4 Reasons Your Skin Is Looking Dull – and What You Can Do About It

There are many reasons why your skin might be looking dull, but there are just as many solutions. Dull and unhealthy skin can lead to a tired and wrinkled appearance, and no one wants that! The good news is that simple changes can make a big difference when it comes to combatting a lackluster complexion. Here are some common reasons why your skin might be looking dull – and what you can do about it.

The Environment

The air both inside and out contains many pollutants and small dirt particles, all of which are bad for your skin as well as your body. When dirt clings to your skin and clogs the pores, it gives it an uneven texture, which also diffuses light. This can make you look even more tired, and as though you have more wrinkles! The only way you can remedy this is to make sure you cleanse your face thoroughly at night before you go to sleep. If you don’t, all that dirt will start to cause untold damage to your skin. So, remove all traces of makeup with a gentle makeup remover, followed by a splash with warm soapy water.

Your Diet

What you drink and eat can be contributing factors to your dull complexion. Of course, drinking plenty of water should be common sense, as it helps to hydrate the skin and increase blood flow to your face. Additionally, any wrinkles you do have will appear deeper in dehydrated skin, so water is a great way to help reduce them. However, while drinking enough water is important, you should not neglect your diet, assuming that your water consumption will offset any negative effects. If you continue to eat foods high in sugar, salt and fat, you will reduce your skin’s ability to retain any moisture. So, try to eat plenty of green leafy vegetables, fatty fish, nuts, seeds, and eggs.

Stress

Stress is also a major reason why you may be suffering from dull-looking skin. And when you are worried about your appearance, it can lead to more feelings of stress, leaving you in a never-ending cycle. If you aren’t looking your best for an important presentation at work, a first date, or another special occasion, your confidence levels will suffer, and your fight or flight response will kick in. This means all your blood flow will be concentrated on your vital organs and not your skin. It’s easy enough to suggest avoiding stressful situations, but this is not always impossible. In these cases, you can try giving yourself a facial massage to help get the blood flowing. You should be left with plump looking skin and a more glowing complexion, which in turn will boost your self-esteem.

Not Using the Right Products

You might already have a skincare routine and still suffer from dull skin. In this case, it may that you are using the wrong type of product. For example, if you usually have dry skin, you should avoid oil-absorbing products, as this will simply exacerbate the problem. Also, products that contain PEG (polyethylene glycol) should be avoided, as it is said to reduce or alter the skin’s natural ability to retain moisture. It’s best to look for products that contain natural ingredients; for example, here’s a facial serum with vitamin C that helps to brighten and even skin tone and reduces inflammation, with additional ingredients such as green tea and aloe.

By taking the tips listed on board, dull skin can be a thing of the past!

 

Sponsored Post.

My Favourite Personal Trainers PTs | Wellness

I don’t go to the gym. It is not that I do not want to, it is that I like to save time and money. Sweating in front of strangers is not my idea of fun either, so I workout at home. This has not stopped me finding some amazing personal trainers. YouTube is full of them. I love PopSugar Fitness, Fitness Blender and Joe Wicks. I cannot recommend these sites enough and I hope you check them out. They have changed not only my body, but my life. Here are some of my favourite personal trainers and their workouts.

Jeanette Jenkins.

Jeanette takes no prisoners. She does an INSANE 500 calorie workout. She helped me lose a stone in weight. She is so happy and positive. I feel so happy after doing her workouts. Hell, I even feel happy while doing it. Even if it hurts like hell.Check out all of her workouts. They are all amazing.

Amy Rosoff Davis

Amy is another brilliant trainer. I did the workout below three times a week when my daughter was a few months old and I lost half a stone and completely changed my body shape. Her focus on BarreCore looks easy but is hard as hell. It really reshapes your body. Her other workouts are great too. She trains Selena Gomes.

Kelly and Daniel from Fitness Blender have a huge amount of amazing workout videos. They even have workout programs which are cheap and that makes sure you workout different muscles each day. Their site is work a look: Fitness Blender. One of their great workouts is below.

I am now focusing on keeping the weight off. Okay, okay, I should not be too hard on myself as the three times I put on a lot of weight I had either had an injury or had a baby. But the above people helped me get fit and healthy each time. I find it hard to lose weight and keep it off now. Make sure you go at your own pace. I have done low impact modifications when I have hurt my knee or am starting up again. These are my recommendations. They worked for me, I hope they work for you too.

 

HYDRATION, HYDRATION, HYDRATION

We all know the importance of keeping hydrated and the benefits extend to the whole body. Shop our targeted roundup below.

FOR THE BODY: THE ION8 LEAKPROOF 1 LITRE BOTTLE

One of the easiest way to keep hydrated – DRINK WATER! Drink the full bottle before lunch and you’re halfway to your daily target, simply refill once and drink the rest before the end of the day and you’re done. Just one pitstop at dinner to refill is all you need to keep you on track.

Buy for £13.89 from Amazon

FOR THE FACE: CLINIQUE DRAMATICALLY DIFFERENT HYDRATING JELLY

Hyaluronic acid is the hydrating elixir for the skin and its popularity has sky rocketed over the past few years. The Clinique Jelly is a super lightweight gel which is packed with Fortified with hyaluronic acid and innovative Clean Shield Technology™ (a blend of Sunflower Seed, Barley Extract and Cucumber. It offers 24hr hydration and the best part is that a little goes a long way – meaning you’re getting more for your money too!

Buy for £31 from Look Fantastic

FOR THE SKIN: EMBRYOLISSE LAIT-CRÈME FLUID

A top way to avoid dryness and redness across the body is to keep hydrated and moisturised and our favourite is from Europe’s number one, Embryolisse fluid is a brilliant way to achieve oft and supple skin. Once applied, you’re instantly treated to a velvety feel finish on the skin. This one though, has a number of benefits – everything from removing make up and soothing skin after skin exposure.

Buy for £16 from Cult Beauty

FOR THE HAIR: PHILIP KINGSLEY ELASTICIZER

It turns out that elasticzer was originally created over 40 years ago for Audrey Hepburn to keep her hair looking healthy so if it’s good enough for Audrey, it’s good enough for us! The Philip Kingsley elasticizer is enriched with castor oil and olive oil, which is high in Vitamin E and fatty acids. Generalyl,  elasticizer delivers a rush of moisture to the hair’s cuticle, helping to lock in and retain moisture. Suppleness, elasticity and bounce appear instantly without weighing down or coating the hair. Dreamy

Buy for £33 from Philip Kingsley

 

 

The Olay Whip SPF30 Collection

Olay whip SPF30

I never leave the house without an SPF. Even in winter. I think it has made a difference to my skin. So much of ageing comes from sun damage. I like Olay and tend to use it a lot. Finding a moisturiser with SPF30 can be hard, and a good one harder. I was sent the Olay Luminous Whip to review. I like the packaging but it is what is in the inside that counts. What I find is a product that moisturisers like a heavy moisturiser but has the light and airy feeling of a lighter counterpart. It feels soothing and calming as it goes on. My skin feels like it has had a good, long drink. My skin looks well moisturised too. I will definitely keep using the Olay Whips SPF30 range. It gives an excellent light finish with high SPF protection. It also absorbs instantly. My skin does not feel like it is suffocating. Brilliant stuff. 

 

More than half of women (61%) claim they don’t use an SPF when UV levels aren’t strong

The UVA/UVB rays from the sun are a leading cause of premature ageing

The Olay Whips SPF30 range has a ‘light as air’ finish and instant absorption with high SPF protection

Whether she’s up and out of the door for the daily commute or taking herself on an early morning jog – one thing her skin needs day in, day out is SPF protection.

However, it seems that although women know the importance of incorporating a moisturiser with SPF into their daily routines, they don’t seem to be acting on it.

Olay consumer research reveals that despite women knowing the sun is damaging their facial skin and making it age faster, they still aren’t protecting it with a daily SPF. More than half (61%) claim they don’t use SPF when they think UV levels aren’t strong, even though UV rays damage the skins all-important moisture barrier and act as a trigger for other skin aging effects year-round. Could it be the thick, sticky nature of SPF moisturisers that’s holding them back?

The good news is, the days of heavy, hard-to-handle facial moisturisers are no more. Olay’s game-changing Whips moisturiser has launched an SPF30 collection – so you can enjoy the light as air texture and potent anti-aging skincare ingredients of Olay Whips, with the powerful protection of SPF30.

OIay Whip SPF collection offers a broad-spectrum UVA/UVB SPF30.

Olay Whips SPF30 promises its exclusive ‘light as air’ formula that is perfectly whipped for instant absorption to the skin, leaving a flawless finish either on its own or under makeup. The product range includes Active Rush Technology™ which can hold and quickly release 1000x its weight in hydration and active ingredients. Olay Whips transforms from cream to liquid on contact, flash absorbing into skin to deliver potent anti-aging skincare with a light as air touch. So, women on the go can reap the benefits from a lightweight moisturiser and their much-needed SPF30 in one step!

Olay Whips SPF30, available in the Regenerist, Luminous and Total Effects ranges, offers powerful skincare with a light as air feeling, and year-round protection from the sun’s harmful rays.

For more information on Olay products, visit www.Olay.co.uk

Stockists: Boots.com, Superdrug.co.uk, amazon.co.uk and all leading retailers
RRP: £34.99

Holland & Barrett – Sustainable Favourites

We were recently invited to the Holland And Barrett Summer Showcase which allowed us to try and test some of the best new products they have in store for us, or coming to a store near you. Here is our round up of some of our favourite sustainable  and Mixed Zero Waste products which we have been putting to the test. 

Live Coco – Recyclable Electric Toothbrush heads

Compatible with any Oral – B Electric Toothbrush, these fantastic toothbrush heads are infused with Charcoal which removes impurities from your mouth. The charcoal also helps to absorb and remove chlorine from tap water. What’s more, if you send them back once you’re done Live Coco will recycle them for you. 

RRP: £9.99 pack of 2

Holland & Barrett – Thin Cotton Pads

Fed up of make-up wipes, these re-usable cotton pads are just the answer. Available in a pack of six, that’s almost one for every day of the week, these pads are designed to be used with micellar water and come in a handy drawstring bag to collect them up in and throw in the wash after use. They are available in a thick or thinner cotton which is completely organic

RRP: £8 pack of 6

Patch – Aloe Vera Bamboo Plasters

Made from 100% natural bamboo fibre, these plasters are 100% compostable, hypoallergenic and enriched with Aloe Vera to help soothe and repair burns, blisters and minor abrasions. They are completely chemical free and are available to buy now in Holland & Barrett in a pack of 25. 

RRP: £6.99 pack of 25

Flux Undies – Period Proof Underwear

There are currently quite a few of period proof undies on the market at the moment but we simply love Flux, not only because they have just been released in Holland & Barrett stores, but because they are designed to last around three years, they are made sustainably, and hold up to 4 regular tampons’/pads worth. The proof is in the testimonials of many happy customers claiming that they have not worn disposables since. Not only that, Flux employ the ‘By You, For Her’ scheme which ensures every pair of Flux undies bought will allow a girl in need to receive a reusable, menstrual cloth pad. 

RRP: £27.99 each

Beauty Kitchen – Seahorse Plankton Beauty Boost BB Cream

In fact we simply love the entire Beauty Kitchen range who design their entire range with sustainability in mind. From their packaging which you can send back to be recycled or refilled, to their 100% natural ingredients. The new Seahorse Plankton range promises not to contain any seahorses, but does contain blue chamomile and sustainably grown microalgae which is scientifically proven to boost and brighten. After using this for two weeks now, the first thing I noticed was the creams ability to blend in with all skin tones. This really leaves your skin feeling radiant and smelling like you’ve stepped out of a day spa. 

RRP: £15 for 30ml

As well as this… Holland & Barrett are launching their very own vegetarian and vegan meal deal. Priced at just £3.99 customers will be able to choose from a range of plant-based sandwiches, wraps and salads and indulge in tasty treats from brands such as Deliciously Ella and Hippeas. The meal deal will be available 

initially in six London flagship stores. 

For more information on any of the products or to order, visit 

www.hollandandbarrett.com

Get Your Skin Ready For #festivalseason With Olay

Ah, summer. Festivals, barbecues, picnics. The warm weather brings joy in abundance. Not so much for our skin sometimes. SPF can be heavy and make up tends to slide off the face. So get your skin ready now. I get sent some new Olay product to try. Here is how I got on.

THE REFRESHER

I love a facial mist. They are perfect for hydrating skin and making you feel refreshed. The Energizing Olay Mist Ultimate Hydration Essence has powerhouse antioxidant Vitamin C & Bergamot Extract. I do think it left my skin looking better, and feeling better too. 

For a much-needed make up / hydration boost, make sure the Energizing Olay Mist Ultimate Hydration Essence is to hand. This energising face mist with powerhouse antioxidant Vitamin C & Bergamot Extract will leave you with a more even skin tone, as well as feeling revitalised, refreshed and energised – perfect for day three party goers.

Olay Mists Ultimate Hydration Essences RRP £12.99 

THE SOOTHER

I really like this eye gel. It is deeply hydrating, just like the name says. A tiny amount goes a long way. My skin can feel really dry and this seems to last for a long time. I would continue to use this. 

We all know that festivals can give us puffy, tried eyes, but Olay has you covered. It’s NEW Deep Hydrating Eye Gel features heavyweight ingredients like hyaluronic acid and niacinamide / vitamin B3 and will give you a much-needed turbo boost of hydration, keeping you looking fresher for longer.

Olay Eyes Deep Hydrating Eye Gel RRP £24.99 

THE TIME SAVER

I love the Whip Moisturisers. They moisturiser like a heavy moisturiser but go on, and feel, like a light moisturiser. I always wear SPF 30 and nothing less. I can find it hard to find a moisturiser with SPF30, or at least a good one. These are now my go to. Just fab. 

Don’t want to waste precious dancing time? NEW Olay Whips Moisturisers SPF30 has a lightweight, zero grease feel that will help protect your face against harmful UVA/UVB rays AND fight the shine that would have built up pre-main-stage act. Made with Active Rush Technology to transform from cream to liquid for instant absorption, you can wave goodbye to setting times!

NEW Olay Whips Moisturisers SPF 30 RRP £34.99 

THE EXPRESS FACIAL

These facials are so convenient. They clean very well and leave skin feeling exfoliated. 

Daily Facials Micellar Clean will change your festival experience when it comes to cleaning your face. These water activated dry cloths come in two formulas for dry and sensitive skin. By removing makeup, cleansing, exfoliating, improving the look of skin and preserving moisture, you’ll still have that gorgeous glow come day five. 

Daily Facials Micellar Clean RRP £6.90 

All products available from superdrug.com or boots.com

Five Ways To Get Great Hair

tricho complex, supplements, how to great hair, kingsleyFive ways to achieve the most out of your hair by Anabel Kingsley, Trichologist and Hair Care Expert at Philip Kingsley, the leading authority in hair and scalp health. ‎

 

  1. Use a pre-shampoo conditioning treatment once to twice a week. This will help to restore elasticity to brittle hair, making it more resilient and less likely to break and split at the ends. It will also make the hair shinier and more manageable. As you won’t have to spend as much time styling, this in turn can strengthen the hair.
  2. Increase your protein intake. Hair is made of protein, so it’s important to eat protein-rich foods to keep your strands looking their best – and growing at their optimal rate. In order to ensure that your hair is getting the protein it needs, include at least 120g of a first class protein (one that contains all essential amino acids) with breakfast and lunch. Good choices are eggs, fish, lean meats, poultry, low-fat cottage cheese and quinoa.
  3. Have a snack. Energy available to hair cells drops four hours after eating. If more than this is left between meals, you should have a snack to sustain energy levels to hair follicles. We recommend choosing a healthy carbohydrate, such as fresh fruit, no-added-sugar granola or whole-meal crackers.
  4. Look after your scalp. If your scalp is dirty or flaky, chances are your hair isn’t as healthy or glossy as it could be. Keep your scalp environment in great shape by shampooing frequently with a shampoo suitable for your texture. For an extra boost, use a daily anti-microbial scalp toner and an exfoliating scalp mask once a week.
  5. Improve your ferritin levels. Ferritin is an iron that helps produce hair cell protein. If these levels are depleted, hair often becomes weaker and unable to grow as long. The best way to improve low ferritin levels is to take a daily supplement containing iron and vitamin C. Red meats, such as steak and liver, are also great dietary sources.

 

 

I have been trying the Tricho Complex which is making my hair look shiny. It seems to be growing faster too.

Diet is crucial for hair health. As Anabel Kingsley notes “The most essential nutrients for hair are protein (what your hair is made of), complex carbohydrates (which provide energy to rapidly growing hair cells) and iron.” It can be hard to get the nutritional requirements during a busy day at the office, so it can be useful to take a nutritional supplement. Tricho Complex contains an exceptional mix of vitamins and minerals which contribute to the maintenance of normal, healthy hair.

Tricho Complex

£45, philipkingsley.co.uk

 

JULY BEAUTY EDIT

From miracle hairbrushes to an egg mousse for the body, you’re in for a treat with our July Beauty Edit!

Protect your skin from free radicals

Daytox Natural Day and Night facial oil is a light, dry oil that easily absorbs into the skin. This must-have contains vitamins E and C to help fortify and strengthens the skins natural barrier, and almond oil, a powerful natural antioxidant that prevents the effect of stress and harmful ultraviolet radiation rays to the skin. We’re assured it’s fab for the fight against pollution on the skin too.

£24 – Ocado

 

Turn up the TLC with this meringue-like mousse

 

Too Cool For School Egg Mousse Body Oil magically transforms into an oil that absorbs deep into your skin for ultimate hydration. It instantly softens rough skin for cashmere-soft smoothness and is a cocktail of five botanical oils creates a protective moisture barrier without clogging pores. Egg yolk extract and albumin in egg white extract work together to boost the skin’s natural ability to repair and regenerate, supporting natural cell turnover and collagen production for firmer, more supple skin.

£24.50 – Boots

 

Soothe your strands with GHD’s hot brush

Known as the ‘super brush’, this invention gives ‘I woke up like this’ salon worthy hair. Not yet available here in the UK but you can pre-order this hot commodity (pardon the pun) which makes it worthy for our wishlist. This one will tames and smoothe dry hair, reaching 185 degrees and eliminating frizz in just a few strokes. So, miracles do exist.

£139 – GHD

Summer scented setting sprays

There are few things more iconic on the beauty scene than MAC’s Prep + Prime Fix + Extensions. So, what have the beauty boffins gone and done this time? Given us five, yes five, limited edition scents of the miracle mist, each still leaving you with that soft sheen. Choose from cucumber, watermelon, Peony, Pineapple or white tea.

£12.50 – MAC

Lift the lashes with Too Faced

If it gets a thumbs up from Huda Kattan, then it gets a thumbs up from us! Too Faced have kept pretty loyal to their absolute wonder mascara that was Better Than Sex until this super recent surprise drop. With endorsements FLYING in for the soon-to-be fan favourite, the formula is described as “a revolutionary creamy mousse, developed with a special blend of whipped melting waxes (waxes injected with air)’. This blend will give you a ‘ weightless super lash’ and volume like no other.

£22 –Too Faced