How to keep your Skin & Hair healthy

Recently a few of you over on my Instagram have been asking me what I do to keep my skin and hair healthy. Now, I'm no expert but here are a few tips I've found help towards glossy hair and smoother skin.

First things first is W A T E R. 

Considering our skin is made from 64% water It only makes sense that hydrating it will be beneficial. I find when I really concentrate on upping my daily water intake I feel more energetic, the water helps balance my skin levels out therefore reducing oil and shine. 

I've been working on making my water more exciting in a bid to drink more, by adding lemon, mint and cucumber to icy cold water, it's refreshing, thirst quenching and adds vitamin C. It is also something a bit more interesting without it being bad for you like a sugary squash would be.
Another way I try to push my water intake up is to replace a few of what would normally be tea or coffee with hot water and lemon with a dash of honey, or to really mix it up adding a fresh raspberry to add extra fruitiness and colour. 

Eat more R E D  F O O D S...

Specifically red fruit and vegetables are the best for your hair, skin and nails. Red fruits and vegetables are loaded with antioxidants such as lycopene and anthocyanins that have tons of benefits for your body, such as decreasing the risk of stroke. They are packed full of vitamins and lycopene is said to help protect against various cancers. I eat loads of berries on my breakfast with probiotic natural yogurt, a drizzle of honey, muesli and nuts. Then as my mid morning or afternoon snack I munch on a punnet of tomatoes and sliced red peppers. They strengthen your hair and nails and aid growth, which in turn makes it for more regular hair cuts which also aids healthier hair and reduces split ends. 

S K I N  C A RE 

Whether your skin care routine is high street or luxury it is still so important to look after your skin morning and night. My nighttime routine it more extensive than my morning as unfortunately I'm usually struck for time cause you know...sleep. Looking after your skin with the aid of moisturisers and balms is one of the best ways to revitalise your skin overnight. 

I am totally addicted to these EOS lip balms, not only do I use them for my lips throughout the day and overnight but I also use them as an under eye treatment. Lip balms are the most dense and intense forms or moisturisers out there which is why I opt the use it under my eyes. I honestly haven't found a better alternative product that can provide such a deep treatment. Its also amazing for dry skin patches on elbows or knees or even on hands and feet. Just be sure not to mix up the ones you're using on your face, lips and elsewhere. 

Recently I've been loving Estee Lauder's skin care products, I've been using the Revitalizing Supreme moisturiser a few nights a week alongside the Advanced Night Repair serum when I'm feeling like my skin needs a real good pick me up.
Finally I really enjoy using Garnier products to remove makeup such as their Micellar Water cleansers and their Simply Essentials 2 in 1 makeup remover. Which is a mixable liquid that you shake together to remove your eye makeup. I use it specifically to take off my waterproof mascara. 

In terms of hydration I've started using this Garnier Moisture Bomb it is a gel consistency, when applied feels like it turns into a water on the skin. It doesn't leave an oily feel to the skin and it sinks in very quickly which I like because it doesn't leave my skin feeling sticky.

H A I  R C A R E

I have always used hair serums after showering and before blow drying my hair especially, I prefer to shower in the evening so if I can help it I try to let my hair dry naturally however before styling I apply this Tresemmé Oil Elixir serum. It helps with stray frizzy hairs, conditions your locks and prevents breakages infused Argan and Almond oils, I apply it to my hair wet and now I really notice when I haven't used it. 

What do you do to keep your hair and skin healthy?
I'd love to know any tips you have?

That's all for now beauties, 

Thanks for reading!

Mucho Love,

Liv

♥

H&M Haul: Beauty Edition

About 6 months ago the beloved H&M launched their first 500+ beauty and skin care range.
Consisting of all of your makeup bag essentials such a lippy, eyeliner, eyeshadows, brushes and the makeup bag itself! We saw the skin and hair care lines launch with beautiful minimalist packaging headlining products such as, dry shampoos and texture sprays. Alongside this an array of body lotions and potions to meet your every need. Last but certainly not least they introduced an extensive nail polish collection, with a wall of nail varnishes I could only dream about- colour coordinated perfection.

So, with the above in mind I would be crazy not to snap up a few pieces!
So far I've got 3 Colour Essence eye pencils , 1 perfume, (since photographing the products) 6 nail varnishes, 1 blush and an Iphone case...which I am well aware is completely off topic but loooook- it's so pretty and it's made with real pressed flowers!!!

Colour Essence Eye Pencils:

I've got 3 lovely colours, Raw Umber (brown), Come in Third (copper) and Wildlife (earthy green). 

These eyeliners are highly pigmented and have a shimmer through them. These can be used as eyeliner, a wash of colour over the lid or even swiped through the wet line. Their consistency is super creamy and butter-like but they set quickly so you've got to be fast with your application- especially if you're wanting to blend them out. I've loved using them in the wet line and smudged out to a soft focus through the lower lash line to add a flash of colour and depth to my eye look.

Nail Varnishes:

I bloomin' love H&M nail varnishes! Since taking these snaps as I said my collection had grown (this is the trouble with working in the city and having the ease to walk to any shop on my lunch break, its great but my purse sometimes tells me off for it). I have Olive Twist, the colour I am wearing in the above pictures, Beach Bunny, Copper Penny and Glitter.
So I got the glitter just before christmas and I pretty much wore it for the whole of December and January! It's a holographic glitter so even though its main colouring is gold the holographic pigments in it give it a disco ball/pearlescent effect and I had so many compliments when wearing! The copper is a metallic polish which means it applies with ease, 1 coat will totally surfice and it dries so much quicker, so if you need a quick lunch break fix up this style of polish should be your pick. The final colour Beach Babe is a beautiful pinky-coral colour it's spring summer all over which is why I brought it a few weeks ago to wear to a wedding this weekend.

Mandarin Gold Eau De Toilette- Limited Edition:
Okay, so I'm not going to go into great depth with this perfume as when I bought it I didn't realise I was buying a limited edition product and I always get frustrated when bloggers rave over limited editions products because if they're as good as they say they are they're not going to be sitting on the shelves for long! This is a lovely scent and I can honestly say it's different to anything I've ever smelt previously. Its very rich so you literally only need a light spritz. Fortunately, they do have lots of other lovely scents and they are the perfect handbag size a great price thats easy on your purse!

Powder Blush- Golden Peach:

These blushes pack a punch! They are pretty pigmented so you really don't need to load your brush with much to get the desired effect. This particular colour has gold flecks through it so it is basically a 2 in 1 as it acts as a highlight as well. I really like the packaging of this product, not necessarily the quality of the packaging as none of this makeup is pricey so I wouldn't expect anything to blow me away. However I  love the geometric shape of the packaging and the detail of the gold edging just adds a little bit of something to the overall look. These blushes come in a range of 16 colours so there is something for every skintone, next on my wish list is the colours Rosy Brown or Apricot as I think they'll add the perfect more bronzy tone to a summer makeup look. 

That brings me to the end of my haul and so far so good H&M, round of applause!

*Clapping hands emoji*

Have you got anything from H&M beauty I'm yet to try?

Any recommendations or keep clears?

Let me know in the comments below or catch up with me on Instagram.

That's all for now beauties,

Thanks for reading!

Mucho love,

Liv

♥

Mac: Burgundy Times Nine

Mac Burgundy Times Nine

How yummy is this eyeshadow pallet? For months now I've not been able to get enough of these burgundy, copper and brown nude tones whether that be on my eyes or lips. There is no two ways about it, this pallet is a firm favourite in my collection and it's here to stay or until I hit pan.

I can't help but admit that I've caught the Kylie Jenner bug and I will not apoligse for passing it on. 

This pallet is the perfect addition to my collection and I don't quite have anything like it. Of course I have lots of lovely nude pallets with a burgundy or mauve option but this is more of a semi-nude pallet. 

Image from Mac online (ps. there new website layout is heavenly)

You can create countless combinations of beautiful looks with this palette but the difference is, there is something more unique about the shades on offer. Whether you use Star Violet to add a pop of colour, or a dash of honey lust on the inner corners as highlight. This pallet will ensure you achieve something special to every look you create.

I created this look using Antiqued across most of my lid and blended into my lower lash line, I used Honey Lust to highlight the inner corners and lined my upper lash line using embark then pulled it all together with a swipe of brown pencil liner in the wetline and lashings of mascara. 

Simple, daytime smokey and eye-catching.

Have you used this pallet? I'd love to see the looks you create with it, tag me in your comments so I can find you on Instagram or twitter. 

Can you recommend any other pallets i'm missing out on? 

I'd love to hear your recommendations!

That's all for now beauties, 

Thanks for reading! 

Mucho Love,

Liv

♥