I want to talk about Lyme Disease: How you can still live a positive life with an invisible/chronic/long term illness

Have you entered my Pat McGrath and Natasha Denona palettes giveaway here?

Disclaimer: I am not a medical professional however these posts are based on my personal experience/knowledge as I have had to become my own medical advocate as it is so, so difficult to get help for this illness. 

For those of you who usually come here for beauty posts, you'll be happy to hear that this is the last in the Lyme series and then I'll be back to beauty, although I can't promise that they're won't be posts in the future! In the final of this current series, I want to talk about how life doesn't have to be all doom and gloom if you have a chronic illness. It is possible to live a positive life, even if if isn't what you had envisioned for yourself. 

I want to talk about Lyme Disease: How to help those with an invisible or long-term illness

Have you entered my Pat McGrath and Natasha Denona palettes giveaway here?

Disclaimer: I am not a medical professional however these posts are based on my personal experience/knowledge as I have had to become my own medical advocate as it is so, so difficult to get help for this illness. 

As awful as it is to suffer from a long-term or invisible illness, I often think it must be worse to see the person you love suffer (I know that I am glad that it's me rather than my husband). I'm sure most people would say that they would swap places in a heartbeat when they see someone close to them suffering at all, but this isn't possible so let's be practical about what you can do to help that person and also what not to do.

I want to talk about Lyme Disease: My Stem Cell Transplant experience

Have you entered my Pat McGrath and Natasha Denona palettes giveaway here?

Disclaimer: I am not a medical professional however these posts are based on my personal experience/knowledge as I have had to become my own medical advocate as it is so, so difficult to get help for this illness. 

With every treatment protocol that I have tried, I have always held the belief that 'this is it, this is the one that is going to work and I'll get my life back' but never more so than when I tried stem cell treatment.....

I want to talk about Lyme Disease: Alternative Treatments

Have you entered my Pat McGrath and Natasha Denona palettes giveaway here?

Disclaimer: I am not a medical professional however these posts are based on my personal experience/knowledge as I have had to become my own medical advocate as it is so, so difficult to get help for this illness. 

I'll be honest, before becoming ill, I was quite sceptical about alternative medicine but it was a visit to a clinic in Cologne that changed my mind, or at least, expanded it. The clinic combined Western medicine with alternative medicine as it saw results from both. If you are dismissive of alternative treatments, I would urge you to open your mind and do some research as there are some quacks out there trying to make a quick buck. That being said, when you have been ill for as long as I have, you will most probably be willing to try almost anything in the hope of getting better. Just be careful where you choose to spend your money. I'm going to list the treatments I have tried - some I will share my experience on but others I won't or this would be a book rather than a blog post! If there is something that I haven't expanded on that you would like to hear more about, just let me know.

I want to talk about Lyme Disease: Conventional Treatment

Classic Bulls Eye Rash

Have you entered my Pat McGrath and Natasha Denona palettes giveaway here?

Disclaimer: I am not a medical professional however these posts are based on my personal experience/knowledge as I have had to become my own medical advocate as it is so, so difficult to get help for this illness. 

If you see the classic bulls eye rash or see a tick burrowed into your body, believe it or not, you're lucky because a doctor will have to treat you as there is no denying the presence of either (although some ignorant doctors might try to dismiss the rash as ringworm!). You will be prescribed antibiotics - probably doxycycline, and you must insist that you get at least a 4 week prescription at a minimum as this is the life cycle of a spirochete. 

Doxycycline will generally make you feel a lot worse as the die off causes a Herxheimer reaction. It is very important to listen to your body - rest, if you feel up to a short walk do it but don't push your body, eat as cleanly as possible and drink plenty of water. The first time I took doxycycline for a few weeks, I honestly felt so much worse that I was tempted to stop it as the treatment was worse than the illness but I persevered.

If your Lyme is not caught early then 4 weeks of doxy will not cut it. At this stage, there is the option of IV antibiotics (although very difficult to get in Ireland or the U.K. unless you are paying privately). I travelled to the private clinic in Germany where I was originally diagnosed for IV Ceftriaxione and I also had IV vitamin infusions and my gallbladder was flushed and regularly monitored as it can cause sludge or stones but, fortunately, that didn't happen for me. Unfortunately, however, I developed an allergic reaction to the drugs on day 10 and had to switch to oral medication and come home. 

Some Consultants prescribe long-term antibiotics - I have been on 3/4 at a time for periods of 6/8 and 22 months. These are not without their side effects and, again, sometimes leave you wondering if the cure is worse than the illness. It's important to stay as positive and focused as possible when going through hell and feeling worse than ever. In my case, none were successful in terms of blood test results or in how I felt.

Like I said in an earlier post, each case is individual. What works for one will not necessarily work for another. I know of some people who have recovered after using antibiotics long term so please do not let this post put you off if you are about to start, or mid-way through your treatment. This is just my story. 

I was prescribed Beta Blockers for six months - not for Lyme but for hemiplegic migraines, which I developed as a result of having Lyme. They made me feel quite irritable and dizzy initially but my body got used to them and they definitely helped because I had previously been having the migraines a number of times weekly whereas now, it's just a few times a year.

Finally, there is LDN - low dose naltrexone, which is not specifically known to treat Lyme, however it does help with pain and the treatment of autoimmune diseases. It's also used to treat alcohol/opiate addictions but don't let that scare you. Again, I will repeat that I am not a doctor, but my understanding of the use of LDN is that it increases endorphin release, which modulates an immune response. In terms of reducing pain, it acts as an anti-inflammatory. Generally, you start on a very low dose, which is gradually increased. It took months to get the dose right for me but when we did, the difference in my pain was like night and day - I used to have bone pain, nerve pain, just pain in general, all over and was never comfortable, whether sitting, standing, lying - I was just in a case of constant pain so LDN was life-changing for me. The only real side effect that I experienced from it was sleep disturbance so although the advice was to take it between 9pm and 1am, I started to take it in the mornings instead, which helped. LDN is an inexpensive drug, which is worth asking your doctor about if you suffer from chronic pain.

Thanks for reading! 

Follow Beautylymin on Bloglovin, Twitter and Instagram for regular updates!

All products are bought by me, unless otherwise stated. Anything marked with a * has been gifted without any obligation. I don't do sponsored posts. Opinion is always my own. Affiliate links may be used.

I want to talk about Lyme Disease: Cause and Symptoms

A classic bulls eye rash, which signifies Lyme Disease. Mine was on my bum so I don't have a photo to show you!

Have you entered my Pat McGrath and Natasha Denona palettes giveaway here?

Disclaimer: I am not a medical professional however these posts are based on my personal experience/knowledge as I have had to become my own medical advocate as it is so, so difficult to get help for this illness. 

As some of you know, I started this blog as a distraction from my illness but I've reached a point where I want to talk about it. I've started to received message and emails (not in a typical 'sooooo many of you have been asking') enquiring as to how I cope with it, what I've tried etc. I also want to raise some awareness as it is a very debilitating, yet invisible, illness. Prepare yourself for around five days of posts on Lyme Disease and invisible illness, in general, and then we'll get back to beauty but if you normally come here for beauty reviews, I would still really appreciate it if you read, possibly learn and even share these posts, as they are very important to me. Also, there are plenty of people out there suffering a range of symptoms but not knowing the actual cause and it may just be Lyme Disease.

Many people with Lyme Disease don't actually remember being bitten and don't actually develop the classic bulls eye rash - I did, but I didn't realise its significance! In hindsight, on that holiday there were so many alarm bells (even apart from the rash) - I was so fatigued that I just wanted to sleep all of the time and kept saying '5 more minutes' in the mornings and would fall back into a deep sleep, whereas I am normally a morning person who likes to get up and make the most of the day. At one point, we thought my drink had been spiked because I was so drowsy and had practically no control over what I was saying and doing - everything was hazy and this was just my second drink. I can remember excusing my exhaustion - there was always reasons to explain tiredness (too many late nights, working overtime, not eating healthily enough, not getting enough exercise) but none that would adequately explain why I suddenly felt like I had been hit by a bus. Fatigue are tiredness are two entirely different things. In any case, I just 'got on with it' - this was always my attitude to any adversity - just get on with it. It was only six months later when I finally, completely collapsed that I realised that I could no longer just 'get on with it'.

So, what are the symptoms of Lyme? Well, actually I was diagnosed with M.E. for 5 years before receiving a correct diagnosis of Lyme. For me, I always felt that the diagnosis of M.E. was just an umbrella term for a number of issues and I was determined to get to the root cause of what had caused it. I couldn't accept that I went from a person living a full life (working, socialising, giving private tuition, seeing family etc etc) to one who couldn't leave the house on her own and basically lived between the bed and the couch. Symptoms will vary from person to person but for me, my main ones were (and mainly, still are):

Fatigue - I am talking exhaustion to the point where you feel like you could vomit. Planning your week around the day you wash your hair (and that's on a good week) to having to be bathed and spoon fed at times. Having to ask your husband to turn you over in the bed because you physically can't do it (and then having to ask him to fix your wedgie as a result of being turned because you can't do that either - at least it will raise a laugh and a sense of humour is so, so important when you're very ill).

Very low immune function - if you sneeze near me, chances are I will get pneumonia and I'm not even joking! When I first became ill, I was with my GP on a weekly basis with sinusitis, tonsillitis, gastric bugs, an enlarged spleen, chest infections...... the list goes on. I just couldn't catch a break and, to be honest, to a large extent, still can't. 

Fainting - I fainted pretty much daily and sometimes, several times daily.

Huge sleep problems - I could sleep for 12/14 hours straight and still wake feeling like I hadn't slept at all. It would vary from this too insomnia or broken sleep but the one thing for sure is that I never felt refreshed after sleep, no matter how long it lasted.

Pain - muscle, joint and bone pain. 

Confusion - I couldn't concentrate on anything and words would appear jumbled when trying to read. 

Enlarged lymph nodes - I feel like I haven't seen my neck since 2000! But the lymph nodes in my arm pits and groin go through phases of pain and enlargement too.

Allergies - suddenly I became allergic or sensitive to so many ingredients/products and even light, at times.

Digestive issues - this could get very TMI so I won't go there at the moment but, thankfully, this is one issue that has vastly improved.

These are just some of the symptoms but they are the main ones that I experience and still do. Fatigue has ALWAYS been top of that list and it affects everything.

When you first become ill, it can be quite scary, confusing and lonely - especially when nobody has any real answers or solutions. You're trying to figure out if you let your body down or if your body let you down - maybe it's both, maybe it's neither. Added to this, the fact that some people don't 'get' it or understand it, because they don't see a broken leg/arm, it can be very isolating. My advice is to eliminate those people - you have enough to deal with as it is without having to justify how you're feeling.

The cause of all of these symptoms? An insect bite! It used to be thought that only ticks could cause Lyme but there are other hosts too. In basic terms, a tick will attach itself to your skin, suck in your blood, infect it with Lyme and the regurgitate it back into your system. At this stage, it is free to run riot within your system and the spirochetes multiply every 4 weeks. In my case, it was 5 years before I was diagnosed with Lyme so you can imagine the damage that was done. I had seen so many 'ologists' here but it was only when I went to Germany that Lyme was ever mentioned to me and all of the dots were connected. I was given a diagnosis of Chronic Lyme and finally rejoiced as I knew I had found the root cause of my issues - little did I know my battle was only beginning....

Lyme Disease is more commonly heard of nowadays, thanks to celebs who have been affected talking about it but also, there are a lot more campaigns to raise awareness. When I was diagnosed, I was part of an online M.E. forum and was the first to share my story and others then went on to be tested and find that they too were suffering from it. All had previously been diagnosed with M.E., which is a diagnosis of exclusion (as in, we can't find anything specific wrong with you so we'll label you with M.E.). The problem with Lyme Disease testing in the U.K and Ireland is that it is very easy to get a false negative as the tests are outdated and not very sensitive so if you have all of the symptoms above (and possibly more), if you have a good GP or Consultant, they may diagnose you on a clinical basis, if not, you will need to send your blood abroad to be tested, but it isn't cheap. The sooner you are diagnosed, the better the chance of recovery.

If you have made it this far, than you for reading. This really isn't a 'woe is me' post, it's simply my story that I want to share, Tomorrow I will start to talk about treatment...

Edited to add: Ticks don't just transmit Lyme, I also have Bartonella, Babesia, Ehrlicia, Anaplasma, Rickettsia, Chlamydia Pneumoniae, Mycoplasma, Cocksackievirus, HHV6 & 8 and CMV. Those as well as iron-deficiency anaemia, pernicious anaemia (due to lack of intrinsic factor in the lining os my stomach, I am unable to absorb B12 via my food) and have suffered mini-strokes and ovarian cysts - all due to those bites so PLEASE, PLEASE be very careful and aware if you or anyone you know is bitten as one little bite can change your life entirely.

Thanks for reading! 

Follow Beautylymin on Bloglovin, Twitter and Instagram for regular updates!

All products are bought by me, unless otherwise stated. Anything marked with a * has been gifted without any obligation. I don't do sponsored posts. Opinion is always my own. Affiliate links may be used.

Giveaway! Win a Pat McGrath or Natasha Denona eyeshadow palette

I bought both palettes myself with a view to running this giveaway for regular readers.

Before Christmas, I did a giveaway, which was just for my regular readers and commenters, both here and on Instagram (here) and I loved how well received it was. I love blogging and I started it because I love to chat about beauty, but without any readers, it would be a one way conversation and that would be no fun! To thank those who regularly engage, I wanted to give something back and what could be a more appropriate prize than an eyeshadow palette as you all know that I adore them! The two absolute queens of eyeshadows are Pat McGrath and Natasha Denona and regular readers will know how much I love them! There are two prizes for two winners - each will win a palette. The first winner chosen can decide which he/she would prefer and the second winner will win the other palette. The palettes up for grabs are Pat McGrath Mthrship Subliminal Platinum Bronze Palette and Natasha Denona Mini Glam Palette. Two palettes that I would actually love to own myself!

Benefit Georgia Blush - a Look Fantastic Exclusive with a 20% discount!

This was kindly gifted to me.

Want to win a bundle of skincare and makeup products? Enter here! 

Can you remember your first Benefit box of blush/bronzer/highlighter? Mine was Hoola and it's one that I still repurchase to this day. Since then, I've gone on to buy a number of blushes, with GALifornia being my favourite. The latest release from Benefit is Georgia Blush*, which is exclusive to Look Fantastic at the moment. What's even better, you can save 20% by using the code LYMIN at the checkout. I love that Benefit now also now sell minis of products (and the code works on those too!).

The hype is real #10 Elizabeth Arden Eight Hour All Over Miracle Oil

Want to win a bundle of skincare and makeup products? Enter here! 

It's a while since I did a 'The Hype Is Real' post but since I started using Elizabeth Arden Eight Hour All Over Miracle Oil*, I knew that I had to post about it. I received this in the Beauty Expert Collection: Icons Edition (worth £170 but use the code LYMIN_20 to reduce to £63.20) (post here). Being completely honest, I was never crazy about the original Eight Hour Cream, - I didn't like the texture or scent and found it to be a bit sticky so I bought one tube but didn't repurchase, despite the fact that it was effective in terms of a lip balm and healing cuticles etc. Therefore, I did question if I would like this oil version but I have fallen in love!

Disappointing products from brands I love

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Brands can't get it right all of the time - none of us can! There is bound to be a dud every so often and it's also worth remembering that just because a product doesn't work for one person, doesn't make it a bad product. Today I want to share some products that I have been disappointed by from brands that I really love (they will have been featured many times on the blog). I would love to hear what products have disappointed you from brands you love in the comments below? If a product is marked with a * it was kindly sent to me without any obligation to post about it.

The best footcare products....

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I know that in winter, most people aren't thinking about taking care of their feet but I like to take care of them all year round - not just in terms of keeping them soft but if you are on your feet a lot, getting rid of hard skin really helps in terms of comfort. I suffer from foot pain, due to Bartonella so I make it my priority to do what I can to help to relieve the pain and discomfort in any way I can. Today, I want to share the best products that I have found in terms of foot care and also suggest some more budget-friendly alternatives. This post isn't sponsored and I bought everything myself. 

Valentine's Day Fragrance Gift Guide For Him & Her

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Whether you think it's a Hallmark Day or a day to celebrate with the love of your life, Valentine's Day is arriving this Friday! For my husband and I, we don't make a huge fuss although we always exchange cards and flowers or fragrance. My parents are married 50 years and still exchange cards and small gifts so I suppose that's part of why I still like to acknowledge the day. Grand gestures aren't necessary, however a small gift is nice and my husband & I are big fragrance addicts and we tend to mark special occasions with the exchange of perfumes and aftershave. Today, I've compiled a gift guide of some really gorgeous fragrances for both him & her, which I hope will serve as some inspiration if you are planning on buying a gift for your other half!

Anything that was kindly sent to me is marked with * however this post is not sponsored.

How to save on luxury beauty products....

Want to win a bundle of skincare and makeup products? Enter here! 

I think we've established at this stage that I'm a big fan of luxury beauty, not just because they're high end brands (because that would be ridiculous!) but because I find that I get excellent results from a lot of products that happen to be high end.  That said, I always look for a discount code before I make a purchase or I'll wait for a good Gift With Purchase before I splash the cash. I'm not tight with money but I don't like waste and I like to get good value for money. Today, I want to share my tips and tricks with you! This post is not sponsored!

Becca Light Shifting Brightening Concealer - worth the hype?

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Becca is a brand that is synonymous with glowing skin - their highlighters are unrivalled in terms of texture and pigmentation. I've tried (and loved) their primers and a foundation so it made sense that I would want to try their latest release, Becca Light Shifting Brightening Concealer. But, is it worth the hype?

The winter skincare kit for dry skin

Want to win a bundle of skincare and makeup products? Enter here! 

I noticed that on February 1st, some people were saying that Spring has arrived but whilst we are seeing some buds appear on plants, we are still well and truly in Winter, which the frosty lawns and roads confirm! Today I want to share some of the products that are in heavy rotation on my dry skin at the moment and (touch wood) my skin isn't suffering too badly, in terms of flakiness and inflammation. Anything that was kindly sent to me (without any obligation to post) has been marked with a *

The best budget makeup products...

Want to win a bundle of skincare and makeup products? Enter here! 

There's no doubt that the majority of my makeup collection consists of luxury brands but there are definitely some areas where budget brands perform just as well. Today I want to share products that I either have already repurchased or would in a heartbeat! I would love to hear what your favourite budget beauty brands and products are? If anything was sent to me, it will be marked with a *.

Beauty bundle giveaway!

As a blogger, I am lucky enough to receive some really gorgeous products. Some I already own and others I know I won't get around to using given that I only have one face so every so often I like to do a giveaway as a thank you for reading my blog. Today,  I have a mixture of skincare and makeup products - 17 in total to offer as a prize for one of you to win!

My HG makeup products (and a 20% discount on some products!)

Because last week's post on my HG skincare products went down so well with so many of you (post here if you missed it), it got me thinking about makeup and which products would be the first I'd replace if my complete collection disappeared! This actually happened to one of my friends whose bag was stolen from her hand by a cyclist as she waited on the street for a building to open. She said she was more traumatised by the fact that she'd have to replace all of her makeup than everything else in her overnight bag (including her wallet/bank cards/phone etc!). I think it'd be a nightmare because there's no way on earth I could replace it all (unless I won the lotto), so this was a very tricky post for me. But here are my ultimate favourites/most repurchased/first to be repurchased products. If I have a discount code for any of them, I'll include it too! None of these products were gifted to me.

Summer Fridays R+R mask - smooth, glowing skin!

I'm sure that you have heard of Summer Fridays, a brand founded by two bloggers a few years ago as, despite trying and testing thousands of skincare products, they felt that there was a gap in the market. They started with face masks and are gradually extending their range, which I am glad about as too often, brands launch with a large number of products and quality can be lacking. As much as I loved the idea and sound of their Jet Lag mask, I skipped it as it contains shea butter. That said, I may still buy it to use as an overnight eye mask as that area of skin can tolerate the ingredient for some reason! On this side of the Atlantic, the brand is sold on Cult Beauty and after reading lots of reviews, I decided to buy R+R mask because it's described as a reviver for dull and dry skin - basically I felt like it was talking to me personally!

Review & Swatches: Bobbi Brown Fever Dream Palette

Last December, Laura from Laura Louise Beauty, and I did a Secret Santa exchange in conjunction with Look Fantastic. Laura chose so well for me because she knows I'm a palette addict and I often lust over her Bobbi Brown posts but, for some reason, it's a brand that I have tried very little from. Laura also knows that I am a warm toned shadow lover so the Fever Dream palette couldn't be more perfect for me! It's sold out almost everywhere but you can still find it on the UK Bobbi Brown site, if you are interested (it's also reduced in the sale!).

How and why to incorporate Vitamin C into your skincare routine

Any products that were gifted to me were done so without any obligation to post and will be marked with a *. I am part of the Dermalogica Skinfluencer programme.

Have you entered my Rejuvenated bundle giveaway here? Today is the last day to enter!

I've written posts on Vitamin C in the past and have explained that it really is a wonder ingredient for the skin that most people will see benefits from through regular use. That being said, not everyone can use it on a daily basis as it can cause some sensitivity/reaction (I fall into this category - in general! There are some exceptions). I still think it's worth persisting with and finding the right product for you - whether it's through the product type/combination/frequency of use, because of the benefits it gives. Vitamin C boosts collagen production, which boosts the plumpness of the skin, It also inhibits the production of melanin, which helps with areas of hyperpigmentation and also general dullness of the skin. It also encourages renewal at a cellular level, which in turn firms the skin.  Sounds like the perfect skincare ingredient, right? The problem is that it can be incredibly unstable and who wants to waste their money on a product that will be ineffective or go off within a few weeks? Also, if a product doesn't suit your skin, it doesn't necessarily mean the actual ingredient doesn't so it is worth trying to find a way to make it work for you, especially when the benefits are as effective as with Vitamin C. Today I want to share some great Vitamin C products with you and I am hoping that there is something for everyone. I'd also love to hear what your favourite way to use the ingredient is?

3 treats for 3 budgets

Have you entered my Rejuvenated bundle giveaway here?

I know that many people think January is the longest month but, this year, it has somehow flown by for me! As payday approaches (or perhaps today is your long-awaited payday), I'm back with my first 3 treats for 3 budgets post of 2020! These posts are not about spending a fortune or doing a haul - they're just about providing you with some ideas for products if you're in the mood to treat yourself to something or possibly have a birthday/special occasion gift to buy and need some ideas! With products starting at under £10, you can treat yourself without breaking the bank.

My HG skincare products (and a 20% discount code on most!)

Have you entered my Rejuvenated bundle giveaway here?

While I was sorting through my skincare drawers last week, I started to think about which products I would replace if (God forbid), all of my products disappeared or were stolen. Or, more precisely, which ones would be my top priority to replace. I thought I'd share them with you today and I would really love to hear which products would be top of your repurchase list if you found yourself in a similar position. Oh and as a bonus, I have a discount code that will work on most of the products if you buy from Look Fantastic. This post is not sponsored but if anything was sent to me, it will be marked with a *. Most products were bought by me.

Drunk Elephant F-Balm Electrolyte Waterfacial - worth the hype?

I bought this myself.

Have you entered my Rejuvenated bundle giveaway here?

Drunk Elephant is one of those brands that has courted a lot of controversy over the past year. There were photos and videos on Instagram of people binning lots of their products, such was their anger at the brand after a falling out with Caroline Hirons (amongst other alleged issues). Now I really respect Caroline but there was no way that I was binning products that I love, are expensive and that I personally find to be very effective for my skin. I've tried quite a few products from the brand - some are outstanding and others are a little 'meh' in my opinion but, as always, with skincare - what works well for one may not suit the next person. It's all very subjective. Today I want to talk about their latest release, F-Balm Electrolyte Waterfacial, which I knew I wanted to buy as soon as I heard the name, in advance of its release! I have skin like the Sahara (both dry and dehydrated) so anything that promises to quench its thirst and give a much needed injection of moisture will always grab my interest.

Philip Kingsley Elasticizer VS Olaplex No 3 Which is better?

I bought Olaplex and Philip Kingsley Elasticizer was kindly sent to me without any obligation to post about it. 

Have you entered my Rejuvenated bundle giveaway here?

Some people mistake hair treatments for hair masks but these two products are actually pre-shampoo treatments.  Both are suitable for bleached, coloured, heat-damaged hair or even for those who don't use a lot of colour/heat but just have damaged or frizzy hair. They act as a cuticle sealant but work from within to repair and prevent further damage. I'm sure that there are probably a number of products of this type on the market but the two cult ones are Philip Kingsley Elasticizer* and Olaplex No 3 Hair Perfector. Today I want to share my thoughts on both with you. I never really believed that a product like this would become a staple in my routine, but it has!

Review & Swatches: Pat McGrath Blitz Astral Quad Iconic Illumination

Have you entered my Rejuvenated bundle giveaway here?

It's no secret that I'm a big fan of Pat McGrath makeup products, especially her eyeshadows. Last year, I made a promise to myself not to add every eyeshadow palette that took my fancy to my collection (and there were some real beauties throughout the year!). Until November, I had only bought two, which is pretty impressive compared to previous years but then Pat McGrath released three quads and as much as I tried, I couldn't help but add one to my collection. Iconic Illumination is the one that caught my eye the most due to the beautiful warm tones.

REN Perfect Canvas Clean Jelly Oil Cleanser Review

Have you entered my Rejuvenated bundle giveaway here?

I know that people are divided when it comes to the term 'clean beauty' and I totally get it as it somehow implies that products not labelled as 'clean' are somehow toxic and not safe to use, which simply isn't true. That being said, there are people who like to fill their shelves with 'clean' products - some because it's a trend, others because they don't have the time nor inclination to research skincare ingredients and just believe clean is better. To each their own is my opinion. Why am I talking about this? Today, I want to share my thoughts on REN Perfect Canvas Clean Jelly Oil Cleanser*, which obviously has clean in its name. Whether you are a fan of 'clean' beauty or not, you will probably enjoy this product.

The best of what's left in the sales!

Have you entered my Rejuvenated bundle giveaway here?

The sales this year have been pretty epic and what has surprised me is that there are still so many brilliant bargains available. Usually at this stage, it's just the dregs left but perhaps people really are being more mindful with their spending , which is why there are some really gorgeous products still available. I want to share with you the products that are really testing my resolve - products that I lusted after when they were full price so I'm really finding it hard to resist now they are reduced!

Rejuvenated Re-Set Bundle Giveaway

If you read Friday's post (here), you will know that I am using Rejuvenated Re-Set products to help curb my cravings after the excesses of Christmas. Regular readers will know that I am a big fan of the brand so I am delighted that they have offered a prize of the bundle of products in the photo above (worth almost £150) for one of my lovely readers. 

It's time to press the re-set button!

Some of these products were sent to me without any obligation, this is not an ad. Gifted items will be marked with a *

I know that lots of people start their 'New Year, New Me' rituals on January 1st but I never do because my family get together for another Christmas Day feast on New Year's Day at my parents' house so there really is no point in pretending that I will commit to healthier eating that day. I'm also not the type of person who imposes very strict rules on myself just because it's January - banning myself from eating a certain food type or category will only make me want it more. I focus on nourishment rather than punishment and that way I am more inclined to commit. I also focus on using products I love and regular pampering rather than keeping products, clothes, jewellery etc 'for good' - every day that we are alive is a good day, in my opinion. Today, I want to share the products I am using to make January a little easier and come back on Monday for a giveaway of some of the products!

The Armani Luminous Silk Duo that I can't stop wearing!

Both products were bought by me.

Armani Luminous Silk is my most repurchased foundation (it would have been Hydra Glow had they not discontinued it - it's been years but I'm still not over it!) so when they released a corresponding primer, I knew I would have to try it, despite the fact that I really didn't need a new primer!

The Beauty Expert Collection: Icons Edition (saving of £91 available)

If you aren't familiar with Beauty Expert Collections, you're missing out! I reviewed the Vegan Collection here last year and loved that I made some great discoveries. The new Icons Edition is set to be the last of its kind, which is a real shame, however what a final set to finish on! Not only does it offer amazing value with £170 worth of products for only £79, but the products really are classics! UPDATE! I now have a 20% discount code for you, which reduced the price to only £63.20! The code is LYMIN_20.

Clarins Lip Milky Mousse - nourished lips with a hint of colour

I've mentioned before that I am a huge fan of Clarins Natural Lip Perfectors - they are my go-to lip products when I'm unsure what to wear as they suit all looks and I have one in every handbag so I was intrigued when I heard about their latest release - Lip Milky Mousse as part of their Spring Makeup Collection.

Lixirskin Good Skin Mini Trio Set Review

Happy New Year! I had planned on posting last week but I received some very sad news about a family member of someone very close to me, which took the wind out of my sails and the gloss off the turn of a new year and decade. It also meant that I definitely wasn't in the mood for writing, or even thinking, about beauty or anything other than the people affected by the tragedy. It was a very poignant reminder that life is very short and precious and none of us can be sure what is in store for us so we need to enjoy life as much as possible as tomorrow isn't guaranteed.

I really hope that you all had a wonderful Christmas and enjoyed the break (if you had one as I know it's the busiest time of year for those working in retail)?

Today's post is all about French brand, Lixirskin. This brand was founded by Dr Colette Haydon and the ethos is that the products are multi-taskers, suitable for all areas of skin and all ages. This intrigued me as I'm the queen of numerous products for various areas - face, neck, eyes etc. I was kindly sent the Good Skin Trio Mini Set back in November. This set is the perfect introduction to the brand as it contains three 30ml products, which is definitely enough to decide if the products are for you and also the perfect size for travelling.