null

There are times in life when we all need a little helping hand, especially when it comes to getting a little extra facial glow. That means a foundation formula that’s jam-packed with light-reflecting illuminators that capture and cast fresh light as if it shimmers from inside. Shine on sisters!

Detoxing, not only is it the last word in diets, it’s also the summer smoothie word on everyone’s lips. Especially now there are so many different juice fast options to choose from. And while detoxes are designed to lighten the load on your digestive system, the question remains, is a juice-only diet worth the effort? The answer? Yes, but not for extended periods of time. That’s because the body is in fact already very efficient in eliminating toxins from the body. Instead, why not embark on a one-day 100% juice cleanse once a month or every 15 days? Go for a Monday, for example, to help the body recover from a weekend of excess. Or, twice a year go for a five-day cure as a seasonal health reboot. Whatever you do, just be sure to avoid the sugar trap and avoid juices that are overly packed with fruit, after all when stripped of its fibre, as is the case in juice, fruit can spike glycemic levels. Instead, blend plenty of vegetables along with a little fruit and vegetable protein and you’ll stay satiated as you detox your way to health.

On the hunt for a few new ways to hit refresh on your health, fitness and wellness? Well, take a deep breath because we’ve struck upon a super-effective, all-natural method which also happens to cost nothing! We’re talking breathing exercises here. In fact, five minutes a day is all you need to catch your breath and exhale your way to great results. Time to give these three exercises a try.

Cardiac Coherence Breathing
To begin, breathe in, rounding the belly as you go. Then, breathe out emptying it. Try to take the same amount of time breathing in as you do breathing out. Gradually, the heart, which often races when under stress, will calm and the pulse will slow, allowing you to feel all the more relaxed and at ease. To find the proper heart rate and breathing balance, give a handy app a try. Options like RespiRelax, CardioZen or Heart Rate + can all make five minutes of exercises three times a day a breeze.

Kapalabhati
Best done first thing in the morning, this powerful breathing technique is perfect for switching on, giving your day a killer kick-start and giving your body a germ-busting detox. While we frequently breathe through the nose, Kapalabhati uses the belly to guide breathing, using it to pull in each breath over the course of a minute. Think stomach massage and breathing technique all rolled into one.

Alternating Breathing
Want better balance? This technique harmonises the left and the right sides of the brain to forge equilibrium. To begin, hold your right nostril shut with the thumb and breathe in through the left. Then, hold the left nostril down with the ring finger and exhale through the right. Next, breathe in through the right nostril, hold your finger over it and breathe out through the left. Repeat for at least a minute.

A fun page-turner
From the author of the Devil Wears Prada comes The Singles Game and a glimpse into the cut-throat world of tennis, filled with many of the same sacrifices and squabbles of the fashion game.

A practical read
The Joy of Leaving your Sh*t All Over the Place by Jennifer McCartney picks up where Marie Kondo’s The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up leaves off to extol the creative benefits of a little mess and mayhem – all making for a fun and refreshing read.

An inspirational
In Happiness: A Philosopher’s Guide, Fréderic Lenoir offers up an inspirational meditation on happiness that’s sure to spur you to make a few changes in life.

Think your apartment’s stylishly on trend? If you don’t have any plants, then think again. For proof, just log on to Pinterest for a glimpse of the latest green wave that’s taken the interiors world by storm. To breathe fresh life into your interior, there are even a few varieties that can purify the air that’s filled with chemical pollutants – from furniture, carpets and household cleaners. So much so in fact that some plants can clean up to 10m2. We round up a few of the gorgeously green best.

Spider Plant
As demonstrated by NASA research, its long leaves eliminate carbon monoxide and formaldehyde.

Ivy
This king of household plants can eliminate up to 90% of benzene and plastics in the atmosphere.

Philodendron
This plant’s huge leaves capture formaldehyde and pentachlorophenol, a chemical that can be found in wood. Plus, it humidifies the air.

Anthurium
This stunning oval-leafed plant has been shown by NASA to absorb ammonia.

Areca Palm
This pretty little palm can put a stop to formaldehyde, xylene and toluene chemicals.

It’s the latest trend to hit Instagram that’s got us going mad for ceramics. We’re talking about ceramic design’s new guard of hip, visionary and fashion-forward ceramicists of course. Dragging what was once seen as a dated craft into a new era, they’re all part of a renewed interest in craft and artistry that has got us all reaching for lasting objects with a sense of time and place.

And not just that, in this fast-paced era of online ephemerality, pottery has become the hottest thing in relaxation as well. Because, just like gardening, there’s nothing like it for slowing down, getting the hands dirty, chasing away some stress and emptying the mind.

Some even see it as a form of meditation. Classes are popping up everywhere, so why not give it a try?