● Laura Thornberry ● Lifestyle Blogger ● London Based ●

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AD - GIFTED | As I've recently really wanted to change up my skincare routine and incorporate some new products to help clear up and help improve the condition of my skin, when the lovely team at Escentual gave me the opportunity to test out the new La Roche-Posay Effaclar Duo+*, I jumped at the chance as I had heard so many great reviews of this product and the brand is something I haven't tried before, but I know they are well raved about in the blogosphere!

Now I wouldn't say my skin is awfully bad, I have normal to oily skin, from time to time I do suffer with spots and blemishes, as well as a few red patches, so when I received this in the post, it arrived in my time off need! A definite miracle! Most skincare products to take while to get working and for you skin to adjust and get used to, but the Effaclar Duo seemed to have visible effects after the first week, which I was super impressed with! Since then, I've been using the Effaclar Duo+ for around 3 weeks now and it has definitely improved any imperfections and the general appearance of my skin. My skin looks and feel a lot more smooth, my redness has reduced considerably and any blemish marks are slowly becoming less visible.

"Target the key signs of oily and blemish-prone skin with La Roche-Posay Effaclar Duo [+], a complete skincare solution that eliminates acne marks from the moment they start to form.

The product is quite a lightweight gel like cream consistency that applies so smoothly and absorbs into the skin so quickly. It has a lovely clean and fresh scent which I really like, as I have found some similar products to have quite an off putting scent which can be slightly overwhelming and overpowering. I've been using this product after cleansing my skin, both day and night, and then following with a moisturiser, which seems to be working well for my skin. It really is a delight to use, and a definite repurchase item in my skincare staples.

"This non-sticky, melt-in formula is clinically proven to correct the appearance of blemishes, while unclogging blocked pores, controlling shine and refining the skin’s texture. Anti-inflammatory Niacinamide intensely soothes, while LHA and Salicylic Acid gently exfoliate the surface of the skin. Suitable for even the most sensitive skin, the formula accelerates the skin’s repair process."

"The best selling Duo formula has now been enhanced with Procerad, a patented Ceramide that rebuilds the skin’s surface and prevents the red and brown pigmentation marks left behind by acne. This key ingredient reduces inflammation and the proliferation of hyper-pigmentation, which can become permanent if left untreated."

If you're someone who suffers from redness, spots and blemishes or uneven skin tone, I cannot recommend this product enough. I know a lot of skincare takes a while to get working, but if you want to see gradual result in a shorter space of time than usual products, I would suggest you give this ago as it has done wonders for my skin! This is the first product from La Roche-Posay that I have tried and to be honest, I can't wait to get my hands on some more of what they have to offer!

Have you tried the Effaclar Duo+? What did you think of the product? Have you tried any other products from La Roche-Posay?

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The Origins Clear Improvement Mask seems to be a well raved about blogger's favourite product. Origins is a brand that I'd been interested in for a while, and this mask seems to be renowned in the blogging world as a 'holy grail product', but at £22 a tube, to me that did seem like a lot for just a face mask! But you know, as a more "high end" skincare product that I wanted to see what the hype was, I happily parted with the cash in hope it would help unclog and clear my skin! I have combinations skin (dry and oily) so I was hoping that this would be a great addition to my skincare routine and that my skin would love the stuff!

"When environmental pollutants, dirt and debris get under your skin, its waste-filtering system gets jammed, pores get clogged, skin looks cloudy. Nature's complexion clean-up crew in Origins Clear Improvement gets to the bottom of skins overcast condition and clears the way for it to act its best. Activated Charcoal acts like a magnet to draw out pore-cloggers, White China Clay absorbs environmental pollutants, Lecithin dissolves impurities. Without all that "stuff" down there, skin "breathes a sigh of relief."

Before purchasing this face mask, I was using the Boots Botanics Shine Away Ionic Clay Mask, which I do still use now and again, and really do love. It has similar features to the Origins mask, but sometimes it can be slightly too drying on the skin and can irritate my skin if left on too long, so I opted to try the Origins mask.

Like any normal mask, I simply use this once/twice a week, whilst opening my pores with warm face towel and layering mask on so that my face is evenly covered. I then allow it to dry, where you are at the face cracking tightness stage and then rinse well with water, and cleanse afterwards. After washing it off, I could really tell the difference due to how my skin feels and looks, even after the first use. My skin felt super clean, extremely soft, and very glowing which really brightened up my usual dull looking skin. I have also seen an improvement in the oiliness of my skin, has definitely reduced, especially around my t-zone, nose and chin, which is a definite bonus!

Overall, I was very pleased with the Origins Clear Improvement mask and can see why so many people rave about the stuff! It is definitely something that has become a staple in my skincare routine, alongside a couple of other masks, but I generally use the Origins one when my skin is really bad or I have a lot of blemishes. At £22 it is a little steep, but a little does go along way with this mask, but if you wanted a similar product on a drugstore budget, I would definitely recommend the Boots Botanics Ionic Clay Mask, as I love that just as much!

Have you used the Origins Clear Improvement Mask before?

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Today I have a very lengthy haul for you from Bombs Away Cosmetics, where I purchased a variety of bath products from bath bombs, bath macaroons, fizzers, cupcakes bombs and bubble bars as well as handmade soaps and candles. They have such a huge variety on the website, it was so hard to not buy it all! So if you're a fan of LUSH, but want a cheaper alternative, keep reading!

"Bombs Away Cosmetics was born in 2014 with what started as a long personal hobby which then made it online. We carefully select the best natural ingredients that not only feel amazing and nourishing on your skin but also smell wonderful to.

All products are fresh handmade and have also been personally tried, tested and approved by the store owner."

Bombs Away Cosmetics Mango and Papaya Cupcake

Mango and Papaya Cupcake - £2.79
"This cupcake bath bomb not only smells and looks delicious enough to eat but also extremely moisturising and will leave your skin incredibly smooth after! With a sweet mango and papaya essential oil to uplift topped with heart sprinkles."

Candy Girl Cupcake - £3.30

"A delicious, juicy bubblegum scented cupcake bath bomb. With an opening scent of Bubblegum and a hint of Vanilla. This bath bomb is great for those who like sweet scents, watch as it fizzes in your bath swirling from blue to pink with extra added shimmer."

Watermelon - £1.95
"A delicious and mouthwatering Watermelon scent. With opening scents of Watermelon and a hint of vanilla oil."

Coconut Creme - £2.35

"A creamy coconut scented bubble bar coated with a fresh coconut fragrance and a hint of vanilla. Crumble or run under the water to create big fluffy bubbles."

Bombs Away Cosmetics Strawberries and Cream

Strawberries and Cream - £1.89

"The fragrance speaks for itself, a fruity bath bomb with strawberry essential oils."

Coconut Macaron - £2.19

"The Coconut Macaron has a lovely coconut scent as well as pure coconut oil which not only smells divine but will leave your skin feeling luxurious afterwards"

Coconut Macaron - £2.19

"The Coconut Macaron has a lovely coconut scent as well as pure coconut oil which not only smells divine but will leave your skin feeling luxurious afterwards"

Fresh Berry - £2.19

"A juicy scented bath macaron coated with fresh berries. With a gorgeous and fruity uplifting scent to lift your spirits."

Starry Surprise - £1.49

"The Starry Surprise has a lovely citrus scent with Cinnamon Orange and a hint of Coconut oil with surprise cocoa stars."

Coconut Dream - £1.49

"The Coconut Dream has a lovely coconut scent as well as pure coconut oil which not only smells divine but will leave your skin feeling luxurious afterwards."

Purple Rose - Free Sample (Usually £1.89)

"Purple Rose has a lovely scent of Vanilla and Rose oils, perfect for those who like floral scents."

Have you heard of Bombs Away Cosmetics before? Which of these products appeals to you the most?

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AD - GIFTED | If you're a regular reader of my blog, you will understand that I am probably the worst at nails and nail art, and to be honest I am just lazy! I find nail painting and nail care such a laborious, messy task that I just don't have the time to do it, hence the lack of posts!

I recently received some gorgeous Violet Jewel nail art stickers* from Sparkly Nails, a business that began in 2004 by Ali, and has grown in to a successful business, stocking over 100 different nail art gems!" So I thought I would give the whole nail art another go, even though I am definitely not an expert, I hope that you get the idea and like what I have done!

So as we are heading into spring, ditching those berry and dark polishes, I thought it was time to use a gorgeous, pastel peachy shade on my nails, which is Mavala Sweet* is a perfect springtime colour! What I love about the Sparkly Nails range, is that they are so easy to apply, the products are so cheap and such good quality, as well as looking incredible!

The application of these nail stickers was so easy and quick, even an amateur like me could do it! Simply paint your nails in your desired shade and allow to dry. Carefully peel off sticker using a pair of tweezers and place onto nail and press down in your preferred place, and seal with top coat.

Products Used

Nail Polish - Mavala 397 Sweet*

Violet Jewel Floral Nail Art Stickers - Sparkly Nails*

Sally Hansen No Chips Top Coat - Superdrug

So hopefully this short post has given you a little inspiration or something to think about when thinking of what to do with your nails next. If these Violet Jewel stickers aren't to your taste, Sparkly Nails has 100's of other nail art products for you to choose from, which are sure to not harm your bank account!

Have you heard of Sparkly Nails before? What do you think of my attempt at nail art? Would this be something you would be interested in doing? What other nail polish shades would you use these stickers with?

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AD - GIFTED | So what seems like ages ago, the lovely people over at Oqibo had sent me a little email giving me the chance to test out one of their moisturisers, as a lover of trying new skincare, I obviously accepted this kind offer!

When it comes to skincare, I do tend to keep it quite minimal, as this allows your skin to get used to the products you're using and usually helps promote better results. My skincare routine stays the same most of the year, unless I need to address some other skin care needs. In the warmer months of the year, I usually opt for lightweight products that hydrate my skin, help to brighten and promote glowing skin. In the colder months of the year, I usually need more hydrating products, usually these are slightly heaver and thicker skincare products, helping to keep my skin from getting any dry patches.

"Our story is very simple, we make great skin care products that celebrate how remarkable you are. Our mission: Happy. Remarkable. You."

I opted for the Oqibo Hydra Restore Cream*, a lightweight moisturiser that helps to restore, hydrate and protect the skin, for smoother, more radiant and healthier appearance. I felt this would be a perfect match for my skin type, as I didn't want something heavy that would clog my pores, but something that would cure my tired, dull looking skin. I've got combination skin (dry and oily) so I can sometimes struggle to find a good morning moisturiser that doesn't end up leaving my skin oily or dry, but with over 2 months use, this Hydra Restore Cream has been perfect!

The Hydra Restore cream was really gentle on my skin, and absorbed easily and quickly, which I really look for when choosing a moisturiser, and I have really been enjoying using this in the mornings, after gently cleansing my skin. The texture is just the usual light cream product, which has a lovely smell, which isn't too perfumed or overpowering! The packaging is simple and sleek, a great size for travelling and a perfect handbag sized product. The simple black and white theme is very eye catching and appealing to me.

- Delivers immediate hydration

- Restores & restructures skin with regular daily use

- Maintains & improves moisture reserves long term

- Improves texture, suppleness and strength

- Key Ingredients: Shea Butter, Glasswort oil and Jojoba

The products that Oqibo have to offer are the Hydra Restore Cream and the Intense Moisture Defence, as well as a Purifying Cleanser/Toner and a Skin Refining Exfoliator, which I also received samples of, which I thought was a lovely touch from them, as I would be able to test out the other products in the range!

Have you heard of Oqibo before? Have you tried any of their products? What are your thoughts?

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I am going to be sharing 5 simple tips, that you can incorporate into your everyday life, that can get you on your journey to leading a healthier and fitter lifestyle! I am no way an expert in this field, but what I have learnt in the past, is what I shall be sharing with you!

1. Walk, Jog, Run, Cycle (if you have a bike), Its Free!

A great way to keep fit and healthy, is to do exercises such as walking, jogging, running and cycling, which can all cost nothing and can be done any time and anywhere. This is perfect for those who don't have time to use the gym, have a small living area or have lots of commitments, which means they just don't simply have the time. Even taking the stairs instead of the lift/escalator, getting off the bus a stop early or walking to the shops etc, can all add up to your daily exercise and help you to become that little bit fitter and healthier.

2. Plan Your Food Shop and Weekly Meals

I'm sure we all know how stressful and time consuming weekly shop can be sometimes, but writing a list and making a plan is an easy way to make this chore more enjoyable. Planning a weekly menu can help reduce food waste in your home, as well as keep you on a diet plan/healthy eating schedule, as well as helping you to avoid distractions and purchasing anything that you don't actually need. You may even save yourself a little bit of money by planning your shop!

3. Use YouTube/Blogs For Inspiration

If you aren't feeling motivated or inspired by doing the same workouts each time or using the gym all the day, taking time to browse through YouTube videos or fitness blogs can help you gain some new ideas and new inspiration of things to add into your everyday life. I recently posted about using YouTube as a workout inspiration guide, and shared some exercise videos that can be done in the comfort of your own home.

4. Boost Your Metabolism

There are many different ways to boost your metabolism, which helps to burn calories and help with weight loss. Eating more protein is the simplest way of increasing your metabolic rate. Food such as eggs are a great source of protein and beneficial saturated fats, as well as salmon which is highly enriched with Omega 3. Another idea is to replace your snacks with small handfuls of nuts, which makes your digestive system work harder throughout the day and therefore use more calories. By seasoning our food with spices such as chilli, ginger and turmeric, these are great metabolism boosters that aid to burning calories and aids weight loss. Also, eating little-and-often is a beneficial in the role of helping to maintain a healthy weight and keeping hunger/snacking at bay.

5. Use Home Furniture For Workout Equipment

Working out at home doesn't have to cost a fortune, and neither does your equipment. If you're on a tight budget, don't have time to hit the gym or just find exercising hard to fit into your schedule, using home furniture/interiors/objects can help you with your workouts. You could use tins and cans as weights, use your stairs as a step up, use chairs or tables for exercising, as well as spacious floor space.

If you missed part one, you can view that post here.

How do you get fit and healthy at home? What tips and tricks do you have?

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1.Healthy Eating and Balanced Diet

One of the most important, influential and easiest ways to have good health is through having a healthy, balanced diet. Eating well and drinking plenty of water also prevents any future disease/illness and helps to remove any toxins/waste from the body, as well as maintaining a healthy body weight.

Making sure you have a balanced diet allows you to get all the nutrients your body needs to functions, and there are 5 main groups that you should focus on; Carbohydrates, Vitamins and Minerals, Fats, Fibre and Proteins. These are all essential for providing energy, growth, repair, bodily functions and keeping your cholesterol levels controlled.

Tips for a healthy, balanced diet...

- Eat lots of fruit and vegetables

- Cut down on saturated fats, salt and sugars

- Don't skip breakfast

- Eat the correct amount of calories your body needs to function

- Eat a wide range of foods to make sure you are getting all nutrients

2. Follow A Routine or Schedule
I spoke a little about this in a previous post, so I wont go heavily into detail here, but sticking to a routine/schedule is a great way to start a fitness/health plan, that you can follow and modify as you progress. By sticking to your schedule, this gives you something to stick to, be committed to and doesn't allow you to "cheat".

3. Avoid Any Distractions
Distractions - this is what would stop us from achieving our goals, reaching our targets and following our schedules.

Technology can be one of the biggest distractions, whether its your mobile phone, your laptop, your favourite TV show etc. These make us lose our concentration and will make us feel less motivated to workout, as something else you would prefer to do/watch is there. Even your friends and family can be a distraction to you, if the pop over your house without you know, invite you out for a meal/night out etc, this can put you off your routine and stop your progress.

Its always important to stay focused, stay motivated, stay determined and forget those distractions!

4. Have A Comfortable and Spacious Workout Environment
If the gym is a no-go place for you, whether it be dues to lack of confidence or just lack of funds, working out at home can be free and easy - as long as you have the environment for it. Having a large, spacious room, gives you a lot of room to workout in, where you have the space to do various exercises and activities.

5. Make It Fun!
I think its definitely important to make exercise and healthy eating fun, we don't all want to feel stressed and depressed, and just generally lazy and lethargic!

Exercise can be fun right? Maybe get a group of your friends round and do a workout or dance DVD, go running with your partner or go over the park with your family for a game of football or whatever sport you like to play, just make sure its something you like and you know you will enjoy!

Having a healthy diet doesn't always have to be unappealing or boring, in fact it can be delicious and tasty! Now having a healthy diet doesn't mean you just have to eat vegetables and fruit everyday, you can make near enough any of your favourite meals, but with healthier ingredients, that taste amazing are are better for you!

How do you get fit and healthy at home? What tips and tricks do you have?

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Getting motivated is the best way to start/continue with your fitness/diet routine or just leading a better lifestyle, but finding that motivation can definitely be hard sometimes, especially if you don't have the support, knowledge or guidance that you really need.

In today's post, I'm going to be sharing with you my top 5 tips to getting motivated, and tips that I have started using myself, in order to get fit and healthy! As I said, I'm definitely no expert, but I'm hoping what I do, with motivate, inspire and help you with where you want to be/what you want to do!

1. Exercise with a friend/family member or your partner

We all know that exercising on your own, or improving your diet can be very hard if you don't have the support and help from others around you, but starting your fitness/diet journey with someone else can make it 10 times easier for you! Having someone you know, who are close with and feel comfortable around, is a great way to feel motivated and encouraged. It's also a way to build a closer friendship/relationship, to get to know someone better, or even just to have some fun and let your hair down, whilst getting sit and healthy!

There may be those times where you feel like you just cant do something or you're struggling with something, but having that someone there with you can give you that extra boost and guidance you need, as well as that moral support, that can spur you on to achieve your goals and aspirations!

2. Set goals and keep a fitness diary

Setting yourself goals, and by goals I mean realistic and achievable ones, whether you want to loose 5lbs in 5 weeks, or 1 stone in 2 months, dropping 1 or 2 dress sizes or even entering a running event, just make sure they are realistic and reasonable! Setting goals helps you to keep focused, motivated and determined to get to that place you want to be, whether you choose a few weeks, few months or even a year.

Keeping a fitness diary/log is a great way to record your progress and see how far you've come! It's a great way to record your weight loss, your exercise routine or even how far your running/swimming/cycling each week! You'll be able to see how you're improving and progressing, to get to the place you want to be at the end!

Setting goals and keeping a fitness diary, can also be a way or treating and rewarding yourself. By reaching your goals by certain dates/months, you can treat yourself to something as a way to feel proud and pleased of how far you've come and what you have achieved!

3. Purchase workout clothing/accessories

This might sound like a bit of an obvious one, but ACTUALLY buying your workout clothing and accessories gets you motivated to start using it and begin your fitness/diet routine. There are so many different clothing items out there, whether you want proper fitness gear or even a plain top/vest and tracksuit/leggings, there's always something for very body shape and budget, you just pick what you feel comfortable and confident in!

Important things that I feel you should really have are...

- A good, supportive pair of trainers

- A comfortable sports bra

- Comfortable clothing/swimwear

- A water bottle

- Yoga/exercise mat

I feel that these are the very basics that you need to begin getting in shape and leading a healthier and fitter lifestyle. You can pick most of these up anywhere, in your local high street, supermarkets or even online. If you're on a tighter budget, there are still places for you, check out the sales in your local shops and online! You'll be sure to find something you'll love!

4. Create a workout schedule

Creating a workout schedule or routine is a great way to begin getting fit and healthy. By sticking to your schedule, this gives you something to stick to, be committed to and doesn't allow you to "cheat". Even if you choose to go running once a week, exercise at home everyday or go to the gym twice a week, sticking to this will boost your confidence and give you that encouragement you need to stick to your routine.

I think that creating one of these is a great idea, you can build up your schedule slowly, making sure you're not doing too much to exhaust yourself, just make sure you are flexible and realistic, and when you feel the time is right, you can slowly and steadily, build up your routine gradually.

5. Feel inspired and be determined

To get motivated, feeling inspired and being determined plays a huge role in this. There are many ways to do this, and here's just a few.

- Having photographs of yourself, or areas of your body that you aren't happy with dotted around in your exercise area, is a great way for you to feel motivated and determined to improve this.

- If you're looking to lose weight, buying something you love in a small dress size, will give you that boost and determination, to be able to fit into it and look great!

- This is probably a controversial one, but having images of celebs/role models that you think have a great body or just look great, will help you get inspiration!

- Printing out motivational quotes and putting them around your house, will help give you that encouragement you need to continue and stick to your routines!

So hopefully, If you're someone who is lacking that little bit of motivation, have no idea where to start or need some more help, this post has helped you that little bit! Getting that motivation you need to be successful and achieving your goals can be hard at first, but once you're there, you can do anything!

How do you get motivated? Do you include any of these tips? What other tips do you have?

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