My skin is more sensitive than an England fan on a trip to Iceland right now.  It’s probably all down to the horrendous hit of hay fever I’m enduring every day, that and the fact I’m pretty much allergic to air right now. When my skin needs an extra bit of help, or is likely to be more volatile than Britain after Brexit, then these hero products certainly offer a helping hand…

Elemis SOS cream: When your face feels like it’s on fire, you’ve been in the sun too long, or you just feel like you need more than a moisturiser- reach for this bad boy. Every time.  SOS Emergency Cream £52.50, Elemis http://bit.ly/29isT4n

Caudalie Beauty Elixr: Again another French hero product. I’ve been rattling through this- it’s great for all those hay fever days when your skin just needs a helping hand. It refreshes your face and feels like your coating your skin in luxury.  Caudalie Beauty Elixr, £11.50, Feel Unique, http://bit.ly/29nbcE2 (always lots of offers on this site!)

Skincere facial serum:  I’m on my third tube of this since giving it a whirl last year.  It’s inexpensive and does what it says on the tin.  Use it underneath your moisturiser.  Skincere products NEVER ever irritate your skin, even if it’s super sore and sensitive.  Easy on the purse too- win win!  Facial serum, £19.99, Holland and Barrett http://bit.ly/29ns6Aa

Ren body exfoliator balm: When you have sensitive skin sometimes it’s easy to avoid exfoliating but actually it’s vital to help our skin. Slough away those pesky dry patches with this beaut of a product.  It leaves your skin with a nice kind of waxy finish rather than sore and itchy.  A little goes a long way too : ) Ren salt exfoliating body balm, £22, Look Fantastic http://bit.ly/29ncCyk

Neutral Cleanser: If you’ve never heard of Green People before and you have sensitive skin what the hell are you playing at?  This cleanser is my go-to hero product when everything else is ruining my face.  Fragrance-free, gentle and zero chance of leaving you with lizard skin.  Check out their other products too, their range is AMAZING!  Neutral scent free cleanser, £18.00, Green People http://bit.ly/29tBg05

Weleda body wash: Again another brand I can’t get enough of (see previous blog post here)  It’s rare when you have sensitive skin that anything you use in the shower can smell good and not leave you like you’ve been dipped in acid.  Hello Weleda!  Bloody love this, use it everyday!  It’s super creamy, doesn’t dry your skin and smells like holidays.  What’s not to like?!  Sea Buckthorn creamy bodywash, £7.95, Weleda http://bit.ly/29nsJcP

Darphin 8 Flower cream: My wonderful Mum introduced me to Darphin many years ago.  I LOVE love LOVE French skincare and this is just amazing!  I’m kinda new to this product but I use it at night if my skin is sore after cleansing.  Heaven.  Smells great without irritating your skin.  Perfect!  Darphin 8 Flower Oil Cream, 30ml, £43.33, Escentual http://bit.ly/29hA3t8 (1/3 off!)

Lavera intensive neutral mask:  I’ve been trying to use this once a week, but usually fail.  I’ve always avoided face masks like the plague as normally they make my skin ten times worse when it’s feeling extra sensitive.  I got a sample of this after purchasing some other Lavera products and it’s fab!  Why shouldn’t we treat our skin just because it reacts to pretty much everything?! We put our faces through so much so give it a treat- it’s designed to calm allergy and sensitive prone skin.  Hurrah!  Lavera intensive neutral mask, £2.90, Lucy Rose Organics http://bit.ly/29qg9d8

Salcura Dermaspray: I’ve blogged about Salcura products before here.  This spray is like a protective barrier for your skin- spray on before moisturising.  It’s made a MASSIVE difference to my Eczema.  Daily Dermaspray intensive, £16.99, Salcura http://bit.ly/29jV82m (10% off your first order)

Aveeno cream:  I have this on prescription now because I go through that much of it but it’s honestly the best moisturiser I’ve used in years!  I really need to switch up my regime a bit but this is an absolute staple.  I use it twice a day religiously and it’s never irritated my skin and has actually made a massive difference to my Eczema.  I could kiss my dermatologist for recommending this!  (See my previous blog post here).  Aveeno cream, £14.69, Boots http://bit.ly/29jZaaX

Let me know if you have any hero products for sensitive skin- I’m always on the scout!

So the only time I normally add salt to anything is with my poached eggs in the morning.

But over the last few months I keep hearing more and more about bath salts, salt scrubs and the power of the Dead Sea.  After a couple of my chums came back from Israel raving about the Dead sea benefits I decided that I’d look into seeing if there’s any salty goodness (erm…) around that doesn’t affect people with sensitive skin.

Que my discovery of West Lab Mineral Bathing.  As a sensitive little egg I always try and do my research before I splash out on something I’ve never tried before and I’ll admit I’d never even heard of them. 

The benefits of sea salts isn’t a new commodity.  They’ve been used for centuries.  West Lab hasn’t quite been around that long, they were established in 2014, but they pride themselves on the quality of their products.   They are a UK company and I was really impressed when I discovered that they have a batch suitable for people with Eczema.  There’s no bleaching involved or use of harsh chemicals in their products and it’s refreshing to find a range that can be used by us sensitive shells.  When you have sensitive skin adding any old thing to your bath is a no-go, and you can forget those beautifully scented bath bombs!  I’m normally more of a shower person (usually because I’m in an eternal rush) and more so because there’s just not much you can add to your bath when you have Eczema.

To begin with I bought the 5kg bag which you can buy online for the sale price of £12.99 here.  The benefits of the salts is that not only are they relaxing but their mineral content is absorbed through the skin as you soak in the tub.  Potassium balances moisture levels, Calcium is cell-renewing and anti-oxidant and Magnesium soothes and helps balance and repair the skin.  Alongside this Bromides help make that bath even more enjoyable- by relaxing the muscles.

As recommended I added about 1kg of Salts mixed with warm water.  The advice is to bath in water between 37-39 degrees.  I literally have zero idea how hot my bath was but I’m not burning my ass for anyone!  I’d like to be able to say I relaxed with a large Gin, however I was so hot I just nailed a pint of water in the bath instead... I did light one of my favourite candles though- I just adore all the Lilly-Flame range, this time I used their Lavender and Lime scent, which you can purchase here.

Normally if I have a bath my skin always feels really raisiny afterwards (that’s SO not even a word), unless I soak in oil- in which case I normally slip on the floor and vow to use showers forever more. 

As a very wary customer I was half expecting to come out of the bath looking like I’d either been dipped in acid, or with no effect whatsoever.  When in fact it was completely the opposite!   This left my skin feeling AMAZING! Even the next morning I felt like my skin was a little less dry. I still moisturised as normal but it wasn’t that frantic ‘grab-the-cream-before-your-skin-falls-off’ scenario.  Anyone with dry skin knows all too well there’s only a short window between bathing and moisturising- miss it and hello lizard skin! I’ve been using the salts for the last couple of weeks, twice a week and I definitely think it’ll become part of my skincare regime.  Plus it forces me to have a bath and actually relax- something I NEVER have time to do. 

 J xx

Changing my hair happens about as often as a lunar eclipse.  I blame a VERY dodgy crop cut during my uni days which took a LONG time to grow out and scarred me for life.  I also blame the fact I’m just a bit of a ditherer when it comes to making any sort of hair style decision, that and also the fact I get a bit of scissor fear!

I’d been banging on about getting a bit of Balayage for months, and after many hours scouring Pintrest and a chat with my hairdresser I took the plunge and just thought, fuck it!  

It’s been over two years since I’ve has any sort of dye on my hair and it’s been 14 months since I had a haircut (I can almost hear the shocked, sharp intake of breath of anyone reading this) I guess I’m just kinda lazy.  Before my accident in January I was a very active person and as a camera operator you can’t be swishing your hair around so it’s normally a messy bun or a couple of braids for me and that’s about it.

I think it’s so hard to find a good hairdresser, and I do love mine, I just don’t go very often! I am really pleased I gave my hair a good rest from the dye; in fact it definitely helped with the Balayage as it gave my hairdresser a clean slate to start from.  I’ve been going to the Aveda salon Joshua Tree in Nottingham for quite a few years now, I fell in love with Aveda products and salons after I purchased a Groupon deal (remember those?) about 10 years ago and never looked back.  If there was anyone that could sort out my tresses it’s the guys at Joshua Tree!

My usual stylist is Emma but she recommended I used Charlotte for my colour and what a recommendation!  I wasn’t entirely sure what I wanted, even after the initial consultation, but seeing as my stressed out tresses were in need of some SERIOUS TLC I just thought sod it and I knew I was in capable hands.  Charlotte is the kind of hairdresser you can’t stop starring at, for all the right reasons.  I had instant hair envy when I met her and she’s so bubbly and funny the four hours I spent there felt like an hour hanging out with a chum.  I still had some very faded Red colour in the ends of my hair so this had to be sorted first before the free-hand colour was applied.   Despite my scissor fear I still managed to get a good 3.5 inches chopped off and it felt liberating.  It’s not like my hair is mega short now but it’s certainly made a difference in drying time!   I’ve never really gone lighter before so I think this was just the change I needed ahead of summer, if summer ever arrives in Britain!  As someone with naturally very dark hair I was so nervous about going lighter.  I opted for more caramel tones rather than a bright, yellow,  blonde, and I’m so happy with the results.  I think using several colours works so well, it’s less harsh and they blend together for a warmer colour.  No brassiness here thanks!  I don’t think my milky skin tone or my dark brows could handle anything else to be honest and this is where the value of a good hairdresser really shines through. 

Before and after...

Charlotte was completely honest with what would and wouldn’t suit me and I may be biased but I think she got it bang on.   Having the ‘grown out’ Balayage look is great for me- no regular top up colour needed and seriously low maintenance.  Perfect for a lazy hair girl like me!  Just need to keep those ends trimmed now…

During my visit I paid extra for a nourishing conditioning treatment, and while I was in the mood for looking after my tresses I treated myself to a couple of new products.  I think wavy hair looks so good with Balayage, but styling your hair with heat always comes at a price.  

I’ve invested in a couple of new products to give my frazzled ends a fighting chance to be glossy and silky.  You’ll never have locks like Rapunzel if you treat them like an ugly sister!  The Aveda Smooth Infusion styling cream was recommended by Charlotte to protect against frizz, humidity and to general make my locks look nice and smooth.

As it has been a while since my last cut my ends were in need of some help and to avoid them getting in the same state as they were I bought the Aveda Dry Remedy Daily Moisturising Oil.  This hydrates and nourishes the hair.  You just add a few drops into your palms and work through your hair.  I usually just apply this from the mid section to the ends.  I was always a bit worried about going lighter as I think when you’re dark it’s easier to get nice shiny locks, but this bad boy definitely adds shine and it always make my hair feel amazing.  It smells INCREDIBLE too!  Don’t be put off by the ‘oil’ tag either, unless you slather your hair in this there isn’t even a hint of grease.  BOOM.

I wouldn’t necessarily say I have thick hair, I just have a LOT of it.  The last thing I purchased was the Aveda Thickening Tonic.  Again this smell lush and it leaves your hair feeling really full and soft.  I apply this to damp hair and work through with my Aveda paddle brush, which you can buy here.  I haven’t been using this long enough to say that my hair feels notably thicker.  However it does feel fuller and a LOT smoother.

Hopefully now I’ve changed my locks a little I’ll be inspired to look after them.  I love the Aveda brand, not just all their plant-based hair products but also their make up too.  Even for sensitive skin it just works.  If you’re umming and ahhhing about getting Balayage just do it!  If you live in Nottingham I’d definitely recommend paying a visit to Joshua Tree, you can guarantee you’re in safe hands with the best products.  Besides, you can always dye in back…in a couple of years…

J xx

I need this more than ever right now! Life is odd and just when you think everything’s ok it’ll throw a massive curveball at you.  I try so hard not to be negative or sad but sometimes it’s an impossible task.  There are just too many things going off that are bringing me down right now and it’s all too easy to just slide down that slippery slope.  So during (another) sleepless night I tried to think of all the things that would cheer me up and put a smile on my face and I made this little list.  Hopefully it’ll help you guys too!

Positive vibes people....

1. Find a photo you love from a moment when you were truly happy.  You CAN be in that place again.  The photo above was taken during a pretty crappy time, and for my friend too, but it was a really happy moment. I was carefree, with someone I love, and loving life.  It’ll happen again.

2. Exercise.  Do anything to get your heart rate up.  Run, walk, dance, kick a ball.  Do whatever you can.  Those endorphin's are real.  Enjoy them and the knowledge that you are looking after your body.  It’ll reward you with happiness, trust me.  Since my accident I’ve not been able to ride or do pretty much any sort of sporting activity.  I’ve never felt so low.

3.  Eat well.  It’s so easy to skip meals or over indulge when you feel low.  Do yourself a favour and fill up on nutrients and all the superfoods you can find.  Your body will thank you for it and you won’t have to face the guilt after scoffing that family sized bag of Galaxy Counters.

4.  Go outside and go somewhere different.  A change in scenery always reminds me how small we are and how vast the world is.  Make the most of it.  There are so many interesting people out there and fascinating places to go to.  Life is too short not to explore.

5.  Change your hair.  Sounds basic but the feeling after a new haircut/colour is a real booster when your self esteem needs a pick me up.

6.  Clear out.  Nothing helps cleanse a clouded mind like having a good sort through all the clutter you have.  Sell your old things you no longer need, make room for new items and relish anything you find that reminds you of a happier time in your life.

7.  Find a new hobby.  Start a project, learn a new language, and take on that thing you’ve been meaning to do forever.  The time is now.  You’ll never be this young again, so just do it.

8.  Call that person you’ve been meaning to.  You never know- they might need cheering up to.  Equally surround yourself with friends, they CAN make you laugh and they will.

9.  Do something good for someone else.  Let’s not be selfish people, helping others will help yourself.  I’m not suggesting you give you every free minute in your life to volunteer but even a small act of kindness is one of the quickest ways to instantly feel good again.  Don’t forget to say thank you when someone else returns the favour.

10.  Look in the mirror and tell yourself that you are a GOOD person with a good heart.  Quit all the bitching and gossip and enjoy life. Being respectful to others will only breed happiness onto yourself.  Think about how you see yourself and how you want to be seen. Try and stop comparing yourself to others, you can only ever be you.  That’s why you need to be the BEST version of you possible.   Tell yourself that you’ve got this, a positive attitude can overcome a negative mind.  

Don’t forget to SMILE : ) 

 1. The end of summer

Despite Game of Thrones-style warnings that ‘winter is coming’, anyone with sensitive skin knows it doesn't make a damned bit of difference.  You can arm yourself with enough balm to clog up the Parisian sewers but once that dry skin of yours decides to crack then there’s nothing you can do.  Brace yourselves…

2.       You leave a part of you wherever you go

If you have Eczema/dry skin you will always be followed by that little magical dust cloud of skin.  Peeling off your skinny jeans, you’ll wonder how you've any skin left judging by the atomic mass billowing in the air.  Remember when someone brought in that snakeskin to show off at school?  You could TOTALLY relate.  Gross but you hear me right?  

3.       The inevitable questions

‘’What have you done to your ______?!’’      *insert ‘face’ ‘hands’ ‘leg’ or whatever has decided to flare up this time*

It’s like when someone tells your six-foot-three friend ‘’ooh you’re tall’’.  No shit.  I am sure they already knew this.  As I am more than aware that my hands could provide Zombie close ups in the Walking Dead but you don’t need to tell me because, guess what?  I’ve already seen them. I don’t understand why people I barely know think its ok to mention anything at all.  Unlike the communal mugs at work, not everything is for sharing.

I find it equally frustrating when people try to ‘fix’ you.  It’s amazing that doctors can train for years but your colleagues can become dermatologists in seconds.  I've tried every trick and every product, so don’t even bother.

4.       You’re so cynical but you just can’t stop spending

It’s always a game of skincare-roulette when it comes to trying new products.  You’ve just spent half a month’s salary on the latest moisturiser for sensitive skin; slather it on only to find the next day your epidermis looks more like a painting by Pollock than a Vogue cover.

Yep, we’ve all been there.  Taken in by the promises schmoises of the latest wonder cream that will turn us all into Victoria Secret models.   Over the years I think I’ve become wise to these ‘success stories’.  The day something really changes my skin forever will be the day I ride away on my pet unicorn.  

However, anything that DOES make your skin feel anything slightly smoother than sandpaper requires you to remortage your house or rob a bank.

5.       Thinking that diet will save you

You've been eating that many Blueberries you’re starting to resemble Violet Beauregarde (if you have to Google her then shame on you!) Then weeks later you come across a blog post warning that if you want the skin of an angel you need to steer clear of all berries!  When my skin is bad one of the first things I blame is my diet, but how the hell do you know what you’re actually SUPPOSED to be eating?!  For every ‘safe’ food that will help sort out your skin there’s a conflicting opinion telling you the opposite.  I still have no idea whether I’m supposed to bathe in a vat of tomatoes or avoid them like an 80’s mullet.  The only real way of testing foods is an elimination diet, and to be honest who has the patience for that shizzle?

6.       Tanning is a no-go

Ahhh, the Sun.  That glorious Vitamin D provider.  If you’re paler than a pint of milk AND your skin is more sensitive than a Westlife album then it’s pretty much game over.  The sun is either friend or foe.  It’ll help heal your skin, or you’ll get that prickly rash and the only option is to slather on that much sun lotion the chance of getting any shade of brown is slim to sod all.  

Equally trying to fake tan is COMPLETELY out of the question- you’ll either blow up from an allergic reaction or end up looking like you suffer from ringworm when it sticks to all those sneaky dry/sensitive patches.  Ugh.  The tanning struggle is VERY real.

7.       You just can’t trust yourself, your clothes, or your washing powder

Ever woken up with blood under your finger nails?  Even if you’re the healthiest person in the world, use the best skincare products, and only wear clothes crafted using cotton hand-picked from clouds, what your body decides to do in your sleep is the one thing you can’t control.  That itch will won’t scratch itself…

I've gone to sleep thinking my skin isn't so bad only to wake up looking like I've been in bed with Wolverine.

When it comes to buying clothes and washing powder- who the hell do you trust?! And you can forget buying that woollen jumper, you might as well wear a cape of fire.  You can also forget that sweet smelling fabric conditioner.  You’ll look more ‘elephant in poison ivy’ than ‘Amazon rainforest’.  Anything that smells remotely pleasant must be avoided at whatever cost.  This includes perfume, body butter, and those bath bombs I shudder at the mere thought of using.

Only last week I was scorched by the liquid venom of a perfume promoter in Boots, spraying carelessly in my direction blissfully unaware of the hell I’d be in later.  

All you can do is ask yourself- will it make me itch, will it burn me from the inside out, and is it worth it? Probably not…

8.       From the lowest self-esteem to extreme vanity

Yes it might be a ‘first-world problem’, and there are far greater issues than a bad skin day!  But when it’s more like a bad skin year you REALLY start to hate yourself.  Sometimes, when it’s only acceptable to walk out the house with a hat covering my head,  I think I’d actually rather be bald than have skin that rejects everything it comes into contact with. At least I could wear a wig!

On the other hand it’s PERFECTLY acceptable to flounce around like Beyonce Barbie leaving the salon on those few, and far between, occasions where your skin and body decide to work in perfect harmony and actually look like they should.  Take a bazillion selfies, put on those hot pants and pour yourself a glass of champagne.  Just be ready for the next morning when your outermost organ will decide it actually hates alcohol now too…

Owning a shell that is of the sensitive persuasion means the things you want to take part in- trips to the beach, running through fields (because, let’s face it- we all wanna do that), cuddling your best friends new dog/cat/rabbit- all come with serious risks and more often than not running your red raw hands through the hair of a Guinea Pig is simply not worth the hours of pain and itchy misery.

There are few benefits of having an outer layer of hell but it’s vital to milk every single one!  I use my pathetic dermis as an excuse for all sorts of things.  It brings an end to all those crappy shower gel sets at Christmas, which leaves room to suggest something you actually want.  I can also avoid cosmetic counter slaves, washing up, cleaning, weird food, bad cups of tea, and it allows me to be a complete bedding snob (350 thread count minimum) and also adorn myself in only the best skincare I can get my itchy little mits on.

For anyone with sensitive skin- it’s tough out there.  You have my deepest sympathies.

I am a moisturising addict. I go through more pots, tubs and tubes of the stuff than any other beauty product.  Having Eczema never makes skincare easy but anyone who suffers from sensitive or dry skin knows that skipping on your moisturiser is never worth the pain.

Admittedly sometimes at night  I slather so much on if I had silk sheets I’d probably shoot right out the other side of the bed!  So finding a good quality, natural product, that isn’t too greasy, is always on my hit list.

I’ve used Aveeno hand cream for years but I’d never tried their moisturising cream and I was pretty surprised when my dermatologist actually prescribed it to me.  Firstly I was ecstatic because it means that I get two massive bottles for the cost of one prescription, which means a mahoosive saving on the usual price.  Right now at Boots (UK) you can buy Aveeno moisturising cream for £14.46 for 500ml and there’s a 3 for 2 offer so you can stock up.

I reckon a 500ml tub lasts me about 6 weeks, but I’m slathering it on every day religiously so it’s good value!

If you read Sensitive Shell a lot you’ll know I’m a huge fan of natural products.  It’s really important to me that I’m not just coating my skin in a load of chemicals.  The ingredients list on the back of the simple cute packaging is pretty short (always a good sign) and it’s gentle enough to use on babies.  I wouldn’t necessarily say it’s helped get rid of my Eczema but my skin is in the best condition it’s been in for ages and I’m sure this bad boy is partially responsible for this.  I’ve seen all of my usual dry patches disappear, it’s the best cream I’ve used in ages and definitely does what it says on the tin!

I am a massive fan of oats, although I normally like my porridge first thing in a morning not on my skin, but Aveeno have been using oats in their products since 1945 so why not?! Go through pretty much any homemade skin scrub blog and oats will usually always feature heavily so I think it’s no secret that they are actually pretty good for us, inside and out.  The Aveeno moisturising cream smells so fresh, and even though their products are fragrance free the oats make for a deliciously delicately scented cream.  Almost good enough to eat, almost.  

There are so many benefits from oats: moisturises- restores dehydrated skin, soothes, creates a protective film on the skins surface, and helps to return skin to normal PH levels.  I also love love LOVE the fact that this doesn’t leave my skin all greasy.  A lot of products for dry skin are very thick, heavy and you need to leave them to sink in for an eternity.  The Aveeno absorbs super quick and feels SO good.  Nothing like any of the moisturisers any of the doctors/dermatologists have recommended for me before.   I’m definitely going to give their shower oil a try, in fact I’ll probably be buying most of their range in the hope of swapping things up a little, but this love affair with the Aveeno moisturising cream won’t be ending any time soon…

 J xx

I am so envious of anyone that can wear fake tan, and wear it well.  I’ve tried so many tanning products, however once they’ve been applied to my crazy sensitive skin they usually develop into patches of brownish-orange that wouldn’t look out of place as an example of ringworm in a science book.

There are a few good high end wash-on wash-off tanning products around, but you really need smooth skin for them to work well and when you have eczema there ain’t no amount of exfoliation that’s going to achieve that!

Fret not, my darlings, for a hero is on hand!  Be gone pasty legs and hello wonder skin! My friend suggested I tried Sally Hansen leg makeup and OH MY GOD-  HOW ON EARTH HAVE I NEVER TRIED THIS BEFORE?

The Bear was best man at a wedding last weekend and as I had bought the mother of all dresses I didn’t want my legs to let me down.  I’ve been off work and actually looking after my skin, so my legs are in fairly decent condition (apart from the serious lack of exercise) and they are virtually Eczema-free (wahoo!) so I thought I’d give it a go.  Wearing tights wasn’t an option with open-toed shoes so I needed a little something to help me along! Shaving always irritates my legs and I hate how they look without tights so this was definitely a product I couldn’t wait to try.  

Aww, doesn’t he look all dashing and smart.  I am in LOVE with this dress...

Obvs the Sally Hanson brand has been around forever (Mumma Cox used to swear by it) and I know I’m super late to the party, but if you aren’t confident at tanning, or have sensitive skin then this is a great way to give your legs a bit of colour without the commitment of fake tan.  Even wash off tan can be a right pain in the ass if you have problem skin like me so I bought the Airbrush Legs in Medium to sort out my pins.  And sort them out it did!  Airbrush is available in a spray or a lotion.  I tried the spray and I’ll definitely be using it again.  Not only did it colour correct my mottled milky legs, it also hid some of my bruises, shaving rash and really evened out my skin tone.

I sprayed it onto my hands and not directly to my legs and then applied it to my legs in a downwards motion and massaged it in. The beauty is you can build up the colour with no streaks, no orange patches, and therefore no ringworm circles on your dry skin patches!

Airbrush legs claims to stay fresh on your legs all day and it definitely does that.  The only thing I will say is that, despite what it tells us on the advert; it DOES rub off onto clothes etc.  I managed to leave the hotel bed sheets looking like the Tango man had paid a visit, however it does wash off super easy when you’ve hung up your dancing shoes.  So not only did it give my legs a bit of colour it also smoothed out my skin and hid all those annoying marks from years of clawing my skin and scars from being a total clutz!  It’s basically an amazing pair of tights/stockings in a tin!

Check out the difference: No bruises, scratches, or redness!

 I hope one day I’ll find a tanning product that works on sensitive skin but for now I’m more than happy with a temporary leg makeover.  Give it a try and check out the image below to shop my wedding outfit and accessories.

Happy Friday!

J xx

  Limited edition ‘Peyton’ dress, House of CB http://bit.ly/1TFGN4J

New Kid lipgloss, shade ‘Tickled Pink’ http://bit.ly/1QMHo1N 

Eyelure volumising lashes 070 http://bit.ly/1X7ZEmG

Nails Inc, shade ‘Porchester Square’ http://bit.ly/1nCPZIv

L’Oreal eyeshadow Gold Mania  http://bit.ly/1pbNyP0

Gold shoes, Miss KG, John Lewis http://bit.ly/1WeH6RE

Just Cavalli, Nappa clutch/wrist bag http://bit.ly/1WeI9AT

Mother’s Day is just around the corner and for all you lucky bastards that have one I suggest you make her feel special!

I’ve not had a Mum to share Mother’s Day with since my 21st birthday and trust me that ‘effort’ of buying flowers, a card or making a little gift, or even picking up the phone to organise the annoying family get together is actually worth it, because you’ll never know what you had until it’s gone.

I never wanted to be anywhere else but her side, even feeding the ducks!

I think Mother’s Day can be so many things.  It can be like a birthday for anyone that IS a Mother, it can be fun for everyone else and it can feel good to know you are spoiling the person who not only brought you into this world but the person that made you into what you are today.  It can also be a desperately sad day, some people have never known their mothers, or if you have other women who are pretty much the next best thing to a mother figure in your life, but often wonder what happened to the original. It can also be a painful day for anyone who has lost a child, a reminder of what could have been, and of course a sad day for anyone who lost their mother during any point in their life.

So buy that card, book that table and buy whoever is like a Marma to you a little something to show you appreciate all the times they’ve listened to your tears, tantrums, and celebrated your joy.

Here’s ten little ideas for anyone feeling a bit clueless, all £20 or under (links below). Don’t worry if you’re a little cash-strapped,  a homemade something is always a great idea.  Get scouring Pintrest for some inspiration, bake a cake or print out and frame your favourite picture of you both or a photograph you know she loves.

Diptyque Roses scented candle, Space NK £20

Elemis Frangipani Duo £14.50

Personalised Mother’s Day gift, Not On The Highstreet £14.99

Royal Albert New Country teacup, Amazon £17.60

Holdsworth Blue Cube, 200g, John Lewis £15

Nails Inc Baby Nailkale Collection £19

Best Mummy make up bag £12.99

Lvndr Turquoise Bracelet £20

M&S Handcream Trio £8.50

Edinburgh Gin Rhubarb and Ginger Liqueur £18.00

WHEN YOUR MUM ISN’T AROUND ANYMORE…

There are a few problems you will always notice when you don’t have a Mum on Mother’s Day.  Firstly you’ll feel like you have to do some sort of memorial. Like you’re massively dishonoring the person who brought you into the world if you don’t light a candle or something.  This is a load of rubbish.  If you’ve lost your Mum or don’t have any sort of Mother figure then you know damn well that you think about them more than just once a year.  Light a candle on their birthday or toast your next G&T to their memory.  Don’t punish yourself by thinking you HAVE to go all out and create a shrine.  It’ll just depress you even more.  I used to shy away from anything remotely Mother’s Day-ish, however this year I was invited to a Spa Day with my chums and their Mum (who has kind of ‘adopted’ me) and despite me thinking I’d get sad I thought what the hell.  My Marma loved a good Spa so why not?  Definitely ditch the guilt.

Secondly you’ll feel really annoyed or angry.  I am SO jealous of anyone who gets to meet their Mum for coffee, text them knowing they’ll get a reply, go shopping with them, introduce them to their boyfriend. Blah blah blah. You can’t avoid the bitterness-inducing social media surge of how much everyone loves their Mums on Mother’s Day statuses, all the Insta-worthy photos of lunches out with the family etc etc.  Nor will you have been able to hide under your duvet until all the shops have removed their Mother’s Day paraphernalia, which seems to start Feb 15th FYI. In time this bitterness dies down a bit, you’ll never not miss your Mum; you’ll just learn to get on with life without her physically being there. Which, trust me, sucks.

Thirdly, there is also the awkwardness of responding to anyone who doesn’t know you don’t have a mother.

‘So where are you off to on Mother’s Day?’

‘Erm, nowhere, she’s dead…’ 

 A guaranteed conversation killer.

Then there’s also the awkwardness of anyone offering pity on you:

 ‘I know this day is always difficult for you Jemma, so why don’t you come and have a six course lunch with twenty eight members of my family?’….. But that’s where my next point comes in.

There isn’t a day that goes by where I don’t think about my Mum.  I always wonder when I get myself into dumb situations or let myself down what she would say to me and what her advice would be.  I would swap anything to spend a day with her and I feel like I’m at an age now where I would genuinely want to do so many nice things with her.  When you’re young parents can be kinda embarrassing but as you grow older you realise you become pretty similar and that they weren’t such bad eggs after all.  I look at my friends relationships with their mothers and I’m so jealous.  It hurts.  I hate it. I hate the fact she will never see me as I am now, she’ll never see me become a mother too, or get married (if that ever happens….yuk) she’ll never meet the Bear and she’ll never be able to tell me off again for stealing her makeup.  I’ll never be able to ask her how to make the best scones ever, or how to wash my knitted jumper without shrinking it to fit a Barbie.

WE ALL NEED A MOTHER FIGURE…

Just because you don’t have a Mum doesn’t mean you can’t adopt another Mother figure.  Let’s face it, well all kinda need one!   OBVIOUSLY you can’t parade round acting like they are your REAL Mum, annoying anyone that’s actually related to them,  but you get my point… 

 I never went searching for one, my adopted Mummy just kinda happened.  I am so lucky to have such amazing friends in my life and their families are part of this. My boyfriend’s Mum is amazing and I love her so much, but she’s his marma and not mine.    My adopted Mum is my BFF’s mum, Gill Sheeran, and she’s incredible. I can literally sit for hours talking to her and she’s one of the most kind, glamourous, and generous women I’ve ever met. I guess she’s more of a role model and an aspiration than anything.  Anyone who can look that good on a daily basis is a hero in my eyes.  She’s brought up a family, been through hell and back and still laughs and smiles like a care-free soul.  She’s always there to talk to, offer advice, share a Gin with,  and make me feel good about life.  She also has a blog ‘Growing Old Disgracefully’ so check her out- it’s awesome!  

We can literally talk about anything.  I know it’ll never be the same as talking to my own Mummy but I think deep down every girl needs someone they can turn to as a Mother figure.  It’s nature.  

So if you DO have a Mother on Mother’s Day just imagine how hard it would be if she wasn’t there, and if you don’t have one try to avoid the bitterness of those that do!  Go out and celebrate someone else’s!  I know my Marma would be more than happy for me to be sipping Prosecco in a bathrobe this Sunday,

Love you Marma,

Never heard of Skincere? Well you should have.  If you have sensitive skin or any sort of allergies (wheat, dairy, nuts, chemicals) then this brand should definitely be on your radar.

I’m usually a bit dubious of any product claiming to make a difference to your skin that is 100% natural and free-from everything.  In my head if something is free from everything what is in it that’s going to make such a difference?  Or, rather, what ISN’T in it that will make such an improvement on my ever sensitive shell?

The range is made up of five simple products- all you’ll ever need for a great daily skincare regime. When I first tried these products my skin was really sore.  I had really dry skin on my face and the skin around my eyes was particularly sensitive. I was expecting the eye serum to sting but it didn’t.  My skin has never felt smoother.  I am in LOVE with this brand.  So simple and so effective.  When I read up on the brand I loved their ethos as it matched mine  ‘Whilst skincare products for sensitive skin may address the issue of irritation and sensitivity, they tend to do nothing for anti-aging or beauty…’  Hurrah! My sentiments exactly.  While I wouldn’t say I’ve noticed that my skin miraculously looks five years younger I will say the skin on my face is in great condition, and even though my skin does tend to be really up and down (I blame hormones and all the other crap we women have to deal with) it’s definitely improved.  I always judge a new product on whether or not I get spots the first time I use it, and I didn’t get any after my first use of Skincere.  Plus, they’re vegan-friendly and not tested on animals. Winner!

First up:  the Cream Cleanser.  I apply this directly to dry skin and massage it in, removing with a muslin cloth.  The cleanser has exfoliating properties and it super soothing.  Normally I’m pretty red-faced after removing my makeup, but not with this bad boy.  The only thing I will say is that if I’ve worn liquid eyeliner or heavier eye makeup I used an extra eye makeup remover to completely remove all makeup traces, however for the rest of my face it left it feeling fresh and smooth.  Packed full of ingreidents like coconut oil, aloe leaf juice, smoothing Shea butter, bilberry, orange and lemon.  Heaven in a cleansing tube!

Ahh my hero product: Facial Serum (£19.99) I don’t think a day has gone by recently where I’ve not used this, even if I’ve been using other brands on my skin!  This feels SO good.  I use this straight after cleansing, and this is the product they claim does all the good stuff- increases firmness, reduces age spots, hydrates and smoothes.   I think this is the beast that has evened out my skin tone.  I often have red patches on my face but these have definitely reduced and even after the first use my skin was super smooth.

I also use the Eye Serum (£14.99) to help look after my tired-eyes.  I always suffer with the skin aroud my eyes.  If you have allergies they always itch and my eyelids are often red and dry.  I definitely feel like my skin is more hydrated from using this.  Sometimes I forget to use it with the facial serum but it does have an instant smoothing effect, which is amazing!  I think my dark circles are mostly lack of sleep though- If only my skin did actually look ten years younger!

I always follow my serum with either their Day Cream or Night Cream (both £24.99).  Obvs depending if it’s the morning or not.  I thought the day cream wouldn’t hydrate my skin enough, it’s such a light consistency; however it’s really hydrating without causing any breakouts. It’s non greasy and packed full of antioxidants and botanical extracts.

I try to swap up my night cream, depending how dry my skin is.  But this is a firm favourite.  It feels rich without being too thick, which is a trait I love.  I read on the back that it helps stressed skin, which mine definitely is.  I spend far too much time worrying at night and over thinking things, my poor skin needs all the help it can get!  Avocado oil helps boost collagen production and the high levels of vitamin E reduces itching, inflamatio  and softens dry skin-perfect if you have Eczema like me!

If you do suffer from sensitive skin, definitely give this a try.  I’ve really been upping my skincare game now I have all this time off work following my accident.  It’s great to try new products, and you never know- you might discover the hero product you’ve been searching for!  The prices are so reasonable too.  It’s always a risk splashing out on something you don’t know will work, or even suit your skin!  To make things even better there’s a sale on over at the skincere website so you can get beautifully hydrated skin for a fraction of the price.  Now who doesn’t love a bargain…

J xx

www.skincere.co.uk

I’ve been absent from my blog for just over a week, which is pants.  About 9 days ago I managed to end up in hospital following a pretty bad fall from a horse.  It has been horrific, but I say pretty bad as it could have been a lot worse.  Moral of the story: wear a body protector!  

Being in so much pain, damaged, immobile and TOTALLY reliant on others has made me really think about how much I take for granted and how grateful and thankful I really should be. In our lives it’s so easy  to moan and grumble about all the ‘if onlys’ and the ‘I don’t have the time’ or ‘if I worked harder/had more money/was curvier/thinner…’ etc etc , we forget about all the good things we have.

Being injured made me realise all the little things I normally take for granted. The freedom to drive, go where ever I want, change a pillow case without crying in pain, walk up and down stairs, run, or even brush the nest that is my hair without hurting.  It also made me realise how amazing people are, family and friends, and my dearest Bear.

Moving away from beauty and food, this post is all about my reasons to be happy and the things I am most grateful for :) So I challenge you all today to think beyond the doom and gloom and appreciate the little things in life that, without which, you would be as miserable as Dot Cotton during a tomato juice strike.  You might have a the mother of all bitchy resting faces, but there’s ALWAYS a reason to smile!

THE PEOPLE WE LOVE

Whether you’re single or not the people we love the most need telling.  Friends, family, housemates (I class mine as close friends), your partner, that girl/boy you’ve fancied since time began.  Tell them. When I lay in hospital freaking out it was my Dad and my boyfriend who made me feel safe and realise that, even though I detest hospitals almost as much as funerals, I was in good hands and I was ok.    

We rely on our friends to be there for us and I don’t think we realise how much until we need them the most.  Heartbreak, death, birth, change.  The people we are closest to are the ones that get us through life’s highs and lows, yet are probably the people we take for granted the most.  They’ll always be there, right?  After Mum died I now always make a point of telling Dad I love him whenever we speak.  I wish I’d told Mum every day.    I’d have been lost this week without the Bear, my family, and my friends.  Nothing brings your relationship closer than your boyfriend stepping up to be your carer let me tell you!

I’d have been lost without all the lovely texts, notes, food parcels and little gifts from my chums. They made me feel loved when I felt really low and I hope that I can always be there for them when they need a friend in return.

FREEDOM TO TRAVEL

If you can drive then you will know how amazing you felt when you first passed your test.  Over time that joy fades into rush-hour frustration but for me this week I realised how much I rely on little Hugo (my car) to go everywhere I need to.  This week also made me so grateful for all the holidays I’ve had, especially my skiing trip recently.  I wouldn’t have been able to do that in my current state!  We are so lucky in our society that we can just book a flight and get out of here, we can even move to another town or country whenever we fancy. Visiting new places not only widens your horizons but you learn so much and meet so many amazing people, and I’m so grateful for all the holidays and experiences I have had.  Here’s to many more!!!

MY LITTLE BLOG

This week I got lovely email from a company I’d written about in a previous post and it made me feel so happy!  I don’t work for myself (that’s my dream one day…) but my blog is the one thing I create alone, I make time for it and I know it’s all my work.  When I get a nice comment, or email it feels amazing because I know I’ve achieved that- all on my tod.  I love the blogging community, there are so many inspirational, interesting people out there, and even though sometimes it’s easy to just look at other people on social media and compare myself I also know there’s a tonne of support and wonderful things going on and I’m grateful to be a part of that.

EXERCISE

Some people may scream at their screens, or laugh in disbelief, at my next sentence but it’s true so sorry.

I miss exercise.

There I’ve said it. I totally hold my hands up though, I’m one of those people that when it’s cold and wet will have to force myself and argue in my head to run or do anything energetic but when the choice is taken away from you, it sucks.  I miss horse riding, I miss being able to sprint up the stairs, pick up my ridiculously heavy camera at work, and run until I can barely breathe.  When I came back from my skiing trip I was on such a healthy eating/exercise kick I was feeling so good about myself, and then my stupid accident happened.

Getting up early at the weekend to go to the yard does suck, but once I’m riding I’m in my happy place.  I am nervous about how I’ll feel when a horse starts tanking off with me again, but I miss being in the saddle and I miss riding my bomb-proof old pony Oslo.

Exercise makes you feel SO good about yourself afterwards.  The endorphin hype is real and even though it can be tough the sense of achievement afterwards can’t be matched.  If you can move, just do it! This time last year I was training for the London Marathon, this year I’m training myself to pick things up with crutches…

MY HORSE

What a wonderful animal Oslo is.  My pride and joy (see above, photo credit: Lee Wallis) I love him more than words.  Not being able to drive to see him, stroke his velvety, moleskin-soft nose, and sit on top of the old boy is killing me. He wasn’t the horse I fell off (I love that horse too) but he is my special boy and I’ve owned him for over half my life.  He’s amazing. Everyone that meets him agrees and he’s taught me, and so many others an awful lot.

He’s the gentlest sole but a real character and I’d be lost without him.  Sometimes being at the yard, especially in winter, when everyone else is busy doing something else makes me question why I do it but then as soon as I’m at the yard I’m so happy and as soon as I cuddle Oslo I know I wouldn’t want to be anywhere else.  Having a horse is a massive commitment but I’m lucky enough to have a situation where other people look after him too.  It took eight long years to persuade my parents that having a horse would be a good idea, and I’ve never looked back.  Being away from him makes me realise how fortunate I am to have a horse, and the special bond that comes with it.

HEALTH

Recovering from an accident is a long process and it was good to know from my scans that, other than my current damage, I’m a healthy person.  This isn’t something anyone should take for granted.  My sight, smell, touch, ability to move, I’m thankful for it all and I’ve realised how important it is to look after myself.  Diet and exercise is cruicial, and even though I’m enjoying boxsets and chocolate, it’s made me realise how much I need to stay healthy- not just for my skin but for my insides too.  I love creating healthy meals and food can be so much fun, when you’re a child like me and can even turn your own breakfast into a bear!  Health isn’t just about the physical though, good mental health is vital and I really hit a low point last week and it’s easy to just fill your mind with sorrow and self-pity.  This is where staying active, surrounding yourself with positive people, experiencing new and exciting things, and travelling will keep you healthy in mind and body!

TIME

Anyone who knows me knows I live my life at 100mph.  I am always in a rush (usually late), and I’m always the ‘I don’t have enough time’ person.   I would never spend a full day in bed, or lounging on the sofa, ever.  I don’t have enough time.

These injuries have forced me to do pretty much sod all, and I’m (sort of) grateful for this.  I also don’t want to waste it.  I think we waste so much time doing stupid pointless things, that we could actually spend doing useful things to help us achieve our dreams and goals.  I am 100% guilty of this.

My problem now is that I’m always saying how much I dream of time off work but now I have it I’m so immobile I can’t get anything done! So when I am back up and running I intend to spend less time procrastinating about what I want to do and actually get on and do it! Well, here’s hoping anyway… In the mean time I need to be grateful and thankful that I’ve been given time to think- about what I want to do with myself, my career, where I’d like to be and what I’d like to do.  Time is precious and it’s nice to spend time on your own, getting happy in your own skin.

 These are just a few things I’m grateful for, I could go on all day but no one wants to read that amount of shizzle and this is long enough as it is!

So get thinking about what you’re grateful for and what you probably take for granted, and don’t forget to tell the people you love that you do!

So let’s talk Salcura. Since my return from the Alps I’ve been really hitting the skincare game hard, inside and out.  I’m eating a lot more Eczema friendly foods, exercising more, drinking a tonne of water and doing all I can I to make my skin a little more silk than bark.

In a previous post I mentioned I’ve been using the Salcura two step system for the last few months and I have to say I’m hooked.  I have Atpoic Eczema, so I’m allergic to pretty much everything and sometimes it feels like even air irritates my skin!

For me one of the worst things of having sensitive skin is the itching.  The first part of the Salcura system is the Bioskin DermaSpray (£16.99).  This nourishing little bottle feels like you’re spraying a protective barrier on your skin and the first time I used it it really did relieve any irritating itchiness on my skin.  The spray contains Almond oil, to moitsurise, and it packed full of nutrients, helping to relieve itching, nourish skin cells, and support the skin barrier.  

I REALLY like the spray. Normally anything created for dry/sensitive skin comes in some sort of heavy gloop form that takes an eternity to rub in and leaves you coated in that much grease you could fry enough eggs to provide breakfast for every trucker in the UK.  This is different, and it works. Did I mention that already?

You can spray it everywhere easily, all those hard to reach places and then parade around your room naked feeling on top of the world.  My only concern is that I will become immune to this.  I’ve read lots of reviews saying people found it worked and then it either stopped working second time round or became less effective.  I think I’m going to try and only use it when I feel my skin is getting worse but then you do kinda need to use it regularly to provide a barrier.  

 The spray is followed up by the GORGEOUS smelling Bioskin Zeoderm repair moisturiser (£9.99).  This is a thick, luxurious feeling almost ointment-cream hybrid.  It contains Linseed to help fight any redness and inflammation in your skin.  I found it sinks in quickly and works wonders on any dry, cracked or sore skin.  You can use it everywhere- body, feet, face, elbows, the lot!   I applied this almost straight after the spray.  I’ve also been using this as a hand cream too, it’s one of the best body moisturisers I’ve used in ages.  I’m hooked. 

Despite it’s recommendations I haven’t been using it on my face, however I have been trying out the Salcura Bioskin cleanser (£12.99) and the Dermaserum (£11.99).  The cleanser reminded me of my Elemis cleansing balm in consistency and the Weleda Buckthorn body wash in smell.  It’s gorgeous, and way more purse friendly than Elemis.  It’s quite thick for a cleanser and wasn’t amazing at getting rid of all my mascara residue but my skin didn’t break out, even after the first time I used it, and it’s definitely helped with my wintery dry skin. I’ve been using the serum at night after cleansing and as an extra to my normal moisturiser (which I will blog about in another post as I’ve discovered another new gem recently- and it’s only January!!!)  My skin feel so smooth when I use the serum and all the dry patches near my eyes have gone.

In the mornings I always have a quick shower before work to wake me up, I’m normally in a rush if I’ve been for a run or over slept and I hate the way most shower gels/creams leave my skin feeling dry and even after using moisturiser my skin feels tight and stripped of any natural oils.  Not with this bad boy though! The Bioskin Body Cleanser (£12.99) It smells pretty damn good too, packed with lemongrass, white willow bark and star flower.  It keeps break outs at bay too, so a winner all round.  It also last aaaaaggggeeeess.

 There’s three things I love most about Salcura:

One- the price.   Anyone who invests heavily in skincare knows this comes at a cost and everything I wanted from the range was less than twenty quid!

Second- There are no harsh ingredients in the products.  They feel gentle, and smell good.  Free from steroids, Parabens, SLS, Phthalates, antibiotics and paraffin.

Three- They work.  ‘Nuff said.

If you suffer from dry skin, sensitive skin, eczema, psoriasis, dermatitis or just generally want to look after your skin with some natural, non-perfumed goodness then this is the range for you!  If you’re a little sceptical just read the reviews on their website, obviously I doubt they’d add any negative ones but it’s interesting seeing what people say about their products and there’s plenty of other information out there too.  Anything I can spritz, slather or spray onto myself which makes my skin feel and look better is worth investing in, in my opinion and I’ve no doubt I’ll be Dermaspraying myself for many months ahead!

J xx

Here’s my skin progress after using Bioskin after 10 days: (the photos aren’t the best as they were taken on my phone but you get the idea- a lot less irritation, better skin condition, a reduction in redness and healed splits.

I am so unlucky to have really crap skin but I’m super lucky to have amazing friends and literally before I could even recover from the Christmas day food slump I had packed my bags, boarded a flight and arrived in the Alps with my trusty Wolfpack.

Girls on tour...

I LOVE being in the Alps. I came to Morzine for the first time last year and it was one of the best holidays I’ve ever had.  The air is so fresh and you pretty much shower in Evian every day.  It’s impossible to be miserable here.  The sense of freedom, nature and peace hits you as soon as you arrive and I’m so grateful I have incredible, generous friends to come away with.

Going on any holiday normally really sorts my skin out.  My eczema has been particularly bad before Christmas and I’m hoping my time whizzing down the slopes and consuming a mountain of fresh water will sort me right out. I’m also in FULL on chill mode. Being with such relaxed friends is awesome, there’s no pressure just fun times and happiness.  No work, no rushing around, good food, the occasional Gin (obvs) and some much needed exercise after all those pigs in blankets!  My body is LOVING me right now!

Being away has also given me the chance to try out some of the skincare products I got for Christmas as well as putting my old faithful’s to the test.  Being in colder climates can be really harsh on any skin, let alone sensitive skin, so it’s important to come armed and ready!

As you know I’m a massive Elemis advocate so of course my day and night collagen cream had to come with me.  My skin has been really tired looking and worn out recently so to supplement these I’ve been using the Kiehl’s Midnight recovery concentrate.  This feels so luxurious on your skin and my skin is always baby soft the next day. I’ve been using it straight after cleansing at night. If you have sore or particularly sensitive skin I would definitely patch test first.  The first time I ever used this my skin was really dry and sensitive and it didn’t feel great, however the skin on my face isn’t too bad at the moment and I’ve not had any problems with it.  If you have oily/occasionally dry skin I think this is a fabulous product but I think if you are really suffering and need a good overnight boost for sensitive skin then the ElemisPro-Collagen Super Elixr is much better.  However this comes with a very hefty price tag, but god it’s worth it! I’d definitely recommend trying Kiehl’s products, in fact another little gem I brought with me is their Daily Reviving Concentrate.  I have been using this in the mornings on a cleansed face as I haven’t really been wearing any makeup during the day so it’s given my skin a good rest and some much needed R&R.  You only need a teeny tiny amount and although it’s an oil it doesn’t feel greasy and really absorbs well into the skin.  I’m not sure I will be replacing this when it runs out but my skin definitely feels more hydrated and smooth.

I’m going to do another blog post on these products but I’m mid- way through a solid first time run using the Salcura Bioderm Two step system for sensitive skin and eczema. I’ve brought with me their Zeoderm Extra face and body and their Face Cleanser.  I’ve been using the Zeoderm for daily hand cream too and it’s SO good! I love Salcura products so much.  I tried Salcura years ago but my lovely friend re-introduced me to their brand recently so I’ll let you know how I get on.  Their products really suit my skin and although my Eczema didn’t suddenly vanish when I started using them I really feel like my overall skin condition has improved.  Their cleanser is so gentle but goes on really thick.  It’s never brought me out in spots or left me red-faced and sore.  I’m cross with myself for forgetting the spray for step one of their system but I’ll blog about this another time.  If you need a great moisturiser for dry and sensitive skin that won’t break the bank, and is free from the bad stuff and full of the good stuff then this is the product for you!  I wouldn’t use the Zeoderm on my face, even though it says you can, as for me it’s far too thick and feels like it sticks on the surface of my skin, If that makes sense!

Let’s all take a minute to appreciate how CUTE my little makeup bag is!  I’ve wanted one of these for AGES and my amazing friend Gemma, who knows me SO well, bought me this for Christmas.  Such a lovely, thoughtful gift and it was such a great present as even though I've been looking at these I’d have never treated myself to one.  My little bag is by Tillyanna from Not on the High Street. They make such cute gifts and I’m going to be taking mine everywhere with me.  Right now there’s 20% off too!

Being on holiday with beauty Youtubers is great for discovering new products and brands.  I always think I’ve found an amazing product and then they recommend something that wipes the floor with the one I’ve been in love with.  When I’m anxious or stressed out I have this disgusting habit of biting my bottom lip and my lips have been really sore this winter.  This week I’ve been saved by the luxurious Nuxe ultra-nourishing lip balm. I’ll confess right now I’ve never used Nuxe before but they sell their products in the pharmacy here in Morzine, and I’ve learned from my many trips to France that ‘la pharmacie’ always stock quality products.  I really love French beauty brands, they always seem to get the blend between science and nature just right and I’ll definitely be purchasing more, so big thanks to TalkBeckyTalk for starting my new Nuxe love affair!

As it’s pretty much been a makeup-free holiday I’ve been using the Caudalie Beauty Elixr to pick me up and give my face a shot of essential oils.  It’s basically an Espresso shot for your face.  Oh Caudalie, let me count the ways in which I love thee... I am in LOVE with Caudalie!  Again another amazing French company, I think there’s a theme developing here…  I have been using Caudalie since I mistakenly bought a cleanser from Space NK almost ten years ago thinking it was another brand and what a wonderful mistake that was. I’ve read a few blog posts last year saying some people with sensitive skin had reacted to their products but I’ve never had any problems.  I think it all depends on several factors- what’s in the product, if you react to natural ingredients and essential oils, and what state your skin is in.  If my Eczema is really bad I’m obviously not going to be slathering much on there, but if my skin is being kind then I like to treat it to the good stuff and Caudalie loves me right back.  I also purchased the Caudalie Deep Cleansing Exfoliator  while I’ve been out in France, yep- from the trusty pharmacy, and it’s been sloughing away at my face leaving it nice and smooth.  All their products smell so good without having that OTT scream of ‘I’M MADE FROM NATURAL SHIT’ after you’ve applied them. Definitely a range I’ll be continuing to use throughout 2016.  Their products feel so luxurious and despite my Eczema and sensitive skin my skin has never reacted at all.  Go send them some love!

Hope you all had a wonderful New Year and have been smiling and loving life as much as I have,

Here’s to discovering more amazing products for our sensitive shells in 2016,

J xx

I’m trying to avoid New Year resolutions this year.  I normally make a whole heap of unattainable goals for the forthcoming year.  They start off with a determined confidence­­­­­­­­ that I’ll see them through right to the end of the year then they fizzle out like a tired sparkler by about March.  Instead I’ve decided that to make some more achievable goals for 2016 that are less chore-like and more about loving life!  Making the mother of all lists of things you want to change is never going to be productive.  It’ll just get you down thinking of all the negative things.  Change rarely happens overnight so there’s no point trying to become a professional scuba diver, learn to drive a tank, lose a stone, quit eating crisps, stop biting your nails, and have an allotment all in one go. It’ll just blow your mind and you’ll feel like a failure when it doesn’t happen.

Wanting to make your life better, happier, fuller, easier and more enjoyable can only be a good thing but just little steps towards each goal can make such a difference.  

2015 was quite a year for me.  When people ask me what I’ve been up to I normally reply with ‘not much’ but when I think about it I have actually done loads this year.  I ran the London marathon, got a boyfriend, went travelling, swapped snowboarding for skiing for the first time, and my job moved to an entirely new city!  Life is for living and although I could do with winning the lottery to actually do everything and go to all the places I’d love to it doesn’t have to cost a fortune to feel like you’re actually living life to it’s fullest.

I don’t really want to make any resolutions, just build on the things that will bring happiness, health and fun into my life.

 BLOG

I have been loving writing my little blog for the past 18 months.  It’s a really fun hobby and because I’m such an independent person it gives me time to do something for myself where I get to be creative and actually take photos that aren’t work related.  It’s also made me look after my skin a bit more and the blogging community can be so supportive.  When you have a skin condition it can feel like you’re the only person in the world suffering with it and you feel self-conscious and like a bit of an outsider. I’ve met so many people through blogging who have similar problems with Eczema as me or just sensitive skin and it’s great to be able to talk to other people, discover new products and suggest ways other people can help themselves.  In 2016 I will make a massive effort with my blog, which leads me to my next aim…

FOOD

My skin has been HORRIFIC recently.  I have yet ANOTHER dermatologist appointment in January which I doubt will make much difference.  Before Christmas I was really naughty and even though I knew what I was eating didn’t agree with me or my skin I ate it anyway.  WHY?!  It’s so stupid.   For a few minutes of taste satisfaction I’ve had weeks of skin misery.  Absolute chump.  I think half my problem has been not being prepared with meals so next year I’m going to make a conscious effort to eat more eczema-friendly foods, more organic food and try to work out exactly what it is I’m eating that’s upsetting my insides. I was diagnosed with IBS a few years ago and I know (sort of) the trigger foods for this and although it is really hard to avoid them it makes SUCH a difference.  

I did a dairy exclusion diet about 6 years ago and the difference was unbelievable so I just need to be prepared with my food, take my own shizzle to work, and not get caught out with my pants down so to speak.  Preparation is key!  I can also use my blog as a sort of online diary to chart progress so that ties in my first goal of 2016 too.  Perfect Rodders!

MAKE ROOM

Before Christmas I had a builder in to do some work to my bedroom and it forced me to have a bit of a clear out with some of the random crap that I’ve collected over the years. It made me realise how much stuff I have that I don’t use or that I could donate to someone who actually needs it so I think over 2016 I will be making a massive effort to move out the old stuff so there’s room for lots of new things.  

This isn’t just what I need to do with all the clothes I no longer wear (the ones I keep ‘just in case’, because let’s face it- who knows when you’ll need that ten year old My Little Pony t-shirt…) but also with my life in general.  I’m so ridiculously busy all the time, work takes at least ten hours out of my day five days a week and although I love what I do most of the time it makes it so hard to see the people I love the most or do half the things I want to do or need to do.  I feel like I’ve neglected my family and old friends a lot this year and I need to make more room for them.  I think if I can try and catch up with people I haven’t seen last year at least once this year it’ll make a big difference.  Equally this means that toxic friendships need to go too.  People change and move apart.  Just because I don’t call every week or text back straight away or tell people EVERY detail of my life doesn’t mean I don’t care about them. Everyone who knows me knows I’m late for everything, rubbish at texting when I’m busy, double book on a regular basis, and I pack WAY too much into a day.  Life gets in the way of relationships sometimes but the people that understand you the most and care about your friendship will be the ones you see once a year but when you do meet up it’s like nothing has changed.  I have a few friends in London who I haven’t been to visit at all in 2015 but I love them so much and they haven’t held this against me.  

If there’s people in your life who make you feel bad about yourself and you just can’t seem to please maybe it’s time to just give them some space.  If you know you’re rubbish at keeping in touch aim to make one last effort and if it’s still not good enough maybe there’s a reason you’re no longer close.  We can’t be BFFs with everyone and why spend time with people that make you feel worthless when you could be with people who make you feel amazing?!

If you have a busy life but it’s full of the things you love then who cares if you’re not always free. My weekends have been manic for the last few months but I wouldn’t have it any other way.  I love horse riding and I love being out and about.  As long as you’re happy doing what you’re doing it doesn’t matter if you occasionally miss out on other stuff.  Equally  I know I’m not perfect and I need to make more of an effort with my family and friends, I can’t expect them to be bothered if I’m not!

EXERCISE AIMS

Running the London marathon was awesome last year. I got to do something in memory of my Mum, raise money for charity and get fit.  SOOOOO many positives from one goal.  I have really let my exercise slip since my job changed but I just need to get up earlier and move my exercise with me.  Running is free and can be done anywhere, and although nothing will compare to doing the marathon having a goal will give me something to aim towards and actually get me to move my butt!  If you feel like you’ve hit a bit of an exercise wall then maybe sign up to something with a friend or join a new club.  That way you have something to work towards or something social and fun to go to.  I have done pole dancing and yoga classes in the past and they were amazing.  Perhaps food for thought this year too.  I might try and book a yoga retreat with a chum- that way I’ll get to do something that’s good for me and be a good pal too!

ADVENTURE

I bloody love holidays! Next year I want to go to at least two countries I’ve never been before.  We’re so lucky in the UK that so many other European countries are on our doorstep, there’s also a tonne of places in the UK I’ve never been before!  This year was a good effort for someone with no time and on a budget- I managed to pack in six different countries over the year and I hope this continues into 2016.

 Happy, healthy new year everyone!

 J xxx

This morning I woke up and it was pitch black outside!  We’re well into hat and mittens season now- the heating is cranked up and the kettle is on constant boil to keep up with tea demands.

It’s cold and grim out and I wished it looked like Lapland...

I work outside a lot and my skin is really starting to suffer.  When you have Eczema winter can be a blessing and a curse.  On one hand you can hide your lizardy elephant-skin hands underneath a snazzy glove and layer yourself in tights, long sleeves and any amount of clothing!  On the other hand the winter also brings the wind and cold to attack your skin from the outside and central heating and the temptation to eat all kinds of crap from the inside.

I am trying to take action to prevent my skin from going full lizard, which has meant the VERY difficult task of shopping for some new beauty products (what a chore hey…) and also just trying to be a bit more pro-active in terms of prevention rather than cure. We do have sensitive shells, and they need all the help they can get- it’s a crazy world out there!

Here’s my six top tips!

DRINK!

I would LOVE to be typing ‘Gin’ in this section but alas no.  In winter we tend to drink lots of hot drinks (and alcohol- especially at this time of year) and forget about hydrating our skin with water.  Ditch the coke and try and up your H2O intake.  Yes tea contains water- but it also contains caffeine, which dries your skin out.   I am guilty of not drinking enough water so each Monday I buy a few bottles to keep in my work van and try and drink two a day at least.

EXFOLIATE

As I have sensitive skin exfoliating is often the last thing I want to do but it actually makes a difference.  Taking the time out to give your skin a little scrub really helps- as long as you moisturise straight afterwards.  All that moisturiser can’t get in if you don’t slough away dead skins cells- which all build up over winter.  Having Eczema is horrific- your followed around by a constant skin cloud (gross yes) so everything I can do to help my poor skin I will.

I recently reviewed the TruSelf Organics face mask in this blog post and I’ve been using this once a week and it is really helping.  I’ve also invested in the Caudalie body scrub and it’s AMAZING!  It hasn’t irritated my skin at all and it smells incredible.  I love Caudalie so much.  I can’t speak highly enough of their products.    Exfoliating also means lips too!  Lipstick on several layers of peeling skin has never been a good look.  Try Lush’s Bubblegum lip scrub, which is a godsend and a right bargain!

MOISTURISE

OBVS.  I was told by a dermatologist that in winter it’s better to shower and bathe in luke warm water rather than scolding hot.  I can’t handle boiling showers and often make the mistake of not turning the temperature down after my house mate (who must have asbestos skin) has been in.  Apparently really hot water strips the skin of vital protective oils, which are needed in winter more than ever.  I really up my game with moisturiser in winter.  I swear I should be sponsored by a moisturising brand the amount I use!  I always moisturise straight after a shower. It’s better to go with oil based moisturisers rather than water based and stick to natural products rather than slathering chemicals all over yourself!  At the moment I’m using my FAVE Elemis SOS cream (You can tell how much I use it by the pic- it goes everywhere with me), Lush Dream Cream, and Salcura BioSkin Dermaspray (review to follow soon!) Don’t forget winter sun can be just as damaging as in the summer so slather on the SPF. If there was ever a reason to splash out on quality skincare the time is now!

DAY TO NIGHT

In summer I steer away from heavy night creams.  I bought an Elemis one this year and had to save it until last month as it brought me out in spots.  It’s my life saver now though!  A little extra help at night can really make a different.  Kiehls Midnight Recovery Concentrate is amazing too and well worth a try.  I can also recommend for sensitive skin Decleor ‘s Aroma Night Rose balm.  Smells so good and leaves your skin felling incredibly hydrated in the morning.  It also lasts AAAAGGGGESSSS!  Sensitive skin in winter is so fragile so I avoid as many chemicals as possible. Steer clear of any allergens and switch your products to really gentle, organic or chemical-free skincare.   Ren’s Rosa Centifolia No1.Purity cleansing balm is amazing as a cleanser.

Protect your shell

Wearing a hat and gloves will keep you warm and protect your hands.  Even when I’m cuddled up to my Fjord I wear a hat in winter. Carry a good hand cream, such as the Aveeno oatmeal  version.  Mine is getting rinsed at the moment.  Hand creams are a pain if you have eczema.  They’re normally full of perfume and too thin and watery.  This is a great cheap cream to keep in your bag.  I can’t operate my camera with gloves on and my hands REALLY suffer for it, but where you can keep them wrapped up.

If you've got sensitive mits like me try dolloping on the hand cream last thing before you go to bed sleep in cotton gloves.  Mine never stay on but they do help, although a word of warning- the temptation before you go to bed to do a Michael Jackson dance wearing just one white glove is just too much!

EAT FOR YOUR SKIN

You are what you eat and all that… This is so true.  When I was training for the London Marathon this year I couldn’t eat burgers every night and expect to make any progress.  Equally you can’t stuff your face with selection boxes and Christmas treats you’ve actually bought for someone else and then expect your skin to be flawless (other people do this right?)  If you’re more Victoria sponge than Victoria secret model then it’s time to switch things up a bit.  Eating hydrating foods will help look after your skin- such as melons, apples, celery, cucumber, tomatoes and carrots.  Don’t forget your greens for vitamins and fish or flaxseeds for Omega 3.

Good luck out there!  Stay healthy and happy : )

Not many sleeps to go now! I LOVE Christmas so much; I love the entire build up.  The food, the shop windows, the music, the mulled wine, seeing old friends, partying into the small hours and buying something special for the people you care about the most.

I tend to do 90% of my Christmas shopping online.  Since losing my Mum Christmas shopping just isn’t the same.  To be fair when we went shopping it was more about the coffee and cake stops than the actual shopping but she was always the most excited person to be around when it came to Christmas.  Her attention to detail was second to none, as was her ability to buy really amazing gifts.  Most years Mum would buy me some sort of skincare.  She practiced aromatherapy and was really into good quality, organic products. The apple doesn’t fall far from the tree in that department!

There are a bazillion beauty products and gift sets on offer at Christmas but if you’re shopping for someone with extra sensitive skin (like moi) then it’s always a bit trickier.   There are so many high street store products that CLAIM to be for sensitive skin, but will rip your epidermis off faster than a bad wax.  Or those ‘natural’ products that, despite containing every plant extract found in the jungle, leave you feeling like you’re on fire.

So here’s my top ten sensitive skin festive gift sets for all budgets; and for good measure ten gorgeous Christmas decorations worthy of replacing that ten-year-old tinsel.   All links included below.

Happy shopping- don’t forget to treat yourself too ; )

J xx

Ren gift set, £34 (35% off!), ASOS

Emma Hardie Moringa Gift set, £8.90, Feel Unique

Aveda Sensitive starter pack, £15.30, Look Fantastic

Sensitive Essentials Collection, £83 (worth £127), Elemis

Sweet Cecilys skin care gift box, £25.95, Not On The High Street

Burt’s classics pomegranate tree hanger lip set, £6.99, Burt’s Bees

Beauty Elixir, £11.50, Caudalie

Eczmaid ointment, £15.50, Feel Unique

Moo-Zing skin holiday gift pack, £35, MooGoo skincare

Prime and define lip collection, £25, Green People

 I’ve been trying to up my exercise before Christmas, and make progress with my goal to eventually be able to do an unassisted pull up.  This has meant getting a gym pass and hitting the weights.

I definitely feel the benefit of doing weights almost instantly and as I have such an active job that involves carrying heavy stuff and holding a heavy camera- my guns need all the help they can get!

I also seem to have less time for a decent breakfast so I’ve been making this banana smoothie for an easy on-the-go boost.

INGREDIENTS: 1x banana, 1x Whey Better Banana scoop, 2x spoons of  dairy free yoghurt, few ice cubes (for extra hydration) and ¼ pint of oat milk.

You literally can’t beat exercise for lifting your mood, making you feel good and helping you to stay focused and happy.  I always feel so happy and motivated after any form of exercise- horse riding, running, yoga, or a great gym sesh.  Even though the weather is pants this is even more reason to boost your mood and work up a sweat!

You can either use a fresh banana, or if you want to be super organised chop a banana into slices and freeze the night before for an extra cold, thick smoothie.

I use oat milk but you can use any type of milk.  My body hates regular milk (dairy in general) so coconut milk or Oat milk is my choice of liquid.  I’m using coconut yoghurt so wanted a plain base.

As this is either a pre or post workout smoothie I’ve been using Bio Synergy’s Whey Better Banana Protein.  I LOVE this brand of protein.  My gorgeous super-fit friend Natalie introduced me to the brand when I was training for the marathon.  Check out her amazing healthy twitter feed here! Their Cookies and Cream flavour is THE BEST and it’s not too sugary or sickly or leaves that horrid powder taste.  My skin hasn’t reacted to it either, so it’s a winner in my eyes!

I also add a couple of tablespoons of dairy-free yoghurt to thicken up my smoothie.  I’m in LOVE with this Aplro soya coconut flavour at the moment.  I used it in my bircher recipe and it’s still a fridge staple.

Add all your ingreidients together in a blender and mix together.  I bought a Ninja blender from a Costco sale last year and it’s insanely good.  It’ll blend ANYTHING. (You can buy one from Amazon here). I use it for all sorts- drinks, Guacamole, dips, soup.  It’s really solid and powerful and not crazy expensive.

That’s all there is to it-simples.  You get enough for two portions too!  OooOooh I bloody love bananas.

I’ve read so many different stories about how bananas are great for Eczema and others saying how bad they are.  I’ve never tried eliminating them from my diet, maybe I should to see if it makes a difference- but I just love them so damn much!

Until next time, happy slurping!

J xx