Throw Away Your Plastic Comb and Brush! Here's Why....

Olivia Garden Bamboo Massage Paddle Brush, Size HH-4

According to experts, synthetic (plastic) combs and brushes pull and tug at the hair causing the hair to break, therefore using combs and brushes made from natural resources like wood glide through the hair more easily without causing damage. Wooden tools are more durable and also help distribute the natural oils produced by your hair evenly and more gently than synthetic combs and brushes.

I know it's been a long time since I last posted, but I promise you guys that I've come back with some amazing products to show you, and one of them is Olivia Garden's Bamboo Massage Paddle brush. After another long hunt, this time through wide toothed combs and tangle teezers, I decided to try my luck with paddle brushes. This type of brush is recommended for people with natural, thick hair as the surface of the brush is much wider and the the bristles further apart thus allowing the brush to glide through thick hair much easier. I personally found with wide toothed combs that it took longer to comb my hair and pulled out more hair. The Tangle Teezer took less time to comb however because of it's synthetic tiny bristles it was pulling at my hair, causing breakage and was more hassle to detangle as I had to part my hair multiple times. SO! Get your notepad out because you're definitely going to want to make a note of this one!

Let's get straight to the facts on what this brush is and provides: 

• Eco-friendly bamboo brush-body - Bamboo is 100% natural so if you was to throw this brush away it won't take years to decompose and can actually preserve hardwood forests. 
• Stimulating scalp massage - The whole bristle is made of wood which reduces static and the ballpoints on this brush stimulate the hair follicles in your scalp to promote hair growth and reduce hair loss.
• Ionic soft cushion - Reduces pressure when brushing the hair, reduces static and is anti-bacterial.
• Ergonomic handle - Comfortable and ease when gripping the brush.
• Lightweight - Extremely light weight for a big brush! Bamboo is also lighter and more durable than wood.
  
  

First Impressions

I bought the size HH-4 (12x10cm) and I won't deny I was expecting I big hefty wooden brush but to my surprise it was extremely light weight. It's intricate caramel and chocolate striped design seemed as if this product was made personally for me with the HH initial inscribed on the back of the brush in an elegant, italic font. The brush was smooth right from it's wooden ballpoints to the grip on the handle. Just an all round beautiful looking and feeling brush! 

First Use

I carried out my normal hair care routine, conditioning and separating my hair into two sections. Initially I told myself I would brush one section and the other section I would split into two more sections to trial different techniques. To my delight I didn't need to do this as the brush glided through one half of my hair so easily I couldn't believe it! ''This brush was made by angels!'', I said to myself, all wide eyed as I brushed my hair from the ends and working my way upwards. I would say it took around 5-8 minutes to brush all of my hair, probably the quickest time I've ever done it in. My only concern is the slight awkwardness in brushing the more harder to reach areas like the back of the head as the brush is so big, but other than that you cannot fault this brush! 

Results

With very few hairs left in the brush (same amount as the Tangle Teezer) I tried to clean out the hairs with my hands but it wasn't possible. I imagine you would need a little hairbrush rake to clean it so it's an issue that can easily be resolved. I did notice that the brush was able to define my curls much better than a Tangle Teezer would, probably because the bristles are wider apart and left my hair feeling soft because the brush didn't pull on the hair so much.

To give you an idea on the size

Using a wooden brush, let alone a paddle brush was alien to me and there is definitely a technique to using this brush considering the size as well. This brush is all round amazing in every shape and form but I would probably just invest in a smaller version to make it easier to brush the harder to reach places. If you're looking for a generally healthier tool for your hair then this brush is for you, especially if you have long, voluminous hair.

Buy Olivia Garden's Bamboo Paddle Brush here

Mizani True Textures: This Conditioner Does More Than Just Condition

Moisture Replenish Conditioner 

Mizani is a professional haircare line made for various hair types from natural curly hair to highly textured or relaxed hair. Most of their products are rich in anti-oxidants, natural ingredients like essential fatty acids to produce healthy moisturised hair.

As mentioned in previous posts, I've been looking for more natural products to use on my face and hair. I came across Mizani on someone's Instagram who praised the product to do exactly what she needed for someone with dry curly hair. I checked out their website making a note on some of their products and put in an order for their 1000ml conditioner for around £20, which is equivalent to buying 5 bottles of Elvive conditioner, at £4 per bottle. So I was spending the same amount of money, hoping it would be a better quality product and it was!

I know from just general wonderment and research that when buying beauty products - to look for ones without parabens, sulfates and silicones, which is exactly what Mizani is. Moisture Replenish Conditioner is paraben and silicone free, infused with coconut, olive and marula oil, all with moisture and softening benefits. These oils produce stronger, shinier and softer looking hair and that is exactly what I got after just one wash. I've been using the product for over a month now and I have noticed a significant difference to now than to what my hair was like when I was using Elvive conditioner. It's always important to bear in mind that I do use other moisturising regimes like the coconut oil mask every week or fortnight to give my hair that extra boost, and in addition using The Body Shop's Grapeseed Oil which I wrote about here. I always stress to readers that you can't do one thing without the other and expect instant results. It takes time and you have to be consistent with additional regimes on top of your general ones like shampooing and conditioning. 

THE BENEFITS:

• Moisture is maintained within the hair - again even after one or two days my hair would swallow up mass branded conditioners as if it were dying, but because Mizani uses natural moisture replenishing ingredients that benefit your hair, not only instantly but in the long run as well because they're not just being applied to the hair, they are penetrating your scalp and hair follicles to encourage new hair growth, that is stronger and healthier. Mass branded products are predominantly made of chemicals that are slightly infused with natural products making you believe you're getting the same instant results but not the long lasting effects and you will notice your hair isn't feeling or looking healthier as you will notice as soon as you wash the product out. Where as Mizani maintains the health and strength as well as making your hair look and feel softer. MY HAIR HAS NEVER FELT THIS SOFT!
• Mizani's conditioner has a lot of slip within in it, a creamy, milk like texture that allows you to comb/brush through the hair with ease leaving no strain on the hair. My hair doesn't tangle as easily any more because my hair is softer, less brittle and dry. I noticed that other conditioners provide the same thickness and slip but these are obviously chemically made. I noticed this when I would rinse my Elvive conditioner out and it would take ages to rid that slippery feel on my body and even when applying the conditioner after it would feel greasy and gooey, where as Mizani easily washes off and almost feels like natural body butter for the skin.

This amazing and btw beautifully smelling product is definitely worth to add to your wish list to the perfect hair regime and I would highly encourage anyone with hassle hair to try out their other products from a wide range of enticing selection!

Leave a comment below if you have any questions or if you have any suggestions on products I should try!

PEACE & LOVE

Buy Mizani Moisture Replenish Conditioner here as well as other products

Grapeseed Oil: Improve Hair Growth and Healthier Looking Hair

3 Steps - Water, Cream, Oil!

I previously made a step-by-step hair routine some time ago and I thought this would be a great time to update it. A lot has changed since then as I have attempted a lot of trial and errors, and just constantly researching products and ingredients. This was another one of my purchases from the Body Shop and as I mentioned in a previous post, I was on a detox for my hair and skin, researching natural products and elements that benefits the hair and skin in a hydrating, repairing way. My hair can become very thirsty, lacking in moisture, becoming very dry, so when I apply water and conditioner my hair it soaks it up in an instant. From my research I discovered that I needed a 3 step routine to help seal moisture into dry, thirsty hair, which also included a weekly mask consisting of coconut oil which I will also be writing a post on in the future. 

Body Shop's Grapeseed Glossing Serum is affordable, smells amazing, leaving the hair soft and frizz free. It's not just a temporary remedy that once it's washed out it loses it's properties. Grapeseed oil conditions hair, restores natural moisture, leaving the hair shiny without weighing it down or looking oily. I've been using the serum for the past 3 months now and in the beginning I hadn't started using the coconut oil mask yet and I could already see the benefits.

Step 1: After washing or co-washing my hair I would always leave some conditioner in my hair after a rinse. Ringing out any excess water, I would then part my hair in half, down the middle and finger feed apply more conditioner (2 pence size piece) on each side from root to ends. (Depending on how much hair you have and how thick it is, would depend on how much conditioner you would use)

Step 2: I would then wrap my hair in a towel and leave for half an hour, so that any excess water can be absorbed. After that, I would then wrap my hair loosely in a t-shirt and leave for an hour or so, untying and shaking the hair to then wrap it again every so often to encourage the drying process. Ideally this routine is great for the night before because you have more time, you can just wrap your hair overnight for it to dry, but if you do decide to do this in the morning, I would definitely recommend giving yourself plenty of time to get ready (my friends already know how long it takes me!).  

Step 3: Unwrap your hair and leave to air dry for another half hour. At this point your hair should be damp in some places to near dry. This is the ideal point to apply the Grapeseed Serum. I usually apply 5-6 pumps in my palms, rub my hands together and smooth the serum over all sections of my hair concentrating on the ends and roots because I tend to have a lot of fly away hair on the crown of my head. You can then either wrap your hair again or leave to air dry, either way hair comes out smelling amazing, feeling super soft, lightweight and shiny.

As well as the benefits I've just mentioned, having a care routine for your hair not only improves the quality of your hair but maintains that quality, protecting your hair from harsh weather conditions and styling techniques. Of course there are also other steps you can take to maintain that protection, for example sleeping with your hair wrapped in a silk scarf and using a weekly mask to give your hair an extra hydration boost. Grapeseed oil has also been known to help the growth of hair but don't expect results over night. Being patient and consistent in your routines will allow you to see the benefits but they are all worth it!

I always stress to my readers that everyone has a different hair and skin type and this is what works for me atm, so everything that I've mentioned in this post won't work for everyone. I have thick, long, curly hair, so my hair takes longer to dry, whereas someone with thinner hair won't take as long. Everyone's beauty regime is personal to them, so it's important to find out what signs you have to determine what type of hair you have, go from there to find out which products you require and how to apply them, and finally organise your OWN personal regime.

Be sure to let me know what you think if this post has helped you in any way!

PEACE & LOVE!

Body Shop Lip Conditioner Review

Miracle Worker for the Lips!

I first came across Body Shop's Lip Conditioner whilst scrolling through Instagram, as you do. The person had claimed that this product was amazing and great for protection during those cold winter months and swears that it keeps the lips hydrated! It wasn't your average lip balm, with a 4.8/5 average customer rating on their website, and the January and February month's weather becoming more bitter, I had to add it to my wishlist. At the time I was also going through a hair and skin detox and was in dire need for natural products/ingredients to use. 

Growing up, I always knew Body Shop had a fine reputation, known for their natural ingredients in their products and of course their big tubs of gorgeous smelling creams! Pay day had come round and I decided I would head to my nearest store and treat myself to a few bits. Browsing the store I was typically looking for products that appealed to me i.e. eye creams, serums, conditioners etc, and so I found the lip conditioner as well as a vitamin E eye cream, hair serum and body mist, which I will be making reviews on at some point.

I've had the product for over 2 months now and can officially give a fair judgement. I've always used some form of moisturiser for my lips, whether it be Vaseline or Carmex, and for years it has preferably been Vaseline for it's healing qualities in the Aloe Vera and Cocoa Butter varieties. But as we all know Vaseline is made of petrolium jelly which actually encourages the skin to peel, therefore encouraging you to use more. I did come across at some point in my local Tesco express a limited edition Sugar Coated Vaseline with a pink and white glittery tin case (so not me!), but foolish me, the name caught my eye and I assumed there would be grains of sugar inside because I know that sugar is a great exfoliator for the lips. Oh, how wrong I was when I got home and opened the case. It did have a wonderful smell and gave my lips a subtle pink tint but after using it for about 4 weeks it could not provide me with any more hydration. 

I found that Body Shop's Lip Conditioner instantly provided hydration and protection for my lips in the bitter dry cold at that time. Since then I have noticed that my lips feel significantly more softer and prepared for colder weather. Bearing in mind this product isn't like Vaseline where you get that shine to your lips and I know how much people like to use Vaseline to make their lips look plump, we're all guilty of it, however, you don't need to apply a lot to get that smoothness, therefore it lasts longer. What I tend to do is dab a little bit every now and then on my lips and if you want, I guess you could apply your favourite Vaseline (whichever look you are going for) on top of the conditioner.

Rating: 5 / 5

Price: £4

Over all, a brilliant product that I highly recommend to anyone!
If you do happen to purchase it let me know what you think.

PEACE & LOVE!

Once/Twice a Week Skincare Regime for Combination Skin

Create your own regime!

I've always known what type of skin I have, but never really sat down to take the time out of my day to really pamper it. I did a bit of research and have come up with my own regime ideal for those with combination skin. By combination, I mean your skin goes through a bit of everything: Oily t-zone, dryness here and there, porous skin, breakouts, you name it, you've been through it all. This regime will help balance out each section and is something you can do once or twice a week. However, I wouldn't recommend this regime if you tend to have bad reactions to face masks, maybe DIY masks would be more ideal for you. Not only is this a step by step guide but also I hope to provide a little bit of information as to why these products are good for you and how they help. 

What you will need:

1. Peel off skin mask - an exfoliator to rid of dead skins cells
2. Clay mask - ideal to draw out excess oil and impurities 
3. Muslin/wash cloth
4. Your everyday toner and moisturiser

STEP 1.

It's extremely important to keep your face moisturised throughout the process because face masks can dry out the skin, so wetting or dampening the face in-between steps will help keep your face moisturised throughout. First you want to soak the face with a warm moist cloth and blot dry then apply a thin layer of your peel off mask and leave for 15 mins. Peel of masks are a chemical exfoliator and work deeper into your skin than face scrubs and places like my forehead react badly to scrubs so automatically win-win for the peel mask! Remove the mask starting from cheek towards the centre of the face, then rinse with a cool damp cloth. How is the next step with the clay mask going to draw out impurities if it can't get through the dead layer of skin, well that's what the peel off mask has just done for you as well as leaving your skin baby bottom smooth!

STEP 2. (OPTIONAL)

This step is optional. If there are any blackheads or spots you wish to rid of, you could do so at this point in the process. What you will need is some tissue to wrap each finger with, place each finger half an inch away on either side of the blemish and squeeze only slightly each time. Don't pressure the area too much because that's how redness and scarring occurs. Once you're done, swab the areas with some witch hazel or even toner to rid any bacteria and encourage the pore to close up.

STEP 3.

Dampen your face again with a warm wash cloth and add a thin layer of your clay mask and leave to dry for 15mins. Clay masks are used ideally for oily skin to draw out oil and bacteria and because you have taken that layer of dead skin off before hand it's now easier for the clay mask to work it's magic. Use a warm wet wash cloth to remove the mask and then tone your face to remove any residue, I use Liz Earle's Instand Boost Skin Tonic. Any clay mask will do, atm I'm using a honey one simply because I like the smell and I know honey is good for the skin, giving you that extra glow.

STEP 4.

Use your everyday moisturiser, I use Liz Earle's Skin Repair Moisturiser for Normal/Combination skin. You want to work your moisturiser in upward strokes, by doing this your working the muscles in your face to make your skin plumper and more alive, to get that blood flow going! Remember to also drink plenty of water (I must remember to listen to my own advice).

Discovering your skin type is the first step to combating any problems you have with your skin, do that and you could easily make your own personal skin regime like I did and fix those problems.

PEACE AND LOVE!

Garnier Micellar Cleansing Water Review

Right Time and Place

Removing make-up is always a tiresome process especially if you've just come home from a night out. You want to remove every inch of make up without your face being rubbed to shreds that it starts to feel tight and sore. I imagine the most important feelings you would want after removing your make up is for it to feel soft, clean and refreshed. At one point I was using my Liz Earle Cleanse & Polish to remove my make up, but it was becoming an expensive routine as I was using the product as a make up remover at night as well as a facial cleanser in the morning. Garnier Micellar Cleansing Water kind of came at the right time for me - I was looking for a cheaper and an easier alternative make-up remover, and the buzz I heard around social media concerning the product caught many peoples attention including my own due to it's intriguing name. Water? Just water? To remove make up? It seemed too good to be true, so I gave it go. Below will be a short review and the pros and cons for 3 types of 'make up removers and cleansers' by Garnier: Garnier Fresh Eye Make-up Remover, Garnier Micellar Cleanising Water (Pink) and Garnier Micellar Cleansing Water (Green). 

Garnier Fresh Eye Make-up Remover

You're probably thinking from my introduction that this is going to be a good review. Think again! Garnier claim that this make up remover is - 'even for sensitive skin' - 'perfectly removes eye make up and soothes skin' - 'respects the delicate skin around the eye' and is 'enriched with apple extract'.  So I'll start with the few pros that this product has. It does the job of removing make up and well - it was refreshing for my face for maybe about a week or two and it wasn't a greasy product with toning qualities. However, using this product after a while started to irritate my skin. It does not 'respect' the delicate skin around my eye - in-fact it started to sting and become sore. It has quite an unpleasant taste (not that I'm drinking it!) - you know when you've removed your lippy and then you lick your lips (not nice) and if this stuff gets in your eye - it's not as bad as shampoo but it isn't nice. To be honest with you, I should of seen the signs, I can't imagine getting granny smith apple juice in your eye would be very pleasant, haha! I will however rate it for how little you need on your cotton pad to remove your make up, I bought the small 125ml bottle which cost around £1-2 and it lasted me for a month. Pretty good seeing as I was using it everyday. But that doesn't make up for the fact that this product made my skin feel horrible - my face stung, really sensitive and sore to touch specifically my eye area and forehead as these are probably my most sensitive areas on my face. 

2/10

Garnier Micellar Cleansing Water (pink bottle)

This product again claims 'even for sensitive skin', that it 'removes make-up + cleanses + soothes' - 'no rinsing' and can be used for the 'face, eyes, lips - no perfume'. This in comparison with the purple bottle was a big improvement but there were still issues there. I totally agree that there was no perfume or strong alcoholic/chemically smell therefore it didn't sting the eyes or taste funky. It's definitely what is says on the bottle - for sensitive skin as it was less irritable and it didn't sting my eye area AS MUCH. Still did! But not as much. Again soothing and refreshing for maybe the first two weeks and then my skin started to become irritable and sensitive. May I point out that neither products made my skin feel as soft as it has been in the past. So thumbs down again for this one.

5/10

Last but not least and the best product out of all 3 products was Garnier's Micellar Cleansing Water for Combination and Sensitive skin (green bottle 6/10). Again, very similar features as the pink bottle - toning qualities, less irritable, no strong chemically smell or taste, however the product seemed to soap up making my skin dry - as you can see from the top picture the product was producing bubbles, not something you want to see from a good make up remover! So, I recommend that if you don't have sensitive/dry skin go for the pink or green bottle. Garnier Micellar Cleansing water is no doubt a great make up remover but not so great for keeping the skin refreshed, soft and neutral. 

You know what they say, you get what you pay for - if you want good quality products you have to be prepared to pay for them. Personally I advise to stay away from mass produced skin care products, they're full of harsh chemicals that are no good for your skin! 

Leave a comment or send me a tweet about your experiences with Micellar Cleansing Water or if you have any recommendations for make-up removers 

Peace & Love 

Liz Earle Light Reflecting Concealer with a Small Gift

Liz Earle: Naturally Active

Liz Earle are known for making products which include all natural ingredients and few chemicals. I own their cleanser, scrub, toner and moisturiser, all amazing products that aren't harsh on the skin, light and lightly scented. I recently purchased their Light Reflecting Concealer and have been using it for over a week now as it was something that was missing from my essential make up collection. Believe it or not I was using a hand-me-down No7 dry concealer from my Mum. It did the job but was far too dry for my skin and was too light for my tone :/

According to Liz Earle, this concealer is used for minor blemishes, spots and also highlights parts of the face like the nose and covers dark eyes. The assistant at the Liz Earle section in Boots, also gave me another option for a more dryer concealer which was used for nastier blemishes and great for contouring. However, I'm quite cautious about what I put on my face and try not to use thick, heavy products so I went with the Light Reflecting Concealer which was a much lighter and creamier product. As I mentioned to the assistant that I can't stand my dark eyes she kindly gave me a gift which helps to get rid of dark circles, called Soothing Eye Lotion but I'll talk about that product later in the post.

Light & Smooth, For Everyday Use 

So, Pros and Cons? The concealer is light, creamy and blends beautifully on the skin. Unfortunately the concealer only comes in 3 shades so not much of a range in skin tones. You would also think a product so light wouldn't last all day but surprisingly after a long day at work your make up still looks as if you had just did it. It's not a heavy product but you still only need the littlest specks under the eyes or down the nose to get coverage and it doesn't smudge or smear. The applicator is brilliant, it's like a brush pen so application is easy so you can get into all the nooks and crannies of your face. I've recently had a bit of an outbreak of a few small redish spots on my forehead and this product was great for toning down the redness but if you are looking for a product to completely hide deep scars and blemishes then I would suggest going for a heavier concealer. Bare in mind, if you do apply more than you should of this product it can make your face greasy as it is a liquid based product so be weary of how much you use. I'm still in the process of balancing how much I should use on each part of my face myself, other than that, this product is brilliant and I highly recommend it. Even for those who don't wear much make up, this is a great product for every day use and because it blends in so beautifully you can't even tell you're wearing concealer and that's something rare!

Soothing Eye Lotion

Liz Earl Eyebright Soothing Eye Lotion

Not only is this product great for removing dark circles but getting rid of those tired puffy eyes in the morning when you wake up, giving you that little boost to start the day. Bearing in mind that the little bottle in the picture was just the gift, the original packaging is usually 150ml for £13.25. I've been using that product everyday for over a week now and I still haven't finished that small bottle. Very little is needed on two separate cotton pads that go over each eye. You can either sweep it on over each eye or relax with the cotton pads on your eyers for 5-10 minutes. If you want to see immediate results I suggest relaxing with it for 10 minutes. I imagine this process is very similar to putting cucumber on your eyes but with the natural ingredients Liz Earle integrates into her products she gives you that little bit more including aloe vera which we all know is good for the skin with many healing properties. Toning ingredients are also present so the lotion acts great as a light toner to get rid of dirt and light make up around the eyes.

Suggestions:

Using after you have cleansed and toned your face in the morning followed by a light moisturiser. Perfect morning routine!

Use in the evening again after cleansing and toning. Taking off a full face of make up can be harsh for your skin especially when taking off make up around the eyes as this is a sensitive area. Use the Soothing Eye Lotion to rehydrate and heal this area of your face! It will do wonders! Follow again by a moisturiser.

Do you have any must haves for your make up collection? If so, I'd love to hear them!  Any questions regarding make up or facial routines hit me up in the comments or send me a tweet!
Peace x

Crystal Healing Through Meditation

Introduction

I know I'm a bit late with this post because I was meant to write a quick, almost like a guideline to crystals straight after my previous post on Spirituality, so I'm really sorry about that but I was extremely busy filming for a little something I wrote (won't go into too much detail *taps nose*). I noticed from my last post that people became very intrigued regarding Spirituality and more so the meanings, experiences and methods to crystal healing. I am so grateful that I have sparked people's interest because Spirituality is something anyone can be a part of to suit what ever your needs, lifestyle and beliefs may be. I'm just going to go through what I know to my knowledge of crystals at this stage of my life, as I am still learning myself and how you can incorporate meditation as well which is widely known for it's calming and healing effects. Just to let people know that it's not as complicated as it seems and you don't need much skill to heal yourself. You don't need to be a full time Monk or Buddhist! Throughout the post you'll read some of my personal experiences just to show that it does work for your average person and I'll throw in some history on crystals and references to shops, books and websites so you know where to begin your journey. Alright, let's get started!

Crystals & Their Meaning

There are thousands of crystals out there, each bearing it's own name, meaning and healing qualities. Most crystals provide a calming effect but each has it's own specific focus e.g. a particular emotion, state of mind or a physical injury/illness. So to start off, find what means the most to you, what issues are going on in your life that you'd like to improve, what skills would you like to enhance? Maybe you'd like to improve some of the relationships you have with family members or you find it hard speaking in public, maybe you're going through some stress from some emotional trauma. There's a stone out there for everything. Write this list down, however you want - from most important to least or just take it slowly one by one, however you like. Now do some research. Just by Googling crystals you will be bombarded with thousands, or if you want a more traditional route you can buy the Crystal Bible by Judy Hall, it's in the name - everything you need to know about crystals, what they mean, how to cleanse (clean) your crystals etc. I found it easiest just looking through an encyclopedia of crystals and picking out the ones that draw your attention and maybe to your surprise they might be the ones you actually need. Once you find and purchase your crystals you can then get to work on healing through meditation. Online apps like Depop sell loads of authentic jewellery with crystals as rings, necklaces, chokers etc and at a very affordable price, so I highly recommend them. There are also many shops scattered around London that can offer advice and service (The Astrology Shop - Covent Garden, Charlie's Rock Shop - Wimbledon). 

Meditation & Chakra Points 

Now this where crystals come in to play their part in healing your mind, body and spirit. According to Hindu tradition, Chakra points are vital meeting points within the body where energy channels. You have 7 main chakra points - Root (base of the spine), Sacral (slightly below naval), Solar Plexus (slightly above naval), Heart (centre of chest), Throat, Third Eye (forehead, between your eyebrows) and lastly Crown (the top of the head). Each point represents a specific energy within yourself e.g. the heart chakra is everything to do with love, compassion, harmony etc. If you were to place a specific crystal on any of these chakra points they are able to heal, enhance, lessen whatever the need may be. For example, if you are going through an emotional trauma, the Amethyst stone (probably classed as one of the most powerful stones) known for it's healing qualities if placed on the Third Eye or Heart chakra will open your mind to see clearer, to look on the brighter side, motivate you to get through the pain and suffering and much more. So, I am now going to go through the collection of crystals I have (6 to be exact), pathetic I know but it's a start and I'm going to explain what each one means, it's capabilities and the personal experiences and benefits I have felt from using these crystals. 

Amethyst (General Healing) 

Like I said before, it's renowned for it's healing qualities. Any sort of trauma you are experiencing, whether it be emotional or physical the Amethyst is a very calming stone that provides balance and peace of mind. Just by looking at the Amethyst which is a pale purple is very soothing in itself. It's an excellent all purpose stone. If placed on the Third Eye, it can increase Spirituality, intuition and psychic powers. I meditated once with the Amethyst stone on my Third Eye and during my meditation I felt the stone become extremely warm and bearing in mind that these crystals are extremely light the stone felt heavy on my head. It almost felt like I was in a deep sleep and it was still hot to touch even when I had finished and had taken it off my head. Excellent for communication with past lives or if you wish to reach another dimension (as crazy as it sounds). I'm not there yet but hopefully one day I will! Also protects and is very well know for getting rid of addictions so an all round general healing stone. A quick tip, Amethyst is also a great cleansing stone so maybe invest in one that's larger than your other stones to cleanse the others, as crystals can be become impure from negative energies so it's important to constantly keep an Amethyst around the house or your room. 

Rose Quartz (Love Stone) 

The Rose Quartz is associated with everything Feminine. Not only does it help with PMS, menopause, cramps etc It's mainly used to open the heart chakra. It enhances self-love, family, romantic, unconditional love - any situation. Lowers stress, raises self-esteem, balances emotions and provides forgiveness, tolerance and compassion, all qualities needed to give and receive pure love. Heals emotional trauma, fear, resentment and anger is removed and enhances inner awareness. Any family issues you have or maybe you find it hard to cooperate with people in your daily life or at work, place this stone on your heart chakra and start to watch yourself become more open to people and working harmoniously. People and situations used to anger me a lot (not any more!), I have an even greater relationship with my Mum, I'm not afraid to express my emotions as much as I was before and I believe the Rose Quartz personally for me is probably another very powerful crystal, one that can be used daily because you can never give too much love. 

Turquentine (Turquoise) 

Another calming stone which balances mood fluctuations, decreases selfishness and an overly critical state of mind. This crystal fully appeals to me because I used to have an extremely critical state of mind. I read into everything, it wasn't healthy for the mind and it made me make the wrong judgements and I didn't behave in an appropriate manner. I used to have crazy mood swings even though I think mood swings come along with life but they aren't as extreme as they used to be. Now I feel more free spirited, I go with the flow and I don't look deep into things and take things more on the chin. Turquentine is usually used for aiding bone injury and cramps and is an excellent antidote for insomnia if placed under your pillow. It prepares the mind for wisdom, an insight when placed on the Third Eye and like the Amethyst you can access another dimension although I haven't personally felt this myself. Turquentine can formulate ambitions, teaching you patience and aiding you in achieving your goals. I personally felt that after meditating with Turquentine I was able to identify what actually made me happy in life, that I should focus on my ultimate goal and not pressure myself into achieving 'success' in terms of money and careers but in happiness, knowledge and experience. I'm also more aware that I am in my own race, that I shouldn't compare myself to anyone else but focus on myself and what I want to achieve and not let anyone or society pressure me into growing up fast!!

Blue Agate (Blue Lace)

A gentle and calming stone with similar capabilities as Turquentine but achieves them through a different route. The Blue Agate lessens anger, nerves and deeper anger issues and like I mentioned before little things would annoy me very easily but I'd like to think it takes a lot to annoy me now. With this stone you can activate your throat chakra which will ease communication and bring tactfulness in speech and writing. I found this extremely useful when it came to expressing myself particularly touchy subjects when consoling in people. If you're having any issues with speaking in public or you are quite shy and find it hard to fit in then meditating with this stone will do you wonders. I've never been the best at English myself, my spelling and punctuation is terrible but since my interest in crystals and writing about the things I'm passionate about, I am able to get my point and interests across with ease and I'm now finding myself making new friends with the same interest and I am hugely grateful for that. SHOUT OUT TO MY HIPSTERS! *peace sign*. Blue Agate is a very useful stone for dealing with most physical injuries and illnesses whether it is diabetes, skin issues like, eczema or speech habits and the immune system. A great gift for anyone!

Aventurine (Stone of Opportunity) 

Aventurine was one of the first crystals I came across and felt was important to me because opportunity is a great important aspect of any ones life and I think it's important to be grateful to be given any sort of opportunity whether it be a trip to somewhere you have never been before, meeting someone new or just taking part in an event or project. Opportunity leads to learning something new thus growing as a person. Thought to be the luckiest of all crystals, it's winning energy makes it a great ally for boosting any situation. It brings optimism so you are able to accept change, it also enhances creativity, motivation and encourages leadership skills allowing you to become more decisive as well as bringing an openness to your state of mind. Commonly known for being green although you can get the stone in other colours and if I'm not mistaken the Chinese like to use Aventurine in a lot of their ornaments, jewellery, statues etc as you know the Chinese have strong belief in luck. Having a strong connection with the earth particularly green Aventurine, it protects you from the pollution within our world. Again, another calming stone that's great for every day use. From wearing the Aventurine for so long around my neck on a necklace, I definitely got in touch with my hippie side and I think that's what sparked and developed it. I appreciate nature and always have done, I love sitting in and admiring parks and animals etc and it has definitely sparked more creativity for me, I now have notebooks which I am constantly writing new ideas and lists in.

Lapis Lazuli 

Last but not very least!! This has to be my ultimate stone. It almost felt like a revelation when I came across this stone. One day I was browsing the net for some new crystals to buy and came across this deep blue crystal speckled with gold that immediately caught my eye just from it's beauty. It seemed so majestic and powerful almost mimicking the image of earth from space. Lapis Lazuli is universally known as a symbol of wisdom and truth and still remains a symbol of royalty and honour, particularly within Egyptian culture. Once I found out that Lapis had a strong connection with Egypt I couldn't turn away from it, I had to buy it there and then, because I have this ridiculous obsession with Ancient Egypt. Many burial ornaments of kings and queens are inlaid in Lapis Lazuli including Tutankhamun's death mask who has his eyes and eyebrows inlaid in Lapis. It is used extensively in Scarab beetles which I strongly believe I have a connection to but I won't go into detail about that because I'd be here all day! Priests and royals were also dyed in Lapis to show their status as gods themselves. Lapis is believed to aid intellectual analysis, stimulating desire for knowledge, truth, understanding and the process of knowledge, fundamental morals and principles I strongly go by! Great for enhancing memory although many friends would probably disagree because my memory is disgustingly bad! A stone of truth that encourages honesty in spirit, brings harmony to relationships, promotes self-awareness and acceptance of that knowledge. I believe that it's such a purifying and powerful stone, it's a stone that allows self-expression, compassion when dealing with others, awareness of ones beliefs, motives and a clearer perspective of one's whole life meaning to find the answers in life you must look within yourself. If this stone is placed on the Third Eye you can achieve higher awareness (reach other dimensions) and even make past-life contact with Ancient Civilisations which I find truly fascinating.

I want to dedicate this post to the people who share this same passion of mine and to any person who I have spoken to and has taught me something and it doesn't necessarily have to be a skill, it could be an opinion that you have, anything! Thanks a million!! I hope you guys enjoyed reading this post, if you have any questions or opinions feel free to drop a comment or send me a tweet! x

Clinique: Great Skin Can Be Created!

My Make Up Set is Almost Complete!!

It dawned on me not too long ago when I would look in the mirror and notice the state of my make up after a long day at work, a night out or even just a day out with friends, that my face looked drained, pale, my blusher had faded away and I just looked exhausted. Half way during the day I would have to make a trip to the ladies to quickly freshen up my make up and it's hell for the shoulders to have to carry all my brushes around with me too as well as my make up bag. I haven't been working for the past month or two, and I had told myself that as soon as I get back to work and get paid that I'm hitting the shops and buying myself a decent Blusher and Matte Powder and I did! As some of you may know I buy my skin care products from Liz Earle as they are more known for those specific products even though they do sell make up, but my Mum has been buying Clinique for years and I've always known them as a make up brand, so I thought I would try them out first.

Stay-Matte Sheer Pressed Powder in Stay Honey (M)

Let's start of with the powder. I never used to wear powder, believe it or not all I used to wear on my face in terms of powders and foundation was blusher on a casual day, or on a night out I would add concealer. It was probably a random day where I YouTube'd what sequence your make up should go in i.e. foundation, concealer, powder, where I found out about matte powder. Matte powder as well as primer are one of your base type products, it acts as a base for your blusher and helps keep in the moisture, stopping your face from oily outbreaks on the nose and forehead for example. I've used this powder so far for a over a week now and it's been through thick and thin already! I currently work at the Arsenal store and on some days I can be surrounded by 5-6 160C printers on top of that 100s of Arsenal fans swarming the shop. The heat is immense and of course with a challenge like that my make up isn't going to get very far but it put up a bloody good fight! However, I received a free gift from Clinique, a little friend that helps you during the day when your face looks a bit drained, typically for long, hard days at work. 

Inside Clinique's matte powder compact

Clinique Moisture Surge Extended Thirst Relief is the tiniest skin care container you will ever come across but does absolute wonders and is pricey for doing such amazing wonders (£34 to be exact....I can just imagine some of your reactions right now!) and I'd say the picture is almost accurate on size, probably a  bit bigger! It is a light cream/gel that hydrates the skin and removes flakiness, tightness and fine lines which I'm not really that concerned about. I'm more concerned about hydrating my skin during the day and there are 3 different ways you can do this. 

Moisture Surge Extended Relief 

You can use it as a daily moisturiser every morning when you wake up to get rid of puffy eyes or paleness and give a bit of a glow to your face. You can use it as a light 5 minute mask and massage it into the skin so you can get rid of any tightness or dryness. Or you can tap it on during the day at work or where ever you are to give your face a glowing boost. This stuff is genius and it genuinely works, as I used it when I came home from work after a 15hr match day shift around those printers. I tapped it on and my face looked as if I had reapplied my make up all over again, it removed the oily patches on my face and my skin just felt refreshed and smooth. I strongly recommend this product!

True Bronze Pressed Powder Bronzer in Sunblushed

Again, another amazing product. Probably thanks to my primer (also branded Clinique) and my matte powder allows my bronzer to stay on for longer. I don't use blusher because it usually comes in tones of pink and you can't use the colour pink all over your face! So I tend to use blusher as it gives you a nice colour around the whole face. You don't need a lot on your brush so there's no vigorous circling around the container to get as many particles on your brush at one time and there's no extra bits flying around so you don't need to worry about getting it on your clothes either! Rumour has it that these powders last an extremely long time so I hope to do another blog post on their length in many months to come.

Just quickly forgot to mention that I really appreciate the minute detail that Clinique go through into making their products. They may be pricey but the package is definitely worth it, they are beautifully designed with a mirror in each product. With the matte powder, you get it in this beautiful smooth green marble imitation case. The bronzer comes in a smooth brown round case which also comes with a little bronzer brush and case as well. So much effort is put into their products and I really admire Clinique for that as it shows that they care for their customer's needs. Giving us that little bit extra will always make us come back again and again.

If you have any questions regarding skin care or make up, feel free to hit up the comment box below or send me a tweet. Do you buy Clinique or any other brand of make up or skin care that you have stayed loyal to? Tell me! 

My Facial Routine: Cleanse, Tone & Prime

Over the years I've had the odd one or two people ask me about how I keep my skin so clear (don't get me wrong I have my days when it isn't). 

Ever since I created this blog I've always wanted to make a post about my skin routine but never really had the chance to, because I didn't feel fully satisfied with the routine I was using at the time. Like my hair it has taken me a few years to finally discover and create the PERFECT routine! For me, a facial routine is essential, it's important because not only is it hygienic but it allows you to feel good about yourself. Especially for us girls it allows you to feel that little bit more confident about yourself. I don't know about anyone else but it's the little things in life that makes me happy and my facial routine happens to be one of them. So just briefly, there are 4 steps all together : Cleanse, scrub, tone and prime (step 2 isn't as important but I'll get to that later), 3 of them I use daily and one step I use weekly. Don't forget to also keep in mind that this is my own individual routine and depending on your skin type will always create different regimes. The products I use are Liz Earle and Clinique, I've included the links on where you can purchase these items within the name of each product.

STEP1: Cleanse 

Liz Earle Cleanse & Polish
100ml £14.75

I cannot stress any more how essential it is to wash your face EVERY DAY no matter the skin type. Your skin produces oils and dead skin cells that need washing away and leaving this will just clog up your skin to produce spots. If I'm not mistaken, junk food does not cause spots (information taken from Embarrassing Bodies, but I'm no doctor!) but I do always notice a difference in drinking water rather than fizzy drinks because at least water can flush away all the crap! I use Liz Earle's Cleanse & Polish, now I know some of you may be thinking that this product is a bit pricey but these cheap supermarket brands contain a lot of harsh chemicals and they always left my skin feeling either very dry or very oily but this natural, rich concentrated cream gently removes dirt and make-up and leaves the skin feeling smooth and refreshed (I sound like I'm selling the stuff). This product can also come with a muslin cloth which gently sweeps away dirt and dead skin cells and thanks to this you don't need to rinse your face for over 10 minutes trying to remove all the cream and dirt. I use this once a day in the morning, never twice a day because massaging the pores too much with my skin combination will produce too much oil and will result in spots. 

STEP 2: Scrub

Liz Earle Gentle Face Exfoiliator
70ml £14.00

This step isn't so essential. I use this once a week and it basically removes dead skin cells and buffs the skin so that it leaves it feeling soft and smooth. Again, all natural ingredients, no harsh chemicals, buffs the skin revealing a brighter and healthier looking skin. Focusing on the t-zone (forehead, nose and chin) and jawline in soft circular motions you would use this after the Cleanse and Polish because it wouldn't make sense to buff a dirty face. That would be like buffing chipped nails, you gotta file first lol. I rarely use this product but it's good for a back up face wash if you run out of any others

STEP 3: Tone

Liz Earle Instant Boost Skin Tonic 
200ml £13.25

This one is in the name. Tone. Natural ingredients, beautifully scented ever so slightly and no alcohol to harm your skin with. This product is used to balance the oils in your skin. With an oily skin combination like mine toning is like a drug, I NEED IT! I use this daily, every morning after I wash my skin. I also advise waiting 15 minutes after toning before applying any make up because the toner needs to settle into the skin. Applying any form of make up will just not blend in and will go patchy and blotchy. Toning also gives you that natural glow to your face and just adds to the all round smoothing of the skin. 

STEP 4: Prime (the final step) 

Clinique Superprimer Colour Corrects Dullness in Deeper Skins
£20

I tried Clinique's face washes in the past but found their products too harsh for my skin and left it feeling very dry and tight. HOWEVER, this primer does WONDERS! For those who don't know what a primer is, it's almost like a very very very light and fluffy foundation, it acts a base and preps you before applying make up, allowing make up to sit perfectly on your skin without blemishes, patches or blotches. This product comes in all shapes and forms so if you're not too sure on your skin type then you can go for the universal primer for all skin types. There is also a primer for sallowness, redness, dullness and discolouration, each providing a unique set of uses. I use dullness in deeper skins, deeper skins just means for those with darker skin tones. It leaves the skin so smooth like a baby's bottom ( and trust me when I say that, I'm not exaggerating) and it corrects all that dullness and paleness you find when you wake up. Apply it to the areas where you think needs it or all over the face. I notice if I apply it to certain parts of the face, the places I didn't place it on, the make up will just look pasty. So my advise: Apply it everywhere! 

So that's that! For all my friends who have always wondered why it takes me so long to get ready, there's the other half to the answer. Now all you have to do is add that to the time it takes me to do my hair in my last blog post!!  If you have any queries on any of these products or just some advise don't be afraid to hit up the comments below or send me a message whether it's through Twitter or on here, so feel free! I don't bite :)