Tanning all the time

Xen-Tan Face Tanner Luxe Medium/Dark, £14.50

As my body has developed a nice golden tan since I've been using my Palmer's Coco Gradual Tan, I realised I couldn't carry on walking around with a pale face any longer. I had heard really good reviews about the Xen Tan range, particularly the products specifically for face - so I have been really excited about trying this wonder product.

The tan itself has a really great texture so avoids clogging up pores and causing spots, and comes with a base colour so that you can get an idea of where you need to apply. 

After first application, I noticed a change in the tone of my skin within four hours which is pretty fast work. It was darker than what I've been used to, but after I washed my face the next morning - it left an even olive glow.

I'm really pleased with the results of this product, even more so because it hasn't made my skin react badly - which makes a change from other face tanners I have tried in the past. So definitely one to go and try, you won't be disappointed.   

A weekend of baking delights and tasty breakfast finds

Yummy, gooey chocolate cake I made from my Leon 'Baking & Puddings' Book. Convinced I could sell this and make a fortune - the most delicious cake I've ever tried and vegan too!

Healthy banana and chia seed pancakes. Made with one ripe mashed banana and 2 eggs, so simple and so tasty! I served mine with a drizzle of agave nectar and some organic peanut butter on the side.

Some brilliant buys

Palmer's Natural Bronze Tanning Lotion, £2.67 & Palmer's Moisturising Body Oil £2.55 - Both from Boots.

La Roche Posay Effaclar Duo, £13, Boots

I've had quite an exciting day today, at least to me it feels as if it has been. After the gym, I took a quick de-tour into town to have a browse in Boots as I knew they had an offer on all Palmer's cocoa butter products. 

After picking up another of my loyal Natural Bronzing lotions, I decided to opt for a body oil as well as my skin has been feeling pretty parched in these cold conditions. Although this oil isn't certified organic, Palmer's have now declared their products paraben free - which is a start. It contains a mixture of soya bean, sesame seed, safflower and cacao seed oils - all of which are rich in essential fatty acids, which are vital for healthy, radiant skin. The product has quite a light texture, that absorbs into the skin quickly - leaving it feeling velvety soft and smooth. Another plus point, is that due to its thin consistency, it doesn't leave a greasy film layer that gets all over clean clothes and bed sheets.

This next item I've been on a bit of a wild goose chase for. It's been sold out at every Boots store I've visited as well as online, so when I saw one lonely box waiting on the shelf ready to be taken home, I did not hesitate. La Roche Posay is a French dermatological skincare brand that is paraben free and 100% hypo allergenic.Their 'Effaclar' range is particularly good for oily/combination skin that is prone to break outs, as it contains salicylic acid - an ingredient which unclogs pores and purifies the complexion.  It's still early days to give a full review on this product, so I will write another post in a few weeks.

Stay Posted!

Aesop treats

Wandering around a very cold and dreary Shoreditch yesterday, I stumbled upon organic luxury brand Aesop. The brand sells itself as an ethical establishment, which combines the very best of plant based ingredients with laboratory-made formulations - specially chosen due to their high levels of antioxidant.

The sales assistant was kind enough to give me some samples for my oily/sensitive/combination/everything under the sun skin, to go away and try. Within half an hour of getting home - that's EXACTLY what I did. After removing all my make-up with my Neal's Yard Remedies facial wipes, I then applied the 'Amazing Face Cleanser', a gel based wash with balancing Ylang Ylang, refreshing Mandarin and cleansing Lavender. Usually I steer clear of foaming facial washes and stick to my Liz Earle Cleanse & Polish, however this was really pleasant to use. It didn't have an overwhelming smell, neither did it leave my skin feeling dry or tingly. I'd have to try it a few times to see how my skin reacts to it, but so far so good.

I then followed with the 'Fabulous Face Oil', which again contained Ylang Ylang along with aromatic Jasmine and antioxidant filled Juniper Berries. I think I used too much of this on one application because my skin felt quite greasy after - but its hard to get a small amount from a sachet that size. Despite that, my skin feels really plump and nourished, exactly what I needed after a day on the cold streets of London.

So far, I am impressed with Aesop and would like to try some more of there products to see how they match up to the two I've tried. Unfortunately, I'm not sure if my student budget will accustom to the hair raising prices...more testers anyone?

Successful Sunday

First new recipe tryout.

Gluten free Granola...

Hurry up breakfast!

Ready, Steady, COOK!

'Appetite for Reduction' by Isa Chandra
'The Kind Diet' by Alicia Silverstone

'Skinny Bitch' by Kim Barnouin

I have these Vegan cook books for over a year now, and with regards to cooking the yummy dishes inside - my efforts have been rather poor. So, New Years Resolution Number 1 - Choose a new recipe each week  that tickles my taste buds, and take the time to make it.

What's great about these Vegan recipes is that they are all made with nutritious, healthy ingredients that are animal and guilt free. My clean eating officially starts....NOW.

Christmas goodies continued

Clockwise from bottom left; Laura Mercier Secret Camouflage £26, La Roche Posay Effaclar A.I £9.90, Liz Earle Intensive Nourishing Mask £13.50, Liz Earle Light Reflecting Concealer £15.50, Eco Tools Foundation Brush £7.

Here are the rest of my Christmas gifties that I was lucky enough to find resting at the bottom of my stocking! My favourite so far has to be my Laura Mercier Secret Concealer, it's really pigmented so you only need to use a little when applying. There are two shades inside, an orangey tone and a pinky tone - this means you can mix them together to create a darker shade for when your skin has picked up more colour in the Summer months. 

Originally, I asked for the La Roche Posay Effaclar Duo - but its been incredibly hard to get hold of, which must mean its some sort of miracle cream. Instead, I got the Effaclar A.I, which is more for specific problem areas. It still contains salicylic acid, the key ingredient that is designed to help minimise the appearance the appearance of blemishes - and so far its done a pretty good job at keeping mine at bay. I'm still going to keep an eye open for the Duo, I'm intrigued to see what all the fuss is about.

Next are Liz Earle's Intensive Treatment Mask and her Light Reflecting Concealer. I am an avid fan of the brand, so was pleased to have got some more of her products to try. The mask I have only used twice, but it leaves my combination/dehydrated skin feeling really soft and nourished, you could probably get away with leaving it on over night for extra moisturisation. The concealer again is another winner - I've been using it everyday under my eyes t conceal dark shadows. The consistency of the product is really creamy so it gives great coverage, but not too heavy that it looks chalky.

Last but not least is my Eco Tools Foundation brush, I have the blusher and powder brush from the range and I just love that they are so soft and easy to use. An added bonus is that they are made from cruelty free taklon bristles and bamboo handles too, no synthetic materials in sight!