News

Skincare is a minefield. If you have a quick search for skincare tips, you’ll soon find that nearly every expert is offering completely different advice from the last. Often this advice is recommending extortionate products you need to purchase to achieve the perfect skin. However, some of the best skin remedies are super inexpensive! Don’t be fooled by the big brands plugging their products and promising you the perfect glow in return. Check out these natural skincare tips that we swear by.

1. Take care of your pillow case.

When we think about skincare, we think about serums, lotions and potions. We don’t often consider the one thing that has the more contact with your face than anything else – your pillow. You spend eight hours (or at least you should…) with your skin pressed against a pillow case, and so the material matters. Be sure to opt for a soft fabric, silks will be a lot gentler than coarse cotton. You also need to wash it very regularly to prevent bacteria build up. Make-up residue and sweat lingers on pillows and leads to breakouts. If you tend to sleep in the same position every night, you should try to switch it up. Putting pressure on the same side of your face often will lead to fine lines and additional irritation.

2. Hydrate.

Cue the yawning and sudden disinterest. We all know that drinking plenty of water is the cornerstone of happy skin and most of us are quite happy to overlook that. However, hydration isn’t necessarily about drowning yourself in water. You can hydrate your skin far more effectively by eating your water. Try to incorporate water-rich foods like watermelon and cucumber into your diet. You can purchase moisturisers that are great for the appearance of dehydrated skin, but the long-term effects of keeping skin hydrated are unrivalled.

3. Don’t be so hard on yourself.

We’re talking exfoliation-wise, not self-esteem (but that helps too!). Exfoliation can be amazing at unveiling gorgeous, bright skin from underneath layers of dead cells. Unfortunately, a lot of women go above and beyond the call of duty here. Scrubbing with too much pressure can damage healthy skin cells and irritate your complexion. It’s not just the initial redness that can be problematic, the damage can be lasting – especially with extra-aggressive scrubbers! The best practice with exfoliation is to exfoliate softly for a longer amount of time.

Most importantly, try not to fall for every trending skincare hack you see. Something that’s miraculous for one person’s skin can be disastrous for someone else’s. Stick to products that are suitable for your skin type and always discontinue use if it irritates your skin. Though it might be boring, the best thing you can do for your skin is to avoid harmful habits like smoking and drinking too much alcohol. Try not to worry too much about breakouts as stress will only exacerbate the problem. Be kind to your skin and it’ll reciprocate.

Whether travelling for business, holidaying with family or attempting to maintain standards on your 'gap year' the stress and often inconvenience of packing is all too familiar. 

Having recently returned from a wonderful trip around Italy with friends it became apparent that there are two types of people:

1. Those that can organise and maintain a perfectly packed suitcase wherever they are in the world.

2. Those with a more care free attitude who would be happy with throwing personal items together and hoping for the best. 

Nothing can test your packing skills more than the rigorous scrutiny found at airport security or perhaps an over-itinerarised trip requiring frequent unpacking and repacking.

Over the years I have travelled both on my own and with various groups and companions, including children, so I'd like to think that I have now nailed the perfect packing routine and can be equipped and prepared for all situations whatever the location or accommodation.  

1. Resist Temptation!

I used to think that 'more the merrier' applied to clothes, shoes, accessories etc and would pack for all weathers and possibilities regardless of where I was travelling to.  It seems obvious but avoiding this makes it easier to organise what you are taking and therefore making what you do take justify its position in your luggage. Think about the weather, the activities you will be doing and the duration then make your packing list accordingly. Trying on outfits beforehand is a great way to plan and some people even take photos to remind them of their outfit options when away from home. A capsule wardrobe is key and will ensure all pieces can be worn more than once. 

2. Bag it up!

Bags in bags... possibly the most important tip I can give for efficient packing.  Whether you want to use travel pouches, cubes or bags being able to segment items is very important.  Most people already keep their travel docs together for ease at the airport but don't stop there.  Tech items like chargers should be kept together in a pouch, as can a medicine kit, underwear, accessories and I could go on ....even a bag for bags perhaps!  This makes everything easy to find, to repack and will generally keep the suitcase more organised.

3. Roll with it!

I am a firm believer in the rolling method of clothes.  Unlike folding, it reduces the creasing and can be more efficient regarding space - some people also add tissue paper between clothes. 

4. Become a collector!

When it comes to toiletries don't be tempted to open all those freebies and sachets in magazines as soon as you see them but store them up as they are perfect for travel, particularly if just travelling with hand luggage. Also mini versions of makeup and lotions help keep the weight and space to minimum.  Benefit do a great range of mini products perfect for looking great on any trip.

5. Plan Ahead!

My final tip is an essential life saver should your hand luggage be mislaid! Make copies of all essential documents from passports, to flight and accommodation details and keep them in another bag - this will save a lot of hassle if anything is lost or stolen.

Bon voyage! 

Do you ever feel like you’re behind on a million things despite being busy around the clock? Many of us do. A hectic schedule can get the better of us, and sometimes it feels impossible to claw back control. Take a minute. Breathe. Make a cup of tea and read these top tips on how successful people de-clutter their livelihoods and, well, succeed.

Always think one day ahead.

Whether it’s rushing around in the morning to conjure up an outfit combination or wandering around in circles at the supermarket, most of us are culprits of poor planning. We’ve been taught ever since our school days to plan a night ahead. The advice might seem tired, but it’s essential for time conservation. It’s far easier to leisurely pack a bag the evening before than it is to scramble around ten minutes after you ought to have left the house. Show a little love to your tomorrow-self. Be prepared.

Learn to say no.

Many of us battle with the fear of letting others down. When asked to go out for drinks or do a friend a favour, the thought of saying ‘no’ is unimaginable. However, try to think back to the last person who said no to you. If Jenny told you she was behind on work when you asked her out to drinks, would you be offended? I think not. We all need to learn to prioritise ourselves. Sometimes that means catching up with laundry rather than a lunch date. Most of us know what we need to take care of in order to be stress-free and happy. We just need to learn how to put it into practice.

Don’t let things pile up.

It’s all too easy to open and email and decide to reply later. But all too often we forget until we have a dozen emails we need to address. Save yourself the inevitable stress that follows putting something off. If you learn to tackle every task as it comes, there’ll never be a backlog. Sign the permission slip the moment you’re given it. Hang the washing on the line as soon as it’s done. Wash up the dishes after each meal.

Keep a diary.

You’re only human. With a busy schedule it’s impossible to remember where to be and when. Rather than rack your brains for a vague memory of somewhere you’re supposed to be, save yourself the time and make a note of it in a day-by-day organiser. You can write up your weekly and monthly goals, keep on top of shopping lists and keep track of your schedule. Make your organiser your bible and abide by it.

These habits don’t manifest overnight. You need to remind yourself often to practice them. But eventually, you will find them slip into your thought process. It’ll be second nature to prioritise, act fast, and conserve crucial time. The best way to ensure that you stick to these productivity tips is to fill your newfound spare time with the things you love. Spend more time with family, take up a neglected hobby, just do you boo!

Ahh the famous pamper night. One of the most common tropes of the uphill battle against stress and sleep deprivation for 21^st century women. But how many of us actually partake in the increasingly elusive pamper night? Turns out, not so many.

A lot of women see a pamper night as an end-of-week treat reserved only for rare Sundays without plans. Some see it as the antidote to an awful day at work. But what if we incorporated a pamper night into our weekly schedule? What if every week we devoted a few hours to the real love of our lives – ourselves?

Taking time out to relax and indulge works wonders for your self-esteem, stress levels, and can set you up to brave the working week drudgery. But it seems that many of us simply don’t have an entire evening to sacrifice to such luxury.

Firstly, let’s abandon the American chick-flick cliché of a pretty blonde in a bright green face mask, on the phone to her gal pals, wearing pink toe-separators while she applies a glittery nail polish. Let’s be realistic and accept that:

1) Nobody enjoys that much multi-tasking on pamper night.

2) Nobody uses toe-separators in 2018.

We need to go back to basics. That extortionate Jo Malone candle you’re afraid to light? Light it. That teeny-tiny La Mer moisturiser sample you won’t touch? Use it. The hair mask you normally save for big nights out? Slather it all over your locks and feel like Rapunzel.

We save all these little luxuries for ‘big nights’ and ‘special occasions’ but fail to realise that these nights will be special regardless. So why not add a little magic to a Tuesday night? Rather than make a huge effort to look amazing in pictures, why not glam up just for you? Regular, small indulgences go a long way in boosting our overall outlook. Don’t live life saving all your perks for events that only come up a handful of nights per year.

Along with the little tipples of sample treatments you’ve accumulated over the years, there’s plenty of little treats you can pick up at very little expense. A great night’s sleep is essential to a happy morning, invest in your rest. Pick up some fluffy PJ’s, a blackout eye mask and a high-quality memory foam pillow. A relaxing pillow spray will cheer you up each night before you fall asleep, and make you smile the moment you wake up. The same goes for reed diffusers and any aromatherapy products. Invest in the smell of your home and it’ll manifest into your mood.

While it can be a real treat to listen to your classic power playlist, don’t. Browse through playlists linked to similar artists and you’ll find yourself stumbling on tracks you haven’t heard for years. Nostalgia is the cheapest self-indulgence there is, and you should seize it.

There are tons of ways that you can add a touch of celebration to the every day. So, remember to invest in yourself regularly. What I’m trying to say is – keep up the #livingmybestlife mentality, even when the cameras aren’t on you.

Being a modern woman is a struggle at the best of times. The daily drudgery of work, studying, or motherhood is a recipe for burning ourselves out – and we do, a lot. So, what do we do when we need a boost? Often, we follow the self-destructive path of Netflix binges, ice cream, and day-long naps that ruin our sleeping pattern for the week.

There’s a very fine line between self-love and self-sabotage. If you’re looking to indulge without gorging on a weeks’ worth of rest, calories and budget - consider some ways to counter toxic “treat yo’self” mentality.

Re-arrange your rooms.

Feng Shui isn’t just superstition. You might not prescribe to crystals and Buddha statues, but many elements of the pseudoscience have been known to boost moods. Simple changes like moving your bed to the centre of the room and opening walkways up can completely change the vibe of your home.

Buy yourself flowers.

Cut out the middle man and buy yourself a bouquet of your favourite blooms. They’re guaranteed to make you smile every time you walk by. Better yet, buy some low-maintenance potted plants or herbs and cultivate them on your windowsill. Not only will seeing greenery influence your mood, you’ll have a mild sense of accomplishment for upkeeping them.

Lay out PJ’s before you leave the house.

Coming home after a long day is a wonderful feeling. But sometimes our homecoming splendour is ruined by traces of the hectic morning that wee left behind. I’m talking make-up strewn on the vanity, rejected outfits scattered around, and the duvet begrudgingly thrown to the floor in disgust at the sound of an alarm. You might not have time to have the room spotless, but if you make your bed and lay out some cosy PJ’s you’ll feel much better for it.

Aromatherapy.

There’s a reason why we spend so much money on perfumes. Good smells breed good vibes. Try plug in air fresheners to smile the moment you’re through the door. Make a point of washing your sheets with scent boosters more often. Light candles and turn your bedroom into your personal spa.

Try writing.

You don’t have to be Bridget Jones or Wordsworth to put pen to paper. A lot of women are put off by the notion of splurging their innermost secrets onto a page or trying to create a Shakespearian masterpiece. Writing can be anything you want it to be. Write stories, lists, or even just make a detailed plan for the week ahead. Writing in any form can relieve stress and help you to gather your thoughts.

Learn something new.

Whether it’s reading a book on a topic you’ve always been interested in or going to a salsa class, expanding your mind it an incredibly therapeutic thing to do. Not only will you enjoy yourself, you’ll become more well-rounded. If, like me, you dread the classic ‘what do you do in your spare time?’ question – you’ll love having an extra talking point.

We all know the feeling after completing an amazing workout, it’s a feeling of pure elation, joy and of course, a feeling of smugness that just can't be helped.

The SMUG Active range of products has been created for women all over the world, to help them to be the best version of themselves when they work out, whether at home, in the gym, or enjoying the great outdoors. 

For a great range of fitness products, from resistance bands to skipping ropes, travel bags to hair ties, head over to the SMUG Active page on our sister site by clicking here.