NOTW - Models Own Pink Punch

Friday I headed to Birchbox's Manithon to raise money for breast cancer charity Coppafeel. CoppaFeel! aims to stamp out late detection and misdiagnosis of breast cancer by ensuring that people know that signs and symptoms of breast cancer, know what their boobs look and feel like normally, check their boobs regularly throughout their lifetime and have the confidence to seek medical referral when they detect abnormalities.

Currently 5% of diagnosed cases are already at stage IV with breast cancer being the second most commonly diagnosed cancer in women under 30 in the UK (181 new cases diagnosed and 12 deaths annually). CoppaFeel! strives for a country where no one dies of breast cancer because of late detection or misdiagnosis. The charity receives no government funding and relies solely on voluntary donations.

Taking place in Soho Square, just off Oxford Street, you couldn't help but recognize the Birchbox tent. There was a lot of little stations set up with teams of lovely ladies doing manicures. Models Own were there doing the nails so my manicure this week is courtesy of them.  

I chose Pink Punch as my colour as it is something I would never normally choose and I just couldn't help but notice it standing out amongst the other shades.

After my nails had been filed, buffed, painted and then some lovely oil added to the cuticles, I was then able to go over to the Birchbox shop to select some samples which was quite exciting and a really nice touch.  There was seven different samples to choose from and I was lucky enough to be able to select four from this bunch:

And this is what I chose:

So as you can see I went for my Balance Me Wonder Eye Cream which is amazing, Benefit Porefessional as I have almost run out, Aromatherapy Associates Revive Morning Bath and Shower Oil and Lord and Berry Black Kohl Liner.  Plus there was an added extra of this Birchbox themed silk scarf in my little tote bag - how cute!

Accessory Wednesday - Brightly Coloured Beads!

With summer drawing to an end and the dark darks and mornings soon to be upon us, I tend to opt for black trousers, black cardigans and vest tops for work attire and if it is really cold I love my chunky knits, but usually all of them being dark shades.  With that in mind, I tend to accessorise using brightly coloured bracelets, necklaces, beads or whatever I can find that catches my attention. I am not one for chunky gold or silver things you find in places like Primark because they turn green when I wear them, but these featured in my post today are perfect.

Whilst in Spain, I came across a little store which sold the loveliest little hand made bracelets and I bought three for 5 Euros, total bargain and this is then:

Sadly there was no matching necklace or long chain to go with any of them, so for that I am still searching.

Where do you get your accessories from? Do you have a favourite shop? Do you change your accessories throughout the year?

Cosmetic Surgery Facts and Fiction

Source

With millions of people around the world undergoing elective cosmetic surgery every year and stories in the media about celebrities going underneath the knife appearing on a daily basis, you’d imagine that our knowledge of plastic surgery was greater than ever.

In fact, muddling through the attention-grabbing headlines can make separating fact from fiction difficult at times. The best place to get answers for your individual questions is always from a qualified surgeon during your one to one consultation, but in the meantime we’ve sorted the facts from the fiction.   

You can’t breastfeed with implants – Fiction

Source

Many women that have had breast augmentation surgery are able to successfully breastfeed their baby. However, there is always the possibility that cosmetic surgery will affect your ability to breastfeed, so it’s vital that you discuss your concerns with a surgeon during a consultation so you have a clear understanding of any potential problems.

Cosmetic surgery is for vain, shallow people – Fiction

People choose to have cosmetic surgery for any number of reasons – sometimes that reason is simply because they want to look a certain way, but that doesn’t mean that the only thing that person values is their looks. If this was the case we’d have to assume that anybody who chose to have tattoos, piercings, and hairstyles or wear certain clothes or makeup purely to look a certain way were also just vain. The argument is a hangover from misguided stigma that is disappearing rapidly.

Cosmetic surgery is high risk – Fiction

There is always the risk of complications in any surgical procedure, and if your cosmetic surgeon doesn’t highlight the potential risks you should take this as a warning sign. However, as long as you find a reputable surgeon who holds your well-being as their number one priority the risk during cosmetic surgery will be minimal. To ensure you’ll be well looked after make sure you choose a surgeon registered with a national body such as BAAPS or BAPRAS in the UK.

Having cosmetic surgery abroad can save you lots of money – Fiction

While it’s true that the cost of the surgical procedure itself might be cheaper abroad there is no guarantee it will save you money – especially when things go wrong. With a 16.5% complication rate for cosmetic surgery holidays there’s every chance you could end up paying more once back at home to correct any problems.

You’ll be left with gruesome scars - Fiction

Cosmetic surgeons are trained to leave minimal scarring, so while some scarring is inevitable it will often be unnoticeable. For example, breast augmentation scars are kept out of view in the crease of the breast or in the armpits, while facelift scars practically disappear along the hairline. As always, if you’re worried about the scars you’ll be left with after surgery raise these concerns with your surgeon during a consultation.

Cosmetic surgery is becoming more popular for men – Fact

People of all walks of life with all sorts of lifestyles choose to have different types of cosmetic surgery for a variety of reasons – and a growing number of men having procedures ranging from breast reduction to tummy tucks and face lifts are testament to this. The common assumption that cosmetic surgery is just for women has long been on the decline – and with good reason, as in 2013 almost 10% of cosmetic procedures in the UK were on men. These 4,757 procedures represent a 16% increase on 2012 and the trend looks set to continue.

Being informed about cosmetic surgery is key to satisfaction - Fact

One of the most significant factors affecting your satisfaction with cosmetic surgery is how informed you are. So do a bit of research online about the specific procedure you want, and be prepared to ask questions at a consultation. Knowing what to expect from surgery and the recovery process, as well as having realistic expectations about the changes your body or face will undergo, will ensure your experience with cosmetic surgery is a satisfied one.

Written by breast surgery experts MyBreast. Visit them online at http://www.mybreast.org

**Guestpost

Exfolia Beauty Cloth

When I was asked if I would like to try out the new Exfolia Beauty Cloth** I jumped at the chance. I am one of those girls who uses flannels, muslins cloths and so on to wash and clean my face, always have been. I

The Exfolia Beauty Cloth is described as being a microexfoliation cloth which is suitable for all skin types from oily to dry, teen to mature even the most sensitive. It is also safe to use on your baby's skin and is hypoallergenic. There are no additives, no acids or crystals and as well as being washable, this cloth lasts for 60-80 washes. Exfolia also make the claim that their Beauty Cloth will smooth and soften your skin, minimise hyper pigmentation and scarring, as well as reduce fine lines and wrinkles, deep clean the pores, allow deeper penetration of skin care AND smoother application of self tan and cosmetics. Oh and it is recyclable. Wow!

To look at, this green cloth reminds me of a shammy you use to clean the car, you know the ones which hold all the water...this cloth uses fibres which are 50 to 100 times thinner than human hair and they are put together and designed within the cloth to remove dead skin cells delicately, the description, which I love this is:

"The dense formation of the fibres, provides a powerful wicking action that collects 99% of impurities from skin surface".

When I first used it, it did feel a little rough on my face, so I was careful around my eyes, but after perservering with it and completing my wash routine, my skin afterwards felt extremely soft and smooth, I was quite surprised and I was most definitley left with that 'clean' feel, after washing my face. Scarring, fine lines and wrinkles are not yet a problem for me and nor do I currently have any scarring. But my skin had been in need of a good exfoliation session and this cloth for me delivered with just the use of water and my current favourite cleanser (coming in a post soon).  You are advised to use this cloth 2-3 times a week rather than everyday or once a week if you have really sensitive skin.

I also took this cloth on holiday with me to Spain and used it three times for the ten days I was there to ensure that whilst I would be getting a tan and wearing my SPF, that my skin was in as good condition as it could be. The reason I took it is because I then didn't need to take any other face washing products, no exfoliating balms or facemask, just the cloth and a cleanser which meant more room for other products.

I am a huge fan of the Exfolia cloth, it does what it says it will do for me. It didn't and still doesn't irritate my skin, it is soft and smooth and even after washing in the washing machine, it is just as effective now as it was when I first started using it 4 weeks ago. If this sounds like something you would like to try, then this cloth costs just £10.35 which you can find here.

What do you use to wash your face and body with? 

Have you tried this cloth?

FabyouLess!

As a Beauty blogger, I am always looking for discounts, vouchers, 2 for 1 offers and sales and often have an inbox full of tempting and inviting offers to relieve me of money. Then I was introduced to the Fabyouless card, which is a very clever name for a product and I thought I would share with you today which it is all about and give you a chance to win one for yourself.

Fabyouless is the UK's biggest health, beauty, hair and fitness Card. It has offers and discounts at over 1500 venues across the UK which includes:

• beauty salons, 
• salons, 
• nail bars, 
• lash bars, 
• aesthetic clincs, 
• spas
• dental clinics 
• gyms and personal trainers

So imagine you have a hour to spare before you are meeting your best friend for lunch, she is always late and you need something to do with your time, how about a quick manicure? Blow dry? Facial? but it is expensive. Well Imagine being able to save some money every time you have your hair blow dried, your Shellac nails done, or a facial, your essential waxing, a spa day with friends and that all-important personal trainer session – you could save yourself a lot of money. Plus, you can use the card as many times as you like, it isn't restricted to once a month or four times a year, you can use it daily or even hourly if you must.

The offers are at least 25% discounts or 2 for 1 offers and it is a really simple, but clever idea. You can also use your Fabyouless card in some of the top locations across the country such as

• Bannatyne Spas, 
• Amida Spas, 
• Spa London, 
• Malmaison, 
• Hotel du Vin, 
• Top Cuts, 
• Hob Salons, 
• Outdoor Fitness UK, 
• Macdonald Hotel & Spas, 
• Biothecare Aesthetics 

Plus many more options which you can read about HERE. All you do is type in your postcode and within seconds all of the places near to you, or those within the parameters within which you have set, such as 10-20miles will pop up as a list and on a map and you scroll through, find what you want. Once you have found the place you like, you can find all the information you need as well as what the current offer to you is and all the contact information you need to make your booking.

If this sounds like the kind of card you want to have, of course it is, it costs £49.99 per year, but as I have said, I am giving one lucky reader the chance to win one for themselves, thanks to the lovely team at Fuelmyblog, and all you have to do is complete the form below:

a Rafflecopter giveaway

5 amazing benefits of Pilates & Yoga

Image courtesy of ponsuwan at FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Yoga Pilates and yoga are two of the greatest workouts for not only girls, but guys too. There are amazing health benefits that stem from doing these kind of work outs, so there are plenty of reasons to take it up – aside from the fact you’ll get a great body! If you want to get started but don’t have any of the equipment, you can get everything you need from a sporting and health retailer like Optomo Australia . Keep reading to find out how your body will benefit from undertaking Pilates and/or yoga as your new favourite workout!

1. Cardiovascular, Digestive & Nervous Systems

It’s been discovered that regular yoga and Pilates sessions help to normalise blood pressure and improve cardiovascular fitness and circulation. Yoga gives the heart a work out equivalent to going for a brisk walk. Due to the normalised blood pressure and circulation, your digestive system also benefits – it can help to speed up a system that is usually slow. All of these things work to benefit your nervous system – the improved blood flow helps to calm your body and soothe your nervous system. 

2. Body Strength

Most people find that their bodies strengthen a substantial amount after commencing regular yoga and Pilates classes. On average, after doing yoga for 6 weeks (three times a week) most people will then be able to do roughly 6 more push ups and 14 more curl ups. Those engaging in Pilates have found similar results: Pilates is great for strengthening core, abdominal muscles. Pilates is known to be 310% more effective for being able to strengthen and tighten the more difficult obliques. The best thing about these two workouts is that they add strength without adding bulk to your body – which is why dancers love to do them! 

3. Flexibility

Yoga and Pilates are great for gaining flexibility due to the structured postures involved. The gentle stretching is great for releasing muscle tension and stiffness too. Regular yoga participants are able to see their flexibility boost by approximately 24%. Pilates improves flexibility as well, particularly in areas such as hamstrings, hip and back. As well as flexibility, yoga and Pilates also work to fix your posture and give your body a taller, leaner look. 

4. Musculoskeletal

As well as general strength and flexibility, Pilates and yoga have great musculoskeletal benefits. The poses done in both exercises move your joints through their complete range of motion, which aids in mobility and eases the pressure on joints. Reduced back pain is another noticeable benefit of doing Pilates and yoga. It also helps to prevent osteoporosis, and provides relief for those already diagnosed. 

5. Mental Benefits

As Pilates and yoga requires so much focus and control , most people find that they are a lot less stressed after commencing regular classes. As they are less stressed, they find that sleeping is a lot easier and their mood is improved. Yoga and Pilates are also great for people with ailments such as cancer, depression or chronic pain, as they find they become much less fatigued. 

Pilates and Yoga have so many benefits – so start classes today! You’ll be a regular at your local classes in no time!

Do you do either?

*This is a sponsored post

Cosme-De.com - Have you heard of them?

Have you ever come across a site called Cosme-de.com? No? Well me neither until very recently and they have around for over 10 years!.  Cosme-de is a leading online shopping store which sells make-up, skincare, bodycare, hair care, fragrance, travel products, a male range and much more.  Many of the brands available are what we would consider to be high end brands as well as high-street brands and they include:

• Anna Sui
• Avène
• Benefit
• Bioderma
• Bobbi Brown
• Caudalie
• Chanel
• Christain Doir
• Clinique
• Dermalogica
• Giorgio Armani
• Givenchy
• Glamglow
• Kiehls
• NYX

To name just a few and they are priced at really amazing prices, plus they offer free worldwide shopping... now before you rush off to start spending, let me share with you some of their products which I was very kindly sent!

Anna Sui Rouge Jar** - This is simply stunning to look at. I love everything about the design, the packaging, it is like nothing I have ever seen.  Inside the jar is a deeply hydrating and moisturizing lip gloss with vinyl-like luster for unbelievably shiny and glossy lips. This is priced at £11 whereas you would usually pay around £20.

Benefit Dandelion**- This is a blusher from Benefit which is described as being a "finely spun with delicate mauves and pinks, this exquisite brightening face powder leave a petal like finish".  This is priced at £24 which is around the same price as you would find in the UK.

NARS Sin**- This is a blush from NARS which is absolutely stunning.  Described as being a Berry with Gold Shimmer blush, it is one of those winter time products I need to go with my darker lipsticks.  Priced at £19 it is slightly cheaper than here in the UK.

The final item in my package is a Japanese product made by Kose which contains two Called AQMW**, one is a brightening mask and the other a balancing mask and they are which I have researched a little bit about online and I am looking forward to trying both products.  As yet I have no price for these.

Now as you can see, I am one very lucky girl right now because these products are simply amazing and the prices are equally good!  All of the products are 100% genuine and only branded items are stocked, there are no imitations.

One part of the site I am always looks at is the Best Value section and it is here you can find some real bargains! There are so many things that I have got my eye on such as the Marc Jacobs Mini Fragrance set which you can see HERE, I haven't seen it anywhere and just how cute are those bottles? Plus everyone will know I have a DKNY obsession and just HERE they have everything I need on my wishlist and all the items are just so reasonably priced. I also have my eye on a Clinique Buttershine lipstick in Pink Goddess shade.  Infact there is just so much I have got my eye on right now.

Now I have a treat for you all by way of a discount when you shop with Cosme-de and here it is:

*You need to spend £35 or more for the discount