Little things you do that make you feel a bit better!

[ilikebooksandplants]

Can we have a thread about small acts of beauty related self care?

My hair appointment had to be cancelled because I caught COVID so my hair looks crap and we’re now in tier 4; My nails are crap (no change there though!); my brow appointment cancelled for the same reason and I feel disgusting after being ill. I feel like a dehydrated husk.

I just feel in need of a small beauty boost to make myself feel better!

I have made a conscious effort to wash my hair every second day, drink loads of water (will likely be accused of bulk buying toilet roll at this rate) and moisturise.

Every time I've attempted my own eyebrows it has been a disaster, so I'm leaving that to the professionals.

I'm glad you have recovered from covid, what a relief that must be

I got some Eve lom cleanser for Christmas and I absolutely love it. I think there’s some in a sale at the moment and it feels like such a nice bedtime routine with the muslin cloth etc and my skin feels like I’ve had a proper facial afterwards.

I started taking a daily multivitamin during the first lockdown (for totally unrelated health reasons) but a happy side effect is the condition of my nails has noticeably improved, and they have stopped peeling and break much less easily. Nothing else has changed so it must be the vitamins.

I religiously take liposomal vitamin C ( amazing stuff and if you drink, it seriously avoids hangovers) and DHA, zita west (started years ago during my first pregnancy and never stopped, it does wonders to my skin, hair and nails too), bought gel soaks that I wear around the house after reading it on here and they are amazing.

I also drink lots of water with a tiny bit of apple cider vinegar through the day, have a morning and evening skin routine (10 min max) mostly with natural oils (rosehip etc), rarely wear makeup, face steam every 3 weeks, cuticle oil twice a day and exfoliate my whole body twice a month with pink Himalayan salts mixed with a drop of Vit E oils, hemp oil and whatever essential oil I have at hand.

@Brot64

I religiously take liposomal vitamin C ( amazing stuff and if you drink, it seriously avoids hangovers) and DHA, zita west (started years ago during my first pregnancy and never stopped, it does wonders to my skin, hair and nails too), bought gel soaks that I wear around the house after reading it on here and they are amazing.

I also drink lots of water with a tiny bit of apple cider vinegar through the day, have a morning and evening skin routine (10 min max) mostly with natural oils (rosehip etc), rarely wear makeup, face steam every 3 weeks, cuticle oil twice a day and exfoliate my whole body twice a month with pink Himalayan salts mixed with a drop of Vit E oils, hemp oil and whatever essential oil I have at hand.

What is liposomal vitamin C please? And also DHA and zita west?

Mine sounds vain but I love wearing a pretty scarf. My hair is crap at the moment (falling out), my face looks puffy but a nice scarf makes me feel better.

I also want to know what the liposomal thingy is

Zita West is a fertility brand that makes the DHA that is basically omega 3 (amongst other fertility vitamins). Of course many other brands make this and I have tried numerous. For me this particular one has been more effective.

Have copy pasted an article of liposomal vitamin C as it's much lengthy to explain (benefits etc), however medically (disclaimer as am not a medical profession although it was recommended to me by my GP) it is more effective than normal vit C and for me it's been a game changer in terms of skin and energy.

www.google.co.uk/amp/s/amp.mindbodygreen.com/articles/liposomal-vitamin-c

Brot64 thank you 😊

My hair has been falling out more than usual (stress I think) and in an attempt to be nice to it, I've started washing it in cheap conditioner rather than shampoo and putting leave in conditioner in it, then air drying it. It's been lovely! No itchy scalp, no skin flakes, soft, gently wavy hair. It might even be falling out less (or that might be wishful thinking). Who'd have thought it?

Stick with my curly girl hair routine ( really nice shampoo ,conditioning mask , leave in conditioner and gel) so at least my hair looks good

Treat my skin to nip fab pads plus Rosehip oil and wear mascara

Drink lots of water and eat healthily .

Go to the gym

An early bedtime .

I Run at least twice a week.
Daily dog walks outdoors for at least an hour and a half.
Yoga.
I've been using veet facial wax strips to do my own eyebrows and 'tash - they do a good job.
Cut right down on caffeine.
Only drink alcohol one night of the week max.
DH surprised me with pure silk pyjamas for Christmas - the last few nights I've been having lovely luxurious baths and using face masks and then getting into my beautiful pyjamas - bliss. Been sleeping like a log and a good nights sleep is the best way of feeling good imo!

@2021optimist

My hair has been falling out more than usual (stress I think) and in an attempt to be nice to it, I've started washing it in cheap conditioner rather than shampoo and putting leave in conditioner in it, then air drying it. It's been lovely! No itchy scalp, no skin flakes, soft, gently wavy hair. It might even be falling out less (or that might be wishful thinking). Who'd have thought it?

Might that be due to a lack of vitamin D, due to lockdown? Also, do you take anything like omeprazole? My hair falls out with that.

I’m not great on beauty treatments but make time once a week to have a long bath with candles, drinks, face mask and deep hair conditioning treatment
Shave my legs, trim toenails, renew polish etc (I have gel polish on fingernails)
I try and do it same night as I’m changing bedding (usually Sunday) I also plan and get out a few days outfits at same time

When time is more limited I do like cleansing my face ref at night with oil cleanser and then with the White Company Balm and warm flannel - very relaxing followed by facial oil

Bath - lovely soak with bath oil and my kindle

Hand scrub followed by cuticle oil and hand cream

If I have more time and no DH or DS13 interruptions I lie on bed with lovely quiet relaxing music, diffuser with relaxing oil and a space mask on - super chilled by end

Try and maintain a healthy weight
Drink tons of water
Wear fake tan
Bought some under eye colour corrector, it helps
Not much alcohol
Not too much shit food
Wear at least a bit of make up daily
Try and wear most of my nice clothes, even if I'm slobbing around the house

Daily showering! I know many people do this already but some people don’t, I feel so slobby when I have a shower later on in the day, it definitely enhances my mood to shower first thing, sort my hair and face out, get dressed and during the holidays (I’m not at work at the moment) if helps me keep some kind of semblance of normality to the days.
Also a run every other morning.
Drink lots of water.
Limit alcohol.
Fresh air.
Paint my nails and coat it with seche vite which keeps it looking nicer for longer - less than £10 a bottle and it changed the way I saw doing my own nails!! Can have them done in less than 10 minutes now.

@HollowTalk, thank you, will look into that!

Painting my own nails always cheers me up and yes to seche vite

I dye my own eyelashes and use the same dye ( briefly ) on my eyebows, it gives my face more definition.
Elemis cleansing balm in the morning after my shower, followed by Beauty Pie serum and moisturiser. It just seems to really nourish my skin.
Have started using some fake tan on my face, just makes me look healthier.
Drinking lots of water.
A silk pillowcase.
Foot cream ( I use thick Neutrogena moisturiser under socks ) and body oil 2-3 times a week to keep lizard legs at bay.
Dr Paw Paw original yellow overnight on my dry, winter lips works wonders.

Exercise every morning. I stopped for the Christmas period and I’m really feeling it.
I also put make up on every few days. I don’t wear it very often normally but still tend to buy way more than I need but it’s nice at the moment to just play around and slap on all the stuff I don’t normally wear to try it.

Freshly applied nail polish and seche vite followed by a spray of perfume.

I agree with painting my own nails, taking vitamins, drinking more water. Also, getting early nights, no alcohol, shaving legs, (although I haven't done this for some time ). Nice perfume helps too, definitely. I have every day perfume and fancy perfume. Some days I wear the fancy perfume just because! Not like I'm going anywhere I need to save it for.

Mascara even when I'm not going anywhere. I look ill without it, lash tinting doesn't make enough difference and I can't be doing with the expense of keeping up extensions.

A bit of fake tan on your face and neck, it cuts down on the amount of make up you need. I buy the drops in a white and gold bottle from Boots and add them to my moisturiser. Easy and looks natural