My post-TSW beauty routine

***For my full updated beauty routine, you can find it (here)***

For want of a better title, this post will be all about my (pitifully small) post-TSW beauty routine. I get so many questions about this so thought it best to make a whole post about it.

Before TSW I was all about the moisturisers, hair care and sun cream - I had more make-up than I could ever use in a lifetime and needed to wear foundation to cover the steroid-induced thin skin on my face. Post-TSW and things couldn't be more different. Here is a breakdown of my current beauty 'routine':

MOISTURISER
Before anything, I feel I need to mention that I don't use any moisturisers - at all. I won't go into it here but will instead direct you to a blog post where I talk all about it (here).

MAKE-UP
Now, I only wear a small amount of eye make-up and for me, at the moment, it feels right and even the thought of wearing anything like foundation now is suffocating. Most days I wear a black Rimmel Scandaleyes Waterproof Kohl Kajal on my top waterline, a quick sweep along my eyelids of No7 Stay Perfect Amazing Eyes Pencil in Brown (such a great shade for redheads by the way) and the Benefit Roller Lash Mascara which I am completely in love with! On the rare occasion I need it to cover the odd spot or blemish, I'll use the Collection Lasting Perfection Concealer in fair shade 1. For going out, I'll swap the No7 pencil for the Rimmel Scandaleyes Precision Micro Eyeliner in Black. I find now when I wear lipstick that it feels like I'm wearing too much make-up so I don't wear it! I also love Mavala nail polishes and use their remover as well which is just fabulous.

MAKE-UP REMOVER
Coconut oil in my opinion is the best make-up remover EVER. All I do is dip some on a cotton pad then swipe it over my eyes until all my make-up is gone, which doesn't take long. It works out so cheap too and a £6 jar lasts me months! Pre-TSW I used to *swear* by Lancôme Bi-Facil ... but my purse wishes I knew about coconut oil back then. I use the Lucy Bee Extra Virgin Coconut Oil if you were curious and it's just fabulous!

BODY
I use the Dove pure & sensitive soap which is fragrance free for the shower (I only use it where I need to though) and to wash my hands. I really love how gentle it is. When I get out of the shower I pat myself dry, use a Mitchum unscented deodorant then get on with my day - that's it. I rarely take a bath and when I do, the same rules apply - I never feel the need (or want) to add anything. Currently I use an electric shaver for under my arms and legs but I'm looking to go back to using a razor. I will update this post when I have tried out a few gels/oils to shave with to see which works best. (UPDATE 19/12/16: for the last month or so I have been shaving every two days under my arms and legs with the Gillette Venus razor *here* and using the Sainsbury's Ladies Sensitive Shaving Gel, 200ml *here* and so far I haven't experienced any problems!) I also don't use sun cream or any kind of sun protection. For the last year I have been slack about looking after my skin with regards to the sun but now I'm taking it seriously and have invested in a few hats and scarves as cover-ups. I will go into this more in next Friday's monthly update post but I think I might have an allergy to sun creams. I don't know if it's the moisturiser in them or an ingredient exclusive to sun creams but I'll be looking into this more in the future. 

*2nd UPDATE 19/12/16: Since mid-November I have been dry body brushing and I absolutely LOVE it! I wanted to try it initially in the hope it would prevent ingrown hairs when I started shaving again and also get rid of some little dry spots on my legs and something called Keratosis Pilaris that I occasionally get on the tops of my arms. So far, I haven't had any issues with ingrown hairs, the dry spots on my legs haven't returned and the Keratosis Pilaris has come back, but only a little. Obviously, things could change but I'll keep you updated.*

HAIR
I can't remember exactly how long into withdrawal this was but at one point I started getting a really itchy scalp. I wasn't having much luck with any of the shampoos and conditioners I had tried so decided to give the Head & Shoulders 2 in 1 sensitive with aloe vera a go and I haven't looked back. I do two washes with it then let my hair dry naturally and I'm done. It's not life changing but it does the job and there is zero irritation. I also occasionally straighten my hair but don't use any heat protectant. 

Even though this isn't a product per se, I feel I need to mention that my Tangle Teezer I bought a few months ago is a total game changer. I have naturally very curly hair and pre the Teezer, it used to take FOREVER to comb through. Now, it takes no time at all without causing any damage. A MUST buy. 

I think that's about it! The joy now of stepping out of a shower and not having to wait for various creams etc to sink in is an utter revelation - total freedom and something I always used to dream about waaaaaay before TSW when I was a child and struggling with my eczema. I remember one time in particular when I was in my teens - I was with a huge group of my friends and we were staying in a house in the country but I had to leave them all playing and come inside so I could have a bath with some random potion prescribed by the doctor ... then wait a further 2 hours for the ointment to sink in ... oh eczema.

Sending you all lots of love <3
Cara xxxx

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