24.2.15

Worth The Hype? La Roche-Posay Serozinc Spray

Worth The Hype? La Roche-Posay Serozinc Spray
La Roche-Posay Serozinc Zinc Sulfate Solution £8.50

With beauty bloggers hopping on the Eurostar for a swift trip to Paris, to stock up on La Roche-Posay’s Serozinc Spray, it was without a doubt that the rest of us beauty addicts couldn’t wait to get our hands on it too. I had my reservations about this can of so-called "spot fighting mist", but as soon as the opportunity came about, I succumbed to the hype and bought a can. So what’s my verdict? 

The hypoallergenic, no-perfumed mist from La Roche-Posay, is targeted towards those of us with acne-pone, troublesome skin. The solution is made from three ingredients: La Roche-Posay’s ultra-soothing thermal spring water, healing zinc sulphate and astringent sodium chloride. Together these three ingredients promise to target blemishes, marks and excess oiliness.

The product dispenses in a fine mist (just the right amount), it’s not greasy and it’s convenient as there is no messing about with cotton pads, as the product absorbs within a couple of minutes. The mist is refreshing like most toners and can be used any time of day, under or over makeup.

I have combination skin and this product has certainly helped mattify my oily areas, prevent excess shine and reduce redness. However, in terms of appearance of my pores and spots, I haven’t seen a notable difference. And although this toner doesn’t leave my skin feeling tight, when used on a daily basis after cleansing, my skin really dries out. This came as a surprise, as before I purchased it, I had read how it was really hydrating and it’s really not! I have combination skin so I try to avoid anything that could leave other areas of my face dry, so I have since stopped using this product on a daily basis and I now only apply it onto targeted areas. In comparison to other toners, this toner is by far the best I have tried at reducing oiliness, whereas Lush’s Tea Tree Water is far better at dealing with breakouts.

So is it worth the hype? Well no, not particularly. For me, it doesnt tick all the boxes and I doubt I will be purchasing it again in the near future. But having said that, if you struggle with uber oily skin then this product could be possibly be a winner. The La Roche-Posay Serozinc Spray hasn’t quite found its way into the aisles of Boots yet, but it is available online at Escentual for a reduced price of £7.20 (RRP £8.50).

Do you think the La Roche-Posay Serozinc Spray is worth the hype? 
Emily
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8.2.15

The Sunday Post #2: Invisalign FAQs

Invisalign braces
My teeth have always made me a little insecure, but as a child/teenager I was never given the option of a brace, as they weren’t considered bad enough. However, as my wisdom teeth came through (all four may I add), my teeth got pushed around and last year I made the decision to 'fix' my teeth. Metal braces were never an option in my mind, I was studying broadcast journalism and often in front of camera, so it wouldn’t have been practical for me. So after finding out about Invisalign which are practically transparent, I was sold. And this month I’m just over half way through my Invisalign treatment and I couldn’t be happier with the results so far. So today I’m going to share my personal experiences with you about my Invisalign braces...

What are Invisalign braces?
Invisalign straightens teeth using a series of practically invisible, removable aligners that are custom-made specifically for your teeth. They are made by advanced 3D computer-imaging technology (oo-er). Each aligner is worn for about two weeks and as you replace each aligner, your teeth will move – little by little, week by week, gradually moving towards the projected final position. What is also great about Invisalign, is you will see on screen  how your teeth will move over time. 

Can you see the aligners? 
As I mentioned the aligners are pretty much transparent. In fact, lots of people don’t realise when I’m wearing them and are shocked when I point them out. Initially I did feel a little self conscious of them, but after a few weeks I wasn’t fazed by them at all and often forget I’m wearing them. 

Is the treatment painful? 
Yes, the treatment can cause some pain and discomfort. The aligners are very snug on the teeth and with Invisalign, you change your aligners every two weeks. And when you move onto the next set, the first few days can be painful. I have taken Ibuprofen in the past to help ease the pain. If you do not wear you aligners for the recommended amount of time and then move onto your next set it can be very painful (take that from someone who has done just that!).

Do they affect the way you speak? 
Initially they did affect the way I spoke. And I must admit it was a little humorous for everyone. But as with traditional braces, there is an adjustment period and after a couple of weeks my speech returned back to normal. 

Can you eat and drink whilst wearing them? 
Unlike metal braces you can eat and drink whatever you may wish. However, you have to take your aligners out to eat, then clean your teeth and put your aligners back in. So in short it can become a bit of a chore. Oh and if you like chewing gum, it is without a doubt a no go, with aligners!

How often must they be worn? 
They have to be worn at all times excluding when you are eating, drinking or cleaning your teeth. You are recommend to wear them for 22 hours a day, but in all honesty that can be difficult especially if you are eating out. But as I mentioned the longer you wear them for, the quicker the process and the less pain you will experience when moving onto your next set of aligners. 

How long does it take?  
Personally my treatment has been very quick. But the total duration of the treatment very much depends on the treatment you are undergoing and how complex your teeth are. Typically treatment can last anywhere between 9-18 months. Your Invisalign provider, will be able to determine how long your treatment will take. In terms of visits to your provider, which in my case is my local dentist, you only visit them every 4-6 weeks to ensure everything is going as planned and to receive your next 3-4  sets of aligners. 

How much does it cost?  
As with other types of orthodontic treatment, the cost of Invisalign is dependent on the complexity of your teeth. It can be comparable to traditional fixed braces, but is often cheaper which it is in my case. Your Invisalign treatment can cost anywhere between £1,500 - £4,500.

How do you clean your aligners? 
I clean my aligners in the evening and rinse them during the day. The best way to clean your aligners is by brushing (with a toothbrush) and rinsing them in lukewarm water. For a deep clean I use special cleaning tablets. 

How often will I have to brush my teeth?  
It’s important that you brush your teeth after each meal and prior to re-inserting your aligners to maintain proper hygiene. However, I have on occasion skipped this step. I find it is very dependent on what you have eaten and where you are etc. I now carry a toothbrush and tube of toothpaste around with me! 

How do I find out more about Invisalign? 
More information can also be found directly on the Invisalign website. You can also make an appointment with an Invisalign Provider for an initial consultation. 

I hope this answers any questions you may have. Please feel free to ask more in the comments below.
Have you ever worn braces or tried Invisalign?
Emily
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4.2.15

3 Ways To Help Unclog Your Pores

3 Ways To Help Unclog Your Pores

Clogged pores can be a nightmare and are pretty inevitable. I’ll be surprised if you have never had clogged pores before (and if that is the case, what is your secret?!). There are lots of different factors that can cause clogged pores, such as oil, dry or dead skin cells, everyday dirt and debris, stress, dirty makeup brushes and comedogenic makeup/skincare. And if you don’t treat your clogged pores effectively, it can lead to bigger issues like acne. Unfortunately clogged pores don’t disappear over night with a simple facial wash, but there are a few at home solutions that might just do the trick...

#1 AT HOME STEAM FACIAL
Soften the sebum ladies with an at home steam facial! This is the easiest, most inexpensive and probably one of the most highly effective remedies for clogged pores. I have had an at home steam facial for a good few years and not only is it incredibly relaxing and hydrating, it’s also great at opening up the clogged pores, allowing the impurities trapped inside to be washed away. Not only that, it also helps to prep the skin for subsequent treatments, such as a charcoal face mask. You can use a bowl with hot water to do this, however I recommend you buy an at home steamer like the one pictured above for just £14.99. And to give your steam facial a boost, add a couple of drops of tea tree oil

#2  CHARCOAL FACE MASK
Activated charcoal is a hero when it comes to congested complexions. It pulls out all the nasties and absorbs up to 200 times its weight in impurities as the mask dries. My personal favourite is Origins Clear Improvement Active Charcoal Face Mask (holy grail), which always lends a hand at really helping to great rid of those horrid skin bumps and those spots that just won’t budge. I love to apply this mask after I have used my at home steam facial and it works wonders at decongesting my skin. You can read my full review here.

#3 CLEANSING DEVICE
Don’t ever underestimate the power of regular cleansing and exfoliation. If your current exfoliator/cleanser isn’t cutting it, try a manual exfoliator/cleanser like the Magnitone Pulsar, a skin cleansing, toning and exfoliating brush. It is a little pricey but it is well worth the investment. It isn’t harsh or abrasive and really helps to get deep into your pores and remove all the unwanted oils, impurities and excess sebum. It is also great at reducing enlarged pores, improving skin texture and tone and I for one can tell when I haven’t used it. You can buy it here for £79.99.

What are your favourite pore unclogging treatments? 
[GIVEAWAY | MAC Eyeshadow Palette]
Emily
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