DRUNK ON WORDS

Current obsessions/ items of note

1) Bunny Bissoux's Personal Blog

Image: Courtesy of Bunny Bissoux

(Artist, illustrator and obsessive fanatic. Raised in England but currently living in Tokyo and the internet)

 2) Show me the money

OH. I need some cash. I tried to take part in a paid medical test recently but I failed because my tiny, crabby lungs are too feeble. I have just endured a day of work at a large clothing retailer, and it was my first and last day. Let's just say, it was like being in hell (not Mordor). There's nothing like quitting a job after the very first day to make you feel fuzzy

3) Thinking about stuff and reading

I've been trying to make money and in the process of doing so I have been thinking a lot about how money dictates what you can and can't do, a shame really. Perhaps if you have money, you don't share this attitiude with me. It's only those who are broke that will find truth in this statement

4) Post Punk

Siouxsie, Slits, Raincoats, PiL. PiL are so much better than the Sex Pistols obviously. There was a really great documentary on Post Punk on BBC4 recently, which prompted me to want the below t-shirt and also to buy, in no particular order, the following on Amazon:

-The Slits (Cut)                                         

-Aztec Camera (Best Of)

-PiL (First Issue)

I always feel kind of lame buying 'best of' compilations. It's really sad, like saying I don't want to explore you in a way you want to be explored...I just want to listen to your greatest hits in a cold and mashed up order, and then discard you. Buying a best of CD is the music retail equivalent of having a one night stand

 5) Not buying

I'm going to delete my Asos, Topshop and American Apparel subscriptions. I might delete all of my Amazon wish lists, and I will almost certainly delete all of the items in my 'watched' list on Ebay (including above t-shirt). Spending money feels cold. Even at the time of handing over the cash, you know the item will not improve your life, it will not even mark it. Though...it does promise to, in some small way. I don't need nor want many of the material items which I have accumulated so easily and sneekily over time. It was so liberating living out of a suitcase. Fun fact: the more you have, the less happy you are

6) Ghost World

I've loved this film forever. Enid and Rebecca are so so mean. To everyone. Sometimes I get in a 'Ghost World' mood and I can be so horrible to strangers. So cutting with my brutal yet shallow insults. It's good to be mean for at least an hour a day

7) Storm Petrel

I'm on to the second book charting the voyage of Storm Petrel now, called 'Gambia and Europe Alone in a Boat'. My mum was reading it and I had finished the first book, so there was this horrible lost period where I was in literature limbo and I had to start reading 'Lolita' by Vladimir Nabokov. Thankfully book 2 was freed up later that same afternoon and so I am now happily reading that instead

LUSTS: ETSY TOP 10 MOST WANTED

Acrylic and pearls mermaid necklace, imyourpresent

Nope custom knitted hat, A. Darling Knits

Get your shit together vintage shirt, THRiFTBRiNGER

Ghost World brooch, nastynasty

Mermaid skirt, Caitlin Shearer

Purple Swamp hand printed stockings, Strathcona Stockings

80s metallic gold jacket, Hooked On Honey

Katie portrait plate, BeatUpCreations

Les Frites bustier, showboatClothing

French crown, NeverNeverTraders

IN LOVE WITH...Helen Melonlady

 

 

So, as mentioned in a previous post one of my current obsessions is Helen Melonlady and her YouTube channel. If you're thinking of colouring your hair pastel shades, she has the best technique in the world. If you're feeling glum, she will make you feel better. She's basically the best. Even the most cynical of you should subscribe to her channel, watch her videos, and let the enjoyment commence...

STORE PROFILE: Hope & Harlequin, plus Anami and Janine

Image couresty of Google

The Brighton laines are great for clothes shopping, as we know. There are the regular favourites that cry out for our attention...and some more reserved little boutiques that are easily looked past but still very much worth visiting. One of the quieter ones is Hope & Harlequin, situated down Sydney Street on the North laines. 

It' s a smallish shop, but the collection they stock is so beautifully curated that it feels like a massive dream wardrobe. Concessions such as Anami and Janine (more about them below) sit next to vintage designer pieces, re-worked vintage, wedding dresses, accessories and some home-ware (though I failed to notice any home-ware due to my being in ore of a certain dress). Every garment I saw was a dream come true, from amazing 70's silk kaftans and beautiful chiffon dresses to super bright pops of colour in 60's vintage glasses. I just loved it in there. It wasn't your dirty dig for gold style vintage warehouse, but a carefully constructed paradise. 

All images property of Hope and Harlequin, background image Mendocino at FreeSpirit Fabric

The website (link above) only sells a fraction of what is in the shop, so if you're in Brighton, I would definitely recommend going in and having a look. It feels like what I imagine a super chic dress up box/classy 60s boutique to be like. They do have a section of 'sold items' on the website so you can have a look at the type of thing they sell and feel jealous - I've collected together my favourite bits above. These range from a 50's handbag and an embroidered vintage shawl to 70's platforms and a painted 1930's clutch bag. All good.

I was actually first attracted to this store by the dress in the window. The most beautiful and amazing dress in the whole world (below, RRP. £96.00). It's new but inspired by vintage shapes, with mermaids all over it swimming around little starfish and I just want it SO much. But times are hard, must be sensible blah blah. If I faked a wedding and had it as my wedding dress, would that justify me buying it? I'm obsessed with mermaids as it is, but when someone puts them all over an amazing dress, it's a winner.

I did a bit of research and discovered that said dress is actually by design duo Anami and Janine (which I would also highly recommend you take a look at). They sell on Etsy, as well as their own website, which is great if you want to shop online. All their items are handmade using similar fabrics to the mermaid one, on dresses/shirts/kaftans. You should check out the Laksmi Goddess Print Dress while your at it - realllyyy cool. They're collections include 'Grecian Goddess S/S 2012' and 'Harlequins in Wonderland'. These girls are awesome. 

So yep, for now I will just lust from afar at mermaid dress, and if I feel in high enough spirits I might do a special post dedicated to cool mermaid stuff I've found. I actually really want a mermaid tattoo, that's dedication. Ohh and, the pretty fabric used as background in the above images is by a designer called Medocini, and can be bought at the FreeSpirit fabric website. The fabrics are also all mermaid, fish, underwater themed (it's having a definite moment). 

Hope and Harlequin's Facebook page: www.facebook.com/Hope-Harlequin 

Anami and Janine's facebook page: www.facebook.com/anamiandjanine

STREET STYLE: FLORAL COORDS

I met the beautiful Marie last weekend, she was wearing a coordinated floral two piece from H&M teamed with fluffy oversized jumper and of the moment chunky gold chain. As mentioned in a previous post, I was dubious about the coord trend at first, but Marie's way of styling it was perfect. The mohair look jumper nodded towards grunge whilst her chain and pastel hair (surely two of the strongest trends of the moment), kept the look fashion forward and chic. Perfect!

Image: Camilla Gilbey, all rights reseserved

WILD IS THE WIND

SO HAPPY TOGETHER: COORDINATES

I would like to discuss the notion of the two piece - an idea championed by Topshop this season. The concept is a matching two piece combo which can consist of top and skirt/shorts/trousers etc. The suit is an example of a matching two piece, but it lacks the novelty value of the new two piece and therefore won't be included.

When I first saw this trend for coordinating I felt shocked - it was perverse. It went against everything fashion subculture stood for. You've planned your outfit to match? It's so prim, conservative, twee. How awful!  The two piece was to be found in charity shops, hung on a double hanger. I would always want one part of the two piece, such as the jacket that went with the skirt, but no way did I want that awful skirt! But, they would never sell me only one half, so I would either have to have both or leave both. They only play in a team.

It took me a matter of days to creep in to this trend and look at it with objective eyes. It's actually deeply rebellious and subversive. I've often given the advice ''never match your shoes with your bag'' and similarly ''don't coordinate your outfit, it looks too polished and considered''. But what could be more unconsidered than buying an already constructed outfit? Scrap what I thought before...from here on in, I'll be matched. The best coords are those with 1950's/60's inspired abstract or graphic prints. The shapes that work are the ones that subscribe to the 'show your legs and cover your top or cover your legs and show your top' rule. 

All images: Topshop

Above I have collected my favourite two-pieces from Topshop's current range. They're beautiful and chic. The value for money is another obvious bonus. You can get two pieces for as cheap as one, and let's face it, they don't always have to be worn together. If you're having an 'off' day and you're feeling a bit too sleepy to challenge opinions, the seperate pieces will still work individually. It would be tempting to trick the outfits in to thinking you'll always wear them together, before you buy them - and then seperate them as soon as you get home, but I think this would be a big mistake.

In your less fashionable circle of acquaintances you may be seen as some kind of loser for wearing matching clothes. But this is the beauty and joy of coords! Two pieces are no longer only to be found inside granny shops in strange seaside towns, and soon your friends will realise. So, to continue a well loved and may I also say, practical, outfit solution, I will be seeking out a matching shirt and skirt combo in all charity shops I come across. Hello, sweet subversion. 

Back to the start of the two piece:

80's Orange Aztec Print 2 Piece - babushakas clothing at Asos Marketplace  
60's Lilac/Purple Wedding 2 Piece - LizziesVintageFinds at Etsy
70's Crop Top/Trouser 2 Piece - madam popoff vintage at Asos Marketplace
80's Rosey Floral 2 Piece - VINTAGE STYLE ME at Asos Marketplace
70's Black/Red Flora and Fruit 2 Piece - LizziesVintageFinds at Etsy
90's Floral 2 Piece - ArsenicKitty at Etsy
90's Leopard Print Morgan 2 Piece - THERAVENSWRITINGDESK at Etsy
Polka Dot 2 Piece - House Of Jam at Etsy
60's Watercolour Floral 2 Piece - Sandra at Etsy

CURRENT OBESSIONS 4

1) TEFL
2) Selling all my Earthly possesions on eBay
3) Martha - my cat (ongoing)
4) MAC lipstick
5) The Who
6) Buffy the Vampire Slayer
7) Growing my hair LONG
8) Topshop's 'Astrix' boots in grey
9) 'The Voyage of Storm Petrel: Book 1'
10) Helen Melonlady's YouTube channel
11) Morning lay in's
12) Cake

A LUSH LOVE

My dear and talented friend Abi (aboids4abi) has just got herself a job at Lush, and as a Lush employee she will learn to have an in depth knowledge of products, their benefits, their bad points and who they're suited to. So, to be a helpful friend and also because I really love writing beauty reviews, here's a top five of my most beloved, tried, tested and consistently used Lush products:

1) BOHEMIAN

This soap is beautiful and simple. It's made from just lemon oil, soap and glycerine. You can plop it in the bath for a bit to give the bath lemony scented joy (don't leave it in there for too long though, expecially if your bath is super hot, as you'll have no soap left), or use it as a regular soap in the bath/shower. Another plus is that it makes the whole bathroom smell amazing! For me the name and smell conjurs images of 60's hippies making their own soap, did they do this? I hope so. When I smell it I think of San Francisco, The Beatles, sunshine. Soap is much better for the environment than shower gel too, both in terms of the packaging and how it reacts when it goes down the drain. I always go for a nice big £6 or £7 pounder. Hunk of dreamboat.

2) VANISHING CREAM

Having crappy skin for 75% of the year, I struggle to find facial products which don't make the face dwellers more angry. It's a dull subject really, so I won't elaborate- see below for my Clinique review and more in depth moans. Anyway, this stuff is divine. I've been using it as a night cream for the past 4 months and it has improved my skin both in appearance (far fewer spots) and texture (soft and matte). This product prides itself on being easily absorbed - it is. I personally wouldn't use it as a day cream as it would probably be a little too heavy for a base under makeup, but yep, night cream all the way. At first I was sceptical when it was given to me as a tester by a Lush employee, as in the past some Lush skin care products have definitely made my skin worse, but this stuff is different. It smells so good too, like lavendar and rose essential oil. It has no cocoa butter in it which can be too heavy on some skin types and clog pores. No wonder it's Lush's best selling moisturiser. I can't sing it's praises enough, as you can tell.

3) LUST SOLID PERFUME

Mmmm. This particular scent is described as 'sexy jasmine', it's other main notes are ylang ylang, rose, vanilla and sandalwood. It's quite a heady smell and perhaps it would need to grow on some people, but I have loved it from day 1. I would be it's groupie. It's a warm, unusual smell that also reminds me of bohemia, forests, hippies, festivals. I particularly like the solid perfume as its very portable, easy to whip on when your out and about, and the solid aspect gives it an enduring yet subtle smell. I would always choose Lush scents over designer or fashion house fragrances. I do like a select few of such perfumes, but most of them are so pumped up with alcohol and chemicals that you're left smelling like a vodka drink. Lush wins again.

4) WICCY MAGIC MUSCLES

This solid massage bar is my favourite for giving massages to 'one's boyfriend', but also to my own back if I can reach. It packs a punch with cinnamon, peppermint, and softer tones of shea butter and coconut oil. It has these cute seedy beads that you can use to give a good massage to achey shoulders and knotted muscles. It would be ideal for people who jog or go to the gym, unfortunately I hate sports but not to worry! It has a wonderful moisturising effect too, it lasts for a long time if you keep it well (i.e. in a tin) and works wonders on over worked bodies. The ONLY downside is that you have to tidy away the little blighter seeds that have escaped.

5) EMOTIONAL BRILLIANCE 'AMBITION'

This is my absolute favourite red lipstick, and I've tried a few. My need for red lips and desire to be Courtney Love began my voyage of discovery in to red lipsticks from an early age (like 14...15, not when I was a baby). Basically what I'm saying is...I've tried them all and this one wins. It comes packaged in a little glass bottle with a screw on lid, the texture is thick and almost powdery. I have tried applying it straight to my lips for a thick, high pigment effect and also applied it with a lip brush over a thin layer of balm. Both techniques work very well, it just depends on what you want. To apply straight to lips you must have a well moisturied and flake free pout otherwise your lips will dry out further and the colour will get stuck in the flakes. OW. Lush's beautiful makeup range is based on an 'emotional brilliance' philosophy, so each colour is associated with a different mood, state of being or feeling. Do investigate further, there's a game featuring this idea on the LUSH website which I would recommend. Note: In the above picture, you can see 'Ambition' on the right and 'Bubbly' on the left, which I also bought. Bubbly is lovely too, pink and glittery for Spice Girl moments.

Lush, I love you. Abi, good luck!

*top image courtesy of Lush and www.fanpop.com

ZEITGEIST

The idea of an icon is strange. How does one achieve such a status? How you dress, what you do, your personality, how well you capture a certain subculture or moment in cultural history? Through the years I have formed attachments with several popular figures deemed icons. Below is a list of them and why...

1) Courtney Love

Image: blogging.la

My Courtney obsession was born from my obsession with Cobain (see below). It's been the most long lasting and corruptive of all my icon obsessions. I bleached my hair and wore babydoll dresses, aka nighties. I smoked and hoped my voice would croak like hers. I made sure my nailvarnish was always chipped and wore big cotton granny pants, just because on her definitive 'the babydoll look' list that she wrote to Kim Gordon, it said you should. This lasted for several years. I'm still a fan.

2) Kurt Cobain

I bought all the Nirvana albums, a rip off Cobain t-shirt (I have two now, one is a bed shirt), the Nirvana boxset, live albums, an unofficial book, Cobain's biography, A Nirvana book, a Kerrang special full of Nirvana posters - bedroom walls plastered, every music magazine with Kurt on the front. Did you know I even dyed my hair with food colouring, just because Bain did? It's true. 

 

3) Siouxsie Sioux

Following the footsteps of a rag doll dance, we are entranced, spellbound. I made a card featuring her face for my Dad's 50th birthday. He likes her too. Contrary to popular belief, I didn't dye my hair Black because of her. But I was inspired by her band and her music videos and style. She's super cool and I especially love when she was with the sex pistols in that interview before she was famous. You dirty sod.

6) Lynda in 'Wish You Were Here'

Image: getfilm.co.uk

The only fictional character to make my list. Just wow. Kapow. She rides a bike and wears a tea dress. She has a stinking attitude and says 'up your bum' a lot. She reminds me of my sister actually.

 6) Milla Jovovich

She's beautiful. The Fifth Element sealed the deal for me.

7) Chloe Sevigny

Image: Marleymumbles.blogspot.co.uk

Mega babe. I love the way she puts clothes together; she has designed for Opening Ceremony which was a great match. She composses outfits in a way that reveals just the right amount of skin - bare legs = cover up top, and vice versa. Her outfit compilations are always toughened up with sassy details. She was the model of choice for Miu Miu's Autumn 2012 campaign (swoon), and she went out with Vincent Gallo (Brown Bunny). I love her. She's rebellious in all the right places.

8) Alexa Chung

An obvious choice, maybe. But she's still on my list, and she deserves her iconic status. Her witty and intelligent personality is reflected in her choice of clothes. No stylist doing all the work. She has a tomboyish figure and she plays with gender, age and shape through her choice of outfit. Little girl dresses and mary janes, tuxedos, men's t-shirts and mini skirts. I quite liked it when she was going out with Alex Turner because they looked like brother and sister.

9) Edie Sedgwick

Image: wornjournal.com

Died in tragic circumstances - consolidating her iconic status. Friends with Andy Warhol. Mega babe. Factory Girl is a great film too, and Sienna Miller makes a good Edie. Her influential short hair/Black eyes/big earring combo is a classic, not to mention her tights as outerwear style. I got particulary obsessed with her when I first moved to Nottingham for University. I wore black tights as trousers around the house several times in those first months. I don't know what my housemates thought. Probably that I was a genius.

10) Twiggy

You could say 'UK's version of Edie', but you'd be wrong. Twiggy had a style all of her own...super skinny, mini dresses, massive eyes. Her voice surprisingly rough around the edges. I was skinny skinny when I was growing up, and I used to get bullied at School. Twiggy made me feel better. I painted a picture of her on my lampshade.

I like it when people make fashion mistakes.

AN ODE TO GROUPIES

When I think 'groupie' I'm thinking empowered femmes...not some sort of wimpy, dependent drug girl. Much more Penny Lane in Almost Famous than 1980's prosey there to 'service' all members of the Motley Crue. Eww. I'm under no illusion about what a groupie is ultimately there for... and deep down I know that it's a trashy concept that can't exist alongside any sort of feminist values - but let's not allow that to ruin the alluring images I have in my head concerning the groupie. Besides, I'm sure close up it was all a bit of a mess - but if you stand far enough away, like in the year 2013, it's glamorous.

Pamela Des Barres - groupie extraordinaire & writer of  'I'm with the band - Confessions of a Groupie'

Empowered femmes from the 70's in big faux fur coats, paisley print and tea dresses. Tassels and velvet. Unkempt hair and last night's blue kohl eyeliner. The odd sequin, a kimono over jeans and a vest. It's the most desirable of all looks - carefree and thrown together whilst being incredibley chic and interesting. It looks as if you didn't spend any longer than a minute pondering what to wear, you pretty much picked up clothes from the night before off the floor and threw them on - along with a big afghan coat. There's something vile about an outfit that looks overly composed and polished, which is why one of my pet hates is matching shoes and bag with each other.

Another key element to the 70's groupie style is to look eclectic. Each individual item is mismatched in a way that suggests a life that is disorganised, exciting and bohemian. The wearer looks well travelled and full of intrigue. A look achieved through travelling with a touring band, perhaps. Going back to the film 'Almost Famous' - I'm really rather infactuated by it and have watched it yearly for the past ten years. The girls in the film have spot on style and the existence they live in is very appealing in comparison to modern reality.

Marianne Faithfull - mega babe

 The look was highly influential - and it's reach can still clearly be seen today in the likes of Kate Moss or Sienna Miller, Mary Kate and Ashley Olsen, to name but a few. Take the grunge trend; it's essence is equally as thrown together and similarly it's foundation is built on music and the style of those who make the music. Courtney Love and the Babydoll/Riotgrrl look was just another more modern reincarnation with slightly different elements but the same core ideas. Without groupies, fashion would be horrible today.

Vintage suede lace up heels, Etsy: FLUTTER AND ECHO VINTAGE

Kate Moss-channeling 70's glam & groupie glamour

Vintage 70's coat, Etsy: sugarshackvintage

//

VERY NEAR NOW

WINTER SKIN BLUES

I felt compelled to write my first ever beauty related post having tried Clinique's three step 'Anti-Blemish Solutions' skin regime. In Winter I always have rubbish skin; I get blemishes over my cheeks which can easily spiral out of control and spread. On top of this, my skin looks dull and it gets really dry. I can pretty much count on the fact that my skin will be bad in Winter... it's that predictable. In Summer I tend to have really good skin, and in the months in between, a few blemishes here and there but nothing to write home about. Winter really does bring the worst out in it.

Over the past ten years I've probably spent excessive amounts of time and money on finding potential cures for my break outs. These include doctor prescribed creams, various contraceptive pills with a supposed side effect of solving skin problems, and many, many store bought lotions and potions varying from Lush products to Simple and Clean & Clear. You name it, I've most likely tried it. 

I initially looked in to the Clinque Anti-Blemish products because of all the advertising surrounding them. I requested a tester of the anti-blemish moisturiser and really liked it, I did a little limited reading up on the range and was still uncertain about how well it worked as there were mixed reviews, but mainly people seemed to talk about it like it was some kind of miracle. Spurred on by this and ignoring the bad reviews, I decided to try it.

For the three full sized products, it cost £50.00 - not cheap. I bought mine from a Clinique counter in a Boots store. I think spending that much money on anti-blemish products makes you feel as if you have some kind of control over a problem that is so out of your control. Anyone who has suffered with spots will know how horrible it can make you feel. Spending a significant amount of cash on a 'cure' makes you feel like you've been pro-active, and hell, if it's that expensive, it's got to work, right?

The three products in the routine are: Cleansing Foam, Clarifying Lotion and Clearing Moisturiser. I was instructed by the Clinique lady to use all three both in the morning and evening. She also told me that I'd need to remove makeup with my normal cleanser, before using the cleansing foam as it would not remove makeup. She also told me to stop using any exfoliator. I voiced my concerns that every anti-blemish treatment I'd tried in the past had always dried my skin out, but she assured me this wouldn't.

The Products

Step 1 - Cleansing Foam: It doesn't smell great. I've read reviews that have suggested it smells like old cigarette butts. I wouldn't go that far, more like a faint moth ball smell. Bearable though, and pleasant enough. It leaves your skin feeling fresh and clean - much like any face wash would.

Step 2 - Clarifying Lotion: It looks like clear liquid with a cloud of white at the bottom. You have to shake the bottle vigorously before each use and then apply with a cotton wool pad and sweep over face and neck (I was told only a few gentle sweeps, no rubbing it over). It smells very alcohol-ey and when applying, it stings. I have sensitive skin on top of all the other predicaments, so from day one I was worried about using such a strong product on my face. For those of you who have used Clean and Clear's 'Deep Cleansing Toner', it has a similar feel and smell. It certainly sweeps away any last morsel of makeup that might still be hanging on.

Step 3 - Clearing Moisturiser: This is my favourite of the three, It smells more natural than the other two, like Tea Tree essential oil, which as we all know is good for break outs. A little blob goes a fairly long way and it absorbs easily in to the skin leaving your face completely non-greasy and comfortable. The tube is small in comparison to the large size of the other two products, which is a shame because I feel it's the best bit. I was told I wouldn't need to use any other moisturising product when using this...not true.

Result

Week 1 - My blemishes got dramatically worse after the third day of using the products morning and night. On top of this they were completely drying my skin out which didn't create a good base for applying makeup. Even a light foundation only highlighted the really dry areas. I did some further reading  in to the Clinique range and established that with a lot of people, their skin got worse before it got better, so I decided to continue.

Week 2 - By week 2 I'd given in to using an additional intensive moisturiser, Boots 'Organic Botanics Face Super Balm' (Approx £4.99 for a 15g pot). I've been a fan of this super balm for years, it's really dense, not for rubbing all over your face like a normal moisturiser but ideal for using on the most dry areas such as around the nose, and it works wonders. I'd recommend applying a little before going to sleep rather than in the morning as it's quite greasy and wouldn't work under makeup. Without this my skin would have been a mess. The Clinique clarifying lotion realllly dried my skin out, to the extent that it felt tight and uncomfortable 5 minutes after I'd applied it, unless moisturiser was applied straight afterwards. As for the blemishes, I guess I noticed a very slight improvement, but this could just have been down to my skin doing it's own thing and healing.

Week 3 - By week 3 I'd gone feral with the products. As in, I stopped following the advice of the Clinique lady and instead I was doing my own thing. At the end of the day, you know your own skin better than someone working on a makeup counter who has only met you for 5 minutes. It's a nice momentary fantasy to think that if you follow all of their advice and use the products religiously you'll get perfect skin like they promise - they're supposedly experts after all. But that's wrong, you're the expert of your own skin. So, I continued using the Clinique moisturiser day and night as I really liked it, but I was only using the cleansing foam once a day in the morning, and only using the lotion every other day as it was so strong. I also bought a face mask from The Body Shop, 'Vitamin E Sink-in Moisture Mask' (£12.00 for a 100ml tub), which I was actually using three times a week in the evening as my skin was so horrifically dry from the Clinique stuff and the rancid cold wind outside. I would highly recommend this face mask, it has a bouncy jelly consistency, smells like soft soapy talc and most importantly it does it's job. I would recommend applying it in the evening...leaving it on for around 15 mins and then rinsing. The next morning your skin feels moisturised and free from dry patches.

Week 4 - Well, it's been a month since I started using Clinique's anti-blemish regime. My verdict is that it's not a straight forward miracle like it's painted to be. I think if you have the odd blemish but fairly good skin overall and don't suffer from dry skin, it could work for you. But if you have persistently blemished skin on and off, and have tried several different treatments, you may be disappointed. It has got me in to a good routine, which interestingly is what I read on someone elses review as well. In that, I can be quite lazy with my skin care routine, but now I strategically cleanse, tone and moisturise every morning and night. Just not with Clinique. 

I have found ways of incorporating the products in to my routine, for example, I use the face wash a few times a week, I still use the moisturiser every day and night (it will be a perfect summer moisturiser as it's light and non-greasy), and I use the lotion on rare occasions, intertwined with two new finds, Body Shop's 'Tea Tree Facial Wash' (£5.00 for a 250 ml bottle) and Body Shop's 'Tea Tree Toner' (Also £5.00 for a 250 ml bottle). I was recommended these products whilst moaning about my skin and Clinique to a Body Shop employee. She was really helpful and had similar skin to mine. She gave me testers of the two tea tree products and highly recommended them. They are lovely to use, they have a subtle tea tree smell but not too strong and they haven't dried my skin out. Plus, they have definetly reduced the amount of break outs I'm having and have helped to heal the spots that are currently there.

To Finish...

If you are planning on trying the Clinique products for a blemish problem, I would suggest waiting until it gets a bit warmer outside, because Winter is already hard enough on the skin even before you try a whole new skin care routine. I would also suggest being pushy with the Clinique counter people; they will obviously want you to believe them so you buy the products, and they will want you to buy the biggest most expensive quantities. Don't be shy about asking for testers, even the facial foam could be dispensed in to one of the little tester pots, so just ask. Lastly, you don't necessarily have to buy the biggest, find out about different sizes and prices. I wasn't offered anything but the biggest sizes and only found out later that you can actually get a smaller set for £30.00, if you're in any doubt, get this instead.

IT WAS THE WORST OF TIMES

This year the 'sales' have been really really horrible; and the way people refer to them as if they're a kind of British institution isn't great either. I went sale shopping recently and left feeling cold/dead inside. Maybe not that bad, but I certainly could have spent my day in a nicer way. One perk of the trip was looking at all the rancid old items in the sale and laughing at them. For your pleasure and as a way of exorcising the gross experience of sale shopping from my head, I have found the worst of the worst and will now go about naming and shaming in a 'top 4 worst' fashion...

1) River Island's 'Green Floral Print Peplum Dress'

Oh let's just shove all the trends from 2012 on to one dress and see what happens... Floral? Check. Peplum? Check. Cut out? Check. It's bloody disgusting. And if you're now thinking 'mmm but it's not that bad', you should have seen it in real life. You would have laughed too.

2) Superdrug's 'Milk Chocolate Make-Up Set'

This is choco shaped like makeup... for the woman in your life. Clearly the designer of this sweet treat really thought they'd done great creating a product which incorporates TWO of a girl's fave things! Choco AND makeup. FYI, these two things should never be mixed in any way, and, it's a horrible mistake to think we'd like this, stocking filler or not. What made it worse was the fact that the little chocolate perfume bottle had been nicked from the particular set I saw in Superdrug... which made it all the more sad. HA. HA HA.

3) River Island's 'Orange Faux Fur Ear Earmuffs'

River Island make the list for the second time running with this wacky, wacky creation. Look like a bear whilst wearing earmuffs and feel cute and fucking great. Oh you kids are crazy. It's a shame you look like a wanker isn't it. 

4) Primark's 'Studded Ballerina Skeleton T-Shirt'

I couldn't find an image of it online and so have had to illustrate this point with a similar product from Zara (see above- shame on you Zara). Also, the item was not in the sale, but it's Primark, which is basically a sale all year round. So, the t-shirt in question features an illustration of a skeleton doing ballet in a tutu. Why? Why would they do this? And who for? And whose bright idea was it? It's just so shit, and weird, and not 'cool weird' either. It also has these massive studds on the shoulders. Another sick attempt to cram several trends on to one thing in one swift move. If you see it, I hope you appreciate how literally hilarious and un-edgy it is. I only wish I'd taken a photo so I could go back to it again and again. Or I'll just buy it.

THE END