Skincare Sunday | What your spots say about you.

Solving a problem is generally a lot simpler when you understand it. I see a lot of advice about acne telling people just to 'eat clean'. Ok, whilst I cannot argue that it's pretty important to stay hydrated and make sensible food choices, life is there to be enjoyed: so I can't admit dedicating my life to salads. Besides, is your diet even to blame for those pesky pimples?

Originating from traditional Chinese medicine, face mapping has been around for a long time and provides a pretty solid insight into what your spots are telling you about your body.

I've broken it down into 8 simple points, explaining what the problem might be, remember this is only a rough guide.

1 & 2. Spots in this area are usually related to your bladder and the digestive system. Ever noticed you get a bumpy forehead after that weekend of excess, trips to the fast food restaurant, followed up with more chocolate than a small sweet shop? Personally, I get spots here when I've eaten too much bread. To combat spots here, drink more water and watch those fried foods.

Spots on the forehead can more simply be related to your hair, if you have a fringe, try keeping it off your face whenever possible.

3. This area is related to congestion in the liver so you'll probably notice spots here after a weekend of drinking. However, if you're not a big drinker, spots here may be related to a possible food intolerance.

4 & 5. This area is related more to your lungs, if you're a smoker or live in a large city you may experience spots here. Try to cleanse your face when you come in from outside, whenever possible to keep those spots at bay.

6, 7 & 8. Hormones, need I say any more?! You may find spots around this area when its 'that' time of the month - don't we just get all of the fun! If you're finding that these are particularly bad, you may be suffering with a hormone imbalance. Try boosting your intake of Omega 3, 6 and 9, these are foods such as fish, seeds, avocado, which luckily all happen to taste delicious!

Can you relate to any of these?

L x

Wishlist Wednesday #3 - An ode to Chanel

 

1. PINCEAU FOND DE TEINT Foundation Brush £30.00 

2. OMBRE ESSENTIELLE Soft Touch Eyeshadow £23.00

3. ROUGE ALLURE EXTRAIT DE GLOSS Long Wear Lip Gloss £26.00

4. POUDRE UNIVERSELLE LIBRE Loose Powder £36.00

5. LA LIGNE DE CHANEL Professional Eyeliner Duo £32.00

6. LES BEIGES ALL-IN-ONE HEALTHY GLOW FLUID SPF 15 £34.00

7. ROUGE ALLURE VELVET Luminous Matte Lipcolour £26.00

I absolutely love these products, what do you think? 

L x 

Amore Boutique | Statement Necklace

I don't know about you but I just love statement jewellery! It's a really easy way to give that extra 'something' to your outfit, whether that be your 'little black dress' or even just to add to a basic top for an extra cute day-wear.
  

 
I absolutely love this gorgeous statement piece from Amore Boutique. It really speaks for itself as you can see. It has really pretty tear-shaped, iridescent crystals accented with pink and green, which which is just so summery and girly. It's called 'Crystal Cleopatra' and is part of their 'Cleopatra Collection' which boasts a few other equally as gorgeous pieces.

Their pieces are totally affordable, but Amore Boutique have kindly offered to give 10% discount to all of my fabulous readers - using the code URBANFOX10. Just pop over to their website or follow them on twitter.

Let me know what your favourite piece is in the comments below.

L x

Delicious veggie curry recipe

Ingredients
1 large onion, chopped
3 big garlic cloves
1 tsp pureed ginger
Salt, to taste
400g tin chopped tomatoes
400g tin chick peas
sweet potato, cut into large cubes
400g spinach puree (or 500g fresh baby spinach)
1 courgette
1 red pepper

Spice mix
2 tsp ground cumin
1tbsp ground coriander
1/2 tsp tumeric
1 tsp garam masala
1 tbsp dried fenugreek leaves
1 mild chilli (optional)

Heat the oil in a large pan. Add the onion and cook until softened. Add the ginger and garlic and fry until the garlic turns lightly golden. Add the spice mix ensuring the ingredients are mixed together. If you're using spinach puree, add this now.

Add the sweet potato and the chopped tomatoes, use the now empty can to fill the pan with water, enough to cover the sweet potato, and leave to simmer for approx 1 hour (time will vary on how large you've chopped the potato). After 30 mins, add the courgette, pepper and chickpeas and continue to simmer until the sweet potato is soft. If using fresh spinach add this 10 minutes before the end.

Serve with rice and naan bread; enjoy!

This recipe is perfect for using up vegetables that you have left in your fridge, so go crazy!

L x

Wishlist Wednesday #2 French Pharmacie

Products featured;
1. La roche-posay - Effaclar Duo £13.15
2. Caudalie - Beauty Elixir £10.90
3. Caudalie - Vinoperfect Radiance Serum Complexion Correcting £42.75
4. Nuxe - Rêve de Miel Honey Lip Balm £9.50
5. Caudalie Gentle Buffing Cream £17.10
6. Avene - Hydrance Optimale Hydrating Serum £14.45

What's your Wishlist Wednesday?

L x

New No7 Beautiful Skin Cleansing Oil

Ok, so I'm a little late on the cleansing oil bandwagon! However, unsure on how it would work for my skin, I didn't want to go in with a high-end version and find I hated it. In theory, the humble 'cleansing oil' seems perfect for my dehydrated skin, so I have been very keen to try it out.

No7 have recently brought out their version of the cleansing oil and at £11.00 it doesn't break the bank either. It of course 'feels' like oil, but it's surprisingly very light and feels extremely velvety on the skin.

As it claims to remove make-up, even stubborn mascara, I thought I'd put it to the test: especially as I was wearing my notoriously difficult to remove 'Benefit They're Real Mascara'. I started off with 2 pumps of the oil and applied it to dry skin and could see that it was 'melting' my foundation, powder, eyebrow gel and liquid eyeliner off straight away, impressive! Now onto that stubborn mascara, by this point I had to dispense two more pumps into my hand, I must admit, I was a little bit apprehensive to apply oil directly onto my eyes, but I went for it anyway. I have to say that it removed the majority of my mascara, but not all of it, probably around 80%. But, even though it didn't remove all of the mascara I was still seriously impressed, and had I been wearing a less 'difficult to remove mascara' it would have removed everything straight away.

After rubbing the oil onto my dry skin I then added a little bit of warm water and continued to massage my face, just to ensure that I hadn't missed anything. I then used my muslin cloth to remove the melted make-up from my face - this isn't necessary, but I prefer to use one as part of my cleansing routine.

After inspecting my work in the mirror I was seriously impressed! I had just removed an entire face of make up with one single product and my skin was velvety soft. Not only that but my dry skin felt less rough and flaky. All in all I am definitely a convert!

Have you tried any cleansing oils?

L x

Manicure Monday #6

I can't believe we're coming to the end of August already...it's scary how fast this year is going. However...nothing cheers you up quite like a sugar hit, which is why I've created this gorgeous candy pink manicure.

For the pink, I used 'heartbreaker' in the matte range by Topshop - a sweet pastel pink. This applies really easily, you'd certainly need two coats, but it creates a very soft, matte finish.

Now...onto the accent nail! I used MUA's nail constellation range in 'Gemini'. You simply sprinkle these little beads all over freshly applied nail varnish, patt it onto the nail, wait until it's dried then apply a top coat. This can be a little messy, but I think it's worth the effort.

 

What do you think? What's your Mani Monday choice?

L x

POTW #1 Le Blush Creme De Chanel

This week I've been loving this gorgeous little blush from Chanel. Now, I think you'll agree that it does look a little scary, especially in contrast to that black packaging - but it could not be further from the truth. This is actually a really pretty, yet subtle blush on the skin - perfect for Summer!

It's a creme blush, that when applied, turns to a more powdery-type consistency, which happens to be perfect for the somewhat dry skin on my cheeks. I bought mine in the colour '69 Intonation'

At £28.00 the price is to be expected when buying high-end products, such as Chanel. You use hardly any of it on each use, so I honestly don't think you could use it up before it 'expired'.

What do you think?

L x

Empties #1

I tend to have a hard time in compiling these kinds of posts, just because I feel as though whenever I buy something new, I just cannot wait to use it. So the old thing often just gets put into 'the drawer'...c'mon ladies, you know what I'm talking about.

Batiste Dry Shampoo Brown £3.99. Now I'm a huuuuuge fan of dry shampoo, but the problem that I have is that horrible 'white patch' you often get with dark hair and traditional dry shampoo'. I don't have that problem as this sprays in a shade of brown to match my hair.

Lush Ocean Face and Body Scrub £7.25. I do love a good multi-tasking product, and this one from Lush is amazing. It's pretty grainy, definitely not one for the faint-hearted, but it really does the job. I prefer to use it as a body scrub as the skin on my face is a little sensitive.

Soap&Glory Butter Yourself £10.50. It's no secret that I love the majority of Soap&Glory's products and this is no exception. It's a thick moisturiser that felt perfect on my dehydrated skin, and by the way smells AMAZING - and the smell lasts all day. I've already repurchased this and will continue to.

Soap&Glory Clean Girls £6.50. I absolutely LOVE this body wash, it smells so so good. It makes your skin so soft and supple and it really feels luxurious, even though I use it as an every day shower product. I've repurchased this product a good handful of times and I really can't imagine using anything else.

 REN T-Zone Balancing day fluid £26.50. I happen to be a big fan of the REN Skincare and this day fluid is perfect for wearing under make up, especially in the Summer as it has a real mattefying effect. It's also antibacterial so it's great if you have combination skin with the occasional acne type spot as I do. It's only a 50ml tube, but surprisingly it lasted me ages...great value for money.

Garnier Micellar Cleansing Water £3.99. I picked this up on a trip to boots, as a 'I've totally run out of make-up remover, must buy something' type thing. I have to say for the price you really are getting a lot for your money. It claims 200 uses and if I'm honest it's probably pretty accurate. I've had this for ages and it doesn't affect my sensitive eyes so I definitely recommend it.

What products do you always use up?

L x 

Wishlist Wednesday #1

Products featured in Wishlist Wednesday #1

1. REN Flash Rinse 1 Minute Facial £32.00
2. DHC Deep Cleansing Oil £21.50
3. Bumble and Bumble Sunday Shampoo £18.50
4. Yves Saint Laurent Rouge Volupte Lipstick £24.50
5. Anastasia DipBrow Pomade £15.00

What's your Wishlist Wednesday?

L x

Care for your hair #4 Lee Stafford Hair Growth Shampoo & Conditioner

Let me tell you a little story about my hair! When I was 13 I chopped off my "butt-length" hair to a above shoulder-length bob. Bear in mind these were the days before GHD's, I had no layers and incredibly thick hair - I looked a hot mess and I HATED it. I was so traumatised by this, that for the next 11 years I refused to cut my hair, except for a minuscule amount off the ends...and that only happened once a year!

Then one day, I thought "I want a change" and cut it ALL off again to a bob-style. Thankfully it looked great and I was very happy with it. But now, I feel like the "hair style world is my oyster" but unfortunately I'm not exactly the most patient person in the world when it comes to waiting for a style to grow out...which is when I saw Lee Stafford's Hair Growth Shampoo! I was instantly attracted to it.

So this is what it promises:

"Containing PRO-GROWTHTM complex, my HAiR GRowTH SHaMPOO works by stimulating the metabolic activity of the hair bulb cells, and encouraging blood flow to the root, thus helping to stimulate growth."

Does it actually work?
YES! The results are actually amazing, with the use of one entire bottle of Shampoo and Conditioner, which probably lasted me around 5 weeks, my hair grew roughly 1.5 inches.

Considering the average speed of hair growth is roughly 6 inches per year, or half an inch per month, I'd say it did a great job!

But not only all that, it also smells amazing. It's priced at £6.99 per product, which I don't think is pricey at all considering the amazing job it does.

Would I repurchase?
Yes, have done and will continue to.

Have  you tried these, did it work for you?

L x

SEVENTEEN Laquer Liner Wet Look Finish Review

I'm a huge fan of liquid eyeliner, but I tend not to stray away from my trusty Chanel. However, when I saw Seventeen's Liquid Liner I was very interested in it's Wet Look effect. Not only that, but as it claims a 24 hour wear too, all for just £3.99, it would be silly not to give it a go at least.

It comes as a pot and brush type application. The brush is really thin, so I wasn't sure how well I would achieve my usual thick catflick style.

Pro's:
Easy to use if you want a thin line
Very black
Lasted all day

Cons:
Felt extremely heavy on my eyelids
Wasn't easy to achieve a thick line
Didn't dry very quickly
Didn't look 'wet'

I was unsure on whether this was a pro or a con, but this eyeliner is a lot easier to remove if you use an oil-based eye make-up remover.

It's not something that I'd be rushing out to buy again, however, if you're looking for a very black liner that lasts all day I'd recommend it.

What do you think? Would you try this?

L x

Manicure Monday #5

Monday again!? I'm sure they've secretly started taking days out of the week, they sure are flying by. But the good news is that it means another Manicure.

Today I've chosen L'Oreal Colour Riche Nail Polish in '852 Pistachio Dragee'. I absolutely love this colour, it's a lovely light colour for Summer and would compliment a tan perfectly.
 

Usually I dread applying a light colour as they are so streaky, but this wasn't. The application was super easy thanks to its sleek and easy to use brush.

At £4.99 I think this a really affordable Summer polish. They have a huge selection so I am looking forward to testing out their other colours.

What do you think, do you like this shade?

L x

Beauty debate | What defines beauty?

Being a part of the blogging world, it's no surprise that I spend a vast amount of my time surrounded by make-up counters, glossy magazines and other beauty product-addicts...and it got me thinking: what defines beauty?

Does having long, glossy locks, a beautifully symmetric face, with immaculate make up, a 'Victoria's Secret' body draped with the finest designer clothes, make you beautiful? I mean, after all, these are the sorts of people who adorn the glossy magazine that we all rush out to buy.

But does make-up really make you more beautiful? Who defines beauty? Is it the opposite sex or competition with the same sex? I actually think beauty is different for everyone, nobody should judge the way others look by their own definition of, beauty. BUT, this is inevitable, there are plenty of people in the world that deem it perfectly acceptable to judge others on the way they decide to dress or apply their make up that day. But often this is just a reflection on themselves and their own perceptions, or insecurities.

Personally? I think beauty is confidence and elegance and an ability to carry yourself as you are! It's fine to look however you want, dress however you want to dress as long as YOU are confident.

I'd love to know what you think defines beauty?!

L x

Care for your hair #3 Lee Stafford Argan Oil Deep Nourishing Treatment

I'm a huge fan of hair treatments as I want to keep my hair looking in tip top condition. So, it wasn't a huge surprise why this stood out to me. Unless you've been living under a rock, you'll know that Argan oil has been becoming more and more popular...and with good reason. It's been used for hundreds of years and locks in moisture to your hair - basically it's a great and an easy way to obtain those luscious locks that we all long for.

First off, I just need to say that this stuff smells AMAZING - it smells like summer. I just wish Lee Stafford made it in a body moisturiser so I could smell that good all day...anyway...

Let's have a look as to what it promises:

"This mega moisturising TREATMENT with PRO-ARGANTM complex targets especially vulnerable areas, hydrating and restoring hair to create the perfect sleek salon finish. With extra meGa Quat; the surface of the hair has a negative charge and the meGa Quat (Polyquaternium-10) is attracted to this, which flattens and conditions the hair, keeping frizz and flyaway hairs at bay!"

You use this stuff between your shampoo and conditioner and I liked that it was only a "5 minute" treatment, so it's really easy to use as part of your daily routine. It advises you to use it with every hair wash until the condition of your hair improves, then just once a week to maintain it.

My verdict? I absolutely loved this stuff and at £14.99 I think it's a really affordable way of incorporating that amazing Argan Oil into your routine. My hair felt smooth, sleek and generally more glossy and it's not heavy like some treatments can be. I will definitely be repurchasing this product, well done Lee Stafford, you've done it again!

Have you tried out any of the Moroccan Argan Oil range?

L x

Blogger problems | what happened to just being nice?

I've seen a lot of negativity in the blogging world lately: hard work being copied, negative comments being made and it led me to think, what happened to just being nice? I mean, after all aren't we all trying to achieve the same thing?

Being nice means trying to get on even though there are differences between people that may never be overcome. It means being kind at small moments even when there is no personal advantage on offer.

At its most basic understanding, being nice is about caring for others around you, wanting the best for them, and recognising their same wants, needs, aspirations, and even fears. Being nice is warm, resilient, patient, trusting, loyal, and grateful.  Being nice frees us from getting knotted up in negative attitudes and feelings such as resentment, jealousy, suspicion, and manipulation.

It is nice to be nice but in being nice to everyone else...do not forget to be nice to yourself.

Anyone been dealing with negativity lately? How do you deal with it?

L x

New: SEVENTEEN Falsifeye HD Mascara Review

On a recent trip to my local Boots I came across Seventeen's new mascara. It's advertised with lots of impressive statistics, quite similar to the Benefit They're Real Mascara. So, let's take a look at what it promises:

94% of users saw more definition
93% of users saw separated lashes
92% of users saw long lasting results
76% of users said this mascara DOUBLED the volume of their lashes vs bare lashes

Now, I think you will agree that's a lot of promises for such a little tube, so I was pretty excited to see if it actually worked.



The package is pretty unassuming, inside the brush is quite a thin cone shape. The product is pretty easy to work with, not thick or clumpy at all on the brush.




I think you'll agree this product definitely worked! The results were amazing: all for only £6.99 and at the moment it's on offer for just £4.99 - a total bargain!

What do you think? will you be picking one of these up?

L x

Manicure Monday #4

Good Morning Bloggers, Happy Monday! Why is it every time I write a Mani Monday post, I always have that Bangles song in my head, but instead I sing it as, "Just another Mani Monday, I wish it were Sunday..."...anyway, I digress...on to the nails!

Today I have chosen MUA Nail Polish in 'Sweet Peach'. This little gem was only £1, I could hardly believe it was so cheap!


The colour is perfect for Summer, a bright coral/peach. With it being so cheap I was a little pessimistic on how it was going to apply and last. But I have to admit it left me feeling pretty impressed, I definitely needed two coats, but the consistency was really easy to apply. My nails were a teeny bit streaky but nothing a top coat didn't fix and as a bonus, it seemed to dry really quickly, perfect for me.

Hope you have a good Monday, what colour from the MUA do you love?

L x

Blogger problems | Fighting Blogger Block.

So we've all been there, doesn't matter if you are a fully fledged blogger or you're just starting out. You get out your laptop, sit down to create a wonderful, fantastic, awe-inspiring blog and then...nothing: your brain totally shuts down and every thought you had has vanished, nowhere to be seen. So, what do you do? Well, here are my tips for combating the 'blogger block'.

Take inspiration from other bloggers
Sometimes all you need is to look around at other bloggers, whether it's their content or just the layout. They may have created a fantastic series or post that may just jog your memory or leave you with inspiration to create your own. Note; it's important to never copy content.

Social Media
Now this may seem a bit obvious, but really dedicate some time to looking through social media, engage with blogger chats. Sometimes even the smallest comment can give you an idea for a blog.

If you see another blogger with a problem and you know the answer, write a post on it! I love seeing this, when we all help out each other, like 'blogger sista's'

Read through magazines
It doesn't even need to be glossy magazines, places like Boots do a great Free magazine that has loads of idea's on what's on trend and what people are talking about at the moment. Maybe pair up with a friend: you buy some magazines each month, she buys some, then swap!

Take a break
Sometimes dedicating a strict amount of time to a blog will put a bunch of pressure on you which will more than likely kill your initial inspiration. You might start a blog several times and just hate everything you've written. So, take a break, get outside, take some fresh air and start again. Quite often this is all it takes.

Dont think about it
You're probably thinking, huh? How can I think of a blog if I'm not thinking about it?! The best idea's often come to you when you're snuggled up in bed, totally relaxed or, when you've run that nice hot bath, sipping a glass of wine. This is no coincidence, just relax, if you have the ideas but are stressing to think of them, it won't help.

...and if all else fails...

Wait until tomorrow
Put the laptop away and wait until tomorrow. Dont be pressured into thinking you HAVE to think, write and edit a blog/post every single day. If you force yourself to write your content, the quality will suffer. Remember..."quality over quantity".

What are your tips on fighting the dreaded 'blogger block?'

L x

Radiant Summer Skin #2 - Tans under a Tenner review

Tanning! For those times when we want to say no to our pale and pasty skin, although it can all get quite expensive.  So I've been looking at "Tans Under A Tenner" and here is how it went.

Garnier Skin Naturals Summer Body Moisturising Lotion
This is on offer at the moment at Boots for only £2.55, originally only £5.10 which is still not likely to break the bank. It's a gradual tanner which gives you real control over how dark you want your tan. It looks and feels just like a moisturiser but personally I didnt like the scent of it: it smelled like a standard fake tan that was trying to be masked by an 'apricot' smell which was not overly pleasant.

I applied mine straight after the shower, the only downside that it stayed sticky for quite a while. It gave me quite an immediate result and after only a few hours it started to develop. The coverage wasn't the best I've ever seen, a little patchy in some places although nothing that couldn't be rectified with another coat. It comes in a few different shades: Light, Dark and Deep which means it's likely
you can find a shade suitable for you.

L'Oreal Sublime Bronze Gradual Tan
Another gradual tanner a lot like the Garnier, however this one didn't take so long to dry. Better for girls on the go and at £6.99 it's only slightly more expensive - it's currently on offer at Superdrug offer for only £4.66. 

The scent was a lot better, it smelled like suncream - which I happen to love. It also gave a better, more even coverage and the results were relatively instant...a lot like the Garnier. It comes in Fair and Medium, which probably wouldn't work so well if you wanted more of a dark tan. Of the two, I would certainly choose the L'Oreal.

Ombre Solaire No Streaks Bronzer Dry Body Mist Light Glow Spray
I had never tried an 'at home spray tan' before so was pretty excited to try this out. It claims to spray at multi-angles, for those hard to reach areas, and it also claims to dry instantly so there is no need to rub it in...sounds perfect right?

Ok, so it was actually pretty easy to use, although it definitely didn't 'dry instantly' as it claims. It left my skin feeling quite tacky but once it did dry I then left it overnight - as I do with all of my fake tans. However, when I woke up I was totally Orange!!! It also had the classic 'biscuit' smell. I thought a shower and loofah may save it, but suffice to say...it did not. I cannot express how much I hated this tan and for £7.79, that was an offer reduced from £11.69, I wouldn't recommend it to anyone!

St. Moriz Instant Self Tanning Mousse Medium
The dark coloured Mousse meant that it was really easy to see where it had been applied...meaning I was less likely to miss a spot. The texture was pretty thin, which was both good and bad, in that it was really easy to rub in but also it was quite liquidy. However, the scent was horrible, smelt very chemically, not pleasant. Well, for £4.99 I certainly didn't expect much, but I have to say it ended up being my favourite in terms of colour and application.

 

What is your favourite self-tanning product?

 L x

Asking for Beauty Samples | Building rapport

So, there you are, cruising your whichever makeup/beauty department store and you want to ask for a product-sample before splashing out on the real deal...but you're unsure on how to go about it. Well, let me share some of my tips!

Don't be intimidated
So you approach the counter, the counter is quiet and the staff are all huddled, chatting amongst themselves or engrossed in some other work. Don't be afraid to approach them and ask for help: be confident...after all that's where they work and they're usually more than happy to help.

Be polite
"Treat others as you would expect to be treated" - no-one likes a rude customer! Talk to the staff member and be friendly, as this is beneficial in building a rapport with your favorite beauty counter. They will be more likely to remember you and what you like, and give you samples.

Try to be loyal to your favourite staff member
Once you've started to build a rapport with that staff member, don't lose it by going back and speaking to someone different. If they're good at their job they will usually tell you what times they are working (normally because they want the sale). Nevertheless, play on this and always go back to them. As an example; I always buy my Chanel products at a counter 10 miles from my house, even
though there is a perfectly good concession three miles away. Why do I do this? Easy; because I've built a fantastic relationship with the lovely lady that works there. She knows what I love, what I don't, and what my foundation shade is without asking me.

Try to avoid counters at peak times
If you're new to all this, you certainly don't want to go when they are at their busiest. This will vary depending on where the store is located - although use your common sense. If it's in a city centre, peak times will normally be at lunchtime throughout the working week. Saturdays and Sundays are also generally busy. Take into consideration 'payday' people: those who will usually be buying more
around the last week of the month. At these times the staff are often rushing around from one customer to another and you absolutely will not get their full attention.

Don't let one bad experience ruin it for you
Unfortunately, there will always be that one member of staff that is just plain rude or indifferent, which often puts people off asking for samples or approaching other beauty counters for help. Some people really aren't cut out for a job in customer service and this isn't your fault: they may just be having a bad day so just walk away and try again another day.

Don't be a sample hog
Ok, so although you're well within your rights to ask for samples, don't ask for them if you have no intention in purchasing the product, even if you do like it.

Do you ever ask for samples?

L x