My March Favourites

Hi guys!

So recently I have become addicted to Youtube. Yes, I have all sorts of addictions and they are growing by the day. This one, however, I count as relaxation, as I could listen to the smooth, dulcet tones of Vivianna Does Makeup and Lily Pebbles for eons. It’s just so nice and they’re so nice and I love the whole thing!

As a result of this, I have become quite well acquainted with the whole ‘Monthly Favourites’ thing. Now, I’m not much of a ‘beauty girl’ (definitely wasn’t in high school) and sometimes would prefer to spend my energy elsewhere, such as on creating meaningful things and seeing my loved ones. Priorities, right?! However, I do believe it is important to look after yourself and your skin, and so it is on these grounds that I count this watching as both important relaxation and investment time – as is the subsequent using of the products.

So, what items have I been loving this past month?

First of all, I am officially obsessed with Bioderma Hydrabio H2o. Omigosh. For someone with the supreme, ultimate, pinnacle of sensitive skin, Bioderma is a godsend and a revelation. For those of y’all that don’t know, this is a ‘miscellar water’ in which tiny balls of molecules such as soap are added to water (thanks, Google). It is used to remove makeup and it does a mighty fine job of it. Bioderma started this craze which has recently taken off and produced a bunch of copycats, which is to be expected when a product is this AWESOME. This actually feels like water and does not irritate my skin in the slightest. When I am feeling especially lazy (not that I ever am…) you can actually use this as a wipe-off cleanser aka NO WASHING! Yussss! I don’t enjoy washing my face over the basin, mainly because I never consistently leave a face towel there to help me and end up a squinty, watery mess (although I usually end up doing it anyway). However, this is not necessary with this product. Love it.

Next, I have really been enjoying Nature Republic’s Original Power Energy Ampoule. Yes, it’s another long title from Nature Republic and it is once again worth the hassle and tongue-twisting. I have never used an ampoule in my life and again had to rely on the interwebs to tell me what in Jebus’ name was the point. These things come in glass jars with droppers and it’s all very scientific-looking. Apparently there are highly active ingredients within that should not be exposed to the elements, and it also just looks nice and the glass container feels satisfyingly heavy as well. I love the smell of this stuff and don’t find it to be too sticky at all. I did test the Snail Therapy 80 Ampoule and it just felt like rubbing oil on my face and leaving it there to sit. Not so great. However, this one is a smoother, softer texture, apricot in colour and fruity in scent. Yum! I really look forward to using it at night and like to inject it into my routine every few days for a dose of POWER!

What else? I have really been enjoying using Etude House’s Moistfull Collagen Cream and have been using this as my daytime moisturiser (trying to finish up my L’Occitane Shea Butter Cream before the sticky, humid summer hits and it becomes obsolete for 6 months). Although this is quite a dense cream, I don’t find it to be too heavy on the skin and it sinks in nicely. The lovely Tiffany at Sample Hime alerted me to the fact that collagen apparently cannot be absorbed through the skin (dagnabit), so I have given up believing that part, although I still find this to be a smooth, moisturising and nourishing cream. Plus, I really like how it smells! It’s sort of lemony and fresh and it wakes me up in the morning. Nice one, Etude.

Another up-and-coming favourite, which I initially gave a bad rap that I must backtrack on, is Innisfree’s Camellia Magic Styling Shampoo. This product has come through for me and I am really enjoying it now. The first time I used this, I accidentally put on way too much Moroccan Oil in a bid to somehow get rid of all of the stray frizzy hairs wafting around on my head. Not the way to do it, believe you me. After experiencing the greasiness that comes with a heavy handed hair oil application, that ain’t gon’ happen again. However, since that early naivety, I have carried on with this shampoo and am quite surprised by the results. My hair feels soft, shiny and smooth. I’m glad I gave this a second try and will keep reporting back if anything changes!

Lastly, I have reignited my love affair with Skinfood’s Rice Mask Wash-Off. Mmm, this stuff just smells so good! As I mentioned in a previous post, I bought this a whole ago and then sort of loved it and left it. Oops. But I’m back now! This is a nice gentle exfoliator that smooths my skin out and leaves it feeling fresh but not dried out. Oh, and did I mention it smells amazing? Rice, yum!

That’s it folks, I hope you liked my first Monthly Favourites! I will be doing these every month because God knows I have enough products to last a lifetime. Also, I know I have been sneaky putting up a March video in April but recently I have been in a bit of a brain-fog and I was determined to get this out to you guys, so better late than never! PS. Sample Sundays is coming back this weekend, so stay tuned for that too 🙂

See you soon,

Steph x