Whitney Port Venus & Olay Blogger Challenge!

A few weeks ago I was challenged by Venus and Olay's new ambassador Whitney Port to customise a pair of denim shorts for a chance to feature on Whitney's site, as well as win a pair of shorts designed by the leggy lady herself. I am a huge Whitney fan as I love her style and general attitude so I was excited to try out the new Venus razor and take part in the fashion challenge!

I was sent a pair of denim shorts to play with, along with a bag of embellishments and of course the new Venus and Olay razor that combines Olay Moisture-Boost shave gel bars, which help replenish your skin’s moisture, with Venus’s five-blade technology for an incredibly close shave. The shave gel bars mean there’s no need for an extra shave gel, which is perfect for travel or when you are in a hurry. As well as being super quick and convenient this razor gives a really close, comfortable shave. I also noticed that the bars have a lovely scent, which was a nice surprise!

So after trying out the razor I was all set to show off my legs and began working on the perfect pair of shorts to do so. I decided to keep the colour palette very classic and focus on some gold detailing on the front and back pockets. Since my sewing technique is somewhat lacking there was a lot of fabric glue involved, but I'm pretty happy with the results. I think the extra sparkle gives the shorts a bit of personality, while still being really wearable.

I used lots of gold thread on the back pockets to make them really stand out and give the shorts a little bit more shape. I then tied the design in with the front by accentuating the corners with more gold sequins, to reflect the shape of the curve.

So what do we think ladies? Would Whitney ever wear a pair of shorts like this? Regardless of the competition I had so much fun decorating (and almost gluing my fingers together) and I can't wait to show them off on holiday in a few weeks :). xxx

Getting Summer Ready!

Ramping up the workout

Recently I took a deep breath and decided that I needed to get fit, tone up and lose some serious inches. I have always found it easier to lose weight through diet rather than exercise as I normally eat pretty healthily, but tend to indulge in the colder months (who doesn't?). However, over the years as my activity levels have severely dropped from my school/ uni days I have noticed that diet alone could no longer control all those jiggly bits. The time had come to take this health malarkey seriously.

After trying out various fitness classes I decided it was time to really invest in myself and join a gym. Working long hours and often travelling at weekends, I couldn't always fit the classes I wanted to into my schedule. After looking at various gyms both near home and work I decided to join David Lloyd. Let me first say that this is not the cheapest option, but as a health club it comes with a whole host of benefits and I think the price is well worth it if you are looking to make a commitment to your health. My gym has free classes every day at a good range of times, full wet facilities (pool, sauna, steam room, jacuzzi), two gyms, several studios, a whole floor for spinning and a cafe. It's clean, open till late 7 days a week and in a great central location. Lucky that I only have good things to say as to guilt myself into going I paid the whole annual fee up front (gulp!).

If you are looking at joining DL then do have a look around. I think that if the gym is a place where you can feel comfortable and have fun then you are much more likely to go regularly, so the cost per visit (realistically) is what I based my decision on. I have been lucky enough to work with a couple of different trainers at DL to see how the PT sessions can help my fitness and have to say that their programmes are the best I have tried so far. After a full assessment you are given a personalised programme to help you reach your fitness goals and exercises to target the areas that you particularly want to improve. As I have grown up with a myriad of back problems it was great to be given a specific set of exercises that would not only improve my posture and strength but also work to relieve back pain. At the time I joined the membership fee included a couple of free PT sessions, which is a great way to get you motivated and make sure you are doing the most effective exercises for your needs. As I'm still in the early stages of getting fit I shall keep you guys updates on my progress!

 
Being food smart

Let me start this off by stating I love food. I am the least enthusiastic cook, but I love to eat and eat I do. I am never one to starve or deny myself the odd treat, but over time I did begin to slightly delude myself when it came to how much I was eating and its basic calorie content. Who knew that a chocolate muffin is 400kcal?!? I am not a fan of strict diets that limit you and I truly believe that eating healthy is the key, rather than cutting out food groups or sustaining yourself on liquids. Therefore, in order to get a much needed reality check I started using the myfitnesspal app and haven't looked back since. It's so easy to use and contains the majority of foods in its vast database already so you don't have to fiddle with wrappers or google everything you eat. It also lets you track your daily exercise, and there's nothing more satisfying than seeing you calorie allowance shoot up after a painstaking workout. I am still eating a fair amount (aiming for 1,200 net kcal per day), but keeping track of my food has really helped me monitor what I actually eat and curb the little snacks that used to happen as if 'by accident'. It's also encouraged me to up my exercise (especially calorie burning cardio) and plan my meals as I can look up foods prior to dining out with friends instead of agonising over menus.


Hair Removal

If the thought of shedding your opaque tights, which have become a second skin to me this winter, fills you with fear then you may want to consider a permanent solution. For the fastest and most long lasting results I would definitely recommend looking into laser hair removal. If you are not the kind of person who wants to spend hours on hair removal at home then booking a set of treatments in a specialised clinic is a great option. You are guaranteed professional results and with the increasing availability of the treatment the prices are now much more competitive. Sk:n clinics have a great offer on at the moment with discounts of 20% for 6 treatments and 25% for 8 treatments here.


Hitting the beach

I have always struggled when it comes to bikini shopping. I love all the cute high street styles, but so many of them are simply unflattering on the curvier girl (regardless of your size). Personally I prefer to feel supported and sculpted, especially when being active in the water, rather than hoping for the best that 3 shreds of fabric strung together with string can cover. Therefore, when I was contacted by Swimsuits for All I was excited to check out their site. Though pitched as a plus size retailer, their swimming costumes start from a (US) size 8, which they see as being equivalent to a UK10. They have a great selection of styles from the more modern bikinis, to modest tankinis and one pieces. As I have started to use the pool at the gym, I decided to go for something with a little more coverage (for a change lol) that would make a comfortable swim, yet still look fun and fashionable.

The shipping time was impressively fast and I'm really happy with the quality of this swimsuit. It is super comfortable, has a bra like support at the bust that is both comfortable and flattering, with a halter strap perfect for swimming. If you are looking for affordable swimsuits that flatter your curves I would highly recommend checking them out. They have kindly provided a discount that will save you $10 off your first order. Just input the coupon code 10FORYOU during the checkout process at swimsuitsforall.com 

How are you getting ready for Summer? I would love to know what you think of these lifestyle posts! xxx

Gillette Venus Naked Skin: Final Thoughts

After 12 weeks my Gillette Venus Naked Skin Challenge has now come to its end so I thought I would share with you my final results and thoughts on the system.

I hope this review has been helpful for those of you considering the Naked Skin system. Let me know if you have tried it for yourself and what your experiences have been? You can also check out my 6 week update video or initial impressions.

For more info or to purchase the Gillette Venus Naked Skin system you can view the Boots website here where there is currently a special offer that lets you buy the Gillette Venus Naked Skin IPL for £299.99 when you enter discount code VENUS150 at checkout.

Gillette Venus Naked Skin: 6 Week Update!

As I am now roughly half way through my trial of the Gillette Venus Naked Skin I thought it was about time to do a little update for you guys on how I have been getting on with it!

So far so good! I have seen a slight reduction in hair growth and am happy to report that my super sensitive skin has been fairing well with the treatment. I usually have a few red patches straight after using the system, but these are not painful and (much like waxing) disappear after a few hours. I am excited to see the final results and will report back at the 12 week mark!

For more info or to purchase the Gillette Venus Naked Skin system you can check out the Boots website here, where you can save £100 by entering the code VENUS at checkout!

Gillette Venus Naked Skin

Hair removal is a topic that has come up on this blog many times. So many people ask me questions about the latest methods and tools and how well they work, so I am always keen to try out different products. My latest escapade is the Gillette Venus Naked Skin designed by Braun. This is an at-home IPL hair removal system that uses a unique, professionally-derived Square Wave technology to emit controlled, consistent light energy to effectively treat unwanted hair. 

The benefits should become clear in six treatments (one treatment recommended every 2 weeks), but with continued periodic use Venus Naked Skin promises to help break the cycle of hair re-growth leaving you with continuously smooth, continuously beautiful skin.

The system comes with the specially formulated V Activating Gel that enables the light to transfer to the hair root helping to put it to sleep. The system is suitable fo use only on lighter skin tones and on areas including the face and below the neckline, such as your legs, underarm, bikini line, arms, back and stomach.

Having used a number of at home IPL systems I found this incredibly easy to use on my first attempt. There may be a slight stinging sensation during the flash, but this is momentary and is nowhere near as unpleasant as waxing. The system has to be plugged in while in use, but the cord is long enough so that this isn't an issue. The area of contact is larger than many comparable IPL systems, which is great as it means the whole process (especially when using it on the legs) doesn't take too long. Though the gel can be a little messy it does help to show which areas you have treated and ensure that you are getting the best levels of light penetration.

If you want to see how the Gilette Venus Naked Skin system works please do check out the video below. 

The Gillete Naked Skin can be purchased for £359.99 (saving £50) for a limited time using the code EB10 at checkout here.

I shall be updating you all with my progress soon so stay tuned to see the results! xxx

Tria Hair Removal Laser

The Tria Hair Removal Laser is a portable gadget that promises permanent results at just a fraction of the salon price (£349). I have been using this over the last few months and wanted to share my progress and first impressions of the product. Do check out the video below if you are interested in hair removal at home!


If you are interested in finding out more you can visit the Tria website here. I will be sure to update you all soon with my progress! xxx

Glowing Summer Skin Tips

Even though the weather has been trying to hide it from us it is in fact Summer. With bikinis and short shorts in mind I have put together a list of my favourite products to get your skin Summer ready - healthy, beautiful, smooth and glowing!

Moisturise, moisturise, moisturise! It's time to slather on the creams and make sure your skin is well hydrated, plump and smooth. Recently I have been indulging in Kiehl's Creme de Corps Soy Milk and Honey Whipped Body Butter* (£36 here).

With shea butter, beta carotene and jojoba oil this wonderfully luxurious moisturiser works wonders for sprucing up pasty legs that have been hidden under opaque tights for months. It is rich enough to hydrate deep down, yet light enough to sink in quickly, not leaving behind any greasy residue. Creme de Corps is a cult product and I think this whipped version is a fabulous addition to the range.

Exfoliate! Other than a good old fashioned pair of exfoliating gloves (I have these babies in pink £2.66) my all time favourite scrub is Soap and Glory's Breakfast Scrub (£9.50 here). This oat, shea butter and sugar body smoother has a rough texture that works hard to remove dead skin cells and reveal the fresh, glowing skin underneath. It also smells absolutely delicious!!

Hair Removal. Now this is the part I am definitely not a fan of. Other than trying out the TRIA permanent hair removal laser system (video review coming soon) I have recently been relying on shaving. Since I have extremely sensitive skin I have had plenty of bad experiences with shaving in the past. Luckily, I was recently set the new Venus ProSkin* to trial and it has worked perfectly - no lumps, bumps or razor burn. The Venus ProSkin is designed to help protect delicate skin with its MoistureRich shave gel bars, which contain  a triple blend of body butters for a comfortable shave. The ProSkin sensitive has 5 blades for a close shave that puts less pressure on the skin, hence less irritation

Cleanse. As well as traditional shaving creams, such as the Satin Care pictured above I have also found that my favourite shower oil can be used during shaving. I was hesitant to try it at first, but it really does make your razor glide like a dream. So for a gentle and moisturising shower I highly recommend the amazing L'Occitane Almond Shower Oil (£16.50 here).

Glow - Just because the weather isn't co-operating doesn't mean we don't want our skin to have some colour. I have recently been trying out the Sienna X professional tanning range and I absolutely love it. My favourite product is the Gradual Glowing Self Tan* (£15.95 here). This tan infused moisturiser smells absolutely delicious and is super easy to apply - no tanning mitt needed. On day one it gives you just a little hint of colour, day two adds a little more glow and day three will leave you with a gorgeous, natural looking deep tan. I usually apply it before bed on two consecutive evenings and reapply every other day to maintain the colour.

The Sienna X range also features a polishing body scrub and body wash to prepare the skin, a darker glowing self tan, instant bronzing gel and express tanning mist to add colour and even a post tan radiance body balm and shimmer spray to make your skin glow! All the products smell amazing and give great results at an affordable price.

Cool. If you are feeling the heat and the last thing you want to do is slather yourself in oily moisturiser why not try a lighter option? The new Body Purees* (from £4.50 here) from The Body Shop are the perfect choice if you want to hydrate and refresh your skin. The lightweight texture cools and soothes parched skin while leaving behind a clean, invigorating scent. TBS also currently have 25% off online purchases with the code NEW25.

Travel. If you are off to seek some foreign Sun or prefer a 'staycation' to take advantage of all the excitement that is going on in England this Summer don't forget to pack some treats for your skin. I love the idea of this Montagne Jeunesse Travel Pamper Pack. This set contains 6 individually packaged treatments for skin, hair, body, feet and face for just £5 (here).

I hope that's all bases covered! Do tell me if I left anything out!

What products do you trust to prep your skin and make sure it stays beautiful and glowing throughout the Summer months? xxx

*PR Sample

Braun Silk-épil 7 Dual Epilator Review

Hair removal is not the most glamorous of topics, but for us girlies it is an unfortunate necessity.  I am pretty fickle when it comes to hair removal, if I'm going on holiday I book a waxing appointment, if I'm at home with some free time on my hands I epilate and if I'm in a rush (ie. most of the time) I reach for the razor. I was therefore really excited when I first heard about the new Braun Silk-épil 7 Dual Epilator, which is an epilator and razor in one, giving you the long lasting effects of an epilator with the smoothness of a razor!

I was kindly sent this to review a few weeks ago, and have been using it once or twice a week since. I really like the fact that I can use it wet in the shower in the same way as a razor (with shaving cream). This not only makes the whole process faster, but also saves time cleaning up.  

On first use I was a little apprehensive as the smoothing head is much bigger than a razor, so I was worried that it could be a little awkward to use in areas such as the ankles and knees. Luckily I haven't had any cuts so far as the pivoting head works well to navigate these tricky areas, while the non-slip ridges on the side make it feel pretty secure, even with soapy hands. The automatic light also helps to find any stubborn hairs you may have missed. The dual head glides smoothly while its 40 tweezers claim to remove even the smallest hairs (0.5mm) from the root, while the shorter hairs are shaved with the Gillette Venus blade. It really does work in just one stroke! 

Now I'm not going to lie - I am the biggest wuss and have a very low pain threshold. I have always found epilating painful, and though this epilator is not especially painful it's still not an experience I look forward to. What does help is that unlike traditional epilators you don't have to make multiple passes over the same area. Even if a hair is not picked up on the first swipe by the epilator the blade shaves it off, so there is no need to repeat. 

The Braun Silk-épil 7 also comes with multiple heads so it  can be used dry in the same way as traditional epilators. When used dry, although it does pick up most hairs on the first swipe, there are a few left behind so if you want a smoother finish you will need to repeat.

Overall I'm really impressed with the Braun Silk-épil 7 Dual Epilator and am going to continue using it as my preferred method of hair removal - it works quickly and gives a smooth finish that lasts longer than regular shaving. Although it is pretty pricey (around £100) I do think it's worth investing in a good epilator, which will be more efficient and less painful, ensuring you will get more use out of it. The biggest advantage of the dual dpilator for me is that it can be used in the shower, which saves a lot of time (I usually use it while I'm waiting for my conditioner to do its magic). 

What is your preferred method of hair removal? Do you epilate regularly? Have you tried the new Braun Silk-épil 7 dual epilator? xxx