My 95p Skincare Saviour

Since Christmas my skin has been on a bit of a bender. However healthy I ate, however much I cleansed and exfoliated, however much water I drank, it just didn't seem to be working. Then I discovered this gem... the Skin Therapy Overnight Calming Blemish Serum. I was originally in search of the Witch Overnight Clearing Serum, but couldn't find it anywhere in Hull and whilst searching Wilkinsons for it in a last ditch attempt I stumbled upon their own skincare range and this serum leapt out at me.

The description says: Our tea tree overnight calming blemish serum has been developed to help prevent breakouts and reduce redness. This formula helps to leave you with a blemish free complexion and visibly clearer skin.

It does say to apply all over the face and neck, but as I have combination skin (oily t-zone, but dry cheeks) I only apply to my forehead and chin. I apply quite a thick layer of this before bed and you can feel it begin to tighten and dry up oil and breakouts. For this reason I wouldn't recommend this to people with dry skin as it is quite drying, but for me it's been perfect. I wish I'd done a 'before' photo so I could show you the difference it's made - my breakouts have pretty much cleared up and when I do get the odd spot it clears up so much quicker when I apply this. The best part? It costs 95p! Definite win and I will be repurchasing this product.

Have you tried any Skin Therapy products before?

Amy x

10 Things I Love About My Mum

In light of it being Mothers Day tomorrow here are 10 things I love about my Mum (I love more than 10 things about her obviously even if she did let me walk around in those odd sunglasses, but I wouldn't want to bore you!):

1 - She is the most caring and genuinely kind natured person I know.

2 - She can solve any problem. Is this a general mum thing? If it is I'm not sure I'd make a very good mum! She literally always has the answer and knows how to fix everything!

3 - She's taught me to be strong. She is the definition of someone who just gets on with things.

4 - I can talk to her in exactly the same way I would my friends.

5 - She puts everyone else before herself, which makes it even nicer when I can treat her on Mother's Day because she hardly ever treats herself!

6 - Her cooking. I swear everyone says their mum is the best cook, but mine really is.

7 - The way that she's brought up my sister and I to feel totally equal even though we have completely different needs. Sometimes people will ask me if I ever felt left out or overlooked as a child because of my sister's needs and the answer is 100% no. (I guess my dad gets some credit for this one too!)

8 - She's so thoughtful. This year she had the idea that we should arrange a day out together each month, which is lovely.

9 - She always cares what I have to say, even if I am talking utter rubbish!

10 - She is beautiful, inside and out. End of.

Amy x

Learning To Say 'No' More

Photo by Christiana Rivers on Unsplash

How many times have you gone out with friends when really you'd rather have stayed home? How many times have you agreed to do something at work that you really didn't want to? How many things can you count that you only do because you feel obligated?

I've recently learned to say no...and shockingly, the world doesn't end when I do. Nobody hates me for saying no, I haven't lost out on any opportunities at work and I sure feel a lot happier.

For years I've been a 'yes' girl. Yes to every single outing my friends are going on because I didn't want to miss out, even if I couldn't really afford to or was super tired. Yes to absolutely everything work-wise because I was desperate to be hired permanently and wanted to earn as much money as I could. Yes to so many things that I didn't want to do. I think a phobia of saying no is something a lot of people can relate to.

I'm not saying you should be completely selfish and only please yourself, but trying to do everything and please everyone is exhausting, which is really not good for you. So once in a while, say no. If you'd rather stay in on a Saturday night, save a bit of money and have a bit of relaxing 'you time' then do that. If you'd rather not do some overtime at work because you've been there for 10 hours already and don't think you can face anymore, then don't. Saying no is easier than you might think and people understand because sometimes they want to say no too.

I haven't completely changed my ways; I can't stop the stab of guilt I feel when I tell a friend I'm not going out and I still do most of the overtime I'm offered at work. But because I bit the bullet and said no a couple of times, it now feels like I have the option instead of feeling obligated.

It's all about finding a happy medium and I think I'm well on my way to finding mine. I hope you manage to find yours too whether you're a 'yes' girl like I was or whether you actually need to say yes more often.

Is a fear of saying no something you can relate to?

Amy x