Madara Hyaluronic Anti-Pollution CC Cream SPF15.

Madara Hyaluronic Anti-Pollution CC Cream SPF15.

Shield the skin from environmental pollutions when applying the Madara Hyaluronic Anti-Pollution CC Cream SPF15 daily. Typically CC creams are used to colour correct the complexion by helping to correct skin tone imperfections while also improve dullness, sallowness, dark spots and redness. Formulations have now evolved to not only provide a tint to the skin but also include ingredients that your skin will benefit from when applied. Disclaimer: The links used are not affiliated and are placed for you to discover the products.

Benefits Of The Madara Hyaluronic Anti-Pollution CC Cream SPF15.

The Madara Hyaluronic Anti-Pollution CC Cream SPF15 is scientifically proven to completely shield the skin from urban toxins and heavy metals while also supporting and protecting the skin microbiome (skin flora) that helps keep it healthy. The formula also contains a broad spectrum UVA/UVB sunscreen with hydrators and humectants to keep the skin hydrated throughout the day. The full ingredients are as follows:

Aloe Barbadensis (Aloe) Leaf Juice - Moisturising with humectant properties, it also soothes and has anti-inflammatory benefits to support the skins regeneration. 

Dicaprylyl Carbonate - Emollient that gives a formula a velvety feel while also helping spreadabilty of sunscreens and solubilizing them in a formula. 

Isoamyl Laurate - Emollient that helps disperse pigments in a formula while helping a formula be velvety, silky and non-sticky.  

Zinc Oxide - Physical sunscreen with broad spectrum protection while also being able to treat skin irritations. 

Glycerin - Moisturiser and humectant that keeps the skin lipids hydrated, protects against irritation and supports the barrier function of the skin. 

Sorbitan Olivate - Emulsifying to help water and oil ingredients mix and not seperate.

CI 77891 Titanium Dioxide - Colourant which is a white pigment to give colour to a product.

Cera Alba Beeswax - Emollient to help skin become soft and smooth while also used to thicken a formulas texture. 

Lecithin - Emollient and water-binding properties that also helps water and oil ingredients mix and to create liposomes. 

Polyglyceryl-2 Dipolyhydroxystearate - Plant based ingredient that soothes the skin and has emollient benefits. 

Silica - Provides mattifying properties and helps to thicken a texture of a formula while also suspending insoluble particles. 

Aqua/Water - Solvent to dissolve ingredients. 

Cellulose - Provides mattifying and absorbent benefits while also thickening a formula.  

Hippophae Rhamnoides (Sea-buckthorn) Fruit Extract - Antioxidant that shields from free radicals while also supporting the skin. 

Hypericum Perforatum (St. John's wort) Extract - Contains carotinoides that protect the skin while also supporting the skins regeneration and repair process.  

Quercus Robur (Oak) Bark Extract - Astringent that contains tannins that help with skin inflammation.

Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract - Green tea is an excellent antioxidant, UV protectant, anti-inflammatory, anticarcinogenic and antimicrobial.

Vitis Vinifera (Grape) Seed Extract - Antioxidant with UV protecting benefits.

Sodium Chloride - Viscosity controlling that helps thicken up a formula.

Sorbitan Caprylate- Emulsifier that helps water and oil ingredients mix while also boosting preservatives.

Palmitic Acid - Emollient to help the skin become soft and smooth while also helping to thicken a formulas texture. 

Stearic Acid - Emollient while also stabilising water and oil formulas. 

 

Propanediol - Solvent to dissolve ingredients while also having moisturisation and humectant properties to hydrate the skin. 

Benzoic Acid - Preservative. 

Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid - Low molecular weight that acts as a moisturiser with humectant properties, 

Sodium Hyaluronate - Moisturiser and humectant to improve hydration for all skin types.

CI77492 - Colourant iron oxide yellow that when blended with the colourants below creates a flesh-toned finish that is used in makeup.

CI 77491 - Colourant iron oxide red, can create pink tones in makeup. 

CI 77499 - Colourant iron oxide black that controls darkness of the colour (in a foundation) while also when combined with the colourants above creates a flesh-toned shade.

Ascorbyl Palmitate (Vitamin C) - Antioxidant which is a form of vitamin c. 

Sodium phytate - Chelating to keep the product the same over time once opened.

Tocopherol (Vitamin E) - Antioxidant that also provides emollient benefits for the skin.

Vanillin - Fragrance of vanilla. 

Potassium Hydroxide - Sets the pH of the formula. 

Application Of The Madara Hyaluronic Anti-Pollution CC Cream SPF15.

Dispensing the product is made easy by the squeezable tube and nozzle to control the amount you wish to use but don't be put off by the colour that does appear darker before application. The non-runny texture is perfect to apply to the face and neck before buffing and blending with your fingers or a brush that leaves the skin feeling perfectly comforted with a natural looking finish. The directions do state you can apply this on its own or over a moisturiser but i personally use this differently as i like to seek products with a higher SPF included. I apply the cc cream over my SPF30 or 50 and find that because the formula and texture are so brilliant in providing a natural looking coverage with its added skin care benefits included, my skin feels perfectly nurtured without feeling greasy or looking overly shiny. It also creates an excellent base under makeup by acting as a non-silicone colour correcting primer that ensures to support and shield the skin throughout the day.

Available in two shades light or medium and suitable for all skin types it is priced at £27.00 and available here: Madara Hyaluronic Anti-Pollution CC Cream SPF15 x Neil. 

Olverum Body Polish.

The Olverum Body Polish 200ml.

The Olverum body polish is a staple skincare product that should be included in your skincare routine because not only does it contribute to improve the skins health it can also influence your wellbeing. The skin naturally sheds every 30 days in a continuous cycle to remove the dead skin cells but sometimes these cells do not shed properly and the results can appear as dry, flaky patches while also trapping sweat and blocking pores. Read on to discover more about the gentle but effective body polish that leaves the skin visibly smoother while feeling a lot softer. Suitable for all skin types the Olverum Body Polish is vegan and cruelty-free, free from artificial preservatives, fragrance and colourants, Silicone, Mineral Oil, Petrolatum, Sulphates, Phthalates, Parabens, Triclosan and animal derived ingredients  Disclaimer: The links used are not affiliated and are placed for you to discover the product.

Exfoliate The Skin With The Olverum Body Polish.

Incorporating an exfoliator or polish skincare product into your routine regularly will help prevent the typical signs as mentioned above while also helping to improve skin texture by leaving the skin smoother and softer. The Olverum body polish combines sustainably-sourced Papaya Enzyme that helps to dissolve and remove dead skin cells and has some wound-healing and anti-inflammatory benefits while also including the two physical exfoliants which are Bamboo Extract and Pumice. Light in weight with a creamy texture, the body polish also features Hydroclay that draws out any impurities, Bergamot, Lavandin and Geranium Oils that boost elasticity, botanicals Grapefruit Oil and Fennel Oil to re-energise with the rejuvenating scent of Patchouli Oil and Ylang Ylang to influence your wellbeing. 

Application Of The Olverum Body polish.

Applying the luxurious spa-quality body treatment to dry or damp skin using circular motions will not only help manually remove any dead skin cells present because of the two physical exfoliators present in the formula but you will also boost blood circulation and lymphatic drainage when using this method on application. Ideally you should also leave the body polish on the skin for at least 5 minutes to allow the papaya enzyme to thoroughly remove the dead skin cells and damaged keratin that can build up on the skin and form small bumps. Rinsing the skin thoroughly and then patting dry, you will be amazed on how silky soft the skin feels while the texture of the skin is dramatically a lot smoother!

Exfoliating the skin not only improves the skins health but it also allows your other products to penetrate and function better, prevents ingrown hairs if you shave, and creates an even base if you like to use fake tan. The Olverum Body Polish is presented in a 200ml glass jar and priced at £38.00 while it is available to purchase from here Olverum and SpaceNK xNeil.   

COSRX Advanced Snail 96 Mucin Power Essence.

COSRX Advanced Snail 96 Mucin Power Essence.

Soothe and rehydrate the skin when applying the COSRX Advanced Snail 96 Mucin Power Essence 100ml. Formulated with 96.3% snail secretion filtrate with humectant sodium hyaluronate, the gel lotion hydrates and protects the skin from moisture loss with its lightweight texture. All COSRX products are formulated with skin-friendly ingredients that alleviate irritated skin. Hypoallergenic, Dermatologist tested, Cruelty FREE, Parabens FREE, Sulfates FREE and Phthalates FREE. 

Application Of The COSRX Advanced Snail 96 Mucin Power Essence.

The alcohol free Advanced Snail 96 Mucin Power Essence is suitable for all skin types and should be the first product applied to the entire face after cleansing or toning because it is an "Essence" before any serums. I really like how this is fragrance and essential-oil free so can easily be tolerated around the sensitive areas of the face such as the eye (though do not get it into the eyes) and the mouth area while the full ingredients are as follows:

Snail Secretion Filtrate - A combination of proteoglycans, glycosaminoglycans, glycoprotein enzymes, hyaluronic acid, copper peptides, antimicrobial peptides and trace elements including copper, zinc, and iron that helps to aid in repairing the skin. 

Betaine - Moisturiser and humectant to keep skin hydrated by controlling cell water balance. 

 

Butylene Glycol - Humectant that attracts water while also aiding in helping ingredients penetrate into the skin and giving a nice texture to the product.  

1,2-Hexanediol - Solvent for ingredients and boosts preservatives while also having humectant and emollient properties.

 

Sodium Polyacrylate -  Thickens up water-based products while also stabilising ingredients and has some water-binding properties. 

 

Phenoxyethanol - Preservative to stop the product turning bad 

 

Sodium Hyaluronate - Skin identical ingredient that has humectant properties and can hold up to 1000 times its own weight in water. 

Allantoin - Soothing and promotes wound-healing while also protecting and softening the skin. 

 

Ethyl Hexanediol - Solvent that dissolves ingredients to be used in a formula. 

 

Carbomer - Turns a liquid formula into a gel that is non-sticky and feels pleasant on application.  

Panthenol - Pro-Vitamin B5 soothes irritated and compromised skin while also helping to hydrate and moisturise and support the skins barrier function. 

 

Arginine - Semi-essential amino acid that is skin-identical that moisturises and hydrates the skin while also helping wound healing.   

COSRX Advanced Snail 96 Mucin Power Essence 100ml. 

Snail Mucin is collected safely, NO snails are harmed in the process! After collection, it is then processed as a cosmetic material as COSRX is ALL FOR CRUELTY-FREE! I really like how lightweight it feels on application while it absorbs quite quickly to leave the skin feeling fresh without any greasiness or stickiness. Ideal to use all year round in any climate, it works great under any moisturiser or sunscreen without any pilling or flaking off and can be applied both morning and night. Add the COSRX Advanced Snail 96 Mucin Power Essence into your skincare routine for smoother and hydrated skin priced at £14.85 and available here: COSRX Advanced Snail 96 Mucin Power Essence x Neil. 

Sukin SPF30 Sheer Touch Face Sunscreen Light/Medium 60ml.

Sukin SPF30 Sheer Touch Face Sunscreen Light/Medium 60ml.

Discover the reef safe formula that is the Sukin SPF30 Sheer Touch Face Sunscreen Light/Medium 60ml which is developed without chemical absorbers oxybenzone & octinoxate which may be damaging to coral reefs and sea life. Designed with daily use in mind the UVA & UVB broad spectrum protection is provided by the highly stable and non-irritating zinc oxide that acts as a physical block rather than chemical sunscreen ingredients that absorb them. I personally like zinc oxide because its offers other benefits which are helpful to the skin such as treating skin-irritations and healing wounds while even though it can leave a white cast, tinted versions are now available to counteract that problem. Disclaimer: The links used are not affiliated and are placed for you to discover the products. 

Application Of The Sukin SPF30 Sheer Touch Face Sunscreen Light/Medium 60ml.

Presented in a tube for easy dispensing it is required to apply the required amount which is two finger lengths or two teaspoons 20 minutes before any sun exposure. Reapplying every two hours or more frequently when sweating and/or if you are swimming (the formula is not water resistant) is required but reapplication is made easier with this formulation if your wearing makeup by dispensing the required amount onto a beauty blender and reapplying over the top. The Australian made sunscreen is vegan friendly and cruelty-free while the full ingredients are as follows:

Active: 

Zinc Oxide 215mg/g - Sunscreen 

Contains: Phenethyl Alcohol - Masks the smells of other cosmetic ingredients with a rose like scent and it can be found in other essential oils while also having antimicrobial activity and boosting other preservatives.

Inactives: 

Aqua - Solvent for other ingredients.

Isoamyl Laurate - Emollient which is a natural silicone alternative and helps in dissolving UV-filters in sunscreens or dispersing pigments in a formula.

Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride - Emollient from coconut and glycerin that keeps the skin nice and smooth.

Sorbitan Stearate - Emulsifier that helps water ingredient to mix with oil ingredients. 

 

Cetearyl Alcohol - Non-drying and non-irritating, this fatty alcohol has emollient benefits while also stabilising oil-water formulations. 

Hydroxypropyl Starch Phosphate - Viscosity controlling that thickens a formula to help with texture.

Caprylyl Glycol - Emollient and moisturising properties while also boosting other preservatives. 

 

Glyceryl Isostearate - Emollient while also having emulsifying properties to form a uniform mixture of water and oils that typically don't mix. 

 

Xanthan Gum - Viscosity controlling to improve texture of the formula and emulsion stabilising to stop water and oil ingredients separating.  

 

Polyhydroxystearic Acid - Dispersant or dispersing agent that is typically used in titanium dioxide or zinc oxide sunscreens to help with an even application and reduce the white cast while also stopping water and oils separating.  

Cetearyl Glucoside - Emulsifier that gives skin a soft and smooth feel while also helping spreadability of a product. 

 

Sucrose Cocoate - Emulsifier that helps stop water and oils from separating while also being an emollient keeping the skin soft and smooth. 

 

Rosa Canina (Rose Hip) Fruit Oil - High omega fatty acid content with tocopherols (Vitamin E) and carotenoids (Pro-Vitamin A) that has skin-regenerative properties. 

 

Carthamus Tinctorius (Safflower) Seed Oil - Antioxidant benefits from the Vitamin E while also having emollient benefits from the nourishing and moisturising fatty acids included.

Glycerin -  Moisturiser and humectant that keeps the skin lipids hydrated, protects against irritation and restores the barrier function. 

Cucumis Sativus (Cucumber) Fruit Extract - Emollient with soothing benefits, it also supports the skins acid mantle while also having anti-inflammatory properties.

 

Camellia Sinensis (Green Tea) Leaf Extract - Antioxidant with anti-inflammatory, anticarcinogenic and antimicrobial benefits.

CI 77492 - Colorant which is iron oxide yellow. CI 77491 - Colorant which is iron oxide red.

CI 77499 - Colorant which is iron oxide black. 

Potassium Sorbate - Preservative to stop the product going off, typically used with other preservatives to boost effectiveness. 

Parfum - Helps the product smell nice. 

Sukin SPF30 Sheer Touch Face Sunscreen Light/Medium Or Medium/Dark.

The Sukin SPF30 Sheer Touch Face Sunscreen is available in either light/medium or medium/dark shades but don't be put off by the colour that you see when dispensing the product. It does appear darker to begin with but glides over the skin easily and disperses the colour excellently to be sheer with a slight tint before absorbing quickly. I was quite surprised on how lightweight it feels on the skin and does not feel greasy or sticky (even throughout the day) while a slight scent can be detected but soon disappears after five minutes. It does not ball-up or flake off and because there are no chemical sunscreen ingredients included in the formula you wont get that dreaded stinging or watery eyes!  

Add the reef-friendly and non-greasy sunscreen into your daily skincare routine which is priced at £14.95 and available here: sukin spf30 sheer touch face Sunscreen light/medium 60ml. x Neil. 

Liz Earle Eyebright Soothing Eye Lotion.

Liz Earle Eyebright Soothing Eye Lotion.

Refresh and soothe the delicate eye area when applying the Liz Earle eyebright soothing eye lotion morning and night. Not tested on animals and suitable for vegetarians the natural active ingredients included in the formula are the herb eyebright, witch hazel, aloe vera and cornflower that all contribute to cool and soothe sensitive eyes while also revitalising. Disclaimer: The links used are not affiliated and are placed for you to discover the product. 

Clean And Refresh The Eyes.

Twisting up the cap of the bottle and dispensing the non-oily lotion onto a cotton pad or reusable bamboo cotton pads, you can now sweep over the eyelids and lashes to clean and refresh the eyes. I typically like to apply this product after cleansing and for an intensive treatment i leave on the eye area as a soothing compress for 10-15 minutes, you can even store the bottle in the fridge for a cooler experience especially when the weather is warm/hot. 

Suitable For Contact Wearers.

I love how the lotion refreshes heavy and tired eyes while also soothing and cleaning the eye area which is ideal for hay-fever sufferers or for anyone who struggles with streaming and irritated eyes. Suitable for contact wearers, the eye lotion takes care of the outer eye area while any eyedrops or eye spray will repair the oily layer of the natural tear film which may have been disturbed by environmental factors such as staring at any screen for too long, air-conditioning or central heating.

The Liz Earle eyebright soothing eye lotion is priced at £8.00 for the 50ml sized version and is available here: Eyebright™ Soothing Eye Lotion x Neil.   

Some Reasons Why It’s Not Frivolous to Take Personal Grooming Seriously.

Some Reasons Why It’s Not Frivolous to Take Personal Grooming Seriously.

 

Pixabay CC0 License

When all is said and done, most people enjoy spending some time on their personal grooming routines, and making sure that they look and feel their best on a regular basis.

While, of course, it’s good to maintain perspective and to not get too carried away or become narcissistic, some people end up taking an excessively negative view of personal grooming in general – and view it as more or less frivolous and a waste of time, beyond the very most fundamental basics like regularly bathing.

Here are some reasons why it’s not frivolous to take personal grooming seriously.

Because it can directly influence your health.

To begin with, not all personal grooming techniques and routines are purely cosmetic. In fact, a number of them can actively and directly influence your health in positive ways.

Looking for the best water flosser, for example, might be something that you will initially be motivated to do for cosmetic reasons – but there’s no denying that having a more thorough dental hygiene routine results in better oral health and overall health.

Likewise, taking up an exercise routine, or improving your posture, can influence how you look while also having positive health benefits – even if these two things are not immediately and directly considered to be elements of “personal grooming.”

Because paying attention to your personal grooming can help you to organise and improve your life more generally.

Life can be tricky, complicated, and frustrating for all of us in a variety of different ways – and it’s not uncommon for people to fall into ruts and lose the positive momentum that so often guides us through life’s challenges and helps us to maximise and achieve our potential.

Being attentive to your personal grooming can, in many cases, actually help you to organise and improve your life more generally.

For one thing, adopting a personal grooming routine is one way of reclaiming a bit more control in your life, not to mention pride in yourself. Both of these things may well be prerequisites for improving and uplifting your life more generally, and helping you to move forward once again.

Because having a bit of extra confidence can be a great thing.

Ultimately, we all want a bit of confidence – and there is a world of difference between confidence and arrogance.

In fact, in many cases, the arrogant persona actually masks an underlying lack of confidence.

While the deepest and most powerful forms of self-confidence won’t come from your appearance and presentation, we all tend to feel better about ourselves and to be more optimistic, when we are happy with our appearance and the way we present ourselves.

Spending some time on your personal grooming each day can help to give you a bit of extra confidence, which in turn can make you more positive, more outgoing, and can improve your overall sense of well-being and happiness in a variety of different ways. x Neil.

Avon Anew Revival Serum Lip Treatment. 

Photo Credit AVON.

Revive dry and rough textured lips when applying the Avon Anew Revival Serum Lip Treatment daily. The lip balm treatment in a clear formula is infused with the 72-hour hydro* power of a lip serum to bring relief and moisture to distressed and cracked lips even after removal or reapplication. Utilising specific ingredients to actually penetrate and retexture the lips, this lip balm is more than just a salve that sits on top to keep moisture in. Disclaimer: The links used are not affiliated and are used for you to discover the product. 

What Is The Formula Of The Avon Anew Revival Serum Lip Treatment?

Featuring hydrators and humectants to bring much needed hydration to dry lips there is also an alpha hydroxy acid (AHA) included which is lactic acid that helps to slough of dry and dead skin cells while also hydrating. The many emollients included help to aid in softness and smoothness to relieve dry and chapped lips while also protecting the lips from factors that can take moisture away, the full ingredients are as follows:  

Diphenyl Dimethicone - Emollient for skin conditioning.

Lanolin - Emollient 

Glycerin - Natural moisturiser with humectant properties to provide and aid in hydration.

Myristyl Lactate - Emollient for skin conditioning.

Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate - Chemical Sunscreen that should be combined with other sunscreen agents to give stable and broad-spectrum protection.

Polyethylene - A wax form that aids in application of a products formula.

 

Polyglyceryl-3 Diisostearate - A gentle emulsifier that aids in helping the softness and feel of a products formula.

Lauryl Peg/PPG-18/18 Methicone - Aids in skin conditioning benefits.

Cera Microcristallina - Helps thicken up a products formula to aid in a serum or gel texture.

Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer - Aids in bringing a silky and soft powdery feel to a product. 

Stearyl Dimethicone - Emollient with skin conditioning benefits. 

Synthetic Wax - Emollient that also helps controls a products texture and stops water/oil ingredients separating. 

Lactic Acid - Alpha hydroxy acid (AHA) that gently lifts away dead skin cells while also hydrating.

Aqua - Water that is used as a solvent for ingredients that do not like to dissolve in oils. 

Capryl Glycol - Moisture and humectant to aid in hydration while also acting as an emollient to aid in softness and smoothness. It also acts to boost the effectiveness of preservatives in a formula. 

Silica - Helps to thicken up a products texture while also being able to suspend insoluble ingredients. It does have some oil-absorbing properties to bring a matte effect, 

Isopropyl Titanium Triisostearate - Aids in helping the skin to become smooth and soft while also stopping oil and water ingredients from separating in the products formula.

Lauryl Methacrylate/Glycol Dimethacrylate Crosspolymer - Provides a film forming layer to stop moisture loss and keep the product in place when applied.

Parfum - Helps make a product smell nice. 

Butylene Glycol - Aids in being a penetration enhancer to help the product and its ingredients absorb quicker and deeper while also aiding in hydration with humectant benefits. 

Ammonium Hydroxide - Sets the pH of a formula to the specific value.

Isoceteth-10 - Helps water and oils mix perfectly in a formula while also helping the product apply evenly and easily. 

Ammonium Glycyrrhizate - Skin conditioning benefits for softer and smoother skin.

Saccharin - Flavouring agent which is an artificial sweetener.

Tocopherol - Antioxidant Vitamin E that also has emollient properties. 

CI 77120 - Colourant 

CI 42090 - Colourant. 

How To Use The Avon Anew Revival Serum Lip Treatment? 

Presented in mirror packaging that protects the lip treatment inside when placed in your bag or pocket, you twist the middle as you would when applying a lip-balm to reveal the lip treatment ready for application. It is ideal your lips are clean of any other product to fully allow the treatment to sit on the lips and get-to work but don't be put off by the aqua colour it doesn't transfer to the lips as it applies clear. It leaves the lips feeling nourished without looking or feeling greasy and with repeated use the lips become softer and smoother. 

The Avon Anew Revival Serum Lip Treatment is available in a clear formula while also being available as a lipstick which offers 15 shades! Available to purchase online here: Anew Revival x Neil.

How to Look Great When You're On the Go & Traveling.

When you’re traveling and on the move, you usually don’t have the time or even the energy to spend on your appearance and how you look. Nevertheless, you’ll want to stay fresh and look your best, and that certainly can be done if you make use of the right tricks. And that’s exactly what we’re going to talk about in a bit more detail today. So read on to find out more.

Find Products with a Longer Lasting Impact.

It’s important to consider the products you’re using to manage your style and appearance when you’re on the go. We all know that some products last longer in terms of their impact than others. And when you’re traveling, this is a key consideration. You want to make sure that you’re using products that are going to keep you looking good for as long as possible.

Establish a Quick Routine and/or Skincare Routine.

Establishing good routines that you can perform in short periods of time and a variety of different locations and situations will be important if you want to stay on top of your appearance. Find a way of freshening up your skin or doing something with your hair, even when you don’t have time or resources on your side. That’s never bad advice, no matter the situation.

Combine Style and Comfort.

When choosing clothes for your travels or for occasions when you’re on the go a lot, you need to do your best to combine both style and comfort. You want to look great, but not at the expense of making your life more difficult. When you’re on your feet a lot, you need clothes that make room for mobility, and shoes that aren’t going to leave you with painful feet.

Image Source - CC0 License

Ensure You Have the the Bags or Storage You Need.

If you’re going to look after your appearance, you need to have your essentials with you. Once you have the limited number of products that you can rely on to last a long time and not take up too much space, you’ll need a bag that’ll ensure they’re easily portable for you when you’re on the move. Or you can find the car or motorbike storage solutions that help you keep those things nearby when you’re on the go.

Make Use of Hats on Bad Hair Days.

Finally, you need to learn how to start using accessories to cover up parts of your appearance that are less than perfect. For example, when you’re on the go and having a bad hair day, and there’s not much you can do about it, you should make use of hats to cover the whole situation up.

Now that you understand what it takes to look after your appearance when you’re on the go and traveling from location to location, all that’s left to do is make the most of the advice we’ve discussed here. Each idea will serve you well when you’re on the go and short on time. x Neil. 

Six Self-Care Hacks That Will Transform Your Life.

Though it may seem a tad indulgent, you must make time in your schedule for a little self-care - no matter how busy you may be. If you aren’t convinced of its importance - remember that self-care can help lift your mood, refocus your mind and can even have a positive effect on your physical wellbeing. 

With that in mind, here are six self-care hacks that can transform your life for the better!

Photo by Spencer Goggin on Unsplash

• Start spending more time outdoors. There are numerous benefits to spending more time outdoors. For example, fresh air can help reduce stress and heighten your senses, meaning that you will feel more energised. If possible, try to start each day with a walk - even if you just walk around the block. 

Photo by Spikeball on Unsplash

• Find time for exercise. Exercising more often is another great way to transform your life and can boost your physical and mental health at the same time. Therefore, you should strive to find a way to get active and feel great this summer - whether you take up running or sign up for a gym membership.  

Photo by Adrian Swancar on Unsplash

• Acknowledge your feelings. We are often taught to brush aside any negative emotions - be that stress, anxiety or anger. However, ignoring your feelings will not make them go away; it just gives them time to fester and intensify. As a result, you must acknowledge any negative feelings when they arise and work towards a healthy solution. For example, sometimes anxiety can be alleviated by simply talking to others and asking for help. In some cases, you may need to seek alternative methods to help keep your anxiety in check - this could include CBD products. Click here to see more information about CBD products and their many benefits. 

Photo by Manki Kim on Unsplash

• Drink more water. From an early age, we are taught about the importance of drinking plenty of water. However, that doesn’t mean that we actually ensure we make an effort to drink as much as we should. While this may not seem like much of an issue, poor hydration can lead to many issues - such as headaches and fatigue. As a result, you should strive to reach your daily recommended intake of water each day - you’ll soon notice the benefits. 

Photo by Isabell Winter on Unsplash

• Put together a wellness routine. A wellness routine will likely mean something different to every person - but whether that entails developing a skincare regimen or signing up for some yoga classes - a wellness routine can help you find numerous ways to introduce self-care to your life. Once you have put together a routine that works for you - ensure you stick to it.

Photo by Matheus Ferrero on Unsplash

• Cut the cord on damaging relationships. Not every relationship in your life (whether platonic or romantic) is good for you. For example, if you always feel sad or anxious when spending time with a certain person - it usually means that the relationship is not serving you in the way that it once did. While there are some steps you can take to repair your relationship with a friend, remember, you don’t have to stay friends with someone just because you have known them for a long time. Cutting the cord or distancing yourself from those who no longer lift you up is an essential act of self-care - and you’ll soon thank yourself for it. It also means that you can start investing your time and energy into the relationships in your life that make you happy. x Neil.

Surprising Reasons why your Skin Is Breaking Out.

If you feel as though your skin is always breaking out, then you will know how frustrating this can be. You may feel as though your skin greatly hinders your confidence, and that you are just not able to feel good about yourself, even when you are dressed up for a night out. If you want to do something about this, you need to explore the reasons why your skin is breaking out, so that you can make the right changes to stop your symptoms from being as bad in the future.

Source: Pexels (CC0 License)

You’re Not Dealing with Acne

To make things more complicated, sometimes the acne that you are trying to treat isn’t acne at all. This can explain why your acne treatments just aren’t touching your symptoms. You may find that your breakouts are popping up all over your body and that you have itchiness too. If this is the case, then you may be suffering from fungal acne instead. If this is the case then you need to try and treat the infection at the source, which is in your hair follicles. Your dermatologist can help you to determine if you have fungal acne or not, and they can even prescribe you something as well, which can really help.

You’re Not Washing your Face Enough

Throughout the day, oil, make-up and even dirt will build up on your skin. If you do not wash your skin enough before you go to sleep, then all of this garbage will in fact transfer to your pillow. When this happens, you will transfer it back to your face again. Dermatologists often recommend that you try and avoid this by washing your pillowcase on a regular basis. If you do this then you should be able to reduce the amount of inflammation that you experience and you can also stop infections too. If you still struggle, then you may be better off changing to a silk pillowcase if possible, as this will reduce friction.

You’re Lacking Sleep

Your body undergoes a circadian schedule every day. Certain activities will occur in the morning and others will occur when you are sleeping. Either way, sleep gives your body time to rest and repair. It will also give your cortisol levels chance to decrease too. If you do not end up getting enough sleep, then this will mean that your body is exposed to way more cortisol than it should be, and this can help to trigger your breakouts. This is very similar to what happens when you are stressed. Cortisol can bind to your oil glands and this can send them into overdrive. This can cause acne and it can also make your symptoms way worse. If you need to use skin products to cover your acne, then make sure that you are using professional skin toners if possible. If you can do this then you will soon find that the ingredients are much higher in quality and that you end up clogging your pores way less too. x Neil.

Skincare SOS: Sure Signs You Need To Get Started Today.

 

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Even though we all have skin (shock horror, right?), skincare is still treated as a largely female issue. Some guys might be championing the cause with male moisturisers and improved awareness but, when you look at the general advertising and the products you need to get a grip on, there are women all around.

Unsurprisingly, these skewed ad campaigns mean that countless guys still feel they’re too cool for toner – and our skin is paying the price. But, look – great skin is as essential to feeling good as getting active, and believe it or not, getting on top of this isn’t going to let the world know that you like a pamper session. Despite the fact that you’ll have amazing skin (maybe you were born with it?), no one’s going to know that you enjoy applying things to your face of an evening. 

So, instead of assuming that even looking at a moisturiser will put ‘skin care’ in permanent marker across your forehead forevermore, consider the following signs that your hesitance to open the skincare door is starting to do some damage. 

# 1 - Dry, flaky skin

Thanks to weather changes and general wear and tear, dry, flaky skin can hit the best of us when winter rolls around, and that can be pretty embarrassing. No matter how much you wipe those spots with a flannel, you can bet flakes have formed again by bedtime. What’s more, trying to simply brush these away could lead to escalating problems, rawness, and an issue that you can bet everyone notices when they meet you. As you can probably guess, skincare is the only way to properly address this problem, with regularly implemented products for dry skin ensuring you can forget flakes at long last. This way, no matter the time of year, you’ve got access to magic that keeps your skin forever looking its best.

via GIPHY

# 2 - A patchy appearance

Even if you’re lucky enough to avoid uncomfortable issues like dry skin, a lack of skincare can still leave your face looking about as patchy as a dalmatian, with angry red patches that people can see from miles away. You could even things out with concealer, of course, but this can be an obvious solution that really does mean wearing your efforts for all to see. By comparison, skincare products like toner that clean and moisturise even patchy skin offer a finish so natural that no one will be able to tell your secret.

# 3 - The fact that you’re reading this article

Of all the signs that we’ve discussed here, none is more pressing than the fact that you’re reading this article. After all, if you didn’t feel that you could benefit from skincare, then you wouldn’t be here. Forget how your skin looks and just permit yourself to embark on something that you clearly believe could help you look and feel better. Your skin, and maybe even all of mankind, will thank you for it! x Neil.