Friday, November 29, 2013

Haircare routine for long hair

I did this video to explain what I use on my hair and how I managed to make it longer. Well, my hair is kinda crappy quality, so I'm pretty happy it's this length right now.




Also, these are not all the products I have in my bathroom or use right now. I like to change my products like I change my clothes, but I show you the ones that have stood out and I've bought again and again (well most of them). You don't really want to see my bathroom, I can easily qualify for a Hoarders episode.

I hope you like the video! Maybe I'll do an outfit post next, so stay tuned!


Saturday, November 23, 2013

Supplements for beautiful hair, nails and skin

I decided to take some supplements in spring because I wanted to make my hair grow longer a little bit faster and after some research and help, I found what would suit me better. Happily enough, I started noticing that my nails didn't break as easily as they used to and a nicer, more glowing version of my face was looking back at me in the mirror every morning. I was hesitant to do this post, simply because I don't think I'm an expert in supplements and I needed some months to try them out to see for myself if they do really really work.

I should mention that taking supplements isn't the best thing you can do for your health. They just supplement your regime. Your vitamin, minerals, water etc intake must be monitored by you every single day. You should remember, Rome wasn't built in a day, and the key is repetition and building everything up -that applies to everything, take skincare for example: if you apply moisturiser once a month, don't expect your face to be gorgeous in 30 years.



Madre Labs Fish Oil
Fish oil is the one supplement I can easily say I can't live without. I started this one first combined with some vitamin E oil I like to take and was recommended from my doctor. Fish oil is packed with Omega-3 fatty acids and if you can't eat fish (especially sardines, anchovies, salmon) every day, then you should take some. For women the benefits are so many: better blood circulation, less PMS symptoms, greater bone density, stronger nails/hair and clear skin. I found that is indeed better to take fish oil with either vitamin E or Coq10. I chose Madre Labs, firstly because I like their products a lot and moreover, because fish oil sometimes gives you a fishy aftertaste, but these caps don't.

Natural Factors Coenzyme Coq10
You sometimes hear about Coq10 in moisturisers, but don't know what it is. It has anti-aging properties, but I have found that gives me energy and I can think clearer (hello brainstorming!). Also, it helps with hair loss and increases your tolerance in exercising. I come from a family with heart related problems, so taking both fish oil and Coq10 was recommended for me as they have an increasing effect on pleople with heart failure, vessel problems and so on.

Seven Seas Vitamin B complex
I knew I wanted to take Biotin (your hair and nails consist of it), but apparently a B complex was more suitable for me. I have seen a massive difference on my hair and nails and I owe so much to these vitamins. I chose this brand because the dosage in Biotin was so much higher than other brands and I could not believe my eyes when I saw it was so cheap. Expect fast results with these little caps, they make your nails grow long like no other!

Vitamin E
I have been taking vitamin E for years and years. They were recommended from both my gyno and family doctor and I have a massive supply at home, because my mum has been also taking them for as long as I remember her (and she has gorgeous skin). I stop using them for a while and take Coq10 instead, but I like to change it up a bit.

Please make sure before taking any supplements to ask your doctor first. They are over the counter drugs, but everyone has different medical history and supplement needs.






Tuesday, November 19, 2013

Saviour

It's no secret I have dry and very sensitive skin. Around this time of the year I guess it has always been the worst for me, clearly because of the change of weather in Athens. Me and my skin haven't been good friends and although we've tried to work it out through the years, every November/December my skin is having a sudden rebellion.

It started a few days before I left for the Netherlands, when I noticed discomfort around my face and neck. And by discomfort I mean my skin starting to feel extremely tight, itchy and the slightest touch made it red. I had 5 very big fire red patches on my cheeks and neck, so not only it felt weird, but it also looked horrendous. And to top that, I suddenly broke out on my jawline, near my chin. I have to say here that I have NO allergies to any food, drink or anything in general and I was not at all stressed out, it's just how my skin reacts sometimes. Readers of this blog probably have read some of my rants and people who know me, they might have seen me going around with a red mark on my face/neck. Such a pleasant image indeed. Well, I tried a calming mask by Apivita, some serums and aloe vera straight from my garden, but nothing worked, until I discovered in the back of my skincare drawer a LRP Toleriane Ultra with a few uses left (3 to be exact).


I think I have talked about it in the past, but really briefly because I don't think I was that impressed back then. This moisturiser is addressed for people who have very sensitive skin. It's quite soft and a tad thicker than your typical moisturiser, but not balm-thick and applies wonderfully. And can I just say I love the hygenic packaging? It's suitable for all skintypes and I was shocked because I didn't have to apply a different moisturiser on my nose as I would normally do (dry skin-combination nose). It didn't feel heavy or not moisturising enough either. It was exactly what I needed.

But this thing is seriously intense. I had a blotchy face all day, I applied this at night and in the next morning everything had calmed down. I was still kinda reddish on those spots but it had almost gone. I applied it again morning and night the day after, and then I got a brand new one in my local pharmacy. Now that I'm thinking of it, I wish I had taken some before and after pictures to show you the difference (or maybe not, in case you get scared of people with a bloated face). I goes a looong way, you need 2 pumps for your face and neck (DO NOT forget your neck). Plus, I've stopped using eye cream for a while now and this definately works for your eye area too.

You can find it here, here, here or at your local drugstore/pharmacy as I did. The price for it in a pharmacy in Greece is around the 16 euro mark, but I'm sure there are several deals going on online ones right now (yes, french pharmaceuticals are waaaaay cheaper in Greece).

To all sensitive skin ladies (and guys) out there. This works wonders, buy it.

Sunday, November 17, 2013

On my nightstand



The "what's on my nightstand/bedside table" has to be one of my all time favourite posts and I can't think of why I hadn't done it in the 2 years I have my blog and I seriously think it needs to be a tag, like the what's in my bag one! The reason being is, that I personally love what's on my nightstand and I think of everything as exceptionally good I reach for everything there (almost) every single day. Back in the day, it used to be a mess, now I keep less stuff on it so they have to be good!


Nuxe Reve de Miel lip balm
I have talked and talked about this. Last year on this very place were some Korres ones, but Nuxe made it as a night treatment for being so moisturising I even feel it in the next morning on my lips. It does go deep in my lips and stops them from getting dry and chapped. Find it here or here

I don't use it as a body butter, but as a hand creme. I cheated on L'Occitane's Shea Butter (but I still use it and love it). A recommendation by Anastasia on this video made me realise I had a travel size of Quince. I used it one night and the whole next day I didn't need apply hand cream. The best of all, is that it dries in literally seconds, you don't feel any residue on your hands but you feel that they are moisturised. Try it, it's THAT fabulous.

My favourite thing for my cuticles, it goes to show I own 3 now, and one of them has to be sitted on my nightstand.

Soap and Glory Heel Genious
My lovely friend Sophia brought me this from the UK and I seriously fell in love with it. I like to care for my feet in the winter, but I can't say I apply it every night, even though I should. It smells sweet and lemoney and helps my feet feeling moisturised.

Olive magazines
Yes, I like to cook (and eat). Well, I cook almost every day, and I have to get some inspiration from somewhere different than the internet sometimes. I seriously love this magazine because the recipes have never failed me.

Kindle Fire
I read every night since I was a kid and this device is one of my favourite things I own. Currently I'm reading the Goldfinch, I'll tell you how it is when I'm done. Leave me any recommendations!

I was a sworn hater of eye glasses from the moment I got my eyes checked. I've always worn contacts, but in the summer I caved and got these glasses from Firmoo. I can say that I still don't like wearing glasses outside, but I'm now used to wearing them at home all the time and they are very comfortable too! Who freaking knew.

Also, not pictured, I always have a glass of water right next to me because I may feel thirsty at night and need some!



Saturday, November 16, 2013

Lush & Catrice haul!






I did a small haul with some products I got back in the Netherlands from Lush and Catrice. I'm always happy to buy stuff I can't get in Greece! Tell me if you liked it and if you want me to do haul videos (probably collective ones)


Storing makeup

During the past weeks, I found myself needing more storage for my makeup. I own an Alex dresser by IKEA, but it's been overflowing with cosmetics. Before you tell me I have a shopping problem (which I do), I should say that I store all my skincare and nail polish collection in Alex, because clearly the bathroom is not the place to do it. I know that I need more storage solutions for my precious and I need them quite quick!

I am in the verge of doing a renovation in my bedroom and getting all white furniture and I was thinking of purchasing a proper dressing table to do my makeup and store some of my everyday use there. I was browsing the interwebs for ideas and I found some very stylish ones that I'd really like to own!

I was also thinking of getting some drawers from Muji or anything similar so I can actually see my makeup (some tends to get neglected). I'd like to see your recommendations and if you have any posts/videos of your makeup collection, send them over!







Saturday, November 2, 2013

October favourites

This month the favourites came in video, and I think that's going to be the case for the near future at least.

I tried a lot of stuff this past month, but only a few made it to the favourites. I have listed everything in the description box and if you need any separate reviews of the products mentioned, let me know! Enjoy!


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