Skin Update session 3/4/5.

So I've been having Isolaz Treatment at Sk:n in London.

My previous posts have explained what the treatment is and how it works.

This blog is an update with how the treatment is going so far.


I have to say so far so good.

I am starting to get compliments on my skin and I can whole heartedly say that I have changed as a person.

My boyfriend says it has been worth every penny because I am smiling.
I think thats probably the biggest change. I am confident again. I can't express how my skin made me feel. It took away my spark. But, its coming back!

The third treatment was similar to the second. The therapist concentrated on my nose and my forehead. I really could see a difference.

This may be TMI but my time of the month came and I did not suffer from breakouts.
This is AMAZING. Hormonal breakouts just became something I expected. So it was a pleasant surprise not to suffer this month.

The fourth treatment was a little different. The light strength was increased and so was the vacuum. The following day I had bruising all along my jaw line. It looked like love bites! Eek! However, it was coverable with foundation. I decided due to the bruising from the 4th session to leave it 2 weeks until I had the 5th treatment. The first week my skin looked radiant and felt great. However, by the second week my skin had become very sensitive. Especially around my nose. I had to slather it in vaseline. Not a good look. My skin started to peel. My skin type had gone from oily to dry over night.

I went for my appointment and had the usual glycolic acid placed on my skin. My word did it burn. It was very uncomfortable. My therapist said my skin was turning red and that my skin was too sensitive to have the Isolaz treatment today. She took photographs and documented everything. We went through the skin care routine I  have been using. I've religiously been using the products she gave me. It turns out one of the night time products contains Retinol. The pore refining serum was causing a reaction to occur. Retinol have a drying and exfoliating effect. Combined with the acid face wash I was using twice daily ad the regular Isolaz treatment it was more than my skin could handle.

I have been told to stop using the pore refining lotion and was given a skin repairing cream which is thick like vaseline.

I used it last night and today my skin feels much better. The glycolic peel helped to remove some of the dead skin from my face. I can see nice healthy skin underneath. My skin is still dry but not as flakey as the day before.

Its been a learning experience for me. I've never had dry skin. So many problems come with that too. Honestly I think dry skin is overall more painful than oily skin. Yes blemishes can be painful to touch. But, the extreme dryness around my nose and mouth, the cracked, peeling skin was frustratingly painful. It is possibly to have areas of dryness and oily areas too. Finding things to hep balance the skin and create an even texture can be quite a challenge.

One moisturiser has been helping. Its the Avene rich compensating cream. It doesn't sting as much as other moisturisers and it gets rid of the tight feeling.  The whole Avene range is really lovely, non comedogenic and hypoallergenic. Perfect for sensitive skins.

I am planning on going back to Sk:n next week to have my 5th Isolaz treatment. Fingers crossed my face isn't so dry an sensitive.

Soigné Botanique nail polish review.

I want to introduce you to these gorgeous nail polishes.
Just take a moment to appreciate the packaging. Its stunning.

I purchased these at the beauty show in London at the beginning of October. Ive had these about 2 weeks now and I am obsessed.

Normally these polishes retail between £11-£13. 

They are a gel like polish but no lamp needed. 

They have approx 30 regular colours and they also have limited edition ranged. 

I purchased the winter 2015 limited edition set, a base coat, top coat and a neutral shade that I can wear for work. The winter collection is called Laquer de chocolate and contains a British racing green, a blue toned purple, a gold, a chocolate brown and an oxblood shade. 

The colours are highly pigmented but not too thick. 
The base and the top coat work so beautifully with the polishes the end result looks truly professional. They set very well, no smudging or peeling. 

I am always using my hands. My hands are in and out of water constantly and I am always typing and bashing my nails. These colours last a good week on my nails before they start to chip. I'm happy with that. I tend to use a lot of BarryM polishes and I do like them but you can see a difference in quality.

I did not pay the full retail price. I got the set of 5 for £15. For the base, top coat and nude I paid £13. I saved so much on these. However, these are worth the price tag. I've used Essie and for me and a friend of mine they always, always chip! By the end of the day I need a new manicure. 

Obviously these are not as long lasting as a gel polish using a light but in my opinion they are less damaging. The oxygen base which I purchased helps the colour to last longer, it also allows oxygen to permeate the nail bed, encouraging strong, healthy nail growth and increases keratin, cross linking with Urea and Minerals. Containing Neem oil for antioxidant and antiseptic, the polish refines nail texture to hide ridges and imperfections and prevents colour from staining your nails.All of their polishes claim to contain up to 85% plant origins. Free from Formaldehyde, Toluene, Dibutyl Phthalate and Camphor. They say they are cruelty free and chip resistant. I am not strict when it comes to only using Vegan products but it is nice to know that the products are cruelty free and predominantly plant based. The idea of using something less damaging is always attractive. I've blogged before about damaged nail caused by acrylic and electric nail files. For me having nice natural nails is the goal.

The polishes are all full size bottles containing 10ml of varnish. The brush is flat and has a squoval shape. I like this shape because it creates a nice smooth shape around the cuticle. 

Overall I give Soigné 5*. 

*Packaging is beautiful 
*Vast colour range
*Chip resistant 
*Cruelty free 
*Good for nails.

If you would like to treat yourself or a friend, maybe for Christmas you can purchase these online at www.soignenails.com

Makeup Forever HD powder.

At first I hated this product.


I really wanted to like it. When I tried it on my hand I could instantly see the way it blurred my skin and created an air brush effect. But, when I dusted it over my Estee Lauder Double wear it looked AWFUL.

However, after moving on to the Urban Decay Naked liquid foundation and the NARS sheer glow I LOVE this powder. Think this powder is good with light to medium coverage foundations that don't dry too matte. It comes in one translucent shade which the website states is perfect for any skin tone. I have very light skin and have yet to try it on my friends with warmer skin tones. I can't see why it wouldn't work on their skin. It really is translucent. Its not creamy like some translucent powders are. It doesn't change the colour of the foundation either, sometimes powders make me look muddy or orange.

Makeup forever say this :

Microfinish powder. The MAKE UP FOR EVER HD Complexion products use formulas to create a new generation of makeup which is both invisible on HD cameras and to the naked eye. The HD Powder is an extremely fine powder available in one universal shade to make the skin absolutely radiant. It sets the foundation and matifies the skin without changing its natural contours. Consisting of mineral silica powder, its talc-free formula is non-drying. Its universal translucent shade matches all skin tones. The HD Powder can be worn alone or applied over foundation.

My skin feels velvety smooth and does not dry it out. It creates a soft focus on the skin which looks beautiful on film. Definitely great for photo shoots or selfies. This will give a matte finish but definitely not cake if used properly. This product should not cause flash back so try and pair it with a foundation with no SPF. Sadly SPF tends to flash back on film.

I use a big fluffy or fan brush to apply this loose powder. I would make sure you press it into the skin to avoid a ghost effect. Also please note that a little goes a very long way.

My skin type is normal to oily and I find it really works for me. I do get dry patches and it doesn't highlight them.

This is a pricey product. However it really will last a long time. Debenhams are selling this for £22 for 8 grams. Don't be fooled into thinking this is a travel size. It is full size. The powder is so fine and light it hardly weighs anything but there is plenty of product inside. It is hard to find stores in the UK that stock this. There are a couple of places in London and now Debenhams have the contract to sell it in store and online. Not all Debenhams stores do stock this I would suggest calling or emailing your local store to see if they sell it before you take the journey. My local one does not. I have to go to Oxford street. If you are in London I highly recommend you pop in and give the products a try. Because this is colourless it could be a great online purchase.

The plastic case comes with a nifty mesh net where the powder comes through. The lid fits in perfectly and prevents the powder filling up in the open part so no wastage.


I love the original Forever HD liquid foundation however, Debenhams have run out of stock and sadly didn't have my shade in the new HD Ultra foundation. I'm hoping to pick it up in a couple of weeks. I think these two products together will create an unbeatable combination.

Epic Fail

Confessions…

EPIC FAIL

I’d booked in for a bikini wax, nothing out of the ordinary. Not my first time either. Im sat waiting and the receptionist informs me that I am entitled to some free sun bed minutes. I am the first to admit I am pasty. However, I prefer the phrase “pale and interesting”. I never use sun beds and I rarely use fake tan. I was waiting and I thought “why not can't hurt.” I have the sun bed, I feel relaxed. 

I go for my wax…

If you ever saw 40 year old virgin you will understand when I say Andy was a lion compared to me. I was squeezing, clutching onto the side of the salon bed. Profanities flying every where. Deep breathing like a mother on one born every minute. Needless to say I persevered and I got to the end. It was such a terrible wax. I drive to my mums for lunch. As I get out the car I can see my mother bemused, confused, staring at me. She calls out for the whole street to hear “ Oi, why you walking like John Wayne shit him self?” 

I explained the “hollywood” 

Later in the lunch she says to me “babe you do look a little red, everything ok?” By this point I've stood up and lifted my top to expose a red lobster belly. My mother cries out in surprise to the deep maroon burns covering my body. “How on earth has this happened?” I  explained my sun bed, and then it clicked. I had managed to get sun burt and then straight away wax my skin! I ended up wearing loose dresses and aloe vera for what felt like the next time I was due for a wax. Lesson to all, sun beds are never a good idea!

DIY Braces... Don't be a moron

This is an Urgent Update




I read an article today on social media that said people are doing their own braces.

I could not believe this was actually true so I just spent the last 30 minutes on Google and low and behold,  its true.

Turns out the Mirror had done an article last month. I missed that but I did not miss the Facebook post. Quite possibly because of the photos attached.

I have worked in Orthodontics as a nurse and treatment coordinator along side Orthodontic specialists.

Lets get one thing straight. Only qualified Dentists and Specialist Orthodontists should be doing things to your teeth. That includes whitening, filling and straightening.

For your knowledge it takes approx. 10 years to become an Orthodontist. 10 YEARS.  You have to qualify as a Dentist primarily and then continue on to specialise in Orthodontics.

Orthodontics is a complicated aspect of dentistry. If not done by a qualified professional it can cause permanent damage. This damage can include damaging nerves, damaging the roots, losing teeth, damaging your gums and your jaw.

Teeth and gums do not grow back.
Once you loose gum or your permanent dentition it is gone forever.

Its not like hair. We can get over that bad colour choice, grow out that undercut but the consequences of DIY braces are irreversible.

Teeth need to be moved in a certain way with a small amount of force which is monitored by the clinician. When you start wrapping dental floss around your teeth or using small plastic hair bands you have no idea what amount of pressure you are placing. If too much is placed you can literally rip your teeth out of your mouth. Sometimes its not possible for a professional to put them back.

People are cutting their gums in a serious way causing tissue damage.

There are countless videos on You Tube going back several years. This is not a new phenomenon. These so called DIY, Self help ( self sabotage ) tutorials are being narrated by teenagers and adults alike. You can easily find brace kits on line which I think need to be banned ASAP. However, I have seen people suggesting you use putty, dental floss, backs of earnings and other random house hold items to "correct" your smile.

I completely understand how people feel about their teeth if they are not straight. However, I know I would rather have crooked teeth than no teeth. Some smile issues can not be fixed by simply moving the teeth, in some cases the jaws need to be expanded or realigned. If you do not know what problems you actually have how can you assume to know how to fix them? Another point to add is say by some miracle you move your teeth without breaking them, how do you expect to keep them there? Retention is a massive part of brace treatment. Although I fear these idiots online have found another home remedy for retainers.

I sympathise that braces are expensive. In the UK the NHS will provide braces for children under 18 if they meet a criteria. Your dentition has to be of a certain classification to qualify for the free treatment. If your problems are solely aesthetic and not functional then you will not qualify.

Brace treatment can be anything from £2000-£10000. Lots of practices do offer 0% finance and payment plans. Many places will offer a free consultation and will be able to provide you with a quotation so you can plan your payments or wait and save.

The whole thing is ludicrous. I'm going to be harsh here but if you attempt to brace your own teeth you are a complete moron.

DON'T DO IT.

Another idiotic thing I have personally seen is people trying to remove fixed braces themselves at home.

The results can include you breaking your teeth and removing your enamel. Again once the tooth is broken or the enamel is removed it will never grow back. You will need to have fillings/veneers/crowns to fix  the issue. All of this can be very costly.

I really don't know what else to say.

Please kids, don't try this at home

Isolaz update - 2nd Treatment

Hello my fellow slap addicts


Time for an acne update.

If you read my previous posts on Acne and Isolaz you will know that I've had my first treatment and it was a success.

I went to the clinic to have my second treatment. My previous nerves had subsided. I was actually looking forward to having the treatment.

Just like before the therapist cleansed my skin, applied glycolic acid, wiped it off and started the treatment.

This time she said she was going to do one suction followed by two zaps of the light.

It was HORRIBLE. I am so ashamed, but I chickened out. I couldn't cope with the stinging it caused. My skin felt more sensitive than the first treatment because of the skin care regime the clinic put me on.

I found that the SK:N products whilst effective, caused some dryness and a slight irritation around my eyes and nose.

When the glycol acid was administered this time I really felt it work. The double Zap was just too much.

Instantly the therapist changed the settings. She upped the light strength but reduced it to one zap.

This completely solved the sensitivity issue. Again, the therapist followed the Isolaz with facial extractions.

I had a few questions for her this time.

Why do you use a different suction tip for the forehead than for the rest of the face? It turns out that where the skin is usually tighter on the forehead and nose the larger tip doesn't create the vacuum it needs for it to work. Therefor, they swap to a smaller head to get a better suction.

Can this be used on darker skin tones? Yes. However darker skin tones will need to have a patch test where three pulses of light are administered to ensure no unwanted pigmentation occurs.

Can I use the Differin Gel prescribed by my doctor? No, not ideal when having Isolaz but after will be fine. It could cause excess drying and skin sensitivity.

What makeup can cause this congestion? MAC, it has a lot of talc in it. Noooooooooo. So many people use Mac products on their skin. Luckily I don't. But I do know Esteé Lauder double wear can cause congestion also. Part of the reason being it is so hard to completely remove.

Once the treatment was finished I took the plunge and looked at my skin. It wasn't as red as the time before and again it looked clearer instantly.

From the last treatment some typical spots had come up these were blasted and flattened by the Isolaz.

I went home with my sunglasses on. Didn't apply makeup or use any skin care products.
In the morning when I woke up I could see a vast improvement. I applied Urban Decay Naked foundation and it looked beautiful and radiant. I didn't need concealer and I certainly didn't need my double wear.

Could this be the end of what was a beautiful relationship? Will the love affair of the millennium be discarded for a new sleeker thinner version? I really think I will be leaving the Lauder behind and keeping the Urban Decay. Its lighter and I like how my newly improved skin shines through.


Updates will be coming up in the next few weeks.

Confessions... Nails

Confessions... 

Nails 

I love beautiful nails.

However it wasn't until recently that I decided to concentrate on the health of my nails.

I've always had nails that break and peel. My mother did not pass on her beautiful nails. This is not an exaggeration, the tips of her nails are white. Naturally! Seriously, her nails grow like a french manicure. It's something I noticed as a child. My mum hasn't ever been one for salon treatments or spending money on cosmetic things. At times as a child there wasn't always enough money for bills so manicures were done at home with a simple nail file and a wooden orange stick. 

My mother taught me that it didn't matter where you came from or where you were going one should have standards. With this, personal care and presentation were included behind good manners and kind nature.
So looking after nails became something we did at home. My mum and I would paint nails add a little sparkle and make the most of what we had. 

As I've grown and earned my own money I have splashed cash on acrylic talons to tap on my desk. But my naturally fragile nails became weaker and I took a break from the fake. 

When I was a teenager gel nails didn't exist in my small town. I feel so old! But it's true. Everything was about acrylic. Either tips or sculptured. A lot of the time the nails were really thick. There were plenty of salons using very poor quality products and even rumours of dental acrylic! I trained as a nail technician in 2008. Gels were being offered but the course was more concentrated on gel extensions than the polish types we use frequently today. I learnt silk and fibre glass techniques which I have never seen offered in a nail shop, and the ever popular acrylic extensions.

Now if you're a die hard nail extension user then good for you. I still have them from time to time when I feel like it. Just make sure you go somewhere that doesn't damage your natural nail. When I was trained I was told never to use an electric drill on someones natural nail as to do so is damaging. Over use of any abrasive tool certainly can bruise and thin the nail bed. So, if it hurts stop!
I can't tell you the times I've sat and said nothing whilst an electric drill has felt like it's burning.

Ive also noticed that in some budget beauty salons/spas if your having a "full set" or gel polish you do not get a proper manicure. This really gets my goat. Its really not hard to do a mini manicure before  a treatment but so many places don't. If they don't do any cuticle work or shape your natural nail. If they leave that hang nail hanging, LEAVE. Or complain. Your choice. I think beauty treatments should be an enhancement and maintaining your natural nails is part of that. 

There are so many wonderful colours/designs to choose from why not express yourself with your nails. I feel like nail art is a subtle way to try new trends. I'm not one for funky hair colours or daring cuts. I tend to keep my makeup simple for work so nail art is something I love to take chances with. 

As I said earlier I'm really into taking care of my nails now. Once a week I give myself a manicure and deep condition my hands by slathering on rich cream and wearing gloves when I go to bed. Many of us do the washing up and clean the house with out gloves. We are also using hand sanitisers more and more. All of these things can dry your skin out and you can get cracks and sores. I always apply a nail strengthening base coat and sometimes reapply throughout the week. 

There are so many lovely long lasting an colours that you can purchase and use without any abrasive preparation to your natural nail. I have just purchased Sally Hansen the diamond strength( review to come). Barry M nail polishes come in so many wonderful textures, glitters and colours all of which are available at high street beauty stores and online at low prices. 

If your feeling really creative get your self a dotting tool and a fine paint brush then the possibilities are endless. ( cheeky tutorial coming soon.)

Take  pride in your hands people do notice chipped polish. Especially if you have a job interview. Make sure your nails are neat and clean and appropriate for the job you are applying for. I wouldn't suggest red stiletto shape nails for a nursing interview. But you all have common sense, you know what I'm getting at. 

If you've had a bad salon experience or maybe you have a top tip please leave it in the comments below. 

I will be posting some nail art tutorials and a simple step by step guide on how to do a manicure at home.