The Trouble With Rosacea ...

In total I have suffered with Rosacea for 4 years, I started to get redness when I was around 18/19 it would mostly flare up in severe hot and cold conditions, gradually it became a daily battle to hide and manage.

If you have never suffered with a facial skin condition, its hard to imagine how redness can effect your day to day life. It becomes something that you always focus on, I'm talking reapplying make up several times throughout the day, during lectures, on the tube and so on.

Welcome, self diagonsis.

I did nothing for a while, except spend a fortune on concealers in as many colours as you can imagine and on redness relief products from every brand imaginable. Rosacea can knock your confidence especially as it's on your face, your face is the first thing people see, make up becomes less of an armor and an enhancer and more a necessity.

It'd hard to explain how life changing it can be when suddenly the center of your face goes bright red to the touch, a slight wind, a slight bit of sun - often people would ask if i was sun burnt. I was rivaling Rudolph at some stages.

UNTIL

I saw a dermatologist. Redness almost doesn't seem worth it, but trust me it is! Over the past 7 months I've learnt about Rosacea, how to manage it, and what my triggers are. I have been using a combination of antibiotics, topical treatments, IPL and peels to alleviate the symptoms.

In total I have had 3 IPL sessions - IPL takes around 2-3 weeks to notice a difference and can also reduce the signs of sun damage - in 23 years I've done a lot of damage! IPL Stings, its like splashing hot water on your face, but you know what, it works. The only down side to this is that i was BRIGHT red for a few hours after.

I had 1 Peel - Which is unsightly so do this when you have the time because a peeling face doesn't do wonders for the confidence either, the after effects however, are just amazing. A smoother, more radiant and slightly less pink appearance. 

I'd recommend a combination personally, especially if you want quick results! 

I can safely say, that while my skin is by no means flawless now - there's a spot that has driven me crazy for a day or two - The redness is now a mild pink, my confidence rarely wavers, and whilst i have flare ups occasionally I am well armed to deal with it!

I've used a combination of Zineryt and Rozex topical treatments. Zineryt reminds me of a huge bingo dabber for your face - and works wonders, smells a bit, but if it works, it works right? So after years of hunting and using the wrong products I've found these work the best. There is a limit to the achievable results of using CC's BB's and redness relief products without targeting the root of the problem.

To all the Rosacea sufferers there is an end! 

X BB X

*Rozex and Zineryt are only available via prescription from a doctor or dermatologist

Seeing RED.

Let me introduce my two favorite REDs, with autumn approaching, i feel its almost time to start ditching the balm and sparkly gloss and get back to embracing the power lip. 

Mac Red (Left) and Ruby Woo (Right).

I am SUCH a MAC addict, their lipsticks are second to none for staying power, variety and colour power.

These two are my favorites for such contrasting reasons on one hand i want moisturising but not glossy, long lasting and non fading but i also want it to come off easy when its time for it to come off. (don't ask for much do i?) Enter MAC Red, a lightweight, so light I've forgotten im wearing it on several occasions and smudged it across my face. Rookie error i know, but you'd be surprised how often this happens.

Then, I want a powerful, statement lip. Then i turn to Ruby Woo, a classic in the red lip world. I feel applying a balm and letting it dry before applying it as because its matte it can be a bit drying and on colder evenings a pre-balm can be the difference between a powerful statement and cracks in the colour. 

Again MAC Red (left) and Ruby Woo (Right) Swatches:

Also recent invested a deeper, darker red for Autumn. Russian Red

Swatch:

Bring on Autumn,  my lipstick collection is ready!

X BB X

Kira PMS Relief

 I was recently given the opportunity to review and test Kira PMS Relief. Over the counter painkillers can loose their effectiveness, and the time taken for them to kick in just doesn't suit my hectic lifestyle. I naturally jumped at the chance to test anything that would alleviate the struggle of "that time" .

The plan is to take one a day for four months and see how it goes, so far im just starting Month two and i did start the last packet during "that time" and i can safely say that i was conviently less bloated this time around, less "fussy" - there was no drama over who ate the last of the jam, why cant i get the new jam jar open and who left the jam out the fridge and other food based drama's.

Needless to say, i quite pleased at the moment and considering its Herbal its a better alternative to popping more ibroprofen than i care to count, and i don't look like an idiot hugging a hot water bottle and being stopped half way out the door attempting to take said hot water to work.

*

There is no taste to them, they go down easy. I find some tablets have a funny coating or a powdery taste before you swallow them, these go down without you noticing. They're not coated so im not taking in any excess sugar without realising  So far, I only have good things to say about these little things, another post will come at the end of my trial. 

 X BB X

*These are a PR Sample.