Review 2015 No. 13 | Love, Tanya by Tanya Burr

All the way back in November 2015 the UK's most famous YouTuber Zoe Sugg released her debut novel Girl Online. The book became a bestseller, made history as the fastest selling debut novel, and sparked a trend of YouTube stars being offered lucrative book deals. If Zoe is Brighton's answer to Virginia Woolf then her Norwich counterpart, makeup and beauty guru Tanya Burr, is Norwich's answer to Zoe Sugg. Whilst Zoe is busy writing up the code-named Girl Online 2, her fellow YouTubers are equally successfully releasing their efforts. British YouTuber's Marcus Butler ('Hello Life!'), Carrie Hope Fletcher ('All I Know Now'), Louise Pentland ('Life With a Sprinkle of Glitter'), and Zoe Sugg's boyfriend Alfie Deyes ('The Pointless Book'), have all been offered deals and some sequels. American YouTubers, such as Joey Graceffa ('In Real Life'), have also been enveloped in the trend.

Tanya Burr is part of the Norwich YouTube dynasty that includes fiancé Jim Chapman and his sisters Sam and Nic (of Pixiwoo). Her light-hearted, positive beauty and lifestyle videos aimed at her 13-24-year-old target audience gave the 25-year-old the opportunity to have her own lifestyle and beauty book, Love, Tanya, published by Penguin Books on 29th January 2015. The book includes chapters on Baking & Recipes and Confidence & Happiness, as well as familiar themes Skincare Essentials and Make-up Essentials. This book is high-quality, and as she says meant to be a 'keep-sake', with glossy magazine style photographs throughout and sections for writing personal notes and lists.

To read my review of Girl Online by Zoe Sugg:

http://cupcakesandcosmeticsbyclare.blogspot.co.uk/2015/01/review-2015-no-1-girl-online-by-zoe-sugg.html

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: 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

How To Clear Hormonal Dry Skin: Simple Spotless Skin Triple Action Face Wash Review

Most people with oily skin, breakouts or acne say that they would kill for dry skin as it's generally accepted that it's easier to manage. However, as I found out recently dry skin really does need treating and managing as much as oily skin. I have dry skin and as much as it is usually pretty spotless, come that time of the month the inevitable happens and my skin is a mess.

This gets even worse with stress, so last week I started testing Simple's Spotless Skin Triple Action Face Wash at night. In three days my skin was almost clear! I'm not sure I can claim a miracle, but alongside drinking more water, a face cloth and eating cleaner this face wash is a must have high street beauty find.

A translucent, white formula that foams when used with water creates a satisfying face wash and really clears breakouts. I personally love Simple's natural and basic ingredients as well as their philosophy. I would definately recommend anyone try this and even agree with the statement 'results from Day 1'!

Carpe Diem xx

Summer Beauty Favourites 2013

Firstly, apologies for not posting a beauty or makeup favourites blog in a long time, but I'm finding that a 3-month seasonal favourites works best at the moment. As I mentioned before, in my Where have I been? post, I have been scaling down my makeup collection and focusing on skincare. I'm finding that the summer, and occassional British sunshine, is drying out my skin almost as much as the central heating in winter, and this is reflected in my Summer Favourites 2013.

Jergens Ultra Healing Body Moisturiser:

I love using this sample size body moisturiser on my hands, especially at night. It's the perfect size to slot into handbags when you're travelling. Very nourishing and effective.

Olay Essentials Complete Care Plus Everyday Sunshine Plus (Light):

I've been an avid lover of this tinted moisturiser for about 3 years now, but it's an on-off love/hate relationship. Sometimes I finding it too oily for my dry skin and hate it's patchiness after 2 days, and then I use it and love it again because it gives a great glow and buildable tan after 3 days application.

Burt's Bees Richly Replenishing Body Lotion for Dry Skin (Cocoa and Cupuacu Butters):

Burt's Bees is a great natural skincare and beauty range, and I've always used their lip balms but never tried their body moisturisers. This cocoa and cupuacu (I don't know either?!) butters lotion is rich and moisturising, however it is definately an 'evening before putting on your PJs' lotion.

I will definately repurchase when I can.

Oral-B 3D White Enamel Protect Toothpaste (Lovely Mint):

I've had a fixed dental brace for over a year now and build up calculus easily (TMI!), and therefore good oral hygiene is essential (I'm planning a dental hygiene post for the next week). This is a great protective, whitening toothpaste and has a refreshing flavour.

Rimmel 60 Seconds Nail Polish (Sky High) and Collection 2000 Lasting Colour (Ice Cube):

After I finished my exams I got into wearing nail polish again. Now I can't choose between them, so my joint favourites are Rimmel's Sky High (a sharp sky blue/turquoise colour) and Collection 2000's (now Collection) clear Ice Cube. Ice Cube is a great topcoat.

Carpe Diem xx

Where Have I Been?

There are many excuses I could try to give for not blogging regularly over the last 6 months or so, but the truth is there isn't one! I have just been preoccupied with a number of things; moving house, finishing my dissertation, completing coursework deadlines, and now I am studying for my degree finals.

Part of the reason I have not blogged much here is that my makeup routine is currently very paired down. With a busy study schedule, and quite a lot of stress, I have been focussing on a paired down, simple skincare routine to help me through the cold UK winter!

Some of the skincare products that I have been loving are:

La Roche-Posay Rosaliac Anti-Redness Moisturiser

Boots Time Delay Anti-Puffing Eye Roll-On

Boots Time Delay Replenishing Eye Cream

Boots Tea Tree Oil and Witch Hazel Anti-Blemish Stick 

Please bare with me over the next month or so. Watch out for lots more posts and exciting things to come!

Carpe diem xx

August Favourites: The Body Shop, John Frieda, and Organisation....

Technology: My new Sony Xperia Tipo! I finally replaced my old Sony Ericsson with a smart phone, after 4 years!

Reading: I got 'Girl With a Pearl Earring' (Tracy Chevalier) from the library, and am really enjoying it. It's classic historical fiction set in the 17th Century Dutch home of painter Vermeer.  

Skincare: I've been testing different moisturisers for dry/sensitive skin and really like this Vitamin E Moisture Lotion (SPF 15) by The Body Shop. It's a nice light moisture layer for the summer.

Haircare: Before blow-drying my hair I've been using John Frieda Frizz-Ease Heat Defeat protective styling spray. It leaves a nice glossy shine.

Homeware: I bought a 3-set of white wicker organiser baskets for my room and really like them. £20 from TVC.

Clothes: I've been loving the lace-trim jersey tank tops that I found in H&M for £7.99. I got one of navy blue and one in black. Abercrombie look for less!

Carpe diem xx

Skin Confidential: Top Tips for Your Best Skin Ever

Source: http://www.garnier.it/_it/_it/our_products/SKINCARE.aspx?tpcode=OUR_PRODUCTS%5EPRD_SKINCARE%5ETRD_SKINCARE

For many Asian and French women skincare is top priority, but particularly in the UK and America makeup seems to have taken precedent. It's time we ditched the piles of foundation and looked after the skin underneath so that there's less to cover up! Do you agree? My top tips are:

1) Water, water, water.... boring, I know. Ditch fizzy drinks, excessive alcohol and coffee (tea is a better alternative), and make sure you are hydrated throughout the day. If you're out and about take a water bottle with you. 

2) Ditch the Sugar..... as well as being bad for your teeth, fizzy drinks with spoonfuls of sugars, cups of tea with added sugar, and sweets contain glucose that are damaging to skin. I'm not saying give it up, just watch out for when your overdosing on the stuff!

3) Wash your Face..... it's something that is a habit for many kids, but cleaning your face twice a day - especially is you're exfoliating and cleansing - will prevent pore blockages and dirt buildup that causes spots and pimples. 

4) Makeup Free..... just like your body sometimes needs a detox from excess sugar, fat, alcohol and other nasties, your skin will benefit from going makeup free for at least one day every week, if you can manage it. Anyone who has tried this incidently will realise that the benefits outweigh the makeup free 'scary' look!

5) Moisturise..... moisturising twice a day, particularly if you have dry or sensitive skin, will create beneficial skin renewal and prevent dryness and early wrinkles. 

6) Sleep in the fresh air..... weird one, I know, but sleeping with the window open is great for your skin. Sleeping in a hermetically sealed bedroom can starve your skin of oxygen, drying it out, and be as bad as a 10-hour flight in an airconditioned airplane.

Carpe diem xx

Natural Skincare: Korres Skincare Beauty Haul

Korres Japanese rose body butter - amazing scent and really hydrating

Korres Japanese rose showergel with organic extracts of althea and helichrysum - containing proteins that regulate skin hydration

Korres wild rose lip butter - great lip moisturiser with a subtle but English Rose rosy tint

For those who don't know, Korres is a brand of Greek skincare and body products containing highly concentrated natural and organic ingredients. This is my haul - wish I could afford to get these regularly but sadly I'm a student :( - suitable for vegetarians and vegans and not tested on animals - yay!

Have you tried Korres? What's your opinion of their products? High quality or just over-priced?

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

CURRENT Sensitive and Dry Skin Shower Products

I have medium-length fine, dry hair and sensitive skin, and find that most average shampoo, conditioners and shower gels agrivate or dry them out more. To counteract this I use this routine: 

I wash my hair (twice!) every other day. Using Pantene gives shine to my dry hair and stops it getting too oily, T/Gel works on dandruff and dry scalps, blow-drying (after applying heat-protectant) my hair flipped upside down volumizes my limp hair.  

Here are the products I'm currently using in the shower to tackle my dry and sensitive scalp, skin and hair:

Olay Body Age Protect Moisture Body Wash

Neutrogena T/Gel Therapeutic Coal Tar (Dry hair) Shampoo

Pantene Pro-V Smooth & Sleek Shampoo

Pantene Pro-V Ice Shine (All Hair Types) Conditioner

What are your secret beauty products for dry/sensitive hair and skin?

Carpe diem xx