Craving sugar?

It's about this time, halfway through January, that resolutions to eat healthier, be healthier and everything else healthier are starting to dwindle. I mean, it's cold out. We are still waiting for a snow day (aka, a day off) and it's dark and rainy and have I mentioned that it's cold? That whole shamozzle does not help anyone to be 'healthy'. 

However, not trying to do everything at once is probably better. Cutting out anything vaguely fattening and working out three hours a day probably isn't motivating and enough to make anyone want a Dairy Milk.  If you have fallen off the wagon, do not worry. Try it again...slower. You haven't failed. You have worked out what doesn't work for you and realised that you need to alter the way that you do things. Research, if you will. 

There is one main change that I have made. I have cut out sugar from my diet. Salt is in. Bread is in. Pasta and anything else that I fancy is in. I was asked to do this by medical professionals prior to Christmas to help my good bacteria multiply. I did it to help my symptoms and at this point it wasn't to help my appearance. 

However, after a week I felt so much better. My cramp in my legs had gone, sickness had gone, bloating had gone. I was starting to be a convert to this no sugar thing. Of course, I did lose weight, which was a bonus but taking that out of the equation, I had more energy, I didn't feel jet lagged and my skin was so much better. I did not look sallow. The eyes weren't looking tired, nor red (not devil like but blood shot) and my early signs of aging seem subdued. It was a Christmas miracle! 

I have decided to continue to cut sugar out for a while longer. I want to see how my skin and innards will fair in the long term. So, for me, it's not 'Dry January' but 'Sugar Free January'. I intend to re-assess the situation in February. 

With sugar in so much of what we eat (pasta sauces, juices, crisps, dips, salad sides, dressings, ketchup, mayonnaise, mint sauce, prawn cocktail, baked beans to name but a few) label reading is the key to supermarket shopping. To be really hard core, rule out honey, brown sugar, glucose syrup, fructose, corn syrup, maple syrup, golden syrup, lactose and artifical sweeteners. 

I wouldn't have done this unless I had been requested to but I am so glad that I did. It really does make a difference to how I feel and look. My skin has not looked this bright in years and I have managed to stay up longer than 8.30pm, which means that I am no longer a social recluse. Hurrah! 

If you decide to cut sugar out or have done so already, let us know what you think. Also, if you are still craving a sweet treat try following these Instagrammers for great, clean eating recipes: @sammybfit @withpeanutbutterontop @neuroticmommy @fitness_dishes . These are my favourites for yummy snack ideas that won't leave you on a sugar high. 

withpeanutbutterontop.blogspot.com

neuroticmommy.com 

I Do Not Want a Sweaty Sheep on my Face!

HOW HEALTHY ARE THE INGREDIENTS IN YOUR BEAUTY PRODUCTS?!

Beauty products can be filled with 'nasty ingredients' that cause skin irritations and link to an increased chance of developing cancerous cells. This is something I have been researching in recent months as I have had to make some changes to my diet etc. for health reasons.

To cut a long story short, my good bacteria was killed off due to taking several courses of antibiotics last year, leaving bad bacteria to rave and party it up. To help with strength and stamina, I decided to cut out sugar and yeast based food. Uhhhh, it was dull, but worth it when I started feeling better after just one week. That had a knock on effect and I started doing some general health research. Hence, this is all fairly new to me but I am paying far more attention to what is in the stuff I eat and slap onto my face and body.

Before I begin, it's important to mention that although it is good to aware of these issues, this post is not designed to encourage paranoia. Using a small amount of the so-called 'questionable' ingredients that I am about to discuss probably isn't the end of the world, but it is certainly a good thing to be aware of what is in the products that we use. Especially when 60% of what we put onto our skin is absorbed into our blood streams. To me, that's quite a high percentage.

So, which are the less than favourable ingredients?

Petroleum, carcinogenics and parabens.

Why are they used?

They are used as fillers, to bulk the product and to preserve the shelf life, which tends to be seven years. That seems a tad long to me. 

Which beauty products contain them?

Multiple brands use them, so it is worth checking the labels. (I have actually stopped using Elizabeth Arden 8 Hour Cream because it contains mineral oil. It's not necessarily harmful but it doesn't react too well on my skin).

 

THE 'NOT SO GREAT' INGREDIENTS TO LOOK OUT FOR:

Parabens: There are several names that all apply, the clue is to look for the paraben bit in the name. It is used to preserve a product, however, it mimics the oestrogen hormone, which has been linked to breast cancer tumours. Parabens have been found in multiple cancerous tumours. 

Talc: Advice to all you dry shampooers – do not breath it in! The talc is a carcinogenic. Carcinogenic = causing cancer in living tissue. 

Mineral Oil: It's the top bit of petroleum when it is distilled. It's scooped off (I'm pretty sure that is not the correct term). It is difficult to get rid of and so, is sold to cosmetics companies as a filler. It clogs pores and causes skin reactions, acne and can emphasise signs of ageing. It's used in baby oil and having done some research, there seems to be some controversial issues starting to arise. The other school of thinking is that it is ok to use mineral oil in cleansers, but only if they are ones that you wash off immediately. It's definitely not a product that you want to leave on your skin.

Petroleum: It does not allow the skin to breath and absorb oxygen into the blood stream, potentially resulting in premature ageing. Also linked to tumours, acne and breast cancer. 

Animal bi-products: Imagine this if you will... everything that humans will not eat from an animal is put into grinders. This is alongside road kill and animals from shelters that have not been adopted. Horrid. The remains are steamed and cooked. The fatty material on the top is refined and used as a cosmetic filler. A quarter is fecal matter. Now, I know that there has been a surge of unique facials using bird dropping masks but at least with that you have made the conscious decision to have poop put onto your face. 

Lanolin: I would really prefer sheep kept their own sweat to themselves. This is from wool and is a sheep's perspiration. It can cause skin irritations and poisonous if ingested. Quite frankly, it makes me feel a little queasy.  

With that being said, it would seem natural products are the way forward. However, organic/natural/botanical products are probably better for us but can cause havoc with the skin. Breakouts, acne, redness, as the skin struggles to break down the natural ingredients.

So, if I'm honest, I have been trying to find a happy medium. Products that are have fewer fillers etc. but will actually show results and will not leave my skin looking lumpy and bumpy.  

My happy mediums include: 

Coconut oil Good for you and reminds me of cocktails

Liz Earle products Thumbs up!

Ole Henriksen I use the Truth Creme and serum

Yu-be Moisturising Skin Cream

REN The Omega 3 Optimum Skin Oil serum is excellent and has a clean skincare certification

Do you have any suggestions for products we should try? Please let us know! 

Healthy January 2015!

Let's face it, New Year's resolutions nearly always involve health in some form or another. I was having a conversation with my brother-in-law and he said that it's shame that resolutions aren't more fun. Rarely you will hear someone saying, 'I shall smoke more and drink myself into oblivion!'

With that in mind, Jen and I have stepped away from the alcoholic beverages (for now) and have been looking at beauty products and their ingredients, to find out whether they are really as good for our skin as we would like. Actually to be honest, this happened at the start of December but seemed more appropriate to discuss it all now.

However, do not fear, it will not be boring (or rather, we shall attempt not to be) nor it will represent everything that's beige and lifeless, which is so often the way when discussing all things 'healthy'. We aim to be informative and fun....sparkly fun....no beige organic skincare boring snoring posts. 

That being said, here's to a healthy, happy 2015. 

Cheers! 

Keihl's Ultra Facial Cleanser

 

TYPE OF PRODUCT

PH balanced liquid cleanser for all skin types.

INITIAL THOUGHTS

This was another sample from the Selfridges box that just seemed like an ideal size to take on holiday, so I didn’t really have any expectations as such. I just threw it into my wash bag and didn’t give it another thought until I came to use it. It’s a liquid cleanser that you apply to a damp face. As it is quite thick, I like to massage it into my skin when it’s dry, then add a tiny bit of water to thin it out. It lathers up without feeling like a nasty foaming cleanser full of sulphates that will strip skin of all its moisture.

THE VERDICT

I’m very happy with the current cleansers I have on rotation and wasn’t really looking for another one, but this really surprised me! It is very gentle yet it thoroughly removed all of the residue that can left behind when you’ve just removed your makeup with a balm or oil. I use it most nights and used it in the morning too while I was on holiday, and I'm really pleased with the results.

Kiehl's is a particularly good brand if you are interested in knowing exactly what goes into the products you use. They always list ingredients and make it very clear that an ingredient will never be used based on aesthetics, only if it is beneficial to the skin.

REPURCHASE

Yes! As I said, I really wasn’t looking for a new cleanser but this one has stolen my heart. Good work Kiehl’s! And thank you Selfridges for introducing me to yet another fab product.

£8.50 for 75ml

www.kiehls.co.uk

‘Tis the Season to Feel Grotty'

Although Christmas is edging ever closer, the Autumnbugs/colds and ucky-ness have arrived. Always a bit of a conundrum when you want to look together and you have a stinking cold.

Here’s a bit of advice that I use myself when I am looking rough. This is only what I do and when I get poorly as my skin seems to resemble a lizard. I also don’t tend to breakout (unless I have been using it as an excuse to eat lots of rubbish), so if you’re prone to oily skin when run down and ill, not all of this will apply. 

Firstly, steam. Hot water in the basin, tie hair back, throw a towel over your head and try to breath. It will be good for the skin and the nostrils. 

Medication, especially cold and flu meds, will dehydrate your skin. Drink plenty of water. Exfoliate using something gentle and put a moisturising cream on. Personally, I slap Vaseline around my snout and Yu-Be cream for the face (which is amazing for dry skin).

Use eye cream that is very gentle and soothing and even wrap ice in a kitchen towel and dab it across the sinuses and eye area to de-puff.

Next, I would personally use something like Olay’s 30 Second Wrinkle filler as my wrinkles like to get all prominent when even vaguely dehydrated. The tinkers.

Use some kind of illuminating primer to get rid of sallow skin and use something light, such as a light weight foundation (I use Chanel Vitalumiere Aqua), colour corrector, or BB cream. Despite being tempted, do not pile on the makeup. It will only make you look worse because it will find the dehydrated sections and stick there shouting ‘Look at moi’. Rubbish.

I highlight rather than conceal and if I have to use concealer, I will use something like MAC’s Pro Longwear Concealer, which has a high coverage with little product. Be careful around the nose. If you have been wiping it like crazy, the product will stick to the broken and sore skin, making your eyes run and your nose look all two toned. I would double moisturise and then, lightly go over the area with the the left over product on the foundation brush to conceal the redness.

Contour to get some definition. I puff out like a chipmunk when poorly, so this gives me some features. Stick to cream products if super dry or a small amount of powder product if you have a fever. Use a coral toned blush. This tends to add warmth without enhancing the already there ‘I have a temperature and I’m sweaty’ flush.

I use a small amount of concealer on my eye. It will tone down any redness and won’t create a stark contrast between red eyes and colour of lids. Use a liquid eyeliner that is water proof. Create a thin line and a flick if possible. It just gives some shape to puffy eyes. If watering is a problem, cut the eyeliner all together or create a thin line.

Mascara - waterproof and be careful. Your eyes will be more prone to watering. Take it gently and look down and to theside rather than in the mirror. Weirdly, this seems to reduce the watering episode. Let your face be for a while before adding a setting spray. A powder might accentuate the dehydration but if clammy-ness is an issue, perhaps use some to keep everything in place. 

Take a Vic stick or Balsam stick out with you to clear your nose rather than blowing it and removing half of the makeup. Bring the make up with you to touch up patches that have been removed via tissues, rubbing eyes or during a sudden sweat fest. Ewww. 

Drink plenty of fluids; try not to eat lots of naughty food. It won’t actually help you feel better. I always find Barrocca is my friend but I am certainly no doctor, so consult your GP before trying any type of multi vitamin or medicine.  

Hope this helps those of you who have one of the many cold bugs that are going round. The other day, a child sneezed on me, so it’s only a matter of time before I take my own advice.

The Holiday Kit by Net-A-Porter

Looking for the perfect gift for a fellow beauty-addict? How about this rather fabulous beauty box from Net-A-Porter. It contains 14 skincare, makeup and hair products for just £60 and, being Net-A-Porter, you know it will all arrive beautifully packaged. I'll admit, I don't start thinking about Christmas shopping until December, but if you're a darn sight more organised and are already thinking about the perfect gift for someone, this might just be it. 

The box contains:
• Tata Harper's Rejuvenating Serum
• Erno Laszlo's Phelityl Pre-Cleansing Oil and Sea Mud Deep Cleansing Bar
• Verso's Day Cream
• Susanne Kaufmann's shower/shampoo treatment
• SHOW Beauty's Divine Thickening Lotion
• This Works Sleep Plus Pillow Spray
• Renouve's Anti-Ageing Every Day Defense Hand-Sanitizer
• De Mamiel's Salvation Body Oil
• B the Eyebrow Experts' Clear Brow Gel
• Malin & Goetz's Vitamin b5 Body Moisturizer
• Earth Tu Face's Face Balm
• Ilia's Bang Bang Lip Conditioner
• Chantecaille's Liquid Lumiere Anti-Aging Face Illuminator

The Holiday Kit, £60. For more details on all the products visit www.net-a-porter.com

Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant

TYPE OF PRODUCT

A gentle rice-based exfoliating powder that activates upon contact with water.

INITIAL THOUGHTS

As I've mentioned before, I normally prefer chemical exfoliators to physical ones, as I find they can be unnecessarily abrasive. However, this product is incredibly gentle. You put a small amount of the powder onto damp hands and it transforms into a paste, which exfoliates the skin without scratching it. Salicylic Acid and Rice Enzymes are released, hence the smoother, brighter skin.

It's a bit hard to demonstrate how the product looks/reacts with water using photos, so below is a video from Dermalogica demonstrating the product in use. It's very cheesy and over the top, but turn the sound down and go with the visuals!

 

THE VERDICT

I love it! My skin immediately looked brighter and felt smoother. I don't feel the need to use it every day but it is so gentle that you could if you wanted to. No artificial fragrances or colours which is always a plus.

REPURCHASE?

Definitely. I wouldn't normally spend this much on an exfoliator but it will last me a long time as I'm not using it on a daily basis.

RRP £41.50 for 75g

www.dermalogica.co.uk