The One Week Skin Challenge - Day 7 I'm Done ?? Already??

So, today was the final day of my one week skin challenge. Wow. That really flew. I'm actually in shock that it is over. And the results? Well...

At first I had a bit of doubt about this challenge. Well I was pretty wrong there now. This has cleared my skin up in such a short space of time that I never thought possible. I couldn't recommend this more to anyone whether your skin needs clearing or just a radiance boost this is excellent.

There is only one thing I really must add. You really need to drink tons of water with this. The past few days I have began to slack off a bit on the 'oul uisce and my skin isn't clearing up as fast as before. Once you do that though you're flying! This also gets so much easier as you go on and soon becomes part of your normal routine!

I definitely look and feel better in myself now! I think I will keep this up for another while to get my skin fully clear and healthy. I will keep reporting back on how my skin is doing too.

So all in all, this is a definite recommendation for anyone really, a great skin cleanser and booster! Until next time,

Gabriella x

Follow me on twitter: @gabriella678 !

The One Week Skin Challenge - Day 4, 5, and 6 Almost there!

So tonight was night number 7 of this one week skin challenge. Tomorrow, it will be one week since I started. Let's talk about the results so far...

My skin has cleared up so much. I am absolutely delighted! The blackheads across my nose are pretty much gone with also few spots remaining on my forehead. My skin looks so fresh and healthy and I am just so happy with it.

Tomorrow I will do a final review on this challenge. Right now, I think I will keep up the routine to get my skin completely clear and glowing and to also possibly keep it going after to keep my skin that way. I look and feel so much better in myself which is brilliant.

Definitely a recommendation if you are looking for clear, or even just glowing skin. Until tomorrow,

Gabriella x

Want to get in on the action? Follow me on twitter @gabriella678 and/or add #oneweekskinchallenge to your tweets!

The One Week Skin Challenge - Day 3 A Few Tips And Tricks!

So today is day three of the One Week Skin Challenge and tonight will be night four of my face washing routine. I've figured out a few tips and trick along the way which really help!

Ok so firstly you do need to focus when doing this. I began multi-tasking during it and almost missed a few steps (although I am a bit of a daydreamer) which you really don't want to do.

Also, when you are doing the water-sugar scrub just watch out, as the scrub likes to drip all the way down your arms so it helps if you check your arms when finished so you don't end up lying in bed a realising you have sugar all down your arm.

I also have really helpful tip about drinking tons of water. Try drink a glass an hour. I think this is way easier anyway but maybe some people have different ways so whatever suit you!

This definitely gets easier as you go along and just becomes normal and doesn't seem like as much as it actually is.  Can't wait to see the results! Until then,

Gabriella x

If you want to get in on the action just follow me on twitter @gabriella678 and/or add #oneweekskinchallenge to any of your tweets!

The One Week Skin Challenge - Day 2 Why Can't I eat Youuu!

It's day two of the One Week Skin Challenge and tonight will be my third evening doing my special skin routine. Let's see how I'm getting on.....

So night number two after my nightly ritual my skin was already feeling and looking better. It still took me the half hour but I really enjoyed it and I looked forward to it during the day (Crazy, I know).

I woke up this morning (hated to get out of bedddd, so I called up the weatherman...) to find fresh-looking skin. There was most definitely a lot less spots on my forehead and any redness has certainly calmed down a lot. My skin where there was no blemishes is looking fresh and glowing.

What is really annoying me is not being able to demolish my remaining Easter eggs, but, by the looks of things anyway, it really will be worth it in the end. I'm drinking tons of water (well trying anyway) so I'm hoping that is helping things along. The healthy eating isn't bad at all, I'm actually quite enjoying it. I definitely feel better in myself already. I did kind of cave today but only once...I had a bit of cake. I did enjoy it though if that's any consolation! That's it though. No more. Not until the week is over anyway!!!

I may have to stare at the nommy Easter eggs, but my skin is definitely looking better and I feel better too. I can't wait to see the results! Until tomorrow,

Gabriella x

Want to get in on the action? Follow me on twitter @gabriella678 and/or add #oneweekskinchallenge to your tweets!

The One Week Skin Challange - Day 1 And We're Off!

That's it I said. I'm fed up. There's no way to disguise it. My skin is currently annoying the bejaysus out of me and I'm sick and tired of it. What am I going to do about it, you ask? The one week skin challenge of course!

What is this One Week Skin Challenge you speak of? Well, there's a few things to it.

The main point is that you perform this skin cleansing 'ritual' shall we call it. You have to do this each night for it to work and you cannot perform any of these steps throughout the day or else you'll just muck up the whole program. Here's the link to my 'ritual': http://www.wikihow.com/Get-Clear-Skin-in-1-Week, and here's just a brief overview of what I do:

1. Soak a towel in hot water and place it over your face. The steam and heat opens your pores.
2. Wash your hands properly to remove and dirt or anything that maybe on your hand (key for whenever you're washing your face so no dirt is transferred onto your face). Make a puddle with your hands and squeeze in the cleanser. Rub your hands together and cleanse. Rinse off with WARM water and whatever you do, start singing I Will Survive if you want, just whatever you do, DO NOT USE COLD WATER after as this will close the pores and everything else wont work. Pat dry but not completely dry.
3. Get 10 drops (I know seems like nothing but since it's acidic I wouldn't use any more). Smear all over you face and leave for 10 seconds. If it burns, leave on for no longer than 3 seconds. Rinse off with WARM water. This is your toner (it removes any bits of dirt your cleanser missed)
4. Next, mix 2 tablespoons of sugar and 2 tablespoons of water in a bowl (I'm thinking lukewarm water here so as not to close the pores but not to melt the sugar) so that it forms a thin paste. Add another tablespoon of sugar and mix again. Then pour out just a little bit of the water. Scoop up a bit of the mix onto one cheek. Scoop some more onto the same one. Rub in circular motions for 60 seconds (Seems long, I know but just wait until you feel your skin after!) then rinse off. Repeat on the other cheek, then forehead (I also did my nose and my chin). This is your exfoliator .
5. Last but definitely not least, splash your face with cold water. "Hot water unlocks, cold water locks". This will close your pores. I then moisturised within the '10 Minute Rule' as I am calling it. This means that you apply your moisturiser no longer than 10 mins after washing.

This took me 30 mins to do on my first try last night, but trust me the results are worth it. Straight after my skin felt baby soft. It looked a bit red but that was natural from my skin after washing anyway. I wasn't so sure if I'd notice any difference in the morning but I was pleasantly surprised. There was no redness and already I was noticing less spots, especially on my forehead. I washed my face again this morning using a daily exfoilator and finished off with cold water and then my moisturiser.

Now there is a few things that I am choosing to add after research on the internet to help this along, but not only will this be great for your skin on the outside it is also great for the inside too.
- Drink lots and lots of water. At least eight glasses a day.
- Eat either 2 apples or one large orange BEFORE breakfast.
- Exercise between at least 30 mins-1hour a day (I've started pilates at home as there are some great tutorial videos online)
- Eat larger meals so that you don't snack inbetween. This is to, er, 'get the bowels moving' if you get me there.
- If you decide to eat things such as pasta and bread, make sure they're wholegrain. If you must eat bread try keep it to a minimum and even try wheat free bread.
- This is one most people know anyway but avoid the gungy food i.e. chocolate sweets, pastries, I think you can see where this is heading...
- Get 15 mins of natural sunlight a day. This is why people get more spots in winter, 'cause they to cool fo' the cold!
- Make sure you get at least 8 hrs sleep a night.
- Some foods that really help are walnuts, green tea, green veg, oils like olive oil or flaxseed oil, whole grains, fish, purple and deep red foods, lean meats and lean turkey.

There just some key pointers as I say, but I think to really maintain your skin this may be what you have to do. I'm actually enjoying it, I really feel better in myself already!

So maybe it sounds a bit crazy, I know but I'm willing to try it! Will report back tomorrow,

 Gabriella x

P.S. Follow me on twitter @gabriella678 to see how I'm getting on!
UPDATE: Want to get involved? Just use #oneweekskinchallenge at the end of any tweets!

Avon Ultra Colour Rich Moisture Seduction Lipstick, Oh Snazzaay!

I'm in utter shock. I cannot believe it has been so long since I posted! But don't worry I'm back and back for good!!! Anywho, I think it's time I got started don't you?

So, today what I have is a sample of Avon's Ultra Colour Rich Moisture Seduction Lipstick. What a mouthfull. Is it worth it? Well,You'll just have to wait and see won't you? 

I have been on the search for decent red lipstick for a while now. I've been into to boots and stores alike on the search for a ruby red lipstick for a decent price (i.e. there was no hope in me paying 30 euro for lipstick), coming out with multi-coloured arms full of swatches. So, when this little guy (or girl, your preference) pooped in through my letterbox I was more than happy to give him a shot. Especially when I saw that the shade name was Red Kiss.

Have I found my HG (Holy Grail) Lipstick??

This new lipstick from Avon promises more than just colour, but that is it is "packed with rich, hydrating ribbons to leave your lips feeling fabulous. Seems legit eh? This comes in twelve shades altogether. Four with a pearl finish: Rose Star, Gold Glitz, Fiery Red and Shimmering Violet. Then there is eight without the pearl finish: Soft Pink, Lilac Shimmer, Rose Ribbons, Red Kiss, Fuchsia Fever, Plum Gorgeous, Smooth Mocha and Nude Perfection.

Packaging wise, I can't really comment on my small little sample but the full size lipstick does not seem to have much excitement. Basic, simple packaging which is the usual for Avon lipsticks, but to be honest at these prices I shouldn't really be expecting too much anyway.

When I swatched this I was dissapointed. This is more of a mixture between hot pink and red, though I must admit I do like the actual colour. I found this quite hard to apply, one because of the size (again though it was a sample so you probably wouldn't have an issue when using the full size and/or a lip brush) and two because this was very very soft.

Er, Maybe not...

When applied, from a distance it actually does look red but then close up you can see the pink in it. What this does remind me of though is Benefit's Benetint - just in stick form.

Moisture wise, I'm feeling no difference to be honest. My lips looked moisturised but I can't really tell if that from me moisturising them or the lipstick. Wear and tear wise this lipstick seems to be wearing well so far and I'm happy. Even after kissing a few pages to see would it all come off, the colour is still strong.

But Hey? It still looks nice!

This shade isn't exactly what I had thought but I love it. If you are a fan of Benetint this would really be a great buy as you get all the colour just in a stick. The colour strength is excellent, the moisture maybe not so much but nevertheless this is a steal at this price and would definitely reccomend! And if you did get this in your letterbox but don't like it, I had great fun drawing with it!!

This is currently half-price retailing at 5.50 euro (Normal Price: 11 euro). Available from your local Avon representitive.

Gabriella x