My Heatwave Essentials

Unless you have been living in an ice cream van for the past few weeks, in which case I want ice cream with a flake asap, you'll be well aware here in the UK we have had what can only be described as humid-hell. The UK has been hit with some lovely sunshine as well as very humid air which makes girls like me who wear makeup every day, want to rip my face off and jump into a bucket of ice cubes, not even being dramatic.

Since the weather has been incredibly humid I have been reaching for products that will help keep my skin under control as well as my mood - Give me winter over summer any day.

Hawaiian Tropic Dry Oil Sun Tan | One of the first things I do on a daily basis whether the sun is out or not is apply a suntan lotion on my body. I have been reaching for the Hawaiian Dry Oil for the past year now as I love how easy it is to blend into my skin without that sticky feeling. It also smells amazing and the oily texture just makes my skin look so hydrated and healthy. I also use Bioderma SPF on my face to stop my face from burning/getting wrinkles as quick.

The Ordinary High Spread-Ability Fluid Primer | For £5.00 I wasn't expecting much, however, this lightweight serum-like formula is amazing for my complexion. It helps avoid unnatural and uneven accumulation of pigments, especially around my eyes. I LOVE this primer, this is my second bottle of this stuff it is amazing during this heatwave as it completely blurs out any imperfections and keeps my makeup at bay, without any touch-ups. I just love how healthy my skin feels when I wear this and I am not as self-conscious about my makeup melting off as quick when I wear this. Full Review here.

NYX Matte Finish Spray | Ideally, I would reach for the Urban Decay Setting Spray, but times are hard and I'm having to adult by watching my spending. A setting spray is great for this humid air, it just helps keep your makeup looking fresher for longer and it's a good little refresher throughout the day. I always spray this on my face before I leave the house just to keep my makeup at bay.

Avene Eau Thermale Spring Water | A handbag staple has got to be this spring water, I spray this all the time to refresh my skin and keep me from melting. It has been a lifesaver during this heatwave and it's not only amazing for sunburn but for rashes, irritations, razor burns, to set makeup and even great for travelling. Definitely, a must have!

What has been your go-to product during the heatwave??

Making The Most Of Your Notebooks

It has come to my attention that I own so many pretty, unused, marble/copper notebooks that I could possibly start my very own stationery shop. We'll call the shop Crazy Notebook Lady. The peculiar thing is I can't ever bring myself to start writing in these books because they're just too dainty to ruin the binding, am I weird? Perhaps.

I recently had a massive clear out and realised I need to stop admiring my pretty notebooks and put them to use - that way I can buy more pretty ones, that's my logic anyways.

If like me, you have a problem with buying unnecessary notebooks I have a list of ways you can put them to good use.

1. Daily Journal - A little bit like a teenage diary, only you don't write you have a crush on Johnny Depp, instead at the end of every day take a few minutes to write down what you did that day or if in doubt I always like to write a sentence of what has made me smile that day. A little bit like the 5 Year Journals you can buy, but with your own spin.

2. Lists - Keeping a mental note in your head of what you need to accomplish every day can be a little overwhelming, which is why writing a list of groceries you need to buy, chores you need to do or any other errands down creates more space in your brain. If you have 2 or 3 notebooks floating around, maybe use each one for different specific lists so one could be food related, one money/bills and the other for miscellaneous everyday bits. I am a sucker for a good list.

3. Creativity - If like myself your brain ticks with ideas at the most obscure moments, (usually in the shower) it is worth carrying a notebook with you just so you don't forget those inspirational thoughts. This doesn't have to be anything momentous, it could literally be DIY photo bunting, something relating to your course/work or wanting to sell your old clothes on depop. Just simple thoughts you are wanting to get off your chest which you know you'll forget about later.

4. Passwords, Codes, Etc - In this day and age, we need usernames and passwords for pretty much everything online so it's quite difficult to remember every single one of them, which is why it's always good to write them down in a notebook so you don't accidentally lock yourself out from spending money on ASOS. Then again, is that really a bad thing? Saving money hack right here.

5. Record Your Dreams - Sounds a little adolescent but I have a thing about psychology and discovering the reasons behind my crazy dreams. If a dream repeats itself or lingers I like to write it down and keep track of what it could mean. I even have a dream app which gives me an understanding of why I have dreams and what they are connected with. This is always amusing to look back on.

6. Your Thoughts - If like me, you have a tendency to overthink or worry about things, it might be worth jotting those emotions down in a book. I was told in one of my anxiety sessions to keep a mental note on my thoughts every day, this is a good way to track what goes on in your mind and a therapeutic way to get them out on paper, sometimes you realise things aren't as bad as they seem if you write it out in front of you.

7. Recipes, Healthy Tips - I recently bought the book Eat Pretty, Live Well by Jolene Hart which is filled with 85 foods to their beautifying benefits (review soon). This book inspired me to keep a notebook on all the foodie things I want to remember. Whether that's healthy recipes to try, benefits of certain foods and their impact on my health or other general tips that I know will come in handy.

8. Inspiration - We all get those days where we lack inspiration or motivation so writing down quotes that inspire you is always a good way to go. Sounds a bit strange but I used to write the famous Harry Potter quote 'Working hard is important, but what matters more is believing in yourself' in the front of my notebook when I was at university to remind me why I started - I even have this quote on my bedroom wall. But, keeping a notebook of inspiring quotes or just little picks me ups is a very useful thing to do.

9. Future Plans - Writing down your goals or ambitions to achieve every week is always a good way to use up notebooks. This could be simple things like wanting to eat at home more, try squatting an extra 5kg in the gym, little achievable goals that you can tick off every week.

What do you write in blank notebooks??

Battling Breakouts

Is there an age on when to stop getting spots? The answer is no. I have spent so much £££ and time into my skin over the years to realise this. Now at the age of 23 I still suffer from the occasional hormonal breakout and yes it really does suck. I have learnt to accept that having oily skin has its advantages and disadvantages, therefore when I do get a nasty little breakout I am prepared with some products.

This is an updated skincare post on what products I use at the moment to help with any breakouts.

Alpha H Liquid Gold £33.50

I was recommended this by a family member in the hope that it'll fix any areas on my face that breaks out. The week leading up to and during 'the time of the month' I get breakouts around my chin and brows, (weird I know). Therefore, before bed, I like to pour some of the Liquid Gold onto a cotton pad and apply it to the areas I've broken out. By the morning my skin just looks that little bit clearer and brighter. This product contains glycolic acid (AHA) which is amazing for balancing out your skin and helping with dark spots, scarring and sunburn. I only use this once or twice a week because it is an acid and I try to keep my skin in as much balance as possible, however, I would highly recommend this to anyone who is after an exfoliating spot treatment.

The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1% £5.00

In simpler terms, Niacinamide is vitamin B3 which is indicated to reduce the appearance of blemishes and congestion. I absolutely love this brand I have reviewed a few more bits here. This brand is very abnormal, authentic and sold at amazing prices! I apply this product before bed when my skin is in need of a light refresher. I find this really helps with reducing the appearance of imperfections like it almost blurs them? By morning my skin feels amazing and looks a lot more radiant. I don't even know how to explain how amazing this product is!

Acneside Benzoyl Peroxide £7.00

I have mentioned this product in my last Top Spot Treatments post and still to this day I use this gel. If I can feel a painful or biggish spot appearing I apply this gel to that area just before bed for a few days as it can be quite drying to my skin. There isn't much to comment on this product it just really helps with any redness and reduces any swelling of spots I might have a lot quicker.

Dermalogica Overnight Treatment £45.00

I got this in a set with a few other treatments for breakouts therefore I didn't pay £45.00 and to be honest I don't think I would. I love this product, but not enough to repurchase, especially at that price. I apply this to my skin overnight when my skin is feeling too dry for the above two products. This helps calm inflammation and eliminates bacteria that contributes to congestion. I find this a really good product to wear underneath makeup or alongside other products.

Similar Posts

My Top 3 Spot Treatments

Trialling out The Ordinary

What products do you use to stop breakouts??