Jurlique Aromatherapy Mists

It's been a vey stressful few months for me. I turned 25 (quarter of a century...eek!), got a new job, moved into rented accommodation, met loads of new people and am still dealing with a horrid housemate who makes me want to shut myself into my room and hibernate (there will be more on him on here, because if I don't write it, I don't feel like you'll understand how upsetting the situation is). But anyway! Stress is the enemy of my skin and my digestive system. It leaves me with blemishes and a constant state of nausea - two things that I hate more than anything. It's led me to eating out a lot more, which is not only hitting me where it hurts (in the bank account) but it's also affecting my skin, my weight and my confidence. My happiness only really exists in work (yes really), when I'm with my boyfriend or when I'm out with new friends. It's something I'm working on... but it's a marathon, not a sprint. It's gonna take some time.

So, in the aim of reducing my stress levels, I've been turning to yoga and aromatherapy, with the hope that a relaxed body and mind will allow me to sleep better, and therefore alleviate the stress. Jurlique's Aromatherapy Blends are spritzes that can be misted over the face and body, bedding and linens, and even sprayed into diffusers to infuse the whole house with calming ingredients. With their wonderful infusions of essential oils and natural products, Jurlique really have created a range that is perfect for stressful days as they'll certainly turn them in stress free nights - believe me, I've tried. I'm the type of person who carries anxiety in her stomach. It affects my eating habits, how I feel and how I act - so if you feel the same, then I suggest scents such as lavender, rose and citrus to help calm your senses. 

The Jurlique Revitalising Blend* (£17, here) first hits you with a scent of lemon, and as a massive citrus fan, I knew this would be right up my street. It's calming, but energising. The lavender is lulling, whereby the orange and bergamot are soft, almost hug like. It feels like you're being enveloped into a cuddle by one of your favourite people. It calms you, but also leaves you feeling content - which for me, is a rather big struggle at the moment. 

The Balancing Blend * (£17, here) is a smell that reminds me of walking through fresh Summer gardens when the sun is dipping below the trees. I love scents that can evoke memories, and this is definitely one. Basil, Clary Sage and lavender remind me of my mother's garden, whereas Rosewood reminds me of the nodding blooms in my neighbours garden, with fuzzy little bumble bees mulling in the warm air. Lazy Summer evenings for me, are some of the most relaxing and pleasant, so being reminded of that just reminds me of home, and that is always a wonderful thing. 

The final Aromatherapy Blend, is Jurlique's Calming Blend* (£17, here), one that seeks to unwind you and prepare you for sleep. I, for one find it best when sprayed onto bedding. It gives off that gentle scent of freshly washed sheets, and that's one of the best feelings. Freshly cleansed and showered, with fresh sheets is a match delightfully made - one that I always make sure happens when I'm feeling a little bit low, or overcome with life. 

The glass bottles are 50ml each, and once again, Jurlique really has created some products that really benefit me. Their skincare suits my oily/combination skin, their natural ingredients don't inflame my skin, and their comforting scents really aid in making this tough transition into something relatively manageable. I think if I hadn't been able to deal with everything, I would have had to have moved home, back with my parents. It may seem a bit silly, but just having something warm and comforting, something that can make me remember better times, really helps, as I'm very sentimental. Having a scent that reminds me of home alleviates that pang of homesickness and uncertainty in my heart. 

Changing times: A rambly life update

So, it's been a while since I've done one of these, but I think now is the best time. October sees me in a new city, with a new job, in a new house and with new people. I suppose the only constant is my boyfriend, who I now happen to live in the same city with. It's been an adjustment. I'm not going to say that it's all been wonderful and sugar-coated, because it hasn't. It's one of the hardest things I've ever done.

University was different - yes I knew no one, but I went with an inexperienced mindset and grew; this is one of the benefits of multicultural universities - the influences you receive are nothing like you'd ever think. It was a great time, but it was nothing like now.

Now i'm an 'adult'. The very word seems ridiculous as I still feel like I'm 16 and I need my mum to encourage me through life. I've always been a little bit independent, but a homebody at the same time. When I was 16 I had friends who were wonderful, but I lost my way a bit (for reasons that are a bit difficult to talk about) and it seems by the time I found myself again, it was too late, as everyone was spreading themselves across the country for university. So, seemingly friendless, I left and did my own thing. Awkward and naive, two brilliant (eye roll) traits when put together. I was too trusting and changeable, which led me to being taken advantage of by friends and people who are definitely not friends. I always put it down, when I look back, as a learning experience. I learnt from it and grew as a person, my skin metaphorically thickening. University was a series of events that I wish I hadn't gone through, whilst also being glad they happened as they helped to shape me as a person. 

Burgeoning friendships that turned into one of the best friendships of my life, that only went on to end once I stopped putting the effort in. Funny how that happens... when I stopped texting, Facebooking and sending letters... the entire friendship stopped. Eventual unfriending happened on Facebook, and I was distraught to find this out one day. No words, no note. Just 'Send a friend request to..'. Five years of friendship over and not an invite to a wedding that we had always talked about over vodka mixers in her small kitchen in third year of Uni. They weren't engaged then, but I always knew it would happen. The end of that friendship mirrored the end of my previous relationship somewhat. That relationship - it was simultaneously wonderful and horrific. It's not something I'd change fully... but there are times that I wonder.... what would have happened if I had just said no after we broke up, and the option of getting back together had presented itself. I said no a year later... a year wasted in my opinion... what would have happened if I said no the first time?

These are the things I tend to think about when I analyse my life, and where I am. It's happened quite a lot in the past three months, as that was roughly when I moved, started a new job and bid farewell to my parents as they started their travel around Europe. That was around the time that I last cried. take it from me, I used to cry at least once a month... usually around my period, because ..emotions. Trust me, there have been ample opportunities to break down in tears. I'm actually a little bit proud that I haven't done it in work or in my rented accommodation. The last time I actually cried, was when I read a letter that my dad wrote to me the day before my new job was going to start. Technically I cried when I left my parents house, and I cried when I read the letter...but both happened within about two hours of each other, so I'm counting them as one emotional moment overall. I know I lived away when I was in Uni, but moving away this time was different. It felt like it was the end, and yet the start as well. No more working in retail and coasting through life, month to month. This was entirely different, and I had to be an 'adult' and actually take care of myself. It's terrifying and elating all at once.

The first few weeks I felt really alone. With my best friends an hour away, my parents in Europe and one horrible housemate making me feel like I never wanted to leave my room, the only solace I had was in my boyfriend. I always thought that I could rely on him, but I never wanted to be a burden, because he had his own problems and cares to worry about, so I'd lie and tell him I was fine.

I'd lie a lot and say that all was good, fine and okay... I'd keep repeating them in the hope that they'd be real and that I would be okay/good/fine. I kept smiling and being positive, but there comes a point when not talking about anything or lying constantly about how I felt was making me unwell. I was tired, anxious and in pain. The pain in my shoulder and arm were getting worse, my anxiety was really starting to cripple me and I was so tired that all I wanted to do was sleep. Coffee and food became a brilliant staple to rely on, and I suppose from the outside it made me look normal. Oh, she's eating... she's fine. Oh, she just wants another coffee, she's good! I wasn't. And I didn't really talk about it.

My boyfriend knows now. My friends know now. My parents ...kinda know. I never want to worry them, or have them be upset about how I am. What they don't know, won't affect them.

My anxiety and my not willing to talk to anyone about how I felt gave me headaches, severe stomach cramps and basically made me feel like I was only half a person. I can look back and say, oh it wasn't that bad when someone asks me, but that's just me doing the whole I'm 'fine/good/okay' thing again. I  wasn't okay, fine or good... but I never talked about it, not even with the people that love me, and that I love the most. But that just really stems from be not being a person that talks about anything. I'm much more of a listener than a talker. I suppose that's why I felt like I had to come back to blogging. It's an outlet for my creativity and my feelings, so when I don't want to talk, I can just write. So I expect that Bex Howells will be so much more than makeup and skincare; I want it to be relatable and personal.

Saying goodbye to the old...

As I've grown in age, I like to think that my wisdom has grown with it. It's like Rachel from Friends once said, when she was trying to get through her ex-fiance's wedding, she wanted to get through the evening with a bit of grace and dignity - I feel that those are two aspects that I try and get through life with. I don't really feel all that graceful or dignified, but this is coming from a very clumsy person... so that is still something that I'm working on. Wisdom, like dignity and grace, is something that I really hope develops with age, kinda like a fine wine.

Something that I am also hoping to develop, is this blog. It's got a new name, and I will be tweaking it so that there's a new look as well, but say hi to 'bexhowells' and goodbye to 'ohkalukalay'. I feel that I've grown up a lot since I turned 25, so this blog will be reflecting that. Reflecting life with all of it's happiness and struggles, but also back to basics with beauty and skincare - two of the things that inspired me to start blogging in the first place. Plus a little bit of lifestyle and interiors thrown in, as who doesn't love a bit of a nose around someone's house? I certainly do. But in my case, it'll just be my room... as you know, or may not know, I'm living the shared rented accommodation life. More on that at a later time however. Just keep an eye out for lots of new wonderful things happening on here at the end of the month.

Talk to you soon, my loves.

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Skincare products I keep reaching for.

Sooooo, it's been a while, but that's not going to stop me from carrying on from where I left off, and what's better than a good skincare post to get back into blogging? Skincare is something I've stubbled with for years and years, and only recently my skin seems to be agreeing to the products I'm using - so I'm keeping with those and sharing the love on here, for you lovelies. There's also a little tiny makeup product thrown in... but that's just because it's super lovely and it's been suiting my almost blemish free skin lately.

Cleansers:

Antipodes Grapeseed Butter Cleanser is an oily, buttery cleanser that is really well suited for my skin, which is really combination. I find that the natural oils within the cleanser suit the dry and oily parts of my skin, which helps in balancing out my face. The cleanser has little nodules of texture in the balm, which smush onto the skin when applied and rubbed in, which I think not only exfoliates the skin but also helps to refine the texture without being too abrasive. 

Moisturisers:

Jurlique's Precious Rose Hand Cream* is one of my all time favourites, and sits on the windowsill next to my bed, making it easy to grab and apply before I fall asleep. I apply a generous amount before sleep so my hands are nourished and taken care of by morning - as who doesn't want soft, supple hands? Another product that I love, and is a holiday staple (because of it's size and moisturising properties) is Nourish's Argan Skin Renew Moisturiser which is a light but really hydrating cream that sinks delectably into the skin and leaves my face feeling plump and moisturised, without feeling oily or weighed down. 

Masques/Masks:

A new favourite of mine is the Estée Lauder Revitalising Supreme Global Anti-Aging Mask Boost which boosts radiance and moisture intake. I apply this before a moisture mask... and my skin is soooo so glowy the next day. My moisture mask is slurped up by my skin, and this product from EL is definitely the cause. It's applied over a clean face and neck, left for five minutes and then removed with cotton wool. It's not washed off, and I think that's very important. It'll have a full review all on it's own, but for now, just know that I'm a big, big fan. 

Miscellaneous:

A shout out to Mitchum Advanced Control 48 Hour Deodorant because if you're a bit of a Sweaty Betty like myself, then you cannot underestimate the importance of a good roll on deodorant. It's an essential for me, and you can bet that I have one in my room, bathroom and weekend bag. You can never have too many of these beauties! Lastly, it's another Estée Lauder favourite (duhhh, I'm obsessed) and it's their Double Wear Light Foundation which is a light coverage, that packs some glow and some staying power. The tube makes it pretty darn easy to use, and I find that only a pea sized amount is perfect for covering the majority of sins on my skin. Cannot recommend enough if you're looking for a light foundation that's going to make your skin look like skin. 

Crown Brush Lilac Ombre Brush Set

Do you ever get that feeling when something comes into your life, and you're just like 'YES'? Well, that was basically my reaction when these brushes made their way into mine. Crown Brush have made the most lust worthy lilac ombre makeup brushes, and I cannot contain my excitement. The bristles are wonderfully soft, dense and made from Nylon, so there's no cruelty here at all, which is very important in my makeup brushes. Plus they're so wonderfully pretty! It's not often I get gooey eyed over makeup brushes... but these had me gasping and shoving them in my mum's face going 'look at these! look how pretty!'. She agreed, they were super amazing. So we know that Crown Brush can talk the talk, but can they walk the walk?

Let's get straight to it: yes, they can. I've not been this impressed with a set of brushes since I first got my hands on some Real Techniques brushes, and that was a loooong time ago. This review has been a long time coming... but I really wanted to test them out for a while to understand how they're best used, how they wash/dry and how they stand the test of time. They apply, clean and last like a dream. The silky bristles are soft and brilliant at applying, blending and making me look presentable - that's no mean feat, let me tell you!
      Plus look at them! They're ombré. Ombré!! And at £29.99 for six brushes, a set of tweezers and a travel carry case... these Crown Brushes are some of the most affordable on the market, and let's not forget, some of the most beautiful too! I cannot wait to add more to my collection as you never have too many makeup brushes... right?

The brushes:

Powder Brush (see the two images above), for your setting powders and bronzers. I tend to use this to apply power, as it has quite a dense head, but it still manages to apply product without overloading the skin - making it perfect to use for dusting loose or setting powder over the skin.

The Taper Blush Brush (see the first images below), for application of cream/powder blushes, as well as contour products. I've used to this to apply powder blushes straight from the pan, as well as blending out cream blushes which I apply directly to the skin. 

Deluxe Contour (see the first brush on the left) says it all really: for use with cream or powder contours, such as Illamasqua's Cream Pigment in Hollow or Charlotte Tilbury's Filmstar Bronze and Glow. This brush packs on a lot of pigment which is brilliant at defining the contours of the face before blending out. Due to it's small head, it's best used to define the nose, hairline and cheekbones before blending with a larger brush.

The Crease Blender (second brush from the left) is one of my faaaaavourite out of the set, as it blends like a dream. Pigments, creams or powder... this brush can blend them all flawlessly, but it especially wonderful at creating soft cut creases. One of my favourite ways to use this brush is to blend a taupe shade into the crease with another brush, before bringing in this one to take the shadow up to the brow bone, making sure that there are no harsh lines and leaving the makeup looking super dreamy and blended. It would make Lisa Eldridge really happy, let me tell you. She's a massive lover of a super blended eyeshadow.

A Chisel Shadow (third brush from the left) brush is ideal for packing on the product, straight from the pan, whether cream or powder (but I usually tend to apply creams with my finger before blending out). It's especially good at keeping product within the bristles, so there isn't a great deal of fall down onto the skin when applying eye products. A dense brush is perfect for packing on colour before blending out the product (that's where you'd bring in the Crease Blender).

Last, but not least we have the Detail Liner Brush (farthest from the left, first on right) which I think works so so well with applying darker eyeshadows over eyeliner, to either soften the look, or when used freshly, with a dip of water, to blend a cat eye liner look into something a little bit softer and hazier around the upper lash line. It's also fantastic at blending shadow under the lower lash line, as its short, fine head is perfect for precise application.

Lisa Eldridge did a fabulous tutorial over her lustworthy Signature Cat Eye Liner and these brushes have been put to good use in trying to recreate that. Check it out and then you'll see that this set of ombré brushes are made for it! Keep a special eye out for what eye brushes she uses, as you can see that these are amazing dupes for them! 

Skincare for when your skin is having a freak out.

As someone who has ridiculously bad hormonal breakouts, I thought that this post would be the best way to show how I combat them. I hate the days when I wake up and have loads of blemishes, some under the skin, and some just there... blatantly there. Looking at me as if to say, 'what're you gonna do about it?'. How rude, right? Basically what I do, is I cleanse, masque and then moisturise like crazy! I want all the badness to be sucked out of my skin, before nourishing what's left with natural oils and goodness... all in the hope that they'll disappear and leave me be. I can dream, at least. Most of the time, it doesn't happen. They reduce in size, but they don't entirely go away... much to my dismay. So I'm just going to run through some products that help in aiding blemishes on their way... (the correct way being not on my face or as far away from me as possible).

Cleansers:

To cleanse, or not to cleanse... that is the question. Except there is really no question at all, but really just consider which are the best and most suitable for the most sensitive of skin situations. When I have really bad hormonal breakouts, my skin needs natural and non-abrasive skincare to remove makeup, so I try and stick to an oil for a first cleanse such as Una Brenna's Vitamin C+ Brightening Cleansing Oil which melts away makeup and does very well as removing those pesky waterproof eye makeup products. Following that first cleanse, I also prefer a gentle second cleanse and MeruMaya's Melting Cleansing Balm is perfect, as it just leaves the skin feeling clean, fresh and supple; which is the perfect base for a face mask or just to start my skincare routine.

Two other products which are also recent skincare additions and wonderful for a double cleanse, are UltraBland from Lush Cosmetics, a beeswax based cleanser that regulates the skin whilst being full of natural products and Liz Earle's Cleanse & Polish Hot Cloth Cleanser, which is super light, nourishing and leaves the skin feeling lovely and soft.

Masques/Masks:

One of my favourite part of my extensive skincare routine, is when I put a mask on, as I know it's going to help my skin immensely. Whether it's clay based like Queen Helene's Mint Julep Masque, which is amazing at shrinking pores, drawing out impurities and controlling oil on my t-zone - which to be fair, is very similar to an oil-slick some days. Baaaad days. For a sweet, calming hit of moisture I adore Antipodes Aura Manuka Honey Mask, which just surrounds me with the scent of honey and lemon - it's so refreshing and calming... it's like someone wrapping your skin in the most beautiful of scented blankets... ugh, it's totally divine. A thick layer of this is divine on the skin and I find that mine drinks it up so so fast - must be desperate for all of the natural goodness from the Antipodes tube. For a serious exfoliation hit then I turn to Ren's Glycolactic Radiance Renewel Mask, a chemical exfoliant mask that combines fruit enzymes and acid to aid in resurfacing the skin - I love the way it tingles, as I know that it's doing the job I need it too. My skin always looks so glowy and fresh the next morning; it's a must have for scarred or acne prone skin, as not only does it exfoliate, but it helps to repair the skin. 

Some honourable mentions are masques are: Rosy Cheeks Fresh Face Mask by Lush Cosmetics, which is the prettiest dusky pink shade, and draws upon the properties of rose to calm the skin, whilst the clay balances the skin. Also for hydration, La Roche Posay's Hydraphase Intense Masque, which I use primarily on my cheeks and chin, as they tend to be the driest areas of my face (my chin is always really, really dry). I've yet to find any chemical exfoliator masques that I like as much as the one from Ren, but I will update you should I find any... or if you have any recommendations I would love to hear them!

Oils:

A little addition to this post, and not one for your face (shock!), is a bath oil. There's nothing that soothes me as much as a hot bath, and a calming bath oil as the natural scents just envelop you in a hug that you don't want to let go of. These mini's from Aromatherapy Associates are the perfect accompaniment for a soak, as you can concoct your own bath oil cocktails, depending on what mood you're in, and what your body and mine requires. A little bit of Relax Deep and Support Equilibrium can go a long way - trust me!

Another bath oil that is amazing at unwinding muscles is from Neom. I purchased the Sicilian Lemon and Fresh Basil Bath Oil and I feel like it was one of the best discoveries that I've made in relation to skincare products. A moisturising and relaxing oil not only unwinds muscles, but also infuses the skin with nourishment, leaving my limbs feeling supple and smooth, ready for a light coating of moisturiser before slipping into bed for a night full of sleep. I always find that I sleep best after using a bath oil - it must make me so relaxed that I slip into the land of dreams as simply and easily as I can. 

Easy Summer Outfit Flatlay

I do love a good flatly, especially when it leaves me craving the items within it. So I thought, why not do a simple Summer one, for when the weather is actually nice - rare though that is in the UK. Some canvassing of Tesco's clothing section always has me leaving with something: I'm not really a snob in that sense, I'll take some fabulous clothing, regardless of where it's from. Hence why this is a collection of three wonderful brands: Florence & Fred, Asos and Boohoo. 

A delightful sun hat, emblazoned with 'I'm Busy' because let's face it, on holiday, or even in the sun, I'l be busy with a cocktail in my hand and some delicious food. That's what I do on holiday... plus lots of swimming, and soaking up some much needed sun. But when the sun is blazing in the UK, there is always place for a sun hat: whether to sit coyly behind when you're chilling out, or simply pulling the brim down to proclaim that 'I'm Busy' whilst protecting your face from the sun's rays - there is always a time for a sun hat. And whilst lazing the day away, the perfect accompaniment is a pair of strappy heels* that can be tied at the ankle, or worn up the calf - depending on the look you want to achieve. There are similar ones here from Boohoo, that are perhaps more appropriate as a faux suede isn't going to be as good as faux leather when the Summer showers start (much like today). I am obsessed with wrap up sandals right now, and these are super comfortable - plus look how cute they are! I think the faux leather is going to be tempting me into making another purchase from Boohoo (damn yooooo, stop tempting me with luscious things).

Lastly, but not least is this wonderfully beautiful and perfect for Summer, cotton striped co-ord from Tesco: which I think they've nailed! It's super easy to wear, light, breathable and just so damn cute! You can wear them overlaid, but I tucked sleeveless top into the high waisted skirt, as I think it just completed the outfit. To make it even more perfect, I think I need to have some mesh layers under the skirt, to make it more twirly - or so that it will stand out a little bit more - so that's on my to-find/to make list. It's such a perfect outfit and I cannot wait for lazy Summer days so I can wear this outfit again - come on Summer, make your move!