Wednesday 26 August 2015

10 top budget beauty tricks



Looking and feeling good can be an expensive task and sometimes a quick trip to Boots can turn into an hour-long beauty haul resulting in your bank account being £50 down afterwards. 

However maintaining your appearance doesn’t have to break the bank and you may not realise that some of the best beauty products available are actually already in your kitchen or bathroom cupboard. 

Here’s 10 top tricks for looking great on a budget.



Lemon water

Start each day with a cup of warm water and lemon juice, and you will notice a flatter stomach within 2 weeks. Lemon alkalizes the body, kick-starts the metabolism and improves digestion which in turn reduces bloating and aids weight loss.

Baking soda

For a smile that sparkles replace your toothpaste with baking soda 2-3 times a week. The soda will reduce plaque build-up, freshen breath and help to remove stains caused by smoking and drinking tea and coffee.

Sudocrem

When you feel a spot forming apply a dab of sudocrem before bed and see it disappear overnight. The antiseptic cream is also great for treating cold sores, burns, inflammation and rashes.


Coconut oil

Apply a thick layer of coconut oil to hair at night before washing off in the morning to reveal silky soft, super smooth and nourished hair. Coconut oil also makes a fantastic makeup remover, moisturiser, cuticle oil and shaving cream.

Talcum powder

More effective than dry shampoo, use talc to refresh hair in between washes. Sprinkle a little powder on the roots and be sure to rub it in properly to avoid white hair.


Apple cider vinegar

Mix 1 tbsp. of apple cider vinegar with water and gently apply over the face with a cotton pad. The solution will firm and tone, reduce acne and leave a clean, clear complexion. After washing, rinse hair with cold water and 2-3 tbsp. of vinegar to create a super glossy shine.



Yoghurt

For the ultimate skin firming, anti-aging face mask mix 3-4 tbsp. of natural yoghurt with 1 tbsp. of organic honey and a squeeze of lemon juice. Leave for at least 20 minutes before washing off to reveal tighter, brighter, more radiant skin.

Castor oil

Known for its ability to promote hair growth, castor oil is the perfect remedy for thicker brows. Apply generously over eyebrows at bedtime and you should notice thicker, model-worthy brows after 1 week.

Egg whites

One of the best natural skin care remedies, egg whites effectively tighten skin, reduce wrinkles and remove under eye bags. Apply 1 beaten egg white to the under eye area and leave for 30 minutes before washing off to reveal fresher, brighter skin.



Cinnamon oil

An active ingredient in many lip plumping serums, cinnamon helps to increase blood flow and enhance lips for a fuller look. Mix 2 tbsp. of cinnamon essential oil with 1 tbsp. of brown sugar and rub in a circular motion for several minutes to create a softer, plumper pout.


Do you have any budget beauty tricks? Share them below!

Holly xx



Saturday 15 August 2015

Inecto Naturals Coconut





Inecto are a British beauty brand who focus on 100% natural beauty using only sustainably sourced ingredients and organic oils. 

All of their products are vegetarian and vegan friendly, and are never tested on animals.

Having already tried several products from the Inecto Naturals Coconut range I was extremely excited to try the new Deliciously Rich Coconut Bath and Shower Cream and Super Scrub Coconut Body Scrub.

Both products smell equally delicious and automatically transport you to an exotic destination with their sweet tropical scent.

The Super body scrub is the perfect combination of small exfoliating beads and nourishing organic coconut oil which boosts circulation and buffs away dead cells leaving skin feeling silky smooth and sporting a healthy glow.

The bath and shower cream is exactly what it says on the bottle - thick, creamy and deliciously rich. The cream forms a luxurious lather that you can feel moisturising your skin as you wash leaving it clean, soft and smelling good enough to eat.



Both products have become an essential part of my summer skincare routine and are a definite must for getting beach body ready and preparing to slip into those sexy summer shorts.

Have you tried any products from the Inecto range? Which ones are your favourite?

Holly xx


*PR Samples

Friday 7 August 2015

Healthy Homemade Coconut Almond Granola



As someone with a major sweet tooth, granola is a firm favourite on my list of breakfast foods.

Unfortunately store-bought granola can contain huge amounts of added sugar and hidden ingredients which make the seemingly 'healthy' breakfast, anything but.

After searching the internet for a healthier alternative, I felt inspired to make my own - and was extremely impressed with the results.

The recipe can be easily modified to suit any taste with endless ingredient options to create a variety of different flavours.

Here's my super easy recipe for a deliciously healthy granola that you can enjoy for breakfast, dessert or as a guilt-free treat when you need a little pick-me-up.



Ingredients
400g rolled oats
10g flaked almonds
4 tbsp dessicated coconut
1 handful of raisins
2 tbsp runny honey
2 tbsp coconut oil (melted)
100ml almond milk
A generous sprinkle of cinnamon




Makes 500g of granola (10 portions)

Preheat oven to 180C

Place all ingredients except the dessicated coconut in a mixing bowl and combine well using a large spoon or your hands

Spread evenly on a greased baking tray and place in the oven for 10 minutes

Carefully turn over the mixture then bake for a further 10 minutes until the oats are golden and crunchy

If you prefer a more 'baked' taste leave for a little longer - just make sure it doesn't burn

Remove from oven and leave to cool

Once cool, transfer mixture into a bowl and add the dessicated coconut and a little more cinnamon to taste



Store in an alright container and serve with almond milk, Greek yoghurt and blueberries. Mmm.

Feel free to share your own tips and recipes and let me know how you get on!

Holly xx

Sunday 2 August 2015

July


Another month over... only 4 months until Christmas!! *eek*

We are bang in the middle of summer and although the weather has been a little hit and miss I have enjoyed the little bit of sunshine we have had.

This month I said goodbye to my old uni flat and moved back home for summer. 

Home cooked food, a double bed and no laundry = heaven!

I have been back for 2 weeks and so far, so good, although knowing me it won't be long until I'm pining for my own space and counting down the days until I'm living alone again!

Last weekend we welcomed a new member to the family... meet Ralph the staffy!





He is an adorably cheeky bundle of joy and truly lives up to the name 'Wreck it Ralph', but we are in love with him and can't picture life without him now he's here.

As well as being licked, bitten and chewed to death, I have been enjoying long walks in the park, spending time with family and relaxing as much as possible before the hard work commences in September.

Over the next few weeks I plan to do more catching up with family and friends as well as taking part in my share of the puppy duty.

What have you been up to this month? Any exciting plans for August?

Holly xx


Here's a few pics from the last month...







Luxury showering with L'Occitane



Summer salad



#FreeFrom goodies from Holland and Barrett



Green smoothie goodness



Loving these flavoured lip balms from TK Maxx



Afternoon tea



Ralph with his big brother Spike



Homemade coconut almond granola




Sleepy Ralph



Coffee O'clock



Summer stripes



#ELLEinspire


For more pics follow me on Instagram @misshollyamber