Wedding Guest Beauty Essentials From Very

February 28, 2026September 4, 2026 - Vicki

I’m here to share how I keep special occasion prep simple and as stress-free as possible. I have a system, glowing, well-prepped skin, effortless hairstyling, and a vibrant pop of colour that pulls everything together. Whether it’s a wedding, summer party, special event or an evening celebration, I love a look that that make me feel fresh, polished, and confident without ever feeling overdone.

Honestly, skincare prep changes everything when you’re doing your makeup, especially for a special occasion & it takes the stress out of your makeup not looking good by the end of the night. If your base is smooth, hydrated, and primed, everything on top just applies easier and sits better. Taking the time to do your skincare prep means your foundation & concealer goes on evenly without settling into fine lines or looking patchy, and your healthy radiant skin will help you look fresh & put together. As a bonus your makeup will last longer too.

Lately, I’ve been using a trio of products from Korean brand Beauty of Joseon, who do skincare so well. Their Ginseng Essence Water deeply hydrates, calms and refreshes your skin, the Snail Serum fades blemishes, hydrates and smooths texture, and the Dynasty Cream locks in moisture which gives you that healthy, plump, fresh-skin glow even before makeup. If I skip prepping my skin, I notice my makeup settling into fine lines or looking flat by the end of the night. Taking the time to do your skincare properly means your complexion stays dewy and polished, and I find I barely need to touch up.

I’ve found the ghd rise volumising hot brush surprisingly good at creating gentle waves & the 32mm heated barrel is a great size for natural effortless waves. It’s like a cross between a heated brush and a curling wand, so you get that relaxed, beachy wave rather than stiff ringlets, which makes my shorter hair look more textured and fun. So with a couple of passes in the direction, I get that slight curve / wave effect that looks polished but not overly done.

The softer waves add body and dimension without looking overly styled, which I think really suits a shorter cut. Creating this style doesn’t take long or feel fussy, it is my go to when I’m short on time and don’t want to spend ages in front of the mirror. I also have to say the 32mm barrel works brilliantly on my short fringe, adding shape and volume.

The styler is lightweight and very easy to use, you don’t just have to do loose waves you can, add bounce and volume or create a smooth sleek look. It is a great tool to have if, like me, you do not like to overcomplicate your hair routine.

Not only do I love how light and easy the ghd hot brush is to use, but it also gets top marks from me because the brush temperature is controlled to 185°C. It’s hot enough to create beautiful volume, bounce and body, yet gentle enough to help minimise excessive heat damage. You never feel like you’re scorching your hair, but you still achieve salon-worthy lift, soft curls and long-lasting shape with a glossy, healthy-looking finish.

I always feel like a pop of colour instantly lifts my mood – it’s like a little dose of dopamine! This gorgeous floor length pink dress does exactly that. The silhouette is beautifully flattering, skimming in all the right places you could throw on a light blazer, cardigan, or scarf if it’s a bit chilly. It’s honestly the perfect dress for a spring or summer wedding – easy, effortless, but still stylish and put together. Very have a great selection of occasion wear dresses to pick from.

All set and ready to go! What truly makes me feel confident is knowing my skin prep has paid off. My complexion looks radiant, fresh and prepped, which means I can keep my makeup minimal while still feeling polished, and I know it will stay put and look good throughout the entire evening, with just a few lipstick touch ups!

Styling my hair was just as effortless, the ghd hot brush completely took the stress out of the process, adding smooth volume and shape to my fringe and cute natural bouncy waves to my hair. So I have a sleek, put-together finish without the usual fuss.

For every step of your routine from statement occasion dresses to beauty essentials and hair tools, Very.co.uk is my go-to destination.

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

Products Empties January 2026

February 8, 2026September 4, 2026 - Vicki

A New Year and a Fresh Batch of Empties! I’ve finished up quite a few products recently, and I wanted to share which ones I’d happily repurchase and which ones I probably wouldn’t.

Thayers pH Balancing Daily Cleanser

One of the products I’ve recently finished is the Thayers pH Balancing Daily Cleanser. I thought this cleanser was really gentle and found it worked best for me as a morning cleanser. It left my skin feeling clean, soft, and balanced, never tight or dry, and that is something I always look for in a daily cleanser. That tight feeling after you have cleansed is the worst, but this cleanser has some great skin loving ingredients that made it compatible for my more sensitive skin.

Aloe vera, which soothes redness and calms inflammation, and witch hazel, that gently purifies without over-drying. It’s also free from harsh sulphates.

I have already repurchased this because It’s gentle, effective, and affordable, perfect for everyday use. I’m keen to try a few more products from this brand, I am working my way through their Ultra Whip Cream Moisturiser, which I am loving as part of my Winter skincare routine.

L’Oréal Midnight Serum

I used this as part of my evening routine and thought the serum was lightweight and non-greasy, after a couple of months of use, I noticed my complexion looked brighter and smoother.

This serum contains hyaluronic acid, which hydrates and plumps the skin, helping to reduce the appearance of fine lines. Vitamin C, that helps even out skin tone and gives that healthy glow and niacinamide, which supports the skin barrier and improves elasticity.

In a nutshell, this serum is ideal for anyone wanting a healthy glow, smoother and hydrated skin. I 100% recommend it, especially if, like me, you are 40+.

Sunday Riley Luna Sleeping Night Oil

This one of those products that comes with lots of hype and honestly, I was very curious to see if it lived up to it. This product was part of the mini overnight skincare collection, and it was the perfect way to try lots of products from the brand to see if what worked for mad & what didn’t.

This is a retinol oil designed to be used overnight, and it feels incredibly luxurious going on. Despite being an oil, it absorbed surprisingly well and left my skin feeling nourished rather than greasy. Over time, I did notice my skin looking smoother and brighter also a little less textured. It is no surprise that this oil is packed with incredible ingredients, especially for my more mature skin,

Retinol to reduce fine lines and boost collagen, blue tansy oil to soothe and calm irritation, and chia seed oil for deep hydration, with lactobionic acid to gently exfoliate and brighten the complexion.

I will say that I really enjoyed using this product, but it is on the pricey side, I would love to buy it all the time, but it might be more of a special treat than a permanent staple in my routine. So I would say it lived up to the hype, it is a product that delivers visible results and if I am able to re-purchase it in the future I will, and I will enjoy using every single drop.

*Samaya Hydrating Cleanser Pitta

I really enjoyed using the Samaya’s Hydrating Cleanser Pitta, the gel cream consistency melts into a soothing milky texture that removes makeup and impurities without stripping my skin, leaving it soft, hydrated, and radiant.

Formulated with jasmine, neem, lotus, turmeric, saffron, and aloe, it hydrates, balances, and soothes every time. Gentle, effective, and beautifully presented, this is a cleanser I would absolutely repurchase. I also appreciate and liked the minimalist design and packaging, the beautiful glass packaging, it feels and looks luxurious. This small, independent brand really delivers, and I highly recommend you check them out.

*The Cornish Seaweed Bath Co Revlitalising Eye Gel

When I was kindly sent this product to review a few months ago I had never heard of the brand, but everything I have tried from them has been a real surprise and an absolute treat. The Cornish Seaweed Bath Co’s Revitalise Eye Gel, has become a real staple in my skincare routine, the gel is lightweight, cooling, and absorbs quickly, making it perfect under makeup or in my evening routine and I recommend keeping it in the fridge for extra de puffing and cooling.

This product is packed with Fucus Serratus seaweed which is rich in minerals which help hydrate and firm, buddleia, skullcap, and chrysanthemum extracts to soothe and refresh, and aloe vera to calm skin. So lots of natural, soothing and gentle ingredients. Over time, my under-eyes feel softer, look brighter, and puffiness is less noticeable. I would absolutely repurchase this eye gel, it’s a gentle, natural, and effective boost for tired eyes that I reach for every day. Oh, and it is so nice to support and discover a brand that is very local to me.

*L’Oreal Revitalift Filler Hyaluronic Night Cream

The L’Oréal Revitalift Filler Hyaluronic Night Cream is so nourishing without ever feeling heavy, and by morning my skin always looks plumper and more refreshed. Over a few weeks, I noticed fine lines looking softer and my complexion feeling smoother.

It seems I really gravitate toward products with hyaluronic acid, and this one has that key ingredient too. I love that it deeply hydrates and plumps the skin, leaving the complexion smoother and helping to reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. This night cream also has Pro-Xylane, which is known for improving skin density and firmness. This is definitely a night cream I would repurchase, I like the whole revitalift range from L’Oréal and have tried and repurchased most of it, and this cream is a permanent fixture in my nighttime routine.

Fenty Skin Eye Cream

I’ve used up my Fenty Skin Eye Cream, and honestly, I’m a little sad it’s gone. It feels lightweight but really hydrates my under-eyes, sinking in quickly with no greasy residue. Over time, my eyes have looked brighter and more awake, and I’ve noticed a subtle improvement in smoothness and puffiness.

It is packed with lovely ingredients, a mix of peptides for firmness, licorice root extract for brightening, and hyaluronic acid for soft, lightweight hydration. It was a fantastic eye cream, but I’m not particularly loyal to this part of my skincare routine. While I would repurchase it, I’m going to try a different one next

L’Oréal Le Duo Serum

This serum is a little different, as it has a two-phase formula designed specifically for firmness and anti-ageing. I used it in the morning and like how silky smooth it made my skin and instantly hydrating. I really liked how it made my skin look smoother, particularly around areas where fine lines are starting to appear.

It has some great ingredients, hyaluronic acid, which plumps and deeply hydrates, peptides, which support collagen production to improve firmness, and vitamin C, which brightens and evens the skin tone. These ingredients make the serum feel like a true treatment—it’s both a deeply hydrating serum and a nourishing anti-ageing moisturiser in one.

I think the Le Duo is great for firmness and smoothing fine lines. My mum, who is almost 70, uses this serum too and absolutely swears by it, and I am on my 2nd bottle. It really is very good.

Have you tried any of the products I have mentioned? I would also love to hear what products you have recently discovered and would repurchase.

*products marked with * are PR samples

Exploring Bath Day 2

January 8, 2026September 4, 2026 - Vicki

First stop on day 2 was Nook, a lovely Australian vibe healthy breakfast / brunch spot. I had found them on Instagram and their food looked so good, but I didn’t know what to expect. The menu was incredible, full of healthy options and so many vegan and gluten-free choices. We opted for the loaded banana bread and the salted caramel bowl.

The café is quite small, they have a few seats in the window downstairs (where we sat) but they do also have an upstairs with a few more tables. It is a lovely, bright and friendly space and the menu is incredible, they make everything fresh to order. I could have happily ordered every single item on the menu, we shared the loaded banana bread and a smoothie bowl, both were delicious and very filling. I can’t wait to go back and was sad to hear they closed their Bristol location.

After breakfast, we had a walk around, the weather was dry and warm but not as sunny as the previous day. We made the most of it being a weekday and more quiet, the streets were empty, and we headed over the Pulteney Bridge, which is very famous in Bath. We walked towards The Holburne Museum although did not go in, it is a beautiful building at the end of Great Pulteney Street which is a lovely wide street, lined with impressive houses. I hear that the museum building was used quite a lot in Bridgerton, so it was fun to see it.

Every street is picture-perfect and as we were lucky with the weather again, we made the most of being outside and explored as much as we could, going up as many backstreets and soaking in all the history and incredible architecture. Bath has so many independent / small shops with lovely facades and painted windows, they really make the city look quirky and interesting.

There is history everywhere in Bath, and it is a city that encourages you to look up and just take it all in, we spotted so many murals and painted shopfronts. As I said in my Day 1 post we are suckers for a classic car and always take photos of them, Bath did not disappoint there were so many and we spotted a lovely red Beetle.

We did not go inside the Cathedral (we will on our next visit) but even from outside it was very impressive. It is very grand and ornate, we walked around the entire outside and loved that you could sit in the square at the back and just admire all its gothic details and huge windows. I can only imagine how special it looks on the inside.

For our second coffee stop we went into The Watchouse on Old Bond Street, it is part of a chain but their coffee / matcha is fantastic (if not on the pricey side). We sat in the window and watched the world go by. It was a very friendly, bright and modern space, they have an upstairs with more seating, and it was popular for lunch. I would recommend it, and I am looking forward to trying some of their locations in London, they always seem to renovate interesting and cool buildings for their cafés.

I took so many photos of this house, which was covered in Ivy & also up for sale. If I had won the lottery, I would 100% have bought it. The photo doesn’t do it justice, the building was huge, and the ivy went right up to the roof and all the way around the outside and including the basement it was 5 stories with an impressive garden, what a magical and romantic place to call home.

I know that many British cities are full of history, original features and historical details, but I think Bath has to be one of the most preserved and maintained. It reminded me of Edinburgh and York. I just loved all the iron railings, the beautiful stone houses, wide streets and green spaces.

It becomes even more romantic at night when you can see through the windows into the impressive houses and also the Cathedral and bridge are all lit up and so much more quiet than during the day. Fewer crowds and traffic, so it’s a nice time to explore and take photos.

Let me know if you have any recommendations for Bath, I can’t wait to visit again and would love to hear of any places to eat, drink & things that I shouldn’t miss.

Shark Glam Sleek Straight Waves & Curls Pink Exclusive

November 9, 2025September 4, 2026 - Vicki

It’s fair to say that hair tools have truly evolved in recent years. Gone are the days of relying on a basic hairdryer that leaves your hair frizzy, blasts out excessive heat, and limits your styling options to a simple blow-dry while claiming to work on all hair types. We can now be kinder to our hair and achieve salon-quality results at home, thanks to innovative all-in-one multi stylers like the Shark Glam Sleek Straight Waves & Curls, which is a game changer if, like me, you’ve accumulated one too many hair tools over the years. The Shark all-in-one styler replaces your hairdryer, straightener, curling tong, and glossing brush. It is designed to smooth, curl, volumise, and dry without excessive heat damage & this all in one tool combines professional performance with everyday convenience.

I’ve been putting the Shark it to the test over the past month and honestly, I’m loving the results. The first thing I noticed was how sleek the hairdryer is, it’s slim, easy to use, and actually looks pretty on my dresser. I’d been using an ancient travel hairdryer before (which I have had for years!) and didn’t realise just how much better a hairdryer could be. My hair after drying now looks glossy, smooth, and super sleek, and I like that the settings let me choose exactly how hot or forceful I want the airflow to be.

I have been just roughly drying my hair with the hair dryer, then adding the Styling Concentrator accessory to make it look more sleek and glossy. This accessory makes it much easier to be precise, directing the airflow exactly where you need it, which helps smooth the hair cuticle and gives a sleek, glossy finish. It’s great for taming flyaways and making your hair look polished without extra effort

Now one of the best tools in this kit is the Silki Straightener which can be used on wet / damp hair, which is a great for saving time, and you will be shocked by how effective (and fast) it is at drying and straightening your hair. I’ve mostly been the Silki Straighteners for refreshing second or third-day hair. They’re such an innovative tool, using smart heat control, so it is gentler on your hair than most straighteners. The combination of heated ceramic plates and airflow smooths the hair cuticle, tames frizz, and adds shine without relying on extreme heat. I also love that they’re easy to use, gentle on my hair and leave my hair looking sleek, glossy and refreshed. If, like me, you are used to your straighteners drying out your hair, you will be surprised by how effective and gentle the Shark Silki Straightener is. Say goodbye to dry, heat‑frazzled hair and hello to sleek, glossy, perfectly smooth locks.

When I’m just at home, I usually give my hair a quick blow-dry and leave it, but when I’m heading out, I like it to look polished without spending ages on it. For me, that usually means adding a soft wave or a loose curl to give it that effortless, styled look, and the Auto-Wrap Curlers are 10/10 for this look. Even with my short hair, they worked brilliantly and made styling so quick and easy.

The Coanda air‑flow technology gently pulls the hair toward the barrel while blowing warm air, creating a wrapping motion so it automatically wraps, sets, and curls your hair in minutes. The barrel is the ideal size to create soft, defined curls or waves and the heat‑controlled surfaces reduce exposure to extreme heat, so your hair is never damaged, and you get that glossy shine and minimal frizz.

The Glossi Brush is the attachment I think I will get more use from as my hair grows, it will be great for taming my fringe or adding a nice flick to the bottom of my bob. I’m excited to use it more and see what new hairstyles I can create.

It has been so nice incorporating the Shark Multi Styler into my haircare routine (especially in this exclusive pink colour), it has become part of my daily routine and my hair has never felt so healthy and looked so glossy. It makes styling my hair so effortless, and the tool is so versatile that you are able to create so many looks with ease. I am impressed with the quality and the way it makes me want to experiment with my hair. Doing my hair has become part of my self-care routine, I no longer dread it or rush it and as a result of using this multi tool my hair looks healthier which makes me feel more confident.