Thursday 22 October 2009

# 110 Count Me Out

I was going to begin this post by moaning about the winter bug that's still got me out for the count, but, well, I can't be bothered - and dredging up the gory details is not going to do much to improve my mood is it? Suffice it to say that my equation goes a bit like this:

A 7-day flu bug +
7 days of antibiotics to clear a chest infection that will linger for another 5 days +
All of this straight after coming off a 3 Day Superjuice Detox Diet
= Don't F**k About With Your Guts. If you do it'll come back to bite you in the ass. (No pun intended).

And don't forget to read the small print:
PUTTING ONE'S SYSTEM THROUGH UNUSUAL 'HEALTH-PROMOTING' DIETS THAT INVOLVE MOSTLY COLD-FROM-THE-FRIDGE JUICE CONCOCTIONS AND NO FOOD WHATSOEVER (DURING THE COLD AND FLU SEASON WHEN ONE'S BODY IS IN NEED OF HEARTY SOUPS AND STEAMING STEWS) IS NOT A GOOD IDEA. REPEAT: ABORT MISSION. OR RISK HAVING TO SPEND A WEEK IN BED IN A BATHROBE WITH A SICKY FEVER AND NO SMARTIES CAKE FROM YOUR BEST FRIEND'S BABY SHOWER. NOT EVEN A CRUMB. SOB.

So, I thought I'd cheer myself up by dishing the dirt on some disappointing skin offerings instead. Well, my vitriol is one of the few things that isn't contagious...


I ran out of my beloved ESPA Gentle Deep Cleansing Balm last week and rooted a 'standby' Bobbi Brown Cleansing Oil, out of the drawer as I was too sick to travel to the shops. The first few times I used it it was fine - it emulsified well & rinsed cleanly. I did, however, notice that my skin didn't feel as soft as normal and on 3rd or possibly 4th employ, it began to sting - not severely, but in an 'I'm rather harsh and irritating against your oft-blown-nose skin' way. My chin and cheeks were also far drier after cleansing than I deem acceptable. In my experience, the mark of a good cleanser is that even dry skin can stand a few minutes after cleansing and before moisturising, without starting to !SCREAM! at you. Well, this one failed on that count. And I also started to notice blocked pores on my nose and forehead - something I haven't experienced during my entire 6 months with ESPA. As far as this product's concerned, I do not want to be Bobbi's girl ever again.


I ran out of Sisley Nutritive Lip Balm last week too (major bummer as it costs around £35 for a teeny pot), and trialled two other formulas that promised even better results (according to the PRs at any rate). The first was SUQQU Lip Essence Cream, which comes in a swanky and weighty white pot. I liked it at first because it was thick, waxy and unguent, so stayed put, but a couple of days in it became apparent that my lips were not convinced, and therein began the peeling and puckering. I also started to notice a chemical whiff after application which scared me, so I desisted and started on Prescriptives Lip Specialist Triple Action Lip Therapy instead. The latter is a much better bet & has sorted out soreness a treat. The only problem (and it's an insurmountable one) is that come the end of the year Prescriptives will be no longer. So, if you're a fan, it's worth stocking up while you still can. On my part, Sisley's still the best... and sometimes the best is worth the pay-day wait.

As for me, it's back to bed with a mug of tea... sniffle sniffle... and sweeter dreams.

DISCLAIMER: My Juice Detox did not make me sick. It just didn't help me shake my sickness. And it might even have made me sicker than I would have been without it. But I cannot prove it. But just in case it did make me sick, I won't be paying £300 to get knocked out again anytime soon.... Oh sod it. Just sue me.

8 comments:

Lydia said...

Oh goodness, you poor thing!

Agree about the Sisley, lovely stuff and worth the cash. I quite liked the Suqqu, but it could not stand up to my dead of winter scaly lips. I did not rate the CDLM lip balm at all.

Feel better soon. x

annemarie said...

I hope you feel better soon, my dear.

Cleansing Oil: I started using Boscia "Make Up Break Up" Cool Cleansing Oil about a month ago, and I'm very impressed. I use it as my nightly face wash-- takes off ALL eye make up (thank god-- hate, HATE eye make up remover...they're never as "gentle" as they promise to be), and it must clean off everything else too because I've had 'nary a zit for a month. PLUS it leaves my skin soft and not parched. Not expensive either.

Lip Balm: I'm about to "Proceed to Checkout" with a Claudalie lip conditioner. I like the other stuff from that range....I will report back if it's any good.

Drink lots of hot water and lemon, ya hear?

Miss Malcontent said...

Thanks ladies! I'm definitely on the mend now & yep, it's been lots of honey, lemon, fruit, water & sleep :) Boscia sounds great - I might give that one a whirl when I next run out of ESPA. I've used Caudalie Lip Conditioner before - it's nice, but didn't stick around long enough for me. But then I really do adore products that glaze the lip like a varnish (without being tacky) and stay put for hours to provide real protection from the elements (hence why I love Sisley and also Yes To Carrots, which is nice and thick too).

Ditto on CDLM - glossy rather than nourishing.

All best,

MM

Anonymous said...

interested in your thoughts on the Clarisonic cleanser. I just bought one from SpaceNK . Also have you ever used Vaishalety's cleansing balm?

Miss Malcontent said...

I've never tried the Clarisonic (or any similar electronic exfoliating devices), so would be interested to know how you get on with it. I used the Vaishaly Cleansing Balm for a good few months a couple of years ago and liked it. It emulsifies nicely so rinses away clean, while also leaving skin smooth and soft. In the end, I found it a bit too 'rich' for my skin which can break out if I'm not careful, and just felt that the purifying oils in ESPA were better suited to my oily skin... I suspect drier skins would quite like the Vaishaly balm though.

MM

Unknown said...

just discovered your blog and i love it! im literally going to sit at it for the rest of the day!

Unknown said...

where is prescriptives going!! nooooooo

Miss Malcontent said...

Thanks Charli - you're very sweet! Just checked out your blog too - will definitely keep an eye on your stuff ;) All best, MM