Glossier Hand Cream

After reading mixed but mainly great reviews of Glossier Hand Cream, I figured it was time I tried it out for myself. I've always thought the squeezable, palm-sized packaging was very covetable, but would the contents impress me? Well, it turns out I have mixed feelings myself! Read on to find out why.

The rich, yet light formula is absolute spot on in terms of texture. It's everything I want in a hand cream, especially for daytime use while working at my laptop or after hand-sanitising on the go. This is because it absorbs rapidly and beautifully, leaving skin soft and supple, with a barely there, almost undetectable film left behind (something called Glycofilm Pollustop which Glossier describe as a Second Skin Matrix to lock moisture in and keep stressors out). 

With Fermented Coconut Extract and fatty-acid rich Meadowfoam Seed Oil to moisturise, the cream is spiked with antioxidant Rosemary Leaf, Echinacea and Sunflower extracts and rounded off with Rice Bran for its soothing and softening properties.

All sounds pretty good right? Well, it really is. Until you get a whiff of the stuff that is. I was expecting the hand cream to have the same scent as the glorious Glossier You but, to me, it smells different every time I use a squeeze...and not in a good way. On first sniff, I genuinely thought there was something wrong with the hand cream, as in I was quite close to cutting open the cute pink packaging and start searching for mould. It was the strangest, mustiest scent for a brand new, unopened product. If you've ever smelled a body lotion or face moisturiser that's been open too long, you'll know what I mean. It was more than a little disappointing if I'm honest. There have been times I have used it and thought it smelled very old-school floral perfume, other times I've picked up notes of the You fragrance and even more times when it's just smelled like generic yet pleasant freshly soaped skin. It's honestly the most unpredictably scented product I've ever owned - it literally smells different every time I use it!

And use it I will, partly because I love how it makes my hands feel and partly because I have sort of grown to enjoy the element of surprise. At £16 for 30ml I don't think it's something I'd repurchase but there are plenty of other Glossier products I certainly would - Boy Brow I'm talking to you. The hand cream is available here.

Unlock Your Confidence In Time For Summer

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Whether you are dealing with a difficult breakup or looking to reclaim your mojo after having a baby, confidence is always key. However, building confidence is a lifelong journey - and requires a lot of introspection and hard work.

This is because, to begin with, you need to learn to be kind to yourself so that you can accept yourself for who you truly are. This means you need to stop spending hours scrolling through (heavily edited) social media images and learn to love the person staring back at you in the mirror - quirks and all. 

With that in mind, here are some tips you can use to unlock your confidence in time for summer! 

• Put together a simple skincare routine that deals with any specific issues you may face. For example, those with dry skin should focus on using products that are heavily moisturizing, giving you a natural, youthful glow. It's really important that you ensure that you use sunscreen every day, no matter what your skin type and especially if you are trying to figure out how to deal with skin redness. When you start taking better care of your skin, you’ll begin to feel more confident.

• Take a look through your wardrobe and throw away any outfits that you don’t feel comfortable in. If it's too small - chuck it! You don't need that kind of negativity in your life. Then, treat yourself to a spot of shopping - ensuring that you only buy clothes that make you feel good and won’t be a cause of worry when you are heading out for the day. If you aren’t sure where to look, consider looking for a personal shopper who can help you pick out some outfits that compliment your figure and match your unique style. 

• Each morning, try to recite three positive things about yourself while looking at your reflection. This behaviour, when repeated, can help subtly change how you think about yourself, forcing negativity to take a back seat. Affirmations can be really effective! These compliments do not necessarily have to relate to your appearance (though it’s perfectly fine if they do!) but can cover a whole range of topics. For example, you might begin with statements such as, ‘I am confident because I am kind to others, I am confident because I always have something interesting to say, I am confident because I am good at my job’. I am not a very naturally confident person so I find affirmations really helpful.

• Whenever you think negatively about yourself, take a step back from the situation and question what has made you feel that way. For example, if you begin to question your ability to get the job done at work - ask yourself why. Could it be that you are overburdened? Do you need to delegate some tasks to someone else or ask for help? Finding the cause of negative thinking can help you work towards a quicker resolution. 

• Instead of worrying about what others may think about you - start questioning what you think about them. For example, are you chasing affection from somebody who doesn’t reciprocate your energy and does not deserve the time you are giving them? Throw yourself into relationships where your energy is matched, and you are valued - and this will help your confidence grow leaps and bounds.

I hope you found at least a few of these tips helpful, not just for preparing for Summer/ coming out of lockdown but all year round too.

Common Skincare Complaints and How to Deal With Them

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If you're anything like me you'll know that skincare should be an essential step in your daily routine. Not only can good skincare help give you a natural glow and help tackle any areas that you perceive to be a problem, but for many (myself included) it's just as much about self care as it is about results. However, it can be hard to know where to start - especially as there are hundreds of products on the market at any given time, each one making different or contradicting promises about which products are truly the best.

With that in mind, here are some of the most common skin complaints - and how you can deal with them! 

Complaint: Dry Skin. 

Solution: There are many reasons why you may be dealing with dry skin. It could be due to environmental factors, such as spending a lot of time outdoors in warm weather or a lack of hydration. Thankfully, there are also various ways in which you can deal with dry skin too. 

• Drink 6-8 glasses of water each day. This can improve your hydration, giving your complexion some much needed TLC. Even if you don't notice any improvement in your skin, it's still a great way to ensure your body stays hydrated

• Invest in dry skin products that can help reduce flakiness and dryness.

• Wear sunscreen every day - even if the sun is hidden behind the clouds (as it so often is in the UK). Pay special attention to your suncare if you use an acid in your routine.

Complaint: Under-eye bags. 

Solution: Under-eye bags are another common skin complaint that many of us have to deal with in our daily lives. The key cause behind them is a lack of proper sleep, though stress and anxiety can also cause them to worsen. To treat under-eye bags, you should: 

• Purchase products that are specifically designed to combat them, such as eye care creams and serums - and add them to your daily routine. 

• Try to get a good night's sleep - focusing on developing a strong nighttime routine that helps you fall asleep quickly and get some much-needed shut eye. 

• Applying a cool compress underneath your eyes, such as a wet cloth or even ice, can reduce the puffiness and appearance of under-eye bags. 

Complaint: My Skin doesn’t look like the models on instagram. 

Solution: As we spend so much time lurking on social media, especially on the pages of models or influencers, it’s easy to compare ourselves to the faces we see on our screens. However, it’s essential to realise that while our skin doesn’t look like theirs appears in the pictures - this is not an accurate depiction of how they look, either. In fact, photos posted on social media are often heavily edited using tools that blur out skin texture altogether. It's really quite deceptive and damaging.

• Keep an eye out for evidence of filters on photographs, and remind yourself that they aren’t real.

• Don't be afraid to hit Unfollow! Stop following those who post unrealistic social media content if it makes you feel uncomfortable in your own skin. Focus on following accounts that promote authenticity - and celebrate their blemishes and quirks. 

• Though this is easier said than done, try to feel confident in who you are - as this is perhaps the most straightforward ticket to confidence!

Caudalie Vinoperfect Glycolic Peel Mask

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 Caudalie is such a lovely French beauty brand isn't it? I remember stocking up on a few bits when I visited Paris years ago and the subtle almond smell of the cleansing milk will always remind me of that trip. It was almost certainly available to purchase in the UK at that point but you can't beat some of those French Pharmacy prices! I recently bought the Vinoperfect Glycolic Peel Mask - a 10 minute, gently resurfacing skin treat that I've tried a handful of times so far. I tricked myself into thinking this is a new product but I think it's just been renamed and repackaged, with Vinoperfect added to the title. I can't seem to find any info about a reformulation but I am loving the monochrome packaging and it's a new-to-me product anyway!

With Glycerin, Squalane, Grapeseed Oil and Grapevine Shoot Extract, the quick mask is gently exfoliating, eliminating dead skin cells and refining texture thanks to AHAs and something called Viniferine.

Derived from grapevine sap, Viniferine is Caudalie's patented ingredient which is said to be up to 62 times more effective than Vitamin C in correcting dark spots/ discolouration. The AHAs in the formula are Lactic, Tartaric and Citric acids from a combination of corn, beets, wheat, sugar cane and of course, grapes.

It's a creamy, opaque formula that smoothes on like icing on a cake and has that distinctive, grape-esque Caudalie scent. When left on for the advised 10 minutes, it doesn't leave my skin feeling sensitized in the slightest and once removed with warm water and a washcloth, my face looks refreshed and glowing. I love using the 10 minute mask before a really hydrating serum and rich moisturiser - the results the next morning speak for themselves as I wake up looking a lot fresher than I feel!

It goes without saying that you should wear an SPF every day anyway but, I urge you to be extra diligent with the suncream the day after using the glycolic mask, or any other exfoliating product for that matter.

The Caudalie Vinoperfect Glycolic Peel Mask has an rrp of £22 but at the moment it's cheapest here at Escentual for £20.70.

3 Fun Things To Do In London In Spring 2021

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If like many people, you are counting down the days until we can safely venture out after lockdown, then you’ll know that a number of the social distancing and lockdown restrictions are about to ease here in the UK, and more specifically, in London. So, if you’re planning your life away ready for a super fun (and cautiously safe) Spring, then here are three more activities to add to your growing list.

1. Go For A Picnic

Why not go for a picnic with some friends to kickstart your Spring? With social distancing restrictions now allowing you to meet outside with up to five others, this is a great opportunity to catch up with loved ones and see those people who you’ve been missing throughout the pandemic. London boasts a great array of green open spaces despite its reputation as an urban giant. There’s Hyde Park, Regent’s Park - and even Kew Gardens in the South West. However, our favourite spot is at the top of Hamstead Heath where you can overlook the entire city from above. So, pack yourself a picnic, a bottle of bubbly, and head on over to your park of choice. Just remember, don’t forget to wear your sunscreen while you’re out and about this Spring!

2. Book A Spa Day

One of the things that we’ve been longing for over the past twelve months is the chance to go for a spa day. With COVID-19 restrictions meaning some of London’s best health clubs have had to close, it’ll be music to your ears to hear that they can reopen again from April 12th. This is a great way to unwind after a busy week of remote working or simply a great way to find time to catch up with a family member or friend. Equally, if you and your partner fancy doing something a bit different without having to leave the city, then booking a spa day for two can also be really beneficial. Our favourite spa in London has to be The Laboratory Spa & Health Club. If you’re keen to check it out too, then visit https://labspa.co.uk/. It’s incredible - honest!

3. Become A Tourist

So many people come and live in London for years of their lives, only to never really see any of the city’s great tourist attractions. Whilst it can often seem like more fun spending a weekend in the pub or at the park, seeing London like a tourist can help you to view the city with a fresh pair of eyes. We recommend starting by catching an Uber Boat from along the River Thames and making your way up to the Emirates Royal Docks where you can take a cable car that gives you some breathtaking views of the city. At 90 metres high, you can see for miles and truly appreciate London in a completely different way. The London Eye is also a brilliant way to experience London from a bird’s eye view and is a must in our opinion.

Have you got any Spring activities planned?