TOP 4: Underrated YouTubers

YouTube is bigger than ever and I am constantly discovering new channels with interesting and exciting content. However, which such a huge variety of channels now available, there can be an overwhelming amount of choice and it's becoming harder to make yourself as known as some of the big names which dominate audiences in different domains. Here are some of the YouTubers I adore and would recommend to anyone in search of new online content!

ONE | Meghan Hughes

Meghan's channel is the most recent that I have discovered but I fell in love with her personality straight away. She is so welcoming and funny, that her videos make you feel like you're talking face-to-face. Her relatable content and personality makes you feel as though she is your big sister, giving advice and having fun whilst doing it! It's clear Meghan loves what she does and her positive vibes really make it enjoyable to watch. Her videos vary, from makeup to lifestyle to spirituality, all of which are right up my street and, her care-free nature and quirky style makes her different from any other beauty guru I've watched - often wearing little or no makeup and standing up for fresh-faced beauty! If you're having a bad day or want a fun, bubbly YouTuber to add to your list, definitely visit her channel!

Click HERE for her channel!

TWO | MegSays

Meg is one of the sweetest people I've come across on YouTube and her soft, kind nature really makes her content so enjoyable. As a lover of all things beauty, Meg's videos revolve around makeup, beauty and fashion, yet not in the overly-produced and set-up ways of a lot of other beauty girls online. Often with a cup of tea in one hand, Meg sits in front of the camera and chats about different products as well as lifestyle topics. Suffering from a chronic illness, Meg spills love and happiness from her videos, channeling self-love and appreciation for the life we have. Not only is she adorable to watch, she is also very inspiring and feels like she could be your best friend. Her honesty and simple videos are an amazing change from the high-production of many beauty gurus, so watch her channel and I'm sure you'll love her personality as much as I do.

Click HERE for her channel!

THREE | Simply_Kenna

I'm not sure how I stumbled across McKenna's channel but her look, her vibes and her content really stands out from the crowd. Like a little pixie, McKenna has cute content ranging from DIYs to makeup to spirituality. Being a buddhist, McKenna seeks to envelope her audience in love and positive messages. She talks about topics that melt your heart and seek to drive you to a better way of living. Her love for animals, the earth and the people on it is passionate and inspiring, and even better, her personality is honest and likeable; she never kids to be an expert on anything, which I think makes her even more inspiring. Her voice is soothing and, particularly in her new poetry series, her videos are relaxing and calming, away from the hustle and bustle of many channels that fill the internet. It's clear she makes the content she loves and so, it's nicer to watch someone love what they do. For a passionate and positive channel that never fails to deliver, subscribe to this beauty!

Click HERE for her channel!

FOUR | Rose Ellen Dix (and Rosie) 

When I tried to explain Rose and Rosie's videos to Luke, my boyfriend, I realised 'they just sit there and talk and they're hilarious' didn't really sound like much, but, without a doubt, I can't watch wives Rose and Rosie without laughing. Their channel holds similar values to that of daily vloggers, in the sense they don't have a topic or script and just place themselves in front of the camera. However, where Rose and Rosie differ, is that they don't follow themselves around, but rather sit and chat about the things that spring to mind and funny stories and ideas they want to share. Their videos are so easy to watch and natural, completely breaking down a barrier between creator and consumer to show they are just like us. Bouncing off each other, this couple are sure to brighten your day and, if anyone can make just talking to the camera interesting, it's these two. What's more, they're pushing LGBT positivity too, which just makes me love them even more. I was lucky enough to bump into them at the cinema about a month ago and they are just as lovely and genuine in-person as in their videos online. A channel unlike any other, Rose and Rosie are simply comedy gold without even trying, which somehow makes it even better!

Click HERE for their channel!

So these are YouTube channels I would recommend in a heartbeat. Hope you check them out and show them as much love as I do!

~ Becca ~ 

TOP 4: Tips for Perfect Skin

Throughout school, work and even now, at University, the number one question that I get asked all the time is: How is your skin so perfect?! I'd never really put a lot of effort and time into my skincare routine, which shows that looking after your skin is much easier than you think! So, I thought I'd answer this question with my Top 4 tips, that have saved me all through my years, to keep your skin looking flawless and fresh!

ONE | Wash Away

For as long as I can remember, I have washed my face - not with fancy products but simply with a flannel and warm water - both morning and night, everyday and I genuinely believe this has really helped my skin be (and stay) in the condition it is! While you sleep, your skin becomes dirty and oily from sweat and dead skin etc. and to think about waking up and not washing that off really puts into perspective how bad simply not washing your face can be in the long term for building up dirt and bacteria on your skin! And then think about at the end of the day, all the dirt that will have built up on your skin! Getting in the habit of washing your face twice a day will really help keep your skin clean, which in turn will help to keep your skin clear.

TWO | Take the Day Off

By this I mean, never forgot to take off all your makeup before getting into bed! After a long day or night out (even I am guilty of sometimes!) it can be very easy to worry about your makeup in the morning, but this can be very bad for your skin, as the pores become clogged and the skin suffocated while it tries to repair itself overnight! The bacteria from your face, that has built up over the day, as well as the ingredients in the products not only dry out your skin and clog pores but also make your skin much more blemish prone. This point follows up the last on the importance of having a fresh face for when you're asleep! So ditch the day-old makeup that's masking your skin from any goodness and pack on the moisturiser to leave your skin healthy and healed in the morning!

THREE | Forget Foundation 

People are extremely surprised when I reveal to them I have never worn foundation; I am, though, proud of this and hold my skin's current condition to the treatment it received through my teenage years, as well as now. As difficult as it may be, foundation is not good for your skin, and the sooner you ditch it, the sooner your skin will thank you! Drying and pore-suffocating, foundation sits on top of your skin along with dirt from your fingers/brushes when you apply it and the sweat from throughout the day. Particularly through teenage years, although hiding spots, foundation really makes them worse by building up oil and not allowing them to heal. I know many people who have really benefitted from embracing their skin for how it is and letting it breathe. Your skin is constantly ridding old skin cells, so why leave these trapped under a layer of makeup? Choosing against foundation is the best decision for my skin I ever made and, as scary as that first step might be, drive yourself with all the positives and the result, to help motivate you to put that bottle down! Being comfortable in your skin isn't an overnight process, so of course introduce BB creams or concealers in the meantime to help build up that confidence to strip your skin bare! Give your skin the space it needs to develop and heal and, before long, you might not even want to wear foundation!

FOUR | Stay Hydrated

Water is a key part in not only making you feel great, but look great too! When you are dehydrated, your skin looks dull and feels dry and lifeless. As many 'glowing primers' as you try, nothing will make you look as healthy as drinking the right amount of water a day! Try to drink 6-8 cups (or in the region of 1.5L) to help your skin look plump and bright. Hydration is important for keeping your body awake and banishing tiredness throughout the day, so drinking water will help your skin look glowing and fade the dark circles under your eyes to help you not only feel, but look more awake. What's more, drinking water (teamed with a healthy diet) will mean less fat and sugar put into your body, for example through fizzy drinks or alcohol, which will make your skin less spotty from all the unhealthy oils that build up in your body. I have only in the last few years been able to manage and consume the right amount of water each day and my skin has only got better since I made this change. Honestly, there is no wrong you can do with this step and it's as easy as filling a bottle and taking it everywhere you go, or setting a reminder on your phone!

These are the tips that I believe can help you, as much as they helped me! I believe they are relatively easy, all being free of expensive products, just in need of perseverance! Of course, nothing happens overnight so be patient, see if there are any other life adjustments you can make (like exercise or dietary changes) and you'll be glowing soon enough!

~ Becca ~ 

TOP 4: Tips to Rescue Frizzy Hair

For too long, my natural waves have faced a battle against frizz. I completely fell out of love with my hair and for years, reached for the straighteners everyday without fail to banish the flyaways and smooth out my lack of love. Over time, this ruined my hair -  it was dry, frizzier than ever and thin. It looked horrible and I knew I needed to make a change. I started to take better care of my hair and, I still find it unbelievable that I actually choose to wear it naturally over straightening now. I have embraced the way my hair works and have transformed the way it looks, to the point where the frizz is barely noticeable beyond the sleekness I have created. If you're facing a similar war against your hair, hopefully these tips will help you transform not only your locks but your relationship with them too!

ONE | Condition, Condition, Condition 

My hairdresser told me time and time again the importance of conditioning and, of course I never skipped this step, but I never gave it the attention it deserved. I have found leaving on my condition for much longer than normal has made my hair so much more sleek and luscious. Conditioner is designed to really heal and nourish your hair, so the longer you indulge in the treatment, the better the  outcome! I keep my conditioner on for about 10 minutes while I faff about in the shower with washing my body and shaving my legs, sometimes even turning the shower off and sitting out while the conditioner works its magic. I have found this to really benefit my hair,, leaving it slick and smooth, especially in the long term, so stick it out and your hair will thank you! The conditioner I use is the Tresemme Moisture Rich Conditioner.

TWO | Give it a Treat 

I started using treatments on my hair about a year ago and have seen it develop and develop to reach the amazing condition I find it in now. I really neglected my hair and have seen how just adding this simple, pampering step into my haircare routine to really turn that hate into love. Treatments seek to stride one pace further than conditioners and nourish deeply to repair and rescue your hair. Just like with facials, hair treatments come in a variety of forms, from masks to deep conditioners, each with different properties to save different problems. Frizz normally lies with dry and broken hair and so, you should look for a treatment to target these problems. Oil based formulas seek to nourish dry hair, without leaving it greasy - these can be particularly helpful for brittle hair too, that feels almost crispy to touch! Look for ingredients such as coconut oil that will hydrate your hair and tone down the wispy, dry fly-aways. What's more, keratin is also an ingredient to smooth out hair and banish frizz. Treatments with this as a base will act a therapy to leave your hair silky with each use. The first treatment I tried was the Tresemme Keratin Smooth Deep Treatment Mask that showed me how vital this step of haircare is to rescue your hair routine and leave you the locks you dream of. I am currently using the Aussie 3 Minute Miracle Reconstructor Deep Conditioner, that not only smells lush but has calmed and repaired my hair. I try to use this maybe once a fortnight or if I notice my hair is being particularly difficult and I always notice how soft, sleek and frizz-free the outcome is. When using treatments, try not to use them too regularly as this can let your hair get used to the ingredients and it will no longer work it's magic!

THREE | Ditch the Heat

The most important step for allowing your hair to heal and, in the long term, look and feel better is to use as little heat as possible. I used to blow-dry my hair after every wash and straighten it everyday! This left it dry, thin and brittle, even my hairdresser told me I needed to desperately cut back and learn to love my hair without styling it so intensely. I began to cut back on straightening and wearing it in ponytails or buns in order to avoid this styling. While I was working, I found this particularly helpful as I had to tie my hair up and it allowed me to experiment with different styles, including plaits and other braids. Today, I have embraced the way my hair falls naturally, as it has had a chance to heal, and don't even blow-dry it anymore! I maybe straighten it once or twice a month, and only really if I'm on a night out. This has not only made it less dry and so, less frizzy, but has also made me love the way it looks naturally and encouraged me to opt for natural hair over heat-styling. 

FOUR | Style it Right

My last tip is to find styling products suited for frizz-prone hair to give it that final boost to reach it's sleek potential. This starts with a heat protection product, incase you are styling it using heat, so that your hair locks in moisture and doesn't become damaged. These come in a variety of forms, from sprays to creams, all of which will over time, protect your hair and leave your finish smooth. What's more, oils and serums designed for dry and frizzy hair will contain ingredients to target the problems that leave your hair frizzy. These formulas are much more concentrated than conditioners so a little often goes a long way, as well as being specifically formulated to work with hair as it drys, so the outcome is smooth and shiny. Focusing these products through the lengths of your hair can help repair and moisturise split ends and avoid oily roots. I have been using the Dove Quench Absolute Supreme Creme Serum, specially designed for dry and curly hair, that not only keeps my hair hydrated but shapes my waves to look sleek rather than frizz out and look untamed. When searching the market for your styling products, keep an eye out for products formulated for your hair style (for example, if it is wavy/curly or if it is straight) and to help banish frizz, those that hydrate and rescue dry hair, which is what often leads to the cause of flyaways! There are plenty to choose from at a variety of prices, so do your research and see how adding this step into your haircare routine can transform the outcome of your style.  

That's all my tips, and from personal experience, how to look after and rescue how that just won't be tamed. It's hard to change habits straight away so try implementing these ideas slowly into your regime to see the difference it can make. Frizz-less hair is as simple as paying attention to the steps you are taking in your haircare - learn to love your hair and you will be surprised how you ever used to treat it like you did! 

| Products Mentioned | 

Tresemme Moisture Rich Conditioner 

~ Conditioner Link ~

Tresemme Keratin Smooth Deep Treatment Mask 

~ Mask Link ~

Aussie 3 Minute Miracle Reconstructor Deep Conditioner

~ Conditioner Link ~ 

Dove Quench Absolute Supreme Creme Serum

~ Serum Link ~ 

~ Becca ~ 

P.s: 'Top 4' is a new series I will starting here on Beccaful, to share 4 tips/products/ideas for a range of beauty, makeup and lifestyle concepts! Hope you have enjoyed reading the first instalment and the layout etc. Thanks for reading!