Polar FT4F Heart Rate Monitor & Sports Watch

Since I've been back at University, I've tried really hard to get back into going to the gym, eating healthily and drinking lots of water! It often becomes quite difficult when I start to feel the pressure of lots of work to complete, but I try to do the best I can.

I've recently got into using the MyFitnessPal app on my iPhone, which allows you to count your days calories accurately by entering the food you have consumed into the diary- by either searching or scanning for an accurate result.

I absolutely love this app, as it easily sets you a calorie figure for a specific weight loss goal (calculated by taking into account your weight and height), and helps you to manage keeping this under control. 

I have been finding it really difficult to stick to my 1200 target, so as I have been attending the gym more regularly, I have been adding in my calories burnt to the calculations in order to ease the difficulty of my target. 

I NEVER trust the machines at the gym for an accurate calorie count, so about a month ago, I looked around to purchase a 'calorie counting watch.' After reading a few reviews, I established that the watch itself cannot actually give an accurate heart rate reading from the wrist alone, so in order to be more specific, it's best to look at products with a chest band.

With this in mind, I purchased the Polar FT4F Heart Rate Monitor and Sports Watch! I had read some really great things about this product online, so thought I'd give it a go- and I am so impressed!

Not only am I able to get an accurate reading of calories burnt in each session, but I am also able to monitor my heart rate to be working in my best fat burning zone.

Although I bought the watch to manage my calories better, I actually find it a huge motivation to go to the gym! Whilst I am working out, watching those calories add up really spurs me on to keep going- all my gym buddies out there, you should definitely give it a go! (Search around on eBay and Amazon for the best deals- it's really worth it!)

Lauren's Way

I've been using Lauren's Way Tan for quite a while now. As my family and friends would be sure to tell you, I'm a bit obsessed with trying any tanning product I can get my hands on!

What really attracted me to the range was the 'Darker than Dark' tan, as apart from Dark St.Tropez (which definitely turns out a little green!), I'd never really tried anything other than Medium colours. I would usually apply a few layers of any medium coloured product, as for nights out I really like to be quite a dark bronzed colour- and this can get a little annoying..and not to mention expensive!

I always apply my tan with a mitt- as although some tans wash off, I still find it impossible to remove the staining from the palms of my hands. Applying with a mitt allows you to achieve a nice smooth application and keeps it perfectly mess free!

n.b. Image taken from Twitter.

I use the mousse version of the Lauren's Way tan, purely because I have always used mousse and I know it sits well on my skin.
I found the colour perfect- a natural brown/gold tone- nothing too orange or fake looking! After one application there is a visible difference which is what I love most about this product! It stays on perfectly- dries quickly and doesn't transfer onto clothes easily.

This is definitely my new favourite tan!

Visit Laurens Way to buy yours now- they do a fantastic range of other beauty products too!

TOP 2 FALSE LASHES

I didn't start wearing false eyelashes until first year of uni, when I knew that mascara was just getting far too expensive to keep coating on every night I was going out- especially as a FRESHER! So, after a few years, I thought I'd write a review of my two favourite pairs for various different occasions- and it did take me quite a while to get used to putting them on properly!

NUMBER ONE: No7 Extreme Length Eyelashes (Style 20)

£7.50 at Boots

I actually only discovered these a few weeks ago when I was leaving for uni and thought that they were worth giving a try. The great thing about these is that the glue is clear! Unlike the blobby mess you can sometimes have when the glue left on the lash remains white (this always happens to me- I'm hopeless). They're also the perfect shape and size- reasonably small and short- so they look perfectly natural without having to chop and trim!

They may seem quite expensive- but when on offer (£3 off coupon), they're cheaper than the average pair anyway (these no7 vouchers are out around four times a year- so stock up!). I've used mine about 5 times now and they're still going- clearly well made!

NUMBER TWO: Eyelure Ultra Naturals Full 

£5.45 at Boots, Currently £3.66 at Superdrug

As you can tell from the previous pair, I much prefer the natural looking eyelashes which enable you to build volume and definition yourself with mascara and eyeliner. I've used this pair for about a year now, after trying many, many different eyelure variations! The only downside is that they only really last a few applications, but they are so easy to use!

Cleansing, Toning, Moisturising...

About a week ago, I posted an entry about a lovely day I'd had at the spa with my mum..
Whilst having the Mii makeup session which I spoke about, I also got many hints and tips about looking after my skin in general- before and after applying makeup.
I've had many people emphasise the important of cleansing, toning and moisturising to me in the past, but I'd always loved the convenience of a pack of face wipes and thought that they were so much easier!
So after receiving all the handy makeup tips I thought I should start looking after my skin before it gets too late.
I decided to just get some reasonably priced products- I've always used the Simple Range, so it seemed easy enough to just go for their products as I knew I'd used them in the past.
I love the routine, and to be honest it really doesn't take much longer than wipes!
I feel as though the quality of my skin has improved massively, although I did go through a period of patchy break-outs, it seems as though this was just my skin getting used to the products.
Every evening and morning, I use their eye-makeup remover, cleanser, toner and moisturiser- it feels great and I've noticed a great difference in my makeup application too!

REVIEW

As mentioned, I had to do a review on the book:
The Graduate Jobs Formula: How to land your dream career, Paul Redmond.

Like many of other third year students, this term is all about frantically applying for various graduate schemes and job opportunities. But it's all a lot more difficult that I originally thought.
It's not just a case of filling in personal details and attaching a CV- it's all about competency questions, thinking about what each company are looking for and of course.. the dreaded aptitude tests!

After filling out one application and being rejected- I definitely knew I needed to spend a bit more time thinking about all of this in more depth. There are so many resources with helpful advice online- but looking around- it led me to Paul Redmond's book.

In the current job market, it's obviously important to be on top of your game and after reading a few reviews online- I knew I had to purchase the book and give it a go.

THIS IS SO USEFUL!
It has absolutely everything you could want to know about entering the big wide world! From CV writing, applications, recruiter strategies, interviews, assessment days, psychometric tests and hints and tips for online resources. Although certain areas of the book state what might be fairly obvious to a third year student, this book is undoubtably helpful for all.

To be honest, I wish I'd had this book in Year 12/13- it really sets you up for what to do when choosing universities/subjects in order to pursue your certain career.

The book was published in 2010 and I am so surprised it isn't more popular and that I hadn't heard of it before.

YOU ALL HAVE TO BUY THIS!

Buy now at Amazon!

REVIEW COMING SOON

The Graduate Jobs Formula: How to land your dream career, Paul Redmond!