March 2022

Scalp Care Tips to Protect Your Hair & Scalp

March 27, 2022 - 4:15 pm | March 27, 2022 beauty

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We all make a conscious effort to look after our hair, but often, our scalps are neglected. Your scalp is the skin which covers your head, and it’s important to look after your scalp, as it can become easily irritates, leading to dandruff, hair-loss, discomfort and other scalp-related issues.

We can’t see what’s going on with our scalps, as it’s not entirely visible, but the scalp is home to many nerve endings, which is what makes the scalp very sensitive to damage and sensitivity issues.

It’s important to look after your scalp if you want healthy hair. If you have an unhappy, irritated scalp, your hair is going to suffer too. By having a healthy scalp, it can help prevent hair loss, and promote healthy hair growth, as well as keeping the skin on your head fully hydrated, and preventing any potential discomfort.

The scalp works to protect the underlying structure of the head and neck from injury, and is thought to be an important part of your immune system. Did you know that the scalp can help regulate the body’s temperature? It can release sweat to help cool us down when necessary, so the health of our scalp is very important.

How To Prevent Dry, Flaky Scalps?

Dry and flaky scalps are common, and there are many different factors that can contribute to the dryness of the scalp. One of the most common causes of a dry scalp is a lack of sebum production in the scalp, as sebum is responsible for moisturising and protecting the scalp.

If you have an oily scalp, it could be a good idea to wash your hair less often, to ensure the scalp isn’t depleted of serum, as well as opting for a shampoo with as little chemicals as possible. Coconut oil works as a good hydrator for the hair and scalp, and can be left on the hair overnight whilst you sleep, and it’ll help to improve the condition of your hair too.

5 Simple Steps for Healthy Scalps

If you struggle with an itchy scalp, and dandruff, a sulfate-free shampoo is advisable. Sulfates in regular shampoos can dry out your scalp, leading to irritation and discomfort. Sulfate-free shampoos are a lot more gentle, and will not strip away natural oils, to keep your scalp in the best condition possible.

If you use a lot of hair styling products, the ingredients within the chemicals build up on the scalp, which leads to dryness. So, it’s important to regularly get rid of build-up once a week, by using a clarifying detox shampoo to remove all product build-up, dirt and impurities.

I suffer from a dry scalp myself, and swear by using a super nourishing hair mask at least once a week, and leave it on my hair for as long as possible. It really helps to give the scalp a hydration boost, and always helps if my scalp is feeling particularly itchy or uncomfortable.

It’s important to protect your scalp, and it’s easy to neglect the scalp. When we’re on holiday, we always remember to protect our skin and lips, but do you consider your hair and scalp being damaged by sun exposure? You can buy specific hair and scalp protection sprays, which will prevent any potential damage, and always wear a hat or head covering where possible.

When it comes to hairstyles, my favourite go-to style is a messy bun, but tight hairstyles like ponytails or buns can actually harm the scalp. Not only can those hairstyles lead to headaches from the tension, but you can even end up with traction alopecia, so ensure you don’t keep your hair in a tight ponytail or bun for long periods of time.

How To Feel Confident In Any Outfit

March 24, 2022 - 7:49 am | March 24, 2022 fashion

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It can be a nightmare trying to decide what to wear each morning. You can end up sifting through all of your clothes, and be left feeling uninspired. Capsule wardrobes are thought to be particularly useful in that instance, as you’re able to put together a selection of go-to outfits you can reach for, and know they’re going to look good. We all have times when we love an outfit, but we just don’t love how we look in the outfit, so let’s look at some tips on how we can feel confident in any outfit.

Don’t Worry About What Other People Think

There might be outfits or fashion pieces you’ve wanted to wear, but didn’t as you were worried what other people would think. Life really is too short to worry what other people may or may not be thinking. Does it really matter what other people think? It really doesn’t, and your happiness and comfort is way more important, so wear whatever you want, wherever you want, and it’ll feel liberating to shake off that worry.

Choose Well Fitting Underwear

You could be wearing the most beautiful, well fitting dress in the world, but if you’re not wearing a well fitted bra underneath, it can really affect how smooth the dress will hang on the body. Bras that are too tight can lead to bulges and lines which will be visible through your clothing, and equally, bras which are too big, can mean you’re not getting enough support; both of which can affect your confidence. Depending on what you’re wearing, you could consider No-VPL underwear too, for a smooth and uniform look underneath your clothes.

Work With Your Body Shape

We all have parts of our body we feel less confident about, but we all have favourite features too. Women’s clothing can be seen as being an extension of our personality, and they can have a big impact on how confident we feel. Wearing the *right* clothes can boost our confidence, so opt for clothes that work with your own personal body shape, allowing you to emphasise your best features.

Choose Fabrics You Love

If we look good, we feel good, so it’s important to opt for fashion pieces in colours and fabrics we love. If you’re uncomfortable in an outfit, you’re just not going to radiate confidence. Clothing made with synthetic fibres can be more uncomfortable, so consider dresses for women in more comfortable fabrics like cotton, which is known for its breathability, softness and weightlessness.

Consider Your Accessories

When deciding what to wear each morning, always consider which accessories you want to wear. There are many different fashion accessories that can help boost your confidence, and will help in making you feel more put together. It could be a simple necklace, or bolder pieces like statement earrings or a handbag. Your accessories are your finishing touches, and they can work wonders on making you feel good.

Invest In Wardrobe Staples

Is there a specific style of jeans that flatter your body shape more than any other? This is where a capsule wardrobe can be useful, as you can invest in a selection of wardrobe staples that ‘work’, which can be the base garment for any outfit, such as black skinny jeans, a tailored blazer, a leather jacket or a pair of confidence-boosting heels.

By investing in the staples you’re getting to get a lot of use from, you’ll feel more confident as you know they work, and look good. Items, like jeans, really are a case of you get what you pay for. Nobody likes skinny jeans which sag at the knee after only a couple of hours.

So, it’s a good idea to invest in a couple of pairs of feel-good, comfortable and versatile jeans. Not only will they boost your confidence, but it’ll make choosing your outfit each morning a little easier, as you know they’re going to look good also. It’s amazing how much of a confidence boost a nice outfit can have. It’s easy to feel better when you’re dressed well, and as a result your mood will improve too.

Ways To Manage Chronic Pain Without Medication

March 23, 2022 - 3:40 pm | March 23, 2022 health

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Chronic pain is no fun, trust me. It can sometimes feel like you are constantly clock watching, waiting for when you’re able to take your next dose of pain relief.

Depending on your chronic pain condition, there are some more alternative options we can try to help alleviate some of the pain. Whilst different things work for different people, let’s take a look at some other non-medication options to manage chronic pain.

Understanding The Causes Of Chronic Pain

Chronic pain is a seriously medical condition which affects millions of people all over the world. Chronic pain affects all ages, genders and backgrounds, and the medical community is yet to find a ‘cure’ or solution for chronic pain.

It’s thought that chronic pain is caused by a malfunctioning nervous system, which is a theory that dates back to the start of the 19th century, when scientists first discovered that chronic pain was related to inflammation within the body.

Latest research suggests chronic pain could be caused by a genetic predisposition to abnormal sensory processing, as well as an abnormal central nervous system plasticity. Whilst there is no cure for chronic pain, there are alternative treatments available, which don’t involve taking medication.

What Kinds of Alternative Chronic Pain Treatments Are There?

You’ve probably heard all about TENS machines, and the benefits of using one. They’re extremely effective, but with all of the wires and nodes, they’re not typically the most travel-friendly, which is where Paingone comes in.

Paingone pride themselves on creating devices that deliver fast, effective medication-free pain relief. Whether you suffer from joint pain, muscle pain, backache, migraines or other painful chronic pain conditions, Paingone have a range of products to suit your every need.

With chronic pain, you’re more likely to have pain in more than one problem area, which is why the Paingone devices are so useful, as they have devices like their Paingone One or Paingone Plus, which feature a pen-like design for targeted treatment wherever you need it on the body.

Their special pens can be used practically anywhere on the body (their words), be that your shoulders, knees, back or neck, for effective, targeted relief. They even work through clothing, so they’re ideal for throwing in your bag for when the pain strikes, and they offer a rapid 60-second treatment, which is much quicker relief than taking any pain medication.

Another popular treatment method for chronic pain is mindfulness. Mindfulness and meditation has been shown to help with anxiety, depression, and chronic pain. Mindfulness has also shown to be beneficial in improving the quality of your sleep, as well as helping to reduce the severity of migraine attacks.

One suggestion which is never fun to hear, but exercise has been proven to help with some chronic pain conditions. Exercise helps to relieve stress and release endorphins, which can help with pain management, as well as helping with loosening any tight or tense muscles which could be exacerbating the pain.

If the idea of exercise is a little off-putting due to pain levels, you could consider yoga. Yoga can help with chronic pain in a number of ways, including; releasing endorphins, improving your flexibility and balance, strengthening your muscles and spine, as well as raising your serotonin levels.

It’s also something you can do and adapt to however you feel on the day, and there’s endless yoga videos on YouTube to follow for chronic pain sufferers, which you can follow at home to give it a try, to see if it’ll help with managing your pain. It’s always worth trying anything you can, just to see if you can some much-needed relief, and I hope these suggestions have been helpful.

Ideas For The Perfect Bridesmaid Gifts

March 19, 2022 - 2:55 pm | March 19, 2022 Wedding

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When you’re planning a wedding, there are so many things to think of. Obviously, you have the big things like a wedding venue, a photographer and the honeymoon, however there are other traditions to consider, such as gifting presents to your bridesmaids.

It’s common practice for the bride to give a gift to each of her bridesmaids. They tend to be small, sentimental tokens, to show appreciation or thankfulness for the help they’ve given you with preparations for the wedding, and the wedding day itself. Similarly, the groom traditionally gives gifts to each of his grooms men too, for the same reason.

The Importance of Giving a Gift to Your Bridesmaids

When you are asked to be a bridesmaid, you are being trusted with a big responsibility, and the bride is showing you how much you mean to her. It’s likely the bridesmaids will be involved in the wedding planning, and it’s the job of the bridesmaid to ensure the bride has everything she needs on her big day. Bridesmaid gifts don’t need to be expensive or flashy, just a token gesture to show how appreciative you are of their help for your wedding.

Budget Friendly Bridesmaid Gift Ideas

You really don’t need to spend a lot on your bridesmaids gifts, as a personalised token gift can be tailored to fit the interests or personality of each bridesmaid, and it shows how much you care. You could find a photo of yourself with a bridesmaid, and have it printed out and placed in a special frame, a personalised necklace engraved with their horoscope sign, or initial, or even a piece of birthstone jewellery. If they love coffee, perhaps you could gift a cute coffee mug filled with a gift card for their favourite coffee shop, or a box full of their favourite beauty products.

Luxury Bridesmaid Gift Ideas

One of the most popular bridesmaids gifts, is a scented candle. Some brides choose their favourite candle brand or candle scent, and choose to ‘scent’ their wedding like Jo Malone, with the candles being placed both in the church or place you’re getting married, and having the same candle scent being placed around your reception venue. You could consider gifting one of those candles as a gift to your bridesmaid, and whenever she lights it, it’ll instantly transport her back to your special day.

Many brides like to buy each of their bridesmaids their favourite perfume, as it’s a personal gift you know they already love, so gifting them their signature scent again shows how much you care. You could always treat them to a voucher for their favourite retailer to buy their own perfume, but if you already know what they love, it’s an easy gift decision to make.

Jewellery is always a beautiful gift idea for every occasion. You could opt for a piece of personalised, engraved jewellery like a necklace with a pendant featuring an engraved message on the underside, or a piece of jewellery for all of you to have, so you can all wear it and remember the special day.

It’s your day, but the bride is not alone in planning the big day, so don’t forget to choose something special for each of your bridesmaids to thank them for all of their help running up to the wedding, and of course, the big day itself. There are plenty of lovely gift ideas for your bridesmaid that she / they are sure to love.

The Power Of Crystals

March 13, 2022 - 3:43 pm | March 13, 2022 beauty

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Crystals are gemstones, and they come in a variety of colours and shapes. Crystals have been used for centuries as both personal and spiritual symbols. They’ve become extremely popular, as crystals are believed to possess . They are used by people that believe they can help with their wellbeing, stress and mental health issues too.

What Are Crystals?

Crystals are all a type of mineral which forms within the Earth’s crust. They can be found in many different shapes, sizes and colours, with the most common crystals being amethyst, quartz and rose quartz. They’ve been used for centuries now, as a way to heal and protect oneself from negative energies, and different crystals are thought to have different health and wellness benefits.

How Can Crystals Be Used To Improve Health and Wellness?

The different health and wellness benefits vary from crystal to crystal, and it’s incredible how many different benefits are thought to be given by utilising crystals. Some believe by carrying a crystal in your bag, or on your person, can improve your mood or help with relieving pain after an injury.

Some people prefer to display crystals in their home or wherever you spend the most time, as healing properties of crystals can be attributed to the fact that they emit energy. It all depends on the benefits you’re wanting to experience by utilising crystals, and due to the varying sizes, you’ll be able to find your perfect crystal for your needs and situation.

How to Use Crystals in Your Daily Life?

Crystals are a great way to add both colour and energy to your life. Depending on what you’re wanting from your crystals, there are different ways in which you can experience the benefits of crystals. If you’re using crystals to help with your sleep, you could place your chosen crystal underneath your pillow, or pop it on your bedside table.

If you’re in need of feeling more calm, you could try to hold the crystal in one hand, whilst closing your eyes, and use the crystals to help with meditating. Whereas, if you’re wanting to feel more grounded, try keeping crystals in your pocket or bag, but ultimately, you can use crystals however you wish, and even use crystals for jewellery, so you can experience the benefits whilst wearing the crystal jewellery piece.

Which Crystals Offer Which Benefits?

Jade – Jade is said to be a symbol of purity and wisdom. It is believed to balance yin and yang energies, attract good luck, and bring peace. Jade can also be used in feng shui to boost chi or life energy in a particular area.

Rose Quartz – Rose Quartz crystals are often used to bring love into one’s life. Rose Quartz is a crystal of love and peace, and it can help you attract like-minded people into your life.

Citrine – They help to balance your emotions and bring out the best in you. Citrine can also help with digestive issues, skin conditions, and more.

Amethyst – Amethyst is a calming and protective crystal. It can help with overcoming addictions and in healing emotional wounds. It is also believed to dispel negative energies and thoughts.

Onyx – Onyx is a very popular gemstone, and it is no wonder that it has been used for centuries to promote good health. Onyx has been found to help with a variety of conditions including anxiety, insomnia, depression and even epilepsy.

Agate – Agate has been used by many cultures for centuries as a healing stone. It is believed to clear, calm, and balance the energy in the body, while also balancing blood pressure and relieving migraines.

Aquamarine – It is said to be able to remove bad energy, transform negative thoughts into positive ones, and bring good luck. It can help people find closure and balance within themselves. In addition to these benefits, the aquamarine crystal also helps promote healthy skin, hair, nails and vision.

Opal – Opal is a precious stone that can improve one’s mood, ease the mind, and help with insomnia or anxiety. Opal also has a cleansing effect on the body and can reduce inflammation.

There are thousands of different crystals, and each crystal offers different benefits. You don’t have to spend a fortune on crystals either, but it might be worth giving crystals a try, to see if you can experience the power of crystals.

Monthly Archives: March 2022