Winter Skincare

Mio Activist Oil is the one I use as an all over body oil and moisturiser, I also love Mio's 'The A Cream' it gives it a nice and firm feeling and isn't too strong to use on your face.

Mio Skincare The Activist Oil - shop here

I've actually first received Eve Lom Morning Cleanser with my monthly Beauty Box! I tried it out and haven't stopped since, I love it! It's a little expensive but I have to say it is very worth it, it leaves my skin super soft and you only need a little bit of it which makes it last so much longer than your usual cleansers.

Eve Lom Cleanser - shop here

Kiehls! Oh Kiehls, I love their stores, have you ever been to one? It's so cool and always makes you feel like you're in some sort of scientifically found laboratory haha, I guess what I'm trying to say is that you can tell they really take their products seriously. This toner has been my one and only since it doesn't have any citrus (due to allergies) so I've been using this for months! It's ideal before applying moisturiser and after removing make up to just get in those last few corners where makeup loves to block up.

Kiehls Ultra Facial Toner - shop here

Recently I've been having a monthly Beauty Box which is always filled with surprises and new exiting products. You can never know the inside of the box which makes it even more fun, some days it's iconic shampoos and face masks and sometimes it's mascara and some new lashes! I would highly recommend this as a present for Valentines (wink, wink) your girlfriend would love this, who wouldn't? Below I took some photos of January's month's package including my new love, bronze coloured shimmers for those cheekbones! I apply the white powder (which was also from my previous beauty box!) just above the cheek and recently tried out the bronze one to create a more natural 'cheek bone' silhouette.

Your Monthly Beauty Box - shop here

Bellapierre Cosmetics shimmers - shop here

I don't know about you but I hate how pale I get in the winter! Soo I kind of wanted to share my faves with you, NKD SKN fake tans never failed on me, I've never had any streaks and can honestly say I've not used anything else since. So the one I usually use is in a cream form and lasts me around a week so I just top it up now and then for a natural glow. I also like to use the instant tan for unexpected nights and events!

NKD SKN self-tan - shop here

I didn't find the correct foundation for me for such a long time, only the last year I've tried out BareMinerals for the very first time! The liquid foundation is affordable and is very thin yet covering. My skin is oily around the T zone and dry everywhere else, I know it sucks. But if you're the same this is ideal to have that natural balance, free of shine and not too 'caked' up face.

Bareminerals Foundation - shop here

Rodial Primer is something I use just after applying my moisturiser to give a clear application area just before foundation, it's soft and feels refreshing.

Rodial Instaglam Primer - shop here

Rodial creams are ideal for those in an active lifestyle, it plumps up and refreshens your muscles and smoothes the skin. I usually use these after a shower to hydrate the skin and love it on my skin after a day of working out.

Rodial Super Fit Size Zero cream - shop here

Rodial Super Fit Tummy Tuck - shop here

Rodial Super Fit Boob Job - shop here

Lip balms...it's a must-have in your hand bag during this cold weather. I'm never really too picky with lip balms I like ones that smell good :) I recommend these as they're all last for ages, I usually apply a little bit once I finish my makeup in the morning and then top up during the day.

The Bodyshop Lip Balms - shop here

I hope you enjoyed this post, let me know your thoughts!

Love, Skai x

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New Years Resolutions

Christmas is over and it's that time of the Year to make a few plans for the coming months! I'm not the one to say 'New Year, New Me' because I think changes can be made within you every day and I'm always the one with the notebook writing small plans and ideas. I think taking the time to plan is very important, you should always want to become better than yesterday, do something different, even if it's a very small note - it's all a step forward. One of my New Year Resolutions is to look after myself more, don't over work and create a balance within my work and a healthier lifestyle. It might sound a little selfish, but if you don't take care of yourself, no one else will! I'll surely be topping up on new supplements, vitamins, plan more workouts and try out more of a variety of food. As you can tell by this post I've also been shopping for healthier snacks as I'm terrible for sweets, so I found some great replacements for my lunch breaks :)

WRITE IT DOWN

Once it's in your notebook/ipad/phone it's already an idea, it also makes it much easier to go back to it because we've all been there forgetting it at the end of the day. Whether it's a small 'Jog with Honey' note or 'Cut down on chocolate' more of an overall note, it all becomes a focus at the back of your mind.

ONE BY ONE

Always focus on one idea at once, if you give yourself too much to handle it's very easy to then forget everything all together! Let's face it, we've all been there where a nap seems so much more appealing than doing that essay/project for work. But I promise, if you give yourself a 'Tuesday 10am-12pm' to sort out one thing you will suprise yourself how much you can actually get done. Plan by exact day and hour if you can, that way you can just tick it off and focus on your next step.

STAY POSITIVE

I know it sounds so cliche, but honestly it all comes down to how you see it. It's never really as bad as you make it out to be, yeah we all ate too much for Christmas oh well, today is a new day and let's make a change right now, for yourself. If you look back on today two years from now you will wish you started today, two years is a long time to learn, experience and live right?

ENJOY

The most important thing is, do it because you want to. Do what really makes you happy inside, this is why I personally love a healthy lifestyle it gives me a sense of freedom, control and inner happiness. You don't have to starve or be in the gym 24/7 you just need a balance, a new notebook and yourself. You can do it, if I can!

Hope you enjoyed this post and look forward to many more Fitness and Health related posts for the New Year! I'd like to take this moment to thank all the brands and people I go to work with this Year, I am forever grateful and can only wish to expand for 2016.  I hope you will enjoy my little fitness journey, blog posts and videos for the New Year as I have lots planned for us! 

Love, 

Skai x

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Black Friday - Fitness Essentials

Happy Friday! It's not just your usual Friday it's Black Friday, meaning all the sales launch today! I just wanted to share and gather all my favourites for you to make it easier to Click and Shop! I personally recommend all of the above as I have most of them and the rest I'm still lusting over and grabbing myself today :) All items are up to 70% off so start shopping these for your fitness lover boyfriend/girlfriend for Christmas (or treat yourself hehe) available until 29/11/15.

Protein Pancake Mix - see here

Women's Athletic Tights - see here

SmartShake - see here

Protein Smoothies - see here

Protein Brownies - see here

Jim Bag - see here

Happy Shopping!

Love, Skai x

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Getting Back On Track

 

Happy Sunday everyone! These last few weeks I've been finding it a little difficult to keep track and control my diet and exercise properly.  I've been working at different times and haven't really had a routine to stick to. However I do think it's very normal to have your weight fluctuate from time to time so don't ever upset yourself if it varies each time.
So within this post I wanted to share one of the ways that helped me get back on track, which was simply jogging. It could be anything that can trigger that motivation for you, a change of job, lowering sugar intake for two weeks, writing a detailed plan or going for a walk in the park it's all down to your own mind and that one simple step. Jogging helps me clear my mind of negative things, listen to a motivational song and simply breathe and feel free. Whatever works for you, take that step because from then on you're already on your journey going forward.

Last week I was kindly invited to an event at Canvas Life in collaboration with Energylab and Endomondo App. It was such a fun event with many inspiring individuals around to chat to while sipping on supernatural smoothies made right in front of us. I was also introduced to the Endomondo App by the Founders themselves which I downloaded straight away. It is basically a personal trainer in your pocket! I tracked my whole jog around London with the team and was so happy with my 40 minutes! You can use it for walking during the day, a jog or your workout in the gym all from your phone. I've got to say it's really put me back on track mentally, I felt more relaxed and ready to start planning my meals and workouts again. It all comes down to how bad you want it, do you have a body goal and will simply find ways to get there or you're not too bothered? It's totally fine either way, you choose.

Puma Running Jumper - see here

Puma Sports Bra - see here

Nike Roshe Run Trainers at ASOS - see here

Puma Leggings - see here

Let me know what puts you back on track and how you found your first walk/jog on the Endomondo App?

Have a great evening, 

Love, Skai x

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Should You: Take Supplements?

Good evening guys, I hope everyone is well! Today I wanted to do a little post on supplements, I hear so many different opinions of it all and let me guess, supplements in general made you so confused you just don't take any at all?

Well, there are so many supplements out there that it might leave you wondering whether they work or if they're even safe. First thing, not everybody needs supplements but I'm here to tell you why I do. Common supplements include minerals, vitamins and herbal products, also known as botanicals.

“It’s possible to get all of the nutrients you need by eating a variety of healthy foods, so you don’t have to take one,” says Carol Haggans, a registered dietitian and consultant to NIH. “But supplements can be useful for filling in gaps in your diet.”  

So for example myself, I am aware that in my busy schedule where I wake up early in the morning and rush off to work before I even touch breakfast sometimes. Sometimes I simply forget or don't find time to eat specific food which has all the nutrients and vitamins I would need for a balanced diet. As much as I would love to have all the correct meals per day I simply can't sit here and say that I've never swapped an apple for a piece of carrot cake on lunch. I wish I could eat more fish as I love salmon yet I couldn't eat fish every single day without getting bored of it either. I also wish I could actually enjoy an orange or two! But I have an annoying citrus allergy and luckily can take a Multivitamin which has Vitamin C instead all in one pill without having an allergic reaction. Also some vegans that miss out on specific vitamins/minerals from dairy and meats can find these in one Multivitamin/Fish Oil tablet. 

For example, Calcium supports bone strength and Vitamin D helps your body absorb Calcium. Vitamins C and E prevent cell damage and help maintain health. Fish Oil tablets is a favourite of mine, it promotes a healthy heart, hair, skin and bone health. If you're into fitness too and enjoy regular exercise I find that these are extremely important in order to stay strong especially throughout winter. 

So I guess what I'm trying to say is that you're extremely lucky if you do not need supplements, it means you're getting enough Vitamin D, veggies, meats, fruits every single day? Sadly I know I don't, especially not in London! So here are some simple and affordable supplements I personally recommend to buy to keep up a balanced and healthy immune system throughout the year! Would love to hear your thoughts about this too.

Cod Liver Oil - order here

A-Z Multivitamins & Minerals - order here

Green Coffee Bean & Raspberry Ketones Complex - order here

Green Coffee Bean & Raspberry Ketones are known for help in order to lose weight. I've had friends and myself take these for health benefits too. However I feel like there's more to it and it actually gives your immune system a health boost. Do you feel like at the moment your weight is constantly changing and you feel tired all the time? I've heard reviews and you can see on the website yourself, people who lack of sleep, vitamins and minerals can become weak which then leads to random weight gain/loss and fatigue. I would recommend to try this to gain a healthy balance with your own body, it may work for you too. I wouldn't recommend to take these daily for a long period of time and would try out one pack for when you feel at your worse to help you get on track with your usual diet and exercise. Just to end I wanted to add that I'm no scientist and just sharing my personal experiences with the supplements and the effects they've had on myself!

I hope you enjoyed this post and feel free to leave any feedback :)

Love, Skai x 

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Slinkii Athletics

Good evening lovelies! Just a quick post sharing my two favourites this week. I've been waiting for this sports bra to come for a while as it was travelling from Australia but so worth the wait! I also received this coffee scrub in a recent Blogger Lunch's goodie bag :)

I'm so excited about it and I couldn't choose between the white or black marble at first. But I thought let me get the darker one to begin with since I'll probably drop something on myself with the white one :'D

The marble pattern is beautiful and feels very tight and supportive once on. I would say if you order, go size up! I ordered a medium and it's quite tight (I'm a C/D), maybe a large one would've been perfect and i'm never usually a large in sports bras.

 Slinkii Athletics sports bra - order here

I've never really used a scrub before because I always felt like it might irritate my skin especially when getting unwanted spots! Last time I tried a scrub years ago my skin went worse and I was afraid to touch any scrub since. But this time I thought it's about time to get over it and try a new one out, especially a coffee one! It has a soft coffee scent and it's such an easy product to apply. You can use it all over body or just your face once in a while and it really does moisturise after! My skin felt so much cleaner and fresher...if that even makes sense. It felt like I had new skin basically haha, well technically I did after removing the old skin cells. It's perfect to use during your bath/shower and then once dry applying your tanning cream! It applies smoother and doesn't create strikes. (See what tan I recommend in my previous post!)

frank scrub - order here

Let me know what you guys think of the scrub and the sports bra!

Hope you're all enjoying your evening,

Love, Skai x

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Cream & Tan

Good evening everyone! My blog Scent Of Blanc has only been running consistently for the last year and a half and I just wanted to say how amazing it has been seeing feedback and working with so many different brands & inspiring people.

As a result I've decided that I'm going to make some changes to my posts on my blog and post more often! I will be linking many more products for you to browse through and buy for yourself :)

To begin, I'd like to tell you all about the tanning products that I use to keep a natural glow through out the winter and creams to moisturise!

My most favourite face mask is by Origins, it has a refreshing minty smell and applies in a very thick layer. Leave it on for 10-15mins while having a bath or doing your nails and feel much more refreshed. Personally I'm super happy it doesn't have citrus (due to allergies) so I'm forever rinsing this once a week!

Origins Face Mask - order here

My one and only is the Vita Liberata product that gives a natural gradual tan and I only have to apply it once a week. I usually apply it all over after having a shower and scrub. Towel dry all over and apply equally, make sure to scrub before as this allows the old skin cells to come off and be absorbed on to the new skin cells which will look more even & stay longer. Promise!

The one in the photo is sold out online and I found the same brand and title in this bottle here!
Vita Liberata LNKD SKN tanning cream - order here

After trying the gradual tan I couldn't resist and had to try more of the Vita Liberata products, so I grabbed the mineral powder. It is super light and applies equally with a thin layer all over face or you could double-up layers for the contouring effect. That's what I've used ever since for a natural contouring look for cheeks/forehead/nose corners and chin area.

Vita Liberata Minerals - order here

My skin naturally becomes much more sensitive and dries out easily during the winter. So I was looking for something that I can use for all over body and face. The oil is very thin and applies smoothly, whereas the cream is thicker and feels extremely moisturising once applied. Both are perfect moisturisers I guess I couldn't choose either, so got both haha :)

Mio Firming Active Body Oil - order here

Mio Firming Active Body Cream - order here

I got these super cool boot/heels a couple of months ago from Boohoo so not sure if they're still available. But have a browse they have an amazing collection of boots right now! I've been eyeing up this pair earlier! Use my code 'FLASH' for £1.99 next day delivery for all items up to 9pm tonight or code 'PERKS' to give you more time until midnight for £1.99 Standard Delivery. You're welcome ;)

The Beauty Box is an ideal gift for sisters, mothers and girlfriends. If you're surprising a best friend or meeting your boyfriends mum for the first time, this is it! Every month the content of the box changes and there are always amazing mini goodies inside. The lovely Zara from LookFantastic always treats me to one of these and I pretty much use everything! From mini face wash to take away to cream, mascara or eye pencil. Highly recommend to check it out girls!

The Beauty Box - order here

I hope you enjoyed this post and look forward to many more! Do let me know what you'd like to see more of and il see if I can schedule that in for you and mention you for your brilliant suggestion :)

Look out for a GIVEAWAY on my Instagram @scentofblanc including Vita Liberata NKD SKN gradual tanning cream and much more!!!

Love, Skai x

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