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

Get a Better Night’s Sleep | Wellbeing & Beauty

Get a Better Night's SleepHow to get a better night’s sleep

Amazingly 6 out of 10 people have difficulty sleeping, and skincare addicts are not exempt! Unfortunately over the past few years I’ve been having trouble with my own sleep patterns. But once again, my favourite skincare brand Dermalogica have come to the rescue. They have partnered with Penguin Random House who have launched a new collection of audiobooks. In particular I was gifted ‘Sleep Tales’. An audiobook which has been developed with the Sleep Council to help you to relax before bed and improve the quality of your sleep. Much like Dermalogica’s Sound Sleep Cocoon – a revitalising gel-cream that transforms skin overnight by optimising night-time skin recovery. Motion-activated encapsulated lavender, sandalwood and patchouli essential oils work all night to promote deep, restful sleep and healthier-looking skin by morning.

Get a Better Night’s Sleep

I’ve been using the Dermalogica Sound Sleep Cocoon* for about a year now, and I love how it feels lighter than your usual nighttime moisturiser when applied, but it works just as well. Worn by itself, I have actually noticed a difference in my sleep pattern as well as my skin. And since I started pairing it with Penguin’s ‘Sleep Tales’ I’ve found myself enjoying a much deeper sleep. Penguin’s Sleep Tales include relaxing sounds like rain, and the sea – two things that I know myself and a lot of people find super relaxing. It’s amazing how something so little can make such a big difference.

If you’re a skincare fan who wants to get a better night’s sleep, or perhaps just add a new product to your regime, Dermalogica’s Sound Sleep Cocoon is the one for you. And it definitely wouldn’t hurt to download Penguin’s Sleep Tales audiobook for those that love some auditory relaxation too.

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The items feature in this post were gifted to me by Dermalogica, however all views, photos and words are my own.

Get a Better Night's Sleep

Let’s talk about sustainability, baby | Fashion

Let's talk about sustainabilityLet’s talk about sustainability

Sustainability is a hot topic in the blogging world right now. I’ll be the first to admit that I do not lead a 100% sustainable lifestyle. But then I also don’t think that’s entirely possible in the current climate. That said, day by day I am making a conscious effort to change the way I eat, shop, live… everyone’s got to start somewhere right?

Fun fact: I actively boycotted several high street brands and food shops when I was a teenager, after hearing about the sweatshops they were running. I guess the activist in me has been stirring for a while…

Let’s talk about sustainability, baby

I probably don’t buy clothes as much as most people; if I’m being extravagant I might buy a new item of clothing once a month. As someone who cares about the quality and story behind the clothes they’re buying, this has made it much easier for me to be sustainable. So when Rokit vintage offered me to come choose a couple of pieces in their Brick Lane store, I was very excited.

Thrift shopping is a great way to introduce sustainability to your wardrobe. Items of clothing are generally one-offs with character, and most of the time they’re the same price, if not cheaper! And you have the added bonus of knowing that you have kept the clothes from being sent to a landfill/your money isn’t funding fast fashion!

I’ve wanted to add a couple of band tees to my wardrobe for a while. But I wasn’t about to go buy a brand new 90s grunge inspired T-shirt from a high street store – that just seemed ridiculous – especially when I could buy an original. Luckily Rokit has a massive selection of original tees, so I grabbed a couple alongside some accessories that I’d wanted for ages (but couldn’t bring myself to buy from a chain store). The t-shirts may have been pre-owned but the quality hasn’t been affected by this, and they’ve fit into my wardrobe with ease. 

If you fancy checking out Rokit vintage clothing for yourself, you can use the code VINTAGE20 to get 20% off any purchase.

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The items feature in this post were gifted to me by Rokit, however all views, photos and words are my own.

Let's talk about sustainability Let's talk about sustainability Let's talk about sustainabilityLet's talk about sustainability

Super Ordinary Life: A Field Guide to Noticing More

Super Ordinary LifeSuper Ordinary Life: A Field Guide to Noticing More

I’ve always been someone who constantly looks around, making my friends and family “go on ahead”, whilst I took photos of an interesting texture, or brightly coloured piles of plastic (etc). That’s not to say I’m pretentious about photography, or that I look down on people who spend their time on a perfectly styled shot. Not at all! In fact I love a good OOTD or product shot as much as the next person. But my true interest lies somewhere else…

Super Ordinary Life 

I first met Yasumi via Instagram. I was enthralled by her photography and the ideology she represented. It was a refreshing break from the influencer-perfect shots that were filling my feed. I felt a connection with #super_ordinarylife straight away.

I think it’s fair to say that Yasumi changed my life. She helped me realise it was ok to express myself in ways that weren’t ‘on trend’, and that the amount of likes or followers you had wasn’t as important as creating something you cared about. At a time when I was struggling with my mental health, it helped bring me clarity and happiness. 

It’s a Zine Scene

Why did I tell you all this? Because I hope it helps you understand just how ecstatic and proud I am to be holding a copy of Yasumi’s debut zine – Super Ordinary Life: A Field Guide to Noticing More – in my hands right now.

The zine is a mindful, fun, engaging approach towards noticing more in our everyday lives. It includes some of Yasumi’s own photography, as well as insightful inserts, and challenges/pointers on capturing your own #super_ordinarylife creations. 

From shadows, to improvisation, and honing your eye. This zine is a gem for any photography lover, or someone that just wants to spend a little bit more time appreciating their surroundings. And if the photography featured in the zine isn’t enough to convince you that you should be noticing more, Yasumi’s carefully chosen words most definitely will. You can purchase the Super Ordinary Life zine here (currently being restocked).

Check out some of my own #super_ordinarylife creations below / find me on VSCO.

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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

Shozo Coffee Store | Tokyo Coffee Guide

Shozo CoffeeShozo Coffee Store | Aoyama, Tokyo | Coffee & Snacks | Map

In the space of five minutes around 10 people stopped by to take photos on our recent visit to Shozo Coffee Store. It’s true, the cafe itself is incredibly Instagram-worthy, but the aesthetic doesn’t feel out of place in the neighbourhood (Cafe Kitsune is just down the road). In short, this coffee shop feels genuine. Which makes it a real shame that only 2 out of the 10 people who took photos actually stopped to grab a coffee/food. Because in a time where cafes are designed ‘for the gram’, Shozo is a breath of fresh air.

Shozo Coffee Store

Located in the stylish neighbourhood of Aoyama, Shozo Coffee Store is just off the main road – yet it feels worlds away from the trendy cafes and fashion houses of Omotesando. The rustic, natural look of the cafe has a uniquely Japanese style inside and out. Oddly it’s a style I’ve not found to be popular in Europe.

Shozo’s ‘branding’ isn’t restricted to the outside though. Step inside and you’ll find an array of baked goods (they’re known for their scones), branded items, and of course high quality coffee. All compacted around two very small seating areas (there’s more outside), albeit it rather stylishly. We tried the cinnamon buns and coffee and bought some coffee jam to take home). The pastries were delicious and the coffee went down a treat, the two together making the perfect combo. With the light filtering through the linen curtains, and the friendly staff smiling and chatting away alongside some gentle background music, we felt a moment of serenity in the midst of busy Tokyo.

If you fancy finding out more, check out Shozo Coffee Store’s Instagram to see their food offerings, and get a behind-the-scenes look at the Tokyo coffee scene.

See more: Tokyo Coffee Guide

Shozo Coffee Shozo Coffee

Tokyo Streets – A Love Affair

Tokyo StreetsTokyo Streets – A Love Affair

This year marks 10 years since my first trip to Japan with Ben (I had been before). We have a lot of history with the country, including studying and living in Tokyo together. So it was quite fitting that we would choose it for our honeymoon location. We caught up with friends, relaxed, and did everything we had on our insanely long list. And of course there was space for one of my favourite activities in Tokyo (apart from eating) – street photography.

Tokyo Streets

We walk a lot, wherever we travel. And we treat the vast Tokyo streets no differently. I’ve always loved Tokyo’s streets – the main ones littered with my favourite stores and restaurants, are of course a must visit, but it’s the small side streets that have stolen my heart over the years. Thanks to my strange sense of curiosity, and my love for street photography, I can walk for miles and not even notice my feet aching…until I find a cute cafe, then suddenly I’m 100% down to sit for a bit.

These particular photos were taken on a walk from Asakusa to Ueno – two locations we frequented during our holidays/living in the city. Yet somehow, no matter how many times we visit, we take a different route each time. Because of this I can’t remember our exact route this visit, but that adds to the charm and mystery of it all. No?

A small disclaimer: a lot of the photos I took and feature in this post were ‘shot from the hip’ as I didn’t want to affect the scene by looking down a viewfinder. Because of this, some of the photos are a bit wonky, but I happen to think this adds authenticity to them.

See more of my Japan travels on my blogAnd if you enjoyed these photos, I’d highly suggest checking out @Super_OrdinaryLife on Instagram – an account and hashtag run by my dear friend Yasumi, who is located in Tokyo.

Tokyo Streets Tokyo Streets Tokyo Streets Tokyo Streets Tokyo Streets Tokyo Streets Tokyo Streets Tokyo Streets