Back to School with HEMA

It’s been a long time since I’ve gone ‘back to school’ following the holidays but that doesn’t mean I can’t take advantage of the shops updating their stationery lines and adding a few pieces to my stash. I know it’s something of a blogger cliché to claim you love stationery but it stands to reason if we’re into ‘aesthetics’ and having to constantly prep and plan blog posts we want something pretty to write our never ending to do lists down in.

I’m also sure I’ve shared with the story of when I was a child I didn’t like chocolate(!) and instead of receiving Easter Eggs I would be given various stationery items as I liked ‘writing’ so much. My nostalgic stories aside HEMA got in touch following my thumbs up of their Beauty Range and asked if I’d like to receive some items from their Back to School range. Never one to turn down the opportunity for a new fancy pants notebook I said yes!

As I said when first introduced to HEMA it’s a brand much like Flying Tiger and similarly priced. The items I’m sharing with you today are all priced around £2 which, whilst I have a lot of love for Paperchase makes it slightly more affordable – especially if you’re anything like me you go through notebooks a rapid rate.

The bunny print notebook* is very cute and typical of the style I like. Lightweight, A5 sized and with ruled pages. It’s just the right blogger companion. There are a variety of designs and prints available from HEMA whatever your taste although if you like something smaller, the A6 sized two pack of notebooks* is a great fit. Again it’s lined, something of a must for me when it comes to notebooks and it’s elasticated closure allows some stashing of additional paper notes. The one colour design means you’re able to customise if that is your preference and again, HEMA have you sorted with an array of stickers. I’m a bit of a fan of these sticky notes which decorate my ramblings and make things look a little more pleasing. In fact my niece took one look at these and whipped them away before I was able to enjoy thoroughly.

Interestingly the product I’m enjoying the most is the 12 pack of highlighters*. I’ve currently got quite a good notebook system in place, certainly not to bullet journal standards but something that works for me being able to make all my blog notes whilst covering off the everyday life to dos. Highlighting various sections has been necessary to draw my eye to various points and being able to use a variety of colours has been even more effective for my notetaking.

Unlike you’re ‘regular’ highlight these have a finer nib so I don’t find my page is overtaken with more highlighter than the actual ‘note’ I’m making.

What are your back to school essentials and where do you shop for them? 

*this post contains press samples

HEMA Beauty Range Review

As high street beauty ranges creep up in price I'm always keen to seek out alternatives for a more affordable price point and see whether there are some hidden gems beyond the usual suspects. HEMA Beauty might be one of those brands worth exploring more.

I hadn't heard of HEMA until they got in touch and invited me to an event which unfortunately I was unable to make. They kindly sent me a few products to try which I can share with you today. HEMA reminds me of Tiger with only six stores across the UK, including Stanstead Airport, a branch I'll be checking out in August when I head off on my next trip. Take a look at their website and I'm sure you'll have one or two 'oooh I need that moments'. They even sell acrylic storage.

So let's talk make up and how my experience with HEMA Beauty was. The first two products I dismissed quickly, although as is often the case my initial thoughts were unfair. Foundation Brush No 13* is the 'old style' flat paint brush which we don't see anyone using, myself included. Instead I found this is perfect for applying face masks and made the whole process so much easier and less messy. It now sits in my bathroom to reach for with ease. Next was the Clear Eyebrow Gel No 31 something I just expected not to have any need for it as I like my coloured brow products. I threw it in my holiday make up bag nonetheless and found it handy to tidy my unruly brows for a day at the beach. It doesn't leave brows crispy so I'll definitely be trying when I'm just using eyebrow pencils.

Disappointing was the Coverstick in Shade 05* as for me it is too drying and stiff to work with. I have given it some good use and on initial application it covers nicely but after some time it starts to settle. I'm not giving up completely and may play around a little more but I think I prefer a more liquid formula.

Blushers and Bronzers have always been my favourite beauty products and at the moment I'm loving a lazy approach with using more natural, 'shimmery' shades as blush that both warm up the skin and highlight in one swipe. If it's shimmer you're after than the Wet and Dry Blusher Powder in 54* is gorgeous. A warmer version of Milani Luminoso this gives a lovely glow to the skin. The shimmer is not chunky and I'm reaching for this often especially now I have a tan. My favourite blush of all time is Mac Peaches and Cream from the Osbournes Collection which has a satin sheen to it so I'm always looking for similar products, would HEMA's Satin Blush Powder* be it? Shade 01 I have is perhaps a little light for a replication but it's a nice subtle blush if you're wearing heavy eyes or lips and want to keep cheeks neutral. I'm definitely keen to experiment with some more colours.

Moving on to lip products and these were a great success and even when I shared an Instagram post on the brand a friend commented how she loved the Soft Matt Lip Balms* and found them better than Mac. And I'm inclined to agree. The first thing I love about these products is their twist up design. I will always choose the product I don't have to sharpen, especially when holidaying. I have shades No 8 and No 11 which are both lovely, No 8 a pinky berry that will be great when we transition from Summer to Autumn (assuming we have a Summer!) and 11 gives that 90s brown nude lip that I'm still clinging on to. Nice but nothing special is the Fabulous Fluid Lipstick in 01*. The shade is a little too peach to suit me although it works dabbed on with nude lip colours. As for the formula it's a little chalky for my taste whilst being creamy and feels comfortable.

Finally are two products I'm still yet to try; the Metallic Eyeshadow in 06* (which is more purple than it appears online) and the Long Lasting Nail Polish in Shade 814*. Swatching the eyeshadow I didn't find the 'metallic high gloss' finish they mention on the website and it did appear patchy but I will hold of judgement until I've tested properly. Likewise I need to find out if the nail polish deserves it's 'long lasting' name.

Final mention goes to this little travel pouch* which I used on my recent holiday. It's one of those papery pouches or pencil case as HEMA calls it and was ideal for storing my work iPhone and portable charger whilst travelling or hitting the beach. My friends were frequently borrowing it whenever their batteries were waning so it was perfect to reach in and know where to find it whilst ensuring it wasn't covered in sand.

Have you heard of HEMA before?

*this post contains press samples