Thursday 18 January 2018 / London, UK

Fitness: How to Look and Feel Good at the Gym

Fitness: How to Look and Feel Good at the Gym

I’ve heard so many of my friends say that they don’t like seeing people they know at the gym. Why? Because they’re worried about how they look. It’s easy to dismiss that by saying, ‘no one looks good at the gym’ or ‘you shouldn’t worry about what people think’ (believe me, I’ve heard that more times than I can count), but when we care so much about our appearances outside of the gym, it can be hard to break away from doing the same inside.


Jack Wills Womens Joggers  Jack Wills Womens Joggers  Jack Wills Womens Joggers

So how can we change how we feel?



I’ve often felt that if I like what I’m wearing, then it’ll help me feel more confident when I’m working out. Dark, block colours help me combat the terrible gym lighting and deceptive mirrors, whilst a looser fit stops the fabric clinging to all the bits I’m insecure about. These simplistic womens joggers from Jack Wills fit the bill – and they’re nice enough to wear on a casual day out (I wear mine with a leather jacket, t-shirt and white trainers).

In terms of outerwear, hoodies are ideal.



They’re super warm and cosy, and a great alternative to sheeny polyester jackets as (again) they don’t cling. I look for ones which are lightweight, so that I don’t feel too bulky, and I try not to fill up the front pocket with lots of stuff.


Good underwear is underrated.



First of all, a good quality and well-fitted sports bra is essential, as exercising without the right support can lead to drooping and sagging (and, let’s face it, none of us want that). I like racer-back sports bras as the straps line up with my vests. Secondly, choose underpants that are comfortable and breathable; although thongs may help you avoid VPL, they can lead to chafing and even UTIs. Try wearing seamless underwear if you’re worried about this.

Wearing makeup: good or bad?



Beauty YouTuber Lauren Curtis made a video about wearing makeup at the gym, and got a lot of stick for it. However, I think it’s something that should be addressed, as there are a lot of us who just don’t feel confident leaving the house without makeup on. If you must wear makeup at the gym, make it breathable – as the last thing you want is the makeup clogging your pores and making your skin worse. Opt for a good primer like this one from SportFX, stick to a very light BB cream or tinted moisturiser, and go easy on the eye makeup (I’ll usually just apply a waterproof mascara).

But what do I do with my hair?!



I’ve got super long hair and I often find it really hard to know what to do with it when I’m exercising. Buns tend to fall out, and tying it up in a ponytail is not a great solution, as doing this regularly can cause traction alopecia. Instead, I opt for braids, which look pretty whilst at the same time keeping my hair out of my face. A single French braid down the back of the head looks gorgeous, but I usually need someone else to do this for me! By myself, I’m able to create two either side of my parting.

Bring a friend.


You know that saying, ‘strength in numbers’? I think it works when you’re exercising too. I always feel more self-conscious when I’m working out by myself than I do when I’m with someone. If you can, find a workout buddy who motivates and inspires you – and who doesn’t care what you look like when you’re red and sweaty! Not only will you be able to pump each other up, but you’ll also be distracted with your epic partner workouts so that you can worry less about what you look like.


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Monday 8 January 2018 / London, UK

5 Healthy Snack Recipes to Try this Month

5 Healthy Snack Recipes to Try this Month
Image via Unsplash 
We all treat ourselves over the Christmas period - whether that's a full overindulgence with Christmas dinner and all the trimmings, or just a few chocolates here and there. I'm definitely guilty of this. And what makes it worse is that I get in the cycle of overeating (and, possibly over drinking), then severely cutting back when it comes to the New Year.

But it shouldn't take all that cutting back in order to return to the body that I had before the month of December reared its ugly head - just some small changes, including drinking lots of water to cleanse the body of toxins, regular exercise and making healthier choices when it comes to diet.

If you're a snacker, like me, your diet will benefit from some healthier options when it comes to the food you consume in between meals. Instead of chocolates, cakes and crisps, switch to a small piece of dark chocolate, homemade oat bars and vegetable crisps. You don't have to cut things out of your diet completely - just substitute them for smarter choices. With that in mind, here are five easy-to-make, healthy snack choices that you can try this month and, hopefully, carry on eating throughout the year.

Chocolate overnight oats
Image via Exante

1. Chocolate overnight oats

Ingredients
60g oats
1 1/2 tbsp Exante Chocolate Shake powder
120ml plain yoghurt
120ml almond milk
30g pecan nuts (shelled and crushed)
Handful of blackberries

Method
Mix the oats, chocolate shake powder, plain yoghurt and almond milk together. Pour into a container and leave in the fridge overnight or for a few hours.
Sprinkle the pecan nuts and blackberries on top, and enjoy!

Tzatziki
Image via Unsplash

2. Tzatziki

Ingredients
1/4 of a cucumber
1 clove garlic
100g plain yoghurt
Juice of half a lemon

Method
Grate the cucumber into a bowl. Flip the grater over and finely grate the garlic into the same bowl.
Add the yoghurt and lemon juice, stir and enjoy straight away with rye bread.

Protein flapjacks
Image via Exante

3. Protein flapjacks

Ingredients (makes 12)
Oil for greasing
50g baking spread
2 tbsp almond butter
3 tbsp maple syrup
2 ripe bananas
1 apple
250g oats
2 tsp Exante Vanilla Shake powder
80g dried apricots
80g mixed seed
100g raisins

Method
Heat oven to 160C/140C fan/gas 3. Use the oil to grease a 20cm square tin, then line it with baking parchment. 
Mash the bananas, chop the dried apricots and peel and grate the apple, then leave to one side.
Heat the spread, almond butter and maple syrup in a small pan until melted. Add the mashed banana, grated apple and 100ml hot water, and mix to combine.
Pour the oats, chopped dried aprictos, raisinsand seeds into a large bowl. Pour in the banana and apple mixture and stir until everything is coated. 
Tip into the cake tin and level the surface. Bake for 55 mins until golden. Leave to cool in the tin. Cut into 12 pieces to serve or store in an airtight container in the fridge.

Apple, banana and cinnamon smoothie
Image via Unsplash

4. Apple, banana and cinnamon smoothie

Ingredients
300ml almond milk
1 apple
1 banana
1 teaspoon cinnamon

Method
Chop the apple and banana, then place in a blender with the almond milk, protein powder and cinnamon. Blend until smooth, then drink straight away.

Butterscotch nice cream
Image via Unsplash

5. Butterscotch nice cream

Ingredients (makes 1 serving)
1 large banana

Method
Chop up the banana, place it in a container and leave in the freezer overnight.
Place the chopped, frozen banana in a blender and blend until smooth. Add the protein powder and blend again until it is all mixed in.
Enjoy right away or freeze to eat later.

*

Did you overindulge over Christmas, too? What are your favourite healthy snacks? Let me know in the comments section below!

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Tuesday 2 January 2018 / London, UK

Beauty: The Best Makeup and Skincare of 2017

Beauty: The Best Makeup and Skincare of 2017
Image via Unsplash
I know we say that every year has been an exciting year for beauty - but 2017 really has been exciting. Not for the trends (in fact, some might say that this year's trends have just extended on last year's), but for the act of widening the road for the many consumers who have not been previously acknowledged in the mainstream market. We have put pressure on brands to be inclusive of customers from all races - and we have achieved results. Fenty Beauty has been a trailblazer in this respect, with a foundation range comprising 40 different shades; and it was reported that the darkest shades sold out incredibly quickly, proving wrong the 'industry experts' who believed that her venture would not succeed. Since then, it has become expected of makeup brands to offer shades to suit all ethnicities. But there is still much more work to be done. I'm looking forward to a 2018 where more brands expand their ranges to include more tones and shades.

With that in mind, I'm rounding up some of the most exciting products and brands that made a splash in the industry last year.

Note: this page contains affiliate links.

Fenty Beauty Galaxy Eyeshadow Palette

1. Fenty Beauty Galaxy Eyeshadow Palette

Of course, Fenty Beauty had to be at the top of this list. And although it was the incredible range of foundation shades that got people talking, it was the Galaxy collection that was released not long after the launch of this brand that kept it at the front of everyone's minds. The Galaxy Eyeshadow Palette sold out almost straight away, but keep an eye out for restocks as these hyper-reflective metallic shades are out of this world (excuse the pun). And, if you can't wait, check out the rest of the collection.


Cover FX Custom Enhancer Drops

2. Cover FX Custom Enhancer Drops

Although 2016 was the year of the highlight, 2017 could be said to have been the year of the glow. Cover FX's Custom Enhancer Drops appeared in almost every beauty blogger's makeup bag - not just to add a dazzling highlight on their cheekbones or to the centre of their noses, but to mix in with foundation to create an all over radiance that not even an angel could replicate. With nine shades (seven for highlighting and two for bronzing) this product has a versatility that I haven't seen from many other highlighter drops, including Iconic London, or the more affordable Barry M. And the best thing about it is it's not glittery, so it doesn't give the game away.
Omorovicza Rejuvenating Night Cream

3. Omorovicza Rejuvenating Night Cream

I begrudge paying high prices for skincare, but I shouldn't, because I know that you get what you pay for (a lot of the time - and I'm not saying you can't find good skincare for low prices, but some of the most effective skincare that I have used has come with a pricetag to match). The Omorovicza Rejuvenating Night Cream is an eyewatering £110. But, it's a bestseller from a brand that has grown a reputation for high-end-spa-standard skincare, and has received rave reviews from editors at Vogue and Vanity Fair. It's packed with minerals and other natural, vitamin-rich ingredients, allowing you to wake up to beautiful, rested skin - skin so radiant that you wouldn't even want to wear makeup.


Stila Magnificent Metals Glitter & Glow Liquid Eye Shadow

4. Stila Magnificent Metals Glitter & Glow Liquid Eye Shadow

I've never been able to achieve the right consistency when it comes to liquid eyeshadow, even with the best primer. Because my eyes are so hooded, the product inevitably creases and I'm left with a thick line of 'no thanks' at the end of the night. However, I've never had a problem with Stila's Magnificent Metals Glitter & Glow Liquid Eye Shadow. This blends smoothly, doesn't wrinkle, and shines like Kate Middleton's engagement ring in 12 gorgeous colours.


Glossier Mask Duo

5. Glossier Mask Duo

I don't think the UK beauty market was expecting it when Glossier burst onto the scene last year. The brainchild of Into The Gloss founder Emily Weiss, Glossier was founded when she noticed women getting overwhelmed and frustrated by the sheer amount of beauty products out there, most of which end up being bought, used once, and finally relegated to the cupboard under the bathroom sink. Glossier used social media to build up a cult following, propelling its skincare-first approach to beauty. The brand's Mask Duo is on this list because the two products produce a super fresh base (and give you an excuse to lay down and do nothing while the vitamin-rich ingredients soak into your skin); however, I could pretty much put any Glossier product on here and there would be readers nodding in agreement.


Huda Beauty Desert Dusk Palette

6. Huda Beauty Desert Dusk Palette

Honestly, I do not think I've ever seen a more beautiful palette in my entire life. The Huda Beauty Desert Dusk Palette is every shade I ever wanted and more. I mean, just look at 'Celestial' - isn't that the most fantastic shade of rose gold you've ever seen? This insanely pigmented palette comprises eight matte shades, six pearlescents, three duo-chrome and one pure glitter ('Cosmo' in case you were wondering). Now, should you spend £56 on this palette? That's up to you; you could probably find similar shades, and just as pigmented, if you shopped around a little. But you're paying for the convenience of having them all in one palette - and all specifically designed to complement each other. You could choose almost any colour combination from this palette and you couldn't go wrong, but then most of us will probably stick to the same three shades we use every day. If you're adventurous with your colours and like to mix up your look, I'd say 'go for it'.


The Ordinary Serum Foundation

7.  The Ordinary Serum Foundation

Once you get over the fact that The Ordinary's Serum Foundation is £5.70 (yes, you read right), you discover a lightweight, medium coverage foundation with amazing blendability. Available in 21 shades, with a range of undertones identified with 'R' (red), 'N' (neutral) and 'Y' (yellow), it features a semi-matte finish and doesn't settle into fine lines. Plus, the SPF 15 provides a bit of coverage from the winter sun. It comes with a matte pump which can get a bit grubby if you don't clean it regularly, or you can order a pipette - but pipettes tend to be more trouble then they're worth for me; I can just see myself dropping it onto my nice cream rug. Overall, a huge cult product in 2017 - and one I shall be repurchasing this year.


Farsáli Unicorn Essence

8. Farsáli Unicorn Essence

I don't know about you, but I couldn't get through one Instagram browsing sesh without seeing this pink goo dripping down someone's face - namely, this girl's face. The Farsáli Unicorn Essence transformed serums for me, as they were something I never really paid attention to before - I'm more of a cream kinda person. The fact that this is pink and has the word 'unicorn' in the name had me kind of dubious before I saw that it really worked. It's one hell of a primer, and contains a whole host of anti-ageing ingredients like acai and blueberry. You can wear it underneath makeup, or on its own for a truly dewy glow. It's £50 a bottle, but I'd say it's worth every penny.

What were your favourite products of 2017? Let me know in the comments section!


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