How to deal with oily skin

For as long as I can remember, I have suffered from oily skin and I know I am not the only one. It can be annoying trying to deal with greasy skin everyday, especially when you are a makeup fanatic. Though I am still looking to find a product that can stop my pores from producing an unfortunate amount of oil forever, I have instead learnt many different ways that can help reduce an oily look which many of us dread.

Have a good and effective night routine -
Don't just use facial wipes, instead make sure your routine includes scrubs, cleansers, and toners. Scrubs are a brilliant way of getting rid of any dirt and dead skin cells, whilst cleansers get rid of the bacteria on your skin and in your pores. The toners will help to close your pores which is where the culprit of your oily skin is created. So by closing your pores will hopefully help tone down the oil. I would recommend to stay away from alcohol products as they strip the skin which can be unkind. Instead try and go for a micellar water or a gel cleaner.

Use an oil free moisturiser -
After your scrub, cleanser, and toner routine, use a moisturiser. Even though you may think that your skin is hydrated enough with all the oils leaving your pores, you should still moisturise morning and nighttime as even oily skin needs to be hydrated. But make sure your moisturiser is oil and alcohol free.

Use a makeup primer -
Using primer before applying your makeup will help keep your makeup at bay throughout the whole day, which is exactly what us oily skin people need. For my oily skin I personally prefer to use a silicone based primer as I think it creates better and longer results to help make my makeup look less greasy. It is great to use all over the face, but do make sure to focus on applying it to your oily zones.

Use oil free makeup -
This may seem obvious to many of you, but some people who have oily skin do not realise that it is down to the fact that it is because their makeup has oil in it, especially their foundations and concealers. So if you avoid makeup with oil in then you may find that this could be your main culprit.

Use colourless powder -
I'm sure we are all familiar with the quote "powder my nose", well this is indeed a good way to help reduce the appearance of an oily nose. By applying a powder to your skin with mop up the oil allowing a less greasy look. However, if you are doing this then please stay away from tinted powder. I know tinted powder matches your skin tone perfectly, but by using this it will just create a cakey look. Instead, go for a powder that appears colourless. This will get rid of the oil whilst also keeping your makeup looking natural. Rimmel sells a good powder called 'Stay matte pressed powder' which can be bought here.

Blotting paper - 
For a quick fix the best thing to do is just blot the oil away with some blotting paper or tissue. This will immediately get rid of the oil but it is likely to come back a few hours later. So make sure to keep a packet handy in your bag, or if you're desperate just lightly dab some tissue paper.

Facial masks -
Try and use a facial mask once or twice a week as they are a great to tighten the pores. As said up above, if you can tighten the pores then it is likely less oil will be produced. To get the best results then I would recommend using a clay mask.

x x

Ideal shoes for high heeled haters

Top left to right 
1. Topshop - Naive cross through sandals - tan - £45

2. Kurt Geiger - Block heel sandals - black - £95

3. Asos - Humour heeled sandals - £40

Bottom left to right 

4. Missguided - Genna flatform sandals - Nude and black - £27.99

5. Bank - Ribbon scrappy mega platform - white - £30

6. Asos - Harrow heeled sandals - Off white or Aqua - £30

If you, like me, dread the day you have to go to an elegant celebration because you know this means hours of agonising feet pain from the high heeled shoes that women are expected to wear these days, well good news is here, the past year or so mid heels have come into fashion, and they don't all look like a 12 year olds first pair of kitten heels.

It is a cliche that all women have to wear high heeled shoes to look good with a dress. I admit we do look pretty darn hot in heels, but for some, wearing heels is pretty impossible, and I am one of those girls. All of my life I have lusted after every pair of heels thinking that one day I may be able to finally walk in them longer than ten minutes. I don't know if it's due to the fact that I may have weak ankles, weak foot muscles, or maybe a weird foot structure, but all I know is that after ten minutes the balls of my feet are in unbearable pain. It feels like I have suddenly acquired huge bruises on the bottom of my feet. I have tried all sorts to help: wearing foot cushions, walking around the house on tip-toes, and even trying to 'wear in' the shoes whilst doing the dishes.

Because of this annoying pain I would dread nights out, parties, and pretty much all celebrations that required me to dress up. I remember my sixth form ball where I wore stilettos just for the sit down meal and then they were kicked off as soon as I hit the dance floor. When it came to friends birthday parties, I found myself being the only girl wearing sandals or ballerina shoes. But luckily when it came to university nights out my friends were also like me, so I didn't mind so much wearing some flats. Though I couldn't help being jealous of seeing all the other girls in the club tottering around as if they were walking on pillows. Honestly how do you girls manage it?

When it came to my graduation last year however, I just knew I couldn't wear flats to this occasion. This was my big day and I really wanted to walk across that stage in high heels proudly. In reality, that was never going to happen. So instead I went on a search to look for some mid heels that could create an illusion that they were higher than what they actually were.

Luckily, I came across this one pair of shoes from Topshop that have become my saviour. Without them I do not know what I would have worn to graduation, nor what I would have worn to many occasions since. This pair of shoes do look chunky, but the platforms on them create an illusion that they're much higher than they are. Exactly what I wanted! And what's even better is the fact that my feet did not ache one bit, which means I not only looked and felt great for all the graduation photos, but I also managed to walk across the stage to accept my degree without looking like I was walking on a path of fire.

I think I got them for around £45 and although they are no longer sold on Topshop's website, I have included a similar pair on my recommended list up above. I also decided to include some other shoes that I believe would look more comfortable to wear than high heels whilst also managing to look hot enough to wear during nights out or to celebrate special occasions. Although they do still have a heel, they are actually much more comfortable than 5 inch high heels.

x x

Bedside beauty

Most girls will be all too familiar with their bedside table being taken up by an amount of beauty products that get applied whilst they lay in bed just before their head hits the pillow. Every night I do my normal scrub and cleansing routine in front of the mirror, but then when I get into bed I can't help but apply some last minute products whilst I catch-up on my tv programmes that I have missed.

1. Tweezers -
Bedtime is most probably the only time I get time to pluck my bushy eyebrows. I know it seems daft doing it when light is at its minimum, but I have a bright lamp shining right next to my bed that will allow me to see any stray hairs.

2. Nail varnish -
If I ever decide to apply a nail polish, then it will normally be applied at nighttime when I'm in bed. This allows my nails to dry and set properly whilst I watch catch-up tv. If I apply nail polish during the day then I always manage to muck the nails up by feeling the need to do tasks whilst they dry. I have just got to keep busy during the day. I also have the nail polish on my bedside table to do some touch ups whenever it is needed. At the moment my nail polish of choice is Topshop's 'Disclosed' which I have done a review on here.

3. Mvala nail hardener -
Before I apply any nail polish I will always use this nail hardener to make sure my nails don't get dry and brittle from the layers of nail polish. But if I am having a lazy day and decide not to apply a nail colour, then I will still apply this hardener when it looks like my nails need it.

4. B. Nourished night serum -
I am constantly trying out facial moisturisers to help my oily t-zones and some random patches of dry skin on my cheeks and in between my eyebrows. At the moment I am using this cream after reading up on some good reviews. At the moment I am liking it for controlling my dry skin, but it seems to be doing nothing for my oiliness.

5. Soap & Glory body cream -
This smells so nice which is why I apply it to my hands. I absolutely hate applying moisturiser to my hands as they just get all greasy and it seems to take ages for the cream to be absorbed into the skin. Because of this I always try and apply the cream at night, hence why I leave it near my bed.

6. Vaseline petroleum jelly -
This is most probably the very last thing I apply before I try to fall asleep. I normally smack on a huge layer onto my lips so that a lip mask is created in order to nourish my lips over night. Sometimes I will also add some castor oil to the mix to hydrate and protect my lips even more. If you are interested in the use of castor oil on lips, then read my blog that I typed up recently.

7. Simple spot zapper -
This is a new addition to my table, so I am yet to give a good review. I am always on the hunt for a good spot zapper that works and doesn't leave the skin dry. So, every night I use a hand held mirror to help me apply this roll-on pen onto any blemishes that are visible with hope that they will disappear by the morning.

x x

Wishlist - Spring dresses

It has come to that time of the year where I have found myself continuously browsing the internet looking for outfits that I can add to my spring wardrobe. I have now put away all of my chunky knits, my uggs, and my coats and brought out all my flowy dresses and tops. But like every year I seem to have gone off  most of the items and finding myself wanting a whole new spring and summer wardrobe. So here is some of the dresses that I am now lusting for:

1. Zara - Thin strap polka dot dress - £35.99
I am really into strappy dresses this year, and I believe this dress would not only look great during the sunny weather but it could also be worn during nights out. I love the flowy skirt near the bottom too,  it makes it an alternative to the normal shift dress

2. Motel - Penny baby doll dress in acid wash denim - £42.00
Denim dresses seemed to be everywhere last year, but I was never taken in by it. This year however, I am dying for this one from Motel. I have no idea if denim dresses are still in this year but I so want one as it would perfect just to throw on when I am feeling a bit lazy. Just accessorize it with a nice necklace and voila!

3. River Island - Yellow checkerboard t-shirt dress - £28.00
This checkered tshirt dress has had my eye for a while. I wouldn't normally be attracted by something like this because it's got that 60s fashion vibe about it, but I think it would look perfect with some white sandals on a hot day.

4. Zara - Jumpsuit with sequin embroidery - £39.99
I know this post is called 'Spring dresses' but I just had to add this playsuit to the list. I can't normally pull off a playsuit because of my wide hips, but the fact that this one is a straight style I think it would fit my curves easily. It's simple yet the embroidery really makes it look unique. And once again, I think it would look great during the day and night.

5. Asos - Smock dress in gingham and lace - £45.00
I am so into smocks this year! I just think they are perfect for all shapes and sizes, so they are perfect for when I am feeling a bit bloated. This one in particular looks so cute without looking too pretty, and it will also let me embrace my guilty love for checkered patterns without going the whole hog.

6. Topshop - Moto babydoll tropicana print dress - £36.00
I have got to admit that I am really into the tropical hawaiian type print that is all over this years summer fashion. However, I am not someone who I believe could pull off all those bright colours. So when I came across this neutral coloured dress with a tropical print I just fell in love and thought it would be the perfect way that I could express my love for the tropical print without looking too bold.

7. Motel - Patience babydoll dress in huge paisley red - £38.00
I have just bought this patterned dress but in a shift style. I am adding this skater dress to my list because I just love the pattern so much that I am actually thinking that maybe I could buy it in this style too. Or is having two dresses in the same pattern too much?

8. Boohoo - Debbie solid colour smock chiffon dress - £20.00
Even though this dress is plain it actually has me written all over it. I am a sucker for a plain skater dress which I can accessorize till my heart's content. I have been looking for a nice yellow dress for a while and this one is definitely my winner. It's just perfect! And with that price tag it's made me even more happier.

x x

Review - Leciel nail polish

The past couple of weeks I have seen endless amounts of blogs on the new 'Models Own' polish for tans range. I will hold my hands up right now and say that I have not been a fan of the range ever since I set my eyes upon it. Not because of the quality, but just because of the colours. I am not a fan of having brightly coloured nails that always seem to distract the human eye away from an outfit to the nails. I believe nails should just compliment an outfit.

However, during the week I was going through my nail polish collection to give it a quick tidy up. This is when I came across one nail varnish that reminded me of this new Models Own range. This specific polish that I am talking about is from the 'Leciel' brand in the colour '305 Carrot' which I bought from a pharmacy in Cyprus for €7. I was not familiar with the Leciel brand which is why I decided to give it a try. There were so many colours to choose from, so I have no idea what possessed me to get this bright orange which I have not even worn since its purchase. So, I decided to give this colour a chance to see if the brightness would grow on me. Maybe I would change my mind and end up buying the Models Own collection.

Note: This picture does not show off its brightness :/ 

After one day of wearing this carrot coloured polish, I think my hatred for brightly coloured nails has grown even more. I applied the nail varnish at night, and then the next morning I woke up to get ready for work and just could not decide on an outfit that would make my nails seem more dull. They seemed to stand out against each colour I tried on, I just hated it. I suppose I could understand people wearing this nail polish in a sunny country, but in the UK I could only see myself wearing it to a rave....which is likely to never happen.

The brand of the varnish itself is horrible. It's very thin to apply, it took about three to four layers to get a coverage yet still managed to look pretty streaky, after a few hours of wear the coating had created cracks and chips even though I had not done anything to influence this damage, and after removing the polish it ended up leaving a yellow stain on my nails....nice! So, seeing that this range seems not to be sold widely in the UK (fortunately) I would just like to say that if you do see this range of nail polishes whilst on holiday abroad, don't bother wasting your money on it, especially for €7 a bottle.

x x

Review - Rimmel sweetie crush nail polish

These new sugary textured nail polishes are amazing! I first saw them on Dahlia Nails blog and thought they looked ideal for Easter, so I just had to go out to Superdrug and buy a couple for £3.99 each. The pink and blue colours that I have bought are called '009 Candyfloss Cutie' and '012 Blueberry Whizz', but there are three other colours in the collection which are yellow, purple, and green which all look just as juicy as the two I bought.

Both of these colours are easy to apply which is surprising seeing that they are a textured varnish, but you do need to apply about three layers of polish to get a good and even coverage on your nails. Luckily though, the polish itself is actually pretty quick at drying so you are not waiting around for ages for your nails to dry.

So sorry for the nastiness of the skin around my nails! 

The word to describe the texture of the polishes would be grainy. Wait, is that even a word? Basically, they just feel like you have just glued some grains of sugar or sand onto your nails but in a more pleasant way. The texture is also not overpowering so that the grains are not falling off during the day, or snagging tights like some textured polishes.

Even though I do love these varnishes, I cannot help but think that they look better having a different colour on each individual nail, just how it is shown on Dahlia Nails blog. I guess this just means that I have to go out and buy the other three colours :)

x x

Heal dry and peeling lips!

For as long as I can remember I have suffered from dry, chapped, and peeling lips. Everyday I would wake up to a new layer of dry and hard skin on my lips, and by the end of the day that new layer of skin would be peeled off by myself to reveal red, cut, sore, and inflamed lips. It was not attractive at all.

It became such an annoyance to my life that I ended up going to the doctor to see if anything could be done to help. Unfortunately, that doctor's visit was pointless. They mentioned how it was likely that I had a mild form of  'exfoliative cheilitis' which actually had no cure or any product to help, so I left the doctors surgery with nothing. Since this diagnosis I have googled the condition and I have to stress to you that I must have had a VERY mild form of it because some of the pictures I saw during my search were vile and much worse than what my lips looked like. But still, the condition did seem to outline my problems.

Since this diagnosis, I have tried and tested plenty of natural and chemical products to see if anything would help. And hallelujah, I think I have finally found my cure. I understand that this routine may not work for everyone, but I thought I better blog about the products I used just incase someone wants to try it out.

First off, this may be obvious to some but you must stop licking your lips. I found out when I started this search just how much I unconsciously licked my lips to make them more hydrated. But in fact, by licking your lips you are instead dehydrating them. To avoid myself from licking my lips I made sure to always carry my trusty ol' Vaseline lip balm around with me. If I ever felt the need to lick my lips, I would instead apply Vaseline. I have got to admit, this was surprisingly very hard for me to get use to during the first couple of days. But on day three, I became much more conscious of my lip licking and the use of Vaseline.

The second thing you must do, or should I say you must not do is to peel the dry skin on your lips. Do not touch them! By peeling the skin off is like picking off a scab..... you are not allowing your lips to heal. You may find that over a couple of days the skin will naturally fall off, but this is absolutely fine. I should also mention now that it would be best to start this routine during a period when you haven't got much planned, because having obvious dry skin hanging off your lips is not a great look.

The third and final thing I do is apply castor oil and Vaseline petroleum jelly onto my lips every night to create a lip mask that will help hydrate my lips throughout the night. Castor oil is basically just a vegetable oil that has been claimed to help hair growth, help skin infections, help acne, and help hydrate the skin. And this last point is exactly why I thought it would maybe work well for my lips. Each night I get a cotton bud and dip it into my castor oil bottle and then apply a generous amount to my lips. Fortunately, this oil is odour free, but sometimes you will get a taste of vegetables in your mouth if you accidentally digest a bit. After the oil has been on my lips for about ten minutes I will then add a bit of petroleum and massage it onto my lips with the amount of oil that remains on my lips. Try and do this just before you go to bed so that it hydrates through your sleep. Sometimes, I will even apply a small amount of castor oil onto my lips in the morning as it is a clear substance so it will look like you have just applied some clear lip gloss.

And there we have it, this is my routine to help heal peely lips. It took me about a week to actually start seeing some results, but do persevere because it is totally worth it. I now have smoother lips and I can now even wear matte lipstick for the first time in my life!

x x

Accessorize daisy handbags

These daisy handbags from Accessorize are so adorable. I don't normally go for pretty and girly looking accessories as my style seems to be quite plain with my wardrobe mainly consisting of block colours. But these handbags are drawing me in. I suppose this is somewhat understandable seeing that the pattern on these bags aren't overpowering. They are in fact, plain enough for my style to deal with.

Daisy patterned clothes and accessories seem to everywhere this summer, so one of these bags can be the perfect addition to any girl's wardrobe. They come in three different pastel colours: cream, turquoise, and yellow. Again, these colours are perfect for this time of year.

When I first saw this bag it actually reminded me of Marc Jacob's 'Daisy' perfume. You know the one I am on about, the cute bottle that is topped with three white plastic daisies. Well, this perfume is actually my scent of choice, I can't live without it. And I can't help but think that because of my love for this bottled perfume, this is one of the reasons why I am so attracted to this bag. Plus, how weirdly cute would it be to smell like daisies whilst wearing them.

I am currently trying to decide which one to buy..... at the moment I am thinking either the turquoise or cream. But which ever one I pick I believe they would both look perfect with a plain top and skirt.

Get the bag from here for £19!

x x

Review - Soap & Glory Glow All Out

I have always loved Soap & Glory's bath and skin range, but for some reason I never ventured into their make-up range. Well this was true until I went Boots last week and picked up a cute packaged illuminating powder called 'Glow all out'.

Although I absolutely love the packaging of all Soap & Glory products, I can't help but be a little bit disappointed at the fact that this powder is set within a cardboard compact rather than a sturdy plastic container. I can already see it being bashed, dented, and damaged in the future. And the fact that it only closes shut through the use of a magnet, I am scared to put it in my bag just incase it opens and let's powder escape everywhere.

The powder itself is amazing. I don't normally like products that have a shimmer/glitter ingredient but the shimmer within this powder is so minimal that it is not overpowering at all. It provides a natural and subtle glow to your cheeks, and it even makes my complexion look dewy and flawlessly smooth which I love.

It is the perfect product to finish any daytime makeup routine as it's so effortless. All you need is one swipe of the palette and one swipe on the cheek, repeat this for the second cheek and then you're good to go. Now that it is in my routine, I use it on my cheeks, nose, and occasionally along my neck and shoulders if I am in my summer clothing.

Sorry for the bad quality swatch - hopefully you can still see the difference

Now that I've seen just how good the quality of this product is, I definitely will not be shy to try more of the makeup range. And fortunately, it all looks to be well priced. This particular powder was only £11. But as I said before, I just wish the packaging was stronger.

x x