The Nook Beauty

Every product on these shelves has earned its place. 🤍

I don’t stock products because they’re trending.

I stock them because I’ve researched them, trained with them, used them on myself and, most importantly, seen the results on my clients.

Whether it’s a cleanser, a serum, an SPF or an aftercare product, if I recommend it, it’s because I genuinely believe in it.

Beautiful skin isn’t about having the most products.

It’s about having the right products for your skin.

Over the coming weeks, I’ll be sharing more about some of the favourites you’ll find on these shelves and why they’ve earned a permanent place at The Nook.

🤍 Gem x

Happy Monday! 🤍

A little reminder to be kind to yourself this week. You don’t have to have everything figured out – just take it one step at a time.

Wishing you all a lovely week! ✨

💛 I nearly didn’t post this.

But if it helps just one woman feel less alone, it’ll be worth it.

Today feels like the beginning of a new chapter.

After waiting almost a year to be seen by the menopause clinic, today I’ve finally started treatment. It’s been a long year of waiting, but if I’m honest, I’ve probably been living with menopausal symptoms for around five years.

I’m a nurse. I spend my days caring for other people. But like so many women, I slowly stopped recognising myself and convinced myself this was just who I’d become.

For me, menopause hasn’t just been about hormones or the occasional hot flush.

It’s been brain fog (which I actually forgot to mention the first time I wrote this… the irony!), hair loss, feeling unbearably hot at times, crying for no obvious reason, tears that seemed to come from nowhere, emotional highs and lows, imposter syndrome, irregular periods, bleeding that was often incredibly heavy and seemed to go on for weeks, weeks of binge eating followed by periods where my anxiety around my weight became so overwhelming that I’d try to take back control by barely eating at all, losing my confidence, losing my self-worth, and looking in the mirror and barely recognising—or even liking—the woman looking back at me.

There were times when I felt so overwhelmed by the emotional roller coaster that I genuinely wished something would happen to me, just so I didn’t have to keep feeling that way. Looking back now, I know I didn’t want my life to end—I just desperately wanted the emotional pain to stop.

From the outside, I looked like I was coping.

I still got up and went to work every day. I completed my nursing degree. I looked after my family, ran my home, paid the bills and, more recently, started building my own business.

I tried to be the best daughter, mum, friend and partner I could be. I tried to keep my relationships strong whilst quietly struggling with a version of myself that I barely recognised.

I smiled.

I laughed.

I told people I was fine.

Most people had no idea how much I was struggling, because I’d become very good at pretending I was okay.

But inside, I often felt exhausted, overwhelmed and emotionally lost.

Thankfully, I spoke to my GP.

If I’m honest, she wasn’t the first GP I saw. Over the years I spoke to several doctors, including male GPs, and this isn’t a criticism of them at all. I work alongside some incredible male and female GPs and have met many others throughout my career who provide exceptional care.

But for me personally, it took time to find a GP who truly understood how deeply menopause was affecting every part of my life.

She listened.

She believed me.

She never dismissed how I was feeling.

While we waited for my menopause clinic appointment, she never stopped trying to help. Every time we explored another option, she contacted the menopause specialists for advice so we could keep moving forward instead of simply waiting.

I honestly couldn’t have asked for more from her, and I’ll always be incredibly grateful.

I’m also incredibly grateful to have the support of an amazing therapist, who I’ve been working with for around the last year. Having that safe, non-judgemental space to talk has made a huge difference to my wellbeing. If you think talking to someone might help you too, I’d be more than happy to recommend him if you send me a private message.

Today, for the first time in a very long time, I feel hopeful.

I know this isn’t an overnight fix. I know it may take weeks or even months before I notice the full benefits. But today feels like the beginning of getting me back.

I’m sharing this because I know there will be other women quietly convincing themselves that they just have to put up with it.

Please don’t.

Speak to your GP. If you’re still struggling, let them know how you’re feeling and keep the conversation going. If you feel you need another opinion, it’s okay to ask.

You don’t have to struggle in silence, and you don’t have to do it alone.

Looking back, I only wish I’d realised sooner that what I was feeling wasn’t simply something I had to accept.

If pressing “Post” today helps just one woman realise she isn’t alone, then I’m so glad I did. 💛

Self-care isn’t always a spa day… 🤍

Today is a rare Saturday off for me, and before I’m back in the treatment room tomorrow, I’m making the most of slowing down.

A coffee in the garden.
The sound of the trees rustling.
Poppy and little Rex keeping me company.
A few small garden projects.
And later, catching up with friends.

Nothing extravagant… just the simple things that help me reset.

As someone who spends my days encouraging clients to make time for themselves, I think it’s only fair that I take my own advice every now and then too.

This little garden is far from finished, but every little improvement makes it feel more like my sanctuary. It’s become my favourite place to sit quietly, gather my thoughts and recharge.

Because looking after yourself isn’t selfish.

It’s what allows you to show up for everyone else.

I hope you manage to find a little moment for yourself this weekend too. 🤍

Gem x

Any guesses what these little wax moulds came from? 👀😂

A first for me today — ni**le waxing!

Every single hair came away cleanly on the first go, leaving behind these rather impressive little wax moulds.

It’s one of those smaller waxing treatments that people don’t always realise is available, but it’s quick, discreet and carried out professionally in my private treatment room.

After the interest my nose-waxing post received, I thought this one deserved its own moment too!

And just to reassure everyone — I have full permission from the owner of these little wax moulds to share their starring moment. 😂 **lewaxing

✨ Today is International Self-Care Day ✨

But self-care doesn’t need to be limited to just one day.

It can be a day, a week, a month or something you choose to make part of your life all year round. It doesn’t matter when or where you choose it — what matters is recognising when you need a little time for yourself.

And self-care isn’t just for the girls. It’s for the boys, too. It’s for everybody. 💙

It might be booking yourself a treatment, taking a quiet walk, switching off your phone, having an early night or simply saying no when you need to.

A little self-care and a well-deserved treat are not selfish — sometimes they’re exactly what we need to rest, reset and recharge.

If your version of self-care is an hour or two of peace, quiet and being looked after for a change, you can book your well-earned “me time” at The Nook Beauty. 🌿

Because looking after yourself should never be something you feel guilty about.