Hello, I am writing this blog post to talk about some tips that I would have told my past self and also to give insight into my experience of buying a home as a single woman at aged 30 in the UK. 1) Small steps will get you there The deposit saving was the longest phase of the buying process. I had hoped that I would meet someone during my twenties as it feels as though from a young age we are taught that you meet a guy, buy a house then have a family. However at the end of the day we are responsible for our lives and we can create the lives that we want if we put in enough work towards it. If you are reading this article, please do not feel alone. There are a growing number of women taking matters into their own hands and buying a property on their own. It may take a bit longer but all of the decisions are yours, you can decorate how you want and you can crea...
Hello and happy new year!
I love the possibilities of a new year and wanted to share 20 tips that have helped me have a glow up over the past year. We all have the option to make the most of our lives and I think that the key to showing up and achieving your potential starts with how you treat yourself. Glowing up is a state of mind both internally and externally. Like the lush plants and flowers in the image above we can nurture ourselves to be the best that we can be. These are products and practises that I have incorporated into my life and I hope that you find it useful.
External
1) Handbag essentials
I once had a previous partner who would always chew gum before he would kiss me and I thought that it was quite a sweet act to think about my experience. In my car and handbag I have a small box of mints, hand cream and my signature perfume so I can always give myself a little refresh before coming into contact with people.
2) Signature Perfume
Experiment with perfumes that suit your style. Are you more musky, vanilla? Or do you love bright bold floral scents? Do you prefer woody cedar scents? If you are ever in an airport I would take that time to go to the nearest perfume store and spend some time walking through the aisles and seeing what appeals to you. Be warned that you can get "nose blindness" after a while so take your time. I mix and match with Charlie Red Perfume (most complimented and is under a £10) and then for special occasions I wear Donna by Valentino.
3) Make Up Removal
I struggled with breakouts for many years and I like products that have floral scents in them. I was at lunch with some friends and one of them advised to look for products containing Salicyclic Acid (good for getting dirt out of your pores) and Niacinamide (evens out skin tone). Whenever I used to visit my grandma she had incredible skin and she always used to praise the brand Nivea. My mum also advised that makeup wipes can contain harmful chemicals and are not the best for the environment so I opted to use the following to take my makeup off each night:
Nivea Rose Water Micellar Water with oil- This has been the only micellar water that has not made me breakout and I love how gentle it is on the skin. I shake the bottle and massage a few drops and a little goes a long way.
Reusable Makeup Pads- These soft pads are ideal for gently removing make up and can be popped in the wash to be cleaned. It is also better for the environment instead of using makeup wipes.
Nivea Derma Skin Clear Wash Gel (150ml)- This product is incredible and I break out when I stop using this. You only have to use a little and it has a nice foaming effect with water and makes my skin feel very clean and fresh. I double cleanse and use Nivea rose water for the heavy lifting of my makeup and then Nivea Skin Wash Gel as the second step. Final step is using a nighttime moisturiser.
4) Hair care
I struggle with frizzy dry hair and have found that hair masks are the only way to really keep the frizz at bay. I love using Herbal Essences Rose Hair Mask as it keeps my hair looking shiny and healthy. I use it in tandem with my normal conditioner and then slather this on and keep it there for a few minutes. My experience has been that hair masks hit different that a normal conditioner. I also use a wide toothed comb to minimise hair breakage.
5) Eyelashes
I remember when I first started wearing makeup that I wished to have all the products in one like men often do :) Some mascaras boasted that they could make your lashes long whilst others advised that you would have volume. Day to day, I use two mascaras to achieve my long lash look. The first one I use is Benefit's Bad Girl Mascara. The volume that the wand gives is incredible and I love the colour. However throughout the day I noticed that it would smudge under my eyes so I also use L'Oreal Volume Million Lashes to add another layer, to separate my lashes, fan them out and also to stop my mascara from smudging. My hairdresser asked me recently what mascara I use as she said that they looked very long.
6) Face mask and eye mask
Once a week I will treat myself to a pamper night, usually on a Sunday or if I have a date coming up. I love nothing more then reading a book and putting on a face mask and letting it soak in. I love using these Korean face masks and my favourite is the blueberry and apple ones to get a nice glow. I also struggle with wrinkles under my eyes and use these Gold Eye patches to keep them at bay for the time being or if I have had a late night. Home Bargains sells them for 99p so I always make sure to stock up when I go in.
7) Foot care
Once a month I like to have a foot spa. I will get a basin, some warm water, Epsom salts and an essential oil and like tea tree oil and will soak my feet, cut my toe nails and then apply some foot lotion. The next day I feel like bouncing around on my feet as they feel healthy and clean.
8) Teeth
I will buy a whitening toothpaste when I am doing my food shopping. I heard recently that some of the first things people assess when meeting you is your teeth, hands and general appearance. I also have started flossing and find that it has helped with my overall mouth hygiene. I love the Dental Floss sticks that have a minty taste/scent and floss before brushing.
9) Grooming
I naturally have a mono brow so I use tweezers every few weeks as I prefer the way I look without one. I also have hair growth around my mouth and use to be teased as I had a prominent moustache. I use hair removal cream instead of wax strips and I have found that to be less stressful on the skin. Wax strips always used to make me break out and would leave an angry patch of skin above my lip. A previous partner also told me about using an electric shaver on my legs to avoid cuts and it has been a game changer for shaving. I still do it sporadically for special occasions (perks of being single!). For a closer shave, I have also started using men's razors and they seem to be gentler on the skin and have more panels to get a better end result. Please be careful when using any razors.
10) Gua Sha
This is an ancient technique and one that I can vouch for. It involves taking a stone and using a facial oil to gentle massage your face and help with drainage. Unfortunately the facial oil that I was using has made me breakout so I am still searching for the right one but I will keep you posted. You can also put the jade roller in the freezer and use this in the morning for a nice refreshing start to the day. I have used this Gua Sha and Jade roller set from amazon.
Internal
The outside is only temporary and the internal work is the most important part of any glow up.
11) Meditating
I absolutely adore meditating and it has changed my life. I love looking up a 10 minute meditation video on YouTube and taking time for myself each morning before I start my day. Internally I feel way more zen and it makes life easier. Please try it for 3 months :)
12) Gratitude List/Journalling
I have set up a whatsapp chat with some friends where we share 3 things that we are grateful for each day. I like the accountability but if you wish to keep it more private you can also journal on your own. Journalling is an amazing tool to reflect on what you want to achieve and also to analyse your thoughts about the world and your experiences.
13) Exercise
No list would be complete without the word exercise. I know, I know everyone mentions this but it is for good reason! Personally, I am a better human with endorphins inside me. I love the ritual of looking after my body and I have created a workout plan for myself that I plan to share on this website. However the internet and YouTube is an amazing source for an array of workouts that you can do for free from the comfort of your own home. Whether it is salsa, running, weight training, yoga, trampolining the options are endless!
14) Boundaries and Scheduling
On a Sunday I will look at the week ahead and think about what I want to schedule in. I will usually try to have at least one social activity and 4-5 exercise arrangements per week. If someone tries to encroach upon that time I will have to analyse whether it is something that I want to do and if I will enjoy it. It is important to show up for friends but try to treat your exercise and social activities as non-negotiable to live a life that you enjoy. Everyone is different so you can create the schedule that suits you.
15) Sleep Routine
This is one that I personally struggle with. I am a classic night owl and often find that night- time is the perfect time to work on projects or be productive. However the modern world is set up with the time frame of 9-5 so we need to adjust for this. I am currently trying to have a technology free zone after 9pm and using that time to read books. It is a work in progress but I know that it is something that I need to prioritise. My skin and mind is always better when I have had seven hours of sleep but everyone is different so find what works for you.
16) Hobbies
Life is for living and if you have energy to work, I always think that I should have energy to play too. Personally I enjoy reading, eating out, exercising, travelling, spending time with family and friends and watching movies. Everyone has their own list that they enjoy and I would try to make time to think about what five things that make you smile and add them into your routine. You can try volunteering, joining local clubs/gym or planning a trip with some friends. The possibilities are endless!
17) Drink more water
Drinking more water has given me way better skin and also helped with feeling fuller for longer. Often when I am hungry I will drink a big glass of water and will soon find that the hunger pangs disappear. Listen to your body and drink water in moderation.
18) Eating more fruit and veggies
One of the biggest ways to glow up is to look at what you are eating and putting into your body. The body is the house of the soul and we need to treat it as well as we possibly can. I try to keep my food as least processed as possible and by eating more fruit and vegetables you are giving your body the chance to show up the best it can day by day. Even if it is just one more portion of fruit/vegetables it all adds up.
19) Things to look forward to
When I was going through a hard time in my childhood my grandma sat me down and said that it is important to always have something to look forward to. You should always have two things to look forward to at all times, as once you have done the first event then the next one keeps you going. This advice stuck with me and has kept me hopeful when times have been difficult. This can be something like a book/tv show being released, a concert/play or even a holiday abroad. It is personal to you and what you would enjoy :)
20) Internal Talk
The way we talk to ourselves is very important and has a big impact on our day to day life experience. I am very hard on myself internally and gradually I have been trying to shift my self talk to become kinder. So if I have having a rough day I will try to say things like " Come on honey, you only have to do this one task" or "Come on, you know that you will feel amazing after a good workout, you can do it!". Over time this self talk adds up and often when I start doing one task I end up doing way more than I originally thought. Self compassion can go a long way.
I have included a picture of a Bamboo Forrest below as a reminder that these things take time. The roots of a bamboo take a few years to grow and unfold but the growth of the stem above the ground can take under six weeks. Sometimes we do not know how these little actions can add up to create an amazing life. I excited to see what the new year brings for you and hope that you found this article useful. Please be aware that the products mentioned in this article are ones that I use and you should always use your own judgement when using new products.
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