Quick Skin Fixes

L’Oreal test panel, La Belle Famille sent me some essential make-up products to try just in right time. Around Christmas I often struggle to find enough time to make a perfect make-up and also remove it properly after a long and stressful day. L’Oreal Infallible range is the best solution for busy and tired ladies. It helps to hide tiredness, it is long lasting and easy to remove with cleansing milk and toner. My favourite cleansers are Fine Flowers by L’Oreal.

I love to use primers, those clever products play extremely important part in my daily make-up routine. If I do not have time to use foundation I just put on some Anti Fatigue Infallible Primer. It contains apricot pigments to hide dullness and fatigue. The colour of my face livens up and I look like somebody, who got 9 hours good night’s sleep. Anti Fatigue Infallible Primer has a light colour so I do not need to use any extra foundation, but of course, I can, if I want.

Mattify is L’Oreal’s best Infallible Primer to wear underneath my foundation. It looks like a light cream and I have to use it in very thin layer with my fingertips. It absorbs excess oil and hides enlarged pores. Brilliant product. With Mattifying Infallible Primer my foundation holds longer and do not become shiny.

There are 3 more finishes in L’Oreal Infallible Primer range:

-Luminizing with-ultra fine pearl pigments to enhance the complexion

-AntiRedness with green micro pigments to neutralise red tones

-Pore Refining to hide skin imperfections

L’Oreal Infallible Blush Stick always helps me to look better and full of energy, even after a long night. I use Nude in a Rose, and this colour looks so natural on me. I use it every day, because it is just a second to put on and holds perfectly during the whole day. This creamy, super-blendable formula is extremely easy and mess free to use. I swear, Infallible Blush and Strobe Sticks are L’Oreal’s best make-up products. I am so glad, I gave it a try.

L’Oreal Infallible Shaping Stick Foundation is super versatile. I can use this ultra-creamy, no compromise formula as a foundation, a concealer or to highlight and contour. There are 12 colour to choose from and make perfect YouTube make-up star videos.

I always have my rose beige stick in my handbag for quick makeup fixes. I think, the best attribution of Infallible Shaping Sticks is that these help me to achieve shine-free look, without using any extra layer of powder. I love quick make-up solutions especially when I am short in time.

Refreshment Revolution

Sometimes I find soft drinks too sweet and absolutely not refreshing. Not only sugary ones (I drink those before exercise to boost my energy – really helpful) but even with sweeteners. Often soft drink with sweeteners are even worse. I drink those and I still feel thirsty, with dry mouth. I always dreamt about a nice flavoured, fruity soft drink with almost no calories and without sugar or sweeteners. These criteria appear quite contrary, but with Perrier it is possible. The refreshment revolution is here!

The Insiders review panel sent me two cartons of Perrier natural sparkling water with natural flavours to try.

After reading the ingredients lists I was really surprised because Perrier soft drinks absolutely do not contain any sweeteners or sugar just a hint of natural green apple or lemon flavour. I cannot imagine healthier and more guilt free soft drinks. Boring, flavourless water become flavoured with no added nastiness– fantastic. Luckily, flavours are not overpowering, just a nice light fruity feeling in my mouth. I love it!

Refreshment is guaranteed with big bubbles - fortified with gas from the Spring.

I always have one 6 pack in my fridge, because Perrier flavoured drinks are the best during and after my exercises, running, cycling and even on long walks or on the go. Perrier always satisfies my sweet cravings. Green Apple is my favourite flavour.

Ageless Skin

I was invited to take part in new Super Savvy Me project, called Olay Total Effects 7in1. In this fantastic project I tested Olay Total Effects 7n1 Anti-Ageing Day Cream. It is very important to prevent ageing of your skin and start to use anti-ageing skincare products after 25 years old. Remember, prevention is always more effective than cure. If you struggle to find time for more complicate beauty regime, Olay Total Effects are the best anti-ageing skincare for you. Just cleanse your face and massage a small layer of Olay Total Effects Day Cream into your skin. Focus on the three key points: the eye contour area, the jaw-line and the neck. Olay Total Effects moisturises and hydrates your skin perfectly without greasy feeling. It is perfect to apply under my foundation and powder. It keeps my face young and healthy looking during the whole day.

I love Olay products since I first tried those. I have to use high quality skin care on my dry skin to prevent ageing. Unfortunately dry skin ages earlier compared to other skin types. Luckily I love my skin care regime and I never miss a day. I am sure, I would look different without my daily beauty habits and favourite skin care products, like Olay Total Effects. I have even my future beauty plans: I will never ever go out without UVA/UVB protection. Luckily, Olay Total Effects Anti-Ageing Day Cream contains SPF15. Have you known, Olay was the first mass-market skincare brand to offer anti-oxidants and UVA/UVB protection?

Olay Total Effects range is unique because contains VitaNiacin. This formula contains Vitamin B3, Vitamin E and Pro-Vitamin B5. We can find even green tea extracts to protect skin cells against free radical damage.

The whole Olay Total Effects range:

-OlayTotal Effects 7in1 Anti-Ageing Instant Smoothing Serum – smart approach to younger and healthier looking skin that feels as smooth as silk.

-Olay Total Effects Night Firming Moisturiser – multiple age-defying solution for younger looking skin.

-Olay Eyes Ultimate Eye Cream – The skin around eyes is more delicate than on face. Always apply eye cream around your eyes instead of face cream to reduce the appearance of dark circles, puffiness and fine lines. (This eye cream is already on my shopping list.)

What 7in1 means?

One Olay Total Effects product can fight all the seven signs of ageing:

1. Smoothes

2. Evens Tone

3. Brightens

4. Refines the Look of Pores

5. Reduces Age Spots and Wrinkle’s Appearance

6. Restore Firmness

7. Moisturises

Of course, there are even more tips and tricks to slow down ageing besides Olay Total Effects. I am sure, you already know some among them. Consume less refined sugar, but eat plenty of fruit. Consume less salt. Start your days with hot water instead of coffee. And exercise! I realised, my skin cleanses itself during a good, sweaty run. Be careful do not clog your pores with make-up during exercise just apply Olay Total Effects Day Cream before.

Magic Retouch

I tried L’Oreal Magic Retouch Instant Root Concealer Spray thanks to La Belle Famille online panel.

I would like to advise everybody, who would like to hide their grey hair or dyes hair, to always have one bottle of L’Oreal Magic Retouch in their bathroom cabinet. This products comes very handy in lots of situations. It is a perfect and invisible quick fix. Hides overgrown hair and has perfect grey coverage. It is extremely easy to use. Magic Retouch hides these hair imperfections in just three seconds. It is absolutely mess free, leaking is impossible when you use it 10cm from your hair in small amount. If you use too much, it colours the skin too. Just use a very light stream. Comb after it is completely dry. Do not worry, it dries really quickly. Few minutes waiting is enough. L’Oreal Magic Retouch Instant Root Concealer Spray washes out completely after first wash. I tested it in light rain and luckily have not experienced any colour leaking. I am totally satisfied with this product. Of course Magic Retouch cannot substitute my well-loved L’Oreal Casting Crème Gloss but it is a perfect match and long term relationship.

L’OrealMagic Retouch is available in nine shades. I use golden brown.

Eating More Fruit & Veg

Philips has a test panel where you can apply to try your preferred Philips product. I dreamed about a perfect blender and my dream has come true, Philips sent me ProBlend 63D. This blender is exactly what I need for making my home made nut butters. It is a high speed blender for 50% finer blending. It blends a perfect nut butter so I can control the oil content of my favourite spread. I had a blender before which was unable to transform nuts for a nut butter. I am so satisfied with Philips ProBlend.

I love to blend fruit & veg smoothies to help my family and myself to eat more veggies. We are fine with fruit but I think we all need to eat more vegetables. Philips has a free app with lots of healthy recipes, where the proportions of smoothie ingredients are:

1/3 fruit for natural sweetness

1/3 vegetables as health and fibre boosters

1/3 liquid for hydration

I also use my Philips ProBlend to make homemade ice cream from frozen fruit, ice or frozen yogurt. This massive blender is strong enough to blend ice cubes perfectly. It has even suction cup legs for a perfect hold.

With Philips ProBlend 6 healthy eating and snacking is extremely easy. Making smoothies is as quick as opening a sharing bag of chocolate. Which one would you like to choose?

Philips ProBlend 6 is completely dishwasher safe so no hand washing needed. It looks very professional so I keep it on my kitchen top and use often.

Discover Your Dark Side

I discovered my dark side thanks to my latest The Insiders campaign. I have got two beautiful bottles of red wine. Apothic Red bottles have wonderful design. I am proud to have so beautiful bottles on my dinner table. I am sure I will give Apothic as a gift too.

Apothic is inspired by “Apotheca” a mysterious place where wine was blended and stored in 13th century Europe. Apothic Red is a Californian wine, but the "Father of Modern Winemaking in California" was a Hungarian nobleman, Agoston Haraszthy.

I am true red wine lover and Apothic Red has become my favourite wine because its key characteristic. Has a deep, complex, expertly layered flavour. Crafts the finest red blends. Rich Zinfandel, smooth Merlot, flavourful Syrah and Cabernet Sauvignon creates layers of dark red fruit complemented by hints of vanilla and mocha. Apothic Red is a very nice fruity wine.

I love to drink Apothic Red after a perfect steak at weekends. But it even goes well with savoury snacks after a long and stressful weekday. Apothic is a real enjoyment.

Chestnut Swirls

I always try to encourage people to do more in the kitchen. If you control your food, than you can control your hunger. You can eat anything from controlled sources without worrying about your and even your kids weight. Cooking and baking is really easy, kids can do it too. If you are absolutely beginner I advise you to start with Betty Crocker cake mixes – perfect results are guaranteed.

I would show you today how can you transform a simple vanilla sponge into a extraordinary looking chestnut swirl.

-Start with the very easy chestnuts cream.

-Mix together 500g cooked and mashed chestnuts with 100g soft spread and 110g icing sugar.

-Refrigerate until it is totally cold. I usually wait 3 hours.

-Heat the oven to 180 Celsius.

-Mix the whole box of Betty Crocker Velvety Vanilla cake mix with 90ml vegetable oil and 3 medium eggs.

-Use a huge baking tray and cover with parchment paper. Spread the cake mixture evenly in thin layer (0.5cm).

-Bake your sponge in the centre of the oven for 10-15 minutes. Do not open the oven door to check on your masterpiece! When it has a nice, light golden colour it is ready.

-Wrap up the hot sponge using a clean tea towel. Let it cool completely in a shape of roll. This part is extremely important, because it is impossible to wrap up the cooled sponge – it cracks and breaks.

-Remove the parchment paper and fill your Betty Crocker Velvety Vanilla sponge with the cooled chestnut cream.

Big thanks to The Insiders for sending me some Betty Crocker baking ingredients to try and have a great half term fun with kids.

Can I Mention The C Word?

Christmas is already around the corner. I love to wear different make-up during Christmas holidays. I love to apply something sparkly and shiny, matching our Christmas Tree. This year I will wear gold! L’Oreal La Belle Famille review panel sent me some exciting new make-up products to try. Since I have Mahogany – Henna hair colour I love to apply warmer colours. Gold matches my hair colour perfectly.

Have a Merry Metal Christmas with my favourite L’Oreal make-up products.

L’Oreal Paris Glow Drops

This is an absolutely must have product. I use it as a highlighter on my cheeks, nose and chin. This highlighting fluid makes me look younger. My face looks firmer because the light sparkle. It is amazing. I apply only a very little drop with my precious Infallible Blush Brush or pat lightly with my fingers. Application is really quick and easy. I can fit it perfectly into my morning routine. Glow Drops have non greasy and light consistency. You can even mix with your foundation to have some extra firm look.

L’Oreal Paris Infallible Metallic Eye Liner

This Ultra Precision Super Liner is ultra-precise. It has very thin brush so perfect lining is very easy. I must buy one in black as well, this will solve all my lining and eyewinging problems. This light gold colour surprisingly highlights my eyes. I thought this colour is invisible on eye lids, but I had a very positive disappointment. My eyes are bigger and bolder with Infallible Metallic Eye Liner. The colour is decent, absolutely appropriate for everyday wear. This ultra-pigmented gold glitter liner does not smudge and lasts all day.

L’Oreal Paris Infallible Metallic Lip Paints

I hesitated quite long time between two colours: Lolita or Pixie. I am very happy I choose the gold Lolita. This colour goes so well with my hair colour. I love to wear it in light layer during the day or I apply some extra layers for more metallic look when I go out. Infallible Metallic Lip Paint has non sticky liquid consistency and ultra-saturated, longwearing formula. The colour does not fade or smudge during the day. Infallible Metallic Lip Paint gives me a confidence.