My Skin And Me

Hey guys, I've decided to open up to you all and share something, that very few people, have noticed about me. Opening up and talking about my issues and insecurities, has never been something I'm fond of doing but I've realised, I have absolutely nothing to be afraid of, so what the heck, why not?

Later this month I'll be heading to Vegas, for a close friends wedding. I'm really excited, that I'll be there to witness her wedding and I'm happy, that I finally get to travel to America but one thing has been playing on my mind.

I have what you call Folliculitis, also known as strawberry skin. The effected areas are all over my legs and arms. You're probably confused and wondering what the hell is that.
Well, Folliculitis is inflammation, occurring at the hair follicle. It appears on the skin as little dark/red spots, that sometimes look like a rash, when irritated.
I cant exactly remember when I first started to notice it but I think it started when, I began to start shaving.
To be real with you, having strawberry skin has knocked my confidence, so much, that I cant even explain how paranoid I am about it.
I never show  my arms, when I'm around people because I'm paranoid, that people will look and wonder what it is. I rarely show my legs but I don't think they look as bad, so its not much of an issue.

I suffer in the summer months the most because of this, as I find it hard to buy clothes, that will allow me to keep cool but covered up.

Vegas is coming up and I've really been struggling, to find the perfect outfits and swimwear, as it's going to be scorching  hot. I've always wanted, to be able to wear nice sleeveless tops/dresses, like everyone else but I also want to be able, to feel comfortable in my own skin.
To make things worse, my bridesmaid dress is a sleeveless, one shoulder maxi. I need a boost of confidence asap!

I recently came across a product, Sally Hansen's Air brush spray for legs. Its described as makeup for your legs. You know I had to buy it!
Hopefully, I'll be enjoying myself way to much, to even care and eventually grow some confidence and not care about what other people think.

You can buy it here http://www.feelunique.com/p/Sally-Hansen-Airbrush-Legs-122g

A lot of you will probably feel like I'm over reacting (as I've been told) but we all have insecurities and different ways of dealing with them. Mine is to hide them.

I would love, to hear about any insecurities, that you guys might have had and are now over.

Dead Sea Spa Magik at the LNO show

Hey guys, just wanted to let you know about an amazing experience I had, a few weeks ago, at the Love Natural Organic show.

I was able to attend the show with a couple other lovely blogging girls, who I have recently met. To be honest, I didn't have a clue what to expect, as I wasn't told much but I knew it was some kind of event, that promotes, all things organic and natural and that was enough for me to want to go. I was also, looking forward to the hand massage, that I had been booked in for.

I arrived at Dead Sea Spa Magik and I instantly felt welcomed and comfortable, by the beautiful ladies. I had my arms and hands exfoliated, followed by a massage, using the Deep Sleep Lavender Bath Salts, 6 Oil Super Serum and the Triple Oil Shea body butter. Massages, oils and body butters are my thing, so this was right up my ally. 

From left to right- 6-Oil Super Serum, Triple Oil Shea Body Butter, Deep Sleep Lavender Bath Salts

Body Butter 

 Bath Salt

Super Serum

I literally couldn't believe how soft my skin felt and the smell of all three products, are amazing. The lavender smell, is suppose to make you feel relaxed and the smell of Shea butter is just nice lol. 

The massage was definitely the highlight of my day, I literally could have sat there for ages because I felt so relaxed. The lovely ladies, were kind enough to give me a bag, with all three products (thank you) and I have been using them constantly. I tend to use the salts and oil in my bath, then moisturise after with the body butter.

If you're a sucker for spa products, or looking for a way to help you relax, then  I would differently recommend these products, I couldn't be more satisfied with them! I will be purchasing more, as they are inexpensive but effective. I'll be keeping my eye out, on all the other products, they produce. 

You can pick up and learn more about Dead Sea Spa Magik products in Debenhams, Tesco, Holland and Barret and also John Lewis. 

The Body Shop (Tea Tree range)

Right to left- Skin Clearing Foaming Cleanser, Skin Clearing Toner & Skin Clearing Lotion.

All suitable for blemished skin.

We all have insecurities and my main one, is my blemishes. Even though I get told, I have soft smooth skin, I also have, very sensitive skin and a very oily t-zone, which I absolutely hate.

I guess I'm kind of lucky, that I don't get spots often and when I do, they are barely noticeable. My problem is scarring. No matter what I put on a spot, to help get rid of it, I always end up, with a ugly, dark circle on my face. Can you feel my pain, or am I exaggerating? 

I hate being insecure about this and I really don't want to get to the point where, I feel like I cant ever leave my house, without foundation on. Recently I've been feeling super insecure and decided to do some research, as I've never actually had a skin care regime. I previously used to, clean my makeup off, with a wet wipe, or makeup remover, wash my face with soap and cream it with Palmer's coco butter.

I'm going to try a few different things out but for now, I'm trying The Body Shop Tea Tree range, (which you can buy here) http://www.thebodyshop.co.uk/search.aspx?search=tea%20tree%20range#/search.aspx?search=tea%20tree%20range as I have read and heard amazing things about these products.
I ordered these three products online and they had a 30% or 40% off code, which I was happy about.

I love how the cleanser and toner makes my skin feel amazingly clean and dries out the excess oil. The cleanser claims that the foam instantly removes impurities and excess oil, for clearer looking skin.
I use my hands to apply the cleanser which comes out very foamy and dries into the skin. I leave it on for roughly five minutes, then wash it of,f with a cotton pad and warm water. I then apply the toner, which claims to sweep away traces of impurities for clearer looking skin and leaves skin looking mattified. with a cotton pad and also leave that on for another five minutes. You need to shake the bottle well because it has product, that sits at the bottom of the bottle and needs to be mixed well, for it to work. You feel a slight tingle when applying the product, but its not an uncomfortable feeling. In fact, I kind of like it lol.
I use the skin clearing lotion after and honestly, I'm not sure if its actually needed. I think I need to find a really good, matifying face moisturiser.
I haven't noticed any of my blemishes fading yet but I'm going to continue using these products and add a few other things to my regime, as its only been a bit longer than a month, since I started.

Are you insecure about your blemishes? Let me know what products you use to help fade them, so I can try them out. 

Sky Garden

So last month on the 18th, I turned 25. Yes I said it, 25. I regularly get told that I still look 18 but my gosh, I'm starting to feel old lol. I'm at that stage in life, where I feel a bit of pressure, to get my life completely together. I think it's really bad that we put a time on everything.

Anyway the evening before my actual birthday, me and my partner visited the Sky Garden. You can book your visit online here sky garden Tickets are currently free but I have a feeling that they wont always be, after all, this is London. We arrived at 7:30pm and went through a airport type security check, then took the lift up to the 53rd floor. As you step out of the lift, you are faced with a massive window, with the views across London. The gardens are on both sides of the rooftop, with a bar serving drinks and bar food in the centre. They also have the sky pod, where you can eat but you have to book well in advance, as it gets booked up really quick.
The Sky Garden has a cosmopolitan atmosphere but felt really relaxed when we sat down, to drink our cocktails. The view and architecture here is amazing and my pictures really doesn't give it justice.

If you're a sucker for a nice view, like me and enjoy cocktails, then make sure you book your trip, whilst it's still free. I've just booked my second visit and I'll be taking more/better pictures.

Makeup 3 for 2

I was walking past a Superdrug store, about two or three weeks ago and I couldn't resist walking in, when I saw that they had the three for two offer, on all makeup products (boots also does this offer).
I know I'm not the only one that can't wait to get home, to test out your new makeup lol.

This is what I ended up buying.

Yes I know I'm late on buying the Maybeline gel eyeliner, but I finally have it.
I instantly fell in love with it. Girls this is a must have product, I wish I had purchased it sooner. It comes with a two end applicator which is great, if you're like me and don't have a lot of makeup brushes. (I have my eyes on the Zoeva brush sets). One end of the applicator is to define and the other end is to smudge, which helps to create the perfect liner or wing. This gel glides on smoothly and you only need to add the tiniest amount to the brush. The colour is super black and claims to last up to 24 hours. Loving it.
You can find this product here; http://www.superdrug.com/Maybelline/Maybelline-Eye-Studio-Gel-Liner-Black/p/249975

Ladies, if you have short eye lashes like me, this L'oreal volume million lashes in black mascara is for us. I hate how short my lashes are, so I always look for mascara's that will add major length, without them clumping together. I have tried other mascara's but I'm yet to find any that compares to this one. It gives me so much length and I've been asked a few times, what product I use because people have noticed how clump free it is. This is a repurchase and I'll continue to buy it until I find something that is better or compares. You can find this product here; http://www.superdrug.com/L%27Oreal-Paris/L%27Oreal-Volume-Million-Lashes-Mascara-Black/p/207102

My final product is the Revlon colour stay foundation which is also a repurchase. I've been using the Mac studio fix foundation for some years and a few months ago I decided, I wanted to try something different. After doing loads of research on drug store brands, this foundation seemed very popular. I wanted a foundation that works well for oily skin, as I have a very oily T-zone. I was happy when I found out that this foundation, caters to people with oily skin and they also have one that caters to people with normal skin. How great is that? One thing that is not so great about this, is that they do not cater to a wide range of skin complexions. I was lucky enough to pick this up in the shade caramel, which is the darkest colour I have come across. It's a medium to full coverage but it doesn't feel heavy on the face once applied. I still get a bit of shine through out the day but I touch it up with a bit of powder.

You can find this product here; http://www.superdrug.com/search?text=revlon+colorstay+foundation

I really need to buy a good primer.

I've heard really great things about the Estee L'audore double wear foundation, so I think I'll give that a try next.

If you know of any great products for oily skin, please let me know.

State of mind

Hmm where do I even start...?
My state of mind, has been all over the place recently. I think it's because I want so much for myself and I get annoyed when, things don't work out, or take really long to progress. I can be really hard on myself at times but I keep trying to remind myself that, the changes I want to make in my life, are not going to happen over night.
I have recently been looking back, over the past 7-8 years of my life (when I was first diagnosed with depression) and I feel proud about how far I've come. The past 8 years have been a roller-coaster but today I can say, I am the strongest I have been in a while. Although I am still going through depression and I am still on medication, I feel like I am slowly becoming me again.

These books were given to me

Here is my issue... Recently I've been struggling with motivation. Some days I can be completely buzzing about life, full of energy, feeling positive and wanting to get everything done and the following day, I'll wake up and become extremely demotivated, feeling negative and not wanting to do a dam thing.
I really dislike feeling like this.
My next step is to find a way of dealing with it, instead of letting it defeat me. I feel like people judge me and tend to think I'm lazy, which I hate. I guess its hard for some people, to understand what I'm currently going through.
I plan on trying to stay motivated and I really want to start blogging often.

Stay motivated and have a great week guys xx

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