Lifestyle Favourites | Winter 2015

Food: 

This winter I have been loving smoothies. Using a hand blender to make my own (or buying the occasional cute supermarket variety) has mean my breakfasts are now fruitful ('scuse the pun). I love this Innocent Pomegranates, Blueberries and Acai pure fruit smoothie, with its own cute knitted hat; the hats are hand-knitted and raise money for Age Concern and Age UK. Double win! So why not boost your antioxidant/vitamin intake for the day and put a smile on your face at the same time.

Beauty:

Winter can put a strain on everyone's skin, let alone people with sensitive or dry skin. With rapidly changing indoor/outdoor temperatures and dry, cold winds our skin can be left dehydrated and dull. Maintaining a good regular skincare routine is vital during winter. One area we often neglect is actually our hands. I've been loving this Nivea Anti-Dryness Smooth Nourishing Hand Cream with Macadamia Nut Oil and Hydra IQ. 

Drink:

Winter is the time for hot drinks. Drinking regularly, including cups of tea, is a way of boosting not only your nutrition but also your mental health, as tea is a proven stress-reliever. I have been trying out all types - Twinings Mango and Cinnamon, Twinings Earl Grey (occasionally, as it stains my teeth) - but have recently been trying Pukka Supreme Matcha Green, which is Fairtrade :)

Dental Care:

As some of you might know, I am at the end of fixed appliance dental brace treatment. Anyone who has had braces knows that they take a lot of maintenance and mean that you have to be extra vigilant with keeping your teeth clean. I use the Colgate Plax Antibacterial Mouthwash twice a day as it is alcohol free and so doesn't taste disgusting! 

To see some of my previous braces updates:

http://cupcakesandcosmeticsbyclare.blogspot.co.uk/2012/07/honey-and-tooth-decay-hidden-perils-of.html

Entertainment:

February can be a quiet time on the social life front. Stuck between Christmas/winter celebrations and Easter/spring, a lot of people (including me) like a good hibernation. But that is no reason to be bored! Films, books and plays were made for winter! I have been getting back to 'reading' after a few months of slump and have been posting regular book reviews. Look out for The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe and Hamlet posts soon!

My review of the 1979 Moonraker film:

http://cupcakesandcosmeticsbyclare.blogspot.co.uk/2015/02/review-2015-film-no-1-moonraker.html

A review of the original book of The Jungle Book:

http://cupcakesandcosmeticsbyclare.blogspot.co.uk/2015/02/review-2015-no-4-jungle-book-by-rudyard.html

Makeup Monday: Simple Spotless Skin Anti-Blemish Moisturiser review

Hello there! Today is a Makeup Monday and as the weather is turning I thought it would be appropriate to review the moisturiser that I've been testing for a week. As August/September brings changeable hot/cold days, the temperature change can take a toll on our skin so it's vitally important to keep it nourished for autumn. I bought this Simple moisturiser as I needed one for when I wanted a lighter formula moisturiser for the morning. So far the effects, like the Simple face wash above, which I have reviewed previously, seem very good. My skin looks visibly better and I like the zinc and chamomile ingredients. I do however have dry skin and I'm still not sure that it's entirely right for me. Although there are times when even I need a light moisturiser, I think this might be too light. What do you think? The jury's still out for me.

Simple Spotless Skin Anti-Blemish Moisturiser can be found in Boots for £4.99 (or less during promotions)

Carpe Diem xx

Makeup Monday: Nivea and Simple Skincare Haul

Hello there on a wet Monday morning (the kind where you want to hide under your duvet)! Some of you might be thinking that I've been slacking on my posts and the truth is that I just haven't bought much recently. I try to blog 2-3 times a week when I really feel strongly about a subject or product and want to produce high quality, informative and entertaining content for you, so keep your eyes peeled because I'm not going anywhere!

Nivea Daily Essentials Rich Moisturising Day Cream (50ml) Dry and Sensitive Skin - I use this on hot and sunny days because its SPF 25 protects against sun damage and ageing, even the hidden kind. Great for sensitive skin, although I find it on the oily side.

Nivea Pure and Natural Regenerating Night Cream for All Skin Types - Perfect for all skin types. A rich texture that 'turns over' your skin at night.

Simple Spotless Skin Triple Action Face Wash - A really great face wash, especially if you have dry or sensitive skin, but definitively for all skin types.

Why not check out my previous blog post review:

http://cupcakesandcosmeticsbyclare.blogspot.co.uk/2013/08/how-to-clear-hormonal-dry-skin-simple.html

Simple Spotless Skin Anti-Blemish Moisturiser - Use on days when you need a lighter formula moisturiser! I still need to test this one out more but may blog about it soon.

Carpe Diem xx

Makeup Monday: What's In My Travel Makeup Bag(s) - Mini Break Edition

When I go away for a three-day 'mini-break' I take my Soap and Glory makeup bag and Soap and Glory wash bag. Here's a sneak peak inside for my first ever Makeup Monday post!

Makeup Bag:

MaxFactor False Lash Effect Mascara

Maybelline Rocket Volum' Express Mascara

Rimmel Wake Me Up Concealer (Ivory)

No.7 High Shine Lipgloss (Smile)

Rimmel Moisture Renew Lipstick (Vintage Pink)

L'Oreal Natural Blonde Lipstick (Nude)

Scunchi No-snag Hairclips and Hairbands

Dior Miss Dior (small perfume sample)

Boots Essentials Strawberry Lip Balm

Washbag:

Nivea Rich Moisturising Day Cream

Carex Aloe Vera Hand Sanitiser

Johnson's Facial Cleansing Wipes

Sensodyne Pronamel Travel Toothpaste

Tom's Calendula Rollon Deodorant

Boots Youth Maintain Time Delay Eye Cream

Boots Youth Maintain Time Delay Depuffing Roll-on

TangleTeezer Compact Yellow and Black

The contents of my bags of course changes depending on how many days I'm staying away and what I'm doing when I'm there, and I usually chuck extras in at the end! 

What do you pack?

Enjoy the sun and wear Sunscreen!

Carpe Diem xx

CURRENT Dry/Sensitive Skin Morning/Night Skincare Routine

Skincare routine (morning):

Wash face with water - Microfibre facial cloth (perfect soft facial cloth for preventing clogs and blemishes!)

Exfoliate (2 times a week) - Simple Clear Skin Oil Balancing Exfoliating Wash with Witch Hazel

Moisturise - Nivea Visage Daily Essentials Light Moisturising Day Cream SPF 15 (best formula for sensitive skin)

Lip balm - Burt's Bees Honey Lip Balm

Skincare routine (night):

Remove makeup - Nivea Visage Daily Essentials Gentle Facial Cleansing Wipes Dry & Sensitive skin (great at working to remove makeup traces and cleansing the skin simultaneously)

Wash face with water - Microfibre facial cloth

Moisturise - Simple Hydrating Moisturising Cream (light moisturizer for lighter coverage)

Lip balm - Vaseline Rose and Almond Oil 'Rosy Lips' (protective petroleum barrier and rose scent)

Hand cream - Soap and Glory Hand Food (really soft and smells amazing, WARNING contains marshmallow!)

Having dry and sensitive skin I find it as essential to follow a good daily skincare regime. Whilst you might be not acne or blemish prone, and generally never have oily skin, it is essential to protect your skin from sun damage, durt buildup and dryness. This is especially important if you are in an air conditioned environment, such as an airplane, for more than a couple of hours. 

What is your essential skincare routine?

Carpe diem xx