Bad Day

During the day my skin gets really oily, all my make up goes cakey, and I feel extremely self conscious.

Today some one said to me; "you've got pen on your face, your face looked so nice before and you've ruined it! Get it off!" It wasn't pen, it was a spot.

What are you supposed to say to comments like that? It is so embarassing! Also, the greasier my skin gets the more powder I put on to cover it.... unfortunately the oil just ruins the make up making my skin look awful!

We all have bad skin days, I just can't wait for the good ones to come!

- Natalie

Clarisonic

To buy or not to buy? That is the question I have been in dispute with for a while.... until last week when in a moment of weakness (or madness) I parted with my hard earned cash to buy one!

What is a Clarisonic?

It is a facial brush that uses a sonic frequency (totalling up to about 300 movements per second!!!) to gently and thoroughly remove 6 times more makeup and 2 times more oil/dirt than any other type of manual cleansing.

Benefits?

Leaves skin feeling and looking smoother

Removes impurities that keep creams and serums from working their best

Gentle enough to use twice a day

Reduces oily areas, dry skin patches and spots

Minimizes the appearance of visible pores

Safe for all skin types

As I said, I was uncertain whether to buy one; I'd heard great things about it but they are undeniably expensive!

Clarisonic Classic: The original cleansing system has 2 Speeds and is priced at £155.

Clarisonic Mia: A newer, smaller cleansing brush with 1 speed is priced at £120. I get the impression this is more of a "travel" version. Also comes in a variety of colours.

Clarisonic Plus: Has 4 speeds, is suitable for use on the face and body, and is priced at £179.

Each Clarisonic comes with sample size cleansers to use with the brush and all of the cleansers can be purchased at any Clarisonic stockist.

http://clarisonic.co.uk/

I splashed out and went for the Clarisonic Plus and with it I got: a sensitive brush head, body brush head, 60 ml Refining Skin Polish, 30 ml Gentle Hydro Cleanser, 30 ml Nourishing Care Cleanser, 30 ml Refreshing Gel Cleanser, and a charger.

You get an instruction manual explaining how the different settings and speeds work and why gentle cleansing is good for acne prone skin.

I purchased mine at Harvey Nichols in Manchester and the saled lady told me that they use the Clarisonic Plus in some of the facials they do there at the Spa!

My skin is so so so so so much softer than it has ever been! I can really feel the benefits of it, it hasn't cleared my acne up but because it is such a deep cleansing tool I feel like I am doing something to help unblock my pores. It's also made it easier for me to apply make up as I have less dry patches.

If the price is something you are unsure about there are cheaper versions out there that are getting really good reviews such as :

http://www.qvcuk.com/ukqic/qvcapp.aspx/view.2/app.detail/params.item.432648.cm_scid.KeywordSearch

I'm really happy that I decided to get one, let me know if you have one too!

- Natalie

2nd N Lite attempt at the Private Clinic

For those of you who have read stories on the internet about N Lite miraculously curing acne after just one treatment; that is not always the case. Believe me.
As I've always said, treatments work quicker the milder the acne and once again I was left disappointed that I did not have clear skin immediately after.
Laser helps reduce spots by killing bacteria at the root of the problem, I wish it could do it a little bit faster...

So after my last appointment was cancelled I eventually returned for part 2 of my 3 course laser treatment.
I have come to realise there are two things I dislike about the laser:

• how uncomfortable it is on thin skin (especially around the nose and lips)
• how it singes the hairs on you face and make you smell slightly burnt.

I have seen a slight improvement; I still have spots but there are smaller than they used to be. They do, however, still pop up all over my face. I'll keep you all updated on any improvements I see!

I am a bit worried though that this is the best my skin will ever be, I'm hoping that a third and final laser session will help kill any remaining bacteria!

- Natalie

Cancelled appointments

I'm still going ahead with the laser treatment but unfortunately it hasn't really gone as planned! Since I last wrote I have had 1, yes 1, laser session.

I went back 2 weeks ago to have my second of three sessions but when I got there the Laser had broken! It was very embarassing, apparently they had been trying to contact me but they didn't have my number bla bla bla. Anyway, because at my inconvenience of coming in when I couldn't have my treatment they gave me a free peel! It was very kind of them and I honestly did not expect them to offer me anything so I was delighted.

They said they would call me when the machine was fixed and they did, now I have another appointment... next week.

That is nearly 7 weeks since I had my first session and I'm feeling quite sad because there was nothing I could do but wait for this appointment; it could have been a day later, a week later, I didn't know so I put my usual facial routine on hold (because you can't use strong face washes/creams/take medications 48 hours before the treatment) so I feel like I have done nothing to benefit my skin!

And since my last appointment my cheeks have broken out with large, superficial whiteheads! I'm counting down the days until I can get my treatments back on track!

- Natalie