All the things i've never regretted spending money on

This isn’t a “omg this night cream is LIFE-CHANGING” or “OB-sessed” review (buy) list. After spending 10 years in fashion, I was lucky enough to try thousands of products and be let on so many beauty secrets and fashion tips. Now, I even luckier to receive more products than I could ever try. But for the ones I do, I am happy to report I still possess discernment. It’s ok to like something, even to love it, but that love can only exist if there are things you don’t love.

I wanted to hop on that trend because I’d seen one too many “1 926 467 things you can’t live without: salt and stone deodorant, chanel ballet flats as well as 600€ sunglasses” and other pricey stuff you REALLY don’t need to make your life noticeably better.

To be honest I gotta give them one thing: laser hair removal really is life changing. But everything on the list below are smaller, cost less, and “has improved” my life just as much.

***please make sure to read this on the app, I got carried away with the pictures***

SKINCARE

Azéane, azelaic acid cream

If you only remember one thing from this entire piece, make it this one. Azelaic acid is an active ingredient that helps with everything from hyperpigmentation, texture, redness and fungal acne… You can easily find this at your local pharmacy, without a prescription. Start slow (a pea-sized amount a couple days a week), then built up gradually. When your skin is completely used to the active, you can alternate it with your retinol. Let me tell you, this combo changed my life.

Aromatica cleansing sherbet + Purito deep foaming cleanser

Yea yea yea double cleansing is all the rage.. But for a good reason. Double cleansing is the only way to properly remove sunscreen, make up, pollution… I’ve tried so many balm cleanser, gel cleanser, soft cleanser, 2-in-1 cleanser, every new hot trendy cleanser literally. So I’m happy to report this combo is by far the best. I have very sensitive acne prone skin and I’ll never go back.

Skin Ceuticals retinol

I bought this one with my own money (it’s important to say because 100€ is a highly expensive skincare purchase), listened religiously to my pharmacist and paid close attention to all the beauty gurus online: start really really slow, don’t mix with other actives, make sure to moisturizse (before and after, also known as the sandwich method), make sure to use SPF carefully.. It was almost scary at first, I thought my skin was gonna peel off. Gladly, it didn’t! and I now look even better than when I was 20.

The Ordinary Glycolic acid

If you suffer from any kind of pigmentation, or strawberry skin (you know those tiny little bumps on the back of your ams), run to The Ordinary. Their glycolic acid comes in a huge bottle, is super affordable and you can use it for almost everything. Couple times a week I soaked a cotton pad with it, swipe it over my armpits. It helps with pigmentation, odor and skin texture. I can now lift arms in pictures and not be weirdly self-conscious because my armpits are kinda grey!!

SVR topialyse cleansing gel

Affordable, practical and huuuge. Leave one in your shower, you can use it on your body and your face whenever you don’t feel like following a specific routine (i can’t be the only to have those days right??). The formula is great and it will last you months. Doesn’t strip your skin from its natural oils and is quite hydrating. 10/10

BODY

Using a NATURAL loofah to scrub on your shower

If you’ve been scrolling on tiktok lately, I’m sure you didn’t miss this one. Almost every culture has its own version of this sponge, in Brazil for example it’s called bucha vegetal. My mother used one this for gentle exfoliation for as long as I can remember, so when I moved out, buying one was a non-negotiable. Make sure you wet it in warm water, it will easily remove dead cells and prevent ingrown hairs for a smoother, healthier, more even skin tone. This is life changing because once you start showering, scrubbing and brushing with this, you’ll never go back (I don’t even feel clean if I don’t use it) This goes without saying but you should replace it every month (bacteria develop quite fast in warm humid environments).

LED mask

ONLY if you’re willing to be consistent. These aren’t cheap and spending hundreds on something you’ll use once a week… not worth it. But if you’re willing to take the time to wear this daily and scare your boyfriend and your cat, this one is a game changer.

Laser hair removal

Sorry for this one, but the girls are right.

Lymphatic massages

I was recently diagnosed with a mild lipeodema. I know it’s a chronic condition, but I still find lymphatic massages or drainages to help tremendously. This one’s definitely a luxury but if you got the time and money, I’d highly suggest looking into this.

Bonus point: you can also learn how to give one yourself, there are millions of resources online.

Also if you can: swim. Swimming helps with a wide array of conditions, heavy legs included.

Pedicure (only during summer)

Again, pretty self explanatory. I tend to live barefoot in the summer, whether I’m at home or on holiday. I don’t splurge on pedicures all year around but making sure my little sausages are presentable during summer takes one thing off my mental load. I won’t put any pics (you’re welcome) but I usually go for something super super simple.

Vaseline + socks

My sister used to roast my feet when I whined to her I didn’t have time to go to the podiatrist. Turns out I didn’t need one, I was just in a dire need of a tub of vaseline and natural-fibers socks. You wouldn’t believe me if I showed you the before/after (anyway I still won’t).

FASHION

Nipple covers

I have the luxury of never wearing a bra. That said, I’d also rather not have my nipples rubbing against my tight tank tops. I discovered nipple covers on my first day on set when the assistant stylist insisted I tried some on. THIS is the kind of thing that was actually life altering!!!!!!!

Wrinkle free spray

When I travel and don’t wanna waste any space in my carry-on packing a stealer, I still don’t wanna go enjoy my gelato in a wrinkly dress. So I just make sure to bring wrinkle release spray. I swear it’s magic: a couple of sprays on any wrinkled fabric… and boom, gone. One of my favorite summer hacks.

Body glue for slingback shoes and cami straps

Easy like ABCs. You just put a tiny dab on the strap part of your heel or your top that’s supposed to stay on you. You wait for 15 mississipis, put it on and go on with your day. Again, thank you assistant stylists <3

Ties to help your sleeves stay rolled up

Sleeve garters (or those tiny elastic ties) are such a good trick. Once you tried them, you’ll never push your sleeves back up every five minutes.

MAKE UP

Hourglass brushes - any one of them

Prada concealer

I have naturally purple-y under eyes and this is the only concealer that’s actually got great coverage without looking cakey. I learned the hard way that with concealer, less is more. One dot on your inner corner and one dot in the outer corner, stays on the entire day.

Pro tip: A big swatch of product on the back of your hand + hourglass brush: you take all the product on your hand by dabbing your brush and smooshing it into its bristles, it should take you at least 5 secs. When the product on your hand is almost gone, you take that brush and gently swipe/dab anywhere you want/need coverage. Most natural under eye concealer application I’ve ever tried.

Dior forever skin perfect foundation stick - nothing to add it’s just too good

Bobbi brown blush

This is the only cream blush that: 1. is highly pigmented, 2. is easily blendeble and 3. stays all day.

HOME

Botané faux flowers

I just loooove fresh flowers. I also have a cat and I love my cat even more. As all the pet lovers know by now (I hope), there are a handful of highly toxic flowers to cats (lilies….). Between that and the risk of cross contamination, I stopped bringing home fresh flowers altogether. Until.. I discovered Botané. It’s an innovative flower studio that sells you faux-flowers that 100% look real. Trust me, first time I saw one of their bouquet at my bestfriend’s, I was completely fooled. Now you tell me:

Air purifier

Again, I have a cat. With him come the hair, the dust he lifts off the floor with his little paws (awwww) and the occasional smell. I bought this little thing, and now, I only got a cat.

There are loads of good brands, but the most important thing is to make sure it comes with a HEPA filter (don’t ask me why exactly but there are the best kind of filters).

HOBBIES (not really hobbies per se, but things that make me really really happy)

A notebook

First, repeat after me, YOU. DON’T. NEED. A. LOUISE. CARMEN. NOTEBOOK!!!!! What you need is a notebook that’s light enough and that you don’t worship so you can carry it with you and actually USE it. Write, doodle, draw, scribble, make to-dos, daydream, whatever have you. Putting pen to paper is one of the most freeing activity there is. Please don’t spend 400€ on a notebook you’ll be too scared to write in.

I read a great article: how a notebook at the bar solved the loneliness crisis by Ideas guy you might wanna check out.