Tuesday 29 September 2015

The Trainer Diet 2.0

'The Running Shoe'

The Nike Flyknit Lunar 3 are perfect for multi-terrain outside runs. I find that they provide the perfect  amount of cushioning and support. The sole unit is great for paths, woodland trails and roads. Springing from foot to foot is pretty easy with these shoes as they seem to have a great 'bounce' quality making it quite fun for the occasional spring into the air when nobody is around! It has some non-slip qualities but I wouldn't recommend running in the snow with them. I have run over 300 miles in these trainers and they are still looking like new!


The upper part of the trainer allows for great flexibility and movement. The snug fit stops my foot from moving around within the shoe, allowing for a perfect fit. Cleaning these shows is pretty easy as well. I find that when they get dirty, a damp cloth usually does the trick and they are back to looking as good as new. 


Overall, I find these shoes perfect for my outdoor runs that can vary from 1 mile sprints to 6 mile steady, forest runs. I love the comfort that these shoes provide and the quality is excellent. I ordered these shoes directly from Nike UK but Achilles Heel and Prodirect Running often have trainers that are heavily discounted. 

A must-have trainer for the all round runner.

Saturday 26 September 2015

Current Beauty Favourites

Over the past month, I have been keeping my make up relatively simple as I have had a few early starts for university and the last thing I want to be doing at 6am is a full face of make up. By narrowing down what products I use, I have been able to rely up 'the selected few' to create my fresh faced look.


My current favourite face product is the BareMinerals Complexion Rescue. This lightweight BB-style cream gives a light to buildable coverage with a pea sized amount. I absolutely adore the finish of this product; it gives a subtle glow yet manages to cover some sins at the same time. Normally, I am a fan of using a brush to apply my base make up but I find that using my fingers is best for this product. I pat the product between my fingers before applying onto my face and it allows it to spread like a dream. After a long day, the last thing I want to find out is that my face make up has become patchy but this little beauty stays in place all day and doesn't budge. Definitely worth the money!!

Lets be honest here, half the beauty community and their Granny has the Benefit They're Real Mascara.  But I can honestly say that this is fast becoming my all time favourite mascara E V E R! It applies beautifully (with rarely any clumps) and gives the perfect balance between volume and length. I normally apply this by giving it a slow wiggle at the roots of my lashes before applying 4 - 5 strokes on each eye and then repeating. 

Benefit's Gimme Brow is simple yet highly effective. I have light brown hair and the light/medium shade suits me perfectly. It allows my brows to stay in place all day whilst also giving a little more definition and structure. Applying a few upward strokes to the inside of my brow seems to give  some pigmentation to the sparse areas. Then, using the tip to go down the tail of my brow it gives me the arched, full-bodied shape that suits me. I have had this item for quite a while now and it doesn't seem to be running out. It does possess a certain likeness to Mary Poppin's handbag. 

Lipstick! My other quilty pleasure in life. The No 7 Stay Perfect Lipstick in Pomegranate is perfect for the transition between Summer and Autumn as it is pink enough yet has that gorgeous berry tone to allow it to be worn in both the day and night. To make it 'stay perfect' I find that blotting and reapplying works best. I am relatively pail and I feel that this lipstick really does go 'WOW' without being over the top. Very affordable and simply stunning. 

The next product is relatively new to me as I have only had it for just over a week but already it has placed itself firmly in my handbag. I had never heard of this brand before, however I am not sure why as it is brilliant. I have had dry skin for all of my life and I find my hands get dry throughout the day. The Greenscape Organic Cocoa Butter Hand and Nail Cream has a rich formula that moisturises the skin with a creamy, silky feel but sinks in super fast. It does not contain any parabens, petrochemicals, sulphates, glycols or synthetic colours so it can be loved by all, including those with sensitive skin. And it smells amazing. I picked this up in a local independent department store but it is also available on Amazon. 

All of the products stated above have become regulars in my morning routine and I am positive that I will repurchase ALL of them!

Monday 14 September 2015

The Typical Run

Personally, I find running in the morning the perfect start to the day! The most enjoyable runs always happen when I have gotten out of bed between 7am and 8am and I am out running before 8:30am. Getting my run done first thing not only means I feel like I have achieved something before I start my normal daily routine, but it also means I can come straight back and get ready for the day ahead.

Normally, I run between 3 and 6 times a week depending on the weather and how busy I am. Living in Scotland means that the weather can not always play ball and I can certainly say that I am not a fan of running in the wind! I aim to cover between 3 and 5 miles every run and occasionally I will hit the 8 mile mark. I do, however, plan to start increasing the distance of my runs to help me pace my miles more efficiently.

Where I run can vary on what distance I am looking to cover or what the weather is like. I love running along beside the river on sunny days and I find circular routes very appealing as you are constantly looking at something new to help pass the time and it heightens the enjoyment factor.

I live in a hilly area, so a normal run will always have to include an incline of some description. I am definitely not a pavement pounder! I do not enjoy running round the town or streets. I like to get out on paths and woodland tracks so I can really call it 'me time'. I like to listen to music whilst I run to not only keep me at a decent pace but to just chill out. My music can vary from whats in the top 10 to some good old Michael Bublé. The Nike Running app is fantastic for keeping tracks of your runs and giving very accurate incline and pace information.

I will normally wear my Nike Flyknit trainers, a pair of shorts or running leggings with a sports bra and vest top. This keeps me cool whilst allowing me to wear my favourite colours and prints. My favourite print currently being my galaxy leggings from H and M.

The best runs will always finish with me having beat my previous time, whether that be mile splits or fastest 5 miles. The satisfaction I get from running not only makes me strive for more fitness but helps me stay motivated in other areas of my life, such as university.