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Stress is a funny and dare I say, a decidedly vexatious thing. There you are spinning all manner of plates et all and there we have the stress hormone cortisol – not so discreetly wreaking a biblical pimple-laden wasteland upon your face!

A problematic complexion is frequently difficult to treat especially when said problems appear for no discernable reason. It is difficult to know just what to do for the best, alors, I have decided to do nothing. That is to say, I am resisting the urge to reach for all manner of ointments, specialists cleansers and exfoliators in favour of a minimal approach. Clearly, I was not listening to my body and it has therefore taken a more visual approach shall we say to get my attention. Well, attention is truly got!

Quite by chance, the other day whilst searching for Panda videos conducting online research, I happened upon a video of the incandescent beauty and holistic beauty enthusiast Mandy Madden. Madden possesses the type of other-worldly complexion most of us mere mortals can but dream of. Madden allows a peek into her skincare routine and her must-have beauty treatments and devices. Quite frankly, such is Ms Madden’s complexion that had she championed daubing one’s face with two-week-old bird droppings I would have given it serious consideration!

One of Madden’s go-to gadgets is a high-frequency beauty device. Reasonably priced and very simple to use, high-frequency beauty has made the successful transition from the salon to the home. I suspect that I may be the advertising man’s dream as no sooner had I watched a demo video, I had purchased a Project E Beauty’s High-Frequency device.

According to Project E Beauty, high-frequency beauty can, “aid with blood circulation, collagen and cell production to improve and reduce age spots, wrinkles, sagging skin, and acne”.

I’ve been using the device for a week or so and I must say, there is something supremely satisfying in zapping one’s zits and sending them on their sebaceous way. There is a definite reduction in pimple size and I have not had the dubious pleasure of welcoming any new eruptions to the party. It’s far too early to attribute any positive results to the device but I will continue with the treatment and report back. Watch this space… Biso

Deeply individualistic irrespective of trends and infused with a soupçon of humour, Smilovic hits every sartorial note for me. x

I was recently given a bottle of Le Labo’s renowned fragrance Santal 33. Inspired by the American West and the dream of “big sky country”, this is not a fragrance for the olfactory wallflower. With woody, spicy and leather accords, this long-wearing unisex scent transposes throughout the day to reveal base notes of cedarwood, amber and musk making for an extremely sensual sensory experience.

Those seeking a similar yet lighter santal fragrance might try Miller Harris Peau Santal which is equally beguiling yet softer overall.

Bonne année! Bisous.

Before & After…
When actress Keke Palmer candidly revealed her struggles with acne as a result of Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS), I couldn’t help but empathise. One of the joys of being a woman is the propensity for hormone-induced acne which can errupt at any age and quite often just when you thought those awkward years were well and truly behind you…well think again!

Last summer my skin began to misbehave after years of normalcy I began breaking out solely on the left side of my face thus resembling a walking, talking before and after frame. I’m still uncertain as to whether this was a blessing or a curse. It is fair to say that I have been quietly grateful for the mandatory wearing of face masks!

After grudging overhauling my diet, kissing goodbye to my beloved cheese (mostly) and adding copious supplements, tinctures and tonics my skin has at last begun to calm and even out. Here is a list of the transformative products which have finally begun to work for me.

Azelaic Acid
AHA Tonic
Retinol Serum
Micro peeling Serum
Niacinamide Serum
Cerave Salicylic Acid Cleanser
Aloe Vera Gel
Vitamin C Serum
Snail Mucin
Celery Root Extract
Liquid Chlorophyll
Lactic Acid
Zinc Sulphate Spray
It is not lost on me that the above cocktail of lotions and potions could quite possibly cause a small explosion but collectively they have returned my fractious complexion to a near-normal state. I would advise caution and the obligatory test patch if you have sensitive skin. Acne can be crushing for one’s confidence but hopefully, there is a little something here which just might work for you. Bisous.

There are a couple of key items I require in order to make any summer outfit complete, these include a timeless pair of sunglasses and a slick summer hat. These innovative sunglasses from Brazilian brand Lapima are ticking all of my boxes. At once retro yet futuristic, I strongly suspect that owning one pair will simply not be sufficient! x

Images Courtesy of Lapima

It’s not always easy for the modern-day gentlemen to stand out from a crowd. All too often, fashion trends are not a case of one-size-fits-all and the proliferation of skinny jeans is quite the case in point! Conversely, investing in well-made and timeless accessories is a simple yet cost-effective way to elevate one’s look and poise.

If you are considering introducing the pocket square into your sartorial repertoire but are uncertain as to how to proceed, Scandinavian brand Trendhim has you covered with their new book, “52 Ways to Fold Your Pocket Square”.

A stylish, foolproof guide to the intricate art of the pocket square fold, whether worn to complement a tie or as a stand-alone flourish of colour, this coffee table book would make a perfect gift for the aspiring debonaire man in your life. Head on over to Trendhim to get your copy. Biosus. x