My Latest Challenge

Over the last week I have been trying out a new exercise routine based on methods used by ballet dancers.

The exercises are intense and concentrated and although I started off not doing as many reps as suggested, I was soon able to increase the amount quickly.

After the first day I felt like I had certainly used some deep muscles I hadn't used for a while and was surprised how I felt the next day. I knew I had done something but wasn't in pain (we've all had those workouts whereby the next day you can barely walk).

I definitely like this exercise routine. I will keep you updated on how I get on and will share what exactly the routine involves very soon :)

7 Foundation Mistakes That Make You Look Older

The foundation you use on your face is the base on which your whole look is built. And just like with your home, a cracked, aging foundation is not the ideal base to build on. In fact, some foundations contain ingredients that can age you prematurely. Here are tips on what to avoid, what to buy, and how to apply it from celebrity makeup artist Andrew Sotomayor.

4 Ingredients In Your Foundation That Are Aging You

• Powders (unless they're mineral-based): Powders are notoriously drying and can emphasize fine lines and wrinkles. (Mineral-based powders absorb surface oils and blur fine lines.)
• Pancake makeup: It has the most concentrated pigment, but it goes on too thick, sinking into fine lines that then make the foundation crack and look cakey.
• Alcohol: It's a drying agent. And the drier your skin, the older it looks.
• Parabens: These preservatives are often used in makeup. Studies suggest that methylparaben may react adversely with UVB rays to accelerate the aging process and cause irreversible DNA damage.

Foundation Application Don'ts:

• Don't apply too much foundation at once. It's much easier to layer foundation than it is to take it off.
• Don't use your fingers to apply foundation. Your skin could look splotchy and cakey, says Sotomayor.
• Don't apply a shade of foundation that's even the least bit off. Foundations that are a little too gray or yellow can make you look like you're wearing a mask.

Foundation Application Do's:

• Do use a brush, says Sotomayor, because it evenly distributes foundation across your skin, allowing you to get more from less. 
• Do apply foundation conservatively, using very small amounts to begin with—think half a pea—on your forehead, cheeks, and top of the nose and chin.
• Do purchase a foundation shade that matches your skin as closely as possible. Test until you find the perfect shade.

Source:prevention.com/beauty/foundation-makeup-mistakes-age-you

A Quote to Think About!

Can Lemon Water Really Help You Lose Weight?

Celebs such as Gwyneth Paltrow and Real Housewives of New Jerseystar Dina Manzo guzzle hot water with lemon as if the liquid was bottled at the Fountain of Youth itself. They're certain it aids in weight loss—but is the claim too good to be true?

"Hot water with lemon in and of itself does not cause any actual weight loss," says Alissa Rumsey, R.D., a spokesperson for the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. However, if this drink is replacing a beverage that is higher in calories, like coffee with sugar or fruit juice—and that results in a calorie deficit—then it can help you lose weight.

Drinking water—whether hot or cold, infused with lemon, or plain—also helps keep your metabolism humming. "Staying hydrated is an important component of a healthy diet because it boosts your metabolism," says Rumsey. "For those that don't enjoy plain water, adding some lemon is a great way to boost the flavor without adding calories."

In the short term, drinking water with lemon can also reduce bloating—it acts as a mild, natural diuretic, says Rumsey. However, if you're experiencing bloating in the long-term, it's best to figure out what is causing it and work to stop those habits: Eating too fast, drinking through a straw, drinking carbonated beverages, consuming too much salt, and consuming foods with sugar alcohols are common culprits.

You also don't want to chug water with lemon religiously if you experience heartburn or acid reflux, as the citrus in the lemon will only exacerbate your symptoms, says Rumsey. Now you know!

Source:eatclean.com/scoops/lemon-water-weight-loss