Five skincare brands I still love five years later

I've used a lot of different brands over the years and as with anything, there are some that have stuck and certainly lasted the test of time. I have quite a few brands I rely on but there are five that have cemented themselves within my skincare routine and I wanted to share what they were today. 

If you had a look on our bathroom shelves or dived deep within my beauty drawers it would be these brands that you'd find time and time again. I've loved, used and repurchased them more than anything else and I think that says a lot as I try a lot of skincare from various different brands. They all stuck and I think that will be the case for a few more years to come...

Lockdown - We've kinda loved it

Anyone else kinda feel like lockdown is over even though it's technically not? 

It's been a weird ol' three months hasn't it - to be completely honest I can't believe we're three months down the line but in some ways, those three months have been quite wonderful. We've missed our family terribly and I cannot wait to give them all a very long overdue hug but for our own little family unit of three, it's been just what we needed. 

This time has been the longest we've all spent together since Arran's paternity finished in November 2017 which makes me kinda sad. Sure we live together and have our evenings and weekends to make memories but in the midst of work, everyday life, chores and everything else we've never just had weeks to do as we please. 

It's been freeing, it's put a lot into perspective and it has really made us think about what we want our lives to look like going forward.

The New & Improved Nutri-Define Collection from Jurlique

(Features press samples - see disclaimer)

Jurlique is one of my skincare true loves and a brand I've used religiously over the years, so much so friends and family now use a number of their products too. 

A few months ago I had the new and improved Nutri-Define Skincare Collection land on my beauty shelf and over the last few months, I've been giving it a good going over so I could share my thoughts with you. It's the most advanced anti-ageing range available from Jurlique and it's one you're going to want on your radar as it promises to rejuvenate, brighten and firm the skin and I'm pleased to say it does just that! 

If you haven't heard of Jurlique I'll give you a little backstory. The brand is created by husband and wife team, Dr Jürgen Klein, a biochemist, and his wife Ulrike, a botanist, they had always been passionate believers in the healing power of nature. Their vision was to create a pure and natural skincare range combining the ancient arts of alchemy, herbal medicine and homoeopathy to reconnect people to nature. They began their search for the purest place on earth and after searching the world, they discovered the unspoiled Adelaide Hills in South Australia.

Today, Jurlique products are sold in more than 19 countries around the world. And their most iconic natural ingredients are still grown in the Adelaide Hills where Jurlique first began. 

Now... Let me fill you in on the Nutri-Define Collection...

Eight Products from Too Faced to add to your Beauty Shelf

(Features press samples - see disclaimer)

Too Faced is a brand I hadn't really dabbled in until 2018 when Arran bought me the original Chocolate Bar Eyeshadow Palette. I don't think I used a palette that wasn't by Too Faced that year as I fell head over heels for the shades and formulations; I have quite a few of them now and I really do reach for them every day. They kicked my usual go-to's firmly out the way that's for sure! 

Fast forward two years and I have quite a number of products from lipsticks to eyeshadow palettes, primer and skincare so I'm gonna give you a rundown of eight products you should add to your beauty shelf.

The Pixi Retinol Jasmine Collection

(Features press sample - see disclaimer)

When it comes to retinol, I was a little late on the skincare train - to be honest, I didn't really understand it or know why I needed it. Fast-forward to now and I'm quite the fan! I feel as though we've all heard of it and it seems to be on every dermatologist's top shelf but it still remains a relatively confusing ingredient. 

Retinol is the only proven ingredient to produce visible anti-ageing benefits and it's a brilliant multi-tasker. It aims to increase cell turnover and stimulate collagen and elastin production - it helps to increase firmness, diminish the look of fine lines and wrinkles and smooth over uneven skin tone. As far as drugstore products go, retinol's track record for plumping out fine lines, polishing away rough skin and fighting off blemishes is unbeaten so it really is worth getting to grips with it. It's suggested to use retinol for three months before really seeing results but it's advised to have a three-month break after that due to research suggesting cell turnover is no longer increased after three months of retinol usage so it's a good one to dip in with every other quarter of the year.

Retinols don't work well on everyone though, you're best to avoid if you suffer from rosacea, eczema, or psoriasis as it can increase inflammation on already delicate skin. Introducing retinol into your skincare routine can seem daunting but there are different strengths which are appropriate for different skin types.

Dumpling Dumpling Home Deliveries

Dumpling Dumpling has been a love of mine since I first discovered them in 2017 - Mr & Mrs Dumpling opened a pop-up in West Quay and since then I feel as though I've been following them to various street food festivals in the South so I could sample more of their delicious dumplings. 

The idea for the business first came to the pair when after teaching English for 2.5 years in the southern Chinese province of Guangxi called Yulin, they came home and couldn't find dumplings that hit the spot. They started experimenting at home and soon Dumpling Dumpling was born! 

Four years later they've made over 100,000 dumplings by hand, created over 70 original fillings and traded at various events and now you can order dumplings to cook at home which is exactly what I did recently so I could get my dumpling fix. 

Stella X Latest in Beauty Edit

(Features press sample - see disclaimer)

Latest in Beauty is renowned for their collection boxes, they're one of my favourite aspects of the brand and hot on the tail of their Beauty at Home Box is the Stella X Latest in Beauty Box! The box features only the best products found in the beauty cupboards at Stella Magazine - think the best of the best with the Smart Beauty stamp of approval. 

We’ve joined forces with Stella to bring you Smart Beauty - The Archive edit, worth over £177 and based on Beauty Director Sonia Haria’s notable weekly column. Get ready to make smart choices with 12 products from the likes of Sisley, Estée Lauder, Elemis and Marc Jacobs Beauty for £45.

Latest in Beauty

My Latest Order from Beauty Pie

Due to not spending out on terrible takeaway coffee and travel at the moment, I've been able to save quite a bit in my after lockdown pot so I decided to treat myself to a Beauty Pie order. I've been using Beauty Pie on and off for three years now and my love for it has certainly grown in that time. 

I remember when I first tried the products in 2017 I wasn't that impressed - the range was much smaller with just makeup and the reviews weren't that great either. Fast forward to 2020 and it seems everyone now loves Beauty Pie, myself included. 

I decided for this order I would purchase five completely new products to me, two recommended by others and three was a total lucky dip so I thought I'd give you a little look into my order.

Kierin NYC Sunday Brunch THE Fresh Summer Scent You Need

(Features press sample - see disclaimer)

When it comes to Summer fragrance I like mine to be fresh with a touch of citrus and discovering Kierin totally touched the spot with me. Kierin is a new discovery for me, the fragrance house brings a bold collection of perfumes to the table completely challenging the rules of traditional fragrance. 

Unlike conventional fragrance brands, Kierin invites people to be inspired, not defined or confined, by fragrance. They're artistic, genderless and individualistic. Diversity and inclusion are core to the brand and not just presented as an afterthought - a brand for young people of all ages, race and nationalities.

Five Books on my TBR Pile

Lockdown, as I've mentioned has resulted in a lot of reading meaning I've been buying a lot of books too - I just can't help myself! My current TBR pile is more of a mountain so I decided to pluck off five titles that are quite popular at the moment and give you a little more information on them. 

I can't wait to read them all myself, I'm just about to the start The Beekeeper of Aleppo which is one I've had for a while so no doubt each of these titles will be in an I've Read... post soon. 

I'd love to know what is on your TBR pile too so don't forget to leave a comment below, I will absolutely be checking your recommendations out so I can add to mine... oops!

Latest in Beauty's Beauty at Home Edit

(Features press samples - see disclaimer)

Latest in Beauty is renowned for their collection boxes, they're one of my favourite aspects of the brand and with a global pandemic and lockdown in full swing, the Latest in Beauty - Beauty from Home box (£30.00) was a fabulous idea. 

The box allows you to bring a touch of beauty relief to lockdown and the curated edit delivers all the essentials to keep your beauty needs in check. 

Forget work from home, we’ve got beauty from home covered! Get ready for 15 products (worth over £100) you NEED to survive lockdown. From a toner, mascara and lipstick that will fix your WFH face, to the best hair and skin heroes to up your hydration, the trending concerns have been answered. Access the best in lockdown beauty for only £30.

Latest in Beauty

What I've been Reading Through May

Lockdown has been bloody marvellous for reading, hasn't it?

At the end of May, I hit fifty books on my Goodreads Challenge so I only have another twenty-five to go until I hit my challenge for the year and if staying home is all I'm doing then I don't think it'll be long. Last year was the first year I'd set myself a challenge and I find them a great way to just keep track of what I'm reading, I know it's not for everyone but I really enjoy using the app. 

I read twelve books in May but I'm just gonna share some of my favourites with you in this post so it doesn't end up being too wordy! As always, I keep everything I've read on my Books 2020 highlight on my Instagram so if you're looking for any more recommendations - be sure to look there too.