beauty

The Magic of the Konjac Sponge

20 June 2016

Bingley, West Yorkshire, UK
This post is in collaboration with The Konjac Sponge Company.
The Konjac sponge* is a multi-ward winning product made from the Amorphophallus Konjac plant root, which is often used as a healthy food source or for medical purposes in Asia. The plant is loaded with fibre and filled with an enormous amount of nutrients such as vitamins A, E, D, B1, B2 and C as well as amino acids and minerals like potassium and zinc. Kojac is naturally an alkaline, so it helps in balancing the pH of the skin – incredibly useful in battling acne. I’ve had the opportunity to try out the Konjac sponge, and love it so far!
How I Used the Sponge
I have used quite a few different exfoliating sponges and products, and the most important thing I’ve learned is that the sponge needs to be rinsed before. I prefer to use warm water, and thoroughly rinse the sponge to make sure it’s clean. With the Konjac sponge, fully hydrating it is the best way to get a good use from its properties, before massaging it into the skin in a circular motion. You can add cleanser to either the sponge or the skin, and then focus on problem areas such as breakout spots or pores. After each cycle of exfoliating my face, I like to rinse the sponge again and squeeze out any dirt and excess oil it has collected. One of the great things about the sponge is that is has a string hooked through, which doesn’t come loose or get lost, so once I’m doing washing my face I hang the sponge to dry, usually in a room that will dry it quickly and never somewhere wet or damp like the shower. I learned that harshly rubbing the skin isn’t necessary either!
Why I Love the Sponge
When I received the sponge, the first thing I noticed was how rock solid it was. My immediate thought was “How on earth is this thing going to work on my face?” With previous products, a rocky texture can make acne and breakouts a lot worse and leave my skin feeling like a layer has been torn off and extremely sensitive. As soon as the sponge hit water, it started to soften and my mind was blown. It is a lot smoother than a flannel, and more effective than my hands. I assumed the holes in the sponge would be sharp against my face but were also soft too. Using the sponge has helped me to keep my breakouts under control, especially as I have recently conquered acne!
I can use the sponge with or without a cleanser or soap, and still get that freshly massaged feeling. There’s simply nothing I hate more than washing my face and getting that dry and tight sensation that can come immediately after I have finished a cleanse, the Konjac sponge leaves my face feeling renewed and clean! The bamboo charcoal in my sponge is naturally antibacterial and antifungal, which is ideal for my skin as it can become quite oily. I was also amazed at how the sponge returned to the original size and texture when dry. It’s amazing for removing make up and easy to clean afterwards as water flows through it so quickly and easily.
The price of the sponges are between £5 and 15, and have a life span of around three months, which is a good time to be changing the product used to clean your skin.

I would definitely recommend this product to anyone who’s looking for a new sponge to exfoliate their skin without tearing layers away. There’s a wide range for different skin types and well as travel kits – I used the Bamboo Charcoal sponge, specifically for teen, oily or spot-prone skin!

Have you ever used a Konjac sponge? Did you like it?

How Chic Is a Natural Skin Routine This Summer?

5 June 2016

Ilkley, West Yorkshire, UK
Don’t you feel like days you spent on the beach last summer actually happened a million years ago? It’s June already and we can’t wait to show off our new bikinis at the beach! Besides our thirst for salty waves, cold lemonade, and the heat of summer, another feeling waking up is our desire to implement natural ways into our daily routine. Natural skin care is very chic these past few years, and for good reason – it is the best thing you can do for yourself.

Soak in the real nature
There is no way you are going to have beautiful, healthy, and glowing skin if you apply expensive serums and oils and barely ever leave your apartment save from going to and from work. Your skin needs the sun and wind, these are natural elements that remind us that we are alive, and add plenty of essential vitamin D into our bodies. Of course, you should always use sunscreen and limit the time you spend on the beach, but exposing your skin to the sun will give you a nice tan and feed you with vitamins, which means that you will be healthier and your skin will look beautiful. If you are worried about not getting enough vitamin D in your system, do not hesitate to use vitamin supplements and add more fish oil to your diet.
Wash the toxins out
You know that you should drink at least six glasses of water through the day to stay hydrated and health. This does not mean that you should drink water when you’re thirsty (by that time your body is already dehydrated), but try drinking a glass every few hours instead. There is only a certain amount of water our bodies can absorb in an hour, so keep a steady flow instead of drinking four glasses all at once. Making sure you are well hydrated from the inside does not exclude the need of moisturizing, though. Applying rich moisturizer every morning or evening will ensure that your skin keeps its glow, especially the skin on your face. In addition, you should use vitamin C serum, which will help your skin to keep its firmness and elasticity, especially when exposed to the summer sun.

Exfoliate and cleanse regularly
Exfoliating is incredibly important because we should rid our skin from those rough, dry layers which build up every day. Make your own gentle but powerful body scrub using coffee, brown sugar, and coconut oil, and use it at least once a week (better twice, though). However, exfoliating too often can strip your skin from its protective layers too, so don’t do it every day. On the other hand, unlike with exfoliating, you should cleanse your face at least once a day; but since you are doing it on a daily basis make sure you use a mild natural cleanser which will keep your skin soft and not strip it of its natural oils.
Natural masks
It is best to avoid ‘shady’ chemicals that can be found in pretty much any skincare product, and start making our own face and hair masks using ingredients from our fridges and kitchens. Use ingredients rich with oil for dry skin, for example avocado, honey, and coconut oil, and to soothe acne breakouts mix oatmeal, warm water, unsweetened yoghurt, and a bit of honey. If you would like to lighten your skin, simply use fresh lemon juice, honey, and a bit of papaya. In addition to being completely natural and safe, these masks are also delicious!
Remember, blindly following trends has never brought anyone anything good, and just because everyone is talking about something, it doesn’t mean that it is a good thing. Do your research, find out as much as you can about products you intend to use, and don’t hesitate to give up using a product if you notice side effects you don’t like. After all, your health should always come first, not just this season, but always.
This post is a guest post by Zara from highstylife.com!
Images source: Flickr

Stila Cosmetics Face Haul

9 May 2016

Bingley, West Yorkshire, UK
There’s always one brand you go back to, no matter how much you try to experiment with different products. For me, Stila has become that brand. As the frugal person I am, spending money on makeup is one of my least favourite activities (despite how much I enjoy owning it), but sometimes you really have to splash out on a product that you love. I really like Stila’s eye shadow palettes and liners, but their foundation and powders beat them all.
Stila Stay All Day Foundation & Concealer - £29.50 (Shade: 06 Cocoa)
This foundation and concealer is absolutely perfect for the colder weather and contouring. The foundation is faultlessly thick without being too light and is very pigmented so there’s no need to go overboard with the amount of product used. The foundation can be spread lightly because it is such a high quality, and I don’t use a lot each time. I love that the foundation comes with a mini concealer on the top, which is a lot thicker but still the same shade. It works really well against the foundation and can even be layered on top. The product really is Stay All Day as I can apply it in the early hours of the morning before work and never have to touch-up before going out in the evening – plus, it comes with its own brush.
If I’m using a Stay All Day foundation I need the Stay All Day bronzer right? Well, that’s my logic anyway. I have always been a fan of Stila’s powder and bronzer range because they really help foundation to set and stay in place and absorb oils and grease. I used to use the Stay All Day Bronzing Powder (which is currently on sale for £9.00) but recently started using the bronzer for face and body – and I just love it. The best thing about the bronzer is the setting power, and that it doesn’t come off easily. There’s nothing worse than finishing a base for makeup, and then finding brown fingerprints all over my white walls and doors. The powder doesn’t lift off easily, meaning less need for setting spray!
Stila Perfect & Correct Foundation - £28.50 £8.50 (Shade: Deep)
This foundation has become the perfect product for the recent warm weather. If I’m ever going for a ‘no makeup’ makeup look, this foundation is the one to use. It’s so lightweight, I often forget I’m wearing any makeup. The light, bubbly texture is ideal for the summer or being in the holiday heat. The foundation is a lot more hydrating that the Stay All Day foundation and keeps my skin fresh and able to breathe. The foundation blends really well with other concealers, and is an amazing base for powders. Like the rest of Stila’s line, the product doesn’t come off the second you touch it, so I don’t have to worry about waiting for it to set.

Have you tried any of Stila’s face products? Did you like them? 

Science of Skin: Solution for Scars Review

31 March 2016

Bingley, West Yorkshire, UK
science of skin solution for scars review
As someone with quite sensitive skin, it can be really difficult for me to find products that are effective and work really well, without damaging and irritating my skin. I’ve tried countless different products, from some of the well-known cheaper ones and even a few expensive and designer names. My skin is prone to breakouts and even acne, which will leave scars. There are a few notable products on the market which help remove scars without causing damage, and I’ve discovered another one that works for me.

The Perfect Pressed Powder

29 January 2016

sleek make up pressed powder anika may everyday make up routine photography blog review
When looking for the right powder, it can be really difficult to find one that's the right colour, will blend well with foundation and has a light but long-lasting texture. After many months of use, I think I've finally found the right one for me.
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