When we look back on the spring of 2021, one thing will define it. Huddling outside in the biting wind and lashing rain, determined to brunch, at any cost. 

 

Life in the UK is very slowly creeping back towards some kind of normal and now that cafes and bars are allowed to open for outdoor service again after half a year of closure, we’re all keen to make up for lost time. 

Sadly, the Great British weather has other ideas. It might be mid-May but the weather is saying October - not exactly the best accompaniment to enforced cafe culture. 

Still, as Brits do, we’re making the best of it, shivering into our eggs benedict! And brunching requires a special kind of outfit - elevated casual.

There’s a lot to be said for affordable beauty these days. 

Things have come a long way since the days of a couple of sad Rimmel powders and lipstick options, and brands such as Revolution, E.L.F, The Ordinary and Sleek have done so much to make high-quality, trend led makeup and skincare for friendly prices a really exciting space right now. 

Suddenly, it’s not just luxury brands that are generating all the buzz for their new launches, and that’s absolutely brilliant to see. 

As much as I love the particular thrill of a high-end lipstick or face cream, bagging a bargain is it's own kind of special. 

At the end of the day, it’s all about finding what is most effective, whatever the price point. I recently had a bit of a pharmacy spree, and these are the great new products that made it into my basket.