Saturday 29 March 2014

My After-Shower Routine

I'm a morning shower girl. I love feeling clean when I go to bed but nothing beats a shower in the morning to wake and set you up for the day. 

Although most people probably don't care, I thought I would share my post-shower skin and hair care routines. If you have read some of my older posts, you may be aware that I have fairly sensitive skin so I don't use many "fancy" products (as I like to call them). I also probably put things on in the wrong order but hey... This works for me.

Again, I apologise for the terrible quality of the photo below. I'm getting a camera for my birthday in April but until then, the iPhone will have to do!


In the shower, I'm currently using the Hair Culture shampoo from Aldi and the Alberto Balsam mandarin and papaya conditioner - both super cheap and affordable on my student budget! I can't wait to run out of the Aldi shampoo because my mother gave me a bottle of Aussi last time I went home... Eek! 
I sometimes use the Toni&Guy Nourish Reconstruction mask if my hair has been feeling extra dry. 
(None of these products are featured in the above picture)

After showering, I pat my face and body dry and then wrap my hair up in a smaller, dry towel. The first thing I applying post-shower is Bio-Oil. I've been using this for years (since I got a couple of growth stretch marks as a young teen) and it's pretty much become something that I don't think works but I like to apply it just in case. Although my stretch marks have looked the same for years, I live in hope that this Bio-Oil will make them disappear even more! The reason I apply this first is so it can dry before I put my clothes on. I have ruined many a bra by applying loads of the stuff and getting dressed instantly.

Whilst the Bio-Oil is drying, I put on my deodorant. I usually like to use Right Guard or Dove. I'm trying to steer away from spray deodorants right now. They aren't good for the environment and I always used to be anti-aerosols. Not quite sure what happened or how I got so addicted to them. So this deodorant is the Dove Go Fresh Cucumber Roll On and it is lovely! Again, I'm applying this early so it can dry. 

I then take my E45 and apply it to my legs, tops of feet, arms, tummy and as much of my back as I can reach! I love this stuff. I often use Aveeno Daily Moisturising Lotion but I'm on E45 at the moment. But again, I need to ensure that I apply moisturiser early so it can dry.

Ok, the next step I often forget about. I take a cotton pad and pour a little toner from Simple onto it. I pop this all over my face using small circular motions. In all honesty, I don't know what toners do (Google challenge for the day)! I was once told that they close your pores up after using warm water to wash it as well as clearing out extra dirt... But I could be 100% wrong. I always let this dry before applying anything else onto my face.

I then apply Grease Lightening from Lush to any spots or possible blemishes. If I've been feeling a little gross or feel like I'm about to have a huge break-out, then I'm a little more generous with this stuff and I put it all over my t-zone. I often find it brings out a spot that has been waiting to erupt on my face. Again, I let this dry.

The next thing I use is the Estée Lauder Advanced Night Repair Serum. Ok, I know I said I'm a morning shower girl and this says "Night Repair" but I like to use it in the mornings sometimes!  I apply it by popping a little blob on each finger excluding my thumb on my left hand, lightly rubbing them with the fingers on my other hand and, starting at the centre of my forehead, lightly drawing round to my temples and down towards my mouth. I then put my fingers on my nose and sweep them out towards my ears, always avoiding the eye area. I'm not sure if this is the correct way to apply it but it works for me and I don't want to pull my skin too much. You can read a full review of this product on my blog - click here. This product dries pretty quickly so I can usually go straight onto my full face moisturiser after my next product.

The next thing I apply is the Estée Lauder Advanced Time Zone Age Reversing/Wrinkle Eye Creme. Again, you can read a full review here. I use the tiniest amount and rub it into the areas where I get laughter lines and little just above and just below my eyes. 

If you have taken a good look at the photograph above, you will see that I have four moisturisers on there. I started off buying the green tub, which is the Garnier Moisture Match in Shine Be Gone (ideal for combination/oily skin). I feel in love with the matte texture and the way it actually helps with my shiny t-zone. As I don't wear make-up often, I rely on a good moisturiser to ensure I look fresh as a daisy everyday! Anyway, I fell in love with this product so much that I simply had to buy a couple more tubes and Boots had an offer on so it would have been rude not to! I bought the Protect and Glow (yellow tub - with SPF20 and suitable for normal skin), Start Afresh (blue tub - suitable for normal/dry skin) and Wake Me Up (orange tub - suitable for dull skin). Why do I need so many? Because my skin is different everyday. I use Wake Me Up and Shine Be Gone the most. All have been fine with my sensitive skin.

I then use the Lush lip scrub in the flavour Popcorn to remove any dead skin from my lips and once I have licked it off (yum), I put on my little life saver (Carmex) to moisturise my lips. 

I will then brush my hair into a middle parting and, taking a small amount of my anti-frizz serum from Aussie, I comb my fingers through my hair, starting at the ends and working my way half way up my hair. I then take the heat protection spray, also by Aussie, spray this all over my hair and then comb it through to ensure it is evenly spread. I'll then blow dry my hair upside down to give it some lift as I have super flat and straight locks and it's completely frustrating! 

Once dried, I will spray through some Toni&Guy Casual: Sea Salt Texturising Spray whilst still blow drying my hair to bump it up a little.


Anyway, this is my post shower routine... Pretty long. I got a little carried away. 

Peace and love, my lovelies <3

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