Starting Off; Skincare ♥

FINALLY!  Hello earthlings, today is the start of the 'TheSoProject' also know as 'The Starting Off Project'. Over the next 10 weeks, every Tuesday my self and loads of other bloggers will be posting everything that teens/ make up newbies need to know when starting off with make up. Everything from skincare to make up brushes, I have loved beauty related stuff for a while now and I wish when I first started going into the whole make up thing; there was a guide for me to read. So... here I am now helping you lot out there! To find out more about this project check out Steph's post (the mastermind behind all of this) over on here blog here. 
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Writing this skincare post seems perfect for me at the moment, as I suffer from regular (mainly hormonal) breakouts on certain parts of my face a lot! August was a month that I set my self a goal to do whatever I can to clear most of it up. Just putting random face masks, and spot treatments on for one night won't instantly make a difference. It is always best to set your self a skincare routine; this doesn't have to be expensive nor does it have to be time consuming. Just remember that it is all worth it in the end.

There is such a wide range and variety of skin care brands and products out there that can really help your skin to begin to clear up. One of the brands I love is Clean & Clear, I found this moisturiser in my local poundshop once a upon a time, and little did I know that it would become my best friend. I now religiously use this every night before going to bed to help with my acne, it feels very light - so you can also use it in the morning and it helps to combat and fight against those nasty spot and tightens up your pores. A small sizes amount of this goes very far! 

Next up is my holy grail skincare brand - Simple. This brand makes everything to suit your skin so that nothing makes it go funny, these wipes are my new discovery as they are exfoliating wipes. One side has a rough texture and the other is a smooth side to polish your face. I find that taking your make up off at night is the best feeling ever and these wipes make the job easier for you and leaves your skin feeling clean and fresh! Make sure that you always take your make up off before you sleep, your skin needs time to breathe. 

My final skincare newbie, is from the brand 'Witch' there products contain witch hazel which is a flower that is extracted into a substance so that it can be used in products to combat acne. There are several products in this range,and I really want to get my hands on them all as this beauty has really made a difference to my skin. The blemish stick is a solid gel stick that pops up like an ice lolly and allows you to rub it on the affected area and leaves no marks just a cool feeling. 

I have found sticking to the same products for some time and doing it all regularly can really help you out. There is also help available where you can ask the professionals about your skin, whether this be a skin specialist / doctor or even these online advice questionnaires, where you answer questions and they find out about your skin type and what can help. Read the other posts through out the 10 weeks

Teen Talk Tuesday; The Skin Diet ♥

Heyy! Listen girls, before you even think about loosing those pounds for summer - read this and clear up that skin of yours! There are certain foods that really benefit your complexion, and you shouldn't always rely on these products from the shops.

Strawberries, citrus fruits, red peppers, broccoli

Beauty benefit: a smooth texture with a strong layer that prevent wrinkles. Vitamin C is vital for the skin's support structure.

Sunflower seeds and almonds

Beauty benefit: sun protection

These seeds and nuts are loaded with vitamin E!  They just act like an army, protecting the skin from UV light. 

Dark orange, leafy green and red veggies

Beauty benefit: a fresh complexion ... Spinach and all those yummy vegetables are full of the antioxidant 'beta-carotene'. Your body converts it to vitamin A, makes the skins surface smooth.

Water

Beauty benefit: dewy skin .. I'm not going to go into great detail as there is a whole post on this! 

Things to avoid! 

Everyone knows the foods that you should avoid or even eat moderated! 

10 Beauty Products Every Woman Should Own ♥

Well hello there! I am now officially on half term for one week! Which means blogmania! I will now have so much time to blog ect. and I'm off to London on Wednesday, so loads of pics! And I shall also be uploading outfits of the week..
Today's blog comes from my winter essentials post, it is 10 products that every woman out there should own! If you carry these around, you will never have a bad day again!

1. Blush - Blush is the ultimate instant picker-upper. Whether it's  rose, apricot, raspberry, or fuchsia, gel, cream, liquid, or powder, nothing livens up the face faster than dab a fabulous flush with a pretty pop of colour swiped across the apples of your cheeks for an instance glow!

2. Concealer - If you find yourself affected by dark circles, blemishes, pimples, and redness on a regular basis, it’s high time to become a pro at masking your minor imperfections. Make concealer your beauty BFF—nothing stands a chance against this cosmetic camouflage.

3. Eye Cream - Even though wrinkles are unavoidable you can get rid of them for a while by sticking to a good preventive care regimen. Start using eye cream now to smooth over fine lines, reduce puffiness and the appearance of under-eye baggage, and brighten dull, sallow, shadowy skin.

4. Red Lipstick - My fav!  Much like your signature perfume scent, every girl needs a go-to red lipstick right by her side. It's appropriate to wear whatever the occasion  wearing it makes you appear more confident and shows that you like to be different. Whether it’s crimson, cherry, cardinal, cinnamon, or candy apple, choose a shade that flatters your specific complexion and enjoy the high-fives on your bold beauty move.

5. BB Cream - BB Cream's have only recently become extremely popular, this is because they not only give you a healthy shine but they are so good for your skin! It’s what someone would describe as a sheer foundation, moisturiser  primer, and toner all in one. That's not even the  best part?! It not only allows you to build colour but it also gives you coverage to hide even the worst of blemishes but actually treats them.  Double-duty beauty!

6. Mascara - Long, luscious lashes are equivalent to the cherry on top of your favourite dessert. And it’s OK if yours aren't naturally show stopping you can easily add a little oomph to your everyday look. Take your lashes from short  to full and fluffy in 30 seconds flat by swiping a few coats of mascara through them.

7. Dry Shampoo - The beauty world's eqivalent to sugar!  Buy yourself a little extra time between shampoos with a dry variation. The powder formula absorbs excess oil, dirt, product buildup, and odor, quickly cleansing your locks without even getting your hair wet.

8. Deep Conditier - Regardless of style, texture, and current chemical state, everyone’s hair could benefit from a little extra TLC. Take the time to treat your locks once or twice a month to an intensive, deep-conditioning session that’ll nourish, fortify, and moisturize your mane. Trust us—your newly strengthened strands will thank you for it!

9. Face Wipes - You’re too tired, you've had a long day…blah, blah, blah! Sleeping in your makeup is absolutely TERRIBLE for your skin’s health and appearance, so before you drift off into la-la land, the least you can do is quickly remove it  Here’s a quick tip: keep it out so you can see it at night!

10. Sunscreen -  No matter your age, ethnicity, complexion, or skin type—should be protecting your most precious asset from incredibly harmful UVA/UVB rays on a daily basis, whether the sun is shining or not.

Dress to suit you ♥

As it is currently party season, and coming up to new years eve with all the party's. I thought it would be a good idea to give you a guide on how to dress appropriately for the body shape that you are. The worst thing to do is to wear something unflattering and have everyone talk about you.

1. THE PEAR SHAPE
A pear shaped women has hips that are wider than the shoulders, your bottom is rounded and your waist is noticeable. Your best feature's are your shoulders, and the flat stomach. My drawing attention to your waist and arms you are balancing out the upper and lower body.

DON'T - wear items of clothing that focus on your hips & thighs
DO- Mix up light and dark colours so they contrast.
DO- Wear strapless dresses to show off those arms and balance the top and bottom.
DO- Go with the pointy toed shoes to elongate your legs.


2. RECTANGLE SHAPED
Rectangular body shapes have hips,shoulders and a waist that are similar in width. Your best feature's are your arms and legs which means you don't have to take attention away from other parts of your body. BY just creating curves in your body you are showing those arms and legs off.

DO - Wear tops that have collars, ruffles or any detail that will flatter your top half.
DO - Layer items of clothing to add more shape.
DO- Feel free to experiment with a range of different colours.
DON'T - Go too daring with prints and patterns

3. APPLE SHAPED BODY
Women with apple shapes figures find that their weight gathers above the narrow hips that they have. There ribs, back and shoulders are broad and can tend to make you feel wider than others. But a advantage to being apple shaped is the LEGS!! If you show off the legs and create the image of having a waist - you'll look amazing!

DO- Buy tops with v-necks for a longer torso image.
DO- Wear belts that fit around the smallest part of your waist.
DO- Go for the empire tops and dresses which will do their best to hide any tummy bulge.
DO- Boot cut and flared jeans are your best bet to create a even line from head to toe.

4. HOURGLASS FIGURE
Being an hourglass figure, means that you are a very lucky woman! Your hips & shoulders are similar in width and lie in between a tiny waist. CURVES are your best assest ... showing these off will get anyone drooling.
DON'T- Please don't cover up those curves with baggy clothing
DO- Wear dresses that are fitted to show off those curves
DO- By wearing a belt you are showing off that hourglass shape
DO- Go and try wearing skinny or straight leg jeans.

Teen Talk Tuesday; Stress

So, I'm going to introduce something called 'teen talk Tuesday' where I'll be talking about teen related topics! Because I'm a teen (15) I find it easier to write about these things than other adult problems! Haha!
Today's topic is ... 'STRESS'

What is stress?
Everyone, get's stressed. Whether it is work related, school or even relationship stress -everyone experiences it! But What exactly is it? Stress which is also know as  the "flight or fight" response, increases our heartbeats, which then speeds our metabolism and heightens our awareness for things around us. Stress in small amounts can be good for us and our bodies. However if these stressful feeling  last for long periods of time,they can keep you in panic for too long.This then starts to affect us physically, mentally and emotionally.

How is it caused?
Stress can be caused by a numerous reasons, it really depends on the person it is happening to and how there body responds. What may be stressful for me, may not be stressful for you.

• Family problems - these can include divorces that may be happening, deaths within the family or even money problems.
• For many teens, moving into a new school can also cause stress
• Difficulty in school - if a maybe have learning difficulties, or even stress over exams.
• Friends - There may have been a fall out over friends, peer pressure or even at this age relationship problems.
• Too Much - You may actually be doing more than you can cope with, too many actives at school or out of school, part time jobs and so on. 
• Body Changes - this basically speaks for its self.
• SLEEP! - Not having enough sleep can really affect you mentally and cause you problems and stress.
• Future- You may be at the stage, where you have to decide/plan what you may be doing in the future.

Solutions?
Don't 'stress' though guys, there are many solutions and ways you can work around this..

• Talk - Talking to your parents/friends/family or even teachers about what may be bothering you is the way to get started. By Talking to someone else and working out your problems will help reduce the built up tension you have inside. 
• Relax - Find something you enjoy doing, even if it is just watching TV or watching YouTube videos. Your mind will become at rest and you don't have to worry about anything.
• Be prepared - Don't wait until last minute to finish off projects, homework ect. this can cause you un-needed stress that you really don't need. Feeling prepared and ready for things can reduce lots of built up stress. 
• Relaxation techniques - Techniques such as Breathing exercises or even meditation are great techniques for getting rid of the built up tension inside.