28 Sept 2017

Things You Need To Try From Glossier

The epitome of millennial pink and the brand on everybody's lips right now, Glossier is going at full force on skincare world domination. Their latest Body Hero campaign has got people talking bodies for all the right reasons, empowering women and doing it in style; is there anything this brand can't make cool? They've even glamourised a pink bubble-wrap laden ziplock bag and we have fallen right for it (you can even buy them individually for $4...). So, hearing that the brand is making its way over the ocean to the UK is something skincare-fanatic Brits have wanted to hear for quite some time (myself included), and it's finally becoming a reality. These are the three I've tried so far...

Glossier-Skincare-Aesthetical-Blog-0

"One face wash to rule them all."

Milk Jelly Cleanser
First up, Glossier's Milk Jelly Cleanser. A gel-formula that's got a creamy consistency and works into your skin to give you that clean feeling (not as common as I want it to be with cleansers), it's easy to see why it's so popular. Interestingly, it's cleansing powder is made with the same stuff that you find in contact solution, so for sensitive eyes it's a plus.  

Glossier-Skincare-Aesthetical-Blog-0
Glossier-Skincare-Aesthetical-Blog-0

"Light and buildable moisture for a dewy, smooth canvas."

Priming Moisturizer
Next up, the Priming Moisturizer. Before using this, I assumed it was a bog-standard moisturiser that does what it says on the tin, given the low price point. Couldn't have been more wrong. Full of all the good stuff like hyaluronic acid, an alphabet of vitamins and an anti-redness complex, it really does tick all the boxes and the effects show instantly. 

Glossier-Skincare-Aesthetical-Blog-0
Glossier-Skincare-Aesthetical-Blog-0

"Skincare + makeup = Haloscope, the galaxy’s first dew effect highlighter."

Haloscope
Any highlighter or bronzer that is a non-powder has never got on well with my skin, moving my foundation or being difficult to blend with dry skin is hard to work with at the best of times. The lightness of Haloscope makes it so much easier to use than others, as it promises it's glowy, dew-inducing and gives you that sheen that we oh so desire.

Glossier-Skincare-Aesthetical-Blog-0
Glossier-Skincare-Aesthetical-Blog-0
Glossier-Skincare-Aesthetical-Blog-0


Have you tried any Glossier products?

Share:

24 Sept 2017

Renaissance Skincare


The noisy realm of beauty is hard to get your head around at the best of times. Walking into a beauty department faced with more brands than you even knew existed makes it a feat in itself to try anything new, which is probably why most of us rely on recommendations from others nowadays, unless you've got the time and know-how to read (and understand) ingredient lists then it's just not feasible. One of the brands that's been on my radar for a long time, but never actually made it into my skincare until this year, is Oskia. It's cult products have been recommended by many to me, the Renaissance range in particular; the range they're most known for, including the (award winning) heroes that are the Renaissance Mask and Cleansing Gel.  

Renaissance-Skincare-With-Oskia-Beauty-0

Renaissance Cleansing Gel
Although we see cleansers as perhaps more of a throwaway part of our skincare routine (perhaps less hard-working than the serums and face creams), they're one, if not the, most important steps we take. I change up my serums, masks and moisturisers regularly depending on what my skin is telling me (usually bad things, to be honest right now), but my cleanser is in it for the long-haul and I'm only likely to change it when it runs out. Given it's your first step as you wake up in the morning, and the first step you take in removing all that pollution, dirt and whatever else from your skin in the evening, it's got to be pretty sufficient in delivering what it promises, especially since there's an almighty amount of really good (for lack of a better word) cleansers out there. 

The new-gen of cleansers are emerging in gel form, cult-favourites for a reason. Renowned for being solely for oily or combination skin, I've stayed away from gel-based cleansers until recently, realising that they're actually pretty efficacious and remove make-up a lot more efficiently than other types of cleansers. Oskia's Renaissance Cleansing Gel is no new face to this trend, and has become one of the most popular of it's form. Melt-away balm-to-oil texture, packed with vitamins, enzymes and MSM (Oskia's hero ingredient), there's not much this doesn't claim to do for you. 

Renaissance Mask
Masks are something I'd happily invest in, no-questions-asked. They've gone from being a skincare boost in the middle of the week, to being a ritual that soothes my mind, as well as my skin, and without sounding like a cliche, gives you an excuse for that 'me' time that is all too infrequent nowadays. 

Just like it's cleansing counterpart, the renaissance mask is full of goodness that you'd want to lather your skin in. A cocktail of fruits (passion fruit, grape, lemon and grapefruits) to refine, illuminate and smooth your skin, whilst giving you the long term effects you want, too. Spoken like a true millennial, the pink tone of the gel-like cream is an aesthetic plus, and it turns white as it's applied to your skin. It's the type of mask that I'd apply before a night out or event (opposed to in the middle of the week) for the instantly glow-y results and smoothing. 

Shop the post:



All photos taken by myself.
Share:

16 Sept 2017

Five Things to Watch This Autumn

Aside from the cable-knit jumpers, pumpkin spice lattes and the begrudging acceptance that Christmas is, indeed, just round the corner (despite having just stepped out of the birkenstocks), one of the undeniable silver linings of Autumn is the damn good television that hits our screens this time of year. It really is as if the producers knew that we wanted to curl up, horizontal, and immerse in escapist drama (drama that luckily ends as soon as we switch the screen off) as the evenings get darker and pub-gardens cease to exist in our lives. 



Rather than being holed up in my bedroom, I've finally got back into the habit of watching TV on an actual television (yes, there is life beyond a 11" laptop screen) to, firstly cut out the distracting Topshop browsing mid-show, and also to have that immersive experience that you just don't get with a laptop. Since we can't watch these things in the cinema itself (much to our despair), the next best thing is a television like the Ultra HD TV Panasonic; exactly the kind of screen that's going to make this year's must-see drama that much more dramatic. Here's five to keep your eye out for this Autumn. 

Doctor Foster
Of course this was going to be number one. The programme that hit us all sideways last year with the new levels reached in how much we can hate a fictional character, is back and means business. The first episode of series two already demonstrated just how intense this series will be (again), with affairs, blackmail, lies and secrets behind every door. It's one of the only things I watch in the week (live, may I add) that has my entire attention for the hour and I won't even think about reaching for my phone. If you haven't watched series one, it's on Netflix and a MUST-watch. Seriously. Book out your Sunday. 

Stranger Things
After getting through the first series in a matter of three days (I'm sure there are people out there that did it in one, easy), tell me someone who hasn't been left wanting more from this show. Weird, wonderful and very 80's-infused, making you instantly want to retro-up your wardrobe and start using landlines again, Stranger Things series two is back this October 27th on Netflix (yep, just in time for halloween). If you haven't seen the first series, I'd watch it ASAP. Oh, and prepare to become kind of obsessed with Millie Bobbie Brown - a thirteen year old that is almost definitely cooler than you are. 

The Child in Time
Somewhat a nerdy confession but I'm sure I'm not alone - one of my favourite things to watch on TV or film is book adaptations, be it a literary classic or P.S I Love You. This year, The Handmaid's Tale has been a prime example of this, whether I've read it before or not, I'll want to, instantly. Next on my list, Ian McEwan's novel The Child in Time has been adapted into a BBC, one-off drama so naturally the book is en route from Amazon. If you only know McEwan's work from Atonement, let me tell you, his other stuff gets pretty weird, deep, dark and hard-hitting. Nonetheless, it's immersive and he's one of my favourite authors. The Child in Time is based on a couple coping with the loss of their young child, two years after the tragedy. Oh, and it stars Benedict Cumberbatch - acting and producing. Need I say more. *sets reminder*

Bodyguard
If you're a hardcore fan of Line of Duty, the - very talented - writer has got another gripping police drama in tow for this year, and this time it's amidst the political world. Bodyguard is a six-part drama series following a team of officers who protect royals, politicians and diplomats (hence, Bodyguard), whether they deserve protecting or not. It's portrayed through the eyes of an ex-war veteran, who's characterised as 'volatile but heroic'. To me, BBC dramas are pretty much always on-point (Happy Valley is one of the best), and I can't help but talk about them to everyone the following day... at least it's not reality TV, right?  

Gunpowder
You're going to need a HD television for this one, for sure. Kit Harrison makes his ex-Game of Thrones debut on BBC in a dramatisation of of the Guy Fawkes gunpowder plot to kill King James I. Probably the only way to entice me to watch a historical fiction drama, casting Kit Harrison was a pretty good move, and it turns out, Kit is actually related to the character he's playing (Robert Catesby). Chances are it's set to air around bonfire night, this November and it's even more likely that it's going to be a gooden.  

And, if you haven't been watching, the television adaption of J.K Rowling's Strike has been a Sunday night edge-of-seat indulgence that's worth a binge.

*This post was created in collaboration with Panasonic. 
Share:

9 Sept 2017

How To Make Your Tan Last Longer

So, you spend seven days basking in the sun, surviving sweat, lightly-tinged sunburn and naturally following up by applying SPF  as if it was going out of fashion, to then have the colour rapidly fade before your eyes as soon as you touchdown back home is somewhat disheartening. Yes, we know that UV rays are not exactly good for our skin , but I know very few people who don't relish in that post-holiday glow and lap up the 'you've caught the sun' comments once they're back on home turf. As with every other concern related to our skin, the evolving world of beauty has stepped in, and I'm a firm believer in the time you give to your skin after a holiday will pay you back tenfold in how long you're able to maintain it. 

How-To-Make-Your-Tan-Last-Longer-Institut-Esthederm

One of the first things I want to lay my hands on after a flight from warmer climes is a heavy-duty moisturiser that's going to prolong the colour of my skin and do it's very best to moisturise it. Gone are the days of putting up with reptile-like textures over your body as a result of sun exposure, there are a lot of products out there now to suit this very need, and probably provide your skin with a tonne of extras, too. Institut Esthederm's Tan Prolonging Body Lotion*, as you'd expect, does exactly that, and after this year's generous dose of vitamin D, it's working wonders in keeping my skin radiant. It's designed to replace your usual moisturiser after your skin has been exposed to the sun for long periods of time, like after a holiday or a particularly hot day at home (rare, but still), restoring the level of hydration needed in your skin to keep it moisturised, and thus keeping that tan going.

How-To-Make-Your-Tan-Last-Longer-Institut-Esthederm
How-To-Make-Your-Tan-Last-Longer-Institut-Esthederm
How-To-Make-Your-Tan-Last-Longer-Institut-Esthederm

If you're going away this Autumn (escaping shorter days, colder temperatures and the crowds of people that go en-vacances in the summer holidays), something like this is one for the suitcase, and when you're back home, too, to keep that colour glowing long beyond the airport. If you're unsure which SPF to buy this year, my edit has got a suncream for every destination. Skin is sorted, so now to manage the luggage allowance...

Shop the post:
         


        
Share:

3 Sept 2017

The Recipe for Bathing

Unless it's just me, it seems like life continues to get that much more busy every month, without fail. There's continuously more to keep up with (not just the Kardashians... easy shot there), and sometimes not having enough time in the day to even check your Instagram (yes, the important stuff) makes things feel like they're getting on top of you, you have no time to relax properly or take time-out from the world. With moving out to the big smoke in the next few weeks to a house sans bath, I've been making the most of one of the only calming rituals I go by; bath time. And, not just a half-hearted candle and book scenario, the whole she-bang with salts, oils and washes en masse.


The-Art-Of-Bathing-Aesthetical- Blog-0

Calming your mind and body
Baths are not only your opportunity to reflect, be technology free (!) and relax mentally for half an hour, it's also internally helping your body prepare for sleep. The drop in temperature you experience as you adjust back to room temperature after a warm bath signals to your brain that it's time to go to sleep, as this is what happens naturally before bed anyway. To make it that much more un-winding, the essential oils in Support Breathe combine to cleanse your body, promoting calmer breathing and a relaxed state of mind. After a stressful day, it's the evening when my thoughts and anxieties tend to accumulate (overthinking and dwelling on negativity, in particular), so anything to help counteract this is much-needed.

Not only my mind, but my body can physically feel quite drained and not-up-to-much after days like this; I am usually quite tense through the week so my muscles pay the price when I relax. Magnesium-rich bath salts like these work wonders in soothing tired muscles and have really reviving properties. They also smell seriously good. 


The-Art-Of-Bathing-Aesthetical- Blog-0
The-Art-Of-Bathing-Aesthetical- Blog-0
The-Art-Of-Bathing-Aesthetical- Blog-0

Bathe by candlelight
Candlelight at bedtime isn't just about setting the ambience. Being in a dark room actually stimulates melatonin in your body, which is the hormone that makes you sleepy. If you've got bright lights blaring into your face, you're not gonna get that sleepy feeling as easy (and I need all the help I can get when it comes to sleeping). Blue light's mostly to blame, so if you're really trying to relax and initiate sleepiness in your body then avoiding bright lights before bed is key. Not only is bathing in candlelight going to smell amazing, it's also getting your body ready to wind down, and obviously, Byredo and Diptyque are my candles of choice. 


The-Art-Of-Bathing-Aesthetical- Blog-0

Take time for your skin
The steam from a hot bath is the ultimate scenario to open your pores, let your skin breathe and work deep into your skin; a perfect opportunity to do a deep cleanse, mask or treatment, whatever your skin is asking for. I've been using this clarifying mask, with it's enzymatic peel effect (so I wouldn't use it more than once a week) that claims to control the skin during breakouts and appearance of blemishes, but not drying out the skin in turn. Yes, you'll look like an alien whilst it's on (it's bright green - hey, it's got a fun factor), so keeping it to bathroom-only is not a bad idea. If you're looking to brighten up your skin tone, this brightening mask (again, smells like a dream) and gently exfoliates using fruit enzymes and contains lactic acid to promote an improved tone and texture. 


If you're going full-week prep and can muster the effort to self-groom all over, this body oil acts as both a body cleanser and a shave-oil to prevent any irritation and leave your skin silky smooth. A lot more glamorous than shaving foams, I can really tell the difference in my skin after I've used it. I've also used the post-shave gel before and couldn't recommend it more. Given it's actually been hot in the UK this summer (well, intermittently), I've been wearing SPF on my body as well as just my face. The new Institut Esthederm micellar after-sun shower gel works wonders in removing all traces of SPF, and pretty much anything else your skin has come into contact with through the day. It smells luxurious, smells light and also prolongs your tan (anything that helps me do this is gold dust). 


The-Art-Of-Bathing-Aesthetical- Blog-0
The-Art-Of-Bathing-Aesthetical- Blog-0

Nourish your hair
Rather than hopping (literally) in and out of the shower when I'm busy, baths are when I tend to leave my conditioner on for 5+ minutes to soak into my hair and pray that it's doing some good. My hair has been coloured within an inch of it's life over the last ten years, and the texture has become noticeably more rough as a result, so finding conditioners that help out is a godsend. This shampoo and conditioner duo do just that, being formulated especially for coloured hair and have a light, citrus scent. My hair oil go-to is this one, and I haven't looked back since I first tried it. It literally transforms my hair and if I don't use it, boy do I notice (cue frizz and unruly waves in the non-beachy sense).


The-Art-Of-Bathing-Aesthetical- Blog-0
The-Art-Of-Bathing-Aesthetical- Blog-0
The-Art-Of-Bathing-Aesthetical- Blog-0

Reading material
Books have definitely come back in vogue in the past year (and the kindle has simultaneously diminished in popularity, thank goodness), I think with all the technology we're fixated on, a non-digital object is somewhat of a breath of fresh air. Seriously, I can go an entire day being glued to one screen or another, and by 8pm wonder why I've got a headache; it is just the norm now. This week, I've finished The Power by Naomi Alderman (review to come), and it's a seriously gripping, dystopian piece of escapism that I couldn't recommend more. Think a subverted The Handmaid's Tale gone sci-fi. I'm also very guilty of spending the big bucks on chunky magazines each month, only to flick through them a few times and forget they exist. This month, I've made an effort to read them cover-to-cover and a bath is the idyllic place to do so. 

Shop the post:
          

        
This post contains PR samples and affiliate links. 
Share:
© A E S T H E T I C A L | All rights reserved.
Blog Design Handcrafted by pipdig