Palettes I Use Everyday

When it comes to make-up palettes, I'm a self-confessed hoarder. I love ones that have the do-it-all shades that you can throw in your cosmetic bag and know you're sorted with a make-up menu that fits any occasion.  I've filtered down the ones I use every day (okay, most days) - from contour, to brows, to a good range of blushes. So these are the ones always within grabbing distance...

Ah, the NAKED Basics. Everyone needs a good neutrals palette in their life. Don't under estimate the importance of some seemingly boring, neutral shades. With this, you have everything you need for a 2-minute eye look. 'Faint' is the perfect matte brown brow shade that stays put all day for simple understated brows. 'Naked 2' and 'Faint' combined together make a super quick brown smokey eye when you're on limited time. As for the white shades, you have 'Venus' to highlight inner corners, 'WOS' for the perfect matte base, and 'Foxy' with the right amount of yellow-under tone to subtly highlight the brow bone. Wack a tiny bit of 'Crave' in the outer V and you've got yourself the perfect everyday neutral eye.

I haven't stopped gushing over the Too Faced 'Cocoa Contour Kit', and for good reason. This palette really is the best multi purpose contouring product, ever.  A matte setting powder, perfect contour shades, bronzer and super pigmented highlight - I'm in love. This is a new firm favourite in my make-up routine. Full review here.

You didn't really think I could filter these down to just one contouring product, did you?  I talk about the Charlotte Tilbury 'Film Star Bronze & Glow' all the time on my blog - with its dreamy packaging, buttery bronzer and champagne gold highlight, this is a contouring dream team.  If you want your cheekbones to look chiseled and highlighted to perfection, this is the one. Full review here.

Last but not least-loved is the NARS Virtual Domination Palette. This is a limited edition palette so that I'm so glad I got my hands on.  This packs in some of NARS best seller blushes, including 'Deep Throat' along with the cult 'Laguna' bronzer. NARS is my go-to for blushes, and I absolutely love the range in this palette.

What palettes do you use everyday? Do you have any of these?

Lydia Rose,

xoxo

How To Fall Back In Love With Your Blog

When you fall out of love with your blog, sometimes it feels like you'll never get that love back. Blogging has given me so many positives and opportunities and is something I'm so passionate about. But there are many reasons why we might fall out of love with blogging. For me, it was having to take a huge chunk of time off for my final year at University. After months away, it felt like I was never going to fall back in love with my blog which had always been my outlet and hobby. If you've fallen out of love with your blog, here's some ways to get back to normal...

Reflect on your most popular content 
Have a look through your archives and take some time to reflect. What has received the most views or had the most engagements? Look for the positives in your posts, what are you proud of, the writing? Photography? Unique idea?  Reflecting on your own posts will remind you how far you've come in your blogging journey and may give you the reboot needed to be inspired again.

Connect with other bloggers 
Blogging is a community and one that feels amazing to be apart of. Getting re-connected with other bloggers stops it from feeling overwhelming and even lonely.  The weekly #bbloggers chats on Wednesdays and Sundays are what helped me to grow my blog when I first started. Joining in on a few recently reminded me how much I love the community and miss being connected with the blogging world.

Change things up 
Think of your blog like a bedroom, sometimes it takes moving things around a little bit to feel like it's brand new. Your blog is a creative space which you have absolute control over, so giving it a little refresh can sometimes be just what you need. This can be anything from changing up your weekly features, creating a new photography style or getting a new blog design.

Make things easier for yourself 
Blogging can be incredibly time consuming, so when you're not feeling the love, avoid setting yourself massive tasks. Think pragmatically about how you can make your blogging process easier for yourself. I've done this by stressing less about including photos of make-up applied in a post. I can do simple product photos in 5 minutes, but the process of applying make-up and getting a good selfie can take forever. Sometimes it's something so simple that can making blogging much more enjoyable and easy.

Have you ever fallen out of love with blogging? What do you do to get re-inspired?

Lydia Rose,

xoxo

PS Don't forget to enter my giveaway to win a Nicky Clarke Straightener!

Things I Wish I Knew About Hair Loss (Before It Fell Out)

We've had some rough times, my hair and I. When my hair started to thin dramatically, I did a huge amount of things wrong. So these are the things I wish I knew about hair loss, before it all fell out...

Dramatic weight loss can be a factor 
It took me a long time to make the connection between dramatic weightloss and undereating with why my hair was thinning. Dramatic weightloss can be a "shock" to the body and cause physical trauma that may cause your hair to thin. Not only did I lose about two stone, but I had quite an unhealthy relationship with food and was undereating. Of course this might not be the case for everyone, but if you are looking to lose weight, eating enough to nourish your body and doing it slowly is always the best way.

Smothering your hair in products is not the answer
So your hair is falling out, what do you do? If you're anything like me, when desperation strikes, online shopping calls. I spent a ridiculous amount of money on deep conditioners and moisturising products which weighed my hair down. I always thought that the more expensive or more products I used, the better my hair would be. WRONG. Before even blow drying, I would go through a detangler, hair oil, smoothing cream, a volumising product, heat spray and sometimes even a leave in conditioner, then once dry there would be even oils! If this sounds like you, then stop now. The best thing you can do for thin, lack-lustre hair is to use as little products as possible. A few months ago I discovered WEN which has absolutely changed my life and which I will be reviewing more in depth very soon. It's a cleansing shampoo which doesn't lather and has stripped my hair of all the built up residue, leaving it feeling and looking more like my old hair. Besides a heat protector and some moroccan oil I use nothing on my hair and it's the best condition it's been in a long time.

You're going to have to find a way to make it work, without heat
Hair loss is extremely upsetting, but you have to find a way to make it work.  Daily heat is never the answer and there are plenty of hair styles you can try so that you don't have to style it. Whilst investing in a good set of hair extensions helped my confidence, I wore them everyday which of course did my hair no good. My answer was a beanie all winter and wearing my hair in a messy bun and trying to only style my hair when either totally necessary or if I was going out. It'll take a few months but your hair will thank you for it.

Being unhappy won't make it grow back faster - in fact, it'll do the opposite
How our hair looks has a huge impact on our self confidence. I allowed it to completely consume my life, damage my self-esteem and limit my happiness. Focusing on your mental and physical health is extremely important if you're losing your hair. You can't always minimise stress, but you can find ways to manage it. I was so unhappy that I found it hard to get into a routine or stay on top of daily life, which of course, makes you more stressed and more unhappy.  Don't allow your hair loss to take over your life or be another stress factor that may contribute to it falling out in the first place. The best thing I did was buy an agenda, get organised, and start going to the gym. Focus your energy on doing the things that make you happy and know that it will grow back with some time and patience.

Have you ever lost your hair?

Lydia Rose,

xoxo

PS Don't forget to enter my giveaway to win a Nicky Clarke Hair Straightener!

GIVEAWAY | WIN A NICKY CLARKE DIAMOND SHINE STRAIGHTENER

Nicky Clarke Diamond Shine Straightener*  £57.99

If you've been reading my blog for a while now, then you'll know that I am a girl who has had her fair share of hair disasters.  When it comes to heat tools we all have to be extremely careful with the products we use to make sure we're not doing excessive damage to our hair. I've recently been testing out the Nicky Clarke Diamond Shine Straightener* and have been seriously impressed. Nicky Clarke have also kindly teamed up with me to give one away, so make sure you enter via the Rafflecopter below!
So what's the deal with the "diamond shine"? The ceramic plates have real diamond dust ground into them to ensure an extremely hard surface which not only minimises damage but gives a super glossy finish. Whilst straighteners I've used in the past have felt rough on my hair, these plates are incredibly gentle, leaving it straight without the roughness and snagging. I tend to only use heat on my hair a few times a week and do feel like these leave my hair in better condition than my GHDs, mainly from how gentle the plates are. At first I thought these straighteners may be a gimmick, but they are without a doubt the best I've used.
What makes them a winner for me is the adjustable heat setting. There's 5 settings to choose from and I always opt for as low as possible to minimise damage. After a few months of using them, I could never go back to my standard straighteners which gave no control over how much heat I'm using! It really makes such a huge difference to the overall condition of your hair.
Another factor which is extremely important for me is the auto-shut off. We can all relate to the anxiety of leaving your straighteners switched on after you've left the house, but with these you can be comforted that they shut off after an hour. So overall, the straighteners are everything you could ask for. It comes with all the expected practicalities and features, and the classy packaging with inlaid diamante and rose gold accents is a blogger's dream! I've really loved using this product and would definitely recommend to anyone looking to buy a new hair straightener.

To win one for yourself, enter here!
a Rafflecopter giveawayLydia Rose,

xoxo

The Charlotte Tilbury Nude Lip

Sexy Sienna & Pillow Talk 

Given that I confessed my undying love for Charlotte Tilbury in this post last week, you won't be surprised to see another product up for review here on LydiaRoseXO. The Charlotte Tilbury 'Matte Revolution' range has to be some of my favourite lipsticks that I've tried. With their unique geometric shape, these lipsticks are easy to apply with the squared off bullet and creamy formula. They sit like a balm on the lip whilst still giving that beautiful matte finish.
The nude lip has been the ultimate blogger buzz word since the Kylie Jenner craze blew up. I tried to love MAC's 'Velvet Teddy' and failed, hard, as it just seems to wash me out. 'Sexy Sienna' is a gorgeous golden coral which I'm way more in love with. It's been my whack on and go shade all summer, not just for the easy to wear shade but for the longevity. The creamy formula means no messy application and lasts for hours without drying. The product is enriched with orchid extract for its hydrating properties, so no crusty matte lips here!
On top of that, whilst some matte lipsticks can flatten your lips (I'm looking at you, Velvet Teddy) this range has 3D glowing pigments which you can definitely see when applied. Okay, you might be sceptical of something which claims to give a '3D effect', but I have to say, I think it works! As someone who tends to feel boring with a nude lip, 'Sexy Sienna' is the total opposite to dull, dimensionless nude lipsticks I've tried in the past. When lined with the lip cheat in 'Pillow Talk', the ultimate your-lips-but-better shade, you have the perfect nude lip combination. You can go as understated or as overstated as you like, but a poutier, plumper lip without forking out for lip injections? Yes please.
I'm seriously in love with this range and definitely want some more Charlotte Tilbury lipsticks for my vanity table. Glastonberry is next on my list!

What's your favourite nude lip combination?

Lydia Rose,

xoxo

Easy Steps For Healthier Eating

Tips for Healthier Eating

As a girl who used to live off pizza, macaroni cheese and doritos, I know how hard making the move to healthier eating can be. Two years ago I was overweight, miserable and had extremely low self-esteem and body issues. Moving to healthier eating hasn't only changed how I physically look, but how I feel about myself, my energy and outlook on life. Rather than starve yourself or go on skinny tea detoxes (or ahem, laxatives), healthy eating can start with easy baby steps. Here are my top ones:

Embrace plantbased wholefoods
The plantbased community has taken over in the past couple of years, not only because this lifestyle works but because there is now an overwhelming amount of scientific studies proving that a plantbased diet is optimal for health. When you hear plantbased, this means filling your diet with fruits, vegetables, wholegrains, legumes, and no animal products. Clean eating is an extremely debatable topic and usually consists of high fat, high protein and low carb. This often leads to people depriving themselves of carbs which are essential for our energy whilst loading up on animal products that are high in cholestoral and fat. Every body is different but I have personally found this lifestyle works for me as I've never felt like I'm on a diet. On a plantbased lifestyle you can eat as much as you like, have the energy to do your work outs and get over restrictive tendencies. So yes, you can eat rice, potatoes, and pasta and lose weight. If you don't believe me, check out @essenaoneill @bonnyrebecca and @tessbegg on Instagram for some inspiration.

Plan ahead and make time to cook
Healthy eating really doesn't need to be hard or time consuming, but you will definitely succumb to junk food if you're not prepared in advance. The main tip is to never allow yourself to get to the point of being starving so that you're forced to eat something processed and unhealthy. Easy ways to get around this are to batch cook - so if you're making quinoa, make a huge batch so you have some left over for salads throughout the week. It's important to always have healthy snacks, so I always have some medjool dates with me wherever I go. Yum. I always have homemade hummus or guacamole in the fridge to dip veggies in, too.

Cut fizzy drinks for green tea
The first change I ever made in my diet was cutting out Coke. Refined sugar is the devil, and drinking a can of soda is extremely unhealthy and also harmful to our bodies. If you're someone who loads up your tea with sugar and milk, you might want to consider switching to green tea which has a huge amount of health benefits.

Find healthy versions of your favourite foods
Eating healthily does not have to mean depriving yourself of what you love. The most important thing is to find healthy versions of your favourite recipes. So if you're someone who loves chinese take-away, learn how to make a stir fry with soy sauce and sauteed veggies. Or if you're worried about giving up indulgent chocolate desserts, try things like Deliciously Ella's Sweet Potato Brownies or Avocado Chocolate Mousse. One of my favourite things in life now is Banana Nicecream which is frozen bananas blended with a tiny bit of water. Try it, it will change your life.

Be patient 
It does take time, but once you make a lifestyle change, filling your body up with junk loses its appeal. Because the Western diet is so processed, our palettes are conditioned to only really taste, oil, salt and sugar. Once I dropped these from my diet and transitioned to a wholefoods lifestyle, I began to taste when something is deep fried or covered in salt, and realise how sick it makes me feel. If you're not someone who "loves" healthy food, have patience because over time your taste buds will change and once it happens you'll appreciate the nuances of taste in real food over processed.

Finally, focus on your health first 
If I could go back in time to when I first started to lose weight, focusing on my health above my apperance is the piece of advice I would give. For such a long time I would starve myself on extremely low calorie diets, to go back to bingeing on extremely unhealthy food, and of course putting all the weight back on. Even when I transitioned to a plantbased lifestyle, the rhetoric that "carbs will make you fat" was so deeply ingrained that even though I thought I was being healthy, I was still starving myself. It's only been in the past couple of months that I've started going to the gym and losing my obsession with the scales to focusing on how I feel physically and mentally. Of course, you can go on a 10 day juice detox, pay a huge amount of money to starve yourself and be miserable, and see instant results. But is losing 7lbs in 2 weeks really worth it when you'll put it all back on again and be even more unhappy than when you started? Focus on your health first and make the changes in your lifestyle to lose weight long term.

So there's my advice! Do you have any tips for healthier eating? 

Lydia Rose,

xoxo

The Base I Always Come Back To

When it comes to make-up, I have to mix things up a bit. I have my staple products that I know work, and even though I'll stray for a while, they're the ones I always come back to. Foundation is so important to get right, and what looks good on your favourite beauty Youtuber might just not look good on you. Regardless of whether it's in a pretty bottle or a hyped up new release, *sobs*. Once you've got your foundation BFF, you've got to stick together. You know what I'm saying?

For me it's always been NARS Sheer Glow in 'Gobi'. What I love about this range is that for girls like me who still resemble Casper even in the summer time, NARS have the perfect colours to accommodate. Where 'Mont Blanc' is ultra pale, 'Gobi' just has the right amount of a yellow undertone to give a glow to my pale skin. I can't speak for the other colours, but from what I've read, NARS shades get a unanimous thumbs up.

So onto the finish. This isn't a heavy duty foundation, so definitely not one for those looking to cover acne or break outs. But if you're skin isn't too troublesome, Sheer Glow has a buildable medium coverage that ticks all of my foundation boxes. Despite the misleading title, it's not actually sheer at all, but teetering on the mid point of a matte and glowy finish. There's no arguing that this foundation gives a flawless base, without the heavy and cakey feeling of a high coverage foundation.

Of course, I couldn't leave out the NARS Radiant Creamy Concealer. What I love about this product is that it's a concealer and highlighter in one, and actually does both things perfectly, unlike a lot of concealers I've tried. I absolutely love the finish of this when applied as a V-shape under my eyes to conceal dark circles and highlight my face. I always go for the lightest colour 'Chantily' which is perfect for highlighting.

What is the base that you always come back to? Have you tried these?

Lydia Rose,

xoxo