Beauty: Products to help keep your face under control


The constant change in seasons is hard on your skin. One minute it's bright sunshine and the second it's pouring with rain and you're having to bring your scarf out of storage. I don't know about you but my skin isn't too sure how to react and gets in a right old state. Luckily I've got a few wonder products in my arsenal to help keep my face under control.


Super Facialist By Una Brennan Rose Hydrate Intense Moisture Mask: I'm a massive fan of this beauty brand. I think it's such good value for money and it does exactly what it promises on the tin. I usually pop it on a few times a week after I've had a shower. It's brilliant to put on after a clay mask. As someone who commutes into London fairly often and spends a lot of time with air con, my skin takes a battering. But this product makes me skin feel plumper and the dryness is soon blasted away. It helps to keep dullness at bay and smells absolutely gorgeous. It's quite a strong scent so it's not for the faint hearted. You have to like rose! 

Super Facialist By Una Brennan Tea Flower Deep Clean Pore Purifying Clay Mask: I'm a massive advocate of clay masks and this one is up there as one of my favourites. I soon notice the frequent breakouts if I'm lax on applying this for a few weeks. It's great for sensitive skin and my face never feels tight after use. The mask is great for banishing those pesky blackheads - after just a few weeks they start to vanish. It's quite a thin consistency so I do like to slaver it on but this helps to make it easier to wash off. 

Origins Drink Up Overnight Intensive Mask: This is my wonder product. I cannot sing it's praises enough! You need the tinniest amount to help make a difference. My skin soaks this up like a good 'un. I use it at night after I've double cleansed and let it soak in before getting into bed. In the morning my skin is fresh-looking, smooth and hydrated. I tend to use it between 2-4 times a week depending on the dreaded weather! 


Jurlique Herbal Recovery Antioxidant Facial Oil c/o I'd always been a bit reluctant to put oil on my face but after reading lots of reviews praising it, I finally took the plunge. I'm extremely glad I did! I pop this hydrating oil on between cleansing and moisturising before I go to bed. It only need 2-3 drops to take effect. The next morning my skin feels refreshed and ready to take on the world. Keep in mind it can get a little greasy if you opt for too much!

Maskeraide Weather Warrior Sheet Mask c/o I was intrigued when I was sent this at work and couldn't wait to try it out. No wonder they've gotten such high praise! A sheet mask comes from South Korea and are one of the next big things in beauty - although I am a little late to the party. You leave them on for 20 minutes and it's like having a cheeky spa treatment at home. It has an almost instant effect after use. My skin has never looked to perky and bright! Definately a good shout to use before you're heading on a night out and need some TLC.

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Recipe: Jam and Coconut Loaf


Last weekend I was abandoned for the last day of the football season and bored in the house. I haven't baked in months and stared at my Kitchenmaid looking all sorry for itself. I wanted something quick and simple to bake. After scouring my many cookbooks, I came across Nadia Sawalha's Fabulous Family Food and saw this simple recipe. It came out brilliantly!



Ingredients:
For the cake:
175g self raising flour, sifted
175g baking spread
175g caster sugar
3 free-range eggs, whisked
50g desiccated coconut
1 tbsp lemon flavouring
1 tbsp vanilla flavouring
1 tsp baking powder

For the topping:
4-6 tbsp strawberry jam
2 tbsp desiccated coconut


1. Preheat the oven to 180 degrees/gas mark 4.

2. Line a 900g loaf tin with baking parchment and grease with some butter.

3. Put all the cake ingredients in a mixing bowl, whisk until you have a smooth mixture. Pour it into the loaf tin.

4. Bake for 45-50 minutes. I popped some tin foil on it after 10 minutes to stop it from burning. The woes of having a fan oven!

5. Leave to stand in the tin to cool for ten minutes. Pop on a wire rack to let it fully cool down.

6. Once cooled, spread the strawberry jam on the top and sprinkle with the coconut.

Let me know on twitter if you manage to make it - I'd love to see a picture!


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OOTD: Yellow sun dress





Outfit:
Yellow cotton sundress: c/o M&S
White chunky heeled sandals: c/o M&S

I was asked by M&S to style an outfit suitable for a special summer event. They have a cracking Ultimate Dress Guide - there's something to flatter every shape! They have such an amazing selection of dresses. I chose to dress for a garden party - we all have a lot of these coming up over the next few months. BBQ season is certainly a perk of the summer! Smart Casual. The oxymoron that strikes fear into anyone - what the hell does it mean anyway?! I think I've found the perfect combination if you need to look like you've effortlessly made an effort.

The gorgeous lime green dress immediately called my name as soon as I spotted it on the page. The netting underneath gives it a little oomph and keeps it from looking too casual. The cotton material will help keep the dress feeling light. A 50s style silhouette is always a winner in my book whatever the occasion! A slick of red lipstick instantly makes your outfit a game changer.

I chose the white chunky heels because I thought they were perfect for standing on your feet all day. There's nothing worse than frantically looking around trying to nab an elusive chair because your feet are in agony. The heel is just the right height to stand and chat to guests - they help to pack a statement and make your dress look a little bit more fancier. The gemstones help make them exciting and keep to the dreaded smart causal dress code like a pro.
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A Essex based lifestyle blogger who lives a champagne life on a lemonade purse!

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sophie.warner89@yahoo.co.uk.

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