The products that saw me through lockdown

Restrictions are starting to ease for the most part. So much so that I ordered things online, forgetting that I could pick up beauty essentials in the supermarket or an actual shop. For many of us, buying habits when it comes to beauty products have changed dramatically, even indefinitely. Why head into a high street when most of what you ‘need’ can be found online?

Much to my husband’s despair, I’m not short of a few products. So the last 3 months have been spent using a lot of what I already had. I have no shame in admitting that products give me joy and there have been a few ‘product champions’ that I thought I would share here.

Ultrasun SPF 30 Face

SPF

I wrote a whole blog post on this but the UK gifted us some serious sun. So much so that I’m on my 3rd bottle of SPF for my body

1. Ultrasun products are excellent. Whether you’re sensitive, oily, intolerant, like a bit of shimmer or prefer gel, there is something for everyone. I used the Tan Activator for body and face and it’s not greasy, didn’t make my skin react and most importantly, I didn’t burn and it kept my pigmentation in check
2. Australia Gold SPF 30. This was a nostalgia purchase on Amazon. The scent takes me right back to Cancun 2012- think coconut/pina colada and it’s seriously non-oily and smoothing.
3. Bondi Sands SPF50+. I just bought this off lookfanstastic.com and I’m a believer in Australian suncreams being some of the best. Again, there’s a coconut scent but waiting for the next sunny day to really test it out.

Bioderma Sensibio Micellar Water

Micellar Water

For me, Bioderma Sensibio is a holy grail cult product. The brand VERY kindly gifted me a 500ml bottle back in March and it’s only just getting to the end now- I’ve already repurchased. It’s the only micellar water that works for me and removes eye makeup, face makeup, and I use it first thing in the morning to get that sleepy sheen off and a first cleanse in the evening to shift SPF and product. (I’ve been a bit lax on the second cleanse- reading Caroline Hirons’ new book has got me back on track!)

By Terry Cellularose Brightening CC Serum in Sunny Flash

A little luxury

There’s only been one product that I had a splurge on but in my defence there was 20% off. By Terry products are truly beautiful and their textures and fragrance are indulgent, with most feeling like your are wrapping yourself in rose petals. Even the makeup products have skincare benefits in them such as hyaluronic acid. I treated myself to the Cellularose Brightening CC Serum in Sunny Flash which is described on By Terry’s website as: ‘Infused with radiant rose stem cells, this illuminating primer creates a flawless base with no coverage. ‘Optical glow’ technology blurs imperfections, evens out the skin tone, and neutralizes redness. Deeply hydrated, skin looks visibly brighter and positively glowing. Glides on effortlessly. Available in 4 shades. Flatters all skin tones. Lightweight serum texture. Easily buildable.‘ This is a claim that completely holds true for me. I’ve used it on its own and I’m amazed at the reflection in the mirror. It can be a primer, mixed with your usual foundation or worn by itself. This particular shade (there are 3 others), Sunny Flash, is recommended by the brand for darker skin tones to give glow but if like me you’re more on the fair side but develop some colour in the summer- this will work well.

Faith in Nature Grapefruit & Orange Body Wash

Body products

Despite not being able to go anywhere, I’m still body brushing every day. Combined with an uplifting shower gel and scrub, it makes a usually monotonous shower a little more indulgent. Faith in Nature shower gels have some great fragrances but my favourite has to be grapefruit and orange. Uplifting, fresh and a summer holiday in a bottle (because that’s all we’re getting). They’re made in the UK, 99% natural origin and this July to get people reducing plastic, they’ve launched 5-litre bottles. Beauty Pie have also launched a new dry oil body scrub ‘Soul Providers’ which is also a citrus delight- with Grapefruit, Lemongrass, Black Pepper and Apricot Oil.

What have been your hero products of the last 3 months?

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