vanity notes #2
February in skincare terms; less patience, (need for) more make up. The good, the bad, and the why-did-I-buy-this...
February is doing what February does best; the heating is cranked up, the weather outside is bleak and my skin is caught firmly in the middle - not knowing whether it's coming or going. Dry patches where there shouldn't be, a dullness that no amount of sleep seems to fix (without help) and a general sense that my complexion is annoyed with me.
So this month's newness is very much in service of damage control — the products I've been reaching for when my skin needs serious intervention but still wants to feel pampered rather than medicinal.
This month I changed up quite a lot; quite a lot of things finished and I thought I’d use it as an opportunity to test out some gifted products. I feel like it’s collectively all working really well but lets do individual reviews… Broken down into long term (or repeat) things and things that are new to me…
I’ve been given a sample of Irene Forte’s Hibicus Overnight Serum. It claims to tackle “fine lines & wrinkles, dehydration, loss of firmness, and redness” which is right up my street. Have to say, I think it’s very good. I’ve used it four or five times now and each time I’ve felt like my face is taught and slimmer than when I went to bed. This makes sense, it has an ingredient called Myoxinol in it (their formula, which takes a lot to patent). It works by “relaxing muscle contractions, providing a natural alternative to injectables”. It isn’t cheap but if I had a big event (wedding etc) I would absolutely invest in this in the run up to it. I’m impressed!
Zing Toothpaste - If you’ve been served a billion adverts for this, you are not alone. One evening in January I was weak and placed an order for the peach and kiwi toothpastes. Remarkably, they’re really tasty. It is weird to not experience minty freshness after cleaning your teeth. I’ve also noticed a stain on one of my front teeth has gone. Would I buy it again? I think so.
It is rare that I really get excited about a brand launch; I feel pretty well covered with the ones I know. But when I got an email to say Inn Beauty Project was coming from the US to Sephora UK, I did an internal squeak. The extreme eye cream and calm the red down serum is extremely good (the latter is something I regularly get asked to bring back to the UK by my rosecea plighted friends).
I’m back using Sweed Beauty’s eyelash serum as a friend showed me her before and afters. I’ve usedit before and had to stop because my lashes were hitting the skin above my eye. I want to try and get even lashes across my lid.
I went to Aveda in Covent Garden for my usual haircut and Sergio treated me to a Botanical Repair treatment. Guys, if you have dry, splitting hair this is for you. I bought one at the checkout and am doing it weekly. Determined to keep my hair strong now I’ve had a bit of a chop (also stocked up on Phomollient, its expensive but the only mousse that doesn’t discolour my hair and holds a curl well).
I’ve put together a little summary of favourite hair care here. I am very particular with my shampoos etc having gone over to the dark side and only using premium ones. This is because I feel they are what makes all the differences. I’ve just finished a very good Olaplex one, and am using Champo again to support hair growth (I am in my “thick head of hair” era).
Having gone to Selfridges for beauty lesson (my friend Lou booked it and I’d whole heartedly recommend - you get the cost of it back in credit to spend) I am in my lip liner era. I never thought it was for me; I feared I’d look like Vikki Pattison from Little Britain. Turns out theyre on to something; they really do things for my lips! I’ve bought two so far; a Lisa Eldridge one and a Rhode one.
I also discovered this magic, magic, MAGIC stuff that’s meant to be for lashes but I use for brows. Probably the best discovery so far. The make up artist at Selfridges recommended it and it is SUCH a good tip! Goes on white and dries clear.
First, a hand cream rec. If you still don’t get hand cream - come back to this when you have the moment when you realise your hands don’t look like they used to. I am a hand cream obsessive. I’ve just finished the Chanel Le Lift one and am very sad - I’m not sure I’ll repurchase as it’s very expensive (it was a gift) but do think It’ll live in my “nice gifts to buy significant people” as it’s a gorgeous thing to own.
Three budget friendly recommendations (that I’ve seen results from) include; Salt and Stone (just finished this and reordered), L’Occitane Immortelle (particularly good for sun spots/pigmentation) and Beauty Pie’s Super Retinol (truly erases fine lines and aging).
I am still loving the Vintner’s Daughter cleanser, I will be very sad when it finishes. Using it creates the illusion you’ve been to a spa, albeit for 30 seconds. Trying this has taught me a lesson; not to discount botanical brands in favour of medicinal-like ones. This really is excellent.
Me and body cream are best friends right now. Especially now I’ve found good ones. I finished a tube of Iraye’s Body Serum and it was very, very good. My skin really did feel firmer and less dimpled. Really rate that brand, an excellent 2025 discovery.
Finished yet another UBeauty arm serum and am now weighing a remortgage to buy more. Is it worth the hefty price tag? Well, my arms are decidedly less floppy when I use it.
I have to say, an absolute non negotiable for me is keeping up using two things from Medik8. The ceramide retinol eye serum (I use the 10 strength now) and the peptide serum. I rolled my eyes when I read the claim that it reduces wrinkles in ten minutes but it does. I use the eye cream morning and night and the peptide serum before I apply make up. It makes everything sit on my skin so much better and I don’t seem to react to wearing make up as much, so I think it’s doing something for my skin barrier too…
I am back using Beauty Pie’s Triple Hyaluronic because I really think it’s the best for dehydrated skin (dryness or expanded pores indicate this). Hydrated skin also responds better to all other skincare too, so it’s a good all rounder. They’ve just brought out a sheet mask too - music to my ears. My skin was very happy I’ve it to one of these, one of few I’d rate.
I finished (or rather we finished) a Tower 42 cleanser I was given. I know my husband liked it as it was left, empty, on my side of the vanity which means “this was good, buy more.” Ahh, marriage. Have to say it was very good. Properly cleaned my skin without stripping it. What I particularly liked it’s a make up remover too, so removed a step and didn’t hurt my eyes when I used it to remove mascara etc in the shower.
A final shout out to the Medicube pads, which continue to be excellent. I am using them on my husband (he claims to hate me doing a nighttime skincare routine, but did ask if it was happening the other night when I got into bed, soooo) and the change in his pores… wow!
For more product information see my list of recommendations. If it’s there I’ve tried it and rate it - I do not list brands or products I cannot vouch for.
Love it. How did you book the Selfridges lesson please? Is it the one on their website for a specific brand?
These are my fave posts. Adding at least two of these to my cart 👀 also, so relate to your husband using your products and making it clear that you should buy more haha