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The Lifestyle Lady
  • Home
  • Beauty
    • Hair
    • Makeup
    • Skin Care
  • Decor
  • Editorial
  • Family
  • Food
    • Baking
    • Meal Planning
    • Recipe
  • Lifestyle
    • Gift Guide
    • Health & Fitness
    • Organizing
  • Style
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Category:

Skin Care

Skin Care

Holy Hand Cream

by thelifestylelady March 12, 2020

Howdy Y’all,

How are you? Or is that a crass question at this particular time? I don’t know, I feel that my usual calm measured approach is inappropriate given the fighting I witnessed in the canned goods aisle of my grocery store today, or that they have extended my daughter’s Spring Break another week. I am unsure what it says about me that I found the usual mundain trip to the grocery store fascinating, and not simply because people were fighting over toilet roll (I didn’t think issues with your innards were a consequence of the dreaded Covid, but alas a lady stopped me to say there was not a roll to be seen in a 15 mile radius, imagine how they coped in the World Wars.) I was more struck by what people deem to be essential goods worth fighting for in times of panic; and to my delight/ relief and then later perplexment, I found all I needed. Rest assured, if like my family you eat pasta of the whole wheat variety, the shelves were well stocked. Similarly, if you prefer organic chicken come to my local store you will not go hungry.

One consequence of this now-pandemic Corona virus is the new phenomenon of…. wait for it… WASHING YOUR HANDS. The hysteria in the hand wash aisle does make me consider what the hell did people do before? Then I quickly think it is best not to ponder. I did blow a young couples’ mind today when I politely suggested they look in their underwear drawer for that old bar of soap your granny gave you for Christmas, which someone told you makes your undies smell good. Why not fish that out to use, or alternatively use washing up liquid/dish soap, shampoo, or body wash? That’s when I saw the lights go off. I do wonder if millennials know what soap is for? My daughter always looks bewildered when we visit my parents and finds bars of soap instead of liquid dispensers. Less plastic waste I remind myself. This brings me to the end of my ramble and the point of the post. Let’s pretend that we are not new to the handwashing experience but we are simply increasing the amount of times we are washing, I definitely am. If, like me, you buy your handwash for the fragrance and the beauty of the bottle, then of course you have to buy the accompanying hand cream, and in the natural way the wash finishes and maybe only one third of the hand cream has gone. With variety being the spice of life I seldom want to buy the same handwash again and of course I cannot have a mismatch of wash and cream, which Mr L does not understand and I think is bloody obvious. Please let me know if you are one of the poeple who uses the handcream everytime their hands hit water? In all seriousness the handcreams are usually rubbish and find themselves in the garbage.

I have suffered with eczema and other delightful skin conditions all my life and changes in the environment bother it most. Increased washing casuses dryness and red patches especially under your rings where product and water tend to sit. My mother was only complaining of said issue this week and my lightbulb went off to share with y’all TLL essential hand items to get us through the next months:-

TLL BEST HAND CREAM

Eucerin Advanced Repair Hand Cream

Best drug/grocery store hand cream by a country mile, cheap and very hydrating. It does leave a film on your hands which is not uncomfortable and keeps hydrating for a long period after application. You can also buy the cream in the tub which is richer in texture. You can buy this everywhere and it is well worth having several in your handbag and car.

Chanel LA CRÈME MAIN TEXTURE RICHE

This is a treat and it looks gorgeous on your nightstand. Like everything Chanel it exudes quality and you won’t be disappointed, it has little fragrance and leaves the hands feeling nourished and hydrated. My only bust is with the amount of hand cream I am using at the moment I prefer to use this last thing at night. Also note that this is the “texture riche”, they do a less intense version but for me this is the one. Apparently the packaging was designed by a NASA engineer for optimal comfort. I will leave that with you.

Kiehl’s Ultimate Strength Hand Salve

I would argue that Kiehl’s are one of the best brands of body care you can buy and the hand cream is one of the finest. If you wash your own dishes or garden (heaven forbid) then I would argue this is a must. A solid price and a stocking filler for all.

Elizabeth Arden 8 Hour Skin Protectant

There is not enough time for me to write about why every person should have this in their repertoire, if you have been a follower for a while you will know that I consider this a holy grail product. Scars, chaps, burns, eczema, dryness – in fact all skin conditions – this stuff is a little tube of wonder. It is magic and Elizabeth Arden’s best selling product. The stuff is so good they have never changed the recipe since its creation in 1930. The other wonder is a tube will last forever. I am never without one in my purse, it works supremely on lips, eyebrows, elbows and children’s boo boos. Just ask my mama, she had red soreness from washing her hands, applied this and voila, major improvement. Bite the bullet.

So there we go, something for everyone. Please don’t let your hands get sore, give one of these a try, you won’t regret it. Here I am just helping the war effort. Please keep as well as you can and remember WASH YOUR HANDS! (and moisturize afterwards)

Kate x

March 12, 2020 2 comments
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BeautySkin CareUncategorized

HydraFacial

by thelifestylelady June 29, 2018

Howdy Y’all,

Happy Friday, wow this week has flown by, yesterday I took a timeout and went for a little pampering. I love a facial and it would be my desert island beauty treatment. A facial can transform your skin and how you feel. When your a mum or have a busy life making time to have a little pampering is often difficult so you want it to be good. My thoughts on those who don’t like facials is you either haven’t found the right treatment or the right person. It is that simple. I have come out before feeling a little let down by the money taken and the result and that is not a good feeling. So when you get the right combination keep it up. I have wanted to try a HydraFacial for an absolute age but hadn’t had the time or inclination to do the research, well now I have.

What is a facial?

A facial is a multi step beauty treatment for your face conducted by an esthetician. A facial generally includes cleansing, exfoliating ,extracting, masking and nurturing the skin. The objective is to assist with skin concerns which can be a wide range from skin complaints like acne or rosacea etc. to anti-ageing with a primary focus on creating clear, clean and hydrated skin.

Why Facial?

A good facial is an essential part of an effective skin regime. It clears pores in a way cleansing at home can not , diagnoses skin issues which can change with age, climate and lifestyle. A skilled esthetician can help you with a skin regime suited for your skin type. The lights and equipment make them able to see your skin at a microscopic level and assist in diagnosing issues and guide you on effective products more than a person at a beauty counter. Finally they can perform extractions properly, whether it is blackheads (we all have them,) milia or regular spots they can assist in their removal without scaring and no God awful pore strip in sight.

How Often?

A good facialist will say to see great results you should visit them monthly and honestly that is not always practical financially or schedule wise, so my answer is get them when you can. An annual facial is better that no facial, plus they make awesome gifts.

Why HydraFacial?

A HydraFacial is a  new gentle treatment, it is the latest offering in non laser skin resurfacing. It combines cleansing, exfoliating, extracting and hydrating products into  your skin. It does this with the use of a small machine with high suction which works like a vacuum. The suction absorbs dead skin, clears and extracts blocked pores. The HydraFacial is effective for all skin types including sensitive skin and can assist and treat all skin needs and issues. It leaves you with clearer, cleaner and more beautiful skin with a limited recovery time.

My thoughts and results.

After doing lots of research and reading reviews I decided to visit a med spa within walking distance of my home. I was not disappointed, my esthetician Heidi was a lady older than me who had terrific skin, looked and dressed well. I always feel more comfortable when the person performing procedures looks like I would like to. She was not heavily made up with too many procedures and her professionalism in her work was similar to her appearance, excellent. She was incredibly knowledgeable and careful. I really appreciated the time she took to explain each step of the procedure and she  did extra extraction without the machine (removed a few of those beastly milia.) The extraction pain was minimal discomfort. The whole procedure was painless, it is not as relaxing as other facials mainly because of the noise of the machine but that did not concern me as I could feel the benefits. I got particular satisfaction from the machine extraction because it feels a little like a scrubber on a saucepan and I knew it was cleaning and clearing those pores. At times I could feel my cheeks flushing in particular and you will see that in the pictures below, that is expected for me as I have sensitive skin and slight rosacea. Heidi talked me through and explained how I could change and add to my regime to help with the issues. I was pleased to hear she felt my regime was working very well and that my skin was hydrated with minimal lines. All the hard work is paying off, I enjoyed chatting through some of my skin care concerns and how I felt my skin had changed since we had moved to the more humid climate of the Houston. One thing I found remarkably satisfying is to see the dirty liquid sucked from you face, I enclose a photo for those of you mad enough. The sediment is things stuck in my pores – gross. As I left my skin felt warm and I did have redness, but my skin felt glowing and it never felt dry or tight. The redness went down very quickly and I attach photos immediately after, after about an hour where you can see some dried skin cells on my face and then about two hours later when I had washed my face and reapplied sun screen. I am writing his approx six hours later and my skin feels clean and wonderful. I can’t wait for the next one!

before

Before the procedure, my skin was looking a little dull, tired and I had some minor congestion.

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A closeup on a problem area, milia, sun spots and pigment.

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The gunk taken from my face, Heidi is highlighting the sediment.

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The color of the extracted liquid

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The amount of liquid

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My face straight after the procedure. Lots of redness in the cheekbone area.

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About one hour after, you can see a few dead skin cells and white stuff left on my face.

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A closeup after treatment, still a little red but it is glowing and looks cleaner and more hydrated

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Picture about three hours later, after I washed my face in cool water and added sunscreen, Thrilled with the results. Skin looks cleaner, fresher and more hydrated. I could almost pass as 50- lol.

Have any questions please get in touch. Have you tried a HydraFacial? Have I inspired you. It is so important to take care of our skin.

Happy Weekend Friends.

Kx

 

 

 

 

 

June 29, 2018 1 comment
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BeautyMakeupSkin CareUncategorized

My Summer Makeup Refresh

by thelifestylelady June 21, 2018

Howdy Y’all,

So we are experiencing record temperatures early this summer in Texas. Last week my car was reading 108oc and we are only in June. This heat combined with my daughter home for the summer means that I have a slightly different lifestyle and therefore requirements of my cosmetics. If you have followed me for a while you will know that I am a fan of reviewing your cosmetics routine at the start of every season, after all you don’t wear the same clothes in winter as you do in summer so why would you do the same with skincare and makeup? As I mature I am noticing that my skin has very different needs in each season and how I respond to this can really change how my skin looks and feels. Whether you are like me and live in unbearable heat or are about to enjoy a summer holiday  I wanted to share with you some of the holly grail products I have found which are quick (who has the time?) sustainable in the heat and do what is required.

Even if you follow my strict policy of wearing sunscreen at all times, your skin tone changes during the summer months. The vast majority of people will drop at least one shade in foundation and concealer. So it is always worth checking, the wrong color can be ageing and nobody got time for that!!!  The need for a full coverage foundation is not necessary in the summer, unless you have blemishes  you have to cover. The summer is time to celebrate our skin tone and its beautiful to see freckles, a light BB or CC is perfect for the vast majority in the summer.

Like the winter, the skins exposure to extreme elements like heat, humidity, sand, salt and air conditioning to name a few really alters your skins texture. Often you will think your skin is greasier as you sweat and perspire (we all glow) but actually more often than not your skin is actually dry and dehydrated (combination skin.) For me my skin can not get enough of hydrating products and I lean much more to cream products in summer. It is only my finishing powder which is a powder product. I think that dewy cream finish is lighter for the summer and gives a more youthful glow (who doesn’t want that?!)

Here is what I am using and loving this summer.

summermakeuo

Supergoop Serum 

  • If you take nothing more from this post than this, sunscreen is the most important thing you can do for your skin, it should be applied everyday rain or shine. I am a strong advocate of a separate/stand alone sunscreen application even if your face product contains SPF.
  • I love Supergoop, it is not heavy or sticky and absorbs into your skin. I find it works well for most sensitive skins.
  • Supergoop only make products for skin protection from the sun which I thinks speaks volumes to the quality.

Clarins SOS Primer

  • This is not essential but it diminishes redness for an even looking skin tone. I find in the sun the red pigment of my skin can come through and this helps.

It Cosmetics CC Cream

  • This is a fantastic CC cream, it gives good coverage and has strong lasting power even when in and out of the pool.
  • It also contains an SPF 50 which combined with a separate sunscreen will provide you a high SPF coverage.

Bobbi Brown Serum Concealer

  • Regardless of season this is a LL love. When exposing your skin to the summer elements the serum inside the concealer gives added moisture to the eye area which is nourishing. It prevents that dried and cakey look that some concealers can.

Bobbi Brown Cream Shadow Stick

  • In the heat I can not be bothered to do elaborate eye makeup. I want to apply something easy which will hold all day and I find these are brilliant.
  • They come in various colors and both matte or shimmer.
  • They don’t require brushes which make them fantastic for travel.

Beauty Counter Volumizing Mascara

  • I spend much of the summer either swimming or sweating. I also live in an area where allergies/pollen are rampant, as a result I find by the end of the day I am wearing most my mascara on my under eyes.
  • I did feel that in the summer months I wanted to find a more natural mascara. I have been trying several items in the Beauty Counter range and I can honestly tell you I have been very impressed with this mascara. It is a little dryer in texture and therefore requires a little more work in application but it lasts well and I have no fall out. It also feels good to think that it does not have any nasties or chemicals near my eyes.

Beauty Counter Color Pinch Cream Blusher

  • I mentioned earlier that during the summer I prefer cream products. I was looking for a cream blush and decided to try Beauty Counter. I have been impressed, highly pigmented, beautiful packaging and has strong longevity.

NYX Wonder Pencil

  • To all mums and tired people everywhere, regardless of season this is a must. Place this along your waterline and you will look like you have had 8+ hours sleep.

Anastasia Tinted Brow Gel

  • Eyebrow grooming is essential. This tints, fills, grooms and lasts all days.

Beauty Counter Sheer Lipstick

  • Great variety of colors and buildable.

Beauty Counter Lip Gloss

  • Great glosses and all natural.

Supergoop 100% mineral setting powder

  • Love this product, it is a finishing powder with SPF. It sets your makeup and prevents shine. The wonderful design with retractable brush means it is easy to carry with you and you whip out reapply and remove any shine or add SPF.
  • It comes in a variety of shades or translucent like I have.

Fresh Sugar Lip Treatment

  • Been bashing on about these for an age, great shade range, so comfortable and nourishing. Plus they contain SPF.

NYX Illuminating Stick

  • These come in a variety of shades and add a slight highlight to your face, plus so affordable.

 

 

Here is the picture of me with the makeup on!

summer makeup)

So any products your loving for summer? Would you like me to do a post of facial sunscreens? The other thing to remember which is almost as important as sunscreen is to double cleanse. Even if your not much of a makeup wearer, you are of course wearing sunscreen and it is important to remove that correctly and get your skin/pores very clean. Another issue for summer skin is bacteria, I find I am more susceptible to breakouts, with all the elements and sweating so a very strict skincare regime with DOUBLE CLEANSING is essential.

Ta Ta for now,

Kx

June 21, 2018 9 comments
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Sephora Play All Stars

by thelifestylelady September 15, 2017

 

Howdy Y’all,

Happy Friday, congratulations for making it through another week, time is moving at an insane pace, how is it possible we are in mid- September already? Well you all know what a mad fan of Sephora Play I am, well occasionaly they offer there All Stars box which for $10 extra gains you some samples of wonderful products and brands. Here is my review, grab yourself a little drinkie, a G &T would do me nicely thank you. Please enjoy, any questions/suggestions please get in touch.

Happy Weekend Friends,

Kx

September 15, 2017 0 comment
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BeautySkin Care

Making Time – At Home Facial

by thelifestylelady November 2, 2016

Howdy Y’all!

I hope you had a wonderful Halloween, ours was fantastic Little L really enjoyed herself, it was such a pleasure to see her so excited every time she knocked on the door. I don’t know about you but this time of year is so busy, for me the last quarter is always the busiest. Halloween, Little L’s birthday, Thanksgiving and then Christmas. With so much planning and organizing as well as regular life, time for me or making time for me is such a low priority. Many years ago I attended a British Airways flight safety training (you are thinking where is this going?!) During the training the trainer explained that it was imperative that in case of an incident you put your own mask upon your face before helping others, including children. I thought this was ludicrous. He explained that if you didn’t care for yourself first what use could you be to anyone else? This whole mindset was totally alien to how I had been raised, although being a mother now I am beginning to understand the wise words more and more. I love being a mum, I love my daughter to bits but if I had one criticism of myself it is that I did not take or make enough time for me, I felt I had to be all to her every need. It is only recently as she started school I have discovered the benefit of me time and how much I was needing it. I am also aware that we can’t all have it.

Over the past three years I have tried where possible to make the most of the limited time I had, doing something for me that would make me feel and look better. For some that might be a facial for others reading. Over the next few weeks I wanted to show you some small ways you can “make time” for yourself. Today for example I start with an at home facial. I read somewhere by some expert that you should get a decent facial bi-weekly or monthly, if you have the time and finances for that all power to you. As someone who does like beauty things a facial for me is a twice yearly activity mainly because time is precious and I want to prioritize it in other ways. I will say this, if you are looking to have a facial, if it is your first time or a new area, try and find a facialist with a good reputation who is not necessarily associated with a particular brand. It does drive me insane when I have a facial and that facialist spends the time on the hard sell. Plus an independent facialist will have a better idea of brands/products suited to your skin. (I digress.) I am a believer that an amazing facial can transform your skin and how you feel. What I do at home is not in any way as good as a spa facial but it come close in allowing me the time to focus on my skin and RELAX.

Please be kind! I am being so brave putting a close up or my bare face on the blog.

 

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This is a too close up of me after twelve hours of makeup wearing. Time to clean and care for this dry and tired complexion.

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If I have been wearing makeup I love to remove it with an oil based cleanser and I love The Body Shop Camomile Silky Cleansing Oil. It is gentle on skin and breaks down even thick makeup. I love it because it is gentle on my eyes and great for my sensitive skin. I do take a couple of mins to work it into the skin. I also use a clean cleansing cloth daily.

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Now the majority of the makeup is removed, I used a beautiful cleanser which is a treat for the skin. At the moment I am loving the Emma Hardie’s Cleansing Balm. It starts as a balm which you work into the skin. It lathers when water is applied. I use a clean flannel to remove the remains. It really cleanses the skin and leaves it feeling smooth, plus it smell divine. If Emma Hardie is a little more than you like to spend, please click here I did a post on a variety of cleansers some of which are more affordable.

 

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After the cleansing is finished, I decided to exfoliate, sometimes I use an exfoliator like this Tata Harper if I have not used the Clarisonic when cleansing. Both would be too rough for my skin. If Tata Harper is a little expensive I also really love St Ives Facial Scrub, which is cheap and effective.

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After exfoliating I decide what type of mask my skin needs. I tend to alternate between a deep cleansing clay mask and a hydrating one. Today my skin was feeling dry after exfoliating so I decided to apply First Aid Beauty Ultra Repair Oatmeal Mask. I apply this to all areas of my face except the eyes. I find this so calming and nourishing for my skin.  As I age it is my eye area which needs TLC and so I like to use eye masks. This is Sephora Lotus eye mask. These work so well and can be thrown away afterwards. I also like that you don’t get product to close to the eyes.

 

 

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This is me after mask. To echo that I was short on time, I cleansed and exfoliated before dinner and then applied the masks and went and cooked family dinner. I did look sexy. I wore the masks for longer than the recommended time to fit in with family life.

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With everyone happy and fed I removed the mask and decided to apply a serum and eye cream. Today I choose Sunday Riley Good Genes, I love to give this product time to sink in. I also applied First Aid Beauty eye cream. My eyes love this stuff. I think I mentioned before that for me the serum is the best place to invest when it comes to skincare and makeup. A good serum is worth its weight, buy the best you can afford.

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An hour or so later (after sorting the house for Monday) I applied Liz Earle Superskin Concentrate for night, it smells divine and gives my skin that final boost of moisture. If your skin feels great after the serum application you could skip this step or alternatively apply your regular moisturizer. I find my skin appreciates a night oil. I know I look greasy and sexy lucky Mr L!!

I will be honest and say that my skin always feels great the next day and it does effect the amount of makeup I need to wear. I also feel heaps better if I get a good night sleep and have drunk plenty of water. Trust me when I say this takes very little time and you can fit it around running the family, just pray the neighbors do not require a jug of milk. Do you have any questions? Any products you love? I have had lots of questions about eyes and eye creams so going to do a post soon.

Ta Ta for now,

TLL x

November 2, 2016 5 comments
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Product Empties Beauty & Skincare – Fall 2016

by thelifestylelady October 31, 2016

 

Howdy Y’all,

Happy Halloween . Hope you all had a wonderful weekend, ours was very quiet Mr L has picked up one of the infinate bugs lurking around of late, it is a result of the high temperatures we are  suffering with here. We hope to be out trick or treating later but it does feel odd doing so in 80OC. Little L is meant to be a mouse this year, we will see how we do, she has very fixed views on everything. I did manage to visit my hairdresser this weekend, we chopped and darkened in hope for cooler weather. I always like to take a chunk off my hair every few years and I decided this was the time.

Today my video is about empty products, I always think these videos are of value because they really show you what I have loved and continued to reuse till empty rather than just first impressions. The majority is skincare! Please enjoy.

Keep safe, enjoy halloween and don’t eat too much candy/sweets (note to self!)

Ta Ta for now.

TLL x

October 31, 2016 3 comments
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Beauty Ride or Die Tag (The Grail Tag)

by thelifestylelady September 5, 2016

Howdy Y’all,

Happy Monday. This is my version of Ride and Die, (The Grail Tag) started by Jaclyn Hill it is my total favorite beauty products. Enjoy!

 

 

In this video:-
Primer  Smashbox Photo Finish Color Correcting Foundation Primer
Foundation Estée LauderDouble Wear Light Stay-in-Place Makeup
Concealer Collection Lasting Perfection Concealer   Mac Prep and Prime 
Face Powder Laura MercierTranslucent Loose Setting Powder
Under Eye Setting Powder HourglassAmbient® Lighting Powder
Blush HourglassAmbient® Lighting Blush                                                                                 Bronzer Tarte Amazonian Clay Waterproof Bronzer
Brows Benefit CosmeticsGimme Brow Volumizing Fiber Gel
Highlighter Laura MercierMatte Radiance Baked Powder
Mascara Marc Jacobs BeautyVelvet Noir Major Volume Mascara
Lipstick Urban DecayVice Lipstick
Lip Balm FreshSugar Lip Treatment
Lip Gloss CLARINS Instant Light Natural Lip Perfector                                                                    Lip Pencil  LIP CHEAT PILLOWTALK
Eyeshadow Palette Marc Jacobs BeautyStyle Eye Con No 7 Plush Eyeshadow Palette Fragrance White Jasmine & Mint Cologne Wood Sage & Sea Salt

Hope you enjoy, if you do please subscribe!

Enjoy the week.

Ta Ta for now

TLL x

September 5, 2016 38 comments
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BeautySkin Care

TLL Essential Cleansers

by thelifestylelady April 13, 2016

Howdy Y’all,

I am writing this from a rainy Texas after having two weeks of wonderful weather. With the prospect of a very hot summer rapidly approaching the idea of getting outside and enjoying Spring is a must so blogging might be a little on the back burner. One of the questions I get asked quite a lot from friends is about my skincare. I had been thinking about what is the best way to produce this post without it turning into an essay, it seems to make sense to break it down into each element and maybe vlog the whole process later. So today I thought I would start with cleansing. I am very fortunate that the skin (on my face) has never given me many problems, it is on the dry side but I suffer with few breakouts (except last week I had two!) and have never had acne. If I have areas of concern they tend to be dryness and redness (English skin.) I do think genetics and a healthy approach of lots of water and plenty of sleep contribute hugely to your skins welfare. You can seize control to ensure you give your skin a great foundation with an effective skincare routine and this for me this starts with cleansing. Finding great cleansers that work for you, can totally transform your skincare routine. I do like to try different cleansers from time to time but I have two which I absolutely love and would literally cause me to have a complete meltdown if I didn’t have several in backup.

Cleansing is so important because it cleanses (obviously.) It also prepares the skin for further skincare/ sunscreens/ makeup or masks. I always cleanse first thing in the morning, it wakes me up and helps me face the day. I have a morning cleanser by my sink and another in the shower depending when or where I am. This helps remove any skin care from the night before that has not been absorbed, sweat and altogether makes my skin feel clean and ready to receive makeup.

Essential Cleanser

In the evening I am a strong advocate for the double cleanse, whether you are a makeup wearer of not I love to use an oil cleanser first, I enjoy the feel of it on my dry skin and nothing breaks mascara down like it. I have tried sampled many different oil base cleansers both high end and drug store and I have always come back to The Body Shop Camomile Silky Cleansing Oil. My relationship with The Body Shop makes me smile because it is where I started exploring skincare and makeup in my early teens and now in my thirties I have gone full circle and I find I am drawn back to the brand. I love the natural aspects and the products are gentle and very effective. I must do a post on my favorite Body Shop products. It has a fabulous price point and they run amazing deals on their website which I always participate in. I get nervous if I don’t have three of these in stocks. It would be on my skincare must haves. Sure you can pay more for a fancier brand (which I do when I feel it is necessary, but this is a must have.) I use a muslin cloth which you can also purchase through them to remove.

After I have finished my first oil cleanse I always turn to my trusty faithful Liz Earle’s Cleanse & Polish. If you have followed my blog for sometime you will know how much I love the Liz Earle brand. This for me is the hands down the star of the fleet and beauty insiders agree with me. It has won over 120 awards and I am never without it. A pump of the cream on your skin sooths and removes any remaining oil or makeup. The removal with warm water and muslin cloth works as a gentle exfoliator and really cleanses the skin. I really feel after I have removed this that my skin is clean, soft and brighter. If I have no other cleansers to sample or my skin feels drier than normal it is this I reach for as my morning cleanse also. This again is a wonderful price point and contains no chemicals or nasty’s. This is a product I recommend everyone to try.

origins_sku_0L1Y01_500x625_0

I do not have huge emotional attachment to other cleansers but thought I would mention a few other I have been sampling or I grab if I see them on special at the store. Origins GinZing Refreshing Scrub Cleanser This I tend to always have in my shower, it has the most amazing smell and is so invigorating for the face first thing in the morning. Origins is another terrific brand and the quality across the line is fantastic. The reason I don’t use this everyday is because it is a scrub and is a tad abrasive to use daily on my sensitive/dry skin. I do use it at least twice a week and Mr L has been know to reach for it, as the smell is unisex. So if real estate is tight in your shower this might work well. Another great price point, if you were to purchase you wouldn’t regret. The reason I don’t have any at the moment is because I am waiting for a delivery from Sephora.

Cucumber Cleanser

Yes To Cucumbers Soothing Daily Gel Cleaner. If you have very sensitive skin than this I would recommend. It might also be for you if you are not a fan of heavily floral fragrances as the cucumber is a subtle cooling fragrance.  This again is lovely and I tend to reach for it if my skin is feeling very sensitive or if I have been in the sun. It does soothe the skin. The reason it is not a must have for me is because honestly I am not a huge fan of gel cleansers. They are thick and I don’t love rubbing their texture into my face. I also don’t love the way they lather. I prefer oil and cream, that being said this is one of my fav gel cleansers I have tried. It is also drug store and a more than reasonable price point. So if you are on a budget this might be worth a try.

Kiels Cleanser Final

Kiehl’s Ultra Facial Cleanser I have been trying this one out as I received it in my Birchbox last month. Kiehl’s again is a well respected brand and I had high hopes. Firstly there is nothing wrong with the cleanser, it removes your makeup but for me it is a gel and therefore I am not a mad fan of the texture. I also don’t love the fragrance. I probably wouldn’t purchase again simply because I have other products which suit my skin better.

Hope your skin is feeling squeaky clean now, the world of cleansing is a complex one as there are so many to choose from depending on your skin type and your texture preference. Some simple things to remember, don’t let your water get too hot, and change your muslin/wash cloth regularly (everyday if you can.) What cleansers do you love? Let me know.

 

Ta ta for now.

TLL x

 

April 13, 2016 10 comments
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BeautyEditorialFamilyLifestyleSkin Care

Monday Links & Loves

by thelifestylelady February 22, 2016

Howdy Y’all,

I hope you had a good weekend? I was feeling a little under the weather but am now working towards fighting fit. The weather here was a little bleaker than the week, which makes me feel a little sympathetic for Mr L as the weekday weather has been superb.Lots of fresh air and park time.  I think most people who live in Texas will tell you they soak up as much of this time of year as possible before the heat of the summer arrives. I had to do a double take this morning when I saw the rapid speed at which we are approaching March and the early Easter. In the UK it is customery to give and receive chocolate eggs for Easter, a tradition which is less popular here, baskets are more of the done thing. I have to say I got Little L’s here and the selections are beautiful.

One of my NYR for 2016 was trying to read more, I am a Lit major so reading is in my DNA, although it is something I seem to do less and less of. I want to make a conscious effort to read in those five minutes before my head hits the pillow and sleep engulfs me. If you are a mother of an overactive two year old you will get my meaning. So this week I managed to read What Alice Forgot by Liane Moriarty  it was a page turner and easy read which is precisely what I was needing. I hear it is being made a motion picture soon. It was not as good as My Husband’s Secret, but worth a flit. On the reading front at the hairdressers this week I picked up Oprah’s magazine and actually was highly impressed. I was not expecting to be the intended audience (not sure why? Maybe because I had never seen her show!)  I found myself interested in many of the articles and recipes. So if your standing in the grocery line sometime pick it up and shoot a glance.

I can not believe that last week was Love Day (our name for Valentine’s which we stole from Daniel Tiger- toddler.) Mr L was very sweet and purchased me some lovely items. One gift in particular is beautiful and useful which is a win win in the Lifestyle Lady handbook. Tory Burch collaborated with Fitbit and produced some jewelry covers for Fitbit. I do not dislike the Fitbit standard bracelets when you are wearing workout gear but honestly I was not keen on it when I was in more smart/casual attire and this allows me to do both. I have had several compliments on it this week and wanted to share! Mine is the brown leather and gold, it is super pretty and there is no excuse not to monitor my steps now so thank you Mr L.

I mentioned earlier that the weather has been warmer here and therefore the big decision has been warm/iced coffee (champagne problems I know!) My dilemma is that I like my coffee black, espresso or americano and what appears to be happening is that coffee houses are placing warm black coffee over ice and calling it iced. If you have ever tried this don’t it is disgusting. So anyone have a good iced coffee recipe or shall I forever drink my coffee hot?

If you have read this blog for a little while (if that is you THANK YOU.) You will of course know it was Mr L’s birthday last week, one of the most interesting gifts he received was 23andME, what is that I hear you say? It is a genetic testing kit which will tell you all about your ancestry and health traits. Mr L is a science boff and this was right up his alley. He completed all the required documentation and sent back and we are currently avidly waiting the results to learn all about his ancestry. So interesting and fun. I want to try.

Mr L and I are restless at the moment trying to discover new TV shows to get our teeth into, any recommendations? We are watching Billions and although the cast is stupendous I am struggling a little. We also rented the movie Truth last night. Cate Blanchett is amazing isn’t she. Certainly worth a watch.

I have gone on to long. Happy Monday everyone.

Ta ta for now,

TLL x

February 22, 2016 4 comments
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BeautySkin Care

Monday Loves- Hand Cream

by thelifestylelady February 8, 2016

Howdy Y’all,

How was your weekend? Super Bowl filled fun? I have to be honest I am not the greatest fan of football but with the adverts and halftime show to keep you entertained you get through it. Plus who doesn’t want to live in Ryan Town? The weekend as ever went crazy fast, I had plenty of fun and I am recovering after two nights out in a row. Life is not what it was! So tis the season for dry hands, who is with me? I always feel it across my knuckles when my hands are dry. I’m not sure whether it is being in and out of the cold or that I am outside more enjoying the park and not wearing gloves, (because how can you take squillions of photos of your little cherub and check Facebook and Twitter when you are wearing gloves?) I have my hands in water far more than I have ever done, not just washing dishes but washing my hands a million times a day. I also think that when I was a working in an office I always took greater care of my hands because I was always applying cream. What else can you do on a conference call?

My mother has always told me that your hands and decolletage tells a ladies age, so taking care of them is essential. I do try, I am making a conscious effort to place hand cream in places where I have 10 seconds to apply, like in the car when I am in the drive-thru que, on my desk and next to my bed (an obvious place,) although I am often too tired to remember. I even place hand cream next to my hand washes at my sinks, but those hand creams are a little like conditioner, the wash runs out and there is always lots of cream left. Since I am suffering with dry hands I wanted to share with you what I love and what I turn to when I need my hands to be silky smooth. I have to tell you that hand cream makes a wonderful gift, male or female as a hostessing gift or for those who love to garden. Just an idea!

What do I look for in a hand cream? I must love the fragrance. It must actually make my hands feel more comfortable and nourished. I hate that film and sticky feeling some of the creams can leave on your hands, why would I want to wash that off my hands which defeats the point. So I am quite fussy, shock horror so here are some of TLL favs:-

HandCream

  1. Liz Earle Superskin Hand Serum No beauty recommendation would be
    Lifestyle Lady appropriate if it did not include Liz Earle. I love her brand and range of skin care. This is the first time I have used the serum (I think it’s new to the collection.) It does not disappoint. This is next to my bed, it is a serum so I feel it is more nourishing than a standard cream and this is reflected in the cost, it is the most expensive item I have on my list. In my view worth every penny. It has a light fragrance of essential oils and I am very attracted to its botanical nature and the fact it’s natural and does not contain any uglies or nasties. This is typical of the fanstastic standard of Liz Earle and I am glad I have a backup ready.
  2. Bath & Bodyworks Fresh Tangerines Hand Cream This was a spontaneous buy, I am getting more familiar with the brand. I have always found the candy smell in their stores a little off putting but I sucked it up and bought this and I have not been disappointed. I will tell you I am a sucker for anything that smells of Clementines, Tangerines or Oranges. I love the clean smell and it just reminds me of summer. So this was a no brainier purchase. I obviously love the fragrance but their is a variety of other scents in the collection. For $5 this is such great value and the cream is soothing, comfortable and nourishing.
  3. Elizabeth Arden Eight Hour Hand Treatment As one would expect of Elizabeth Arden this is great, it is a cult classic. It is probably closest to the Liz Earle and I turn to this when my hands are really dry and need a treat. If you are a fan of the Eight Hour range than this will be for you.
  4. Mangiacotti Hand Repair I purchased this when I went to the hairdresser they were selling this range. Again it was the fragrance which drew me in. You will see from the photo that it is almost empty so that should tell you all you need to know. I will repurchase if I can source it.
  5. Cath Kidston Flora Hand Cream Collection This was a Christmas present from Mr L. He is sick of holding my scraggy hands, yes we still hold hands occasionally – who says romance is dead?! I didn’t have high hopes for this and I have been proved wrong. I adore the fragrances and they are nourishing and creamy. Good job Mr L a great stocking stuffer.
  6. L’Occitane Hand Creams If you have followed the blog for a while like Liz Earle L’Occitane is another one of the brands I love. TBH L’Occtiane to me knocks it out of the park when it comes to their hand and foot creams. They sell them in such a variety of fragrances and sizes. I am NEVER without one in my purse and they are a beauty staple. There is a reason why it’s loved by The Green Beauty Bible. Treat yourself give it a try.

So what have I missed that you love? Get in touch and let me know.

Ta Ta for now,

TLLx

 

February 8, 2016 10 comments
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ABOUT ME

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Hi I'm Kate, Thanks for stopping by my small corner of the web, here at TLL I indulge my love of all things lifestyle, from cooking to travel and fashion to interiors, all served with a healthy dose of British sarcasm. So pour yourself a glass of something delicious, put your feet up and take a nose about. Enjoy Kx

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