Baby It's Cold Outside!

Heya :) So as we are well into Winter now and the cold weather might be affecting our skin, especially on our face. Ive decided to recommend some products and tips that I found a huge help to me and my skin. With going into hot and cold temperatures I have started to feel the difference on my skin. My skin has been feeling really dehydrated and just horrible really. 

The first product was recommend to me by a friend and its called 

• Eucerin Replenishing Face Cream with 5% Urea.   

 " A gentle moisturiser for the daily care. Noticeably improves the condition of facial dry skin, absorbs easily and reduces the skins tightness. Replenishes the natural moisturisers Urea and Lactate. Leaving the skin feeling smooth and supple. Also as a adjunctive care."

As soon as I was told about this I went out and bought it straight away. I used it twice a day and I could feel the difference in my skin after 3 days. It is medicated so it is also fragrance and colourant free. It is rapidly absorbed oil-in-water emulsion and can be used in adjunctive care in atopic Eczema and Psoriasis. And more importantly it can be used under make-up :) It can be bought in any chemist for €9.99 but each store will vary in price.

•  Water  

Drink water. It's simple. It keeps you internally moisturized and nourished, and is the number one way to prevent dry skin, especially in cold weather. So fill up on liquids and stay away from excess caffeine and alcohol. The recommended six to eight glasses a day is a good guideline. Even though with the cold weather water isn't something we want to be drinking but if you boil the kettle and add some luke warm to your glass it'll be easier for you to drink.
So give it ago and see some results, after all it's free! :)
Also Green Tea does the same job. (It appears to exert sun damage protection by quenching free radicals and reducing inflammation rather than by blocking UV rays. Therefore, green tea may synergistically enhance sun protection when used in addition to a sunscreen).

• Vaseline

Keep your lips moisturised. The skin on your lips retain less moisture than other parts of the body. Use a good lip balm to lock in the moisture. If you have really dry lips, try using some medicated lip balms like Carmex which contain extra-moisturizing ingredients like Camphor. To remove dead skin from you lips, brush them gently with a toothbrush once a week. Then apply a good moisturizing balm. Vaseline is a time-tested favorite and suggested on many medical and beauty websites. You can even get some with SPF 15 with Shea Butter, Aloe Vera, and also with Rose and Almond oil, with is always an added bonus.  And for only €1.99 for a pocket size (20g) you can't go wrong. :)

• Exfoliate

Exfoliate once a week and use a body scrub before showering/bathing. Scrubbing your skin (gently) will help remove dead skin cells and promote healthy skin. Use a scrub that is paraben-free, or make your own by mixing 1/2 cup coarse sugar with one cup of Coconut Oil. Apply scrub to skin using gentle, circular motions. Scrub your whole body and then rinse off with lukewarm water. Sorted! 

•  Olay Complete Defense Daily UV Moisturizer SPF 30, Sensitive Skin

"Extra Olay UVA/UVB protection against sun damage with a light non-greasy formula that gives complete defense. Gives your skin complete care, providing everything it needs most to stay beautiful, plus extra protection against sun damage in a light, non-greasy formula.

Protects with SPF 30 that provides extra UV protection against 97% of the sun's harmful rays to help prevent sun damage, so skin stays healthy and younger looking. Olay, in partnership with The Skin Cancer Foundation, recommends daily use of an effective UV sunscreen moisturizer which may help reduce the risk of skin cancer."

I love this moisturizer as it has a non-greasy formula with Vitamin E, Aloe, and Green Tea Extract that replenishes moisture and absorbs quickly into skin.  And is also light enough to wear every day. As nearly all of the products and items I've listed this can also be got in chemist or grocery store for around €11 but each store will vary.

• Neutrogena Hand Cream Norwegian Formula

"Neutrogena Norwegian Formula Hand Cream delivers effective relief for dry, chapped hands. It is so concentrated that only a small amount instantly leaves even dry, cracked hands noticeably softer and smoother after just one application.  Used daily, it helps prevent dry, chapped skin; used overnight, it heals dry skin - even under the harshest of conditions. It started with Norwegian Fishermen faced with some of the harshest, coldest weather on earth, they used a formula that delivers concentrated levels of glycerin to dry, chapped skin providing immediate and lasting relief.  Five years of independent clinical testing confirmed what the fishermen knew all along - Norwegian Formula Hand Cream consistently outperformed other products. Today, the Norwegian Formula product line includes a variety of body, hand and foot moisturizers to meet your individual dry skin needs."

This is another product I love. Ive been using it for a good few years now thanks to my Nana. She loved different hand creams and this was one of her faves. It works with each individuals own skin care needs and you only need a lil bit as goes along way. It is €3.60 for a 56g tube so its handy to just pop in your bag or have in your drawer in the office.

And last but not least a good Hat, Scarf, pair of Gloves and Earmuffs (if needed) and your sorted! :)

Hope you found some of these tip and products helpfull. 

-Nadia x

Autumn / Winter Make-Up Trends 2010

 

Heya :) so as Ive been neglecting my blog alot lately to due to being lazy really, I'm going to blog more about things I buy, mostly make-up and give you my opinion on it.

So anywho onto this years Autumn/Winter make-up trend!

This Autumn/Winter looks includes smokey eyes, red berry lips, matte skin, colorful eyeshadows and natural/nude looking makeup. 

A natural look is about flawless skin so it is important that you take care of your skin to keep it looking it's best. So with along with using your daily facial cleanser, use a moisturiser cream with a medium to high SPF to protect your skin from harmful and aging effects from the sun. You mightn't think you need it but you do. Also your blush should match either your eyes or your lips. But in any case the cheeks should be emphasized.

 

And now onto some of my personal favourite looks, smokey eyes and red lips. 
Dark lips and fall fashion seem to go hand in hand, and this season is no exception. To keep your vampy lips from looking too goth, keep your eye makeup light and stick to mascara and a nude shadow, or just skip it altogether. Another difference in the dark lip trend for Autumn 2010 is the finish. Matte lipstick is out - glossy, moisturizing lipstick pencils are in!
Also full false eyelashes aren't in this season, as they are compensated by the shaded dark pencil at the out corner of the eye line. But if you really want to make your eyes really pop,use some individual false eyelashes on the outer upper edge for a more dramatic feline eye.

Eyebrows! I don't know why but I've always had a "thing" for eyebrows. Ive always had hideous eyebrows growing up and now in my twenties they seem to be no different. I try to keep them "tamed" but my right eyebrow just has a weird shape. And yes I know the famous saying "Eyebrows should be sisters, not twins" but I just hate mine so I just draw then on. Anyway, eyebrows are a really important part of the face and make up application. They can totally just lift your face in an instant and just really defines the face. I personally wouldn't recommend someone to do them themselves, if its plucking or waxing. Some people get abit too brave and before they know it, they've taken WAY too much off. So leave it to the professional ladies!

This season eyebrows can vary wildly, from pencil thin or even completely drawn on to wild and unruly, and the trend this season is definitely leaning toward the thick side. That doesn't mean you should toss out your tweezers altogether, but saying that you're still going to need them to remove stragglers and shape brows for that bold, groomed look. If your brows aren't naturally dark, consider investing in some brow cake with wax or pencil. I personally just use a dark eyeshadow on mine. Darkening your brows will help frame your face and draw attention to your eyes.

 

So that's enough for now. Can't wait to get glammed up and try out these looks for a night out.

As always Id like to hear feedback :) Have fun trying out these looks.

-Nadia x