortage of great cafés in Bristol; you are spoilt for choice. One we do always seem to go back to year on year is Coffee Under Pressure; it is so bright, friendly, the matcha is 10/10, and my husband said the coffee was up there. I am not someone who would typically get an iced matcha, but the whole time we were there it was 30+ degrees, and it was too hot for a warm drink. I did spy a Bird & Blend, which is one of my favourite shops to buy tea & matcha to have at home; they do the most delicious flavours.

I couldn’t walk past a painted building/house or street art without taking a photo, and that meant it took us ages to get from A to B! Bristol is quite a well-known city for graffiti, street art and sculptures; we managed to see a lot of cool pieces dotted around the city. We managed to see one of Banksy’s sculptures in the Museum and the Well Hung Lover piece of graffiti on Park Street.

We stopped at so many lovely pubs over the few days we were in Bristol, and it was so nice to be able to sit outside in the beer gardens, enjoy a shandy in the sunshine. We found a really nice pub on the water called The Ostrich Pub; they had a great food menu and lots of seating right on the water. One of our other favourite pubs, The Bank, is right in the centre but tucked away on a back street with a sort of courtyard. What we love most about this hidden gem is that at night the twinkle lights are on, people are sat outside, and there is such a nice vibe. When the Summer evenings are warm, and you can sit out late into the night, that’s one of my favourite things to do in a city.

The architecture in Bristol is beautiful: so many old brick and stone houses with big windows, flowers in the front garden, and so much history. I love the variety of architectural styles, from Georgian and Victorian to Tudor and even a fair few medieval buildings that are still standing. Also, I have to mention the Bristol Byzantium buildings, which are so distinctive in the city; they’re unusual and very grand and make Bristol even more interesting.

So that’s Day 1 in Bristol. Make sure to check back for Day 2, where we have more coffee, pizza, cocktails and a walk to the Clifton Suspension Bridge.

My Summer to Autumn Beauty Refresh

August 31, 2026September 4, 2026 - Vicki

I love nothing more than refreshing my beauty bits for a new season. As we say goodbye to what has been a very, very hot and dry summer, I’m actually looking forward to autumn, especially putting some moisture back into my skin and being able to wear makeup without it sliding off my face in the 30-degree heat. (We are just not built for those temperatures in Britain.)

Bring on the plumping, hydrating and soothing skincare, along with makeup that will keep me looking bronzed and hold onto that summer glow for a little longer. For my autumn beauty refresh this year, I’ve added in some products from Medicube and Estée Lauder. For me, it all starts with prepping my skin. That’s where I spend the most time, getting my skin feeling good first, because when it’s properly hydrated, I find my makeup applies, lasts and looks so much better.

I know I’m not alone in loving Korean beauty brand Medicube. They always seem to have quality products at prices that don’t make your eyes water. I’ve tried quite a few products from their range, but with my autumn skincare goal being all about hydration, I really wanted to see if the Medicube PDRN Pink Collagen Capsule Cream lived up to all the hype.

The first product I’ve been loving is the Medicube Triple Collagen Toner 4.0. It’s a lightweight, essence-like toner containing 10,000ppm Triple Collagen, and it sinks into the skin really quickly. This toner helps replenish moisture and leave skin feeling plumper, smoother and more hydrated, exactly what I want as we head into autumn. I do love a toner step and think it’s something lots of people overlook, but it can make such a difference. I definitely notice my skin feels smoother when I use one.

Next up is the Medicube Age-R Vita C Pro Ampoule. I always forget just how much my skin loves a good Vit C product, especially after that long hot summer, and my skin is looking dull and tired. This serum is designed to boost radiance and help improve the appearance of uneven skin tone, and I love anything that gives my skin that fresh, healthy-looking glow before I even start applying makeup.

Then there’s the Medicube PDRN Pink Collagen Capsule Cream, which has to have one of the weirdest textures I’ve come across. When I first opened it, I genuinely thought, hmmmmmm, what am I meant to do with this? It has a clever capsule texture where you mix the pink capsuals and clear gel together before applying it to your skin. I use it both morning and evening. It does feel a little tacky on the skin, but the way it smooths and hydrates is incredible. I also think my makeup sits really well on top of it, and when I use it overnight, I wake up with plump, fresh-looking skin.

This is definitely going to be a staple in my autumn skincare routine; you can already see how much I’ve used just by looking at the pot!

So skin prepped & time for my makeup.

Just like my skincare routine, my makeup is getting a little refresh too. I’m not quite ready to say goodbye to that summer glow just yet, so for autumn I’m keeping things fresh, lightweight and glowy. I’ve been trying a few new-to-me products from Estée Lauder, and if there’s one thing they know how to do, it’s glow, especially with their iconic Bronze Goddess goodies.

I’ve been using the Estée Lauder Futurist SkinTint Serum Foundation SPF20 in 2C3 Fresco, and it’s exactly the sort of foundation I reach for when I don’t want to feel like I’m wearing loads of makeup. It’s lightweight, gives a natural-looking coverage, and leaves my skin looking fresh and radiant. I apply a couple of drops and blend it out, adding a little more where I need it. The result is skin that still looks like skin, just a little more even and perfected.

The Estée Lauder Bronze Goddess Bronzing Powder in Medium has been adding some much-needed warmth to my skin, and giving the illusion that I still have a little bit of a summer tan. It’s finely milled, buildable and gives a lovely sun-kissed glow without feeling heavy. I love that you can keep it light and subtle for a natural, healthy-looking finish, or build it up for a warmer evening look. Also, how beautiful is the tortoiseshell packaging? It’s one of my favourite things about it, it feels luxurious, and the large mirror makes it perfect for makeup touch-ups on the go. Never underestimate the importance of a big mirror!

And because I can never resist a bit of glow, the Bronze Goddess Highlighting Powder Gelée in Solar Crush is like an instant complexion wake-up. It gives my skin a gorgeous, silky, light-reflecting finish that can be subtle or built up on the cheekbones for a more intense glow. And how stunning is this product? Much like the bronzer, the tortoiseshell packaging is beautiful, and the highlighter itself is pretty. It feels like a real little treat every time I use it. Oh, and this powder has a scent, I get coconut and subtle floral notes. It’s giving summer in a compact, which I am loving. I think the scent is quite iconic for this Bronze Goddess range, and I believe it’s the same as the perfume.

For me, mascara can completely change a makeup look. The Estée Lauder Lash Drama Mascara Gift Set adds plenty of definition without needing a complicated eye look, and you can build it up if you want a more dramatic, fluttery lash. And their eyeliner is seriously budge-proof. Once it’s on, it stays put all day (and night). The precise nib makes it easy to create a neat but slightly smoky eye for the evening, or run it along your lash line for a little extra definition.

And finally, the lipstick I’ve been wearing on repeat is the Estée Lauder Pure Colour Explicit Slick Shine Lipstick in Wrong Number. It has a gorgeous glossy finish and is the perfect everyday shade for me. I’m not one for a bold lip, so I love how subtle and wearable it is, but adding a lip liner instantly makes it feel a little more evening-appropriate. I think it’s a lovely shade for autumn, too, and it feels smooth and hydrating on the lips, perfect as the weather starts to get colder. It feels like you get the hydration of a lip balm with the colour payoff of lipstick, and the slim, gold packaging looks so luxurious and pretty.

It’s just nice to head into Autumn with a lightweight but glowy foundation that makes my skin feel nourished but gives a nice amount of coverage, and that I can warm up with a bronzer, to keep the illusion I still have a nice Summer tan. The highlighter just adds that pop of radiance that always makes you feel confident. I am chuffed with my refreshed Summer to Autumn routine, and I just have to say, I can’t get enough of the Medicube PDRN Pink Collagen Capsule Cream, it is top tier, and I think it will be a moisturiser that I use well into winter (that’s how hydrating it is).

So, if you’re ready to give your Autumn skincare and makeup routine a little refresh, Very.co.uk has you covered, from nourishing skin prep to radiant makeup essentials that are perfect for transitioning into the colder months.

*Sponsored post with gifted product, but the review is 100% my own.

Miller Harris Powdered Veil New Packaging

March 26, 2026September 4, 2026 - Vicki

Powdered Veil is one of my most repurchased perfumes from Miller Harris, it is a modern nod to old school Hollywood glamour. This Eau de Parfum is rich, fresh, sexy and warm all in one. Miller Harris describes this scent as,

‘Delicately powdery and sweetly resinous, amber is the definitive oriental accord and, in Powdered Veil, it is given a nuanced and translucent air. The sparkling freshness of spicy pink pepper flirts with a twist of rosy geranium. A sensuous orchid accord provides a fragile and haunting floralcy to the heart, combined with transparent florals and the luminous freshness of hedione. A rich and radiant lasting impression of soft powder is created through the combination of amber, vanilla Bourbon and musk, where a sensual and animalic vibration of labdanum combines with sandalwood to create intimacy and warmth.’

They have recently changed the packaging from the classic and quite iconic all solid pink bottle to a new classic glass bottle, but I am pleased to say the fragrance is still the same, so don’t panic

Top Notes: Pink Pepper, Rhubarb, Geranium
Heart Notes: Floral, Hedione, Orchid
Base Notes: Sandalwood, Patchouli, Amber, Labdanum, Bourbon Vanilla, Cashmeran

What do you think of the updated packaging? I did like the powdered pink bottle, it had a beautifully minimal, feminine edge. The soft matte finish bottle paired with gold embossed lettering felt effortlessly modern, sleek, and quietly glamorous. The new bottle still has that signature luxurious Miller Harris aesthetic, the weighty, soft squared edged bottle and the gold embossed M.H lid.

The new label is very minimal and has a slight floral raised design that is pretty and classic. This bottle is elegant, understated and has a more fresh feel to it. I do miss the pink bottle, but the new bottle still looks fabulous and luxurious on my vanity. Let me know which design you prefer.

It is always difficult to describe and convey a fragrance just with words as scent is deeply personal and experienced differently by everyone. So, I’d strongly encourage you to visit your nearest Miller Harris retailer and explore their collection for yourself. They have such an extensive and beautifully curated range, and I know you will find a fragrance that you will love.

Miller Harris was founded over 15 years ago by expert perfumer Lyn Harris who spent five years training in Paris, then in Grasse at Robertet, the world’s leader in natural aromatic ingredients. Whilst respecting tradition, Miller Harris strives to push the boundaries, creating exquisitely crafted fragrances that are innovative yet timeless. Miller Harris perfumes are beautiful, luxurious, and timeless.

Mario Badescu Face Mists

March 8, 2026September 4, 2026 - Vicki

I’m a big fan of the face mist, I use one almost every day and when I spotted this Mario Badescu set in TK Maxx I knew I had to have it. This set bundles four of Mario Badescu’s face mists together in 59 ml bottles, so you can explore the range without splashing out on full sizes, and the travel-friendly bottles make them perfect for popping in your bag or taking on holiday.

This collection gives you four different facial mists, each with a slightly different focus, from calming and hydrating to refreshing and brightening.

Facial Spray with Aloe, Cucumber and Green Tea

This spray is great for cooling, calming and soothing skin, it also feels lovely and refreshing after a warm day. It is infused with cucumber and green tea and aloe vera, designed to instantly refresh and hydrate the skin while helping to revive a dull, tired-looking complexion. It also soothes redness and calms irritation. This face mist is lovely and perfect to keep chilled in the fridge for that extra skin pick me up / refresh on a hot day.

Aloe Vera – Soothes and hydrates skin, calming irritation.
Cucumber Extract & Water – Refreshes, softens, and cools tired skin.
Green Tea Extract – Antioxidant protection, soothes and supports a healthy complexion.
Peppermint Leaf Water – Delivers a cooling, invigorating sensation.
Bladderwrack (Seaweed) Extract – Mineral-rich, nourishes and softens skin.

Facial Spray with Aloe, Chamomile and Lavender

Infused with vitamin C and a blend of botanical extracts to help hydrate, refresh and brighten the appearance of the skin. Formulated with soothing aloe vera, calming chamomile and lavender, it works to replenish moisture while helping the complexion look dewy and radiant. This mist is lovely to apply before your moisturiser.

Lavender oil and chamomile extract help calm and comfort the skin.
Lavender essential water provides lightweight hydration and a soothing feel.
Vitamin C (ascorbic acid) offers antioxidant protection while helping brighten the complexion.
Thyme extract helps clarify and refresh the skin.
Bladderwrack (seaweed) extract, rich in minerals, helps soften and nourish the skin.
Aloe vera delivers soothing hydration and helps keep the skin feeling calm and moisturised.

Facial Spray with Aloe, Herbs and Rosewater

infused with rosewater and aloe vera, designed to hydrate and revive dehydrated skin. It helps reveal a healthy, dewy glow, leaving your skin feeling refreshed, radiant, and re-energised. Enhanced with clarifying thyme extract, which is great for clearer, balanced-looking skin. I love to use this spray over my makeup though out the day as a refresh to stop it looking dull or powdery.

Rosewater – Rejuvenates and refreshes the skin.
Gardenia Extract – Antioxidant-rich, helps protect and nourish.
Thyme Extract – Clarifies and supports a clearer complexion.
Bladderwrack (Seaweed) Extract – Mineral-rich, softens and nourishes skin.
Aloe Vera – Soothes, hydrates, and calms the skin.

Facial Spray with Aloe, Sage and Orange Blossom

Oil-free, multi-purpose facial mist that hydrates, tones, and refreshes the skin. Infused with orange blossom, sage, thyme, aloe vera, and mineral-rich bladderwrack (seaweed) extract, it delivers instant hydration while helping to soothe, rebalance, and clarify the complexion. Ideal for blemish-prone or combination skin, this mist leaves skin feeling fresh, dewy, and revitalised. For a nice glowing dewy look, I like to, spritz my brush before applying my foundation or concealer, then mist over the face once I have applied my powder.

Orange Blossom Essential Water – Hydrates and tones for a refreshed feel.
Sage Essential Water – Re-balances and energises the skin.
Thyme Extract – Clarifies and supports a clearer complexion.
Bladderwrack (Seaweed) Extract – Mineral-rich, softens and nourishes.
Aloe Vera – Soothes, calms, and hydrates skin.

All the facial mists in this set are fantastic and filled with skin-loving ingredients designed to hydrate, soothe, refresh, and rebalance your skin. They’re incredibly versatile and can be used in several ways throughout the day, making them a really handy addition to your skincare routine. I especially enjoy using them to revive my makeup, giving my skin a fresh, dewy finish, or keeping one nearby on my desk for a quick hydration boost whenever my skin starts to feel a little dry or tired during the day.

Have you tried any products from Mario Badescu before? If you use a facial mist as part of your skincare routine, I’d love to know which brand you use and how you like to incorporate it into your day

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