If there is one thing that I absolutely love about myself it’s my skin. I was blessed with the amazing peaches and cream complexion from my British heritage (thanks Dad!), and as I journey through my early thirties I’m still lucky enough to have quite youthful skin. Now, I’m the first to admit that I don’t follow a skin care regime. I don’t know if this works for or against me, but so far it’s okay. This week I’m going to show you my favourite skin health and care products to keep my skin looking the way it does, even if I do not use them all the time.
This photo was taken late in the evening of Friday 16 January 2015. I wasn’t feeling particularly well after The Mister had given me a stiff neck the night before – he rolled over and elbowed me in the back of my neck, ouch! I’d just had my eyebrows waxed and tinted in preparation for The Mister’s step-sister’s wedding two days later. Aside from the tint, it’s the most recent fresh-faced photo I have of me. Sorry for the poor quality too, but it’s the only one I have. And yes, they are my own natural blue eyes, I love those too.
I don’t use these products every day, and I don’t always have them on hand, but these products have definitely helped keep my skin the way it is. Sometimes I’ll alternate products so my skin doesn’t become immune to a product, and also to protect my silly skin allergies.
Angels on Bare Skin is divine. It’s one of my favourite Lush products. The beautiful aromas of lavender and rose, the marvellous ground almonds on your skin: it really is an angelic experience. You don’t need a lot, and it’s best used in the shower.
Hollie Flavour test: Natural products, hypo-allergenic, not tested on animals.
I discovered the Tasmanian Soap Company when I volunteered at the 2014 Sustainable Living Festival. I purchased this Shave Soap for The Mister to use but I soon cottoned on to the amazing powers of the TSC’s Shave Soap. I now use it on my legs and under arms, and it leaves my skin feeling silky smooth thanks to that incredible goats milk and white clay. It smells fabulous too. All you need to do is use it like you would a soap, applying the cake directly to your skin, then working it into a lather.
Hollie Flavour test: Natural products, hypo-allergenic, Australian made, not tested on animals.
Another Tasmanian Soap Company purchase from when I volunteered at the 2014 Sustainable Living Festival. This lip balm was INCREDIBLE. Absolutely fabulous. I need to replace this and the shave soap actually. The balm ran out long ago of course, but I haven’t bothered to replace it, rather use up the last of what I have (because all women have an endless supply of lip balms, we know this…but mine is literally scraping the jar!).
Hollie Flavour test: Natural products, hypo-allergenic, Australian made, not tested on animals.
Burt’s Bees: Speaks for itself really. I’d always wondered what the buzz was (no pun intended) about this product. One wintry day at uni I realised I didn’t have a lip balm with me and needed one stat. That’s when I decided to give Burt’s a whirl. Absolutely brilliant. Like the TSC Lemon & Myrtle Lip Balm, this too ran out long ago and hasn’t been replaced.
Hollie Flavour test: Natural products, hypo-allergenic, Australian made, not tested on animals.
5. Water
You don’t have to pay for this (well, at least you don’t have to pay for bottled stuff, you can get it from the tap much cheaper) and it needs no introduction. I don’t always drink my 2 litres of water every day but it’s pretty much the only thing I do drink. Then there are days when I drink well beyond my 2 litre quota.
Hollie Flavour test: Natural, cost-effective, cleansing.
Last but not least, sunscreen. I mentioned earlier that I have a real peaches and cream complexion. I don’t leave the house during summer without sunscreen. I don’t use it during winter, not because the sun isn’t harsh but because I’m generally covered head to toe and the sun couldn’t find my skin if it tried.
Hollie Flavour test: Ultra Sun Protection Factor (SPF), supports an amazing not-for-profit here in Australia – a NFP close to my heart.
Along with these skin care products, I have a few other secrets to having healthy skin:
- I have never had a cup of coffee. If I do have a hot drink I will usually have a herbal tea, on the odd occasion I will have a skinny hot chocolate (full cream milk makes me feel awfully sick awfully quick).
- I rarely drink alcohol, maybe three or four times a year.
- I have never smoked cigarettes.
- I have never taken any illicit substances.
- I have a regular diet. I still eat things like cake and chocolate and ice cream, but in moderation. I haven’t had McDonald’s – except for an occasional sundae – or KFC, Red Rooster, and other assorted fast food take away in four years.
- I always try to take off my make up before going to bed. When I don’t, I have serious regrets when I wake up.
- I don’t wear cosmetics often at all. In the last 7 days, I’ve had a full face of make up once. In the last 14 days, three times.
What are your skin health and care secrets? What are your favourite products?
Alexie RicRac 
My skin-care routine is highly complex: I use a moisturiser with sunscreen in it. Done! When I’m walking or riding to work, I apply sunscreen to any visible areas but I’m like you in Winter – it’s so much fun to dress up in lovely coats, glorious scarves and patterned stockings that I’d be impressed at any sunbeam that managed to make contact with skin.
I’m currently in the market for a new lip balm, so I think I’ll keep an eye out for that beeswax one – it sounds lovely!
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Love your skin care routine 😉 My BB cream has SPF too. Too bad I don’t wear it every day though.
Did you find a Burt’s Bees lip balm? I’m considering getting some of their tinted ones too.
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I have just discovered Burt’s bees tinted lip balm in the last year, I have a couple of little skinny tubes. Love that they are peppermint flavoured too! For me the major factor in buying skin care products is how they smell, if they are too strong or flowery I won’t buy them, or they end up in the bin! Haven’t been in a Lush store in years – too many strong smells! ( my OT colleagues would say “hmm, sensory issues!”)Can’t stand maybelline lipsticks because of the smell/ taste -yuk! My favourite everyday product is Natio “glow” ” skin brightening face balm – as a moisturizer, because I like the smell ( although I find most other Natio products too strongly scented to put on my face). Best sunblock – Clinique city block. Put it on in the morning, sun protection all day.
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Smell is everything, isn’t it Dianne? I want to try the tinted lip balms, and once my current pot of Carmax runs out, I think that will be my next lip balm purchase.
You’re not the first person I’ve heard to be overwhelmed by Lush. I love going into the stores myself and trying new things. I think what you need is for people to buy you things as a gift to see if you like them 😉
Personally, I boycott Maybelline as they’re a subsidiary of The L’Oreal Group so I’ll have to take your word on the smell and taste of their lipsticks!
I’ll have to keep an eye out for Natio’s Glow. I’ve wondered how my skin would go with Natio, but I suppose there is only one way to find out!
I’ve never used Clinique before, mostly because being a poor student hasn’t provided me with adequate funds. I’m glad City Block gives you all day protection. Vital in today’s climate.
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