Digestive Health & Your Skin

We all know the old adage “you are what you eat”. While some people may swear by it when it comes to having a healthy diet or trying to lose weight, how often do you think about what you’re eating and go “Oh, I know how this will impact my skin”?

To say your digestive system plays a significant role in how your skin looks and feels would be a giant understatement. While a good skin routine on the outside can help you moisturise and exfoliate to your heart’s content, what goes on inside can affect everything from eczema to spots in unwanted areas. Brands such as Nature's Happiness take into account different lifestyles, goals and rely on clinical research for their supplements, backed my science and a board of leading scientists, doctors and experts in nutrition.

 Photo by Imani on Unsplash

In this short post, we’ll be looking at some of the effects digestive health has on your skin and ways in which you can improve it without it seeming like a big deal. Before you know it you could be feeling fantastic on the inside and out. And it all starts with one incredibly simple thing: water.

Your digestive system LOVES water

Ever see those Instagram posts of celebs holding oversized water bottles and wonder to yourself “do you really need to have water ALL the time?” Well, you don’t, but it helps to know the relationship between h2o and how to glow.

As the NHS website points out, water encourages the passage of waste and helps break down nutrients much better. Your skin loves Vitamin D, and there are only certain foods that have a good level of it, like shrimp, tuna, and other seafood. Mushrooms are the best for vegetarians, though a lot of people really don't like the taste or texture of them, wholesale mushroom capsules or vegan supplements can be a good alternative.

 

Think of it like having oil your car to help it run smoothly.

You should know if you have a healthy gut

Pop quiz: how healthy is your digestive system?

Answer: you probably don’t know, but that doesn’t need to become a problem. You can actually go and get it checked out by a GP, consultant or private clinic. In the UK, clinics like OneWelback specialise in digestive health and help anyone know if their guts have underlying medical issues that could go unnoticed.

Examples would include IBS, celiac disease and Chron’s, with the latter supposedly affecting over 150,000 people in the UK.

Your digestive system is unforgiving

If you’re prone to being lazy and having ready meals or snacking on foods with saturated fats, your digestive system is going to process them thinking you need them and send them on their way. You tell your stomach it’s in for a hard time, and it’s going to repay you with spots and oily breakouts.

Your gut biome does a lot of juggling, and it’s believed that giving it a bad time can affect overall health. So while a packet of crisps might not be so bad, a diet that’s not in balance will put the gut under strain that can equate to bad skin.

In much the same way that I mentioned how someone might want to get their digestive health check out, if you’re someone who is prone to spots of outbreaks at random times, you might wish to play about with your current diet to see if a particular food acts as a trigger.

Now it isn’t fatty foods that cause problems. You might be surprised to know that some of these foods can trigger the growth of spots:

• Milk
• Bread
• Sugary drinks
• White Rice

All of the above are categorised as high glycaemic foods that when eaten, can cause elevated hormones. This, in turn, will send the signals that your body should increase oil activity on the skin and hey presto you have a whitehead popping up on your face.

It’s crazy how it all links together, but when you can home in on foods that might be giving your skin a hard time, you quickly be able to adapt and see changes.

Looking for some healthy skin inspiration in the lead up to Christmas?

Take a look at this updated guide to this year’s best beauty advent calendars, featuring brands like Your Beauty, Grazia, Debenhams and Cult Beauty.

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

The GLOSSYBOX x Bella Beauty Box 2019

Glossybox has teamed up with Bella Magazine to bring you an exclusive Limited Edition box and not only is it bright pink and looks amazing but it worth over £55, you can grab your box for only £15!

Described as being 'Perfect for fast-moving, busy women', the collaborative box is filled with quick-fix, multi-purpose products that will have you looking flawless in minutes. 

Inside you will find skin goodies, full-sized makeup treats and hair essentials all of which are suitable for everyone and are great for anyone who is constantly on the go, running late or simply just never finds the time.

I was really surprised to find such a lovely mixture of products within this box if I am honest, for just £15 I wasn't expecting to find the likes of Pixi Beauty or This Works.

The first product to catch my eye was Air Dry Cream Lite by Lee Stafford.  Not a product I have come across or used before but it is said to be perfect for busy women who want a blow-dried look without the time-consuming hassle of actually blowing-dry their locks, well that definitely ticks a box for me. This lightweight moisturising hair cream adds texture and lift to your tresses without requiring any heat. After washing and towel-drying your hair, dispense a brazil nut-sized amount into the palm of your hands and apply it from mid-lengths to ends. Then, style your hair as desired and leave it to dry naturally. You’ll be left with soft, moisturised and salon-worthy tresses!

Keeping with hair products and next is Batiste.  Now I have a love-hate relationship with this brand, it does such a good job at removing oils, especially for someone like me who has greasy roots, but I do find that it does irritate my scalp.  This particular product is the Batiste Dry Shampoo & De-Frizz, so not only is it ideal for what is referred too as second-day hair that needs a quick spruce, but this dry shampoo also smooths out frizz and tames fly-away. It has a blend of soothing coconut, green apple, melon and grapefruit makes your tresses feel soft and smell luscious.

The third item in the box is the NIP+FAB Glycolic Scrub Fix. Described as being a face exfoliator with 3% Glycolic Acid, Salicylic Acids and fine-grains which work to refine, brighten and renew skin. NIP+FAB Glycolic Scrub Fix is said to work deep into your pores to cleanse, purify and tighten whilst preventing blemishes. With a fresh grapefruit scent, it does smell lovely and is one of those morning products to kick you awake.

A brand I got to know through beauty boxes and magazine freebies is Eyeko, more for the mascara than the product included within this box, the Eyeko FAT Liquid Liner.  Described as being an easy-to-handle chubby pen, it delivers big, bold lines with long-lasting carbon-black colour. Our blackest black glides on and stays on for a smudge-proof finish with conditioning algae extract.

Another brand that I got to know through Glossybox is This Works and in particular, the product included within this box which is the In Transit Camera Close-Up.  Described as being a handbag-sized gem that evens, plumps and brightens your skin, this product is a mask, moisturiser and a primer all in one and contains a powerful blend of repairing plant oils as well as a boost of caffeine to erase signs of fatigue and make your skin look radiant.

Finally, we have one of my absolute favourites from Pixi by Petra and that is the Fresh Face Blush in shade Beach Rose.  I am more of a bronzer fan than a blush fan but there is something about this shade that I adore. The powder is silky soft on the skin and it has a  natural mineral formula is infused with vitamin E and mica, so skin is treated as you wear it. It is also hydrating, long-wearing and light-diffusing and the colour on my skin is really natural.

This is a great box for just £15 and it would make a great stocking filler present for a loved one, Secret Santa, friend or even a treat for yourself.  There is a really nice mixture of contents from brands and it can be snapped up here.

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

Bath and Bodyworks Stress-Relief Collection

Stress is part of life, it is something we all have to deal with at some point in time and for some, it is a daily occurrence, for others it is an every now and again. People have different ways of reacting to stress, so a situation that feels stressful to one person may be motivating to someone else.  For me, stress heads right to my shoulders and sits there like really painfully and if it is on-going my sleep pattern is disrupted more than it currently is and I am known to suffer from stress-eczema, so I try and do absolutely anything and everything I can.

I love hot baths, bubbles, essential oils, candles, masks for everything and of course a gin & tonic whilst shutting myself away from the world for at least an hour a week. That means no phone bleeping every two seconds, no-one ringing me... the occasional meow at the door because the kitty wants to see what I am doing and where I am, but we will forgive that for now.  What I have absolutely loved trying for a few months now comes from Bath and Body Works, a brand we don't have a store for in the UK right now, though we did use to have them many moons ago, from the Stress Relief Collection.

I have the Stress Relief Candles, Body Wash & Bath form as well as the Body Lotion. The whole range also comprises of a body scrub, a pillow mist, a bath soak, a bath bomb and so much more. They come as part of the aromatherapy range which has 4-5 different collections such as  - Relax, Focus, Comfort and Sleep but it was Stress Relief which stood out to me with its Eucalyptus and Spearmint fragrance.

Eucalyptus Essential Oil clears the mind. Spearmint Essential Oil soothes & uplifts.

For me, when I am stressed, I want products that are soothing, that help me relax and wind down and often that isn't something citrusy and uplifting if anything it can make me feel worse, so I opt for soothing scents and oils and this is partly why I am so interested in ingredients and essentials, I want to know what they do, why they do it and then work out which works best for me.

I am a huge fan of candles and as soon as I saw there was a Stress Relief Candle, I stocked up and now have four of them.  Bath and Body Works state that this is the Perfect 3-Wick Candle! It is made using the highest concentration of fragrance oils, an exclusive blend of soy-based wax and wicks that won't burn out.  What I love about BBW candles is that the wax melts evenly and as it does so, it allows the fragrance to travel the entirety of my flat and fill every room.  

All BBW candles come with a decorative lid, which because they are made of metal, double up as a coaster to ensure your worktop or sideboards are not burnt. This candle burns for approximately 25 - 45 hours, depending on how often you use it.

The second product within my collection is the Stress Relief Body Wash and Bath Foam.  I love that this doubles up to be used in a bath or a shower.  Described as being a fast-foaming body wash it is infused with soothing skin conditioners aloe & bamboo extract as well as an aromatherapy blend of essential oils & natural ingredients.  When it is used as a body wash the scent comes to life whilst you are under the shower and if like me you prefer the water to be on the warmer side of things, it literally helps clear any cobwebs from the mind.  In the bath, you only need one or two pumps and you have bubbles a-plenty and the same incredible scent. 

One product I rarely use is a body lotion, I am lazy if it comes with a spray I use it, if I have to stick my hands in it, the chances are I won't.  However, I really wanted to try the Stress Relief Body Lotion which is described as being an ultra-creamy, fast-absorbing body lotion with nourishing shea butter & Vitamin E. It is formulated to give your skin long-lasting moisture.  As with the Body Wash and Bath Foam, this too uses an aromatherapy blend of natural ingredients and essential oils which benefits body, mind and most definitely your mood.

Sleep for me comes and goes, if you follow me on Instagram or every watch my stories, you will probably notice that I am awake in the dead of the night, so anything I can do to aid sleep, I am doing it.

The Stress Relief Pillow Mist is a product I absolutely love, it not only makes your bed linen smell absolutely amazing but it is a wonderful product for bringing about calmness, especially if you are agitated or as my Nan would say "got ants in your pants" and you just cannot relax. 

A fairly new product for me to try is the Pocketbac Hand Sanitiser, but as it is the season of colds, flu and general illnesses, I thought now would be a good time to give it a try and as luck would have it, they had one within the Stress Relief range.

Said to kill 99% of germs, this hand sanitiser is incredibly pocket-friendly and again, the scent is exactly the same as every other product mentioned so far, but for me, the spearmint is just slightly more potent within this gel than it has been in anything else and it is really refreshing to use.  Whether or not it protects against germs remains to be seen, but I am using it!

I go through tube upon tube of hand cream and until now, I had never tried one from Bath and Body Works, so I have the Stress Relief Hand Cream sitting on my desk.

Alongside the Eucalyptus and Spearmint Essential Oils, this hand cream also uses shea butter and vitamin E which not only absorb quickly into the skin, but they also leave your hands feeling soft, smooth and nourished plus that minty scent is again quite noticeable and really uplifting. 

The final item within my little Stress Relief collection is the Bath Salts.  Anyone who reads my blog regularly will know that I am a huge fan of bath salts and think they are totally underrated and people should use more of them.

From Bath and Body Works these slats are said to help relieve stress after a long day and honestly, they do just that. I am yet to find a bath salt that does absolutely nothing for me and I have tried a lot. With these salts, the advice is to lie back and soak in the healing properties of these therapeutic bath salts which use purifying sea salt and a blend of essential oils, those oils being Eucalyptus Essential Oil which helps to clear the mind and Spearmint Essential Oil which soothes and uplifts.

Where can you get Bath and Body Works Products in the UK?

As you can see, this is quite an incredible aromatherapy range from Bath and Body Works and it is one I am just absolutely loving. Having tried quite a lot of the range, I really do want to try the Sugar Scrub, Bath Milk and the Bath Fizzer to pretty much complete the collection!

A few people have already asked where I get my Bath and Body Works products from and the answer is Facebook groups.  There are two groups that I use to be on the lookout for products from Bath and Body Works and the people within them are amazing and so helpful.  If you want to know the name of the groups, please do ask me and I will share them with you.

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

GLOSSYBOX ADVENT CALENDAR 2019

Glossybox has had some incredible beauty boxes during 2019 and many of them have sold out as quickly as they have gone on sale. Again, they are back with their second advent calendar ‘It’s The Season to Be Glossy’ and if it is anything like the 2018 calendar, then it is set to be amazing.

Inside the advent calendar, you will find 15 of the 25 products are full-size and there is a really good mixture of make-up, skincare, body and hair brands. 

The overall value of this calendar is £370.  Rather than spoil what is behind each door in order, below is a list of contents and what each one is, so if you don't want to see what is inside then the calendar look away now, but what you do need to know is that the calendar priced at £70 for subscribers and £80 for non-subscribers here

CONTENTS

MUA MAKEUP ACADEMY PRO/ BASE Primer Oil with Gold Flakes / Full Size (RRP £4) - Described as being a super absorbent facial priming oil formulated with gold flakes to add luminosity leaving a radiant, flawless and dewy finish.

MITCHELL & PEACH Flora No.1 Bath Oil 15ml / Deluxe Mini (RRP £8.05) -  Featuring the oils of Rose, Ylang-Ylang, Violet and Lavender, the oil leaves the skin feeling soft, smooth and lightly scented.

SLEEK MAKEUP Matte Me – Birthday Suit / Full Size (RRP £4.99) - This is a pink-toned nude which when applied leaves a matte finish. It is a liquid lipstick that glides on in one smooth application, with no need for a second coat. It has a light as air texture provides you with comfortable wear for hours.

LIVING PROOF Perfect Hair Day (PhD) In-Shower Styler 30ml / Deluxe Mini / (RRP £5) - I am a huge fan of Living Proof and this is a product I have been wanting to try. Described as being an innovative styler that is applied in the shower and lightly rinsed, leaving behind only what you need to create beautiful air-dried styles.

NYX PROFESSIONAL MAKEUP Ultimate Shadow Palette – Warm Neutrals / Full Size (RRP £16.00) - I love my nude and neutral palettes and this one calls my name. Featuring 16 high-performance eyeshadows in a rainbow of tone-inspired shades. On the palette, you will find what is referred to as a vivid mix of velvety-rich textures and mesmerizing finishes that range from mattes and satins to shimmers and metallics.

CHLOÉ Nomade Eau de Parfum 5ml / Deluxe Mini (RRP £7) - Described as being the perfect day to night fragrances, Nomade is said to belong to the floral chypre family it has notes that include Mirabelle plum, freesia and oakmoss. I haven't been much of a fan of the other Chloe fragrances, but this one, I do like.

GLOSSYBOX Blending Sponge / Full Size (RRP £10) - Everyone needs a blending sponge within their stash and this one I rather like too.

NUDESTIX Cream Lip & Cheek Pencil / Full Size  (RRP £20.00) - Described as being a contemporary, multi-purpose adaptation is a liner, lip tint and cheek cream in one – double-ended with a built-in sharpener for frustration-free and easy skin enhancement.

DERMALOGICA Daily Superfoliant 13g / Deluxe Mini / (RRP £17.50) - Described as being a charcoal-based powder exfoliant helps remove air pollution particles that can enter pores and accelerate skin ageing. It also helps detoxify pores for firmer, healthier-looking skin.

KAT VON D BEAUTY Tattoo Liner Liquid Eyeliner / Deluxe Mini (RRP £6) - An award-wining product that most people will have heard or of used but this eyeliner is described as being a vegan, highly-pigmented formula which features all-day-long wear that is both waterproof and smudge-resistant.

STEVE LAURANT Lip Tint / Full Size (RRP £17) - I had never come across the brand until Glossybox but the Lip Tint is described as being gorgeously creamy, cruelty-free, hydrating, highly pigmented but long-lasting.  

THE BODY SHOP Hand & Nail Cream 30ml / Full Size (RRP £5) - I already know the scent of my hand cream but I won't ruin it for anyone else.  The Bodyshop describe their hand creams as being light, nourishing, non-greasy texture which is infused with a light fresh fragrance. The gel-cream formula absorbs quickly, helping to soften and protect the hands.

LUXIE, Inc Angled Shading Rose Gold Brush / Full Size (RRP £9.50) - This brush is said to be perfect for sweeping highlight over the brow bone, defining your crease, or blending out the outer corners of your eyeshadow.

LA SPLASH COSMETICS Wickedly Divine Eyeliner / Full Size (RRP £12.25) - Said to be an intensely pigmented, Eyeliner which dries in seconds to deliver long-lasting, smudge-free results. It comes with a fine-tipped brush for effortless application.

WINKY LUX Uni-Brow Pencil & Spoolie / Full Size (RRP £15) - Described as being a universally flattering pencil works on every brow. It has a triangular-shaped tip which can be used at the pointed end to draw small hairs and at the chubby end to fill in sparse patches. You can then polish your look by brushing product through with the custom spoolie tip.

DR. DENNIS GROSS SKINCARE Professional Grade IPL Dark Spot Concentrated Serum 7ml / Deluxe Mini (RRP £23) - This is a brand I really want to get to know as everyone raves about it.  This particular product is described as being a soothing serum that helps to improve skin’s radiance and tone. Formulated with l-ascorbic acid, lactic acid, kojic acid, alpha-tocopherol and liquorice root extract it helps to reduce the look of fine lines and wrinkles while combating the appearance of dark spots, hyperpigmentation, uneven skin tone and dullness. It also helps to clear and brighten the skin while defending the complexion against environmental aggressors.

3INA MAKEUP The Cream Eyeshadow 313 Light Brown/ Full Size (RRP £12.95) - I adore this shade and 3ina describe it as being a long-lasting eyeshadow for intense, shimmery magnetic colour for all-day wear. It is also waterproof.

CURAPROX BE YOU Candy Lover Toothpaste 10g / Deluxe Mini (RRP £3) - Admittedly Toothpaste isn't something that excites me the most within this advent calendar. However, described as a taste sensation with watermelon and refreshing menthol, ice-cold fireworks for your mouth and gums.

NUDE BY NATURE Touch of Glow Highlight Stick 5g / Deluxe Mini / Worth £9 - Described as being a versatile stick for easy highlighting, creating points of light, intense colour and luminous sheen.

RITUALS Rituals of Sakura Body Cream 100ml / Deluxe Mini / Worth £8.41 - A cream which is rich, velvety and whipped, this is an amazing luxury to use.  once on the skin it has a creamy texture that absorbs quickly to deeply nourish, soften and moisturise. Using the properties of antioxidant Vitamin E and Centella Asiatica to leave your skin feeling silky, supple and smooth.

DR.PAW PAW Original Clear Balm 10ml / Deluxe Mini / Worth £3.95 - If you like a multi-use product then this one is one to try.  Described as being a multi-purpose weapon against all kinds of skin problems it uses fermented PawPaw as the main ingredient and it boasts natural healing qualities and is said to be one of nature’s finest remedies. The balm has a plethora of uses; it’s perfect as a skin protector, moisturiser, nappy cream, lip finisher, for sunburn, skin irritations, as a hair conditioner and for any other skin related purpose you can think of. 

AVANT SKINCARE Pro-Intense Hyaluronic Acid Illuminating Day Cream 50ml /Full-Size £98 -  Said to combine the signature ingredients Hyaluronic Acid, Sea Water, Jojoba oil and Soy Lecithin, the cream helps your skin retain moisture, balance oil and sebum production for an even skin tone. Its powerful moisturising properties help to keep the skin hydrated, making it an excellent additive for mature, dry, or overworked skin.

BARRY M COSMETICS Blusher Quad / Full Size £5.99 - Described as being a highly pigmented matte and shimmer blusher powders. In 4 unique shades, they’re perfect for natural, buildable colour that lasts all day. Tge blushers can be used individually or mixed together.

NAILS INC Nail Polish – Golden Days Ahead / Full Size / £11 - A beautiful gold metallic nail polish which will be perfect for the festivities which are drawing ever near.

TARTE COSMETICS Park Ave Princess Chisel Palette / Full Size (RRP £40) -  This is the biggie for Glossybox and it is a stunning palette.  Said to feature six Amazonian clay-infused bronzing and highlighting powders in magnetic removable pans, all housed in a gorgeous rose gold bar palette. Boasting four universal bronzing powders in shades Carat, Princess Cut, Angle and Crown of which two are matte and two are shimmers.  You will also find Halo and Enhance which are two matte highlighters, this palette is quite stunning and I am so glad I have got my hands on it. There is also the inclusion of a brush, which as palette brushes go, this one is pretty darn good!

I am really impressed with this calendar.  I love that there is a real mixture of products with everything from high street brands to higher ends brands.  There is makeup, fragrance, skincare, body care, hair care and hand care not to mention the beautiful way everything is packaged.

PRICE

£70 for subscribers and £80 for non-subscribers and it is selling out quickly, so grab it right here.









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