Marathons and mid-life skincare

It was on the day of the London Marathon, eight years ago that Mr & Mrs TNMA first met. So, as we can't remember when our first date was, we've decided that this is our anniversary. Now you're all imagining that after running a personal best, I stumbled across the finishing line and into the arms of a tall, dark, handsome stranger who gave me the kiss of life and massaged my blistered feet. But no. Some of our mutual friends had entered the race and a group of loyal fans hot-footed it around the 26-mile course (on public transport), to offer them support.

At the marathon, whilst I thought it was love at first sight, Mr TNMA thought I was frowning at him. I subsequently explained that my face always looks like that. It's the Ethan Hawke forehead. Anyway, I'm not sure whether it's stress, age, hormones or what, but as well as the wrinkles I've recently had an outbreak of pimples and sun spots around my hairline and temples. Now, if only I'd taken more care on those long, hot summer holidays in my twenties, but sadly the damage is done. So, in order to avert a full-scale-mid-life skin crisis, I decided it was time to upgrade my beauty routine and give some anti-ageing products the benefit of the doubt. I opted for the appropriately named VinExpert range from Caudalie:





Now, I'm not a beauty expert but this is what I know: the anti-ageing cream is rich but non-greasy, readily absorbed into the skin giving it a silky feel - and it smells gorgeous. All fresh, fruity and French. As well as containing lots of natural ingredients, like grape extracts, vitamins and soy, it has a SPF10 which will help protect my weather-beaten brow from further sun damage.

I've never used a serum in my life but this contains lots of lovely ingredients too, and does help tighten my saggy skin. Though I have to admit I haven't studied its effects too closely, once I've slapped on the serum/moisturiser and applied mascara and a dab of blusher at the start of the day, I tend not to spend that much time observing myself in the mirror. Anyway, it seems to work. So thank you Caudalie for sending me these samples. As for the dietary supplement, now I know what free radicals are, I'll be buying another box.

So, my skin definitely feels softer and smoother and the pimples have disappeared. The sun spots are still visible - but I probably need to buy a specialist product to deal with the damage, or maybe I've reached the point in my life where I need to start wearing foundation (I never normally bother) on a daily basis to even out my skin tone? Oh and the Ethan Hawke forehead remains unchanged, but at least eight years down the line, Mr TNMA knows I'm not scowling at him. Now he recognises the look of love.