MEET & GREET | Time to get to know our Natural Beauty Guest Expert Mariella Tandy

We're delighted to introduce our new Guest Expert, Mariella Tandy who will be writing for LoveLula on all things natural beauty-related. The writer of The Beauty Tonic, Mariella knows a thing or 2 (or 3, or 4) about natural beauty. 10 years as a journalist in the beauty and fashion industries writing for publications like Tatler, Mariella is a true advocate of natural beauty both on the inside and outside so we can't wait to see what fab pieces she's going to share with us. To start off though, we chatted to Mariella to get to know her a little better and here's what she had to say:

How long have you been blogging?

For about 9 months. 

What made you interested in natural beauty?

My Mother is a nutritionist and yoga teacher and so I had been brought up with this mind-set from day one, we used to practice sun salutations together when I was 6 and grow bean sprouts on the windowsill. I have always been interested in nutrition, ingredients and beauty and started TBT almost for my friends who would always ask for tips on supplements, exercise and beauty products. 

What or who inspires you?

I find beauty in everyday things in life, a conversation with a friend or a stranger, my friends, family and boyfriend. I love being in nature- city greenery counts! I also love meeting entrepreneurs who have decided to make a difference and set up something to help others or make the world a better place. I am fascinated by these people. Listening to stories of how and why people set up brands is an education in itself, I get lots of ideas from them usually! 

Things are all go here at LoveLula London HQ this summer, what is your favourite thing to do in the city?

I cycle everywhere so that is one favourite thing, I love walking my dogs in the parks, we are so lucky to have so much incredible green space in London. I love going to farmers markets at the weekend and cooking big meals and eating them alfresco. Picnics in the park and too many other things to list here!

Can you tell us your top 6 picks for summer from LoveLula?

Ila body scrub for energising and detoxing, I love ila products, they are honestly some of the best in the world. This scrub leaves skin soft and nourished and it also smells divine

Balm Balm Rose Organic Hand Balm, this little pot goes everywhere with me and I use it for hands, lips everything and anything that needs some tlc 

John Masters Honey Hibiscus Hair Reconstructor - this will tame detangle and moisturise even the most damaged hair, I don't know what is in it but it is a miracle.

Neom Organic Travel Candle. Pop one of these mini candles into your bag, Neom produce the finest candles, they last for ages and set the ambience in an instant.

Oskia Renaissance Mask really does give you new skin, it does everything a mask should and more!

Spiezia Body Softening Oil is a must for skin parched by the sun and sea.

Finally, considering the sun is finally out! Any top tips for keeping cool this summer?

A wonderful mist for the face is an essential especially when travelling. Also find a great sunscreen but remember that our bodies need vitamin d to function at their optimum level, so don't slather it on every day if you don't need it. 

GUEST POST | Kimberly Sayer talks lightening products

A lot of people associate aging and looking older with fine lines and wrinkles. Yet there are other signs of ageing  that also play a part in how old or young you look. As we age the skin generally becomes more sallow, with uneven skin tone and discoloration (hyperpigmentation). There are also signs of sun damage that become more pronounced as the years go on.

Anti-aging products can only go so far in helping reduce the signs of aging.

So can skin lightening products also help you?

To answer this question about skin lightening products and anti-aging, you must first understand what these products do. Essentially, they are designed to even out your skin tone and can be applied to a specific area where you have uneven skin tone and discoloration, which removes that aged discolored appearance. It also fades sun damage, sun spots and extra freckles over time, too.

How does It Work?

Kimberly Sayer of London’s formulations are all created without the use of chemicals and so we set to work with only premium, clean and organic ingredients that brighten, lighten and even the skin tone naturally. After a year of testing, formulating and reformulating we created our new product Lightening & Brightening Serum which is a synergistic blend of naturally derived brighteners and lighteners that also tighten and firm the skin.

Key Ingredients

• Patented, calibrated Atlantic Algae fights free radicals and inhibits the enzyme that triggers melanin production
• Seaweed Extract from the Arctic Circle inhibits melanin production and reduces pigment formation in the skin
• Wheat Extract and California Bear Berry Leaf also inhibit melanin production and reduce pigment formation in the skin
• Licorice Root diminishes sun induced redness
• Egyptian Neroli Oil brightens and lightens the skin naturally
• Olive and Lemon Extracts brighten and lighten the skin naturally
• Alfalfa Extract stimulates cell renewal and tightens skin.

Benefits

Vegan and organic with only all-natural preservatives

Suitable for all skin types, especially dry and mature skin

Ideal for use under make-up

Skin becomes lighter and brighter with regular daily use

Does NOT contain Phalates, Parabens, Sodium Laureth Sulfates, Petroleum Derivatives, Formaldehyde, Petrochemicals, synthetic color or fragrance

Guest Post | Kimberly Sayer Shares Her Expert Tips for Ultra Hydrated Skin

The best way to hydrate the skin, is to have a preventative lifestyle that creates internal health and well-being. The skin is the largest organ of the body and will respond well to a healthy lifestyle. 

Say no to smoking which ages the skin prematurely. It causes your skin to lose its elasticity earlier, which makes it more difficult for it to hold onto moisture.

Start from the inside out. Drink plenty of water and eat healthy foods rich in antioxidants. The first step to hydrate your skin is to give your body the things it needs to repair itself.

Use a humidifier. You can use a humidifier while you sleep which can aid in giving dry skin a boost, which will prevent your skin from drying out throughout the day. Make sure you clean the humidifier every 5 days with distilled vinegar; otherwise bacteria can build up from use.

Protect your skin. Wear sunscreen every day. Sun damage does a great deal of damage to our skin, and even more so as we age. Exposure to the harmful effects of the sun can create more wrinkles, as well as discoloration and age spots, so if you are in the process of hydrating and restoring your skin so you have a more youthful glow, don't set yourself back by forgetting to wear sunscreen every day.

Find an excellent moisturizer and other skin care products that help to hydrate your skin. Use products with clean ingredients that will be absorbed internally into the cellular level. This will replenish your skin like moisturizers with Squalane from Olives to hydrate your thirsty aging skin. Maintain elasticity, promote cell turnover, and create a moisture barrier between your face and the environment for the greatest benefits.

     PRODUCTS

Exfoliation is key to rid the build up of dry dead skin cells that accumulate on the surface of the skin. Use a gentle exfoliant that will not damage or irritate the surface of the skin that can lead to aging. We can recommend our Gentle Almond and Lavender Face Scrub that is gentle enough to be used daily if needed. If you have excessively dry skin use this scrub daily as an exfoliating mask by massaging a pea size into the face and letting it sit on the skin for 15 minutes. The Shea Butter, Squalane and Essential Oils will be absorbed into the skin and the three grains of Jojoba Beads, Almond Meal, and Oatmeal will deeply exfoliate and deep clean the skin. After 15 minutes remove with warm water and you skin will be less dry, feel so much softer and the color will be more vibrant. Also your daily moisturizer and your night cream will be absorbed a lot more effectively and deeply.

Always use a good moisturizer with a clean SPF at least SPF15 to be effective. If using a moisturizer or SPF made from minerals make sure that the company does not use micronized particles of Titanium Dioxide or Zinc Oxide that will create a toxic compound and be absorbed into the liver. We at Kimberly Sayer of London have never and will never use Nano particles in our daily moisturizers.

We can recommend our Anti-Oxidant DailyMoisturizer with SPF25 for normal or dry skin and our Ultra Light FacialMoisturizer with SPF 30 for Combination, Oily or Acneic skin’s.

Use a good night cream to repair and restore while you sleep and a good treatment mask once or twice a week to hydrate and restore the skin back to a youthfull firmness and appearance. In the colder weather we suggest double layering by using a night cream or hydrating mask underneath your moisturizer to double layer, hydrate and protect and support the skin’s invisible protective layer, “the acid mantle”.

We can recommend our Hydrating Anti-OxidantFacial Mask and our Night creams.

SUPPLEMENTS

I personally love Vitamin B Complex with VitaminC to combat stress and speed repair and absorption of nutrients, which will give healthy and restorative properties to the skin.

For hydration fish oils can prevent and repair skin conditions that range from dryness to psoriasis and may be effective in counteracting sun damage. They may also hydrate the skin and soften wrinkles.