Grace Notes: February 2020
WORKING AS A BEAUTY WRITER PRACTICALLY REQUIRES ME TO TURN UP AT WORK WEARING AS LITTLE PRODUCT AS POSSIBLE – A BLANK CANVAS IF YOU WILL – TO BE SMOTHERED AND SWATCHED IN POTIONS AND PIGMENTS FROM 8 ‘TILL 5. AS IT'S MY JOB TO SWATCH AND SNIFF MY WAY THROUGH THE LATEST AND GREATEST BEAUTY LAUNCHES, EACH MONTH I DEBRIEF ON THE ONES WORTH WRITING HOME ABOUT.
NuFACE Mini Facial Toning Device
I’ve long since been a fan (and seen the benefits of) regular face massage, often employing tools like crystal rollers and gua sha in place of my fingers. The NuFACE places a decidedly 21st century spin on the ancient technique. It works on the same premise - you stroke it over your face to aid lymphatic drainage (which reduces puffiness) and increase blood flow to the skin (boosts healing and gives good glow), which makes for a welcome daily beauty ritual. The added bonus (which takes it to futuristic heights) is the addition of (FDA approved!) micro-currents, which stimulate facial muscles to tone, firm, and lift face shape. I’ve only had this in my routine for just over a month and have already noticed sharper cheekbones starting to make an appearance. To be continued…
The Ordinary Granactive Retinoid 5% in Squalane
Constantly striving to use retinol without drying out your skin? It’s a harder challenge than you’d expect, since so many retinol products dry skin out, and so many oils clog pores - a vicious cycle indeed. This blend of skin-clearing retinol and uber-hydrating squalane could well be your solution - it’s certainly ticked all of the boxes for me. It’s the strongest of The Ordinary’s retinoid offerings - although as a retinoid (and not a retinol) it’s formulated to be kinder and less irritating to the skin anyway. Couple that with squalane, a plant-derived oil that is naturally found in our skin and is therefore non-comedogenic (can’t clog your pores) as well as supremely hydrating, and you’ve got the best of both worlds. I massage this into my skin nightly, as the final step of my evening routine, and my skin has never looked healthier. I’m experiencing far fewer breakouts than normal, have noticed my blemish marks fading faster, and can see a noticeable glow in my skin.
Garnier Ultimate Blends Hair Food Banana 3-in-1 Treatment
Hair masks have long been a mainstay in my haircare routine. These days, I use them in place of conditioner since I only tend to wash my hair once or twice a week. On first glance, Garnier’s range of Hair Food masks might seem unremarkable - they’re £7, after all. But use it once and you’ll be hooked, because you’ll have the softest, silkiest hair of your life. My favourite way to use this is as a mask - I’ll apply it to wet hair after shampooing (generously since it’s so cheap), tie my hair up on top of my head and stick a shower cap on it (top tip this will help to get 100x better results out of any hair mask since it keeps the heat and moisture locked in). After an hour or so, I rinse it out and dry my hair. The results? Not a knot or tangle in sight, reduced frizz, and previously dry ends that feel deliciously soft. If you’re wondering about the 3-in-1 aspect, you can use it in dry hair as a styling product (it’s great for preventing fluffy ends), and as a regular conditioner if you don’t have time for the shower cap and waiting around malarky.
Holika Holika Redness Calming Cica Dressing Mask
Ever feel like your face is falling apart and in desperate need of TLC? You’ve probably got a compromised moisture barrier, which can lead to issues with everything from dryness and rough texture to increased breakouts, oily patches, and lingering pigmentation. Douse it in this hospital dressing-style mask, helpfully soaked in skin-healing cica (read more here) to restore your skin barrier, repair damage, and replenish moisture levels. I’ve been testing out an at-home microdermabrasion tool for the past few weeks which (although amazing!) I’ve noticed does slightly sensitise my skin immediately after use. To prevent stinging/redness/the chance of long-term damage, I put this on afterwards and it immediately soothes and calms everything down.
Gallinee Prebiotic Scalp & Hair Serum
Gallinee is back with yet another beauty innovation, this time proving that serums aren’t just for skincare. When the brand launched its range of probiotic and prebiotic skin and body products it swiftly catapulted to cult status in my bathroom cupboard, and now the range has expanded to include haircare. A welcome revelation for anyone like me who experiences an easily irritated scalp, because treating dry skin beyond the hairline is never easy. Free from oils and silicones and packed with prebiotics, soothing rice water, and exfoliating lactic acid, this helps to soothe and restore balance to the scalp in just a couple of uses. I’ve used it constantly throughout the winter (which is when my scalp dryness tends to flare up) - I massage it into dry hair the night before I’m going to wash my hair in the morning.
