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Reset The New Year In Style

For most people January is a much needed time of year to detox and reset. With December notoriously known as the most unhealthy month of the year, due to the endless parade of Christmas parties, endless amounts of mince pies consumed and the alcohol-fuelled compulsory events such as New Year’s Eve.

As we’re heading into the middle of the month, we want to make sure you’re on track to hit your Dry January goals. Only a few weeks left!

Dry January

With each year gaining more and more traction, Dry January has become a staple in the calendar for millions of people. An estimated 4.2million participated in the month-long sobriety challenge last year with even more expected to take part this year. Gone are the days when it was perceived that only problem drinkers had to take an abstinence from alcohol, with the majority agreeing that the effects of alcohol impact their life to some extent.

Effects

Going cold turkey from alcohol will bring about many positive changes, some of which you may not have suspected!

Better skin

Alcohol has been proven to break down the collagen within the skin, meaning that consuming alcohol on a regular basis speeds up the ageing process. It also means you’re more likely to breakouts and the skin looking dull and tired. We bet we’re not the only one who’ve woke up the morning after  a big night and wondered why we look so terrible! The good news is that taking a break from alcohol will help reverse some of that ageing you have experienced. On top of your skin improving, your eyes will look more bright and alert. What’s there to lose?

Improved sleep

Many people have a night time tipple to help them get to sleep, but what you may not know is that drinking actually means you have a worse quality of sleep. Drinking results in a lower level of REM sleep, which is the deepest, most quality type of sleep. Hitting that dram of whisky or that glass of Merlot on the head will see you sleeping for longer at a higher quality.

Increased mood

Linked to the last point, increasing your sleep will directly increased your mood. You’ll find that you’ll be positive more of the time and have heaps of energy to do everything you did previously plus extra. You’ll realise how many hours there are in a day, rather than writing off one day a week with a hangover. It’s also important to note that alcohol is in fact a depressant so in the long term alcohol will negatively impact your mental health. After a month without alcohol, you’ll notice how much happier you are.

More money

The BBC recently published a study which showed that 55% of British people go out at least once a week for a night out, with the highest segment being the 18-30 year olds at 73%. The average night out costs £70.56 the BBC found. Over the course of a month, this means that you could potentially save over £282. This is assuming that you only go out one night a week, and doesn’t take into account the bottle of wine you had after a tough Thursday at the office.  Who wouldn’t want to have more money!?

Lose weight

Some alcohol contains a lot more calories than you may expect. A pint of Peroni contains 235 calories and that frozen Margarita you love can contain up to 400 calories. We often don’t take calories from alcohol into account within our diet, but if you’re having one heavy night a week, you could be easily consuming an additional day’s worth of calories. If you’d like to consume less calories whilst drinking, we’d opt for a slimline G&T at 64 calories or a vodka and soda at 60 calories.

Healthier eating

To speed up your weight loss and not just rely on losing those empty calories you previously consumed from alcohol, shape up your diet and watch what you’re putting in your mouth. Myfitnesspal is a great tool to monitor your food intake, and allows you to see which food group and nutrients you need to increase of a balanced diet.

Need a healthy breakfast alternative to a sausage sandwich? We’d recommend this tasty porridge which comes in a variety of flavours from Red Berry & Pumpkin to Strawberry & Peanut butter. To add extra flavour and texture, throw in some Munchy Seeds to have a healthy and filling start to the day, that will see you right through to lunch.

Alcohol alternatives

If you find yourself at a bar and don’t want to have a sign above your head saying “I’m doing dry January” by ordering a J20, then find below our best picks of non-alcoholic drinks:

Tips & Tricks

Here’s some tips to help you stay off the booze for what can seem like a very long month:

  • Remember why you’re doing dry January – if it’s for health reasons then think about how much healthier you’ll be at the end of the month.
  • Try to do Dry January with a friend so you can support each other and create sober plans.
  • Take up a new hobby to occupy your time e.g. writing, going to the gym, learn a new instrument etc.
  • Tell as many people as possible you’re going sober so people won’t tempt you with alcohol-fuelled plans.
  • Try some of the tasty no alcohol versions of drinks.

Support

There’s a lot of resources out there to help you through Dry January. We’ve listed below some of our favourites:

  • Club Soda is an online community dedicated to mindful drinking. Whether you want to never drink again, or just be moderate with your drinking, this community will help support you through your goals.
  • The Unexpected Joy of being Sober by Catherine Gray is a hilarious, eye-opening experience of one-woman’s plight to go sober. The book combines personal experience with useful tips on how to go sober(audio version also available).
  • Dry January app helps you track how many drinks you’ve skipped and how much you’ve money you’ve saved since the start of the month!

If you think you may have a serious problem with alcohol, then please consult your GP and the AA. You can find more information here: https://www.alcoholics-anonymous.org.uk/

Top Photo: Courtesy of Bibo Ergo Sum

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Upscale Your Skincare Regime With Omorovicza


Gone are the days when men would feel restricted to the two moisturisers in  the “Men’s” section on the shelf. More and more men are realising the importance of caring for their skin and are actively seeking products to cater to their skin’s needs. After all, we all have our own issues with our skin and a one-for-all approach isn’t going to do the trick. Men are predicted to spend £49billion this year on grooming and beauty, which has increased four-fold since 2015, proving the size of the market. (source)

Today we’re going to look over the luxury Hungarian-based skincare brand Omorovicza (pronounced O-MOR-O-VEET-SA). This article will be perfect for those of you who are looking to upscale your skincare regime but not sure if the bang is worth the buck.

Brand overview

Omorovicza was founded in 2006 by married couple Stephen and Margaret Stephen de Heinrich de Omorovicza. The founding was inspired when Stephen took Margaret to the thermal bath his family built in the 1800’s. During this trip they realised the full potential of the healing properties of the water due to the unique mix of minerals. The healing waters are the basis of the brand and no synthetic or harmful products are used in any of the products e.g. parabens, glycols. This makes it a perfect choice for those who have reacted to aggressive products previously (myself included!).

The brand is now stocked in hundreds of stores and spas across the globe and is a firm fixture within the luxury skincare market.

Products

I’ve been using the below products but do look over the full site to see what will work best for your skin-type. During lockdown they are also offering a 40 minute video skin consultation to advise you on what will work best for you. The consultation costs £50 but you will receive a £50 voucher after the consultation to spend on-site. If you were always put off by the idea of going to a consultation in-person, you now have no excuse by being able to do it from home.

Cleansing Foam

£52 RRP. Buy here.

Let’s admit it, we can all be lazy when it comes to cleansing. And if you are cleansing at the moment, you could be using a product that is doing more damage to your skin than good.

The Cleansing Foam from Omorovicza contains no nasty ingredients and doesn’t leave you with that dried-out feeling that some cleansers can. The product is very lightly scented, making it accessible to fragrance lovers as well as non-fragrance lovers.

I have very dry skin which only worsens with things like stress and city living. I’ve found this product to be the perfect balance of removing impurities whilst allowing the skin to hold onto the current moisture level, leaving me feeling refreshed. You can see why this is one of their best-selling products.

Apply the foam onto a damp face morning or evening and then rinse thoroughly.

Reviving Eye Cream

£82 RRP. Buy here.

It only takes a few late nights for dark circles to worsen and to become the main focus on your face (or at least to you in the mirror). That night out with your pals was definitely worth it, but you’re finding that your eyes aren’t bouncing back as they did in the past. Lots of men are seeing the same thing and becoming more self-conscious of their dark circles, with brands now creating concealers targeted at men and to instantly disguise the results of those late nights.

Whether you wear concealer or not, the best course of action is to integrate an eye serum into your routine to reduce the puffiness and dark circles.

The Reviving Eye Cream achieves just that. Putting a little bit on in the morning makes your eyes look more radiant and makes your eyes the main focus rather than the dark circles. Any puffiness disappears and the light scent of cucumber gives you instant gratification of feeling refreshed.

Reviews on the Omorovicza site speak volumes, with one reviewer claiming  that the eye serum allowed them to banish their dark circles in just 3 weeks. I have found that my dark circles have reduced drastically and my eyes have “popped”.

If you’ve reacted awfully to eye creams in the past, or just conscious of your eye-area, I highly recommend eye serum this to allow you to achieve amazing results whilst being soft on the skin.

Illuminating moisturiser

£87 RRP. Buy here.

Moisturising is widely accepted as an imperative part of any man’s routine.

This moisturiser is a stand-out on the market for a number of reasons. The unique formulation using ruby crystals enhances the complexion by blurring the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, meaning that your skin will appear younger and flawless. The product is very light and easily absorbs into the skin. Compared to many other cheaper moisturisers, this won’t leave you feeling greasy and means you can go on with your day without making you feel like you need a wash.

This moisturiser is designed to work for skin types from dry to normal. None of the ingredients in the moisturiser will make your skin flare up and will bounce light off your face in the “illuminating” manner that is intended.

From using the product personally I’ve found that my skin looks brighter and my previously dry skin is now bursting with hydration. I haven’t used a moisturiser before that packs as much of a punch and can instantly transform the appearance of the skin. If your 30+, the ruby crystals will aid you in turning back the clock.

Queen of Hungary Mist

£55 RRP. Buy here.

The final product we’ll be looking at is their famous face mist. This product has been talked about a lot in the female-influencer landscape but less so in the men’s-sphere.

Face mist may be unfamiliar to some of you in general, but the key goal is to provide you with an instant refresh at any point in the day. If you’re living in the city, you’ll know the feeling of your skin feeling groggy after your morning commute, or going to that meeting feeling not your usual vibrant self. It’s especially great for those summer months where the high temperature and humidity steals moisture from your skin.

A few spritz of this will give your skin a lasting glow and give you that immediate rejuvenated feeling that you’re missing. The neroli and rose scent is very soft and disappears soon after use, so you don’t have to worry about anyone asking you what your cologne is.

I’ve been using this after my morning routine and at a few points during the day, just to give my skin the boost it needs.

Overall

Omorovicza is a fantastic brand if you want to start caring for your skin more. The no-nasty-ingredients approach means your skin will be well looked after by the healing waters of the Budapest-based thermal bath.

Whether you’re looking for age defiance, an injection of hydration into your skin or your skin to look flawless, the brand’s formulations are tried and tested at improving both the appearance and feel of the skin. Compared to cheaper brands, the quality and effectiveness of the products are head and shoulders above the rest and you will instantly see an improvement.

Now is a good time to explore the brand with the “free” video consultation, and delivery times have remained at 2 business days despite the lockdown.

Shop the full range at Omorovicza.com.

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Back Of Beyond Festival

With festival season now in full swing, and millions flocking to see their favourite artists whilst pitched up in a confined tent, abandoning their usual hygiene habits and feeling cramped among the masses; we were kindly invited to try out a smaller, more different style of festival; Back of Beyond

Having only started in 2018, and only this year extending the festival to two days rather than one, the festival has already successfully carved its space within the British festival scene after recently being nominated as “Festival of the Future”. Focusing on Dance, EDM, House and Techno, this festival is on track to rival the best.

The festival itself is based in the picturesque Hertfordshire countryside with views of the sprawling hills and towering trees  taking up a full 360°perspective. This is the perfect excuse to escape the big city. Getting to the festival couldn’t be an easier commute with trains from London running into lots of nearby stations into such as Hertford and Ware.

Unlike other smaller festivals who struggle to attract big name talent, Back of Beyond definitely did not have this problem. Renowned DJ Goldie graced the decks on Friday night and Radio One’s Dance Anthem king Danny Howard headlined on the Saturday night. Both performed a substantial 1.5 hour set and showed exactly how to get the crowd going. Aside from the two top names, lots of other recognisable artists graced the main stage including Sam Divine, Nightmares on Wax and Crazy P. 

The main pyramid stage was only one of the stages though, with seven other stages dotted around the site including a UV stage, a “Hay Days” stage and even a secret stage within a truck. If you’re lucky enough to go VIP, then there is a separate stage also within this area. There was a lot going on across the site and you could be sure to always find music that you liked. 

With ticket options varying from day passes to weekend passes you can take in as much of the action for however long you want. We’d recommend paying the extra and going VIP as you gain access to the VIP area which has not only its own stage, but also hammocks to relax in and quite possibly the best toilets we’ve ever seen at a festival.

Food-wise, the festival had 5-6 establishments that all serve top-quality food. From pizzas to Thai, burgers to crepes, you are spoilt for choice and can overindulge with the pricing being lower than the typical big festival.

Overall, if you’re looking for a smaller festival with top-name artists, picturesque surroundings and lots of different stages with quality DJ’s, then we highly recommend you checking out Back of Beyond for summer 2020. 

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boohooMAN: It’s Summer Season

Featuring heavily on our blog over the past year, boohooMAN are easily one of our favourite brands out there at the moment. With the affordable price tags and dedication to serving the most cutting edge menswear, it’s pretty easy to see why we can’t stop talking about them. Remember to enter our exclusive boohooMAN competition here.

SS19

boohooMAN have dropped their Spring Summer 19 range and it covers everything you need to keep you looking on trend this season. Whether you’re jetting off to a sunnier climate, heading out on a big night out or seeing your favourite bands at a festival, boohooMAN have every style and occasion covered. Here’s the standout collections from the brand right now.

Festival

Glastonbury, Wireless, Creamfields…the list goes on and on of all the amazing festivals to attend in the UK this summer. With festivals being one of the main times of year to show off those styles you wouldn’t usually dare to, boohooMAN have encapsulated perfectly the fun elements of the festival season.

Through a collaboration with the confectionary brand Swizzles, who produce all of your favourite childhood sweets like Love Hearts, Parma Violets and Refreshers to name a few, boohooMAN have released a unique collection that  is sure to make you stand out among the masses.

The range casts nostalgia using the Swizzles brand logos that you know and love, and brings to life the clothes in the most appropriate throwback colours.

Shop Festival here.

Quavo

The rap legend that is Quavo has teamed up with boohooMAN for an exclusive 200 piece collection. Focused around the appropriate theme of urban streetwear, the collaboration takes us through a full wardrobe from velour sets, tie dye denim and even onto accessories. Quavo leaves his unique style on every piece within the range.

Shop the Quavo collection here

Activewear

In January the brand launched their first ever activewear range. Pieces vary from tracksuits, t-shirts to hoodies, all in a sophisticated monochrome colour palette, with a cool blue bringing a splash of colour to the range. As the designs are fully technical, there’s no excuse to not be hitting the gym to gain that summer body.

Shop the activewear range.

Pride

With international pride month happening right now, this couldn’t be a more appropriate range to talk about. This is the third year boohooMAN have released a specific pride collection and this range tops all previous.

The “Love Without Limits” range encompases over 100 gender neutral pieces. Celebrating all sectors of the LGTBQ+ community, the collection covers those who want to make a bold statement as well as those looking for a more subtle approach.

Most importantly. 10% of all profits from the range will be donated to the LGBT Foundation and OutRight Action International.

Shop the Love Without Limits range.

Co-ords

Storming the season this summer as well, co-ords are back with a bang. boohooMAN have got the market covered with styles ranging from animal prints, stripes, logo and even floral.

Shop Co-ords

ABODE

The brand has just started a 12 month collaboration with one of the leading global event brands, ABODE. The partnership will see the online retailer as the lead sponsor for all ABODE events. boohooMAN have also launched the below exclusive capsule collection in line with the collaboration which is definitely worth checking out.

Shop boohooMAN x ABODE collection.

Tell us what you’re loving from boohooMAN this summer in the comments or over on our Instagram.

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The Best Swim Shorts Of The High Street

For over 100 years swimwear has dominated the fashion landscape throughout the summer months.

Swimwear is important as it takes you through a mountain of memories in your lifetime; from riding the waves, to wild swimming in a deserted lake, to hitting the hotel pool on the first day of your holiday. It’s important to make sure that the swimwear you choose both suits the situation and makes you feel confident and feeling your best. After all you want to make the best memories possible.

Men have a whole host of different swimwear options for consideration, from small briefs, to the slightly more giving trunks, to the everyman’s board shorts. With swim shorts being the most universal choice from both a suits-most-situations perspective and holding the highest preference among men, this article will be entirely focused around this classic cut.

The StyePilot team have handpicked the best swim shorts on the high street this Spring/Summer so you don’t have to go out hunting. Let us know which pair is your favourite in the comments section or on Instagram.

Thanks to our friends over at Hatherley Manor Spa for allowing us to shoot there.

Palm Tree Print Mid Length Swim Short by boohooMAN

£10.50 (usually £14 RRP). Shop at www.boohooman.com

Take the Mediterranean with you wherever you go this summer with these palm tree shorts. The dark purple base overlayed with green palm tree print means that you’re guaranteed to make a lasting impression wherever you are. The length of the shorts come comfortably above the knee, with the fabric feeling premium creating a fit that will compliment most men. Pair with a plain white tee to draw attention to the palm tree print.

Echo Racer Swim Shorts by Superdry

£29.99 RRP. Shop at www.superdry.com

These shorts are instantly recognisable as Superdry and will definitely make a statement when you rock up at the beach. The dark navy panels meshed with light blue and pink panels make a fantastic colour-block combination for this season. You’ll be very thankful for the quick dry technology when you forget to pack the towel. The shorts also come in a variety of other prints including all-over ice lolly and a palm tree pattern which are both great for when you’re heading off to brighter shores.

Sustainable Quick Dry Swim Shorts by Marks & spencer

£10 RRP. Shop at www.marksandspencer.com

These classic look swim shorts pack in a lot of features. Made from 100% recycled materials; you don’t have to feel guilty about splashing out on another pair of swim shorts this summer. If you’re planning on hitting a pool these shorts are perfect for you thanks to the chlorine resistant technology which keeps them looking and feeling in top-notch condition. Other useful features include quick dry technology as well as UPF protection against harmful rays.

Stripe Swim Short in Mid Length by boohooMAN

£11.20 (usually £14 RRP). Shop at www.boohooman.com

Every man can rock this pair of swim shorts. The classic vertical stripes in navy and white gesture towards the timeless nautical theme making these the ideal staple piece for the beach, dock or poolside. You can be sure that they will see you through the next few Spring/Summer seasons. Pair with a similar vertical striped shirt to turn up the volume.

Bardo 80’s Swim Shorts by Fila and only at Urban Outfitters

£35 RRP. Shop at www.urbanoutfitters.com

Exclusive to Urban Outfitters, these Fila 80’s colour block shorts bring a retro addition to your summer swimwear wardrobe. The bright blue, yellow, red and white collide together flawlessly creating an explosion of boldness. Every angle offers a different colour. The Fila branding guarantees a high level of quality in terms of both style and material.

Runner Swim Shorts by boohooMAN

£9.60 (usually £12 RRP). Shop at www.boohooman.com

This classic cut nods gently to the 80’s whilst remaining contemporary to today’s market. The white piping detail along the sides and bottom compliments the pale pink to create a subtle yet stylish piece. Style with a grey t-shirt to fully enhance the pink. Other colour options include a deep pink as well as pale blue.

Pink Tiger Print Swim Shorts by Topman

£18 RRP. Shop at www.topman.com

The oriental-style tiger print brings something unique to the high street selection of swim shorts this season. The intricate details mean your eyes keep picking out new elements each time you wear them.

Beach Volley Swim Shorts by Superdry

£29.99 RRP. Shopt at www.superdry.com

Simple can be king. Completely different to the prior pair of Superdry, these shorts come in one all over colour. Still following the theme of standing out; the neon lime green colour is electric and one of our favourites this season. The shorts come complete with zipper back pocket which will be a lifesaver this summer. If you’re not brave enough to choose this shade yourself the product also comes in a colour scheme from black all the way through to pink.

STYLING TIPS

With so many different styling options out there it can be overwhelming to decide what’s going to look best with your shorts. Here’s our quick styling tips to make sure you’re on trend:

  • Sliders. The hottest footwear trend from the past two years has hit the market again this season. Sliders are great to wear around the pool or on the beach and will instantly up your fashion game. Try the Tommy Hilfiger sliders we featured in our shoot.
  • Shirt. Let your shorts do the talking. Marry a plain short sleeved shirt, and style it with the buttons all open for a retro California throwback. If you aren’t confident enough to bare your torso, then a simple short sleeve tee will also work the same.
  • Accessories. If you want to style the look further so you’re not limited to just sticking to the beach or pool, finish the look off with a classic hat like this from John Lewis. Be warned that hats will only work with a classic swimwear look (think plain shorts and simple sliders).

Hatherley Manor Spa

Thanks again to the team at Hatherley Manor Spa for allowing us to shoot at their luxury Cotswolds based hideaway. If you’re looking to get away from the big city, check out the great packages that are available to detox, relax and unwind throughout the summer.