The Weekly Shop 1.3
Got a hyper-specific beauty concern? Looking for a holy grail skincare product? Need help deciding between two almost-but-not-quite identical red lipsticks? Every weekend I take to Instagram to offer up my personal shopping services pro bono. And every week I record the questions and answers on here - an ever-growing archive of product recommendations. Can’t find the answer on here? Join me for The Weekly Shop next weekend - @thatgracegirl. No dilemma is too big, no request too niche, and no question will go unanswered.
From a budget mascara to a boujee dry brush, scroll down for this week’s shopping list.
Something to stop my hair going frizzy when I air-dry it.
These are some of my favourite products for preventing frizz. I comb through my lengths when my hair is about 50% dry and again at 90%. Works every time.
A one-stop cleanser for when I cba to double cleanse.
Allies of Skin Molecular Silk Hydrating Cleanser is The One. It fully removes makeup but is super hydrating.
An affordable dupe for the Chanel mascara you love.
The mascara in question is Chanel Le Volume. L’Oreal’s Volume Million Lashes is a pretty solid replacement IMO.
A winter skin serum.
Pai Skincare’s Instant Kalmer Serum is packed with ceramides. Perfect for strengthening the skin barrier to prevent moisture loss.
Treatment for hormonal breakouts - sore ones.
I get mega hormonal breakouts every month and BEAUTY BAY’s Soothe Paste works every single time.
Something to help with bacne and a body moisturiser.
If you get breakouts anywhere on your body (below the neck) I highly recommend Mario Badescu’s Special Cleansing Lotion O. As for body moisturiser, Beauty Pie’s Super Healthy Skin Moisture Creme is the only one I’ve ever scraped clean.
Great deals on skincare!
This exceptionally good mask (Yes To White Charcoal Mask) is one of the best value products I own. Buy it then save your pennies for Black Friday and ask me again then.
Maskne around the chin area prevention please! Still want to wear foundation though.
Foundation + bacteria + friction + heat + moisture = a recipe for breakouts. Spritz Dermalogica’s Clear Start All Over Toner on as often as you can.
Eye cream for dark circles.
I’ve yet to try an eye cream that does anything for dark circles - since they’re often hereditary and triggered by lifestyle/diet, they can be hard to treat topically. I’ve heard good things about Ole Henriksen’s Banana Bright Eye Creme but would recommend plenty of sleep and water!
Collagen products for winter skincare.
I’m sceptical about collagen serums. Using retinol and/or vitamin C will help to boost your collagen levels (alongside multiple other benefits) but if you want to tweak your skincare routine for winter, add ceramides! try Dr Jart’s Ceramidin Cream.
A good weekly mask (for cleansing, hydrating, and evening skin tone).
These are the four masks I have on rotation for weekly maintenance:
A good dry brush.
The Urban Veda Ayurvedic Body Brush is AMAZING. I’ve tried others but they’ve either been too scratchy or too soft.
Lines around the mouth and cheek.
I recommend the NuFace Fix. It’s expensive but will help to treat as well as prevent.
A musky fragrance.
One of my favourites is Byredo Mojave Ghost. It’s a delicate woody musk.
Something to make my dry skin cool again.
Assuming you’re experiencing flushing and irritation, try Dr Jart’s Ceramidin Sheet Mask. You’ll get a quick fix with instant results. For long-term treatment, try layering a hyaluronic acid serum like PSA Skin’s The Most onto damp skin before moisturising.
A vitamin C serum that isn’t citrus-scented.
Neither Dermalogica’s BioLumin-C or Alpha-H’s Vitamin C (my two favourites) have any added fragrance.
A hydrating moisturiser for oily skin.
I’m using Mario Badescu’s Hyaluronic Dew Cream at the moment and it would be perfect for rehydrating oily skin. Water-based formula, gel texture, and sits well under makeup.
