Broody?

I'll just set the scene. 

I'm going out tonight. In precisely an hour, I have just painted my nails (hence the brief pause in getting ready to write this whilst my nails dry), I have gone through approximately 16 different outfits, almost cried to Natalie that, despite going to the gym for 2 hours this evening I still feel like I'm the size of the biggest Indian elephant. Why? no idea (a 3 egg omelette after the gym has clearly made me bloated, need some Activia), I'm listening to Motown (yes, really!) and I have already had two double vodkas (in no way do I endorse binge drinking). But, and its a big but - my hair is silky soft, nevertheless pinned up high in rollers atm, but for that reason I am a very happy lady. Its silky soft because Boots have a 3 for 2 offer on baby products. 

Yes, baby products. If you are over the age of 13 and you haven't yet used baby products out of your baby years, who are you? I'm not talking nappy rash cream (although who doesn't use that famous cream for spots? - see, you do use baby products!) or teething pain gel I'm talking Johnson and Johnson (aka Johnsons') baby oil, baby shampoo, baby conditioner (YES THEY NOW DO CONDITIONER - woop), baby lotion... the list goes on. Its on offer, there is no excuse. 

So I bought some - to be precise: "Johnsons' baby shampoo/ relaxing/ with lavender extract" and "Johnsons' baby conditioner/ no more tangles/ with Camomile" - also "Little Me sensitive body cream" which is "oh so gentle" aw with "Pear, Mallow (YES AS IN MARSH) & Organic Aloe Vera" - is it just me or are babies spoiled? babies are spoiled. These kind of products are for me! 

So I've now used my baby products 3 times and I thought it was definitely worth writing a post about - my hair will barely stay in a clip it is that soft it just annoyingly falls out - it literally feels like your stroking the fluffiest, softest cat - or like a duck feather has fallen out of your pillow and is tickling your nose - that kind of soft - I kid you not. It has made my hair so easy to work it and smells like... lavender and camomile for some odd reason. mmm and my skin does smell a bit like a marshmallow but who is complaining?!

Johnsons' baby stuff - surprisingly amazingly beautiful and there is definitely no more tears


I'm now seeing double,
RHS x

And so, I begin my holiday prep

I have finished work, had a great nights sleep and completed my daily 15 minute abdominal routine. Therefore, there is only two things left to do - go on holiday and of course, prep. 

This isn't your standard night out prep, this is full on "I'm going on holiday, I need the world to know" prep. Like a Strawberry Pavolova on a night out but an M&S Strawberry Pavlova for holiday. 

This is big - the girls are with me. 

I will be jet setting to the beautiful South-West coast of France for my 20th Summer there (and potentially my 25th time there) and prep gets more complex every time!

So here is what I shall be starting as soon as I have completed my daily 15-minute panic.

Starting with my face I shall be applying my mud mask (these are incredible and are basically clay which help to dry your skin and deep cleanse your pores - which is great to avoid getting spots from hot weather - best applied after a shower when your pores are open) 

Then because I have large pores on my face I shall use a Boots Tea Tree and Witch Hazel Nose Pore Strip to give the pores around my nose an extra clean and remove any blackheads or grease - nice. 

In the shower I shall be using a VO5 Hot Oil which you place in a mug of very hot water and apply before shampooing - it makes hair silky soft and very easy to handle. 

I will then be giving my legs and bum a very good scrub with Fat Girl Scrub (this isn't just for fat people! its great for smoothing and removing any dead skin - use before shaving but be careful not to be too abrasive) 

I use Boots Smooth Care Shave Gel Sensitive as it is the best I have found - even out of the branded gels and I use Wilkinson Sword Hydro Razor - I have heard the new Venus Razor with Olay is very good too! 

Out of the shower I shall apply Fat Girl Slim which will help to even my skin even more for photo ready legs!  

Then, its time for wax, wax, wax - really there is nothing to be scared of - we don't want a Miranda on 'Sex and the City' moment do we? - that was embarrassing! - it doesn't hurt one tiny bit - I've tried many home waxing kits for 'delicate areas' and this Jolen Salon Formula Microwave Wax is the gentlest I have used - I do have quite a high pain threshold when it comes to these sorts of things! - but a bikini wax at a salon is usually only around £7-£12 if you want to have an expert have a go first! - A day before you go use Skin Doctors Ingrow Go formula to remove any stubbornness! - enjoy! 

Mani and Pedi time! WOOHOO 

I recently did a post on 'Newspaper Nails' if you fancy something more arty - I have also written in this blog about how to remove cuticles safely.

I have Boots Soothing Gel Foot Mask which is incredible: remove any previous nail varnish, soak your feet in hot bubbly water, dry and apply a thick layer of the mask, leave to dry for 10 minutes then soak off again, dry feet and paint nails! 

I am going to use my very hard wearing Essie in Snap Happy #244 for my toes and then just a coat of Boots Base Coat and a coat of Boots Top Coat for my nails as finger nails get chipped very easily on holiday - I have spoilt many a £20 mani by going away! - so settle for a shiny coat to add a bit of something to your nails! 

Then just as I start to get very excited about 10pm I will apply a good helping of Fat Girl Slim Sleep which Bliss have to very kindly added lavender too and it smells delicious! - smoothing and soothing all in one. Ahhhhhhh 

So, beauty aside, I have downloaded the latest issue of Vogue onto my iPad (£2.99 on the iPad but £3.99 from a shop), downloaded The Picture of Dorian Grey - Oscar Wilde and made a summer playlist - which is potentially too embarassing to share with you... but to stop you guessing it includes 'Superstar' by Jamelia - classic

and also 'Work' by Iggy Azalea - amazing.

I have put my favourite TV programmes on to record: 'Hotel Hell' with Gordon Ramsay and 'Britain and Ireland's Next Top Model' - because I want Sarah to win! 

And don't forget to watch Mo Farah run in the 5,000m final on Friday at 5:15pm (6:15pm if you're in France, like me) if you listen hard enough you will probably hear me screaming at the TV. 

If you're going away anywhere, enjoy and don't forget your prep!

Love

RHS x

My top 5 summer beauty buys

Summer is still here! And I'm yet to go away! 

Here's the products I'll be packing...

Piz Buin Tan and Protect Accelerating Oil 

This oil is incredible. Not only does it look like you've been dunked into a greasy chip pan (I did go ott on the application one day) but it also makes the whole cast of Geordie Shore green with envy!

It can also be used to give your legs extra sheen on a night out! - several benefits, always a bonus. 

Really, its that good. I used SPF 6 but they do make it in SPF 15! (please don't burn!) 

Its currently BUY ONE GET ONE FREE AT BOOTS!

Avene Thermale Spring Water

I first disovered this on one of my many summer holidays to France. 

Our French friends were raving over it, so I bought some in France 3 years ago and have used it ever since!

Its great for sensitive skin - great for any red patches after sunbathing! 

It balances the skin's pH and leaves a soft complexion. 

It can be used for everything and everything: after the gym to cool you down (really does work!), or on the beach, after shaving, after beauty regimes such as waxing. 

Its currently £10 at boots but Escentual are selling the 300ml bottle (lasts all year!) for £9, there are also smaller sizes handy for hand luggage! 

Piz Buin Aftersun Tan Intensifier 

(have you noticed I'm a bit of a Piz Buin lover - they have the best sun products I've ever used) 

So, if you still don't have the Geordie Shore cast running after you with jealousy - this will make them run!

Its not a fake tan but it has ingredients (including Vitamin E - to soothe any sun stresses on the skin) to promote your natural tanning ability - so the next day you're ready to bronze again! 

Its also great after you have left your holiday, or the summer is over because your tan lasts a lot longer due to the 24hr Hydration which is essential to prolonging your tan! 

Its better than half price at Superdrug at £5.24

Wella SP Sun UV Protection Spray

You've landed in Bora Bora, or Faliraki, where ever, with your new head of highlights and after a day in the sun your hair is dry and faded.

You need to protect your hair aswell!

I don't colour my hair but I always use this when I go abroad - the Suns rays are a lot more powerful in Europe and Northern-Southern Africa so this spray is an essential! 

I have also found the spray is good for swimming as well - it stops the chlorine from drying and hardening your hair 

Smells AMAZING also! - great if you're sweating off your Piz Buin - nice. 

It isn't greasy so won't make your bouffant look diabolical - in fact its like a shine enhancing hairspray - another 2in1 - I know, I'm incredible. 

Its curently £10.76 at Beauty Bay.com with free delivery! 

Honey, Marc Jacobs

Ahh the difficulty in choosing a Summer fragrance - I've found it - and I found it only yesterday when a free sample came in this months Elle magazine subscription - An amazing moment 

I've never really been a fan of MJ's perfumes over the years - but this one is a BEAUTY, obviously MJ's are never cheap but they are SO worth it - I'll be first in line for mine over the weekend! 

The only thing I know about top and middle and bottom notes are that on a Piano - nevertheless 'The Fragrance Shop' says it has:

1.  Top notes of pear, mandarin and orange
2. Heart notes (what?!) of orange blossom (if you know what that is), peach and honey suckle (aw) 
3. Base notes (dubstep?) of honey and vanilla

AHA! - the base notes, thats what I could smell, it isn't particularly floral (hence most of the notes being fruit!) but its sweet but not sickly - it will be easy to wear by the pool (if you must waste it by swimming!) and of an evening!

Its got a golden sparkle about it

50ml at The Fragrance Shop is £49.50 (50p less than RRP - bargain...) you do get a free make up bag!

100ml = £67.50

50ml at Life and Looks is £41! (no make-up bag... sigh) 

Pricey but I don't care - I love it (hmm, I should make that into a song) 

-

Ahh, summer - now you can enjoy it with my best buys!

Happy Shopping! - please feel free to share any of your favourite summer buys (Tweet me  @RuthHannahSmith)

Love

RHS x

Wednesday 31st July: complete and nutter honesty

Its August tomorrow, 

my new, short hair, in Pizza Express

AUGUST. A month away from starting University, 2 months will Hallowe'en, 3 months till bonfire night and 4 months till my birthday, who cares about Christmas? 

Tonight, I did something crazy, 
I must have been having a young-life crisis (although those that know me know that I am far too organised to have a crisis!) because I (my hairdresser) cut about 4 inches off my long hair. 

Don't cry for me Argentina, 

Its ok, it needed it. But, nevertheless, its gone. 
I just got home and I look like Ollie Locke's twin. That wasn't something I'm allowing you to laugh at. 
But its that perfect length! 
Its ok though, the sun will make it grow, like a plant. 

To make the situation better I had my haircut paid for me, thanks mum. 
BUT then I took HER to Pizza Express (sacrilege!) 

Its gone up a league (Pizza Express), there's a new menu, loads more starters including a mushroom Bruschetta, but of course, to nurse my lul I had dough balls. 

We had a glass of wine each (I had a Merlot Rosé, of course, not cheap at £4.50 though!) 

Toffee Glory

I had an Four Seasons pizza - it had Anchovies on it. 
mm. Now if you haven't had them, you need to! they're smaller than sardines and are very salty but taste so good - they're not fishy at all. 

Then, 
I can barely say it, 
THEN we had a "Toffee Glory" 
It was huge. Like, massive - Ice cream (sorry - Gelato), toffee pieces, wafer, toffee sauce, ice cream, wafer, toffee pieces, toffee sauce, toffee sauce, ice cream, toffee sauce and then chocolate dusting. 
Its my 'bad' day.

Moving on... 

There was a couple in there that had me thinking. 

She was undoubtedly gorgeous, he was rough around the edges had a ridiculous amount of festival bands on his wrist - show off - she had salad. 

Salad - who has salad at Pizza Express?!

thats like going to a brothel for a hug - bless her, she clearly wanted to make a good impression, she definitely salivated when our dessert came. 

They were very cute though, they had to eat using only a fork because they were too busy holding each other's hands - and playing footsie (theres no table cloths silly!) 

I don't know if I could be affectionate in public - everyone looks and then try to show they weren't looking, just creeps me out. 

More madness

Theres this boy, I call him Panda (he'll kill me just for saying that), he's a very close friend of the family and he's on a date (gwarn son!), whist his sister sends me Snapchats of her and her mum sat at home. 

So I was thinking, I'm sure he's like 15?! No, he's 18 and has suddenly become a cross between a made in chelsea actor (looks wise) and a Jack Wills model and he used to be a chunky monkey. How they grow up.

Tomorrow is a new day 

Tomorrow, I'm planning a post on fitness, because I'm a fitness instructor and have concrete abs. (Ha, ahhh I'm hilarious) 

No but really, I have some great tips! 

I'm going to reduce my calorie intake, as today's food could have kept an African child going for a month. 

I'm going to practise my piano and somehow find a way to tell mum I've broken a string on my violin. 

Mozart, 

aka

RHS x