Warm Apple Cider Vinegar and Honey Drink

Here is one of my latest concoctions which is apparently good for the skin - boiled water (allowed to cool a bit) with a spoonful of honey and a little Apple Cider Vinegar. 

Slightly cooled boiled water: 

1. Helps to dissolve the honey

2. Has a detoxifying effect

3. Aids Digestion

Apple Cider Vinegar:

1. Has anti-biotic & anti-bacterial properties

2. Reduces redness in skin

3. Balances pH of skin

Honey:

1. Anti-bacterial

2. Moisturising and nourishing for skin

I have heard a lot about Apple Cider Vinegar lately and picked up this brand by Aspall's. It has quite a severe taste and scent so is best diluted in water. It can also be used as a facial toner, diluted in water. 

Maybe I am imagining things but I think I have noticed an improvement already! 

Update on La Roche Posay Effaclar Duo

After using La Roche Posay Effaclar Duo, specifically on my forehead, for a week or two I thought I would let you know how effective it was. 

Within the first few days, the congested and clogged pores were hugely improved, which I had hoped for. The only thing that is left now are residual red marks, which I now treat with honey. 

At the time, I did not realise that there is a new and improved Effaclar Duo+, which reduces those red marks. When I get this product, I will let you know if it really does treat the marks. 

If you want to treat congested, clogged pores Effaclar Duo will hopefully work for you as it did for me but I would advise you to go for the Effaclar Duo+

Honey as a cleanser and moisturiser!

Honey has antibacterial properties and has a calming effect on the skin so it is perfect if you have acne, rosacea or if you just want to prevent any further breakouts. If you don't have blemishes but just simply want softer, nourished skin, try it out too. 

It is a little messy but if you're careful you shouldn't get any on your clothes, shoes and floor like I did. I took out a small spoonful and used a cotton bud to apply it directly on the areas I wanted to treat. For me, that was my forehead and sides of my nose. Avoid your eye area. I smoothed it out so that there wasn't a very thick layer or any big blobs. Gravity will obviously take an effect but you can always catch any drops and lick them - yum! 

After a few minutes it will harden and you will feel it tighten. I left it on for about 20 minutes and then washed gently away with warm water and a facecloth. 

I immediately felt my skin was softer and my blemishes looked less red - much improved appearance over all. I did this at night time and in the morning my skin was so moisturised from the previous night's treatment that I did not need moisturiser at all!

I used a jar of honey that has been in my press for ages - it had congealed so I heated it up by placing the jar in a pan of hot water. I put this on the heat, stirring the honey as it softened and hey presto, I had runny honey in no time!

Putting your foot in it - Penneys (Primark) & Dunnes

Here are some cute shoes I got recently. I still like pumps as they hide unpainted toes and can be worn with most outfits. They are comfortable enough for doing every day things in - not the most ideal if going for a hike! 

This is probably the most exciting and adventurous I have gotten in terms of colour, pattern and print - I used to always play it safe with plain ol' black and navy. I am wearing the pair with the bow today with dusty pink skinny jeans - very cute and springy!! 

As usual Penneys have a great selection of footwear and I got the second pair in Dunnes - all very affordable.
What pumps did you get lately?

Updated workout routine

Recently my workout routine has changed a little so I thought I would share it with you.

I like to start off on the treadmill to warm up and work up to a bit of a sweat. Last time I wrote about this, I was jogging but for now I prefer to walk and increase the incline for part of it. I walk for about 20 minutes at around 6.5k/h, depending on the incline (0-3%). At 3% incline, I drop it down to about 5.8k/h.

Then I go on the eliptical/X trainer which I find tough enough but I enjoy it. I am building up slowly. I have yet to exceed 10 minutes but I'll get there. I vary between level 4 and 7.

Then I finish on the spinning bike, which I love. I vary between level 5 and 7 and do between 10 and 20 minutes.

I no longer go for the rower as I find the other machines more enjoyable. 

All this cardio causes me to break a sweat and really gets the heart pumping. It also gets those 'feel good' endorphins buzzing around :)

I end with a few minutes lifting 2kg weights, working on my biceps and triceps. 

I drink about a litre of water during the whole workout.

I feel my body is tighter and I have also gotten smaller in terms of inches. A good gauge to go by is to try on a dress that is figure hugging instead of weighing yourself. 

What is your exercise routine?? Please comment :)

Drinking, eating and resting!!

I have been having a few relaxing days lately as the weather has been so nice. I should be catching up on some job-related work and preparing for an upcoming exam but I keep distracting myself with other things. I thought I would share a few things I am trying out and enjoying. 

 These Multi-Seed and Cereal bagels by Country Kitchens Bakery are so good. They are almost 12% protein and 7% fibre. They taste and smell so good and are very filling. 

Also I am trying to cut down on my coffee intake by drinking more tea. These are 4 flavours I have at the moment. I gave up crisps for Lent and even though today is Easter Sunday I don't have the urge to get a pack yet. 

  Also I am in the middle of this book - it took ages and pages for it to get going but now that I am in the middle I am dying to know what happens next. 

100 posts later...

To mark my 100th blog post, I would like to thank all of you who read and follow my blog. As I continue to post, I hope I continue to interest, inspire or help you in some way. I appreciate each and every reader :) Thank you! Here is to another 100 blog posts!!

Does Effaclar Duo really clear up breakouts??

My skin, which reacted badly nearly 2 months ago, still has not fully cleared up so I have decided to go gung ho on La Roche-Posay products only. My forehead is quite bumpy and actually looks worse under make-up than without. Around my mouth has cleared luckily. I finally gave in and bought La Roche-Posay's Effaclar Duo  - Corrective and Unclogging Anti-Imperfection cream. I had been refraining from buying anymore products. 

The assistant was guiding me towards their Rosaliac range as it would treat redness but at the moment I just want to clear my bumpy forehead. It did look very tempting though!! If this Effaclar Duo clears my forehead I might treat myself to the Rosaliac range :)

I had simplified my routine and minimised the application of products; I had even avoided make-up but my breakout is still sticking around. There were a few blemishes around my mouth but they have subsided thankfully. 

Many months ago I got a sample of La Roche-Posay's Physiological Cleansing Milk which I loved; I recently bought the full size. It is so soothing, moisturising and smells so so good. It is one of, if not the most soothing, moisturising cleansers I have used. I also got a sample size of the Physiological Soothing Toner.

My plan is to do a 3 step routine of cleansing milk, followed by soothing toner, followed by Effaclar Duo &/or moisturiser. I will post before and after pics once I see a difference.

Rosacea, baring all and feeling the burn!

Baring all, almost!! As someone who experiences redness/rosacea, it is a big deal to wear next to no makeup, especially since I have been using it to cover up for so long now. I basically simplified my skincare routine recently and now I feel comfortable enough to only wear the teeny, tiniest amount of foundation in public, hooray!! Admittedly, I am very pale but nothing a bit of fresh air and a good night's sleep won't sort out!

 I dampen the Real Technique's sponge and apply a tiny amount of Estee Lauder's Double Wear (Cool Bone) foundation to cover one little patch of redness I still have. I leave the rest of my face bare and naked. I highly recommend this combination if you are trying to cover any blemishes. 

I thought I would share these beautiful photos of a lovely walk I went on the other day - I definitely felt it the next day in muscles I obviously had not used in a while!!

 Taken at the lovely Slieve Blooms :)

Healthy hair!

When my hair is wet
My scalp was a little dry after the winter so I used Head & Shoulders Anti-Dandruff with Almond Oil a few times to clear it up. I loved this. I don't usually go for 2 in 1's but as far as I can remember the version I wanted (with Almond Oil) was not available as a shampoo alone. The first time I used it my hair was left in great condition and was really shiny. However, after a good few uses, I thought it was quite drying on my hair (not my scalp). It could have been because I was not conditioning it (as it is a 2 in 1). It did what it was meant to do though - treat dry scalp and dandruff.

At the moment I am using Herbal Essences Clarifying Shampoo and Organix Moroccan Argan Oil Conditioner. I find this shampoo leaves my hair very clean and fresh and the conditioner is thick and luxurious. It is recommended to leave it in for a few minutes.

To get a great shine, I turn the shower way down to the coldest I can bear, letting the water run over my hair, avoiding my body (brrr!). I find this really wakes me up too - so refreshing when you're feeling sleepy!!

When my hair is damp
I spray a few pumps of Herbal Essences Bee Strong Strengthening Cream or L'Oreal Elvive Extraordinary Oil on my hands and work into the lengths of my hair.

When my hair is dry
Especially when straightening my hair, or even if I don't, I use Toni & Guy's Shine Gloss Serum which I highly recommend as it makes your hair shinier, softer and smoother. I sometimes use the L'Oreal Oil in dry hair too.

Depending on the time I have and the condition of my hair, I go between all these products. After washing my hair I would only use one other product and at that, I use a minimum amount.