Skincare - finding a new beauty routine

I've been trying new beauty products. It's such a relief there are more paraben and chemical free products available. 

Over time, your skin needs change. We have to adapt and see what works. 

The mix of supplements and vitamins also is an important part of my skin care routine. I've scaled down the cocktail of pills. 

I was using essential oils like immortelle and frankincense with base oils like rosehip oil, grapeseed oil and almond oil. I love them but feel that it is time to step it up.  I've been a fan of Neal's Yard, Sukin and Antipodes. There's a burt's bees exfoliant I use in the shower on an ad hoc basis. I would use almond oil for a mini face massage and do a homemade mask made from yoghurt, honey, ginger, turmeric and honey. 

I've been reading about latest trends and looking at the ingredients in high end products. In the past I used some very expensive brands. Now, I realise that there are affordable options. Q+A and Oleus have a good range. 

I've gradually introduced different products and treatments. 

I started with a collagen face cream as a night cream. I also switched to apricot oil to remove my makeup. 

After a couple of months, I've focused on serums and blemish problems. During the day I use a Vitamin C serum. At night I use a Superfood serum and a blemish repair paste which has some salicylic acid. I also use a charcoal cleanser a few times a week. 

I've invested in a LED light treatment mask. It's a strange experience lying there with this mask on. 

The next phase is trying a hyaluronic acid serum, a bakuchiol serum which is an alternative to retinol, an AHA exfoliating gel and a peptide eye gel. After that, I'll be looking at mask peels. 

It is a bit of trial and error. I think I'm seeing results which is exciting. In the meantime, it's fun trying new things. Also, I find that spending time looking after my skin makes me feel happy and good about myself. 

For years my focus was based more on what I was eating and drinking. Now it's adding in a few routines which might support being beautiful both on the inside and outside. At times it feels indulgent and vain, but the reality is that little comes naturally. I've always had to work hard to achieve my goals. My beauty is just another area of my life that needs attention. 

London Fashion - Designer Window Shopping

Last week I took a stroll down London's Old Bond St. I used to buy magazines to see what was new. It's actually quite interesting to wander by the different store front windows. You see which designers really do stand out and it's much easier to compare them. It's a bit like a fashion catwalk in reverse where you're doing the walking while the models are still and watching you. 

Spring has arrived so the big winter coat is almost ready to be packed away.  I've even started buying shorts ahead of summer. Last year it was almost impossible to find any that I liked as they were all sold out. 

The other week I wore a dress since we had a warmish day. I also was able to wear a new skirt and it's great to be dressing up a little again. Blues and greens seem right for this time of year. I like more flowing looser comfy clothes which have a relaxed weekend feel to them. More pockets is on my wishlist. I have even bought two of the same skirt in the same colour which has great pockets and a dress in two different colours which has pockets. There just aren't enough dresses and skirst with pockets around. 

Every so often I like to wear a pop of colour. Red is great. I wish there were more colours to choose from but these days the shops are a bit unimaginative. 

I like a short dress or skirt with leggings for that 70s vibe. I'm loving leggings and have a few that I adore but I'm always on the look out for more. Most of the leggings I see are for sportswear or their plain dull staples which I have plenty of.  

Smart casual is one of my go to looks. I've yet to buy trousers this season that will be my fun day pick me up. I've always found it hard to buy trousers although I'm a big fan of cargos and have two which will be my staples over the next few months. 

A beret adds a little flair to anything . I have a winter and spring berets which have lasted years. We definitely need more cool casual hats out there. 

Lounge wear became a massive trend with the pandemic and lockdown. I'm so ready to move on from that and put this year behind us. 

My wardrobe has gone through a makeover in the last twelve months. With each passing year, it's not just about trends but about what works for the time of your life and also knowing what you like or suits you after years of shopping. 

Thank goodness many retailers are improving their online shopping experience with free fast delivery and returns, reviews, lots of photoes and a decent range available. It makes shopping way too easy and the good ones, well they keep getting my money. Happy shopping fashion lovers! 

An African Escape

In the last year I've tried to capture the essence of holidays and travelling by exploring different areas of London and taking my travel camera along to see the city as a tourist. 

For a more foreign escape, I've been going to Africa with free live safaris on youtube with WildLife. They are at sunrise and sunset. The safaris are shown daily. It's pretty cool, but for the pandemic, I don't think this experience would be available. 

I've never been on an African safari. I've explored the Pantanal in Brazil and these WildEarth safaris remind me of that trip and the excitement of seeing animals, watching them and discovering a whole other world. 

They have previous live safaris available on their youtube channel too. If you like wild animals, it's worth taking a look. The live safaris are more exciting for me because you're seeing it with others and there's no pausing or fast forwarding. It feels more real and it's a great African escape for travel addicts who need a fix. 

For more information on WildEarth, you can also go to:

• You can watch daily livestreams of safaris including elephants, lions and hippos
• https://wildearth.tv/
  

A French Escape

I've been listening to French music lately. It makes a great change from the everyday. 

I discovered the French singer and actress, Louane, from the film La Famille Belier. The film is a comedy about a sixteen year old girl who interprets for her deaf family. Her newly discovered talent for singing may mean leaving home and moving away. It was quirky and amusing. 

Though my holidays to France might be over for now, music and films make a lovely little French escape possible. 

Prince - the Musical Genius

Prince was one of the greatest of my lifetime - an artist, performer and legend.

I saw him at one of his 21 days concerts at the O2 in London. That night was amazing.  It was September 13 and he performed with Sir Elton John too that night. 

After his passing, I went to a few screenings of Prince's movies. It was great to be around others who loved his music. I had always wanted to see him at a jazz festival and I had never made the time. 

There are so many great Prince songs. I still especially enjoy listening to the Diamonds and Pearls album now and then. There was a magic around those performance with the NPG. 

Today is the fifth anniversary of his death. This morning I listened to the Piano and a Microphone album. He was just so incredibly talented. 

Though he may be gone, we will be discovering more of his music for many years to come. 

Here are some other stories on Prince that you may be interested in:

• Exploring the unreleased music in Prince's vault 
• Prince 21 Nights at the O2 in London – 10 years on from the greatest show on Planet Earth
  
• A Final Visit With Prince: Rolling Stone’s Lost Cover Story
  
• Prince tribute
  
• Elton John's tribute