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Pretty Big Butterflies

Family, Food & Plus Size Fashion Blog

How To Stop Boob Chafing & Other Things

Summer is almost over… (booooo!) but I can’t lie, I’m SO happy that the heatwave is over. I struggled with that heat while I was pregnant! If you read my post over here – one thing I didn’t have to struggle with was chub rub. Thanks to iRELIEF from iVYVERDURE I had a little relief from my thighs rubbing during the hot weather and I actually got to enjoy some of my maxi dresses without having to wear shorts. Hooray!

Well, now I’m coming at you from a mothers perspective. I’ve just had my second son (yep – 2 under 2 I must be crazy) and I’m using iVYVERDURE slightly differently now. I mean your body changes A LOT while you’re pregnant. Trust me. So it only makes sense that how I use some of my favourite skincare products changes too.

How To Stop Boob Chafing & Other Things

First up, let’s just say it how it is shall we? The underboob! Yes! When I was pregnant my breasts naturally swelled up. Some may think this is a good thing. However, I can’t say it was the best thing I’ve ever experienced. Not only are they tender and ache constantly, but the underboob soreness is real. I’ve only ever had this once before and that when I was pregnant with Cameo. But this time I came prepared! I applied iVYVERDURE underneath my boobs after the shower in the morning before putting my bra on (if I wore one – I know I should but it was so uncomfortable when I was pregnant!) I’d also reapply if I changed during the day or if I was just about to do something that might get me a little hot and sweaty.

If you haven’t read my previous post, iRELIEF from iVYVERDURE is a 100% vegan and organic anti-chafing stick that prevents chafing and blisters. It can be used on all sensitive areas that are exposed to friction. It’s an all-in-one stick that can be used against all forms of chafing.

iRELIEF from iVYVERDURE

It’s really quite cooling on the application and feels like a soft balm that turns matte. It isn’t sticky or wet so it’s really comfortable. You do need to keep reapplying but it’s no hardship. You can just do it when you pop to the loo. It takes a couple of seconds and the twist applicator tub is small enough to fit in a pocket or bag. Simple.

I said this before and I’ll say it again, iVYVERDURE can be used for SO much on the body.

  • It’s an epic foot moisturiser (look after those feet during winter!)
  • Stretch marks. This won’t make them vanish but it will help with the soothing of the skin.
  • Thigh Chaffing
  • Underarms
  • Basically anywhere that rubs together!

If you want to give it a go but you’re still not sure, here’s a 15% off discount code across the iVYVERDURE site – just enter HOLLIE15 checkout!

 

 

 

Keep Your Locks Lush While Having Fun in The Sun!

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Summer is a time for fun; days out, beach holidays, barbeques with friends and so much more. It’s a time to get outside, soak up the sunshine and enjoy the company of the ones we love. But as with all seasons, summer throws up some problems when it comes to our beauty regimes and it can be particularly damaging to our skin and hair. We all know the importance of using SPF on our skin, but what can we do to protect our hair? Here are a few ideas.

 

Spray through heat protectant

Hopefully, you will already be in the habit of using a heat protectant before blow drying or heat styling your hair. But did you know this is also useful for protecting it against the heat of the sun? Spray it all the way through your hair a few minutes before you go outside and you give it much more of a fighting chance against the sizzling sun.

 

Wear a sun hat

One of the best ways that you can protect your hair as well as your scalp (which can be prone to burning since you can’t really apply SPF) is to wear a sun hat. You can find lovely summer hats at this time of year so shop around and find something that suits you. If you go with a floppy hat with a wide brim, not only will you look ultra chic but you’ll shade your face and eyes from the sun too.

 

Deep condition

We all know far too well how dry and damaged hair feels when we’ve spent too long in the sun. As well as trying to protect it in the first place, we want to aim to replenish it as much as possible. One way to do this is by deep conditioning, try out a couple of products and find one that you like and that works for you. You can buy masques and apply these after your shampoo and conditioner in the bath, leaving them on anywhere between five and twenty minutes. Other ways you can deep condition your hair is by applying coconut oil all the way through and leaving it on all day, or overnight as you sleep. Coconut oil unlike lots of other types of oils is able to penetrate the hair shaft meaning it can add moisture back in. When you wash it out the next day your hair will be left shiny and soft.


Have a trim

The problem with split ends is that the break travels all the way up the hair shaft making hair weak and often splitting off much higher up than just the ends. If your hair is already very fine it can leave you looking like you don’t have much of it left! When your hair is already split, extra stress on it such as the heat of the sun and chlorinated water is going to make it so much worse. The best thing you can do is to have a proper trim, in some cases, this might mean having quite a bit chopped off. But rather it be a little shorter and healthy than longer and straggly and broken!

9 Pretty in pink perfumes

With Mother’s Day AND my birthday fast approaching there’s no safer gift than a bottle of perfume. Seriously, never underestimate the power of a pretty bottle. Opening up a pretty package is half the fun in my eyes. What’s so nice about having a perfume present is that it lasts a long time. It isn’t like a box of chocolate that last a day week in my house. Perfume is long lasting and these days becomes almost like a bit of home decor. The bottles that brands create now are almost as beautiful as the fragrance themselves!

If you’re on the look out for the latest, prettiest perfume to hit the shelves in time for Mothers Day, here are my top 9 choices. Sense a theme going on? It might just be me but pink hues are winning right now and makes me think of spring!

Let me know if you pick any of these little beauties up!

Beauty prep hacks for your next summer holiday

Going on holiday soon? Well, we know how much of a pain it can be to keep on top of your beauty routine when you’re unable to pack all of your regular lotions and potions. If you want an easy holiday look in a matter of minutes, take some of our beauty prep advice before you jet off.

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Befriend baby powder 

In hot weather, baby powder can be your best friend. It has many different uses meaning you can fit it in your case in place of a number of items. It’s a great alternative to dry shampoo, can be used as a setting powder to keep your makeup in place and you can even use it to remove any uncomfortable wet sand from your skin. 

No more self-tan stains

Everyone who’s ever used fake tan before will know the struggle of trying to avoid patches that somehow appear on elbows and knees. To solve this, choose the best gradual tan moisturiser we’ve found from Tropic Skincare. This lotion uses patented technology plant allo-melanin to mimic the colour of your skin and create a natural tan that beats self-tan stains hands down. 

Slow down on shaving

Those that want perfect bare legs in summer will need to keep up with their shaving routine. However, this is often the last thing you want to be doing when you’re on holiday. Instead, mix some sugar with lemon and water and apply it to your legs. This natural remedy is known to slow down hair growth and keep your legs smoother for longer. Of course, if all else fails – wax! 

Banish bikini rash 

Bikini rash is a huge downside to pre-beach preparation. Not only is it unsightly, but it can be incredibly uncomfortable too. To combat this, leave some chilled chamomile teabags onto the rash, and after a few minutes, you should start to notice the difference.

Keep your skin hydrated

 As well as making sure you drink enough water, you need to make sure that your skin is properly hydrated too. Branded face mists can be expensive and will also be another thing to pack in your case so instead, make your own when you get there. To do this, you’ll need to mix mint, lavender, cucumber and rose with water in a clean and empty spray bottle. Chilling it in the fridge for a few hours will do the trick.

DIY bronzer

Arguably, this is a tip that can be used all year round but our summer holidays are usually the main time we bust out the bronzer. If you’ve got any broken metallic eyeshadow shades lying around, mix them with some moisturiser and voila – you can use it as a highlighter on your cheeks. Clever and cost-effective!

A long-lasting manicure

There’s nothing worse than chipping your DIY manicure before you’ve even got on the plane. Rather than dealing with this frustration, opt for a gel manicure that will last two or three weeks without any signs of wear. The only downside of this is that you’ll have to choose one colour and commit to it for your entire holiday. In that case, we’re thinking red. How about you?

 

 

 

 

 

Candy Crush Lip Balms – Will you get addicted?

Who remembers the totally addictive Candy Crush game? Well get ready because they’ve launched a range of Candy Crush lip balms that will get you totally hooked. With National Smile Month coming to an end, there’s nothing like a new and fun way to keep your lips feeling and looking great. These fun balms do just the trick. Available in flavours inspired by the game; Lemonade Lake, Peppermint Palace, Chocolate Mountains and Bubblegum Bridge the choice is all yours.

Candy Crush Lip Balm's

Lemonade Lake is my favourite, it’s a soft and gentle aroma with a light citrus taste. Nothing overwhelming or heavy. It’s glides on really well and makes my lips feel instantly soft and hydrated without drying them out. I was a little surprised at how well the balm lasted, it was much better than expected!

Candy Crush Lip Balm's review

There isn’t really any lip tint from these balms, which I personally prefer and if you’re after one that really does have a sweet smell or taste, opt for the chocolate one. None of the balms are sticky or tacky (I’m really surprised!) and really do apply like a balm to the lips.

Candy Crush Lip Balm's review

The balms are available from Primark for £1.50 each. A cute little gift or pick me up and they won’t break the bank. It’s great value for money as these little beauties will last for ages! There is a guideline that they should be only be used for children ages 6 years and upwards, so keep that in mind if treating your little ones. I’d definitely recommend popping one in your bag during the summer months as they are great for dry lips and adding a little sheen in the sun.