Skin care.

Our skin can be a confusing and frustrating topic. It can be a confidence booster, or a destroyer. I always remember growing up all through primary and high school my skin would be terrible. I cant really describe them as spots, they were more lumps under my skin which never quite managed to peak their way through! When in primary school I just ignored it and was never really that bothered by it. It wasnt until high school it really started to effect my confidence. I am sure you have all done the same as I did; see a spot, cover it with make-up then the spot got worse?? What a viscous circle. But come on what 16 year old girl would walk around high school with no make up on with a spot the size of her face on show?? No one!!

It wasn't until college where i studied beauty therapy and make-up, that i started to grasp the concept of looking after my skin. After grooling boring lectures on how to wash your face, how to cleanse, and how to correctly pop a spot. Yes girls you heard me right; there is actually a professional way to pop spots! At first I would be having a facial three times a week from my class mates, which yes sounds nice until you saw my face.. All those spots which were hiding then decided to make an appearance. All the cleansing was getting all the facial dirt out of my skin and cleaning all the places you don't usually reach on a day to day basis. For around 2 months my skin was unbearable, I dreaded going to college, the shops with no make up on, but I knew it was something I had to do. Just before i finished college I swear I woke up one day and I literally had perfect skin, no dark circles, no spots, no redness. I was in awe.

After college I kind of fell back in to bad habits of the occasional night I wouldn't wash my face or leave my make up on, it wasn't until my 20th birthday and i asked my dad for some Liz Earle skin care products. This is by far the best present I have ever received! I got it in July, I use it daily and there is still over half left. I believe it was £45 for the set of three and also two facial cloths. The texture leaves your skin glowing and your face feeling so clean and fresh! Honestly girls i would 100% recommend purchasing this product!

If you have or currently do suffer with either a break out, eczema or patchy skin, drop down to your local Liz Earle shop, the staff are so helpful at helping you tailor your needs. Please let me know what you think of this product!!

But anyway, enough of my blabbing - I hope you enjoyed this post please let me know your thoughts.

MYA

So girls, this is a very personal topic, but i believe it is something i should speak about. When i was about 15 i become very low in confidence, and i have been the same ever since. I was unable to buy certain things i liked, avoided swimming. Never walked around naked, never ever looked in the mirror in my underwear...I finally spoke with my boyfriend and voiced that i was looking at cosmetic surgery. Being a very small 30A i avoided bra/bikini shopping as i would never find anything sexy that made me fee good about myself. After meeting with MYA Cosmetics i instantly i was doing the right thing. The patient coordinator was so welcoming, as was he surgeon. I got all my questions answered. I had my surgery yesterday and i am currently resting on the sofa watching Millionaire matchmaker!! I am in no pain however it does feel as though i have an elephant sat on my chest. 

I am in no way saying if you are unhappy pay money, i am just expressing this is the best thing i have done as it was for myself and no one else. I am happy to answer any questions you may have. 

Lauren xx

Gluten free, flour less pancakes..

As you may be aware from my previous post, I have recently found out I am unable to eat food containing wheat or gluten. I thought, I may should share my meals with you as some of you may be going through the same or some of you may want to try this for health and fitness reasons. If you wish to do this; please please remember to ensure you are getting enough of each food group. I thought I was managing well until I failed at work!! Anyway enough of the boring stuff!

If you are wanting or are interested in gluten free i really suggest the below book:

Amazon: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Seriously-Good-Gluten-free-Cooking-Association/dp/1856268284/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1407773508&sr=8-2&keywords=seriously+gluten+free

This morning I made my very first attempt at flour-less pancakes. I apologise now of the poor quality of images, I only had my phone but I just had to take a picture to show you!!

All you need to do is follow the below steps:

 1 Mashed, super ripe banana

2 eggs

Spray oil for the pan

Directions: Mash your banana with a fork. In another bowl whisk eggs. Mix eggs & banana together. Spray your oil twice to cover the centre of you pan. Add a palm sized helping of your mixture to the pan. Let the cake set for thirty seconds; now flip it! I have this will honey and lemon juice.

Okay so I know the last image is not the best.most appetising image; trust me they taste better than they look!! I will never cook normal pancakes every again!

Leave comments below if/when you try these; I would love to know what you think. Also please let me know if you want more Gluten-Free ideas.

Love, Lauren

xxxx 

My new life...

Hi girls.

So I have been having a hard time lately; I have recently found out I am no longer able to eat any food which contains the following: 

Gluten

Wheat 

Potato Starch.

My whole life I have always bloated in a way which is not normal, I am normally a size 6, however when I eat certain food I look approximately 9 months pregnant (which worried my boyfriend). I was constantly tired, moody, bloated, in pain, had migraines. I knew it was not normal however I thought the longer i put it off the less real it would be, silly i know but heyho!

My GP advised me to have a blood test straight away to ensure they were able to diagnose me correctly. The bloods came back as normal which annoyed/upset me as I knew something was seriously not right. She then later went on to explain the blood test is for the disease 'Celiac'. This is extremely good news I do not have this, as it can be severe and cause long term issues. I do however have a reaction to this food causing all my symptoms. I have since cut all this food out and I can not tell you how amazing I feel!! I have so much energy, I am no longer moody (well as moody), my headaches and stomach pains have gone. It does however become hard when it comes to ordering a take away and my family/Boyfriend are eating chips, pizza, burgers and I'm sat there with a salad! :( But I guess its something I will get used to.

I don't usually write or even talk about personal stuff however I believe this is such an important subject I must. Please girl, if you have any symptoms like I had please go see your GP. Also if anyone is suffering with the same as I am, please come forward I would love to speak with you and found out how you are managing.

Speak soon,

xoxo

Models required!

Hi ladies. This is only a quick blog. I am qualified make up artist and i am currently looking to spread the word in regards to my work, and i could really use your help and ideas! If anyone would like to volunteer to be a model for my portfolio, have an make up looks they believe would be good to promote or even to try, i would really appreciate it. Could you please e-mail me on styledbylauren@hotmail.com. All ideas are welcome and really appreciated.

Also if you are looking for a make up artist i am available to travel as i have a car, i am able to present my certificates and i have a huge make up collection which can be suited to each client.

I would love to meet some of you!

Please help me pursue the career i love!

Lauren xoxo

Perfect Manicure

Who doesn't love a fresh manicure? Do you like spending money on getting your nails done? Yes so do i, but i prefer being able to do it myself. I recently invested in my own shellac kit. I can safely say it is one of the best things i could have ever bought. 

I purchased cheap £12.99 UV lamp off ebay and began to search for colours i loved. So far i have 7 colours. I absolutely love been able to pamper myself after a stressful day at work.

To be able to this at home you require the below item:

- UV lamp

- CND Top Coat

- CND Base Coat

- CND Shellac colour

- Buffer

- Enhancement Remover.

The key items here are your buffer and also your enhancement remover. Before applying any colour you need to buff you nails to ensure there is no shine left, this will enable your colour to last for longer. A common mistake please make when doing shellac their self is forgetting the enhancement remover; this is added after the nails have been painted to ensure there is no sticky residue left on the nail. 

Please show me any colour you have which would be good for my holiday to LA! I really need to build my collection up. Also can any one recommend a cute way i am able to display my colours?! 

Please comment below if you have any ideas :)

Speak soon xoxo

Is it time to say goodbye to winter clothing?

Every girl wishes she could have a walk in wardrobe bursting with clothes.. My wardrobe is looking slightly boring and spare at the moment, i have been shopping around for a new wardrobe, preferably the cheaper side than expensive. I stumbles across this jacket on Zara.com/uk i instantly fell in love.

You could wear this jacket with a dress on a summers night, ripped skinny jeans for a shop or even for work. Its retailing at £89.99, which is steep.

What do you think?! Buy or not buy?! Help girls!!

Are there any must buys out there you think i should know about? Any thing you have just bought you that you really can't contain your excitement about? Show me.. comment below, i want to know it all!