The big three: Beauty bargain websites

Beauty mad? Discover the best places online to get fabulous beauty bargains!

The internet has brought many good things – social media, Skype, cute panda videos – and the not so good – social media, illegal downloading, trolling.

There’s one area the web has really affected the offline world and that’s shopping. Along with the rise of super shopping malls, the internet has meant the end of big brands, who hadn’t quite forseen how big it would be (HMV anyone?). It however, has also meant the rise of bargains. 

I love a beauty bargain!

If you’re not aware of sales sites and web boutiques, then let me lead you into a whole new way of shopping. This time, where to find the best beauty bargains…

E.L.F
If you not worried about having labeled make-up, then this is a must-bookmark site. E.L.F (short for Eyes Lips Face) produce an amazing array of cosmetics and accessories from just £1.50. If you sign up to their newsletter and follow them on Facebook, you’ll also get alerted to lots of special offers. At the moment, for example, you get a free eyeshadow if you spend over £20.

I love: Their all-over shimmer stick in Pink Lemonade. I always get compliments when I wear it and it helps me look a lot less tired after a night up with my little one.

HQ Hair

This is the ultimate beauty superstore with every cool beauty brand housed under one (virtual reality) roof. It’s my go-to when I’m looking for cult products such as Moroccanoil, Nars and Bliss. Even though it mostly sells regular-priced products, it often has great deals and sales going on, plus a permanent beauty bargain section.

I love: Their nails section, especially Butter nail varnishes, one of the best brands I’ve ever used, plus they have great names for their olours such as Tart With A Heart and Union Jack Black.

Wahanda

Fancy a relaxing spa treatment? Or perhaps you’re after a new haircut at a swanky new salon? Well, this site not only offers you a choice of pampering treatments but offers them at a reduced rate, whether that’s 50% off spa breaks or a cut-price facial.

I love: Their hair combo deals. You can get up to 50% off a hair cut and colour, which makes a very expensive treatment affordable.

Don’t forget to share your favourite beauty bargain sites with me – I always need an excuse to do more shopping…

Even popstars have to queue for the new iPhone 5

JLS join us civillians to get their mitts on the new release from Apple!
 
Just had to do a quick post today after seeing the really rather cute pics of JLS in the queue to get the new iPhone 5. As the Daily Mail story shows, they may be pop stars, but they still had to wait to get their mitts on thew new phone - at least they entertained the crowd with back-flips!

And boy, do they look excited by it. Lots of tweets occurred on the official JLS Twitter account, including this cute pic of Oritse just loving his new purchase. Did you spot any celebrities grabbing an iPhone 5 near you today?

Twitter @JLSOfficial

Apple addicts go crazy for the new iPhone 5

Are you one of the many who are upgrading to the new iPhone 5?

I am a real gadget geek but sometimes it's just too hard (and expensive) to keep up with all the new releases. Obviously then I am not a true geek, especially not a true Apple Addict, as Apple has reported pre-orders for the new iPhone 5 have hit 2 million in just 24 hours.

Apple must be rubbing their hands with glee. Not so good for the consumer though as the demand has proved so great, many customers won’t get their mitts on their new phone until October! How annoyed would you be if you’d be on the case and pre-ordered and then discovered you won’t be in the cool gadget gang until October?

Thank god I’m not cool. I’m quite happy with my 4s and from what I’ve seen the main differences won’t be enough to have me queuing at an Apple store from midnight tonight. Yes, it’s thinner, yes, it can use 4g but I’m don’t feel that normal panic I get when a new gadget comes out and I haven’t got my mitts on it.

They’ve also updated Siri apparently… mmm. Does anyone use this? I got so excited by the feature, but it just doesn’t like my voice. It’s called the doctors when I’ve asked it to call a friend and it hates me saying my husband’s name – it just doesn’t recognize Russell for some reason!

If, like me, you're not worried about having the iPhone tomorrow, make sure you visit the Product Testing website. They're looking for people to test out the iPhone so not only do you get to have a play around with it, but you then get to keep it. Could you get a better freebie?

Anyway, maybe I’m just bitter that I’ve not got my mitts on it. Anyone out there who’s managed to grab one, please let me know if it’s worth it. Actually, don’t. Otherwise I’ll spend the next year and a half, until my phone contract expires, wishing I had one…

The app that will stop your toddler from getting bored

Want to keep your little one entertained when out and about? Then download this app now!

I have a 28-month-old boy who is adept at handing the iPad or iPhone and who recently announced to me that he must 'download that' - pointing to the latest talking hippo/giraffe/fairy app on the App Store.

Yes, I have bred a fellow geek, which was a bit of a shock. While I was pregnant, I had all these lovely thoughts about how I would bring up my little boy - lots of reading (Magic Faraway Tree and The Hungry Caterpillar were first on the list), lots of being outdoors, lots of creative playing and definitely no TV or computer access until they were at least 10. Well, it seems I've ticked all boxes aside from the last one.

I've found TV to be a fabulous (cheap) babysitter. Without Justin and his house or Thomas and his tank enging pals, I wouldn't be able to get ready for work in the morning. I've worked out that I can shower, dress and dry my hair all within two episodes of Thomas the Tank Engine...

Equally useful - but in a different way - is the computer, or in our case, the iPad. OMG! What did people do with toddlers before these were invented? Last night, when we were out at a restaurant and he was bored waiting, I just waved it in front of him and voila! One whiny toddler replaced with one happy toddler.

I have definitely eaten my words on this front, primarily because I can see how much joy he gets from playing with the different apps, but also because he's learning new words and numbers all the time due to playing on it. He's getting into and understanding technology earlier. After all, things are only going to move forward and not backwards as he gets older... And as my childminder told me recently, Ofsted actually check her on the technology she offers the kids in her care!

We've road-tested many, many apps. Some are amusing for a short period of time, some never live up to their expectation and some have become firm favourites, which my little one returns to time and time again.

The best of these has to be Tozzle. It's basically puzzles for toddlers (see what they did there?). They're very simple drag and drop puzzles featuring different images. It's really helped my little boy with this fine hand movements and also with working out things. It's also taught him patience - although this doesn't translate when he demands his daily ice-lolly hit!

The animated puzzles are a big hit (when you build the train, it starts moving) but each one has its merits. And it doesn't seem limited to two-year-olds either. At a recent barbie, two five-year-olds were pestering their parents to download the app once they saw my LO playing with it.

So, if you want to allay tantrums while out shopping or keep your little one busy on a plane (which we're doing next month - help!), download Tozzle now. For £1.49, it really is a lifesaver and one you might even enjoy yourself...

Need a frock for that important occasion? Then 'rent-a-dress'!

Ensure you're fashion forward without breaking the bank thanks to this great dress rental website!

Weddings, christenings, parties - they're all great fun but a nightmare on the wardrobe, especially if you don't want to be seen in the same outfit twice. Thankfully, there's a website out there that can answer all your sartorial needs and won't break the bank doing so.

Girls Meet Dress is a great idea for designer lovers, who don't have a designer salary. Basically, they buy up great designer frocks and then rent them out for everyone to wear. By doing so, it means you can easily afford designer threads even if you're on a Topshop budget.

Prices start from just £39, and you can get a Roland Mouret dress for just £69 (worth £825) or a Marc Jacobs frock for just £59. Prices cover you for 2 nights and you can upgrade to 7 nights for just a few quid more.

L-R: Christopher Kane, Roland Mouret and By Malene Birger

The downsides? Well, you do have to be extra careful when you're wearing the dress - so for me, it means I'm only hiring when my toddler isn't around to put his mucky paws all over the designer sequins. You can however take out an optional insurance policy for £7 to protect you from unexpected fashion disasters.

They also only have certain dresses in certain sizes, so while they have a variety of sizes, it means you may not get the dress of your dreams to fit you.

Overall, it's a great concept and a great example of how the internet has changed the world of shopping. This kind of concept could never really exist in the real world - how would you ever display all that stock?

The brains behind it have now come up with another great idea - they need extra funding and want their customers to buy a piece of the business. It's a great way to help grow a young British business and will really help build brand loyalty. Let's hope they carry on growing!

Girl (geeks) on top!

I've had a small break in updating my blog as I've just started out on my new freelance career. It's all very exciting, and I've already got my teeth into a great new web project.

I'm actually freelancing at a place I worked about 5-6 years ago. When I was last there, the technical department was full of geeky guys and perhaps the odd girl, who were either PAs or there on a research/analytical basis. What a difference a few years makes. On my first visit back to the department, 3 out of the 5 people working on my new project, were women. HURRAH!

Being a web editor means I've mostly worked with blokes, especially on the tech side, and it's always annoyed me. Who says woman can't be good at the development and programming side of things? I'm no technical guru, but my husband will hold his hands up and admit, I know how to do all the technical things in our household.

Woman are actually brilliant at the logical things in life, plus we're great at multi-tasking - both important qualities if you want to be a web developer. I wish I'd realised there was such a career. Back in the '90s when I started my career, the web was so new that I never knew you could train to be someone who built the damn thing. In fact, there's been a rise in girls taking science GSCEs, which shows that the female of the species are finally becoming more interested in things that were traditional seen as male.

So here's to all the geeky girls on top (and yes, I'm showing my age by including the image above - anyone else remember this show?) and let's hope there will be many more of them over the years.

A Google search a day keeps the doctor away

Google is a wonderful invention. It allows everyone access to all sorts of information. However, according to a report in the Daily Mail, too much information can be very unhealthy.

The report says that one in ten woman who do so have endured nasty side effects as a result of misdiagnosis. The dangers occurred when those woman bought their own medication from a pharmacy without consulting a professional.

I've been so guilty of searching for a diagnosis when I've been ill - the most worrying recent diagnosis was ovarian cancer, which I'm glad to say I haven't got, but I do know when to stop. I'd never prescribe myself something, even if it was something as innocuous as thrush or flu. Who knows, you may under diagnose and actually have something serious?

The first port of call when you're sick should always be your GP, but I do love the way that technology has given us access to lots of information - previously only doled out by medical professionals. I always love using the NHS Direct Symptom Checker, especially when it's involving my little boy. It's a great website, which allows you check your symptoms via topics, alphabet or body part.

It has been a saviour at times, especially when struck down with a nasty tummy bug on a Saturday and no doctors available, but I pretty much always back up my diagosis with a trip to my GP, who can also offer that much needed sympathy. It seems technology can't do everything, especially when that everything is the personal touch.

Turn your coffee into free downloads

Like many a city girl, I can often be found in Starbucks picking up a latte to go or hoovering up one of their muffins. But did you know that as well as being able to pick up a Mocha at your local Starbucks, you can also get your mitts on some exciting downloads? What's more, they're all free! Yes, you read that - Starbucks are giving something away for nothing!

Every week Starbucks offers a fabulous free download from iTunes. It couldn't be easier to grab yourself a download on the go either. Just pop into your local store and pick up a free app card featuring their download of the week. Then, just enter the redemption code into iTunes and voila, you're the proud owner of a new app.

I love it as it's a great way to try out new music, games or even books without spending a penny. My favourites so far are a great little game called Lost Winds (which I would never have downloaded), plus the latest tunes from Professor Green (my guilty pleasure crush!) and Emelie Sandé.

A new download is available each Monday - enjoy!

Dress up your Kindle

I have previously posted how I just can't be persuaded to buy a Kindle, however, these super cute covers might persuade me. Did I say I was a tad fickle?

I love book covers. I know they say never judge a book by its cover, but I do... often. That's another reason I don't like Kindles - they're dull, grey, and look like they belong in an office. These covers, available in classic titles such as Frankenstein, Alice in Wonderland and Dracula, are great solution to the cover-less Kindle and will inject some character to your bit of grey plastic.

What's more, at only £15, they're an affordable way to change your Kindle look to suit your mood. Grab one now at The Literary Gift Company.

The app that will make you look gorgeous!

I like make-up. Actually, that's an understatement, I adore make-up. Not for me, a small cosmetic bag to keep my goodies in. No, I have a professional make-up box. Prior to that, I had a toolbox so I have downsized a little over the years.

I've always liked experimenting with my looks and am often first in the queue for the latest must-buy colour or brand, however, like most women I'm also guilty of getting stuck in a rut - mine is a smokey-eye-nude-lip-rut. Therefore, I was really pleased to discover the new The Colour Genius app from L'Oreal.

The idea behind this app is that you take a snap of what you're wearing and then L'Oreal will suggest some make-up colours to either match, blend or clash with your total look.

L'Oreal's suggestions for my outfit

As with all free apps, I wasn't sure how good it was going to be, but I have to say, I was pleasantly surprised. Firstly, I never really think about matching my outfit colours to my shades of make-up, but secondly, it really did give me some new ideas on how to use my my rather large cosmetics collection.

I love the idea that you can clash or blend - it would be a great app to use on a girl's night out when you're getting ready with your mates. Admittedly, it may run out of colourways but hopefully L'Oreal will add their new season shades when they're released.

Verdict: A fun way of getting more out of your make-up. The only downside is the colours, which are all  L'Oreal specific, but if you've got an extensive make-up collection like me, you'll be able to find something similar. A danger though for the purse...

Have you got Kindle fever?

You see, I haven't. And for a geek (albeit, a glam one) that's quite disturbing. I jump on the gadget train as soon as a new must-have is released. I get great joy out of discovering new and exciting websites and products. Yet, the Kindle just leaves me cold.

I feel however, like I must be the only one. The latest Kindle Fire has been released in the States to huge acclaim. They've sold out across the land and keen Kindlers (is that the correct term?) over here in Blighty are desperate to find out the release date - but I really couldn't be bothered. I have downloaded a few books onto my iPad but I've not got round to reading them, because when it comes to a fight between a good old fashioned book and reading one on a tablet, the paper version wins every time for me.

I know all the plus points about a Kindle - the books take up less space, you can change the font size - but all I hear is yack, yack, yack.

For me, reading a book is just so much more than the words - it's the smell of that new (or vintage) book when you open it; the feel of the paper - it's a total experience that a tablet just can't give me. I like turning down a corner or slipping in a bookmark. I like seeing how many more pages I've got to go. I like people knowing what I'm reading - I've had interesting chats with total strangers about books I've been reading on trains, planes and in cafes.

This may be the one big paradox in my life - a geekette who likes reading old fashioned books - but sometimes a girl just knows what she wants. I just hope books don't vanish completely - I really want my son to know the pleasure in turning those pages and immersing himself in a good story.

Maybe the only way to settle this is with a Harry Hill style 'Fight!' - I'm reckoning the oversized book  would beat the oversized plastic tablet ever so slightly. What do you think? Are you on Team Book? Or Team Kindle? Let me know!

Ah, so people are using Linked In!

Whenever I tell people what I do for a living, someone always offers an opinion about a website or more often, a social media site. Most people love Facebook (yes, still) and Twitter, but I always get mixed responses about Linked In.

This has always puzzled me as I love it. It's always done the job for me - i.e. helped me network effectively with peers within in my field. I've been headhunted via it. I've found great companies I want to work with as partners. I've discovered new freelance work via it. I've also rediscovered long lost friends! And it seems I'm not the only one - the company announced only last week that they now have 175 members.

They have had some oops moments along the way - hacked passwords anyone? - but it looks like people are slowly recognising the value of this site.

However, if you're struggling to find a use for it,why not follow these top five tips:

1. Make sure your profile is fully updated. Whether you're using it to find a job or make new connections, if you're profile doesn't have all your details, you may miss out on connecting with some key people.

2. Update your status. This used to be linked to Twitter, but Linked In decided they didn't like Twitter that much so now you have to udpate your status automatically. I've found this great when I've been job hunting or recruiting for new positions.

3. Join groups. Yes, there are some rubbish groups on Linked In, but I've also found some really good ones that offer invaluable opions, share great links and are generally worth joining.

4. Check your connections. We're always making new connections through work - so when you meet someone in person, make sure you connect online. In the past, you used to do this via business cards, but I find Linked In is so much more hassle-free - and you don't have to take wads of cards when you move job!

5. She who's been stalking you. It's a bit hidden in the right-hand menu, but I love seeing who's been accessing my profile. Yes, generally it's friends or people I've worked with, but I have had more unknown peeps have a little eyeball, which prompted me to contact them, and voila a job/exciting new collaboration is born.

The Twit Pack: Fake celebs

Twitter has become a beast of a social media medium and it can be difficult to know who to follow, so in this occasional series of posts, I'll be picking my faves Tweeters across various categories. First up, is the fake celeb...

Yes, Twitter has been a revolution because so many real celebrities love to tweet, but aside from the odd hiccup (such as Pink tweeting from her hospital bed or Demi Moore documenting the breakdown of her relationship with Ashton Kutcher), the real stars tend to play it quite safe when tweeting. This is why the fake celebrity is a must-follow. 

There are lots of fake celeb accounts on Twitter, and the best are hilarious - a real parody of that star with tweets that are guaranteed to make you laugh out loud. The following are my top five to follow, but if you have any others you follow, don't forget to share below!

1. @Queen_UK If you're a royalist, this one probably isn't for you, but it has me in stitches. Publishers obviously agree, as she is now a published author with her first book release!
2. @CherylKerl I'm not a big fan of the real Cheryl Cole but I do like this Twit-poster. I can almost imagine the real Cheryl saying some of the dumb things posted...
3. @darthvader He's from the dark side and tweeting his views. OK, so he's not strictly a celebrity, but he is amusing, especially for someone so sinister.
4. @DianaInHeaven This isn't for everyone, especially if they liked Princess Diana, but it does appeal to my very sick sense of humour...
5. @michael_bay__ In real life, movie director Michael Bay doesn't mince his words, so you can imagine how full on the fake Twitter account is. I'd love to know what he thinks!

New online boutique alert!

I love online shopping. It's stress-free, you don't have to use smelly changing rooms with bad lighting and you can find stuff online that isn't always in the shops.

I'm very excited therefore to find about a brand new online boutique opening very soon. Atterley Road is a gorgeous new website that promises to help you find the perfect capsule wardrobe.

Featuring stylish brands such as Hobbs, People Tree and MiH Jeans, the people behind Atterley Road want to recreate the experience of your favourite high street - all without moving from your sofa.

If that's not enough to get your shopping mojo going, they've also got a great opening offer. Just sign up to the site and they will give you a £25 gift card to use on your first order. You can then start earning reward points by referring friends. It's just so exciting - I just hope my credit card can take the bashing...

Top Tips: Getting the most out of Pinterest

I love Pinterest. It is so my favourite social media tool. Lots of lovely style inspiration and an ability to curate all the things I'm interested in at the moment. If you haven't caught the Pinterest bug yet, why not try these top tips to help you pinning journey?

Install the Pinterest bookmarklet

Pinterest want to make it as easy as possible for you to pin great content to your account. The best way of doing this is to install the bookmarklet. You can get the Pinterest bookmarklet here. Good ole Pinterest shows you how to install this bit of technology and once you have, you won’t stop pinning. As Pinterest is still in beta (the testing) stage, you might find this bookmarklet a bit buggy but it’s an easy way to add things to your mood boards and when things are easy, you’re more likely to update them.

Add another pinner

Did you know you let another pinner have access to certain boards? This is a great thing to do if you’re preparing a wedding mood board (add your groom) or perhaps part of a craft group (add your fellow crafters). It makes it feel even more of a community thing when you’re actually pinning with a real friend or colleague.

Hashtag it!

Who used the humble hashtag before the birth of social media? Just like Twitter, adding a hashtag to your pin categorises it and by clicking on the hashtag, you can discover similar pins. It’s a great way for people to find something of niche interest for them. Never underestimate the power of the #!

Follow Pinterest etiquette

Each social media medium has it’s own house rules. It’s a bit like being a guest at a friend’s house. Follow the rules and no-one will kick you out!

1. Give credit where credit is due
Do you know who the photographer is? Or the name of the website/blog were you found the image? If so, quote them in your text.

2. Be original
Make sure you pin the original source image. Don’t use images from Google as Google don’t own them.

3. Keep it short, sweet and original

Don’t copy all the text associated with the image. It’s a bit naughty, but more than I find it boring. I want to know why the pinners I follow like something – not what the original website said.

Space them out
Some people don’t visit Pinterest for a while and then do about 50 pins in one go. Stop right there! You’re overloading your followers. Space your pins out and add things on a regular basis, encouraging people to come back and see your new pins.

Retro geek chic

Hi, my name is Jayne and I'm a retro geek. Yes, it may be a total oxymoron that I'm a lover of high-technology, yet I hyearn for the past. However, it seems that I'm not the only one out there with this paradox.

Maybe it's the recession but everything geek seems to be going a little bit retro. Headphones are supersize once again. Radios look like something my nan had. And classic arcade games such as Paperboy and Space Invaders are being downloaded in their thousands on phones and tablets.

Retro geek: Headphones, Munchman, BBC Micro and a retro radio

For me, it's hardly a surprise I have one foot in the past and one in the digital future. My first experience of anything technical was a Speak and Spell, with its funny Americanims, followed by Simon. At the time those games were groundbreaking - they made noises, they were interactive, they were from the future.

My first real foray into technology though was at the age of 11 when my parents bought me a BBC Micro Computer. That Christmas, my inner geek finally broke free. For the first three months, I merely produced programmes on it that flashed up my name or did simple calculations, but then I got into games. In those days, you had to load games via a cassette machine and a tape - hilarious! - but the games were addictive and my sister and I were soon addicted to Chuckie Egg (I'm waiting for that app any day now).

This love of old technology has stayed with me all this time and I love the fact that technology creators are realising we hanker for the old days when things were simpler, creating products that are more streamlined, look nice but do everything you need in this modern day and age. Long live retro geek chic!

The app that will calm you down

Hello blogging world! It's been a while since I've blogged - life's events took over - but I'm back now with a renewed passion. Unfortunately I was recently involved in a very horrible car crash but instead of letting it get me down, I'm choosing to see that silver lining and am embracing all my passions in life. I may be a geek but the digital world and blogging is definitely one of those so I'll be back posting here with a vengeance!

Due to my nasty accident, I've recently come across an app, which I swear has saved my sanity. Anyone who has been through a traumatic event will tell you that the mental scars as just as bad, if not worse, as the physical scars. Flashbacks knock you sideways and appear at any moment and things fall apart just like that.

My problem at the moment is not being able to sleep. Every time I close my eyes, I see the crash happening in slow motion. I've tried sleeping tables, I've tried watching crap films (yes, even Eyes Wide Shut didn't send me into a coma) but nothing really worked. Until I found this fabulous app.

A must-download if you seek inner calm

The Simply Being app guides you through the meditation process and helps you try and block out the inner and outer noise, while you try and find peace. Even if you're a total meditation novice, this app will definitely calm you down and help silence whatever is shouting out loudest. After using it four or five times, I felt much calmer and able to sleep without the help of tablets or bad Tom Cruise movies.

Verdict: It's meditation by numbers and although it may not turn you into Dalai Lama overnight, I guarantee it will help you find some peace in this busy and hectic world!