Ever wondered which Things Influencers Actually Finish? I don’t actually like to call myself “iNFLueNCeR,” but that heading is a quick way to get the point across! This month we actually have makeup! Then of course the usual sunscreens, hair product, skincare, body care. Some classics, some you haven’t seen here before. Let’s go!
The Makeup Drawer
Starting with makeup, I recently emptied the Hourglass Unlocked Mascara. It’s a tubing mascara that adds fabulous length and volume, and one of the best on the market. Potentially my favourite. Before tubing mascaras really took off, you only really got length and they’ve come a long way! The new Revlon All In is very good, too. If you’re new to tubing mascara, they’re great for anyone struggling with mascara smudges on the upper or lower eyelids. Gamechanger.
Sunscreen
The most important step in your skincare routine! I finished four sunscreens this month – the Rationale tinted serum SPF50+, which is a zinc oxide sunscreen with tint that’s as beautiful as it is pricey. That one’s technically a cosmetic so I can speak about it more freely, but I’m limited in what I can say about the rest. I finished the face and body sunscreen from Cancer Council, it’s SPF50+ with a matte finish. If you hate the sticky feeling of sunscreens, a matte finish sunscreen could be the perfect solution. I also finished the Skinceuticals Ultra Facial Defense SPF50+ (you will have seen this one in empties many times) and the La Roche-Posay UVMune 400 SPF50+ Fluid Fragrance Free, which is a European formula I brought back from South Africa over the summer.
Classic ‘anti-aging’ serums
I finished an 8ml of the Biologique Recherche Progeskin serum, which I bought after a facial at Mount Nelson in Cape Town. This one targets cellular senesence… basically some cell types only renew so many times, after which they stop and die. So this is meant to help them keep going, and I used it around the mouth and chin area which is kind of a hard spot to treat for fine lines in-clinic. Another absolutely lovely serum I’ve finished that I’ll miss is the SK-II Genoptics Ultra Aura Essence, which is an all-rounder you can use twice a day to target brown spots, yellowing, redness, you name it. Same vibes as Lancome Genifique, Clarins Double Serum, Estee Lauder Advanced Night Repair, tbh Rebound serum, etc.
Hair products
Another Growth Bomb Dandruff Formula bites the dust – it helps with hair growth and dandruff: a win-win. I have a new bottle in the shower right now, too. I finished a Kerastase Elixir Ultimate Oil, which you put into your mid-lenths and ends every day before brushing. What most people perceive as ‘dry’ hair is actually hair that feels rough because the cuticle isn’t sitting flat. To combat that, an oil helps to smooth and fill in gaps, and this will help prevent breakage over time. It protects the hair from the friction of brushing, and adding a touch to wet hair after washing will help it to dry nice and smooth, too. This product is a really lovely, lightweight way to get the job done.
All-in-One Body Care Product
Onto body care, I’ve been using Dermaveen Soap Free Wash with Oat, which is incredibly gentle on my skin. Especially during eczema outbreaks. I also love the soothing you get for extra angry skin with the QV Eczema Wash with Ceramides. Then, because I like to do a double cleanse for body I’ve finished the Bioderma shower oil. If you’re not someone that will moisturise your body or your usual body wash feels drying in winter, a shower oil is what you want and this one has a hypoallergenic scent. Smells nice and won’t irritate skin. A+
That’s almost everything from my recycling bin this month. I’ll see you next month with another haul of empty product containers!
In the meanwhile if you’re battling itchy skin, here’s a routine that could help you find some relief.