The Best Things in Life are Free

With the pinch of Christmas and New Years following us into 2017, buying luxury products is probably the last thing on our minds. With new products coming out all the time, how on earth do we keep up and know what is a investment?

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Picture by: Ian Vernon

You should never feel pressured in buying products just because they are new on the market, you need to try what’s good for your skin and routine. It’s a big ask to drop money on skincare products that are raved about all over social media and people forget the harm in asking. This is why free samples can help you find out what’s best for your routine.

From Charlotte Tilbury to Garnier, you can pick up samples of all sorts of products and try them out to see what’s best for you. You can do this by approaching the assistants in stores such as Selfridges and Debenhams, who would be happy to help you. Often concessions offer free samples and even test the product on your skin before you buy.

It can seem intimidating to ask for a sample from a premium brand, however, this can save you money and help you make an informed decision on what to buy. Of course, don’t become accustomed to keep going back for free samples, because sales assistants will realise you are taking advantage.

If you are thinking about making a purchase, go into a store and think about what you want the product to do for your skin and go from there. If you do decide to purchase something that day, don’t be scared to ask for the to pack your purchase up with free  samples too.

If you don’t ask then you don’t get, so start a collection of free samples and you’ll see the difference in your savings.

Winter Hacks

With winter officially here and the Christmas spirit setting in, it’s easy to get caught in the rush and lose track of your skincare. With an array of products being presented to us, sometimes we can forget about the basics that our skin needs. This winter is all about simplicity and restoring all the goodness in our skin that we lose to the season.  From tools of the trade to my favourite skincare hacks, this will be your ultimate guide to having skin as glowy as your Christmas decorations.

Scrub a dub dub.

The key to avoiding those scaly knees and grey elbows is to scrub at least twice a week.  The importance of exfoliation is to remove dead and dry skin and prepare your skin for moisturisation.

Grainy scrubs work the best, you can choose suitable ones from most healthcare stores or make your own. My favourite is the Soap and Glory, Flake Away Salt Scrub, not only does this smell great, but a little goes a long way. If you fancy something all natural then here is a quick fix scrub that you can make in batches.

What you need:

  • 25ml Olive Oil or melted Coconut Oil
  • 2 tbsps. granulated sugar or salt
  • A few drops of essential oil (optional)

To make:

Mix all the ingredients together and this can be stored in an airtight container in your shower. Use in circular motions, focusing on your joints.

Hydration and Moisturisation. 

After regular scrubbing, maintaining moisture is a must. Your skin dries out very quickly in the winter and often goes flaky because of the lack of moisture. By moisturising you are restoring the natural oils that were removed by scrubbing. This can be done by using an oil, body butter or lotion and is best to apply after showering as the pores will be open and absorb more.

Here are my top three picks for Body Moisturisers this winter:

  1. Baby Oil. This is a cheap and cheerful moisturiser that can be used straight on the skin or mixed in with you bath while you soak up the moisture. This is best to be used before bed to avoid staining on your clothes.
  2. Coconut Body Butter, The Body Shop. The Body Shop offers different scents of body butter, but all provide great moisture for the skin and is perfect for after shaving. This a perfect
  3. Vaseline Spray & Go. This comes in three scents including Aloe Vera. Spray and Go provides a quick spray of moisture which is perfect for the mornings and quick getaway days.

Skincare hack: Alongside moisturising, try and drink at least two pints of water a day for the ultimate glow.

Tools of the trade

Alongside the products, there are a few told of the trade that are a must in everyone’s skincare collection all year round. J

  • Loofah/ exfoliating mitt

This is a great team up with your favourite shower gel and is perfect if you need a more abrasive scrub (great for pre-tan and pre-shave prep). They’re a cheap and cheerful and a great way to keep your skin glowing.

  • Cotton Pads

Cotton pads are a must in the skincare hamper. These are great to remove make up and generally cleanse the skin.

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