How A Blue Monday iS The Way To Stop Feeling Ordinary

I never know what these articles are going to be when I write them, but when I write something, I keep it real and just write whatever comes to mind at that exact moment, because I tried planning one article to give it structure and make it make sense. Three pens and 5 different notebooks later, it didn’t work… I don’t even remember what it was for, but it doesn’t work for me - my perfectionist self probably spent too much time trying to find a pen that matched my mood, so I’ll keep writing about experiences and feelings, and sharing the chaos I call my life.

I am very particular about certain things (ahem, everything) and this includes the products I have and routines I follow, to the point that I have a Skincare Routine Note on my Apple Notes pinned (next to the ‘Things Stephan Says’ note, where I keep a journal of all the things that just can’t ever be forgotten), and I know what my routine is but I like to just make sure, you know?

The blue on my Monday was the phenomenal iS Clinical and Stephan and I were given the opportunity to spend our morning getting blue Monday’ed with the best facial I have ever had in my life, and when I say this I mean Stephan looked like a newborn baby and I haven’t had to walk around the house with cooling under eye masks all over my face to try achieve something – but this did something that literally looked like that Android Beautify filter if it was actually nice, flawless. I’m still not sure how to explain the results, but I guess you have to experience the power of what iS Clinical can do.

Elle and Sera, the beautiful team at iS Clinical South Africa , really gave us the most phenomenal time that was everything you could want on a Monday morning to have the best week ahead. The most exciting was experiencing the new Extra Strength Active Peel Brightening System, which is an advanced version of my actual favourite iS Clinical product in the world, the Active Peel System. The entire time made me never want to leave and I was in awe as I got to watch actual magic happen – listen, watching Stephan’s skin go BMW M Sport red from a peel and have him leave with the most beautiful, glowing skin was something I did not know could even happen – I have never had a treatment with these results and feeling.

iS Clinical is one of those brands that I really am 100% obsessed with because I know it works, and Elle & Sera shared so much valuable information about these products, that really made me want to sell my kidney to just buy a lifetime supply of one of each because I love a product that works, but to see it work magic right in front of you, unreal.

I left there with skin so smooth I nearly slid out the car seat. And I get it, everyone always says “you’re glowing” after a facial, but this was different. This wasn’t a “you’re glowing because you’ve just been exfoliated within an inch of your life” glow. This was a "my skin looks airbrushed but it’s real life and I’m confused” kind of glow.

We were treated to the full works — it was giving clinical-grade comfort. And while I was lying there, aggressively overthinking how I can feel so relaxed, all just science, with spa-level serotonin. It was bliss.

But let’s talk about the Extra Strengh Active Peel Brightening System for a second. Because I’m still not over it. I’ve used the original Active Peel pads at home (religiously, like someone in a cult — a very expensive, clinically formulated cult… I watched a TikTok of a girl naming things that she believes are cults, and I am a walking cult it seems), but this new in-clinic version? It took it to another level. Stronger, smarter, and somehow better! Stephan’s skin went a little tomato for 3 minutes — but only because it’s honest skin and doesn’t lie. And then boom: baby-faced, born-again skin that made him look like he’s been getting 10 hours of sleep and drinking spring water flown in from Iceland.

I, on the other hand, just looked good and felt like my entire life had been reset. And that’s rare, because I don’t usually say it. But my skin looked finished. No filter. Just light reflecting off cheekbones that remembered they existed.

We also got to play (and by play, I mean obsessively interrogate) the full iS Clinical range — I finally tried the Brightening Complex, Youth Eye Complex, and something called the Copper Firming Mist, which I would like to personally thank for making me feel like a dewy fairy. I’ve already mentally moved my old products to the “not invited back” drawer. It’s time for an upgrade - and while I have formed a bond with my iPhone and am too scared to cut the cord and upgrade, I will sell all my kidneys for this upgrade. 

There’s something satisfying about using a brand that knows what it’s doing. That doesn’t sell you fluff. iS Clinical isn’t trying to give you a 15-step Korean glass skin fantasy. It’s giving results. It’s giving this-is-what-derms-use-on-themselves energy. It’s also giving take my money, please and thank you. 

And if you’ve never booked an iS Clinical treatment before, here’s your sign. Go. Go now. Start your Monday with a little blue, and leave looking anything but ordinary.

Thank you so much to Elle and Sera from iS Clinical South Africa for this experience, you really have a magic touch and have given me the spark this week needed to overcome the chaos that my Longchamp and I live daily.