Musings

Is it maskne or is it just poor eating habits? 3 ways I treated my maskne problem

July 7, 2021 Paris B 2 Comments

OK, that’s a bit click-baity isn’t it?

I’m not discrediting those with maskne of course. Maskne or mask-acne is a real problem. Thanks to the daily and constant wearing of face masks throughout this pandemic, our skin is being rubbed raw, getting clogged and breaking out around our mouths and chin areas. It’s like we want to protect ourselves, but our skin hates being confined (and who can blame it really!)

That was the problem I had about a month ago.

I was wearing masks for slightly longer than I usually do (or so I thought) and noticed a spot or two pop up. Thinking nothing of it, I went on as usual, masking up whenever I went out, washing my face as normal, just doing everything as normal (so I thought). Yet, the acne got worse and worse.

I had about 4 HUGE cystic acne going on at once around my chin. My chin area was a mess of whiteheads and blackheads and all sorts of heads in between LOL! It was a mess.

I was puzzled. I’d scaled my skincare back. I’d kept everything basic. Yet, it wasn’t getting better.

One day, I had a thought. What if it’s not 100% a problem with wearing masks, or my skincare. What if it was something else, like poor eating habits?

Well, since then, save for the odd spot I still get, which I know is thanks to wearing masks, the most serious of the acne is gone! Here’s the changes I put in effect that did the magic.

No more racerback sports bras! How wearing the wrong sports bra caused me so much pain

April 19, 2021 Paris B 18 Comments

I’m not a sporty sort of person, so when I buy sports gear, I just buy whichever seems most popular in style, or cheapest in price. I’m not terribly fussy!

When it came to buying sports bras, I read all about how a racerback or cross-back design helped support your boobs better, by holding them in place while you pursue your exercise pursuits. It was also fashionable, and you don’t have the problem of bra straps slipping off your shoulders.

When I was doing light exercises like yoga, it seemed to help. A racerback sports bra, which is one that is crossed at the back, seems to pull your shoulders back too, so you don’t slouch so much. All in all, I thought I was doing the right thing, and stocked up on them as I got more active.

Then, I started wearing athleisure more, and when the regular dog walks started, I found myself wearing my sports bras more and more, for longer and longer hours.

And then I noticed that I started developing a pain and stiffness in my neck and shoulder muscles. It got so bad one day, and I felt so stiff, that I swore up and down that something was wrong with me. But then, on a whim, I did a quick search online, and found that the sports bra could be the problem!

Products I finished recently: 4 I enjoyed and 2 I won’t repurchase

April 14, 2021 Paris B 1 Comment

I’ve used up some products recently, and it’s opportune to share what I thought about them after finishing them to the last drop, as there were a couple that didn’t quite blow me away. Yet, they didn’t quite merit a post on their own, if you get what I mean.

There was one that surprised me, as it sort of grew on me the more I used it. Wasn’t impressed initially, but by the end of its life, I was happy enough with it that I was contemplating repurchasing! 🙂

14 years : Scratching the 7-year itch twice over

April 5, 2021 Paris B 16 Comments

You know what? My blog anniversary totally flew right past me this year!

I thought it was bad last year, but boy, was this year even more unique LOL! I’m a whole month late!

I usually look forward to my blog anniversary. It is a little reminder of this little space I carved out for myself, and a little marker for me to look on it, whether with a kind or jaundiced eye, to reflect on what it means to me.

So, to totally forget about it till just a few days ago, what might that mean for me?

Musings

I tell stories on Instagram @parisbmws