A lazy gals guide to getting your glow back on a budget...

Oh shut up Annabel, you've never even had bad skin, others have it way worst than you...

Disclaimer, before I share with you my top secret home remedies (easily identifiable on the web) I must highlight my experience of 'bad skin' & a dodgy immune system is rather trivial in comparison to severe skin conditions. However, hear me out now... Regardless of our outer shells, whether they be bumpy or smooth, beauty really is skin deep, and when we feel good in our inner bodies, it shines outward. Therefore, I hope this snippet of wisdom can provide some helpful tried and tested hacks to help you shine bright like a super star!

Oh, and incase you haven't noticed, I'm no scientist. Take my own experience and research, with a pinch of salt. In the famous words of Heston Blumenthal "Question Everything"...

Before and After Selfies (about a year apart)

1. SHOTS SHOTS SHOTS

No pain no gain. Short term pain, long term gain. We like to drink with Annabel, because Annabel is our m8... Just a few of the pep talks I have with myself as I stumble towards the kitchen every morning, prepping myself for the dreaded Apple Cider Vinegar ritual. Not only does this bitter biatch wake you up pretty quickly, it has some glorious health benefits. In order for this Kitchen Ingredient to do abracadabra on your body, I recommend ACV containing 'The Mother'. Think of 'The Mother' as the fairy godmother, made up of friendly bacteria, B-Vitamins and plant-based antioxidants. I personally, begrudgingly, enjoy my acid trip by mixing two big spoonies of ACV and a pint of water, and down it like a fresher. Be sure to dilate this bad boy, as the acetic acid can erode your teeth enamel and we don't want that now do we. Imagine that, beautifully glowing skin, but a mouth full of crumbly nashers. In all seriousness though, with a bottle costing as little as £6.00 this short and sour morning habit dramatically clears my skin, decreases the likelihood of a bloated belly and my digestion is on-point. Game changer.

2. HIIT ME UP

Short, sweet, and full of sweat. High Intensity Interval Training is rumoured one of the most effective and efficient workouts you can do! This sweat sesh hosts many benefits. Not only can you piss off your entire household by shaking the walls with 45 second intervals of jump squats, but way after you've apologised for the mini tremors your body will continue to work hard, restoring the energy you quickly burnt; raising your heart rate at sonic speed. The magical after-effect called 'Excess Post Exercise Oxygen Consumption' ensures you'll be glowing all day long. I personally love to make my own HIIT workouts of 45 seconds on and 15 seconds off using the 'Seconds' timer app, whilst also gaining Inspo from the likes of You Tube fitties such as Sarahs Day, Pamela Reif and Tone It Up.

3. A GREEN TEA A DAY KEEPS THE DOC AWAY

I love coffee so much, it genuinely brings me much joy and excitement, at times too much excitement followed by a comedown of anxious sweats and jitters. Too much of the fun juice, as highlighted by the educated lady that once did my facial (I've only had one facial in my life may I add) can drastically de-hydrate your skin, turning you into a haggard old witch. Therefore, yah gals gotta get her caffeine kick from somewhere else...and the winner is... Matcha Green Tea! This boring version of coffee is actually pretty wondrous, with its 'Catechins' (Plant compounds) providing many superpowers including; natural antioxidants, anti- inflammatory power, and cell damage prevention. My current favourite T-Bag's to dabble with are 'Pukka's' Green Tea Collection, a wondrous array of infused Green Teas to spice up yah life.

4. A HELPIN' HAND

Makeup is a majestic tool, an art, whether you're a full Ru Paul or an au natural. Makeup has been used since the Egyptian times enabling humanity to make their mark, whilst Roman Philosophers including 'Plautus' stated "A woman without paint is like food without salt"... I call BS Plautus, we don't need no extra salt on our fries, we're salty enough. However, the days I do want an extra kick on my bland face I turn to the art of 'No Makeup - Makeup'. Coincidentally, my go to glow up products are primarily 'Benefit Cosmetics', however this look works with any brand of Makeup you desire. Step Uno; apply bronzer to your forehead, cheeks, bridge of nose and eyelids. Step Duo; Swipe that highlighter on your brow bones, cupids bow and upper cheek bones. Step Trio; brush those brows like there's no tomorrow. Step Fourio; Smother Vaseline, or any other lubricating agent on your lips. Boom, Bam, Bosh.

5. MANAGE YO STRESS & KEEP IT SIMPLE

I often get overwhelmed by idols of the internet and their highly complicated 1000 Megatron step skin-care regimes and use of expensive and suspicious looking products, rolling over their gullible, perfect faces. In truth, I simply wash and moisturise my face (with SPF) morning and eve, occasionally dabbling in a face scrub or mask if I'm feeling extra boujee. As highlighted by West-Sussex based dermatologist Dr. Justine Hextall going OTT on skincare regimes can have potentially negative effects on skin barriers and un-balance the natural acidic PH. Likewise, no amount of expensive product and massaging Rose Quartz over your face will save you if your lifestyle includes too many naughties including; booze, processed food, long-term stress, shmokin, and too much sunshine. Let's be honest, we all partake in at least one of these unruly habits. However, moderation is the key to accessing our inner sunshine here. I personally find, a clean diet (big up the fruit & veg) and a simple skin-care regime are the simplest and often most effect ways to keep up that glow. Part of this wholesome parcel of perfection includes acknowledging and managing our stress, some of my favourite stress relievers are sunrise and sunset walks, meditation and yoga. Namaste away those blemishes huni.

6. H2O JUST ADD WATER BBY

One of my abilities, a talent I pride myself on, in fact I often consider adding it to my LinkedIn Bio, is my ability to drink copious amounts of water throughout the day and night. Water is a superb creation, covering approx 71% (I think) of the Earth's surface and a significant vital source in all forms of life. In fact, our bodies are made up of approx 60% water (I think), and water is what keeps us flowing and groovin in life. Good ol' H2O (when consumed properly) provides us with mental clarity, physical performance, and enables our digestive system to work like a Rolls Royce Factory Line. You guessed it, H2O boosts skin health by supporting detoxification, flushing out the nasties and boosting our dull complexions. If you drink enough water you can even turn into a mermaid. When we don't drink enough of the holy juice we become de-hydrated and what I like to call 'Thangry", with even mild de-hydration causing detrimental effects to our mood, memory, mental and physical performance. Moral of the story is drink your water, lots of it, at least 8 ounces of water per day. I personally like to use my reusable 800 ml water bottle and fill it up as many times as I can in the day. If, you're still a child and think 'Water is Boring' (probably the same sort of child that got their mum to cut their crusts off their sandwiches) you can add some chopped fruit to your water, 'Fun water'.

Like most things in life, water is a privilege, with 786 million worldwide without access to clean water (that's one in ten). So, If you enjoyed this blog post, or even if you didn't, Bah Humbug, I would invite you go drink glass of water and donate as little as £2 to Water Aid UK so you and others not so fortunate get a chance to glow bright too!

Thanks for reading lovely people.

Annabel X