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5 Skincare Tips for Surviving Winter

  • Skincare Tips for Surviving Winter
  • Skincare Tips for Surviving Winter

5 Skincare Tips for Surviving Winter

Last week I woke up to dry lips – a sure sign for me that colder weather had hit. Winter can be tough on all of us. The combination of lack of sunlight, harsh wind & rain, and cold weather is not ideal. It’s fair to say that we all suffer a little at this time of year. As someone with sensitive skin, I’m always cautious about taking extra care. I thought I’d share my 5 skincare tips for surviving winter with you all.

1. Moisturise like there’s no tomorrow

This is pretty much a given. But did you think about changing up your daily moisturiser? It can be tempting to use up the last of your light summer product, but winter calls for something with a bit more oomf.

Product recommendations: Dr Ceuracle Royal Vita Propolis 33 Cream, The Inkey List Vitamin B, C and E Moisturiser, Dermalogica Awaken Peptide Eye Gel

2. Turn down the heating

Well yes and no. Central heating is pretty much a necessity in the UK during Winter. But it’s pretty dehydrating on your skin. this change can contribute to drying out your skin. If you can set a timer or specific temp, try to stick to this.

Product recommendations: Hey Dewy Portable Facial Humidifier, Panasonic EH-XS01 Facial Steamer

3. Don’t forget to exfoliate

If your skin is dry, it may seem like exfoliating is a no-go but that isn’t the case. Exfoliating is still very important during the winter months, just try not to overdo it. Stick to once a week, and use a gentle, daily exfoliator in-between.

Product recommendations: By Wishtrend Mandelic Acid 5% Skin Prep Water, Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant*, Huxley Sweet Therapy Scrub Mask

4. Look after your hair, hands and lips

Cold weather, harsh winds… it can all contribute towards dry skin, and your hair, hands and lips are no different. They can often be overlooked but they should still be a part of your skincare routine. Basically, just moisturise the hell out of your body this winter!

Product recommendations: LANEIGE Lip Sleeping Mask, Dermalogica Conditioning Hand & Body Wash, Aromatica Rosemary Scalp Shampoo, Hello Sunday the One for Your Hands – Hand Cream Spf30

5. You still need to wear sunscreen!

A lot of people don’t realise that you still need to wear sunscreen in winter. Just because the sun may have disappeared, doesn’t mean it’s harmful UV rays have. Sunscreen is a must all-year-round!

Product recommendations: Shiseido Anessa Perfect UV Sunscreen Skincare Milk SPF50+, Ultra Violette Queen Screen Lightweight Skinscreen Spf50+

Check out more of my skincare saviours and tips here.

Skincare Tips for Surviving Winter
  • Skincare Tips for Surviving Winter
  • Skincare Tips for Surviving Winter
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Tonic 15 x Suitcase The Carry On K-Beauty Kit

Tonic 15 x Suitcase The Carry On K-Beauty Kit
Tonic 15 x Suitcase The Carry On K-Beauty Kit (Worth £143)

My love affair with the Tonic 15 x Suitcase K-Beauty Carry On started through an Instagram ad… as all good relationships do. At the time I couldn’t justify buying it, which worked out pretty well for my friends, as they actually already had the idea of buying me it for my birthday.

I was beyond ecstatic to be gifted it. Not only because I’m a big fan of the Korean beauty industry and Suitcase magazine, but because I also love being introduced to new brands and products. Naturally the pairing of Tonic 15 – a Korean beauty & make-up store, and Suitcase – a travel & lifestyle magazine, was perfect for me.

Tonic 15 x Suitcase K-Beauty Carry On

A collection of eleven specially selected products – some cult classics and some new – this premium edit is teeming with skincare, body and haircare saviours to give you a beauty boost.

Full-size products

Travel size products

Thoughts?

There are three full-sized products included in the Tonic 15 x Suitcase K-Beauty Carry On. Whereas this is great, the selection is a bit odd. I can’t wait to try the ‘gesgep Bare Cream’ & the ‘AROMATICA Root Enhancer’ (the ‘COSRX Advanced Snail 96 Mucin Power Essence’ is already a fave of mine), but I would have liked to see a full-size cleanser in the mix. As for the travel size samples, they’re still a decent enough size that you can get an idea of what the products are like, and whether you want to purchase full-size versions later.

There a great selection of Korean beauty products here, no doubt. The kit is priced at £69 but worth over £143, and it includes a lot of the less “mainstream” Korean beauty brands, which I love to see. I’m beyond excited that I received this for my birthday, but I would have happily purchased it myself. You can buy the full kit at Tonic 15.

Don’t forget to check out more of my beauty recommendations and let me know in the comments which products you’d want to try from the Tonic 15 x Suitcase K-Beauty Carry On.

Tonic 15 x Suitcase The Carry On K-Beauty Kit
Tonic 15 x Suitcase The Carry On K-Beauty Kit
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Lockdown Skincare Faves & Tips | Beauty

lockdown skincare
A selection of my favourite lockdown skincare tips and products

New lockdown regulations were brought in on July 24th, meaning that mean many of us will be spending more time wearing a face mask. For a lot of people with sensitive skin (like myself), it can lead to irritation or breakouts due to fabric rubbing, and a warmer/moister environment on the lower part of your face. And whilst these reactions may be frustrating, obviously wearing a mask and protecting yourself and others is more important. So what can you do?

Lockdown Skincare Tips

Thankfully Dermalogica have put together some top tips for keeping your skin healthy and protected, whilst wearing your face mask.  

How to minimise a breakout:

  • Wear a clean mask every day – if you’re using reusable face masks, make sure you have a couple handy, whilst you clean the others.
  • Avoid wearing makeup underneath the mask – not only do you save time on your makeup, but you can focus on making your eyes shine.
  • Take your mask off regularly, where appropriate, to give the skin some fresh air. 
  • Include anti-inflammatory formulas in your regime that include Salicylic Acid to help decongest pores and reduce breakouts.
  • Apply spot treatment formulas twice a day to increase healing.  
  • Exfoliate skin regularly to reduce congestion and build-up. Try a gentle daily use formula to avoid over sensitising the skin.  
  • Keep skin hydrated with a light or oil free moisturiser to improve the skins defensive barrier.

How to ease redness & irritation from a face mask:

  • Choose a soft breathable cotton fabric – ensure your mask fits well and is not too tight.
  • Avoid artificially fragranced products or those with astringent botanicals as they can increase redness and aggravate the sensitivity. 
  • Keep your regime simple with a gentle creamy cleanser and a hydrating moisturiser.  
  • Include a concentrated soothing serum to aid skin healing and try a replenishing masque for extra calming.
  • Betaglucan from oats and Vitamin B5 are great for reducing inflammation and promoting healing.  

Lockdown Skincare Faves

So with the above in mind, I thought I’d share some of my favourite skincare products that have helped me keep my skin in shape during lockdown. Apologies for using empty bottles and not including some items in my photos, but I need to repurchase most of these.

Don’t forget to check out more of my beauty recommendations.

This post is not sponsored, however the tips were provided by Dermalogica. All words, opinions and images remain my own.

lockdown skincare
Lockdown Skincare
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Spring Beauty Essentials | Recommendations

Spring Beauty Essentials for 2020
Spring Beauty Essentials | Recommendations

With a change of season, comes a change in my beauty routine. Long gone are the cold winter nights, cloudy days and lack of sunlight (well, this week anyway) which brought dry and dull skin. But new obstacles have arisen this year – with hotter weather arriving pretty quickly, and the lockdown leaving us all stuck inside for extended periods of time. Thankfully I am fully prepared this year, as always. My trip to Japan in 2019 introduced me to a variety of new favourites, which I have brought through to this year. That said, I’ve continued to keep my beauty routine pretty consistent in terms of origins & brands – with items coming from the UK, Japan, Korea and France.

I’ll be spending this spring focusing on the basics; healthy skin and giving myself a bit of a break from makeup. Not like I have anywhere to wear it to right now anyway… So without further ado, here are my spring beauty essentials.

Spring Beauty Essentials

Not pictured:

I’ve always been an advocate for taking care of your skin first, and I think that’s pretty apparent with this list. I think the most obvious change from my winter beauty products, is the addition of lighter creams and stronger SPFs. It may not be groundbreaking, but it is practical, and it works.

Don’t forget to check out more of my beauty recommendations and let me know in the comments which products you’ll be coveting this spring.

Spring Beauty Essentials for 2020
Spring Beauty Essentials for 2020
Spring Beauty Essentials for 2020
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Spring Beauty Essentials | My 2019 Recommendations

Spring Beauty EssentialsMy Spring Beauty Essentials | 2019 Recommendations

With a change of season, comes a change in my beauty routine. Long gone are the cold winter nights, cloudy days and lack of sunlight which brought dry and dull skin. New obstacles arise, with hotter days and more time spent outside. Thankfully I am fully prepared this year. My recent trip to Japan helped a lot, as it meant I was able to stock up on some old favourites, as well as some new products I researched before/during my visit. That said, in 2019 I’ve continued to keep my beauty routine pretty varied in terms of origins & brands – with items coming from UK, Japan, Korea and France (amongst others).

I’ll be spending this spring focusing on the basics; healthy skin and hair, fresh scents and a fully prepped base with minimal make-up. So without further ado, here are my spring beauty essentials for 2019.

My Spring Beauty Essentials

I’ve always been an advocate for taking care of your skin first, and I think that’s pretty apparent with this list, as you can see I haven’t added any new make-up products to my cupboard. But I think the most obvious change from my winter beauty products, is the addition of lighter creams and stronger SPFs. It may not be groundbreaking, but it is practical, and it works.

Don’t forget to check out more of my beauty recommendations and let me know in the comments which products you’ll be coveting in spring 2019.

Spring Beauty EssentialsSpring Beauty Essentials Spring Beauty Essentials Spring Beauty Essentials Spring Beauty Essentials

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My Top 5 Korean skin care brands | Beauty

Korean Skin care BrandsMy top 5 Korean skin care brands

South Korean skin care has been making waves across the globe. From 12-step skin care regimes, to innovative products that you won’t find anywhere else. I properly introduced Korean beauty products into my regime a few years ago, and I haven’t looked back since. So much so that I wanted to share some of my favourite brands and products with everyone. Here are my…

Top 5 Korean skin care brands

  • Innisfree
    • Innisfree are a brand with a mission – their aim is to contribute towards lowering carbon emissions, and all of their products are made with at least 70% natural ingredients. They may not have as many ranges as other brand, but what they do have is packed full of quality products.
    • Favourite products: My Real Squeeze Green Tea Mask and Green Tea Balancing Skin care EX
  • TONYMOLY
    • You’ve probably spotted TONYMOLY‘s products before – they come in packaging of all shapes and sizes, including fruits and adorable animals. The brand is so iconic it has made it’s way overseas, and you’ll often find them in TK Maxx and on Cult Beauty.
    • Favourite products: Tomatox Magic Massage Pack and Pureness 100 Sheet Mask.
  • Etude House
    • Probably my favourite brand on the list, Etude House offer a wide range of products for every skincare need – from body, to face, hair and nails. Their packaging is simple but cute, and always on-brand. Plus they have a make-up line that compliments their skincare perfectly.
    • Favourite products: AC Clean Up Spot Patch and Green Tea Nose Patch.
  • Secret Key
  • SKINFOOD

Check out more of my beauty must-haves now!

Korean Skin care Brands Korean Skin care BrandsKorean Skin care Brands

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A Recipe for The Perfect Pamper Session | Beauty

Pamper SessionA Recipe for The Perfect Pamper Session

Whether it’s by yourself or with friends, everyone needs a pamper session every now and again. But I’m not just talking about lighting some candles, putting on some music, and chilling out. Although those are all pretty great for relaxing and taking care of ‘moi’. However I’ve got some of my own tips, and I’ve decided to share some of my favourites with you here.

Get your Nails did

I can’t get enough of doing my nails. In fact I love it so much you’ll find it hard to catch me without a pristine manicure. So it’s only natural that it’s my number one go-to when pampering myself. But not everyone shares my love – point in fact: my best friend VA (chopstickpanorama).  So my tactic is to do her nails for her. And it’s actually pretty relaxing whether you’re the one painting nails, or having them painted.

Recommendation: Nails Inc Mindful Manicure* – each polish is infused with real gemstones, which is said to intensify one’s aura, channel energy, clarify thoughts, and heal. Whether you’re a believer or not, these shades are on point right now.

Snacks, and lots of ’em!

It just wouldn’t be right to not include snacks in this list. Although when I’m having a pamper session, I do like to go the extra mile. For me that means splurging a little on food I wouldn’t usually buy. Such as nice cheeses, cured meats, high quality chocolate, and some prosecco (of course). After all, you’re pampering your body on the outside, so why not inside as well?

Recommendation: Ocelot Chocolate – not only is this chocolate ridiculously stylish, it comes in some amazing flavours too. Where else would you find Bee Pollen & Mango, or Fig & Orange? Delicious!

Face masks are the one

I have been swearing by sheet masks for years, and I can’t sing their praises enough. They’re a fun, and effective way of treating your skin to a little extra care. Whether it’s extra hydration, brightening or anti-ageing – there’s a sheet mask for everything! I normally buy in bulk when I’m in Japan, or my sister and friends send me them from overseas. However a lot of UK brands have cottoned on to their fantastic abilities, and I’ve started dabbling in the options available here too.

Recommendation: Nails Inc Sheet Masks* – I chose these because I love that they have kept their sheet masks fun! A lot of the brands selling them in the UK have chosen to go with plain designs. But let’s be serious, we’d all much rather use skincare that is effective and cute. Also, who needs a Snapchat filter when you got these?

Feel The Good Vibes

Whether it’s watching your favourite movie/tv show, listening to music, or just having a chat. All of these can help keep the atmosphere chilled yet lively. Have a laugh, and if you’re with friends, chat until you’ve run out of things to say!

Recommendation: Netflix – there’s a variety of awesome shows on there, with some of my personal favourites being John Mulaney, What We Do in The Shadows, and Archer.

Pamper Session Pamper Session Pamper Session Pamper Session