DermaCo Soothing Revival Balm

I am quite a fan of the DermaCo range and first brought them to my blog HERE and HERE and I have really enjoyed using the Cleanser and Toner so was equally delighted when I was sent the DermaCo Soothing Revival Balm which is the third of four products from within the range.

The first thing you look at when it comes to these products is the rather fancy packaging, it is very much a luxury item.  The perfect cylindrical tubes with the metal top and bottoms just look amazing and feel amazing, the tubes themselves being cool to the touch.

Described as being

"A gentle balm providing immediate relief to all skin types especially sensitive or stressed. With rose and bergamot essential oils and comforting peptides to help relieve irritation and reduce inflammation. With an instant wrinkle smoothing action, the DermaCo Soothing Revival Balm boosts skin radiance and hydration and helps to prevent cellular UV damage. It is light and comfortable, resulting in a naturally fresh, smooth appearance".

What I love about this balm is not only does it smell absolutely wonderful, but as soon as it applied to the skin there is an instant cooling sensation on your face and as you apply to your face and neck and massage upwards the cream itself, which is quite luxurious softens and soothes the skin.

I am one of those people who likes to know what is in a product that I am about to use and apply to my skin, face and so on. This Balm has some lovely ingredients and is no tested on animals, it includes no animal derived ingredients, no chemical sunscreens, no synthetic perfumes or colours not to mention no parabens or petro-chemical derived ingredients! What it does contain is:

- Relaxing Acmella Extract
- Smoothing Polysaccharides
- Protective Plant Flavonoids
- Sodium Hyaluronate
- Vitamin C
- Light Reflecting Pigments

It can be used on all skin types, so whether you have sensitive skin, dry skin, sensitive skin or even like me which is combination skin leaning to the oily side. Using the essential oils of rose and bergamot, this balm helps to relieve irritation, reduce inflammation and leave your skin feeling soft, smooth and it is incredibly soothing. As for the fragrance, for me it is a delicate rose scented balm, if like me, you are a fan of rose scents, you will love this, it isn't too powerful but you know it is there.

A 100ml bottle will cost £44.99 and it lasts a long long time. I have been using this regularly for a good few months now and I am nowhere near, as you can see, halfway through, you only need a small amount because it is a case of a little goes a long long way.

NOTW - Models Own Pink Punch

Friday I headed to Birchbox's Manithon to raise money for breast cancer charity Coppafeel. CoppaFeel! aims to stamp out late detection and misdiagnosis of breast cancer by ensuring that people know that signs and symptoms of breast cancer, know what their boobs look and feel like normally, check their boobs regularly throughout their lifetime and have the confidence to seek medical referral when they detect abnormalities.

Currently 5% of diagnosed cases are already at stage IV with breast cancer being the second most commonly diagnosed cancer in women under 30 in the UK (181 new cases diagnosed and 12 deaths annually). CoppaFeel! strives for a country where no one dies of breast cancer because of late detection or misdiagnosis. The charity receives no government funding and relies solely on voluntary donations.

Taking place in Soho Square, just off Oxford Street, you couldn't help but recognize the Birchbox tent. There was a lot of little stations set up with teams of lovely ladies doing manicures. Models Own were there doing the nails so my manicure this week is courtesy of them.  

I chose Pink Punch as my colour as it is something I would never normally choose and I just couldn't help but notice it standing out amongst the other shades.

After my nails had been filed, buffed, painted and then some lovely oil added to the cuticles, I was then able to go over to the Birchbox shop to select some samples which was quite exciting and a really nice touch.  There was seven different samples to choose from and I was lucky enough to be able to select four from this bunch:

And this is what I chose:

So as you can see I went for my Balance Me Wonder Eye Cream which is amazing, Benefit Porefessional as I have almost run out, Aromatherapy Associates Revive Morning Bath and Shower Oil and Lord and Berry Black Kohl Liner.  Plus there was an added extra of this Birchbox themed silk scarf in my little tote bag - how cute!

Accessory Wednesday - Brightly Coloured Beads!

With summer drawing to an end and the dark darks and mornings soon to be upon us, I tend to opt for black trousers, black cardigans and vest tops for work attire and if it is really cold I love my chunky knits, but usually all of them being dark shades.  With that in mind, I tend to accessorise using brightly coloured bracelets, necklaces, beads or whatever I can find that catches my attention. I am not one for chunky gold or silver things you find in places like Primark because they turn green when I wear them, but these featured in my post today are perfect.

Whilst in Spain, I came across a little store which sold the loveliest little hand made bracelets and I bought three for 5 Euros, total bargain and this is then:

Sadly there was no matching necklace or long chain to go with any of them, so for that I am still searching.

Where do you get your accessories from? Do you have a favourite shop? Do you change your accessories throughout the year?

Cosmetic Surgery Facts and Fiction

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With millions of people around the world undergoing elective cosmetic surgery every year and stories in the media about celebrities going underneath the knife appearing on a daily basis, you’d imagine that our knowledge of plastic surgery was greater than ever.

In fact, muddling through the attention-grabbing headlines can make separating fact from fiction difficult at times. The best place to get answers for your individual questions is always from a qualified surgeon during your one to one consultation, but in the meantime we’ve sorted the facts from the fiction.   

You can’t breastfeed with implants – Fiction

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Many women that have had breast augmentation surgery are able to successfully breastfeed their baby. However, there is always the possibility that cosmetic surgery will affect your ability to breastfeed, so it’s vital that you discuss your concerns with a surgeon during a consultation so you have a clear understanding of any potential problems.

Cosmetic surgery is for vain, shallow people – Fiction

People choose to have cosmetic surgery for any number of reasons – sometimes that reason is simply because they want to look a certain way, but that doesn’t mean that the only thing that person values is their looks. If this was the case we’d have to assume that anybody who chose to have tattoos, piercings, and hairstyles or wear certain clothes or makeup purely to look a certain way were also just vain. The argument is a hangover from misguided stigma that is disappearing rapidly.

Cosmetic surgery is high risk – Fiction

There is always the risk of complications in any surgical procedure, and if your cosmetic surgeon doesn’t highlight the potential risks you should take this as a warning sign. However, as long as you find a reputable surgeon who holds your well-being as their number one priority the risk during cosmetic surgery will be minimal. To ensure you’ll be well looked after make sure you choose a surgeon registered with a national body such as BAAPS or BAPRAS in the UK.

Having cosmetic surgery abroad can save you lots of money – Fiction

While it’s true that the cost of the surgical procedure itself might be cheaper abroad there is no guarantee it will save you money – especially when things go wrong. With a 16.5% complication rate for cosmetic surgery holidays there’s every chance you could end up paying more once back at home to correct any problems.

You’ll be left with gruesome scars - Fiction

Cosmetic surgeons are trained to leave minimal scarring, so while some scarring is inevitable it will often be unnoticeable. For example, breast augmentation scars are kept out of view in the crease of the breast or in the armpits, while facelift scars practically disappear along the hairline. As always, if you’re worried about the scars you’ll be left with after surgery raise these concerns with your surgeon during a consultation.

Cosmetic surgery is becoming more popular for men – Fact

People of all walks of life with all sorts of lifestyles choose to have different types of cosmetic surgery for a variety of reasons – and a growing number of men having procedures ranging from breast reduction to tummy tucks and face lifts are testament to this. The common assumption that cosmetic surgery is just for women has long been on the decline – and with good reason, as in 2013 almost 10% of cosmetic procedures in the UK were on men. These 4,757 procedures represent a 16% increase on 2012 and the trend looks set to continue.

Being informed about cosmetic surgery is key to satisfaction - Fact

One of the most significant factors affecting your satisfaction with cosmetic surgery is how informed you are. So do a bit of research online about the specific procedure you want, and be prepared to ask questions at a consultation. Knowing what to expect from surgery and the recovery process, as well as having realistic expectations about the changes your body or face will undergo, will ensure your experience with cosmetic surgery is a satisfied one.

Written by breast surgery experts MyBreast. Visit them online at http://www.mybreast.org

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