pregnancy beauty Archives -

Skin Care For A Winter Pregnancy: Protect Your Pregnancy Glow!

It’s time to think about making the switch mamas! As we’re sure you’ve probably heard, WINTER IS COMING. And just like you wouldn’t carry on wearing your strappy tops & sandals into December (we hope!), colder weather calls for a whole new skin care regime & some gorgeous new maternity clothes! Take a look at our top tips for protecting your skin, so that your radiance can continue to glow through the colder months.

For the Face

Wondering why that perfect moisturiser you were using all summer suddenly isn’t doing the trick? With the incoming colder weather, instead of combating shine, your main objective is now to keep your skin hydrated. And the best place to start is by switching to a heavier, more hydrating moisturiser. For an extra radiance boost, make sure to choose skin care that’s pregnancy safe & designed for sensitive skin.

We Love: Mama Mio Gorgeous Glow 3 Step Set

The Dress: Woven Boucle Maternity Shift Dress

For the Hands

We know the feeling – As soon as the temperatures drop, your hands are the first to feel it. That’s because the skin on your hands is thinner than on the rest of your body, with fewer oil glands, meaning that they dry out much quicker. Fight back this winter with a heavy arsenal of pregnancy-friendly hand creams stashed anywhere you might need them – at your desk, by your bed, in your handbag. All’s fair in the war on chapped knuckles!

The Dress: Cashmere Blend Roll Neck Nursing Dress

For the Body

As tempting as it may be to sink into a hot and steamy bath this time of year, your skin will thank you for dialling the temperature down. Not only does hot water dry out and damage your skin, it’s also not safe for your baby! Warm baths on the other hand are totally safe, fine for your skin & a fabulous way to relax – just make sure that you can get straight in without having to ease in bit by bit. Once you’re out of the bath, treat your skin by locking in the moisture with an all over body lotion!

We love: Mama Mio Megamama Body Lotion

The Dress: Tiered Midnight Blue Maternity Dress

For the Bump

No matter the time of year, if you have a growing bump be sure to treat it with an elasticising tummy rub to minimize your risk of stretch marks. Your skin goes through a lot when you’re pregnant, so the least you can do is to give it the best possible chances with plenty of Omega 3, 6 & 9 boosting skin care to build strength & elasticity.

We love: Mama Mio The Tummy Rub Butter

The Shirt: Stretch Denim Maternity Blouse

For the Feet & Legs

Of course through the summer when our feet & legs are out on display we are all careful about keeping them well exfoliated & moisturised. But when they’re safely tucked away in jeans & boots, it can be all too easy to overlook them. Through pregnancy your pins are working harder than ever to carry you and your baby around all day, so don’t forget to show them some love too!

We love: Mama Mio Lucky Legs Energising Gel

The Dress: Ink Woven Maternity & Nursing Dress

Ever Wondered What Your Lipstick Shade Says About You?

Here at Seraphine, we like to think we can tell a lot about a woman by looking at her signature lipstick. The shade you choose to show to the world is a very personal thing; it conveys something about who you are & how you’d like to be seen. So whether you favour a deep plum or a pretty pink, check out our quick guide to see if we’ve got your number…

Fun-loving and quick to smile, your enthusiasm tends to be infectious. You’re the type who likes to live life to the full & isn’t afraid to take on new challenges – big project at work? No problem. Travelling with toddlers? Sounds like fun. Run the marathon? Bring it on! You are always the first to laugh & the last to stop, though never at anyone else’s expense.

The Lipstick: Ilia – Neon Angel

The Dress: Fuchsia Knot Front Maternity Dress

A true Romantic with a hidden cheeky streak, you are passionate and ambitious; the kind of woman that men fall in love with from across the room. You secretly think that you might have been born in the wrong era, and tend to spend a lot of time inside your own head – life just has more sparkle when viewed through the lens of your incredible imagination.

The Lipstick: Ilia – Perfect Day

The Dress: Claret Knot Front Maternity Dress

Intuitive and bold, you know your own mind and aren’t afraid to say what you mean. Your friends come to you for fashion advice, as they know you’ll always give an honest opinion & won’t sugar coat it if something isn’t working. A born risk-taker, you will pursue your goals wherever they take you, but will always remain grounded. No matter how busy your schedule, there will always be time for a catch up with the girls.

The Lipstick: Ilia – Around the World

The Dress: Woven Berry Maternity & Nursing Dress

People often say that you’re too nice, and you always take it as a compliment. You are the mum of your friendship group – the shoulder to cry on, the baker of cakes, and giver of tea & sympathy. But just as you share in others’ trials, you take genuine pleasure from their triumphs too. Highly empathetic; you believe that kindness costs nothing, but can make all the difference.

The Lipstick: Ilia – In My Room

The Dress: Tiered Midnight Blue Maternity Dress

Inherently seductive in all areas of life, you are all about the thrill of the chase. You are in no hurry but make no mistake, once you set your sights on something you rarely miss. You live in the moment and know instinctively how to take pleasure from the little things in life – your morning cup of coffee, the turning autumn leaves and sexy matching lingerie.

The Lipstick: Ilia – Femme Fatale

The Dress: Black Maternity Midi Dress

All products featured are by organic beauty brand Ilia Beauty. They are 72% organic & pregnancy safe!

Beauty Tips & Tricks for Summer: 10 Beauty Hacks to Get Back your Glow

We love dreamy summer days by the sea! It’s all about sun-kissed skin, tousled hair and perfectly pedicured toes peeping out of pretty summer sandals. But all that sun, sea and sand can be tough on your natural glow. Read on for our best summer holiday beauty tips to fight the frizz, soothe the skin and get back your glow!

1) First thing’s first: Sun cream, sun cream, sun cream! You know the drill by now; opt for a high SPF with UVA & UVB protection & reapply at every opportunity. A great way to remember, is to reapply every time you have a drink – If you feel thirsty, your skin probably does too.

2) Once you’re home (or back at the hotel!) after a day in the sun, make sure to exfoliate and moisturise well. This is the best way to ensure an even, long lasting tan to compliment your stunning summer maternity dresses.

3) And because sometimes even the most diligent SPF patrollers will miss a bit, keep a stash of home-made cooling after sun in the freezer. Simply freeze aloe in an ice tray & pop out a cube or two to soothe sun burn when needed.

4) From dried out frizzy sun damage to colour stripping chlorine, summer can be hard on your hair. One great way to minimize chlorine damage is to wet your hair before you take the plunge. If it’s already saturated with water or a hydrating product, your hair won’t take on as much of the chemicals and chlorine from the pool – this is one of our favourite summer beauty tips!

5) The sooner you can wash your hair afterwards, the better – use a clarifying shampoo asap to banish the build-up of salt, sand and chemicals.

6) A deep conditioning treatment will give you back your natural gleam. Try mixing your favourite conditioner with equal parts of pure jojoba oil and olive oil for the ultimate re-hydrating treatment; leave it on for 20 minutes then rinse well to reveal beautiful, shiny, healthy hair.

7) We all know the havoc that summer can wreak on our feet; fight dry cracked heels and rough skin with a home-made Listerine foot soak! It may sound strange, but it really can help soften up your skin. Mix 1 part Listerine mouth wash, 1 part apple cider vinegar and 2 parts warm water in a shallow bowl and soak your feet for 20 minutes.

8) After a foot soak, exfoliate and remove dead skin using a sea salt scrub. Shop bought ones are great, but home-made can be just as good; we love this sea salt and coconut oil scrub from Nicole posted on her blog Wonky Wonderful.

9) A glossy coat of your favourite summer nail varnish will put the perfect finishing touch on your home pedicure. For easy application and the ultimate smooth finish, chill your nail varnish in the fridge before you want to use it – sounds weird but it really works!

10) Once you’ve restored your natural glow, show it off with the perfect summer maternity clothes! Browse our collections & discover cute day dresses, gorgeous maternity swimwear & the stunning evening wear styles for pregnancy.

Pamper Days at Home: Seraphine’s 10 Steps to Ultimate Relaxation!

During pregnancy you deserve to be pampered. And while a weekend at the spa isn’t always on the cards, at home pamper days are the perfect little luxury for an indulgent Sunday afternoon. So clear your schedule, relax, de-stress & unwind with our 10 steps to the ultimate at home spa day!

1) Set the mood – Before you begin, take some time to unwind & prepare your space. First, turn off your phone – nothing can compromise your Zen today! Next, slip into a soft pair of maternity pyjamas & brew a pot of your favourite herbal tea. Then dim the lights, put on a soothing playlist, light some candles & let the perfect at home pamper day begin.

2) Facial steam – Open up your pores & hydrate your skin with a relaxing herbal steam. Combine calming lavender, toning geranium oil & antioxidant green tea in a large bowl with warm water. Then sit with your face over the bowl & cover your head with a towel to create a sweet scented steam tent. Relax & allow the steam to work its magic for up to 10 minutes.

P.S. If you decide to create your own combinations of herbs, tea and essential oils – make sure to stick to the pregnancy-safe options, & always stop if you start to feel over-heated!

3) Exfoliate – Treat your skin from top to toe with a luxury exfoliating scrub. This will remove dead skin & impurities, leaving you with radiantly glowing fresh skin. Use a scrub from your bathroom cupboard, or whip up a home made batch combining sea salt, olive oil, lemon & lavender. Get the recipe here. Then rinse off in the shower & wet your hair.

4) Hair mask – Smooth on a hydrating hair mask, then wrap up and secure your hair in a soft towel or old silk scarf and allow it to soak in. We love these DIY recipes from Hairspray & High Heels!

5) Soak in the bath – Lie back & indulge in a relaxing bath while you let your hair mask set. After all that exfoliation, your skin will be perfectly primed to absorb all the lovely things you can throw at it. Try adding 2 cups of full fat milk & half a cup of pure honey for a softening soak worthy of the queen of Egypt.

6) Rinse off – When you’re finished in the bath, rinse off the hair mask in the shower, and use a clarifying shampoo to prevent any product build-up. Once you’ve dried off, take a few minutes to massage your bump with bio oil, or any other anti-stretch mark product you like to use (if your partner is around, this could be a good job for him!)

7) Face mask – Slip back into your robe & apply a soothing face mask. You can find some fantastic DIY options at Wellness Mama, or check out the video above from Promise Phan for a miracle turmeric mask – and don’t forget the cucumber slices for your eyes!

8) Foot wrap – While the face mask sets, apply your favourite foot moisturising cream liberally, then wrap them up in cling film with a hot towel on top for 10 – 15 minutes. You can make a hot towel by getting a hand towel wet, wringing it out & microwaving it for 1 minute.

9) Mani Pedi – Rinse off the facemask & remove the foot wrap to reveal your beautiful soft feet. Time to paint your nails!

10) Treat – Slip into a pair of soft maternity pjs, stretch out on the sofa & indulge in a girly chick flick & chocolate while your nails dry.

Seraphine’s Top 5 Spring Makeup Trends for 2016

The start of a new season is the perfect time to shake up your makeup routine with a few fresh new looks – why not get a head start today! Colour is the big story this spring – after season upon season of “no-makeup makeup” it’s seems that we can finally start busting out a bold red lip or electric blue liner again! Read on to discover our picks of the top 5 makeup trends to try this SS16…

Always a failsafe option, the classic red lip united makeup artists across the board this season in a specific shade of candy apple red. Seen all over the runways from Jason Wu to DKNY and Oscar de la Renta; the precision applied bold red lip is the perfect partner for a little black maternity dress, and the ultimate way to bring a little extra oomph to any outfit.

From tiny turquoise touches in the corners at Philip Lim, to iridescent butterfly effects at Diane Von Furstenberg and full on powder blue bandit masks at Chanel; designers & makeup artists couldn’t get enough of bold blue eye shadows and liners. There are no rules here – choose your shade, then go as big & bright or as soft & subtle as you like! This look is perfect for pairing with some of our stylish blue maternity dresses.

There are more ways than one to be pretty in pink this season! Usually reserved for the lips and cheeks, this season saw several makeup artists adding a pop of pink to the eyes. From peachy coral shades at Dior and Erdem to bright candy pink at Giamba, done right this trend can be ultra- soft and feminine – just like our Blush Pleated Maternity Skirt or our Pink Gingham Cotton Maternity Dress.

An unexpected twist on the spring summer catwalks this year was a moody injection of dark, rich lipsticks. We love the berry ombre lip stain at Burberry, the high shine dark gloss at Givenchy, and at Miu Miu we saw a dramatic look with berry liner fading into a dark purple shade. Work the trend with minimal eye makeup for a really striking style.

Designers and makeup artists had some serious fun with sparkles this season, and everybody had their own take on the look. We saw subtle fairy dust shimmers across the lids at Delpozo, major swathes of glitter at Creatures of the Wind, and Kate Spade models sported an understated streak of silver just above the lash line. A touch of sparkle is the perfect way to glam up your outfit for the evening – rock the look with our Premium Stretch Denim Maternity Jumpsuit and a glamorous beaded belt.

Rose Quartz & Serenity | Meet the Pantone Colours of the Year 2016

The fashion powers that be have spoken: The Pantone colour of the year 2016 has been announced and for the first time ever there’s two of them! This year Rose Quartz and Serenity are set to team up and take centre stage.

Used as stunning standalone shades or combined as a killer pastel pairing, these colours are designed to promote “mindfulness and well-being as an antidote to modern day stresses.”

Set to define design trends for the year to come, from stylish scatter cushions to lipsticks, winter coats and adorable baby clothes; here are a few of our favourite ways to work the shades of the year…

Rose Quartz & Serenity for Mummy

When it comes to styling the Pantone colours of the year for pregnancy, we have plenty of fashionable options to choose from. Dressing for this trend is all about layering up separate pieces in block colours of each shade. Try pairing our Blush Lace Maternity Cocktail Dress with our Powder Blue Natasha Cashmere Blend Coat. Or why not style our Chevron Print Maternity Dress with pink shoes, accessories and lipstick for a fresh spring look. You could even work the trend at bedtime by slipping on our Blue Polka Dot Nursing Nightie with your favourite fluffy pink slippers and dressing gown!

Rose Quartz & Serenity for Baby

Of course it’s not just you who’d look gorgeous in these pretty pastel shades…. Check out the Diana Award Collection – a beautiful new range of designer baby clothes available exclusively at Seraphine, in glorious pinks and blues and featuring the stunning Diana Pastel Tartan. Fall in love with pretty tartan baby dresses, soft cashmere cardigans and smart coats. And melt over adorable fleece-lined baby booties and charming tartan bonnets.

Rose Quartz & Serenity at Home

When combined in just the right way, Rose Quartz and Serenity harmonise in a room to create a space that’s calming and nostalgic with a surprisingly sleek and modern finish. They make a stunning choice for the nursery, and work wonderfully together in kitchens and bathrooms. When incorporating these shades into your home, Interior Designer Jared Sherman Epps suggests: “Let one colour take the lead and allow the other to act as an accent to create a serene but striking balance.”

Rose Quartz & Serenity in Beauty

This daring colour duo is sure to be a big hit in the beauty world. Sephora have already released their Pantone Universe inspired range complete with lipsticks in both creamy rose quartz and unexpected serenity. Both shades make for beautiful nail polishes, rose quartz is the perfect blush for a fair complexion, and we predict that this trend could even herald the return of retro blue eyeshadow.

For more colourful inspiration check out our Pantone Pinterest Board:
Follow Seraphine Maternity’s board ROSE QUARTZ & SERENITY – 2016 PANTONE COLORS OF THE YEAR on Pinterest.

New Year’s Resolutions for Mums: Super Foods & Maternity Fashion

Making New Year’s Resolutions can be the perfect opportunity to shake things up, and blow away the cobwebs of last year’s routine. With a baby on the way, this year’s list is bound to look a little different – after all, you’ve already cut out alcohol and you certainly won’t be wanting to lose any weight! So what are the best New Year’s Resolutions for mums? Whether it’s keeping fit, making sure you get your full 5 a day, or even just prioritising your beauty sleep, here are a few of our favourites…

Exercise ideas for pregnancy

A little gentle exercise is a great way to boost your mood and keep fit through pregnancy. Staying active through your trimesters can help to ease labour and can even make slimming down after baby a little easier. We’ve turned to a few of our favourite celebrity mums & mums-to-be for a little inspiration and motivation for getting moving through your nine months.

Top 5 pregnancy superfoods

When it comes to the healthiest foods to eat through pregnancy, getting the right vitamins and minerals becomes a top priority. Folate, fibre and iron are the holy trinity of pregnancy minerals, but there’s a whole host of other vitamins to consider too! Working healthy eating into your New Year’s Resolutions List is a great idea; here are 5 of the more unexpected pregnancy super foods…

1) Figs – fibre, calcium, potassium, phosphorus, magnesium, iron, vitamin K

Just 1 serving of figs contains a whopping 5 grams of fibre and a quarter of your daily calcium requirement – not to mention all the other wonderful nutrients that come along with it! Try keeping fresh juicy figs in the fruit bowl or add some dried figs into a bag of trail mix.

2) Chives – folate, iron, fibre, vitamin C, vitamin B6, calcium, magnesium

Folate is the most important nutrient for your baby’s development – especially in the first trimester. Mix a handful of fresh chopped chives into soups or dips, or sprinkle on top of salads or creamy mashed potatoes for an instant vitamin boost.

Follow Seraphine Maternity’s board BREAKFAST OF CHAMPIONS on Pinterest.

3) Leeks – folate, vitamin B6, calcium, vitamin K, iron

Leeks are the vegetable equivalent of a turbo-charged multi-vitamin power up. They are a fantastic non-dairy source of calcium – essential for baby’s healthy bone development, and one serving contains almost 60 micrograms of folate. These unassuming veggies are perfect in stews – throw in some shitake mushrooms and fresh chopped ginger for the ultimate morning sickness buster.

4) Fresh Basil – protein, vitamin E, riboflavin, iron, calcium, folate

Fresh basil is jam-packed with iron to keep your energy levels up, calcium for strong bones and teeth, and that all important folate to help with baby’s healthy development. So it’s a good thing that this aromatic herb is so darn delicious! Why not treat yourself to a fresh Caprese salad; alternating slices of ripe tomato, creamy buffalo mozzarella and fresh whole basil leaves, topping off with a healthy glug of olive oil and just a sprinkling of sea salt.

5) Molasses – magnesium manganese, vitamin B6, potassium

Magnesium found in sweet, sticky molasses (or black treacle) is essential for baby’s healthy bone development, and getting the proper amount of vitamin B6 and potassium may help to balance out your water retention, hopefully shrinking down those swollen ankles! Try stirring a spoonful of molasses into oatmeal or ginger tea as a vitamin-rich sweetener.

Stylish New Maternity Clothes

When you know that you look good, you feel good, you smile more and you become instantly more confident. Your new pregnancy curves provide the perfect opportunity to have a little fun with your fashion choices. Even something as simple as choosing a few stylish new maternity dresses or a flattering pair of pregnancy jeans can provide a huge boost to your confidence. If you’re working on becoming a brand new you this New Year, why not treat yourself to a few stylish new additions to your maternity fashion repertoire from the Seraphine Sale…

Wishing you all the best for a happy, healthy New Year!

Nearly Nude Nails – Meet Autumn’s Hottest Manicure Trend

After a summer of nail art fads which seemed to get progressively crazier as the season wore on (mermaid nails? bubble nails? aquarium nails???) we’re pleased to report that the latest big thing takes a rather more classy approach.

Mamas, allow us to introduce the naked manicure! In neutral shades of light pink, camel and apricot, this trend is all about showing off healthy, natural looking nails.

But nude nails don’t have to be boring! We’ve taken inspiration from the AW15 catwalks to bring you our top 3 ways to work the trend & the perfect maternity dresses to match:

1) Subtle Sparkles

From dots of bronze sparkle at Jenny Packham to a thin stripe of gold glitter at Delpozo and a chic cross detail just for the ring finger at Erin Fetherston, designers found clever ways to enhance the natural beauty of the nails with just a little touch of glitter. We love this look – it’s the perfect way to work the trend without giving up your glitz!

Work it with: Gold Sequin Maternity Dress

2) Negative Space

Another way to make the nude nail trend your own is to experiment with negative space. Tibi put a new twist on the classic French manicure creating stylishly angled white tips, and we love the subtle window pane style at Suno – just a few simple white lines against an all-natural base coat.

Work it with: Knitted A Line Maternity Dress

3) Pop of Colour

And finally, if totally nude nails just aren’t your style, why not try livening up the look with a splash of colour. We love the blue applique squares at Cushnie et Ochs, and the vibrant red and orange outlines at Tracy Reese set off the nude base perfectly.

Michelle Saunders, the lead manicurist at Rebecca Minkoff shared the secret of her AW15 runway look. She applied a base coat of Essie’s Mademoiselle, then layered shades of Berry Naughty & Midnight Cami in chevrons at the tip. She said:

“This is one of the easiest manicures you can do on yourself… The brush does all the work for you. The width of the stripe is the width of the brush – you’re doing a little X at the top of your nails with the red, then you follow the exact same pattern with the blue.”

Work it with: Printed Twist Maternity Dress

Shake up your Makeup: The Hottest New Trends for AW15

September is here mamas! And with the new season trends gaining momentum, now is the perfect time for a makeup bag overhaul. Take a tip from the catwalks this autumn, and try out the latest makeup trends…

After a few seasons of “no makeup” makeup taking centre stage, we are pleased to report the triumphant return of the statement lip! This season saw pillar box reds at Monique Lhuillier, luxe berry shades at Dolce & Gabbana and even vampiric blacks at Emanuel Ungaro – work the trend if you dare!

Wear it with: Black Maternity Shift Dress

This season’s blusher is all about the flush! Save strong contouring for later; right now the idea is to create a naturally glowing look as if you’ve just come in from the cold after a brisk wintery walk. As seen on the runway at Kate Spade, placement is key with this look – dust the apples of your cheeks, and bring the shade down to create the perfect instant flush.

Wear it with: Almond Cable Knit Cape Maternity Jumper

Designers and makeup artists took eyeliner to a whole new level this autumn! From the spikey scribbled look at Fendi to slept-in smudges at Monique Lhuillier and floating liner at Rochas, this is the season to experiment with your liquid liner.

Wear it with: Monochrome Faux Wrap Maternity Dress

With autumn setting in, glamorous metallics are making a comeback. Start the season with some soft bronze eye shadow as seen at many a catwalk show. Then as winter approaches, you can up the ante with a dusting of glitter, or even sequins and crystals to make a statement for the party season. We can’t get over the gold sequins at Temperley London or the dewdrop glitter lashes at Carolina Herrera.

Wear it with: Sparkle Tweed Maternity Jacket