Aesop Parsley Seed Cleanser

It turns out my shoulder injury was a broken shoulder. I walked around with a broken shoulder and I didn't even know it so I couldn't milk it. Words fail me.  I had to endure a MRI scan (urgh, yuk), another scan and a cortisone injection. It was not my favourite 90 minutes and so as I lay in the MRI coffin trying not to panic I planned what I would buy in Selfridges when I emerged from this ordeal.

I went for some more Aesop handwash since I am now spoiled and nothing else is as nice. I also got the parsley seed face wash. I dithered over the oil version but I have other cleansing oils and sometimes you want a foamer. I love this. Aesop stuff just smells like total heaven. It cleanses very nicely, rinses off easily and leaves your skin all soft and glowy.

I also bought another YSL nail varnish because the brush makes it so easy to do a  good manicure. And with my loot I swept off to work to bore everyone about my broken shoulder.

L'Oreal Paris Elvive Extraordinary Clay Re-Balancing Shampoo

I love my Living Proof shampoo and conditioner and I've been using nothing else since discovering it. However, I read such good reviews about this that I simply had to give it a go. It's also a fraction of the price of Living Proof.

I've used it this week and can report that it makes one's hair extremely bouncy. This is the perfect shampoo and conditioner for that elusive bouncy shine that doesn't weigh your hair down by day two. I am very impressed with it. I still use my Perfect Hair Day because you have to prise that out of my cold dead hands.

This does contain SLS which doesn't thrill me but crucially there are no silicones. I am very impressed with it. I won't stop using my Living Proof, it's not quite as good as that but for a change it's great value.

Liquid exfoliators

Liquid exfoliators contain various acids to slough away old skin cells and reveal the glowing you underneath. They can be used twice a day and one must always use a SPF in the day because they can leave your skin more likely to burn.

Scary sounding right? Acid is going to burn my skin! I was determined to find out more when I read Pretty Honest by Sali Hughes and she talked about them at length and said how good they were.

I started with a Clinique one. Note, it has no number on it. The ones with numbers on them are very harsh. Almost everyone I know went through the Clinique three-step system in their early 20s and have horror stories. This one is gentle.

I have used Liquid Gold which gets ALL the love on the internet.

I am currently using Pixi Glow Tonic.

The last two I got in free gift boxes when I bought other things so they were not full size. However, they were very generously sized and lasted me for weeks of daily use.

Clinique is fine but nothing especially earth shattering happens. I was impressed with Liquid Gold which made my skin smoother and more even. I am less impressed with the Glow Tonic which might be better for younger skin. I can't see much difference.

Then I read more about acid pads and I was drawn in. A friend at work waxed lyrical about them. Yesterday I decided it was time to invest having researched the field thoroughly. They are simply pre-soaked pads with liquid exfoliator as far as I can tell but they get a lot of love.

There are a lot of acid pads out there and they come at various price points. I opted for the Zelens ones.

I used one last night and wow. I can already tell these are a game-changer. They work like magic. I was peering at my skin in amazement, smooth, silky and instantly better. 50 for £65. OUCH. They say use twice a day but I don't plan to as that's a little indulgent. 

If you are not using a liquid exfoliator, I recommend trying them. The Pixi one is £18. Clinique is £16.  Liquid Gold is £33.50.  All would last you for ages. None are as transformative as the Zelens pads though. Sorry.