Every product I use in my bathroom part 1

This week we're doing skincare

Hi everyone,

I had so many DMs last week from women who, like me, were previously terrified of horror films but after having a baby could suddenly watch even the most terrifying ones that I genuinely think someone needs to do a study on it. It’s a phenomenon! Speaking of horror, I watched The Substance last night (it came out on Mubi in the UK just yesterday) and I loved it. It’s incredibly shot, absolutely grotesque (if you don’t have to cover your eyes at certain points then I don’t know what’s wrong with you), and also extremely funny while making a very worthwhile feminist commentary about ageing. For next Halloween I want to go as The Finger (iykyk). PS If you don’t already have Mubi then Amazon Prime is currently offering a seven day free trial for it, just FYI. 

The other thing I watched this week and absolutely loved was the entire first series of Ludwig, the new(ish) BBC comedy detective show. David Mitchell plays John Taylor, an awkward professional puzzle setter who moonlights under the name Ludwig. When his police detective identical twin brother goes missing, James is strong armed into assuming his brother’s identity and infiltrating the Cambridge police department where he works to try and ascertain his whereabouts. The only thing in our hero's way is that he keeps getting distracted by other police cases because, being a puzzle setter and all, he happens to be quite good at solving murders. It’s wildly entertaining TV and today the BBC announced that it has been renewed for a second season. I can’t wait. 

And lastly, in September I predicted that “overtourism” would be a 2024 word of the year and, well, I was close! The Collins Dictionary today dropped the top ten words of the year and “anti-tourism” (the opposition movement to overtourism) was on the list. It will surprise no-one that “brat” came in first. 

And now to the main event. I read Vogue’s recent interview with Glossier CEO Emily Weiss and it reminded me how much I used to love reading Into The Gloss’ The Top Shelf interviews, so I thought I’d do my own and take you through all the products I use in my bathroom, from skincare to hair and body products.  

Having been the Editor-in-Chief of a women’s publication for many years, I have been fortunate enough to road test numerous products, including some very Fancy Things. What I mainly discovered was that money doesn’t always equal results. I tried eye-wateringly expensive moisturisers such as Crème de la Mer (Crème de la Meh if you ask me) and Augustinus Bader (I mean totally fine but worth the price tag? Nah). I’d say my bathroom products are a mix of stuff from Boots (the top UK drugstore) and some fancier things, for which I tend to do a lot of research or take advice from trusted sources before buying. And, apart from perfume, there’s nothing in my bathroom more than £100. I’ll be doing skincare this week and hair and body next week. 

Skincare

Morning

A gentle but effective classic to start the day: CeraVe Hydrating Cleanser (£12.50 for 236ml or £18.50 for 473ml). I tend to buy the big bottle and Boots always do a 3 for 2 offer on it. I wash my face in the shower which you are absolutely not supposed to do but who has the time to do otherwise?  

After that I’ll apply my skincare - I go from the top to the bottom of my face just because. I start with Kiehl’s Powerful-Strength Line-Reducing Concentrate with 12.5% Vitamin C and Hyaluronic Acid, which I only use on my forehead. At 42, I’ve never had Botox (I once enquired about it before my wedding four years ago but the practitioner said it was too close to my big day so refused to do it on me - lol) but I honestly give so much credit to this Kiehl’s product for keeping my forehead line-free. It’s a wonder product that I buy on repeat. £65 for 50ml or £100 for 100ml.