Saturday, 26 April 2014

RELAXING 101: HOW I RELAX


Good evening my little beauties

Today's post comes from a slightly stroppy version of myself. Stroppy or jealous, one of those. So the tables have officially turned; it's Saturday night, my little sister is out dancing the night away with her friends and I'm sat here watching Britain's Got Talent with a steaming cup of green tea, wishing that I was out there shotting tequilla slammers & prancing around in heels that make my feet numb.
On a bid to not only save money, but also to stick to my (not-going-so-well) diet, I swore that I'd spent the night cooped up indoors. Three hours later and I'm severely regretting this decision.
This is why I thought that I'd spoil you all to a little post on how I'm spending my evening, and giving you a couple of little tips on how to de-stress and pamper yourself until you're feeling on top of the world! 

So the Easter bank holiday has just passed us, and if yours was spent in any way similar to my own, you're feeling a little under-run, tired and fat (after all the chocolate and alcohol!), and although it's only been a short week, work has dragged and this weekend has been calling me. 
So let's get this show on the road and, hopefully, by the end of this post, you'll know just how to relax, de-stress and declutter your mind and body.
First thing's first, get that bath on! Whilst that's running, grab the most delicious-smelling bubble bath that you can get your paws on and pour under the running water. If you're more of a bath bomb kinda gal, chuck in your favourite bomb and watch it fizz. Whilst you're waiting for the bath to fill, set out your best candles and light them. For me, the Summer Scoop Yankee Candle and the lovely Fairy Dust candles are my absolute favourite, and together they make the most heavenly scent. Mmm!
Now you need all the little bits & bobs. For me, these are:
- a glass of your fave bevvy! For me, it's a cheeky glass of rosé
- your most luxurious shampoo, conditioner and intensive hair mask
- Face wash, face exfoliator, face mask and face moisturiser
- Body wash and body polish
- Body moisturiser and fake tan (if you're partial to a slight glow, like some of us)
- Razor or wax strips
- Fluffy towel
- Your comfiest pyjamas and slippers

Everyone is a little different and likes to do things in their own way, but for me, I tend to jump in and get settled, and then firstly I'll wash my hair and condition it, and then I'll slather my hair mask on, concentrating on my roots. The heat from the bath will open the cuticles in the hair, letting the mask penetrate it that little bit easier, bonus! I'll let that sit right until the end of the bath, using this time to then cleanse my face, exfoliate it and then pop on my favourite face mask. I'll then finish my routine of body polishing and then washing myself, then hair removing with my desired method, (usually with a razor because waxing makes me cry..wimp!) and then I'll take some time to relax and de-stress.. For me, this will be by either laying in the bath and gathering my thoughts, or if there are too many thoughts to gather, I like to lose myself in a new romantic book.. Soppy, lovey-dovey stories make me super-happy! 
When I feel like I've relaxed enough-- usually either when my glass of wine is drained, or when I'm so relaxed that I've fallen asleep and made myself jump, I'll turn on the shower head and rinse off my face and hair masks.. I'll then hop out of the bath and spend a good 5 minutes just sitting in the bathroom in the biggest fluffy towel you could imagine.. Whatever day you've had, a fluffy towel makes everything better. When I feel nice and dry, I'll moisturise from head to toe, and depending on how I'm feeling, I'll usually slap on a quick layer of my desired fake tan, just to give myself a little more glow.
Putting my best onesie and slippers on makes me feel so comfortable, so that's my next step. 

For me, when I've finished bathing, I will run into my room, (it's usually pretty chilly when leaving the bathroom), and jump into bed, making sure that I've gotten everything that I'm gonna want, and then I'll put on my very favourite Disney or rom-com movie.

Next up, I'll take my hair dressing scissors- nothing fancy, just some that I ordered online a couple of years ago, and this is when I give my hair a little trim. I tend to do this every 3-4 weeks, which sounds excessive, but I only take a teensy amount off, and I use a fair bit of heat, so it's usually ready for a treat anyway.. The way that I trim my hair is gonna be my next post, so keep an eye out for this, but a little tip for now;
take your hair and section it into 4. Twirl your hair, a section at a time, like you're flirting with your crush.. like so. You see all the stray hairs that are poking out? Snip the ends et voila! Happy hair.
 After this, I'll take my hair and apply my favourite serums and heat protection, and when it's roughly 80% dry, will blow dry it. This means that I'm not frazzling my hair, but I'm giving it that shine and bounce that a blow dry is notorious for. If I have any intention of going any where, or I just want to feel that little bit more glam, I'll pop my velcro rollers in and just leave them for a couple of hours. 
Then I take care of my face.. Usually I'd be doing this at night, so I'll go ahead with my usual night-time routine and then it's time to sit back, paint my finger and toe nails a cute colour and spend the next hour or so in awe of whichever Disney princess I seem to be watching.

When my nails are dry, I like to take a little time out to grab a cute notepad and pen and just jot down a few thoughts. Putting them on paper makes me feel like I've taken them out of my mind. I then like to set myself mini-goals and targets; e.g. I want to lose 2lb this week. It makes me feel responsible of my own thoughts and helps me to de-stress and de-clutter my mind.

How do relax?

xox

Friday, 18 April 2014

FOTD


Face:
Bare Minerals READY foundation R310
Benefit Hoola
Bourjois Mega Liner 
Loreal Paris Million Lashes mascara
TopShop Rio Lipstick 
MUA brown eyeliner for brows

Blazer : Matalan, £20
Black Cami : Tesco, £6
Chain necklace : New Look, £4