Hey guys,

So I get stressed and anxious so easily and I have seen so many people around me are the same, especially with the pandemic and going back into work. Stress can affect us in different ways but is just a normal part of life, everyone gets it at some stage; whether it's majority of the time or just a little bit. I personally envy those who only get stressed now and then. I'm such an overthinker even with the small things. I think more and more people will be suffering with stress & anxiety now as most people are back to work, school, university. 

Here are 5 tips that can help with stress:

1. Move - Whether this cleaning, going for a walk, going the gym - Just move your body and get active. 
   
2. Write it down - I find I get my best headspace for blogging when I am anxious or stressed and want to escape reality for a bit. If your not a blogger maybe invest in a notepad, or Microsoft word or even the notes section on your phone. I always find that when I'm overthinking or if someone has irritated me just pouring my heart into a draft post or draft word document just feels like a weight off my shoulders. Anybody else done this?
3. Mindfulness - There are so many different mindfulness apps available. I especially love the App, Calm. This really does calm me down and helps with my breathing techniques. I have my sleep patterns is a lot better. Another mindfulness technique is Yoga. So many more people are taking up Yoga, I think I hear a conversation about Yoga everyday. In April my Uncle had a few minor heart attacks (if minor is appropriate) and has since took up Yoga to help keep relaxed and you can see such a difference. 
   
4. Pause, take a breathe, adapt & allow - If something is stressing you out, pause and take a breather before taking upon that stressful task. If it's somebody who is stressing you out, pause and take a breather and just think are they worth the stress/trouble/your mind space?! This pandemic has made me re-evaluate and I even got a tattoo on my foot with the word 'Pause...' with a butterfly flying away to represent me letting it go. Allow yourself to close that book (if so) or take that different path, its acceptable. There are so many different options and choices out there now.
   
5. Do the small tasks first, if appropriate - I always used to find I would do the bigger tasks first as I think 'Oh hey now look at my pile now the big ones are out the way'. But then the smaller piles would be the most complicated. Depending on the task, I have found sometimes the smaller tasks can actually take up the most time vice versa. Sort your piles out or write down your tasks, scan over them and sort what you think would work for you. End of the day, it's all about destressing so what works for me might not work for the next person, so it is literally on what is best for you.

Hey guys,

So they say to live your life and be a rule breaker but hey who doesn't like a few rules. There are a few rules that everyone should follow to make life easier and more pleasant, not just for you but for everyone. When you've been walking behind someone, how do you feel when they hold the door for you? How do you feel if they haven't? Same as how do you feel when you walk past and a stranger smiles at you? How do you feel when you have done a good deed for the day? It makes your day a little bit more happier.

1. Don't hold grudges
2. Say yes to new things
3. But always remember you can say no
4. It's okay not to be okay
5. Go after what you want - Life is too short - But also please be aware of any consequences (If there's any)
6. Never compare yourself to others
7. Apologise when needed - Even if you think you're right
8. Be grateful & appreciative
9. Be kind (Especially more so to the mean ones)
10. Be the better person
11. Tell them how you feel - Don't bottle up
12. Respect yourself aswell as others - How would you like to be treated?
13. Manners
14. Love & Self-love
15. Always check up on people - But remember it also goes two ways too
16. Take responsibility for your actions
17. Follow your heart
18. Always smile - But also don't be afraid to have a cry

Hey guys,

So you know with my previous post where I spoke about my Dermaplaning Experience (click here) I have now adventured further and tried out a skin peel. Skin peels have always fascinated me but I've always been nervous to try them as my skin is prone to breakouts so didn't want to irritate it further. However, I found this local girl on Instagram who is a Facial & Skin Specialist (@Facialvibez) and her content is unreal. I can be quite anxious meeting people especially around my age and the fact I have to have my skin bare but Becki was the most loveliest girl, so welcoming and quite chatty so I felt at ease. 

Process

1. Double Cleanse
2. Painless Peel - Buffs away any dead skin cells that can clog pores & lead to future breakouts
3. Skin peel - Choice of 3
4. Toner
5. Hydrating Mask
6. Eye Cream
7. Hydrating Serum
8. Moisturiser/after cream

The 3 peels Becki offers are 3 different but superficial ones. Firstly, there is a Refresh peel. This is aimed at skin rejuvenation including; ageing, fine lines, sun damage and skin laxity. The second peel is a Glow peel. The glow peel is aimed at hyperpigmentation. And the final peel is a Pure peel. This is the peel I opted for which is targeted at people who have oily, combination, sensitive, acne prone or congested skin. 

The Pure peel consists of 20% salicylic acid, 12% lactic acid and 12% glycolic acid. Blending these acids together creates the perfect peel for those who want to:

• Reduce acne
• Improve skin texture
• Reduce inflammation
• Reduce blackheads, pores & comedones
• Reduce fine lines & wrinkles
• Helps with skin ageing

As previously mentioned these peels are light and superficial; therefore your skin doesn't shed like the extent of other peels. My appointment was at 8pm which was handy as my skin had its treatment and could continue to hydrate itself within the night. 

Before the peel

Before the peel

Glycolic Acid - This type of acid exfoliates the epidermis & stimulates the growth of new skin. It safely removes the outer layer of dead skin cells helping fresh new skin come to the surface. This AHA is the most effective in getting to the deeper layer and stimulating the collagen production cells.  This is recommended for ageing.

Lactic Acid - Is basically the same of Glycolic acid but a lot more gentle and less irritation. Lactic acid gently exfoliates the dead skin cells away. This acid helps to get skin brighter and glowy as well as helping pigmentation. This recommended for dull, dehydrated or dry skin.

Salicylic Acid - This acid is great for unclogging pores, breakouts, congestion and inflammation. This acid helps to breakdown the bacteria that causes these problems aswell as reducing redness and blemishes. This is recommended is you suffer from spots.

(Source: Caroline Hirons)

After Care Process

Each peel are very light and require no down time. Becki recommended to keep my skin care regime very basic. For the following week I made sure my skin was hydrated throughout the day as one of the effects of the peel is that your skin will feel very dry, flaky & tight. The products I used was:

• La Roche Serozinc Toner Spritz
• Neutrogena Water Gel Moisturiser
• Neutrogena Eye Cream
• Vichy Idéal Soleil Oil Free SPF 30

Top: During the 5 day period Bottom: 5 Days after the peel

Cost

Usually Becki charges £50 or a course of 4 is £180 but she regularly has deals and discounts on so I actually got my skin peel for £40. For September she has discount of if you book for a Sunday appointment you can get £5 off any treatment or if you and a friend book in you can both get £10 off any treatment. I think these deals and discounts are unreal. Who doesn't love a bargain?! 

Would I recommend a skin peel?

Superficial ones? 100% yes. The whole process start to finish felt amazing. My skin is a week down the line and feels so hydrated, glowing and I have noticed the red marks on my cheeks have massively reduced. I definitely do need to go again to try and reduce a few more red, deep scarring left from spots. 

I am actually booked in for this weekend but for 'The full works' facial. I'll let you know how this goes in my next post :) 

Hey guys,

Okay so yes I did Graduate 3 years ago but I remember it like yesterday. I took advantage of the student nights and boy I miss them. As you may (or may not if your new) I live just outside Liverpool and I am a homebird so I decided to go to University at Liverpool John Moores. I don't regret this at all. Not being biased but I really do think we have the best nightlife. 

According to Student Hut, Liverpool is ranked 2nd in the top 10 destinations for students, just underneath Newcastle. Check it out for reviews on Liverpool from accommodation, restaurants, shopping nightlife etc. 

Aswell as the nightlife, Liverpool is packed with culture, museums, art galleries, famous musicians ( such as; The Beatles, Gerry & the Pacemakers, Atomic Kitten, Mel C (Spice Girls), etc.), famous actors (such as; Daniel Craig, Stephen Graham, Jodie Comer, Kim Cattrall, Paul McGann, Dominic Purcell, Paul O'Grady, etc.) and also films/TV series' that have been filmed in Liverpool (especially with the Tunnels) with the latest being the new Batman which is set to be released next year. 

• Friends - I genuinely believe minus all the stereotypes people have about Liverpool we are one of the loveliest cities. You'll make so many friends. Some you won't see again, some you'll stay in touch with but doubt you'll see them much and then you have the ones where you can remember life without.  
• If you are moving to the city, Fresher's Week is the perfect week to break the ice with your apartment, your course and just bumping into new people in the clubs (especially girls in the toilets) 
• Momentums - You will in doubt be robbing silly little things throughout Uni but definitely on Fresher's Week. I'm not talking about serious things don't worry. But one of my friend's took a fire safety sign and a few glasses from the pub (especially gin glasses). I've seen people roaming the streets with traffic cones that they have taken haha. Everyone thinks its hilarious, it's such a typical student thing. 
• Shopping - Who can resist spending their payslip? Imagine when your student loan comes in, especially your first income. Heaven... Hit those shops and have a splurge. It's deserved especially working so hard to get into University. Your a student once, live it to the full extent. Liverpool is full of different shops whether its the high end brands, independent stores, your typical shops etc. 
• I remember coming home each night from Fresher's Week covered in stamps from the Promoters, I even had one on my neck at one point (I was friend's with the Promoters so one did it as a joke). You do get bombarded by them. You get rid of 1-3 promoters turn around and then there will be another few promoters. Especially wafting them free shot cards; in particular Concert Square. Lethal student section of Liverpool. The next morning you and your friends will be trying to piece the night together but with the stamps you can easily trace your steps back haha. And boy, trying to get them off hurt like a b***h. 
• I didn't move out (due to my Mum & Dad's job I wouldn't have had the financial support & I do live nearby) therefore I do regret how I didn't have the full student experience. But in my defense I did stay in my mates all the time haha. But one thing I did notice for most people in first year was that everyone in the same apartment would have bought their own kettle, toaster, cutlery, plates etc. It's craziness haha.
• Fresher's Week feels like it's never going to end. The events never seem to stop and there a few each night so you feel like its impossible. But somehow (I don't even know how) you manage to get through them (and especially power through the hangovers). This is why you see a typical student in a nice outfit and trainers haha. 
• Freebies - Within that week Liverpool John Moores held an event where you can sign up for clubs and basically pick up freebies and vouchers. I came back with bags and bags full of goodies such as; notepads, pens, post it notes, some cans to drink at the pres (ahah) and there was also free slices of pizzas to grab whilst you was there. Who can resist?!