One, where I talk about new skin, hair and body favourites!
Foreword
I don't post "favourites" on a monthly basis, but whenever I accumulate enough gems to fit into a single post, I am always excited to share them with you guys. I truly hope to inspire you today! I will publish a separate "makeup" edition a bit later this month and other than that, please keep on scrolling!
Products marked with (*) are PR samples. Review is not sponsored; full disclaimer here.
Although my skin is pretty dry, whenever summer comes around, I tend to gravitate towards lightweight/gel moisturizers. A) they absorb easily; B) they mix well with my "heavier" sunscreens, makeup primers and foundation. My absolute favourite must be Caudalie Vinosource Moisturizing Sorbet (*).
I spoke about this formula a few times before, but this is what I love the most about this product: it is oil-free and works for all skin types; it has a delicious cream-gel consistency and is packed with antioxidants to strengthen and smooth your skin. Plus Caudalie is one of the cleanest skincare brands you will ever find; it is vegan, non-toxic and free of all the well known nasties.
I have been using Vinosource range religiously for what seems like years now and find that my skin is extremely happy with all of the natural ingredients (organic grape water in particular) and I could not recommend this moisturizer enough!
A newer discovery though, one that I am so (here comes the word) obsessed with is Dr.Jart+ Ceramidin Cream. I feel like all of the British YouTubers I watch are cuckoo about it and since Institut Esthederm discontinued my favourite nighttime moisturizer (don't you just hate when brands do that?), I figured it was a good idea to try something new. And. I. Don't. Regret. It. Even. One. Bit!
I haven't tried that many products from the brand, but this cream is perfect for people with dry skin. The formula is infused with ceramides (aka lipid molecules that hold skin cells together), that should protect, plump and nourish your skin all at the same time. Ceramides are known for retaining moisture and this is great news for someone with dehydrated, easily irritated skin (translation: moi).
This cream has an interesting brownish tint and pleasant natural scent (think spa and herbs). Little goes a long way and I am happy to report that although this formula is quite rich, it never feels greasy/heavy/sticky on the skin. It is balmy, smooth and I always notice just how healthy and radiant my face looks whenever I choose to use it overnight.
I just came back from a short trip to Europe and three flights plus one long train ride after, my skin did not become flaky (like, at all). Miracle or what? I will certainly repurchase this baby as soon as I run out of it. Ceramidin Cream is a great hassle-free and clean product that is worth the hype 100%.
I did not get any spots during my one-week holiday, but I still suffer from quite a few angry hormonal bumps now and again. What is even worse, they sit deep under my skin, so I can't really do much about them except use a powerful spot treatment like Origins Super Spot Remover Blemish Treatment Gel.
I feel like mine has an older packaging, but who cares when the formula is this potent! The key ingredient here is almighty Salicylic Acid. It does not just reduce your wrathful friends by 50% overnight, but will also help with post-acne scarring and darkening of the skin. Apply a very small amount of gel to your active spots, give it 10-15 minutes to fully absorb/dry down and now you're ready to count your sheep (Origins will take care of the rest). This product does tingle on the skin for a minute or so, however, it is perfectly safe and should cause no irritation. Also it is very gentle, so will not lead to a flaky skin situation around a blemish.
This gel is pretty much clear; even if you use it around your beloved SO, he/she won't notice. This takes me back to when I shocked my ex with a face full of white dots (I have been using a white pasty spot cream at the time). Let me tell you - he was shocked, I was shocked, my pillows were shocked (hello stains). None of that would have happened if I had Super Spot Remover at the time. Plus, I feel like I experience almost no scarring or post pimple darkening whenever I use it. It is amazing and tiny little bottle will last you a while! P.S. I only use it at night and never under makeup.
You might already know my undying love for BeautyBlender and I really like that the brand collaborates with various makeup moguls to create fun kits for us to try. That being said, I have been really enjoying my BeautyBlender x Too Faced Beauty Sleep Set lately (*).
Here you get two travel-sized Too Faced bestsellers: Hangover Replenishing Face Primer and Hangover 3-in-1 Replenishing Primer & Setting Spray. Plus one full-sized BeautyBlender Bubble, as well as a tiny little Micro Mini Bubble (both limited-edition colours).
I guess this kit belongs in makeup favourites, but frankly speaking two primers here can be easily worn alone for that added boost of hydration (in the morning or even middle of the day), while you pretty much get your big BeautyBlender for free. I now started using Micro Mini version and must say it gives me a better access to all the nooks and crannies under my eyes plus a better overall blend. I only wish the face primer was a bit bigger, but other than that - a great way to play with new products!
If you remember my Let's Talk About Hair article, then you know I am not a huge fan of rubbing a ton of leave-in products into my scalp. However, my second-day roots can get a bit oily, which I have two solutions for: braid or use OUAI Dry Shampoo (*).
I often have work events two-three days in a row and no time to wash or re-style my hair every single morning. I do not use dry shampoo all that much, but when I want to revamp my mane and zhoosh things up a bit - I go for OUAI. Firstly, it leaves NO white residue, which for someone with black hair, is a very big deal! Secondly, it is airy and smells really nice. Thirdly, it absorbs oil incredibly well and even gives me a bit more volume, which I can't really complain about (the more, the merrier).
My normal/fine hair loves it and I am so glad that I no longer have that stinging second-day hair dilemma. Blast, fluff and straight out the door!
A new discovery in the haircare department was Franck Provost J'aime My range (*). I received a lovely set of shampoo and conditioner for very dry and sensitive hair (sounds about right) and must admit that I have been liking both products so far. Of course they did not replace my OUAI or Alterna goodies, but it is always nice to see what else is out there and in this respect J'aime My duo turned out to be very enjoyable. The brand created six different sets for people with specific hair concerns. You have new products for coloured, damaged, dry, fine, blond and even stressed hair. You can always read more about the range on the brand's website here and other than that, if you are on a hunt for new haircare bits and bobs, look this way.
Continuing with the theme of keeping things light for summer, I have also switched to The Body Shop Body Yogurts lately (*). If you loved the brand's original Body Butters, yet still found them to be a bit too heavy for the hot season, you will really love the new yogurt-format. These are basically whipped, gel-like vegan body moisturizers that come in a plethora of scents to spice up your summer. I go through these puppies like nobody's business! At first I was a bit unsure whether they would hydrate my lizard skin enough, but they do and never feel sticky/oily/greasy, which is another bonus. Now there is no excuse to not moisturize your body throughout summer! If you enjoy lightweight body products - give these a go and thank me later!
While we are on the topic of bodycare, I want to give an honourable shout-out to LUSH Shower Gels. I think we all love the brand, but there is just something so invigorating about their shower products. These little guys are made out of fresh fruits, natural floral blends and essential oils. They smell absolutely incredible (Plum Rain, Happy Hippy and Rose Jam are my favourites) and will never strip your skin or dry it out (basically my worst nightmare). I did notice a massive difference in my skin after I switched to LUSH: I no longer get tiny little bumps on my arms and my legs too feel so much smoother and I don't get as many ingrown hairs as I used to. In two words - don't even sleep on it!
Last but not least, let's talk about sunscreen sprays for a second. I never knew it was even a thing, until I spotted a new release: Vichy Ideal Soleil is every [lazy] girl's dream. At the moment you can only find it in Europe, but here is what I love about this new range so much: you just shake the bottle, spray it all over face and body and call it a day.
There are a few different variations of this product, but Hydrating SPF 30 version with Hyaluronic Acid (hey bae!) is my personal favourite. When you look at it, you will see that it is half water, half oil (think eye makeup remover) so you do need to give this product a good shake before using. The liquid is pretty much clear, so you will not see it on the face or body. I often spray it first into palms of my hands and then gently press the liquid all over my face and it does sit so well under makeup. Feels quite watery and hydrating.
Ideal Soleil is a bit pricey for a sunscreen, but hey! I think it is totally worth it and will last you at least a few months if not more (depends on where in the world you live). It does protect you from both UVAs and UVBs and will not stain clothes; as a matter of fact it gets absorbed in a second! Great solution for busy girlbosses on the go.
For Caudalie, Dr.Jart+, OUAI, Origins and BeautyBlender check out your nearest Sephora store, sephora.com (North America)
or sephora.ae (Middle East)
