Dear friends. This promises to be a bumper beauty post, as I'll be covering several topics including how to improve your eyebrows, what to do with ever more shocking nails, and the products I've bought recently.
THE BEAUTY NURSERY
The top pic shows my current "beauty nursery" as I call it, which is full of products waiting to be tried. These have not been gifted: they are from beauty boxes I've bought. I may have mentioned before my penchant for buying these.
Retailers like M&S, John Lewis and Cult Beauty often sell these at a discounted price when you reach a certain payment threshold. You can also subscribe to beauty boxes at places like Look Fantastic.
Good Housekeeping gives its subscribers the option to buy their boxes and I've had two recently. They are good value because they include several full size products plus brands like Barbara Sturm and Dr Levy (horrendously expensive), so you can see what you're missing.
I keep small sizes for holidays and travelling. I particularly enjoy using samples of hair products, small tubes of mascara and sachets of face mask when I'm away.
REVIVING DRY WINTER SKIN
After winter, my skin is parched and sallow. My skincare regime has recently changed hugely as a result.
I'm alternating my normal AM balm cleanser with Caudalie's Vinoperfect Mousse Micro-Peeling Éclat, which claims to give a skin brightening effect in 30 seconds.
I follow that with a vitamin C serum, having learned that antioxidants are excellent as an extra layer of protection before sun exposure. I'm about to start using the product which is recommended by all the beauty editors, Skinceuticals CE Ferulic triple antioxidant treatment.
I started using a new moisturiser a couple of weeks ago, Lancôme Rénergie SPF50 HPN Immune Cream. It's aimed at those with dark spots and lax skin. Er, that would be me. I always love Lancôme's products because they feel and smell so luxurious.
SPF CHAT
I've been trying several SPFs recently. Exposing my skin to sun and wind on frequent bike rides, and keeping it free from sun damage, seems to be beyond most SPFs.
I discovered there's a separate category for "medical grade" SPFs. Most of these rely on titanium dioxide which a naturally occurring mineral that forms a physical barrier on the skin's surface. I don't like it when they leave my skin with a white powdery cast, but on the other hand, chemical SPFs (even those at factor 50 with full spectrum protection) don't seem to be very effective unless you're applying them very frequently.
I tried Ultrasun but it dries on my skin and forms crumbs. La Roche Posay's Anthelios, which I used to love, seems to react with makeup, creating pilling. I've got a new medical grade product to try, Skinceuticals Advanced Brightening UV Defense Sunscreen.
I'll report back. Any recommendations?
HELP FOR "CHICKEN SKIN"
Nikki also mentioned a tubing mascara from No 7, which piqued my interest (no panda eyes). I've often looked for tubing mascaras but the brands don't describe them thus, so they're hard to identify. I tried the mascara today and it does what it says: good lashes without the under eye blobs and transfer.
She gave a discount code for 10% off, NIKKI10. I don't know how long it will work but you could try it. It's always fun buying from Boots with all the discounts.
MY NAILS ARE SHOCKING AGAIN
I've literally just started using the ultimate nail rescue package from French brand Manucurist. It's for nails like mine which are damaged, dry and peeling with rough cuticles. Just one application made a huge difference to their appearance.
It's not the first tine my nails have become shocking. I wrote a couple of years ago about how I rescued my nails with a concentrated regime that included a large dose of Biotin each day and using nail serums and cuticle conditioners.
The problem is I got careless. I continually damage the nail of the middle finger with the wretched vegetable peeler. I stopped taking biotin because it was included in a different product I was using, but at a much lower concentration. I sometimes garden without gloves on, and use water that's too hot when cleaning.
Well, I'm back on the wagon again. Manucurist promise an improvement in two weeks, and I'll let you know how it goes. Below: the shameful state of my nails, prior to starting the new regime!
HELP FOR HAIR THAT DRIES NATURALLY
There's been too much emphasis on styling products and tools in my opinion, over the last few years. All that "ironed" straight hair. It broke my heart to walk behind young girls going to my old school, seeing their immaculate long hair. It must take them hours.
It's good to see a return to more natural waves. My hair is actually quite wavy when it gets longer. I used to dry it with a diffuser a few years ago. When it's shorter it becomes more high maintenance and needs blow drying. I'm growing it at the moment and have started letting it dry naturally. I add a little Living Proof Air Dryer when it's damp. (I think that's a terrible name, it makes me think of air fryers). This is the product we've been waiting for. Mind you, my husband often remarks that in my naturally tousled state I look like Wurzel Gummidge!
I shake the tube, pour a little into my hands and apply to the hair, scrunching it into loose waves. When it's dry, my hair isn't crispy, has a nice shine and holds the style.
This is what it looks like.
HELP FOR DISAPPEARING BROWS
I mentioned recently that I tried an interesting eyebrow product while at the Ideal Home Show. Thanks to over plucking, my once generous brows now resemble tadpoles. They're "normal" at the bit near my nose, but they disappear and don't have a tail.
The product I tried is an easy to use powder from independent UK firm KCO Beauty. There's a compact with different shades and a brush, and two stencils, thin or natural. You hold your stencil of choice over your eyebrow, apply some powder to the brush and fill in the gap.
Once I've finished, I slick the brows with a clear gel from MAC which keeps them looking neat. It's very effective. Who needs those tattooed brows or lamination (whatever that is!). Here's the finished result.
Congrats if you got to the end. I'd love to hear your thoughts on any of the products or challenges mentioned. and any other recommendations.
No products were gifted for this post. Everything was bought by me.
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