Laminate vs Luxury Vinyl Tiles

If you’re looking for a flooring product which replicates solid wood but without the substantial price tag, then Luxury Vinyl Tiles and laminate are the clear front runners. But what exactly is the difference? Which one should you choose? We’ve put together a guide to help you decide between the two!

Luxury Vinyl Tiles - Vinyl has been used in homes and commercial properties for many years, but it’s only recently that it’s become as popular as it is. Although many of us associate vinyl with being the ugly, old fashioned sheets from the 1980s, vinyl has been revolutionised to produce the practical, stylish Luxury Vinyl Tiles of today.

Vinyl is incredibly durable and will last for many years after it’s installed. This makes it perfect for rooms that see high foot traffic and lots of use such as the kitchen and living room. Additionally, it is scratch, stain and water-resistant as well as being very easy to keep clean, making for a very easy going flooring.

So, what is exactly the difference between LVT and standard sheet vinyl? LVT comes in individual pieces, most commonly in tiles but plank style is also available. whereas traditional vinyl comes in a sheet that is cut to the length of the room. The layers that make up LVT are thicker than regular vinyl too, making it more durable and a better insulator than its predecessor. So, let’s have a look at the individual layers:

• Protective wear layer: This is the last thing to be placed on top of the floor and is what protects the floor from any wear and tear.
• Design layer: This is likely the most distinctive layer as it gives the vinyl the all-important realistic appearance. It is made up of a photo print which gives the wood or stone look.
• Backing layer: The bottom layer is the backbone of this floor, providing LVT’s famous solid structure.

As previously mentioned, one of the main advantages of LVT is that it can replicate pretty much any surface. You can often get the realistic look of real wood, stone or ceramic tile but at a much cheaper price and with easier installation and maintenance. This makes it the number one choice for busy family households and any property that sees lots of foot traffic. 

Laminate - Laminate is another worthy choice and is popular in homes across the world and shares many similarities with LVT. Like the aforementioned, laminate it is another impressive replica of real wood at a much cheaper price and is also made up of many different layers, which are then topped with a photo image of the desired surface and protective layer.

Like LVT, laminate is very easy to keep clean, with only warm soapy water and a sweep a few times a week necessary - no fancy chemicals! In most cases, it’s very easy to install, with a click system making it easy for those amateur DIYers. Laminate, however, is only resistant to scratches, stains and water so we’d recommend being aware of anything that may scratch or stain it and keep it away from rooms that see high water exposure. 

Comparison

Overall, both laminate and LVT hold very similar qualities. In terms of aesthetics, there isn’t much difference between the two of them with it often being hard to tell them apart from the real thing. We’d say that LVT is the best option if you want something completely practical and care free, whereas laminate is ideal if you need a cheap and easy fix.

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

Aromatherapy Associates Revive Morning

A few weeks ago I was lucky enough to spend the morning with Aromatherapy Associates and Dr Tara Swart talking about how to use aromatherapy and the sense of smell to revive and reset your brain, a title in itself which absolutely fascinated me.

I have long been fascinated with aromatherapy oils and how they can change your mood, your outlook and your wellbeing with just a few drops. Brand Ambassador for Aromatherapy Associates, Neuroscientist Dr Tara Swart, whose book I am currently reading, explains that the sense of smell is linked to the deepest parts of the brain, known as the limbic system, unlocks our basic instincts, feelings and memories.  

Starting the day with and following little daily rituals using specific essential oils can rewire our brains, according to Dr. Swart. 

‘Rituals are really important and recent discoveries about neuroplasticity [the adaptability of the brain] show that we can change our neural pathways through, for instance, using a mindful sensory ritual that includes aromatherapy to start your day,’ 

Rituals such as this can help you feel brighter in the mornings, or to help you be much more focused and efficient throughout the day and for some, a more relaxed evening.  For me, starting the day feeling awake and alert is a must, especially as I am prone to bouts of insomnia.  From Aromatherapy Associates we have the Revive blend and it can be used to alert all of those senses.

The five senses - touch, smell, sight, taste and sound are all incredibly important to our being, whether they work alone or with one another.  Revive as a blend uses Juniper Berry which is not only uplifting but it helps relieve anxiety and tension. Then we have Neroli which as a fragrance I absolutely love, within this oil, it is used because its properties include bringing about a notion of relaxation and calm. Finally, we have Grapefruit essential oil which not only has an uplifting effect on the mood and helps with stress and depression. It is also used to help combat muscle fatigue and stiffness whilst at the same time stimulating the lymphatic system and thereby clearing the body of toxins. Together these essential oils create a reviving aroma which works to shrug off lethargy and help you jump into tackling the day ahead.

So with Revive and those five senses, Aromatherapy has put together a little routine to help you get the best out of using their products and I was kindly gifted the Bath and body oil, a body brush and a rollerball.

We start with Touch - Start your day with a feel good ritual that also promotes healthy skin circulation. The Aromatherapy Dry Body Brush uses natural Agave Cactus bristles to ensure your skin is left feeling incredibly smooth to the touch. To get the best use out of dry brushing, it is advised that you start at your feet using short, lifting strokes in the direction of your heart to stimulate circulation and eventually work the brush all over your entire body for maximum effect. The bristles on the brush are quite abrasive but I am informed that this is how your bristles should feel for dry brushing and redding of the skin is quite normal after use.  Then using a capful of Revive Morning Bath & Shower Oil massage it onto your torso before stepping into the bath or shower and really take in those aromas.

Next, we have Smell - Each morning, or evening, depending on your preference, take just 5 minutes to focus on you.  Again, using Revive Body Oil, poor a few drops into the palms of your hands, cup to your face and inhale deeply three times to help restore inner emotional balance. Once you have completed this ritual, you can then apply that oil to your body for soft, moisturised and nourished skin.

Your Sight is incredibly important and Aromatherapy Associates advise paying attention to your local surrounds, nature, the trees, your local park, flowers and wildlife, all of which are proven to lower stress and your wellbeing.

When it comes to Sound, take a moment to be still. Find a quiet place and use the Revive Rollerball. Apply it to your wrists and close your eyes, in doing so, bring your wrists to your nose, take some deep breaths and pay attention to the sounds around you, allowing your mind to wander. It is said that by stopping what you are doing and allowing your body to reboot will naturally help you to recharge.  This is something which is perfect for that mid-afternoon slump when a disco nap in your office chair calls!

Finally, we have Taste - Food is our natural source of energy and as well as choosing it wisely, enjoying it is equally important.  Instead of sitting at your desk on your mobile phone, move to a new place, a different room and leave your phone on your desk. This allows you to think about something other than your emails, social media and the news and instead concentrate on the task at hand - your food.

Aromatherapy call these actions - Easy Actions to Revive Every Sense and they are all really straightforward, something we can all learn to do and they serve as a timely reminder that we all need to take time to reflect, pay attention to what is around us and to our bodies and in doing so, these moments of reset can really make a difference.

I would love to know if you have any daily rituals which you complete to get you through the day?

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

Too Faced Hangover Good in Bed Ultra-Replenishing Hydrating Serum

If ever there was a brand who liked to have fun and literally make a play on words with their products, it is Too Faced*.  I have been a huge fan of the Hangover Primer for a really long time and now there are some brand new skincare products to the range which I have been getting to try out.

The first product is this Too Faced Hangover Good in Bed Ultra-Replenishing Hydrating Serum (£32 Cult Beauty*), which is quite a mouthful to say, but one you are likely to remember.  

This serum is described as being a super-charged replenishing serum packed with ultra-nourishing ingredients, it is formulated using vitamin B5, yoghurt probiotics, hyaluronic acid and antioxidant-rich exotic dragon fruit, which works to improve skin texture and moisture levels and you will also find coconut water too.  Coconut is rich in minerals and vitamins A, K, C, and B-complex vitamins

Packaged inside a pink pump action bottle, you need two pumps as a maximum to cover your face and neck and as you dispense the serum, you can smell the coconut, which I really like, though it doesn't seem to linger on the skin.  Once on the skin, this serum is like many other that I have used, it is a slightly thicker texture until it comes into contact with my skin and then the texture changes to become slightly runnier before it absorbs really quickly.

The swatch above shows what two pumps of the serum looks like, so as you can see you do get quite a lot. After applying to the skin, I did notice that it felt hydrated and definitely smooth to the touch.  This serum can be used both morning and evening on freshly cleansed skin, though I tend to use it just in the morning because I prefer an oil at night.

As an introduction to the newest skincare launches from Too Faced*, for me, the Serum was a really good one and I am looking forward to sharing my view on the rest of the range over the coming weeks!

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

Axiology Lipstick ASOS launch!

Axiology lipsticks and crayons are launching onto ASOS* and if you are wanting to find some new lipstick products which are not only 100% vegan, natural, palm oil-free, dye-free, fragrance-free, cruelty-free and sweatshop-free but also use boxes made from recycled waste and proceeds help save orangutans, then you have found that match.  I was first introduced to the brand in 2017 and Enchant was a shade I wore every single day until it ran out.

Now, you can find Axiology on ASOS and to celebrate, I was kindly gifted three products that you can find featured.  Whether you like lipsticks or crayons, Axiology creates products which are described as being 100% clean makeup and are made with entirely natural ingredients such as super-rich coconut oil, avocado butter and candelilla wax.

The three shades I have are called Brave, Enduring and Clarity and all three shades are incredibly wearable and each one has a different finish.

The first shade is Brave and it is a beautiful warm Plum shade, which has the least pigmentation of the three shades but is a shade I love with my complexion. 

Once applied it has a matte finish and it has a lastability of a good 3-4 hours before it needs to be re-applied.

The second shade is called Enduring and it comes in the form of a Crayon Lipstick. Of all the shades I have tried, this one has been one of my favourite Axiology products to date.

It has high opacity and a semi-matte finish and is best described as being a deep shade of rose which is perfect, in my opinion, all year round wear. It is one of the longest-lasting shades that I have used on my lips from Axiology and almost feels like a balm when applied.  

The final shade is Clarity and it is best described as being a very berry shade which is made up of bold fuchsia and a hint of red.

It is completely opaque has incredibly colour payoff and is a perfect transition from winter to spring shade, though in fairness you could probably wear it all year round.

With swatching each of these shades, I've not edited the photo, something I never do with swatches but as you can see, each of the three shades is completely different to the next.

Alongside these three shades, on ASOS you can find 15 others of which two of those are Lipstick crayons and they are broken down into three different colour payoffs with the choice of a Sheer Balm, Soft Cream and a Rich Cream finish. 

Prices for the lipsticks are £24 with the Lipstick crayons being £23 each and if you are looking for a product which is made without animal testing, is 100% vegan and helps save Orangutans, then Axiology is a brand to be looking at right now!

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