My Go-To Skin and Haircare Products

I use many different skin and haircare products but I have my good ol’ favourites and this month I've found myself using brand new products that – I think – will turn into good ol’ reliables. I want to share them with you, because honestly, they have delivered!

Skincare

Thinking about it, I started a facial skin care routine when I was 13 years old. I was a spotty teenager and tried everything from brands such as Simple, Clearasil, Garnier, Freederm, Neutrogena and even Sudocrem.

Nothing seemed to work for me until my Mum introduced me to the Jan Marini Face Cleanser. I cannot rave about this product enough. I haven’t used a different skin cleanser since and I’m now 23.

I can remember when I applied it for the first time, it had a tingly (almost burning) sensation, but not unpleasant. I knew it was doing something and I would recommend this to anyone with any skin type. It is pricey but use it sparingly and it will last.

The skincare product I’ve been using to this month, as well as the Jan Marini Face Cleanser, is the Balance Me Radiance Face Mask. I got this sample in a goody bag after visiting a wedding fair at the beginning of the month. I was sceptical because I’ve already invested in the Jan Marini Face Cleanser and it does so much more than any old face mask, toner or moisturiser.

Saying that, I gave it a chance. The amount of times I’ve had skin care experts telling me to exfoliate and I’ve finally found something that I actually like and most of all – it works!

Once a week I exfoliate using this face mask and I can honestly feel the difference. Once I've washed it off and dried my face, it feels so soft.

 Haircare

Now, my hair has always been a challenge to tackle. Naturally my hair is thick, frizzy and has natural auburn highlights and recently I have been finding the odd sparkly streak – yes grey hairs! Can’t believe I’m admitting that on here...

There are pictures of me when I was in primary school with long frizzy hair that I used to tuck behind my very large ears. Not a pretty sight, but my Mum and Dad will argue with that fact.

For my 13^th birthday, Mum and Dad gave me GHDs and I was the happiest girl in the world. They knew my hair was a nightmare for me to manage and I struggled to style it without it frizzing. I have straightened my hair ever since and you can imagine how dry, brittle and damaged it is.

So over the years, I have found products to protect it such as Tresemmé Heat Defence Styling Spray and Argan Oil Heat Defence Spray, but on top of those, I’ve been using a repairing oil for the past week.

I found this particular product in the wedding fair goody bag again (it was a cracking goody bag!) and I will use anything to try and repair or restore the goodness back into my hair. This 72 Repairing Oil sounded great on the bottle so I thought I’d give it a go. I was pleasantly surprised with the results as I thought it might’ve been a naff sample in a goody bag, but it has done wonders to my hair.

Apply the oil to towel dried hair and then style it as usual. My hair feels softer, healthier and less brittle so I will definitely buy a full size bottle once I’ve gone through this.

Teeth

I’ve always been one to look after my teeth. Since having braces, I really appreciate having straight gnashers and I’ll do anything to look after them. I should probably go to the dentist more often but I like to think I keep them in good nick.

For two weeks I’ve been using this AP24 Whitening Toothpaste which Mum and I found at the wedding fair. They showed before and after pictures of people who have used the toothpaste and I haven’t seen results like it before. Mum was very kind and bought me a tube and it’s whitened my teeth but I reckon I can get them whiter after a full month’s use.

Perfume

Zara perfumes, Ghost, Calvin Klein, Victoria Beckham and Paul Smith are just a handful of brands that I have used. I go through perfume like water, it’s not great. I am very fussy when it comes to perfume and I usually wear Zara because I think its great quality for what it is and smells incredible.

Recently, I’ve been wearing Bronnley Citrine Lagoon – this rollerball eau de toilette. I cannot rave about it anymore than I have but I will certainly be buying another one after I get through it. I’ve only been using it for two weeks and I’m already half way through it! 

I thought I'd share my thoughts on these products as they have changed my world, so I hope they might make a difference in someone elses too.

I've not been paid or asked to review any of the products above. All opinions are my own.