Magnesium oil for sleep and restless legs.

For the past 6 months or so I have been struggling with muscle aches ( probably due to my new job where I stand up for a large part of the day) and as time has gone on I am now getting restless legs at night, cramping in my lower back and trouble sleeping and staying asleep.

I visited a nutritionist a while back and was recommended magnesium as a supplement. I didn't really think about it after that, but I have since come across a few articles about the benefits of magnesium and apparently we are all deficient to a certain extent due to our modern diets.

I am not a fan of tablets as I never seem to really feel an effect and I don't like the bulking agents they use. Swallowing chalky tablets is also quite unpleasant, so I have been thinking about trying magnesium oil as a topical treatment. Apparently applying it to the skin is an extremely effective way of assimilating magnesium so I  thought I would give it a try. The one I bought was from HOlland and BArrett and a lough it costs around £13 it does contain approximately 800 sprays and the bottle says to use about 10 sprays a day- not bad value really.

http://www.hollandandbarrett.com/pages/product_detail.asp?pid=2033&prodid=2256&cid=143

               

I have to say that it has really helped me! I'm not sure if it placebo, but I am sleeping a lot better and my muscles don't ache as much- my feet also feet feel nice and warm after I have applied the oil!the only downside is that it really tingles and itches after application although this has lessened the more I have used the oil. Different people say different things- some say it will tingle the more deficient in magnesium you are and others say it is because my skin is particularly alkaline. Anyway it is not unbearable and the benefits far out way this tingling.

I have also seen some forums and websites that say magnesium can be used for the following-

Brushing teeth- I haven't used it for this but people report having whiter stronger teeth and healthier gums.

Shampooing- a couple of sprays in shampoo- I did this but didn't really notice much of a difference, maybe it is cumulative.

Soles of the feet for dry skin- apparently the dead skin peels off after a while of using the oil

Let me know if you have found magnesium useful... Xxx

Heliocare sun protection gel

I was able to get hold of heliocare 50 gel, but upon researching a it bit more I discovered that heliocare do a range of sunscreens.

I decided to order a sample pack from http://www.uvauvbsunscreens.co.uk/samples/27-heliocare-samples.html for £5 and I got 5 mini products to try.

From the description the best product to use for spot prone skin is either the silk or 50+ formulations as they have anti inflammatory properties. I only received the 50+ as a sample but I wanted that one as the silk version is only spf30 and I like a high factor!

They do a tinted compact which is very light and creamy as well as a creamy foundation/tinted moisturiser in brown and light (I was sent brown which is way too dark for me but may be good for contouring?). The 50 cream is a light fluid texture and the gel 50+ is a little thicker but very light to apply. The 'touch of sun' is probably most akin to a tinted moisturiser.

I have now ordered the gel 50+ and I am awaiting its arrival...

Clinique chubby stick intense

I was so impressed with the chubby stick that I wanted to try the chubby stick intense. It is a stronger deeper colour compared to the subtle sheer shades of the original chubby stick.

My lips before:

It has a glossier appearance that the original chubby stick. I used plushest punch, but there are lots of shades:

I found it to last at least 3 hours provided I dint eat or drink anything- although 3 hours is a long time to not refuel, well for me anyway! When I did eat or drink I found that a lot of the colour still remained so it only needed topping up a bit.

I love these chubby sticks because you don't need a mirror to apply them and as I said in my previous post- they have many natural ingredients- unusual for Clinique!

My next challenge is to find a good natural(ish) lip gloss that is good!

Xxxxx

Mac concealer

So here is my latest makeup problem- creasing and cakeing a couple of hours after application.

Every morning I cleanse, time, apply moisturiser and sun cream- then comes the make up: concealer, mascara, eyebrow pencil in that order.

My concealer looks lovely for the first few minutes after application- my dark circles are covered and any blemishes concealed. However after my journey to work everything changes. I can read every expression I have made on my journey simply by looking at the pattern of my concealer. Crows feet from smiling,  laughter lines, frown lines.... If my face were completely immobile then I think I would have amazing coverage all day, but unfortunately it is not.

I need a concealer that is liquid enough and moisturising enough to 'spring back' to where it should b, bit also do t want it to be too oily as it may end up sliding half way down my face or creating a shiny emphasis around my spots!

I have been using a number of concealer a, all natural and just assumed that my natural choice meant that I wouldn't necessarily get a quality concealer. Now I am getting older I am keen to cover up more and I am fraud I will be allowing some chemicals into my life- well only if they work of course.

So after some research the perfect sounding concealer seeme to be mac. It had an SPF of 35 too which I have to admit swayed me the not as I feel my eyes are ageing the quickest. It was also relatively inexpensive at £15 and th mac store assistants were soooo helpful I just had to buy it.

Let me tell you it isn't all it cracked up to be. 

My under eyes before- as you can see I am unlucky enough to look like I have been punched so I definitely need a concealer for that! 

Here are my under eyes straight after applying the mac concealer. Looks well covered, matte and no hint of dark circles-

No see my under eyes after 1hour...

As you can see it has settled I the creases under my eyes and the dark bluish tinge is showing through. It actually looked worse than this in real life.

£15 for nothing. I have decided to chose a cheap under eye concealer this time as I can't afford to experiment with anything else. The next post will give my verdict on the collection 2000 under eye concealer at £4.99

http://www.boots.com/en/Collection-2000-Illuminating-Touch-Concealer_867449/

Please comment! Xx

Clinique chubby stick lip balm

I found this chubby stick by chance after reading a brief twitter post from Katie Piper.

What a great idea, having an easy to apply lipstick/balm in pen form- no mirror required!

As you may have guessed from my 'finding a sun cream' post, I am always keen to use cosmetics that are as natural as possible, so thanks to google I found the ingredients list. Hurrah! No mineral oils only lovely natural beeswax and castor oil plus some others (see below). Granted it is not 100% natural but I can compromise.

I chose watermelon as my shade of choice, a sheer bright pink.

I love it for everyday, but I am considering getting the Clinique Chubby Stick Intense for my days off and nights out. This may need to wait until the end of the month as funds are running low, however if I decide that eating is no longer a necessity then the post may appear sooner...

What's your favourite chubby? Please comment!

http://www.clinique.co.uk/product/1605/15520/Makeup/Lipsticks/Chubby-Stick-Moisturizing-Lip-Colour-Balm/index.tmpl

Finding a sun cream

I have been wearing suncream on my face since the age of 18. I started this as an experiment more than anything else as when I was younger not everyone believed that sun damaged the skin.

I have used various ones over the years starting off with Boots own brand and I am currently using The Organic Pharmacy SPF 50. Transitioning from Boots Soltan range to The Organic Pharmacy's more natural version was a gradual process brought on by my sudden interest in all things natural. I must have come across an article citing the potential dangers of some of the ingredients in sunscreen and from then on I decided to look for more natural versions.

Some natural suncreams made my skin white and others left my skin shiny and prone to breakouts. The  Organic Pharmacy sun cream seemed to be the only one that left a matt finish, was/is natural, has a high factor and didn't cause me to breakout.

Cue another article stating that suncreams are only effective for a few hours after application and need to be applied frequently throughout the day to work. I don't know about you, but I have neither the time nor the inclination to cleanse, tone and reapply moisturiser and suncream several times a day.  Surely there must be a product that can be applied once and still be effective all day.

More research... Yes there are many products now, BUT they are chemically derived! What do I do? Risk it to look young OR get wrinkly.... I chose the former. I figure that, seeing as I rarely drink, I don't smoke, I don't take drugs and I eat organic produce that my risk is minimal. I have also sworn to only apply this 'chemical sun cream' to my face- my bodily skin will only have natural sunscreen (zinc etc) applied to it and I will keep covered up as much as possible. Before anyone says anything I take Vitamin D supplements to counteract my lack of sun exposure (more on this in a future post)!

Boots Soltan range do an 8hour suncream and I tried this first as it was an inexpensive way to transition. Inexpensive money-wise but costly to my skin! I broke out atrociously and it took weeks for my skin to calm down and stop producing nasty pustules and papules.

More research...SolrX seemed the best choice as it is water and sweat resistant, lasts 8 hours (they have done trials) and is non-comedogenic...

...or is it? My skin broke out... Let's try their facial version- more natural too as it is dry zinc...

...better, but more breakouts after a couple of weeks....

Let's go back to The Organic Pharmacy then, it's better for my health too...

.... Nooooooooooooo I have started to breakout with this now! 

I have now stopped everything and my skin is slowly clearing up. I have one last option... A gel sunscreen.

More research...Heliocare seems to begood option, (apparently) good for spot prone skin, one application a day, a gel. 

I am getting it on Thursday so WATCH THIS SPACE!!!

P.S. Would be great to get your comments. Xx

2true nail varnish- only £1.99 and long lasting

Just a quick post about the varnish in the picture below:

It's great! Because of my job I can only wear polish on my days off. I prefer gelish nails really, but it's not worth getting a set done then taking them off after a couple of days. I have just got back into nail polish and being stingy, I limit myself to £2-£3 a pot. I don't expect them to last very well, but this one has! I have been washing up, opening boxes, putting a new toilet seat on and still no chipping. It also dried really quickly. I will definitely be buying more colours in this range.

2true Glossywear Nail Polish bought from Superdrug and the shade I am wearing is No.48

http://www.superdrug.com/search?q=2true&searchsubmit=Search&setpagenum=2&perpage=24

Banana skin for acne 5 days later...

So I have been rubbing the inside of a banana skin on my face- almost religiously- three times a day.

I have decided to stop now and here are the final photos:

The blemishes have more or less dried up now and I don't seem to breaking out anymore; I'm sure if that is thanks to the banana skin or because my hormones have evened out! I have to say it wasn't a miraculous treatment and it was quite time consuming, but at least it didn't do any harm and helped to a certain extent.

Have a go yourself and let me know what happens!

Banana skin for acne day 2

So as promised here are the photos from day 2:

I have rubbed the banana skin on the affected areas once today so far and I am just about to do it again now then once more before bed.

I will probably only get the chance to do it twice tomorrow as I am working late tomorrow.

I will update you all on Friday with days 3, 4 and 5 plus photos!

In the meantime feel free to post any acne curing tips!

Xxxx

Banana skin for acne

So I read in this week's look magazine that rubbing the inside of a banana skin on your face can help with acne. I live natural remedies- one because they are gentle and two because they are cheap!

So I looked up 'banana skin acne' and followed the instructions. Apparently, for best results you should rub the skin on your face 3 times a day and leave it to act for 15-30 minutes each time. Alternatively the website said I could leave it on overnight.

I am going to do my best to do it 3 times a day.

Day 1 photos:

            

I have already used the banana peel last night and this morning- I think it is helping, but I will update you tomorrow!

Mwah!xx

About bitsnthat

This site is a place for me to share my interest in all things beauty and fashion but also the odd picture or post of anything that catches my attention.

I have had many jobs including tailoress, primary school teacher and my current profession spa therapist. If someone can find a common link between all these then please do let me know!

Everything I will be writing about will be my opinion and the products and clothes I may use or wear will be chosen by me and bought by me.

As far as explaining the rest of this blog I have no idea where it is heading! I am hoping that over time the blog will take on a clear identity and direction of its own and in the process it may help me to find my own identity and direction too...