Feelgood beauty (aka what I’m wearing in lockdown)
I’ve spent the past few weeks researching beauty routines and rituals and found that while in lockdown, I’ve hardly worn much make up but kept up the skincare because it feels good to do.
That’s not new to me. Even though we’re not meant to be touching our faces, the tactile rituals of skincare – massaging in cleansing balms, hot flannelling off, applying oils and creams – are supremely comforting and the mere act of touch is said to boost dopamine levels.
My thing is hydration. I know ‘actives’ – serums with active repairing ingredients and exfoliators – are the trendy skincare thing but I’m very lucky not to have problem skin. Or maybe I simply don’t mind my pores and so-called flaws. I joke about my elevens (the deep grooves between my eyebrows) but they’re inherited from my dad so I’ve decided they don’t bother me that much. And I’ve been enjoying various face workouts to help de-stress my jaw while kneading in blissful smelling oils.
My morning lockdown routine is to splash with water, followed by serum (sometimes mixed with tanning drops*), a light moisturiser, facial oil and eye cream. Oil is the thing I love most. I’m currently using Nairian Rosehip Day Serum* (below), whose rosehip oil super-ingredient contains omega-6 and omega-3 to strengthen the skin barrier, as well as Vitamin C and antioxidants. This can be used as a serum before moisturiser (applying it to naked skin helps it penetrate), or on top of moisturiser as a sort of make-up primer. I do the latter. I rotate it with Sanoflore Essence Merveilleuse*, which is actually a rejuvenating night oil but lovely in the morning as well. Eye cream is mainly to give my concealer a smooth base so the skin doesn’t drag (I like Bobbi Brown hydrating eye cream* but any light moisturiser will do). I’m still wearing perfume regardless of where I’m going or not going. Anyone else…?
One interesting nugget I’ve noted is that drugstore and pharmacy beauty have been selling well during lockdown, which makes perfect sense while the likes of Sephora, Space NK and co are closed. My local pharmacist is amazing and always gives me samples. Weleda and Dr Hauschka are my pharmacy G-Beauty staples, alongside La Roche Posay for functional stuff like sun cream and eye make-up remover.
Weleda has recently given its organic credentials a big push, I guess to show all the ‘clean beauty’ newbies who was there first. Along with Dr Hauschka, it specialises in biodynamic skincare in which ingredient growers tune into nature’s rhythms and natural systems to produce the purest possible products. I’m enjoying the Weleda Pomegranate Firming Face Serum, which gives an intensive moisture boost while activating cell renewal. Dr Hauschka is my go-to for its aromatic body oils. The Moor Lavender Body Oil is just brilliant for moisturising or massage and the smell is deeply calming.
For make-up, it’s been mostly a light touch of foundation and concealer (both Cle de Peau at the moment), lip balm (Omorovicza) and lipstick blotted on. I’m still using the Chilean Sunset tomato red lipstick by Estee Lauder X Victoria Beckham a few years ago. Any idea what’s going to happen to lipstick if we all have to wear masks going forward? I’m already wearing the barest amount possible…
In related news, while it seems we’re all going super minimal on make-up, both Bobbi Brown and Chanel have been plugging their classics. Chanel with its ‘Irreplacables’ (including the superb Baume Essentiel* and Les Beiges Water Fresh Tint foundation*) and Bobbi with its new Cult Favourite kits (above) launching in July.
And Laura Mercier has just launched its ‘Skin Essentials’ skincare line (below), including a Conditioning Cleansing Oil* and Nourishing Rose Oil*. The line is flagging its ‘clean’ qualities as it’s all formulated without sulphates, parabens, mineral oil and other ingredients deemed unkind to skin. Buy it here*.
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WORDS: Disneyrollergirl/Navaz Batliwalla
IMAGES: Disneyrollergirl; Nairian; Bobbi Brown; Laura Mercier
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