Life recently (and my beauty routine)

So frequently when I start to write a post these days, the first thing that comes out is life is busy. Well, life is always busy. It’s just a question of priorities. Despite feeling inundated with work, a toddler, a myriad family illnesses, a new niece and a birthday get together for Pip, I still managed to finish her kitchen. Seems I can stay up until 1am and cope on only a few hours sleep if I have to. Still, I don’t want to be doing that all the time. I am shattered.

The first thing that seems to have gone is my beauty regime. Regime? Not sure I can call it that but usually I find time to cleanse, tone, moisturise and exfoliate a couple of times a week. This past week or so, I haven’t even put any makeup on, not even one little bit of foundation or mascara, so I haven’t had to worry about taking it off again, but I should be more careful now I’m past 30 – I think I should start wearing moisturiser with SPF at least. Especially as the weather is improving and my thick Jurlique winter moisturiser is just too much.

In a few weeks I’m chief bridesmaid at one of my closest friend’s weddings, so my thoughts have turned to getting back on track. Pip is probably going to be a flowergirl as well, so these are some photos that I’m going to want to keep. I had a manicure the other week at Pip’s nursery as part of their mother’s day pampering afternoon – which lasted for 3 weeks – so I will probably get a manicure/pedicure from her as she does home visits. The lady who did my manicure suggested a fake tan for the wedding – so here are some tips I was sent.

The weather can take its toll on our skin, and it’s not just the cold winter weather we need to worry about. Hot weather can dry out our skin so we need to keep it moisturised, while the damaging effects of the sun can lead to premature skin ageing. Fortunately, there are several steps we can take to ensure skin is prepped for the coming summer and to keep it looking glowing and beautiful.

Before the weather really heats up, there are a number of preventative steps you can take to ensure your skin is prepared.

• Regular exfoliation in the weeks leading up to summer can remove dead skin cells to minimise the risk of blocked pores and leave skin soft and glowing. After exfoliation is the perfect time to apply a fake tan to get some summer colour without the risk of skin damage. Exfoliation is important as it will ensure a smooth skin texture for the tan to take on. 
• A grainy scrub is perfect for normal skin, while more sensitive skin might be better off with a chemical exfoliant. Don’t overdo exfoliation as this can lead to natural oils being stripped from the skin, leading to dryness, and an uneven finish.

I use a body scrub in the shower once a week and a facial exfoliator/microdermabrasion on the days when I wash my hair.

Speaking of my hair, while I do spend money on good shampoo and conditioner, I rarely do anything more to it than comb it through and leave it to dry. I realised last week that I hadn’t seen my hairdryer since we moved house, and I hadn’t even noticed. For my friend’s wedding though I think I will even invest in a haircut. (I’m usually a twice yearly, or less, kind of girl. Even if I do love my hairdressers – but they give you a cocktail whilst you sit there, so what’s not to like).

• If you need to shave, this should also be done beforehand. Once you’ve showered, dry off completely and apply the tan in a cool environment to reduce the risk of sweating and a patchy finish. Some people rub lotion into areas such as the crook of elbows and backs of knees where tan can settle forming darker patches – lotion helps prevent this happening. Use latex gloves to prevent the risk of gorgeous glowing hands and follow all instructions regarding timings and application.
• Tan enhancers can be used afterwards to help maintain your golden colour, while moisturising is essential to keep skin soft and hydrated.

Your skin routine needs to be a bit different as we start approaching summer and the hotter weather. One of the first things you need to remember is sunscreen. It isn’t just on hot, blissfully sunny days that you need to apply it – your skin can still burn even when it’s cloudy. So any time that you have exposed skin, remember to apply a sunscreen that protects against both UVA and UVB rays. Remember to re-apply every couple of hours or so, more if you are swimming or sweating a lot. A higher SPF will give protection for longer.

Sweating doesn’t just remove sunscreen; it can also play havoc with your skin, causing breakouts of acne and skin rash as well as other problems. During the hotter summer months you should wash more frequently to remove the build-up of sweat that can lead to blocked pores and itchy, inflamed skin. Remember to use a gentle cleanser that won’t aggravate the skin further or dry it out excessively. It isn’t just increased sweating that can trigger acne breakouts. Other factors include higher temperatures and the rubbing of materials against bare skin, for example, a watch strap or jewellery.

Sometimes a gentle cleanser is all that is needed, while other sufferers may need a wash or lotion containing antibacterial benzoyl peroxide or salicylic acid, which dissolves dead skin cells and combats bacterial growth. Remember that blemishes can start to form before they become visible.Blotting paper can also help to soak up excessive sweat and moisture.

When I’m not too tired to remember, I use a combination of cleansing milk which gets wiped on and wiped off as well as a hot cloth cleanser which you apply to dry skin and then use a warm muslin to polish off.

Skin needs to be adequately hydrated at all times to stay looking its best, but this applies tenfold during dry summer heat. Use a daily oil-free moisturiser to keep your skin in good condition.

I also try and drink as much water as I can. I discovered that hot water actually tastes quite nice and so have replaced all my tea in the office with cups of hot water. I feel like I’m drinking more, at any rate.

What does your beauty routine look like? Anyone else as lazy as me?!

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