I am optimistic that we will start to see some warm weather this year…no, honest! If like me you’re trying to remain positive or if you’re a realist and are about to jet off to sizzling climates then here are some tips to have you prepared for a heatwave…
When you go on holiday, you like to be guaranteed a couple of things. Good food, nice accommodation and friendly staff are important factors, but there’s one thing you seek more than anything, hot weather.
And although you want to bask in the warm sun in your best summer wear, you’ve got to keep yourself cool, as dehydration and overheating can cause muscle weakness, fatigue, headaches and sun strokes.
Here are our favourite tips to ensure you stay cool when the heat strikes:
1. Light clothing
Lightweight clothing, like linen and cotton, will keep you cool when the temperature is at its highest. These fabrics absorb perspiration, (sweat) and then evaporate it, keeping you cool. Heavier, synthetic fabrics like polyester, acyclic and nylon trap the heat, so avoid them when the weather is warm.
2. Take a bath
When you’re feeling the heat, get into a tepid bath or shower, just below body temperature. Although an ice-cold shower seems more appealing, your body will generate its own heat to compensate for your heat loss.
3. Ditch the duvet
Heavy cotton duvets are great to snuggle up to when it’s cold outside, but they quickly become your enemy when the weather heats up. So try swapping the duvet for a sheet, or even better, stick the sheets in a sealed plastic bag and pop them in the freezer for an hour before bed.
4. Avoid alcohol
As much as you’ll be longing for a nice cold beer or white wine spritzer, unfortunately, alcohol dehydrates the body. Instead, opt for cold water or low-sugar fizzy drinks to keep you cool.
5. Aloe vera
Ladies, to keep you chilled this summer, invest in the soothing, cooling qualities of Aloe vera. So replace your normal moisturiser for those rich in the African plant, as it will bring down your body temperature.
6. Cool your wrists
OK, this sounds a little far-fetched, but chilling your wrists can help to cool you down. Simply run your wrists under cold water for five seconds or so, because your main arteries are there and it will help to cool your blood.
7. Botox treatment
Having trouble with excessive perspiration? One option to combat this is Botox treatment. It takes about 20 minutes and involves multiple small injections into the skin, blocking the problem sweat glands. But don’t worry, the injections are relatively pain-free.
So there you have it, just a few hints and tips to keep you cool this summer. Just don’t forget to pack your sun-cream!
*This is a sponsored post provided by Face Clinic London, a Botox clinic providing wrinkle treatments, dermal fillers, sweating treatments and much more.
We are a nation obsessed with purifying skin. To pander to our needs, the market is awash with several types of products that claim to offer you the best method of cleansing against make-up, pollution and other impurities so how’s about I throw one more on the heap to inject some curiosity (or excitement)?
DHC’s Cleansing Oil came to my attention by my friend, Jess. She was introduced to it when she visited her other half’s family in LA a few years ago and for a while, Jess had the cleansing oil posted to her from the states until it was made available in the UK.
It is a Japanese skincare brand and its hero product seems to be this olive oil based cleanser – an extremely popular water-soluable deep cleansing oil that works at breaking down and removing make-up and clearing impurities whilst hydrating the skin with olive oil and vitamin E.
You just take a few pumps in dry hands (very important) and apply to a dry face (also very important), work into the skin before washing it off. But don’t mix water and don’t wet your face and hands before or it (probably) won’t work properly! There is a good reason why there are specific instructions for correct usage on the back.
The sensation of using an oil cleanser (as opposed to a cream or lotion) feels a tad strange; oiliness is not usually associated with the practice of hygiene and cleanliness so it’s reverse psychology in the making.
The smell of olive oil is noticeable too (maybe that’s just me as I use it all the time in my cooking) and as for melting the make-up off the visage? Well I looked like the Joker (the Heath Ledger one) when my red lipstick dispersed all over my face. Amazingly, the muck washed off and my skin looked clean and felt so soft after.
On first impression, it doesn’t look like anything special. The bottle is fine, it’s the label that’s dull, and the DHC branding is easy to miss at the bottom. It should be more prominent in my opinion. Come on DHC, this is your best-selling product – a little effort in showing it off. Image is important, you know and a plain old label slapped on the outside just makes it appear ‘ordinary’.
DHC’s Cleansing Oil may not be to everyone’s liking and could trigger off an unpleasant reaction, as one or two fellow beauty bloggers confirmed from their experiences. For me personally, it works really well but I feel more satisfied with wiping off the excess with a hot flannel.
DHC Cleansing Oil comes in a handy 30ml, 70ml and a whopping 200ml size with prices from to £4.50 to £21 so if you aren’t sure, you can purchase the trial size. The brand is currently only available online at www.dhcuk.co.uk.
*PR sample*
Elemis has sprung into spring with the arrival of their Pro-Collagen Cleansing Balm. And it’s anti-ageing. Yay for those like me who aren’t fresh faced teens!
It’s much more than a cleanser though, it’s a luxurious balm rich in oils and waxes that melts away make-up and daily grime. Made up of precious starflower, elderberry and optimega™ oils with rose and mimosa waxes, and anti-ageing padina pavonica, the balm also deeply nourishes and smoothes for a glowing complexion. It looks like bee’s wax yet the texture is so soft and smooth, and the scent is intoxicating.
Scoop a small amount on your finger and massage all over your face, neck and décolleté, add a little water to emulsify the product and gently wipe it off with a damp face towel. Flannel Queen Caroline (Hirons) will be pleased as punch this cleanser doesn’t come with a flimsy muslin cloth.
The balm can also be used as a treatment mask – the same steps as above except don’t add water, but massage with your finger tips and leave for 10 minutes, then remove with a damp, warm flannel. Amazing stuff. It’s left my skin beautifully soft and nourished, something I am in dire need of since I suffer from a lack of hydration due to the effects of the cold weather and travelling on the tube.
Elemis is one of my absolute favourite skincare brands and they haven’t disappointed with this offering. The cost of a tub of the cleansing balm is £39.50 for 105g but a little goes a long way. This isn’t one to be whiffed at but sniffed adoringly.
You can order directly from www.timetospa.co.uk. For more on Elemis visit www.elemis.com.
*PR sample*
Stop what you’re doing (unless you’ve paused to read this post, in which case, carry on).
I’ve been using an anti-ageing serum which vows to reduce wrinkles with snake venom. Before you squirm with horror, it does not contain actual snake venom (I’d pity the poor person whose job would be to extract the stuff if that were possible) but an ingredient called Syn-nake that mimics a polypeptide found in the venom of the Temple Viper snake. This is the little fella. Probably not at all little but beautiful colours, don’t you think?
I have to admit that I’ve grown really fond of is Crystal Clear’s Intense Anti-Ageing Serum. I say ‘grown’ because the infatuation wasn’t love at first touch. To begin with I found this creamy serum a bit icky to use and wasn’t keen on the orange scent (I’m more of a lemon girl). But I persevered and now that I’ve noticed the difference since using it, I can appreciate the product for what it’s worth.
Crystal Clear Intense Anti-Ageing Serum contains a high level of proven actives to help repair skin, creating a firmer, more youthful look. It provides all the benefits of science based ingredients, using peptides at high percentages and crushed precious stones within a paraben-free preservative base.
The syn-ake (the venom thingy) is the star ingredient, mimicking the effect of something called of Waglerin-1, a neuromuscular blocking compound which is effective against expression lines by relaxing facial muscles thus reducing the visibility of wrinkles. The precious stone part comes from Tourmaline, which helps revive skin radiance for a healthy glow while an oxygen complex regenerates and revitalises the skin, and an extract of olive oil moisturises to leave skin feeling smooth, soft and hydrated.
Well that’s the science part explained, how does the product measure up? I’ve been applying it twice a day for a couple of months, day and night. It’s a thick, white cream with a distinctive citrusy scent and the key is to massage into the skin for a couple of minutes. Slapping it on in a hurry won’t accomplish much, you have to work at it. Every time I use it, I do notice how baby soft my skin feels and how clear my complexion appears. It also hydrates my skin and sometimes I don’t bother with a moisturiser after because the serum is rich.
A 50ml bottle of Crystal Clear Intense Anti-Ageing Serum costs £60, an amount that is reasonable to me for a product that has exceptional results and will last a good while.
If you take your skincare seriously then this range might be worth exploring. Available from Selfridges and selected Fenwick stores nationwide, or online at www.crystalclear.co.uk.
*PR sample
