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It’s been a slow start to the year for me. I’ve been consciously easing myself ‘in’ at a snail’s pace. I think we can be so keen to hit the ground running, get that list of resolutions on all the ways we can better ourselves and it’s just all ……a bit much. I, for one, don’t want to be burning myself out by February and feeling overwhelmed…so I am just slowly getting back into the swing of things and trying to enjoy
The weather here has been COLD. We’ve had flurries of snow these last few weeks, a lot of below zero weather and freezing days/nights (and lots of indoor heating!). With that I’ve been needing lots of T.L.C not just in skincare, but lots of self-care, hot baths and early nights.
I think Lockdown 3.0 has been tough for us all. It’s getting worse isn’t it?! I’m just trying to focus on keeping myself positive and the little things that I can do to help this….whether it be a face mask, a fresh bunch of flowers, a nice hand cream that I apply after washing my hands or simply a walk in the fresh air on my own to gather my thoughts.
All the calming, feel-good, instant-soothers and comforting creams please! First up is my beloved REN Evercalm Global Protection Day Cream. I’ve chatted about this quite a bit before as it’s one of the skincare products I have used the LONGEST! It’s my failsafe go to face cream when my skin just needs a bit of ooooohh and ahhhhh (that’s calming btw). It’s a simple formula, a great basic hydrator and works to simply calm and nourish stressed skins.
Another new addition from REN that I have been using for a couple of weeks and wanted to mention is their new Brightening Dark Circle Eye Cream : I have a full review coming very soon but wanted to try it out for a little longer first. However, this has been incredible and exactly what I need at the moment. I assumed it would be lightweight serum-kinda-vibe but it’s actually quite a nice nourishing eye cream formula. I need a little more than a serum at the moment and this feels really lovely when applied and is obviously going to away with all of my tired night sins (TBC…).
Cleansing-wise, I obviously have about 7 on-the-go as per, but I’m loving the Kate Somerville Delikate Soothing Cleanser simply to give me a nice, gentle cleanse. Again, this is a great one for when your skin is just feeling over-worked and a bit stressed and sore. I seem to get this when the weather is cold and these kind of gentle cream cleansers replace my gels/foams in the AM and/or PM. This is an anti-inflammatory milk formula so you can use it as and when it suits. If I have makeup on/to remove it’ll be a second cleanse, or if I’m bare-faced WFH chic, it’ll be a first cleanse.
Elemis Superfood Glow Priming Moisturiser is a great lightweight lotion that I have been slathering on after skincare and before a light base of makeup when I dare to leave the house. I’m feeling a little dull and lacklustre in my skin at the moment and this gives a little burst of hydration, freshness and GLOW. A makeup artist’s fave!
A brand that I have used for many years now, dipping in and out of for maybe 7 years is the Doc we all know and love…..Dr Dennis Gross. I’ve made a conscious decision to get him back in my regime and have just this week started a fresh box of the Dr Dennis Gross Alpha Beta Universal Peel (I’ve been saving them for times of need….this is my time!). I’ve also been really enjoying the Stress Rescue Super Serum which is a revitalising serum packed with niacinamide / Vitamin B3 and superfoods to simply give the skin a boost, reduce the appearance of stress and dullness and soothe.
Last bit of love for Dr Dennis Gross is the Hyaluronic Marine Moisture Cushion which is a face gel/cream that I have probably used the longest from this brand : it’s INCREDIBLE! This is usually my summertime staple as it’s such a lovely lightweight, fresh, oil-free hydrator but when my skin wants a bit of simplicity it’s a great go-to for that burst of hydration with no drama or faff.
Herbivore Emerald Hemp Seed Deep Moisture Glow Oil. This is a face oil I’ve dipped in and out of over the last year and it’s just something that I use when I need that extra bit of hydration, glow and soothing on my skin. I normally use it straight after cleansing in the PM for a couple-nights-a-week-boost.
Ole Henriksen Lemonade Smoothing Scrub. This is BRAND NEW out and I was so happy to be sent it to try out : I literally got in on my face the night it arrived and I can confirm it’s an incredible brightening scrub. It contains both chemical (glycolic and lactic acid) and physical exfoliators (sugar) and it’s super effective and quick to slough off those dead skin cells and leave the skin looking and feeling bright and smooth. It also smells of lemon curd and it’s ticking all my boxes.
Alpha H Liquid Rose Gold Plumping lip balm. A lovely, rich and sumptuous lip balm that is great for this colder weather when the lips get drier, a little flakey and need of some T.L.C.
I’ve got to start with the Urban Decay Hydromaniac : A perfectly hydrating and dewy base, for those no-makeup days and working-from-home but *done* vibes. It’s a very skincare-y feeling formula, it contains Marula Oil so is definitely one for those looking for that radiant glow from their base. It reminds me of the IT CC+ Illuminating CC cream in finish. Do have a read of my full review HERE if you are intrigued about these!
Gucci Mascara L’Obscur. I am yet to do a full review of this mascara (you can read my Gucci Foundation review HERE!) but I’ve been really loving it. It’s a lengthening and separating mascara that gives a nice fluttery and separated lash. The packaging is so extra and I’m loving it a lot!
For super quick makeup looks I’ve been still really loving my Tropic Custom Colour Palettes. I have 3 of them at the moment (I actually think I need another one!) and they are so quick and easy to get looks from one place, I also love the way the palette has been designed so it has a really big mirror to do your makeup in easily. My favourite Tropic Palette at the moment is probably my base one which I have filled with a cream blusher (coral bloom) , a concealer, a cream highlighter (sunrise) and the Bali Bronze bronzer. 
Glossier EVE Cloud Paint. I am a fan of the Glossier cloud paints, I think it’s probably my favourite makeup product from them : I have *most* of the shades I think now and then they have just gone and launched two new shade : EVE and SPARK. I was tempted by both but went for the EVE in the end as I just don’t have anything like this in my stash at the moment. It’s an incredibly beautiful flushed shade : if you want to see it on, I did a quick try-on over on Instagram here.
Barry M Gelly Nail Polish in shade ‘Pistachio’ : I only bought this a few days ago but I LOVE it. I’m sure I have some similar green to this in the depths of my ridiculous nail polish stash but it’s just a really pretty muted pastel green that I thought I needed in my life and it turns out I do! I haven’t painted my nails for months now and it just made me feel a little more together. Spring vibes come @ me.
Knight & Wilson Pureplex Shampoo and Pureplex Conditioner. I’m nearly at the end of these now and think they are a really good budget option for something like Olaplex, which as we all know, is pretty expensive. This is a bond restructuring range, that contains repairing ingredients for over-processed, bleached and broken hair. It makes my hair feel smooth and nourished without weight and I’m going to be purchasing this again when I run out. I think it’s great and for just £7.99 each it’s worth a try to see if it works for you!
Aromatherapy Associates Forest Therapy Bath & Shower Oil is my latest addition to my library of aromatherapy bath oils. I’ve been using this the most this last month even though initially I wasn’t loving the scent. It’s VERY aromatic with essential oils of Pink Pepper, Juniper Berry, Cypress and Ho Wood. It’s quite a reviving and empowering scent and a good contrast to something like the Deep Relax which just knocks you out for the evening/night!
Bloom & Wild Flowers Sometimes I honestly think these gorgeous blooms keep me going! I seem to be ordering a bunch a month or every few weeks at the moment and it’s just a lil’ something that brings me instant happiness and joy. When people say ‘it’s the small things’ this is EXACTLY it for me. A fresh bunch of flowers just makes me happy and brightens my day! Don’t forget if you want to treat yo’self or someone else, you can get £10 off your first order (ANY bunch!) with my referral link here > PRESS FOR FLOWERS (I get £10 credit too if you use it = WIN-WIN).
Morning Solo Walks. I have been enjoying (when I cba to get up!) an early morning / sunrise walk. I can only do it pre-Margot waking up and before Tom goes to work so it has to be early! It’s the only real time I get alone and to spend time just walking and thinking and taking some wonderful sunrise photos and it’s a just a little half an hour of ‘me time’.
B&M Animal Mugs : Well this caused a bit of a stir over on my Instagram stories and everyone seems to be loving them! I picked up the Elephant one just cuz’ I thought it was cute before Christmas and then I got messages saying there was a range of them….so of course i got them all (I think?!). They are just such the perfect size for a nice big cuppa, the shape of them makes you want to hold and hug it and they are only £1.99!
I hope you enjoyed reading about the products and things that have kept me going this January. Can you spot any of your favourites here?
What have you been enjoying this January?
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