My acne and Eczema breakout!!

When I was born I suffered with eczema really badly up, the use of steroid creams really did thin my skin so bad which resulted into super sensitive to a lot of creams which meant my skin was always needing TLC. Up to late teen age, I only suffered with eczema whenever I was severely stressed which would mainly be my exam periods also winter times would be the worst as my skin is super dry and nothing seemed to work unless I applied something every 2 hours to my skin. I was so grateful when I learnt so much about skin products and knowing how to deal with flare ups.
During my teenage years I suffered with spots as well as acne - dark purple pimples, red raw skin, painful to touch and of course, itchy skin. I had really oily skin which was annoying as my acne and eczema got worse.

Anyone else have this problem?

sore face and irritated neck building up in the first month

Now I am in my late 20's I thought it all had stopped but recently in September I started to have the odd pimple, then it turned into dark purple pimples, started spreading and before I knew it, I realised it was acne again!! It's been so long since I last suffered with it and I was suprised I had it again. I then had a massive break out of eczema on my neck, from a diameter of 1cm spread across my neck. I didn't even notice it until people were pointing it out to me at work, I didn't feel any itching or pain, which means there was absolutely no irritation. My face ended up red raw with rosacea skin - it was so painful.

5-6 weeks after

A week later it all got worse, my acne had spread from my cheek to my jaw line, painful to touch and I stopped using my Galvanic Spa as it was so painful to even have the gel over my face. The eczema started to get itchy and I was travelling to Hong Kong and Japan which was a real climate change from England, sadly my skin suffered - BIG TIME. I mentally suffered too!!

To totally clear up this I used various products as well as supplementing myself to detox the toxins that was lingering in my body. I didn't feel 'unwell' as such and did not catch anything such as the common winter flu or cold ( like I use to but for the last 2 years I have been feeling GREAT) so this is a way of my body suffering from the inside.


For the outside of my body I used:

acne life saver set  - cheaper to purchase as a set to save a huge amount of money!

Previously I tried various acne friendly products but with the amount of alcohol and acids in them, it burnt my skin and wasted my time as well as my money. I decided to try the Clear Action set from Nu Skin as I heard so many good reviews as well as good results from photos of people who used it to clear their acne.


The set included a foaming cleanser, toner, day cream and a night cream. Each set lasted me just over 3 months and within 2 days of uses I saw and felt results. The little bumpy spots dissapeared! I was so excited to continued to use the set as I LOVED how my skin felt as well as seeing that my dark purple spots were dissapearing. This was an important factor to me because it proves to me something is happening rather than waiting because when you are suffering, time is an issue. 
 
The clear action is a very gentle treatment system designed to help clear the blemishes you have now, fade the signs of past breakouts, and, most importantly, keep skin clear and vibrant for the future. Very easy to do and very effective results. I love how gentle the cleanser is when it's applied to the skin, it turns into a clear liquid when it's dried within 2 minutes.

Toner has a unique lid to prevent further bacteria feeding in your skin

The next step is followed by a toner, which has a unique lid pumping system so that no bacteria can access into the bottle.

The 3rd step is either a day cream or a
night cream, melts into the skin and looks after it whilst you sleep or work in the day.


For my eczema I used a blend of these 3 products together equal parts and stored it in a pot.

* this hand is not mine but someone else who had great results

•  Perennial - IBR-Dormin, Kukui nut oil and meadowfoam seed oil, Garcinia indica (kokum) seed butter- gives you super moisturised skin without the greasy feel on the skin, 
• Firewalker - Cordyline Terminalis & Orbignya Phalerata - works deep into the skin to repair the damaged layer of skin to stop the spreading
• Enhancer - containing aloe vera, Panthenol & Hyaluronic acid -super moisturiser to repair the broken skin and calm redness

As for the inside of my body I have always been on my Lifepak multivitamins, (I stopped taking them for a few weeks then this flare up happened along with other factors like stress) , I never again want to stop taking my multi vitamins as they are what's protecting my immune system. I was also taking R2 to deeply cleanse but I found it wasn't doing anything other than give me more energy. I decided to try Reishimax as the active ingredients help to fight the natural killer cells from the body. I felt like this was the last option for me and I was right!! It helped!! after about 2 weeks of taking this my eczema cleared up and m acne was very less visible, I was so relieved!

free from eczema!!

So to conclude this post, I went through a lot not to mention my confidence level was much lower as I have always looked after my skin but when I did stop taking my supplements - my body lacked nutrition and whilst I Was dealing with a lot of stress factors it lead to poor sleeping patterns  sleeping 4 hours max per night/day) which lead to poor diet and I needed a deep cleanse as well as new supplements to the largest organ - my skin. If you know anyone who is going through anything similar and have tried lots of alternatives but nothing has worked - please let them read this post and feel free to message me.  I would LOVE to help people realise there is another way out of this!

Thank You

XOX

Galvanic facial Spa results

I have been raving on about the Galvanic for the past year or so purely because of its immense results in as  little as 5 minutes..... this is why....

left  : before
right : after

Thanks to ageloc, it gives this result and no, these photos have not been photoshopped - they are simply true!

• ageLOC® targets the ultimate sources of ageing to preserve the look of youth and reduce the appearance of ageing.
• ageLOC® Transformation delivers unsurpassed anti-ageing benefits and is clinically proven to improve skin in eight significant ways:
• Promote youthful skin structure - patent-pending ingredient technology stimulates collagen production and reduces MMP3 (Matrix Metallopeptidase) production (MMP3s destroy skin structure).
• Smooth texture - contains ingredients proven to stimulate youthful cell renewal for smoother, softer skin you can feel.
• Even skin tone - by reducing the appearance of blotchy, dull and uneven skin for a smooth, youthful look.
• Reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.
• Increase skin radiance - with skin brightening technology.
• Reduce the appearance of pores - through youthful cell turnover.
• Reduce discolouration - brightening technology interrupts unwanted melanin production in the skin for a reduction in spots of discolouration.
• Increase hydration - by stimulating hyaluronic acid, a moisturising compound found naturally in the skin.

left : naked skin
right : result - client's left side of the face has been uplifted

As you can see, there is a difference on the face. The clients left side shows a natural cheekbone hence why the light reflecting from it on the top of the cheek, the line around the mouth has diminished slightly, and the fine lines under the eyes have been 'ironed' out. Our skin should be this way if it was damaged by the factors around us. This treatment was less than 10 minutes in total and used once only, however, if it is used 3 times a week for 90 days, results will change dramatically. 

Client noticed skin was soft to touch, and revealed her glowing skin, ageLOC restores the skins natural elasticity revealing glowing skin. 

If you're interested for more info , feel free to leave me a message below or email me strawbeefull@gmail.com

XOX





** I am a distributor for Nu Skin, this product was purchased with my own money and I have given my most honest opinion, I have not been contacted by the company to give this review in any way. ** 
Send me an email if you're interested to buy! 

Eyes

Ever woken up to puffy or tired looking eyes and having enough sleep the night before?

The skin around the eyes is very delicate as it's very thin and sensitive, your eyes can tell people how tired your body is or if you have allergies, increased salt intake, not enough sleep or crying. 

The main reason why I had this result in my eyes would probably from the meal I had the previous day...... I had a Christmas dinner from work (Thank You NHS for the free meal) and although even choosing the healthier option, lean meat and vegetables, there was still a lot of salt in that meal. This was my result due to mainly water retention, lack of sleep from the previous nights, and dealing with stress. Even after having 8-9 hours sleep! I couldn't believe for the whole entire day I had to walk around with these tired looking puffy eyes.

14-12-13 top photo
15-12-13 bottom photo

night on 14-12-13 after a face galvanic treatment

I didn't feel tired but I did do 3 x 12.5 hour shifts at the hospital and I was travelling up to Liverpool for lunch but I did ensure I had enough sleep the night before, which was 8-9 hours in total.

In those photos above I had make up on, just my tinted moisturiser, eyeshadow and mascara. I didn't want to over-do the face with too much make up on as it would make me look even more 'tired' when I didn't feel like I was.

So when I got home, I used my face galvanic machine to draw out the excess fluid and draw out the toxins from my face and also draining the facial lymph nodes.

On the right is my face make up free after a facial galvanic treatment. My eyes are less puffy and skin is now completely flawless.
Not only does the facial galvanic give you flawless skin, it also draws out excess fluid and making sure your skin is smooth which is why this is my holy grail beauty accessory!


Please note, my photos have not been altered in any way.

If you're interested in trying a galvanic treatment then feel free to contact me for more details.

XOX

Nu Skin 180 Cleanser Product Review

Your skin can show discolouration, uneven skin tone, pigmentation, spots,wrinkles,  blackheads when its suffering. We can chose to ignore it but sometimes we feel the pain from the skin and it becomes worse. Sometimes untreatable but using the right products can save you!

 I always read the back of the ingredients when it comes to skin products because I like to know what I am using on my skin and also in case I have a reaction, I would know what to avoid in future.
I spend money on products to help my skin reverse the damage so of course I am going to ensure what am using is beneficial especially if it's a product highly raved by many beauty lovers! 

Nu Skin have a range called 180º  which specifically help diminishes the appearance of lines and wrinkles, refines texture and evens skin tone for a more youthful appearance in as little as 7 days! I was very intrigued as the name caught my attention! I have read SO many good reviews on it!

For £41 there is 125ml of the product long lasting and can be used as a face wash or as a face mask, both very effective for the skin!





I use mine 1-2 times a day and it has lasted me for about 3 months now and I am not even half way through the tube therefore, it is very cost effective!










It is highly recommended by Doctors and researchers that, using 10% of Vitamin C on our skin , it would improve the skins texture and elasticity!

Nu Skin 180 Cleanser is one of the most extraordinary cleansers on the market!Active Vitamin C is a critical nutrient for skin firmness and radiance Not only is it very beneficial for the skin helping multiple levels of signs of ageing, but it can be proven to be a life saver for age spots and dark circles!
Newspaper article  asks the question of ' can Vitamin C cure wrinkles?' - yes it can help diminish those evil lines, if the product is genuine. I can prove if the products contain Vitamin C.....


press play to watch!

Ingredients:

Glycerin, Ascorbic Acid, Sesamum Indicum (Sesame) Seed Oil, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Sodium Cocoyl Isethionate, Hydrogenated Soybean Oil, Sodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate, Vitis Vinifera (Grape) Seed Extract, Ginkgo Biloba Leaf Extract, Panax Ginseng Root Extract, Stearyl Glycyrrhetinate, Phospholipids, Butylene Glycol, Carbomer, Silica, Fragrance (Parfum), Titanium Dioxide (CI 77891).

 In this product, the main active ingredients include:

• sesame and soybean oils - prevents moisture lost
• grape seed, ginkgo biloba leaf and ginseng extracts to provide antioxidant protection

Pro's:

• firms the skin
• brightens the complexion
• repairs the signs of damage from harmful UVA/UVB rays
• diminishes appearance of dark circles/age spots
• smells fresh
• supports collagen production therefore skin becomes more elasticated and plump
• leaves skin feel soft and refreshed
• suitable for any age
• Features a patented waterless formula that delivers 10% active, free-flowing vitamin C (L-ascorbic acid) to the skin.

I use this in the morning and night, with just a small amount, it melts onto my skin. I ensure my face is make up free, I wet my face with luke warm, apply a pea sized amount onto my finger tips avoiding the eye area,  then massage it softly onto my face concentrating on where there are lines like around my mouth area. This can help the fine lines to be deeply cleansed and prevent deeper lines. When the product is set on my skin, I wash it off with cool water then pat my face dry.

When my face has absorbed too much sun from my holiday, I had dark spots, freckle-like marks. I applied this 180 cleanser onto the face as a mask and let it set for 5 minutes. I then washed it off and my marks has faded and my skin glowed. This is how powerful this gentle cleanser is therefore it is very beneficial for marks on the face.

Please note: lathering the cleanser onto the hands before applying it to the face WILL release the Vitamin C therefore decreasing the benefits of the cleanser so apply it quickly to the face to get maximum effect!

This is definitely my ultimate favourite cleanser for the autumn-winter season as it helps to brighten my skin and gives it that radiance it deserves! You owe it to yourself to have healthy looking radiant skin!


XOX



** I am a distributor for Nu Skin, this product was purchased with my own money and I have given my most honest opinion, I have not been contacted by the company to give this review in any way. **
Send me an email if you're interested to buy!

Tru Face® Revealing Gel Nu Skin Product Review

Gemma Shephard & Emma Forbes Salute to this product!

There are many factors around us which damage our skin and it's not difficult to understand why we must take care of our skin, just depends if you want to or not!

Not only does our skin protect our organs, but it is the biggest organ in our bodies. 

Our skin shows us how good/bad our immune system is, and when it's low we see it as well as feeling it. For instance, dehydrated body can lead to dry and flaky skin, which is never attractive (unless that's what you're into).  Also, spots around the chin area means your body is lacking fluids! Spots in general can spread so it is very important not to touch the infected area and know what you are putting on to of that area whether its water or lotions. For me, I have sensitive skin and that's due to various factors and something I was born with. It's improved over the years due to me taking good supplementation and a better controlled diet.

Did you know there are many major factors around us that damage our skin? such us:-

• pollution
• emotional/mental stress
• lack of sleep
• diet
• dehydration
• harmful UVA/UVB rays
• smoking
• infared

We may or may not see the effects on our skin straight away but in time, it will show - do you want to prevent it?

I have tried various methods to have flawless skin and it's not easy! A lot of work involved but knowing what you're using is the first important step!  Then to maintain it is the next big step but its worth it!  I have a clear understanding that only very few options worked but I still keep trying!
 Long term wise, I use my Galvanic Spa as well as my ageLOC Elements skin care .  Everybody has different skin and depending on your budget, you would have to try it before you decide if you like it or not, the results speaks for itself!

I discovered an alternative to a harmful face peel (also known as micro-dermabrasion) which is extremely effective for removing dead skin cells resulting the skin to a more plumpy and hydrated face BUT causing pain! Tru face revealing gel is formulated with gentle, patented, polyhydroxy acid (PHA) technlogy,  which gives us the youthful looking complexious without any irritation.




I demonstrated the use of this Tru Face Revealing Gel on 4 coins. This process is similar to the oxidation and damage free radicals cause to the skin. Excess free radicals in the skin, can also create a sallow, dull complexion. PHAs reverse the oxidation damage and brighten the skin without harshness or pain.

This smooth formula is applied onto the skin day & night on clean skin, upwards and outwards. You then let the formula do the hard work whilst you continue with your day/night. The results work before you know it! I was astonished by how my skin felt and looked!

 After about 30 minutes, I had an immense result from where the gel has been sitting on the coin and this is the result.......

The results on the skin is pretty amazing causing me no problems but just adds extra smiles to my day!

Ingredients:

• Polyhydroxy Acids (PHAs)
• Lactobionic Acid and Gluconolactone: these ingredients encourage the sloughing off of rough, uneven skin and stimulates the production of young, healthy cells and creates a smoother surface.

Water (Aqua), Betaine, Gluconolactone, Butylene Glycol, Sclerotium Gum, Lactobionic Acid, Squalane, Glycerin, Dimethicone, Arginine, Methyl Gluceth-20, Fragrance (Parfum), Chlorphenesin, Methylparaben.

Seeing is believing

How this works on the skin:

• Gluconolactone—this PHA gently penetrates skin to reduce the appearance of pore size and the visible effects of photoaging. Proven to be effective in visibly improving skin texture and radiance.
• Lactobionic—a PHA clinically shown to significantly enhance skin cell turnover while improving skin brightness and texture. Works gently, without irritation. Acts as a powerful antioxidant and metal chelator that is so nurturing it is used as a preservation solution for transplant organs during transport.

It makes me wonder how much damage has my skin had to go through after all these years?! 

I love the fact this product is very suitable for those with sensitive skin like me, it works like wonders and a little goes a long way!

For 30ml of product at the price of £46.00, you would use this day & night if you wish. How much you use it entirely up to you depending on how often you want the face to be pampered. I would use this no more than twice a week along with my ageLOC Elements kit to maintain the maximum effect.

Pro's:

• suitable for sensitive skin
• small lightweight product
• little goes a long way
• easily blendable
• suitable for male and female
• suitable for any age
• alcohol free 
• no harshness and certainly pain-free lotion
• very gentle on the skin - as stated by Celebrity Stylist Gemma Shephard

I would highly recommend this to those who want a healthy glowing face without going through harmful face scrubs. It's a great gift idea for those who like luxurious products with very effect results without paying too much for!

If you would like to purchase this then send me an email so I can register an account and offer discount!
strawbeefull@gmail.com


XOX

** I am a distributor for Nu Skin, this product was purchased with my own money and I have given my most honest opinion, I have not been contacted by the company to give this review in any way. **

Laura Mercier Oil Free Tinted Moisturiser Product Review

Tinted moisturisers are a mixture of foundation with moisturiser but, the consistency is not as thick as a foundation, it depends on which brand you are using because some can be the same or heavier. It typically provides light coverage with the aim to be more lightweight than your regular foundation.

 I don't like wearing foundation and haven't used foundation that much in my entire life. I never did believe in using foundation to cover up my flaws, I always believed in skin care more as it is the foundation to good make up for the face. Some may disagree but at the end of the day, I go to sleep without make up on and I want to make sure my skin is as good as I can get it.

Laura Mercier offers quite a wide range of colours for a lot of skin tones and is classes as a high-end brand as it is sold exclusively in known department stores such as John Lewis's, Selfridges, House of Fraser and Debenams as well as online on the website. 

Laura Mercier believes in natural colours in make up, which is why she created the flawless range which includes a  collection of colours for tinted moisturisers and foundations.

I decided to try the tinted moisturiser as it's been popular for a long time and it's always highly recommended on youtube, magazines and people who have used it. 

There are 2 choices of tinted moisturiser, one is for oily skin and other is for normal/dry skin. I bought this during spring and I know my skin tends to be oily when the weather starts getting warmer so I thought oil free option was best for me. I don't like knowing the product has oil and will be sitting on my skin for 8+ hours per day, it can cause break outs and blocked pores. 

It promises to:

• give skin a healthy ‘no-makeup’ look with a soft hint of colour that evens and enhances without hiding the skin. This oil-free lightweight formula provides ideal protection from the sun’s harmful, damaging rays with broad spectrum SPF 20 UVB/UVA sunscreen. Perfect for all skin types, especially sensitive or oily skin.

For £33.00 there is 50ml of product in a long plastic tube.

There are 15 shades available and the assistants at the counter can always help you to find your perfect shade.
For me, Porcelain is a little bit too pale and nude is a little too warm so I picked nude which is slightly more golden but once my skin absorbed some sun, the shade was perfect.
 Did you know that when you apply SPF to the face, and when you take photos with a flash, the face is lighter? This product contains SPF 20 and it made more sense for me to buy the shade that was a little darker than lighter as I take photographs all the time and I want to make sure my skin looks as natural as possible.


The screw off lid is based at the bottom of the tube, and the tube can stand on the lid which means the product can be easier to come out of when you dispense it out. However, when it comes to almost the end of finishing this tube, it doesn't stand upwards anymore so you really have to give it a good shake and roll the tube to get the product out.

I did enjoy using this tinted moisturiser at first, but then it became too thick for my face, it felt like my pores were blocked and you do need a top up during the day. Even with powder on top and mist spray to lock in the colour doesn't help. I find that when my face becomes oily, it becomes patchy therefore not reliable. Am not usually carrying my make up for top ups but I cant go out too long without realising the product strips from my face.
I work long hours (most of the time 12+ hours) and I can't rely on having a smooth flawless look with this product.

Pro's:

• 15 shades of colour
• contains SPF 20 which is difficult to find 
•  gives a natural glow
• available in pink and golden undertone shades which is very important to me as it's not often I find my perfect golden undertone shade
• contains no alcohol
•  matte finish
• buildable coverage
• no oxidation
• evens out skin tone and hides flaws
• quite a hydrating formula

Con's:

• consistency is too thick, it sticks to my make up brush and stains my clothes
• strips off my face after a couple of hours which means I need to top up the product on my face
• consistency too watery and dribbles onto my clothes
• quite expensive for a product that doesn't suit me well
•  the scent is quite strong, especially when you squeeze the product out of the tube. I had this experience since my first use and it put me off using it
• 
  

I have a sheer-medium coverage from this and it does not oxidise straight away, however, the colour does strip off after a couple of hours, especially when its warm. I am a NC30-NC35, which is a golden undertone, the nude colour shade is perfect for me. However, during cold season, it hydrates my skin well but not entirely, purely because the consistency is thick.

It hides my dark spots and redness giving me that smooth natural look. I would not recommend this for people who have large red spots as it will not cover that, this is a tinted moisturiser, not the same as a foundation.
This gives me a dewy finish, matte and natural, but it does become oily on my skin therefore I would not recommend to use this in hot weather.


I have used a stippling brush for this as well as my fingers but it becomes too messy and stains inside my nails. It stains my brush and I have to wash it every single day (which is what I should be doing anyway but am a bit lazy sometimes! aren't we all?! ) but the best technique for me would be to use a stippling brush such as the ELF popular strippling brush. 

I personally would not be purchasing this product again because it hasn't made me feel like it's my holy-grail and it's not really benefited my skin as much as I expected. As you can see from my pro's and con's, there are more con's, and sadly it hasn't been my favourite tinted moisturiser that's lasted. However, I am glad I got to try this to see what the hype was all about, sadly it just isn't for me!

XOX