I was the baby wipe and any moisturiser that was cheap type.

I slept in my make up and caked on fake tan.

With a lot of work I could pass as fresh faced.

I remember when I was 16 I went to the Clinique counter to buy a foundation and the lady that worked there told me I didn’t need full coverage, she showed me some products and said if I use them a tinted moisturiser would be enough.

I didn’t listen.

Because I didn’t suffer from break outs I classed myself as having good skin.

I abused sun beds for about a year in my 20’s and never wore an SPF.

I had massive pores and dark patches around my mouth.

Foundation didn’t glide over my skin, it was hard to blend and flaked.

But I didn’t have break outs so I must have had good skin.

The older I got the less I went out so naturally wore less make up.

Then I got sick.

Instagram became my window to the world.

A few people I followed spoke of a women who said never to use wipes to remove make up.

I thought eh? What are you meant to use then???

A chain of events led me to a chance meeting with her.

Her name was Caroline Hirons, she had an enormous following not just on Instagram but the world.

She was also from Fulham.

As I was having my make up done she stood behind me and I genuinely thought oh my god she’s going to know I use baby wipes on my face.

I was a day out of chemo and at my first GirlVsCancer shoot.

I was desperate ill and gloriously happy.

I didn’t communicate with anyone much I just perched and absorbed this amazing experience.

I was looking at peoples skin and some of them were glowing before having make up applied.

That was that start of my skin care journey.

It ticks the self care and the control freak boxes I very much need.

I dip in and out of advice from others and trust only a select few (namely 1)

With their honesty and expert knowledge I get to pick and choose what suits me and my budget.

I bloody enjoy it.

Now when someone says how well I look and its just because I’ve nailed my routine it makes me so happy.

Putting make up on is a wonderful experience and taking it off and applying night creams is up there with clean bed sheets and new pyjamas.

My skin changed during chemo, all those years of abuse had taken its toll.

I am no expert.

I would love to share the things I love.

I would love you too have the skin confidence I have whist being so poorly.

So stick around.