● Laura Thornberry ● Lifestyle Blogger ● London Based ●

AD| Are you single and looking for love? Are you finding it hard to meet the right person? Dating can be very daunting if you haven't done it for a long while but it can also be fun and exciting. But did you know that one in five relationships in the UK now begin online. If you’re single and dating, you’re no doubt facing special challenges during the current crisis with the world going crazy over coronavirus, when it comes to starting new relationships. Dating during these times has gone online and dating apps or websites have made it easier than ever for singles to get 'out' there and meet new people. As our lives become busier and more hectic, it can be tricky to find time to set aside to go on dates, or to even find people to go on dates with. Dating apps come in to help, by allowing you to get chatting to people more easily from the touch of a few buttons.

Online dating websites and apps are all over internet nowadays, and growing more and more popular everyday. As well as general dating sites like Tinder, Bumble, to name a few, there are some aimed at people with a specific theme, for example religion and age groups. Anyone of any age can date, find love, companionship and friendship using specific dating sites for their needs and to suit their lifestyle. Online dating helps you to make connections in your local area, and it's usually completely free to join.

For the younger generation, the use of dating websites and apps seems to be a big part of modern day society, and considered to be something that the majority of people currently use or have used in the past. The under 30's seem dating app whizz's as they seem to find these more comfortable to use in everyday life and with newer technology, it's so much simpler to get the hang of. Using sites like Tinder, Bumble and Hinge seem the most popular apps/websites for the younger generation, with online dating being available anytime and anywhere, you can keep up to date, talk, text and video chat with new people whilst on the go.

For the over 30's to 50's ish, a more middle aged group, your adulting life starts to take over in full force and you don't seem to live as carefree as you did in your younger days. Your lifestyle enters into a more settled routine, and you would have figured out what you want or know what you’re looking for. As well as the previously mentioned dating sites like Tinder and Bumble, there are some websites that are available and more suited towards the middle aged group. Sites like match.com and eHarmony are advertised for a slightly more mature and adult audience.

With current dating apps that tend to cater to younger generations, it can be harder for the more elderly generation to find love and companionship, but there are several sites that cater just for them which makes it so much easier to find what they are looking for. Living as a single over 50 can be quite daunting, as you may feel extremely lonely and are lacking friendly company. With the more senior generation using specific older dating sites that are targeted mainly towards them can help them feel more comfortable and confident with online dating in their later life. The focus of these more age targeted sites is for a very much on long-term commitment rather than a more casual dating approach, so if you're looking for something serious, this could be worth a try.

As a round up for this post, I've put together a few helpful tips for finding love and friendship at any age, and things that will help you whilst online dating;

- Make sure you are happy with yourself before getting into a relationship.

- Make sure to be yourself, be honest and have confidence in yourself.

- Don't take rejection too personally and use it as a platform to better yourself and grow as a person.

- Be realistic and have patience. The 'one' might not come to you straight away.

- Know exactly what you want and make this clear in order to build genuine connections.

- Be more open minded, and maybe talk to someone who isn't necessarily your "usual type".

- Mostly importantly, keep online dating safe.

Have you tried online dating before? What websites or apps have you used? What advice would you give?

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AD| People all across the world are becoming more environmentally-conscious, more eco-friendly and helping to contribute to a more sustainable way of living. By making some changes into your day to day lifestyle, not only are you helping to protect the environment, you can even save you money at the same time. Here are some easy and small changes you can make in your everyday life to help live a more eco-friendly lifestyle.

Recycle Where Possible - This is probably one of the easiest and quickest ways to become more eco friendly and make a bigger impact on the environment. Recycling simply prevents the waste of potentially useful materials and allows them to be reused and made into something else. Materials like plastic bottles, glass jars, paper, cardboard and metal can all be recycled and reused, helping to decrease the amount of landfill waste and allowing these recyclable materials are reprocessed into new products.

Avoiding Single Use Plastic - Eliminating single use plastics from your life is a perfect place to start and is something that doesn't have to be hard work to maintain. Some changes that can be easily added to your day to day life include investing in a reusable water bottle, using metal straws, purchasing loose fruit and vegetables, using reusable canvas shopping bags for your weekly shop. The list is endless, but just adding a few of these to your normal routine will slowly begin to help the environment.

Less Food Waste - Being more mindful of the food we purchase and consume can have a good impact on our environment, as well as your bank account. One of the simplest ways to avoid food waste as a consumer is to buy less. Simply things like batch cooking/freezing, trying out new recipes with ingredients you already have, checking your cupboards for ingredients before going food shopping, writing a shopping list, and even growing your own food can help you become more eco-friendly and eco-conscious.

Replace Old Windows / Insulation- Investing in new double-glazed windows can help to make your home more energy efficient - meaning that your home retains more of its heat, and you'll save money on heating. Good insulation means you don’t need to burn energy reheating the home all of the time. As well as changing existing windows, insulating your walls, roof and flooring can have a big impact on keeping your home warm and can save you money in the long run. Three Counties Windows specialise in windows, doors and conservatories, offering high performance and cutting edge technologies to get the best out of home improvements.

Turn Off Electricity - Another simple task that can be done everyday, and help you save money. By checking all appliances, electronics, light switches and plug sockets are turned off when not in use or when leaving a specific room of the house that isn't occupied. We can also draw open the curtains and use natural lighting to keep our rooms lit up and save electricity this way.

Hang Clothes Out To Dry - Avoiding using the tumble dryer is a perfect way to save money on your electricity bills as tumble dryers are one of the most expensive appliances to run in the home. When we get the occasion sunny warm autumn/winter day, it's a great opportunity to allow your clothes to air dry on the washing line.

Invest In A Compost Bin - By simply having a compost bin in your garden, you can recycle your food waste and turn them into compost. There's so many food items that can be composted, you would be surprised. From potato peelings, banana skins, egg shells and much more, this tip will have you cutting food waste dramatically and help you make your own compost for your garden.

What changes have you made to become more eco friendly at home?

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With the cold, winter months incoming, I've been on the lookout for the perfect haircare products to add to my current routine to make sure my hairs kept hydrated. If you're not familiar with Function of Beauty, then you're seriously missing out! The products they have to offer are 100% customizable and designed to work specifically for you, all worked out with a simple 2 minute quiz which determines the formula for your hair products depending on your hair type and hair goals.

Customisable Function of Beauty Haircare

For me, my hair type is considered slightly wavy, medium length and dry.

The hair goals I opted for were anti-frizz, deep condition, hydrate, lengthen and shine. I wanted to improve the texture and appearance of my hair, and keep it looking healthy and nourished all year round.

shampoo and conditioner. The Function of Beauty shampoo and conditioner are recommended for all hair types as each product is specially formulated to address your unique hair goals and needs. Individually formulated to give your hair everything it needs to look and feel its best. I opted for the strong pear fragrance for my hair duo and the scent is incredible! I also like that you can choose the colours for both your shampoo and conditioner, I chose the gorgeous deep blue and bold orange for my hair products. From the very first use, I felt a huge difference in my hair. Softer, shinier and more hydrated, I knew with continuous use, my hair would be in the best condition it's ever been in.

hair mask. A luxurious intensive deep conditioning treatment that helps nourish and hydrate dry and damaged, transforming it to super soft and silky. This mask has a fully customizable formula that delivers a blend of nutrients to help give your hair the moisture it. Formulated with a blend of Japanese sake extract, Argan oil, jojoba ester oil, and a custom blend of natural ingredients depending on your hair goals. I like to use this mask once a week and you'll have beautifully nourished hair in no time at all!

hair serum. A lightweight oil that helps enhance hairs shine, smoothes frizz + and increases hair's overall appearance and texture. Formulated with blend of Argan, jojoba, and sunflower oils, it's the perfect product to use when drying and styling your hair, for the perfect finish. I apply this to the mid lengths and ends, as this is where I need the most protection and hydration.

Function of Beauty is on the slightly pricier side of haircare, but you shouldn't let that put you off as it's definitely worth the money. My hair has never looked so good and feels so incredibly soft. You'll be saying goodbye to bad hair days once you've added Function of Beauty haircare to your routine this winter!

Have you tried Function of Beauty?

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AD| When it comes to skincare, it can be such a struggle to find products that are suitable for your skin type, suit your personal budget and actually work. My skincare routine is never always the same, as I need to change and swap out products that I'm using, depending on my skin needs at the time. I mentioned in my last blog post some of my current favourite skincare products that have been helping me to improve my skin through the summer, and as the weather is turning colder. But something I have been reading up on at the moment is CBD skincare, and the benefits this has when used within skincare. Many brands are starting to incorporate CBD into their skincare products, making it accessible to all, regardless of your budget.

CBD for skincare is something that has become more popular than ever and emerging as a miracle product in the skincare world. It's becoming increasingly common in the beauty industry, but what is CBD Oil? And how are you supposed to use it? CBD is short for cannabidiol - a natural compound found in cannabis plants- a product being marketed in skin care products for everything from acne to wrinkles, which would make it a great option for all skin types. Typically, CBD oil is used in a large variety of skincare products, including serums, creams, masks, and body and face oils, so there is definitely a product for whatever skin concerns you may have. In addition to its calming properties, the biggest and most prominent benefits of CBD include anti-ageing, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.

With having anti-inflammatory properties, CBD oil itself may help to stop the overproduction of skin oil that causes oily, blemish prone acne skin, and to control the production of sebum in the skin layers. CBD can reduce inflammation of breakouts and, regulate oil production in the skin, and eventually reduce breakouts in general.

CBD is known to be a powerful antioxidant that can help with preventing signs on ageing and wrinkles, and it can also help protect the body from harmful free-radical damage. As well as this, CBD has also been tested and proven to work on any fine lines or dark spots that may occur in the skin, making it a great product for all age categories. Antioxidants help skin stay more radiant and youthful looking longer. It also has great moisturizing and hydrating properties that can help combat dehydrated and dry skin, making it a great addition to your skincare routines during the colder, winter months.

As well as in skincare products, CBD Oil is said to help also help those suffering with anxiety, sleeping disorders and pain control, making it a great product to add to your daily routine and a skincare favourite for a lot of people. CBD is also a great healer of specific skin conditions, including eczema and Psoriasis. Incorporating CBD into your skincare is a great idea, especially if you need some extra hydration, protection or relief from dry, itchy skin!

Have you used CBD Oil?

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AD - GIFTED | During the warmer months of the year, my skincare routine changes ever so slightly, incorporating more lightweight and hydrating products, to help keep my skin moisturised, radiant and glowy. However, I always use hydrating products to keep my skin healthy and happy. Hydrating products are all about increasing the water content in your skin cells themselves. I tend to use hydrating creams, serums and masks to help boost my skins appearance. Hydrated skin is smooth, radiant and has an even tone. To achieve this, you need to quench your skin’s thirst from time to time.

As well as using hydrating products, there are a number of tips you can start adding into your daily routine to help with hydration, that require minimum effort and you can begin using straight away.

- Drink An Adequate Amount Of Water

- Avoid Very Hot And Long Showers

- Pamper Yourself With Face Masks/Sheets

-Eat Foods Rich In Water

One skincare product that I've really been enjoying using is the The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5. I generally use this at night time as a more hydration serum, and it sinks into my skin almost immediately after application. I don't find it too sticky at all and my skin feels very soft and plump afterwards. When I wake up in the morning, my skin looking brighter, more radiant and fresh.

A new addition to my current skincare routine has been the Lavera Hydro Sensation Gel Cream*. This hydrating gel moisturiser has been the perfect product to use in the morning during the warmer months as it's super lightweight, quickly absorbs into the skin and leaves your skin looking radiant and glowy. This moisturiser features natural, organic ingredients including Hyaluronic Acid and Algae to help give a light, fresh and hydrating feel to your skin, whilst retaining all the moisture that is needed when your skin is feeling slightly dry.

Alongside the Lavera Gel Cream, I've also been adding the Lavera Hydro Sensation Serum* to my morning skincare routine after washing/cleansing my skin. The lightweight serum uses hydrating ingredients of Hyaluronic Acid and Organic Algae which go deeper into the skin to give long lasting moisture to smooth wrinkles and plump the skin. Perfect to use under moisturisers for that extra added hydration when your skin really needs it.

A product I've mentioned previously is the Simple Hydration Booster. It's been a favourite of mine for a while and is my go-to product when areas of my skin are feeling drier than usual. I mentioned this product back in my Winter Skin Favourites and have been using it ever since. This has been such a great product to use before my moisturiser, as I am able to target the drier areas of my skin, helping me get that skin glow and leaving it looking and feeling healthy.
The Simple Hydrating Booster facial moisturiser has been designed to reverse 5 signs of dehydration: dryness, roughness, feelings of tightness, dullness and dehydration lines.

Lastly, one of my absolute favourites has been the Revolution Hyaluronic Acid Overnight Mask. I've only recently started to use Revolution skincare and so far I've been super impressed! The perfect addition to your routine to hydrate your skin overnight with this Hyaluronic Acid infused treatment. Formulated with Sweet Almond Oil to encourage smooth and soft skin and Vitamin E to moisturise. I generally use this mask 1-2 times per week, and apply a thin layer to freshly cleansed skin before I go to sleep.

What are your current skincare favourites?

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