Women’s Fashion

A few weeks ago I brought you my can’t-live-without purchases and promised my top health and beauty products were coming soon… well, here they are!

So that last post with the products that –ahem- “changed my life” (and yes, I know how dramatic that sounds but I like to keep up the optimism!) listed the items to do with the home and garden, style and kitchen that all made my life easier or enhanced it in some way; I wanted to do that with health and beauty products. And anything to do with wellness that I think have had an impact on my everyday life and that may well have an impact on yours, too.

(You need to let me know!)

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Well-being, wellness, our home/life balance are all buzzwords that are bandied about so much but wowsers, now that we’re aware of them I do believe they’re really important. Self-care and mindfulness also come to mind… you get my drift. We can’t do everything, we can’t make everything perfect (and good lord midlife is hard enough as it is without feeling pressure to do EVEN better than what we’re already trying to do), but anything that makes your life easier or makes you feel more positive? I’m all in.

Nothing listed here is crazy expensive, I can’t afford anything that costs a bomb these days anyway. They’ll all make you feel good and/or look good, because we all need a bit of that, don’t we…?

Here they are:

My top 10 affordable health, beauty and well-being products (with prices at time of publishing)

1. NYK1 eyelash and brow serum (£38 each)

In the past I’ve used that eyelash growth serum – the really expensive OG, Revitalash – because it was heads and shoulders better than any of the other cheaper ones on the market at the time. But now it seems that other companies have caught up and are making serums that are just as effective but with a much cheaper price tag. I’ve tried a couple since then, but here’s a brand that many people seem to wax lyrical about, as do I: NYK1 for eyelashes and brows. Compared to Revitalash‘s £100 price tag (gulp, for 3 month’s supply), NYK1 is a much more affordable £40-ish.

It works just as effectively: at Christmas I thought my lashes had had it. Thin, sparse and short. But by the end of March – after three months of using NYK1 – I realised that bloody hell, I had crazy-ass longer, thicker lashes again. They just sort of… creep up on you (not literally, that would be kinda weird). The brow serum has made my brows much, much fluffier too. Growth serum for your lashes and brows is NOT an essential in life, but wowsers they make you feel good about your face.

2. St.Tropez bronzing mousse (£15), Ambre Solaire self-tan spray (£6) and Ambre Solaire over makeup SPF50 spray (£8)

So much trial and error over the years has resulted in me swearing by/sticking to these two self-tanning products (and a clever SPF sunscreen for your face that can be used on bare skin OR over makeup: genius). I use two different self-tanners as I use them on different parts of my body; let me explain…

I use the St. Tropez mousse on my legs all the way up to my bum (I have a set of standard black pants that I bought just for tanning overnight so it creates clean tan lines in the same place every time) with a hand mitt… don’t try and apply it without one unless you want tanned palms! It doesn’t smell grim, though I can’t ever remember smelling one like that so maybe those days of biscuity-smelling self-tanners are long gone. And I find a spray easier on my top half so it can reach my back and everywhere it needs to go – it still sprays upside down which is a bonus. I don’t use it on my legs because I just CANNOT get it to spray evenly on them, don’t ask me why?! The St. Tropez mousse AND the Ambre Solaire spray give an even, natural-looking colour overnight, and here’s another tip: protect your sheets with a tanning sack. That was another very wise investment… all my sheets are plain white so I’m glad they don’t end up with dubious tanning stains on them. It all sounds like a faff but it’s actually quicker than it sounds, and I like the healthy glow these products give me.

3. The HBD (Human Being Diet) cookbook (£15)

I might write about the Human Being Diet (HBD) in a separate post sometime in the near future, but if you haven’t heard of it it’s a diet plan (as in “your diet”, not as in a fad) that’s being lauded by many midlife women as having helped them get fit and healthy – and to keep weight off.

It’s not a long-term restrictive way of eating; you must have three hearty meals a day, there’s no calorie counting, and you’re told to not do any (not ANY!) cardio exercise for the first two or three months. Plus, after the stricter first two weeks, you get to have a treat meal of ANYTHING you like once a week.

There are four “phases” with different rules in each, and the last phase is the “forever” phase, i.e. when you continue on, keeping the weight off and staying healthy. I lost an incredible 11lbs (5kg) in two weeks with only walking for exercise, and it didn’t feel like I was trying to do anything special. The recipes are all absolutely delicious and very easy and I felt soooooo much better for all the protein, vegetables and general goodness I had to eat.

I’m not one for fad diets – I’ve never tried Atkins, Keto, Weight Watchers or anything similar as I believe it’s too easy to fall back into bad habits once it’s over. I needed to change my habits permanently and this somehow worked when nothing else I’d tried did. I only stopped and restarted because my back went just three weeks into the programme the first time I started it (there is a lot of prep you need to do as all the meals in the first few weeks need to be cooked or prepped from scratch) and when my sciatica reared its ugly head I could barely make myself a cup of tea, let alone prep and cook a healthy stir fry or cooked breakfast. But I’m back on it (pun not intended), am just about to finish the second full week (phase 2) and am looking forward to my first weekly treat meal in phase 3 soon.

Although this is really an HBD cookbook, there’s still a lot of general information in it about HBD itself. But if you fancy reading about HBD in more detail, you can read The Human Being Diet by Petronella Ravenshear and discover more about the science behind it. It’s a very interesting read.

4. Garnier Olia hair colourant (£10 or 2 for £15 at Superdrug)

As someone who started working with L’Oréal five years ago, I can honestly say I’ve not found a better home box dye than Olia by Garnier. Nearly everyone I’ve spoken to who has used it (it becoming a go-to during the pandemic lockdowns) has said just how good it is. It doesn’t stink (at all), it’s easy to apply, the colour is very even and bold (maybe TOO bold?!!) and it makes hair seems super glossy and shiny. I’m not being paid to promote this ad infinitum, I’m just really happy to have found a home box dye that I love considering I can’t afford to get my hair coloured at the hairdressers anymore.

My ONLY gripe is that they’ve discontinued my beloved Rose Gold. (I’m gutted.) I’m going to try L’Oréal Preference Rose Gold Blonde next as it’s the nearest colour to what I want to achieve… fingers crossed the formula is as good as Olia.

5. Pureology shampoo and conditioner (£38 duo set)

I never thought that you could get an amazing shampoo. It just washes and cleans your hair, surely? Makes it feel and smell… nice? What more can it do?! That was what I thought until I tried Pureology (they do several different types but I went for the dry, coloured hair version) – oh my god it’s so much better than any other shampoo I’ve ever tried. For a start, you only need a TINY amount to get a good lather. It smells gorgeous, not just nice. It rinses out easily. And the conditioner is thick and gloopy and delicious. Using them together results in hair that blow dries beautifully and looks amazing. The difference just really, really surprised me (so THAT’S what an amazing shampoo does?!).

I will admit these ARE pricier than “affordable” as per the rest of this list, I’ve kinda sneaked these in. But I honestly think they’re worth it. I’ve had the seal of approval from a hairstylist on a photoshoot when I was asked what shampoo and conditioner I used, and I said Pureology… the stylist’s eyes lit up and he agreed with me that YES they are the absolute bomb for haircare. Not just me, then.

6. bareMinerals Illuminating Mineral Veil (£22)

I have used bareMinerals mineral veil for YEARS and will probably never change it. Nothing else I’ve ever tried has come close to looking as invisible and as dewy as this, and the illuminating version that I prefer has tiny sparkles that make it look like your skin has a natural sheen to it without any chalkiness or dryness (perfect for dry, perimenopausal skin like mine). Plus, it sets makeup beautifully. Don’t ask me how it looks invisible but also seems to even out your skin tone; until I put a light dusting of this on I look blotchy and tired. One sweep later and voilà! Natural, dewy-looking skin. Magic in a pot, especially when you combine it with…

7. IT Cosmetics CC Cream foundation with SPF50 (£30) and Magic foundation brush by Jacqueline Kalab (£42)

I’ve tried LOADS of different foundations over the years (not the super expensive ones, just the cheaper ones and the middle-priced ranges. I’ve never been able to afford crazy-priced foundations). My main gripes have usually been colour match and coverage/finish, which I’ve generally found to be too thick or cakey… neither of which is ideal for me. I’d rather forgo foundation altogether than wear a thick, visible one. Then I discovered IT Cosmetics foundations, and my world was ROCKED. (Slight exaggeration there, I’m just leaning on the dramatic.) I’ve talked before about the IT Cosmetics foundation, and although there are several different ones, I love the Your Skin But Better version: it does what it says on the tin. As mentioned in that post from last year, I don’t know how it’s described as full coverage (it is) but doesn’t look like it. I don’t wear concealer anymore – just this. It’s practically invisible and I love it.

The brush: the brush is perfect. Although £42 is pricey, I was spending loads on Beautyblender sponges that would eventually wear out and get a bit minging – they’re £16 (!) a go, so one Jacqueline Kalab brush that lasts forever is much, much better value in the long run. The bristles are soft and dense and the finish it gives is heaps better than the Beautyblender’s so I’m very happy I bought one.

8. Fitness water bottle with time marker tracker

Our bodies are roughly 60% water, blah, blah, blah… we know the drill. Drink more water, etc. etc. But sometimes that’s easier said than done and you find yourself halfway through the day and realising you haven’t yet had any plain water to drink. This water solves all that: the times of the day are marked on the bottle so you can see exactly where you should be and when with your drinking water habits. I take mine everywhere (and if you don’t like black there are also colourless bottle/white lid and purple versions too), and I mean everywhere. Two fill-ups of this bad boy a day and I’m weeing a lot but also my skin is clearer and I feel more alert. Oh and it’s BIG, holding 2 litres, is 100% BPA-free and the long straw design means no tipping up of the bottle required (good for drinking in the car), plus it has a loop built into the lid so can be carried with it swinging from your finger. I’ve tried many water bottles over the years and I’ll buy this exact one again if I ever needed to.

If you want a prettier version (with nice colours) go for this similar 2 litre bottle with time markers in pinks, purples, greens or blues.

9. The Happiness Revolution (£6)

Described as “a manifesto for living your best life”, I read this book about achieving happiness from cover to cover as soon as I got it – I almost never do that with non-fiction/self-help books (normally I dip in and out of chapters that I fancy reading the most). But it was such an easy read and made SO much sense that it’s the sort of book you should read, say, once a year to remind yourself about how your own happiness is important and achievable.

It’s honestly the best book ever if you’re struggling to deal with anxiety, crappy midlife shit or general low mood: “Built on simple and practical principles, The Happiness Revolution is a thought-provoking and fun read which will have an immediate positive effect on your life and the lives of those around you”. This book is a DELIGHT and you’re guaranteed to feel happier and more contented after you’ve read it than you were before.

10. Go Ho waterproof freckles makeup stamp (£8)

Yet another product I’ve spent years trying to find the perfect version of… this is the best IMHO. I’ve been drawing on freckles since I stopped going in the sun and started wearing SPF daily and my natural face freckles disappeared. In fact I started when I was still at college, so that’s at least 30 years (did I really graduate 30 years ago?!) of painting on freckles: this ain’t no 2020s trend for me…! I’ve tried eyebrow pencil (my go-to for years), henna, specialised freckle pens, tattoo brow stain, the lot. But someone, somewhere mentioned this and it sounded like the sort of thing I’d have designed myself. I bought it and haven’t looked back, no need for the other methods at all anymore.

It’s quicker than the single dotting of a pen or pencil as it creates more freckles in one go with the round stamp. It’s more natural-looking as the dots are different sizes and you can blend with a light tapping of your finger. It lasts pretty much all day as it’s a temporary stain. I freakin LOVE this product so much and am so glad it was invented: hats off to you, sir/madam that created it 😀

And a few special mentions…

Nails Inc Tootsie Tamer foot file (£10) – THE best file to make your feet super soft, it’s unforgiving but works miracles.

Cordless nail drill & polisher (£18) – made mostly for acrylic nails, but I think this is the best tool ever for buffing your nails and cleaning up cuticles.

Rotating beauty/makeup organiser (£11) – so glad I bought this! My everyday makeup and skincare is easily accessible and organised.

Toe protector squishies (£10) – perfect for preventing blisters if you do a lot of walking, hiking or running.

Cetaphil Daily Defence face moisturiser SPF50 (£12) – I’ve almost eradicated the pigmentation I used to get in the summer all over my face with this day cream (Hallelujah!). Great price point for such a high SPF too.

Your turn – have you got any health, beauty and well-being products you swear by (or will you be trying any of these)? Do you think a similar post about products for perimeno and menopause would be a good idea? Tell me in the comments…!

Thanks for reading,

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