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Pre-Holiday Pamper

Before I have big event or I am going away I like to de-stress, calm down and pamper myself. Sometimes it is as simple as putting a face mask on and sometimes it is the full works and I mean why not - sometimes you need it! 


The first step in my pamper routine is to get rid of all the makeup and let my skin breathe. I am one to swear by micellar water and wipes, until I discovered the Bliss Fabulous Makeup Melt*(£24) the other day. I'm still getting used to using the whole concept of a gel to oil cleanser but all it is a gel cleanser that turns into an oil once massaged into your skin to remove makeup and impurities. The cleanser is full of seven different essential oils (here is a quick low down):
  • Tamanu Oil: antibacterial and anti-inflammatory
  • Abyssinica Seed Oil: nourishing 
  • Mirabelle Plum Seed Oil: conditions and softens skin.
  • Olive Oil: full of antioxidants 
  • Orange, Sage, and Lavender Oils: calming, soothing, and relaxing
  • Milk Thistle (silybum marianum ester): transforms the oils into a fluid that cleans the skin

After my face has been cleansed, cleaned and nourished it is time to focus on the under eye circles, mine are awful and with a 2 hour flight this week I need to look good and not blame the jet lag. The classic cucumber trick works but having to sit there is a pain, now I am a convert to the Bliss triple oxygen instant energizing eye masks *(£40.00). These little packs a genius, there are four in the pack and the size makes them perfect for travelling with as well and ideal to pop on whilst on the plane. You soak the pads with the vitamin water in the smaller section of the packet and then place them under your eyes for 15 minutes. Enough time to paint my nails and put on a face mask to help my skin. 
Painting my nails is a must, otherwise it isn't a pamper session. My toes have recently just come out of hibernation, they still look a mess and to cover that up I am sticking with bright, bold colours such as Maybelline's Pink Volt (£4.49) which is absolutely gorgeous and the perfect summer colour. Then sticking with something a little more neutral on my hands is Nail Inc Uptown (£14.00) a colour that makes your fingers look neat, tidy and a lot more elongated. The formula of both these are amazing and very long lasting. 

After all this, it is  time to apply some heel genius on both my hands and feet, remove my mask and eye patches and sleep. The best kind of spa treatment there is. 

Do you have a pre-holiday pamper routine? 



*PR SAMPLES

25 Things Herbal Tea Can Do For You


There’s nothing like a good cup of tea to jump start your day, pick you up on a sleepy afternoon or even help you wind down in the evening. This age old drink is one that many enjoy not just for its taste, but for health benefits as well. As many people know, drinking herbal teas is an excellent way to keep the body in tip top shape. 
Unlike your normal tea, these are made from infusions of seeds, roots, leaves, or bark of herbal plants, as the name implies. These caffeine-free drinks not only satisfy the palate but do wonders for the body as well. Simply adding a few drops of edible CBD oil from a tincture to your favorite tea could be a great way to boost your health - accordingly, you can learn more about how to take tincture based CBD in your tea by doing some research online. For now though, if you haven’t included tea in your daily diet, there are plenty of good reasons that you should and if you are ever stuck then here are some of my top tips...
1.        Boost the Immune System- Green tea is known to keep the system away from illness, but many different herbs can do the same. Rosehip, ginseng and dandelion are just some teas which can work to keep the body’s immunity up. 
2.       Detoxify- Have you been feeling sluggish and tired? Flushing out the toxins from your system can help. Herbal teas such as rooibos can promote liver and gall bladder functions to facilitate waste removal from the body. 
3.       Calm and Relax- If you need to unwind after a long day, or you just feel the need to slow down grab a cup of tea with chamomile. This has been proven to relax blood vessels and muscle fibers. 
4.       Improve Concentration- Having trouble focusing on your tasks at hand? A dose of peppermint will help increase dopamine levels in the system, improving alertness and concentration. Citrus can also help perk you up and clear the mind. 
5.       Relieve Anxiety- Stress is a part of daily life, but when it builds up it can cause anxiety. Calm your nerves with some lavender which has been proven to work against General Anxiety Disorder. Lemon balm has also been proven to lower stress levels. 
6.       Reduce Inflammation-   Swelling of tissues in the body can happen anytime due to various reasons. Regardless of where your inflammation occurs, regular intake of tart cherries can help keep it at bay according to Health Impact News. The best part is that these taste delicious as tea. 
7.       Aromatherapy- No need to buy essential oils or incense sticks. Each time you steep some herbal tea you also get the benefit of smelling it. A whiff of these herbal ingredients can help improve brain and body functions. 
8.       Ease Nausea- Whether you’re queasy from motion sickness, morning sickness or an upset stomach, ginger tea will work for you. It helps with secretion of digestive juice to soothe stomach acids and relax digestive muscles. 
9.       Anti-aging Properties- Contrary to popular belief, green tea isn’t the only drink that contains large amounts of anti-oxidants. Herbal brews made with blueberries and pomegranate can do the same for you being packed with polyphenols and flavonoids. 
10.   Skin Care- Skin care can go beyond what’s on the outside. Regular intake of herbal teas can help care for the skin from within by stopping oxidative stress in the cells and promoting regeneration. Aside from the usual antioxidant blends, try something with apples. 
11.   Better Sleep- Whether you suffer from insomnia or just want a more restful sleep, reach for some lavender, chamomile or lemon balm based tea. These calm and relax the body which can help you sleep better. 
12.   Fight Obesity- Aside from exercising and eating right, drinking raspberry tea can help keep weight under control. According to studies, these berries contain phytonutrients which increase metabolism in fat cells. It also helps with preventing fatty liver. Tea Forte offers a delicious raspberry and hibiscus blend that can be enjoyed hot or cold.
13.   Lower Blood Pressure- Increased blood pressure has been linked to a number of health risks including stroke, cardio vascular disease and even death. Hibiscus based teas can help reduce the risk for these by naturally lowering blood pressure. 
14.   Fight Colds- Feeling a little bit under the weather? There are various herbal teas that can help cure the sniffles. Lemon, fennel and cinnamon are some good choices when it comes to dealing with colds. 
15.   Alleviate Indigestion- If you’ve had a bit too much to eat, or your last meal isn’t sitting well in your stomach, a herbal brew can help you feel better. Teas are generally known to help with digestion. Lemon grass in particular is good for dealing with gas and bloating. 
16.   Uplift Spirits- As mentioned earlier, lots of different herbs can calm the mind and body. People suffering from the blues or mild depression can take advantage of this. Blends containing vervain have long been used by herbalists to help improve moods. 
17.   Get Rid of Phlegm- Cough and other respiratory illnesses that stem from the buildup of phlegm can be eased with herbs as well. Licorice in particular works as an expectorant and is good for easing cough as mentioned on Live Strong
18.   Cleanse- Teas are natural diuretics that can help the body with cleansing. Those made from cranberry, peppermint and ginger are particularly good for fighting urinary tract infections. 
19.   Increase Milk Supply- Breastfeeding mamas will certainly enjoy the benefits of a fennel based tea. Studies show that this can be used to increase milk supply and aid in lactation.
20.   Ease Headaches- Health conditions, stress and the daily grind can all cause headaches every now and then. The next time that you feel one coming on, reach for a cup of herbal tea. Good choices for alleviating headaches include peppermint, basil and lavender. 
21.   Control Anemia- Lack of sleep and low iron levels are common culprits for anemia. Certain herbal teas contain high levels of iron that can help combat this illness. Apricot and red raspberry leaf teas, as well as those with nettle are excellent choices. 
22.   Keep Eyes Healthy- As people age it is normal for eyesight to weaken as well. Drinking herbal tea made with apricots can help prevent this thanks to high beta carotene content. Another option is plum tea which is known to slow down macular degeneration. 
23.   Provide Nutritional Supplements- Aside from the many benefits of herbal teas, these are also a good source of essential nutrients. Vitamin C, calcium, iron, magnesium, zinc, potassium and sodium are just some examples of vitamins and minerals found in herbal teas. 
24.   Increase Energy Levels- Coffee isn’t the only way to get an energy boost during the day. Peppermint tea can help pick you up without the use of caffeine. 
25.   Strengthen Teeth and Bones- Milk isn’t the only way to provide your body with more calcium. Many different herbal teas contain high amounts of calcium including peach, cinnamon, peppermint and rooibos. 
Aside from these 25 benefits, there are many other advantages that come with drinking herbal tea regularly. To better enjoy these healthy brews, look for something that comes with a unique blend. 

Author Bio: Health buff and tea expert, Regina enjoys sharing her knowledge on the subject to others during her free time. Find more information about the various tea blends she mentioned at Tea Forte.


If you would like to guest blog post please email pariejoshi@hotmail.co.uk


Australian Bodycare's Blemish Stick Review





The Australian Bodycare's Blemish Stick is the ideal treatment to get rid of those nasty spots that appear right before you have to go somewhere or do something. I had a pesky one on my nose that just had to go before I go away this week and after applying this tea tea roller ball on to the area twice a day for the past three days, it's gone! It went away quickly and the ease of a roller ball rather than a cream or treatment makes life a lot easier. 

The main ingredient in the blemish stick is tea tree oil, and it really is the star of the show. It fights off any bacteria that causes spots on your face and it is a natural oil that won't harm or burn your skin in any way. The blemish stick is only 9ml making it perfect to carry around with you in your hand luggage when you go on holiday and also keeping it with you on a day to basis in case of an emergency. The clear liquid means you can apply on top of your makeup, it doesn't show up and kills off your spots at the same time.

I seem to have never discovered the amazing benefits of  tea tree oil and this little wonder is great for treating spots as soon as they appear and it will definitely be coming with me on holiday! 


It retails at  £5.99 and you can find it at 

Does tea tree oil work for your skin? 

PR SAMPLE - ALL OPINIONS EXPRESSED ARE MY OWN 

The Travelling Outfit

 This week I go on my holiday and I can't wait! A lot needs to be done within the next few days but one thing I have got sorted is my 'travelling outfit'. I don't know about you, but I love planning outfits out and one of the ones I love planning is my journey home. I like to show off  that I have been away, and that the sun was wonderful. I'm weird ok


The outfit I will be wearing is my new jumpsuit from Asda (found in store), after searching everywhere for one I finally managed to find one and for a bargain of £8 down from £16! It was love at first sight, not too revealing, a nice and bold pattern as well as a string to tie near the base which helps keep my waist in check. The zip on the front just finishes off for me, and it a low v-neck which was the thing that drew me towards it, as others are more scooped neck. My shoes are still a problem, probably decide when I get there. 




With a patterned jumpsuit, I want to keep everything else pretty simple seen as though I will have to tag along my luggage. So in the simple theme, I will be wearing my Ethiopian opal and white topaz ring* from Gemporia at £24. I have only recently become a fan of dainty rings, and this one I can't stop wearing. The finish of it is beautiful, and Opal is something I would never think of buying but something about the size, and finish is just stunning. The white topaz detailing on the sides adds something different and brings together the ring as a whole. You can find a whole range of rings from Gemporia, each one is crafted for you and at reasonable prices so you can afford to treat yourself. Also, if you don't know your ring size like me then use their app/print out to find out - genius! 


I love how simple yet chic this outfit is, and feel so summery just thinking about it! What is your go to travelling outfit? 


 
POST IN COLLABORATION WITH GEMPORIA