If this post is the first of mine that you’ve read, then it’s going to give the wrong impression. It gives high maintenance. It gives vain. It gives, ‘Kim, there are people who are dying’! I have to say, writing out this extremely long list of beauty products I use daily really does make it look like I have the entire Sephora in my bathroom and spend my whole day diving into it.
I can’t deny that the list is unnecessarily long. Erm, it is! You don’t want to know how many points I’ve collected on my Space NK N.Dulge card! But it’s tried and tested, and the majority of things I’m listing here are not things that are new to me. I’m loyal to the contents of my vanity drawers. Some I’ve used for years. Some I’ve used for more than a decade! I am just someone who really loves beauty products.
In fact, my whole blogging journey started with a beauty blog way back in 2010. Vivianna Does Makeup! What a time to be alive…
No one in my family cares much about fashion and beauty, except for my Hairdresser Aunty, who gave me a cuticle bath and some orange sticks at the age of eight, and my trajectory was set. If it wasn’t fashion I was gabbing about daily on here, then it would be beauty.
And even though this list does sound like a lot, most of my routine has been born of the need for shortcuts and a lack of time. I now have not one man, but two (!!) who stand at the bottom of the stairs with their shoes on waiting for me, so if I can find routines and products that make me feel good, and feel good quickly, then that’s something worth sharing.
Without further ado. THE LIST…
I am so, so dull with my bathing and shower routines. I have used the same products for years and will continue to do so, thanks to my psoriasis-ridden skin that often feels akin to that of a crocodile. I keep it simple. In the shower, I lather up the La Roche-Posay Lipikar Syndet Wash Cream* with some exfoliating mitt I’ve had for years, and I shave every couple of days with the undeniable GOAT of razors, Estrid*. In the bath, I load up with no-brand Epsom salts that I bulk-buy here and follow the same routine.
Once I’m out, I dry brush. Yes, yes, I know you’re supposed to do it before you get in the shower, but I always forget, so I’m just being honest! I use this one* and even just talking about it now makes me want to do it. It feels SO GOOD. Most of the time, I’m slathering this cheap-as-chips coconut oil* all over my body once it’s done. I find it sinks in well, and because I use it daily (it’s a non-negotiable for me, remember? Crocodile skin), I want something that isn’t wildly expensive.
Sidenote: I can’t be dealing with waxing, so I shave and use this magical lotion, which I buy on whatever random corner of the internet I can find it in stock, because it’s the only thing I’ve found that zaps ingrown hairs in their tracks.
I am very much part of the ‘I wasn’t sad, I just needed to fake tan’ club, so twice a week-ish, I’ll dedicate 10 minutes to making myself borderline orange. If I really want to GO FOR IT, I’ll do a coat of the St Tropez Express Mousse*, leave it on overnight like the rebel I am and wash it off in the morning. But the safer bet is Tan Luxe’s The Gradual*, which is a far more subtle affair but builds well when used on consecutive days if required. I have been using this formula for years and buy it in bulk. Like, I mean, five bottles no less, if I ever find it on offer. Applied with a mitt, it blends like a dream, and you catch yourself in the mirror the next day looking subtly sunkissed. I use the Dolce Glow Hydrating Mist* on my face, the backs of my hands, and the tops of my feet. That’s the secret to a good at-home tan: lotion/mousse for the body, lighter sprays for those problem areas.
My special skill is… sweating. Therefore, I commit to the probably horrendous-for-me Carpe Antiperspirant for the summer months and try to balance it out by using the far friendlier-for-my-pits Glossier Deodorant in You* during the winter. I flit with perfumes a little and usually switch depending on the season:
SPRING: Glossier You*, I could wear year-round, but it always feels more spring-like to me. I’ve also never met a Ffern fragrance I didn’t like.
SUMMER: Right now I’m loving Commodity Juice*, which is, as the name would suggest, very fruity. Maison Margiela’s Replica Under The Lemon Tree* or Never Ending Summer* both smell like holiday.
AUTUMN: I’m a sucker for the Maison Margiela Replica When The Rain Stops*, and always go back to it. It’s the perfect time of year to wear it.
WINTER: I like something a bit more comforting and sensual, like Glossier You Doux* or Dedcool’s Mochi Milk*.
Back in the day when I was on the contraceptive pill, my skin was lush. Plump, smooth and mostly spot-free (it’s worth noting I was also 10 years younger). Since I’ve come off it, I’ve been constantly engaged in a game of whack-a-mole on my jawline with various iterations of acne. FUN. Routines would work until they wouldn’t, so a year ago I got myself on a derm-approved line-up for my perioral dermatitis-prone, closed comedone-dotted complexion that’s, well, really very boring and repetitive, but anytime I deviate, I’m back to daily eruptions. So I stick pretty rigidly to the following routine:
MORNING
I massage the La Roche-Posay Toleraine Cleanser* into dry skin, then remove it with a damp flannel.
I make sure my skin is really, really dry, then apply a pea-sized amount of a 20% Azelaic Acid prescription cream all over my face, but concentrating it around my jawline (non-prescription, I hear this is the best formula*).
Usually, I brush my teeth at this point to allow it to sink in, then I follow it up with the La Roche-Posay Cicaplast B5 Serum* to aid with barrier repair, the La Roche-Posay Sensitive Fluid Moisturiser* for clog-free, light hydration and the La Roche-Posay Hyalu B5 Aquagel SPF30*, which I like because it’s fully transparent, so it doesn’t stain my collars. It’s worth noting here that I am not on LRP’s payroll, although I can imagine my Dermatologist probably is!
EVENING
I do two passes with the same La Roche-Posay Toleraine Cleanser* from the morning: one to remove makeup and SPF, and then one to properly cleanse.
At this point, I grab my LED Mask*, roll out my yoga mat, and do a quick 10-minute stretch. Doing this combo is the cheat code I’ve found to doing both of these things almost daily.
Because I am a sensitive girlie, I use a thin layer of the La Roche-Posay Cicaplast B5 Serum* before I go in with my active step. Then I take a teeny, tiny amount of another prescription cream - Differin 0.1%, which contains Adapalene, a topical retinoid - focusing it more around the chin area where I tend to break out most. Less is more!
This is the point where I brush my teeth to let it all sink in and do its thing, then I finish off with the same La Roche-Posay Sensitive Fluid Moisturiser* from earlier and call it a day.
Aside from daily use of my LED Mask*, here are a few other things I do:
I am HAIRY, so every two weeks or so I do a quick pass with the Dermaflash*, which leaves my skin oh-so-smooth. I just take a 24-hour break from my actives after.
I don’t dabble with masks all that often, but if I’m feeling particularly congested, I’ll slather on a layer of the Biologique Recherche Masque Vivant*, which has the texture (and smell!) of marmite, but is the only mask I’ve found that actually seems to brighten and bring any gunk to the surface.
I finish my evening skincare routine by applying the Revitalash Sensitive Serum* to my lashes, which is the only reason why my lashes have any length or volume whatsoever.
Although, as I said, I’m a stickler for the above routine, there are some products from MERIT (namely the Great Skin Instant Glow Serum* and their cleanser*) and Sofie Pavitt (her SPF* and the Omega Rich Moisturiser*) that my skin does agree with.
Sometimes, if I’ve done my skincare in the morning but end up putting my makeup on later in the day, things can feel a little dry. I find a quick spritz of the Rhode Glazing Mist Hydrating Spray* adds the slip of just-applied skincare, with added glow.
If ever I’m in a real pickle - burns, cuts, extreme irritation - there’s only one product I use: Avene’s Cicalfate*. One time, my son gave himself sore skin around his mouth from sticking his tongue out too much (I kid you not!). Two nights with this applied, and it was gone. It’s magic, and I always have a tube handy.
Back in the day, I was married to my GHD’s. These days, I love nothing more than an air dry. Turns out I have a natural wave in my hair - who knew!? It’s probably a solid 2a, so to get some real waves happening, there’s a whole routine.
In the shower, I double-shampoo my hair. Firstly, with the Bumble & Bumble Sunday Shampoo*, which I even mentioned back in that ITG interview, because nothing clarifies quite like it. Then with the bloomin’ expensive, but damn it actually works - Oribe Hair Alchemy Resilience Shampoo*. I recently ran out and felt like I was shedding more hair each time I brushed it, so I promptly repurchased. Then I switch between brushing the Oribe Hair Alchemy Resilience Conditioner* through my hair in the shower, or working the K18 Leave-In Molecular Repair Hair Mask* in once I get out. I’m big on trying to keep my hair follicles in my actual scalp, and I think my use of the K18 mask plays a big part in that.
I play around with styling products, but I always come back to these three. I only ever use one at a time, and it’s worth noting that I have the best results when I diffuse my roots* for a good 10-15 minutes before letting the rest air dry:
Ouai Air Dry Foam* - I’d say this is my number one pick. I apply a golf-ball-sized amount through the ends for that tousled, beachy feel. I like that it never looks like I have product in my hair, and there’s zero crunch or stringiness. It dries ‘matte’ if you know what I mean.
Crown Affair The Texturising Air Dry Mousse* - I apply this the same way as the Ouai, and the only difference here is that this one leaves my waves a little more defined and slightly more ‘piecey’. I tend to use this one more in the summer for more mermaid-like waves, rather than a more relaxed look.
Crown Affair The Smoothing Air Dry Cream* - I use this when I want a really loose wave in my hair, as it gives the softest, least styled look. Real ‘just rolled out of bed’ stuff, but with a healthy amount of shine. Whereas with the others I tend to apply, then scrunch a little; with this I brush through a pea-sized amount through the ends and leave it so my hair kinks into a shape with just a hint of wave.
Additional notes:
The only hairbrush I ever use is my Wet Brush*. And the only time I brush my hair is when it’s wet, and I’m brushing either a conditioner or a hair mask through. Between washes, I literally just rake out any knots with my fingers or a wide-tooth comb, so I don’t break up the wave pattern too much.
Because I’m big into regrowth after my seemingly never-ending battle with postpartum hair loss (my kid is four! HA!), I take minoxidil thanks to Hair & Me* and I’m pretty convinced it works.
I usually wash my hair every two days, so every other day I perform a quick wave refresh. I do one of two things:
I either wet the ends with water using this continuous spray bottle* and do a quick pass with my diffuser*.
Or if the waves are looking pretty good but could do with some moisturiser, I’ll apply the tiniest amount of either the Crown Affair The Leave-In Conditioner* or Roz Milk Hair Serum* through the ends (Crown Affair if I need a little moisturise, Roz if I need a lot).
My best hair hack for day two waves (if I remember!) is to split my hair into two pigtails and tie them into two loose braids before bed. I take them out the next morning, and usually I have to do nothing except maybe a little dry shampoo on the roots. Speaking of which. I have three favourites:
For slight oil control - Crown Affair The Dry Shampoo*. This powder comes with a brush, so I love that you can just dust it around the hairline as needed and get really precise.
For mid oil control - Living Proof Perfect Hair Day Dry Shampoo*. This is a pretty classic formula, and if you’re looking for a spray-all-over, general freshen-up, this is the best one I’ve tried (and I’ve tried them all!).
For ‘Oh my god you could fry an egg on my scalp’ oil control - K18 Airwash Dry Shampoo*. This is the one I recommend most to my friends. When you’re in a pinch, this will turn your hair around in a way you didn’t think was possible. It goes on wet, but give it a second to dry, then comb or rub it in a little, and my word, it looks like you’ve just washed your hair. You can feel there’s something in there, but to look at, you’d never know.
I commit to a professional pedicure every six weeks, year-round. It’s an indulgence I started when I was pregnant with my gigantic baby and couldn’t touch my toes, and it’s a treat I haven’t been able to give up. I get gel polish, which is basically like getting concrete painted on, and I’m sure it’s terrible for me, but it means I’m never intimidated by a sandal because my feet look as good as a knobbly ol’ foot can.
Between appointments, I give them the odd file with the Margaret Dabbs Foot File* which I’ve had since the dawn of time and occasionally dab some cuticle oil on with a layer of the Beauty Pie Footopia Cream* whenever I can be arsed, which is really monthly (!?), let’s be real. I didn’t get around to doing it this year, but if my feet ever feel really hard, I use those exfoliating foot booties* that turn you into a shedding snake for a solid two weeks. SO GROSS, but those ones really do work.
I did, however, manage to wean myself off gel nails on my fingers. My nails underneath were tissue-paper thin, and going in every three weeks felt a bit like burning money. So I bought the Celisse Starter Kit* and never looked back (it doesn’t ship to the U.K, so I procured mine from eBay!). Once a week, I push my cuticles back thanks to this*, give them a quick trim with these*, cut and shape, and then apply one layer of the Celisse Quick Coat in Babydoll*. Whenever I explain it to a friend, they say they’d never have the time, but I’ve perfected it to a tight 10-minute routine. The secret is to use cuticle oil every single night - or at least as often as you remember - I don’t have a particular fave, and being heavy-handed with your hand cream application. I keep a tub of the Soft Services Theraplush* on my nightstand: one, because it looks good; two, because it means I actually use it.
There’s a gaping hole in this post - the contents of my makeup bag!!! - but after 3,000+ words on the rest of my beauty bumf, I think I’ll save that for another day. Coming soon! x
Thanks for being part of The Wardrobe Edit. If you like what you read, I’d truly appreciate it if you liked, shared, or left a comment - it makes all the difference.
Want more?
If you’re a brand interested in partnering on a future post, please email na@insanity.com.
What I've Loved This Month: Comfy Trousers, Vintage Levi's Dupes & A New Bra Rec
·
Jun 30
I love putting these posts together. I keep an ongoing list on my phone that I squirrel away and add to throughout the month, so you’re really getting the good stuff here. Although I mostly write about fashion around these parts, you get something a little more well-rounded in these monthly posts. Still a sprinkling of style, but a decent dose of beauty…
The 13 Low-Effort Beauty Tips I Swear By
·
May 13, 2025
Given the title of this publication, you might be under the illusion that fashion was my first love, when in fact, it was beauty. It was my Mum’s makeup bag that I’d riffle through, not her wardrobe, Spectacular nail polishes would populate my birthday list, and I’d read the
Presents To Buy Friends, From Someone Who Treats It Like Their Job
·
August 12, 2025
Gift-giving is my love language, and I take it very seriously. I have lists! Make avid notes! And what to buy a pal for their birthday is something that occupies my mind year-round. It’s ok, I love it. Today, I thought I’d share my order history with you, detailing the things I’ve bought and made for friends and family that have gone down a treat. Most …
This newsletter features affiliate links, denoted by a ‘*’ and occasionally gifted items, denoted by ‘ad - gifted’. Find out more here.
Comments
Nothing yet. Say the first thing.
Sign in to join the conversation.