A Winning Combination

Honestly, I’ve been very lucky with my skin and never really suffered from major breakouts. But like most people my age I am not blessed with flawless skin and have been trying to come up with the perfect combination of products to beat those irritating spots when they appear. Finally I think I’ve cracked it.

Firstly, Clearasil’s Pore Cleansing Pads are something I’ve been using on and off for a while and they’re brilliant. They’re so much easier and quicker than face wash which, for me, is perfect – I can never be bothered with the whole face wash routine especially late at night when I’ve just got in from work and want to go straight to bed. The pads exfoliate, prevent spots and it only takes a minute (amazing). They’re also nice and refreshing for in the morning.

The second product in my super cool spot fighting team is Clearasil’s Overnight Lotion. A recent discovery that is a really winner for me. Again, it’s quick and easy to use (no faffing with face wash), it doesn’t feel heavy like some lotions I’ve tried in the past and best of all it’s a prevention as well as a cure. I’ve been using it ever other night and so far, so good.

   

The final product in my fantastic three is Garnier’s Essentials Day Cream. This product really came into its own a couple of months ago after I came down with a virus that left me covered in oh-so-sexy red blotches – not going to lie, I would have made a convincing extra in one of those deadly virus horror films. A combination of the virus, calamine lotion and various anti itch creams left my skin, and face in particular, dry and in desperate need of moisturiser. Enter stage right Garnier’s Essentials Day Cream a few days later my face returned to its pre-virus, well moisturised self and I was again a very happy, un-blotchy bunny. In addition to its post virus face revival qualities this face cream smells amazing, is light and quickly absorbed into the skin. For an extra bonus point it doesn’t cost a stupid amount of money – I picked it up for about £4 at Sainsbury’s.  

I’ve tried many, many products over my teenage years and I’ve finally settled on these three that are fabulous and actually WORK. :)

            

Tales from Paris - Lessons learnt

During our time in Paris Amy and I learnt several things which I would like to share.

  

Lessons learnt and things discovered:

1.      Always get off at the metro stop the guidebook tells you to, don’t think you’re clever enough to do it differently. You will get lost.

2.      Amy looks like she is the kind of person who has a secret bag full of whisky

3.      Deaf people aren’t deaf and will try to rip you off

4.      Make sure you know how to use your hotel room key

5.      Spatulas are useful

6.      Montmartre markets aren’t open early

7.      Old French men named Tony will try and chat you up

8.      Learn to appreciate a clever scam that requires talent – “I’m inspired by your eyes, I must draw them”

9.      Random waiters will ask for your hotel room number

10.  You can get lost in the Louvre

11.  Don’t underestimate the length of the Seine

12.  Charge your camera before you leave

13.  If you ask for a late checkout, make sure both receptionists know about it  

Tales from Paris

Paris was amazing. I think that’s probably been one of my most frequent utterances this week, and every time I’ve said it I’ve had a stupid grin on my face. It was my first completely independent holiday, Amy and I organised everything, and it was amazing.  

It’s such a cliché but during those six days in Pairs I fell in love with the city. I’ve never been a city girl; I have a terrible sense of direction and I believe the only time you should be tightly crammed up against a sweaty stranger is at a gig, not on a train. But Paris was different and even though we were doing the touristy things like the Eiffel Tower, the Louvre and the Arc de Triomphe, it wasn’t like going to London.

The beauty and magic of Paris engulfed me, inspiring me and making me remember why I love art and photography. Paris also made me embrace my terrible map reading skills and I can safely say I'm now a pro at using the Metro.

I came home from Paris with an extra bag full things I’d bought, a bit of a tan and a wonderful feeling I can’t quite describe that has kept me on a high all this week despite lots of extra shifts at work.