*contains affiliate links
Good Morning,
I’ve talked about skincare throughout lockdown and these strange times we’re currently living in. I don’t know if it’s the amount of time spent indoors or just general changes in my skin however my usual routine isn’t leaving me with the same clean and fresh feel as it normally would. I’m wearing less make up than ever and cleansing around 3 times per day but it’s just not cutting it. My hair has also been needing some extra attention. I’m using less heat products than ever which is great but I’m finding my usual shampoo and conditioner are not as effective as they were before. I’ve also got some breakage and while not styling my hair everyday is helping, the damage is already done. I’ve been loyal to my current routine for a considerable amount of time and it might simply be the current conditions we’re living in, the natural ageing process, hormonal changes or a combination of everything but it’s time to try out a few new products to see if they make a difference.
1. The Ordinary Niacinamide
I’m very late to the party with this one but as they say, better late than never. I’ve always been so nervous to try anything different on my skin having previously suffered from acne. Everyday I wake up without acne is a blessing and it’s something I won’t ever take for granted as I can’t even begin to explain how awful it made me feel, not to mention how painful it was. Following roaccutane treatment, my skin was more sensitive than ever and as a result I now have some hyper pigmentation mainly on my forehead. It’s one of my biggest insecurities and I’ve looked into options to try and improve or reduce it. Everything seems very invasive and I’m not confident enough to go ahead with any chemical peels. The reviews on Niacinamide seem to suggest it can help with uneven skin tone and improve texture. I’m not expecting miracles and I’ve started by testing on one small specific area of skin to see how it goes rather than going all in and risking irritation/breakouts.
2. The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5
I’ve always had a battle in getting the balance right with moisturisers and oily/combination skin. I’ve been using the Simple Hydrating Moisturiser for a while now and it generally agrees with my skin but I think I need something a bit more targeted. Again, I’m trying this out on a small specific area to begin with to check for any reactions. The affordability of The Ordinary products is incredible and it allows you to try things out without breaking the bank as can be the case with other brands.
3. Gisou Mini Series
I’ve not rushed out to the hairdressers since they opened and I’ll probably leave it a while longer before getting a trim. I’ve been using the Gisou hair oil for a while now and it’s honestly worth every penny. I initially thought hair oils wouldn’t be right for my thin, fine hair as even some shampoos leave a residue. I use it once a fortnight while relaxing in a bath or once a week if my hair is in need of some extra TLC and it hydrates and leaves it soft and luscious. I’ve been keen to try out some of the other Gisou products but they are pricey and might not suit my hair type. The Gisou Mini Series is a great way to try out the mask, shampoo, conditioner and heat protecting spray for a reasonable price of €49.
4. Olaplex
I originally thought Olaplex was only for coloured hair and having not dyed my hair for 8+ years now, I didn’t consider it would be suitable for me. Learning a bit more about it recently and hearing feedback from friends has intrigued me and I’m keen to try it out. Cult Beauty do a hair repair trial kit for £24 and I’ve signed up for notification when it comes back in stock. Although it’s pricey to buy the full size versions, I wouldn’t be using it everyday as I might with the Gisou products, it would be more of a weekly/bi-weekly treat. I also might not need all of the products, maybe one or two would be enough. When it comes back in stock I’ll give it a go and see if it makes a difference over a reasonable amount of time. Hopefully it’ll be effective and help avoid any further breakage over the winter months when the conditions are harsher.
5. Masks
As I’m missing out on my annual trip to Paris this year I haven’t had a chance to stock up on my favourite masks from Sephora. I still don’t understand why we don’t have stores in the UK, it’s mind boggling. I’ve placed orders from the French website previously and while delivery is around £10, it’s worth it if you’re making a large order. They haven’t had the lavender foot masks in stock online for a while, I keep checking back in the hope they’ll restock but no joy as yet. The Sephora ones are so affordable at €3.99 and often other brands are much more expensive. As a single use item, I don’t want to spend a lot of money on it. I’ve been looking at other options available and Le Mini Macaron have a Jasmine Green Tea hand mask which looks great and is reasonable at £4.99. Holika Holika also have a Baby Silky Foot Mask at £3.95 which I can’t wait to try.
Are you looking to switch up your hair or skincare routine? The great news is my discount code for LOOKFANTASTIC is live again! Use LFTFPAULINA for 20% off at the checkout.
xo!