Treasure yourself..

A few years ago, I was reading 'the gloss goss' - a blog written by Talita, which I loved. (Sadly, Tali has stopped blogging now due to various reasons).    In one of her posts, she spoke about Miranda Kerr's book; Treasure yourself.  I bought it soon after, as a present for my sister.

Recently whilst having a sort out, I found it and decided to read it.  "Treasure yourself" tells you a lot simply from it's title.  Whilst it isn't by any means the best book ever written, it did have an impact on me.  I found myself stopping every now and then, asking myself questions about a point she had just made - and really thinking about it!  Miranda's writing is as if a friend was having a casual talk with you, no scary scientific terms or complicated explanations!

She also believes in positive affirmations, and lists over 100 of the best ones (in her opinion) in the back.  Whilst i am not sold on positive affirmations, they are nice to read and some have lingered in my mind.

Overall, this is not a self help book, or something life changing.  But it does encourage you to love yourself, and offers ways to help you change your way of thinking.  It's a book worth having, although not one to depend on. But there is a hidden message in there for you, if you are willing to receive it.

Some of my favourite excerpts:

“A rose can never be a sunflower, and a sunflower can never be a rose.All flowers are beautiful in their own way, and that’s like women too. I want to encourage women to embrace their own uniqueness.” ― Miranda Kerr

“I am my own person capable of making my own decisions and choosing powerfully how i live. I appreciate and respect what others have to say but ultimately I choose how I live my life.” 
― Miranda Kerr

“Sometimes, challenges and struggles are exactly what we need in our lives...May you welcome every effort, every struggle, and every challenge...May you open your wings and fly!” ― Miranda Kerr

Megan xxx

the sun is shining, the weather is sweet

Here in London we have amazing weather! Our usual grey and gloomy skies have been replaced by bright blue, clear loveliness!!

However, all this beautiful weather highlights how terribly unprepared our city is for heat!  Our underground (metro/tube) has no air conditioning. So i will just leave it to your imagination how pleasant a rush hour train journey (squished together with a thousand other people) is at the end of a long hot day!  You really can end up looking like a hot mess!

But I have a handy set of beauty tips and products which help me stay looking fresh and feeling cooler.

At home:

- I steer away from foundation in the summer months, and use a tinted moisturizer/BB cream (or just concealer where necessary).  A lot of us girls become really dependent on foundation, when we actually don't need it!  You will really feel much fresher throughout the day without a heavy foundation!

If you do however prefer to use your usual foundation, make sure you apply a good primer before, and use a setting spray after! Primer and setting sprays are regularly available now from most make up brands in drugstores etc.

A friend once told me that she opens the freezer and pops her head in right after applying her foundation - this apparently helps set it too!!  (well it will at least cool you down! haha)

Out and about:

- Blotting sheets: There is nothing that icks me out more, than seeing sweaty faced ladies piling on powder!  I always carry a little pack of blotting sheets in my bag during the summer months, to gently blot and absorb the extra moisture on my face before applying any powder to matify. You can find these in everyday supermarkets, drugstores and high end make up brands. You could also just get a facial tissue, peel the layer sheets apart and blot your face with this!

1. Bobbi Brown blotting papers.  2. The Body Shop Tea Tree Oil Facial Blotting Tissue.  3. Boots Skin Clear Shine Blotting papers.  4. Clean&Clear Oil absorbing sheets


- Facial mist: After I've 'blotted' any extra unwanted moisture from my face, I then spray a mist of wanted moisture! haha..it cools you down straight away and absorbs into your skin in an instant!  I would recommend a water based mist, rather than the cream based options - more cooling and refreshing!You can find a variety of options, but I would recommend then Avene Eau Thermal Water Spray!

- Water: keep a small bottle with you all the time, and sip regularly throughout the day to keep hydrated.  But it's actually better to drink cool room temperature water, rather than very cold water, as your body will generate heat after to compensate for the heat loss.

 

You can also hold your wrist under a cold tap for a few seconds, this is a main pulse point so cools your blood down, which can help you feel cooler.

 

An one last random tip - the temperature of our feet really affect how hot/cool we feel.  So forget about any closed shoes, and embrace sandals/flipflops (anything strappy and airy) whilst you can!

 

 

 

Hope this was helpful! Enjoy the weekend!! : )

 

xxx

Magazine Freebies! - June/July 2013

It's that time again, where you can go grab a magazine and get a great product along with it!

Here's what you can get your hands on this month!

Red is giving away a free 15ml sample of Elemis' illuminating beauty flash balm (worth £11.50)!  I'm a fan of the Clarin's beauty flash balm so had to get this to compare!







In time for summer, Cosmopolitan's July edition is offering a pair of sunglasses (3 styles to choose from). I'm overrun with sunnies at the moment, but am quite tempted by the tortoise shell design!

Another summer time goodie, Elle is giving away a Rodial Brazilian Tan in clear/light/dark 58ml (worth £13.50).  I've never really fake tanned so this one wasn't for me.

Marie Claire has a free Ciate mini nail polish and caviar kit worth £10 with their July edition! I couldn't resist this! Have never applied 'caviar' to my nails so will have a go and show you the results!




Company are also giving away a make up bag with their July magazine! You have a choice from 3 patterns!




Need a new moisturiser? Instyle is giving away a 50 ml Neal's Yard Remedies Daily moisturiser (worth £12!).  Sounds lovely, their website states they've "blended "antioxidant-rich acai, bilberry and goji berry with moisturising hyaluronic acid in this lightweight, easily absorbed lotion, for beautifully nourished, radiant, healthy-looking skin"




Not bad this month! Let me know if you're interesting in a review of the Elemis Illuminating Beauty Flash balm!

Did you get any freebies?

Megan xxx

Magazine Freebies - May/June 2013

It's that time again, where we can get some really great magazines with an amazing freebie!

This month, UK magazines did not disappoint.  Here's what you can get with a good read too:

Elle's June edition (£4) offers a free sample size of Benefit's 'they're real' mascara (worth £9.50) with each magazine!  A great product and if you've wanted to try it out, now is definitely the time

Bazaar (£4.20) comes with a free sample of Ren's Moroccan Rose Otto Body cream (worth £10)!

You have a selection of 3 Nail's Inc Polishes: You're a Peach, Totes Pink or It's Red, babez (loving the names!) with InStyle Magazine (£3.90).  Each polish is worth £11, so a good deal!

Marie Claire (£3.80) are offering full size Avon products with their June edition: A gel eyeliner, Brow definer or Red lipstick.  They have also included a sample of their BB cream.

Have you got any of these great freebies?

Megan xxx

Tips & Tricks - Part 2

Hey hey,

Since my first post on tips & tricks (link!), I have come across some more which I want to share with you:

Better lipstick application? - Smile when you apply it, doing this will ensure complete coverage.

Want your perfume to be all over? - Spritz your fragrance on your ankles and knees! Scent rises so will give you an all over coverage.

Want to give yourself a pedicure? - Try using fresh pineapple or Kiwi skins as an exfoliant. 
They contain bromelain (a meat tenderizer) which will help exfoliate rough and dry skin on your feet. Rub the fleshy part on your heels for a few minute, rinse and moisturize.

Have a red spot on your face? - If you have any 'clear eyes' eye drops around, dab this on the are.  Eye drops for brightening eyes, contain vasoconstrictors which shrink blood vessels (to make your eyes appear whiter) - this will take away the redness of a spot and also reduce any inflammation.

Want your lashes to be covered from root to tip? - Use thick card (like a business card) when applying your mascara. Hold the card up along the inside edge of your lashes, then sweep the mascara wand against it.  Doing this will stop your eyelashes 'bending out of the way' of the brush, and you will coat all your lashes all the way to the tips.

Want younger looking skin? - Don't just use powder as part of a routine,  only use it if you need it! and when you do, use it sparingly. Powder can settle into the fine lines on our faces and make us appear older.

Yellow stained nails? - If your nails appear yellowish after months of wearing dark nail polishes - try scrubbing them with a nail brush and whitening toothpaste! it helps!

Do you know any good tips and tricks?

Megan xxx

Pet Peeve!

So I was on the train this morning and saw a woman apply a dark lip liner to the edge of her lips, and then... nothing but a clear gloss!  whyyyyyyyy???

Do you like this look?

Megan xxx

**all images sources from search engines**

On a mission to better hair!

I have recently been following my friend's fairly new blog Hair Envy by Alicia, which is all about her transition from relaxed hair, to natural hair.  She is documenting her journey, sharing tips along the way regarding styling and treatment.  She also delves into the 'science' behind some products, and our hair itself! Very interesting regardless of your hair type, go read!

http://byalicia.blogspot.com

Her posts have inspired me to take better care of my own hair! Particularly with regards to the use of treatments.  She has blogged about different oils we can use to treat our hair (natural Coconut Oils, Castor Oils etc.) and methods of washing (co-washing).


To get the ball rolling on my new 'better hair mission', I have ordered 2 hair oils from Amazon:  100% pure cold pressed Almond oil and Pure Peppermint essential oil.  I intend on creating a oil mask to use weekly, by mixing the Almond Oil (to nourish and moisturize my hair), with a few drops of peppermint oil (to stimulate my scalp).  I will update you on how this works out for me after I do this for a few weeks



I also picked up a new Shampoo and Conditioner whilst browsing in TK Maxx (you can also find this on Amazon US).  The set is by the Italian brand Phytorelax; and is from their Olio di Argan range. 

They say it:

Deeply restructures hair

Protects hair from external agents

Softens and nourishes hair

Performs an anti-aging action

Performs an anti-frizz action & protects against humidity 

Gives extreme shine to natural reflections

I have really been wanting to use an Argan Oil based shampoo/conditioner; so although I haven't heard of these products before, I have high hopes!  The products contain no Sodium Sulphates or Parabens. 

 

"Argan Oil is extracted from the Argan tree "Argania spinosa", which grows only in southern Morocco. For thousands of years, Berber women have used it as an elixir of beauty. It's one of the best known remedies for ageing of the skin, and is specially prized for its anti-oxidant, emollient and hydrating properties."

 

 

Following the 'beautiful insides make beautiful outsides' mantra, I am also determined to start drinking more water during the day and have started taking a 'Skin, hair and Nails' supplement, which contains a range of vitamins and minerals to improve the health of your hair and skin. You can find this type of supplement almost everywhere; mine is from Holland & Barrett

 

 

So to summarise, as of now I will be washing my hair every other day (or every 3rd day if I can get away with it) with my Olio di Argan set, followed by applying a small amount of leave in conditioner (either Morrocan Oil or Uniq One: all in one hair treatment).  Then once per week I will apply a oil treatment (as above), wrap up my hair in clingfilm or a towel and leave it on for a few hours (or overnight if I can).  Let's see if this small change in my routine will show any improvements to my hair! 

 

After I have been doing this for a while, I will post a more detailed routine and review of the products mentioned here, and let you know how I get on!

 

Megan xxx

 

 

 

Magazine Freebies - April/May 2013

Hey all!

Here we are again with an update of some great magazine freebies floating around! (think I will do this post regularly to update you on what you can snap up).

InStyle (£3.80) comes with a free 50 ml Cowshed Extra Firming Body Butter (worth £7)

Cosmopolitan (£3.60) is offering a 50 ml Phil Smith Argan Oil Treatment Cream with this months Cosmo (worth £5.50)

Marie Claire (£3.80) offers two freebies with this edition: A Ciate Nail Polish (worth £9 - a choice of two shades: Sand Dune, a shimmery gold and Pocket Money, a dark nude) and a sample of Jergens Ultra Healing Body Moisturiser.

Red magazine (£4) comes with 3 different Aromatherapy Associates sample size products (1 with each magazine) - the Hydrating Triple Rose Renewing Moisturiser, a Hydrating Rose Face Mask and a Hydrating Renewing Rose Cleanser.



Sainsbury's supermarket is also doing a 'buy 2 save £2' offer on all magazines!  Which 2 will you get??

Megan xxx
 

Ebay Wishlist!

I am quite a sucker for Ebay, I love it!! Recently, I have gathered quite a lot of things that I am itching to buy! 




1-Acrylic make-up storage.  2-Gold cuff gladiator sandals.  3-Collar tips.  4-Pro 88 eyeshadow palette

5-Calendar block.  6-Passport cover.  7-Claw bracelet.  8-Neon pink jumper.  9-Swirl sunglasses

 

 

Anything in your Ebay basket?

 

Megan xxx

 

Body Brushing!

Hey guys!

A few years ago, my aunt gave me a body moisturiser set as a present, which included a body brush.  I of course didn't touch it for months, until one day when I noticed a dry patch on my forearm near my elbow.  I then started to scatch at it with my fingers before remembering the forgotten body brush shoved to the back of my bathroom cabinet.  Since that day, I have been using a body brush almost daily!

What is a body brush?

A body brush, on first glance, looks like a typical floor scrubbing brush! It is literally a brush for your skin and is typically made from natural bristles (goat, boar or plant).  The brushes are usually handheld although you can purchase ones with long handles to allow you to brush your back or other hard to reach areas.

Why body brush?

Body brushing is one of the easiest and cheapest ways of benefitting your skin.  Our outter most skin is covered with a layer of cells which are 'damaged' by the weather and our daily activities and die.  These dead cells remain on the surface of our skin until the newer cells below basically push them out of the way and replace them!  These dead cells on the surface of our skin is what causes dullness and dryness.

Body brushing helps to speed up this natural process, exfoliating your skin to get rid of the dead cell, stimulating circulation and your lymphatic system which helps to eliminate toxins. The elimination of toxins also helps to breakdown fatty desposits, responsible for cellulite. By body brushing, you're not only benefitting from an improved appearance of your skin but also an improved level of your health - such as better blood circulation.

When and how to body brush?

I aim to dry body brush every day, in the morning before I shower.  I start at my feet, making short upward sweeping movements (upward movments is important for encouraging blood circulation). I go all the way up my legs to my stomach.  I personally find that I can be quite 'rough' on my legs, but have to be more gentle on my thighs and stomach as this area seems more sensitive. I carry on to do my arms, concentrating on my elbows. After I have finished brushing, I shower as normal and apply a good moisturiser.

 

For me, this is not painful at all, however I know that when you first start dry body brushing some people find it a little painful, especially if you have sensitive skin.  In this case, you can use the brush in the shower, as water and soap will reduce the friction (this of course will also reduce the results you get).  Remember, if you wet the brush you need to ensure it dried thoroughly after.  If you start body brushing and really do not enjoy it, you can also use a firm loofah or scrubbing mitt in the shower.

 

For some people, body brushing daily can be too harsh on the skin. If you notice that your skin is actually becoming drier from body brushing, this means that you are losing too many skin cells daily and so you should reduce to only a couple of times a week.

 

 

 

I know this may sound quite laborious to do daily (i found it such a chore when i first started!), but it soons becomes like a second nature and will fit easily into your daily routine.  You can buy body brushes almost everywhere now, from supermarkets (e.g. ASDA) to specialist stores such as the body shop.

 

Let's get brushing!!!

 

xxx

 

 

'Impress' Press on manicure

I have seriously been neglecting my nails for the last couple weeks! Truly shameful and they have gotten so bad that I couldn't stand to even see them!

This all tempted me into trying the Impress press on manicure! Amazing!

I got mine from Boots (they're currently on offer: 2 for £7.99!). They were so quick and easy to apply. I was amazed!  Instead of using the typical harsh nail glue that is difficult to use and can damage your nails and surrounding skin, the Impress nails use a type of double-sided-sticky-tape. All you do is peel off the covering layer of the tape, revealing the sticky part and press the 'impress nail' onto your own nail.  Done! On top of that they look really natural and are a manageable length, perfect for me!They come with 24 pieces that cover 12 sizes and a nice range of colours.

They claim to last 1 week -  I've had mine on for 4 days now and still going strong! Lets see if I get to a week!

 

 

Overall I am thoroughly impressed by 'impress' press on manicure! Haha :-D

For more information about the colours and patterns available, see their website http://impressmanicure.com. You can buy them from Boots, Superdrug, amazon and direct from their website.

Have you tried Impress?

Xxx

Valentines

Happy Valentines Everyone! Whether you celebrating the day with a special someone, with friends..or not celebrating at all; I wanted to share some sweet Valentines Inspired photos :)



Lasting Love..

Sea Otters holding hands whilst sleeping so they don't get separated

 

xxx

Mobile blogging & my new best friend

Woohoo I can now blog on the go! (Hopefully that will mean I can actually post more regularly). I'm using the 'blogger' app- so far so good!

Also wanted to share with you a little gem I'm currently obsessed with. It's the Elizabeth Arden 8 hour cream lip protectant! It's in a new much more user friendly little tub! Definitely my best friend in this cold weather! Amazing stuff!

Xxx

Kiko Milano Cosmetics

I have to say I am relatively new to Kiko Cosmetics.  I first saw one of their stores here in Barcelona where I am currently working.  I had a quick browse through, but being the cautious type, I didn't buy anything. But when I saw a friend with their full-coverage concealer I decided to give it a whirl.  Haven't looked back!

Italian born Kiko Milano Cosmetics (http://www.kikocosmetics.com/eshop/uk/home), is relatively new (launched in 1997) and although not as mainstream as MAC cosmetics, I find it hard to differentiate them on quality and performance - they are also similar in terms of packaging.  




Theirs was the first compact foundation I've tried (Perfect Glow Compact foundation). And although I have nothing to compare it against (as I'm a liquid or mineral powder girl), I really enjoy using it.  The foundation has a light, creamy consistency and glides on, lasting all day.  However, I always powder after I apply it as I find it just a tad bit too 'glowly' for my taste (but this is a minor downside considering how much i love it). The fact that its ingredients include Ginseng, Ginko Biloba and vitamin C is an added bonus!





I have also been using their full coverage concealer (in 02 - natural) continously since purchasing it!  It's great!  Light yet offers a full coverage.  I can even apply it under my eyes without the area looking 'cakey' or over done.  Win!






I'm also loving their powder blushes! They apply and blend beautiful without looking streaky or harsh.  I have 'orange coral' - which is a gorgeous coral/pink  with gold specks -  and pastel pink.

Overall, Kiko is a great brand and I'm itching to try more from their range.  I've heard that their pencil lipglosses are amazing - and at £3.90 each!!  They have stores in France, Germany, Italy, Portugal, UK and Spain.

 

xxx