A lot of this comes down to how your skin naturally evolves over time. Collagen production slows down, which affects firmness and structure. Cell turnover becomes a bit slower, which can leave the skin looking duller or more uneven. Hydration levels drop more easily, so skin can start to feel drier or tighter, even if you never had dry skin before. Hormonal changes also play a role, which is why you might notice shifts in sensitivity, texture, or even breakouts.

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And after a while, it starts messing with your head because you start questioning yourself. I know for a fact I’ve questioned myself back in the day when things were not working for me. I hate to say it but you start getting into the ‘why me’ territory.

The reality is, there isn’t one single answer. Weight gain and difficulty losing weight can happen for so many different reasons, and I actually think social media has made this more confusing.

Sometimes it’s simple. Sometimes it’s medical. Sometimes it’s a combination of multiple things happening at once.

And this is why I think it’s really important not to self-diagnose based on TikTok videos or Instagram reels. If something genuinely feels off, get proper blood work done and speak to a professional.

At the same time, I also think there are some lifestyle things worth looking at honestly first before assuming something more serious is going on.

hidden calories & liquid calories

This is one of the most common reasons people struggle to lose weight while technically eating healthy.

Healthy foods can still be very calorie dense. Nut butters, oils, smoothies, protein bars, coffees, juices, dressings, snacks while cooking, healthy treats…all of it adds up quickly.

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The good news is most of them are fixable….

1. Dehydrated skin

This is probably one of the biggest reasons. When your skin is dehydrated, everything starts looking flatter, duller, and more textured. Makeup doesn’t sit as well, fine lines look more obvious, and your skin loses that natural freshness.

A lot of people assume they need more coverage when actually they need more hydration. Sometimes your face just looks tired because your skin itself looks thirsty.

2. Heavy under-eye makeup

The irony is most people pile on more concealer when they feel tired, but too much product under the eyes makes you look older and more exhausted.

Heavy concealer, too much powder, or overly matte under-eyes can make the area look dry and emphasize every line. Usually less product and better placement looks fresher than trying to completely erase the under-eye.

3. Not enough sleep

This sounds obvious, but I think people underestimate how much sleep affects your face. It’s not just dark circles. Your whole face changes when you’re tired..even though you may not feel tired! Skin looks duller, eyes look flatter, and everything loses a bit of life to it.

No skincare or makeup fully replaces proper rest. It helps, but it’s not the same.

4. Overdoing matte makeup

Very matte skin can make the face look more tired, especially as you get older. When the skin has no dimension or light to it, everything can start looking slightly flat.

That doesn’t mean you need to look oily or overly glowy, but keeping some natural skin like finish makes a huge difference in how awake and healthy you look.

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5. Brows that are too heavy

Heavy brows can drag the whole face down. I think this is one of the biggest makeup mistakes people don’t realize they’re making.

When brows are too dark, too blocky, or too harsh, they can make the eyes look heavier and the face look more severe. Softer brows usually make the whole face look fresher instantly.

6. Stress

You can genuinely see stress on people’s faces sometimes. It just changes your energy, expression, sleep, skin, everything.

I think this is why self care actually matters. I mean genuinely looking after yourself mentally and physically because it shows.

7. Hair that’s weighing your face down

Sometimes it’s not your makeup at all, it’s your hair. Very flat hair, overly heavy lengths, or a shape that drags downward can make the whole face look more tired.

Even small changes like adding movement, soft layers, or slightly lifting the shape around the face can make a huge difference.

8. Being too hard on your skin

Over exfoliating, using too many strong products can leave your skin looking irritated and tired rather than healthy.

A lot of people think more products equals better skin, but sometimes your face just needs calming down.

9. Wearing colors that wash you out

Sometimes certain tones near your face can make you look exhausted without you realizing. Very dull colors, certain greys, or shades that don’t work with your skin tone can pull the life out of your complexion.

You don’t need to follow strict color analysis rules, but paying attention to what naturally brightens your face makes a difference.

10. Constantly running on empty

This one is less beauty and more life in general. I think a lot of people are just mentally exhausted. Constantly overstimulated, always working, online or thinking about the next thing, and eventually it starts to show physically.

Sometimes looking less tired has nothing to do with makeup and everything to do with slowing down a bit, sleeping properly, drinking water, moving your body, eating properly, and generally taking better care of yourself.

I also think mascara is very personal. Everyone wants something different from a mascara. It could be volume, length, wear etc. But the biggest thing for me is always how it wears throughout the day. I want my lashes to still look good hours later, not just for the first 20 minutes after application.

I’ve tried A LOT and these are the mascaras I keep coming back to.

Hourglass Unlocked Mascara

This is probably one of the best mascaras if you struggle with smudging. It’s a tubing mascara, which means it wraps around each lash rather than coating them in the traditional way, so it stays put very well throughout the day.

I love that even though it’s long-wearing, it still gives really good length and definition without making the lashes look dry or crispy. It separates the lashes well, gives a lifted effect, and builds nicely without clumping. It also removes easily with warm water, which makes such a difference because you’re not aggressively rubbing your eyes at the end of the day.

If you constantly get mascara transferring under your eyes, this is one of the best options.

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The annoying part is that most people immediately think they just need a better concealer. Sometimes that’s the case, but honestly, creasing is usually more about application and product balance than the concealer itself.

There are so many things that come into play when you’re doing your under-eyes…prep, concealer, powder, brushes etc. So how do you know it’s just the concealer that’s the issue?

The first thing to understand is that your under-eyes move constantly. We smile, squint, talk, laugh, blink…basically that area is always moving. So technically, almost every concealer will crease slightly at some point. The goal is not to make it completely crease-proof forever because realistically, that’s very hard to achieve. The goal is making it crease less and look smoother for longer.

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When your skin is renewing itself more effectively, everything starts to look better. Texture becomes smoother, tone looks more even, breakouts can reduce, and fine lines appear softer over time. It’s not working on one issue, it’s improving how your skin functions overall, which is why people often notice multiple benefits rather than just one specific change.

The reason it’s trending more now is because people are moving away from complicated routines and looking for products that actually deliver visible results. There’s also a lot more open conversation about ingredients that have long-term impact rather than quick, temporary fixes. Tretinoin has been around for years, but it’s being talked about more because it’s reliable and well understood when used properly.

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Honestly, I was really hoping May would just be calmer and that every month will just get more and more calm and eventually the world will be a peaceful place…who am I kidding?! That was my main hope more than anything else. No attacks, no alerts, no waking up feeling anxious or on edge. I think after the last couple of months, everyone here has been craving that feeling of just being able to properly settle back into life again without that lingering tension in the background.

I also really wanted consistency this month, especially with fitness. April ended up involving more travel than I originally expected which threw things off slightly. I was kind of annoying because once I get into a routine properly, I hate breaking it. But I also don’t regret it as I spent time with my family.

We had already pre-booked a staycation for May which I was actually really looking forward to because it felt like the perfect middle ground. You still get a break, but without the exhaustion of flights, airport stress and jet lag. Plus I can still work out in the hotel gym which, strangely, is something I now genuinely look forward to when booking hotels. A year ago I honestly never thought I’d be saying that. Another reason I was looking forward to it was to enjoy the Dubai weather! Since the war started I’ve barely enjoyed more than 10 minutes at a time outside. It was nice to just sunbathe and I finally got my tan back.

On 4th May we got our first alert again. The attacks started again but we didn’t hear anything or see anything. It was just the phone alert which we didn’t get again after this thankfully.

It was the first time hearing the alerts since the ceasefire started and honestly…I didn’t miss that sound. It’s strange how quickly your body remembers that feeling. Even hearing the alert tone instantly changes the atmosphere and your nervous system goes straight back into that heightened state again.

At the same time though, I try not to complain about the alerts because I’d much rather know what’s happening than not know. I think everyone living here feels the same way. It’s unsettling, yes, but the communication and protection here is something I’ll always be grateful for.

Aside from that, the month actually ended up feeling much more normal again, which was nice. Fitness has been really consistent and I’m genuinely seeing changes now, which makes such a difference mentally. Once you start physically seeing progress, it becomes so much easier to stay motivated.

Work has also felt good this month. Productive without feeling chaotic, which I think is the balance I’m always trying to achieve.

I CUT MY HAIR INTO A PIXIE CUT!

I thought about it for maybe a month and then just decided to do it. And I’m so glad I did!

I think sometimes you just know when you need a change. I wasn’t trying to ‘reinvent’ myself, but I just wanted to feel a bit fresher, shake things up a bit. I guess that’s something else I love about aging. I’m just doing things I love or want to try.

I absolutely love my pixie. It feels lighter, fresher, easier, and weirdly more ‘me’ than I expected.

I also did an Instagram live with my PT Jasmine which I actually really enjoyed. I haven’t done an IG live in forever because I think social media has shifted so much that lives don’t feel as common anymore, but it ended up being really nice connecting with people properly in real time.

We spoke about building muscle over 40 which is obviously something very relevant to me now at 45. And honestly, it is harder. I’m not going to sit here pretending it’s easy. Building muscle now takes consistency, effort, patience, proper nutrition, proper recovery…the whole thing.

But what I really wanted people to take away from it is that it absolutely can still be done. I think a lot of women feel like they’ve missed the boat once they hit their 40s, and you really haven’t. I definitely wish I started earlier, but it’s still one of the best things I’ve done for myself physically and mentally. And it’s genuinely never too late.

Fitness has actually been going really well this month. I’ve been consistent, feeling stronger, and finally starting to properly see visible changes which is exciting because I feel like this is the point where everything starts becoming more motivating.

I think the biggest thing I’ve learned is that going to the gym doesn’t necessarily become easier physically because you’re always pushing yourself, especially with progressive overload.

But mentally it becomes easier to stay consistent because once you start seeing results, you don’t want to stop. You become less likely to cancel workouts because you know your effort is actually paying off.

My PT also told me she wants to do a shoot with me in November which slightly terrified me because all the transformations and shoots she posts are of clients who are absolutely ripped. But at the same time, the fact she even suggested it made me realize she clearly thinks it’s achievable.

So now that’s kind of become the goal.

Which feels a bit scary but also exciting.

I think one thing I’ve noticed this month, especially since getting the pixie cut, is how genuinely difficult some people find it to give compliments.

And let me make this very clear before people misunderstand what I mean…I’m not sitting here expecting compliments from everyone I meet. That’s not what this is about at all and I actually got an overwhelming response from everyone about how great it looks.

It’s more that I find the psychology behind it really interesting. Like when someone makes a very obvious change, whether it’s hair, weight loss, an achievement, something exciting, and certain people will go out of their way to avoid acknowledging it completely. Or they’ll acknowledge it without actually saying anything nice.

For example, someone might say ‘oh…you cut your hair shorter’ but they physically cannot bring themselves to say ‘it looks nice’ or ‘it suits you.’

I find it fascinating. Because I genuinely think secure, happy people naturally say kind things to others. If I see someone looking great, I’ll say it. If someone achieves something, I’ll congratulate them. It costs nothing.

So when people struggle to do that, I always think there must be something deeper going on internally. Because it’s not normal to find kindness or compliments difficult.

It doesn’t offend me at all, by the way. I just notice it. And once you notice it, you start seeing it more.

I’ve bought quite a bit of random Zara lately because I’m trying to slowly bring more color into my wardrobe. I go through phases where everything becomes black, beige and grey…and randomly I feel desperate for color again, which in all honesty, doesn’t last long.

So far I’ve bought a lilac top which I still haven’t worn yet because I’m waiting for the right outfit combination in my head…it may never happen. I also ordered some red shorts which feels very unlike me but I actually love them…online. So let’s see if I still love them when they arrive.

And I’m currently searching for the perfect mustard oversized blazer which is weirdly harder to find than I expected.

I also ordered the Emma Grede book which still hasn’t arrived. I’m actually looking forward to reading it.

When I first cut my hair into a pixie, I had about 30 seconds of pure panic where I thought…have I completely messed this up?!

It was genuinely that horrible sinking feeling immediately afterwards where you question your life choices. And then, it disappeared almost instantly.

I styled it properly, looked at it again, and immediately knew I loved it. Now I genuinely can’t imagine not having it short.

So if you’ve been thinking about changing your hair and you’re scared…this is your sign to maybe just do it.

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Honestly, not a lot right now. But I can feel myself getting into one of those moods where I suddenly want to buy things for absolutely no reason.

So by the time this newsletter goes live, there’s a very high chance I’ll have somehow convinced myself I ‘need’ multiple unnecessary things.

I’m obsessed with the new Prada Beauty liquid balms. They basically give the shine of a gloss but with the comfort and feel of a balm which honestly feels genius because I’m so over sticky lip products.

I’ve also been loving the Dior Airflash Mist. Finally Dior has made a setting spray! It sets makeup beautifully but what I really like is that it gives your skin that freshly done makeup look again throughout the day instead of making everything look dry or flat.

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I started watching Man on Fire but gave up after episode three. I don’t know if I just wasn’t in the mood for it or if it gets better later on, but I may restart it because people keep telling me to stick with it.

What I AM obsessed with though is Dutton Ranch. Finally Beth and Rip are back and honestly…I love them.

Overall, May felt like a month of getting back to myself again. Better routine, consistency, more confidence, stronger mentally and physically, and just more settled overall.

I think after the unpredictability of the last few months, I’ve realized how much I value simple things now. Feeling calm, sleeping properly, being able to work, go to the gym, see friends, and just live normally without overthinking everything.

Life doesn’t have to be as complicated as we make it.

Until next month…

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I’d heard her name everywhere, but I always assumed her books were like soft thrillers…nothing too scary but easy to read. Verity is not that. It’s much darker, a bit uncomfortable at times, and one of those books that pulls you in.

The story follows a writer who’s asked to complete a series for a very successful author who can no longer continue it herself. She ends up staying in the author’s home, going through notes and drafts to try and step into her world…and that’s where things start to feel off.

There’s a manuscript she comes across that she probably shouldn’t have read. And once she does, everything changes. That’s all I’m going to say about the storyline because this is definitely one of those books where you don’t want too much given away.

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I think social media has done something a little sad yet interesting when it comes to aging. We’ve become so used to seeing celebrities, influencers and public figures looking incredible in their 40s, 50s and beyond that we’ve convinced ourselves there are only two possible explanations…amazing genetics or a facelift.

And don’t get me wrong, some people absolutely have had surgery and there’s nothing wrong with that. But I also think we’ve become a little blinded by what we see online. We assume every snatched jawline, sculpted cheekbone and firm looking face must automatically be the result of having surgery…then we try looking for the surgeon as if we’ve all got endless amounts of money to get a face lift. Celebrities such as Jennifer Aniston and Zoe Saldana use the ZIIP Halo before red carpets!

What most people don’t realize is that there are treatments and devices happening behind the scenes that rarely get talked about. Not because they’re ineffective, but because they’re not as dramatic or headline-grabbing as surgery and in my opinion..because they’re too easily accessible for the likes of you and I.

One of those devices is the ZIIP Halo.

I’ve been using mine for a long time now and it’s genuinely become one of those products I wouldn’t want to be without. In fact, I regularly get comments asking what I’ve had done to my face, particularly around my cheekbones and jawline. People assume I’ve had some kind of lifting treatment, but this is actually what gives me immediate results for last minute events and long term events for upcoming events.

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I’ve never had a facelift. What I have done is consistently use devices like the ZIIP Halo over a long period of time.

And if you’re in your 40s or above, I’d honestly say it’s one of the best beauty investments you can make for yourself.

I also have a discount code for you if you’ve been considering one. Use ZPNINAU and you’ll receive a free 80ml Crystal Gel with every ZIIP Halo purchase until 14th June. After 14th June, the code will continue to give 10% off all devices and gels.

So How Does The ZIIP Halo Actually Work?

The easiest way to think about it is as a workout for your face. The device uses microcurrent technology. These tiny electrical currents stimulate the facial muscles while also supporting the skin. When used consistently, the treatments help improve facial definition, support firmness and create a more sculpted appearance. Another great benefit it that you can rely on this to give you a sculpted look rather than having to spend ages trying to contour.

What I like is that it doesn’t rely on a quick temporary effect alone. Yes, you get immediate results after a treatment, but the real magic happens when you stick with it. There are so many plans to choose from on the app.

It’s very similar to going to the gym. One workout makes you feel good. Consistent workouts change your body over time. The same principle applies here.

A lot of celebrities specifically look at devices like this when they’re concerned about jowls, jowls sagging, or the loss of definition that naturally happens as we age. As collagen production slows and facial structures change, many people start looking for a jowls treatment, ways to lift jowls, or options for lifting jowls without surgery.

That’s exactly why these devices have become so popular. They’re a practical non invasive treatment for jowls that you can use consistently from home rather than waiting until concerns become much more advanced.

The Results I’ve Personally Seen

The biggest difference I’ve noticed is definition. My cheekbones are more sculpted. My jawline looks more defined and snatched. The overall structure of my face looks more lifted and fresher.

What’s interesting is that people sometimes notice it before you do. You’ll randomly get comments asking if you’ve changed your makeup, lost weight, had a treatment, or done something different. The face looks more awake and more lifted. which you can see from my before and after pictures.

When I followed the 14 day non-surgical Face Lift treatment plan in the app consistently, my before and after photos genuinely surprised me. I actually didn’t realize there was as much of a difference as there was. It was subtle but noticeable. My face looked tighter, more lifted and more sculpted, especially around the lower part of my face. This is particularly important when it comes to sagging jowls and maintaining facial structure as we age.

Most of the people who age well aren’t necessarily doing one huge thing. They’re doing lots of small things consistently.

Why The Gel Matters More Than People Realize

One thing people may not realize is that the conductive gel you use is so important.

ZIIP’s gel isn’t just there to help the device glide across the skin. It allows the electrical currents to travel properly through the skin while also delivering skincare benefits at the same time.

The different gels all contain different skincare active which target different concerns, which is something I really like because you can customize your treatment depending on what your skin needs.

The Crystal Gel is great if your focus is hydration and maintaining a healthy skin barrier. It’s the one I recommend most people start with.

Other gels within the range focus more on things like brightening, calming, firming, hydration and overall skin quality, so you can tailor your routine depending on your goals.

The combination of the treatment itself and the skincare benefits from the gels is what makes the whole experience feel much more comprehensive than just using a lifting device alone.

The App Makes It SO Easy

One of the reasons I’ve actually stuck with using the ZIIP Halo is because of the app.

I don’t want to sit there wondering what treatment I should do every day or whether I’m using a device correctly, and I hate having to read instructions!

The app gives you different treatment plans depending on your goals. There are quick treatments for days when you’re short on time such as the 6 minute Instant Facelift Treatment, as well as longer programs focused on lifting, sculpting, skin quality, brightness and overall facial rejuvenation.

The 14 day non surgical Face Lift plan has been my personal favourite because it’s the one where I noticed the most visible change in my own before and after photos.

And honestly, that’s what makes consistency much easier. You’re not guessing. You’re just following a structured plan.

Is It Worth It?

For me, yes. And I say that as someone who has tested more beauty products, treatments and devices than I can count over the years.

I think one of the biggest mistakes people make is waiting until they feel they need surgery before investing in preventative treatments.

If your goal is to prevent jowls, wrinkle, loss of volume, support facial definition, tighten your jowls, or maintain the structure you already have, consistency with treatments like this can make a huge difference over time.

No, it’s not going to give you a surgical facelift overnight. But that’s not really the point.

The point is that you can gradually tighten and lift areas, maintain facial contours, support firmness, and improve overall definition from home without invasive procedures.

And if there’s one thing I’ve learned over the years, it’s that the people who age well usually aren’t relying on one dramatic fix.

They’re just doing the right things consistently. The ZIIP Halo has become one of those things for me.

Don’t forget that you can use the discount code ZPNINAU and you’ll receive a free 80ml Crystal Gel with every ZIIP Halo purchase until 14th June. After 14th June, the code will continue to give 10% off all devices and gels!

The easiest way to make your routine faster is to simplify it slightly and be a bit more intentional with what you’re doing. You don’t need to cut everything out, you just need to remove the unnecessary steps and make things more efficient.

Here’s what actually makes a difference.

1. Keep your everyday products in one place
   If you’re digging through drawers or bags every morning, that alone is adding time. Having your go-to products in one place means you can just sit down and get started without thinking.

2. Stick to a core routine
   You don’t need to do something different every day. Having a set routine that you know works saves you from second guessing and starting again when something doesn’t look right.

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I still like fashion, and I still enjoy putting outfits together, but I don’t want to feel like I’m constantly chasing something that changes every five minutes. You just want to feel comfortable in what you’re wearing and feel like it actually represents you. I feel like that’s usually the point where personal style starts to matter more.

It took me a while to understand that finding my style isn’t about starting from scratch. I already have one. It’s just buried under a mix of things I’ve bought because they were trending, things you thought you should wear, and things that don’t quite feel right but you’ve kept anyway.

A good place to start is looking at what you actually wear, not what you recently bought. The pieces you reach for on repeat are telling you something. It might be certain shapes, certain colors, certain fabrics, or just how something feels on your body. That’s your starting point. For me I realized I love going for a good balance, such as baggy pants with a fitted top. I don’t like overdoing it with colors and prefer a neutral base.

Once you notice those patterns, you can start building around them instead of working against them.

Another thing that helps is being honest about your lifestyle. There’s no point building a wardrobe around outfits you don’t have a life for. If your day-to-day is quite casual, you don’t need a wardrobe full of occasion pieces. Your style should work with your life, not the other way around. It took me a while to figure this out. Trust me when I tell you I bought far too many glam pieces that I still haven’t worn.

This is where a lot of people get stuck. They buy things for the life they think they should have, rather than the one they actually live.

You also don’t need as much as you think. A smaller, more considered wardrobe usually works better because everything goes together and you know how to wear it. When you have too many options that don’t really connect, getting dressed becomes harder rather than easier.

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Over time I’ve realized that good storage isn’t about making things look aesthetic, it’s about making your routine easier. If you can see your products, reach them quickly, and know exactly what you have, you’re much more likely to actually use them.

Here are some simple ways to make your setup work better.

1. Keep your everyday makeup separate
   The biggest mistake is keeping everything together. Your everyday products should be in their own space, whether that’s a small tray, a makeup bag, or a drawer. This saves time and stops you digging through everything just to find the same few items.

2. Store products where you use them
   It sounds obvious, but it makes a difference. If you always do your makeup at a certain spot, keep your products there. The more steps it takes to get to your makeup, the less likely you are to use it properly.

3. Use clear containers
   If you can’t see it, you won’t use it. Clear storage helps you quickly see what you have without opening everything. It also stops you forgetting about products you actually like. If you’re on the look out for something to hold palette try these https://go.shopmy.us/p-58975532

4. Group products by category
   Keep your foundations together, your blushes together, your lip products together. It sounds simple, but it makes getting ready so much quicker because you’re not searching for things.

5. Stand products upright where possible
   Things like foundations, concealers, and lip products are easier to see and grab when they’re upright. When they’re lying flat in a drawer, they just get lost.

6. Don’t overfill your space
   When everything is crammed in, it becomes harder to use anything. Give your products space so you can actually move things around and reach for them easily.

7. Rotate your products
   If you have products you haven’t used in a while, move them into your everyday section for a bit. It’s an easy way to start using things again without buying anything new. A good idea is to do this on rotation every two weeks. This way you can change around what you use.

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8. Keep brushes separate and clean
   Brushes should have their own space, ideally upright so they keep their shape. When they’re thrown in with everything else, they get messy and you’re less likely to use them properly. If you’re looking for something to hold your brushes: https://go.shopmy.us/p-58975531

9. Use a drawer for backups and extras
   Not everything needs to be out. If you have backups or products you don’t use often, keep them in a separate drawer so your main space stays uncluttered. Try this for as small drawers for makeup: https://go.shopmy.us/p-58975526

10. Edit your collection regularly
    Every few months, go through your makeup and remove what you don’t use. If something hasn’t been touched in a long time, you’re probably not going to suddenly start using it.

11. Keep your setup simple
    You don’t need a complicated system. The easier it is to maintain, the more likely you are to keep it that way.

12. Make it easy to put things back
    This is what keeps everything working. If your storage is too complicated, you won’t stick to it. Everything should have a clear place so you can put it back quickly after using it.

When your makeup is stored properly, your whole routine feels easier. You stop wasting time, you use more of what you already have, and getting ready just feels more straightforward.

The tricky part is that the signs don’t feel obvious. It’s not like something dramatic happens. It’s more that you just don’t feel quite right, but you can’t fully explain why. You might feel more tired than usual, even when you’ve slept properly. You might feel a bit flat, a bit low, or just not as motivated. It’s subtle enough that you just carry on and assume it’s stress or life or just one of those phases. I think this is why so many people miss it.

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The truth is, you don’t have to follow one strict way of doing it. It really comes down to your skin tone, your features, and the kind of look you like on yourself.

Contour is meant to create depth. It’s there to add structure to the face, usually around the cheekbones, temples, and jawline. But I don’t think it needs to be that very cool, grey tone that people always recommend. On a lot of skin tones, that can look off, especially in different lighting. It might look good in one mirror and then completely wrong when you step outside or see yourself on camera.

What works better is a contour that has some depth but still sits naturally within your skin tone. Something more neutral rather than overly cool. That way it blends in properly and doesn’t stand out as a separate color on your face.

Bronzer is slightly different because it adds warmth, but that doesn’t mean it can’t also create shape. If you place bronzer slightly higher on the cheekbones and around the perimeter of the face, it can give you a soft sculpted look without needing a separate contour. This works really well if you prefer a more natural finish or if you don’t like the look of traditional contour.

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The problem is, you’ve been like this for so long that changing it feels strange. It doesn’t feel natural to suddenly say no or do things differently. And a lot of the time, you don’t even know what your boundaries should be. You just know something feels off. You feel overwhelmed, or someone says something and it stays with you longer than it should, or you notice you’re on edge around certain people. There are so many different ways it can show up, but I think it comes down to paying attention to those moments. That’s usually where you start to understand what actually works for you and what doesn’t.

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Once you start noticing those patterns, things become a bit clearer. You begin to see where you’re giving too much, where you’re saying yes out of habit, and where you’re doing things that don’t really feel right. That awareness is the first step, because without it, you just keep repeating the same patterns without questioning them.

From there, it’s about making small changes rather than trying to completely change how you are overnight. It might be something as simple as not immediately agreeing to plans, or giving yourself time to think before you respond. It might be saying no to something you would usually say yes to, even if it feels uncomfortable. It might be not over-explaining yourself every time you decide not to do something.

That over-explaining is something a lot of us do without even realizing it. You feel like you need to justify your decision so the other person understands, but in reality, you don’t need to go into detail. You can just say it doesn’t work for you. It feels uncomfortable at first because it’s different, but that doesn’t mean it’s wrong.

You’ll probably also notice that people react differently when you start doing this. Not necessarily in a bad way, but they might question it or seem surprised. That’s usually because they’re used to a version of you that always said yes. It doesn’t mean you’re being difficult, it just means things are shifting.

The important part is not to go back to your old habits just to make things feel easier again. It can be tempting to do that, especially if you don’t like the feeling of things being slightly uncomfortable. But if you keep doing that, nothing actually changes, and you end up back where you started.

Over time, it starts to feel more normal. You feel less stretched, less overwhelmed, and a bit more in control of your own time and energy. You also start to notice who respects your boundaries and who doesn’t, which can be quite eye-opening.

It’s not about becoming a completely different person. It’s just about being a bit more honest with yourself and acting on it. And once you start doing that, even in small ways, everything else tends to follow.

It reminded me of a time when media felt different. Yes, it was slower. I’d say it was actually harder in many ways. But there was so much more care behind everything.

I remember working as beauty editor years ago and putting a shoot together was an actual process. Not just taking quick content on an iPhone and fixing the rest later. Every single detail mattered. The lighting, styling, makeup, hair, the set, the angles, the mood, and the story behind it. Everyone involved genuinely cared about creating something beautiful. I’m not saying that today they don’t….I’m just saying we had to care a bit more because there wasn’t AI or extreme retouching to rely on, things had to actually be right in real life. Even though there was pressure in that, there was also soul in it.

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Even writing felt different back then. When you wrote an article, you wrote because people were actually willing to read. You weren’t sitting there trying to figure out how to stop someone scrolling within the first two seconds. You weren’t constantly thinking about hooks, retention, click-through rates, watch time, algorithms, outrage, controversy, or whether someone with a five second attention span would get bored halfway through a sentence. It actually blows my mind that you have to think about people like this. You could actually say something properly through an article…not just wrap it up in the first five seconds.

I think that’s the part that made me emotional watching the film. It reminded me of an era where creativity felt more thoughtful, detailed, and intentional. Things definately took longer, but because of that, people respected the work differently.

Now everything feels immediate. Fast content, fast opinions, fast reactions. Nobody really sits with anything anymore. I’ve literally seen people scrolling next to me and liking Instagram posts without actually reading anything to do with the post….liking it so fast you wonder if they even look at the picture.

When was the last time you bought an actual magazine? Do you remember standing at the magazine isle looking at this month’s new publications getting excited about which one to get? That’s another part of the experience that’s gone. Even captions have become too long for people, which is honestly crazy when you think about it. People consume information through headlines and emojis rather than actually reading or understanding something fully. People even talk fast…a sentence is too long so they abbreviate everything. Saying ‘obvs’ instead of ‘obviously’.

And I know every generation says things were better before, but I don’t even necessarily mean just better. I just think something got lost along the way.

There was something really special about old media. About magazines people waited for every month and editorial shoots that felt artistic. Also about writing that had personality without trying to constantly fight for attention every second.

I also think people in media now are under a completely different kind of pressure. Back then, there was the pressure to create something amazing. Now there’s pressure to constantly create something fast and I genuinely believe that compromises something. If it’s not quality, it will be soul or substance.

Even beauty feels different now. Trends move so quickly that nobody even has time to properly enjoy anything before the next thing arrives. People are consuming content at such a high speed that nothing has time to breathe. It’s such a shame because I think there are probably so many brand releases that are actually good but get cancelled or pushed aside so quickly that it doesn’t get the love it deserves.

Watching the movie reminded me how much I miss depth in creativity. I’m talking about real effort that takes time. It also made me realize why I still love newsletters and long form content so much. Because it’s one of the few places left where you can still properly explain and tell stories. And this community for example…we can actually connect.

I know social media has created incredible opportunities and I’m grateful for them because my career wouldn’t look the same without it. But I also think it’s okay to admit that some parts of the old world of media had something really special that’s hard to replicate now.

Another thing that feels quite sad now is that you can’t even trust if someone has actually written something themselves anymore. AI is doing the job for so many people and sometimes it’s used in the wrong way like using it to write for you. I personally think you can tell most of the time, especially if you know the person. All of a sudden they’re writing in this completely different voice and using words you know they would never naturally use in conversation.

What I find mind blowing is how obvious it becomes when someone who has never actually written before randomly becomes this incredible writer overnight. I’m not an amazing writer myself, but part of being an ex-beauty editor means I used to write articles. A huge part of my early career was writing published content, so I have some experience. I’m not saying you have to have experience to be a writer. Anyone can be a writer, but it seems like everyone is an amazing writer since AI came about.

Another thing I find so interesting is that over the last couple of years I’ve seen more and more comments on my YouTube videos saying that I talk too much. And before anyone says don’t take offense….I really don’t. I have very thick skin and don’t get easily offended, but that’s not the point. Seeing these comments confused me for a while because if you actually know me in real life, you know I’m not someone who talks a lot. I’m actually pretty reserved. Once I know you properly and trust you, I definitely talk more, but even then I wouldn’t describe myself as someone who constantly talks.

After thinking about it I realized what people actually meant. It’s not really that I talk too much, it’s that we now live in a world where people are used to consuming information so fast. They want the answer immediately and I wasn’t doing that for them.

My channel has never been built around fast content. It’s an educational beauty channel and the whole point is to properly explain why you’re doing something, otherwise it wouldn’t be educational would it? And the reality is, you just can’t properly educate someone in ten seconds.

A demonstration without explanation only teaches a fraction of what a full talking demonstration teaches. Someone might be able to copy what they physically see, but they won’t truly understand it. And once you understand something properly, you can adapt it to yourself and that’s the difference.

I’ve kind of accepted that this is just the way the world is going, there will always be people who want everything faster now, but I also know there are still people who genuinely value depth, explanation, detail, and learning something properly and I can’t tell you how much I appreciate these people. I’ll never compromise the quality of my work just to fit into shorter attention spans.

I still believe there’s value in people who actually take the time to explain things properly. So I think that’s why I found the movie a little emotional…because it reminded me of a version of creativity that a lot of us were lucky enough to experience before everything became content.

If you’ve reached the end of this newsletter….WELL DONE!

Not all shadows on your face are grey. If you actually look at your skin in natural light, the depth in your face usually has some warmth to it. It’s not flat or ashy. That’s why when you use a contour that’s too cool or too grey, it can look great in one light and then completely off in another. It can make your skin look dull, or like there’s something sitting on top of it rather than blending in naturally.

What you’re really trying to do with contour is create depth, not draw a line or create an obvious shadow. That depth should look like it belongs to your face. It should blend in so well that you can’t really tell where it starts or ends.

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The mistake a lot of people make is going too matte or too heavy. When a foundation is too dry, it can sit on the skin and look obvious. When it’s too dewy, it doesn’t last. What you’re really looking for is something that controls oil, smooths the skin, and wears well without feeling thick.

These are the ones that consistently work.

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It’s not always obvious either because these people are not necessarily rude or openly nasty. In fact, most of the time they seem actually quite pleasant. They’ll socialize normally, join conversations, laugh with everyone else…everything is pretty normal about them, but there’s this very specific emotional block when it comes to openly praising another person. They literally can’t give a compliment.

I’ve noticed it in so many different situations over the years. Someone looks amazing, achieves something, gets recognition, starts doing well, grows their business, loses weight, achieves a career milestone, looks genuinely happy…whatever it is. Most people naturally react positively because that’s a very normal human response. If you see someone thriving, most emotionally healthy people instinctively feel happy for them.

Then there’s always that one person who can’t quite do it. Don’t lie to yourself. You know for a fact you know at least one person like this.

What’s interesting is they usually know they should say something because everyone else around them is reacting positively. So they’ll still awkwardly join in somehow, but instead of giving the compliment, they’ll say something neutral or safe. Something observational that completely avoids actually giving a compliment.

You’ll notice everyone else saying things like “well done, so proud of you” or “you look amazing” and then this person says something like “oh you decided to go for it then?” or “that’s different.” It’s never negative enough to call out, but it also avoids saying anything genuinely kind or encouraging.

I notice it every single time. More and more now as I think over time I’ve become more observant…and I’ve generally always been pretty observant!

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The more I’ve thought about it over the years, the more I think it comes from how people feel within themselves. Because genuinely secure people don’t struggle to compliment others. Someone else being successful, confident, talented, or happy doesn’t threaten them. They can appreciate people openly because they’re not constantly comparing themselves underneath it all.

But for some people, everything feels comparative, even if they don’t fully realize it themselves. Someone else doing well quietly triggers something in them. It makes them look at their own life, their own insecurities, their own frustrations, and instead of simply appreciating the other person, they emotionally withdraw from giving praise or a compliment.

I honestly think some people see compliments almost like giving away credit. Like acknowledging someone openly somehow elevates that person in a way that feels uncomfortable to them. Which is why they stay emotionally neutral instead. And I do think ego plays a bit of a role in it.

Humble people are usually very generous with compliments and encouragement. They don’t need to always be the most impressive person in the room. They’re comfortable enough within themselves to let other people shine too. If anything they feel inspired by others.

People with fragile egos often struggle with this because deep down they’re constantly measuring themselves against other people. So instead of openly celebrating someone, they hold back emotionally.

I also truly believe that people who think good of others are generally good people. Not perfect people, just good hearted people.

When someone naturally notices good things in others, openly says kind things, hypes people up, celebrates someone’s success, beauty, happiness, or achievements without hesitation, I think that says a lot about their character.

There’s something very peaceful about people who can genuinely be happy for others.

And the opposite is true as well. I think people who constantly struggle to say kind things, acknowledge others, or celebrate anyone around them usually have something unresolved within themselves. Because kindness and encouragement should come naturally when your heart is in a good place.

I’ve also noticed that people who are generous with compliments usually make people feel safe around them. You know where you stand with them and there’s warmth there. You don’t feel silently judged or emotionally measured every time something good happens in your life.

Whereas people who struggle to compliment others create this strange tension around them. You start noticing that they rarely openly praise anyone. They might gossip less than others and technically behave nicely, but there’s still a negativity there because they withhold warmth so often.

The older I get, the more I value people who openly express kind thoughts. People who tell you that you look nice. People who say they’re proud of you. People who celebrate your wins properly instead of emotionally shrinking when good things happen for you.

Because those kinds of people usually have a goodness within them that goes far beyond compliments themselves.

And I think that’s why this behavior stands out to me so much now. It’s no longer really about the compliment. You start to see them in a different light. It’s about what it reveals about them.

I wish these people could understand how much better they’d feel if they just started complimenting people. I love telling people they’ve done well, look amazing, anything positive or uplifting for them. It’s such a good feeling to know you’ve uplifted someone.

Kindness goes a long way.

The quickest way to fix overdone makeup is to stop adding more product and start taking it down. Most of the time, makeup looks heavy because there’s too much sitting on the surface of the skin. The fix is not to layer more on top, it’s to soften what’s already there so it looks more blended and more like skin.

One of the easiest ways to do that is with a setting spray, but not in the way most people use it. Instead of spraying it once at the end and leaving it, you want to use it to melt everything together. A light mist over the face helps break down that powdery or heavy look and brings everything back into the skin. Once it’s slightly damp, go in with a clean soft brush or a damp sponge and press it into the skin rather than wiping it around. That pressing motion is what removes excess product and smooths everything out.

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If your base feels too thick, a damp sponge is your best option. You don’t need to add more product to it, just use it slightly damp and press it over the areas that feel heavy. It lifts off excess foundation and concealer without removing everything, which is exactly what you want. Focus on areas like around the nose, under the eyes, and anywhere makeup tends to build up.

Powder is usually where things go wrong, especially if you’ve used too much. If your skin looks dry or overly matte, go back in with a small amount of cream product. A tiny bit of cream blush or even a touch of your foundation tapped lightly over the top can bring some life back into the skin. It softens the powder and makes everything look more natural again.

If your bronzer or contour looks too strong, don’t try to blend it out endlessly. That usually just spreads it around. Instead, take a clean brush or a bit of your foundation and go over the edges to soften it. You’re not removing it completely, you’re just diffusing it so it looks more natural.

Blush can also go from looking fresh to overdone very quickly. If that happens, the easiest fix is to go back over it lightly with your foundation brush or sponge. That tones it down without making the skin look flat again.

Another thing people overlook is how much brows and eyes can contribute to an overdone look. If your brows feel too heavy, brushing through them with a clean spoolie can instantly soften them. If your eyeshadow looks too intense, taking a clean brush and blending the edges properly can make a big difference without adding anything new.

The key to all of this is using what you already have on your face rather than adding more. Most of the time, makeup looks overdone because it hasn’t been blended or settled properly, not because you’ve chosen the wrong products.

When you soften it, press it into the skin, and slightly reduce the intensity in certain areas, everything starts to look more balanced again.

You’re welcome :)