Mixed Berry Overnight Oats

Overnight oats are a great healthy option for anyone in a rush. When combined with berries and bananas, oats are a delicious morning meal that will keep you going right through until lunch. If you’re really pushed for time, prep these the night before, then just grab one on your way out in the morning and eat on the go!

Breakfast Wraps

Burritos and wraps are a great option if you want a really hearty breakfast in minimal time. Just make loads of these on a Sunday night, then pop them in the freezer and take one out every day to thaw in the fridge overnight. Then, just pop them in the microwave for a few minutes until they’re heated all the way through, and you’ve got a tasty breakfast ready in minutes!

Banana Pancakes

Pancakes may sound like a huge chore for a weekday morning, but these simple banana pancakes are a quick and easy way to have a luxurious breakfast in record time. Just make the simple batter the night before, pop it in the fridge, then in the morning, fry them up and go! Keep it simple with maple syrup or sugar on top, or even a few fresh strawberries for an added healthy bonus.

Breakfast Cookies

These breakfast cookies will definitely be a hit with any kids in your household. Imagine all the convenience of a biscuit, but combined with healthy ingredients like oats, bananas, and apples – that’s the joy of a breakfast cookie! Learn how to make these and put a spring in your step in the morning.

Cinnamon Breakfast Loaf

This is a super easy and long-lasting breakfast meal that all the family will love. Pair a slice of this delicious cinnamon loaf with a piece of fruit to create a nutritious and simple breakfast that you can take to work with you.

Granola Bars

Granola bars are a delicious snack you can eat at any point in your day, but they’re especially convenient for a quick breakfast fix! The great thing about this recipe is that it can be tweaked and personalised based on all your favourite flavours – the sky’s the limit!

Quiche Cups

If you’re looking for a good savory option, these nutritious quiche cups are an easy and delicious choice. They’re so convenient to grab as you rush out the door, plus they contain plenty of veggies to keep your energy up all morning – give them a go and see what your family thinks.

Spinach, Tomato and Feta Frittata

If you’re a fan of omelets but find you don’t have the time to whip them up first thing in the morning, these simple frittata squares are perfect for you. Bake your frittata in a big dish on a Sunday night, then just divide it up into single portions and reheat in the microwave throughout the week.

Overnight French Toast

This simple French toast recipe is sure to be a hit with everyone in your house, and it’s super easy to make too! Make it all the evening before, then just pop it in the oven for twenty minutes in the morning – top with some fresh fruit and you’ll have a delicious breakfast to keep you going all day!

Banana and Blueberry Breakfast Muffins

Muffins are always an easy and crowd-pleasing option for the whole family. This particular recipe contains blueberries and bananas, but you can experiment with lots of different options, including savory ingredients. Grab one of these for breakfast or just take it as a healthy snack for the day.

Breakfast Bowls

Breakfast bowls are an amazing way to get a hearty meal sorted with relatively little effort. Sort out all the individual ingredients the night before, then pop them into individual bowls and keep them in the fridge or freezer. Reheat when necessary, then top with some fresh avocado for a delicious and healthy breakfast.

Chocolate Chip Breakfast Squares

These delicious chocolate chip breakfast squares are an excellent fibrous breakfast, plus they only require seven ingredients to make. Whip up a batch in twenty minutes and you’ll have delicious on-the-go breakfast for a whole week – although you might have to make extra batches once your family realise how delicious they are!

Smoothie Packs

This one might seem insanely simple, but it’s worth bagging up individual portions of smoothie ingredients to chuck into a blender in the morning. Faffing around with different amounts and proportions can take ages, so by sorting out all your ingredients the night before, you can put them in your blender and add your milk, water or juice to get the perfect morning smoothie in half the time!

Pineapple and Bacon Breakfast Bake

This could be an acquired taste, but if you’re a fan of Hawaiian pizzas, you’ll love this easy breakfast bake. Combine sweet pineapple with savory bacon for a unique spin on a breakfast classic. Prep everything the night before and just portion it up in the morning and reheat for a tasty morning meal. 

Greek Breakfast Casserole

Get some delicious Greek flavours into your breakfast with this simple casserole recipe. Mix up all your fresh ingredients and cook for 50 minutes, then just divide up and freeze if needed – it’s so simple!

Plan, Plan, Plan!

The most expensive way to do your grocery shopping is to wander around and grab whatever you fancy off the shelves without any list or plan for what you need. If you’re looking to keep your costs down, the smartest thing you can do is plan your meals for the week ahead, then write a concise list. This way, you’ll know exactly what you need when you walk into the supermarket, saving you time and money!

Consider an Online Shop

Similar to writing a shopping list to avoid unnecessary purchases, an online grocery shop is a great way to get exactly what you need without any distractions. No sneaky bags of chocolate or crisps on special offer to tempt you as you walk down the supermarket aisles – just the necessities, nothing extra. You’ll save yourself a trip to the shop, meaning you can most likely cut down on petrol costs too – what’s not to love?

Timing is Everything

Think carefully about when you choose to do your weekly food shop – it could be making a surprising difference in your spending! Obviously, if you have to work around school runs or work schedules, it can be difficult to organise, but it can be worth it. The best time to shop is in the run-up to closing time, which is normally around 6 pm to 8 pm. At these times, supermarkets tend to reduce a lot of items to get rid of them before the day is over, so shop around these times whenever possible.

Avoid the Big Brands

It is a simple tip that you likely know, but big brands are often so much more expensive than their own-brand counterparts for no real reason. With most household essentials, like cleaning supplies, baked goods, or cupboard staples, you can opt for the cheaper alternative and rest easy knowing that you could be saving up to 38% on your weekly shop!

Avoid Smaller Shops

It may be convenient, but popping to your local convenience store is a quick way of spending way more than you need to on a weekly basis. Smaller shops can’t provide the discounts that big supermarkets can, so wherever possible, ensure that you limit your grocery purchases to a big weekly shop.

Choose your Supermarket Wisely

It may seem obvious but think carefully about where you are doing your food shop every week. Check out this helpful comparison of all the biggest supermarkets in the UK and think about what you could be saving. Even if there’s a Waitrose just down the road, it may be a better choice to walk that little bit further to Lidl or Asda to save yourself some extra pounds!

Don’t Shop While Hungry

You might not have realised it before, but shopping while hungry can often lead to some extravagant and unnecessary spending. An increased appetite can result in impulsive purchases, particularly of overpriced, big-brand goodies. Make sure you head to the shops when you’ve had a big meal to ensure you don’t pick up loads of snacks and extra food that you don’t need!

 Look for Reduced Items

Be sure to look out for the cheapest possible options by browsing the reduced foods section. Supermarkets often price down food that is a day or two away from expiry, despite it being perfectly edible and safe. If you have a meal planned for the same evening, there’s nothing wrong with taking advantage of some good reductions!

Similarly, lots of supermarkets price down fruit and vegetables that are misshapen or oddly sized. This ‘wonky’ produce tastes just the same as any other normal fruit and veg, but is a fraction of the cost. If you’re chopping everything up anyway, it doesn’t even matter what it looks like, so be sure to save money by opting for wonky veg!

Buy less Meat

This is a more general money-saving tip, but brushing up on some delicious meat-free meals is a great way to save money and diversify your mealtimes. Meat is probably the priciest part of your food shop, so try cutting down on it for a few nights a week. It’s a great way to try new meals, plus veggie dinners can be a healthier option than many meals containing meat. Check out some options here and try something new this week!

Join Reward Schemes

Make sure that you are signed up for any reward schemes, coupons, or cards that you can get at your local supermarket. Tesco Clubcards can reduce your final shopping bill a huge amount, and a My Waitrose card offers customers exclusive discounts on unique items every week. Take advantage of these schemes wherever possible and you can save a ton!

Make use of your Freezer

Doing your weekly food shop will be a lot easier if you make full use of your freezer. This way, you can buy discounted products that are near their expiry date, but prolong their shelf life by popping them straight in the freezer once you are home.

Similarly, bulk buying frozen fruit for smoothies or frozen veggies for quick weeknight dinners can save you money and space in your fridge, so head to the freezer aisle and take advantage of what’s on offer!

Try to Eat Whole Foods

This advice depends on how much time and cooking skill you have, but it is often cheaper to buy raw ingredients and use them to create inventive dishes rather than buying pre-prepared dishes that can be put in the microwave or oven. After the initial expenses of spices or other basic cupboard staples, you’ll find yourself saving money and improving your cooking skills over time!

To combat those low moments that may crop up in the weeks to come, we’ve compiled six great ways to beat the January blues and keep you motivated right through til February!

Make Time to see Friends

The UK charity Mind states that loneliness is a contributing factor to worsening mental health. It’s an obvious one, but the best way to avoid loneliness is to spend some quality time with your favourite people. After the madness of Christmas and New Year, it’s easy to let time pass by without checking in with your friends and family, so use your spare time in January to get in touch and organise a chilled-out day together. For a restful evening of catching up, don’t put too much pressure on yourself or your friends to host an amazing dinner party – just veg out on the sofa with some TV, Chinese takeaway, and a bottle of wine!

If you’re not in the mood for full-on socialising, just ensure you’re chatting to loved ones frequently. Even if it’s just a phone call or text every day to chat about the weather, you’ll notice how much better human interaction can make you feel. Plus, January can be a rough time for everyone – use this time to ask the people you care about if they’re doing okay, and if there’s anything you can do to help them through a tough month.

Keep Healthy

Okay, this might be easier said than done, but keeping physically healthy is a surefire way to improve your mental wellbeing. You don’t need to get training for a 5k; just a short walk every day to get some air and clear your head will be so beneficial. If you’re working from home, your world might start to feel a little smaller than it used to. A break from your computer will help break up your day and improve your outlook, so get your winter coat on and venture out, even if it’s just for a 15-minute stroll!

Check Your Spending

January is notoriously the month of low funds for everyone across the country. Many people are paid early in December, meaning that paycheck has to last way longer than normal. Plus, the expense of Christmas festivities can hang over your wallet well into the new year. It’s tempting to just ignore your bank statements and crawl through til the next paycheck, but the stress won’t go away that easy.

If you’re concerned about money running low after Christmas, tackle your fear head-on and sit down with a pen and paper to work through your spending. You don’t need to draw up an entire annual budget; just work out how much you’ll be able to spend throughout the month to get to your next paycheck. Allocate money for all the important stuff, like rent, bills, and food, then see how much you have left to enjoy yourself. That cheeky takeaway will feel so much more satisfying when you know that you can definitely afford it this month!

Find a New Hobby

After all the fun and revelry of Christmas and the New Year, life can feel a little grey during January. Maybe you’re left feeling uncreative, uninspired, or just plain bored. So inject a little passion and creativity into your routine by finding a new hobby, or rediscovering an old one. Maybe you’ve always wanted to take up a sport – well, now is a perfect time.

But, if the idea of taking up kayaking is a bit too overwhelming, you can find smaller and more manageable ways to bring something new into your routine. Maybe there is a show on Netflix you’ve been meaning to watch but haven’t got round to? Rather than sticking on Friends for the 400th time, maybe just give it a watch and broaden your TV horizons a little! It might seem like nothing, but something new, even just a TV show you haven’t seen before, can reinvigorate you and bring something new into your day.

Disconnect Once a Day

One of the most damaging stresses in our daily lives is the excessive amount of time we spend on our phones browsing through social media. Apparently, high mobile usage can be linked to increased rates of anxiety and depression. If you find yourself endlessly scrolling through Facebook, Instagram or TikTok accounts of people who seem to have it so much better than you, maybe it’s time to realise how it might be affecting your mental state. While it’s fun to see the new Range Rover that the most recent Love Island winner is driving around Mayfair in, it can sometimes cloud our vision and impact our perception of happiness and prosperity.

Comparison is the thief of joy, so they say, and while it’s easy to make everything look great in a few photos, nobody’s life is truly perfect. To end this cycle of comparison, make sure you’re taking regular breaks from social media. Even better, perhaps try cleansing your social media feeds of influencers or models whose posts are making you feel rubbish about yourself, and instead follow some body-positivity icons who can teach you more about loving yourself just the way you are!

Clear your Space 

January is the best time for a proper clear-out of your space. You don’t need to renovate your entire house – even something as simple as clearing out your wardrobe will make you feel so much better. If you feel up to it, you can even pop some clothes on Depop or Vinted to make a few extra pounds while freeing up space. That’s a win-win!

Although it sounds easy, sitting down and coming up with a million ways to reinvent yourself just because the calendar has flipped into a new year isn’t the simplest task. It can be a lot of pressure to change your routine, which probably explains why only 25% of people in Britain stuck to their resolutions last year. To provide some inspiration, we’ve compiled a list of our top 10 beauty resolutions to get 2022 started right. You don’t have to change the world – just start small and see where you end up!

Ditch the Face Wipes

This might be an unpopular one to start off with, but it’s definitely time for us all to kiss goodbye to our beloved makeup-removing wipes. While they are insanely convenient, cheap, and quick to use, it’s no secret that they wreak havoc on your skin’s moisture barrier. With regular use, you’ll notice skin becoming red, dried out, and more prone to breakouts and blemishes. Even face wipes marketed as ‘skin-friendly’ or ‘sensitive’ are stripping your skin of all its moisture and natural oils. As much as it might pain you, it’s time to say goodbye.

If you’re looking for an alternative, consider the Liz Earle Cleanse and Polish Hot Cloth Cleanser. It cleanses your skin deeply but gently, ensuring all makeup is gone without stripping your face entirely. It’ll take an extra five minutes to remove your makeup with this, but your skin will thank you. After first use, you’ll likely notice a more radiant complexion and clearer skin. If the Liz Earle seems a little steep in terms of price, Aldi’s Lacura range offers an amazing dupe with an almost identical formula – this cult product will save you money and save your skin!

Go Eco Where you can

Okay, 2022 should certainly be the year that we all start taking climate change more seriously. With rising temperatures and sea levels, anything that we can do to make a positive impact on the planet has to be a good thing, right? But what can we do as beauty lovers to lessen our carbon footprint? Well, your options are overwhelming – check out our previous post on sustainable beauty to find out what you can do! Even if you don’t adopt all the advice mentioned, just making a few small changes, like opting for reusable cotton pads or a bamboo toothbrush, can affect the planet.

Develop your own Mantra

This resolution is perfect for anyone who wants 2022 to be the year of positivity and optimism. Let’s face it, it’s been a rough few years up until now, so let’s inject some light back into our thinking wherever possible. But ‘staying positive’ is much easier said than done, isn’t it? How can you practically become more optimistic and positive in your day-to-day life? Well, a mantra is a great place to start.

For those who don’t know, a mantra is a simple statement made to be recited frequently with the aim of affirming and encouraging you in all aspects of your life. Spend some time coming up with or finding a phrase that brings you peace and comfort, then write it down somewhere you need it. Keep your mantra short and memorable, and be sure to include strong, first-person language, like ‘I can’ or ‘I will’. Maybe you could keep it in your wallet, or next to your computer at work – just make sure it’s somewhere you will see it frequently.

When things become stressful, repeat your mantra to yourself and try to draw strength from its significance. It may sound silly at first, but when you find a mantra, it can develop real significance over time and become a source of strength and inspiration in difficult patches.

Commit to Small Luxuries

Self-care is the trend of 2022 for sure – but how can you practice self-care without spending a ton of money on bath bombs and nail appointments? As fun as it is to financially splurge on luxurious things, the most important aspect of self-care is the time you devote to doing something nice for yourself.

Set aside a half-hour before bed to give yourself a hand massage with some cheap hand cream and olive oil for your cuticles, or treat yourself to an extra-long bath with some cheap candles and your favourite music for a relaxing ambiance. Creating time for these nice activities is the best way to ensure you stay healthy and happy while you’re busy with hectic schedules and obligations throughout 2022.

Give your Hair some Love

When sorting out a full makeup and skincare regimen, haircare tends to get ignored. Let 2022 be the year you finally treat your tresses to some TLC – you can invest in a silk pillowcase to decrease breakage, or, if your budget is a little tighter, just opt for some homemade hair masks to do before you hop in the shower! It’s a super easy way to pamper yourself and tame any signs of frizz or damage that your hair is showing.

Stay Healthy in Mind and Body

Every year, millions of people sign up for gyms or flood their local parks in an attempt to fulfill their resolution to get fitter. But this pressure often results in a quick burst of motivation that burns out after a few weeks and leaves you feeling disappointed and negative about yourself.

Rather than punish yourself into signing up for a gym membership that you don’t really want, think of constructive ways that you can actually improve your physical or mental health. Perhaps 2022 can be the year of trying a new food every month, or the year that you try to get out for some fresh air at least once a day. With so many of us working from home, it’s hard to break out of a sluggish routine, so avoid the pressure and give yourself achievable tasks that will motivate you to fulfill your resolution throughout 2022!

Resist Hopping on the Trend Train

This one might be tough, but if you’re guilty of purchasing a load of trendy TikTok or Instagram fads, try to make 2022 a year of conscious shopping. Think twice before ordering something, even if it costs relatively little. Saving on lots of small frivolous purchases can really add up over time, not to mention that hopping on these trends can be really rough on the environment.

Here’s a good tip for finding out if you really need something – ask yourself for five examples of when and how you could use this item in the next month. If you can come up with five good cases, then it’s probably worth a buy. If not, avoid the temptation and let that trend pass on by.

Budget for your Beauty

This resolution might seem a little boring, but totting up all the numbers on your beauty spending is a great way to economise and make small savings wherever possible. Even if you’re not a spreadsheet type of person, just keep a rough estimate in your head of how much you want to spend on beauty every month, and do your best to stick to it – you might be surprised to see how much you could be saving if you work it all out!

Revitalise your Routine

A new year is the perfect time to switch up your skincare or makeup routine. If there are some new products you’ve been desperate to try out, look out for them and try to incorporate them into your day-to-day arsenal of products. To really benefit your skin, make sure you have sunscreen in your daily routine to ensure your skin is protected from harmful UV rays and to decrease early signs of aging.

Establish a Healthy Sleeping Pattern

Another resolution many people often make is to get more sleep throughout the year. Again, this is certainly either said than done; plus there’s nothing worse for a good night’s sleep than stressing about how much sleep you’ll get! Rather than pressure yourself to constantly be in bed by 10 pm, try to establish a routine wherever possible.

If you want to improve your sleeping patterns, perhaps try setting a two hour wake-up window for yourself, so even on the weekends, you can take advantage of the whole day. You’ll develop a better sleep rhythm and will likely get a better quality night’s sleep by waking up at a relatively similar time every day. But make sure you allow yourself some late nights and lie-ins when needed – we all deserve them every once in a while!

@matildadjerf

Big on: Instagram

Perfect for: Fashion Aficionados

With almost 2 million followers on Instagram, Swedish-born Matilda Djerf serves up amazing looks with Scandi-style influences and aesthetically pleasing photos. If you’re looking for fresh fashion inspiration or a tutorial on how to achieve stunning blow-out waves, she’s the influencer for you. Drop her a follow to brighten up your Instagram feed and bring some cool vibes to your wardrobe.

@jessicarose_makeup

Big on: TikTok

Perfect for: Eyeliner Pros

With half a million followers and over 6 million likes on TikTok, Jessica delivers amazing eye makeup looks that will amaze you. Intricate detail, vivid colours, and beautiful lines result in phenomenal tutorials that are so much fun to try – although it might take a while to be as good as Jessica’s looks! She can recommend all the right products and tips you need to achieve makeup as flawless and sharp as hers, so you can look amazing too!

@NymaTang

Big on: YouTube

Perfect for: Product Recommendations

Nyma started her YouTube channel back in 2017 with a series called ‘The Darkest Shade’, where she tests the darkest shades on offer from a whole range of brands and gives honest reviews on what makes the cut and what doesn’t. Her channel offers really useful tips while also educating on super important issues like racism, colourism, and inclusivity in the makeup world. Drop her a follow for killer nail inspo, dewy skin how-tos, and loads more!

@yogawithadrienne

Big on: YouTube

Perfect for: Zen Seekers

With over 10 million YouTube subscribers, Adrienne is probably the biggest name in the world of yoga. Whether you’re a total novice or a yoga expert, Adrienne has loads of tutorials and lessons to help you find inner peace and improve your fitness. Even just 15 minutes in the morning can change your whole outlook and incorporate tranquility into your life.

@veanad

Big on: Pinterest

Perfect for: Sleek Aesthetics

Veanad is the best place to find sleek aesthetics in architecture, fashion, and lifestyle. With over 5 million followers on Pinterest, you’ll be able to find inspiration for all aspects of your life – so follow and start pinning your favourite looks!

@destineewiththehair

Big on: TikTok

Perfect for: Natural Hair Looks

With over 2 million likes on TikTok, Destinee serves up amazing tips and tutorials on taking care of natural hair. Her wash day tutorials, haircare hauls, and product reviews will guide anyone who’s looking for help and advice on how to care for their natural hair. Plus, some of her content is so funny – you’ll love to follow her and laugh along with her videos!

@iramshelton

Big on: Instagram

Perfect for: Nail Fanatics

Iram, a manicurist to runway models and celebrities alike, posts all her beautiful designs on her Instagram accounts for her followers to admire. With over 60,000 followers and a TikTok account that is rapidly gaining followers, Iram curates her account beautifully and answers her followers’ questions in the highlights section of her Instagram. 

@theglowupsecrets

Big on: TikTok

Perfect for: Wellbeing Tips

Canadian influencer Elicia offers a path towards weight-loss and fitness with a focus on self-love and self-esteem. While encouraging eating well and exercising, Elicia focuses on the motivation for these goals, and reinforces the point that staying mentally healthy is the most important priority. Self-care should be at the heart of all our workout routines, and Elicia champions this across all her content.

@getthegloss

Big on: their website – getthegloss.co.uk

Perfect for: the budget-savvy stylist

This might not technically count as an influencer, but Get the Gloss offers expert advice on all things makeup, health and wellness, and their section on budget beauty offers amazing finds from the high street. They can give great tips and advice, as well as telling you what items are worth splashing out on, so check them out!

@daniellemarcan

Big on: TikTok

Perfect for: Glam Lovers

Danielle’s fun and trendy videos have a total of almost 70 million likes on TikTok, and her cool New York looks are an amazing source of inspiration for anyone who wants a fun, glam makeup tutorial. Her bold eye looks would be perfect for a Christmas or New Year’s Eve party, so get practicing!

Switch to Sustainable Beauty

When it comes to beauty and skincare, opting for sustainability doesn’t mean you have to compromise on quality. So many of the biggest beauty brands are hopping on the eco-friendly trend and coming out with schemes to encourage waste reduction and plastic usage. Organisations like Terracycle give everyone the chance to recycle all their beauty empties at loads of convenient drop-off points. They are cleaned and recycled, then the plastic is broken down to be repurposed into lots of other useful things. You can keep buying your beauty faves while knowing that you’re doing your bit to reduce the amount of plastic in landfills.

Even better, some beauty companies actually offer you freebies if you save and return your plastic packaging in-store. Lush offers you 50p to spend on their products for every empty pot or bottle you return in-store, and similarly, MAC offers one free lipstick to anyone who brings in six empty MAC containers. If these freebies don’t encourage you to be more sustainable, nothing will!

Reduce Meat Consumption

We know that with a house full of fussy eaters, coming up with delicious vegan meals every single night of the week is too big an ask. So rather than tackling every mealtime, why not focus on just one? Meatless Mondays are a super easy way to make a small step towards a healthier and more climate-friendly lifestyle. If your kids are picky eaters, try to make Mondays an exciting chance to find new recipes to cook together, and get them involved in researching things they’d like to try. Check out the Meat Free Monday website for plenty of recipe inspiration and fun ideas.

Bin the Single-Use Products

It may seem easier said than done, but single-use products are a huge contributor to our landfills, so it is a huge step forward to try and find more sustainable options. It can be as simple as investing a few extra pounds in a reusable water bottle to take to work or keep in the car, rather than buying a plastic bottle at the shops every day. Rather than buying a pack of cotton pads to remove your makeup, pick up some washable reusable ones – you’ll never run out, and you’ll save yourself money in the long run. These small changes, even though they might seem insignificant, can make a big change if everyone were to make them.

Research Before you Buy

It may feel like, as consumers, we have very little control over how big beauty corporations choose to act in the face of a climate crisis. However, in reality, the way we spend our money can make a huge difference in how beauty brands respond to issues of excess waste, greenhouse gas emissions, and environmental damage. Companies like Burt’s Bees, for example, are doing real work to combat excess plastic waste and save the declining global bee population. By making the small decision to invest in a company like this over a company with less environmentally-conscious values, you’re sending the big message that climate change is an increasingly important concern for consumers.

Recycle, Repurpose and Reuse

Other than just recycling all the materials your council allows, there are other great ways to save money and repurpose things you probably already have in your house. Want to throw away an old shirt? If you cut it up into squares, you’ve got some new dust cloths. They can be washed and reused over and over again, giving a whole new life to your old clothes that might have otherwise ended up in a landfill.

Step 1 – Set the Mood

The key to creating a spa environment is a soothing environment. This means everything you see, hear and smell should provide you with an overwhelming sense of calm. For the most soothing music, head over to Spotify for the best spa playlists. Even better, if you want to enjoy your music ad-free, use this opportunity to try out the Spotify Premium 3 month free trial. 

So once you have your music sorted, ensure that you have some nice low lighting – perhaps some candles or lamps. This gentle lighting will create a soft, relaxing ambiance that you can truly unwind in. Even better, by choosing to light some scented candles, you can enjoy your favourite scent while you relax.

Step 2 – Prepare a Relaxing Bath

It is proven that a long soak in a hot bath is one of the best and quickest ways to relieve tension and reduce your stress levels. Luxurious bath products can often be expensive to buy, but there’s no need to splash out – you can achieve a sophisticated bath experience without breaking the bank. You can make your own bath salts by combining equal parts Epsom salt, sea salt, and baking soda. Then just add a few drops of your favourite essential oils – rosemary and lavender are a perfect stress-relieving blend.

You may need to pop to the shops to pick up some of these ingredients, but you’ll be able to enjoy your homemade bath salts for a long time at a fraction of the price of a store-bought bath product. If you package them in a cute mason jar with a ribbon, you can even share them as gifts with your friends.

Step 3 – Enjoy your Treatments

The best part of a spa weekend is undoubtedly the amazing feeling you walk away with after having so many treatments done. But there’s no reason you can’t feel this way after an evening of self-care at home! Whether it’s doing your nails, resting up with a nice face mask, or a deep-conditioning hair treatment, ensure that you choose the treatments that make you feel truly content and taken care of. If you don’t want to break the bank, check out the best skincare and beauty bargains available on Latest Free Stuff here.

If you don’t want to splash out on new skincare or hair products, there are plenty of free options you can make at home. Before any treatments, it is great to open up your pores with a gentle steam or a warm face cloth for five to ten minutes. To create a soothing oatmeal face mask, mix together 8 tablespoons of warm water, five tablespoons of dried oats, two tablespoons of plain yoghurt, and one small egg white. Apply this mixture to your entire face and let it sit for 10 to 15 minutes, then rinse off with warm water. This mask is so simple to make and will soothe your skin, leaving it refreshed and brightened.

Step 4 – Keep it Chilled

After completing your skincare routine, a great way to tighten your pores and reduce the appearance of lines and wrinkles is with some ice therapy. Simply massage your face with some ice wrapped in a cloth, paying special attention to the undereye area and jawline. You’ll immediately notice a brighter and more radiant complexion. When done more frequently, ice therapy should yield some amazing results, such as skin remaining youthful and clear.

Step 5 – Treat Yourself

Once you are feeling completely zenned out, the rest is up to you! However you choose to finish your spa evening, be certain that it is an activity that brings you joy – whether that’s watching your favourite movie, making some delicious food, or calling a friend for a chat, just ensure you’re feeling chilled out and peaceful.

Sign up to these, and you could be testing and keeping full-size products from luxury brands – some of them which won’t even be available to the public yet! All they ask for in return is your feedback, it really is as simple as that.

Here are the top 10 beauty product testing sites: 

1) Elemis Review Panel

If you’re one of the lucky ones to get chosen to be a part of Elemis’s review panel, you’re in for an absolute treat. They’re one of the most sought after beauty brands with a price tag to match, so if you can get their products for free – why not?

2) Boots Volunteer Panel

Have you always wanted to try Boot’s best products, but for free? Then sign up to become a volunteer on their product testing panel. They open up testing every 3-4 months and we managed to get in when they opened it. Once you are in you’ll get access to lots of amazing free product testing opportunities. 

3) Debenhams Beauty Club

Sign up to be a Debenhams Beauty Club Cardholder and you will be able to join their product testing community by heading to the ‘New on You’ section. Here, you find posts advertising product tests for exciting new products as well as old favourites

4) Home Tester Club

While not a product testing website just for beauty, Home Tester Club offer products from Tefal frying pans to Nivea gift sets and more for you to try and review. Just sign up for an account then register for the products that you’re interested in.

5) First Beauty

One of the newest beauty websites to join the game, First Beauty offer exciting beauty trials where you can test and keep their new products.

6) Savvy Circle

SuperSavvyMe have their own product testing community, called the Savvy Circle. Sign up and you could try all sorts of things, beauty or otherwise. You’ll see from the photo below what kind of products will arrive. They normally send quite big bundles so you will like this free beauty product testing panel. 

7) Life Points 

Head over to LifePoints for the chance to test all kinds of products and get rewarded in vouchers to spend at your favourite retailers, such as ASOS, Amazon, Starbucks and more. We’ve received lots of free products over the years. 

8) Mingle Beauty Product Testing

Register for free with Mingle and you could answer surveys or test products in return for rewards! This means you could not only get products for free in return for feedback, but you would also get rewarded for doing so, for example we’ve received £5 vouchers with our tests. 

9) Pinecone Research – Free Beauty Product Testing

Sign up for free today to Pinecone Research and they’ll send you free products to test directly to your home. They have lots of regular beauty brands who ask their members to test for free. Plus they’ll even pay you up to £3 for each beauty product testing that you complete! So make sure you join this one today! 

10) Glamour Beauty Club

Glamour Beauty Club are a new site where you join and set up a profile and they will send you beauty products to test and review based on your profile. They will hand pick products depending on what products you are looking to try. We’ve received lots of products in the last year so it’s definitely worth signing up to it! 

Buy in bulk

Take to eBay, Costco or Amazon to stock up on cleaning items you know you’ll use in bulk. You can often get huge discounts compared to buying these products individually, and best of all, you’ll save yourself countless trips to the supermarket. All you need is somewhere to store them: consider cleaning out a cupboard in your kitchen or under your stairs to keep products out of the light and sun so they can last as long as possible.

Get rid of disposable products

Not only are disposable products such as gloves or brushes more expensive than traditional supplies, they are also worse for the environment. Ditch them in favour of non-disposable products such as washable washcloths and rubber gloves and you’ll save money and the planet.

Buy own-brand products

It’s tempting to buy well-known brands of cleaning products, especially when they’re on offer or there’s a sale at your supermarket, but train yourself to always opt for the own-brand options. More often than not, they work just as well as fancy brands and cost a fraction of the price. To reassure yourself, check and compare the ingredients before buying.

Use what you have

Run out of bathroom cleaner? Use what you have rather than buying new products: simple dish soap or washing up liquid can simply and easily remove a multitude of spills and stains without damaging surfaces – and it’s cheap, too. 

Make your own products

Follow cleaning influencers, watch videos on YouTube and do a quick Google to find inspiration on how to create your own cleaning products for less. Simple ingredients such as vinegar, lemon, baking soda and even coca cola can often be combined and used as homemade products that clean just as efficiently as store-bought brands.

Go to the park

“Let’s go to the park” is something people usually say on a sunny day, but the winter is one of the best times to visit. Just think about the cold crisp air and how empty and quiet it will be without all the sun-seekers there.

Decorate your home

Cold weather means Christmas is nearly here, so it’s time to get out last year’s lights and decorations and get to prettifying your home to its festive best.

Make the most of the snow

We’re normally blessed with at least a couple of days of snow, so get out your warmest coat, hat, scarf and gloves. It’s time to enjoy a snowball fight, make a snowman or drag your sledge up a hill for an adrenaline rush.

Work on your Instagram grid

While social media loves a sunny beach, you can bring something to the table by heading out with your phone camera and taking some gorgeous wintery snaps for your profile.

Go to a museum

Warm up and take in some culture at a museum near you. Many museums offer free entry on certain days of the week, so all you need to do is a bit of research to find out which local museums offer complimentary entry and when.

Head for the ice rink

Flex those thigh muscles and head to the ice rink to show off your best triple axels. While most ice rinks charge a small fee, you can often get free entrance if you have your own skates.

Go look at the Christmas lights

There’s nothing as festive as getting dressed in your warmest clothes – including a snazzy Christmas jumper – and going to look at your local Christmas lights sparkling at night.

Go window shopping

Even if you haven’t got a budget to spend at this time of year, simply browsing the festive windows of your favourite shops can be a great way to spend a Saturday afternoon.

Have a wintery picnic

As long as you’re suitably dressed, there’s no reason why you can’t enjoy a picnic in chilly weather. Simply pack a thermos filled with a warm drink, festive food such as mince pies, and plenty of blankets, and you won’t even notice the cold.

Watch all the festive movies

It’s time to get out the warmest blankets you have, make a hot chocolate and binge classic Christmas movies like “The Holiday” and “Elf” in the run up to the 25th December. Try to wrangle a Netflix password off a friend for a great selection of festive films.