Tuesday, 12 April 2011

Healthy Hair

Hey Beauties i have been reading alot of blogs recently so got inspired to write a post :)
It's 12 am and I'm freezing!! The beautiful sun has decided to dissapear from london :(
Anyways hair talkies: I recently got my hair cut which now I think "why did I do it?!?!" I practically chopped of half my hair FYI my hair had grown to my hip!! It was so long it was getting to hard to manage! I miss it nevertheless. Anyways my hair is really fine it is practically baby hair; the good thing is that it is really soft and easy to style (seeing my hair is dead straight), the bad thing is that i have to be really cautious with the products i use!!! I always get the "your indian you should have thick corse hair" not really! But I'm happy!
Seeing as my hair has gone short, I'm determined to be good to my hair and pamper it more (like I do my skin :D).
For those who have fine hair its is important to use a shampoo that contains no SLS, parabens or any other pre treated chemicals. SLS can work havoc on fine hair like I said it is like baby hair so use gentle products.

HEAT if you are going to use any heat products on your hair use a heat protecter fine hair is easily damaged and takes longer to repair, plus it is more visiable on fine hair so please be kind or you'll regret it!
The one really indian thing I do is put oil in my hair to nourish it and condition it, I personally use coconut oil but any natural oil will do choice is yours!!! Leave it in your hair 30mins before you wash it :)

I personally stopped using heat when I was 16 (unless a special occasion), since then i don't get any split ends, my hair is healthier, shiner and grows really fast! I further saw results when i changed my shampoo my hair seemed fuller and bouncy, after switching my shampoo to no SLS I can never imagine going back to comercial shampoos that contain harmful chemicals! I deffo recommend making the swtich!!

Lastly eat well, lots of fruits and veg for those who are veggies like myself invest in some omega 3-6 tablets great for healthy skin, hair and general health something we all love!

Thats it I know this was abit of a random post but just some info and tips to get the best out of your hair :)

Ash xxx 

Wednesday, 6 April 2011

Flawless Skin

Hi Beauty Freaks!!! Seeing as my lovely friend Julia has started posting i think it's about time i start blogging too plus it's a lovely sunny day in london and I'm in very good mood! :)
To kick start the post just an FYI about my skin, I'm quite blessed to have the skin i do (thanks mum and dad!) i generally have clear skin so i don't ever wear foundation, my skin is not sensitive so i have the luxury to choose from all products, however i do have dry/combination skin. When i break out (which is very rare) i generally break out around my chin, forehead and very rearly on the cheek, therefore the products i go for accomodate that :)
Furthermore i have very thick indian skin so i tend to exfoliate on a daily basis, however ofcourse this is something that is personal to my skin and may not be the best option for others.
This post is basically my skincare routine on a daily basis and all the products i use (both drugstore and high end), i realise there maybe alot of products but i religiously follow my routine to get the best results!! Enjoy :)

Firstly i start by exfoliating, i know this seems abit strange but i feel as though all the dead skin cells and product bulid up over the night needs to scrubbed off first before cleansing deep in to the pores.

For best results i like using St Ives Blemish Fighting Apricot Scrub, depending on how deep you want to exfoliate take a certain amount accordingly and massage into the skin for 2 minutes, this scrub sloggs off all the dead skin cells, sebum and surface oils that bulid up during the night, you can instantly see the difference in the complexion of the skin it is much brighter, smoother and softer.

Secondly i cleanse




















Nivea Young Clean Deeper is absolutely amazing! Loosens the skin up, cleans into pores and also minimises the apperance of my pores, breakouts are reduced and it doesn't leave my skin feeling tight or dry. I've used this product for years and havn't found anything that compares definitely something to keep eye out for.

Thirdly Toner

I use the Clinique Toner type 2 which is specifically designed for dry combination skin, this gives me lovely glow all over my skin (which is most welcomed seeing as i have dry skin), it further drys up any active breakouts that i might have and also picks up dirt that may have been left behind in the pores after cleansing, leaving the skin completely clean and clear. I personally have been using this for nearly 2 years now and just a word of caution; when i first started using this toner i got alot of breakouts as all the bacteria in the skin was being drawn out, however after a few weeks this clears up just requires some patience.

Fourthly Moisturise
I follow the toner with Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturising Lotion, I buy the lotion with the pump dispenser so i get an accurate amount product for my face, furthermore i think the product lasts longer and is more hygenic. This lotion keeps my skin moisturised throughout the day without being greasy therefore can be used during both winter and summer months.

After Moisturising i use an eye cream
I tend to get dry flaky skin around my eyes, so Clinique's all about the eyes is rich enough to keep that at bay, also being a university student long nights and early mornings are a given so this products help de puffs and reduces the signs of sleep deprevation and fatigue.

This is not an everyday product but seeing as summer is on its way this will certainly be making an everyday appearance for while.
SUNSCREEN! So important! no matter what type of skin you have protecting it from harmful UV rays is vital in order to keep your skin youthfull as you get older! I like using Chanel UV Essentiel SPF 50 yes this product is expensive but it does the job, it has a milky consistancy which absorbs easily into the skin and doesn't leave a white film or greasy residue that most sunscreens do plus it has a gorgeous sent! Definitely my HG sunscreen.

Lip care!!
The skin on the lips is known to be the most sensitive as it is prone to being dry and chapped, to ensure healthy lips i use Chanel Hydramax + Active Nutrition Baume LĂ©vres Lip care. This is my HG lip balm it has a lovely light summery scent and the has an almost watery texture upon application, this keeps my lips hydrated and plump for hours. Yes again it is expensive but worth splurging for the amount of product that it carries, plus i love the packaging :)

Majority of the products i use in the morning is mostly for hydration as that is what my skin lacks, however at night due to the renewal process the skin goes through, i use natural organic products to help this process along and neutralise enviormental stresses on the skin that have taken affect on the skin throughout the day.

I start by cleansing my skin to get rid of the dirt and oils that have bulit up within my skin during the course of the day
I use Clinique Liquid Facial Soap Mild for my skin type, i use one pump and lather it up then massage into the skin and then rinse leaving my skin refreshed.

Night Moisturiser
Like i said at night i like using organic products, my night cream is Neal's Yard Rose and Almond cream, suitable for all skin types this cream has a lovely herbal scent. Only need a small amount for the whole face, it has a nice consistancy that is easily absorbed into the skin and calms my dry skin. It works wonders for my skin in the morning my skin looks plump, even and brighter with a soft touch. Neal's Yard have some wonderful natural organic products packed with essential oils definitely something healthy for the skin and worth checking out.

Lastly my beauty fluid
Argon Oil! This stuff is a miracle product! Known as 'Liquid Gold' and no wonder, packed with vitamins and antioxidents this oil refines the skin, keeps the youthfulness within the skin's texture, gives a natural glow to the skin and furthermore strengthens the skin to reduce fine lines and wrinkles (a must for the future). There are lots of brands out there but i prefer Fushi Organic Argon Oil seeing as it is organic and fair trade! 
I know it seems daunting putting an oil on the skin but trust me this oil absorbs well into the skin so there is no greasiness left, however saying that like i previously mentioned i have dry skin so those with oily skin this may not be the best option.

Thats it!! Thats my skin routine i know its long but it definitely worth the benefits!

Ash xxx 

Monday, 4 April 2011

Muji Bathsalts

Bought bathsalts from Muji, as i think they are really good if you need to relax and they are really good for your skin! :)
Each one was 5.95£ for 300gr. They are made of Sodium sescquicarbonate,fragrance,calcium silicate,hexyl cinnamal,coumarin and benzyl benzoate, so that you know if you have a sensitivie skin :). Would advise the milk one if you want your skin to be really soft. The other ones are good too, but Milk is known to make skin go softer :)

j.


It's All About A Lipstick


 
Don't know you people, but one of my favourites cosmetic product is the lipstick. Found these to a store where everything is cheaper and yes, these are Rimmel ! 1.99£ for each, insane right? Oo 

Here are some swatches for you  ^.^




  
This is a gorgeous colour, with a blue undertone in it. Unfortunately here we can't really see it.


 
Chiffon have an amazing greenish shimmer in it that you probably can't see here. Sorry, my good camera ran out of bat', next picture will be better :)


                                                               217. Chiffon.

                                                                067. Rich Raisin

                                                             046.Metallic Shimmer

026. Vintage




And while doing all this nice stuff ...

(Joaaannaaaa 8D !)
How can life be better ? Lipsticks and caramel slices ... Oh yes ! A date with Alexis Papas 8D 
<3
j.

To start with

Okay, this blog has been created since February, but until now, we didn't edit anything. Guess it was because of our busy timetables , but hey, we finally did it !
 Last month i purchased some Shu Uemura lashes, as i enjoy lashes thinking they can be the only thing you can wear with some lipstick. They were a bit expensive, as they are 1. Shu Uemura 2. Limited edition. This was the collection where Aya Takano (if you do'nt know her she's an illustrator, very girly and gorgeous :D ) collaborated with Shu Uemura. 
As you can see on the pictures, the lashes has got some cute little hearts and stars on the corners. The only thing that surprised me a bit was that the lash isn't an entire one, so you have to stick in various times all the lashes so that you get the entire one. Bit of a minus to me... But then i guess you can stick as many parts you want , so it's up to you . Not that bad either, right ? 



j.