Now that we’re in our third lockdown, I feel like I’ve almost got a routine in place for before they start. I do a big shop, I make sure the cupboards are full, and then I make sure I get my brows waxed and tinted. It sounds crazy that it’s such a priority, but during the weeks (and weeks) of lockdown, having brows, which just need a little brow gel makes me feel (and look) much more pulled together.
The trick is just to tweeze my brows as they start to grow in, and for maximum precision, I’ve been loving the Heaven Teaser Tweezers, which are seriously sharp, as well as having a comb on the other end. It’s perfect for getting your brows perfectly shaped before you get to grips with stray hairs. It’s such a lifesaver for these weeks between appointments, and they’re so precise, I don’t need to worry about giving myself a weird bald spot in the middle of my brows. Instead, I can keep them relatively tidy, so it’s not a massive job getting them back to best once lockdown lifts.
Heaven by Deborah Mitchell Teaser Tweezers are priced at £14.50 and are available here.
When it comes to New Year Resolutions, I’m not the best at them. I always want to do too much, and it can get a bit overwhelming about about January 3rd, so this year, I’m just resolving to take a bit better care of everything. From my work schedule to my daily routine, as long as I’m doing a bit better than normal, I’ll be happy, and when it comes to my daily regime, Charlie Miller haircare is making taking better care of my ends super easy. Their range of shampoos and conditioners are 100% Paraben free, and they’re safe to use even if you’ve got extensions in. With formulas for adding hydration, volume, and even a purple option to banish brassiness, I’ve been loving using their volumizing formula shampoo and moisturising conditioner each morning. As you might expect from such an established hairdresser, their formulas are seriously on point. Specifically formulated with Jasmine Extract, Organic Calendula Flower Extract and Organic Sage Oil to help lock in moisture, soothe a dry and flaking scalp and encourage new hair growth, whilst promoting healthy hair, it’s basically a great hair day bottled.
Once I’m out the shower, I’ve been trying to use as little heat as possible on my hair on a daily basis. On days when I do need to make a bit more of an effort (or, if I have to hop on a Zoom call) I’ve been really enjoying playing with Charlie Miller’s new styling products. On still wet hair, I’ve been using a few sprays of the new Volume Spritz – a lightweight product which gives my fine hair a real boost. The formula contains Jasmine Oil for extra shine, and it smells absolutely incredible too! Combined with a round brush blow out, it leaves my hair looking healthy, full and super bouncy – exactly how I want to face 2021!
When it comes to Christmas, I love adding a little treat or unexpected surprise into gifts, and this year, I’ve fallen a bit in love with Edinburgh-brand The Shortbread House. Baked in the capital, each of their biscuits are hand cut, and honestly, they are the tastiest biscuits I think I’ve ever tasted.
Packaged in the most beautiful tubes, decked out in designs by London designer Sara Miller, the shortbread makes for such a lovely Christmas gift. The brand make biscuits for everyone from Harvey Nichols to Fortnum & Mason, so you know they’re top tier. Enjoyed with a cup of tea or coffee, they are such a festive treat!
The Shortbread House’s Sara Miller designed tubes are priced at £10 and are available here.
When it comes to gifting, there’s nothing quite as glorious as a present which feels like a real indulgence. And honestly, there’s nothing quite as luxurious as a silk accessory. Edinburgh-based Artem Luxe has one of the most beautiful selection of goodies I’ve come across, which are perfect for festive gifting.
Silk is one of the best things you can sleep on – it’s far more gentle on both skin and hair, not to mention, it feels super-special to enjoy. As someone with wavy, dry hair, my hair tends to frizz and knot up overnight, but when I use the Artem Luxe pillowcase (£65), it stays so much tidier. Artem Luxe use 100% Mulberry Silk in their products, which is machine washable on a gentle setting, and it looks absolutely beautiful too.
For the ultimate evening-in, I’ve been absolutely obsessed with the Mulberry Silk Sleeping Mask (£38). The Pearl shade is just breathtakingly beautiful, and I feel so fancy getting to use it in the evening. After cleansing, I make sure my moisturisers have fully absorbed (usually about an hour after applying) before using the mask, as I’m obsessed with keeping it pristine, and it’s so, so lovely to use. The silk feels heavenly, and it effectively blocks out every peep of light, so I love to use it on nights when I want to enjoy a lie-in the next morning. On the evenings I use the mask, I sleep so, so well and the mask is incredibly comfortable to wear too.
When it comes to holiday gifting, few companies do it better than Kiehl’s. Not only are their products a sure-fire win, but the fact that you can pop into one of their delightful stores and pick-up a limited edition version of a favourite, or a box filled with them, makes Christmas shopping an absolute breeze.
Their Facial Favourites for All Gift Set is an absolute winner no matter who you’re buying for this Christmas. All wrapped in a beautiful red box, there are four of the brand’s best-loved products which will keep skin glowing throughout 2021.
For someone with dry skin like mine, the Facial Favourites is pretty much a godsend. The Calendula Deep-Cleansing Foaming Face Wash is a glorious cleanser which leaves skin feeling fresh, but not stripped, and the Calendula is wonderfully soothing (perfect for combatting winter-weary skin).
The Calendula Herbal Extract Alcohol-Free Toner is another staple of mine. The bottle comes complete with calendula petals and has been a brand staple since the 1960s! Since there is no alcohol in the formula, it’s great for soothing skin, and it leaves it feeling perfectly fresh. I love it as a morning option, so my skin can look and feel it’s best all day long.
Kiehl’s Face Masks are some of my favourites, and their Rare Earth Deep Pore Cleansing Masque is perfect for my weekly at-home facial. The 5ml pot is tidy enough to slip into a travel bag (when we’re actually allowed to travel again) and it means I can enjoy a bit of a treat when I’m away for work. The masque’s formula contains Amazonian Clay to draw out toxins and minimise pores, so it’s amazing for leaving skin looking it’s best!
Last (but certainly not least) in the line-up is Kiehl’s Ultra Facial Cream. It’s a moisturiser I’ve used consistently for about 10 years, and it’s a product which I always love to use. Lightweight but incredibly hydrating, it’s the perfect moisturiser for when my skin is feeling a bit sensitised. Despite giving skin a real whack of hydration, it’s not greasy or overpowering. Instead, skin just looks and feels nice and glowy all day long.
Kiehl’s Facial Favourites for All is priced at £44.50 and is available here (UK) and here (US)
