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.