There is no doubt that winter can play havoc with our hair. Blustery winds snarl our locks, snow, rain and ice make hair brittle and dry and indoor heating is just as damaging as a hair dryer. With all these factors to take into account, Naturtint has revealed a few easy tips to help you beat bad winter hair and avoid split ends to dry frizz!

Extra Hair Care

We all know that central heating can dry the skin but it can also dry out the hair very quickly, so give your hair some extra care during the winter months and use a deep conditioning treatment once a week to keep it hydrated and moisturised.

Get Intense

For hair that is very dry and in need of an intensive treatment, try one that can be left on overnight to deeply penetrate, nourish and moisturise the hair.

Timing

Try to increase the time between shampooing the hair to allow your skins natural oils to moisturise and protect the scalp, providing a natural defence against the elements

Turn Down the Heat

When possible, try to let your hair dry naturally after washing as cutting down on heating appliances like hairdryers and straighteners will keep your hair moisturised and soft. Constantly moving from the cold outdoors to the warm, dry indoors in winter can affect the hair so reducing your hair’s exposure to further extreme changes in temperature will keep your hair healthy.

Bristle It

If you are finding the harsh weather means you are brushing your hair more frequently, invest in a natural bristle brush to reduce mechanical damage and keep your hair silky smooth

Accessorise

If you are planning on being out in the elements for a while, wear a hat or head scarf to give your hair some protection from the cold

Beat the Frizz

British winters often mean wet and drizzly weather, so if you are prone to humidity-induced frizz, try a styling protect to help tame your hair and provide some gentle hold.

Yes, we know what you’re thinking – simply drink more water, no need to read on. Well, we wish it was that easy, but in reality, so many of us go through the day not drinking enough of the good stuff.

In the UK, it’s recommended that between six and eight glasses of fluid are drunk each day depending on activity levels and climate, there’s no denying that sometimes this can be difficult to achieve. Maybe we’re too busy at work, preoccupied with to-do-lists, distracted by the internet, snowed under socialising, or simply not a fan of the taste.

At times we can come up with any excuse, it seems, as to why we’re not keeping hydrated. Drinking enough water can be even harder in autumn when the weather cools down. Without the warmth of the sun to remind us to quench our thirst, it’s all too easy to forget.

We all know that staying hydrated and sipping on H20 is absolutely integral to keeping healthy and feeling well. We’ve teamed up with Vitabiotics – who have developed The Wellness Score to highlight the importance of ‘Wellness’, to bring you our 5 ideal ways to include more water in your diet this summer.

DRINK HERBAL TEA

Somehow, during the work day, we always find the time to make that hourly (and that’s a reserved estimate) cup of tea, but don’t necessarily drink water with the same regularity. Factoring a cold-busting ginger, honey and lemon infused hot drink into your tea break could be the perfect solution to your lack of hydration, as it’s tasty, good for you, and doesn’t dehydrate you as caffeine can. What’s more, a ginger and lemon tea can help relieve symptoms of a cold, is immensely soothing to a sore throat and is considered to contain calming properties. It is also known to bolster the immune system. This autumn, as colds become a more common and unwelcome occurrence, it’s a no brainer really.

MAKE IT PART OF YOUR DAILY ROUTINE

Most of us already have a morning and bedtime routine; teeth-brushing, face-washing and maybe a bit of light reading. Make drinking a large glass of water just as much of a habit; start every meal with a glass of water.

Wake up, have a glass of water. Keep a glass by your sink and have some water before you brush your teeth. Whenever you pass the water cooler at work, you know what to do. Before you leave the house, you guessed it, have a glass of water.  It may sound simple (and result in more trips to the loo) but the health benefits are impressive.

INFUSE IT WITH FLAVOURS

Jazz up your water with fruit and keep a jug in the fridge. The autumn harvest brings a variety of healthy and delicious fruits from apples and pears to cranberries, perfect for infusing your water with. We love this recipe which uses 1 apple, 1 pear, 1 plum and 2-3 sticks of cinnamon which is the perfect spice for adding that extra autumnal kick. On average us Brits look in the fridge 14 times a day. Seeing a jug of water brimming with delicious infusions from the season’s bounty will catch your eye each time, reminding you to have a glass and rehydrate.

Autumn’s lower temperatures may mean a cool glass of water is less appealing, but the fruity flavour brings excitement to the usually ordinary.

ENLIST HELP FROM YOUR PHONE

We all spend hours scrolling through our phones, browsing away the boredom. Turn this into something useful and set a reminder to drink a glass of water every hour. Your phone has a myriad apps and features which can help you keep on top of your water consumption. An app can remind you to drink more and even, in the case of Waterlogged and Daily Water, help track your intake.

INVEST IN A WATER BOTTLE

Investing in a water bottle can be a good idea to encourage you to drink more water and keep track of your intake. This also has a positive impact on the reduction of one-use plastic bottles, which are terrible for the environment. Also, it’s going to save you a lot of spare change in the long run, as those daily purchases of branded water really do add up.

If you’re keen to channel the Kardashians or introduce a sense of bling into your water drinking routine, then a crystal water bottle is a great way to nourish your mind and body every time you take a sip of water. The fact you’ll look so damn glam while doing it is, of course, a very welcome bypdroduct.

Make sure you find one that’s dishwasher safe for durability and best hygiene practices.

Many of us suffer with oily skin, resorting to the use of blotting sheets in a desperate attempt to hide an unwanted shiny appearance. But how does oily skin happen?

To get all scientific,  Oily skin is due to the over-production of the skin’s natural oils known as sebum. This is mainly a genetic trait but is also heavily influenced by hormone changes that increase the amount of male hormones (androgens) in the system, such as during puberty and in the condition known as polycystic ovarian syndrome. Androgens stimulate the grease glands in the skin resulting in excess production of sebum.

Other external factors that may aggravate the problem include changes in climate and also using products that disturb the oil balance on the skin, such as certain make up and beauty products which can trigger over production of oils.

Oily skin creates a shiny appearance to the skin which results in make-up not lasting for long periods of time.  Together with debris and dead skin cells, the sebum on the skin can clog the pores also making it prone to breakouts of acne.

But how can we combat this? Consultant Dermatologist Dr Sharon Wong shares 5 ideal ways to combat oily skin with us.

Master your skincare routine

Wash your face twice a day, in the morning and evening only and ensure all makeup is removed before going to bed. Beta hydroxy acids (BHAs) such as salicylic acid in face washes can help to cut through grease but also effectively unclogs the pores and ensures a deep cleanse. Oily skin has nothing to do with poor hygiene so washing more frequently is not necessary and if anything doing this can dry out your skin too much and actually trigger even more sebum production. Toners are not a necessity. In fact, many toners contain alcohols which can damage the barrier function of the skin making it more sensitive and irritated.

Make sure you moisturise

Although the skin is overproducing grease it still requires hydration to maintain a healthy skin barrier. Many anti-acne products dry out skin so it is important to rehydrate the skin to prevent it from producing more sebum to combat the dryness. Avoid heavy moisturisers and opt for oil free creams or serums instead.

Exfoliate but don’t over-do it

Exfoliation encourages healthy skin turnover. It also helps to remove surface dead skin cells and prevent blocking of pores but again being overaggressive with exfoliation can leave your skin sensitive but can also cause a breakout.

Treat your skin

Using a retinoid (Vitamin A) based product at night and have regular light chemical peels (e.g. glycolic acid, lactic acid or salicylic acid peels). These can reduce the oiliness of the skin and prevent breakouts of acne.

Carefully select your make-up

Avoid heavy foundations and look for key words like matt-effect, oil-free and non-comedogenic when choosing your makeup. Oil control blotting paper or pads can be helpful on-the-go for those greasy areas that break through in the middle of the day.

Watch your diet

Cutting out refined sugars, highly processed foods and saturated fats can help in some individuals to reduce sebum production.

© Pixabay

If you have a serious medical condition, you’re generally advised to steer clear of large amounts of long distance travel. The safety of home and the close proximity to local, familiar medical professionals can mean that plunging into the big, wide world can seem daunting. That’s completely understandable.

However, a medical condition should not be treated as an obstacle to getting out there and seeing the world. In fact, it has never been less of a barrier to travel, with many embracing the freedom that technology and greater health information brings. People with pre-existing medical conditions are getting well-informed, safety-savvy. and welcoming the broadening of experience that all of this brings.

Whether or not you have a medical condition,serious or less so, precautions should be taken before setting off on an adventure. From a perspective of safety and staying healthy, here are 5 IDEAL tips for travellers with a medical condition. 

Check In With Your G.P Before Travelling

Visit your doctor and have him or her assess whether you are currently fit enough to travel. If your condition has flared up recently, it may be worth waiting for a more opportune time to see the world, as complications may arise which could spoil your trip. Your doctor may be able to prescribe something extra to bring with you to negate problems. 

Keep On Top Of Vaccinations

Check whether you need to get a vaccination, or if any need updating. Vaccinations for diphtheria, polio, tetanus, typhoid, hepatitis A and cholera are available for free on the NHS. Certain medical conditions may make you more vulnerable to infection than the average patient, so bear this mind and be transparent with your doctor about what’s required.

Plan Diligently To Avoid Unnecessary Stress

Start packing a good amount of time before you leave, and make sure that you have everything sorted and in place. The stress of trying to organise yourself at the last minute could exacerbate your condition.

Find out in advance where the nearest hospital, clinic and pharmacy are to where you will be staying. It may be good to avoid travelling to countries where the medical care is not very high quality, though don’t let this put you off entirely – many preconceptions about the quality of amenities in some far flung countries prove to be false. 

Check that you can bring your medication with you, as some countries require you to have a licence to bring in certain medications. Try to find out if you can obtain the medication from a pharmacy near where you are staying should your supply run out or be lost. 

Talk to the airline (or cruise company etc) you are travelling with about what special provisions they offer for someone with your condition. They may be able to give you priority boarding, a more suitable seat, a different meal and so on. 

The Importance Of Travel Insurance

A key consideration when travelling with a pre-existing medical condition is getting good quality travel insurance before you leave. 

The majority of travel insurance claims are medical claims, and this figure is growing. Many British people wrongly believe that the UK government will pay for medical costs incurred in a foreign country if they don’t have insurance. According to Gov.uk,  24% don’t purchase a policy before travelling.  

Travelling without insurance can cause issues further down the line and could cost you a large amount of money, especially if you have a serious chronic medical condition. Always declare all of your conditions and don’t omit important medical information. It may also be worth getting cancellation insurance in case a sudden worsening of your condition means you have to forgo travel plans. 

Having an EHIC (European Health Insurance Card) when travelling in Europe is useful, but many holidayers have misconceptions about these cards. 17% believe that having an EHIC card means they don’t need travel insurance. This is wrong. You always need travel insurance. 

Find The Right Travel Insurance For You

Many travel insurance providers also specialise in offering travel insurance plans to those with pre-existing medical conditions, which is well worth doing the extra research into. They offer cover for a wide range of different medical conditions – over 1000 – including asthma, cancer, arthritis, diabetes, stroke, epilepsy and heart disease.

If you have a condition that isn’t currently covered, you may still be eligible for an insurance plan; medicaltravelinsurance.co.uk can offer you one of their alternative plans, or even create a customised coverage just for you. Simply contact medicaltravelinsurance.co.uk, declare your condition(s), and an insurance quote will be made.

Here at IDEAL we love using face masks, especially in Autumn. It’s the one time of year when we actually seem to have some ‘pamper time’ in the evenings; summer’s sun has set and the spending associated with the season has rendered us happy to be housebound. There’s nothing better than applying a mask, wearing our favourite cozy clothes, lighting some candles and snuggling up in front of a film when it’s cold and windy outside. Face masks are one of life’s little pleasures. With this in mind, here are 4 IDEAL reasons you should apply a face mask this Autumn.

REPAIR SUMMER DAMAGE  

As much as we love summer, by the end of the season our skin ends up looking a little greasier than any other time of year. The build up of sunscreen leaves our pores clogged in some areas,  while other parts of our face have suffered from the drying effects of sun, sea salt and chlorine. However, used a couple of times a week, a good face mask can draw out all of those impurities and any excess oil that has built up throughout the year, brightening dull and tired skin. Or depending on your skin type, a hydrating skin mask can help to replace any moisture lost over the summer. Likewise, an exfoliating face mask can get rid of the dead and damaged skin cells. Summed up, the right face mask can help your skin, no matter what your skin type – that is as long as you’re not allergic.

PREPARE YOUR SKIN FOR WINTER

As well as fixing post-summer skin, face masks can prepare your visage for the harsh winter months to come As the temperature drops, our skin reacts, so it’s time to prep our faces. Winter weather can create imbalances that leave your skin looking dull and irritated. Enter face masks, which can help to balance your skin and smooth out its temperament, preparing it for winter.

GET INTO A GOOD WINTER SKINCARE HABIT

The leaves are falling and Halloween decorations are about to occupy a supermarket window near you. In the words of Jon Snow ‘winter is coming’ and with it, cold weather, central heating and a deluge of mulled wine, mince pies and festive indulgence. None of which makes for a good winter complexion. However, by getting into the habit of upping your skincare routine and applying a mask every week in Autumn, you could save yourself from dry skin and breakouts that go hand-in-hand with the winter season.

HELPS YOU EASE INTO WINTER

Using a weekly facemask is not only a treat to your skin, but a treat to yourself. We all deserve a good pamper now and then, don’t we? A good face mask will leave you feeling great from the inside and out, giving you the verve, vitality and confidence that the shorter days and longer nights seem to sap away.

It’s an act so shrouded in secrecy, so cloaked in euphemism, that it often doesn’t get the praise it so rightly deserves. Deemed as ‘self-harm’ in the Victorian era, and still referred to in negative terms such as bashing, bleeding and jerking, it’s no wonder people associate it with the sinful. Society and the system has a way of trying to police what gives us pleasure, to try and hold us back and conform to a life of servitude and boredom. Well, we at IDEAL are here to say it’s time to embrace your sexuality, take your digits off your keyboard or phone and take control of your pleasure. With the help of Love, Andrea, an online provider of top quality adult toys and apparel who are all about encouraging people to explore their sexuality, we’ve compiled a list of 5 IDEAL reasons to self-pleasure tonight.

IT BOOSTS YOUR MOOD

We love it when our brain releases dopamine and epinephrine; our mood soars and a relaxed contentment floods the body. These are good vibes chemicals and orgasm is one sure way to promote their release, activating the reward system. Some people waste their money on self-help books and material goods to get these chemicals going but masturbation is free and efficient. Perfect.

IT HELPS YOU SLEEP

Masturbation is great at alleviating a build up of tension, releasing sleep-promoting hormones post-orgasm. It’s the ultimate wind down at the end of the night, with calming chemicals oxytocin and endorphins serving to placate you before you nod off. Orgasm lowers blood pressure too, which helps you fall asleep faster and have a more contented night’s sleep.

IT INCREASES PELVIC FLOOR STRENGTH

Your pelvic floor supports your bladder, vagina, uterus and rectum, and is often given little thought when engaging in muscle-strengthening exercise. The area requires attention though, as a strong pelvic floor can help prevent incontinence and assist a smoother childbirth. Well, here’s the good news; orgasm is great for the pelvic floor. Another reason why self-pleasure is a great idea.

IT’S EMPOWERING

Masturbation is the one way to feel beautiful and sexual entirely on your own terms. Without the reliance on a partner to bring you pleasure, you’ll feel empowered and independent, in all walks of life. You can learn a lot about your body through masturbation – what you like and what you dislike – which will give you more sexual confidence in the future. And who doesn’t want that.

IT COULD REDUCE THE RISK OF CERVICAL CANCER

When you get aroused a process called tenting occurs, whereby the cervix opens. This is a great enabler of fluid circulation, flushing out bacteria in the process and some studies show that this which could help prevent cervical cancer. So, what are you waiting for?