The Wardrobe Clinic: bblogger

Manuka Doctor - CC Cream SPF 20

07:30:00

Manuka Doctor is a brand that has been on my radar for about 2 years or so now, I first tried their Bee Venom mask way back in 2013 (definitely check that one out if you can) and really liked it. Originally from New Zealand, the Manuka Doctor brand is built upon Manuka Honey, and uses the highest performing ingredients gathered from the bee hive. The all natural products contain no parabens or SLS making them ideal for those of us with sensitive skin.

A brand, which is primarily directed at women it claims to put "women’s needs and concerns at the core of everything it does".

So with such strong foundations, a brand created for women, I thought I would give this a go, as I've been on the hunt for a lighter coverage.

The CC cream is part of their apirefine range, which claims to be perfect for high definition.

One pump actually delivers quite a lot of product, if you ask me.

This CC cream is designed enhance radiance, whilst colour correcting, I did find it slightly on the sheer side for me, after the colour which came out seemed very promising.

The texture was light and creamy and it glided on to the skin and did offer an even sheen to skin, whilst I wasn't I wasn't overly keen on the final result, it didn't mask my redness as much as I wanted, It is overall a lovely product. Perfect for day to day, or if you naturally have great skin and just want something to balance and ad a touch of coverage.

Below is the swatch when blended into the skin.

I can say that it does leave a lovely sheen to the skin, and is a perfect base for foundation, if you want to appear slightly more dewy, without having to crack the highlighter out. I'm not sure about the claim to reduce wrinkles, this would need to be tested over time to confirm.

I would recommend this for fair - light/medium skin tones, It doesn't actually say which colour it is on the box, or tube, so I'm assuming that it is a one size fits all product.

You can find the Manuka Doctor CC Cream here, for £19.99, and if you join the Manuka Doctor rewards program, you get a £1.90 credit back with this purchase.

Have you tried this? What did you think?

X TWC

bblogger

Perricone MD - Blue Plasma

07:30:00

Perricone MD Blue Plasma is a product which has been raved about for a while,

I've wanted to try this for ages, and it found it's way mysteriously onto my skincare shelf over Christmas after much deliberation and whilst my skin was so bad, I didn't want to try it, because I felt like it wouldn't be a true representation of the product, So I waited. I waited until I'd been on the Doxycycline for a bit and the skin had started to show signs of improvement.

Designed to slough away dead skin cells, unclogging pores and purifying the skin, whilst rehydrating and rebalancing the skin, I thought this was exactly what was needed, and whilst I had my Doxy, if it was going to flare up the Rosacea, I would be able to do some damage control.

This is the first Perricone MD product I've tried, and loved. Whilst serums can be hit and miss for me, I find some can be too rich and I can have little break outs this sat well with my skin.

On first application, I found it quite runny, almost of an oil like texture, and it smelt a bit as I initially massaged it into my skin, but that smell faded as it settled into the skin and it dried fairly quickly, which was appreciated as I'm not the most patient person when it comes to waiting for my skincare to dry.

The morning after first application, I was pleased to see that I wasn't bright red and actually, my skin (where it wasn't slightly pink anyway) was actually, rather glowing and I was quite impressed.

I have for the past 4 weeks, used either this, or Clarins double serum, mostly this.

Whilst it does claim to be a "Daily Peel" I didn't find it harsh, or irritating, as it is non-acidic, I actually found that over the past 4 weeks I haven't had the need to exfoliate. I do get the need, to just scrub my skin every now and then. Which I am fully aware causes more problems, but I feel better afterwards. My skin has been brighter, despite having got the flu during this time, I didn't find this effected skin at all, actually all the usual breakouts have been kept pretty much under control.

I wouldn't recommend this for daily use, for anyone with Rosacea, and use sparingly when using. I would recommend once or twice a week in place of your usual serum or night cream and consult your dermatologist if you're using any medicated creams. I used this alone, and not with any Metronidazole. Whilst I assume it would be fine, I wanted to see the effects of the product alone, rather that in combination with a medicated cream.

For a full list of ingredients, click here to see them on the Space NK website.

Have you tried Perricone MD Blue Plasma, what did you think?

X TWC

20 something

La Roche Posay Rosalic UV Riche

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Finding a daily moisturiser is a bit of task if you ask me. I had a holy grail in Dr Nick Lowe's Supercharged Day Cream, SPF 15, but sadly that was discontinued, since then I've been bouncing from day cream to day cream .

I got this from Feel Unique, at the start of winter, as I'd read it was good for those with persistent redness (not necessarily Rosacea) So I thought I would give it a go.

So two months, in here is my review.

For this winter, I opted for the La Roche Posay Rosalic UV Riche, It also comes in Light, if your skin isn't to dry, you can find it here, on Feel Unique. The Rosalic UV Riche is designed for dry to very dry skin prone to sensitivity. I wanted a richer daily moisturiser for the colder months, to protect against the cold winds and colder climate, as well as protecting from the heating in doors. I always look for UVA and UVB protection in my daily moisturiser, even in winter.

As we're not to used to the UVB rays in the UK, we're only accustomed to putting on SPF during the summer months and generally forget that we also need to apply during the winter.

UVA rays, are the ones that age you, so it's all well and good protecting against the UVB, to prevent skin damage, but add a dose of UVA protection into a moisturiser and you've got yourself a keeper.

The added green tint masks redness, and the non-comedogenic formulation means that you're not over clogging pores,

At first look, the green tint to the moisturiser is promising, to counter redness green is perfect opposite to mask it, at first touch it is creamy and turns almost oil like on the skin when being blended in and soaks into the skin nicely. Initially I did find this a bit heavy and found when being rubbed it turned into an oil like texture, but absorbed quickly.

The green tint to the cream doesn't linger, but subtly masks the redness, whilst keeping the skin hydrated.

I found this to have long lasting moisture, and was perfect at keeping my skin hydrated past 3pm and avoiding that dry worn out look after sitting in front of the air conditioning all day.

With an SPF 15 it's perfect for the winter months, more scientifically, "A patented Mexoryl XL filter system provides the SPF 15 and UVA protection."

From a personal perspective, it doesn't smell, it keeps me hydrated all day and keeps my make up in check, works well with both a mattifying primer and a hydrating primer, even without a primer, I found that my make up stayed on pretty well with very few top ups. I generally have to top up around my nose throughout the day either way.

As a moisturiser goes, for the price (£16.50), I found it on the small size, 50ml, and I'm not a fan of the packaging, however it does the job and La Roche Posay is a brand I have found I can always rely on. The Rosalic range is a staple part of my skincare regime, and is a go to when my Rosacea is particularly horrendous.

You can find, the Rosalic UV Riche here.

X TWC

bblogger

Stila convertible color dual lip & cheek cream

07:30:00

Just one more blush product?

I love Blusher. Which, considering the Rosacea is a tad ironic no? It is true, I have my own, constant, persistent redness, which when only slightly pink, I could pass off as a natural English Rose glow if i covered the glowing red nose in the middle of my cheeks. But I don't, instead I spend a good 5 minutes covering and concealing and then adding a nice tap of blusher just to the apples of my cheeks.

My favourite at the moment is a cream blush, which I actually never thought I would get into, considering my favourite blusher is a powder.

I've also not found a brush to apply this stuff with yet and I dislike using my fingers A LOT when it comes to applying my make up.

Stila lip & cheek cream is a great multitasking product, if like me, you'd rather not carry around a load of products every day this is ideal.

I picked it up in colour Gerbera, which is peachy pink with slight orange undertones, meaning if i was slightly tanned, or was just looking to add a bit of blush to a bronzed look, this is perfect.

I find it's easy to build, and completely pliable. I was warming it up between my fingers and patting it into my skin. I found that by starting with a small amount I could layer the product, without looking to caked in make up.

It's a beautiful soft texture, isn't sticky, and doesn't leave your hands feeling caked either, Stila do recommend using a brush to apply, however, creams, brushes and me just aren't a good mix.

The colour is beautiful and the handy mirror means if you're in need of a lip or cheek top out throughout the day, it's easily done. I will say as well, that the actual compact is pretty weightless.I can see this being a staple on a night out when I'm only bringing a few make up bits to touch up my look as the night goes on.

I found the colour a great day-lip colour as well, just for a fresh faced look, when I wanted a lip colour, but nothing to intense, The dual-use product is available on the Stila website, for £16 and can be found here in a variety of colours, for every skin tone.

Have you tried it? What are your thoughts?

X TWC

bblogger

Liz Earle - Botanical Shine

07:30:00

Okay, I confess that I never used to take proper care of my hair. I was a bleaching addict and would do anything to achieve bright, bleach blonde locks and disguising roots as quickly as possible.

That was then.

Now, I am much more committed to achieving thick, luscious locks, after the incident where my fringe literally fell out, and over the past year I have invested more in my hair that I have in say, my teeth (sorry dentist). Opting for more natural haircare options where I can and dosing up on recovery products, as patience isn't exactly my forte, I want long luscious locks yesterday.

In my quest for healthy hair I stumbled upon Liz Earle, Botanical Shine, what first attracted me to the product, was the fact is said it was "nourishing", and my hair is definitely in need of some nourishment.

Whilst yellow in the bottle, it actually pumps out clear, which I found interesting, as through usage the bottle is also clear and doesn't appear to have a yellow tinge. The front claims to protect against heat damage and leave hair with a natural luminous shine.

Containing Coconut oil and Vitamin E this was always going to be a winner in the nourishing awards, they're both ingredients in which their nourishing and hydrating qualities are well documented.

The reality, I'm not entirely convinced about protecting against heat damage, as I'm not sure how measurable that claim is, but it did make my hair feel amazing and it looks incredibly shiny when I use it, I applied one pump to the lengths and ends when the hair was towel dried, and then half a pump - to one pump - when the hair was styled to the ends for a month.

I noticed at first, the ends seemed to be a little heavy for my fine hair, weighing it down and seeming a little limp, so I adjusted the amount and only applied when it was dry as a ending styling product and love the way my hair feels.

When applying to curls it was great at adding that shine when the curls moved, instead of just applying a thick layer of hair spray.

Ultimately, it's been a great at helping me restore my ends, as I have frequently whilst I still have a long way to go, this is a great product for anyone wanting to add a light oil into their haircare routine. It also smells lovely, which lasts on the hair as well, not over powering so it wont over power perfume, but I think it's nice to have that occasional smell of something nice as your hair swishes about.

At £17.50 this wasn't my most frugal purchase, but I do like it. You can find it here, online with Liz Earle, or just pop into Boots, Liz Earle products are now conveniently stocked there too!

X TWC

bblogger

La Roche Posay Rosalic AR Intense

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Rosacea & Me - Diagnosis Day

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I got lucky. Very lucky. To say that I was in the right place at the right time is an understatement.

After years of just plodding along, avoiding mirrors, cameras, large social situations and not being in my graduation photo. I landed a Job as a PR Assistant with a UK based Dermatologist.

It was 2 or 3 months after I started when Dr Lowe’s wife came into the PR office midway through the afternoon, on a particularly busy day, when my meticulous make-up routine had gone awry, when it was spotted. The huge red nose and patchy make-up revealing red patches underneath.

I can still picture my response, of “oh” and just mumbling because I didn’t have an explanation, when she asked what was wrong with my skin. I was then asked to speak to one of the nurses, so a day or so later, I was having a consultation, bare faced, heart racing. No one had seen me make-up free since 2009, and if they did, I was caught of guard and no doubt would assume I was an alcoholic, or sick.

For the whole consultation I can’t remember even breathing.

I went under the horrific Visia machine, which isn’t horrific it just reveals all sins, those holidays I wondered about without sun cream (the master of all sins, just dont do it.), my wrinkle percentage, redness percentage and sun damage. Redness was at 83%. Not all of this was visible to the naked eye, but there it was just sitting, waiting, for a moment to appear.

After the consultation, I’ve never felt so relieved in all my life. Finally having an answer and knowing that there was something that could be done about it. It’s not curable, but I can control it (mostly).

I was put on a course of Doxycycline, Rosex and then a course of IPL treatments. This combination worked for me. I had it under control. Obviously, I still had flare ups, they are inevitable, they happen when we’re sick, or stressed, or hungover. Gone were the nights of the Indian take away and the bottle of wine. It took a few months but I was bouncing around, like It was 2008.

The day of diagnosis was the beginning of a life long journey, I still struggle with acceptance. Despite their being no known cure, or even a definitive cause for Rosacea, from the day I had an answer, I had a means of defence.

Learning your triggers is a big part of coping, so for the first few months after diagnosis I spent time

experimenting on what my triggers were. Like finding how far I could push myself in the gym without causing a flare up.

I love the gym, I love the steam room and sauna just as much and learning how much my skin can take is a big task. Being red after a session is normal, and it can take a few hours to go down so I schedule my work outs in the evening and only steam or sauna every fortnight. A steam can draw out impurities and I find it helpful, especially when I’m feeling a little over worked, or cold or flu like it tends to clear it right up. It can also cause a flare up, which lasts a few days.

Sugar / caffeine and alcohol.

I label this stuff the “fun stuff” Who doesn’t like a biscuit with their tea or a fizzy drink mixer in their alcohol. This is pretty much a no go for me, but that’s not to say I cut it out completely. I just have to manage the fall out when I do. It’s so hard to tell yourself to stop when your so tired your eyes might fall out, and a caramel latte would just make your day, do you let yourself have one, and deal with the consequences, or do you not and just learn to carry on tired?

Coffee is a treat for me, and I only have a small one, and it’s mostly decaff. Typically, I love tea. I used to have around 4 or 5 cups a day, now I prefer a green tea, or a herbal tea, which gives me the caffeine kick, but doesn't affect my skin as much. I still love an English breakfast tea, that is my morning ritual, it always has been, balancing that with water is the best option for my skin.

Alcohol, is also a treat, sometimes I have a little more than I should, and I always take my make up off and keep to my routine should I indulge, to minimise the fall out in the morning.

Spicy food is a rarity, but I do opt for the spicy option occasionally and prepare for a flare up. If I have been good that is, and I definitely steer clear if im already flaring up or on the brink.

It is all about balance. If I have an important event coming up, I eat clean, I work out, I keep my skincare routine on point and minimise my risk of a flare up, but a little bit of what we can’t have, keeps us sane sometimes.

By the end of 2013 I was in control of my face. I had make-up free weekends, (Never go to work without make up, unless I’m so sick I shouldn’t even be there) I started to relax. The battle was far from over, but 2013 was a pivotal year. I learnt about balance, control and most of all resilience.

I can only mask the Rosacea for a short period, but knowing the tricks to cover up and the triggers, is where you can regain control.

Seeking advice from fellow sufferers, is also cathartic, and they may have a tip you've not heard of or tried yet, I joined the Rosacea group on Facebook, specfically there for sufferers to support each other. In times of near desperation and frustration, the members know exactly what to say, because they go through it too. So even if you don't understand it right now, someone, somewhere can help you too. It's a closed group, so you may have to request access and all the posts are private, so if your looking for a little moral support, check them out here.

Much love,

X TWC

bblogger

The Early Days

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Now, this is going to start with a bit of whine, so brace yourselves. I had lovely skin growing up, a little on the pale side, but always clear, and just the right amount of dewy and freckles. Life was good. I wore make up, of course as most teenage girls do, but confidently could forgo the make-up if I wanted.

Then it changed.

Shortly before my 19^th birthday, my dewy skin started to break out and become red and patchy, it started with the very tip of my nose. Always red, and I always seemingly had a “cold”. My Cold lasted four years and countless tubes of foundation, the “cold” excuse became so easy to tell it just rolled off my tongue almost daily. Then my cheeks became redder and then pink and then red again as they would flare up and calm down and it became harder to brush it off as a cold.

Rather than using make up to play with, it became an absolute must. I couldn’t even bare to leave the comfort of my bedroom without make up on.

Between the ages of 19-22 it worsened. Becoming lumpy and post box red and then settling down, and then again a few weeks later I would be back to a red lumpy mess.

Make-up became a shield, I’d apply before leaving the house to go to uni, again on the train, again when I got to uni, in between lectures, before I went home, on the train home and then wait as long as I could before taking it off.

Make-up also became a cause. My skin couldn’t breath, and I couldn’t let it, so my constantly piling on the make-up, it irritated my unstable skin.

I stopped sleeping over at friends’ houses, because the anxiety was just horrendous. I didn’t have an explanation as to why it was so red, my skin wasn’t spotty so it wasn’t acne, yet I layered on the tea tree and other harsh products to make the lumps go away. In fact I was making matters worse.

I stopped letting anyone see me without make-up, the simplest of tasks, as popping to the corner shop, became a mission because it required a full face of make-up. My foundation of choice was Studio Sculpt by MAC. I would turn down parties, days out and cancel last minute on events purely because covering it up became too much of a task.

My constant cold was backed up by regular and planned sniffing of my nose. This was to cover up any redness that would try and creep through my meticulous foundation applying routine, and it did on occasion. My routine would sometimes slip when I would be out to lunch and couldn’t slip away from the table.

Rosacea is a daily battle. It is a bigger battle when you don’t know what you’re fighting. In the UK we don’t have a Dermatologist culture, unless you incredibly lucky (or unlucky, depending on how you look at it). You either see a dermatologist for vanity, or to look to ease or cure a condition of the skin. I do it for both.

Like any other skin condition it eats away at your confidence, unlike most conditions, Rosacea isn’t widely talked about, and is widely associated with the heavy drinkers, and the 35+. Demystifying something is the first step in not letting it win, I will be publishing a series of posts which will detail my journey from discovery to today. With regular posts and routines which show the good, the bad and the times that I don’t want to leave the house.

This was an insight into how I lived before diagnosis, and this is how many women live because they don’t know what is happening. Sometimes we are too proud to go to the doctor to say “I dislike my skin” when there is so much other stuff going on, people who are sick and need those appointments. Even now having to go to the doctor and request Doxycycline to clear up what topical treatments, or over the counter skincare can’t fix, is mildly humiliating.

Coming up next in the Rosacea chronicles is the day I was diagnosed.

X TWC

For NHS help with Rosacea, visit, http://www.nhs.uk/Conditions/Rosacea/Pages/Introduction.aspx also take a look at http://www.rosacea.org/index.php the National Rosacea Society.

If you think you may be suffering with Rosacea, please see a doctor, or a dermatologist.

bblogger

Stylist Live 2015

22:57:00

bblogger

Beauty Empties - July

08:00:00

I am a hoarder of beauty products, sometimes I do the bad thing and save the good ones for "best" which is silly really when it comes to skincare. (Silly because products need a good few weeks of testing before you see results)

Here are a few things that I ran out of in July (bit late I know, but initially I wasn't going to do this post)

Nude Skincare Omega 3,6 and 9 Oil.

I would repurchase the earth's supply of this if I could afford it! I've got so many oils that buying another just seems silly when I'm trying to cut down everything I own. I got this sample in a monthly box and I can't remember which one! I'm so grateful that it came into my life it really evened out my skin and even helped clear up some lingering redness. I found this enough to use nightly by itself without having to layer another product on top. Every night I used this I woke up with the best skin I've ever had, giving an even skin, enough to go make up free. As oils go, this is definitely in the elite league.

La Roche Posay Effalcar H Face Wash

Superdrug's B. Mascara

I really liked this, it had the staying power of a super hero and gave my lashes that full, thick and long looks without looking clumpy and as if I had 4 eyelashes. I was sad to see it go, but I have 4 mascara's to get through and test so if the other ones are no good, I'll return to this!

The Body Shop Vitamin E Facial Oil.

I might have cried when this ran out, during the winter months you will have to prise this from my dead hands if you want it. I can't tell you how many colds, sore noses and dull skin days this oil has rescued me from. Available for £15 online or in store with The Body Shop, here.

RMK Make Up Remover

This didn't agree with my skin at all, and when I once tried to take eye make up off with it, it stung. A little to harsh for me, did the job of taking make up off no problem, but for someone with normal skin and not sensitive skin. I got this in a BirchBox, of which I left an honest review. You can never please everyone with one beauty product, I know people who love this!

Garnier Micellar Water.

Another of those products that I can't be without. I've been using this for months and I've just bulk bought a few more from Feel Unique. I use it to take my make up off during the week as I don't generally wear a lot and by the end of the day it's practically all off anyway. It's so refreshing and calming and it doesn't flare up my Rosacea. It was also a staple on the week I was all bandaged up after my Rhinoplasty because I couldn't wash my face (gag) and this kept me feeling human and clean. Currently on sale with Feel Unique for £3.29 here.

Kerestase Conditioner

Not a huge fan of this, it dried my hair out a bit and smelt like a bar of soap. I also got this in a BirchBox so not a huge amount of time lost.

Bliss Ex-Glow-Sion

I loved this! The little beads where a bit of a gimmick I think, but it has a lovely creamy texture. I used this mostly at night, either instead of an oil or over a serum for a little boost. I would always wake up with smooth and nourished skin. It also didn't flare me up, which I thought it would. I loved the packaging as well, I'm really fond of clear jars for moisturisers, and despite the packaging giving you a little bit of an illusion, I was happy with the amount in there. Available here for £55.

La Roche-Posay Effaclar H Cleaning Mouse.

A repeat purchase and a no brainer for me, absolute fave when it comes to cleansing. I am not a fan of cream cleansers, I find them a little "Greasy" for my liking, and Foaming cleansers can be too harsh, Gels just don't give me the clean feeling I crave. the LRP Effaclar H is just the perfect texture / gets the job done balance. That and it doesn't make me look like a walking postbox, so Rosacea doesn't win with this product. A great price point of £10, available from Feel Unique here.

Elizabeth Arden - 8 Hour Lip Balm.

You'll have to prize this away from my dead hands if im ever to give it up. Love this, all year round. Another re-purchase. £20, from Boots here.

Would you like an in-depth view on each individual empty? Or just a monthly, short and sweet review of all of them? Comment below :)

TWC X

2015

Giving up acrylics. A step too far?

08:00:00

Giving up unnecessary little luxuries which suck up my money. Part 1. Acrylic nails

I've been subjecting my nails to acrylics for as long as I could remember. On an off since I was about 15 and religiously since I was about 18 (7 years) with very few breaks. The longest I've gone is two weeks without and that was a few years ago.

Every year I tell myself, this year I will give them up, I will learn to love my own nails, I will let them grow and nourish them as if they were a small child. Every year that just seems like too much effort, and I liked the head space of sitting in a nail salon for an hour having my hands cared for after a week or two of frantic typing and setting the world straight.

However the cost bothered me, I don't smoke so I saw this as my vice, my addiction, cheaper than smoking. Around £30 a month on average which is £360 a year. And I wanted to save that, I desperately want to move out of mothers house, it's not like I don't love being at home because let's face it, it's a bit brilliant. Hungry? Ask Mum, Bought a new delicate top and two scared to wash it? Ask Mum. I just need my own little flat (and it will be fricking tiny in London) to make mine and to have as my little palace to spill things on the carpet and have to rearrange furniture to cover it up, to have people come round for dinner and drink all night instead. To lay on the sofa all day on a Sunday in my underwear because I spilt something on my pjs and can't bear dirtying another set before I lay in the tub for two hours and slink into bed having thoroughly wasted a Sunday before work in the morning.

So here I am 30 days into my cold turkey no false nails commitment. I hate it, really and truly, with all of my 5ft 3 body I hate it. Every time I have a spare hour I think, I could have them back, I want them back and I deserve them back. My cuticles are a mess, the skins peeling around the sides, I can't open a diet coke, I can't undo shoe laces, using my iPhone is a different kind of hell, typing is a nightmare, I can't open a diet coke, it's the diet coke thing I can't handle mostly.

Every time I meet someone new in a meeting for work my entire aura screams "DONT LOOK AT MY HANDS, THEY'RE HIDEOUS AND I'M SORRY YOU HAVE TO WITNESS THIS".

They are hideous, I wont lie when I say, after having them taken off I was ashamed, and in total disbelief of how much damage I have actually caused. I knew I was in for some damage but even now, 30 Days in, I would guess that I have another month or so of growing them out before I see any form of improvement. They're sore, sensitive and short and they bend (both ways, ick,).

But at this moment I can't have them back (I'll come back to this) so I think that's what makes it worse. When you can't do something you want it more.

On my quest to save money, I think I will just have to suck this one up and know that I'm spending £360 a year on my nails and despite that being utterly ridiculous on my budget I can't be without them. I am not me without them. So as soon as I can I will be putting them back on.

The Experiment (as i'm calling it, but it's more like Testing-TWCs-Patience) will be held for the longest period of time, the aim is 6 weeks then I will be skipping into my nail salon for a full set of nails and a pedicure. I gave up false lashes, nails is just one step too far into minimalism for me.

One bit of advice, if you're thinking of taking up Acrylic Nails, PLEASE DON'T. Please try and look after your own nails, grow them and after time they will become lovely/amazing, people like me will look at those perfect talons with envy. Strive for that envy.

TWC X