okay but preparedness can literally be a whole aesthetic and I will die on this hill 💕
hi you guys!! okay so if you’re new here — welcome, I’m so glad you found me — I’m Surviv’l Gurl (@survivlgurl everywhere, the missing letters are intentional, please don’t correct me, I’ve had the handle since 2019 and I’m obsessed with it) and I am literally your go-to for preparedness content that doesn’t make you want to cry into a tin of beans. 🫙✨
I have been creating preparedness content for four years now and honestly? It changed my life. I started because I wanted to show that getting ready for emergencies doesn’t have to be ugly or stressful or covered in camouflage — it can be beautiful, it can be organised, it can be a whole vibe. My emergency rations are in matching Château Survie glass jars with calligraphy labels and I genuinely look forward to rotating the stock. That’s how you know you’ve nailed it. 🫙
I have 47,000 followers across my platforms which is insane and I’m so grateful for every single one of you. My power cut preparation post got 12,000 likes which is still my most engaged post ever and honestly it deserved it because the lighting took forever to get right. 💡
My bug-out location is a glamping site in the Cotswolds. I have already checked the geotag. The signal is great there. Non-negotiable honestly.
I review preparedness kit from the perspective of someone who actually has to be seen holding it, wearing it, or standing next to it. Functionality is important. Aesthetic is also important. Both things can be true. Some of the others on this site might disagree. That’s fine. They are wrong but that’s fine. 💕
You can find my Amazon storefront, my Château Survie affiliate code, and my full emergency kit aesthetic guide in my bio. Link in bio. Always link in bio.
Survivl Gurl
Preparedness Influencer and Lifestyle Curator, UK Prepper Hub
@survivlgurl 💕
Link in the bio, but also here: merch store 💕
Rating my preparedness 10/10 — functionality TBD. #survivlgurl #chateausurvie
Reviews I’ve Submitted
Honest reviews. Aesthetic always considered. Link in bio. 💕
Energizer Vision HD+ Head Torch — Read the full review →
Fits well and it’s comfortable to wear. It doesn’t mess up my hair as long as I don’t wear it for too long. Added glitter to mine and wear it backwards so it hides the torch bit under my hair and looks like a headband. 💕 ⭐⭐⭐⭐
INIU 20,000mAh Power Bank — Read the full review →
Okay so obviously I got mine in the sage green colourway — oh wait it only comes in black. I tied a scrunchie round mine so it matches my kit now and honestly it looks SO cute in my bag content. The three ports are perfect because I can charge my phone, my ring light, and my backup phone all at the same time which is basically survival. Four stars.💕 ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Portwest C474 Hi-Vis Vest — Read the full review →
okay so I was NOT going to review a hi vis vest because it’s literally just a yellow thing?? but then I wore it on a night walk and got SO many questions about whether it was vintage and where did I get it and honestly the safety-core aesthetic is having a MOMENT. also apparently it stops lorries hitting you which is also good I guess. five stars, link in bio 🟡 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
XtraLite NiteSafe – Read the full review →
Okay so it just lives in the plug socket which means it doesn’t really photograph well as a standalone product, BUT the soft glow it gives when it’s acting as a night light is actually really dreamy for ambient content. I got it in white to match my aesthetic. Does exactly what it says. Four stars. 💕 ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Hi-Spec 24pc Tool Kit — Read the full review →
It comes in yellow which is actually quite a vibe? The pliers are really useful for my jewellery making too which nobody talks about. Added some stickers to mine. The bits are giving very organised energy. Five stars because it also comes in pink. 💕 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
FireShield Home Fire Safety Pack Review — Read the full review →
Ok so fire safety content is actually performing really well right now and I think it’s because it’s the one prep topic where people genuinely don’t know the basics? Like — you can’t use a powder extinguisher on a chip pan?? I did not know that. That’s a proper hook. This kit is also actually aesthetically fine if you get the positioning right. 🚩 ⭐⭐⭐⭐
The Best Energy Bars for Your UK Emergency Kit: Five Honest Recommendations — Read the full review →
okay so I’ve been rotating between Clif Bar and Tribe for like six months now and honestly both are incredible?? Clif Bar has this crunchy peanut butter one that is ICONIC and Tribe is doing this collab with Wildfarmed oats which is literally the most sustainable thing I’ve ever eaten. safety-core meets wellness-core. very obsessed. five stars link in bio 🌿 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Manthorpe Airbrick Flood Defence Review — Read the full review →
I didn’t know airbricks were a thing until this week and now I’m genuinely horrified that I’ve been leaving holes in my house this whole time 😭 The yellow covers are a vibe though. Did a reel. 4,000 views. Airbrick content is having a moment. 🚩🚩🚩🚩🚩 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
British Army 24-Hour Ration Packs: The Honest UK Emergency Food Review — Read the full review →
Okay so the PACKAGING is genuinely iconic? Olive green is very much having a moment in outdoorsy-adjacent aesthetics. I’m keeping mine sealed for now because I need the unboxing content first. The flameless heater packaging photographs really well as a detail shot. 🚩🚩🚩 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
OCOOPA USB Rechargeable Desk Fan Review — Read the full review →
Okay the white is giving very neutral-basic vibes but it genuinely works and photographs way better than you’d expect on a bedside table? Posted an unboxing, 847 likes. Did a whole hot girl summer emergency prep series and this was literally the hero item. Link in bio. 💕 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Pecute Dog Cooling Mat Review: No Freezer, No Plug, No Problem — Read the full review →
Okay so I don’t have a dog but I got the XS for festivals and use it as a face-cooling pad when the sun is too much and honestly it’s a total game changer? I’ve told literally everyone. Doesn’t come in any good colours but that’s what scrunchies are for. 💕 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
SOL Collapsible Dog Bowl Review: £4.99 for Two, Clips to Your Bag, Job Done — Read the full review →
Okay the orange one clips to literally any bag and looks SO good with the right kit? I got the blue for my main bag and the orange for my day pack and honestly they’re both giving. My dog also approves. 💕 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
SnuggleSafe Microwave Heat Pad Review: No Electricity, 10 Hours of Warmth — Read the full review →
Okay so aesthetically this is a pink plastic disc and I accept that. BUT. My rabbit Mochi curls up on it like it’s the most comfortable thing she has ever touched in her entire life, and watching a rabbit achieve full loaf position on a piece of emergency prep equipment is genuinely very cute. No wires anywhere, no cable management drama, costs £24. Mochi has approved. So have I. 🐇 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Okay it’s matte black which is fine — it’s not exactly content but my passport is in there and honestly that’s a glow-up for my admin situation. The carrying handle has grab-and-go energy that I respect. No notes on the practicality. Four stars because I asked about a rose gold version and it does not exist. 🔒 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
FRIO Insulin Cooling Wallet Review — Read the full review →
No cap this is genuinely clever — it cools using science not electricity. Fill with water, carry it, insulin stays safe for 45+ hours. If you’re T1 or living with someone who is, this is like £15 and absolutely needs to be in your prep kit. Already told everyone in my DMs. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Riemann P20 Sensitive SPF50+ Review: One Application, All Day — Read the full review →
No white cast, no coconut smell, doesn’t disturb my base. Once a day means I’m not reapplying mid-content in front of a camera. Non-negotiable from March to October. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Lifesystems Sun Cream Sachets Review: SPF50 for Your Kit, Not Your Bathroom — Read the full review →
Festival kit, outdoor shoot kit, bum bag — a sachet is the right format for all of it. Flat, no leaks, weighs nothing. Tear it open before you go on, apply, done. These live in everything I carry. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Craghoppers Kiwi II Review: Sun and Insect Protection in One Shirt — Read the full review →
Worn for outdoor content days this month. No sunscreen stops mid-shoot, no visible sweat marks, no insect bites ruining the arm shot. Craghoppers don’t do a camo print in this cut — a missed opportunity — but the earth tones work fine for my colour grade. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
No fragrance, no colour, absorbs clean — goes on before base with zero interference. My go-to for calming skin after outdoor shoot days. The fact it’s 99% pure matters for content work because synthetic fragrance plays havoc with sensitive skin under ring light conditions. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Ten colour ways. TEN. I was fully prepared to compromise but there is an option that coordinates with the CS camo and honestly I cannot. The clear lens option is also giving very quiet understated prep aesthetic which is lowkey my whole thing right now. I did a whole reel. Link in bio. #survivlgurl #uvprotection #chateausurvie 💕 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Sunday Afternoons Ultra Adventure Hat Review: Wide-Brim Done Right — Read the full review →
Okay so eleven colour options in a sun hat with a built-in neck cape is genuinely unheard of and I am obsessed. I got mine in the sand colour because it coordinates with the CS desert camo range which I know most people don’t have but if you do — trust me. The neck cape does slightly complicate the from-behind content shot but I’ve found angles. Five stars for the range alone. #survivlgurl #sunprotection #chateausurvie 💕 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Braun PRT2000 Age Precision Digital Thermometer Review — Read the full review →
Okay but the green/yellow/red colour system is literally traffic light energy and I am obsessed. I did a whole fever check aesthetic post with this and it got twelve hundred saves. Also genuinely useful during actual illness, which my followers seem surprised by. The Braun branding is clean and understated. No notes. 💕 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Okay the LED light when it connects is actually really cute for golden hour content shots. The cable doesn’t come in rose gold or camo which is genuinely frustrating. It does keep my phone charged for the 47 photos I take per survival session so I can’t complain about performance. Three stars until they sort the colourways. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Sukeen Cooling Towel Review — Read the full review →
Festival season essential. I pack two — one for neck, one for wrists. They photograph well which is helpful but they also genuinely work which is more to the point. The carabiner clip on the pouch is the detail that makes this actually usable as an everyday carry item rather than something that stays at the bottom of a bag. Five stars, buy the colour that matches your summer aesthetic, they all work the same. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
One Step Pet First Aid Kit Review — Read the full review →
I already had a pet first aid kit in my grab bag but this one is better organised and the case is genuinely tidier for flat lays. The vet wrap comes in a neutral colour which I appreciate. Pickle content performs really well on the grid but honestly even if your pet is not your main character, this kit is worth having. 💕 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Okay so I repacked everything into my CS colour-coded pouches and honestly it looks incredible. The foil blanket gives amazing texture in a flat lay. 309 pieces is a lot but I’ve only used the tweezers so there’s still so much content potential in here. Link in bio. 💕 #survivlgurl #chateausurvie ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Faithfull Jerry Can Review — Read the full review →
Okay so a jerry can is not exactly an aesthetic purchase but the army green is actually quite nice? Like it looks intentional. It looks like you’ve thought about it rather than just grabbed the closest thing off a shelf. The rest of the prep community on TikTok is very divided on fuel storage but I looked up the regulations and honestly a certified metal can in your garage is just sensible. Definitely less embarrassing than a random red plastic thing when someone comes round. The five-year guarantee is cute too. Good product, did not expect to care this much about a fuel can. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Motorola T42 Review: Talkabout Walkie Talkies on Batteries — Read the full review →
did a whole reel on these and yes they’re red and yes they look like they came free with a Happy Meal BUT when the grid goes down nobody is judging your colour scheme?? they work, they’re tiny, and the red actually photographs really well. couldn’t have planned it better 💕 #walkietalkie #prepperlife ⭐⭐⭐⭐
BAOFENG UV-5RM Plus Review: The UV-5R, Upgraded — Read the full review →
Okay, the colour screen is actually kind of cute? It still comes in black which isn’t exactly my palette but the little display makes it look slightly less military-boring than the UV-5R. The Foundation licence exam was much easier than I expected. Already posted about it. The engagement was surprisingly good. 💕 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
THUNDERPOLE T-800 Review: The Starting Point for CB Radio in the UK — Read the full review →
Okay so CB radio has this whole retro thing going on that I was not expecting to find charming but here we are. The T-800 looks properly purposeful, it does not require a licence which I did not know, and channel 19 is apparently where lorry drivers have been chatting since before I was born. Unexpectedly into this. 📻 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
I powered my entire filming setup off this for three full content days. Ring light, laptop, phone, backup battery, and the small LED lightbar I use for B-roll. It barely moved on the battery indicator. Also the aesthetic of the display readout in low light is genuinely incredible for end-of-the-world transition content. #Jackery #PreparedLife 💕 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
EcoFlow Delta 2 Review: The Expandable Home Backup Power Station — Read the full review →
Four outlets and X-Boost means my hair dryer actually works during a power cut which I genuinely did not think was going to be possible. I’ve already filmed the whole unboxing, a day-in-the-life power cut simulation, and a comparison reel. The battery percentage readout on the front is such a good shot for end-of-days content. I am obsessed. #EcoFlow #PreparedLife 💕 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
EcoFlow Delta 3 Max Portable Power Station Review — Read the full review →
The 51-minute charge is the content hook. Unboxing to full charge, one session, one reel. It photographs well. The app is actually intuitive. Prep doesn’t have to look like a bunker. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Renogy 100W Portable Solar Panel Review — Read the full review →
Small enough to fold into my content bag. Charges my phone between takes. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Renogy 400W Lightweight Portable Solar Suitcase Review — Read the full review →
Unfolds across the whole garden. My neighbour actually came over to ask what it was. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Renogy 220W Lightweight Portable Solar Suitcase Review — Read the full review →
A matching pair photographs so much better than one lonely panel. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Renogy N-Type 320W Monocrystalline Solar Panel 2-Pack Review — Read the full review →
Less content than the foldable ones, but my dad says it’s the proper option. He’s not wrong. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Sawyer Picaridin Insect Repellent Review — Read the full review →
No sticky residue, no chemical reek, doesn’t cloud up my phone case or wreck a manicure. Finally a repellent that doesn’t ruin the whole outfit to use it. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Tick Twister Tick Remover Review — Read the full review →
No squeezing, no gouging at your own skin with tweezers, no drama. Tick Twister gets it out clean in one motion, which means no angry red mark left behind to explain to everyone for a week. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Lifesystems Tick Tweezers Review — Read the full review →
Slides into a makeup bag without anyone noticing it’s there. Lifesystems Tick Tweezers don’t rattle, don’t take up space, and look like a normal pair of tweezers rather than a medical prop. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Smidge Tick Removing Card — Read the full review →
Genuinely fits in the tiniest bag without ruining the vibe — which, unlike half the “tactical” stuff on this site, is not nothing. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
FRONTLINE Spot On for Cats — Read the full review →
Not glamorous content but genuinely the least annoying prep on this whole site — do it once a month and forget about it. Nobody needs to know it’s medicated for the aesthetic photos. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
FRONTLINE Spot On for Dogs — Read the full review →
Not glamorous content but genuinely the least annoying prep on this whole site — do it once a month and forget about it. My dog’s Reels don’t need to know it’s medicated. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Lepro Torch Review: The Battery Torch That Lives By Your Front Door — Read the full review →
okay but it actually fits in my bag without ruining the whole aesthetic, which is rare for anything “prepper”. doesn’t come in sage green, which is a genuine miss. but the zoom beam against a dark hallway is very main-character-survives-the-blackout core 💕 #powercut #prepperlife ⭐⭐⭐⭐
I’ve had mine for eight months and haven’t needed to use it yet but it lives in my boot and honestly it looks really professional. The light modes are great for content — the strobe is a lot and the SOS mode is genuinely unsettling but the regular LED gives amazing texture for a flat lay 📸 I did a whole emergency car kit aesthetic post and the NOCO Boost GB40 was the hero piece. 123k reviews so everyone agrees. 💕 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Thetford Porta Potti 365 Review: The Emergency Toilet That Needs No Mains — Read the full review →
Okay, this is the least photogenic thing I have ever reviewed and it still got more saves than almost anything I have posted. The Thetford Porta Potti 365 is sensible, properly made kit that nobody talks about. Mine lives in its box with a wicker basket on top and honestly it looks fine. 💕 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Silentnight Heat Genie Review: Warmth With No Plug Needed — Read the full review →
okay so i was NOT expecting to love this as much as i do but it is literally so cosy?? i’ve been wearing it as a cape over my thermal camo set which my followers are OBSESSED with and honestly the leopard one photographs SO well in golden hour. four stars because i wanted the leopard AND the berry and my budget said no but honestly it’s giving main character energy. link in bio 💕 #silentnight #heatgenie #survivlgurl ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
EcoAir DD1 Simple Review — Read the full review →
My bathroom mirror doesn’t steam up anymore, which means my get-ready-with-me content is finally in focus. Also the blue totally matches my bath mat. Aesthetic AND functional, babes. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Cyalume SnapLight Review — Read the full review →
Six colours means my power cut content is basically a rainbow now. The pink wasn’t included, which is a crime, but the red one does a gorgeous moody glow for a get-ready-in-the-dark video. Babes, this is prepping. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
HotHands Hand Warmers Review — Read the full review →
Ok so the packet design is NOT giving main character energy BUT they fit inside my gloves so I can still film my winter content without my fingers going numb?? Obsessed. Genuinely useful. Link in bio 💕 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Okay so it charged my ring light, my phone AND my laptop at the same time and it’s actually small enough to not ruin the room?? Power cut content without the power cut drama. We love a 140W USB-C. 🔋 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Drench Body Wipes Review: Staying Clean When the Water’s Off — Read the full review →
Okay so post-hike, no shower, these are honestly elite?? Aloe vera AND chamomile, and the scent is actually subtle, not that fake-flowers thing. Warm ones from the microwave are a whole spa moment. Grab bag essentials, sorted. 💅 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
AA Emergency Winter Car Kit Review: Should You Buy One? — Read the full review →
Ok so the hi-vis vest is a bit one-size-fits-nobody BUT tying it to your aerial when your car’s buried in snow so people can find you?? That tip got 847 saves. The poncho is giving shopping-bag energy though. Not the aesthetic. 🚩 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Adeste FFP2 Masks Review: For Viruses, Dust and Your Grab Bag — Read the full review →
Okay so white masks are actually so clean in photos?? And the ear loops don’t wreck my hair, which is honestly the bar. Sealed pouches in every bag, sorted. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Lepro 2000lm Rechargeable Camping Lantern Review — Read the full review →
Okay but the warm white setting is literally golden hour in a lantern?? Power cut but make it cosy. And the retro look is giving vintage camping aesthetic. 🏕️ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
FireAngel SCB10-R Review — Read the full review →
Okay so carbon monoxide is literally the silent thing nobody talks about, which is probably why my home safety reel did so well? Also it’s white and round so zero visual clutter on the ceiling. Three people asked if it comes in rose gold. It does not. 💕 #homeprep #survivlgurl ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
BEEWAY Outdoor Tap Cover Review — Read the full review →
Okay so I didn’t even know taps could freeze?? Did a whole ‘winterising my garden’ story and this was the most saved slide. It’s literally a tiny puffer jacket for your tap. Cosy tap era. 💕 #winterprep #survivlgurl ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Unibos Universal Stopcock Key Review — Read the full review →
Okay so I genuinely didn’t know there was a tap under the pavement?? Did a ‘things nobody tells you when you buy a house’ video and this was the big reveal. Comments went wild. It’s not cute but it’s very satisfying to use. 💕 #homeowner #survivlgurl ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Portable Gas Stove Review: Hot Food and a Brew When the Power Goes — Read the full review →
Okay so a blue flame on a bright red stove in a dark kitchen is honestly SO atmospheric. I did a whole candlelit-but-not-actually-candles pasta night during a power cut and it got more likes than my actual kitchen. Also it made tea, which my followers did not need to know but I needed. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Ration-X Self Heating Meals Review — Read the full review →
Okay the steam coming off the bag is SO content. I’ve filmed it fourteen times for the reel. I haven’t actually eaten one because the light in my kitchen is wrong for food, but the vegan noodles packaging matches my grab bag perfectly. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
MEIJIA Waterproof Case Review — Read the full review →
OK so it comes in yellow and I am OBSESSED. Rugged but make it sunshine. My grandma’s letters are in there now and honestly it’s the most wholesome thing I own. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Gritin Book Light Review — Read the full review →
Okay so this is literally my new ring light?? Six colour temperatures, besties. 2200K is giving golden hour, at midnight, in a power cut. Clipped it to my mirror and did a full blackout GRWM. Link in bio. Not sponsored. Yet. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Floodshield Flood Sock Review — Read the full review →
Okay the way it puffs up when you add water is SO satisfying. I got the 3m for the patio doors because the 1.5m didn’t fill the frame for the reel. Yellow and black is actually a whole aesthetic. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
LifeStraw Go Review — Read the full review →
Hydration but make it preparedness 💧 The teal is honestly so cute in a flat lay and nobody can tell it’s emergency kit. My two-stage filter explainer did numbers. Like, actual numbers. ⭐⭐⭐⭐
C1 Paraffin Review — Read the full review →
Hurricane lamp plus blue flame is such a vibe for a cosy power cut reel. Minimal smell, so the candles still win on scent, but this one actually lights the room. The cans are not giving aesthetic though, babes. Hide them in the shed. ⭐⭐⭐
Paraffin Heater Review — Read the full review →
Okay so the glow through that glass chimney is genuinely gorgeous on camera?? Kettle on top for a cosy matcha moment. Just don’t film it next to the curtains, babes. Safety is the new self care. ⭐⭐⭐
Manhattan Gas Heater Review — Read the full review →
The log effect is giving cosy cabin and it’s literally on wheels, so I can roll it into shot. Babes, it’s not allowed in the bedroom, which is my main content room, so it’s living room content now. We pivot. We stay warm. We stay safe. ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Forest Fundamentals Millbank Bag Review — Read the full review →
Unbleached canvas is having such a moment right now. Hanging it from a tree for the content was giving full cottagecore. Quick PSA babes: it only takes the mud out, so you still boil it. Ask me how I know. ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Core Medical 70% Isopropyl Alcohol Swabs Review — Read the full review →
Okay so these are actually incredible for cleaning your ring light lens and your phone screen before a shoot. Also apparently first aid kit essentials? Four stars, would be five if they came in rose gold. 💕 ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Self Amalgamating Tape Review — Read the full review →
The stretch-and-fuse bit is so satisfying on camera. Twelve seconds of me wrapping a pipe got more views than my whole bug-out bag haul. Small, black, goes with everything. Approved. ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Aquatabs Review — Read the full review →
My reel of a tablet fizzing in a bottle on a hilltop did better than my whole bug-out bag haul. The thirty-minute wait is terrible for content, so I cut it. You shouldn’t. ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Heavy Duty Ground Anchors Review — Read the full review →
Orange is SO not my colour, but my gazebo stayed exactly where I put it for the whole shoot, and the wind tried. Hide them under a plant pot and nobody needs to know. ⭐⭐⭐⭐