March – Newsletter
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Hallelujah, March is finally here. At times it has felt the longest winter in history and I feel like we are all in need of lighter, longer days and a healthy dose of sunshine. Some of the magnolia trees where we live are already in full bloom and the tulip bulbs I planted have started to flower, so the signs of Spring are all around and I’ve definitely felt a lift in my mood.
All things beauty…
After touching on wrinkles and ageing on my stories the other day, many of you recommended that I try to incorporate facial yoga into my day. So I had an hour long Skype session with Philippa from Luminous Facial Yoga who taught me some facial yoga exercises. I have always used facial massage as part of my nightly beauty regime, but Philippa showed me exercises that would work the muscles in my face to help smooth lines, lift the skin around the eyes, tone cheeks and tighten my neck. Some of them are great to do while you are cleansing or moisturising, but many of them can be fitted in throughout your day. I have found that the best time for me is when I am in the car. I am still learning all of the exercises and trying to remember them, but it gets a little easier every day. One of the exercises, called ‘The Lion’ I make sure that I do with Charlie because it makes us howl with laughter!
If this is something that interests you, do have a look at a subscription to Luminous Facial Yoga. At just £2.99 a month, it costs the same as a coffee, and their site is full of great articles, videos teaching you the moves and plenty of exclusive discounts on products.
I have also started using my NuFace Line Smoothing Device again. It only takes 2/3 minutes every night and it definitely works. But like everything from pelvic floor exercises to body stretches to taking vitamins and drinking water, all of these things are just another thing to remember and I find I go through good phases of doing things, then end up forgetting. However looking in the mirror recently is a great reminder to try and keep these things up!
Brow Lamination
I had my brows laminated 3 weeks ago with Thea Beauty and have been so thrilled with the result. I will definitely have it done again. Your eyebrows are essentially permed upwards to give them a fuller appearance, but the result is very natural. I use Benefit Gimme Brow (£22.50) to set them in place and add colour and I use this brow oil (£22) to condition them every night. The setting lotion can leave them feeling a little crispy, so daily conditioning is essential. I have also started using a new lash growth serum, which I will report back on when I see results. (I’ve only been using it 3 weeks and I think it’s around 4 weeks before you notice a difference)
My Current Favourite Beauty Products
I thought I would share ten current favourite beauty products. Some of these are new to me, others I have been using for a while.
- Tan Luxe Super Glow – £35. I can’t recommend this product enough. Not to be confused with the Tan Luxe drops which you can mix in with your moisturiser, this is a hydrating serum which I apply in the morning and by lunchtime I’ve got the glow. It feels great on the skin, sinks in quickly and doesn’t pill. (Pilling is when a product that is applied topically starts ‘balling up’) So perfect for this time of year when we are all feeling in need of some colour.
- Olaplex Number 3 Hair Perfector – £26. I have been using this every Saturday for the past few weeks and I really notice a difference in the way my hair feels afterwards. I try to leave it on for a good few hours. I have heard such great things about the shampoo and conditioner, so I might treat myself to those soon.
- Erborian BB Cream Nude – £37 I was sent this as a PR sample at the beginning of January, and have used it ever since. I’ve since tried other Erborian products and have been hugely impressed by all of them, but particulary the new Milk Cleansing Balm. (£26)
- Augustinus Bader The Cream (£205) Professor Augustinus Bader is one of the world’s leading stem cell and biomedical scientists, and the originator of a breakthrough medical treatment that activates and orchestrates the body’s innate regenerative processes. Until now, stem cell science has focused on removing stem cells to work with them outside the body, or using foreign stem cells from plants and animals. Professor Bader’s technology works with the body’s own stem cells, activating them in situ, boosting them, and committing them to generate the correct, healed tissue. I was given a bottle to try and I really wish I didn’t love it as much as I do, as £205 for a bottle of moisturiser is a little out of my league. You can read all about Augustinus Bader here.
- Bobbi Brown Crushed Oil Infused Gloss – £19 These are new to the range and are wonderfully moisturising and glossy without being sticky. My favourite shades are ‘In the Buff’ and ‘New Romantic’
- Chanel Soleil Tan – £40 This has become my hero makeup product. I have tried SO many bronzers and this has overtaken all of them. It lasts forever and unlike powder bronzers leaves your skin matt, sunkissed and glowing. I use a large Kabuki brush to apply it which is very similar to this one. (£22)
- Honest Beauty Mascara – £19. This is my new favourite Mascara, which includes a primer to lift and lengthen the lashes. It doesn’t clump, isn’t a nightmare to get off at the end of the day and ticks all the mascara boxes for me.
- Dior Nail Glow – £21 If you are a fan of natural nails, then this is a really lovely treatment nail varnish that makes pink pinker, and brightens nail tips for an instant French manicure.
SHOP THE PRODUCTS
What I’m watching…
The Morning Show (starring Reese Witherspoon and Jennifer Anniston) exclusive to Apple TV. I devoured this and cannot wait for Series 2.
Sex Education Series 2 – Loved Series 1, Loved Series 2.
Schitts Creek – (Netflix) This is what I call my go to feel-good filler show. I dip in and out when I need a little light relief.
Cobra – (Now TV) – Another series I devoured and really enjoyed but I thought the final episode felt rushed. This usually happens when they are setting up a second series, so I’ll still give it a big thumbs up.
The Split – (BBC Iplayer)- I have just started Series 1 and I am really enjoying it so far.
What’s new ?
I am completely in love with my new Wyse London skirt. It’s one of those pieces that makes you feel special when you put it on. Size wise, I am wearing ‘1’ which I would say is the equivalent of a size 6. As it is a zip closure, I would consider sizing up if you want it to sit lower on your waist. Don’t forget you can use code CHLOE10 for 10% off this skirt.
I have parted with a lot of my wardrobe recently (like 50%!) and it has made getting dressed so much easier in the morning. Being able to see everything you own and having fewer options means you end up wearing the pieces you love more.
What did I do with the clothes?
I took my high street items to a local charity shop, but the higher end pieces I have sold through the lovely ladies at Your Preloved Stories (@yourpreloved_stories on instagram) and I promised myself that I would invest in a pair of shoes with the money from the sales. These Hermes slides are what I decided to spend the money on, and I really love them, but I have to say that they are not as comfortable as I had hoped they would be. I am hoping they will soften, but I think there’s a lesson in patent leather. It will never be as soft as leather. It’s too late for me to send them back, so I will wear them in, but I thought it was useful to share this info!
What’s on my lust list?
Finally, I thought I would share the pieces that have caught my eye recently. I am looking for a chunky gold necklace and really love the look of this one from River Island. I do have this one from Stories, which I love, but I wanted something a little bolder. With more fashionable jewellery pieces like this, I do find that the high street comes up trumps. Some of my high street pieces have kept their colour longer than more expensive vermeil pieces. If you are looking for a trench coat (seriously, the best coat you can own in the Spring/Summer) then look no further than this beauty at Mango.
I hope you’ve enjoyed this ‘bit of everything’ post. As always, thank you for taking the time to click through and read. I really love this little space and I am glad that you do too!
Much Love, Chloe x
