Top Beauty Products for Yummy Mums-To-Be

Pregnancy may be a time of joy and excitement, but let’s face it, it’s not all youthful glow and ample bosom. Nine months of having a little life-form somersaulting at 3am, adding anything between 10 to a million pounds to your body, it’s exhausting. The days of negotiating an aisle with dexterity and grace are a distant memory.  But fear not, there are beauty products out there to help…

Illustration by Rose Sturdy

Combat stretch marks with… Clarins Stretch Mark Control, £37

Every mum-to-be needs a helping hand when it comes to stretch marks, no matter how supple their skin. Clarins Stretch Mark Control is a perfume-free lotion which contains a number of plant extracts to help fight the cause. Upon application you can feel a slight soothing tingle as the product stimulates the skin. It helps to protect the skin’s elastin, reduces redness of existing stretch marks and stimulates the repair of new ones – perfect! A top tip is to start applying before marks appear. 

Kick the cankles with…  Cowshed Udderly Gorgeous Leg and Foot treatment, £18.50

‘My feet look like pig’s trotters…’ Oh the joys of pregnancy. Hot weather and a big bump is a one-way ticket to the chunkiest ankles in town. Soothe swollen legs with Cowshed’s Udderly Gorgeous Leg and Foot Treatment, which is wonderfully cooling after a long day of being significantly rounder than before. 

Banish dark spots with… Clinique Even Better Dark Spot Corrector, £29

A common by-product of pregnancy is Melasma, the discolouration of skin, thanks to all those lovely hormones. Discolouration usually lessens several months after giving birth, but for the interim this serum by Clinique helps to even skin tone and prevents the appearance of new dark spots. In true Clinique style, this ‘damage eraser’ has a gentle formula, so it’s suitable for use on the face too.

Pamper and restore dry skin with… Lancôme Nutrix Royal £39 for 400ml 

This super nourishing body lotion by Lancôme is the ultimate pamper product if your skin is dull and tired. It smells like a holiday to Mauritius, and leaves skin seriously soft thanks to its intense lipid repair formula.

Cleanse and re-energise with… Champneys Blissful Bump Shower Cream, £6

The Champneys Blissful Bump range has a powerful punch of ginger, and their moisturising shower cream is a great way for tired yummy mummies to re-energise. It might not quite make up for a whole sleepless night, but every little helps!

What are your hero pregnancy products? Comment below, tweet @PoutOutProud on Twitter or write a message on the Pout Out Proud Facebook page xx

Christmas Presents: Top Ten Stocking Fillers

It's almost Christmas, which can mean only one thing (aside from the birth of Jesus...)

Gorgeous, glorious, glittering, gifts!

I'm writing this blog post mainly for the men out there, who are currently unaware of the great importance that these little packages hold. The men who will be plummeted into a frenzied panic around the 22nd December, frantically tearing through the Argos catalogue, the risk of a paper cut almost definite, in the vague hope of inspiration.

Fellas, little do you know that your delightful other halves have spent months planning the perfect arrangement of gifts. Hours deliberating over the perfect shade of that crisp Ted Baker shirt. An agonising hunt to find that perfect card, an everlasting token of affection.

So here are my top ten stocking fillers (those little extra treats make all the difference!) which are guaranteed to fill your partner with glee on that magical Christmas morning...

1. Chanel Rouge Allure Velvet Luminous Matte Lip Colour, £25
It's beautiful and classic, girls love this little luxury lippy! I'd recommend #33 La Distinguee (a lovely pink) for those who stick to lighter colours, or #38 La Fascinante (a bold, glamourous red) for those who aren't afraid to make a statement with a beautiful red lip.

2. Ted Baker Nail Duo in Cherry Bomb and Sugar Rush, £8.50
Glitter-fest nails are so in fashion this festive season, and this really cute set by Ted Baker looks every inch an absolute treat. The colour is amazing, with or without the top glitter coat. Serious want!

3. Benefit Hoola Bronzing Powder, £19.97
This bronzing powder is fabulous. Perfectly matte and lasts for ages! It's wonderfully subtle yet can be layered up for a darker finish.

4. MAC Cosmetics Powder Blush in Fleur Power, £17.50
This is possibly the girliest blush in the World. It's a really feminine pink shade, perfect for enhancing those cheekbones. It's also extremely pigmented. Trust me, a little goes a long way. It's the gift that just keeps on giving.

5. Marc Jacob's Daisy Eau So Fresh, £40.80 for 75ml
Perfume really is a girl's best friend. Daisy Eau Do Fresh is a light, fruity, floral scent. Plus it's a new release!

6. Moroccanoil Oil Treatment for All Hair Types, £12.85 for 25ml
All girls want Moroccanoil for their hair. It's glossy sleekness in a bottle. Such a treat!

7. Nails Inc Polish in Basil Street, £11 for 10ml
Nails Inc are the cream of the crop when it comes to a gorgeous little treat. A bit expensive for a self-indulgent splurge, so this varnish is a great gift to receive. I love the Basil Street shade, classic nude nails are always in fashion.

8. Benefit High Beam Luminescent Complexion Enhancer, £18.50 for 13ml
Delicious pearly drops of radiant complexion? Erm, yes please.

9. Topshop Wine Fairisle Socks, £5
The Fairisle pattern is so on trend that it would be a crime not to buy these gorgeously festive socks, perfect for a little stroll on Christmas day. Pure delight.

10. HD Brows Palette, £20.95
This set is practically brow-perfection in a handy little compact. All girls want well-groomed brows, and this is by far the best product to achieve them. Buy the Bombshell palette for medium to fair hair, or the Vamp palette for darker shades.

Psssst... You can send this blog to people as a handy little nudge in the right direction!