Introducing TummyTox

I'm always excited to try new skincare and beauty brands, whether products or beauty gadgets and when it's both, it's double the fun! Recently I was introduced to the lifestyle brand Tummy Tox, and in this post, I will be sharing the products they kindly sent me and my respective opinions on each, plus a little offer for you if you read till the end!

The products kindly sent to me by Tummy Tox Malta

TummyTox was founded by girls, for girls to help us look and feel better every day. Their range of products covers everything from weight loss to beauty, health, and detox. When the brand reached out to me, I gladly accepted to test some of their products from the beauty and detox ranges out, and share them with you. So, without further ado, let's get into the products in no particular order.

Starting with some gummies, I chose the Multivitamin Gummies and the Shine Bright Gummy Bears, with the former being my favourites as far as taste is concerned. When taken as part of a healthy, balanced diet and active lifestyle, supplements have more of a beneficial effect and when they come in the form of gummies, they are of course more fun to take than a pill. To actually see results, you would need to take at least 3 months' worth of vitamins (6 months will give you better results) and I was given one month of each. I cannot really comment on the effect of the multivitamin ones but I have seen a difference in how hard my nails are ever since I started on the Shine Bright ones and my skin seems to be clearer too. I don't really like the taste of them too as I find it too sugary. However, they have apparently changed the formula to resemble the taste of the Multivitamin gummies so I would be willing to try them again seeing that they already gave me good results.

Both Vitamin gummies are vegan and are rich in essential vitamins and minerals and they are free from gluten, lactose, gelatine and GMO's.

 (Retail Price: €15 each for a month's supply)

Moving on to another beauty product, the K-WOW Face Mask, made out of kaolin clay to deeply cleanse oily skin types. When you first open the mask, it looks as if it has separated. Don't worry, that's normal; you just have to stir it into a homogenous mixture with the provided spatula, apply on clean skin and leave on for 10 - 15 minutes before rinsing it off thoroughly. I find that after using this mask, my skin looks clearer and brighter and it feels fresher too! The product information claims that by time, pores will diminish in size and thus prevents the formation of blackheads. The mask has a 4-in-1 action: deep cleansing, detoxifying, toning and brightening. I can attest that results can be seen from the very first application, so definitely give this a try if you have oily skin prone to blackheads! (Retail Price: €15 for a 75ml pot)

The thing I was most excited to try from this pack was of course the Tummy Tox Vacuum Pore Cleaner. I have been wanting to try one but they are always so expensive so when I saw the Tummy Tox one, I knew I had to try it and share it with you! It comes with 5 different suction heads to suit every skin need (always read the enclosed leaflet to choose the best one for you), 6 filters and a charging USB cable. It has 3 varying speeds, which of course you need to adapt according to your skin type/needs. This nifty gadget claims to 

• suck out all the dirt stuck in your pores by removing blackheads, impurities and excess oils 
• lightly exfoliates the skin 
• improve micro-circulation in the skin
• lifts and tightens the skin and reduced the appearance of double chin
• massages the skin and improves the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles

I have been using this once a week as part of my skin care regime (paired with the K-WOW Face Mask) and my skin seem to look more radiant. I have also been using this on hubby who has much oilier skin than I do and is also more prone to blackheads and well, it being gadget, let's say he enjoys using this 😜 and is always pleased with the (disgusting) results. (Retail Price: €35 for the full set).

Going back to supplements, I have been given a pack of 15 Beauty Drink (now Collagen Drink) sachets which I have been taking day-in, day-out with my main meal. I really like the blueberry taste of this and combined with the Shine Bright beauty gummies, it will give you better results since they both work for the same results. Collagen is a protein and it is the basis of hair, skin and nails. Maintaining it's levels is important for younger-looking skin and prevention of sagging skin so any help is always appreciated, especially if it comes in the form of a tasty drink. (Retail Price: €20 for 15 sachets). 

Lastly, I have to rave about this Lash'N'Brow Enhancer which I have been using religiously every day on my brows. I love how easy it is to apply and it lasts so long! I love to apply it every morning and evening as part of my skin care routine for stronger brow hairs. Growing up, I never had bushy brows and the hairs are on the finer side. To top it off, plucking and waxing caught up with time and my brows have become more sparse at the front part. Luckily, with the Tummy Tox Lash'N'Brow Enhancer, I am noticing that I'm taking less time to fill my brows when doing makeup so I guess it's working! As for my lashes, I cannot say that I am enthusiastic about trying it as while I was initially testing the product, I was suffering from seasonal allergies and had puffy eyelids and crusty skin around my eyes so I cannot say if it was wholly due to the allergies or if the product had anything to do with it.

As a thank you for supporting my page, Tummy Tox have agreed to offer you a €5 discount when mentioning my page for any order over €25 or FREE delivery when purchasing just one product. For orders, you can either place your order online at www.tummytoxmalta.com, contact 79816974, or email sales@tummytoxmalta.com. Don't forget to mention Lara's Pint of Style to avail of the above offer!

PR Products. All opinions are my own based on my experience using the products.

Sponsored Post

When Life Gives You Quarantine, Make Quarantini!

Seriously though, let's all make the most of our days at home 😊 I have to say I have really adapted to life at home. Well, in my case I still have to go to work, but still, life at the moment is not that bad.

Working at the hospital at this time is scary - tension is everywhere but we are all making our best efforts to avoid contracting and spreading the virus. However, going back home and spending my off days there is comforting. I feel lucky to have a safe place I can always go back to and finally, both me and my husband can really enjoy our home - the house he built with his own hands and the one we spent so much money and time debating on. I feel that even though I still have an actual job to go to, life has slowed down and I wouldn't mind carrying on living at this pace once we get rid of this Coronavirus.

Before I start with the suggestions on what you can fill your days with, I would like to spare a thought for anyone who is a victim of domestic violence, anyone who doesn't feel safe at home, those currently going through a separation/divorce or those feeling lonely in self-isolation. First of all, you are not alone and help is just a phone call away. There are trained professionals who can help you deal with such situations, so please make use of their services. There are helplines for people who feel lonely, and domestic violence victims as well as the helpline for anyone experiencing symptoms of COVID-19.

Back to this post's subject, what can you do now that you have more time on your hands?

𝄢 First of all, now is the best time to spend some real quality time with your family living under the same roof. I'm talking board games, card games, discussions (try not to spend too much time talking about COVID-19 though), try a new recipe together, watch a movie, the possibilities are endless really!

𝄢 Technically, you can still go for a walk but try to limit the amount of time you spend outside and avoid crowds of course. If you don't feel like going out, try going up on your roof and have a 'picnic' or outside on the balcony. Now that traffic has decreased, it's much easier to breathe 😉.

𝄢 Catch up on Netflix series or watch the YouTube videos you've had in your 'Watch Later' list.

𝄢 Read a book or two.

𝄢 Refresh any hobby you have neglected due to lack of time. For me, it's stamp collecting. I am also dedicating more time to my blog again.

𝄢 Take up a new hobby altogether! I have recently taken up Diamond Painting - it's cheap, satisfying and kills an hour or two easily!

𝄢 Use this time to do something you've always wanted to but never had the time for, such as learning a new language for example. The Duolingo app is a great tool to help you master a new language, maybe learn a few words or basic phrases ahead of a trip you have postponed for the time being.

𝄢 Home workouts are a great time killer with the added benefit of keeping fit as opposed to eating all the food hoarded in the pantry. I am trying to at least include a 30-minute workout every day that I'm off work.

𝄢 Thoroughly clean the house. This doesn't apply for these times only but keeping the house clean is a great way of preventing getting sick and well, seeing we will be spending so much time inside, might as well do so in a squeaky clean environment. My favourite disinfectant is Zoflora, specifically in the Linen Fresh, Lavender and Bluebell Blooms scents.

𝄢 While you're cleaning, why not do the odd jobs around the house you keep putting off? Or maybe you can plan a renovation for a room or two!

𝄢 Organize stuff around the house - clear out your wardrobe and get rid of stuff you don't wear anymore. Try donating some of the stuff to people genuinely in need and get rid of any rags. Also, declutter anything you don't use anymore or anything you have hoarded in multiples which aren't really necessary.

𝄢 Compile photo books of important family events or past travels.

𝄢 While going through photos, delete ones you don't need from your phone and computer and organize emails and get rid of any email subscriptions you don't need.

𝄢 Take care of your mental well-being by limiting the time you spend reading the bad news and try to filter what you read in the news. 

𝄢 I tend to shop when I'm stressed but there are actually some things you can buy to make good use of, such as lounge-wear or something decorative for the house to spruce up that little corner. Just remember to let any packages you receive sit for 24 hours before opening them and always wipe them and contents well with alcohol or disinfectant and wash your hands well after handling. I have a separate post planned about this subject too.

𝄢 Speaking of shopping now is the perfect time to go through your wishlists. Go over the things you saved in your wishlists and think long and hard whether you really need them or not. I have personally already done this and have decided to put the money I would have spent on high street buys towards something more luxurious.

𝄢 Buy comfortable lounge-wear. Just because you're staying doesn't mean you have to stay in your pajamas all day. On the contrary, changing into something nice and comfortable instantly gives you a boost.

𝄢 Unfortunately, the Coronavirus pandemic has negatively impacted the economy of a lot of countries worldwide. It has also contributed to a lot of jobs being lost, thus removing the rug from under the feet of a lot of families. Gather around a table and plan out your finances smartly for the coming few months. Assess your income and put money away for known expenses such as loans, bills and food. Then see if you can save something for the future. Not going out should help us save more.

𝄢 Clean your makeup brushes. Not only you won't be using them as much but product buildup leads to breakouts in the long run.

𝄢 Give yourself a manicure/pedicure/facial, take a long bath...go on you deserve all the pampering 😉 Just remember to keep your nails as short as possible to avoid harbouring and spreading germs and if possible keep them artificial enhancements free.

𝄢 Try on clothes and outfits and take pictures of them to serve as inspiration for when we can all have a social life again.

𝄢 While working on new outfits, why don't you try on new hairstyles and makeup looks while you're at it? It will be like playing dress-up from when we were little!

𝄢 You can do a bit of good too and do the #TheRollMustGoOn challenge and donate to the Food Bank! I have to re-do this as I wasn't happy with the pictures 😝

𝄢 Make the actual Quarantini cocktail and enjoy! Any time of day is OK but drink responsibly, we don't want to go out of the house and end up in AA meetings instead 😉! This version I found contains vodka (or gin), honey and lemon juice. Alcohol kills germs, and the latter two are natural immune boosters. You can also rim the glass with Vitamin C powder. I have used my favourite MgKC from Erba Vita.

What you'll need to make the Quarantini

Lastly, to conclude this post I would like to suggest you change out of your pajamas every day (a perfect excuse to wear your stylish new lounge-wear 😉), brush your teeth, do your hair and wash your face as if you were going out to give yourself a sense of normality while caring for yourself because when we look good, we feel good. Making your bed in the morning also helps to be more productive and the house will somehow feel more organized and clean. Oh, and do stock up on vitamins to boost your immune system and try to eat as healthily as you can 😊. Shower daily and just continue to take care of yourselves! This is a hurdle we will overcome and it is no reason for us not to take care of our appearance 😊.

I hope you found this post useful and do share anything else you are doing to keep yourself occupied during self-isolation.

Stay safe, stay home!

'Between the Folds' : Giving Plastic A New Life | Wearable Art by James Dimech

Last night, I was invited to the opening of local sustainable fashion designer James Dimech's annual wearable art exhibition at the lavish AX Rosselli in Valletta. The works of James Dimech are not new to this blog as I have witnessed his exceptional work in the past.

Model's portrait, ICAM STUDIOS

Between the Folds: Giving Plastic A New Life concludes 2019 for James Dimech where his expertise in architecture and origami really shines through, reflecting an exploration of form and structure. The collection of 7 garments was created in response to 'The European Week for Waste Reduction'. In fact, the fabrics used for this collection are made out of plastic bottles. Yes, that's right! From plastic bottles to flakes to polyester yarn, to ultimately, fabric, this is in James's own words, the material of the future. There are different textures and thicknesses of materials some of which even simulate fabrics such as silk.

The collection features some of these materials in what in my opinion is a love letter to sustainable fabric, a gigantic step in the right direction of we are to really start helping the dire climate situation our planet is in. The clothing industry is known to be one of the worst polluters of our planet with the trash produced, not to mention the exploitation of thousands if not millions of child labourers and adult workers in third world countries. I have to agree with Mr Dimech when he says that this is the way forward to reduce the use of plastic and recycle the plastic we use. Having experienced the fabric first hand myself, I could feel it is sturdy and durable, thus providing sustainable fabrics that will last.

The exhibition will be open to the public at the AX Rosselli until the 24th of November 2019 and I really encourage you to visit as artists like James Dimech and concepts such as sustainable fabrics made out of recycled plastic deserve all our support.

Traditional Delights in the heart of Mosta | Ta' Marija Restaurant Opens New Outdoor Terrace

After-work nibbles and drinks are always a good idea. You know what’s better? Unwinding at a cosy restaurant with friends! Last week I was lucky enough to be invited along by Grazielle from Blog by Grazielle together with Denis and Charlene to experience the newly launched outdoor terrace at Ta’ Marija Restaurant in Mosta.

Ta' Marija Restaurant's history goes a long way but has cemented itself as a reputable traditional Maltese restaurant ever since the beginning and has won several culinary accolades along the way. The Muscats', the family owning the restaurant, had taken other culinary projects before opening Ta' Marija and now, their children continue to pass on the tradition of genuine, hearty Maltese cuisine while still being innovative in the way the food is served, and now, further expanding their horizons with the opening of the outdoor terrace at the same restaurant.

Overlooking the Mosta main road, the terrace is ideal for after-work drinks with friends, a quiet dinner with a significant other or just to enjoy a glass of wine or a cocktail a little something to eat while watching life go by. The Mosta Rotunda offers the perfect backdrop to a relaxed evening, and if you happen to visit the restaurant on a themed night, you might as well consider staying for the folklore shows for a truly Maltese experience. I, for one really like the modern vibes of the outdoor terrace and I think they blend really well with the rest of the restaurant decor.

We caught up over a delicious seafood platter accompanied by proseccos and Aperol Spritz and we got to experience the albeit cosy outdoor terrace. The restaurant has an all-round romantic cosy feel and I will definitely be back with my better half for a special occasion dinner date.

Should you want to visit the restaurant yourselves, it is advisable to book in advance. You can also have a look at their menu and extensive, interesting history on their website.

Special thanks go to Ta' Marija Restaurant's management and Grazielle for having me and Gordon Formosa from GoRaw Photography for the pictures.

The Makeup Festival | What Went Down and What I Got!

Last Saturday, the first ever edition of The Makeup Festival was brought to life at the Mediterranean Conference Centre (MCC) in Valletta and it was a dream-come-true for all makeup lovers! I went with my friend Marija and not only did we enjoying browsing and shopping (we broke our no shopping promise 2 seconds into the festival - I'm looking at you Essence & Catrice), we also attended a skincare masterclass courtesy of Dermalogica!

From the moment we set foot into the premises, we were wowed by the original and very well organised set-up. All brands had good floor space to exhibit their goodies and they were all offering discounts and gifs with purchases, if you want to see what I got, I will be sharing all that with you in a minute 😉One great initiative which was in place at the festival were the waste separation bins set up all over the premises to encourage attendees to separate waste and they even constructed a centrepiece from all the empty makeup and skin care containers they collected prior to the event, well done!

We spent some time going around the different brands, see what they had to offer, purchased what we needed, stopped for a Haagen-Dazs ice-cream (which is my favourite and I always have a tub or two of at home) and then we attended the masterclass which was absolute heaven! I really enjoyed giving myself a mini facial as I would at home using Dermalogica products and learning about their different functions and benefits along the way.

Finally, this is what I got at the event - thank you for the lovely people behind all these brands for the offers and gifts :)

Essence & Catrice - I only bought the blue eyeliner, compact powder, concealer and nail polishes
The rest of the products were free with my purchase!

Eylure & Sally Hansen were on a 25% off offer and I got a sample of Glov makeup remover cloth and this beautiful velvet clutch for free!

Pupa Milano always come up with beautiful products and limited edition. I opted to buy a metallic liquid lipstick from their winter collection and was gifted two makeup pouches

Of course I couldn't resist a 50% off selected Chanel products so I got one of the Rouge Crayons available as I am already a fan of them

I took the opportunity to discover new brands I can share with you, one of which is Institut Esthederm. I can't wait to show you their innovative approach to skin care!

From the Dermalogica masterclass, we got some product samples as well as a 10% off voucher. Score!

We had a total blast and it was the perfect girls day out. The only suggestion I want to make for a better the event next time is mostly directed at the brands rather than the organisers - some brands had really busy cash points and we know how bad most Maltese are at queuing. I think if they had two assistants at the cash, it would have been easier for everyone but then again, while we were there we didn't wait for a long time to cash our purchases :)

I'd love to see the event come to life again next year and maybe I can even shop smart and start my Christmas shopping ;)

The PINK Secret Garden at Sherries Estates

Secret gardens are what fairy tales are made of, and last Thursday I was lucky enough to be part of one - the ninth edition of the PINK Fashion Show which took place at Sherries Estates in Burmarrad. Come November, I always get excited about what I and many more like me deem to be the ultimate autumn/winter fashion show of the year locally.

Photos by Ron Kerr Imagery

I am amazed at how the team behind the Pink Fashion always surpass our expectations and manage to come up with something fresh, something new, every time, twice a year! Remember last summer's edition at Armier? You can re-live it all here. This time, the theme was 'secret garden' and where to better host such an event than a garden centre?

I drove to the newly renovated Sherries Estates in a comfy yet stylish ensemble right after work to witness the grandeur of yet another edition of the fashion show. I didn't opt for floral patterns because I wanted something different to what other guests at the event might be wearing so I wore my trusty Gianvito Rossi heels, camel trousers, white blouse with black piping details and my black leather jacket, all from Zara and accessorized with my camel Furla bag and monogrammed Burberry cashmere scarf to beat the cold and topped it with my new Ralph Lauren glasses from Optika Opticians.

I arrived just in time and found my seat next to Caroline from Diva Inside :) The models paraded down the runway wearing party wear which is ideal for the upcoming holiday season as well as elegant gowns and casual looks courtesy of the participating brands - Furla, Oltre, Rosita Silk, O’hea Opticians, Monsoon, DOR Boutique, Parfois, Marks & Spencer, Kipling, Radley, Aldo and Jennyfer. All the while tribal, of-the-moment was playing and putting everyone in a very good vibe.

Caroline & Me - photo by Caroline

 The hair and makeup deserve a mention for their own - the models' hair was styled in loose, flowing curls and braids in the form of a head chain. As for makeup, the focus was on the lips with bold, dark shades accentuating them and neutral eye makeup, all thanks to the very capable Chris Attard from Franks and his team using Guerlain makeup. Hair was styled with Screen products.

Afterwards, we joined the after-party sipping Negroni's, chatting and snapping selfies :) As always, I have really enjoyed the show and everything that was prepared for us guests, including the ever generous goodie bags thanks to the event sponsors - Pink, well done once again!

Gordon from GoRaw Photography, Ron from Ron Kerr Imagery, Caroline from Diva Inside and yours truly :)
Photo by Caroline

All photographs belong to the respective photographers - GoRaw Photography & Ron Kerr Imagery unless otherwise stated