Get Up & Get Out – How to Wake Up Early and Get Ready Quickly

Dec 28, 2019

If you dream of the day you’ll spring out of bed and breeze out of the house in twenty minutes, you’re in luck! In this guide, we’ll bring you tried-and-tested tips and tricks to help you get up and get out without the drama.

Does the sound of your alarm send a shiver down your spine? You’re not alone! Waking up is a lot of people’s least favourite part of the day, particularly throughout the winter months, when the mornings are colder, darker, and altogether unappealing. If you’re waking up in the mornings feeling extremely groggy and unenergetic, however, there are some things that you can do to improve the start of your day.

When you’ve got your wakeup nailed down, it’s time to streamline your routine. With a little thought and preparation, it’s super-easy to cut down the steps you take towards skincare and beauty in the morning. We’ll get to that later – first thing’s first, here’s how to make waking up easier.

The benefits of waking up early

If you can start your day on a positive note, you’re more likely to have a great one. That’s why it’s so important that you can wake up and get ready without rushing around and getting stressed. Here are some of the benefits of waking up early:

• You’re more likely to eat breakfast, which we all know is the most important meal of the day!
• The morning is a great time to exercise when there aren’t any social commitments or excuses to get in the way. Your morning workout can help you feel energised all day long
• When you wake up early, you have a chance to switch on before you get to work
• You’ll have time to focus on tasks without interruptions, while the rest of the world is asleep
• If you wake up early, you’ll be sleepier when bedtime comes around again

How to wake up early in the morning

Lifestyle is the key to feeling fresh and energised in the morning. If you’re used to drinking alcohol or eating unhealthily right up until bedtime, your sleep cycle is likely to suffer. Not only might you be depriving yourself of a deep, restorative sleep, but you’re also less likely to enjoy waking up than you might if you changed your habits.

Try some of these lifestyle changes for increased energy levels in the morning:

• Stay hydrated – drink at least eight glasses of water a day to improve sleep quality and energy the next day
• Stop eating a few hours before bedtime. Late dinners and snacking can disrupt sleep, and leave you feeling groggy in the morning
• Avoid alcohol if you have an early morning ahead
• Avoid caffeine in the afternoon
• Stay away from your phone and laptop before bed. Blue light and over-stimulation can disrupt your sleep. Try reading or listening to a podcast instead

While some of these changes might not suit your lifestyle, making just a couple of them can work wonders for your sleep quality and how easy it is to wake up in the morning. Not to mention, these healthy lifestyle choices can improve your health and help you carry your morning energy right through the day.

Changing your lifestyle can make a huge difference when it comes to your sleep and overall energy levels. Still fighting to get out of bed? There’s more you can do if you live a clean life and you’re still struggling to wake up. Try out these techniques to make getting out of bed easier than ever:

• Keep to a consistent sleep schedule, particularly through your working week. Try to stick to a rough bedtime and wake time every day, and your body will be less surprised when your alarm rings in the morning
• Put out your clothes the night before to make the getting ready process easier
• Never hit snooze! When you press the snooze button, your body is tricked into thinking it’s about to fall back into a deep sleep, making it even more difficult to wake up ten minutes later
• Don’t check your phone while you’re still in bed. Get up, get ready, then enjoy your scroll – you’ve earnt it!
• Let more natural light get into your bedroom by keeping the blinds open or with the help of a sunrise alarm clock
• Find something that motivates you to get out of bed. Whether it’s an early workout, a walk with your dog or even just a breakfast you love, starting your day with something you enjoy can make all the difference

How to get ready quickly in the morning

You’re up, and you’ve made it to the bathroom. The hard part is over, now all that’s left to do is get ready for your day. Whether you’re pushed for time every morning or you’ve slept through your alarm and eaten into your getting-ready window, ensuring your morning routine is as stress-free and streamlined as possible can help make mornings happier.

Streamline your morning skincare routine

When it comes to cutting back your morning skincare routine, the key is the products you choose. Your morning routine should focus on cleansing and protection. Save your treatments, masks, and creams for evening, when you can really make the most of them. Keep it quick in the morning with these simple steps:

1. Wash your face with a gentle cleanser
2. Apply a moisturiser with sunscreen (one product is better than two!)

That’s all you need! Ensuring your face is clean and protected before you move onto your makeup can help cut back the time you spend getting ready and keep your skin clear of excess product.

Remember to move quickly. There’s no need to mess around while you perform your morning skincare routine, just get in and get it done – the whole process shouldn’t take longer than five minutes.

Streamline your daily makeup routine

The part of our morning routine that can take the longest is, of course, makeup. Whether you’re trying to cover a breakout or working on perfecting your signature cat-eye, some parts of the makeup routine can eat up time without you realising.

The best way to keep your morning makeup routine quick is to keep it simple. We love dramatic full coverage makeup as much as the next person, but when it comes to early mornings, we’d rather have an extra half-an-hour in bed than a perfectly blended eye. Try cutting your makeup routine back to these basics and see how much extra time you have in the mornings.

A natural-looking makeup routine for every day:

1. Apply a sheer foundation or tinted moisturiser with your hands. This step should only take a couple of seconds
2. Dab concealer under your eyes and on any blemishes, working the product in with your fingers.
3. Apply cream blush to your cheeks and lips, targeting two birds with one stone!
4. Add a swipe of mascara
5. Comb through your eyebrows with a translucent or tinted gel

Of course, you might want to add or remove a couple of steps. The way you do your makeup is personal, we get it. This five-minute routine is just an example of how easy everyday makeup application can be!

Streamline your morning hairstyling routine

Hairstyling can be as quick or as lengthy as you want it to be. The trick is preparation and knowing what works and what doesn’t. If you know you’re going to want your curly hair smoothed down in the morning, consider styling it the night before. You can blow out your hair or run the straighteners over it before bed, then sleep with it in a soft, low bun or ponytail to hold the style.

Another great way to minimise your morning hairstyling is to nail a couple of easy styles that work for your hair. A quick bun, plait, or ponytail can disguise messy hair and should only take a couple of minutes with enough practice. It’s nice to style your hair properly sometimes, but keeping it simple means less heat damage and more relaxed mornings – win-win!

Looking for more skincare and beauty tips? Keep exploring our blog for all the latest in skincare, makeup, beauty, and fragrance.

Understanding Hyaluronic Acid in Skincare

Dec 26, 2019

The skincare industry is evolving, and with it, the types of products we’re seeing on shelves and in our rotation. Gone are the days when a colourful package or a designer label were enough. We want more from our products in every way. More science, more information, and more results!

Because it’s changing so quickly, the skincare game is becoming increasingly difficult to understand. With more brands than ever focusing on single proven ingredients to target our skin’s problems, knowing how to choose the best ones for you is more important than ever.

Our choices are expanding, with more and more products becoming available to target a range of niche skincare issues. Hyaluronic acid is one ingredient we’re seeing a lot of, and it seems like influencers are urging us to try hyaluronic miracle products at every scroll.

Of course, you have questions. What’s the big deal? Is hyaluronic acid safe? What does it to? There’s plenty to know before you start slathering it onto your skin, and we’re here with the answers. The good news is, hyaluronic acid is just as great as they say, and it’s super-affordable too!

What is hyaluronic acid?

First up, we know it doesn’t sound like something you should put on your face. So many of our favourite skincare products are about soothing, calming, creaminess, and that’s great. While hyaluronic acid might sound scary, that couldn’t be further from the truth.

For many of us, hyaluronic acid is the secret to smoother, better-hydrated skin. Skin produces it naturally to maintain a proper moisture balance, but it can be hard to produce enough because of things like ageing, weather, and other environmental factors. When hyaluronic acid lacks, skin’s appearance can suffer.

Hyaluronic acid is important for the skin to maintain a good level of hydration by holding moisture. When you apply it straight onto your skin, it works like a magnet for moisture, helping your cells hold as much as possible and making skin’s surface appear well-plumped and healthy.

How does hyaluronic acid work?

Another good question! A single drop of hyaluronic acid can hold a much larger amount of water. This miracle product (yes, we’re calling it that) can hold up to 1,000 times its own weight in water. It can also regulate the amount of moisture taken in by cells, which means the ingredient won’t overhydrate your skin.

When you apply a drop of hyaluronic acid onto a slightly damp face, you’re essentially locking that moisture into your skin to absorb as necessary. Sounds good, right?

What are the benefits of hyaluronic acid?

There are plenty of reasons to be using hyaluronic acid. The main benefits are as follows:

• Hydrated skin feels softer and appears more radiant
• When skin is well-hydrated, fine lines and wrinkles are less visible
• It works for any skin type! Because it’s a natural ingredient, you can use it whether you have dry, oily, or combination skin

Is hyaluronic acid safe?

Would we recommend it if it wasn’t? Hyaluronic acid is totally safe, don’t be scared by the name. Like other types of acid, it doesn’t strip anything away or cause damage to skin’s natural balance. Hyaluronic acid simply hydrates.

Is hyaluronic acid right for my skin?

Honestly, hyaluronic acid is right for all skin. No matter what your skin type or what you’re trying to achieve, adding hyaluronic acid to your routine can work wonders.

If you’re concerned about the effects of ageing on your skin, try hyaluronic acid to improve hydration and elasticity. If you think your skin is dry or dehydrated, don’t hesitate! A drop of hyaluronic acid a day can banish dullness and give your skin the plump appearance you’ve been dreaming of.

The best hyaluronic acid products to add to your routine

There are plenty of ways to add hyaluronic acid to your skincare routine, whether you’d prefer a serum, a mask, or a moisturiser. Choose the products that work for you and start making the most of this wonder ingredient!

Hyaluronic acid face masks

• Nuage Aloe Vera & Hyaluronic Acid Face Mask
• Nuage Hyaluronic Acid Face Mask
• Revuele 3D Hyaluron Black Peel Off Facial Mask
• Thalgo Hyaluronic Mask 50ml
• Skin Republic Hyaluronic Acid+Collagen Face Mask 25ml

Hyaluronic acid eye treatments

• Avant Skincare 3-1 Hyaluron-Filler Collagen Eye Formula 10ml
• Thalgo Hyaluronic Eye Patch Mask 8×2

Hyaluronic acid creams and serums

• Cougar Hyaluronic Acid Facial Oil With White Truffle 30ml

Hyaluronic acid combines with white truffle oil, an ingredient that’s known for its medicinal values. White truffle is made up of 73% water, as well as calcium, potassium, and magnesium. This product stimulates cell repair and helps fight signs of ageing.

• Elemental Herbology Hyaluronic Booster Plus 30ml

This serum helps give dry, dull complexions a boost. As well as hyaluronic acid, apple extract helps improve skin tone and texture, while olive squalene accelerates cell growth.

• Avant Skincare Supreme Hyaluronic Acid Moisturiser 50ml

This duo moisturiser combines hyaluronic acid with vitamin c and avocado oil. It penetrates deep into the skin to hydrate and improves the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.

• Avant Skincare Hyaluronic Acid Resurfacing Moisturiser 50ml

This age-defying resurfacing cream is great for use in the day or night, helping to tighten skin and reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. With hyaluronic acid, shea butter, and sweet almond oil, this cream helps hydrate and keeps skin feeling young and supple.

• The Organic Pharmacy Hyaluronic Acid Serum 30ml

This hyaluronic acid serum targets fine lines and wrinkles, and plumps and hydrates skin to make it appear firmer and more elastic.

• Avant Skincare Hyaluronic Acid Face & Eye Night Cream 50ml

This anti-ageing moisturiser targets the eye area. It’s formed with hyaluronic acid to hydrate deeply, while other ingredients help improve the appearance of enlarged pores, uneven skin tone, dullness, and weakened skin surface.

• Avant Skincare Hyaluronic Acid Replenishing Lip Serum 8.5ml

A hyaluronic acid lip serum? Yes, please! This product is designed to plump and intensely nourish lips without feeling heavy or sticky.

• Thalgo Hyaluronic Cream 50ml

Thalgo Hyaluronic Cream rejuvenates the skin, helping to reduce the appearance of fine lines and fill in wrinkles.

Sold on hyaluronic acid? We thought so! Add this ingredient to your skincare routine in one way or another and start reaping its hydrating benefits. We’re sure you’ll be glad you did.

Looking for more skincare and beauty tips? Keep exploring our blog for all the latest in skincare, makeup, beauty, and fragrance.

How to Hide a Hangover

Dec 24, 2019

It’s that time of year where desk prosecco and late nights become the norm, combined with all the amazing Christmas food that’s surrounding us constantly, our skin can take a bit of a battering!

You’ve had a great night, knocked back one too many glasses of sauvignon and you’re definitely not alone… but now we can barely keep our eyes open come 8am and falling asleep sat up.

We’ve decided to put together our top tips to make it LOOK at though you’re feeling all bright and sparky when, in reality, you’re definitely not…

1. Wash your face

Chances are you got home stupidly late last night and didn’t run through your usual 3 step skincare routine. We’ve all been there! But this is horrendous for your skin, to make up for it now, use a really good quality cleanser to give your face a good wash. Getting rid of all the makeup and grime is the perfect place to start to help make your skin look a little fresher.

We love the Elemis Superfood Facial Wash

• Rehydrate

We all know alcohol is super dehydrating, it literally robs your skin of any moisture and in turn makes you look dull, dry and tired. Make sure in the morning you’re getting as much water into your body as possible, it’s also a great idea to include electrolytes. They are a blend of sodium and minerals which help your body hold onto water. Coconut water is full of natural electrolytes so that’s a great choice!

• Moisturise

Get that big moisture hit straight into your skin! Hydrating is the key component to recovering from a hangover so using a thick, ultra-hydrating moisturiser on your face will help give your skin a pick me up.

We love the AHAVA Mineral Radiance Cream SPF15

• Eye Treatment

Tired, puffy and red eyes are a huge tell-tale sign of a hangover. Find yourself a fatigue busting eye cream that has lots of vitamin c in it, this will help make your eyes look a bit brighter!

We love the Dermalogica Intensive Eye Repair

• Use a primer before makeup

With a hangover you might want to slap on some makeup before you leave the house to conceal any sins. Using a primer before your foundation will help in the steps to hide any imperfection. Particularly a hydrating primer will help keep your skin hydrated throughout the day as well as giving you a smoother base.

We love the Sleek Hydrating Primer

• Concealer is your best friend

Concealer is the one product you can’t live without when trying to hide a hangover. It works to hide any under eye bags, cover pesky blemishes and colour correct dullness. Look for a creamy concealer that is hydrating and brightening.

We love the Rimmel Lasting Radiance Concealer

• Choose a bold lip

The best tip to hide a hangover is adding a bold lip! Distraction is the best form of concealment!

We love the Bourjois Rouge Edition Velvet Liquid Lipstick

We hope these tips help get you through the festive period, we’ll definitely be using them!