Getting Your Home Ready for Summer

I think it is fair to say that we are all sick of the horrendous weather we have seen so far this year and even if we haven’t seen many hours of sunshine yet, there are other things that we can do to get into the mood for summer and to start feeling a bit more cheerful and bright. Whilst we are waiting for the lighter evenings to come along, it is the perfect time to start preparing the home and changing things around in readiness for a bit of nicer weather. Here are some of the things you should have on your checklist:

New candles – Some nice new candles with fruity, zesty scents will soon get you in the mood for summer. Put your winter theme scented candles away and fill your rooms with summer aromas.

Seasonal flowers – In spring and summer, we get to see all kinds of beautiful flowers growing in the garden and with lovely yellows and bright colours surrounding you, you will soon feel all summery. If you don’t have the luxury of a garden bursting with flowers then treat your home to a nice bouquet such as ones at this florist in Edinburgh, Scotland. Flowers can create a beautiful summer ambience for you to enjoy.

Garden ready – Schedule some time to get out into the garden and take care of any work that needs doing before you are able to enjoy sitting outside with a book and evenings sat under the stars. Make sure that your garden furniture is ready for you to relax on and give it a clean or a coat of paint if it needs it. If you have a BBQ then check whether it is okay to use or whether it needs any parts replaced, so that you don’t ruin your spontaneous BBQ on the first warm day of the summer!

Wardrobe changes – It will soon be time to put those big coats, gloves, scarves and hats away. Create some extra space by rearranging your wardrobe so that it is ready for the warmer weather. Those winter boots can go into hiding for a few months at least. If you are looking to refresh your wardrobe with some new fashions for the summer, then take a look at some of the hot fashion trends for the summer. Even just investing in a few pieces of summer themed jewellery and accessories will help you to get into the spirit of summer. You should also have a look at the more summery shades of makeup.

Repairs and paint jobs – The exterior of your home may well have been affected by the bad weather, with peeling paint and wood that needs treating. Make a list of all the little jobs that you need to do and then have a trip to B&Q to pick up everything you need to get the house into shape and ready to invite people round for garden parties. If you have decking then there is a good chance that you will need to treat it and keep it protected for another year.

Summer toys – If the kids will be spending more time in the garden then at least the house will be a bit clearer. Now is a good time to sort through any older toys and maybe a trip to the charity shop could be on the cards to make way for summer toys and games. You also want to clear some storage space in the garage or shed so that any new summer games have got a home to go to after being used!

*this post contains PR samples and/or Paid and Affiliate Links unless indicated otherwise - you can learn more on my Disclaimer page here

OMOROVICZA Ultramoor Mud Mask

Omorovicza is one of my favourite brands and one I quite possibly don't rave about as much as I should do, but it is just amazing. Pronounced Oh - more - o - veet - za the brand is inspired by tradition, guided by nature and spearheading the concept of Mineral Cosmetology. The Omorovicza skincare range has a rich, romantic heritage. It was founded by a young couple, Stephen and Margaret de Heinrich de Omorovicza, who met in Budapest. One of the cult products from the brand is The Queen of Hungry Mist and if you haven't tried it, then you need too.

The product I am raving about today is the Ultramoor Mud Mask which I got in my Beauty Expert Spa Edit bag (review here) and I have been obsessed with it ever since.  Described as being a mask which will transform the skin within minutes as it plumps fine lines and tightens collagen fibre as well as ensuring dead skin cells are eliminated for a brighter and more toned complexion. It is perfect for Oily, Combination/Normal skin types. Rich in  nourishing Hungarian moor mud, alongside calcium and magnesium compounds which are proven to accelerate healing, you will also find both calcium and magnesium carbonates, humic acid and fulvic acid, which purify and detoxify the skin. Added to that, this mask is also packed full on incredible ingredients such as:

• The essential oils of sage, chamomile, rosemary and rose geranium which have a cooling and antiseptic effect on the skin.
• Marine exopolysaccharides derived from plankton which works to plump fine lines and tighten collagen fibres, providing an immediate lifting, firming effect.
• Hectorite Clay draws out impurities and hydrates the skin.
• A complex of oligopeptides and amino acids gently resurfaces the skin, eliminating dead cells for a brighter, smoother and more even-toned complexion.

Designed to be used once a week, I love that this Mud Mask doesn't dry out my skin leaving it feeling dry and sore after using. Instead, after cleansing my skin to remove any surface dirt and grime, I apply a generous layer of the mask to my skin using the accompanying spatula and leave it for around 20 minutes, by which time it has dried onto my skin, but not so dry my face feels as though it has been set in concrete. If you have tried any other mud masks before, you will know that their aim is to suck out all the impurities within the skin, what makes this one different is that it does just that but doesn't strip the skin whilst doing it. Instead, once the masks has been removed, preferably with a clean cloth and warm water, my skin felt just as it does after a facial with how clean and bright my skin looks. 

Priced at £68 (here) for me it is worth every single penny because of how incredible well it cleans my skin, removes a lot of gunk and doesn't make my skin break out or become dry and uncomfortable.

*this post contains PR samples and/or Affiliate Links unless indicated otherwise - you can learn more on my Disclaimer page here

Touch In Sol StretchX Mascara

I am still working my way through the Touch In Sol catalogue of products and honestly, I don't think I am ever going to get bored of what I am trying out. I am obsessed with Korean Beauty as it is, but throw in some makeup and I am deliriously happy. Honestly, if you haven't given the brand a try, you need too, there is a reason it keeps winning awards.

On the blog today I am bringing to you my current Mascara obsession with Stretchex. Described as being a Mascara that will boost eyelashes and enhance eyes to the extreme.

Like the rest of the products I have tried from Touch In Sol, they hail from South Korea and this mascara is not only hypoallergenic, cruelty-free it is also formulated without gluten.  Using an innovative formula which is super-light, Stretchex uses what are called high visoelasticity polymer and cellulose powder mascara liquid. The polymers wrap around each lash for fullness while extending the length of the curl and it is this which creates that false lash effect.  Using Yam Root to keep those lashes flexible, some snail slime extract and some silk proteins, this mascara also helps to protect and promote happy, healthy-looking lashes.

I am quite fussy when it comes to mascara wands. I can't stand anything oversized and faffy, I want a brush which I can comb through my lashes and with Stretchex, this skinny C-Curl Brush, as it is referred too, narrows at the tip to allow you to ensure those corner lashes get their coating too. Using the brush, you can literally zig-zag and wiggle it through your lashes from root to tip two or three times without getting those cripsy spidery lashes that everyone wants to avoid. I have fairly long lashes, so ideally I need a formula which isn't too thick and gloopy or one which is too wet because I am a blinker when applying mascara and the last thing I want to be doing is re-doing my entire face due to mascara flicks. Thankfully, this formula is really lightweight and it also easily washes off with warm water, so there is no need to rub your eyes.

Priced at £18 you can find this Mascara from Touch In Sol at Cult Beauty, Feelunique and ASOS. 

*this post contains PR samples and/or Affiliate Links unless indicated otherwise - you can learn more on my Disclaimer page here

SmoothSkin bare UltraFast IPL Hair Removal Device

Shaving my legs has to be one of the most annoying and irritating tasks I do. One good thing about winter and cold weather means my legs see even less daylight than they do any other time of the year, but I still can't stand hairy legs.  Having tried quite a few different IPL devices so far, this time, I have been using the SmoothSkin bare UltraFast IPL Hair Removal Device since November and I thought I had used it for long enough to share my thoughts.

Having used two or three different IPL devices, the one thing that hasn't convinced me to keep using them is the amount of time it takes to use them. One particular brand took up almost an hour of my time each time I wanted to use the device, including waiting for it to be warmed up ready enough. So when compared to how much quicker it was to shave my legs instead, the razor definitely won that race.

SmoothSkin Bare IPL Hair Removal device is designed to help break the hair cycle and prevent regrowth. Light energy is transferred through the skin' surface and is absorbed by melanin present in the hair shaft. That light energy is converted to heat energy (below the surface of the skin), which stops the hairs from growing back.  It uses 100 flashes per minute which is where the name 'Ultrafast' comes from within the name because it is the fastest IPL device currently on the market and you can use it on your whole body (lower and upper leg, under arm and bikini line) in less than 10 minutes.  This being the reason I was really excited to give this device a try and ultimately for me, what made it really stand out. 

It comes with quite an extensive manual to read and whilst it is fairly uncomplicated to use, I would always recommened reading any literature that comes with these devices. This IPL device has just one button, it is the most uncomplicated device I have used and you also don't need to use any specialist gels or lotions when using it. Instead, you plug it in and go. When using this device, it does cleverly check your skin tone before each flash and it will only activate if it is safe to do so, meaning that as well as using it on your legs, arms, underarms, bikini line you can also use it to remove unwanted facial hair: upper lips, jaw line, and even side burns.

Ergonomically designed, this device fits perfectly into my hand and because it isn't heavy, I can use the device with one hand, and not two.  One device I have used was so awkwardly designed, I almost asked my hubby to help me hold it because it was almost as big as my hairdryer.  

To use all you need to do is press the handset firmly against the area to be treated and the indicators around the activation button will illuminate white when the device is ready to flash. Then you simply press the activation button, the device will flash, and you will feel a slight warming sensation which isn't uncomfortable at all. Then once you have done that chosen area, you simply move the handset to the next area to be treated and repeat the entire process. 

So does it work? Well I have used it on my underarm and my legs and the biggest difference I have seen is on my upper legs which has seen the hair literally not return at all now having used this device for the last 5 months and on my underarm, I barely notice the hair there too.  It definitely grows back much less frequently than it ever had done before.  On my lower leg, there are patches of hair, where it was at its thinnest which again grows back very very slowly and towards my shin, I find it is also now taking weeks to appear back, whereas before, I would feel the need to shave my legs 2-3 times a week, I now use this device twice a month, which is down from once a week.

As you can probably tell, I absolutely love this device, it is by far the easiest one I have ever used, most convenient and the most successful and slowing down the rate at which hair returns and in some cases, so much so that there are places (thighs) where the hair just hasn't returned.  You can find this device, which is currently on offer for £179.99 at AllBeauty, as well as Boots, Argos, John Lewis and Amazon.

*this post contains PR samples and/or Affiliate Links unless indicated otherwise - you can learn more on my Disclaimer page here