Ultimate guide to good skin

I was at a wedding in the New Forest last month when a friend complimented me on the condition of my skin, going on to insist I had had Botox. I was both taken aback and extremely flattered but it got me to thinking on what is my current skin care routine or do I even have one?  

So after some thought and deliberation, I came to the conclusion that even if all one does is drag a wet flannel over their face at night, that's a skin care routine and in that sense, it might not be Instagram worthy but I do have one and that combined with my lifestyle choices result in the current condition in my skin. I follow three very simple steps and the good news is, it is never too late to start looking after your skin. 

1. Lifestyle Choices

I am of course taking about smoking. Aside from serious risks to your health, according to the NHS smoking causes the below damage to the skin. Smoking causes premature aging of the skin by between 10 and 20 years and can result in looking grey and dull due to a lack of oxygen it receives. 

It is never too late though. Any further skin damage caused by smoking will stop once you stop smoking. For more information visit https://www.nhs.uk/smokefree/why-quit/smoking-health-problems

2. Sun Protection

Over exposure to the suns's UV rays can lead to skin cancer and is the main cause to skin damage. Check the bottle for a five star UV rating and always use a minimum of Factor 15. I aim to apply this every day, even in winter as you're exposed to these rays everyday. And never use sun beds! For more information visit https://www.skincancer.org/healthy-lifestyle/anti-aging/repair-and-even-reverse-signs-of-sun-damage

3. Cleanse and Tone

Morning and night I cleanse and tone my face which removes excess dirt. Experiment and work out what products work best for you. I literally spend next to nothing on this. Boots own which is often on 3 for £3. 

We are Live!

A quick exciting note to say Alexandra Helen is now live! For all personal styling queries in and around Manchester please get in contact. I offer services for men and women and can offer online services too if you are not based in Manchester.

The Stripey Top

Is there a wardrobe staple more classic than the Stripey Tee. I think it even pips the white button down shirt and plain white tee to the post. I think I can count on one hand the amount of times i've paired a stripey top with an outfit and thought to myself, hmmm this doesn't go. It's thanks to Coco 'Gabrielle' Chanel that we have this stable in our waredrobe today. On a visit to the coast she was so inspired by French sailors in their cotton & wool stripey tops that she featured a nauical theme collection in 1917. sailors

Staying Motivated at the Gym

I can cheerily don the correct gear, fill up my water bottle and make my merry way to the gym. It's after my 15 minute warm up on the  cross trainer then followed by the 10 minutes  on the treadmill (that I force myself do), then spend a good two minutes starring round the gym for some kind of inspiration to jump out at me that I lose my motivation.

It's hard. I spend all day thinking at work, I don't have the energy to plan a work out routine and then go do it on the spot. So how do I stay motivated? Here are five ways that keep me heading to the gym.

1. Don't rest on rest day
Whilst lulling around on rest day (usually a Sunday) in bed, watching Netflix, drinking a lot coffee, beating off a hangover I plan the upcoming week's work out plan. I plan out what classes I'm attending, factor in work commitments (am I going to be able to get to the gym for half past five if I have a meeting in my diary for half past four). On the days where I plan to be in the gym, motivating myself, I then plan my work out. Sectioning it out day by day helps me keep on track and set achievable goals.

2. Shake things up.
If you do the same thing day in day out, chances are you will begin to feel fed up and not want to go to the gym. Try signing up for a class if you have never tried one before. Having someone else motivate you rather than relying on yourself can be a real relief. I tend to work harder and longer when I'm being motivated by an instructor. Instructors will have different ways to motivate so make sure you find a class that works for you.

3. Change that music!
I have a "Work Out" playlist set up on my Spotify that I would hit play on every time I went to the gym. I was at home one day and saw "90s Work Out" playlist. The next day I gave this ago and it completely transformed my dull, everyday work out.

4. Dress the Part
This one's simple, nothing gets me to the gym more than a new pair of leggings I get to try out!

5. Make it a group thing
This can work either way. 95% of the time I work out on my own. I go to the gym on my own, I swim on my own and I go to classes alone- as in I turn up alone, I don't book out the whole class! And this works for me. I'm away from day to day life, in my own world and I can just focus on me.  Sometimes though, going with a friend can be more motivating. I've recently signed up for Pilates classes with a friend and its great because it's more social from the rest of the week, we can have a good chat before hand and get in an exercise class. If you're the opposite, try going alone once or twice a week. You might try out things your gym buddy never wanted to do.

I hope these are helpful to some of you. Please comment below with your motivational tips to keep moving. I'm always open to hear how to stay motivated!