Best of August 2018: Skincare, Beauty and Wellness

August has officially come to an end and so begins the phasing out of Summer. I hope your month has been beautiful and you have had the chance to savour every day. In this post I will be presenting the best of August 2018. This is a roundup of all the articles I have published over the past month in case you missed any, along with a few favourite product finds.

Best of August 2018: Product Finds

These are a few great products I have been loving over the month of August but have not yet had the opportunity to talk about in blog posts. For many more of my favourite products and recommendations, make sure to check out my previous blog posts.

Nars Radiant Creamy Concealer

I have only just been able to try this cult classic product after hearing about it for years. I purchased a mini size on a trip to Madrid a few weeks ago. The price has typically deferred me from trying it before, but when I saw the mini size I decided it was a good time to purchase it and try it out.

It provides excellent coverage, goes on smoothly and does not cake up excessively. It does not easily settle into the fine lines under my eyes like other typical radiant concealers tend to do. I use the shade ‘Custard’.

Nars Concealer UK

Nars Concealer US

Lipstick Queen Frog Prince Lipstick

This alarmingly green lipstick is actually not green at all. It is in fact colour-adapting once applied. Kind of like the mood rings we had in the 90s. It applies as a sheer, rose-toned wash of colour that gradually intensifies. The shade is very natural and simply looks like your lips are healthy and hydrated. Whereas some lipsticks make it look as though you are wearing an obvious opaque layer of paint, this is a more “my lips but better” shade.

Frog Prince Lipstick UK

Frog Prince Lipstick US

Simple Hydrating Gel Cream

I picked this up while it was on sale at Boots for around £3. Let me tell you it is fantastic! Typically formulas claiming they are for dry dehydrated skin are a little heavier so I was apprehensive about that. However, this moisturiser is completely light, non greasy, with a gel texture. I actually think it would work great for anyone with acne prone or even oily skin. It sinks in quickly and is still hydrating. Definitely worth the find.

Simple in the UK

Simple in the US

Fenty Beauty Match Stix Shimmer Skinstick

Yacht Lyfe is a gorgeous pinky-peach with a shimmering finish. The sheen in this product is not overly glittery or obvious. Although many products in Fenty’s line are meant to be played up for full-face glam, I do like to play down intense colours for a more effortless effect. You can swipe this shade onto the cheeks for a glowy flush of colour or you can dial down the intensity to suit you. 

On “no makeup” makeup days, it is a nice shade to pick up with your fingers then just pat onto the cheeks. After lip balm I will pat this into my lips and also like to sweep some on to my lids too. I find it just livens up the face and gives a more cohesive look.

Fenty Beauty is available here in the UK

Fenty Beauty is available here in the US

Tech Fave

Lastly, I have a random favourite. I have been travelling frequently and needed something that would protect my laptop but also make it look cute. I found this sparkling silver laptop case and it is so pretty. While it is very affordable, it is probably not the most sturdy in terms of security. It just makes me happy every time I look at it on my laptop. This is the exact seller I bought my laptop case from.

I did not want to be too overwhelming with a favourites overload of 50 products. So, this is just a few products I have been using and loving on a daily basis that I have not before mentioned in a previous blog post. In the future, I would be happy to dedicate entire blog posts to monthly favourites. But for now, I feel as though you will get a sense of my taste and the product I enjoy from my regular articles. I frequently recommend products and provide in depth reviews of many of the products I mention in my blog posts. 

Best of August 2018 Blog Posts To Check Out

Skin Science

The Complete Guide to Hyaluronic Acid

All About Antioxidants 

Sun Damage and the effects of UV radiation

The Complete Guide to Salicylic Acid in Skincare

All About Vitamin C: Brighter, Firmer Skin

Natural Beauty & Wellness

Avocado Oil Benefits for Skin and Health

The Benefits of Rosehip Oil For Skin

The Only Natural Alternative To Retinol Clinically Proven By Science

Beauty and Skin Care Advice

How to Properly Layer Skincare Products 

Top 10 Essential Tips To Keep Skin Healthy During Travel

Top Korean Skincare Products You Need To Try

9 Things You Must Consider Before You Start A New Skincare Routine 

Sephora Skincare To Add To Your Shopping Cart

Self Development

The Importance of Inner Beauty and Mindset 

How to Live Your Truth and Be Your Authentic Self

I have a lot of new and very exciting articles coming your way in the upcoming months, so make sure you are Subscribed to the Blog. 

Let me know the products or experiences that have been your Best of August 2018. What have you been loving this month?

Wishing you boundless love, endless light and life without limit,

Shannon xo

This post is not sponsored. All opinions are my own.

The post Best of August 2018: Skin Care, Beauty and Wellness appeared first on Shannon Feetham.

Sephora VIB Sale Skincare Recommendations

It is the time of year where Sephora is having their Beauty Insider Appreciation event. I like to take advantage of sales like this to stock up on some of my favourite skincare items. I also like to take the opportunity to possibly try out higher priced products that I would not necessarily feel so comfortable purchasing at full price. In this post I will be giving some of my Sephora VIB Sale Skincare Recommendations. Beauty Insiders will be able to get 10% off their purchase as of August 30^th. As of a few days ago, Rouge members have been able to get 20% off. While this post may be a little late for VIB Rouge members, there is still time for everyone to make a few more purchases before the sale ends on the 4^thSeptember. 

I have decided to do a rundown of just a few of the best skincare products to check out at Sephora. Come next sale, I promise I will publish this post well in advance of the sale date so you can be fully prepared. But for now, here is a list of some of my favourite Sephora VIB Sale Skincare products at the moment. If you do not have access to Sephora, I have included links to where you can get these products internationally. These recommendations are not solely exclusive to those who have access to Sephora. This post is applicable to anyone in search of some great skincare product recommendations.

Indie Lee CoQ10 Toner

I have previously mentioned this toner in my How to Layer Skincare Products post. Toners can be incredibly tricky. If you are not careful with your selection of toner, you may end up with something alcohol-laden, drying, astringent, and overly fragranced. This toner contains no alcohol and is not excessively fragranced. So it does not incite a tight, dry feeling in skin.

It incorporates several soothing ingredients such as aloe vera, chamomile and cucumber which is perfect for skin like mine that can be easily sensitised. If you read my post about hyaluronic acid, you would be aware of its benefits and why its inclusion in this toner is beneficial for skin. Not to mention, the inclusion of antioxidant Coenzyme Q10 provides protection against environmental aggressors. For all the details about antioxidant skincare, make sure to read this article about antioxidants and what they do for skin.

You can find the toner available internationally here.

Drunk Elephant Glycolic Night Serum

I purchased this serum during a trip to New York, only a couple of months after Drunk Elephant first hit the market. At the time, the packaging was entirely different, and the nozzle did not twist up as it does now. There was little buzz around the product yet, but sure enough word about this highly effective serum spread like wildfire. Just a few years on, Drunk Elephant now has somewhat of a cult following, and for good reason.

This serum makes use of chemical both AHA and BHA exfoliants. As you would know from my previous post about BHA exfoliants, the inclusion of such exfoliants allows dead skin cells to slough off skin’s surface to reveal a radiant, fresh complexion. Glycolic acid, tartaric acid and other AHA’s will help to target visible signs of ageing. All the while, salicylic acid helps clear and refine pores. If you are struggling with acne and skin discolourations, a product like this will be invaluable in your routine.

Blithe Vital Treatment Essence for Hydrating

This essence was included in my rundown of the Top Korean Skincare Products. As aforementioned in that post, this line is a great choice if you are on the search for great essences. It will help to balance skin, lessen uneven skin tone and diminish dark spots. If your skin is feeling a little tired and lacklustre, reaching for a product like this will help skin feel uplifted and rejuvenated again.

This particular product contains a number of root extracts – ginseng, burdock root, Indian lotus root – to help combat signs of dullness and dehydration. I did remark in my Korean Skincare post that I even consume burdock and ginseng internally as they are a key part of Chinese medicine. If you would like to start using more K-beauty skincare products, this is a great essence to begin with.

Get this essence sold internationally here.

Clinique Moisture Surge Hydrating Supercharged Concentrate

I have mentioned this product in a number of previous posts, including my post about the best hyaluronic acid products. I picked this up in a pinch last year, when I found myself forced to fly to the other side of the world for three weeks with nothing but a small backpack – no clothes, no makeup and no skincare. Ever since, this product has been a staple in my routine.

It is extremely lightweight, absorbs quickly and is my perfect summer skin hydrator. It leaves skin feeling hydrated and refreshed without an occlusive or greasy film. Your skin will feel airy, breathable and nourished. A perfect product for ance-prone or oily skin types. If this product it too light for the upcoming colder months, or you have a drier skin type but would still like to try it out, wear a thicker moisturiser or oil over the top of this product. I do this at times when I feel as though my skin needs some extra moisture.

You can also find Clinique Moisture Surge here. 

Laneige Lip Sleeping Mask

We all know the feeling of dry, parched lips in the morning when we have forgotten to slather our lips in lip balm the night before. During the summer, air conditioning will leach the moisture from our lips while the cold winter air also does not allow for smooth supple lips. Another product mentioned in my Korean Skincare post, this lip sleeping mask is an overnight mask for lips.

Because our lips are most susceptible to drying out at night, it is important to make sure they are protected. This mask protects lips, nourishes and prevents the uncomfortable, dry feeling come morning. You will never need to reach for a lip scrub again and it makes your morning lipstick application so much easier. It keeps your lips supple so that lip products will apply smoothly and evenly.

Laneige Sleeping Mask also sold here

Dr Dennis Gross Alpha Beta Peel

This two-step peel has been revolutionary in the skincare space. Dr Dennis Gross made it very easy for anyone to achieve chemical peel-like results without a dermatologist office visit. Unlike high strength in-office peels, this peel is far gentler and can be used on a daily basis. It can really help to improve skin texture, eliminate blackheads and reveal radiant glowing skin.

Step 1 contains chemical exfoliants such as glycolic acid and salicylic acid, to reduce signs of ageing and keep pores clear. In my post about salicylic acid, I went into detail about all the benefits of salicylic acid. So, if you would like to learn more about what this peel does, make sure to read that salicylic acid post. Step 2 contains vitamin C and retinol which will greatly help with reducing discolourations, anti-ageing and diminishing fine lines. I wrote an entire post dedicated to vitamin C skincare benefits so make sure you have taken a look at that too.

Find the peel available on this international site.

Bobbi Brown Intensive Skin Supplement

This water-based serum is definitely an underrated skincare item. It contains multiple antioxidants, skin repairing, and skin hydrating ingredients packed into one bottle. The texture is lightweight and will not disagree with oily or acne-prone skin. If you have read my post about antioxidants, you will know why it is great that this serum contains several. Vitamin E, grapefruit extract, and vitamin C in the form of Magnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate, are a few such antioxidants. To get an idea of what this amazing ingredient does for skin, read my vitamin C article.

The serum also contains ingredients that will soothe skin such as green tea extract, an antioxidant too. Its hydrating properties and skin replenishing properties are due to the inclusion of ingredients like acetyl glucosamine and sodium hyaluronate. Make sure to read my complete guide to hyaluronic acid for more about sodium hyaluronate. It does also contain ceramides and cholesterol to restore skin. If you are in search of a well-rounded anti-ageing serum, you will not be disappointed.

This serum is available internationally here.

Youth To The People Antioxidant Cleanser

If you have been in search of a “clean beauty” cleanser, look no further. This gel cleanser is a powerhouse of antioxidant ingredients while being gentle and non-stripping. Do not allow the word “gentle” to fool you though. This cleanser is still an extremely competent makeup remover. Your skin will not feel tight or dry after cleansing and you do not have to worry about going in with several different products just to remove your makeup.

Often with “natural” or “non-toxic” products, the inclusion of essential oils will induce redness and dermatitis on my face. However, that is not the case with this cleanser. For those with easily irritated skin that usually gets red easily after cleansing, this product is great. It contains green tea and aloe vera to soothe redness and I do not find it irritates my skin. If non-toxic, cruelty free, vegan products are important to you, you can’t go wrong with this cleanser.

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Want More Recommendations?

I hope you found my Sephora VIB Sale Skincare Recommendations helpful. These are just a few of the very best skincare products I am loving and using at the moment. Obviously, my love of skincare means that there an incredibly long list of products I have tried and loved from Sephora. However, I did not want this post to be overly extensive and wanted to include a few products that you may have never considered before. There are certainly a number of skincare products I have tried and loved that no one else ever mentions. 

If you would like more skincare recommendations, I regularly suggest several tried and true products throughout all my skincare posts. In previous posts I have listed the best hyaluronic acid products, great vitamin C products, Korean skincare, the best skincare for travel, and so much more. So, if you would like some additional product recommendations, consider taking a look at those posts. And remember to Subscribe to the Blog for more upcoming skin care posts like this.

What are you most excited about purchasing from the Sephora VIB Sale? Do you have any Sephora skincare product suggestions? Happy Shopping!

Wishing you boundless love, endless light and life without limit,

Shannon xo

This post is not sponsored. All opinions are my own.

The post Sephora VIB Sale Skincare Recommendations appeared first on Shannon Feetham.

9 Things To Consider Before You Start A New Skincare Routine

With the abundance of new products streaming into the market on a daily basis, it is easy to be enticed by all the latest and greatest. I know that my overwhelming curiosity with new skincare certainly has compelled me to make a number of purchases in the past. Unfortunately, constantly switching up your products can lead you to lose track of what is and what is not working. While it might be tempting to entirely replicate someone else’s routine based on how their skin looks, I would not necessarily advise it. I always advocate for tailoring your routine to your own personal needs. And even gauging based on how your skin feels on any given day. In this post I give you a guideline on all the things you should consider before you start a new skincare routine.

1. Have you been consistent with your current skincare routine?

More than ever, people are drawn to the promise of instant gratification. With technology perpetually at our fingertips, we are growing more and more impatient. From the click of a button, we can have food delivered to our house. One day shipping enables our entire shopping cart to arrive within a 24-hour window. It is easy to be seduced by the promise of instant results. So, you would not be entirely remiss to overlook the fact that the human body does not give the instantaneous response of a machine.

You can easily fall into the trap of deciding to abandon a product if, after only a couple of days or weeks, you see little visible results. Trust me, I’ve been there too. The truth we may not always want to hear is that certain skincare ingredients can take up to 2-3 months to see visible results from. Yes, months. You can use 5-minute sheet masks as much as you like for that instant gratification factor. But the truth is, the results you obtain from a one-off treatment will never compare to the long term results from a consistent daily routine.

Although I will say, if you have the luxury of time for sheet masks, this Asian brand brightening sheet mask is absolutely adorable. Beauty Bay ships it worldwide so we all have access to this cute product and it isn’t exclusive to Asia anymore. The packaging is pink and has a Panda on it – what more could a girl ask for?! Oh, and it does produce pretty satisfying instant “glass skin” results too. 

Ask yourself whether you have truthfully been consistent with your routine. Have you allowed enough time to actually see visible results? Or have you kept with it ‘for the most part’. That is, aside from the couple of times a week you have gone to bed without removing your makeup. Perhaps travelling has interrupted your ability to carry out your normal routine. Again, I’ve been there. But before you rush start a new skincare routine, consider how consistent you are. And remember, patience will reap the greatest results.

2. How much time are you willing to devote to your skincare routine?

K-beauty and Asian multiple step routines are hot right now. And you might feel you want to jump on the trend of including many skincare steps. I have an entire post dedicated to Korean Skincare Products; I love asian skincare. However, if your routine consists of many redundant steps with no aim, you may be wasting time and not reaping real benefits. It would be much more beneficial to narrow down your routine to a designated few products that you know make a difference. As opposed to fluffing it up with as many products as possible.

While some relish their skincare ritual with many products, it may turn others off completely. While the thought of an elaborate twelve-step routine may appear intriguing to some, it is not always more beneficial. Nor is it always the most practical. There is no reason that an effective routine has to have an extensive number of steps. The best kind of skincare routine is the one you will stick to. There is no point purchasing twenty different products when the thought of committing to using them all is overwhelming.

You may enjoy dedicating the time to an elaborate multi-step skincare routine every day. If you enjoy it, go for it. But if you prefer to only use the most effective products and take the shortest amount of time, there is no shame in that. Apply your skincare and move on with your other tasks. Decide how much time you are willing to spend on your skincare application before you establish a new skincare routine.

3. What is your primary skin concern?

You are aware that you should be taking care of your skin. But are you simply using products without really having a proper plan of attack? Are you just using skincare for the sake of using it without really knowing what you are trying to do for your skin? Before you start a new skincare routine, think about how well your current routine is serving you. You can then gauge what mode of action to change.

You might be thinking “but I want to fix everything”. Trying to start a new skincare routine might seem like the ideal fix. This may even lead you to overdoing it on the advanced anti-ageing treatments, acne treatments and harsh peels. We want to go in guns blazing and fix everything at once.

You have to understand that if you are trying to target everything, you will not be effective at targeting anything. Rather than aimlessly purchasing a number of products, get clear on your main pain points. Look for the key products that target your main skin concerns. Then, once you have that area under control, zero in on something else.

When it comes to your skin, there is usually a specific zone you pay particular attention to over others. You may struggle with acne breakouts or have significant areas of hyperpigmentation. Perhaps you have a skin condition like psoriasis or eczema. Or maybe you just want to target the general signs of ageing. Get clear on that before overhauling to start a new skincare routine.

4. How much money are your willing to spend on a new skincare routine?

It is critical to consider the budget you are willing to allocate to your skincare. Before being influenced into purchasing your favourite celebrity’s entire skincare routine from a magazine article, consider this. How sustainable would it be for you to maintain that skincare routine, after you have run out of the products? It is all well and good to fall in love with a set of products. However, if you will not be able to potentially re-purchase these items again in the future, you might not be able to maintain your results.

You may have the luxury of being able to invest in the best high-end skincare. You may enjoy the experience of luxury brands. But if you are on a budget like most people are, it is important to keep in mind how sustainable your new routine will be. You do not want to be selling your first-born child or going in debt to maintain a routine you cannot afford.

Decide which areas you would like to splurge on and where you would like to save in your skincare routine. You may find it more worthwhile to spend on cleansing tools such as a Foreo cleansing device and opt for affordable cleansers. Designate a budget to your beauty routine and work from there.

5. Do you have any known ingredient intolerances?

Before purchasing a new set of products, keep an eye out for ingredients that may cause irritation. This may involve some trial and error to see what your triggers are, but you want to make sure that the products you are using are not making the situation worse. Some people cannot tolerate certain active ingredients like retinol or certain acids. Search for alternatives and do not force your skin to use an ingredient if it does not tolerate it. Speaking of which, if you do find you are intolerant to retinol, I have an entire blog post about a natural retinol alternative that does not cause irritation but still works wonders. 

Ingredients that have caused me a great deal of irritation and contact dermatitis in the past have been menthol in certain acne products, and essential oils in all-natural products. Many people swear by all-natural skincare. However, my skin is extremely sensitised to the fragrant essential oils often used in such products. Certain preservatives like methylisothiazolinone have also caused me intense swelling and reactions.

A particular skincare product that tends to cause me issues is face cleanser. For a long time I thought that, because cleanser is only on the skin for a couple of minutes, I would not have to be so careful. However, I find that using the correct cleanser in my routine makes the biggest difference to how red and irritated my skin gets. When my skin is acting up, I tend to pare back my routine and opt for gentle, cream based cleanser. I am loving this gentle cleanser at the moment.

As I have mentioned before, I have very sensitive skin and am very acne-prone and suffer from eczema, so it is likely I experience more irritation than the average individual. Find out what triggers you and tailor your product needs around that. You do not want to start a new skincare routine only to have it not agree with your skin.

6. What is your skin type?

Knowing your own unique skin type is a vital part of constructing a proper skincare routine. You want to choose products that work with your particular skin type, and not against it. If you are prone to breakouts it is probably not a good idea to be using a lot of comedogenic products. If you have very dry skin, you will want to take it easy of astringent toners and the like. For very oily skin, you do not need to be skipping moisturiser all together, but you also don’t want to be excessively oiling up your skin.

If you aren’t sure of your skin type, pay attention to how it feels completely free of product. A simply rule of thumb is to wash your face, dry it and do not apply any additional products. After thirty minutes, examine your skin. If your skin feels tight and parched, you likely have dry skin. Oily skin will have areas of shine on the forehead, nose and cheeks. If you have some oil through the T zone and are not uncomfortably dry, you may have combination skin.

7. How happy are you with the current condition of your skin?

Some may have no significant issues with their skin’s current state. In this situation you might want to assess how your skin will react to an entirely new routine. It might seem exciting to start a new skincare routine, but you might not actually need it. You don’t have to fix what isn’t broken.

I liken it to a person who is already in good shape, unnecessarily going on a fad diet. Or leaving a great relationship to explore what is out there. Just make sure you are not walking out on something that is already good. If what you are doing is working for you, you might want to consider sticking with it and not being mesmerised by the new best thing.

You may be sticking out a certain routine but are still not happy with your skin. If you have been consistent in your application for months already, and are seeing zero changes, it might be worth looking to alternative treatments. For those with bad skin, it can be daunting to start a new skincare routine. You might fear that it will cause your skin to get even worse.

Bombarding your skin with a myriad of products, even if they are tried and tested efficacious formulations, might be doing you a disservice. It may be better to actually dial down your skincare for a while and see how your skin acclimates. Then slowly reintroduce new products if the thought of a complete overhaul is too daunting for you.

8. What does your lifestyle look like?

If you are unhappy with the condition of your skin, it may not be a matter of the skincare products you use. You may be purchasing streams of all the very best product formulas and applying them diligently. You may start a new skincare routine every couple of months. Yet still no results. In this case, it may be better to assess your lifestyle before deciding to commit to a brand-new skincare routine. You might need to address certain lifestyle factors that are interfering with the potential results you could be experiencing from your skincare.

A person who has been chain smoking for decades will likely find it extremely difficult to combat dullness and lines. They will not be able to achieve plump and glowing skin. Regardless of the amount of money they invest in skincare products and treatments.

If you have a chronically low intake of vitamin C, it is likely you will experience collagen loss. I suggest you read this article for more on vitamin C. Likewise, chronic yo-yo dieting also depletes collagen over time and leads to premature ageing. If you are not getting adequate quality protein on a daily basis, you will not have the amino acid foundations of healthy skin, nails or hair. Being extremely sedentary will also play into it.

If you do lead a relatively healthy lifestyle by most standards but still experience skin issues, you may even have an underlying problem. Everyone is different and our bodies all need different amounts of exercise and nutrients. Your DNA and microbiome are completely distinct from anyone you know. You might want to do further investigation if even after adjusting all these factors, you experience no improvement.

9. Do you have realistic expectations?

You must remember that there is only so much skincare can do. Marketing campaigns and advertisements may lead you to believe otherwise, but skincare is not intended to work miracles. There is no such thing as a permanent face lift in a jar. If you are spending exorbitant amounts of money on products, you might want to reassess your expectations of skincare. Rather than jumping to a new routine, determine how much you really expect.

We can sometimes be influenced into believing that products with such high costs must be effective. The expectation is that, with such a high price tag, it must be able to live up to its claims. And also raise our children in the process. Although certain ingredients certainly do play a role in tackling the appearance of skin, there is only so much ‘lifting’ and ‘firming’ it will do for you. You may be better saving the money you are spending on extravagant skincare promising the world. Invest it in an actual face lift if that is the result you are looking for. It is important to manage your expectations. Not so you avoid disappointment, but to understand that while skincare will do a lot for you, it cannot do everything.

And lastly, don’t be so hard on yourself. We can fall into the trap of wanting to fix this flaw and that flaw and never truly appreciating who we are in the moment or how far we have come. Spending time obsessing over every individual flaw is a waste of energy that could be more beneficially spent growing you as a person and helping you thrive in other areas of your life.

Set your skin up for success

Now that the seasons are beginning to change, we are all considering switching up our routine. By taking these factors into account before you start a new skincare routine, you are that much closer to a successful regimen. This guide for how to layer skincare will tell you everything you need to know about how to devise your routine once you have decided on products. Remember to Subscribe to the Blog for so much more upcoming content about all things Skin Care. 

Until then, check out these blog posts for more skin care advice:

Top Korean Skincare Products You Need to Try

How to Transition Your Skincare Routine From Summer to Fall

How to Properly Layer Skincare for Maximum Results

The Natural Retinol Alternative That Actually Works

The Top 10 Essential Skin Tips You Need to Know For Travel

What new products are you excited to try? How often do you switch up your skincare routine? 

Wishing you boundless love, endless light and life without limit,

Shannon xo

This post is not sponsored. All opinions are my own.

The post New Skincare Routine? 9 Things You Must Consider. appeared first on Shannon Feetham.