A New York City Health and Beauty Blog

5 Questions about Long-Haul Flights Answered

Long-haul flights are both exciting and daunting. First, there’s the thrill of knowing that when your journey is over, you’ll be in an entirely new location. There’s nothing quite like that feeling! However, there’s also the fact that there’s so much potential for looking and feeling below your best, and that understandably worries some of us.

If you have a long-haul flight coming up and you’re dreading it, there are some great ways to prepare yourself. Get your planning done in advance, and your long-haul journey might be easier than you thought. If these questions are affecting your hope for a better trip, then the answers might be just what you need to set your mind at ease.

1: Am I going to be uncomfortable?

The best way to avoid the most discomfort on your flight is to upgrade if you can, but this may not be possible all the time, especially if your budget doesn’t stretch to it. Get around this by making sure that you treat yourself to your own brand of comfort. Pack comfort items in your carry-on luggage like slippers, face masks, and a sleeping pillow. The more comfortable you feel, the easier your journey will be.

2: What should I pack in my carry-on?

First of all, always make sure that your carry-on is the right size to fit in the overhead locker! The last thing you want is your bag under your chair, as this will start to bother you after a few hours. Pack everything you need, but also allow for a small zip-lock bag that has your essentials. Doing so is going to prevent you having to stand up and get your entire carry-on bag out repeatedly.

3: Are there going to be delays?

Delays are unpredictable, and they can make a long-haul journey even longer. Always make sure that you have enough entertainment with you. Remember too that if your flight does get delayed, you may be allowed to claim compensation. Check with Fairplane.co.uk to see if your particular flight delay is covered. Delays are frustrating, but preparing for them can minimize their effect on your journey.

4: What is the food like?

This is going to depend on your airline and your journey. A good tip for eating on long-haul flights is to take your time with your food and don’t wolf it all down as soon as it arrives. There can be a long wait between meal times. Eat your starter and your main meal, but keep your dessert for later.

5: Is a long-haul flight bad for my health?

There are certainly physical and mental risks on a long-haul flight. Deep vein thrombosis is something that can ruin your trip, but you can quickly reduce the risks. Don’t rush back to your seat after a bathroom break, take your time and have a stroll around. The more time you can spend stretching your muscles, the better. Drink plenty of water so that you minimize the risk of dehydration, and your long-haul flight will be much easier on your body than you suspect.

To Conclude

Long-haul flights have the potential to be uncomfortable, but if you prepare for it, your comfort will be vastly improved. Embrace the anticipation of your journey, and you’ll arrive full of excitement and ready to explore your new surroundings.

How To Become A Beauty Blogger In 8 Steps

The world of beauty blogging is a vastly successful one, and, if you are a lover of all things beauty, you may be missing an opportunity to start your own empire from the comfort of your own home by becoming a beauty blogger.

If you are unsure as to how to go about this, read below to get some pointers on the eight ways that you can become a beauty blogger, gain followers, and maybe even make it your full-time occupation.

Find Your Niche

Before you begin to develop your blog, you need to find your niche. Doing so will involve considering what sort of content you want to share, and what the purpose of your blog is. Is it reviews of beauty products? Will it be comprised of how-to videos? Is there a specific skin tone, or type of product you will focus on, such as skin products? Will you also include posts on fashion or lifestyle? Establishing your niche is important as it will form the framework from which your posts are built on. It is always best to focus on something you are passionate about, and also know a lot about, too. Trying to encompass all areas of beauty may be too much of an arduous task, and you certainly don’t want to run before you can walk. You should also strive to be unique in terms of what readers can expect from your content; there is a lot of competition out there, remember, so try and be original from the offset about what you want from your blog.

Consider Your Blog Platform

Consider which blog platform to use in the early days so that you can commit to it and become familiar with its interface. Some options include WordPress and Blogger, for example. Ensure you have a personalized domain, which will cost a small fee but can ensure your blog is taken more seriously.

Choose Your Audience

Another vital consideration in the early days is working out who your target audience is. Do you provide info for stressed-out parents looking for quick beauty fixes? Are you a go-to guide for students working on a budget who are looking for the perfect product? If you choose an audience that corresponds with your developed niche, you will find you have a strong identity to work from for all your future posts. It will help you devise titles and interesting, informative content that your readers can relate to and will enjoy reading.

Get The Right Equipment

To have a good quality, reliable blog, you will need good quality reliable equipment. It is worth investing in a good quality camera, and an up to date computer with plenty of memory and applications to ease the video editing process and your general productivity. This is the part of the process that may require you to invest a fair amount of money. It will be worth it, however, once your blog is up and running and you see the quality of your content bring in regular followers, you will see the benefits of such an investment. If you are worried about financing such equipment, you don’t need to worry as there are options to source small personal loans online.

Post Regularly

Another key factor in running a successful beauty blog is posting regularly. Your followers will soon dissipate if you are quiet for weeks, and fail to capitalize on opportunities to post content your followers will be interested in. Of course, posting content too regularly isn’t advised either, as a half-hearted, rushed post is just as bad as not posting at all. Rather, set out a plan to commit to posting an informative, well researched, original piece of content maybe once a week or fortnight. Quality over quantity should be stuck to, but don’t use this mantra as an excuse to barely post at all.

Commit To Your Blog

Know that before starting a beauty blog, you will have to invest time, effort and dedication to it. It will involve setting aside time to think of interesting topics for your posts. Factor in filming time if you are a vlogger or want to include video, editing time, as well as time to reply to any feedback or comments from followers. Your passion, or lack thereof, will reflect in your content, so it is vital to be completely passionate as well as knowledgeable about the content you are creating. Even if you yourself do not realize it, this will be translated into your posts, and if you radiate positivity, know-how and a can-do attitude with every piece of content, you will gain more followers compared to a blog that lacks depth, excitement or originality.

Be Active On Social Media

As well as posting regularly on your blog, being active on social media is another sure-fire way to build up your followers. An entertaining Twitter and aesthetic Instagram to go alongside your blog can mean you can post on the go, and add a personal touch, as your followers can keep up with your day to day routine if you use Instagram story, for example. You can tweet about your favorite TV program as you’re watching along with your followers, easily respond to queries and replies, and develop a rapport with your followers through real-time communication. You can potentially generate further income this way too, as some beauty companies may approach you to advertise or feature their products if they see you have a strong following.

Network

Another way to get the full potential out of your blog is by using to network as and when you can. This may mean reaching out to other beauty bloggers or vloggers, which can lead to collaborative posts (and therefore potentially more followers) You can also reach out to companies, or they may reach out to you, as you can use your blog to feature their products if you feel your followers would enjoy them. It is through developing a relationship with bloggers and companies that a blog can turn from an enjoyable side hobby to a lucrative business and main source of income, so take the above points seriously and put the work in, and who knows, you could become the next Zoella!

Review: SaltFacial at the SKINNEY Medspa!

Skinney Medspa Manhattan

I was recently invited to experience a SaltFacial at the SKINNEY Medspa and since I’ve never had one I decided to take them up on their offer! The three step facial promises to help improve the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles, age spots and discoloration. And unlike other treatments that require some downtime this treatment is safe and effective for all skin types and results are immediate.

So how does this SaltFacial work?

“A patent-pending, 3-step procedure, the SaltFacial Skin Renewal Therapy restores, replenishes and revitalizes the skin naturally. Three medical-grade technologies are used, including natural sea salt exfoliation, aesthetic ultrasound that delivers nourishing and hydrating formulas deep into the skin, and high-intensity LED Phototherapy that helps to rejuvenate the skin.”

My experience

When I stepped in the Medspa in NYC’s Flatiron district I was immediately taken by lovely neutral aesthetic, the medspa is brightly lit with minimal, clean decor. After checking in at the reception area and filling out my paperwork I was taken to a treatment room with my esthetician. The treatment began with steam extractions and cleansing which was so gentle that I almost fell asleep twice! Normally extractions hurt a bit but my esthetician was a real pro and it didn’t hurt a bit.

Once my face my nice and clean, the natural sea salt exfoliation was the next step. As the treatment began I remember thinking that this was much more gentle that I expected. I’ve had a microdermabrasion treatment in the past and this is similar however this time was face my not red or inflamed. The final steps included an anaesthetic ultrasound and the LED Phototherapy which were both equally relaxing. Once the treatment was over and I touched my face, it felt firm and smooth. I looked in the mirror and my skin already looked noticeable brighter!

Skinney Medspa Manahttan

Overall I had a wonderful experience at the SKINNEY Medspa, the SaltFacial Skin Renewal Therapy is a must have treatment, especially if are seeking a more natural way to look refreshed or if you have skincare concerns like fine lines, sun damage, uneven skin tone, stretch marks, acne etc. I must say that this is a treatment that I would get again; with noticeable immediate results and an uber relaxing environment, how can I go wrong?

Have you been to SKINNEY Medspa in NYC?

The NEW Makeup Line You’ll Be Obsessed With!

EVER Skin has created a makeup line, that is designed to get you out the door in minutes (while being cruelty free and using non-toxic ingredients).

“The goal of Ever Skin was to marry luxury and efficacy with affordability and accessibility, with clean skin care that delivered transformative results. It was only natural to expand beyond skin care, and apply these same principles to makeup,” ~Ever General Manager, Ani Hadjinian

First we have the Out the Door makeup palette which featured numbered eye and cheek shades infused with

  • Antioxidant-rich Magnolia Oil extract, Vitamin E, and Shea Butter to condition skin and help protect against environmental stressors.
  • Diamond Powder, was added to give a brilliant dimension on the cheeks and eyes
  • Mineral Radiance Boosters help to smooth and highlight for a naturally soft glow. The shades were designed to be universally flattering shades for all skin tones and you have two palette options.

BOLD & BRAVE: Modern neutrals for deep skin tones or worn as dramatic shades for a night on the town.

ELEGANT & EMPOWERED: Modern neutrals for fair to medium skin tones. Flattering tones to complement any day look

Next we have Whiplash Mascara, a rich black, volumizing mascara that dramatically separates and lengthens your lashes quickly. CLINICAL STUDY RESULTS: With just 3 coats, Whiplash™ Mascara increases lash volume more than 8 times! Wow factor!

FLASH™ Power Plumping Lip Gloss is quite the multitasker with semi-sheen finish and luscious lip-plumping power. Available in 6 luxe nude tones for a pretty hint of color. Available in: If you use: Try: Sugar Nude, Blush Nude, Rosé Nude, Cameo Nude and Mocha Nude

And last but not least, no makeup collection would be complete without a fabulous brush set. EVER Color introduces a collection of 3 custom makeup brushes designed to make your makeup application as easy as 1,2,3. These brushes take the guess work out of looking fabulous – match the brush number to the corresponding eye or cheek shade and follow The Order of Beauty™!

Order yours here at EVER Skin!

5 Great Products for the Man in Your Life

These days, more and more men are becoming interested in trying out different skincare, hair care and bath and body products. Women aren’t the only ones who care about their wellbeing and appearances—men also want to look and feel good. If there’s a man in your life who is interested in taking better care of his hair and skin but isn’t quite sure where to start, here are a few great products to recommend.

A Clean Shave

Frederick Benjamin is a men’s grooming line that offers some fantastic products especially formulated for men’s needs. Some of the standouts in their collection include the Daily Hydrator Styling Crème and the Shaving Regimen Kit, which you can shop here: https://shop.frederickbenjamin.com.

But if you could only get one product from their line, it would definitely have to be the razor bump treatment, which has been clinically proven to get rid of pesky and unsightly razor bumps in as little as 14 days. If your guy shaves regularly, he will surely appreciate this product that will keep his face smooth and free from ingrown hair.

An Energy Boost in the Shower

For an invigorating shower experience, this shampoo will not only nourish his hair and keep his scalp clean, but its stimulating scent can also energize and increase mind alertness. It is free from additives, parabens and preservatives, and contains tea tree oil, a powerful antibacterial ingredient with potent aromatic benefits as well.

A Scent for Extra Swagger

Nothing boosts your confidence and makes an instant impression quite like an attention-grabbing cologne. Le Male by Jean Paul Gaultier is a classic yet modern, strong, masculine scent that consistently ranks high on lists of favorite perfumes and colognes. It is long-lasting, not too overpowering, and is a big hit with the ladies, making it a great choice for a first date or romantic night out.

A Healthy Dose of Hydration

Men tend to have oilier skin than women, which has misled many of them into thinking that they can skip moisturizer. But neglecting to properly moisturize can actually send his oil glands into overdrive, making them produce even more sebum to make up for the lack of moisture in his skin. Clinique’s Oil Control Mattifying Moisturizer keeps your man’s skin properly hydrated while keeping oiliness and shine at bay.

Powerful Protection from the Sun

Whether your guy spends all day indoors working at an office job or if he is the active, outdoorsy type, everyone should wear sunscreen every day, even on cloudy or overcast days. The sun’s harmful UV rays are extremely powerful and penetrative, and can cause serious damage to your skin. Kiehl’s Activated Sun Protector offers serious sun protection without the greasy, heavy feeling that so many sunscreens unfortunately feature. With broad spectrum SPF 30, it’s just what your man needs to stay protected against sunburn, sun damage, early signs of skin aging, and the dreaded skin cancer.

There are literally hundreds more products that your guy could experiment with, but these first five products are the perfect ones to begin with for those who are just starting to put together a basic grooming kit.