New In: Skin Care.

I've been meaning to get some new skin care products for a little while now. But the initial price was what was putting me off, though you can't put a price on looking after your skin.

I had a little chat with the skin care God (Caroline Hirons) about what would be best for my skin. I'd had most of these things in my wishlist for ages. I nipped into Boots last weekend and noticed all skin care was on 3 for 2 and picked them up whilst I had the chance to get a bargain.

Hydraluron, probably one of the most raved products amongst blogs. You apply a small amount before moisturising and it helps your skin retain moisture and over time can reduce your need for lots of moisturiser (though it's not a replacement).

I picked up two things from La Roche-Posay. The brand new Anthelios Melt In Cream. It was the factor 50+ that sold me on this. I will happily cover my body in factor 50 but trying to find a high SPF face cream, that isn't really greasy has been a bit of a misson for me. So we shall see how this fairs.

And of course, another much blogged about product the Effaclar Duo. It helps to reduce the appearance of imperfections and unclog pores.

I picked up a couple of Clarins things from a department store close to where I work. As my closest Boots stores don't stock it and I couldn't be bothered to wait for online delivery.

I got the Brightening Toner. It's like a milder version of Alpha H's Liquid Gold and gentle enough to use twice daily.

To cleanse with I got the oily/combination Cleansing Milk. The SA was trying to persuade me to get a foaming cleanser but I'm trying to make my skin better, not worse.

I also got some pretty awesome GWP from buying two skin care products. There was a selection of products and I could pick three of them. They're half full sizes. So that was a pretty awesome deal!

I'm not sure if I'll use them but if not, I'm sure I can find someone else to pass them on to.

Whilst I was in Boots I decided to pick up the Burt's Bee's Banana Hand Cream that's been on my wish list forever. It smells divine, like banana cake. So yummy!

Since they were also on 3 for 2, I picked up the Coconut Foot Cream. Again another delicious smelling product. And finally the lip balm trio. I really wasn't sure what to get to make it up to the offer but I've read nothing but good things about them.

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All this would have been so much better if I hadn't of lost the double points coupon I had. *cries*

Pretty much all of these beauties are working their way into my daily routine and I'm really liking the results so far. Reviews to follow.

Alpha H - Liquid Gold.

Alpha H's bottle of Liquid Gold* has become a bit of a must have with so many bloggers.

I thought it was mainly for maturer skin than mine but it turns out it's fab for acne so I was so pleased when I was offered the chance to try this.

What www.alpha-h.com says:

Our best selling 'cult' skin resurfacing treatment uses a state of the art, low pH delivery system to effectively diminish wrinkles, pigmentation and sun damage.

The glycolic based formulation works like an 'overnight facial' to brighten and revitalise tired, ageing skin, and radically improve the appearance of the complexion.

For mature, sun damaged, prematurely ageing and for acne-scarred skin.
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Whilst the packaging isn't the most exciting, what's inside more than makes up for it.

Liquid Gold is a liquid resurfacing treatment for the face that works overnight on a multitude of different things. It's applied every other evening with a cotton ball, after cleansed touch dry skin. Once it's dry you can apply serum or moisturiser. If you prefer a more intensive treatment you can apply Liquid Gold after cleansing and skip the moisturiser.

I know how crazy that sounds and I was dubious about skipping moisturiser. I can get extremely dry patches but from the start I decided to try it the intensive way. I apply it every other night after cleansing and just leave it. It's said that you feel a slight tingling sensation on application and that's totally normal. I barely feel a thing when applied.

Have I experienced any drying? No in fact quite the opposite. I was prone to painful hormonal breakouts. Since using this they've subsided and almost virtually non existent. I get the odd one here and then but they're no where near as bad as they were.

Perhaps it's just my eyes but my acne scarring seems to be slightly less darker and obvious then it was. I won't go out without foundation on because of this. Seriously kids, don't pick your spots! If I'm not wearing anything on my face it looks like I have breakouts all over my chin but in actual fact I don't - it's scarring. Overall my skin looks refreshed and brighter.

I can't speak for the ageing qualities of it but I know many who swear by it for those reasons.

The way it works is all very science-y and I won't claim to know the ins and outs of how it works. Or try and explain. All I know is that it does work.

I didn't expect this product to do too much for skin but it's really improved how it looks without makeup. Definitely something that's worth the money.
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Price:
£31.50 / 100ml and a 15ml Absolute Eye Complex

Where to buy
www.qvcuk.com

It's currently on introductory price for the set (which is what I received) for £28.52

Graze - The Good Breakfast Club.

It wasn't long ago when Graze boxes used to be all the rage with bloggers. It gave you a little dose of healthy snacks, delivered right to your door.

They've introduced a currently 'secret' good breakfast club and I was lucky enough to get my hands on a box through their website. I got this for free using someone else's code and you can gain entry to the club with my code as it's currently invite only. What's better is you get your first breakfast box free! Plus you're not obligated to stay subscribed so can cancel after your freebie, if you'd like.

They've currently introduced 8 new porridge flavours -
Apple and cinnamon with honey
Blackcurrant and cranberry with honey
Cherry and almond with honey
Walnut and pecan with honey
Coconut and date with yogurt coated seeds
Hazelnut and flame raisins with yogurt coated seeds
Fig and blueberry
Blueberry and ligonberry
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These punnets aren't available in the regular nibble boxes. They're currently exclusive to the breakfast box. If you only like the sound of one flavour, you'll just get sent a box with all 4 punnets the same. If you have select that you like more than 4, you'll get a different selection each time.

They're super easy to make. Pop the oats in a bowl and measure out your choice of milk or water with the punnet, depending on the consistency you prefer and pop it in the microwave for 2 minutes on full.

I haven't yet tried these but they look really nice. Though they're not the best syn wise if you're on Slimming World, like I am.

Claim your free breakfast box at www.graze.com/uk with the code MVC6L32. Enjoy!

Thought Catalog - Why You're Single.

I recently came across an amazing piece of writing. It was something that at the time I really needed to hear. I know it's not something that really fits with my blog but I just had to share it.

It also bought to my attention a fabulous little blog called - Thought Catalog.

Whilst not every post is relevant to me, the regular updates make for an interesting read. Definitely worth checking out.
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You’re single because you’re single. It’s not because you texted too much or too little or waited 33 minutes to respond because he took 23. It’s not because you met up with your ex that night at 5 a.m. that no one knows about, or because you kissed another boy after a date with a loser.

You’re not single because you spit food on that date or tripped coming out the the movie theatre. You’re not single because you hurt your first boyfriend really badly when you were 15 or because you have yet, to this day, to apologize. It’s not because you were secretly jealous when your friend got a boyfriend or that a guy you dated for two months now has a really cute girlfriend and looks really happy. And you’re happy for him. But still ill that he found someone before you.

You’re not single because you slept with your ex boyfriend. You’re not single because half the world found out when you didn’t even want to remember it yourself. You’re not single because you think the guy your friend wants to hook you up with is ugly or not tall enough. It’s not because you’re not willing to put up with someone who doesn’t brush their teeth on a regular basis.

You’re not single because your standards are too high. Good for you for having standards. It’s not because you didn’t like that really, really good guy who wanted to take you on a date and you just weren’t feeling it. And it’s not because you like to wear pajama pants as soon as you get home and wash all the makeup off your face. You’re not single because you didn’t learn enough from the past or would rather chill on a Friday night with your blanket and a cold beer than shower, get ready, and go out. You’re not single because something is wrong with you.

You are single because you are single. It’s really as simple as that. You haven’t made the connection with another heart yet. You can get dolled up, dress cute, cut your hair, dye your hair, tweeze your eyebrows, put on lipstick and you may still. be. single. You can go out to a bar hoping to meet the love of your life and not find a damn one in the place attractive. And it’s going to remain that way until it’s time for you to find one. Stop hoping for it. Start living the life that you do have instead of wishing for things that you don’t have. There will come a time you’ll meet a boy and you’ll have to give up some of this single freedom you currently have. Start being more thankful. Start doing that now.

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Weekly Weigh In #11.

I've decided I don't like bank holidays. They slow down how well I'm doing. Not an excuse by any means, it just seems to be the way.

Other than that I started weight training my arms this week. I can notice a difference in weight loss there. Trying to tone them up as I lose weight will be easier than once I've lost it all. I've been doing things like this, that one in particular is a bit of a killer when it gets to the 'arm circles'. So I thought I'd get water retention from that.

I also managed to go over my weekly syn allowance and not have enough superfree the few days before I got weighed. I was really only going for a 1lb loss, though I fully expected a gain.

New In: 2st Treats.

A couple of weeks ago I hit another slimming milestone. My 2st award! It's still unreal to me that I've lost that much because I can't see where it's vanished from.

Anyway. I picked up some bedsheets, a new quilt and a couple of pillows from Tesco Direct. I'd been wanting these cute polkaheart sheets since around the end of January. Whilst they were already fairly cheap, it was even better getting them when they had 25% almost all the home things.

It makes such a nice change to not be sleeping under a pancake for a quilt. Plus it's definitely helping me sleep more undisturbed through the night.

As that's not the most interesting thing to have as a treat, I picked up the Naked Basics palette. I've wanted this since it was released and I was supposed to order it for my birthday. But I never got round to doing so.

Often when I do a vampy lip and a nice thick winged liner, I feel it would look so much more put together if I'd used matte shades. Since I don't have any matte neutrals (bar the 2 in the Naked palette) this is a welcome addition to my stash.

I can't remember the quote exactly but rewarding yourself for good things makes you more likely to want to repeat them!