Winter Skin Warriors - Perfect Skin for Party Season

The winter month of December brings us relentless sniffles, bad skin and often a dip in self confidence. A mixture of blistering cold winds and skin drying central heating can leave us feeling sore, chapped, dry and can banish our festive party feeling. But fear not I have composed a list of must have products to combat dry winter skin and to get you ready for mistletoe rendezvous'!


The first step in beautiful skin is EXFOLIATION.

I can't stress how important this is especially in winter when skin becomes drier at a faster rate than in summer. My skin is extremely dry all year round and often have a cracked appearance so I exfoliate everyday, others, depending on your skin can exfoliate once or twice a week.

I use Neutrogena Blackhead Eliminating Pads on my Neutrogena Wave daily.

 The pads are coated in smooth beads which softly buff away dead skin cells and leave skin looking smooth and fresh. The vibrations of the Wave and the cleanser which is soaked into each pad also forms a silky foam which cleanses the skin and unclogs pores. I definitely recommend the Wave to everyone as its really a 2 in 1 cleanser and exfoliator.
If you find the beaded pads to harsh try the original cleansing pads


Another great exfoliator is Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant. 

This product comes in a powdered form and is activated upon contact with water. Once the skin has been cleansed rub a small sprinkling of the powder on warm wet hands and form into a paste by rubbing fingers together. Massage the paste all over your face avoiding the eyes and rinse off with warm water.

This exfoliant is great for sensitive skin or for those who only need a gentle exfoliator as it leaves skin looking smoother, brighter and healthier.

As only a small amount is needed I would approximate a 13g tub would last 3-4 months (Value for Money!!)


Once you have waved goodbye to whose pesky dead skin cells its time to moisturize and nourish those fresh cells at the surface of the skin.

I would probably say I have the worst skin known to man, it's extremely dry yet oily, I have break outs and discolouration, so if a moisturiser works on me it most likely will definitely work on you!
There are so many moisturisers out there and I would say I have tried a good half of them but here are two products I have bought time and again.

Clarins Mutli-Active Jour - Early Wrinkle Correction Cream

Now despite only being 20 it's never to early to start anti wrinkle cream but that's not really why I use this product. It's somewhere between a light creme and a gel but I feel it forms a layer on my skin that not only nourishes and protects but gives a fantastic smooth base for makeup (Holller!)

A lot of moisturisers can rub off into lumps after application or can make the skin look very oily and greasy, but Multi-Active Jour soaks immediately into the skin and almost has a cooling effect, perfect for application after a hot shower!

The only downside to Clarins is the price tag, so here's a pocket pinching alternative.


MONU - Firming Moisturiser 

This product also has the same gel like texture and leaves skin looking softer and more radiant!

Here are some of my favourite body and hand moisturisers 

Rituals Magic Touch Body Cream - Cherry Blossum & Rice Milk
The smell isn't my favourite in the world but it's still nice and leaves skin exceptionally soft.

Alison Claire Remarkable - Mango Body Butter
By Far my favourite body butter I have came across The smell is lush, the texture is amazing and with a hand pump bottle theres no nasty finger prints in tubs. A Must!

Crabtree & Evelyn - Himalayan Blue Hand Creme
This is the nicest smelling hand creme I have came across, it absorbs quickly so you aren't left with greasy hands and lasts hours.



I hope these suggestions may help a few of you in combating that winter skin and get you on your way to feeling festive, fun and flirty!


Love and Peace,


Gubs


x

Lipstick Heaven - Makeup Review

Now I am definitely no makeup expert but I am a make-up junkie and love everything to do it. However when it comes to lip products I am particularly picky. I have naturally very small red lips so I find it hard to find a lipstick that has a pigment strong enough to cover my own colour, or one that doesn't make my lips look even smaller. So if your like me, in lipstick hell, maybe you'd be enlightened to see some of best and worst lip products!

My new favourite lippy is this Kate Moss Lasting Finish Collection in 001 £5.49

First of all the packaging is great, sleek, compact and stylish, definitely won't be embarrassed pulling this one out at the dinner table. Secondly the pigment is great and completely masks my own lip colour. It has enough traction to last at least until lunch time and there's a light sheen to this which I think makes it more "human" especially for day time wear.          
                                            

Top Picture (left to Right)  &  Bottom Picture (top to bottom):  

1.  Maybelline Sensation 540 Hollywood Red - Whats great about this collection is that each lipstick comes with a perfect pre matched lip liner. For me sometimes the Hollywood Red liner is enough (applied over the whole lip) but the lipstick slighty softens the red with a mauvey/berry tone. Although the colour is great it's quite sheer and will definitely need to be re-applied during the day. The Liner is a MUST for this one. 

2. Kate Moss Lasting Finish Collection in 008 - Again another great pigment from Rimmel this time a more pink/brown tone than 001. A great colour for day time/work. 

3. No 17 (by Boots)  Barely Blush Supreme Shine - This is a very sheer and shiny lip colour and probably needs a few applications but I just love this colour. It's a very summery pink and would be perfect for a holiday makeup bag. For those with a pale lip I'd say this a must, it has a very smooth, quick and easy application, No mirror needed!

4. Viva Tesco Shade 8 Barely There - This is probably my least favourite of all 4 products. I'm not a great fan of the chubby body or metallic colour. It's quite 80's in its packaging and not in a cool vintage way! The colour I guess is a nudey almost peachy colour but its too sheer and slick to really tell. This definitely doesn't last long and I can't think of anyone who would suit it!

To be honest the lip products I use EVERYDAY are balms! I cannot go a whole day without the need to apply one or else I get the dreaded nippy lip burn. My favourites are the medicated/minty ones, these soothe my lips but also give a nice little tingle. 

I've probably used about 20 of these little pots of heaven and I'm not about to change. It keeps my lips soft and hydrated which is particularly important to a Scottish lass due to our less than tropical climate!

Probably my second favourite (if the Blistex runs out) is Nivea lip butter in Raspberry Rose.

As well as soothing/hydrating and all the rest of it, its' slighty pink/white pigment makes my lips looks paler, less irritated and gives them a lovely colour. 

These represent the best and worst of my lipstick box and hope that this may help a few of those who are in Lipstick Hell. 

Love and Peace

Gubby 

x

The Statement Earring!

Gone are days were a single pearl or gold ring were the staple ear bling of choice. 

If they're not causing serious ear lobe dis formation they're NOT making a statement!

The best thing about the majority of "statement" i.e. big and bold jewellery, is that you wont find it in Goldsmiths or Rox. It's cheap, it's cheerful and it's fun.

And if your going to add only one accessory to an outfit let it be an earring! No matter if your hair is up or down and your clothes are scoop or polo neck there's always space for a set of sparkling ear charms. 

Here are some of my own favourites

New Look 

New Look 

New Look 

So whether your style is grunge, rock, pink & pretty or just full on in-your-face GLAM, there's an earring out there for you and all these were under £10, hardly bank busting. 

My tip is to go for your basic colours; blue, black, gold and silver. Although pinks and neons are gorgeous and fun colours, you'll be hard pushed to get them to match every outfit in your wardrobe and for me they just aren't flattering around a pretty little face. 

It can be quite daunting to wear massive metal contraptions on your head but trust me they give you confidence even Sasha Fierce would be jealous of! 

N.B. No hoops. J.LO 2000. Enough Said 

Love and Peace 

Gubby 

x 

Miss Glasgow

After almost a year since my first post I better get my finger out and start blogging.

A lot has happened in a year, I've graduated with a BSc in Applied Biomedical Science, got a new job and started a new course in Forensic Medicine! It all seems busy busy busy but I think I've finally found enough time to write to my blogini's.

I spose the most interesting thing to happen recently was the Miss Glasgow competition. I entered as a bit of light hearted fun and actually made it to the final 12! After weeks of prepping and manic episodes of Nothing-to-wear-Syndrome the night of the final (2nd November) had finally and I was so excited.

The competition took place in Glasgows' Alea Casino, which is a gorgeous venue but definitely too expensive for my "pound-a-drink" palette.

I think the best part of the whole competition was meeting the 11 other girls, which sounds cheesy and corny but it's true! I didn't enter to win but to meet new and different people and to add a bit of excitement into life!

There was four rounds:


1 st round; Casual wear

Now this is definitely NOT my impression of casual but a girl has got to impress!

2nd round; Swimwear

I sported mix and match swimwear from ASOS and blinged it up with accessories from New Look and shoes from JC Penneys.

**Disclaimer; Not how actually looks on beach #sweatymess

3rd round: Charity Shop

This was probably my favourite round, each girl had to choose a charity shop and select an entire outfit from said shop. I choose Cancer Research on Byres Road, as well as having some gorgeous clothes the majority of earnings goes to the Beatson at Gartnaval in Glasgow (No excuse not to shop!!) 

4th and final round; Evening Wear

As you have probably guessed by the lack of boasting I didn't win the Miss Glasgow title, but I had an amazing time meeting the girls and everyone involved. 

If anything I gained a bit more confidence, despite being pushed out my comfort zone, and I think I made a few friends out of it!

Life Lesson; Just Go For It!!

Love and Peace,

Gubby x