The Weekly Shop 1.5

Got a hyper-specific beauty concern? Looking for a holy grail skincare product? Need help deciding between two almost-but-not-quite identical red lipsticks? Every weekend I take to Instagram to offer up my personal shopping services pro bono. And every week I record the questions and answers on here - an ever-growing archive of product recommendations. Can’t find the answer on here? Join me for The Weekly Shop next weekend - @thatgracegirl. No dilemma is too big, no request too niche, and no question will go unanswered.

From “fancy” cleanser requests to hormonal acne solutions, scroll down for this week’s shopping list

A fancy cleanser to gift someone who’s getting into skincare.

Fancy cleansers are my speciality! Here’s some options:

A vitamin C serum.

Dermalogica’s BioLumin-C was the first vitamin C serum that really made a difference for me and that didn’t irritate my skin. It’s literally made the pigmentation disappear off my face. It’s expensive, but worth every penny in my opinion.

A hydrating mask for super sensitive skin.

Try Dr Jart’s Ceramidin Cream. You could use it both as an everyday moisturiser or applied super thick as a mask. Check out the rest of the range too - it’s perfect for dry and sensitive skin.

I want to get my sister a good skincare routine for christmas (dry/sensitive skin).

The best thing for skin that’s dry and sensitive is to keep things simple. Here’s an easy four step routine:

A concealer that does well on its own on days you want to skip foundation.

Try Glossier Stretch Concealer. It melts right in - you barely need to blend it.

A foundation for oily/combo skin that isn’t mattifying.

It can be so hard to find foundations for oily skin that aren’t mattifying. Milk Makeup’s Blur Liquid Foundation prevents excess shine and stays put in extreme heat (it’s summer-in-New York-proof) but keeps skin looking like skin - fresh and a little glowy.

Something to tackle hormonal acne on my jaw.

The only thing that shifted mine was Eve Lom’s Rescue Mask. It’s incredible. Use it 2-3 times a week as a mask or as a spot treatment at night to target individual blemishes.

Eye cream!

Right now I’m using and loving Dr Jart’s Ceramidin Eye Cream. It’s a good all-rounder if you don’t have any super specific concerns…

Eye cream for wrinkles.

…but if you do have a specific concern and that concern is wrinkles, try NIOD’s FECC (if you can get hold of it!).

A new moisturiser. Something quite thick in texture with some banging ingredients.

I love NIOD’s Hydration Vaccine because it’s thick without being rich or creamy. The texture is like velvet and it makes such a difference to skin - even if you don’t think your skin is very dehydrated, you’ll probably realise it is after using this. Ingredients include amino acids, squalane, mango butter, and algae.

Toner that clears/gets rid of pores.

Nothing will get rid of pores but using one of these will certainly make them look less obvious:

An exfoliating mask with texture, like Lush Ocean Salt but boujee.

Ocean Salt is such a throwback! I think you’ll like the Upcircle Beauty Face Scrub. I leave it on as a mask while I’m in the shower and it makes my skin sooooo smooth. It’s not quite as gritty as Ocean Salt so a little more skin-friendly, too.

Products for dehydrated skin.

A hyaluronic-acid based hydration serum (like PSA Skin The Most) to get moisture into the skin and then an emollient-rich moisturiser (like BEAUTY BAY Thirst Class Moisturiser) to seal it all in.

Hair products that will give me shinier hair.

For long-lasting results, try a Josh Wood Colour Gloss Shot (there are multiple shades and they work for non-coloured hair, too). For immediate results try Bumble and bumble Glow Mist (my fave Bumble product to date).

A colourful eyeliner.

I love Glisten Cosmetics and Suva Beauty. They’re both easy to apply, super pigmented, and don’t budge. I use a ZOEVA 315 Brush to apply. Wear with neutral makeup and brushed up brows. Cute.