Tips for shaving your legs

It is no secret that shaving generally can be a chore that many of us would rather not have to carry out, particularly myself, who has hair that grows at the speed of light, and this paired with sensitive skin, makes shaving for me painful and at times a waste of an effort.

I have put together some tips and tricks that I have stumbled across over the years that help with sensitive skin, avoiding rashes and ensuring that you are actually shaving properly. 

Always use a clean razor: 
It is no good using a blunt or an old razor, you will not be getting the same effects as you would with a clean, fresh razor. Change the blade at the first sign of it starting to look worse for wear. 

Exfoliate: 
Preferably the day before you shave. Using a gentle scrub will help to remove ingrown hairs that can cause itching and get them ready to face the blade by making them raise up and easier to shave. Exfoliation is also good for removing dead skin cells, and by doing this a day before you shave you are giving your skin a chance to recover. 

Shave at the end: 
By the end of your shower your skin is warm enough and the hairs softer, your pores will be open which gives a closer and easier shave. 

Use a foam or a gel: 
This gives a more gentle experience, that creates a foam preventing rashes, soap can dry out the skin, so a cream product or even a conditioner gives moisture to the skin with offers a softer and smoother shave. Try to skip the temptation to shave dry to save time, you will avoid cuts when the blade can glide over your skin. 

Shave against the grain: 
Usually, shaving upwards towards your chest is the best direction to shave your legs. This offers the best results and can prevent ingrown hairs and irritation. However going against the grain and shaving upwards can cause cuts if you are not gentle. 

Moisturise: 
Moisturising your legs with an overly alcohol based or perfumed product can cause irritation and so it is best to use a plain moisturiser. Moisturising prevent dryness. 

My tips to a healthy glow all year round.

I do love the Autumn and Winter months, but I miss the glow my skin tends to have during the Summer. I have combination skin, but in the colder months the drier areas of my skin definitely take over. I have put together a few tips and tricks that I have been using to retain and recreate that glow. 

I don't self tan all that often as I find it too much of a chore, but when I do I use the Cocoa Brown tan by Marissa Carter. This tan has been my favourite for a while now as it works efficiently. It doesn't have an of putting or pungent smell and is easy to distribute with the mitt. The tan is not too orange, but gives a natural and healthy looking sun kissed glow to the skin. 

To bronze up my face I like to use the W7 Make Up and Glow Bronzing Base, which is a great dupe for the Soleil Tan De Chanel. It's a cream based product and is easy to blend out. I apply it to my cheekbones and forehead - the places the sun would naturally hit. 

Before I apply the tan I always ensure to moisturise. A few months back I picked up this Garnier Body product mainly as it claimed to be suitable for dry skin and non-greasy and non-sticky. When looking for skincare products these are the factors I look for, and I was not disappointed with this moisturiser. It has a nice smell, and leaves my skin feeling soft all day. 

For a fresh looking face I use the Clinique liquid facial soap every day as well as the Garnier Moisture Match Protect and Glow that illuminates the skin and gives a natural looking glow. A plus of this product is that it also has an SPF of 20. These products from Garnier are suitable for everyone as they cater to every skin type and are super affordable. 

I try to drink as much water every day as I can, and when I want something a little more interesting I like to add a few slices of either lemon or cucumber. These not only make your water a little more tasty but they have great health benefits. Cucumber water is great for your skin, the antioxidants help it to stay clear. Lemon water helps to cleanse your system and flush out the toxins as well as decreasing blemishes. I like to use this cup as it makes it more exciting to drink from! As nice as it is to be able to use products to make your skin look healthy on the outside, it's so important to look after your skin from the inside by eating and drinking well and getting ll the nutrients you need to stay healthy. If you need any help or inspiration on healthy recipes then I highly recommend you go and check out 'ALOHA' as they have a great variety of ideas. 

So these are a few of my tips for achieving a healthy summer glow all year round. If you have any tips or any products that you like to use to achieve a healthy glow then let me know! 

Laura Elizabeth xo 

Apps For Great Quality Photos

I think it is very important when running a blog, or growing your Instagram following, that your photos are of high quality, and many a time, this is achieved through photo editing which many apps provide the tools for. I get a few people asking me about what I use to edit my photos often and so thought it would be a good idea to share the apps I use on a daily basis. 

• Afterlight - The first thing I do after taking a photo is edit it in this app. I usually brighten the photo, add some contrast and then apply a border to fit into the layout of my Instagram account. This app has so many filters and options conveniently categorised so it's easy to use. 
• Picfx - This is similar to Afterlight as it also has many choices and options when altering your photos. This app is also great for adding a vintage feel to your photos. 
• Studio - This app is great for adding text or layers to your photos as well as graphics to really enhance your photos and make them look professional. 
• VSCOcam - This is a great alternative to Afterlight with some great options for editing and adding filters. 
• Facetune - This app is perfect for your selfies! You can touch up your face on bad skin days, or use it to cover up any spots or dark areas. 

Are there any other apps that you use to edit your photos?

Laura Elizabeth xo