Charcoal VS Clay Face Masks | BEAUTY

Hello!

"so your skin appears fresh and glowing."

Face masks are a beautiful thing. Not only do they make you feel super pampered (whether done at home or in a super fancy spa), but they also do wonders for your skin - if you find the right one, that is. There's the issue: which one is the right one? 

Peel Off Deep Sea Face Mask | BEAUTY

Hello!

"if you find you have an issue with large pores, with regular use ...you will see them become smaller"

I love a good face mask. You'd think that they're just for slumber parties and to make you feel like you're a bit of an alien - who knew they actually help the skin?! *shock, horror*

Magnitone Lucid Haul + First Impressions | BEAUTY

Hello!

Out came the Lucid, and then I was beginning to get drawn in"

If you've been watching YouTubers for a while now, you might remember when there was a huge craze on the Clarisonic. It had just come out at the time, and was pretty much an America-only product. It seemed to have great reviews and I think I'd watched every single one of the YouTube reviews out there! I really wanted one. 
It was, however, a nightmare to get in the UK, and quite frankly, I'm glad I didn't get it then. At £180, it wasn't something I could justify buying, and the hassle of plug exchange and overseas warranty just didn't appeal to me.

Fast forward a couple of years and here I am, holding the Magnitone in my hands with the facial expressions of a proud mother!

When I first saw the Magnitone range come out a few months back, it didn't really appeal to me. At the time they had the pulsar, which is the slightly bigger (and not so attractive) version of the one I got, the Lucid. Although the price of the pulsar is a lot cheaper than the Clarisonic, I didn't want to buy it at the time. Out came the Lucid, and then I was beginning to get drawn in.

"Lucid resembles the Clarisonic Mia, and the range of colours Magnitone has is just beautiful!"

So, having had my eyes on the beauty for a couple of weeks, I knew I had to get my hands on it. There were many bloggers and vloggers showcasing the product, as it had been sent to them. One thing I realised, most of the reviews I watched/read were not reliable. You see people using it for a few days and claiming it to be their holy-grail, others doing a skin care routine video and then mention it's their second time using the product (it's hardly a routine if you've only been doing it for 2 days). I just couldn't trust it.

On the day of my second last exam, I ordered the product from Superdrug, as it's currently on sale for £49.99, down from it's original £69.99. It was delivered on the day of my last exam (last Friday), so it was almost a "yay for completing exams" treat!

I'd say the Lucid resembles the Clarisonic Mia, and the range of colours Magnitone has is just beautiful! There's like a colour to suit everyone! Though I was contemplating between the pink or the aqua, the minty green of the aqua was the one calling my name. Plus, it matches my toothbrush, that's always a plus side, right? :)

"I will keep you updated and let you know it how it's going after a few weeks - so stay tuned!"

As for the brush itself, I've been using it for the past two days and am pleasantly surprised. When you first open the box and feel the bristles on the brush, you wont believe how soft they are. When using the brush on your face, it's a lovely feeling and not abrasive at all. There are two settings, deep clean and sensitive. You're meant to use the sensitive setting for the first 5 days of use, then whatever suits your fancy. You can use the brush twice a day (one minute each time) but for the first couple of days, they recommend once a day to ease your skin into it.

There's a timer on the brush that beeps every 20 seconds, so you have a guideline as to when to move to the next part of your face. They recommend 20 seconds for the forehead, 20 for both cheeks, and 20 for the chin and nose. I do find that I'm often wanting more than 20 seconds, yet I stick to it as I don't want to overdo it. The device automatically turns off after the minute.

"here I am, holding the Magnitone in my hands with the facial expressions of a proud mother!"

So far my skin feels good after using it, but I can't vouch for much as it has only been 2 days. I will keep you updated and let you know it how it's going after a few weeks - so stay tuned!

In terms of what the device comes with, there's an EU charger for when you go on holiday (which will be great when I go to Egypt), a UK charger for charging at home, both of which is a wire that attaches to a magnet-like thing which attaches to the device, meaning it's safer (and pretty cool!). Alongside that, there's a 1 year warranty that you can sign up to online.

All in all, I'm glad I waited and purchased the Magnitone Lucid rather than the Clarisonic, and I'm also glad I caught a great deal with Superdrug.

Tell me, is there anything that you swear by when it comes to skincare? 

Have the Perfect At Home Spa Experience: GUEST POST

This article was submitted by Cosmetology & Spa Academy. Located in Illinois, CSA is a beauty school with over 30 years of experience in the cosmetology, esthetics and beauty industry.

Creating your own spa in the comfort of your home can be a relaxing and low cost way to reduce stress, take care of your body and most importantly, save money!
You will be required to grab some items in preparation for your spa experience, but it will be much more convenient in the long run. No driving, no waiting and no strangers to distract you from what matters most: taking care of yourself.

Set the Stage
You’ll need to find somewhere to setup your spa, perhaps your bedroom, bathroom or a spare room that you might have. Set the mood by lighting some scented candles, dimming the lights and play some music. Don’t forget to unplug and turn off that phone!
Next, get a vaporizer and use it in combination with the essential oil bergamot. This oil is used in aromatherapy, massage oils and perfumes. The vaporizer will fill the air with the bergamot oil and which will be absorbed by your skin. You'll feel considerably better as it will decrease your blood pressure and heart rate.

Prepare a Bath
Bergamot oil has several purposes and can also be added to your bath. Add 5 to 10 drops of the oil to your bath water and hop on in. You can also substitute in regular bath oils into your warm bath water instead. Soak for around 10 to 20 minutes.
This is a great opportunity to clean your nails with a brush and soap or warmed olive oil. Apply a generous amount of oil to both the nail bed and the hands before rinsing it off. You hair can get an oil treatment during this time as well. With a couple of simple ingredients, you can make your own at home solution.
Mix together a cup of sweet almond oil with a half-cup of sesame and a sprinkling of sweet orange essential oil. If you are feeling adventurous, add in a couple drops of lavender oil. Start to massage this oil deeply into your follicles and then wrap your hair up. You want your hair collect the moisture from the oil treatment for as long as possible. Once you are ready, rinse off and begin your normal hair routine with shampoo and conditioner.

Cleanse Your Skin
The bergamot oil is truly multipurpose and we are going to use it to create a DIY skin cleanser. Start by adding 5 drops to some steaming water in a bowl. Use a towel to create a tent that will lay over your head and the bowl. This will collect the steam and you should inhale deeply for a short few minutes.
Bergamot will help to reduce your skin's potential for any outbreaks and can also help fight against those already afflicting your skin. Your skin will also benefit from bergamot oil when it is added directly to your lotion. Add a couple of drops into unscented vitamin E cream to create an improved lotion for dry skin. This can be used as the start of a fantastic massage oil. You can learn more techniques and secrets like these from enrolling in an esthetics program.

Conduct an At Home Facial
A facial at home can be accomplished with a few simple ingredients and some preparation. You want to start with a light steaming. Select a few herbs and add them to a teapot with some water to boil. Make sure to let the herbal components sit for a while so that the water can absorb the benefits. A few herb suggestions would be mint, lavender flowers, parsley, rose petals and lemongrass.
Similar to the bergamot steam, you want to do the same thing here. Pour this herbal infusion into the sink while adding hot water. Grab a towel and cover your head and the bowl to let the steam come in contact with your face. Keep your face just above it for 5 full minutes. This will clear your pores and smooth out your skin. Then apply a facial cleanser and lean back over your steaming infusion for another full minute. It'll eliminate impurities while unclogging oil and debris.
After the cleanser, you should start to apply your toner. Create your own toner at home with a few simple ingredients. Fill a spray bottle with water, a little bit of milk and a couple drops of rose and lavender essential oils. Exfoliate and apply a mask that meets your skin's needs. Lay back and put your mind at ease as your mask works its magic. Finally, add an organic moisturizer with active ingredients to complete your DIY facial.

Massage at Home
It’s easier than you may think to perform your own at home massage. Mix 10 drops of essential oils together with 2 cups of sweet almond oil. Start to massage this mixture all over your body, beginning with the soles of your feet and moving upwards. Use long and smooth strokes to massage the oil into your skin and relieve any stress you may have. Once you've massaged the oil onto your entire body, wrap yourself in a couple towels to ensure that the oils are fully absorbed.

** Guest Post

Top Ten Benefits of Aloe Vera

Hello! 

Having seen Aloe Vera Water in many stores and even local newsagents now, I thought it would be really interesting to see the benefits of Aloe Vera. Thats when Kirsty came in contact with me.

 Kristy Jones lives in Liverpool and is an avid writer and blogger. Her areas of interest are food, reviews (Book/Movie), Travel, Fashion, Lifestyle and Fitness. She works as a guest blogger on her chosen areas of interest and currently writes on behalf of European Health Card. 

Right so here are the health benefits of Aloe Vera and why growing an Aloe Plant this year may not be a bad thing:

 The healing powers and restorative benefits of aloe Vera make it something of a jack-of-all-trades in the health community. The gel inside of the green spikey plant has powers that range from healing burns to supporting bodily functions. Here is a look at ten different uses you have with just one simple plant-

1. It soothes burns- One of aloes most revered qualities, just rub the gel on your sunburn and you'll instantly feel it cool down. It also helps in making it heal faster.

2. It gives you smooth skin, too- If you apply it to an area of your face with acne, the anti-inflammatory properties of aloe will reduce the redness and size of acne.

3. It even helps your skin during an allergic reaction- If you consumed something you are allergic to and are experiencing puffy, red skin, aloe Vera can be applied to reduce the swelling and treat the itchiness. You should still go to a hospital, but aloe Vera will at least reduce the physical symptoms.

4. It can do wonders to reverse the signs of aging- If your body is starting to show the signs of getting older and you want to reduce wrinkles or crow's feet, apply aloe Vera to the areas affected for minor relief. The plant's special ability is so magical that it can actually reduce some of the signs of the aging process.

 5. You can use it in the shower- Aloe Vera makes an excellent body scrub, as you will smell excellent and feel smoother after applying it to your skin. You can also use it in your hair, giving you a silk-like smoothness to it.

6. Give your immune system a boost- Aloe Vera provides a boost for your immune system. Just drink a small amount to give your body a natural enhancement that will keep colds away and also enhance your digestive system.

7. Aloe Vera helps fight mouth problems- If you have gum disease or even something as small as a cut in your mouth, aloe Vera will help in healing those problems and preventing continuous bleeding. It also fights bacteria, giving you a cleaner feel after brushing your teeth.

8. It can help those with diabetes- Aloe Vera or supplements containing aloe Vera are an all-natural alternative to fighting high blood sugar levels in diabetics. After a few months of use, you will notice a significant improvement and will feel excellent.

9. Help fight asthma- If you are feeling short of breath, just boil some aloe Vera leaves in hot water and breathe in the steam. It creates an excellent, all natural smell, and will open up your airways.

10. Fight ear and eye infections- Aloe Vera works great as a general anti-inflammatory and as an anti-irritant. These powers even stretch into infections of the eye or ear, where some applied aloe Vera can reduce the pain and swelling.

A European Health Insurance Card will get you access too many things that can fight the above mentioned ailments, but a simple application of aloe Vera can do wonders as well.

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So, I hope you enjoyed the post by Kirsty, have you used Aloe Vera in your beauty regimen or tried Aloe Vera Water? 

Can Your Diet Really Cause Acne? -Guest Post

Over the years, a debate has ranged as to whether there is any relationship between diet and acne and if any, to what magnitude. Dermatologists have differed with those supporting the theory but this has slowly come to change as research reveals that some certain foods could definitely contribute to acne and other health cases.  One of the supporting evidences about the link between acne and diet is that an increase in bacteria, hormones, sebum and hyper production of follicular cells can be directly associated with acne. There are certain foods known to contribute to excessive proliferation of the aforementioned substances in the body and the question that we should ask is whether these really have an effect on your skin condition.

First, it is good to note that diet plays a major role in the treatment of acne. People with some skin conditions or those trying to fight wrinkles and aging process can effectively do it by eating the right diet. With this is in mind, it is obvious that if diet can be used for treatment and rejuvenation of the skin, the same can on the other hand be instrumental in the development of acne.  Before going far however, it is good to answer a few questions so as to establish the truth about this matter.

What causes acne?

Acne occurs as a result of blockage of hair follicles which might be caused by a number of factors. One, the follicles can be blocked by dead skin cells, oil secretions and bacteria and this is evident especially in the facial skin, neck, shoulders, chest and on your back. These parts of the body are known to have many oil glands or sebaceous which help to protect and moisturize the skin tissue. However, dead skin cells can easily block these glands while oil can also accumulate leading to bacterial reaction. This reaction results to inflammation which is linked to acne.

What foods can contribute to acne?

For long, junk foods such as French fries, processed drinks and chocolates have been associated with acne. However, this cannot be taken as a wholesale issue since not all people have reacted negatively with these foods leading to acne. It is however important to point out that some people normally develop acne when they eat these foods owing to the increase of fat in the body which is at some point released through the skin pores leading to some level of blockage. Research has also shown that some people develop acne when they drink milk that is highly concentrated with fats.

Some researchers have also pointed at foods that lead to the production of excess insulin levels as a major contributor of skin inflammation. Such foods include processed sugar and sugary foods that cause an increase in insulin thus leading to endocrine response and hormonal surge. This leads to an increase of pore-blocking cells and excessive activity by oil gland. It is not however conclusive as to whether diet and acne should be linked but it is good to assess your skin and its reaction to different foods. When all is said and done however, you should bear in mind that proper diet leads to a healthy skin and body. 

Molly Garner is a beautician by profession. She is contributing article on behalf of CoLaz Beauty Salon they offer laser hair removal, advanced acne treatments and beauty treatments.

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Editors Notes: 

Hello! 

I hope you enjoyed the really informative post by Molly Garner, I loved reading it and found it really interesting! Do you think diet causes acne? 

L'Oreal Skin Perfection Micellar Solution Review - Makeup Remover

Hello!

I hope you're having a great time with parties all around, as the New Year brings! With parties comes MAKE UP and with makeup comes great responsibility!

Obviously, by that I mean that we need to remove that makeup - and that's is great responsibility! If your skin is anything like mine, you may notice that as you apply more makeup, especially things such as foundation, your skin gets worse and worse when it's 'naked'. So to prevent those unwanted spots and break outs, we need to remove makeup as best as we can… therefore, makeup remover comes in!

I bought the L'Oreal Skin Perfection 3-in-1 Micellar Solution (woah, that's a mouthful!) and thought I'd give you a review. Put it this way: this is my second bottle!

I love this product. It removes makeup without any stinging solution and it's simple to use. Unlike skincare wipes where I feel you're tugging against your skin and not being very gentle, this Micellar Solution feels like water and sort of glides makeup off from your skin.
To use, I apply this to a cotton pad or two and start from my eyes, hold the pad there for a couple of seconds and swipe away the makeup. Then I use the pad around my face to remove everything else. Simple! Okay, on days you're wearing a LOT more makeup, you may need to go over your face twice!  But, that's basically it!

Have you heard of Bioderma? If not, it is a french product which is said to be very similar to this. It is described as 'like water' which means it is very light on the skin! I would agree to say that the L'Oreal is like that too! However, Bioderma has a much bigger price tag and is hard to find, whereas L'Oreal is quite the opposite.

So, I guess that the L'Oreal may not be AS great as Bioderma, for a price of just over £4, and just over £3 if you're like me and buy it on sale, there is nothing to complain about!

Like I said earlier, if you're one for being gentler on your skin and are using skincare wipes (which I find also leave my skin a little red later too, due to friction - which could possibly give premature wrinkles) maybe you should give this a go - you may love it more!

What do you use to remove your makeup or tone your skin? 

Dry Skin from Cold Weather?!

Hello!

Now winter is full blown and yes, we're reaching temperatures below 0 degrees Celcius in England right now, it means to say you may be finding your skin getting drier? Even worse: Flaking!

You may think that its the cold weather that is actually drying out your skin - but this is a MYTH.
In reality it's the central heating in your home that is drawing out moisture from your skin. Notice how flowers kept near a radiator are likely to quench up and dry out? It's the same for your skin.

STOP your skin drying out by adding a humidifier to your home, or just your bedroom. Yet, these can be expensive and somewhat unrealistic to get. So, these are some easy ways you can add moisture to your home:

Dry some clothing on your radiator: this means the moisture from the wet clothing/material will evaporate and add moisture to the room

Houseplants: like I mentioned earlier, plants can get dry if near the radiator. Make sure to water the plant well so it a)Lives and b)Adds moisture to your room

 Or, you can simply use a dish of water: place a shallow dish of water near a radiator so again the water can evaporate and prevent the central heating leaving your skin cracked!

Oh, and if you currently have dry skin - apply some vaseline before you go to bed, and rub it in.

So, keep your room nice and warm, yet moist this winter and save your skin!

What's your skin saviour for dry skin? 

image source

Moisturising Skin Oil - Vaseline Review

Hello!

Harsh wind makes skin especially dry in the winter time - getting rid of the healthy glow that we accumulated in the summer time and instead replacing it with dull, dry and sometimes itchy skin!

I had purchased this Vitalising Oil from Vaseline about a year ago, then I forgot about it and recently rediscovered it, and yesterday I bought my second bottle!

I apply this beauty after my night time shower. This makes it so my skin can moisturise during the night so I wake up to soft, silky skin! All I do is dry myself after I get out of my shower (brush my teeth etc.) and apply the oil all over my body.

Yes, as it's an oil you can imagine this is not a sink-staight-into-your-skin type of moisturiser. It is slightly sticky when you first apply it, but it does leave a nice sheen. If you're going on a special day out and want your skin to glow, you can apply it 2-3 hours prior and you'll look good!

It is very cheap and can cure dry skin very well. It also smells AMAZING and I love bath and body products, especially if they smell good! The first bottle smelt amazing, exactly like cocoa butter - the rich smell like the well-known Palmers Cocoa Butter, however, the second/newer bottle smells more like chocolate to me? It's not bad - believe me - but I did REALLY prefer the first and am kind of disappointed.

This is the second time I've bought it, and I remember that I stopped using it the first time because it was not good for my morning showers as it would not sink in my skin quickly, hence making everything 10x more difficult in the morning (when I'm half asleep!).. so fit this into your night time routine if you can!

Oils are great for your skin - you may have heard many using coconut oil on their body - which I've never tried but have baked with.

For your skin saviour this winter, give this a try!
It's also on sale in superdrug at the moment at half price, although the product is available in many stores! With a price of under £3 - what is there to lose?

What is your winter skin saviour?!