I heard about this product many years ago, probably over 10 years ago now, but it was never available for purchase within the UK so I didn't get a chance to try it out. September 2015 I was flying with British Airways and in their shop I saw the product and just had to try it after all those years. I didn't  know what to expect from it but people had been raving about it for years so it must of been good. I've been using it every day since September and am already onto my second tub!

Egyptian magic cream is essentially a combination of different natural ingredients including, olive oil, honey, royal jelly and a few other ingredients. It is a multipurpose product with the reputation of healing skin irritations, easing acne and many other things and can be even used on men as after shave.

Within the beauty industry the product has been endorsed by many well known celebrities such as Victoria's Secret Angel Adriana Lima, Kate Hudson, Rachel Zoe, Cara Delevigne. Many many makeup artists have this product as must have in their makeup bags. 

My experience with Egyptian Magic Cream has also been a pleasant one; it certainly leaves my skin feeling nourished and moisturised in the morning as I tend to mainly slather this on my face of a night. What I love about this product is how I don't need to be cautious of it going around the eye area as it is gentle enough and if you want it could perhaps double up as an eye cream. However, I would recommend something richer as an eye cream (Kiehl's Creamy Avocado Eye Cream is my ultimate favourite). The consistency of the product is that of coconut oil, it's hard in the tub but starts to melt into an oil when is heated up between your hands. It doesn't smell too strong in the tub and there is basically no scent when its on your skin whatsoever so for those who dislike heavily scented products this would be right up your street. 

There isn't a specific skin type that would benefit from this product as everyone would; its gentle enough to be used on baby skin and effective enough to moisturise mature skin too. I have gotten my own family members to love the product; the men use it after shaving as it soothes and moisturises the skin, and with the cold weather it reduces the chances of the shaved area becoming irritated. My sister also loves the product and has stocked up on it, she uses it in similar ways to me. 

It's always good to be cautious of over hyped products however, this product is one that has had consistent positive feedback for many years and after trying the product it isn't hard to see why. I can see Egyptian Magic Cream being a staple product in my skincare routine for many years to come. Its affordable when compared to other moisturisers on the market but slightly pricier than a drugstore/high street product. It can be picked up from Boots in the UK and many online companies are also supplying it to, the average price I believe is around £30. 

If you buy just one product for this month I strongly recommend that you try this product as it works wonders on dry skin especially during this bitter english weather. The hype surrounding Egyptian Magic Cream is certainly worth it!

xo

“We follow the ways of wolves, the habits of tigers: or, rather we are worse than they. To them nature has assigned that they should be thus fed, while God has honoured us with rational speech and a sense of equity. And yet we are become worse than the wild beast.” 

― John Chrysostom

I was originally a vegetarian and this lasted for three years. I was young, in my early teens when I made the decision to switch. My parents never restricted what I consumed, that's a luxury I have always had so when they found out about my dietary switch it came as a shock to them, however, they were supportive. My reasonings for becoming a vegetarian were down to wanting to lose weight and be healthier so after a few years the motivation died down. I didn't have the knowledge or passion to do research the way I am doing so now and learning more each day. 

I ate animal products for a few years after that, but I always knew it wasn't right. I educated myself over those few years by watching documentaries and listening to public figures that promote a lifestyle without animal products. It appealed to me yet I couldn't find the strength to make that switch. Reading other posts online about becoming vegan they all advise on slowly making that transition but it didn't make sense to me how that would work. If you're not consuming meat because you don't want to harm animals how can you be consuming eggs or cheese when they inflict the same pain. 

My turning point only occurred recently, late November 2015, when I was having lunch with two girls I knew and one was vegan. I couldn't help but feeling ashamed that I was eating cheese in the presence of her whilst the other girl who was not vegan or vegetarian didn't seem phased. I knew here that I was feeling like that for a reason and if there was any time to make the switch fully it was then.

After that meal I didn't consume animal products. 

I won't be the kind of person who pushes their view onto another; whatever lifestyle that you choose to lead is great as long as you have made the conscious decision, don't allow your ignorance let you think that you know how things work in the food industry as that's something that takes a lot of research to try and get a glimpse of. Numerous times I have been asked the question of why I'm not consuming milk or eggs when that doesn't kill animals and that's when I have to go in preaching vegan mode. A change like this isn't something that can be pushed onto anyone anyway, people have to turn to it when the time is right for them. 

I know that this is a long term thing, I can't promise how long I will be vegan but my intentions are for the rest of my life. I know that I will never consume meat ever again, but I'm still working on completely removing my love for cheese. I had my slip ups with foods that sneakily contain animal products such as dairy, and I still get my chai with normal milk from the vending machine from the library, but I never claimed to be perfect. I just think of the documentaries I have watched and how the animals were treated; I am a big animal lover and love my dog so much, I wouldn't want anything to happen to him. Why should I be the reason for that kind of thing to happen to other animals? 

Think back to China's Yulin Dog (and cat) Meat Festival that caused chaos in Western society; people don't see dogs and cats as food because they are domesticated animals now, however, nothing is different between a dog and a pig, or a cat and a chicken, both deserve the right of life. There shouldn't be double standards, especially in situations like this. 

Veganism is a lifestyle which comes with other things to be considered. Being cautious of the items you purchase; furniture, clothing, footwear, accessories. In this modern day society veganism is being glamourised but it's not as easy as it's played out to be, there is a lot of mental work that comes into play. This is a ongoing process and I can see that I am learning more each day. 

Some quotes which helped me with my personal switch, I'm not saying that everyone has to do this, it's a matter of coming to the decision yourself that you feel it is right to lead this lifestyle.

xo

Hope that everyone is doing well happy new year! To those who celebrate it a belated merry christmas, may this year bring nothing but joy and health to you and your dearly beloved. My holiday period has been pretty wonderful, with the exception of stressing about uni assignments. No matter what your beliefs Muslim, Christian whatever it may be, there is nothing better than being surrounded by your family during the winter time. I was back at home for the durations of the holidays and I'm kind of disappointed that this year there was no snow so it didn't feel as festive as it did last year, but it was still wonderful none the less. 

As many people do, I have high hopes for this year. 2015 for me was a year of reflection, I tried to make right friendships that had went wrong, and still failed at doing so due to the other persons effort and participation but I find comfort in knowing i did what i could be and was a good genuine person with clean intentions. I suppose you could say this is a resolution, but I want to be kinder, I'm already a kind person but when people dislike me for no reason it upsets me and I get bitter so this year I'm trying to still give love to everyone.