Photo by: Amy Shamblen
I’ve been on a beauty-buying roll recently, and after having had sufficient time to test, try, and evaluate, I’m ready to share my current obsessions.
Although I’d never self-identify as high-maintenance, it is true that I love a good routine, and beauty is no exception. I’m in this thing called life for both a long time, and a good time! While my beauty traditions as a teenager included little more than Clean and Clear face wash, drugstore perfume and colorful nail polish, I can happily say I’ve evolved.
Currently, I take a holistic approach to wellness that values what I put into my body as much as what I put on it. I suppose these types of posts require a disclaimer, no? I simply want to rave about my latest discoveries, and I hope someone -anyone- gets something from it! Also, I don’t wear foundation, so texture, moisture and healthy skin are always at the top of my list of priorities.
Enough hullabaloo, let’s get into it, shall we?
10. Turkish Exfoliating Glove “Kese”
I feel like Goldilocks here, but a loofa is too soft, the sponge is too plasticky, a sisal glove is too messy, but this Turkish exfoliating glove is juuuust right. I was shooketh to the core after using this glove. I felt as slippery smooth as a sea lion, and I loved it. While I probably wouldn’t recommend using this every single day, it’s been a welcome addition to my shower routine. You’ll also find this glove in traditional Hammams.
9. Eucerin UreaRepair
I use a lot of hand sanitizer. I wash a lot of dishes. I type a lot of words. Okay, you get the idea: I use my hands a lot. When the realization dawned on me that your hands age extremely quickly, I got my act together, and started paying more attention to them.
Danni-approved tip: I add a bit of The Ordinary 0,5% Retinol in Squalene into the bottle for an extra boost. Not that this formula needs it, however!
8. Adding oil to my body cream
I’m no chemist, so I can’t say what this does to the original formula of the body cream. I can only speak on how it feels for me: lush af. My current favorite oils are sweet almond and vitamin E. I keep a stash of oils for my natural hair, and I love how good quality oils are multi-purpose!
Danni-approved tip: read the ingredient list. Many companies try to get away with adding cheap filler oils. If you’re buying almond oil, there should be only one ingredient listed.
7. Scalp Massager
Since I work where I sleep, eat and relax, it can be difficult to make the transition to my “off time.” Taking moments throughout the day to simply be and mimarme reminds me of the privilege of working from home.
Scalp massages are shown to increase blood circulation, reduce scalp tension, and help with product absorption. If that’s not enough of a reason, they freakin’ feel nice.
Ayurvedic traditions also love a good scalp massage to reduce headaches, release endorphins and improve sleep quality.
Danni-approved tip: I add a bit of rosemary oil (not directly to the scalp, but to the actual massager) which is anti-inflammatory, great for dandruff, and proposed to help with cell turnover for thick, healthy hair. If you want to apply the oil directly to the scalp, use a neutral carrier oil to avoid any irritation!
6. Cicaplast Baume
While it’s true that thick thighs save lives, they also start fires! If you know, you simply know. I ditched running in lieu of biking, and that means the occasional chafe incident which is as unpleasant as it is inevitable. This balm has been a beautiful, discreet God-send. It’s anti-bacterial as well as nourishing.
5. The Ordinary Caffeine Solution
I was skeptical, I’ll be honest. So many products claim to treat under-eye puffiness, but very few truly understand the assignment. The Ordinary didn’t miss! It doesn’t irritate my skin which is essential seeing as how this is the most sensitive, thinnest skin on your body. And it really does leave my under-eye area feeling snatched thanks to the 5% caffeine and Epigalocatequina Fallatyl Glucoside, which is a chemical compound also found in tea!
4. L’oreal Revitalift Filler with SPF 50
I’ve stood on many a soapbox preaching the need for Vitamin D and SPF for my melanated folks (and all folks, really). That said, when I found a day cream with hyaluronic acid and SPF 50, I was gagged! No white-cast, non-greasy and layers well with my other products?! I thought the fragrance would be overwhelming, or irritating, and happy to say, it is not. I’ve already ordered my second bottle!
3. Eucerin Aquaphor Pomade
Do you slug? Cause this girl right here is a sluggin’ gworl!
If you haven’t heard of this practice made popular in Korean beauty, it consists of locking in moisture with a thicker emollient. This can be vaseline, a heavier cream or a pomade like the one above. While I’m still too chicken to cover my entire face in this, I do use it on my lips and whenever I find especially dry skin either on my face or body. I’ve been using Eucerin for over 20 years since my allergist recommended the brand for my eczema.
2. Avène Eau Micellaire
I thought I was a Garnier girl, but boy, was I mistaken! Like, I low-key feel cheated. I didn’t know deep clean until I started using this product. I usually double cleanse my face, and on days when I I want a gentle, yet effective cleanse, this is where I turn. Now, like I mentioned before, the makeup I wear is minimal—eyeliner, blush, soap brows and maybe mascara— so I can’t speak to its ability to remove heavier products. I believe it’s worth a shot though, because after using this micellaire, my skin actually glows.
1. Yves Saint Laurent- Libre
Obsessed. That’s it. End of story. It’s clean. It’s floral. It’s not too empalagoso. It’s dainty, but powerful. It’s my current signature scent. YSL did the dang thing here. Lavender, amber, neroli and a hint of mandarin too. It’s simply delightful and great for spring! (I have a replacement bottle waiting in my Primor cart as we speak).
Danni-approved tip: Something I’ve learned while growing my perfume collection is to check not just for how it smells on my skin, but how long it lasts! See how it smells overnight, or if it lasts all day before investing in a larger or full-size bottle!
Alright! There you have it! I know that the state of the world (read: dumpster fire) isn’t conducive to spending lots of money, but everything on this list is less than 20€ (excluding the perfume, obviously) so if you want to treat yourself, know that I support you! Am I also hoping that all my loved ones bookmark this article and buy me duplicates of my favorite things? Maybe, but you didn’t hear that from moi! (JK anyone who knows me knows that I already have extras haha!)