Home Renovations - The Hallway

I have enjoyed sharing some of my hopes and wants for renovating our home on my blog, admittedly the majority of my ideas stem from Pinterest where I can lose hours procrastinating over what I can do to my little sanctuary to make it even better.

After renovating the bathroom due to a leak, which also spread to the hallway and damaged the ceiling, a wall and the floor, we had a choice to make. We either patched up the damage and hoped for the best, or we did an entire re-plaster, repaint, sort the floor out job and do it properly the first time so it would last longer.

So we opted to do everything properly the first time round. The walls are re-painted white so add as much light as we can, the engineered wood flooring has been sanded down and varnished, though I had hoped to change it, other issues became more of a priority like a new front door.  So by sanding and varnishing, we have managed to save the floor.  

That just left the walls, having re-plastered and then painted, we now had the option to create a feature wall with photos and other memories to display. So,  having ordered a whole lot of picture frames which are all the same but different sizes, we have just started to create it and I am pretty impressed with how it is taking shape and if you follow me on Instagram, you will have seen sneak peaks as to how it is shaping up.

All we have left to do now is gloss the skirting boards (does anyone actually like this job), get a new internal door mat and then decide on a shoe rack, something that isn't too wide/takes up too much space.

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

How To Prevent Acne If You Wear Glasses

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Getting a fresh new pair of glasses feels amazing. Your glasses can add more style to any outfit. Another thing glasses can add to your face is acne. If you have just purchased eyeglasses from www.eyeglasses.com or your local eyeglass store and notice small acne bumps on your face, they could be caused by your new pair.

Finding acne on the bridge of your nose, around your cheeks where the eyeglass rims sit and around the ears are all common places acne can show up. This is such a pain. If you are looking for ways to prevent this annoying outbreak from happening, check out these tips every new glasses owner should know, but first, you need to understand how this happens.

Acne Mechanica

This term referred to a form of acne that develops when something pushes down on the skin, preventing the normal shedding of skin cells. When those cells skip the shedding process, they stick on your skin, clogging up your pores. This leads to acne. When you have oily skin or you try to cover your acne with heavy makeup, that only makes the problem worse.

Acne Mechanica is not just found in those who wear glasses. It can also be found among people who are athletic and play sports. Some of the clothes they wear while playing these sports can easily keep in sweat and heat. This makes your skin even more vulnerable to acne-causing pressure from athletic clothing or equipment.

Now that you have a better idea of how glasses can cause some of your acne, here are some ways that you can either avoid or deal with it.

Adjust Your Glasses

Are you constantly pushing your glasses up your nose all throughout the day no matter what task you are doing? You should strongly consider having them tightened. Maybe you are finding acne near your cheeks where your lenses touch your face. Either way, having your glasses adjusted will clear up all of these issues. Get your glasses adjusted first before you start considering switching up your nighttime skincare routine.

Keep Your Glasses Clean

Make sure that you are wiping down your glasses frequently. The best method is to use a basic alcohol wipe and rub it over every part that touches your face. This can be the nose pads, the bottom of your frames that touch your face and even the sides of the frames that touch your temples. Doing this will ensure that you are not carrying any bacteria back and forth from your glasses to your face.

Use A Great Face Wash

Investing in an excellent facial cleanser is a great way to tame your acne caused by your glasses, and any other kind of acne for that matter. It does not have to be expensive either. You can pick up an excellent facial cleanser at your local pharmacy or drugstore. These over-the-counter washes provide many benefits. Some are even packed with salicylic acid, which is crucial to fighting blemishes all over the face. If you want to steadily treat mild acne that you notice popping up on your cheeks and the bridge of your nose, use this tip.

Implement A Great Spot Treatment

It is understandable that pimples pop up out of nowhere. When you find yourself in a tough situation, having an over-the-counter spot treatment is always a lifesaver. This is especially a good idea if you notice your acne bumps are only located in one area of your face like the bridge of your nose or around your cheeks.

Since every problem area is located in close proximity to each other, it may be overkill to treat the entire face for something only parts of the face are experiencing. This is why having a spot treatment is useful because you can treat areas with salicylic acid or benzoyl peroxide without dousing your face in these chemicals. If you are really trying to go the extra mile, you can wear an acne patch while you sleep at night. You could also get a prescription for topical antibiotics and medications you can swallow in pill form that can improve your skin.

Put Your Glasses Down Sometimes

Even though you need your glasses to see everything around you, you do not have to keep them on all the time. Taking breaks throughout the day in which you take your glasses off, or put them down, will not hurt anyone. In fact, doing so can help. If you take breaks from wearing your glasses throughout the day, you reduce your chances of developing acne in those problem areas we have previously mentioned. Taking glasses breaks during the day are crucial when it comes to your overall comfort and skin health.

Take Off All Makeup Before Cleansing

Most people do not take this step seriously, but that could be the main culprit behind your acne. The next time you feel like rolling into bed late at night without washing your face, seriously reconsider as you are not giving your body the tender love and care it needs. If you were makeup, even if it is just lip gloss and mascara, make sure that you are removing the makeup before you cleanse your skin, especially if you wear glasses on a daily basis.

When you wear makeup and glasses, that creates a recipe for an acne disaster. Makeup can build under your glasses. Believe it or not, this may contribute to the acne issue you are having. Make sure that you are using makeup remover or micellar water, not the makeup wipes as those can be horrible for your skin.

Salicylic Acid Concealers Are Your Best Friend

Treating acne is one thing, but what do you do when it is trying to heal. This is where your salicylic acid concealer comes into play. This type of consider is going to keep treating your acne while also covering up the bumps.

Check With Your Dermatologist

Sometimes pinpointing exactly what is causing your acne can take time and a lot of observation. If you are unsure about your acne or you think it may be more serious than a bad case of acne, consult your dermatologist. After all, you could have rightly diagnosed yourself, but wrongly treated your acne. Speaking with a licensed dermatologist will help you target the source of your issues, that way you do not have to worry about it again in your lifetime.

Sometimes they are able to prescribe you something that is strong enough to treat your ance but not so strong that it rips your face in two. If you notice that none of your acne is going away, even after seeing a dermatologist and following their suggestions, keep in mind that you may be experiencing something different. During this time you should really consult your dermatologist.

These tips if followed will decrease your chances of waking up with acne spots all over your face after a long day of wearing glasses the night before. New glasses are awesome, but new acne spots are not. Keeping your frames clean, adjusting your glasses, using a great face wash and remembering to put your glasses down from time to time can prevent you from developing acne from your eyewear.

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

Shrub Hair Care Launches into Boots

Shrub is a vegan hair care brand who recently launched into Boots. Taking their inspiration from the British countryside, the products are made in the UK using local ingredients. Shrub state that they stand for honesty, use natural and ethically sourced ingredients from British farms and never use liquid plastics. I was kindly sent a whole bundle of products to try a few months ago and here they are.

I absolutely love discovering new hair care brands and I am really liking getting to know Shrub and whether you like your salt spray or a heat protector, there is every kind of styling product I can think of within the collection.

First up, the two products that I have used a lot since they arrived.  The Instant Detangling Spray and the Heat Protection Spray.

The Shrub Heat Protection Spray is a plant-derived mist which harnesses the power of lunaria oil from the honesty plant as well as nettle, elderflower and willow extract. It's job is to not only leave your hair feeling soft, shiny but to also protect it from heat damage, which as we know can lead to brittle strands, faded colour, and poor hair condition.  What I really like about this Protection Spray is that it is a mist, it doesn't soak the hair wet through, it doesn't have a chemical scent to it and I do feel my hair is protected when I use it.

The Instant Detangling Spray, which again uses the powers of lunaria oil, nettle, elderflower and will extract. The mist works its way through the hair to loosen knots and tangles. My hair can get incredibly knotty and I am a huge fan of detangling sprays.  With Shrub, this spray not only detangled my hair, it did so without me having to effectively drag a brush through my hair, having sprayed onto my hair and left it to work for a few seconds, the knots loosened enough for me to run my fingers through the knots and detangle my hair effortlessly.

The Curl Defining Cream is suitable for those of us who have curly or wavy hair.  I have naturally wavy hair which drives me to distraction, so I often either straighten it or ignore it and leave it natural.  The super silky cream, which is really lightweight, helps to manage your natural curls, whilst at the same time nourish the hair cuticle.  What I have found when I have used this on a few occasions is it does help to define the waves within my hair.

The Botanical Wonder Oil is without question my favourite product within the bundle and definitely the one I would happily repurchase before it runs out. Its job is to not only nourishing and hydrating but to also help reduce dandruff, whilst thickening strands and supporting growth. Whilst I don't have dandruff, I do suffer from a dry scalp which flares up when I am feeling run down or stressed, all the tell tale signs for me come from my scalp and having oily roots also doesn't help. Again, as with the other products within this range, Shrub harness the power of the lunaria oil from the honesty plant, nettle, elderflower, and willow extract. It is lightweight, doesn't leave my hair feeling greasy and it helps to add a natural shine.

Continuing with protecting the hair, we have the Prepare & Protect Hair Primer. This spray can be used on both wet and dry hair to help protect your strands from environmental aggressors.   Infused with the essential oils of bergamot and sweet orange, it is hard not to love the scent of this spray, it definitely is one which lingers on your hair once used.

For hot summer days, I love to use a spray like the Sea Salt Texturising Spray. I first used a Sea Salt Spray around 10 years ago when they had become fairly new to the market and very little was known about them. Designed to boost hair volume and add an effortless beachy feel, if the curl defining cream isn't a product you like, then this does work just as well!

The one product neither the Hubby or I have used from this collection is the Texturising Clay Putty.

Described as being a mattifying, strong-hold hair styling cream which melts into the strands of your hair to give you a hold that lasts. Perfect for creating a subtle texture or a matte, grungy vibe, plus this putty also protects the hair from the damaging effects of pollution.

Shrub Hair Care is available in Boots* and Beauty Bay with prices starting as low as £7 rising upwards to £15.  A great range for anyone who is wanting to move their hair care to a brand who is not only vegan, but is also free from synthetic fragrance and silicones, free from liquid and micro plastics and is sustainably sourced.

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

NAYA Skincare - Your Everyday Skincare Ritual Sorted

Naya is a new skincare brand to me and until these two products arrived, I had never come across the brand before. Naya is a German Committed Beauty Brand developing vegan, cruelty-free and sustainably sourced Cacay based products.

I was very kindly gifted the Naya Day Cream and Cleansing Oil from the brand quite some time ago and I absolutely loved how each product came presented in a two-part box which opens to fan out and reveal each product and it looks just so pretty sitting on my self.

The Naya Day Cream is described as being a lightly whipped, replenishing moisturiser which is supercharged with bioactive antioxidants, Omegas and abundant levels of vitamins which work together to hydrate, soothe and transform your skin instantly giving back your natural glow.

Alongside Cacay, which is said to give your skin new resilience and elasticity, reduces wrinkles, scars and moisturises without weighting your skin down, this day cream uses Centella Asiatica, Hyaluronic Acid, Passion Fruit and Vitamin C which together calm the natural immune triggers in your skin which can be overstimulated by pollution and a hectic lifestyle. Add to that is a 2% Blue-Light active to protect your skin from our modern devices.

I really like the texture of this day cream, it is velvety smooth on the skin and feels lightweight an not at all greasy when applied. It is an absolute delight to use, nothing I dislike about it and it is priced at £48, so a little on the pricey side, but it is Essential oils, silicone and fragrance free. Vegan and cruelty-free. 100% non-GMO.

The second product is my favourite of the two and it is the Everyday Cleansing Oil. Described as being a light cleansing oil that easily and gently removes makeup, mascara and impurities. 

As with the day cream, this cleansing oil has a nourishing base of antioxidant and essential fatty acid rich of Cacay and it is joined by Rapeseed and Hemp Seed Oil. There is also the combination of Bisabolol and Pomegranate which help to reduce inflammation.

To use, you need 4-5 pumps into the palm of your hands and then apply to dry skin, massaging as you go. Then, once you feel you have removed and loosened absolutely everything you need to, you will notice that the oil emulsifies on contact with water and it turns into a gentle and subtle milky fluid, taking with it everything in its path, including your mascara, though I prefer to still use an eye makeup remover.

As with the day cream, this cleansing oil is essential oils, silicone and fragrance free. Vegan and cruelty-free. 100% non-GMO. Non-irritating and it costs just £20.

You can find these two products and the rest of the Naya range 

via their website.

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