England Are Through, It's Another Heatwave... and Somewhere There's a Man Saying, "I Don't Burn!"

Well...what a week!

The heatwave has well and truly settled in, England are through to the quarter-finals, and we're heading into another hot weekend.

The good news is...England are playing at a slightly more sensible time this Saturday night — 10pm.

Which means hopefully a few more of us might get some sleep afterwards!

Although knowing us, we'll either be celebrating, analysing every decision, replaying every goal, or sitting there convinced we could have done a better job as manager from the sofa.

Football does funny things to us, doesn't it?

England playing, sunshine shining and a nation suddenly becoming experts in tactics, weather and why the referee definitely got that decision wrong.

But back to the weather...

I think it's fair to say life has slowed down a little.

And do you know what?

I think that's exactly what we all needed.

The roads have been quieter.

People have stopped rushing everywhere.

Even the clinic has had a different feel this week.

Still busy (thank goodness!), but calmer somehow.

Appointments have felt more relaxed.

Conversations have lasted that little bit longer.

Nobody seems quite so keen to dash back out into the sunshine.

And do you know what?

I've loved it.

Sometimes life has a funny way of reminding us to slow down.

Now...let's talk about the weather.

England have made it to the quarter-finals, temperatures have gone through the roof again, and somewhere there's a man standing in his back garden with a can of lager, no shirt on, proudly telling everyone...

"I don't burn."

We all know that man.

He's also the same bloke who says...

"I don't need sunscreen, I've got olive skin."

Yes Barry...and now you've also got bright red shoulders and a perfect white outline where your watch was.

Then there's his other half chasing him around the garden with the sunscreen.

"Will you just let me put some on your back!"

"I'm fine!"

No Barry...

You're really not.

As soon as Britain gets above 25 degrees we completely lose the plot.

The supermarkets sell out of ice cream before breakfast.

Every fan in the country suddenly appears from the loft.

The barbecue gets dusted off, despite nobody remembering where the gas bottle is.

Garden centres resemble Glastonbury.

And suddenly everyone becomes a weather expert.

"It's too hot."

Really?

Can I just remind everyone that up until the middle of June we were still wandering around in jumpers, putting the heating on in the evenings and saying...

"I don't think summer's coming this year."

Now it's here...

"It's too hot."

Honestly...we're impossible!

We spend months wishing for sunshine, then the minute we get it we're complaining.

So instead of moaning, enjoy it.

The chores will still be there tomorrow.

The ironing isn't going anywhere.

The weeds have clearly signed a lifetime contract with your garden.

And let's be honest...if it gets too much, we do have one huge advantage at Devine Skin...

We have air conditioning!

So there really is no need to melt into a puddle while trying to clean the house, reorganise the garden shed or decide that today is the perfect day to tackle every job you've been putting off since January.

The jobs will still be there.

They've waited this long...they can wait a little longer.

Sit in the shade.

Read a book.

Watch the football.

Have an afternoon snooze.

Enjoy a cold drink.

Life doesn't always have to be lived at 100 miles an hour.

Sometimes slowing down is exactly what our bodies — and our minds — need.

And slowing down has reminded me this week why I love my job so much.

The clinic has been full of lovely little moments.

Beautiful babies have come into the clinic to see me with their mums (obviously...I'd have some serious questions if they arrived on their own!).

There is something so lovely about hearing a baby's little giggle.

Those moments make me smile.

Then one of my lovely clients came in who honestly made my heart melt.

Last year he was facing some really difficult challenges and had a lot to overcome.

This week he told me he had passed his degree with flying colours and will be graduating next week.

I couldn't be prouder.

Then he told me something that completely touched me.

He said he booked this appointment months ago because he knew how busy I get and wanted to make sure he looked good for his graduation.

Then he said...

"It was you who gave me my confidence back."

Honestly...

My heart was melting.

Those are the moments that make my day, my week and my year.

He is such an incredible young man with the kindest heart, and I truly believe he will go far in life.

This is why I love what I do.

Yes, I treat skin.

Yes, I remove skin tags, treat rosacea, pigmentation, acne and all the other things people come to see me for.

But underneath all of that, it's about people.

It's about confidence.

It's about helping someone feel like themselves again.

And those moments are priceless.

Now, back to the heat and what it's doing to our skin...

The conversations this week have definitely changed.

"My skin has suddenly gone oily."

"My face feels tight and dry."

"My make-up won't stay on."

"My rosacea has flared."

"My nose has burnt...again."

Heat increases oil production.

Sweat mixes with sunscreen, make-up and pollution.

Air conditioning can dry the skin.

So yes...you can absolutely have oily AND dehydrated skin at the same time.

Now let's talk hydration.

Before anyone says it...

No, that lovely cold glass of wine doesn't count.

Neither does the lager in the garden.

Alcohol is a diuretic, meaning it encourages your body to lose fluid.

Tea and coffee can also have a mild diuretic effect because of the caffeine.

Now before the nation panics...I'm not suggesting we give up tea.

That would probably cause more stress than the heatwave.

But do balance it with plenty of water, sparkling water, herbal teas and no-added-sugar drinks.

Your body and your skin will thank you.

And finally...

Please remember your broad-spectrum SPF.

Factor 50 is not a magical force field.

Applying it once in the morning and expecting it to last through gardening, football, sweating and sitting outside all afternoon isn't how it works.

Reapply every two hours if you're outdoors.

Protect your face, neck, ears and anywhere else the sun can reach.

Your future skin will thank you.

So this weekend...

Slow down.

Stay hydrated.

Sit in the shade.

Watch the football.

Enjoy time with family and friends.

Stop feeling guilty that the housework hasn't been done.

The washing will still be there on Monday.

The dust definitely will be.

But these moments won't.

Enjoy the sunshine while it lasts.

Because before we know it we'll all be back in our jumpers saying...

"I wish we had some nice weather."

Typical Britain.

Have a wonderful weekend everyone.

Stay safe in the sun, keep applying your SPF, cheer England on...

And if you see someone in the garden saying, "I don't burn"...

Please send them my way.

They clearly need a sunscreen intervention!