Dermaflannel Results - Skin Care Update - Dairy Update

This is a bit of a wordy post, but I hope it will be helpful to people struggling with skin problems, and I've tried to throw in a few pics to break it up a bit

If you've read any of my previous posts, you'd know I've been suffering from various levels of problems skin. It has really yo-yo'd in state since I was eleven, but I believe I may have nailed a skin care and diet routine which is nourishing and healing for my skin, and I'd like to share my results with you.

I've always wanted to do a dramatic skin transformation results post, but have never had enough improvement to justify one, so I put the idea on the back burner for a while, and it wasn't until I stumbled across some photos I took around the time I wrote the Dairy Disappointed post, which I published nearly a year ago, and was shocked how much my skin had improved!

Before I share my results with you, maybe you'd like to know what lifestyle changes to achieve this improvement?

First, and I really do think most important, is your diet. Not only do you feel different on the inside, it shows through your skin. I can't stress enough, I have not embarked on some strict 'dieting' scheme, just eating less sweets and junk food, more veggies and fruit. You know the deal, it's not rocket science!

Source

I have also found an incredible difference eating full fat dairy products, which I know to some of you would seem like a no-go. I don't exactly know the in's and out's of the science behind it, but it's something to do with the skimming process which reduces the fat in dairy products which alters the produce and some peoples digestive systems can't process the enhanced food. Also many companies add extra sugars to low-fat foods to make them taste decent, which kind of counter acts the reduced fat part!

Source

Once I had my diet pinned down, I wanted to (gently) tackle my acne scars. They were red-raw and bumpy, and even the best concealer couldn't hide them, and my make up would end up cakey and didn't grant me any confidence. The opposite of what I wanted to achieve!

I had banned any nasty scrubs as I knew now these irritated my skin, and wanted to try some BHA and AHA products, but I had limited funds, I then stumbled across the Dermaflannel. It promised to achieve similar results to those acid products but was suitable for people who couldn't use them (or who were on a budget) I asked for one for my birthday this year and haven't looked back.

The Results

I have actually decided to share the worst side, as I felt it had more improvement. It's also the side I sleep on the majority of the time, although I'm not sure how much of a impact this has.

I also noticed when comparing the photos that I have more of a defined jaw, which is probably another result of diet improvement.

As I'm sure you can see, I still have improvement to make, but I felt what I had been doing in the last three months had made such an improvement I was confident and trusting enough to share these slightly grim photos from my past.

What skin care improvements have you noticed recently?

Do you think it's a good idea to track developments?

On a side note, my blog will be a year old on the 25th May, how does a blogger celebrate this?

Not Another Tag Tag

The lovely Tea Party Beauty created this humorous tag, and I couldn't not do it. I only take part it tags when I find the questions interesting and a bit unusual from the norm rather than 'MAC or Sephora' especially when we don't have Sephora in the UK!

The Rules

You must include both myself & the person who tagged you in your post (and the rules too). 

Once you've answered all your questions you need to tag 5 people.

Also if you tweet Tea Party Beauty the link to your post (@teapartybeauty) she will RT. 

I will retweet too (@LittleRuf)

If you are tagged & don't do the post you will have bad luck for 68.5 years. FACT. 

(her words not mine ;-))

You've made it BIG & bagged some VIP Fashion Week tickets. You lucky devil you. But in your rush to get there & get yourself noticed you forgot your VIP Passes. The guy on the door says he will cut you a deal, you can go in only if you sacrifice either your Front Row seat, backstage privileges or goody bag. What's it gonna be? 

Being the short arse than I am, I would be keen to get in the front row, as it's almost guaranteed a giraffe neck will sit in front of me otherwise. And I'm trying to get out the habit of falling for freebies, like spending over a certain amount and getting some free product which you never end up using, just because it's free. So I'd probably opt for sacrificing the goodie bag.

You're making a new Subscription box, what 4 items & which dreaded perfume sample would you include in it? 

I would definately include a base coat nail varnish, cause it grinds my gears when people complain their nails get stained but aren't using a base coat. The other three items would probably be a mascara; I'd never be unhappy getting a mascara as I have to replace mine so frequently. Also a foundation primer and a hair masque. So no one can complain about colours and shades! Lastly the perfume... Something everyone has anyway- Honey by Marc Jacobs.

What's your biggest blogging bug bear? The one thing guaranteed to make your blood boil & have you screaming/eye rolling at your laptop?

Nothing winds me up too much; I don't like when people comment with one word like 'nice'. I'm also not keen when someones blog is filled with lots of sponsored posts; I'm not doubting their opinions are genuine, but they may not have actually wanted the product initially

No more joining in Twitter chats only slightly relevant to your blog. You can only join in one blogger chat a week for the rest of your blogging days, which one's it gonna be & why? 

I swear the #lbbloggers chat is the only one I manage to catch

'Fess up, do you actually own any MAC? If so what don't you like about the product? 

I do own a few MAC products, the Studio Fix liquid and powder foundations. I don't like how the powder only comes in excessively pink or yellow tones. And MAC foundations always have that smell.

The blogging Gods ban arm swatching, which body part will you swatch on now?

My feet? Would that disgust people?

You can no longer have Yankee Candles & Perfume Bottles in the background of your shots, what other inanimate object will you choose?

I'd probably opt for some garden shots, like grass and some cute cobble stones. 

Your blogs Instagram is it for cats or meal shots?

Deffo meal shots. I have zilch cats in my life, plus I'm more of a dog person...

I TAG

Caitlin - The Moll Shebang

Rachel - Lazerlips Loves

Lois - Wirebone

Rebecca - What Rebecca Rose Knows

Carrieanne - I'm Just A Little Pixie

Whats On My Dresser

I've recently moved back to the town where I grew up (bye bye London), and although I miss many things about living in the city, I have gained a lot more living space returning to Sussex, along with a lovely dresser courtesy of my future Mother in Law.

Up until now I've never been able to do a 'Whats on my dresser' post as my various cosmetics have been scattered around my room or crammed in to a drawer looking like an utter mess, so I thought I'd share my new pride and joy with you :-)

So here it is!

I'm normally a rather messy-room person, but I have taken a lot of time and care into keeping my new dresser tidy. I try to keep only the essentials out as to not cause too much clutter, and it's easier to keep neat that way.

Yes I did make our bed especially for the photos, although in our defence we were up and out quite early as we were car shopping. A hefty investment living in the countryside- no night buses here, sob sob.

My jewellery tree I got from  my Sister in law a few Christmas's ago, and I love it for keeping all my favourite and more delicate pieces on. The red spotty print is right up my street, and I love how I can display my most treasured items without having to constantly wear them.

My best loved pieces are my Pandora bracelet, which almost everyone I love has bought me a charm for; and my 21 heart-key necklace which was a gift for my twenty-first birthday.

These products are the ones I use most regularly, and the cheaper alternatives to products I've used in the past (as I'm trying to save a few pennies). 

I'm not going to expand on what the products are as they are not of great interest; moisturiser/day cream, night cream, face oil, micellar cleansing water, deodorant, vitamins and my one luxury product at the moment- Darphins balm which I apply on my lips before bed for a super nourishing treatment!

My favourite section of my dresser- Fragrances! (Notice the cute little heart dish I also got for my twenty-first, adorable!)

I only have three fragrances as the moment, but I definately want to expand my collection, I love choosing a scent to compliment my mood, my outfit or even the weather!

In my accumulation so far is Benefit - Gina, I'd wished I'd saved the box for this as it's an adorable little house and helps the fragrance last longer. I also have the miniature which is great for my handbag.

Dolce and Gabanna - Intense, which featured in my wishlist post and I ended up treating my self too.

Last but not least Dior - Miss Dior EDT, my Mum bought this for me when she went on holiday at the airport (good ol' Mum) and when I left my old job they gave me the miniature EDP which is in the box behind. It's such a sweet box I should really include a picture of it...

I'm such a sucker for packaging!

I should also quickly mention in the pictures above is a dermaflannel which I got for my birthday but have yet to try out!

Finally the last section of my dresser; my wicker basket.

It has a few odd and ends in it like nail varnish remover and dry shampoo, along with my everyday make up and essentials like cotton pads and buds.

My makeup brushes I keep in a drawer as they caused too much clutter, and I'm going to do another 'whats in my drawers' post so you can have another good old nosey through my stuff!

Where do you keep your everyday go-to items?

Are you a neat freak or are your cosmetics a cluttered chaos?

Back home for a BBQ

A few weekends ago we visited home home, and although the weather wasn't perfect we endeavoured to have a BBQ and eat outside!

*picture heavy post*

There was so much food, and we all felt stuffed after eating our body weight in yumminess.

One thing I really miss about living at my Mum's in having a garden, so I took the liberty of taking some pictures of the lovely green-ness to share with you lot!

Garden Herbs!

There are these cute little fairy lights in the garden too...

We stayed quite late, playing silly games and had to move inside as it was very windy, but we lit some candles and it was very cute and cosy

I really enjoyed our day at my Mum's, and I'm certain we spend more quality time together now I've moved out, rather than stepping on each other's toes all the time.

How do you like to spend time with your family?

Do you brave the british weather in order to have a BBQ?

TAG- Getting To Know Me

After perusing a few blogs over the last few days and seeing different TAG trends, I finally stumbled across one which would be appropriate for my newby blog...

(I know you're meant to do the tag once you've been tagged in a post, but I'm breaking the rules!)

well, this is me!

Here goes!

1. Are you named after anyone?

I am! Im named after my Grannie who is called Ruth Elizabeth, but apparently when my Grandma found out I was named after my Dads Mother she made a fuss, and consequently I was also given her middle name, making my name Ruth Elizabeth Ann!

2. When was the last time you cried?

Probably the other day, but for no particular reason. This seems to be quite common after reading a few other bloggers doing this TAG. Phew!

3. Do you have children?

Nope.

4. If you were another person, would you be a friend of yourself?

I think I would, as we'd have a lot in common >_< and just to see what it would be like to get along with me. If this question was 'would you date yourself' my answer would have been a definite "NO", I don't know how my boyfriend does it!

5. Do you use sarcasm a lot?

Of course not! ....So a yes then. (I also use a lot of exclamation marks!)

6. Would you ever bungee jump?

Nuh-uh. No way. Never.

7. Whats your favourite cereal?

I'm SO boring when it comes to cereal! My favourites are Weetabix, Shreddies and Crunchy Bran. Oh, I'm also partial to Rasin Wheats :-)

8. What is the first thing you notice about people?

Most likely, their height. Or what they are wearing.

9. What is your eye colour?

I'm not one to be fussy over eye colour, I wont find the exact colour swatch that matches my eye and call my eye colour 'Venetian Crystal' (yes I did just look up a paint colour on Dulux). If I had my own way I would call my eyes blue. But everyone disagrees with me and points out that they're more 'grey-blue', so I guess thats my answer.

10. Scary movie, or happy ending?

Happy ending all the way! I love a predictable movie, which is guaranteed boy meets girl and happy ever after <3

11. Favourite smells?

I love the smell of fresh mint, fresh laundry, and things that smell of christmas; cinnamon, star anise, mince pies...

12. Summer or winter?

I LOVE summer, especially as it's so limited in Britain. The only thing I like about winter is CHRISTMAS!

13. Computer or television?

I guess computer, as our television is normally occupied by one of my house mates playing X-box/ Playstation, so I normally watch things on my computer anyway.

14. Whats the furthest you've ever been from home?

My Mum and I went to New York earlier this year for my 21st birthday. It was great, but so cold (it snowed every day).

15. Do you have any special talents?

I wouldn't say I have any 'special' talents, but I can bake a mean cake!

16. Where were you born?

Ashford in Kent, UK, but we moved to East Sussex on my second birthday.

17. What are your hobbies?

More recently, blogging, I also go to the gym (not willingly) bake, and watch out dated television programmes, like FRIENDS, Sex and the City and Gilmore Girls.

18. Do you have any pets?

No, I don't, but anyone who knows me knows that I want a pug SO badly. But we cant have pets in our house :'(

19. Favourite movie?

I love anything Disney, at the moment Tangled, also Rio, and Crazy, Stupid Love.

20. Do you have any siblings?

Yep, one older brother.

I hope you know feel you know a little more about me, and I didn't bore your socks off!

Thanks for reading :-D

P.s If you've read this, feel free to do the TAG too (if you haven't already) and tag me in it so I can read your responses.

Bank Holiday Weekend

Today was a pretty relaxed day.
My Dad and brother came up to visit (they drove to Greenwich then cycled the rest of the way- cray cray I know)
We all went to this little bar around the corner, I chose it because it has a 'beer garden' aka a patio seating area out the back, but such things are a rarity in London, so we had to make the most of it!

 

It was a lovely sunny, warm day (another rarity!) and on a bank holiday sunday!

So we just chilled in the shade with some fruit cider, and we decided to get some dinner before they had to cycle back.

We really enjoyed our impromptue day in the sunshine. I hope it's just as glorious for everyones extra day off tomorrow.

What did everyone else get up to over the bank holiday weekend?