Why self care is so important during the lockdown/self isolation and the products I'm using to pamper myself!

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Life is quite hard at the moment for so many people. Lives have definitely changed, even if only temporarily and I personally always find that when things seem out of your control (apart from staying home - do it!), it's important to do things that make you feel happy, make you feel like you have some control and also that taking a little bit of time for yourself is so important. For me, self care is taking care of my skin, some days it's applying makeup and my favourite clothes, even if I'm not leaving the house - who cares as long as I feel better. Makeup will be for another day's post but today I'm focusing on skin and body care. I have a mixture of luxury and budget brands that I use - to be honest, the price of a product doesn't matter, as long as it makes you feel happy and better. If a product has been gifted to me, it will be marked with a * but this post is not sponsored! I think it's important to do something every day to make you happy, (where possible of course) - even if it's just reading a few pages of a book, a spritz of perfume, a glass of wine - you get the drill. I'm going to start sharing my daily 'happy things' on my Instastories and would love if you would too and tag me (@beautylymin) and use the hashtag #BLhappytime. I'd love to see what's making you happy - no matter what it is!

Given that we're not going anywhere for the foreseeable, now is the time to do things that require some 'downtime'. I'm going to use my Footner Exfoliating Socks because they really are brilliant for getting rid of hard skin on your feet. I have tried other brands in the past that haven't worked but this brand is so effective! You put them on for an hour and after a few days, the peeling begins. It's grossly fascinating to see the skin peel off - it looks like a sock made of skin! I find that the whole process takes around 10 days, maybe a few more, but you are left with baby soft skin. Feet feel brand new - not just smooth and soft but also refreshed. Because of the peeling process being so aesthetically unpleasant, lockdown is the perfect time to do it and feet will be looking and feeling great for summer!

Another great product that works over a number of weeks is RevitaLash Advanced Serum. I regularly get lash extensions applied and had planned on getting them done again just before Easter, which obviously won't be happening and I haven't had them since around the end of January. I've been using this serum, which I also used last year and I can promise you that it makes a huge difference in terms of growth and the length of my lashes. It takes around 4 weeks to begin to see a difference (when used daily) but a bottle lasts around 2/3 months and the difference is undeniable. The key is consistency, so I just make it part of my nightly skincare routine. 

Next up is hair! I know that so many of us would just love to be able to go to the hairdresser but, unfortunately, we are going to have to manage without them for a few months! I have ordered Color Wow Root Cover Up as I'm resisting reaching for the box dye (for now - it depends how long this goes on for!). I have read only positive reviews on this product so I'll let you know my thoughts at a later date. In the meantime, I'm doing what I do every Spring and that's using Grow Gorgeous Growth Serum as it really helps with both the growth and density of my hair. Again, this is something that requires consistent use to yield results but it is worth incorporating into your routine daily. A few drops need to be massaged into scalp daily and after around 6 weeks, you will see a difference but fuller results will be seen. It seems counter productive to use the serum to encourage hair growth while buying a product to cover roots but I use that serum every Spring so that my hair will look luscious for summer.

I'm sure that everyone is suffering from dry and even sore hands from washing them so much and, obviously, using hand cream is very important but I also recommend using nail oil to keep your nails in good condition and prevent damage and brittle nails. If you are used to having shellac, gel or acrylic nails, I have seen some videos on Instagram showing how to remove them and afterwards, it would be more important than ever to use a nail oil to nourish them. I use CND Solar Oil.

I moisturise my body daily and my current favourite is a budget product from Nivea that makes me think of holidays due to the coconut scent! It's Nivea Coconut and Monoi Oil moisturiser. This is inexpensive, really nourishes the skin and leaves it with a gorgeous scent (if you like coconuts), that doesn't smell fake or overpowering. It just makes me think of pina coladas, sun cream and holidays, which can only be a good thing!

Finally, I just love doing a DIY facial. That is guaranteed to make me feel better! I will assess what my skin needs most on that particular day and decide which products to use from there. Sometimes it's a little congested, sometimes textured, sometimes dull and sometimes all of those issues appear at once! Here are some of the products that I reach for when I really want to pamper myself and see a difference as I always feel better when I look better. You will notice that there are a lot of Omorovicza products mentioned here because it's the skincare brand that works best for my skin (some products were kindly sent to me and some I bought myself). Have a good rummage through your stash and find your favourite products, also use up anything that has been open for a while to avoid waste.

I tend to start with a balm cleanser (although I do have some cream cleansers that I love) and the one I am reaching for most often at the moment is Omorovicza Thermal Cleansing Balm. I honestly couldn't tell you how many times I have bought this, which is testament to how much I love it. It is nourishing, yet doesn't leave a film on the skin. It deeply cleanses the skin and almost feels like a magnet as all dirt is removed and skin is left feeling soft and comfortable. Then I will exfoliate before deciding which mask to use. I have a few exfoliating options that I love to use: Pixi Glow Tonic*, Dr Dennis Gross Alpha Beta Peel Extra Strength or Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant*. If my skin is looking congested, I will reach for Omorovicza Ultramoor Mud Mask* because this always, always leaves my skin looking clearer, plumper and brighter (full review here). If my skin is very textured, I will reach for Ecooking Peeling Mask*, as this leaves my skin feeling baby soft - full review here.  Whichever mask I use, I will then follow with Dermalogca Multivitamin Power Recovery Masque as this nourishes, plumps and brightens my skin (full review here).

At this point, I always use a face mist (I use them throughout the day too) and my favourite is Omorovicza Queen Of Hungary Mist*. This is calming, soothing and hydrating. To further hydrate my skin, I follow with Omoressence*,  which is a mist/serum hybrid. This is a really brilliant product for dehydrated skin. I then follow with a serum and, like with the masks, it depends on what my skin needs on a particular day. I always need hydration and I absolutely LOVE Image Ageless Total Pure Hyaluronic Filler* because it leaves my skin feeling soft but also so plump that fine lines are diminished! It doesn't just hydrate the skin, it is also anti-ageing. If my skin is looking dull, I will reach for a Vitamin C serum and one of my favourites is Sunday Riley C.E.O. Rapid Flash Brightening Serum, which not only brightens the skin but also helps to improve the texture too. Next up is eye cream and I love Omorovicza Reviiving Eye Cream*, which soothes and hydrates the under eye area as well as helping to reduce puffiness. What I really love about this cream is how it helps to soothe and cool my tired eyes. Finally, I apply moisturiser and my current go-to is *Volition Celery Green Cream*, which although oil-free, is very nourishing and packed with hydrating ingredients, such as hyaluronic acid, celery seed, peptides and cucumber. It feels very soothing on the skin and is the perfect way to end my DIY facial. 

If I am performing this at night, there are a few other products I would use, which are specifically designed to work overnight. You all know that I love Estée Lauder Advanced Night Repair (use code LYMIN to save 20%), review here. Another brilliant serum option is Omorovicza Gold Night Drops*, which basically is a 'one product does it all' serum. It contains Vitamin A, which helps to reduce the appearance of fine lines, Vitamin C, which brightens the skin and also increases elasticity in the skin. It also contains Colloidal Gold (hence the name), which helps to heal and strengthen the skin. I find that when I use this, my skin looks fresher and brighter the next morning. One product that I always know I can depend on to make my skin look so much better and guarantee me a better skin day is Omorovicza Midnight Radiance Mask, which I have reviewed here. It helps with blemishes, texture, hydration and brightness of my skin. I just know when I use this mask, I will wake to better skin that looks almost translucent and feels plump and hydrated. One other product that I will often include with my facials is Zelens Power D Treatment Drops because it instantly soothes and calms my skin. It really helps to strengthen my skin's barrier function and can be used either before serum or after moisturiser. It's a must-have product for me.

I will always, always feel better after a pamper, particularly a DIY facial. You don't need to have all of these products but I promise you that if you give your skin a little pamper, you will feel a bit better and more relaxed. In general, I'm not wearing a lot of makeup at the moment - it's usually just a bit of Omorovicza Complexion Perfector*,  tinted lip balm and I fill my brows in. There are some days where I feel like playing with makeup but I'll share those products another day!

If you want to buy any of the Omorovicza products, use the code PERFECT at checkout to save 5%.

I would love to hear what you've been doing to make yourself feel better during the lockdown? Also, if you have any tips on products to use for brow tinting or taming, I would love to hear as mine really could do with some work! Are you going bare faced or wearing makeup daily? I'd love to hear!

Thanks for reading! 

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All products are bought by me, unless otherwise stated. Anything marked with a * has been gifted without any obligation. I don't do sponsored posts. Opinion is always my own. Affiliate links may be used.