gettingstraighttothepoint

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Beauty buy: Burt’s Bees Pomegranate Lip Balm

My younger sister bought me a Burt’s Bees Pink Grapefruit Lip Balm for Christmas and I loved it so much that I wanted to try other flavours that Burt’s Bees offered. I decided to go for Pomegranate as I thought I would love it just as much. I bought it when it was on offer in Superdrug for £3.10 which is reasonably priced for a lip balm with natural ingredients which has been responsibly sourced. Lip balms tend to last me a long time anyway so I felt it was a decent price.

The packaging is compact and not wasteful – it is packaged in a printed paper carton fit to house the lip balm. It mentions on the packaging that it has 100% natural ingredients and it is moisturizing lip balm rich in antioxidants with a hint of red tint. The Pink Grapefruit lip balm I have previously used had no tint so for the Pomegranate version to have a slight tint was interesting to me as I could use it as a lip balm and to add colour to my lips at the same time.

On first impressions, I didn’t enjoy the smell of this lip balm as much as the Pink Grapefruit. I’ve found that Burt’s Bees’ lip balms have a strong scent but it’s not too overpowering. When applying the lip balm, it glides on smoothly and there is no sticky residue. There is a slight reddish tint but it’s not too much. It definitely moisturizes my lips and I find that I don’t need to keep reapplying it as much as I used to with other lip balms I have tried in the past.

Overall, the Burt’s Bees Pomegranate lip balm does exactly what it says – it moisturizes and adds a slight tint. As for the smell, it is not my favourite but it is tolerable. While it does have the extra benefit of added a red tint after applying, I don’t think I would buy this Pomegranate lip balm again but I would still be open to trying other Burt’s Bees lip balms.

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Fashion buy: Beagles Originals 8L Akita Backpack

I was looking for a compact and spacious travel backpack and came across this Beagles Originals 8L Akita backpack in TKMaxx. The recommended retail price is £34.99 but I bought this backpack for £20 on sale. A bit pricey in my opinion but I really liked the design and how it had so many compartments so decided to go ahead and buy it anyway.

It’s a decent size and has so many pockets so I’ll be able to store a lot of things when I use this backpack. It’s big enough to include an umbrella or water bottle on either side of the backpack and I could fit a lightweight jacket in the main compartment if I wanted to. It does have a padding on the inside of the main compartment which is suitable for storing an iPad. It also has adjustable and padded straps to alleviate the stress on the shoulders when using the backpack to carry heavier items.

One of the downsides to the backpack is the colour for me. While I like the cream/beige colour and it’s a neutral colour which can match with outfits easily, the backpack can easily get dirty and would be more noticeable than if it was in a darker colour such as navy or black. I would have also preferred if the side compartments were slightly bigger so I could fit a larger water bottle.

Overall, the backpack is a good size and can store a lot of things with the many compartments it offers. I’m disappointed that I wasn’t able to buy this backpack in a different colour and did find it is a bit expensive for the price I bought it for. However, I am sure I will get lots of wear out of it and it would definitely be useful for when I go travelling or on day trips.

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SAD: Seasonal Affective Disorder

In the UK, the amount of daylight we get every day as we transition into winter is getting shorter and shorter. With the shorter days, this can have an impact on our mood. Because of this change, many people suffer from seasonal affective disorder (SAD). Seasonal affective disorder is a type of depression that comes and goes in a seasonal pattern as stated on the NHS website.

The cause of this disorder is usually linked to reduced exposure to sunlight during the shorter autumn and winter days. The main theory for the cause of this disorder is that the lack of sunlight might stop a part of the brain called the hypothalamus from working properly. When the hypothalamus is affected, this can also affect other parts of the body. The production of melatonin (hormone that makes you feel sleepy) can be affected and the body may produce more of this hormone than usual. The production of another hormone, serotonin, is also affected. This hormone is responsible for your mood, appetite and sleep. With a reduction in sunlight, this can lead to lower serotonin levels which is linked to feelings of depression. Not only does it affect the production of these two hormones but it also affects the body’s internal clock (circadian rhythm).

Someone who suffers from seasonal affective disorder may experience having a persistent low mood, loss of pleasure or interest in normal everyday activities and sleeping for longer than normal and finding it hard to get up in the morning. According to mayoclinic, SAD is diagnosed more commonly in women than men and occurs more frequently in younger adults than older adults. It is thought that there are other factors that can increase the likelihood of someone experiencing SAD such as family history, major depression or bipolar and having a low level of vitamin D. While seasonal affective disorder is common, this disorder can lead to complications if it continues for prolonged periods of time and isn’t treated. This can lead to social withdrawal, school/work problems and other mental health disorders just to name a few.

To prevent the possibility of the disorder causing further complications, a few things that can help with seasonal affective disorder can be to go out for a walk during the day to increase exposure to sunlight and surrounding yourself with friends and family. Talking therapies can also be useful as it allows people to talk about their stresses and difficulties they face when struggling with this disorder.

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Fashion buy: Coach Mini Klare Crossbody Bag

I decided to treat myself to my first designer bag and decided to look at what Coach had to offer. I had always heard that Coach offered high quality and durable pieces so when I came across the Coach Mini Klare Crossbody Bag in gold/taupe, I decided to go for it. This piece also comes in white and black but I decided to go for a neutral colour as I felt it was a more versatile colour which would be easier to match with outfits. This style is from the Coach outlet store which I believe is not of a high quality as the other pieces in their main collections but still offers high quality pieces at a more affordable price. The Coach Mini Klare Crossbody Bag retails for £375 but is now on offer for £239 with an extra 20% off.

I was drawn to this bag as you can adjust the gold chain strap to wear over the shoulder and also crossbody. There is a short shoulder strap which allows you to wear it as a crossbody bag without the chain digging into your shoulder uncomfortably. The gold chain is lightweight and not chunky which does not add any unnecessary or additional weight to the bag. To keep the bag in excellent condition, there is a dust bag and Coach also offers complimentary leather care and cleaning for life which shows that Coach are confident in the quality of their products. While it is a small bag, there are many compartments and pockets making it multifunctional which I really liked. It’s a bag where you can fit all your essential items and is perfect from the transition from day to night. The gold chain handle enhances the expensive look of the bag and the crossgrain leather material gives it a polished look. There is also a small removable keychain with the Coach brand name embossed on it which adds a cute touch to the bag. The fabric lining of the bag however, is disappointing as it seems to be cheap material and is only attached to the outer leather material around the seams which can easily become stretched and loose over time. This piece, in general, is well made and the stitching is careful and even. However, the same can’t be said for the coating around the seams of the bag itself which looks a little clumsy and may come undone over time. The flap on the bag is secured with a magnetic clasp but this also looks a little uneven upon closer inspection.

For the price point, it is a versatile and compact bag worth buying. It is a great piece to add to anybody’s collection and can be used for everyday use or on a night out. However, I was disappointed with the workmanship and quality of the bag considering it is from Coach which is a well-known brand for high quality leather goods. Despite the small details on this bag that I was not particularly impressed with, I am pleased with the functionality and design and I do think this is a simple but classic piece.

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Beauty buy: Piz Buin Allergy Sun Sensitive Skin Face Cream 50+ SPF 50ml vs. La Roche-Posay 50+ SPF Anthelios For Sensitive Skin 50ml

With summer fast approaching, I wanted to buy sun cream for my face which I could use on a daily basis to prevent premature wrinkles and to protect my skin from the sun. The sun creams I’ve bought previously were always too greasy for my skin and wouldn’t absorb quickly, leaving a layer of oily residue on the surface of my skin which I didn’t like especially in hot weather. I wanted a sun cream that will stay on all day and was fast absorbing so I scoured online to see what I could find and came across Piz Buin Allergy Sun Sensitive Skin Face Cream 50+ SPF and La Roche-Posay 50+ SPF Anthelios For Sensitive Skin.

La Roche-Posay 50+ SPF Anthelios For Sensitive Skin 50ml (left) and Piz Buin Allergy Sun Sensitive Skin Face Cream 50+ SPF 50ml (right)

Both products have a lot of benefits and good claims so I was definitely intrigued to try both sun creams. On the back of La Roche-Posay 50+ SPF Anthelios For Sensitive Skin, it claims that it offers high protection and is water, sweat and sand resistant. It claims to be non-greasy and has a non-sticky formula which also appealed to me. This sun cream was very pricey and retails between £15-£20 for the 50ml but I had read reviews that this was a good brand and that their products are good quality so I thought it would be worth trying. For Piz Buin Allergy Sun Sensitive Skin Face Cream 50+ SPF 50ml, it claims that there is triple resistance and gently moisturizes the skin. Its formula has strong sun resilience and provides strong protection against the sun. This product has a retail price between £7-£9 which I would consider reasonable and decently priced.

I tried both SPF creams in the morning after cleaning my face. I found that La Roche-Posay 50+ SPF Anthelios For Sensitive Skin 50ml was very runny and hard to apply so I had to be fast in applying it to my face as soon as I poured some out of the bottle. It was fast in absorbing into my skin and didn’t leave streaky marks. However, as the day went on I did find that it made my face a little sticky. For Piz Buin Allergy Sun Sensitive Skin Face Cream 50+ SPF 50ml, the consistency was thicker and has consistency of a cream so it was easier to apply. This sun cream absorbed well but did take more time to absorb as it was a thicker cream and at times it did leave white streaks on my face. I didn’t particularly like the smell of this cream much but I know that with sun creams and lotions in general, has a distinct smell. I found that this cream was also easier to mix in together with a moisturizer when applying it to my face.

sample of La Roche-Posay 50+ SPF Anthelios For Sensitive Skin 50ml (left) and Piz Buin Allergy Sun Sensitive Skin Face Cream 50+ SPF 50ml (right)

In conclusion, I liked both creams but in terms of longevity and how it feels on my skin, I prefer Piz Buin Allergy Sun Sensitive Skin Face Cream 50+ SPF 50ml. The amount in the tube lasts a long time since I only apply a small pea sized amount on a daily basis which is enough. The 50ml size is a good size to take when travelling or putting in my bag if I wanted to apply more throughout the day (particularly if it is a hot and sunny day). I think that this sun cream is reasonably priced and lives up to its claims so I would definitely buy this again.

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DIY: Cloud Print Plant Pot

I previously did a daisy print plant pot so I thought I would try a different style this time round. I really like clouds so that’s the print I decided to go for this time. Since I’m not particularly creative or great at painting, I thought a cloud print would be simple but cute.

I was a bit unsure of whether to paint the clouds following a cloud template I found online or if I should just freestyle it but thought it would be easier to follow a template to begin with and see how I get on.

Here is a list of the equipment I used:

Plant pot (from Webbs of Wychbold)

Acrylic paint in colours Titanium White and Pale Blue (from hobbycraft)

Paintbrushes (found some old paintbrushes my dad used to use)

Palette (found an old one my dad used to use)

I made sure to clean the plant pot first to make sure there were no bits stuck on the plant so that I was painting onto a smooth surface. I left it to dry for a couple of hours before starting to paint. I started off with painting the rim of the plant pot. I used two thin layers of paint for the rim of the plant pot and left it to dry for about 5-10 minutes before moving onto paint the rest of the plant pot.

I tend to find it easier to paint the plant pot by putting it upside down (rim down on the table), that way I can use the base of the plant pot to move the plant pot around if needed. I added one layer of paint before leaving it to dry for 15-20 minutes. After I left it to dry for 15 minutes, I repeated the process and added another layer of paint before leaving it to dry again for 15-20 minutes.

Once the plant pot had been painted blue for the sky background, it was time to paint the clouds. For the clouds, I used a smaller paintbrush than the one I previously used to paint the plant pot blue. I started off with painting the clouds following a picture of a more animated/cartoon version of a cloud I found online but after painting a couple of clouds this way, I found that they didn’t look quite right and started to freestyle the shape and size of the clouds which I think made them look more realistic.

After painting the clouds, I left the whole plant pot to dry for about 10-15 minutes. I noticed that some of the paint on the rim had come off a little bit when I had put it upside down to paint the rest of the paint pot. Because of this, I added one last layer of paint and left it to dry for about 5 minutes.

I think the cloud print plant pot came out quite well and I definitely prefer it to the daisy print plant pot I previously did. I think my choice of paint played a part as well as I had used a metallic colour for the daisy print plant pot which didn’t seem to bring out much of the daisies and made it shinier in the light. Painting the clouds freestyle rather than following a template made them look more realistic as well since clouds are different sizes and shapes.

Here is my video of how to paint a cloud print plant pot:

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Beauty buy: Simple Hydrating Light Moisturiser

I’ve always heard that Simple offer great skincare products so when I came across this new moisturiser, I thought I would try it. I’ve previously bought some Simple facial wipes to cleanse my face and to also use to remove make up but I didn’t feel that they were very good at removing waterproof mascara or cleansing my face in general so I was a bit sceptical at first about buying another product from the Simple skincare range.

On the packaging, it states that it offers 12 hour moisturisation and works for all skin types. I don’t use moisturiser often but after reading more about skincare routines, I understand that moisturiser is important to keep my skin hydrated so I thought it would be a good idea to try out other types of moisturisers to see what works best for my skin. I bought this 125ml moisturiser for £2.29 which I thought is a reasonable price.

My first time trying out this moisturiser was after cleansing my face. The packaging is different to what I am used to seeing as most moisturisers and day creams are either in a tub or in a tube. After squeezing some of the product out, I understood why this type of bottle was used as the moisturiser has a light consistency.

When I applied the moisturiser, it quickly absorbed into my skin which I was really impressed with. I was even more impressed with how it made my skin feel – it didn’t feel sticky or oily at all. My skin felt hydrated, soft and smooth. It’s definitely a moisturiser that I feel would last me all day and I wouldn’t need to reapply it again throughout the day.

Overall, I’m really impressed with this moisturiser and I would definitely continue using this product. It surpassed my expectations and in comparison to the Nivea Refreshing Day Cream 24h Moisture for Normal Skin with SPF 15 that I tried before, I prefer the Simple Hydrating Light Moisturiser. However, this moisturiser doesn’t have SPF unlike the Nivea moisturiser; if this product included SPF it would be an added bonus.

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DIY: Daisy Print Plant Pot

I bought some plant pots over a year ago and I had planned to paint them but never got round to buying the paint until recently. I was inspired to paint them after seeing some hand painted plant pots which I came across on depop and etsy. I have always really enjoyed gardening and helping my mom with planting seeds every year so it just made sense to try painting some plant pots.

I did some research into the type of paint to use on Google and there were a lot of suggestions that acrylic paint would be the best type of paint to use. I also had a look at plant pot designs to get some inspiration before deciding on doing a daisy print as they are my favourite flowers.

Here is a list of the equipment I used:

Plant pot (from Webbs of Wychbold)

Acrylic paint in colours Titanium White, Primary Yellow and Champagne (all from hobbycraft)

Paintbrushes (found some old paintbrushes my dad used to use)

Palette (found an old one my dad used to use)

Before I began painting the plant pot, I made sure to clean the plant pot and scrubbed the outside of the pot to get rid of any residue and to prevent the paint looking lumpy. I just used a brush to do this and after doing so, I let the plant pot dry outside in the sun for a couple of hours.

I prepared my work station by putting down some old newspaper as it can get quite messy when using paint. I also made sure to clean the paintbrushes beforehand so that there is no dust or leftover paint from when they were used before.

Using the paint in colour Champagne, this is the colour I would use as a base all around the plant pot. To paint the base layers of the plant pot, I used a thick and wide brush so that this would have more coverage. This acrylic paint has some shine to it rather than it being matte so I added four layers of paint to the plant pot as the paint was quite sheer after only a couple of layers. In between each layer, I let the plant pot dry for 2-3 minutes to ensure each layer was even.

After painting the fourth layer, I let the plant pot to dry for about an hour which would ensure that the pot is completely dry before moving onto painting the daisies. Using the paint in colour Primary Yellow, I started to paint the centre of the daisies around the plant pot using a small, thin brush. I would wait a few minutes after painting the yellow dots before moving onto painting the petals. To paint the petals, I used the colour Titanium White using another thin brush. After I finished painting the pot completely, I left it to dry for about half an hour.

I think the plant pot came out better than I thought. I wasn’t wholly keen on the shiny effect of the champagne coloured acrylic paint that I used and I think it would have looked better in a matte baby pink colour instead but I think the shiny effect of the paint gives it more character. The daisies were done freehand and I think it probably would have looked better if the daisies were more close together rather than uniform and spaced apart.

Here is my DIY video of how to paint a daisy print plant pot:

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keshi – GABRIEL album review

(Source:https://www.clashmusic.com/reviews/keshi-gabriel)

Release date: 25th March 2022 Duration: 32:39 mins Favourite songs from the album: ‘GET IT’, ‘WESTSIDE’, ‘HELL/HEAVEN’, ‘UNDERSTAND’, ‘SOMEBODY’, ‘TOUCH’, ‘ANGOSTURA’, ‘LIMBO’

Following the success of his previous releases, keshi finally releases his debut album GABRIEL. keshi was a moniker created by Casey Luong (keshi’s real name) during his time at university where he began posting music anonymously on SoundCloud. Previous to being a singer-songwriter and producing music full-time, keshi was an oncology nurse for a year and a half. In an interview with HypeMY where keshi talks about GABRIEL, keshi explained that he is not really a religious person but has always loved the name Gabriel so he thought it which would be a memorable title for the album. keshi goes on to say that this album includes more honest emotions and has allowed him to be more candid. Prior to the release of GABRIEL on 25th March, the singles ‘SOMEBODY’, ‘TOUCH’ and ‘GET IT’ were released as teasers for the album.

‘GET IT’ is the first track on the album which tends to stray from keshi’s previous music style. It begins with an aggressive hip-hop style that instantly shows energy and hype before slowing down into a ballad. ‘GET IT’ shows a lot of bravado and confidence whilst talking about drowning in these things as well. The next track is ‘SOMEBODY’ which has a slow R&B beat which matches the sensual lyrics paired with keshi’s falsetto and soulful voice. The lyrics talk of being intimate and close with someone. Following ‘SOMEBODY’ is ‘WESTSIDE’; this song begins with a guitar intro and throughout the song, there is a hint of sadness as the lyrics talk about homesickness and being apart from loved ones. After ‘WESTSIDE’ is ‘TOUCH’, which like ‘SOMEBODY’ touches on intimacy again and being lost in someone’s touch. This track is very much like keshi’s earlier works with a mellow and lo-fi style. ‘MILLI’ follows after ‘TOUCH’ and this is a boastful song talking about money and fame. It’s a chill track with a soft R&B beat. After ‘MILLI’, the album takes a turn as the next track ‘PЀRE’ is a monologue rather than a song. ‘PЀRE’ (French for father), is a monologue of keshi’s father speaking in French about his experience of immigrating to the US and the obstacles he faced. This monologue breaks up the album in two halves with the first half embodying feelings of confidence and intimacy whereas the songs that follow ‘PЀRE’ show more uncertainty and vulnerability. ‘HELL/HEAVEN’ instantly starts off with keshi’s falsetto over a soft guitar intro before the song moves into a heavy beat. A soft-flowing song with reverb aspects, listeners may believe that this song questions fame and whether it is hell or heaven. The next track is ‘ANGOSTURA’ which has a soft intro and sweet lyrics about being someone’s lover. This track talks about loneliness and trying to find company in someone else. The title ‘ANGOSTURA’ which is a brand name for a type of bitter liquid that can be used to flavour drinks is very fitting for this song about drinking away feelings and the bitterness of this. After ‘ANGOSTURA’ is ‘UNDERSTAND’ – this song is simple; a soft guitar playing in the background mixed with keshi’s voice where he is able to showcase his range. ‘LIMBO’ follows after ‘UNDERSTAND’ and its long intro gives listeners a sense of limbo before moving into a heavy R&B beat. This song talks about keshi’s feelings of being stuck in limbo and wanting to show his true self. ‘LIMBO’ smoothly transitions into ‘ANGEL’ which is a mellow pop song where the lyrics talk about someone he highly regards as an angel. The final track ‘GABRIEL’ is an acoustic song that is raw and emotional. It’s a soft ballad where there are layers of keshi’s voice which all melts together.

In interviews where keshi has talked about the album-making process for GABRIEL as well as giving us more of an insight into the songs, he mentioned how he felt that now was the time to be more experimental with his music. With a lot of keshi’s earlier works such as ‘like I need u’, ‘2 soon’ or ‘xoxosos’, he was known for his ‘signature’ lo-fi music. This style can still be seen in the songs ‘SOMEBODY’ and ‘HELL/HEAVEN’ but through GABRIEL, keshi built on his musical style by incorporating other styles such as hip-hop and R&B. keshi evokes emotions well in all of his songs and GABRIEL shows a more vulnerable side of keshi that we maybe haven’t seen before. Hopefully we will see keshi continue experimenting further and producing music that allows him to explore his full potential when producing music.

Check out keshi’s debut album GABRIEL on Apple Music: https://music.apple.com/gb/album/gabriel/1610439611

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Post-pandemic: Will things ever go back to being ‘normal’?

Over the past two years, COVID-19 has impacted everyone and everything worldwide. The coronavirus affected us all in many ways – we had the introduction of lockdowns, social distancing and wearing masks. We weren’t able to go out and meet up with friends and family freely or go to the cinema or attend concerts. Many businesses were negatively impacted which resulted in employees losing their jobs and some businesses were not able to survive the pandemic. To help prevent the spread of COVID-19, many people started to work from home and children had to resort to online learning. Fast forward to the present day, the UK’s COVID-19 restrictions are being lifted one after the other due to the government’s plan to ‘live with COVID’ but will things ever go back to being ‘normal’?

In September 2021, the government rolled out the booster vaccinations for those that have already had two vaccinations. The first two vaccinations had shown to be effective against COVID but with a third booster jab, this would maximise the effectiveness of the vaccinations. On the gov.uk website, the UK Health Security Agency provided an update in November 2021 regarding the effects of the booster vaccination. It was found that two weeks after receiving a booster dose, in adults aged 50 years and over, protection against symptomatic infection was 93.1% with AstraZeneca as their primary course. With the vaccinations in place, this allows us to reduce the risk of contracting and spreading the virus thus eradicating the need for social distancing.

On 27th January 2022, it no longer became a legal requirement for people to wear masks in shops or on public transport. However, employers can continue to ask staff and customers to wear face coverings and it was still advised and encouraged for people to continue wearing masks on public transport or when mixing with other people within close contact. Following this restriction being lifted, changes to self-isolating following a positive COVID-19 result changed in February last month. From 24th February, the government removed the legal requirements to self-isolate following a positive COVID result and to end all routine contact tracing. Close contacts who are fully vaccinated will no longer have to test daily for seven days while unvaccinated close contacts will not be required to self-isolate.

The latest restriction to be lifted is with regards to travel; the government removed the remaining COVID-19 international travel restrictions for all passengers from 4am on Friday 18th March. From this date onwards, no one entering the UK will need to take tests of complete a passenger locator form. Previously, those arriving back to the UK from abroad were required to take a lateral flow test within 48 hours of arriving in England. This change will no doubt help the travel and tourism industry which was heavily impacted during the beginning of the pandemic to get back on track.

Now that restrictions are being lifted and things are starting to look like how they were pre-pandemic, does this mean that things are going back to ‘normal’? The pandemic has definitely been an uncertain and unprecedented time for all of us. Our experience during the pandemic, which is still on-going, has left long-lasting effects. Whether things can ever go back to being ‘normal’, is a subjective matter. This is something that Bryan Lufkin has also questioned in his BBC article ‘Is going ‘back to normal’ even possible?’. He explains that the pandemic has impacted on people’s mental health, leading to fear and trepidation around returning to normality which is referred to as ‘post-pandemic anxiety’ or ‘re-entry anxiety’. Many healthcare practitioners around the world have already begun to address and treat this issue. Steven Taylor, a professor and clinical psychologist at the University of British Columbia, Canada believes that there are some people ‘who will never go back to normal’, including those that have lost a loved one, lost a job marriage or home due to the pandemic. However, this group of people that Taylor refers to will be the minority and that the majority of people will eventually be able to return to normality.

At present, COVID-19 is still affecting our lives and we will now have to adapt and live with the virus. Whether we will ever get back to ‘normal’ again will differ from person to person and only time can tell.

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Beauty buy: Nivea Refreshing Day Cream 24h Moisture for Normal Skin with SPF 15 Review

I have been looking for a moisturising cream for a long time so I was excited when I came across this Nivea Refreshing Day Cream with SPF 15. In the past, I found that a lot of moisturisers I used weren’t compatible with my combination skin type so I decided not to bother using moisturiser at all as it left my skin feeling oily. As this day cream was on offer for £1.99, I thought I’d try it out.

Looking at the range of day creams Nivea offered, I noticed they had day creams for all skin types but unfortunately, they didn’t offer any day creams for combination skin that also had SPF. I decided to try out this day cream for normal skin as this was the closest to my skin type. The fact it has SPF was an added bonus as it helped protect my skin from UV rays.

The packaging is simple and a good travel size. It’s a compact size which I could easily take with me if I travel and also handy to put in my bag when I go out. The product itself has a pleasant smell and the consistency is light. When I applied it on my face, it is not overly greasy which I thought would be the case due to the SPF. I found that it absorbed well into my skin and kept my skin feeling hydrated and moisturised throughout the day. Using only a pea-sized amount every time I apply it to my skin, the product has lasted me quite a long time so far so I think a little product goes a long way.

However, on warmer days I found that when I applied the product on my face it did make my skin become oily – this may be because it isn’t a product that is completely compatible with combination skin as it is actually for normal skin.

I would look to buy this product again as it is a moisturiser that keeps my skin hydrated and moisturised throughout the day. However, I would probably stay away from using it on warmer days as I feel it adds to the oiliness of my face and this would also allow my skin to breathe. If Nivea offered a day cream with SPF for combination skin, I would definitely try it out as I think it might work better for my skin type.

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Beauty buy: SHEGLAM Nourishing Lip Balm 02 Pink

I have been looking for a lip balm with a slight tint to add a bit of colour to my lips so when I came across this SHEGLAM Nourishing Lip Balm in pink, I thought I’d try it out. I’ve bought a couple of clothing pieces from SHEIN before but I’ve never tried any of their beauty products. The reviews for this lip balm were mainly positive and the colour of the lip balm is a light pink which seems to be what I’ve been looking for. The description also mentioned that it is a colour changing lip balm and it will change colour depending on the pH of your lips which intrigued me.

The packaging and product itself is sleek and looks really high-end considering I paid only £2.49 for it. It is a bit heavier than my usual lip balms but I suppose it adds to the overall look of it as it looks more like a lipstick than a lip balm. It’s a good compact size so it’s handy to put in my bag when I’m out and about.

I did a swatch on my hand to test the product and it had a slight shine and a light pink tint. However, when using the actual product on my lips, it came out a bit more pink than I thought. The lip balm did keep my lips moisturised and the colour was long-lasting but I did find that the lip balm itself has a slight metallic type of smell which I found a bit off-putting.

For the price I paid, it is a high quality product and would be great for keeping your lips moisturised all day and adding a slight tint. In terms of buying this product again, I don’t think I would. As the product came out a bit more pink than I had anticipated, it didn’t live up to my expectations as I thought it would be more of a neutral/light pink colour. I think I will look to use this product for going out and special occasions rather than on a daily basis. After looking at the SHEIN website, they do also have the same lip balm but in white so I might try that one instead.

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Should employees have more flexibility in the workplace?

Many jobs require their employees to work in an office environment. The hours can differentiate from person to person but on average, full-time workers in the UK work 36.1 hours in the week according to the Office for National Statistics for June to August 2021. As most of our time is spent working within an office environment, it’s important that it’s a space that we find enjoyable but generates productivity at the same time.

When considering a job role, there are many factors to consider: the company culture, work space, benefits etc. Some companies may have a more relaxed company culture which offers flexibility in the working hours or hybrid working where employees can work from home on set days. However, some companies may follow a more traditional approach where all employees are to work set working hours and are required to be in the office full time. Things such as the company culture and working environment may also be influenced by type of company and the industry they are in.

If companies allowed more flexibility in the workplace, this would enable them work towards a healthy working environment. But what is meant by a healthy working environment? In the 6q article ‘Creating a Healthy Workplace Environment for Your Employees’, author Heryati R. states that “a healthy workplace environment improves productivity and reduces costs related to absenteeism, turnover, workers’ compensation and medical claims”. She also goes on to say that the working environment is what influences employee motivation and happiness and how productive and efficient they can be.

Looking at Google, which is a world-renowned company as an example, it is a company that is infamous for having a unique company culture compared to the more traditional culture that many companies adopt. The article ‘Workplace Spotlight: What Google Gets Right about Company Culture’ by Peakon looks at Google’s company culture more closely; it is described as a culture that is “flexible” and “employees are encouraged to work when they like and how they like”.

Many employees have mentioned that working at Google is unlike any other company and deviates from what is considered to be a typical work environment. Another article by Insider titled ‘5 reasons Google is the best place to work in America and no other company can touch it’ explains that Google value employees’ happiness very highly and the tech giant has proven to be the gold standard for employees. Working at Google has proved to have many benefits which more than 64,000 of their employees can enjoy and take advantage of; this includes free and healthy gourmet meals, laundry, generous paid parental leave and on-site childcare just to name a few. One employee describes Google as “a company that treats their employees great and in return gets motivated and loyal employees”.

Whilst not all companies are able to follow suit and take the same approach as Google in creating the same working environment, companies can implement small changes which can make a big difference to their employees and their working life. For example, offering more flexible working hours would allow employees to work around commitments such as childcare which would reduce employees’ stress levels and allow them to feel more motivated and productive.

Reducing the traditional five-day working week to a four-day working week is something that may come into effect in the future. Trials of a four-day working week have already taken place in a few countries around the world and the BBC reported that the trials which took place in Iceland from 2015 to 2019 were “an overwhelming success”. These trials took place in various settings such as pre-schools, offices and social service providers and saw employees reduce their hours from 40 hours to 35 or 36 hours a week. As a result, researchers have said many workers moved to shorter hours and productivity either remained the same or improved in the majority of workplaces. Many employees also reported that they felt less stressed and at risk of burnout and said their health and work-life balance had improved.

In conclusion, companies should look at offering more flexibility in the workplace as everybody works well in different settings and under different circumstances. Rather than placing employees into a ‘one size fits all’ mould, companies should take the time to understand the environment and practices that their employees work well in. This would bring out the best in their employees whilst improving productivity and motivation and of course, employee satisfaction.

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Beauty buy: Natural Collection Peach Manicure Nail Polish

I was looking for a nude or clear nail polish to add a bit of colour and shine to my nails and came across this Natural Collection nail polish in Peach Manicure in Boots. The packaging is simple but shows clearly the product and colour of the nail polish. For £1.99, I wasn’t expecting much and have found in the past that cheap nail polish usually results in poor quality which can chip and come off quite quickly.

I found that the nail polish itself was of a good consistency but when I applied the nail polish onto my nails, I did find that it was a bit streaky. The bottle recommended putting on two layers which I did and the result isn’t too bad but I felt that the brush strokes could be seen and as a result, ruined the overall look. It did dry quickly which I really liked as some nail polishes that I’ve used before took quite a long time to dry and my nails would then get ruined once I added another layer on top.

The brush was thick but I would have preferred a thicker and wider brush which would offer more coverage and this would also mean less brush strokes would be needed. The colour is subtle and natural which is exactly what I was looking for but it wasn’t as shiny as I had hoped to my disappointment.

 In terms of buying this nail polish again or other nail polishes from the Natural Collection brand, I don’t think I would as I wasn’t overly satisfied with the final result due to the streaky brush strokes left after applying two layers. However, I do like that the nail polish colour came out as it looked in the bottle as I have bought many nail polishes before that came out darker or brighter than the colour I thought it would be. I would continue to use this nail polish but it wouldn’t be my go-to nail polish that I would always reach for if I’m looking for a natural nail look.    

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Film: The Martian review

(Source: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt3659388/mediaviewer/rm1391324160/)

Release date: 30th September 2015 Duration: 2hrs 41 mins Genre: Adventure, Drama, Sci-Fi Directed by: Ridley Scott Rated: 12 Cast: Matt Damon, Jessica Chastain, Kristen Wiig, Jeff Daniels, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Michela Pena, Sean Bean, Kate Mara, Donald Glover, Benedict Wong, Mackenzie Davis

Directed by Ridley Scott, (famously known as the director of other well-known sci-fi films such as Alien, Prometheus and Blade Runner) The Martian is a film based on the novel of the same name written by Andy Weir. In a Film4 interview special, Scott explained that The Martian is a very well adapted screenplay of the book and it is very faithful to the book. He also goes on to say that what intrigued him about The Martian was the puzzle of science and how it tied in closely to a very strong character who would not allow fear and terror make him succumb to the idea of dying.

Set in 2035, the crew of the Ares III mission to Mars are exploring on Sol 18 (Martian solar day) of their 31-sol expedition. Not long after, they are hit with a dust storm and decide to abandon their mission. They evacuate but crew member Mark Watney (Matt Damon) is hit by debris and gets lost in the storm. Presumed dead, the crew leave using their orbiting vessel, the Hermes. Watney survives the storm and wakes up to find that he is injured. He returns to the crew’s surface habitat “the Hab” where he performs surgery on himself. Unable to communicate with Earth, Watney believes his only chance of rescue is by the next Mars mission in four years where the Area IV will land 2,000 miles away. Worried about food shortages, he makes a garden inside the Hab using Martian soil fertilized with the crew’s bio-waste and manufactures water from leftover rocket fuel. On Earth, NASA satellite planner Mindy Park (Mackenzie Davis) realises Watney is alive while reviewing aerial Hab images. NASA director Teddy Sanders (Jeff Daniels) publicly releases the news but doesn’t tell the Ares 111 crew so they can continue with their mission. Watney finds the nearby Pathfinder and uses the camera and motor to establish two-way communication with Earth, starting with hand-written signs. NASA transmits a software patch to link the rover with Pathfinder which allows them to communicate via text. Watney doesn’t blame the crew for leaving him behind and eventually, they find out that he is still alive. Mars mission director Vincent Kapoor (Chiwetel Ejiofor) and Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) director Bruce Ng (Benedict Wong) prepare an Iris space probe to deliver enough food to survive until Ares IV’s arrival. The mission fails as the rocket explodes after lift-off and Watney’s hope for getting back to Earth slowly diminishes. The China National Space Administration has been developing a classified booster rocket called the Taiyang Shen and offer to repeat the Iris mission. Watney’s situation continues to deteriorate until JPL astrodynamicist Rich Purnell (Donald Glover) comes up with an alternative plan; he suggests that the Taiyan Shen meets and resupplies the Hermes which will then use Earth’s gravity to slingshot back to Mars two years earlier than Ares IV. Watney begins the journey to Schiaparelli where the MAV for Ares IV has been pre-positioned. After take-off, the MAV fails to reach the required speed so the crew resort to making a bomb to better align the ship. In a Manned Manoeuvring Unit, Lewis (Jessica Chastain) is unable to reach Watney as the tether is too short. Watney pierces his pressure suit and uses the air as thrusts to head towards Lewis and reunite with the rest of the crew. At the end of the film, we are shown that Watney has become survival instructor for astronaut candidates after coming back to Earth.

Despite the lengthy duration, this film was appropriately paced and worth watching. The storyline was straightforward: an astronaut is stranded on Mars and the film follows his progress and journey to get back to Earth. However, when it came to the storytelling there was a mixture of things: the use of diary entries, updates on the movement of the protagonist and what was happening back on Earth. It is these different elements that kept viewers eager and hopeful for Watney to return to Earth. The witty and comedic aspects of Watney’s character also lightened the seriousness of it all. Although the genre of The Martian is considered to be sci-fi overall, it is a film suited for all audiences and not just sci-fi lovers.

The Martian is available to buy on DVD from Amazon: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Martian-DVD-Matt-Damon/dp/B015Q04ET6/ref=sr_1_3?dchild=1&keywords=the+martian&qid=1615835830&s=dvd&sr=1-3

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My Top 6 Wardrobe Essentials

My wardrobe has definitely changed a lot over the years. I have been guilty of buying a lot of fast fashion and buying on impulse. In the last year or so, I have started to think twice about the clothes that I buy in order to be more sustainable and to invest in pieces that I know will last me a long time.  What’s more, I have also begun to sell unwanted clothes that I no longer want or wear instead of just throwing them away.

When I was younger, I didn’t really pay much attention to putting an outfit together or where I buy the clothes from or even what material it was. Now that I’m older, I’m more conscious about the clothes I wear and if it is sustainable. Here is a list of my top 6 wardrobe essentials:

1)      Jeans

Jeans are probably my number one must-have in my wardrobe. I wear jeans the majority of the time as they’re a really versatile piece that you can dress up or down. A lot of the jeans I have are skinny jeans but I try to have different styles such as boyfriend and straight jeans to change up different outfits. Jeans are great with t-shirts, shirts, vests and they go well with any type of shoe as well depending on what type of look you are going for.

When it comes to buying jeans, I try to buy good quality jeans – this means the thick and heavy type where the material is at least 90% cotton. By buying jeans with at least 90% cotton, I know I’ll get a lot of wear out of them because of the good quality.

2)      Vests

Vests are probably my favourite thing to have in my wardrobe. They’re perfect for layering underneath other pieces such as sheer blouses, jumpers and checked shirts. I have mostly camisoles, scoop neck vests and cropped vests; I usually go for nude, white and black colours as these go well when matching with other colours.

When I shop for vests, I try to find cotton vests as I find these the most comfortable material. I try to find more fitted styles as this will create a better look as looser fits can make outfits look more baggy and shapeless.

3)      Biker jacket

A biker jacket is such a classic piece to have in my wardrobe which is why it is on my list of top 6 must-haves. It just adds more edge to outfits and it is also a versatile piece that goes well with other pieces such as dresses, jeans or a basic t-shirt.

I currently have one leather biker jacket and the thick, sturdy material will just look better with more wear and it’s a piece that will never go out of style.

4)      Basic white t-shirt

Just like basic vests, a basic white t-shirt is an essential in my wardrobe. I can do so much with a white t-shirt whether it’s wearing it under a checked shirt or throwing a cardigan on top. Starting with a basic white t-shirt as a base, I can create so many different outfits and looks depending on what the occasion.

When buying basic essentials, I opt for good quality such as organic cotton and I find it is a thicker material than viscose or polyester. Cotton material is more likely to keep its shape whereas viscose can shrink in the wash.

5)      Dressy blouse/shirt

A dressy blouse or shirt can take an outfit from day to night. I have quite a few blouses and shirts which I usually wear for the office but they could easily be worn for nights out as well with a skirt of a pair of jeans with some heels.

A lot of the blouses and shirts I have are made of polyester and are a little sheer which requires a vest underneath. I usually wear plain shirts but I also have a couple of patterned shirts which add more detail to outfits.

6)      White trainers

White trainers are a must-have for me as they are casual and comfy and they’re probably my favourite pair of shoes. They can be worn with jeans, dresses, skirts and they are usually a pair of shoes that I can go for if I am unsure of what shoes will go with my outfit.

I opt for leather trainers as I know I will get a lot of wear out of them and they will usually keep its colour. From past experience, leather is easier to clean rather than canvas as white trainers can get dirty easily.

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Coronavirus: Did the UK act quickly enough to reduce the spread of COVID-19?

2020 was a year when the world came to a standstill. We were hit by the coronavirus COVID-19 which had a massive impact on our “normality”. In the UK, various measures were introduced in order to reduce the spread of the virus but did we act quickly enough? Before going into this further, what is the coronavirus and where did it come from?

On the gov.uk website, it states that on 31st December 2019 the WHO (World Health Organisation) was informed of pneumonia cases from an unknown cause in Wuhan city in the Hubei Province of China. Almost two weeks later on 12th January 2020, a coronavirus had been identified in samples from cases which suggested that this caused the outbreak. This virus is referred to as SARS-CoV-2 and the associated disease COVID-19 has now spread to many parts of the world. Coronaviruses refers to the family of viruses with some causing less severe diseases such as the common cold and others causing more severe diseases such as Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) and Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS).

COVID-19 can be transmitted between people through respiratory and contact routes. Transmission risk is thought to be highest when people are in close proximity (within two metres); airborne transmission may also occur in poorly ventilated indoor spaces particularly if individuals are in the same room together for long periods of time.

In the UK, cases and deaths started to rise in early 2020 and the country officially entered a national lockdown on 23rd March which required the public to stay at home. The public were only able to leave their homes for limited reasons such as food shopping, exercise once a day, medical reasons and travelling for work when necessary. All non-essential shops were closed and gatherings of more than two people in public were banned as were events such as weddings and funerals. The introduction of the coronavirus job protection scheme (furlough scheme) meant that workers unable to work from home were able to have 80% of their wages covered.

On 28th May, it was announced that groups of six can meet outside and soon after on 1st June, schoolchildren in England in Reception, Year 1 and Year 6 were able to return to schools. Non-essential shops re-opened in mid-June and in the following month, a list of 73 countries and territories where English tourists can visit without self-isolating on their return was published. On 24th July, it was mandatory for customers visiting shops to wear a mask. Schools re-opened in September 2020 and to prevent more cases and deaths rising during the second wave, the Prime Minister announced new restrictions on 22nd September which included a 10pm curfew on pubs, bars and restaurants. A month later, the country entered a second lockdown lasting for four weeks.

We are currently in the third national lockdown which came into effect from 4th January. It is not certain how long this lockdown will last but Prime Minister Boris Johnson is confident we will be able to vaccinate 15 million people by mid-February. While we now have access to three types of vaccines (Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine, Oxford/AstraZeneca vaccine and the Moderna vaccine) to combat COVID-19, we have not had the vaccines long enough to fully understand the side effects in the long-run which is very risky as it could cause complications further down the line.

Despite the UK’s efforts to reduce the spread of COVID-19 so far, it could be argued that the measures that have been put into place since the beginning of the pandemic have not been strict enough. The use of masks and social distancing should have been mandatory from the start and borders should have been closed to prevent the risk of COVID-19 being brought into the country and also being spread to other countries. Many industries were hit hard by the pandemic but the government’s decision to allow Britons to go on holiday in the summer of 2020 for example was poor. Other industries such as retail and hospitality and small businesses have also struggled but the public’s health and safety should have been and should remain the priority.

Had stricter measures been brought in sooner, it is most likely that the COVID-19 situation now may be completely different. Other countries such as Australia and China where the coronavirus originated from have now resumed back to near-normality whereas cases and deaths in the UK continue to rise. The hasty approval of the vaccines could be seen as a panicked decision to reduce the spread of the virus as the government’s previous attempts have so far not been as successful as they had hoped. At present, the public feels confused by the mixed messages and may feel complacent due to being in and out of lockdown. As a result, the country has had to suffer the consequences which could have been prevented earlier and it is now uncertain if the country is able to recover from the damage.