How To Stay Healthy In The Summer!

(This will be a lengthy post - if you don't want to hear me ramble skip to paragraphy four/five as that's when I start to describe how I am getting healthy! This is also not my image currently, I will be replacing tomorrow morning, I wanted to put it up straight away as I want to keep on track with my blogging schedule!)

I think for me food has always been more of a comfort source rather than a hunger source. I have never been close to my parents or my family in general and I am quite reserved so I didn't really talk to my friends so much (which is kind of silly seeing as I know I can trust my best friend with anything), so food was deffinatly my source of comfort. If I had an argument with my family then I always had a packet of crisps or biscuits to cheer me up. I am incredibly lucky that it hasn't caught up with me size wise, due to my metablosim is incredibly high. Thank god. I haven't noticed a huge change in my weight (very very slightly, but that could also be to blame on puberty) but I have noticed a change in my general health, skincare and wellbeing.

My skin has been looking peaky, a few spots have made an appearance and I often feel tired. I come home from school and have a one-two hour nap. I actually did blame this on school work and stress and maybe that played a small role, however it is also because I haven't been taking in the nutrients I need; I barely have fruit or veg let alone my five a day, so I have a serious lack of energy. This Summer I have decided to get my act together, and start getting healthy! These are my tips on how to get healthy for summer!

First of drink lots of water! This is not only benefical for your body but also your skin, it helps clear spots as well as brightening up your complexion!

My next step is light exersize. I can literally hear the moans, but try and find some form of exersize that is most enjoyable! For me I enjoy running, so I am trying to run once in the morning and once in the evening to avoid the sun at peak times! I also like blogilates video's so I try and do an arm exersize and a stomach exersize before I go to bed as your bodies metabolism slows down in the evening.

I personally snack quite regarly, so having a filling breakfast that releases energy slowly helps to limit the amount of snacks I eat. I don't particually love porriage so if I can stomach it then I will, I also don't particually love banana's due to their furry texture but again I don't mind eating them every so often. (Incredibly fussy I know!) However I really enjoy eggs so I have them fairly frequent, as you can change it up. So I may have boiled egg (dippy egg and soliders are my favourite!) fried egg, and I am trying to make omlets, but my cooking skills aren't fantastic!

If I'm sitting down to write my blog I'll have a packet of crips and some biscuits, so I am trying to switch up my snacks to healthier snacks, homous/tamaslata and pita bread is a really nice snack, cereal bars are also tasty - and weight watchers also have a really good range of snacks! If I really have to have an unhealthy snack as they do taste the best! (as I am partial to a packet of crisps) then potato based crisps (such as pom-bears) are free of gluten, artifical colours and flavours and low in fat, sugar and calories!

The last thing that I'm trying to do is to sidetrack myself, if I'm sitting down watching telly I'm more likely to start eating (writing this I actually realise how much I snack...) so if I can sit down for an hour in the garden reading or listening to music then I tend to forget about food for an hour or so. So try and do something enjoyable that takes your mind of everything!

So those are my tips on how to stay healthy during the summer, I am really trying to stay healthy every day but it is the summer so give yourself a break! Have some time to relax, watch films and dive into a bowl of popcorn and chocolate! (Not good advice for a beauty blog, but oh well!)

What are your tips on how to stay healthy in the summer? Let me know below!

My MAC Collection

(So I was planning on this being a Best of MAC post, but since I haven't tried one of each select products I decided that it would be best to make this a collection post! This is no by means a post for me trying to show off, I purchase all of these myself unless I recieved them for christmas! Which I think only the palette was a present from my gorgeous cousin!)

Emanuel Ungaro Beauty Powder in 'Flower Mist Dew' - Overall Rating 8*/10 

This beautiful blush has been featured on this blog quite a few times, because I LOVE it! It's a beautiful baby pink, and at the momment my every day blush!

Mineralise Skinfinish in 'Light Plus' - Overall Rating 7/10

This has also been featured on my blog a fair few times, I really do like this as it gives a little coverage, however with certain concealers it can be a little cakey, and I know it dosnt work well with my MAC concealer which is unfortunate. 

Lipstick In 'Rebel' - Overall Rating 7*/10 

This is very creamy, and bright it lasts an increibly long time, I really like the formula of the Satin Lipsticks. I do need to wear this more often!

Lipstick in 'Blankety' - Overall Rating 8/10

Again, it's very creamy, and moisturising and I like the formula of the amplified lipsticks as their incredibly creamy!

Lipstick in 'Yash' - Overall Rating 7/10

This was my first ever MAC lipstick, and I really like the colour! However I am not 100% sure if the Matte formulas are for me. 

Lipstick in 'Peach Stock' - Overall Rating 8/10

This is a Satin Lipstick, and I think it's my overall favourite as it has beautiful orange tones which show up in the sunlight.

Prolongwear Concealer in 'NW20' - Overall Rating 8*/10

This concealer gives high coverage without being heavy, and literally covers everything, however it doesn't work so well with the Mineralise Skinfinish which is slightly annoying.

Paintpot in 'Chrome Angel' - Overall Rating 9*/10

I don't work this enough, but when I do I really love it. It's creamy and slides on so easily! This product is deffinatly the best value for money as a little goes a long way and it lasts forever! I literally haven't even made a slight dip/dent in it yet! I 100% reccomend this. 

Prep and Prime Eyes in 'Medium' - Overall Rating 7/10

This is a slightly odd one for me! I really like it, and it blends in and matches all skin tones, however some days it holds the eyeshadow for almost twelve hours but other times it lasts up to eight. However, that is an incredibly long time for a primer to last, so I do like this. 

Eyeshadow Brush '217' - Overall Rating 8*/10

I really like this brush, it really does live up to its hype. Finally I can do smokey eye without it looking like a mess! I really do like it, and I'm deffinatly glad I bought this! Love it!

Eyeshadows (From L-R: Da Bling, Sweet Lush, Malt, Blanc Type, Brown Down, All That Glitters, and Nylon) - Overall Rating 8*/10

I really do like the little collection I have going on and the pigmentation is fantastic! However some of the colours don't transfer onto your skin as they look in the pan so make sure you swatch them in the shop! But, I really would recommend them I love having a custom palette! They last quite a long time as well although it took me quite a while to hit pan on Blanc Type. The only let down is the price, as the palette is pretty expensive and the divider and then the eyeshadows. 

So this is my growing collection, I really like MAC as a brand I think their prices are fair considering they are a high end brand however I don't think anyone would mind if they dropped the price slightly and kept it consistent! Instead of inching the price up slowly! My favourite's are the paintpots, I really hope to be adding some more to my collection soon! 

Will you be buying any MAC products? Let me know below! 

How To Keep Your Hair Healthy in the Summer

(How beautiful is this photo and hairstyle - it was created and taken by one of my best friends, she too has recently started a blog and I'd love for you to check it out and her beautiful AND famous Instagram (@ceryslily)

Anyway, let's get right into it! So let's be brutally honest fried hair and a pile of split ends isn't the best look, and in the summer most of us make a promise not to apply heat and we don't stick to it.. at least I don't anyway! So this summer I am going to try and get my hair to be the healthiest I can possibly make it and this is how I will go about it.

1. Trim
I know, I know, nobody want's to hear it. Somehow their must be someway split ends can be glued back together and continue to grow!? No. Let's be honest with ourselves an inch or two cut off will go pretty much unnoticed, and properly be the best thing for it. I've booked myself in for a quick cut for this week, so hopefully the majority of my split ends will be cut of and then have six weeks to grow until I no doubtfully go back to my heat appliance obsession. Honestly nobody will notice, book yourself in, hold your breath and shut your eyes, it will be fine! The sun will do extra damage to your hair, so having a trim before the summer will benefit your hair greatly!

2. Resist Your Temptations
We all want to go to the beach with our hair curled and running down the beach looking like we just woke up, but their are plenty of ways you can achieve heat free curls! (I will be doing a heat free hairstyles post soon so look out!) Sleeping with plaits achieves beautiful effortless curls.

I also know that as soon as I get out of the pool/sea I want to drag a brush through the tangles. However, this breaks your hair since hair is most fragile when wet so ripping a brush through your hair increases your (risk) split ends, when you climb out of the pool just slowly brush your hair with a wide comb brush, as this reduces the risk almost entirely.

3. Choose Strong Well Made Hair Bands
This is most likely the most unusual tip, but it really makes a huge difference. The summer heat basically demands we throw our hair out of our face. However pulling your hair so tight can cause (or increase) breakage - especially if you continue to tie your hair in the same place as this weakens the hair follicles. Alternate the way you tie your hair, try low ponytails, loose buns, or braids - each day alternate your hair styles to minimise your breakage. If possible sleep with your hair loose, so your not stressing out the same strands.

4. Chlorine Damage and Hair Masks
Their's no secret or denying that chlorine damages your hair profusely, chlorine gets into the centre of the strands and increases the brutality of your hair. If you dampen your hair with water before climbing into a pool this acts as a protective layer so it takes the chlorine longer to feed into your hair,  applying a leave in conditioner will also have the same affect. A weekly hair mask can help repair the damage and seal the cuticles.

5. Good Shampoo and Conditioners 
Shampoos help remove the residue of chlorine, salt, damaging bacteria, etc. However make sure to use a sulphate free shampoo they provide you with shiner hair, less hair loss, less frizz, keeps the healthy natural oils that your hairs require, strengthens your hair, and keeps the natural healthy oils your hair requires. As for the conditioner a hydrating conditioner, or conditioner specifically designed for dry and damaged hair (SPF is a bonus) is beneficial. Although a leave in conditioner can also benefit as it reduces your hairs intake of chlorine.

I hope this was helpful, and beneficial! If you have any summer hair tips pop them below, I'd love to hear them! They might even help some others! Thats all until Thursday, I hope you liked it!

Products I've Been Loving For The Summer

1. Maybelline Brow Drama in Dark Blonde
I haven't ever filled in my brows until the start of the week... surprising since I am a beauty blogger! I had heard a lot of hype and decided that I might as well try it! I've had this for less than a week and I adore this! It's so easy to use, but makes a huge difference! It's so quick and easy to use in the summer, and doesn't sweat off!

2. Maybelline Dream Lumi Concealer 
I absolutely love this concealer, it covers whilst brightens your under eyes, which makes a change as I find most brightening concealers lack in coverage! This was my third tube of this product, and I did decide to branch out and try the infamous MAC Concealer but shockingly I prefer this! And the price isn't so damaging!

3. Clinique Chubby Stick in 'Woppin Watermelon' 
I had always kind of steered clear of lip products something about them isn't so flattering on me, especially after trying the infamous baby lips. Thank god I did, this is so easy to apply, and is a gorgeous 'your lips but better' colour,  leaving my lips moisturised and soft. I love this for the summer.

4. Dermalogica Clear Start Overnight Treatment
I'm kind of lazy when it comes to skin care lets be honest.. and I did stick to using this and my skin felt undeniably soft, but I never noticed the difference until I stopped using this and a week later broke out. Whenever I use this, my skin looks one hundred times better so this will be a keeper. It's literally all I apply in the summer.

5. Human Favourite - 'Tess Christine and Hannah Blair
This sounds so weird to write 'human favourite' but I have kind of Hannah Blair and Tess Christine, Hannah was kind enough to talk to me via instagram and check out my blog! I defiantly recommend checking her out, her videos are awesome.

I hope you enjoyed this small post it was a mixture of empties and favourites for the past few months seeing as I finally branched out, added a few things to my growing collection and loved them!

What have you been loving? What would you like to see next?

(Please comment below what you would like to see on my blog next, I would really like to hear all of your suggestions! I know it's been ages, but I've got my schedule going, and written so many posts so I can start updating on a schedule!)

Five Summer Makeup Tips

(I'm sorry for the lack of posts this week, I have been incredibly incredibly sick and barely been able to move let alone write! I hope you all understand, I love you all!) and HAPPY LATE FOURTH to my beautiful American girls! 

Summer had made a brief appearance in the UK - although hopefully it will make a comeback like it had in the US and we'll have a lovely summer, although with beautiful weather comes a not so beautiful sweaty face! These are my top five tips that I abide by in the summer months, I hope this is beneficial for all of you!

1. Moisturise 
The hot weather will undoubtedly leave you with a few dry patches, and lets be honest it's not the most flattering look. So always apply SPF as well as moisturiser to offer that extra bit of prorection. Moisturiser is a good base for makeup and will lock it all in - and of course leave your skin super soft.

2. Drop the Foundation
No matter how light your foundation is, drop it. (Especially if your on holiday - you don't want foundation slipping down your face!) There are other alternates such as tinted moisturisers which give a lovely glow,  or maybe try a higher coverage concealer. If your feeling really brave go bare faced! The sun is one of the best remedies for spots and pores, so going bare faced will be the most beneficial for your skin.

3. Bronze
One of the worst things to do is to apply a brightening concealer or powder without bronzer in the summer months. A brightening concealer on the forehead, nose and upper lip in the summer months can sometimes look sweaty, so only apply a brightening concealer under your eyes, and on your cheekbones and bronzer across your hair line, cheekbones and jaw line. In the summer, bronzer can give a beautiful glow and really define your whole makeup look.

4. Cream Eyeshadows 
I wouldn't recommend applying eyeshadow during a hot day as it will crease and fall of, but if you do decide you want to glam up your look apply a primer and then a cream eyeshadow as these are less likely to sweat off and crease. Cream eyeshadow gives a beautiful simple finish, and takes seconds - perfect for the summer months.

5. Tinted Lip Balms 
During the day time it's nice to have a bright lip colour without having to worry about it feathering or fading, so a tinted lip balm is really moisturising, soft and subtle. Most tinted lip balms also offer SPF, which is incredibly important as most people tend to forget applying an SPF on their lips in the summer and have to suffer painful consequences! (I know I always do!)

What are your top makeup tips for the summer months? Let me know below!

(PS. There will be a giveaway in the next two weeks, so make sure you follow my blog to stay in contact with information for future giveaways!) 

Beauty Blender Review

So around about last week I finally plucked up enough corrage to buy the infamous beauty blender. I hadn't quite justified spending so much until I went on a mad hunt on amazon and found it for £13! It's still incredibly expensive for a piece of sponge - but fudging knickers is it worth it!

It's literally been in my dreams (I was riding a giant beauty blender into space - long story short) Anyway, this literally applies foundation/concealer like a dream, it takes slightly longer than a brush would but gives such a nice dewy finish. It's very simple to use, simply wet it in the sink, ring out the access and your set!

The main thing I really like about this is it gives natural coverage, I literally cannot tell I'm wearing any makeup. It's very gentle on the skin, and for my sensitive skin it's lovely to work with.

It also doesn't suck up half the product (which is one of the reasons why I was so sceptical about this purchase) there is some magical ingredient that makes it so much better than other sponges!

The only down side is the pink dye. I noticed that when I was cleaning it with my MAC cleanser some of the pink dye came off. But it doesn't effect the product it self, so its not a big problem in my eyes.

I would really recommend giving this a try, you will not be disappointed! If you would like to buy the infamous beauty blender you can buy it on amazon for £13 here.

Do you have a beauty blender? Will you be picking up one?

Social Anxiety/Reason for AWOL

I've been meaning to do a post like this for a while, I have those sudden days where I want to share exactly how I've been feeling, but sometimes I like to use my blog to forget about everything that may be going on elsewhere. But recently I've been wanting to let you know what has been going and what the personal reasons for me being AWOL; so today I decided it's time I sat down and wrote a blog post that didn't have a meaning, or even't a suitable title. Anyway, lets get into my little ramble.

A bit of Background Information - In primary school I wasn't anything extraordinary, I wasn't academic, nor creative I guess I kind of stuck out a bit. The only thing I really did have was an imagination but I didn't really know how to utilise it, I think I use to lie and make up silly stories and exaggerate a wee bit. (Okay, a lot!) But since being thrown into high school I leaned towards creative side - I wasn't very good at art, but I was hopeless in academic subjects. Up until year nine (when I became more academic) I wasn't aware of the world around me, I guess I was stuck in my own little bubble.

In Year Nine, everything gets serious and the world suddenly seems cliche in being the 'big bad world', and you realise how hard it is to get a job, or get onto the property market. (Something I won't have to worry about for a few years yet!) This is the time I guess I got my act together, I focused and actually studied for tests and tried my hardest in every subject. My grades reflected upon this, and slowly I managed to find my 'inner self.' (Getting a bit cliche again, aren't we!) I enjoyed Geography and History, and English but struggled in Maths, Science and French. Slowly I'm trying to get better and gradually my grades are increasing. (These are core subjects in my school so INCREDIBLY important.)

But going back to the start of year nine (and quite possibly the majority of year eight) I had quite a bad case of social anxiety. I avoided crowds wear possible excusing my self out of socialising with friends and didn't attend cricket club on a Friday night or youth club on a Thursday. (I still do, but slowly I am getting better!) My self confidence played a key role in this, due to vitiligo. I was afraid of what people though to of me, and now I think thats the worst thing someone can do. I lost most of my primary school friends, and made two/three new friends who were at a glance the nerdy quiet ones, but loud and crazy together. God, do I love them to bits.

 I don't think my parents ever understood how I felt, or actually realised that I had social anxiety, and maybe a tiny case of depression. My parents are quite social people, so to them It was a bit strange. They wanted me to make friends. but I didn't. I was happy with my friends, but then again I wasn't happy. I didn't like school, although I didn't struggle anymore academically, but I hated break and lunch time. It felt like hours, and would drag by, and the thought made me physically sick. I longed for the comfort of my own bedroom, and I guess that's why I wrote stories on wattpad and eventually started this blog. Nobody knows you, nobody judges you, nobody criticise' you. I could be a whole new person.

As mentioned in my Vitiligo Post a few months back, I had year nine camp in June. This is where I came out of my shell. I had to show my skin, and I am so lucky to have made new friends. (Boys and Girls) People who didn't judge me, or characterise me. I think I finally found where I belong. I enjoy school, and I enjoy break and lunch. Although I have those days where I am defiantly on a low and would rather spend time in my bedroom wrapped up in fluffy socks clutching a manky old teddy bear, and listening to lana del ray. Some days my confidence is so low I feel sick and avoid mirrors where possible. I'm quiet and withdrawn but they are far less frequent. I wasn't clinically depressed, but I was defiantly in a bad way a few months back, and did contemplate the meaning of my life.

If I have bad thoughts I can quickly climb back out, instead of falling deeper like I did months back. I wan't to be a journalist when I'm older, I love writing simply because you can be someone completely different. I think everyone at some stage debates their existence or has a sudden doubt in themselves. But social anxiety and low confidence/self esteem does play a small key role in my life, but has undoubtedly shrunk, and I have my friends to thank.

So I don't know what purpose this gives to you guys, but I wanted to let you know and kind of give you an update of my life recently. It is world vitiligo day on the 25th, and I am looking forward to meeting lots of people with Vitligo on saturday in London! I would like to tell you guys, honestly everything does get better, I wish I had someone to tell me that.

Please don't unfollow, as I had a fare few unfollowers the last month and last post like this, there will be a beauty post by thursday, but I wanted to share a personal piece of my life!

Love you guys so much,
feel free to email me if you want to talk, my email is in the contact bar above!
See you on Thursday! x