Lush Spa Review – The Good Hour

I have worked at Lush for two years and I have always wanted to experience a treatment in one of Lush’s 7 spas. There are 11 treatments to choose from with prices between £65-£300.

Lush has spas in:

London Oxford Street
Leeds
Liverpool
Bath
Cardiff
Poole
Edinburgh

Read the Spa policies where it talks about minimum age, pregnancy information and Vegan treatments.

I gifted my Mother “The Good Hour” for Christmas …. 2016 !! but unfortunately life got in the way and we only got round to finally booking our trip to Poole for our treatment on the 11th July 2018

We booked a double room which was really lovely but of course this required two therapists to be free so bare with the lovely staff and book in advance if this is something you’d be interested in.

The Good Hour is a full body, deep tissue massage lasting an hour with a consolation lasting approximately 15minutes. 

After a long, cold and slightly stressful journey we arrived in sunny Poole just before midday. We grabbed some food and I had some lovely Vegan ice cream before we checked into our hotel which is about a minutes walk to Lush. 

I had never had a massage before so I was feeling a little anxious but I was also so excited as it would be a new experience and one that I would be sharing with my Mum. I was also looking forward to feeling relaxed a pain free afterwards.

The staff in the shop were lovely and after a brief talk me and my Mum were greeted by Lyndsey who is the head therapist at the Poole spa. We were lead into a kitchen where we sat down surrounded by the sound of bird song. Lyndsey explained the treatment to me and my Mum and she talked us through the massage bars and we got to choose which one we would like. We both chose Wiccy Magic Muscles it has warming Cinnamon Leaf oil and stimulating Peppermint oil. During the treatment a pressure point technique is used where pressure is put onto a particular area of tension, if this technique doesn’t help cold jelly disks are placed onto the area to help. these jelly disks are only used in the Spa and they smelt so nice, I really wish I could remember what was in them and had the opportunity to purchase them.

After our consultation Lyndsey introduced us to Emma who would be my therapist for this treatment. Before we were escorted to the treatment room Lyndsey asked my Mum to something, I won’t reveal what as I don’t want to spoil the magic but at first I couldn’t understand why this was relevant. Emma showed us to the treatment room, it was dark and only light by a dim blue light. She told us to undress down to our knickers while she left the room and to get under the warms towels and when ready to ring a bell that was placed in between our beds. Before Emma left she used what my Mum had made and created the magic, it was so exciting and just added to the whole experience.

Once undressed and under the towels I rang the bell and the ladies came in. Music was playing, it was Sea chanties from the 50’s and 60’s which I know my Boyfriend Jack would have enjoyed as he loves that era of music. The tracks were perfectly selected to go along with each stage of the massage. It was explained to be, and felt like, we were taken on a journey out to sea and brought back again.

The massage felt so lovely but a little uncomfortable at times but this was only when an area of tension was being worked on. I specified that I had particular tension in my neck, legs and lower back and these areas were worked on. The massage started at our necks and worked down to our legs and feet where warm damp towels were used the clean them and create a new sensation. The tension in my neck was gone and when Emma worked on my thighs and calves I felt so relaxed that I could have probably dropped off to sleep, I had tension in places I didn’t even realise. The smell and sensation of the massage bar felt so relaxing too, I smell Wiccy Magic Muscles at work but this was in a different setting and I had never used the bar in this way, only slightly at home when my back is sore or when demoing it on customers arms at work.

When Emma worked on the top of the side of my thighs she found tension that required the pressure point technique. Strangly I found that I started to feel a period pain coming on but just put it down to my usual pains and tried to ignore it. Sadly as the massage went on the pain gradually got worse and I had to ask for a bathroom break. I just wanted to sit and try and compose myself as I felt anxious too. Once composed I went back into the room but unfortunately not for long. As Emma started working on my lower back the pain became so intense that I just couldn’t carry on. 

I told Emma that I couldn’t carry on and I kept apologising as I felt so bad and a bit embarrassed. We sat down by the kitchen while I had a cry and offloaded onto Emma about how I really wanted a nice day for me and my Mum and that it would have been so nice to have been pain free for a little while, I know it was my Endometriosis that caused this.

Emma was so kind and just listened to me. She said that I probably picked the wrong treatment for my type of pain and I completely agree. I will be looking into other Lush Spa treatments to find the best one for me.

I was very kindly given a Golden Slumbers bath bomb as a kindness while I had a cup of tea and biscuits. We were also given a massage bar each to take home. Emma went and spoke to a lady called Frankie and they refunded my treatment !! This blew me away and I am so grateful that the lovely staff in Poole did this for me.

Once Lyndsey had finished my Mum’s treatment she too came to check on me. I was worried that my Mum would cut her treatment short as I knew she would be worried about me but I’m so glad she didn’t. I asked Lydnsey if she had told my Mum I wasn’t well and her reply was ”yes I told her you weren’t well and your Mum said – ohh no … that was lovely” we all laughed, I’m so happy my Mum got to experience the full treatment and when I went back into the room to get changed, I had been given a warm dressing gown, my Mum said how amazing the treatment had been for her. My Mum was upset for me but unfortunately we both come to expect things like this to happen to me. 

Once dressed we sat down and had a chat with both ladies. Although my treatment didn’t go to plan I still had a great experience and the ladies made us feel so comfortable throughout. I would definitely recommend a Lush Spa treatment and if you can get down to Poole I know you’ll have an fabulous time, especially if you have either Emma or Lydnsey as your therapist. 

We went back to the hotel and I did spend the rest of the time we were in Poole in bed unfortunately as I was in so much pain. Endometriosis is unpredictable and as I have had an operation I have scar tissue so I guess during the massage this was aggravated. In no way do I put any blame on Emma, she did nothing wrong. I would advise if you do have any health problems to fully disclose this with your therapist or when making an appointment so the correct treatment can be offered to you.

My Mum would definitely love to have another treatment and I have The Spell in mind for our next one. I’ll be sure to review that too and fingers crossed I won’t have any flare ups this time.

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Getting Lost In Birmingham … And Coping !!

A Bit Of Background 

For those who know me they will know how Anxiety has effected my life. For those who don’t know me, Anxiety became so debilitating that it went from being something that loomed over me whenever I did anything, over analysing, over planning, paranoia and panic attacks to not being able to leave my house for 9 months, that was roughly 3 years ago.

When I first started venturing out again I found it very hard and cried every time I went out and panic attacks were something that would happen multiple times in a day. I had to have everything planned, where I was going, bus times, how long I was going out for. If anything spontaneous was suggested or anything changed in my routine it sent me into meltdown and I couldn’t cope.

My friend Leanne was so pivotal in my recovery, she was the only person who stayed in contact with me and filled me in on the outside world. She encouraged me, supported me and congratulated me when I started leaving the house and making small victories.

2016 really was the year that everything changed. I went to London by myself, I met my lovely Boyfriend Jack and I really pushed myself and got myself a job. Working for Lush has pushed me and at times I thought that I made a mistake and that I did too much too soon but really it was what I needed to do. Working in retail forces you to talk to people, to think on your feet and cope with a day and a situation that is constantly changing.

Lets Go To A Concert !!

My Anxiety is much better but it does get the better of me sometimes. My friend Lauren who runs the blog History’s A Burden … Stories Can Make Us Fly asked me and our friend Izzy to go and see Demi Lovato in concert on Wednesday 13th June. Immediately the Anxiety set in and I thought that although I wanted to go that I couldn’t as it would be a new place, a new experience and one that I would experience with new people. I’ve known Lauren for 2 years and Izzy for just under a year and we are great friends but if I ever went away or to a concert it would be with me Mum, she was the one who got me through my worst periods of Anxiety and my worst my panic attacks at Wembley when I wanted to see One Direction and 5 Seconds Of Summer.

I decided to go for it and agree but I needed to be in control, I scrutinised Google Maps and trawled ticket sites to find the best deals. I bought the tickets and I even went as far as booking a hotel for myself the day before the concert so I could familiarise myself with Birmingham and deal with any Anxiety I had. On Sunday 10th June we found out that Demi had to postpone her London show due to sickness and I had a bad feeling about our date but I didn’t panic and just hoped for the best.

Day 1

It took me two hours via train to get to Birmingham and when I arrived I was really pleased and proud of myself. I decided to have a mooch before finding my hotel which was nice but then I lost my bearings and as I was tired couldn’t make sense of my Google Maps. I did feel overwhelmed but I think that’s natural for anyone in a new city. My hotel was an 11 minute walk from the station but it took me and hour and a half to find it. It was 14:35 and I hadn’t eaten anything yet. After an hour in my room I knew I had to go out and get something to eat so I Googled ‘Vegan food in Birmingham’ and found Not Dogs a completely Vegetarian and Vegan restaurant. After my easier walk back to the station I opened Google Maps and saw that Not Dogs was a 3 minute walk. I walked around for an hour watching myself getting closer and then further away from the place. I was near tears at this point as I was angry and quite hungry. I asked someone for help and they told me it was inside the train station !! It had two floors and loads of restaurants, I had no clue !!

Once there I had the ‘What The Duck Dog’ and ‘Not Dog ‘Chicken’ Nuggets’ 

After I had eaten I just wanted to go back to the hotel and sleep but before that I got a few snacks for the room. On my way back I lost my bearings again and continued to walk in a circle around Birmingham New Street Station and the shopping centre. I called my Mum expressing my frustration, it was 18:00 now and I left for food at 15:30, people heard me on the phone telling my Mum that I was lost yet nobody offered help. I was messaging Jack when my phone died which literally stopped me in my tracks. I stood and just breathed, I knew I’d find my way back eventually and I could ask people and charge my phone soon.

All I had to do was cross one road and I would have known where I was !! I finally got back after another half an hour and crashed out.

I brought my giant Rose Bombshell bath bomb with me and couldn’t wait to relax and forget the stress of the day.

 

After a lovely bath I slipped into bed and was ready to end the day when I thought I’d check Twitter to see if Demi had posted anything about her Birmingham show. I then saw this tweet from Birmingham Arena.

I was gutted and I froze, what was I going to do ?! I had paid a lot of money to come and stay in Birmingham and I had everything planned out for tomorrow and suddenly I wasn’t in control of the situation anymore. As soon as I told my parents, Jack, Izzy and Lauren my phone was ringing and beeping with calls and messages asking what I’m going to do and being given different advice on what I should do. I was told to go down and ask the hotel staff if I could go home early and get a refund. The staff were lovely and very understanding. The lady said I could definitely do that and she said I had until 1pm the next day to decide. I went back to my room told everyone what had been said. I didn’t know what I’d do until I woke up.

Day 2

I woke up the next day drained and still unsure with what I was going to do. I went for breakfast and two members of the lovely staff brought me magazines and a printed out map of the local area with different things circled such as the local Library and the Museum. This is what I needed, a plan, structure. While I didn’t feel anxious, I wasn’t feeling very positive and before breakfast I didn’t have a clue if I was going to stay or not but the staff said I should make the most of the break and enjoy myself so that’s exactly what I did.

I set out positively with my map and a plan. I walked round The Library of Birmingham and The Secret Garden and then up to the Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery where I met Dippy !!

Izzy and Lauren couldnt cancel their train tickets so while Lauren was working in Lush Nottingham I met up with Izzy. We walked round and then went for lunch at Fressh which is a Vegan restaurant.

I had the ‘What The Guac’ burger with fries and a ginger beer while Izzy had the ‘Original Meatball Sub’ and sweet potato fries.

After, Izzy and I saw BBC3 filming and we asked if we could join in. They were filming something for Fathers Day to go onto their Facebook page. We had to hold up paddles for ‘yes’ or ‘no’ and answered questions about our Dad’s. The questions ranged from ‘Have you ever seen your Dad cry?’ to ‘Has your Dad ever walked in on you having sex’ !!

We then grabbed a Starbucks and headed back to my hotel until Lauren arrived. In the evening after the three of us had a mooch we went to Bella Italia for a late dinner. It was really nice to spend some quality time with Lauren and Izzy away from work, away from Watford and away from our stresses.

Izzy and Lauren had to get the train home the same night are were very tired. Before they left we went back to my hotel and shared these Vegan doughnuts Lauren picked up in Nottingham. They were from a place wonderfully called Doughnotts.

Afer saying goodbye to Izzy and Lauren I ran a bath and used The Big Sleep jelly bomb from Lush. I have only used the Snow Fairy jelly bomb that came out at Christmas before and thought this was a good time to try another. It went a beautiful  turquoise colour and once I had rubbed the jelly on my skin for hydration the jelly was no more and made no mess at all.

 

Theses photos are unfiltered too by the way !!

After my bath I found myself reflecting on the last couple of days. I went to a new city alone, I put myself in new situations and had to talk to new people. To some this might not seem like much but to someone who’s life has been so heavily ruled by my mental and physical health this is indeed a big step. I’ve always thought about taking time for myself and going away for a couple of days but It was only daydreams until now. This will kick-start a new chapter in my life and I’m so excited to go on little adventures now.

Going Home

After another lovely breakfast I walked to the station and got a few nibbles to have on the train. I got a Soy Caramel Coffee Frappuccino without the cream and drizzle from Starbucks, thankyou to my manager Aida for introducing to me them, and waited for my train. I love the way they spelt my name, I thought Claire was easy to spell !!

Once onboard I popped my headphones in and listened to ‘Flicker’ by Niall Horan and ‘Alone In The Universe’ by Jeff Lynne’s ELO and that took me all the way home. Two very different albums by two very different men and I love them both.

When in Birmingham I found myself looking at the floor and I just happened to be standing on Jeff Lynne’s ‘Walk Of Stars’ star !! I am a big ELO fan so for me this was so cool. Of all the people and of all the places to stop and look down and it just so happened to be there.

Home Sweet Home

I am now home and the last two days seem a bit surreal to me, did I really do all of that?! Tomrrow I am back to work, funnily enough with both Lauren and Izzy, so soon the events from the last two days will become a memory and one that will have marked the start of adventures.

I want to thank Lauren and Izzy for being amazing friends. They are rays of sunshine who deserve so much love and positivity, the same amount they radiate and more.

I love you girls !!

Endometriosis – What Is It? What Is The Cure? Will It Mean I Can’t Have Children?

There is so much to remember I just hope I managed to get it all down and didn’t go on for too long. This is all very personal but I know how important awareness is so if this helps more Women recognise their own symptoms then me feeling  little uncomfortable is completely worth it.

What Is Endometriosis?!

Endometriosis occours when tissue, like that of the lining of a women’s uterus, grows outside of it. This tissue can grow anywhere but it’s often found on organs in the pelvic and abdominal area. When a woman is about to menstruate this tissue swells and sheds each month but because this tissue has also grown outside of the uterus it cannot escape the body and therefore causes irritation (to put it lightly). This tissue is like glue and it can really mess up ones insides. So far there is no permanent cure and diagnosis can only be confirmed through surgery. Often in surgery this tissue is zapped away and many women choose to have Hysterectomy’s but this only works if all of the tissue grows on the organs removed. If any is left over it will grow back in time and you will still experience pain. Diagnosis take women approximately 7 years but it is usually longer.

Where It All Began

I have suffered from IBS – Irritable Bowel Syndrome since I was 5 so I’ve always suffered with severe stomach pains. As I got older the pain got worse and this is due to a few factors, grief and extreme anxiety. For years I underwent tests, went through multiple medications and therapy and nothing helped this pain. I missed most of secondary school and found it very hard to cope when I did attend due to being bullied and worrying about the embarrassment of becoming unwell outside of my home. I was very underweight and only ate when I got home from school to try and avoid being unwell when out, I began to fear food and panicked anytime I ate because I knew I’d be unwell. I found out I had an intolerance to dairy so I decided to become a Vegetarian (now Vegan) to see how that would affect me.

I started to feel better and I was able to go back to school, the people in my year just about started to become friendly with me, I started putting on weight and I began to relax and think that it was all over and I could finally live a normal life. Then BAM !! my periods started age 14 and the pain I had experienced before suddenly doubled and I genuinely thought I was going to die from the severity of the pains I experienced monthly. So back to the GP I went and more tests were done, contraceptives were offered which just messed up my cycle and took a toll on my already fragile mental health and even pregnancy was offered as a solution, I was 16 at this point and not in a relationship. The only thing that could be found via ultrasound were Cysts on my Ovaries, some had burst and some weren’t big enough to be removed. I was told that I just had to take painkillers and that the Cysts would either go away themselves or that I would have to wait for them the grow to 10cm before surgery would be considered, my Cysts were only about 2.5cm and never changed.

When Was I Diagnosed?

After years of begging for help from my GP, trawling through the internet, considering a Hysterectomy, being admitted to A&E multiple times to only be made to feel like I was being dramatic and making everything up and even contemplating suicide to escape the pain, I stumbled across this website about Endometriosis and I broke down. This is what I had, I found it, I didn’t have to Pidgeon hole myself into any of the symptoms, this was me exactly and I just remember sobbing for hours because I finally had an answer and knew that I wasn’t ‘weak’ or ‘couldnt handle normal monthly pain’. I told my Mum and she agreed but was wary me of getting my hopes up to only be disappointed. I made an appointment with my GP and told her that I knew thought I had Endometriosis and asked her to refer me to a Gynecologist. She said she just wanted to try a few more medications first before referring me, I was now 21. After trying Provera and the Depo shot, which just made me bleed continuously for about 6 months and sent my emotions into complete meltdown, my GP finally refered me.

When I first met my Gynecologist he was really sympathetic and helpful. He said that it definitely sounded like I had Endo and that he would send me for ‘one more ultrasound and a blood test as a precaution’ but that he would most definitely be operating on me at some point.

I had a blood test and that gave me some news that I really wasn’t expecting, it turns out I have low Ovarian reserve. Anti-Müllerian Hormone, or ‘AMH’ is a hormone which is given off by developing follicles, which are egg sacs containing immature eggs. AMH naturally decreases with age. I was told by my GP that I had a level of 17 and that this is a level that would usually be seen in a women a few years older than me. The level goes from 3 – 30 so I know it’s not too low which was a relief. Unfortunately my GP didn’t have a clue about what any of that meant and couldn’t answer my questions so I had to wait and see my Gynecologist.

He confirmed what my GP had told me and said that my best option was to freeze my eggs and he urged me to consider taking out a loan to freeze them and to pay for IVF further down the line. He also said I should have serious talk with my boyfriend and maybe consider trying for children sooner rather than later. My mind was all over the place and I found it hard to take in most of what he was saying but when I left I did just what he said. I looked into loans and decided that it was too risky to get into debt for something that may never work. I had many high emotion talks with my boyfriend and it put a real strain on our relationship as he said he wasnt ready for children and didn’t really want to think about them at our age. I felt like a ticking time bomb and worried that with everyday that went past, with every bout of pain, that my eggs were decreasing by the minute.

Fast forward to August 2017, aged 23,  I had a Laparoscopy (key hole surgery) and a Hysteroscopy (inspection of the womb) where I was told that I have stage 3 Endometriosis; there are 4 stages. The tissue was zapped away and luckily the tissue hadn’t grown on my Ovaries as the tissue will destroy, and for want of a better description, eat your eggs.

After my diagnosis I didn’t really know how to feel, I’d be fighting for an answer for 9 years and I finally had one, I could stop trying to convince people that I was actually unwell and that I needed help and I could stop trying to find an answer and try to move forward with my life.

During my operation the Merina coil was inserted, I haven’t had a period since a about June 2017 and I knew I definitely didn’t want them to start again. I haven’t had much pain since my operation and any pain that I have had is nowhere near the pain I used to experience and I will gladly take that over the pain I had before my surgery.

The Healing Process

My goodness did I underestimate how unwell I would be !! During key hole surgery, gas is pumped into your cavity to move other organs out-of-the-way so the surgeon can see what they’re doing. Unfortunately the gas has to leave you naturally and I just thought that I’d feel a bit uncomfortable, be a little gassy and that it would be gone … this gas wasn’t leaving so easily. I was like a lava lamp, every time I breathed in my stomach flipped and I would feel so nauseous, be sick and still try to be sick even though I hadn’t eaten because of how unwell I felt. I had an awful pressure in my chest that made me feel like my whole body was vibrating and pain in my shoulders from the gas too. I felt so trapped in my own body again and I hated it, I couldn’t get comfy, I couldn’t eat and I couldn’t go to the toilet either even though I had the urge to go,  my whole body just seemed to shut down. I had to get my Mum to pat my back to try to make the gas escape and it worked a little but for the most part I had to walk up and down my upstairs landing with a bucket in my hands as when the gas moved it made me sick.

I never had any pain from my incisions apart from the obvious tenderness and the coil has never caused me any problems either, I’m just thankful I had it fitted during my operation as many women have told me its horrendous having it fitted when awake.

What Happened Next

After a few horrid weeks I was back on my feet and although a little fragile I was on the mend. I went back to my GP but this time I had a different experience. I walked in and before I had even sat down, without him looking at me, he said ‘so, still not pregnant?‘ I was in complete shock and very confused, I said to him ‘well no, you fitted me with the coil’AND IM NOT TRYING TO GET PREGNANT YET !! all he said back about the matter was ‘oh yes, that would be quite difficult then’ while laughing. He didn’t have half of my notes, didn’t have the photos from my operation that he said he’d have and very nonchalantly told me that my Ovarian reserve level was now 19 !! He tried to skim over it but I interrupted him and said ‘I thought you said that it wasn’t going to get any higher?!‘ and he said ‘ohh, well it can fluctuate but just because it’s a level of 17 doesn’t mean its going to jump to 30’ I said that I had spent the last few months in a permanent state of anxiety, that I was trying to save up all of my money and that because of the stress my relationship nearly ended. He didn’t understand the severity of what he had said and didn’t apologise either. Once again he told me that I could have my eggs frozen and to consider taking out a loan or that I could wait until March 2018 and have the test again. I said I’d wait and have the test again.

After that appointment I was so angry, I broke down and apologised to my boyfriend for all of the stress and pressure I had put on him to decide about when to have children and the uncertainty of if this would be what broke us up.

Where I Am Now

I haven’t had the test again, My birthday is next week and I didn’t want any bad news to ruin it. I also still have no clue about what to do with my eggs. I don’t know if its best that I freeze them or wait and hope that there are still enough and in good condition to conceive a child naturally. I want it to be my decision and not my body’s. I’d like to think ‘what will be will be’ but it’s very hard when I’ve wanted children for as long as I can remember. It’s a risk either way whatever I choose, freezing my eggs and trying IVF isn’t a 100% guarantee and neither is waiting to try to conceive naturally.

I’ll be honest, I’m not ok, I’m struggling to deal with having low reserve and not knowing what to do about it or what will happen in the future just makes it worse. Whenever I see children or a pregnant lady, which is often, especially where I work, it’s a constant reminder of this issue and that it might not happen for me.

I will post an update on things in a few months and hopefully I’ll have a clearer idea about what I will do and fingers crossed my reserve hasn’t dropped any lower !!

My Vegan Lush Skincare Routine

Since working for Lush it has become natural for me to transition to using their products daily, it also helps me when recommending products to customers if I have used them too.

At Lush we don’t believe in skin types as we feel that can limit what a customer looks for so we ask customers to tell us about their skin and what they want from our skin care products. They may say that their skin type is but we wouldn’t ask the question directly.

My skin has been through all stages, I used to suffer with Eczema on my face so my skin was very dry and sore, then it became very oily due to hormones and being on my period but as I’ve gotten older I would say I don’t really focus on my skin type and rather use products depending on how its feeling that day. My forehead is on the oiler side while my cheeks and the area around my nose and chin are more dry.

I will be talking about my current routine and talking about products I have previously used which are all linked down below.

Here is what I when and when.

My Basic Routine

In the morning I use Lush’s 9 to 5 cleanser either with a flannel (face cloth) or on damp cotton pads if I’m feeling really lazy. It contains Almond oil and fresh Dove Orchid extract which hydrates and calms the skin and makes it feel smooth. Afterwards I use a toner; Eau Roma Water contains Lavender water and Rose water. Lavender helps to sooth, soften and balance your skin and Rose calms and reduces redness. I spray this on a cotton pad and sweep it over my face, it will remove any excess cleanser and makes my skin feel hydrated. If I feel my skin is more dry I will spritz this directly over my face again and let the product just sink in. I will then use a moisturiser, I have used 3 Lush moisturisers Imperialis, Celestial and Enzymion but I currently don’t use a Lush one.

In the evening I used to use 9 to 5 to remove my makeup, especially eye make up, and then a Fresh Face Cleanser to clean and exfoliate my skin but actually I personally found that my FF cleanser removes my make up so I just use that. I use Herbalism but I started off using Angels On Bare Skin. To use, take a small amount and add water to make a paste. Herbalism cleans my skin without that tight and dry feeling afterwards. It has ground Almonds to exfoliate, Kaolin to absorb any oils, Chlorophyllin water which is a plant extract that helps to reduce inflammation and spots and Nettle, Rosemary and Rice Vinegar extract which also help with inflammation, reduces redness and brightens the skin. I then tone and moisturise as normal.

Fun fact, the Roseaca society contacted Mark Constantine, the founder the Lush, as Herbalism was going to be discontinued.  They told him that Herbalism was the only product that helped reduce the redness in their skin.

 

My Weekly Routine

Once a week I will use 9 to 5 to cleanse my face and then swap out Herbalism for a small amount of the Self-Preserving Ocean Salt face and body scrub, the original version isn’t Vegan. Lush also offer an alcohol free version too. Ocean Salt is a scrub packed with Sea Salt, Limes that have been steeped in Vodka and fresh Grapefruit juice. These ingredients exfoliate, cleanse and rejuvenate the skin. This scrub can seem harsh on the skin if you have any dryness or sensitivity to your skin, which I do, but if I use a small amount then its a pleasant scrub that wipes the week away. It also contains Mango and Avocado butter and Organic Silken Tofu to soften the skin and I must say I really love this scrub now I’m using the correct amount for my skin.

 

I will also use a face mask, usually on a Sunday. After I have cleansed with 9 to 5 I dry my face and use Full Of Grace face serum before applying my mask as it helps the ingredients to sink into your better. Full Of Grace contains Portobello Mushrooms which protect the skin, Murumuru and Cupuacu butters to moisturise your skin, Chamomile Blue and Organic Almond oils to sooth and hydrate the skin and Calamine powder which helps calms sensetive skin. I run the bar in between in hand to encourage it to melt and then sweep the bar across my face and gently massage the serum into my skin with my hands.  After I take a small amount of Cup O’ Coffee face and body mask and begin to gently exfoliate my skin with it. This can be a thick face mask so I add a tiny amount of water to loosen the mask and that helps make it have a more of scrub like consistency. I then leave it on for about 20 minutes and wash it off, tone and moistuise. Cup O’ Coffee is packed with ground Coffee to exfoliate, Coffee infusion to stimulate your skin and organic Agave syrup to moisturise your skin. My skin always feels plump, smooth and looks brighter after using this.

Other Products I Use/ Have Previously Used

Angels On Bare Skin – is Fresh Face Cleanser that contains ground Almonds to gently exfoliate the skin, Lavender, Rose and Chamomile Blue oil to calm, sooth and balance the skin and Kaolin to clean the skin and absorb and oils.

Coal Face – is a face soap is made with antiseptic Rosewood, Sandalwood oil and Charcoal that helps absorb excess oil and Liquorice Root softens the skin.

Breath Of Fresh Air – fresh Sea water goes into this toner water, with mineral-rich Carrageenan Seaweed extract and Rose absolute to tone, reduce redness and balance the skin and Fair Trade Organic Aloe Vera gel and Patchouli oil is cool and hydrate the skin.

Imperialis – an all rounder of a moisturiser really and quite light too. With Fair Trade Organic Cocoa and Shea butter there is Brunello Lily petals to help inflammation, Orange Flower absolute, balancing Lavender flower infusion, cooling Sweet Violet extract and cooling Elderflower extract.

Celestial – I used this when my skin was feeling sensitive. Almonds are rich in Vitamin E and hydrates the skin, there is Almond oil and Almond milk in here. Vanilla water and fresh Dove Orchid extract soothes and Fair Trade Organic Cocoa Butter conditions skin.

Enzymion – This gives the skin a matte finish due to a whole Lemon being squeezed into each pot to stop shiny skin. Freshly juiced Papaya brightens skin, Fair Trade Organic Aloe Vera is soothing and cooling while Fair Trade Organic Cocoa Butter and Organic Avocado Oil nourish the skin.

Catastrophe Cosmetic – This is a Fresh Face mask and needs to be kept in the fridge.  Blueberries are an antioxidant that protect and soothe the skin. Irish Moss Gel softening the skin and Calamine powder calms the skin. I love this face mask and will alway use this if my skin is feeling dry and sore. I use this when I don’t use Cup O’ Coffee.

So this has been a long post but I hope you have found it helpful, let me know which Lush products you love using and if there are any Lush products you’d like me to blog about.

Being Naturally Slim And Body Positive

There are a lot of ‘Body Positive’ posts, pictures and campaigns online for people who are classed by some in society as ‘fat’ ‘obese’ and ‘overweight’ but I rarely see body positive posts supporting people who have been criticised for being naturally slim. Growing up it has always been at the forefront of conversations and even now at nearly 24yrs of age I have people making comments about my weight without thinking they’re causing offence because I’m on the other end of the weight spectrum.

My youngest memory is of a Boy saying ‘ew, I can see your collar bones’, I wasn’t even 10yrs old and I was the required weight for my height and age, as I am now. Yes, I have been underweight but that is because I have Irritable Bowel Syndrome and Endometriosis , I eat well and I love food but these conditions can effect my weight if I’m going through a bad patch. As of late I have had a few comments from people close to me regarding how ‘skinny’ I am and they hope that I’m eating properly yet I haven’t lost any weight. One person in particular as commented, in front of other people, that they could feel my ribs when they hugged me and on another occasion could feel my spine when I was hunched over and they felt my back, to me these comments are just as bad as comments that are said about people bigger than myself yet they are thrown around as non offensive comments.

There was a time comments got to me and I felt so self conscious that I felt the need to eat a lot in front of people so they could see I had a good appetite and wasn’t ‘starving’ myself and that I didn’t have an ‘eating disorder’. I would stand in front of my mirror looking at my body and want to change so many things about it, I wanted curves, I wanted bigger breasts and if I could see my hip bones or my collar bones I would feel so upset and I was made to feel less of a women because of the stigma surrounding women and girls of my body shape which is natural !!.

People assume that because I am slim that I must be in perfect shape and love my body but that isn’t true, I’m not the fittest and I don’t exercise but I plan to start. I have insecurities from time to time and I think thats something most people go through. I am sick of being made to feel bad for having a naturally slim body, I haven’t worked for this and actually this isn’t my ideal body shape either, I’ve always wanted to have more weight on me and I am working towards this in a healthy way.

This leads on to another area in this conversation, why are there no healthy ‘build up’ meals for those of us who want to put on weight but struggle? All I see around me is ‘low calorie, slimming world, weight watchers’ meals, pills and shakes to lose weight but nothing to help me and others who feel the same. I would have to buy protein powders that are normally targeted at people who go to the gym, I don’t want a powder or a smoothie or to eat junk food, I want options and nutritional guidance to help me achieve the weight I would like in a healthy and tasty way. I haven’t suffered with an eating disorder so I can only imagine how people feel when they’re trying to recover and all they see are ads and food for people wanting to lose weight, I wish there was something to help make their recovery a little easier and to help other slimmer people gain the weight that they need or would like. I’m surprised that nobody has picked up on this big gap in the market and I guess people could say ‘just eat more’ but it’s not as simple as that, I could say to someone bigger than myself to ‘just eat less’ if they are struggling to lose weight but that’s not helping them, they need to know what they can eat and how to get all their vitamins and minerals without becoming unhealthy and this is exactly the same for us on the other end of the weight spectrum.

I must say though, I am happy with myself currently and have decided to challenge any comments about my weight. I’m not ‘skinny’ and I don’t have a ‘perfect figure’ yet society is torn between which label to put on my body type. I am happy and I am healthy, can’t that be enough??

Superdrug Announces A Vegan Store !!

Today, Superdrug have announced that from tomorrow (21st March) a pop up store in Boxpark, Shoreditch in London will be opening with 300 own brand Vegan products from across every range !! The store is open for 3 months but I really hope they bring it back permanently.

Superdrug have really listened to their Vegan customers and even veganised their whole B. make up range which now looks so professional and has clear signage that it is a proud cruelty free and Vegan brand. Withdrawing their old make up range was a risk and a step they must not have taken lightly but it’s absolutely paid off.

Most of Superdrug own branded products are now Vegan and they have everything from skin care, shaving products, hair care and mouth care.

Other brands need to look at what Superdrug have done and continue to do and make the change themselves. So many big brands are making their products in such a cruel way that I’m surprised they are still held in such high regard. Brands have even taken a step back and starting testing on animals so they can have their products sold in China !! This is something I will never be able to understand and I hope these brands are boycotted.

I personally won’t use anything from a brand that is owed or co owned by companies that test on animals or have animal derivatives in their products so knowing I can go to Superdrug and have faith and trust in a drugstore brand is amazing !!

Here are some Superdrug’s social media platforms.

Superdrug Instagram

B. Makeup and Skincare Instagram

Superdrug Facebook Page

Superdrug Twitter

Superdrug YouTube

Back From My Break

Well that was a longer break than I had anticipated but I’m back and I intend to use this blog more often.

My break was mental health related, things got on top of me and I found myself feeling quite overwhelmed so I withdrew from a lot of things going on in my life. Breaks are good, they give us a chance to take a step back and re-evaluate certain aspects of life and situations which are clouding our judgment.

I’ve had a chance to recharge my mental batteries and have begun to feel more motivated, I really hope this continues and I don’t slip again … not quite so soon anyway.

That might sound strange but when you have dealt with Depression and Anxiety for over half of your life you know that these are illnesses that are going to take over from time to time and I think coming to terms with that makes it easier to deal with when it happens. I’ve tried ‘curing’ myself and convincing myself that I’m 100% better each time I feel better and while that is a positive outlook I personally found it more hindering as when I did start to slip again I found it very difficult to accept and pull myself out of.

To summarise, i’m feeling better than I was and I hope this continues.