Introducing: Bear & Bear

So I am off on my travels next month- two weeks of hitting Budapest, Vienna, Bratislava and Prague- and I could not be more excited. I need to actually get my ass in gear however and sort out all the little details like insurance, travel money etc but where is the fun in that?? So instead I have distracted myself for shopping for things I need for the trip and while on the hunt for the ideal day rucksack for taking with me I stumbled across an amazing website I wanted to share. Bear & Bear is an incredibly curated shop covering homewares, tech and travel and I was really taken with the unique mix of items they stock and thought they are actually perfect for not only meeting my travel needs but actually also a fab place to find the ideal wedding present.  I love looking for the perfect present for a couple but sometimes it is not easy with so many items just being too ‘weddingy’, but Bear and Bear had loads of stuff that I know if it was me getting married I would be over the moon with. Something from here would really celebrate a couple’s interests and be a cool and practical item that they could get proper use out of which is a much more appealing idea to me that some of the usual things that get given a lot.

Clockwise from top: Herb Stand/ Enamel Bake Set/ Camera Strap/ Hammock/
Cashmere Blanket/ Pocket sized Picnic Blanket/ Lomography camera/ Dropp Bowl/ Herschel bag

From beautiful Merino Cashmere blankets to super funky Lomography cameras and accessories- there was something for every couple that would really stand out from other gifts. You can pretty much guarantee a smile on anyone’s face if you present them with a packable rainbow hammock! The home wares section is really dreamy and I was super impressed with the prices (never mind the amazing sale that is on).

In the end I found the perfect rucksack I was after- Herschel bags are everywhere right now but Bear & Bear were the only place selling some amazing print versions that I was totally sold on. I ended up going for the gorgeous Settlement Rucksack in remix print and I am in love! They are only £27.50 in the sale currently which is a bargain in comparison to what I have seen them stocked elsewhere. Delivery was quick and reasonable so all in all a great shopping experience; I would definitely recommend checking them out.

The post workout make up routine

About 4 months ago I discovered the strange joy of getting up earlier and going to the gym. That doesn't necessarily sound that appealing but for anyone who likes hitting the gym, particularly for strength training, I cannot tell you much more relaxing and available it is in the earlier hours. I can actually enter 'the man zone' and not be completely intimidated by the thousands of super pumped up guys all busy showing off to one another, and actually get a hold of the equipment I am after!

The one thing I have learn't however is never, ever workout with make up on as it is completely horrific on the skin. Maybe I am the only dozy one who has been doing it in the past, completely oblivious to the havoc it was wreaking on my skin, but now I am forever making sure I am working with a cleansed face. When you sweat you open up your pores which means anything on your face is going to instantly clog those bad boys up and create spots- which is the last thing I need more of! When I wake up now I do a light cleanse with something gentle like La Roche's dermo cleanser and then pop on a light moisturiser and then post gym I cleanser with something specific to what my skin needs ( right now tackling spots with LRP's physiological gel) which I follow up with a quick acid tone ( pixi glow tonice), some Hydraluron for a needed moisture boost and my SPF moisturiser (currently the simple SPF 30). The thing about going to the gym pre work however means having to put my 'face' on away from home which means either lugging about alllll sorts and having to be up even earlier, or admitting defeat and really cutting down on what I use and basically learning to care less- it has been a revelation!

So here is what has been in my first few months of doing this routine's make up bag ( I love an alphabet bag) After the skincare I go with just a basic tinted moisturiser but also carry a small pot of foundation for bad days or just topping up some pigmented areas ( currently Laura Mercier Silk Cream) I also carry my trusted Cover FX concealer for spot concealing and the amazing Maybelline undereye concealer. I then dab on a little cream blush to perk up the skin, usually it would be Stila Gerbera but I just recently ran out so currently carrying Topshop's head over heels. I have powder at work I dab on if needed but actually really enjoyed taking that step out and only using if needed which no doubt my skin is happy with! I do pop on a bit of powder blusher- currently Mac Style as it has a little glow to it which is perfect for not having to carry a different highlighter. I do my brows with Anastasia brow pomade, and pop a touch of highlight on my lids with a Stila pencil and then do my water lines with Rimmels unbeatable waterproof Kohls, I curl my lashes with my trusty Shu's and then mascara to finish it off. I really still just cannot get enough of Benefit Roller Lash so it is always with me! I carry just a stippling brush, powder brush and little concealer and brow brush in a separate flat carrier and find the whole little kit isn't too much to lug around, is super quick to do and has really shown me how much time before I was spending on getting ready that totally wasn't really needed which has been refreshing. Much as I thought everyone at work would be all ' ohhhh you look ill/tired/ different' turns out no one has batted an eyelid which reminds me how much It is all in my head.

Anyone else do the AM workout? 

A consultation with Transform

After learning loads about the non-surgical options on offer at the Glasgow Transform clinic at a recent event, I was excited to get along and chat more to the team to find out what they thought would be a good idea for my skin and current problem skin.

I booked a consultation with the lovely Fiona and was really happy with how the whole appointment went. I settled into the spacious and well equipped waiting room ( complete with fancy free coffee machine and biscuits to enjoy) and filled in my registration forms including a few questions important for the staff to understand what is best for your skin. Fiona took me through to one of the consultation rooms and went through a few further questions to really understand my current routine and lifestyle and get to grips with what it is I would like to achieve. She was really good at answering all my many questions and explaining why certain treatments might be a good option for me to consider. It was reassuring to me that nothing in the consultation session felt at all ‘ hard sell’ which is what I think I often fear from big clinics, but instead you really got the impression Fiona was keen for me to get the best from any treatment I was considering and really good at getting me to think of not just the short term but  possible long-term plan. 

Recently my skin has taken a turn for the spottier which has been really bothering me so it was reassuring to get to talk that through with Fiona and get her knowledgeable input on what is possibly happening to my skin. She then took me through to speak to one of the clinics qualified nurses to get her opinion on my current acne issues and for her to confirm that the route we were going down was the best idea.  We decided that one of the Obagi peels would be a good idea for my skin right now and I am super excited to give it a whirl. We got to watch the peel in action on the press night and I was amazed at how quick and painless it appeared to be and the Obagi products are something I have heard a lot about in the past so I have definitely got high hopes. The team also decided that using the Obagi Cleanziderm system alongside this was the best plan of attack and I am excited to get going with it. Only available through prescription, this system sounds like just what my skin is needing and after seeing the results one of the other staff at the clinic has had through using it- I am super excited to see if it can do the same for me.

The staff and surroundings at Transform are really good at making you feel totally at ease and relaxed which is essential when having any kind of treatment so I was really pleased with how it went. I think I still have that old-fashioned notion that stepping into any surgical clinic is going to mean I leave covered in blue pen with lots of suggested ‘tweaks’ I could make to look better but it really isn’t like that all! I left feeling relieved to have gone over what was bothering me about my skin and feeling happy that I was going down the right route to start to fix it.

Their free consultations are detailed and in-depth but can still be done to fit around busy schedules and with clinics all over the UK there are lots of options of places to visit, call 0800 655 6406 to book in. 

Introducing: Universkin

 In a saturated market of often repackaged, re-marketed, samey products it is really refreshing when something really innovative like Universkin crosses my path. Learning more about the company and their product I was sitting thinking- DUH- why aren't we always looking for something exactly like this?? It felt so glaringly obvious when sitting right in front of me!

La Belle Forme are always sure to be offering people the most innovative and cutting-edge treatments and this is their latest addition. Universkin is based on the idea of old-fashioned apothecary style skincare and allows for a completely bespoke skin care product to be made and mixed in front of you. You create your own AM and PM serum combining all the active ingredients your skin needs based on an in-depth questionnaire and guidance from a trained therapist. I honestly couldn't get over how much sense it made to me while I was sitting going through the questions, pretty much all of us are combination skins in some way or another yet we often just focus on one of the areas or go off using multiples products causing more grief in the long run.

My lovely therapist Cristina explained the whole system to me, she would take my answers to the survey alongside asking me another details she needed for further clarification and then would write me up a prescription of exactly what key ingredients my skin requires. It was amazing that it wasn't until filling out my forms that I really sat and thought about where my skin was at right now and which of its issues were most prominent and important to how I feel. I think that is a great part of the Universkin process, actually taking time out to think about how much of a problem certain aspects of my skin actually are as opposed to just flinging all sorts at it. It allowed me to decide which parts I would like to try and improve first which is a much better route for clear skin. 

Once we had discussed what ingredients Cristina thought were best suited for my skin needs right now, it was time for the fun part- mixing up my bespoke serum. I love the whole concept of the process, watching each of my special ingredients be whirred into my base serum was amazing and allowed for a real transparency in what you are getting. The base (known as Nexultra P) is not an oily cream but more a nude texture that has organic Camelina oil, peptides and the all important Hyaluronic Acid. I was delighted to leave with two serums all ready to use and I am super excited to trial them out and see how my skin does.

I was really impressed with my appointment and loved the process of having my personalised serums made. I love the idea that after you are finished your first serums you can then choose to tweak your prescription to what your skin is needing at that time which allows for a bespoke approach all year round.  I was also surprised with the prices as for a personalised service it was more reasonable that I envisaged ( I know everyone has a different idea of what is reasonable of course!), with prices starting from £50. I am really excited to get using my AM and PM treatments and see what it does for some of my skin issues and will be back to fill you in when I am done.

To  book in for a Universkin appointment you can call La Belle Forme on 0141 552 0828

Introducing: Non-Surgical Procedures at Transform

If only I could tell you what we were talking about... :)

Up until recently the Transform Clinic= boobs to me. Lucky for me I was invited along to find out much more about their company at a recent event, and I am so glad I did as I learnt a huge amount about what they are all about. Not only were the facilities in the Glasgow office fantastic but the staff were a real dream to chat to- unbelievably knowledgeable and passionate about what they can do for people and not just at a surgical level. We were there to learn about all the non- surgical treatments you can have and suffice to say I was in my element as the staff were on hand not just to fill us in but let us see first hand some of the treatments in action.

The best cakes have boobs on em :)

We were lucky enough get to watch demonstrations of an Obagi peel, botox and lip fillers and I found it absolutely fascinating. Seeing how quick and pain free these procedures are was amazing to me-the models who were all having the treatments for the first time, barely flinched which was hugely encouraging to a scaredy cat like me!

I have always wanted to try a proper facial peel so I was really keen to see what it might entail and was amazed with the pretty instant results and how little 'red face' it actually leaves you. Without a doubt you could head back to the office after a lunchtime peel without too much obvious signs and the team at Transform all agreed that it can do real wonders for the skin. The Obagi product lines are something I had heard wonderful stuff about with relation to pigmentation so getting to learn more was really insightful and definitely something I am going to look further into.

Botox is something I have always considered as I am pretty paranoid about the deep frown lines I have ( always wear your glasses people!) so I was excited to actually see it performed. Due to the  time it takes for the botox to really take effect we couldn't see anything straight away but in terms of the actual procedure it was fascinating to learn all the little areas it can be applied, even in tiny amounts, to allow for subtle but impactful changes to a persons appearance. Listening to the team give us the background on exactly how it behaves made me realise  how useful it can be in a preventative capacity to stop some wrinkles getting deeper.

Now with the Kylie Jenner phenomen well and truly taking over the world we couldn't go to a clinic and not hear something about lip fillers- they are so in demand right now! I totally had a different idea of what actually happens with fillers so I was completely engrossed in the model having hers done. We learnt that even a simple touch up around the lip line can cause just the emphasis in the right places to create a gorgeous effect but there is also a real build able level so you can get the look you want. Although not something I am keen on having done myself just now it was fab to learn from the pros how it should be done. I say pro's as that's really what I took from the whole evening, that Transform pride themselves on their level of knowledge, skill and professionalism and that is so important to be looking for when picking a clinic to have procedures like these done. Nowadays there are loads of less reputable places who are willing to pop a bit of filler in on the side of hair cut but that doesn't mean it is a good idea, some times you have to pay more to get a good, safe job done.

DELIGHTED to get to watch the demos

It was such a fab night getting to talk treatments with fellow bloggers and the clinic staff- it is always so nice to be in a room with similarly interested people and it was really great to get to ask questions that I have always wondered about. You can tell the staff are more than happy to sit down with anyone who might be the same and be curious about treatments or what might be beneficial for them. It is not just peels and fillers either, I was really intrigued to learn about the clinical grade skincare they can actually prescribe to people with acne. One of the staff at the night actually had the most phenomenal skin I have ever seen so I was shocked to learn that was actually thanks to using some of the Obagi line the clinic offer alongside having a few peels! The whole night was fantastically put together and it was great to get to see first hand how some of these treatments are performed.
I am a big believer in people having whatever done that might make them feel more confident in themselves and Transform are obviously dedicated to making sure that is achieved in the most professional and skilled way possible.

If you are considering any kind of treatments I highly recommend making an appointment to speak to one of the lovely staff- the Glasgow Clinic is located on Ingram Street and you can reach them on 0141 204 4567

Clearing up my skin with SK:N

Apologies for the break, a really busy few weeks combined with my skin turning into a raging spotty mess left me feeling not into blogging. It is amazing just how much your skin knocks your confidence and mood and this recent occurrence really left me feeling flat. I had very little skin problems in my teens which I feel super fortunate about, when I hit my 20's however it decided it was time to make up for it and a few changes in the pill and hormones had it in a right mess. It has never helped that I am a classic picker, oh yes- the skins worse nightmare. Pre-blogging and BCH ( before Caroline Hirons- obvs) I did the textbook approach of using the strongest, most foaming, and most irritating amount of products I could get my hands on to try and clear it up which I know now just has the opposite effect and gets the skin panic producing more oil! My skin eventually settled back down and aside from my pigmentation I didn't suffer too badly aside from the odd hormonal pimple, that is until now! I developed a nasty staph infection on my face which was the start of my recent woes, and deeply unattractive to look at ( crusting anyone?!) and it seems to have left in its wake a bout of possible acne. Now it could just be my skin going back through that 7-8 year cycle and changing, my hormones are possibly all over the shop or it could be from something my face isn't liking but it has been causing me all sorts of problems. From deep cystic lumps to sudden pustules out of nowhere and a heck of a lot of scarring being left over ( once a picker always a picker) I have been at my wits end trying to apply all the skin care knowledge I have to try and turn the situation around with out creating long term damage.

A while back I had been sent a range of the SK:N products to give a whirl but at the time the infection was just appearing on my face and they had to go right on the back burner while I calmed the initial situation down. I have since then being using a few of their products to try and both help the spots and also hydrate and moisturise the face and found they have been a big help so I had to share. I know about SK:N from their clinics and the great range of treatments they offer, but I had no idea they have their own line of products on offer too. With 5 ranges available covering corrective, repair and protect, anti-ageing and anti-blemish, they have definitely got your needs covered. I like the slick, clinical looking packaging, I love that the site lists all ingredients along with product information ( including instructions) and I like the actual product packaging as well- clean, functional and decent sizes. 

For the spot tackling side I have been incorporating the products containing ingredients like salycilic, glycolic and malic acid to help dissolve the oil and debris that was clogging my pores. The Glycolic Cleanser is a joy to use and the combination of active ingredients has been amazing on gently exfoliating the dead skin cells that have been causing me  problems and leaving my skin feeling really clean without over stripping it. It has a clip top lid, comes in a 200ml bottle and I find applying the thin liquid to the face and letting it do its work for a few minutes before gently removing works best and I have been loving using this as a post gym cleanser in the AM to keep my skin free of sweat and build up.

I have tried a combination of these Anti- Blemish products over the last couple of months and been similarly impressed. A couple of times a week I have incorporated the magic ingredients of Glycolic and Vitamin A in the Pore Refining Lotion which have again been helping to remove the dead skin cells that were causing my troubles and help slow down the over production of more. I have been using this in the PM after a balm cleanser and being sure to only use a really small amount. It is important not to overdo it when using ingredients like these as you can easily aggravate the skin even more making the spots worse but with gentle use of this I was definitely noticing less spots occurring. In the AM I have been moving between the Blemish Control Lotion and the Maintenance Serum depending on how inflamed my spots were and they have been fab at keeping my oily skin at bay and work really well under my make up.

To make sure my skin was staying hydrated at the same time as these stronger products I was using a couple of the anti-ageing range too which  has been really lovely to use. With the other products having exfoliating properties it was important to make sure my SPF game was strong so I picked up the Moisturising Cream with SPF 30 to make sure I was protected. This bad boy is oil free which is music to my skin clogging ears and rich in antioxidants which should be working away to keep wrinkles at bay as well as helping my skin say soft and clear. If I was being nit picky I would love this in a tube form as jars always get my hygiene shackles up  but it has performed really well and not clogged my skin like other SPFs often do.  For my hols in August I am definitely going to look into their SPF 50 product which is only £19 and is also tinted so could be perfect for my next SPF adventure!

With ageing being on my radar generally I was excited to try out the Age Delaying cream for Younger Skin which I love! Stacked with the important anti-oxidant vitamins C and E alongside some vitamin A for cell turnover and shea butter hydrating the skin, this leaves my skin feeling amazingly plump after applying it at night time.

Over all I am super impressed by the ranges and the quality mix of ingredients they have put together. for the prices. I like their no nonsense approach to just tackling various skin problems head on and they have certainly been a huge help in getting my skin back on track and back to being much clearer and even again. I am hoping to get into the Glasgow SK:N clinic soon so will report back if their treatments live up to the results from the products.

Have a fab weekend everyone!