Sleep, wonderful sleep. The time when our bodies shut down and recharge for around about 8 or 9 hours from the days stresses. A perfect night’s sleep every night would be amazing, but let’s face it, for the majority of us this does not happen. I've realised a large amount of us seem to be suffering (myself included) from the odd bit of insomnia. Be it the stresses of work or study, sometimes it is just nigh impossible to drop off come lights out. And the effects of a rubbish night’s sleep can be seen the next day! Let’s face it, blood shot, puffy eyes, under eye bags (concealer comes in handy then!) & a lack of concentration is not desirable!
There are things you can do to at least try and make your sleeping pattern a little more regular. Here are some handy tips to have you never needing to count sheep again...
No caffeine after 6pm
Caffeine is a stimulant & when taken can keep you & your brain awake for hours on end. Caffeine is found in all hot drinks, coffee, and including tea. Whilst caffeine is effective at keeping you awake during the day, it isn't so good when you want to go to sleep. Cut it out after 6pm, and notice the difference. Come 10 or 11pm, instead of bouncing off the walls you will be drifting off to sleep instead.
If you must have something hot to drink in the evening, try camomile tea. This is a natural herb and a 'relaxer', enabling your body to wind down from a busy day.
Hot chocolate
It's true, drinking hot chocolate (made with milk), or hot milk on its own before bed can help induce sleep. Milk contains 'tryptophan' which is an amino acid you get from the foods your body consumes. In the end, this acid helps the body to produce 'serotonin', a chemical needed in order for the body to 'calm down'. It is this chemical that helps induce a state of sleep. Also, adding marshmallows & whipped cream to a nice mug of hot chocolate never goes amiss either! For the original (in my opinion) and best, buy Cadburys drinking chocolate the next time you go food shopping.
Lavender
Lavender scented products can also help induce sleep. Like camomile, lavender is a natural relaxer, and research has found it can slow down the nervous system, and improve the quality of your sleep. Stock up on lavender scented bubble bath/shower gel, candles, oil, and even a spray to spray your room & pillows. Being around the smell will de-stress you and hopefully send you to the land of nod.
Switch off
I mean this literally. Switch off both your thoughts & technological devices in order to have a good night’s sleep. Often, I find that bad thoughts or things I have yet to do play on my mind when I’m trying to sleep. Thinking of a happy memory or a happy time can make all the difference when trying to fall asleep. Try not to take your worries to bed, after all, there’s not much that can be done about them when you’re asleep! The same goes for technology, TV's, Laptops, IPods... Switch them off at least half an hour before bed. Whenever possible, try and read a book or your favourite magazine before bed to concentrate your mind on something else, and hopefully, induce a wonderful nights rest.
I know there are some of the male population out there who do read my blog, and I have actually been asked to write a piece on male grooming. As you probably know, this isn't my area of expertise, but never one to turn down a challenge, I gracefully accepted. So here goes...
'Male grooming' as it is now fondly known as is big business, huge in fact. According to facts, the male grooming market is worth around 806 million of our Great British pounds. That's a huge slice of market share to tap into, and own. Let’s face it, it is acceptable for men nowadays to look after themselves! A splash of aftershave here, a sweep of after shave balm there, we have given rise to a new generation of image (and skin conscious) men. Celebs like David Beckham & Patrick Dempsey (who can forget his 'dreamy' adverts for L’Oreal Men) have made it acceptable for the average Joe to, shall we say, 'take more pride in their appearance'.
Now, I do like it when a man looks after himself. Well groomed men who smell nice, have nice skin, and dress nicely are a huge turn on. However, its taking things a little bit far when your boyfriend/object of desire looks better in skinny jeans & eye liner than you do! Please, don't take longer to get ready than we do, wear makeup or pluck your eyebrow hairs more than is necessary. Guys, whatever you do, this 'is it a boy/girl?' look is not good.
But, taking pride and care of your appearance is. The skin care company Nivea jumped on the bandwagon a long while ago by launching their line of male orientated products, aptly titled 'Nivea for Men'. Prices are, if I do say so, a little expensive, but if it’s after shave balm or moisturiser you’re after, then you won't be disappointed. Nivea are a long standing company with an excellent reputation for creating good quality skincare products. If you aren't keen on smelling like you've just walked out of a spa day, then 'Vaseline' do some great, fragrance free products. Their 'Intensive Rescue Moisture Locking Body Lotion' is perfect for application after a shower/bath. Similarly, their lip balm (invest in the blue tin, it doesn't have a fragrance) is a great essential for keeping cracked skin at bay.
Guys, you all have female friends. You can learn a thing or two from them! Next time your friends/flatmates whip out some hand cream/Vaseline ask to borrow some. I'm sure they won't mind. Or, next time you’re in town; don't be scared to venture down the male grooming isle in Boots/Superdrug. Buy products and test them to find the ones that suit you. Taking a little extra time to look after yourself during the day can work wonders. Get into grooming habits now, and soon those eligible women out there will be (hopefully) fighting over you!
I keep being so optimistic about the weather, hoping that very soon the first signs of Spring (and warmer weather) will appear. I'm very wrong. It's cold, wet, and probably getting colder! The other day, as I put hand cream on my hands for the millionth time (I've had eczema pretty much since birth & in the cold it tends to flare up, especially on my hands) I thought about my beauty regime. Just because it's winter, there shouldn't be any excuse for letting your beauty standards slip! But a beauty regime shouldn't be something to be scared of; it should become a way of life, something you can happily fit into your daily life. After all, your skin will thank you for it! And that's a promise!
I'm about to show you my beauty regime, and believe me, it’s simpler than you think!
Moisturise, moisturise, moisturise.
I CANNOT stress this enough! Skin needs to be kept nice & supple, all year round. Let’s face it, flaky, rough skin isn't a turn on for anyone! My skin problems led me to learn the importance of using moisturiser at a very young age, but it still isn't too late to start now. The best time to apply moisturiser is after a bath or shower, when skin is at its most soft. The moisturiser will sink in much better too. This goes for the male population too! 'Borrow' a little bit of your girlfriends/flat mates moisturiser, and start counting down the days to softer, more touchable skin.
I've tried countless moisturisers in my time. Most of which have been too greasy, not greasy enough, expensive, made my skin look dull etc etc. But, last year a friend recommended 'Palmers Cocoa Butter' to me and, quite frankly, I’ve never looked back! It smells divine, applies easy and is great value. It is also much more than just an after bath lotion... Cracked heels? No problem! No after tanning lotion? No problem! Run out of face cream? No problem! It really is a solid beauty investment. And it’s also available in pretty much every High Street beauty store! Bargin!
Cleanse, tone & moisturise.
We women do wear makeup, and between us all, we wear a hell of a lot. Before bed and straight after you wake up, get into a routine of cleansing, toning & moisturising your face. Proper cleansing & toning keeps your skin looking youthful for much longer. And remember; every time you leave your makeup on to go to bed, your skin ages by 8 days!
Because of my sensitive skin, I find 'Simple' products work the best for me. Gentle & made with natural ingredients, you can be sure to get good results. No nasty rashes or spots from using 'Simple' products! I use the 'Moisturising facial wash' for cleansing & the 'Soothing facial toner' for toning. Upon waking, I also use the 'Replenishing rich moisturiser' as a protection for my face.
At night however, I like to use something I refer to as 'night cream', Nivea's original 'Crème' (the one in the blue tub). It isn't specifically a 'night cream', but it is rich, so I wouldn't recommend using it for day use. When you sleep, that’s the time when your skin repairs itself from the days stresses, so you may as well give it a helping hand!
Facial treats.
I'm a huge believer in taking 10 or 15 minutes out of your life every week to give your skin a treat, and apply a face mask. Extreme weather, pollution & the stresses of work/study all take its toll on skin. It gets dried out and becomes dull, so a quick once weekly face mask will give it a much needed pamper. The face mask I like at the minute is the 'Boots 3minute clay mask'. With sea and cucumber extracts, it’s cheap, suitable for all skin types, and it takes less than 5minutes to work its magic! Of course, if you want to relax a bit, you can leave it on for longer, it won't do any harm.
The lips have it.
Who doesn't want soft, kissable lips all the time? Yep, thought so, everyone! Lip balm is a must. Keep applying through the day, to keep your lips conditioned & looking super soft & kissable! (Who knows when a situation like that may arise?) I love 'Carmex' lip balms. Easy to apply, effective, and with an added spf 15, this little pot of wonder ticks all the boxes. I particularly like the 'cherry' flavour, simply because it smells wonderful! And the handy size of the pot means it fits into any handbag or pocket, making it the ultimate accessory!
Even though the weather has for the past week been threatening a return to the bleak winter with 99% of the country being snowed and iced under, now is the right time to start focusing on the new season trends. It's never too early to begin to think about how to update your wardrobe & look in order to be fabulously trendy! I know that most of us are on a budget, but new season trends shouldn't scare even the most frugal of budgets! Here is my comprehensive guide of how to rock a few of the new trends in the coming months...
Pastels
Pastels normally enjoy a revival just in time for Spring. Pastel pinks, yellows and purples create a soft, floaty and sexy image. A pastel coloured jumper can update any pair of jeans. However, a more economical way of fitting this trend into your life can be simply, to paint your nails! 'Barry M' does lots of fabulous & long lasting colours including 'Strawberry' (a delicate pastel pink) and 'Berry Ice Cream' (a strong lilac). These colours can be used on any skin tone, as they compliment dark skin tones, and stand out against pale ones. But if you are a little scared about the pastel trend, a sweep of fake tan can ease your worries and boost your confidence.
Animal Prints
From leopard, horse, zebra and dalmatian print, a new type of animal print can be seen at the start of every new season. This time it is the turn of the bird print. Swallows, robins, hummingbirds and swans featured on all of the runway shows. An easier way to update your look to incorporate this trend would be to buy a bird printed scarf. High Street shops such as Topshop, River Island and Zara sell inexpensive scarves. Teem with black jeans and a plain top for the ultimate in Sloane Ranger cool.
Deep Sea
Designers on the runways took inspiration from deep down in the ocean with shark tooth necklaces (Givenchy) and shell style clutch bags (McQueen). Be inspired by your own jewellery collection and team a blue jumper with a pearl necklace for a luxury mermaid feel. Alternatively, look for pieces embellished with pearls to achieve the same look. Don’t forget a sweep of blue eye shadow over your eyelids to finish this look off.
