Every body (and I mean “every body”, not everybody) has it’s own specific little eccentricities and foibles that it’s owner will spend years, maybe the rest of their lives trying to solve.
You will develop your own list of favourite products and activities that help solve, minimise or rectify these minor “imperfections”. Sometimes a random impulse purchase or recommendation can spring you onto the product that you’ve been looking for all these years that solves a major irritation.
So, in order to play my own small part in this process I thought I might start sharing with you some of the products that have become must haves in the Retro Chick arsenal.
Starting with my top 5 beauty buys:
1. Carmex Lip Balm
I think the first time I bought this was about 10 years ago. I impulsively grabbed a pot from next to the counter in Top Shop and never looked back. I get very dry lips and I love that this doesn’t immediately slide off taking my make up with it, like I find Vaseline does. It lasts, as well, meaning I don’t have to reapply it every 10 minutes and I love the tingling sensation on my lips.
It also has uses you might never have thought of! Its minty scent means I have used it occasionally much as you might use Vicks. As it’s also moisturising and soothing I rub it on my poorly red stuffed up nose when I have a cold. I also use it to block out nasty smells (I went to York on holiday, got food poisoning, thought I was better and visited the Jorvik centre complete with “authentic” Viking smells. Suddenly I didn’t feel so good. Carmex to the rescue!)
I favour the version in the pot, and it’s been around since 1937, so I’m not the only one!
2. Ponds Cold Cream
Introduced in 1914 Ponds Cold Cream is another beauty classic.
I have skin that somehow manages to be insanely greasy the minute I apply moisturiser, but if I don’t goes dry and flaky. Ponds Cold Cream is a recent addition to my beauty regime, and I don’t think I’ll ever look back. I apply a thick layer over my face and then remove with a hot flannel. It removes all make up, including waterproof mascara and has been amazing for my picky skin, seeming to balance it out slightly. I’ve also suffered from fewer break outs since I started using it, and the ones I do get seem to disappear quicker.
3. Lush Bath Melts
This isn’t a luxury that I can use every single day, but if I want to treat myself to an indulgent bath this is what I’ll buy. My favourite is Ceridwyn’s Cauldron, which melts to leave behind a muslin bag full of oats to scrub your skin with.
I also like the name as it makes me feel a bit like a witch, maybe I’m performing a lovely skin spell (or maybe not).
I love Lush products because they feel like the “home made” solution for the busy modern world. When I was a kid I read endless beauty manuals that would often advise me to do things like fill my bath with oats, wash my hair with beer or make my own face masks out of avocado. With Lush I don’t have to make such a mess as they’ve done it all for me and put it neatly in a pot.
4. Lush Fresh Face Masks – Cosmetic Warrior
Again, this isn’t something I can afford to use all the time as it’s about Ā£6.45 for a small pot. To be honest, I don’t really need to, If I’m having hassles with spots, this is my go to product. (seriously, I’m 30, shouldn’t the advantage of getting wrinkles be NOT getting spots?) I find that using it twice a week will clear my skin up and I then won’t need to buy another pot for a few months.
Plus it has the added advantage of being all fresh and preservative free.
5. Clinique Sparkle Skin Body Exfoliator
I absolutely adore this stuff, but at Ā£18.50 a tub it’s something I only use when I get it as a gift/win the lottery/decide not to eat. A tub last AGES though so it’s excellent value for money.
The particles are small, but densely packed into a thick cream that sticks on your hands and body. This means it doesn’t get wasted by falling all over the floor of the shower. It leaves my skin feeling cool and smooth. Love it.
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