The Wardrobe Clinic: bbloggers

February Finds

09:00:00

Not too late on this one then... So better late than never, these are my February finds.

First up on the list, something I've wanted to try for ages. There is a lot of hype around Charlotte Tilbury, and personally, I love her Lipsticks, but haven't had much chance to try the rest of the range.

With all my skincare concerns at the moment, I am over cautious sometimes. I threw caution to the wind and thought I would try this mostly because of the words "Baby skin", so what did i think?

Firstly, aesthetics. I love the packaging the rose gold lid and the underlining pattern of the tube. The Goddess Skin Clay Mask boasts that it visibly lifts, smoothes, brightens & tightens pores for Baby Skin.

On first thoughts of it being a clay mask I did expect it to be thick and hard to apply however i was surprised by the light texture and how easy it is to move around and apply an even layer on to my face. It dries quickly and honestly, 10 minutes is not a long time to wait. My skin did feel and look brighter, it was definitely hydrated, I honestly didn't expect to like this, or for my skin to tolerate it. So I was pleasantly surprised on all fronts. At £45 this really is a little luxury treat and at only 75ml it really is on the pricey side, but a lovely little skincare treat if you're in the market to treat yourself.

Now, I have had acrylics for the majority of my adult life, so when I break one, or it snaps off this is now my go to. I've also used this on my toes, we're only a few months away from flip-flop season and I want an enviable pedicure. I tried this first my thumb after I lost an acrylic *Eye Roll* and it was a week before I could get to the manicurist. In that time I was surprised at how well this worked which is why I started using it on my toes, two weeks in I'm really happy with progress, come summer I will not be shying away from the flip-flops, hell, I may even give my nails a break from the acrylics and really give this a go. A bargainous £7.95 from Look Fantastic here.

Last year I used the Nurture retinol day cream, which worked for a while and sadly ended up irritating my skin. Nurture is a wonderful brand so when I came across this, I needed it in my skincare kit. The Nurture day cream SPF15 is lovely, its creamy and is heavier than I would normally go for in a day cream, but with the SPF15 this is the ideal day cream for me.

I tend to get dry around the 3pm mark, and this really solves that. My make up stays longer and whilst it is thick, actually it dries pretty quickly.

Whilst it's not actually marketed at me, it is an anti-ageing cream and designed for the maturer skin, I would suggest that anyone with persistent dry skin, give this a go, a snip at £13.95 from Health Span, here so worth a shot if your in the market for a new day cream.

Now, ethics isn't something I comment on regularly. We all know we should be a little more aware of our effect on the wider environment and on that note, introducing my new Micellar water by Sukin

This is the first thing I've tried from the brand and have to say, I'm pleasantly surprised. One of the shortest ingredient lists ever and the light vanilla scent makes a pre-cleanse pleasant. Free from, SLS, SLES, synthetic fragrance, animal derivatives, harsh detergents, propylene glycol, artificial colours, triethanolamine, mineral oils, EDTA, parabens, So it;s on the good side of skincare AND it has an expiry date so it's all good to me.

I'll be straight, lip treatment wasn't something I thought about previously. but after trying this, I love it. Which is why it's in my February finds. Designed to anti-age the lip area, where we are prone to smile lines and for the smokers of amongst us, smoking tell-tale signs too. Apply to the top, bottom and corners of the mouth and massage in, The light texture is like that of the Elizabeth Arden 8 hour lip balm, but smoother and less thick. The 0-Zone is smoother, and firmer, whilst I don't have persistent lines, I am using this as a preventative and so far loving the results.

Last, but by no means less!

I've been looking for an Eye Primer forever and this one is definitely the one for me. I prefer the cream texture, it's easy to apply and its flesh coloured, so that when i apply eye shadow on top the pigment of the eyeshadow is not diluted by the coloured base.

I like the staying power of this, I like the texture and how easy it is to blend. I've used Lola shadows in the past, and currently using a Lola finishing brush for my foundation, Sadly, this is currently not available on M&S anymore, and for the life of me I cant find it anywhere, But if you happen to pass this in an M&S would definitely say it's worth a try!

So there we have it, my February Finds!

X TWC

bblogger

The Early Days

07:30:00

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.

20 something

Nurture - Intensive age-defying day cream SPF30

15:30:00

20 something

Post Op Update

08:00:00

20 something

Beauty Lies.

08:00:00

I work in the Beauty Industry. I love it, I'm one of those people you meet who glow when they talk about what they do for a living. I wholly embrace the beauty world.

There has been talk of late of "Fake Case Studies" on PR Week HERE.

British Beauty Blogger, Jane has also shed some light on this in her Periscopes and on her blog, (if you don't read or watch, I suggest that you do).

Loving the industry as much as I do, this makes me really sad. Because has a consumer there is no better feeling than find products that genuinely work for you, that are founded on brilliant research, and a humongous amount of effort from the NPD, Marketing and PR teams. It takes strategic planning from all parties to produce a product and then launching onto the consumer market. To think that brands are skimming their way around this by producing fake reports of how AMAZING a product is, shows that a few of brands get lost in attempting to "keep up with the Jones'" by launching products left right and centre and fighting for share of the market.

I get to play with products daily, but if I don't like it, I don't lie. If it doesn't work, I don't pretend that it does. Brands invest a lot of money into NPD (New Product Development) and when big brands are launching continuously, it's hard for smaller, niche brands to keep up. I can understand that it puts pressure on the smaller brands to keep up and this can lead it seems, to lying. We all know that marketing talk can be fluffed up a bit to appeal to the masses, but it appears the lines are becoming ever more blurred between using a clever play on words and actually lying and this can only be confusing the consumers more.

Part of my money saving / clearing out operation was using up all the products I've accumulated over the past however many years of being immersed in this industry. I hate to think that some of the products I've bought, or been given where falsely put on the market, or launched without due care and attention. Even products that I've purchased for friends and family.

This also calls into question the brands that do have solid clinical trials, there needs to be a clear number of how many people qualify as a "clinical trial" (not just 10 people, but a more diverse number). Unless you have an unlimited amount of money to waste yearly on products that are useless, this needs to be wake up call to those involved with developing new products, those promoting the products, (though marketing, or reviews). Consumers need and deserve products that do what they claim. Whilst you're never going to please everyone with one product, we are in search of that one product, or few products that make us feel and look our best. Brands should strive for this achievement, to have honestly obtained cult status, to have pride of place on all our shelves. not just those of the Beauty Editors, Instafamous, or the blogging elite.

We live in a world where products are so far advanced but we have a long way to go. As a consumer, I would love for products to cure every ailment and beauty concern. At the end of the day, there needs to be more transparency and honest outcomes promoting continued and consistent use to achieve the goals we desire, and be honest when it comes to the marketing campaigns. This does put pressure on brands to deliver, but brands need to be realistic with their view on how long it takes a product to take off. You can't earn cult status or look 10 years younger with a quick fix. The best things take time.

X TWC

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

adulthood

Week One. Done.

17:00:00

20 something

Nosey much?

10:00:00

So I left you with a bit of a bombshell the other day. Intentionally obviously.

You read right, with the support of my clan of crazies, yesterday I altered my face, in the shape of a nose job or Rhinoplasty if you want to get all technical.

I am not getting my nose fixed. It is not broken. It's a job lets face it, it's a huge ol' vain job. My Logic, was, whilst altering my spending habits, and clearing out my wardrobe, might as well get this out the way as well, could say I've been on a bit of mission to get things in order lately.

This could turn out to be the biggest mistake of my life or it could be the making of me. Who knows and quite frankly who cares. Own your mistakes, say yeah I fucked up but guess what, everyone does and I'm going to make the best out of a shitty situation.

Why now? Why Rhinoplasty?

I hear you say, but you're 25, doesn't body acceptance happen In your 20s? Ladies, body acceptance happens when it'll happen. At 16,26 or 36 et ceterah BUT there comes a time when something that bothers you starts to limit your activities, becoming the one always taking the photo and never in it, someone asking for and up to date photo of you and you ask if a pouty photo will do? What about an outfit shot? No? Oh well I guess I better take one... And then never taking one.

So now is the right time because I'm early enough in my career that a week off isn't that hard, all my meetings are planned for August those closest to me at work are open to taking on a bit of a my work. BUT quite frankly, at 25 I'm big enough to deal with the emotional turmoil that apparently follows altering your appearance. Let's face it when the swelling goes down who knows what I'll look like? Kate Moss hopefully but I don't think they can stretch me in surgery too.

In actual fact this is my projected side profile before and after:

Not that different? But who actually knows? I mean post swelling and bruising going down... No one can predict. I do have complete faith and trust in my surgeon, he's a perfectionist, and comes highly recommended and is BAAPS and BAPRAS approved, so I know I've picked a good one! His name is Simon Withey, and based on my initial consultation I would recommend him above and beyond all others. I booked my surgery through MyBreast (link here) I've had consultations from all sorts of surgery companies and thought these were by far the best fit for me.

I can't wait to see the after photos! I will be posting daily updates over on my Instagram page, And will be posting updates over on Twitter, and a Weekly update here every Friday, Thinking of doing a time lapse video too, but I'll take votes on that! Leave a comment if you'd like to see this whole process over with in a minute (or two).

Here are a few before horrible pictures. No contouring no flattering lights, just straight up before photos, I'll admit, it was a good skin day when I took these.

TWC X

20 something

Love yourself. Oh come on...

11:30:00

As you read this, I am probably being hooked up to some pain killers and anaesthetic. So whilst I drift off, here is some light background into WHY I'm doing what I'm doing and an unflattering selfie for good measure!

Loving yourself is a personal matter, its deeply routed within our persona's as women to strive to be the best version of ourselves, to constantly improve and reinvent ourselves. Our bodies and looks come under fire every day, whilst simultaneously being told to "Love yourself the way you are". Something has gotta give.

I do love myself, and I don't all at the same time.

I do because I'm independent, fiercely protective over my friends and family, Honest, ambitious, the right height for most Children's clothes, and above all my ability to just dust myself off and keep on trucking is quiet frankly fucking impressive. I mean you throw as much shit at me as you like and I just move on. Unless I can't move on, in which case you'll find me obsessively cleaning my bedroom. I also rarely back down when I know I'm right, I don't compromise on what I know is right, what I feel is right, my beliefs or my morals. And I believe my relentless attitude has gotten me this far and also into a lot of trouble, but never mind that!

I don't just "love myself" the way I am because - I am a perfectionist. And that in itself comes with a whole heap of insecurities to deal with, with dreams and standards to meet. I never liked my butt and I've spent the past few years squatting and lunging and gym'ing like you wouldn't believe. (Butt is now pert and lovely, is that vain to say? Oh well, we're damned if we hate something because we shouldn't and were damned if we saw we love

Something because we're self obsessed) I've worked out many a stress in the gym, but my face, can't change without a little cosmetic intervention.

No one is perfect, but I strive to be comfortable in my own skin. I am most of the way there, and I believe if you can change something, do it. I don't want to reach 50, still unhappy wondering what my life would have been like if I took this risk, neither should you.

What ifs are painful and irrelevant. Take the jump, at least you can say you attempted it.

There is no tragic bullying story here. Just self improvement and what's wrong with that?

Motto; do what is right for you. Living someone else's life or dream is a recipe for disaster.

TWC x

20 something

TWC Evolves.

08:00:00

Pages

Kylie Cosmetics - Heir Review

February Finds

The Early Days

Nurture - Intensive age-defying day cream SPF30

Post Op Update

Beauty Lies.

Beauty Empties - July

Week One. Done.

Nosey much?

Love yourself. Oh come on...

TWC Evolves.

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