Review: Angels with Halos Skin Illuminator by MeMeMe

This product has been my saviour this winter; it's helped my dull and tired skin look glowing and dewy when I have felt anything but. My skin is very temperamental at this time of year so anything I can use that balances it out is a dream. I've been trying out a few primers over the past few weeks and have some had some disasters and some joy so I thought I'd share my favourite!

Angels with Halos Skin Illuminator by MeMeMe came out on top, I usually use MAC Strobe Cream which I do still love but as it's £24.50 compared to MeMeMe's £9.99, I'd rather buy a new lipstick or go out for lunch! It's a similar product to strobe cream but seems to work better with my skin and feels a lot lighter under my make up, just what I want. It can either be used with foundation to give you a glowy foundation or on top of foundation as a highlighter so it's a really handy product to have in your make up bag.

I also tried Clarins Beauty Flash Balm which I usually wear on its own when I'm having a no make up day or just heading to the gym, but I experimented with it under make up and had a bit of a mare. My foundation looked horrendous and patchy by the time I got to work so I spent the rest of the day feeling uncomfortable, joy... Clarins Hydraquench cream on the other hand has been working wonders on my skin so it's just finding the right products that work for you.

What beauty products are you loving at the moment?

Winter Training Tips

Berghaus Fleece and Nike Trail Trainers c/o Blacks, Top and socks from my lovely Mum, Nike Running Leggings c/o JD Sports, Nike Running Gloves from The Hut (I think I might have a thing for Nike...)

The first time I went on a 'walk' with The Man I turned up expecting a normal walk for normal humans and ended up halfway up a mountain in 6 feet of snow so inadequately dressed it was kind of hilarious. I was wearing a cashmere jumper (complete with a fox on the front), skinny jeans, leather UGG boots, a leather jacket and a backpack that aptly wouldn't have been out of place in Clueless. 

I've learned a lot since then from running outside, walking an ultra marathon with The Man for his 100k Trailwalker training and running 10k in a dark forest in December that I'm now over prepared when we go for a walk or I run outside! So I thought I'd share a few tips for training in Winter for any beginners out there who want to get fit this January without the utter banality of the gym!

What to Wear

• Layers are key for when you're training in winter, each layer traps air that will keep you warmer than one big sweatshirt and will stop you losing as much heat, add a lightweight waterproof jacket is the weather is being a bit British. I have five layers on my top in the images above and it was about 2-4 degrees over the course of a 10 mile walk, I didn't feel the cold at all! 
• I always feel the cold most in my hands so gloves are an absolute necessity, I picked up these Nike running gloves here (they're 40% off at the moment, win) and they have been a life/finger saver! They have tech-friendly finger tips so you can easily put Shake it Off back on over and over again.
• A good pair of running trainers or hiking boots that fit properly and give you support in the right areas are really important, if you're not sure where you need support you can get a fitting at somewhere like Runners Need, they will be able to tell you exactly! But if you're looking for a one size fits all beginners shoe for running, Nike Free Run are my faves. Make sure you wear new shoes in with a few short runs or walks before you head out on a proper one so you don't return with blisters for feet.
• Getting a decent sports bra completely changed my relationship with running, before I used to refuse to run at all because of my rather ample bosom but the Panache Sports Bra sorted all my problems! I cannot recommend this enough.

What to Take With You

• I am always over prepared when we go for a hike but it's better to be that way than to not have enough supplies, especially when you're in the middle of nowhere for hours and hours!
• For a long hike make sure that you have plenty of water, even if it's a cold day you still need to make sure you're hydrated. Isotonic drinks are also good to have handy for an energy boost.
• Sweets are my necessity when we go on a hike; jelly beans, jelly babies or wine gums are all great for an extra sugar boost but eat them throughout rather than all in one go to avoid sugar highs and lows. Trail mix is also a-mazing, you can easily make it yourself, it's basically M&Ms with nuts and raisins in the way.
• Make sure you also have carb and protein filled food with you to keep energy levels high, we generally have a ham or chicken in a multi-grain roll with a Trek bar or 9 Bar for lunch.
• Extra clothes are always important to have with you too, especially if it's raining! Keep an extra top and pair of socks in a plastic bag in your backpack, then they will stay dry and you can put the wet clothes in the plastic bag, sorted. A lightweight waterproof is good to have with you, even if you only use it to sit on to eat lunch!
• Lip balm is a must for me, whatever the weather I always find myself with dry lips!
• Tissues, for sniffles or just in case nature calls.
• Plaster, for blisters or in case you hurt yourself, it's rocky out there after all!
• If you're running 10-15k rather than hiking 10-15 miles, I'd suggest taking around 750ml of water, energy gels with caffeine and plasters just in case!
• Have a recovery protein shake or protein filled snack ready for you when you get back to the car or home, make sure you drink/eat it within 20 minutes of finishing your walk to get the full benefits from it.

Hair and Make-up

• Make-up is pretty much unnecessary for when you're running or hiking but I still like to wear a little BB cream with SPF to prevent sun damage, lip balm to keep my lips moisturised and waterproof mascara as I find it helps keep my eyes from watering, no idea why!
• I always have hand cream at the ready for when I get home, the cold is not friends with your hands. Clarins hand and nail treatment is my favourite at the mo.
• I cannot understand the girls who run with their hair down, if it works for you, go for it but I need it as far away from my face as possible! I find a french plait or a high bun works best for me as they both keep my fringe out of my face and my hair from annoying me as I run. Make sure you have extra bobbles and hair grips with you just in case!

I hope these little tips help you if you're planning to start hiking, walking or running to keep fit this winter. I am still a beginner but I've learned so much over the past year or so that this might save you a pair of soggy feet or blisters on your first hike!

Right, now time to set up that after work running club we've been talking about for ages, wish us luck!

New Year, New Make Up

The start of a new year is the time to clear out, detox and make new year's resolutions to become healthier, fitter and generally better people. I'm starting the new year with a massive clear out of clothes and beauty goodies to start fresh, I appear to have accrued a massive amount of both in 2014!

To new year's resolutions, I just read my post from last year and I haven't done too badly as my fitness levels are much better than last year, I posted at least twice a week on my little blog and I've changed roles at work which I'm really excited to get even more stuck into this year. But I still need to see my family more and save money, it's time to be a grown up!

So for 2015 my new year's resolutions are...

- Get fitter and healthier, but enjoy it!
- See more of my friends and family
- Have a massive wardrobe clear out
- Save money for grown up things like buying a house with The Man
- Keep up with regular posting on my blog
- Volunteer and work with charities
- Invest in quality clothes and make up that will last

So, what better excuse to update my make up collection with these pieces from RMK? I love new make up, especially when you finally find perfect matches for your skin colour and type. The RMK Creamy foundation is just that, it's not only the perfect colour but the creamy consistency works amazingly well with my skin type, it stays put all day instead of sliding off around 3pm!

This RMK blusher from the Power of Love collection and has two tones, the pink is a matte shade that is great for people with fairer skin like myself, and the highlighter shade adds a bit of sparkle, what's not to like?

Now it's time to get started on the wardrobe clear out, wish me luck, I may be some time... Have you made new year's resolutions for 2015?