Review: Forever Aloe Scrub

I was recently approached about becoming a distributor for health and beauty brand Forever Living, a company that until a couple of months ago, I had never heard of. Before making any decisions I decided to try out a few of the products and do a little bit of background research, especially as I knew I wouldn't feel comfortable talking/blogging about products that I don't believe in.

However, after borrowing and trying out a few of a friends products, I was totally in-love and completely hooked! I found out that all the products contain Aloe Vera, and that unlike other Aloe Vera brands, Forever is the only company in the world to use pure Aloe Vera in its products, with many other brands using the leaf and other parts of the plant as well as the pure juice. By using only pure Aloe Vera, each of the Forever products are packed full of nutrients, vitamins and all natural goodness and are perfect for use on all skin types.

Forever's Aloe Scrub has to be one of my favourite Aloe products, the clever formula contains a mixture of Aloe Vera gel and all-natural microspheres of jojoba, making it perfect for gentle cleansing. Plus, with all-natural microspheres instead of the plastic-based ones found in many exfoliating products, this product is sea-life friendly and will dissolve before making its way into the sea.

Unlike facial scrubs that contain chemicals and synthetic cleansers, the all-natural Aloe Scrub protects the skin from any drying or damaging effects whilst gently lubricating and conditioning the skin, making it perfect for anyone who suffers from dry skin. Aloe Vera also has natural antibacterial qualities so if you suffer from spots or acne this face scrub is also ideal for helping to prevents breakouts!

As someone who suffers from eczema I am always wary about what I will try on my skin as there really is nothing worse than a facial eczema flare-up! As the Aloe Scrub is all natural and free of chemicals I was more than happy to try it, especially as friends of mine had mentioned just how good it is for helping to prevent facial eczema, and boy am I glad I did - since trying out the Aloe Scrub my facial eczema rarely makes an appearance, gone are the days of sore, dry and itchy skin.

Now, you may not know this but Aloe Vera has natural antibacterial qualities, making it perfect for using to help prevent spots and more serious break-outs.

My first experience trying out the Aloe Scrub was an interesting one; when I first felt the scrub its texture seemed almost drying and gritty compared to other face scrubs, however once I had applied the scrub to my face I was astounded by just how moisturising it really was, my skin felt seriously smooth and silky - this is when I fell in love!

If you would like to give Aloe Face Scrub a try you can buy it online here, or alternatively tweet, Facebook or email me for some more information.

The Recipe Read - Homemade Fro Yo

As I am still in training for my 10K Race for Life event next month, I thought I would make this week's recipe read a nice and healthy(ish) one. After some thought and consideration about the perfect recipe, I decided on homemade Frozen Yogurt as not only is it healthy and packed full of fruit, it is also a perfect treat for the gorgeous Summer weather we have recently been having!

With so many recipes for Frozen Yogurt, I honestly couldn't decide which fabulous concoction to try first, however I eventually settled on a yummy sounding Strawberry recipe* that was not only simple and easy to do, but also did not require an ice cream maker, which considering the fact I don't have one, was rather fortunate.

To create this delicious treat you will need:

455 grams of fresh Strawberries
85 grams of Caster Sugar
160 grams of Greek Yogurt
1 tsp of fresh Lemon juice
Sprinkle of Xanthan Gum (optional)

You will also need:

A set of measuring scales
1 large mixing bowl
A blender
Wooden spoon
Clingfilm
Freezable container

Method:

Begin by slicing the strawberries into thin pieces.

Then place the strawberries in the mixing bowl with the sugar, stirring until the sugar begins to dissolve. Cover with Clingfilm and leave to stand at room temperature for an hour.

Place the strawberry and sugar mixture into the blender, add the yogurt, fresh lemon juice and Xanthan Gum if using. Blend until the mixture is smooth.

Place the mixture in the fridge to chill for one hour.

After an hour place the mixture into the freezable contain and place in the freezer. Be sure to check mixture regularly, stirring every 40 minutes to help stop ice crystals forming and ruining the texture.

Once fully frozen, remove from freezer, serve and enjoy.

Helpful hint: although the Xanthan Gum is optional, it thickens the mixture and gives it a better texture, preventing ice crystals from forming. For anyone without an ice cream maker, Xanthan Gum is an excellent buy, available from Whole Foods and Sainsbury's.


*Disclaimer: this recipe originally came from twopeasandtheirpod.com but has been modified for use without an ice cream maker.

Review: L'oreal Paris Skin Perfection Day Moisturiser

After receiving a free sample pack of L'Oreal's new Skin Perfection Day Moisturiser from the good people at Cosmopolitan, I decided to write up a little review.

Aimed at women in their 20s and 30s, the new L'Oreal Skin Perfection Range aims to perfect skin quality by transforming its appearance; blurring pores, evening out skin tone and leaving skin texture smooth and hydrated.

When applying the moisturiser I found that it was easy to apply, soaking in quite quickly without leaving any sticky or oily residue, giving a matte look finish once dried - perfect for wearing alone, or ideal as a base for applying foundation.

As someone who suffers from Eczema and sensitive skin, I sometimes find that moisturisers can leave my skin looking red and feeling sore; however with L'Oreal's Skin Perfection Moisturiser this wasn't the case, instead it left my skin feeling smooth and fresh.

If you would like to try this product, it is available to buy here!

Health and Nutrition: 9 Day Detox Program

For my first Health and Nutrition post I thought I would start with the 9 Day Detox Program from Forever Living.

The Clean 9 Detox program which has been developed by an expert nutritionist, is the weight loss brain child of Aloe Vera company Forever Living. The 9-day cleanse and weight loss program encourages the body to rid itself of harmful toxins, allowing a safe and healthy weight loss of between 7 and 14IBS

As I said previously, I do not in any way support fad-diets or dangerous weight loss plans, however as the Clean 9 Detox is formulated by a top nutritionist and is also endorsed by doctors, it is clear that it is a safe and healthy body detox and weight loss program that is suitable for anyone over 18.

Having recently been featured in lifestyle magazines OK and Cosmopolitan, the Clean 9 Detox is currently an incredibly popular program that is guaranteed to improve your general health, hair and skin complexion, whilst aiding weight loss.

Incase you are wondering how it all works, let me just explain...

The program is split into two parts; for the first three days of the cleanse you drink only the specially formulated shakes, whilst taking Aloe Vera Gelly, then for the final six days of the program you have shakes, Aloe Vera Gelly and a 600 calorie meal of your choice each evening, which can be anything from a side salad, to a small bowl of spaghetti bolognaise.

Although going three days without eating a solid meal sounds extremely difficult, the shakes themselves are actually incredibly filling, so if you are doing the detox you shouldn't feel too hungry!

The Clean 9 Detox has been proven to have fantastic results again and again, and has become something of a beacon of hope for anyone struggling to kick start weight loss. So if you are over 18 and struggling with your weight, why not give Clean 9 a chance to give you a helping hand - after all, what have you got to loose, except those extra pounds of course!

If you are interested in taking part in the Clean 9 Detox please feel free to get in contact with me, as I am a Forever Living Distributor and so can provide advice and help you place an order. Please contact me via twitter @bethmahoney92, or comment on here and I will get back to you - promise!

thumbs for fashion: Health and Nutrition

Partly due to my Race for Life 10K training program, diet plan and health kick, I decided to start a new weekly series on the blog, based purely on health and nutrition.

As someone who has always been exercise phobic, picture the girl from school who would hide in the loos or forge an injury note just to miss double P.E and that's me, so all this training is basically brand new for me.

However, I have always been a diet and nutrition geek, trying out every diet under the sun, from the Cabbage Soup Diet to the Celebrity Slim Milkshake Diet, and so have always had an interest in this side of things. Plus, with my fiancé an aspiring Personal Trainer, I am pretty well informed on health, fitness and nutrition these days.

[Please note, I am not in any way endorsing dangerous fad-diets, in fact today I am very anti them and prefer to eat healthily and stay active, or as active as any exercise hater can be!]

For my first health and nutrition post just watch this space.

Review: L'occitane Ultra Rich Body Cream, Orange Honey

Anyone who reads my blog regularly will know that I am a real L'occitane lover, with what some would call a growing obsession with their products. (Disclaimer: I honestly can't seem to help myself, they're just so luxurious and pretty much, perfect in every way.)

I should probably mention here that (a small) part of the reason I love the L'occitane products so much, is the design and décor of the packaging. You see, I am a major design geek with a love of anything pretty, chic, or ever so slightly vintage, and L'occitane's curiously different packaging style totally meets the criteria, making me, ever so slightly, more obsessed!

I must admit that although I am a fan of all of the Ultra Rich Body Creams, the orange honey one is my absolute favourite, purely because of its gorgeous smell and long lasting fragrance.

When you initially open the lid of this cream, the first thing you notice is the gorgeous smell; it's fruity, fresh and downright divine, and absolutely perfect for smothering yourself in before a night out, a date or if you're feeling special, perhaps even for a day at the office.

With 25% Shea Butter, L'occitane's Ultra Rich Body Cream is thick, smooth and incredibly creamy making it just perfect for protecting and nourishing skin. Plus, with its quick soaking in time and lack of sticky residue, as well as its ability to soothe my Eczema despite the fact it's scented, which any Eczema suffer knows is normally a big no no, L'occitane's Ultra Rich Body Cream is most definitely worth the money.

If you would like to try this product, why not visit your local L'occitane or you can buy it here.

Inside my Make-up Bag

I have recently seen quite a few fashion and beauty bloggers doing posts on their favourite make-up bag items, which by the way, is an idea that I absolutely love, especially when they introduce me to new products - eek! So, as I am such a fan I thought that I would give it a go myself and share the contents of my make-up bag with the rest of the blogsphere...

 

Although it is slightly on the small side, I do just about manage to squeeze all my favourite products into it, on the bright side its smaller size means that it doesn't weigh down my handbag, which is always a bonus.

It's small size aside, the reason I've compromised with this make-up bag is purely because I love its floral print design and its easily wipeable surface - it might sound mad but material make-up bags are just too much effort, especially when you're always spilling foundation like me.

 

 



A quick guide to what is in my make-up bag (going from top left to right): Barbara Daly Foundation, Celline Concealer stick, Rimmel Match Perfection Foundation, Rimmel Fix and Perfect Primer, Rimmel Lasting Finish Lipstick (colour: Tantrum), Maybelline Rocket Volume Express Mascara, Rimmel Clear Complexion Powder (clear), eyelash curlers, Rimmel Kohl Eyeliner, Maybeline Blush'em, powder brush, sharpener, tweezers, L'occitane Dry Skin Hand Cream, and L'occitane Cherry Blossom Hand Cream.

In case you are wondering what makes these products make-up bag essential, let me just explain why each and everyone of these products are total lifesavers;

Barbara Daly Foundation: I just love this foundation, it's light and easy to apply, doesn't dry your skin out and best of all, it's oil-free - perfect for any oily skin suffers! Its light coverage smooths and levels out your complexion, giving a natural look that is perfect for summer. Available to buy here. (For a more in-depth review have a read of this).

 

Celline Concealer Stick: I'll admit that normally I would always buy a Rimmel cover-up stick, however, when I saw this on sale I couldn't resist giving it a go. Providing a smooth, creamy, light coverage this concealer is perfect for me as I rarely suffer from spots and blemishes, however it isn't exactly practical for covering up spots when they do occur - although great for covering dark circles and small marks, this concealer doesn't seem to be made for anything more.

 

 

Rimmel Match Perfection Foundation: As this foundation provides quite thick and long-lasting coverage, I tend to use it primarily for non-day-to-day wear, so for nights out and other events. However, its SPF 18 protection would also make it ideal for daytime use - available to buy here.

Rimmel Fix and Perfect Primer: Unlike many Primer's currently on the market, Rimmel Fix and Perfect is not skin coloured, and so, although it has many excellent qualities, I have found that it doesn't look great worn without foundation, despite what the bottles says. However, I do absolutely love the silky smooth feel of this product, as well as its skin smoothing ability, and its brightening and matifying results. Plus, its low price makes it a fabulous bargain - available to buy here!

Rimmel Lasting Finish Lipstick (colour: Tantrum): Although I don't tend to wear lipstick on a regular basis, I do love the colour and feel of Rimmel's lip products. I just love the bold eye-catching colour that makes Tantrum the perfect colour for nights out and other dressy events, as well as to simply brighten up any day-to-day outfit. (Buy it here!)

Maybelline Rocket Volume Express Mascara: With its jet glide brush and smooth, clump free formula, the quick and easy application of this is amazing, giving massive volume with just a few strokes. What I love most about this mascara is the ease of application and the excellent results from just one application - perfect for the morning rush! (You can buy it here.)

Rimmel Clear Complexion Powder: For someone like me who suffers from incredibly shiny skin, Rimmel's Clear Complexion Powder is an absolute god-send! It works perfectly with pretty much any foundation to help matify and control shine, and best of all, unlike many other pressed powders, its translucent colour means there is no cakey-looking powder residue - for best results I would suggest applying with a powder brush, instead of a sponge! (You can buy it here!)



I had a little accident and dropped my powder but hey ho, it still works the same!


Rimmel Kohl Eyeliner (brown): As someone with naturally pale skin, I always find that black eyeliners wash me out, so as a rule I always stick to a dark brown. Of all the products in my make-up bag, this is most definitely one of my favorites as  I just love the versatile options the eyeliner pencil offers; unlike gel and liquid liners the pencil allows me to choose just how subtle I would like to make my eyeliner. Of course the downside to pencil eyeliner if the smudge factor, however a little trick I use to set my eyeliner in place, is to sweep a small amount of Rimmel Clear Complexion powder under my eyes, this keeps the area dry and pretty much smudge free! (You can buy it here!)

 

 

 Maybelline Blush'em: This mini pallete is perfect for subtly adding a little bit of colour to my often pale cheeks, the two-toned colour of the pallete makes it an excellent product for contouring and highlighting. (You can buy it here!)

 L'occitane Dry Hand Cream and L'occitane Cherry Blossom Hand Cream: These hand creams are both essential make-up bag items; highly moisturizing, quick to soak in, and of course, they smell absolutely amazing. I must admit that although a little on the pricey side, I am a real fan of L'occitane, I just love how moisturizing and high quality all their products seem to be.

 So there you have it, a comprehensive guide to each of my make-up bag essentials - if you have any questions or suggestions please do comment below and I will do my very best to get back to you!