Ways to Protect Your Skin Against the Spring Chill

Although Spring is here, it doesn't mean that we can kiss the chilly weather goodbye just yet. Dry air and harsh temperatures can wreak havoc on our delicate skin.

Fortunately, with the right products, you can keep your skin healthy, supple, and protected against the elements.

Read on to learn seven tips for nourishing your skin despite the weather.

1. Cover Up

It is easier to protect skin from the elements than to try and help skin recover once it has been exposed. By wearing hats, scarves, and gloves, you can easily protect some of your most vulnerable areas against environmental assaults.

2. Give Your Shampoo a Break

During winter, the dry air can cause hair to become brittle and prone to static. To keep hair healthier, consider skipping a day or two between washes. This will allow hair to retain extra moisture and fight static.

3. Remember Your Lips 

Although lips are often forgotten in beauty routines, they are crucial to pamper in order to protect them against the harsh conditions of winter. Consider using a lip balm, such as EOS, that focuses on nourishing, natural, hydrating ingredients such as shea butter and Vitamin E.

4. Guard Against the Sun

Even in winter, sunscreen is a non-negotiable component of your skin care routine. Since UV rays are capable of penetrating clouds and reflecting off of snow, sunscreen is an essential requirement for each day of the year.

5. Bump up Your Beauty Routine

During winter, it might be necessary to boost the moisture in your daily beauty routine. Consider using products with hydrating, heavy-duty moisturizers such as natural oils, hyaluronic acid, and shea butter.

6. Show Your Hands Some Love

As with lips, hands are another area that often gets forgotten. In winter, it is likely that you are washing your hands more than usual. This extra washing promotes dryness and can lead to small micro-tears in the skin. Remember to frequently apply lotion and oils to keep hands hydrated and smooth.

7. Hydrate From the Inside Out

In addition to keeping your skin moisturized on the outside, be sure to drink adequate amounts of fluids during the day. Proper hydration will help strengthen your skin and raise moisture levels.  

Overall, the change of seasons does not need to be a time of dry, itchy, raw, uncomfortable skin. By pampering your skin with the right products, you can enjoy healthy skin all year round.

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How to make your hair naturally beautiful in 6 easy steps

The cosmetic industry has seen a huge rise in hair product sales in the last 20 to 30 years as well as in the types of hair product available to buy.

Whilst this undoubtedly gives us a lot more choice, it can be really hard to tell what kind of ingredients the average products has. Some of them may even contain volatile ingredients which could put the health of our body and skin at risk.

Luckily, we are more aware of the variety of chemicals that go into our products and today, more than ever, we are trying to turn to natural solutions and products.

Here are 6 great tips to keep your hair naturally beautiful from Nick Stoyanov, content strategist for  HollywoodMirrors.co.uk , an online family-run business in the UK helping to bring glamour to the home with lighted mirrors.

Start with your diet

No matter what you do, it is necessary to start with your diet. Hair receives a lot of nutrients from your food such as vitamins, minerals and proteins.

If you’re malnourished, this will affect your cells leading to loss of hair and lower quality of follicles. You can make a huge difference to the condition of your hair by eating more foods such as salmon, oranges and carrot.

Be careful when buying hair products

A lot of women make a mistake by using the wrong products for their hair type. First of all, you should always be suspicious about products making grand claims and offering instant results.

Although the product may be good for your current appearance, it may lead to long-term damage to your hair.

In fact, you should choose products that have a smaller number of ingredients. With each additional ingredient, the risk of hair damage increases. Simply put, you can never know how your hair will react to something. Try to focus on natural products instead.

Too much treatment

If you’re a neat freak, you probably comb your hair often. In fact, you probably comb it too often.

Like most other systems in our body, natural processes work to keep our hair healthy such as the secretion of sebum.

Excessive treatment (for example, too much washing) can remove natural oils from your hair making it more susceptible to damage.

Let your hair be wild from time to time. Give it a rest by avoiding combing it in the evening unless you are going out.

Avoid heat 

Similar to combing and washing, heat is something that can ruin your hair. It dries out both your scalp and the hair follicles making them rough and easy to break which can lead to split ends.

Ideally, you should wash your hair several hours before going out, then use a drier just a bit so that it remains damp. After that, it will dry out on its own while you’re still at home.

Check your scalp 

Besides your follicles, the skin on your scalp can also pose a problem. Various issues such as hair loss, hair thinning or dandruff may be caused by scalp issues.

There are numerous problems you can have with your skin. For example, it may be dehydrated or perhaps it doesn’t have enough natural oils.

Stress and malnutrition are also common causes of hair issues.

Condition your hair with natural oils

Oil is crucial for your hair but some people deplete their hair's natural oils by over-treatment.

This is why you should add some artificially. A good choice is tea tree oil or coconut oil - the purer and more natural the oil the better.

By feeding your hair with them, you will definitely see an improvement in its condition.

Like everything else in life, you need to be moderate when it comes to hair care. Overdoing it can only endanger your cells leading to various health issues.

Make sure to use a lot of natural products and place emphasis on vitamins and minerals.

With such a strict regime, you will have beautiful hair that will last for ages.

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Strike A Balance Between Comfy And Cool With Your Look

Getting fashion right isn't always easy, and we tend to go through different stages of it throughout our lives. When we are young, free and single, most of us prioritize looking good above all else - even if that means constantly having to straighten out a shirt that's ruched up under your pencil skirt, or wearing a dress so tight, you aren't quite sure whether you will ever breathe again normally.

Image source

As we get older and work and family life takes over, a lot of people tend to head to another end of the spectrum entirely - the land of comfort. This means that gone are the days of lace blouses and tight denim - now it's all about sweatpants and plain jumpers (the baggier, the better). But this transformation into the typical mum uniform can be pretty disheartening for many mothers.

After all, since when did having children mean that you can no longer dress in a way that allows you to express yourself?

Fashion is an art form, and when we lose our fashion mojo, it can sometimes feel as though we've lost a lot of our creativity along with it. But is there actually a way to be a style icon while being a busy mother, AND holding down a full-time job? You'll be pleased to know that there IS a way to achieve this - but you'll need to get savvy.

In order to create a workable look for yourself, you'll need to be prepared to fit the fashion around your lifestyle, not the other way around.

The key to doing this is to find workable pieces of clothing that are comfortable, but that also speak to you on an aesthetic level.

This way, you can strike a perfect balance between being comfortable and able to run around after your kids, but also looking pretty fabulous while you do so. Check out my guide below.

Rock some flats

Have you grown up in an era where the 'feminine' thing to do was to wear heels 24/7? Sure, heels can make a woman's outfit look that little bit more girly and glam, and there are some occasions where a pair of heels are very much warranted - a fancy dinner, or a work party, for example.

But wearing them all the time (even mid-heeled boots) can end up causing long-lasting damage to your feet.

Blisters, bunions and ingrown toenails are the least of your worries when it comes to wearing heels - nerve damage, spider veins and even back problems can all be caused or worsened by the long-term wearing of high heels.

In order to preserve your feet for years to come and to make rushing around throughout the day just that little bit easier, make a point of investing in some stylish flats.

Many women think that a flat shoe cannot be stylish, but this is where they are wrong!

There are so many different designs available. For example, you might go for a preppy loafer or boating shoe, or maybe a daintily embellished ballet flat.

Alternatively, a good pair of trainers are something every woman should have in her wardrobe - trainers aren't just for teenagers, you know! Opt for a classic brand such as Converse or Vans for a timeless look - shoes like this can add a fun, youthful edge to just about any outfit.

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Loose trousers

If there is one item of clothing that restricts our daily movement more than any other, it is the tight trouser. We are all aware of the fashion for skinny jeans - sometimes jeans that are so skinny they almost look as though they were sprayed on!

As fabulous as they can look, however, they are not the most practical things to wear on a daily basis.

Of course, you may try to run your various errands in them - going to work, doing housework, ferrying the kids to and from their various after-school clubs. But all it takes is one awkward squat as you reach down to pick up a discarded toy off the floor, and that's when you hear it: the dreaded rip.

No one wants to be accused of public indecency swanning around in a pair of torn jeans - so this is just one definitive reason why you may want to consider switching to boyfriend jeans.

Boyfriend jeans (just like the boyfriend shirt or jacket) are designed in such a way to make them look as though you borrowed them from your boyfriend. In this respect, they are usually made with a wide yet straight leg, have deeper pockets (very useful) and need to be tied up around the waist.

They allow for much more movement simply because they are looser, but that doesn't mean you need to compromise on style.

Wear your boyfriend jeans with a tucked-in stripy t-shirt for a casual cool, or you can even pair with a lacy crop top for a night out.

Other types of loose trousers are also great for everyday wear if denim isn't really your thing. Palazzo pants have recently come back into fashion as the seventies trend resurfaces, or how about a good pair of harem pants - perfect for both lounging in and going about your daily business.

Image Source

Casual cool

Over the past year, we have seen a couple of interesting new trends emerging in high fashion. One is the sports luxe look - the other is the trend for pyjama suits.

Huge fashion brands such as Fendi have been branching out into clothing that takes inspiration from sportswear - but that has been twisted so that it is acceptable to wear on just a regular day.

The benefit of all this? You are on trend and my, you are comfortable too!

An easy way to get this look is to don a pair of luxe joggers (if Fendi is a little out of your budget, there are plenty of great high street imitations too) and pair with a simple, chic t-shirt or jumper.

As far as the pyjama look goes, things are a little more complex. You have to get it completely right. Otherwise, it can just look as though you simply haven't bothered to get dressed that day.

The first step is to look for something tailored - this is what will make your 'pyjama set' look more like actual clothes, rather than sleepwear. Then, pay attention to the material you choose. Avoid cotton at all costs - instead opt for something like a suit material, or maybe satin if you are feeling particularly luxurious.

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Throws and ponchos

We may be on our way into spring now, but that doesn't mean we don't still have the occasional bitterly cold day.

When the temperature drops and it's rainy and cold, most of us want nothing more than to hide out in a cozy blanket at home, away from the prying eyes of the world. But, as is life, we usually need to leave the house to get on with our days.

Thankfully, there is a way you can stay cool and comfy and warm all at once - and it is with the help of blankets and ponchos.

We really saw blankets come into their own in the autumn/winter season of last year, so if you've still got one, don't be afraid to rock it!

Simply wrap up in it whichever way feels most natural to you - if you want to make the look a little more streamlined, simply cinch yourself in at the waist with a stylish belt. As long as your arms are still free, there really isn't a more comfortable piece of clothing to snuggle up in on a cold and frosty morning.

Fashion and comfort don't have to be mutually exclusive - there are plenty of ways you can feel good and look good every single day.

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The Dressing's in the Details: Little Style Touches That Make a Difference

Looking your best every day isn't an easy task. When you're a mother, it can be even harder to find the time to put yourself together every day. But just because you're busy, it doesn't mean you have to neglect yourself.

If looking good is important to you, you can find your own way to create your look in the time you have available.

Image credit: Pexels

One of the ways to look good all the time is to pay attention to the little things. Even if you're dressed casually, you can still have a unique necklace on or an eye-catching bag.

Try these little touches to elevate any outfit.

Wear a Watch

Perhaps currently you use your mobile to tell the time. A watch might seem a little pointless to you, but it can be the ultimate accessory for a busy mum.

Whether you wear a traditional analogue watch, a digital watch or even a smartwatch, it can look good and help you stay on track.

Your watch can be an ever-present accessory that completes any outfit, and it can do a variety of other things too. If you get a smartwatch or fitness tracker, you can watch your activity levels.

Smartwatches can help you stay on top of your schedule and calls.

Image credit: Wikimedia

Get an Arty Phone Case

Most people have their phone with them all the time nowadays. You're probably forever having to get it out, whether you're taking a business call or scheduling a play date. If it's going to be surgically attached to you at all times, you might as well make sure it looks good.

An artistic iPhone case can add a splash of colour to any outfit. Even if you're conducting the school run or going to the gym in leggings and an old t-shirt, it shows that you're usually much more fashionable.

Match a Few Details in Your Outfit

If you're unsure about how to bring an outfit together, consider picking a motif to run through your outfit.

There might be something on one piece of clothing that you can match to other things. For example, perhaps your floral skirt could go with a flower necklace. However, you could also add something that's not on your clothes.

Use the same motif on your hairclip as you wear on your bracelet or as a brooch. Nothing has to match exactly, though. You could pick a more general theme to run through your outfit.

Image credit: Pixabay

Pick a Signature Accessory

Do you know someone who always has an amazing bag with them or never takes off their colourful scarf? If you want to look good even on your lazy days, this is one way you can do it.

Pick a signature accessory that you always have with you. It doesn't have to be the same item every day. You can simply build a fun collection of scarves or statement necklaces, so you always have one to show off.

You don't have to do anything big or flashy to look good. Sometimes, it's the little things that make a difference.

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Red Hot For New Year's Eve

Red is the colour to wear this festive season and it makes a refreshing change from being one in a sea of little black dresses. Best of all, lots of these are reduced in the sales.

Red Hot For New Year's Eve by lindahobbis featuring a fit and flare dress

Alexander McQueen off shoulder dress
net-a-porter.com

Pencil dress
karenmillen.com

Fenn Wright Manson petite maxi dress
johnlewis.com

Fit and flare dress
coast-stores.com

River Island red bodycon dress
£57 - riverisland.com

Red prom dress
£53 - amazon.com

Yves Saint Laurent red cape
tessabit.com

Fendi red jacket
£3,155 - marissacollections.com

Red jacket
£630 - laperla.com

MAGISCULPT MESH INSERT DRESS | Simply Be
simplybe.co.uk

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Win A Man's Suit From Dobell Menswear

After the Christmas festivities, it can be a bit of a relief to don our workwear again and prepare for a fresh new year.

We make our New Year's resolutions and determine that this year will see us become even more successful and what we wear definitely helps us to "walk the talk"!

In fact in a survey undertaken by car manufacturer Kia in 2014, when asked what made them feel confident, the top 10 list for women included: high heels, a little black dress, and designer perfume and for men the list included: a freshly shaved face, a new suit, and a nice smelling aftershave.

If you're looking to spruce up your man, there's nothing like a crisp new suit to make a statement and Dobell Menswear have kindly provided a man's suit for a lucky Mother Distracted reader.

Dobell menswear have created fine men’s suits, tuxedos and wedding suits for over 10 years, and create handsomely fitted suits and formalwear accessories, at great value - up to 50% cheaper than the high street.

They stock leading suit and shirt brands such as Paul Costelloe, Tommy Hilfiger, Noose & Monkey, Esprit, Lambretta, Paul Gross, and Alexander Dobell.

They also cater for men who want to look and feel correctly dressed when they’re attending black tie dinners, weddings, balls, business conferences or calendar events such as Glyndebourne and Ascot.

There's free standard delivery, and free UK returns, a next day delivery service, and international delivery. Their site offers on-site expert advice articles and sizing guides or, if you prefer, you can talk to their dedicated customer service team who are on hand to help from 9 am to 6 pm weekdays.

For a chance to win, just enter via the Rafflecopter widget below.  Terms and conditions apply (please see my Competitions page).  UK entrants only.

The prize is one Dobell branded man's suit in your preferred size (jacket and trousers).

The giveaway ends at 11:59 pm on Friday 13th January 2017.


a Rafflecopter giveaway Good luck!

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Review: Philip Kingsley Elasticizer For Hair

Some products are just too much of a faff I find these days, but I had heard of this particular product many times so thought I'd give it a go.

I'm sure you've heard about the 'reverse washing' trend - where you condition hair first and then shampoo.  This product is arguable ahead of its time for that reason.

Philip Kingsley Elasticizer is a pre-shampoo conditioner which you massage into your hair (in sections it is advised) and leave for 10-20 minutes with a plastic cap on so that the heat can do the work. It is priced around £17 for 75ml.

For a start, on a cold winter morning, wandering around with wet hair looking for a shampoo cap (no such luck) is not advisable.

It's true that the product does have a lovely geranium and neroli fragrance but this I suspect is to distract you whilst you hang about waiting for it to work and in any case it is shampooed straight out.

If you have longish hair, like I do, you'll also go through a tube quite quickly.

I remember once reading that Marie Helvin (one of the original supermodels) recommended using mayonnaise as a conditioning treatment and a jar of Hellmans would certainly be a lot cheaper.

The problem I have with many of these 'hero brands' is that they seem quite cold and clinical, standing aloof in bleak cosmetic 'boutiques' like Space NK.

In fact many of today's brands look more like potions stolen from a secret lab somewhere deep in the Swiss Alps.

You need a GCSE in Chemistry just to understand the ingredients.

Busy mums struggling with cash and time don't want to be bamboozled.  We just want products that do the job.

We also want brands that engage with us appropriately.

Somewhere in-between Benefit (desperate to be liked - "look at us, we're pink for heavens sake and we make teeny tiny palettes suitable for elves) and Mac (don't bother talking to us right now we're too busy being fabulous).

And somewhere decidedly south of No.7 (come in No. 7 your time is probably up).

Anyway I duly applied, shampooed, rinsed and used my usual conditioner and yes, my hair did have a little more oomph but not £17 worth of oomph.

Some of the reviews I've read suggest that you need to use this product consistently to see results but it is time consuming when you struggle to get into the bathroom before the husband and kids!

A product to add to your Christmas list rather than your shopping list.

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Office Party Chic

Office Party Chic by lindahobbis featuring caged shoes

Etro caged shoes
£500 - luisaviaroma.com

Aspinal of London chain handle handbag
harrods.com

Kate Spade watch
£155 - katespade.com

Earring jewelry
tattydevine.com

John Lewis rose gold jewellery
johnlewis.com

Elouise Silver Satin Maxi Dress - REISS
reiss.com

Eliza J Fit & flare dress with jersey top and lace skirt Black & Brown...
houseoffraser.co.uk

seastone sparkle cocktail ring - kate spade new york
katespade.co.uk

Tinsel Half Sleeve Shift Dress | M&S
marksandspencer.com

JOANNA HOPE Lace Dress | J D Williams
jdwilliams.co.uk

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Let's Get Cosy

Let's Get Cosy by lindahobbis featuring UGG

Sweater
bagheeraboutique.com

Frye over-knee boots
£420 - shopbop.com

UGG boots
£295 - luisaviaroma.com

Radley handbags tote
very.co.uk

Scarve
farfetch.com

Accessorize beanie cap
£26 - accessorize.com

PALE ASH NO. 12 PAINT
designersguild.com

Helen Moore Faux Fur Treacle Huff - Trouva
trouva.com

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Review: Howick Junior Kids Clothes at House of Fraser

Since Caitlin had some new clothes for her birthday in November, Ieuan has been worrying about his 'look'.  Convinced he is the new Derek Zoolander I am under strict instructions to find him something 'cool' to wear and happily House of Fraser has stepped in to help out.

Howick Junior is just one of a number of designer brands at House of Fraser with great clothing for kids.  (You can also find Hugo Boss and Calvin Klein for example).

Ieuan chose the Howick Junior Quilted Pique Polo (now £13 reduced from £22) and the Howick Junior Padded Boys Gilet (now £21 reduced from £35).

I particularly liked the detailing on both garments which are very well made.

Ieuan is tall and can take an age 8-9 or even a 9-10 in some brands but both these were in age 7-8 and fitted him perfectly.

The length of the polo shirt is good too - nothing worse than a top which gets no further than the waistband of the trousers!

The gilet is nicely padded with a bright lining and two pockets to keep hands warm.  It has a zip and studs.  Again, the length is good.

If you're looking for kids' clothes for Christmas you can find some great savings now.  There's free delivery when you spend over £50 or you can order up to 6 pm for free buy and collect next day.

We are lucky as we live just outside Cardiff which has a large House of Fraser store.

In fact I worked there for two years many moons ago but that's another story ......

For more information on the Howick Junior Kids Range go to www. houseoffraser.co.uk.

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Win Organic Coconut Body Care Products From Urtekram

Hygge is everywhere at the moment. It's the Danish concept of making ordinary, everyday moments special and there's nothing like making the most of your beauty and bathing rituals.

I don't know about you but all that Christmas planning, shopping and mince pie eating is quite exhausting and a restorative hot shower can help set the world to rights - especially if you can lock the Husband and kids out of the bathroom!

To help, organic Danish brand Urtekram (which means 'herbalism') has launched a new coconut-scented organic body care range and I have a basket of goodies to give away to one lucky winner.

Founded in 1972, Urtekram is renowned for creating plant-based products which are wholesome and natural. Their organic body care ranges contain shampoos, conditioners, body lotions, shower gels, soaps and scrubs, crystal deodorants, hand creams and toothpastes in a variety of natural fragrances which use aromatic herbs, fragrant flowers and natural oils.

The new Urtekram coconut range has four products - shampoo, conditioner, shower gel and body lotion, each infused with organic virgin coconut oil and organic coconut nectar, from palm trees in the South Seas.

Urtekram Coconut Shampoo has organic coconut nectar and daisy flower extract, to naturally moisturise, and seaweed extract to revitalise the hair.

Containing organic virgin coconut oil, the Coconut Conditioner naturally helps to nourish and moisturise normal hair.

Both products are lightly fragranced and designed to leave hair with a delicate scent of natural coconut sweetness.

The Coconut Shower Gel has organic coconut nectar and diglycerin to naturally cleanse and moisturise, while Urtekram’s Coconut Body Lotion, has organic virgin coconut oil and hyaluronic acid which is easily absorbed, nourishing and rejuvenates the epidermis.

Like all Urtekram products, all four new hair and body care lines have achieved the Ecocert COSMOS Organic Standard, the new gold standard governing the content and the methods approved for the manufacture of organic ingredients.

The whole range of Urtekram hair, body and oral care products are hypoallergenic and Vegan Society-approved, and they are free from parabens, synthetic ingredients and artificial colours – just as nature intended.

Urtekram products are also certified by Ecocert Greenlife and meet the COSMOS Organic Standard.

Urtekram skin and beauty preparations are priced from £1.75 and available from Whole Foods Market, Planet Organic and independent health and beauty retailers nationwide.

You can find further information at www.urtekram.com or www.healthyfoodbrands.co.uk.

Now to the giveaway. To win the lovely selection of products below, just enter via the Rafflecopter widget.

The giveaway is open to UK entrants only and the usual terms and conditions apply which can be viewed on my competitions page.

The giveaway ends on 11:59 pm on Sunday 18th December.  The winner must confirm their details no later than Tuesday 20th December in order to receive their prize in time for Christmas.



a Rafflecopter giveaway

Good luck!

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