Product Review : PDC Liftarna Masks

Adorable Snoopy marketing aside, anything that promises to minimise pores immediately gets my attention!

This was the second of two packs of Liftarna masks I'd picked up while in Japan. The first pack was their Deep Cleanse Mask.

Both pack contain 7 masks which I think you're supposed to use in a week but the package just says to use within 30 days of opening. The first pack I used over a couple of weeks.

The Snoopy ones I used over about 3 and a half weeks, with a couple of other sheet masks in between, along with a long haul flight!

I feel like they actually do minimise pores a bit, especially on my nose but the masks also seem to draw out little spots on my chin.

They feel a bit tingly on and instructions say to only leave on for 5 to 10 minutes which feels quite long when the tingly feeling translates to a slight stinging around the eyes.

Which brings me to my main problem with Lifterna masks. The fit. Mainly around the eyes. The length above the nose was nowhere near enough for the mask to sit flat between the eyes and the eye holes were too small and too close together, meaning the mask sat awkwardly over the corners of my eyes. I did like that they were quite long in the forehead though.

Although the picture on the front implied the deep cleanse masks would sit snugly around my nose (for maximum impurity drawing action) they didn't.. no matter how much pressing down around my nose, the mask never sat snug against my nose!

Overall I wasn't hugely impressed with either pack of masks and wouldn't buy them again. I think I'd stick with clay masks for cleansing and there's just so many other sheet mask options out there than to suffer through a bad fit.

Not to say the masks can't be a perfect fit for someone's​ face, just not mine!

Om Yoga Show, Glasgow 2017

This is the second year I've attended Om Yoga Show in Glasgow. Both times I've had the company of Rachael from Panda Yoga Edinburgh, who has been gracious enough to offer a lift to the SECC. Saving me from schlepping it across on public transport.

Last year we'd each booked workshops but we weren't as organised this year and decided to just join free classes that took our fancy once we arrived.

We attended 'Functional Fascial Approaches for Movement Therapists with Ruth Duncan' which we both struggled with as we each have restrictions of movement due to injury. It's always difficult when there is a big group involved for hands on therapy workshops.

 

There was a lack of eating options which was a shame. There wasn't a lot last year and seemed even less this year.

After a wander around and a quick break for lunch we attended 'Freedom for Feet! With Mark Russell' which we both really enjoyed as we both like a good foot workout; Rachael especially!

 

We noticed there were fewer Glasgow Yoga Studios (almost none!) at the show this year and a lot more people offering Teacher Training programmes and yoga retreats.

Both of us have been curious about the blow up Hotpod Yoga hot yoga dome but without somewhere to shower and change, having to spend at least an hour in sweaty kit to get back to Edinburgh isn't so appealing.

Kitty treats for Rachael for driving. She loves Pandas & Kitty in equal measure...

We'd planned to pick up Yogi Tea on our way out to save us having to carry it around but they were pretty much sold out by the time we made our way back around, so word to the wise, buy Yogi Tea on arrival if you want to make the most of their show deal!

The show felt much more busy last year when we went on the Saturday than Sunday when we went this year.

There were a few monthly subscription boxes on offer as well, some containing trinkets and some containing vegan or veggie snacks.

This year seemed to have more massage options as well, most of whom were offering 15 minutes for around £10.

We loved visiting all the chocolate stalls for tasters and picked up a few treats along the way. We also each got a henna tattoo from the Henna Den.

Neither of us have picked up any clothing, though there were plenty of stalls to choose from. Lululemon were there, although with no discounts or show prices, it seemed pointless to buy something in Glasgow that we could get from the store in Edinburgh. I got some grippy toe sox to try at the show last year and picked up a few more pairs this year as I love them.

I'd love to check out the show in Mancheter or London as comparison, as I feel the show in Glasgow is just a little lacklustre. Other yogi friends who went along all felt similar, it's a show you'd spend a morning or afternoon at rather than attend for an entire day. Which is just that little added effort if you're travelling an hour to get there.

I was a guest of the Yoga Show this year and they were also kind enough to give me tickets to give away! Thanks Om Yoga Show!

Yin & Gin!

It was bound to happen.. combining two major loves of my life and helpfully, they even rhyme! 😂

I finished my Yoga Teacher Training, focusing on Yin Yoga... so what better than to mix it up with some Gin tasting?!

The lovely Rachael from Panda Yoga Edinburgh, who has been a driving force behind me finally doing my YTT and getting me started on the road to teaching, was once again the motivation to make Yin & Gin a reality. (It helps that we did our YTT together and she also loves gin!)

I reached out to Solid Liquids (they're the people behind Juniper Festival in Edinburgh and Glasgow) to ask if they might know someone I could approach to help with some gin tasting notes and they offered to work with us and host the gin tastings! Never one to turn down help from experts in the field, I jumped at the opportunity.

So on a slightly grey chilly evening at the end of March, a group of gin loving yogis got together for an hour of chillaxin' yin.
Followed by 45 mins of gin tasting with Jamie from Solid Liquids.. We even managed to make a non-gin lover admit she liked the gin!

Our inaugural event was such a hit, we've decided to hold these classes monthly and hope to expand to other spirit tastings in future. We know not everyone​ shares our love of gin! (Though we think gin is like whisky.. there's so many out there, there's bound to be one you like.. You just need to try more gin! 😃)

You can find my yogi antics on Instagram under @yogawithcaz. I'll hopefully get some regular classes up and running once I'm back in Edinburgh, keep an eye on IG for updates!
Solid Liquids also hold Juniper Cruises, Beer Union Cruises and Whisky & Cheese cruises along the Union Canal. I've yet to check out the Whisky & Cheese cruise but have had two fantastic days out on the Juniper and Beer Union Cruises!

Read about my day out on Juniper Cruise here.