I'm currently on a course of Roaccutane to treat my adult acne. If you read my last post, you will know that I'm on my second month now, and although the first month wasn't as awful as I was expecting (the internet will have you bracing yourself for the worst, thanks to countless horror stories) I did suffer with some side effects. I think you would have to be incredibly lucky to not suffer any side effects whilst taking Roaccutane .

However, I have been fortunate to have found a few products that have made these side effects very bearable and have been helping to soothe them. Today I thought I would write about these products as I would recommend them if you're on Roaccutane  or going to be going on it soon.

On my first appointment at the dermatologists, I was told I would have to basically overhaul all of my usual day to day products as my skin would become sensitive whilst being on Roaccutane. The tablets shrink your oil glands which means your skin gets drier, and this can lead to sensitivity. It's not just your skin that gets dry, your nose, eyes, and mouth can also be affected.


Let's start with body care. I thought it was a bit weird at first that I wouldn't be able to use soap shower gels as I thought 'well what do you wash with?' You're advised to ditch the soap as it can be an irritation for sensitive skin. So, I ordered a couple of bottles of Sanex shower gel to try (which is soap free) and I really like the Dermo Hypoallergenic one. I wash with this every day and have found it hasn't irritated or dried out my skin!

Then we have the body moisturiser that has really helped with one of the side effects that I really struggled with- dry itchy skin. I thought I was going to have to wear oven gloves at one point to stop itching! Anyways, I got the E45 Intensive Repair body moisturiser mainly cause it was on offer when I was doing a food shop, and ever since I started using it, my itchy skin has disappeared. Thank god! I use it twice a day and it's really helped to keep my skin moisturised and more importantly no more pesky itching!

Oh and I'm still fake tanning just in case anyone was wondering, I was a bit worried if my good old fake tan would irritate my skin but I've had no bothers so far. I'm just trying to be a bit gentler when it comes to exfoliating, so instead of using a scrub, I use either a flannel (trying to not be too vigorous with my scrubbing) or an exfoliating glove, but again not being too hard. But this has been fine and not irritated my body.


Next we move onto facial skincare. I've been quite lucky that my face hasn't been too bad when it comes to being dry/sensitive. But I think that's because my skin was super oily to start with, I did have a few days when it started to feel dry and tight, and products were starting to burn but then I started using the Pestle & Mortar Pure Hyaluronic serum which honestly, is my hero product of the moment. You use it under oils/moisturisers and even under make up, and it genuinely transformed my skin from being dry and sensitive to well - normal.

I use it at night, though I might start using it in the day if my skin gets a bit drier, and I love it. I can't believe the difference it has made for my skin and it's really nice and gentle. It has no nasty ingredients, is all natural and cruelty free. It is pretty pricey, but in my opinion it's worth it. You only need a few drops so it will probably last a long time, but it's been a real game changer for me.

I've also been using the Pestle & Mortar Hydrate Moisturiser which is also lovely and doesn't irritate my skin, but  it is pretty pricey, in my opinion, the Superdrug Simply Pure Moisturiser (I use this underneath my make up) and the Simple Skin moisturisers are just as good. I guess it depends how spendy you are feeling, and the P&M one does have better ingredients, but all three are moisturisers I have been using and like.


Next we move onto lip balms, as the side effect that most people will get with Roaccutane is dry lips. I've heard of some people's lips being so dry they crack and bleed, so I armed myself with an abundance of lip balms to try! My two favourites though are the O'Keefes Lip Repair which I literally use all day every day, it keep my lips moisturised for the longest, and I feel a bit lost when I don't have it. I've already gone through a whole tube and Henry bought me two more for Christmas and I don't think it will take me long to get through those either! For the nighttime however, I go for a more intensive lip balm, I use the Blistex Intensive Rescue which is amazing, however it's a white liquid and turns your lips white so it's not the best for day to day use. However slather it on at night and your lips will be nice and moisturised all night.

In fact last night I changed things up by trying another lip balm and I woke up to my lips feeling really dry this morning, so I will go back to my trusty Blistex tonight!

The Lypsyl compacts are pretty cute for in your handbag as they give your lips a glossy sheen, and I want to try the Blistex Relief Cream to see how that works too!


Another side effect that I've struggled on and off with, is a dry nose. Which sounds very weird, I know. The inside of your nose dries up which let me tell you, isn't awfully pleasant. I can only describe it as feeling like you have big hard bogeys up your nose. Lovely. The blood when you blow your nose is also delightful.

Anyways, I've found that spraying some saline nasal spray (you get this from the baby health aisle) morning and evening helps to make my nose a bit more comfortable, then I take a cotton bud, put some Vaseline on it and roll it around the sides of my nose. This seems to help the blood and the bogey feeling so this is good! If anyone however has any other ways of tackling the dreaded dry nose then let me know!

So these are the products that have really helped me during my first month of Roaccutane.  I've had a few new side effects during my second month, but I'll blog about that with my next update. For now, I'm pretty happy with all of the products that I am using and will continue to do so!

Please let me know if you have any product recommendations as I'd always be willing to try something new out and as always let me know if you have any questions about any of the products or Roaccutane, you can send me a DM on Instagram, or tweet me, as I'm more than happy to answer any questions!

For now, I will go, but do comment your hero products if you've been on Roaccutane before...

First and foremost, happy new year! I hope you all had a lovely Christmas and New Year, I can't quite believe it's all over, how fast did that last month go?

I had a lovely festive break, and I feel so much better for having a good few days away from my laptop and thinking about work. I had a very productive break as I watched all of the Harry Potter films, The Gilmore Girls Year In The Life Revival, Love, Rosie and 13 Going On 30 over the course of the Christmas week. Yes I pretty much have square eyes now! But sometimes you need a few days on the sofa with films!

Anyways, I do love the start of a new year. Something feels so fresh about it, and I always liken it to starting a new notepad. I always try to have a list of goals/resolutions, and I usually find that writing them down in a post, makes me more likely to stick to them!

So here are my 2018 blogging goals and resolutions, please let me know what yours are if you have any, as I'd love to know!

My 2018 Blogging Goals 

Stick To A Schedule : For the past couple of years, I've been a bit lapse when it comes to a schedule for my blog and YouTube channel. I seemed to get into my head a little while ago that schedules don't matter, but what I've come to realise is, that I work better when I'm organised and have a deadline as such. I'm going to aim to post three times a week on my blog, once a week on YouTube and then every day on Instagram. I don't want to set anything in stone, but I know I just need to get my arse into gear and I'll be able to do this no problem. Do you find you work better with a schedule when it comes to your blog or do you prefer to just blog when you feel like it?

Work On My Photography : It's funny as it's only been the past couple of years that I've enjoyed taking photos for my blog. For the five years previously, I used to loathe taking pictures, I used to always feel disheartened that I couldn't take as good photos as other bloggers, or my editing wasn't as good. I could never master the flatlay and I used to just get so annoyed. But then in late 2015, I realised that you can teach yourself anything, and over the past couple of years, I've tried really hard to better my photography. I now love taking photos and doing things such as arranging flatlays, however there's always room to improve, so I want to continue learning about photography in 2018.

2018 Rebrand... Maybe... : I looked back on my 2017 goals and this was on there, but then I did genuinely think that 2017 would be the year I finally re branded my blog. But it was one of those things that just never happened cause I couldn't decide what to do and then I didn't want to rush it all. As I've spoke about before, the name Dizzybrunette3 doesn't really resonate with me anymore, even though I will be sad to say goodbye to the blog name I've had for seven years! I think I may do this later on in the year, once I'm married as my name is changing and that gives me a good few months to plan! I think over the next couple of months, I might change my blog to Wordpress as a start and then go from there. Has anyone else moved from Blogger to Wordpress?

Enjoy Making Videos Again : To be quite honest, I've not enjoyed making videos for a while now. It's probably a little like the whole photography thing (feeling like I couldn't do it very well) and then with it so hard to get views on YouTube these days, I used to just feel disheartened that it would take so long to make a video and it would just flop. I do like YouTube, and I do like making videos (sometimes) and I do want to get back into it. I had an idea over the Christmas break about maybe working with a video editor which I know is kind of cheating, but I thought this might help with my YouTube productivity as it's the editing I struggle with. So if anyone knows of anyone, let me know. Other than that, I want to try and stick to a once a week upload, I've got a few videos to edit so I'll try get them up soon, but I do want to enjoy it again, and I think I need to stop focusing on the numbers and what everyone else is doing and just do what I enjoy.

Work With Some Of My Dream Brands : I was very fortunate in 2017 to work with some amazing brands, and I'm not usually the kind of person who makes a list of things like, brands that I want to work with, and I don't really like asking for stuff if that makes sense, so I've usually just waited to see what comes my way. However, I have decided to make a list of goals and no matter how far off they may seem to me, I'm going to write them down and see what happens. I have made a list of brands who are my dream brands to work with, and I think it's good to have goals. Some times, I'll sit on social media and feel a little jealous that another blogger is working with a brand that I love, but then I realise it's cause their posts are amazing and they're so hard working, and I need to step my gear up!

Stop The Full Time Blogger Guilt: Okay that may be a weird one, but ever since i went full time with my blog in 2014, I have had full time blogger guilt. If I had a pound for every time someone had said to me, or I'd read that 'blogging isn't a proper job' or 'I don't work hard' then I probably wouldn't have to work for a year, but I've decided I'm fed up of this. The way I see it, yes I don't work shifts and I'm incredibly lucky to do this job (I've had shitty jobs in the past and trust me, I know how lucky I am) but I do work hard, and I'm going to stop letting myself feel bad when I'm not doing 2736 posts a week, or when I feel like I need a break. I'm done with the guilt, and I'm going to manage my time better so I'm getting more posts out but also giving myself time off.

My 2018 Resolutions 

Be More Positive : Although I'm a lot more positive than I was a few years ago, it's still something I'm working on. I can sometimes be a negative Nancy and I do sometimes get stressed/annoyed about stuff that I should let go over my head. I've spent a very long time basically thinking the world owes me something, but it doesn't. I've been reading a pretty interesting book over Christmas, it's called The Secret and it's definitely changed my mindset about the way you think about things. So 2018 will be the year of being more positive!

Save More Money : I'm pretty terrible with saving money, and with my wedding being this year, my money saving needs to be a bit better! I saw the other day how much money I spent in the run up to Christmas and it made me feel a bit sick really (crazy how much you spend on stuff for one day right?) I want to stop making pointless purchases like an online clothes order here and there and then I don't actually really like the clothes/or the quality is bad. I also want to spend my money more wisely as I don't want to say 'I'm not going to spend money like ever' as that's a bit unrealistic. Whether it's something for my blog; like a new lens, or moving my blog to wordpress, I'm going to be about making wiser purchases but also stopping the frivolous spending.

Eat Less Meat : I have been debating for a while whether to turn vegetarian/vegan as I kept seeing things about the meat and dairy industry which really upset me. I'm taking part in Veganary, so I'm going to see how I go. It's a pretty big challenge for me, because I do eat quite a lot of meat and it's in all of our meals so it will be interesting to see how I get on. I don't eat much dairy (just cheese) so that doesn't scare me as much! But it's good to have a challenge, and if anyone has any vegan blog/recipes recommendations, let me know!

Be Better With My Time Management : I mentioned this above, but I do need be better with my time management. I'm very good at procrastinating, and giving time to stuff when I could do something more productive. I definitely think I could get more done and be more productive if I was better with my time, so here's to getting up earlier, less procrastinating (and refreshing Instagram) and getting a bit more done with my time.

I don't think any of these are too un realistic, but I think they're a good set of goals to have for the year.

What are your goals/resolutions for 2018?

It's Christmas Eve!!! I can't ruddy believe it. This month has gone so fast, that I almost feel like Bernard and his watch have been around playing and paused time on the 1st of December, then pressed go again and it's now the 24th. Okay that made absolutely no sense, but hopefully you get what I mean.

What I'm trying to say is: where has this month gone?

I don't even know if I feel Christmassy you know, how bad is that? I feel a bit bad, because I never actually did much in December. Our festive weekend got cancelled due to snow, I've not visited a Christmas market, and I feel like my Christmas spirit has been a bit non existent this year which makes me feel a bit sad. Maybe I'm getting old, or maybe I'm just putting too much pressure on myself to feel all festive? Who knows.

Anyways, I'm waffling on as per usual. So today is the second to last day of blogmas, and I was thinking 'hmm what should I do for today's post?' I was going to do a standard post about what I look forward to over Christmas, or some kind of Christmas Eve memory post, but I thought you know what, let's do something else and I thought that I'd do a post all about my favourite bloggers and Instagrammers in 2017.

I'm not sure if I'll end up blogging over the Christmas break, I'm of course incredibly fortunate to be able to take a break over Christmas, and I'm thinking I may hide my laptop and have a few days away from being online.  So I thought that I'd do a bit of a round up now of my fave bloggers, I also thought if you can't share the love on Christmas Eve then when can you?

Bloggers :

I still love reading blogs, and writing posts is still one of my favourite things to do. Here are some of my favourite bloggers from the year who's posts I never miss.

Sophie's Make Up: I think I've mentioned Sophie before, but I want to mention her again, as her blog is one of my faves. I love her photogprahy, and her flat lays are actual flatlay goals. She also seems so sweet too!

Apartment Number 4 : I love Victoria's blog for home decor inspo, her weekly newsletter is always a weekly highlight too! Her post on the book The Secret recently, really inspired me, and I bought the book to read over Christmas. It's been a long time since a blog post really inspired me, and I always love seeing her new posts.

WearDaisyWent : OMG Daisy's blog has the dreamiest of blog photography. I swoon over every single post!

Mariannan: I've been reading Marianna's blog for years, and it remains one of my faves. I love her short personal posts, and this is something I want to do more of in 2018. I think I'll always read and love Marianna's blog, I think I've been following her for about 7 years now!

Lust Living : I'm going to warn you now, that reading Olivia's blog will give you total house envy. Her interior taste is amazing and I would happily pay for her to come decorate my house. She's also started YouTube too recently which made me so happy!

The Little Plum: Chloe's blog has really gone from strength to strength this year, and that's cause her blog is so different to many others out there ATM. She's made me feel inspired to start writing real posts again, I feel like I've got lost in a sea of Pinterest and trying to be brand friendly, whilst Chloe nails it. She does personal but is also still brand friendly, I think I want to be more like Chloe in 2018. One of her latest posts on YouTube had me nodding my head along for the most part, and when a blog makes you do that, you know it's a good un!

The Skinny Confidential : Lauyrn's blog is everything I want from a blog, it's real, no bullshit, but also still really aesthetically pleasing. I love Lauryn and her podcasts and I never miss a post from her. The only thing is, I want everything she recommends so not great for my bank balance!

Instagrammers :

What She Did : I met Beth this year at a blogging event in Essex, where we realised we lived 10 mins away from each other! Crazy! I've gotten to know Beth over the year, and I'm always so inspired by her work ethic. She is one of the most creative and hardworking bloggers I know, and she does everything from her phone. I genuinely think she's some kind of superhero. Her make up looks are insane, and you must go follow her.

WeAreTwinset: I want you to say hello to my fashion idols of 2017. Sarah and Philippa are absolutely gorgeous and so stylish. They nail that simple but stylish look, and wear a lot of high street which I love! I usually find myself scrolling through their feed when I need outfit inspo!

Jess C Hamilton : Jess is one of the biggest babes around and her Instagram is full of the most amazing pictures. She is like something from Pinterest and she has the most creative ideas for photos. I literally save every single photo of hers!

YouTubers :

Hello October : Suzie has been one of my faves for many years, and this year that has continued. I rarely miss one of her videos, and I love her whole vibe. I've also been loving her more lifestyle/home content that she's been doing this year!

Lydia Elise Millen: You'll probably all know Lydia and follow her already, but she has been one of my faves this year. I love her vlogs, and her wedding content has been really interesting (and also made me want to actually get into wedding planning mode!) I can't wait to see more vlogs about her wedding as it looked beautiful!

Fashion Slave : I love Sophie's videos and her Instagram too, she wears the most amazing outfits, has the most heart eye worthy hair and her hauls make me want to spend!

I could probably go on all day, but these are the girls who have inspired me this year with their posts, videos and photos. I would love to know who your fave bloggers have been this year?

I will pop up a quick Christmas post tomorrow, so keep your eyes peeled for that, but I hope you all have a lovely Christmas Eve!