Sugar, ah, honey honey...

I'm sitting here at the uni library. People all around me are talking about essays and all things wonderful that will get them great marks. I, on the other hand have forgotten my bloody essay at home. Good student me. Ah well, there is always a silver lining when you forget things; now i have time to blog, and there is one thing I've been dying to blog about...

True story: Last Friday night, I was planning to give myself a hit of summer and fake tan. So with St. Tropez fake tan on standby I was ready to hop into the shower and exfoliate. Exxcepptttf or one teeny tiny problem, I had no more body scrub. Shit, I initially thought, but being my determined self I decided I would make scrub, from scratch. Turned out, it was very simple and I was very impressed with the results! I mixed half a teacup of honey, with a 1/4 amount of sugar. It was a much better alternative to some of the scrubs which I've tried which are too coarse, not coarse enough, too oily or too dry. Let me just say, after using this honey scrub, I had the most even all over body tan I've ever had. 'Nuff said.

Fact: Sugar is not as dehydrating as salt and natural honey as its both moisturising and antibacterial, aka good for problem or dry skin.

What not to do: When making your own masks and scrubs at home, don't add mint, lavender oil, lemon or lime. These ingredients can agitating, so whatever skin type you have, you can do without irritation.

Right, now I have to work on an at home quick fix for a 3month late essay. Some sort of fruit for bribery perhaps?

Review: Clarins Body Shaping Supplement

Info: This is quite an innovative body product from Clarins. It’s basically a concentrated firming serum you can use alone for a more targeted result, or add a few drops to your favourite body moisturiser in order to give it firming and toning powers.

What it’s meant to do: “Smoothes away sponginess by blocking the formation of new adipocytes. Visibly shapes and tones skin by slowing down fat storage. Reduces stubborn curves by stimulating fat removal. Refines the body's contours by increasing blood circulation and lymphatic drainage."

What it did: The claims of this product are pretty high to achieve. Clarins uses big words to make those promises seem achievable. When mixed into my usual Palmers Coca Butter, it didn’t do much. However, when I applied the concentrated serum directly to the skin it showed a slightly visible firming effect which was temporary of course. If your thinking of purchasing this product, I’d suggest you ask for a sample first to try it out and see how well it works for you.

Rating: Highest being 5, I give the Clarins Body Shaping Supplement 2 KISSES.(I couldnt think of any other way to rate things so I had resort to using stars. Only one problem, I hate the damn stars. But I do like kisses. So kisses it shall be!)

What not to do: Marinade yourself in fake tan.

Deep, bronze sun kissed skin and summer go about as well together as cookies and cream. In winter though, the cooler weather calls for a more subtle golden approach. During, apply a 50-50 mixture of your trusted fake tan and your favourite moisturiser. There is, of course the option of the gradual tanner of your choice. Either summer or winter, it is absolutely crucial to get your application spot on. When buying and applying, keep this in mind.

- Look for a fake tan that has a tint within it so you can see where your applying it. Also look for one with a greenish tinge. Sounds yuck but it prevents the tan from turning a scary Donatella Versace-esque tangerine brown.
- Before every application you obviously cannot forget to exfoliate. Concoct a cheap but brilliant exfoliator by mixing your regular cleanser or body wash with enough Bicarb Soda to make it into paste consistency.
- Rub a bit of moisturiser into dry skin areas such as ankles, elbows and knees. When applying, use tight surgical gloves and buff the tan in with your palms not fingers to avoid streaks.
- If you prefer not to use gloves, and you kinda screw up your palms into an orang-y mess, nothing works better than smearing your palms with WhiteGlo toothpaste and scrubbing them with a toothbrush. Weird but true. You can also use this on any parts of the body where you make any doo doo’s (just not the face!)
- Don't go overboard with re-application when it starts to fade a bit. All that will happen is that you will go tragically overboard Wait at least about 3 days to reapply, unless it’s a gradual tanner.
- It goes without saying, but ill say it anyway. Don’t forget to moisturise everyday after a shower to keep your tan for longer.
Here is Lindsay Lohan to visually demonstrate what will most likely occur if you choose not to follow these tips. I think the face expressions say it all.

The blue and red light at the end of the tunnel.

Here’s is a random little fact: Dermatologists and professional spas have used red and blue light therapy for over 35 years to treat conditions such as acne and premature ageing.

Here is another little fact that actually, makes the first random fact not so random indeed: This magnificent technology is available for you to use right at home; Whenever Wherever to put it in Shakira talk.

Here are lots of little facts in a big jumble, with a few opinions chucked into the mix: Tända Skincare is the maker of at home light therapy systems or LEDs as they call them. The machines emit both blue and red light onto the skin. Let me explain before you knock it. The blue light kills ‘P.Acnes’; basically it kills the bacteria that causes mild to moderate acne while, at the same time, the red light, heals any existing blemishes and any signs of ageing. Its 100% healthy (I know they once said that about tanning beds but trust me on this one; its healthy and safe with no UV light used.) It might set you back a bit at around $400, but if you think about how much more it would be at the dermatologist, it becomes a worthy investment.

So here is tiny visual to put it all together.

Beauty Sleep; not a myth like Sleeping Beauty.

After a hard days’ work of study, work or whatever unpleasant things we must do, waxing included, a long shower and a good night’s sleep are oh so good. Sure the next morning you’ll feel great, but why wouldn’t you wanna look better too... You would? I had a feeling. Which is why I took the time to make a little check list for you.

• At night our skin becomes all superwoman-y and regenerates, hence why we have separate night creams and serums which are more concentrated in active ingredients. In order for these ingredients to be able to seep into your skin, you must take off the old dry skin on top. Make friends with your scrub tonight. Puuh-leasse go for one that’s gentle and organic based, your skin will thank you. Bloom makes a mean little (read; good) apricot scrub you should give a try. Benefit also has a honey scrub with a really good texture you could use as an exfoliating mask too.

• Don' forget to scrub your body or dry brush it before the shower then slather it with heavy duty moisturiser while your skin is still steamy and damp so it retains more moisture. While in the shower give your tired little tresses a bit of TLC with a conditioning hair mask.

• Put it in first thing after you shampoo and do all your exfoliation and shaving while the mask does its work. I used Terax Original Crema to bring my hair back to life after my well trusted hairdresser decided our relationship and my hair could take the weight of a terrible bleach job. “I’m sorry hairdresser, it’s not me, it’s you.”
  
  
• After you come out of the shower, comb a bit of leave in conditioner through the hair, roughly dry it 70% and tightly pin it into a semi high bun. No hair ties, we don’t want any severe kinks in your soft, wavy, touch me hair the next morning. Giving your hair a bit of a shine boost with serum or hairspray the next morning is optional.
  
  
• If you want brighter skin overnight look no further than vitamin C. Look for the pure liquid capsules that you can cut open and use as a serum, otherwise, go for a serum containing a potent amount of vitamin C, such as Avon’s Anew Vitamin C Serum. If you want more hydration and glow, massage a layer of rosehip oil into the skin. I swear by the Trilogy Organic Rosehip Oil. If you have problem skin go for a moisturiser containing salicylic acid and then apply at least a 5% benzyl peroxide cream only directly onto any spots, (I can’t stress the importance of ‘directly on’ enough). Love your bronzer more than McDonalds? Mix your night cream with fake tan to get a natural glow.

Now just take the compliments graciously.