The Re-tox Menu

We’ve just chimed in a new year which means the blogging world is ringing with the sound of detox themed posts. However I’m proposing something a little different (cause if you’re still in need of a full-on detox then I bow down, your NYE celebrations must have been wild). How about a re-tox? Ok it’s basically the same. But I’m thinking products to pamper, preen and clean, from the inside out, from skin to stash? So I’ve put together a three-part menu that you may wish to order.

Inside In, Inside Out. Anyone get the album title reference there? We’ve heard it all before – you are what you eat and all that – which if true I should be resembling one huge pig wrapped in blanket right about now. But annoying it’s all true: glugging down your daily recommended water intake really does work wonders when it comes to complexion. When my water stocks are high my eyes look brighter, skin plumper and I feel better. Two other supplement-style things which I’m going to give a whirl over the coming weeks are Fountain: The Beauty Molecule and Perricone MD Omega 3 Supplements, both of which claim to do a whole list of good things which I won’t pretend to understand. I’ll keep you updated on that one. 

An Early Stash Spring Clean. Along with the annual ‘writing of the resolutions that I’ll manage to stick to until mid-January’ that happens each year, I like to kick things off with a good ol’ clear out. Donating nearly new, un-loved beauty bits and bobs to Give and Makeup and the rest to family, friends and whoever else decides to have a rummage in my sack of goods. While I’m in there I like to treat the remaining cosmetics collection to a clean and two products that I’ve found perform that function rather well are the The Pro Make Up Shop Antibacterial Spray and the Dr Bronners Castile Almond Liquid Soap. The former disinfects powder and cream makeup compacts (it’s so cool, I’ve sprayed every single thing I possibly can since I got it) and the latter is the best thing I’ve found for cleaning brushes. The first brush cleaner I’ve ever repurchased. Big news. 

The Pamper Kit. If you’re a regular round these parts then you know the deal by now, but on the off chance that you are new or need a refresher course then I thought I’d jot down the four items that form the foundations of any preening routine. Of course there are items to add, though these key pieces should leave you feeling polished in a sub-hour slot. A nice soak has got to be the cornerstone of any relaxing regime. I propose investing in something a little wild on the wallet that you can whip out on special occasions to add  to the glamour of the whole thing; Neom, REN and Aromatherapy Associates make some good’uns and I’m particularly fond of their Essential Travel Oils. Post-bathe, then it’s time to slather on a body moisturiser (the one step that is notoriously shunned on a daily basis, we all know it). Soap & Glory and The Body Shop offer-up a nice range though the Kiehl’s Creme de Corps is a favourite. A multi-purpose oil is a good product to include too; whether it’s to oomph up your body moisturiser or add a few drops of hydration to your bath; personally I include them as a facial moisturiser. Josie Maran Argan Oil is top of my pile and handily doubles up as a cuticle oil. Finally – what is a pamper without a face mask? Your choice here obviously depends on personal complexion concerns (and keep an eye out because I’ve been trialling the best of the budget masks, I’ll share my results soon). Top masks for me are the Aesop Parlsey Seed Cleansing Mask and the Oskia Renaissance Mask, though right now I’m having a REN Invisible Pores Detox Mask moment (can you guess my current complexion concern?).

Now your interior, exterior and makeup stash are all ready for 2014…

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