Unsexy Beauty Recommendations
All of the basic things I never think to shout about because they're... well, boring
Unsexy beauty bits… we all have them. The products that don’t get nearly enough love because they’re pretty basic, but are they things that actually keeps things running smoothly (literally and figuratively) day to day.
So I thought I’d shout about them here. From haircare, to bodycare, nails to skincare, there is no stone left unturned.
While I have your attention, I would love you to tell me your boring-but-brilliant beauty products in the comments - what are the things that aren’t particularly exciting but which you couldn’t be without and always restock when they run out?
Things with a * were PR samples, everything else I bought myself. Some links may be affiliate, which means if you buy using my link I get a small percentage at no extra cost to you.
Haircare
I am very lazy with my hair, partly because I’m a fundamentally a sloth-person but also because I try to avoid faffing with it as much as possible. I use heat on my hair very sparingly (to avoid damage and also because it’s a rosacea trigger for me).
So when it comes to my haircare routine, I am drawn to anything that makes my life easier.
For reference, my hair is fine but there’s loads of it and it’s wavy (2B) and prone to frizz.
Vichy Dercos Anti-Dandruff Shampoo For Sensitive Scalp - I’ve used this for years and it ticks all my boxes for a shampoo: it cleans without stripping the hair, it doesn’t smell medicated like some anti-dandruff shampoos, and it really helps my tight, flakey and sensitve scalp.
Head & Shoulders Bare Pure Clean Shampoo - If you’re looking for a high street shampoo option, this one is great. It has minimal ingredients and does the job really well.
Tresemme Rich Moisturiser Conditioner - As my hair is so long, I use a fair bit of conditioner. The enormous Tresemme conditioner bottles are fantastic for my hair and such a bargain.
Philip Kingsley Elasticizer - Once a month, I’ll do a deep conditioning treatment. I either apply it pre-shampoo in the shower and let it do its magic while I exfoliate, shave my legs, replay my most embarrassing moments (…just me?) or I’ll put it on before bed, wear a bonnet to avoid ruining my pillows, leave it overnight, then wash my hair as usual in the morning.
Fun fact: This was the first ever pre-shampoo conditioning treatment and it was actually created for Audrey Hepburn! Her hair was damaged after constant on-set styling and so Elasticizer was born.
Aussie Hair Insurance Leave In Conditioner - Because my hair is wavy, it can get knotty and frizzy. I’ve found that using a leave-in conditioner really helps with both issues. This one is fantastic at detangling and smoothing without weighing down my hair.
Tangle Teezer Ultimate Detangler* - I never thought I’d rave about a hairbrush but here we are. Apparently this is 41. I replaced my previous hair brush with this one and I am amazed at the difference: easier, quicker, less hair fall, better product distribution. If you’re looking for a classic hairbrush with an actual handle, this one is fantastic.
Good Wash Day towel - Because I avoid heat styling on my hair, it takes a long time for my long hair to dry. I first discovered the Good Wash Day brand as the founder, Carla, also has rosacea and we found each other on social media. I bought one of her incredible towels over a year ago and now can’t be without it, it even went with me to Japan. You may recognise the brand as Carla recently appeared on Dragon’s Den, getting offers from 3 Dragons! This towel drastically reduces my drying time, reduces frizz, and is so lightweight I can take it anywhere without it being an issue.
Batiste Dry Shampoo - I always have at least two cans of Batiste dry shampoo in my house, usually more since my husband has started using it as well! This stuff does not mess around, immediately helping with greasy, flat roots. It does leave some residue, but I don’t really mind that, in fact I often use it on clean hair as I think it helps my fringe look less fluffy and soft on wash day!
Living Proof Perfect Hair Day Dry Shampoo - If you want a dry shampoo without the residue, one that actually cleans your hair, this is the one for you. It absorbs oil, sweat, and odour and - in my opinion - is worth the money. I have some minis of this that live in my handbag for sweaty fringe top ups when I’m out.
Bodycare
I feel like I need to repeat myself here: I am a sloth-person. When my friends mention their weekly exfoliation-moisturiser-fake-tan routines, it makes me want to have a lie down. I do the bare minimum to my body, in fact most days I try to pretend it doesn’t exist (pretty sure a therapist would have a field day with that statement…)
So the products that have made the cut below have to be - you’ve guessed it - quick, easy, and have almost instant benefits. If not, they will slowly be phased out of my routine, never to be seen again.
Naturium The Glow Getter Multi-Oil Hydrating Body Wash* - The skin on my body is also sensitive, so I can’t use heavily fragranced body wash. This body wash feels really luxurious even though it’s fragrance-free, turning from an oil into a lather on contact with water.
Naturium Bio-Lipid Restoring Body Lotion* - My sensitive skin means my moisurisers have to be lightweight, preferably fragrance-free, and absorb quickly. I hate that sticky, greasy feeling of heavier moisturisers, it is guaranteed to make me avoid using it. This Naturium moisturiser is really lovely to use and comes in a huge bottle, always a huge tick for me.
CeraVe SA Smoothing Cream - I have Keratosis Pilaris (sometimes delightfully known as ‘chicken skin’) on the back of my arms and on my thighs, and this is the only thing that has really made a difference. It is a light gel-cream that contains Salicylic Acid to gently exfoliate the skin. It’s not harsh or irritating at all, it just feels like a regular moisturiser.
Hand creams: I am a bit of a hand cream fiend and have them dotted around everywhere. On the coffee table next to the chair I sit in on an evening, there’s a tin of the Body Shop Almond Milk Body Butter which is thick and really hydrating (and smells lovely!); in the toiletry bag I switch between handbags, there’s a Marks & Spencers Apothecary hand cream in the fragrance ‘Calm’ which is such a dreamy scent.
Venus Gilette ComfortGlide razor - I am not a fastidious hair-removal person. My hair is pretty fine and light and it just doesn’t really bother me. Plus, shaving can irritate my sensitive skin so it’s just not a high priority. But when I do shave, this is the one I use. It has replaceable heads, which is great from a sustainability point of view, and the solid gel built into the heads helps to reduce irritation.
Soap & Glory Smoothie Star Breakfast Scrub - I’ve been a fan of this scrub for so many years. If you’re looking for a proper physical exfoliant for your body (e.g. something with actual bits in that exfoliate the skin), this not only works but also smells unbelievably delicious. I use this sparingly, maybe once a month, as too much exfoliation annoys my skin.
MegaBabe Thigh Rescue Anti-Friction Stick - If you also struggle with what’s commonly known as ‘chub rub’ (where your thighs rub together and become sore), you need this product. You swipe it onto the skin and it really really helps. I also use it on sore spots from new shoes and it really helps avoid blisters.
MagiCool Plus - A lovely subscriber recently asked me if I’d ever used this on my rosacea and I said no but the ingredients would be a no-no for my sensitive skin (menthol and fragrance) but I later remembered that I had used it on my body. When we went to Turkey a few years ago, it absolutely saved my from my horrendous prickly heat rash and mosquito bites. So avoid the face, but try it on your body if you also suffer with those!
Nails
Some of you may know that my blogging career started with nails. I started a Tumblr many moons ago and named it Talonted Lex as a hilarious pun on my ‘talons’ and ‘talent’. Do I regret that naming decision 13 years later, now that it’s much harder to rebrand my website and all of my social media? You betcha.
I used to share nail art tutorials, reviews, tips etc so it’s fair to say that I take my nail products very seriously. Some of these products have been in my routine for well over a decade and I can’t see them leaving.
Seche Vite top coat - The absolute best top coat in the world. It dries in record time, leaves an incredible shine, smoothes everything out, and helps the manicure last longer. I buy the huge bottle and decant into the smaller bottles as I go.
Essie Hard To Resist Nail Strengthener - This is a slightly pink-toned clear nail varnish-treatment. I have pretty strong nails genetically, but this helps when they’re struggling. But, whenever you use a nail strengthener, you must remember to use…
Essie Apricot Nail Oil - I’d recommend that anyone who cares about their nails should be using a nail oil, but especially if you’re using any kind of strengthening treatment as you risk the nails become brittle. I have introduced it into my routine so I can’t avoid doing it: when I have my morning coffee, I apply it and let it sink in while I’m catching up with my correspondence (e.g. watching videos of dogs, raccoons, and donkeys on TikTok).
Essie nail varnishes - I’ve been an Essie fan girl for well over a decade. I think they’re the best out there for formula, longevity, shades, names… the whole package.
Skincare
I talk about skincare a lot here but I usually tend to focus on the more traditional skincare products (e.g. cleanser, moisturiser, sunscreen) and sometimes I forget the more standard bits that I use regularly but which fade into the background.
Laneige Lip Sleeping Mask - I bought this in Japan after hearing so many people rave about it and I’m sorry to tell you that the hype is real. It’s my bedtime lip balm and, after a year, I’m still only halfway through the pot. I have the vanilla scent and it’s gorgeous.
Optrex ActiMist Dry Eyes Spray - My ocular rosacea is a constant annoyance, making my eyes dry, itchy, red, and water at the smallest thing. Having this spray to hand really helps to soothe my eyes and break the cycle of rubbing, which makes them sore, which makes me rub them more…
As I mentioned earlier, I’d love to hear about your ‘boring but amazing’ beauty products. Please do share them in the comments:
Please ‘like’ this post via the heart below, comment (even if it’s just to say hi, it’s always nice to hear from you!), or share it if you get something out of it.
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My staple (that no one I know has heard of) is Leo Bancroft dry shampoo. It's cheaper than the well-known brands and I think it's better with no white dusting on your hair. I also love the Aussie conditioners - they smell incredible
Alright, i am going to comment here, 76 years after it was posted but hey!
Etiaxil DE perspirant. It is stronger than an ANTI perspirant. I am a very sweaty person, easily anxious AND i hate the heat. So, what a combo! This stuff saved my life! It is strong, it can burn your armpits off if not used properly, but what a difference it makes once you get used to it. Life saviour!
Also, cornflower water. Can't go a day without using it on my sensitive, red, lumpy eyelids. It cools them down, takes the redness away, depuffs them. And it is cheap. Ictyane handcream from Ducray. The packaging is far from appealing and it looks like it belongs to the past but the smell is incredible and the efficacy is superior. And not to heavy or greasy.