Let’s talk about sex, baby

By Rachel Garvey

Sex, sex, sex; a word that holds many different meanings to different people. It can excite some, but for others, it brings a variety of emotions like confusion, anxiety and sometimes even fear. There’s no point in sugar-coating it; sex is complicated. Of course, it can be used as a stress relief tool or just for fun, but for others, sex is merely a way to show the other person how much you appreciate them or that you want to be close to them. Now, let’s talk about sex!

Use your words

Communication is a big thing when it comes to sex; both sides of the relationship need to be open and willing when it comes to trying new things together. One simply can’t partake in sexual acts if only one side of the relationship is willing, while the other is still unsure. If you feel that you aren’t ready for sex then tell your partner, don’t just “go along with it”. Only you can decide when you’re ready, rushing yourself shouldn’t be an option and your partner should understand and respect your decision.

Experimenting

Sex doesn’t have to be a complicated science lesson; you get to make the rules and if there’s something that isn’t working out then try again to see what

By: Ewelina Szybinska

The world of The Ordinary, a skincare brand known to be extremely effective in dealing with skin-related issues. Minimalist bottles with cute droppers, affordable prices and waiting lists? Yes, you’ve read that right. Some of the most popular products are constantly out of stock! I’ve always had an interest in skincare and saying this, I’ve tried many different brands with ranging prices, but no product has ever given me great results. My skin would either get used to it and finally stop working or I would get a bad reaction. To provide you with a quick background, my skin has always been very sensitive, prone to acne and scarring. I found it difficult to determine whether it was dry or oily but quickly concluded that it is in fact combination. While I was battling excessive sebum and mild acne and larger pores, I’ve also managed to maintain an even skin tone and reduce the appearance of any other skin irregularities. Since coming across The Ordinary, my regime has changed for good.

I’d like to take you along on my journey with the products I’ve used and give you an honest review after testing the brand for over a year now. The brand has impressed me with its high quality and great pricing. You may wonder how it’s possible for the brand to continue with such prices. It simply saves on advertising. The brand has arrived in many homes and by good word of mouth, the company is simply thriving with excellent customer reviews! This article is not sponsored! Just another happy customer hoping to help anyone else trying to find the right product for their skin.

At the beginning, finding the right mix of ordiwill give you a satisfying end result. Try something new and see how it works out for you! Trying new things will help boost both you own and your partner’s confidence levels. It will also bring you closer together. It means you get to have fun with it, trying new things can be quite funny because you can always have a little laugh about it afterwards.

Foreplay

Part of this can tie in with experimenting, you can never have too much foreplay. It’s a lot more important than we make it out to be because of how it prepares us for what’s to come. Jumping straight into sex isn’t exactly fair to our bodies, is it? The answer is no! Foreplay is a great way to get our bodies ready for the final step; I’ll spare you the details, but you all know what I’m talking about. Do not underestimate the power of foreplay!

Wrap it up

Consent is important when it comes to sex, but the other important thing to keep in mind is the forms of contraception available. Part of people’s fear and anxiety comes from the fact that they are afraid of contracting a sexually transmitted infection or falling pregnant. There’s a variety of condoms out there and contraceptive pills and other forms of barriers that can help protect you during sex. nary products was scary, knowing which formulas can be used together in a regimen and which ones couldn’t be was an overwhelming thought. Playing around with various percentages of acids and strong formulations of vitamin C can cause more harm than good if applied incorrectly. If that is your concern, the ordinary website provides a detailed regimen guide into the multiple formulas that complement each other. I’ll make sure to mention those that left me with my desired results. My Ordinary Favourites: Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1% (€5.90 - 30ml) ( €10.60 - 60ml) An all-time favourite product from the website! This high strength vitamin and mineral blemish formula will do just what the name suggests. Acne scars will start to fade, and you’ll notice fewer spots due to sebum reduction and smaller pores. If you look up the advantages of using niacinamide and zinc on your face, you’ll quickly notice its positive effects. It is known to calm inflammation, control oil production and enhance the skin’s protective barrier. I have repurchased this item over three Check-ups with your doctor will also help to relieve stress and anxiety to make sure your sexual health is good. Student’s Unions in colleges usually offer free condoms to students as part of their sexual health awareness programmes, so don’t be afraid of asking them for a free pack.

Keep your expectations real

Sex isn’t going to be as straightforward as you think it is, it’s portrayed in films as this flawless act, but it never turns out to be what we imagine. Our expectations shouldn’t be high, but they should be realistic. If you’re anxious, then talk about your anxieties with your partner. If you’re insecure about a certain part of your body then tell your partner, it’s only one more thing for them to love and to respect. We all have that one part of our body that we feel insecure about, but once our partner is aware of our insecurities then they can help us build the

Photo by Erik Lucatero on Unsplash

Beauty Brand Review – The Ordinary by DECIEM

confidence to love that insecurity. times! Recently I have upgraded to a 60 ml bottle. If you’re ever going to try out any of their products, this must be the one!

Mandelic Acid 10% + HA (€6.80 -30ml)

Another 10/10! The peeling acid slowly penetrates through the skin making it a gentle form of exfoliation. The results will impress you from the first application regarding closure of larger pores and reducing sebum production. The irregularities will disappear and create a smoother surface by eliminating small bumps. Have I also mentioned that it fades fine lines? Don’t be keen to use it more than it is recommended, it is advised to apply it once a day, after noon, as sunburn is highly likely to occur. I’m speaking from experience here. I’m only on my second bottle as it lasts for a long while! I’d recommend using this product three or four times a week although this may vary depending on your skin reaction.

Azelaic Acid Suspension 10% (€7.20 -30ml)

that does not need to be applied frequently. It targets the appearance of blemishes and works towards creating an even skin tone. It’s a great product to apply right before any makeup. Azelaic acid mattifies on the skin leaving the face feeling smooth! You can also rock it on its own if you desire a mattified finish.

100% Plant-Derived Squalene (€7.20 -30ml)

A non-comedogenic formula that hydrates the skin and prevents loss of hydration! Being non-comedogenic, it doesn’t clog pores and can be used frequently. Your skin will thank you and so will your bank account, this is one of the cheapest squalene products currently on the market. Lightweight and absorbent, this formula should ideally be used after water-based treatments.

If you’re looking to change your regime or maybe adjust it a little bit, I can’t recommend this brand enough! The entire range of products is affordable and really works wonders.