March Beauty Favourites

Fountain, The Beauty Molecule
I use this liquid vitamin complex in my juices, full disclosure, it's tastes totally gross on it's own, so masking it in a juice is better. It definitely has made my skin and hair glow and my nails have been stronger too. A great alternative to vitamin tablets as it's packed full of water-soluble antioxidants that are absorbed instantly into your body, due to its liquid form, giving you healthy glowing skin.
£25 Urban Outfitters

Mac Clear Bow Set
My BAE, my brows are basically a myth and so are drawn on for the most part. Anyone who pencils in their tails will know that there's a high risk you may lose one or both eyebrows during the day. Therefore this is a miracle product. It's like Lipcote for your brows and I get through about five tubes a year.
£13.50 Mac 

Serge Lutens Ambre Sultan Eau de Parfum 
This deep and heady scent is quite polarising, it's not a trend floral or a sweet vanilla scent of the kind that are popular on the mass market. It's most certainly a niche fragrance, but if you're brave enough it's beautiful. The main note is, as the name suggests, amber and it's so warm and exotic and lasts for hours and hours. It's a really special perfume, if you like unusual scents then try this or some other Serge Lutens perfumes.
£74 Space NK

What to Wear to Work Out

(Photos: Sweat the Style, Vogue Italia, Nike)

Hauling your ass down to the gym or on a run is hard, so if you do do that, then I commend you, I really do. You're a sicko. One aspect of working out that I know I find particularly difficult is figuring out what to wear. It totally helps your gym-confidence if you're wearing something you look good in. Also, I have recently realised the importance of proper fitness gear - I used to just rock up in a tee and leggings - but you need performance wear. Tops and leggings that suck you in, keep you cool and don't show that much sweat. So ladies, here are some inspiring workout outfit ideas. Also check out the stunning Adrianne Ho's blog for tons of sporty fashion ideas. 

SHOP FITNESS WEAR

#INSTALUNCH The Hoxton Hotel, Holborn

During a wonderful stay in this hip and happening hotel, my phone and I obviously had to try out a couple of the resident restaurants at The Hoxton, Holborn.

So here is my #INSTALUNCH review of Hubbard & Bell and the Chicken Shop... where I had brunch and dinner respectively. I'm stuffed. 

CHICKEN SHOP

What I ate...
...Chicken, obviously. Well, they don't do anything else here except some excellent sides. Me and my dining partner (hey sis) ordered 1/2 a chicken, crinkly chips and the avocado salad. Then swiftly ordered another 1/4 chicken because it's just the best chicken ever. It's so unbelievably good, so juicy, I would eat here every day if I could. I drank a beer and she had a wine.

What it costs…
It was just under £40 for the two of us including service charge and we went away absolutely stuffed.

What’s the verdict?
You just can't beat the Chicken Shop, the menu is spartan but it's perfectly curated and every dish is absolute perfection. It's worth mentioning the apple pie, which I didn't have this visit, it's other-worldly good and you can eat as much as you want!

5/5
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HUBBARD & BELL

What I ate...
The full English breakfast which came with delicious black pudding (too often omitted from brekkies these days), two very tasty sausages and some kind of bacon which was about a centimetre thick, really salty and just divine. My friend Soph had the mashed avocado on toast with a poached egg which I obviously tried and lo it was good. They also do cold pressed juices and a range of teas.

What it costs…

About £15 per person for breakfast with a drink. The portions were really generous too.

What’s the verdict?

The dining area of Hubbard & Bell is so well designed, it reminds me of a New York deli, with a big, wide open kitchen, lots of tiles and very friendly and courteous staff. There's lots of natural light and light-coloured decor including booths with jolly yellow seats. I felt so chilled-out here, the acoustics are great because they minimise noise so it's a lovely, laid-back dining experience.

5/5

The Hoxton Holborn, 199-206 High Holborn, London WC1V 7BD

You can read my review of The Hotel and rooms right HERE. With thanks to The Hoxton Hotel.

28 Beauty Products to Try Now

Whatever your tastes or budget there are new beauty buys to try now. Shop the selection below, your makeup bag is calling...

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BARGAIN PRICES

March Beauty Favourites - The Sensitive Edition

LA ROCHE-POSAY EFFACLAR DUO FACE CREAM

I used to pick up this cream on the rare trips I made to Paris, French pharmacies rock, but now it's easily available in the UK so a trip across the channel isn't needed. This light cream sinks easily int skin and is intensely moisturising even though it's not heavy. I suffer from such sensitive skin, it's a joke, and I get allergic reaction from a whole host of ingredients but this moisturiser is definitely suitable for sensitive skin. The main claim is that it's anti-blemish which, to be honest, I'm not sure about because a dermatologist once told me spots are almost 100% genetic or hormonal and don't respond to topical treatments. Effaclar however does help to even out skin tone and feel. This is one of my favourite face products for sure.

DR. BRONNER'S LAVENDAR LIQUID SOAP

Dr. Bronner's Liquid Soap is a staple in my beauty regime, not least because it's ethical, works amazingly well and is suitable for even the most sensitive of skins. The formulation is about 150 years old and Organic certified - there are no nasties in this. You can even wash your vegetables with it, which I've tried and I'm still here. The lavender version is great in a hot bedtime bath, if you have babies then this is a fab product that you can both use.

ARM & HAMMER ENAMEL CARE SENSITIVE TOOTHPASTE 

Arm & Hammer Enamel Care Sensitive Toothpaste is MY toothpaste. I've found my brand and I'm sticking with it. I tried another brand a few moths ago and had to throw it out because a/ my tooth sensitivity came back with a vengeance and b/ my moth just didn't feel clean. The baking soda taste in this takes some getting used to but does wonder for naturally whitening teeth and this enamel formulation can apparently even fill minor cavities. Definitely worth a try if you have sensitive teeth, after a day or so it disappears.

WHAT ELSE AM I LOVING...

#INSTALUNCH DF Mexico, Shoreditch

Armed with only a phone, lots of flowers from the nearby Columbia Road Flower Market and a craving for some Mexican grub - I review the uber cool DF Mexico...

What I ate…

I had the chicken burrito which comes as is - no choosing what goes in it here, you get what you're given. Good news is it's tasty and very filling with a very generous bit of guac. The tacos are also very yummy and although they're messy as hell they do come on special holders which makes keeping hold of the filling that bit easier. For dessert I had the raspberry ice cream with popping candy but it must have been Mexican popping candy because it nearly took my face off. Lots of fun.

What I drank…

The bottomless cold drinks; red hibiscus juice, lime and chia seed juice which was the most refreshing drink you could possibly wish for and Horchata, a kind of chilled rice milk with cinnamon which was weird at first but now I'm searching for other places to drink it. It reminded me of eggnog and I liked it.

What I wore…

What it costs…

For a main, ice cream and drink about £12 which is amazing! You also pay at a self service touchscreen which was very slick and high-tech.

What’s the verdict?

This is very fast food but it's tasty and the environment is that of an upmarket East London eatery - I sat in the window which proved to be an excellent people-watching spot, I even saw Tom Daley. I especially loved the industrial-style typography used everywhere from signage to menus and the natural wood used liberally in the restaurant was the perfect partner to the abundance of greenery and foliage that adorns this very good looking haunt.

I would compare it to Nando's in that it's cheap, quick and tasty - some might see that as a diss but I really loved it. The menu is very simple and the concept just works. It's by the same people behind Mexican restaurant Wahaca but it's definitely cooler and a concept I can see being rolled out nationwide. Fast food can be chic too!

4.5/5

 DF Mexico, Old Truman Brewery, Hanbury Street, London E1 6QR

#Review E45 Cream

I used to be prescribed this cream as a child when I suffered from bouts of eczema but I've continued to use it ever since as it's just a bloody good moisturiser. It contains no nasties, alcohol or perfumes so it's suitable for even the most sensitive skin and you can use it on your face and body. The only drawback is that it's slightly greasy but if you do suffer from very dry skin you will probably soak all the emollients right up. I usually have a big tub at al times but the little handbag size is great for moisturising on the go.

E45 available HERE