If you hadn’t already guessed that I’m a beauty fanatic, then you’re about to.
Every month I try to experiment with new products, from haircare to nail treatments.
I’ve never been the kind of person that has a hero product foundation (not one that lasts longer than a year before I get bored, anyway) and so I am always on the look out for products that are better suited to my skin, features and lifestyle.
Where possible, I look to use organic, cruelty-free and ethical brands.
We all know how important fair products are to our society and our world, and trust me, you’ll feel much better when using them too.
I’ve written before about the paradoxical nature of beauty and mental health, but for me, that’s why my monthly empties are so important – they give me a chance to be really honest about what worked and what didn’t.
As well as what I’ll be buying again, or replacing them with.
I’ll be candid about the fact that although I have a strict skincare routine, sometimes I don’t even feel like washing my face or brushing my hair; and so I’m always on the hunt for products that come with ease, and will always discuss the accessibility of products too.
First Up Is CeraVe’s Facial Moisturising Lotion With SPF 25
Protecting my skin from UV rays is really important to me – especially because I tend to avoid foundation unless I have something special on, and like my skin to look as youthful and healthy as possible. I can’t stress enough how important skin protection is. I am really loving this moisturiser because it’s non-comedogenic and really helps restore the moisture that I’ve lost in my skin throughout the day. When I’m feeling particularly low, I tend to forget about drinking enough water for the day, and you can really see it in my skin, so this is great.
I’ll be using this product again into next month, as it’s come with no nasty side effects that I usually get when trying a new moisturiser. And, it comes at a very reasonable £13.00 (with frequent offers too)
Candy Coat Gel Polish In No. 315
I always like to have my nails painted, it just makes me feel better and more polished. But, when I’m really anxious and my nails are brittle, I find it really easy to pick at them without knowing, and within days they need some serious TLC.
I invested in a gel polish kit a few months ago, so that I could avoid the salon during the pandemic, save a bit of money, and have longer lasting polished claws. I am so glad I made that decision. Painting my nails is really therapeutic to me, and by using gel, I can forget about them for weeks as they last so well.
This is one of my favourite colours. Red is of course, a classic, but being a bit deeper, this colour looks really classy. I file my nails right down to avoid snagging, and it lasts at least 10 days.
I’ll be replacing this colour with a shade closer to a natural nail colour ready for the new year, but the formula is great.
Charlotte Tilbury Charlotte’s Jewel Lips In Walk Of No Shame
So this is the one product I’m newly using that I’m obsessed with. I’ve always been a fan of Charlotte Tilbury products, but this has to be up there with my favourite of her creations. It has the perfect mix of shine, shimmer and pigment. More colour and coverage than a regular gloss, but not as heavy as a liquid lipstick.
I feel really confident wearing this shade, and always feel that I look more awake with a lick of mascara and a swipe of this on my lips. The shade is a gorgeous copper, ruby-red and will suit all skin tones.
I’ll definitely keep using this product, but will probably add a coral shade into my makeup bag next month, to start the spring looks off.
Lastly Is The Strictly Professional Eyelash & Eyebrow Tint In Black
Now this is a bit tricky, because it really is best to have your eyelashes tinted by a professional. But if you watch some tutorials, are really careful, and stay near a sink basin with wet cotton pads, you should be okay.
Tinting my eyelashes has been such an eye opener for me. I’ve been lucky that my lashes are naturally quite long and curly (like my hair), but they’re still quite fair in patches because I’m blonde. By tinting them, I instantly look more awake and don’t ever need mascara unless I’m going out and want a fuller lash look.
It’s really helpful for me to have my eyelashes dyed black, even if it’s semi permanent, because on days where I feel very tired and like I don’t want to do anything, I still feel like I’ve put a bit of effort into how I look.
I’ll hopefully be adding some mascara on my lashes next month, if we’re able to get out and about more. I won’t be replacing the product, as it’s cheap, the colour is strong and it’s a quick process – but am hoping to be putting lashings of mascara on over the top for some evenings out.
That’s it for this month’s skincare and makeup. As there hasn’t really been a need for me to glam up.
