Problematic skin

Since I was about 15 years old, I have been struggling with troubled skin on and off.  Many trips to the doctors soon determined that eczema was what I was dealing with, and I have since learned that eczema is not something that can be easily cured, however to a certain degree, it can be treated.  Doctors have told me that my eczema is a product of stress, which to some degree I suppose could be true. 

I was getting ready to sit my standard grade exams when my skin flared up for the first time.  My eyelids were red raw and cracked all over, my elbows and neck stinging and weeping from the scratching and clawing I was doing to my skin.  For the most part, the doctor’s prescriptions would clear up my breakouts, trying all sorts of creams, steroids, ointments and even antihistamines to ease the symptoms.  This would however only work for a couple of months before my skin was flared up to its painful and itchy state. 

During my first year of college, around about the time everything was getting ready to be handed in my first graded unit, I had a major breakout that resulted in me requiring antibiotics to clear away the infection.  My arms were red from my fingers to my shoulder blades, my neck weeping and bleeding, and my face tight and sore even with the slightest movement.  The problem had spread everywhere from my thighs, back, stomach and chest.  I had to take days off work and college, and spent most of that time curled up in loose clothing and towels, bathing in moisturiser to ease the pain.  I even went to the extreme of bathing in a bath of camomile tea to try and ease the itch after reading online it was meant to help.  It did nothing.  I wouldn’t recommend.  It took about a month for the symptoms to clear fully (with the help of the doctors prescriptions.. not the tea bath).   However we got there – many trips to the doctors later.  It was a horrible experience that I would not wish upon anyone.

The worst breakout I've had to date!

Since then, I’ve learned how to deal with eczema and I know now what kind of products to avoid to try and prevent any irritation.  I’ve tried many products during the last couple of years to ease my symptoms, not very many have worked I must say, however there are a few that have been my safe haven ever since that last breakout. 

Moisturiser is key is what I will say for now, and I can’t wait to share all of my favourite skin care products later.

Until the next one,

Lauren x

Beanies flavoured coffee

I have been a self-confessed coffee fanatic since I was probably about 14/15 years old.  Coffee is like a fifth limb to me, I actually fear the days when I don’t have time for my morning brew because I honestly struggle to function without it.  It’s definitely not a healthy relationship that I have with my favourite hot beverage, but hey, I’m happy and breathing.  That’s all that matters for now.

Beanies flavoured coffee have been a favourite brand of mine for very many years now, after my mum and dad came across their small but exciting range in a Sainsburys store during one of their Christmas shops.  Irish Cream, Almond Amaretto and Cinder Toffee were the three flavours that introduced me to the wonderful world of Beanies, and the start of a beautiful (and obsessive) relationship.

This was a familiar screen for a very long time...

Over the years since I have been following and purchasing from Beanies, they’ve created some amazing flavours which I (and my mum) have fallen in love with.  I’ve witnessed the birth of the new and improved Very Vanilla, the mouth-watering Mint Chocolate and the very latest and tastiest Coconut Delight.  These editions have left me certain that I will be obsessed with this brand for many more years to come, and I can’t wait to see what delicious flavour they will bring to the Beanies family next! (Banana Bread please?!)  Chocolate Orange, Mint Chocolate, Very Vanilla and Coconut Delight are my absolute favourites right now, however I must admit, I am yet to come across a flavour that I don’t love.

A new Beanies delivery calls for an Instagram post, wouldn't you agree?

These flavoured coffees contain less than 2 calories per cup, they’re sugar free and each flavour tastes absolutely delicious.  For people who are trying to be good and avoiding sugary snacks, I find that these coffees give just enough flavour to try and control my constant sweet tooth (when I’m on a diet that is.  Which is not right now.  Chocolate Digestives and Oreos are where I’m at.)

Every single flavour is also suitable for both vegetarians and vegans – which is amazing to me because you’d be surprised by what kind of random animal products manufactures throw into their products these days.  However, what I love the most about Beanies is that they are not even unreasonably priced.  Each jar costs just £2.50, and when they recommend that you only need 1 teaspoon worth of coffee per brew, each jar will last you a decent length of time!  Beanies online almost always have some sort or promotion on be it free delivery or a free mug when you purchase 6 jars – making it even better value for money.

Free mug anyone?

In January, Blue Monday to be exact, Beanies ran a competition on Facebook and I was lucky enough to win!  They sent me a prize of one of their famous Stashboxes which contained 9 jars of coffee: Almond Amaretto, Chocolate Orange, Irish Cream, Double Chocolate, Mint Chocolate, Coconut Delight, Cinder Toffee, Very vanilla and Nutty hazelnut.  I was over the moon to receive such a generous prize – and these yummy flavours will keep me going for a very, very long time!

My winnings :)

Have any of you guys tried Beanies flavoured coffees before?  What’s your favourite from the bunch?

Until the next one,

Lauren x

Beauty store bargains

For those of you who know me personally, you will know that there is nothing that excites me as much as getting anything super cheap, or better yet, free!  I love sending away for loads of free samples online and getting them delivered to my house – tea bags, moisturizers, facial washes and biscuit spread – you name it, I’ve probably had a free sample of it.  I’m not even embarrassed by it either, I like to try before I buy it.  I think that’s okay.

Just a couple of the freebies I've received in the post! 

So a couple of weeks ago now, I was out shopping in Boots and Superdrug trying to hunt down a specific shampoo that I was after.  Whilst doing so, I was delighted when I came across several bargains that I just had to nab!

The first of my finds was a Herbal Essence hair mask designed to repair split ends and nourish all hair types.  My hair is constantly a curly, frizzy mess – and despite the fact that I have drastically made the effort to avoid styling my hair with heated products over the course of the last six months, I still end up with the dreaded split ends. (If anyone can recommend a fantastic product that will actually help control my frizzy hair – please do tell!)  This 300ml hair mask retails for about £3.89 depending on where you are picking it up from, so when I found it priced at just £0.40 – it was a must have!  The label recommends that you use it once a week to treat your hair, so I believe that my purchase of two tubs will last me a very long time, happy days!

I decided to chance my luck and venture further down the aisle to see if I could spot any other super bargains.  I didn’t have to travel far before I found two different types of dry hair shampoo at similar prices to the hair mask I had just found.  The Pantene and VO5 dry hair shampoos were marked down to £0.30 and £0.40, so naturally I picked up two of the VO5 products and one Pantene to try out.  Although I do tend to wash my hair on a daily basis – on the rare occasion that I do not, I like to make sure that I have the right products to make it look and feel clean.  I’m currently using Lush’s dry hair shampoo “No Drought” which I bought about 3 months ago now for £3.95.  A little goes a long way with this product, and seeing as I have at least ¾ of the bottle left, it will be a while before I actually get around to using these particular products.  The two usually retail for about £4.00 each, and so at less than fifty pence per can, I really couldn’t resist. 

After spending just £1.90 on the five different products I had just picked up (and an additional £5.00 on the shampoo I wanted), I headed straight towards Boots – eager to see if I could possibly get lucky twice and find myself something good in there too.  I checked out the hair care products first, but without much luck.  I did however then venture down the skin care section – which is where my luck appeared to continue.  Retailing for £9.99 on a usual basis, I spotted a Biotics BB Cream in my shade (light) for just £1.19!  So of course I picked it up without hesitation, regardless of the fact that I have half a tub of a BB cream and a whole tube of CC cream waiting to be used back home.  This is a product that will be used over time, and I can’t wait to try it out to see how it looks and feels on.

My shameless goodies

So after my little unexpected bargain haul, I headed home with the 6 products I had picked up, having only actually paid a total of £3.09.  None of these items were reduced due to damages -  the stock was well within its shelf and use by dates, and must have been reduced to clear for the sake of new stock or formulas coming into store. 

So my advice for you for the next time that you are shopping in your favourite beauty stores, would be to take a closer look at the products and prices surrounding your desired purchases.  You may just walk away with a whole lot more, for very little extra cash!

What’s the best beauty products you’ve managed to pick up dirt cheap?

Until the next one,

Lauren x