Tips

Are you OK? : Being present for yourself and for others

April 10, 2019 Paris B 16 Comments

Mental health and well-being is a big subject these days, and I think that it’s a good thing that we are all much more aware or self-aware than we used to be.

While I’m no life coach, nor am I trained in this, I had a little encounter over the past week and on the weekend that got me thinking. So, I just wanted to put out a little reminder to you. A reminder to be present for yourself and for your family and friends.

Sometimes, you just never know what people are going through, because they choose not to tell you, or they’re not ready to talk. But yet, they are stressed and feel like it’s hard to cope with life at that moment. Being present for them goes a long way towards helping them, if not solve their problems, to be able to face them or know that someone else is there for them.

I was thinking about this over the past week, and over the weekend, and just felt like talking about this 🙂

Skincare Tip: The 13 dot technique has transformed the way I apply moisturizer and I love how my skin feels!

April 5, 2019 Paris B 16 Comments

How do you usually apply your skincare or, more specifically, your moisturizer?

The most common, that you still see being done, if you watch videos, is the 5-dot technique. Basically, you put one dot of cream on each cheek, then one dot each on your forehead, nose and chin. Then massage it in.

When I first started using skincare, this was the norm. But I always felt like something was lacking. For me, it just wasn’t enough, especially on the forehead.

And honestly, it isn’t enough product for your skin. Using too little skincare product for your skin does you a disservice. You won’t be getting the most out of your creams, serums and lotions.

So, I then learnt to spread it in my palm before applying to my skin. This served a two-fold function – I warm up the product, which helps it absorb better, and I ensure a more even application, ensuring that all of my skin benefits.

I had been doing it this way for many years, and I even had my conviction reinforced, that this was the best way to apply moisturizer.

But then, I recently stumbled on a new technique – the 13-dot technique.

And my life changed.

Beauty hors d’oeuvres: The Body Shop 100% Natural Shea Butter for all your moisture and DIY skincare needs

April 4, 2019 Paris B 2 Comments

Those of you who have a more creative, experimental nature might be pleased to know that you can now get 100% Natural Shea Butter that comes from a fair-trade, reputable source. Just head on down to The Body Shop!

While The Body Shop has always had a shea butter range of products (I used to use their Shea Butter Body Butters for chronically dry skin – Dad swore by it for cracked heels!) I believe it’s the first time that we’re getting shea butter in its pure form.

So, what can you do with it?

Coming to terms with my pigmentation problem and some thoughts on laser skin treatments

March 22, 2019 Paris B 24 Comments

I’ve been intending to write about this subject for a while, but finding the time to organize my thought process and to pen (or type) it all down has been challenging. But after a recent chat with someone at an event, or close encounter of the nosy kind, I decided to just sit down and pour my thoughts out here, just so I have a point of reference that I can point people to when I am asked certain inevitable questions.

One of the most common questions I’m asked is “Have you considered laser treatment for your skin?” This is usually in relation to residual acne scars I have and primarily, my hyperpigmentation on my cheeks.

thoughts on pigmentation and laser treatment

I often find people’s eyes wandering over to the spots on my cheeks where I have hyperpigmentation or also commonly referred to as “pigmentation”. This is more so when I am speaking to people who are in the aesthetics business. I acknowledge that it is a skin problem I have.

But what puzzles many people is this – As a fairly known and somewhat successful beauty blogger, should I not want to take steps or undergo treatments that will reduce or remove this obvious problem? Might this not make me a more “credible” beauty blogger? After all, the general aesthetic for bloggers is clear, glowing, flawless, poreless skin with zero imperfections.

Let me guess – you have thought the same whenever you look at some of my more close-up or bare skin before-after photos 🙂 Don’t worry, I’m used to it 🙂 This is what I have to say.

Tips

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