Things I’m Loving – December

I’m quite excited about heading into the new year. 2017 has been a solidly good year for me. Full of happiness, good running, delicious food and lovely memories. I hope 2018 will continue these themes! Also I’m quite looking forward to being in an “even numbered” year again – is that odd? Anyway, on to some cool stuff I’m loving lately.

Clinique Sonic System Purifying Cleansing Brush

My skincare regime used to be cold water. Literally nothing else. But times are a-changing! After having my first ever facial last month I’ve given my face a bit more thought. Let’s be honest, I’m certainly not getting any younger and, well, I’m still single sooo…IMG_2263On that note I’ve made a couple of investments to my “beauty regime”. My mother is a terrible influence on me. She recently bought the Clarins version of the cleansing brush and let me try it out (yes we shared brushes, no I don’t care. She’s my mother). It felt amazing and left my face really fresh and clean. Then the next day we ended up in Boots and somehow I’d purchased the Clinique cleaning brush. Almost £100. I actually felt a bit sick when I got home. To be fair, it came with three other products, though I mean for that cost it better have!! (It came with a toner product as well not shown in the photo).

After having used it for a number of weeks I can say I don’t regret buying it. My skin indeed looks clearer and happier. I’m not one for getting spots or have “problem skin” but it definitely looks fresher. Plus it’s fun to use.

The Ordinary Resveratrol 3% + Ferulic Acid 3% Formula

I don’t actually know what to call this product. I heard about it after listening to the Don’t Salt My Game podcast where they debunked lots of skincare myths. It was one of the products that was recommended to actually work at keeping the skin looking good. It’s also very cheap (£5.50) and didn’t have all the guff and nonsense that other skincare products seem to have.IMG_2264It has a very high concentration of two powerful antioxidants: Resveratrol and Ferulic Acid, which are apparently great antioxidants for the skin.

I just put a couple of drops on my face after using my face buffer and then smooth it in. It’s quite oily but doesn’t leave my skin oily if that makes sense. I really like this product. Together with the buffer my face has really improved. And for someone who quickly gives up with skincare products after I don’t see the point of them, these are things I’ve maintained for a good number of weeks now and really like to use.

eGloves

I was recently sent another pair of eGloves to try out after I bumped into the guy behind the business at a parkrun and he mentioned that my current eGloves looked to be a bit too big for me (they’re a small). He very kindly offered to send me a new pair in extra small in the new range. It was also extremely good timing because I was finding my hands were getting really cold when I ran. The eGloves I originally had were more lightweight gloves which were good when it was chilly but not so much for when the temperatures were really low.IMG_1887When I first popped the new gloves on I knew they were the real deal. These bad boys are seriously warm. They’re also not big and bulky – as some winter gloves are – and still have the cool finger bits that allow you to still be able to use the touch screens of smart phones (so annoying when you have to remove your gloves to do this!). IMG_1983I wore the gloves during the Portsmouth Coastal Marathon and they were perfect. The material is very breathable so even when my hands got hot it didn’t feel like they were sweaty inside. Fully recommend these if you’re looking for some warm running gloves!

Oryx Desert Salt

I was also recently sent a set of salts to use for cooking. Oryx Desert Salt is an unrefined, sun-dried salt, free from additives and preservatives. It contains natural and essential minerals and comes all the way from the Kalahari Desert, where it is ethically and sustainably harvested. And, what I most love, is with every purchase they donate a percentage to the Khomani San and Mier communities who own !xaus Lodge in the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park.

The pack I received is a fab gift box set of three grinders containing coarse salt, smoked salt and wine salt and a cotton refill bag. I also received an apron (see below photo: my dad loves the apron).

Yes too much salt can certainly be a bad thing for your health, but used in moderation and sensibly, these salts really add a lovely taste to my dinner. Salt is also good for reducing the dreaded cramp and is important if you sweat a lot (hi all runners). IMG_2175I feel rather posh using them I must say! I personally loved the smoked one as it adds such a subtle tasty edge.IMG_2180

You can buy them in Sainsbury’s.

Next month I hope to talk about my vibrating massage ball (always sounds so wrong…) and my new running watch… 😉

Do you use a lot of salt when cooking?

What is your skincare regime like?

Are there any new products you’ve been loving this month?

**Full Disclaimer: I was sent both the gloves and the salt pack for free in return for a review on my blog. All opinons are my own honest ones.**

12 Replies to “Things I’m Loving – December”

  1. I keep looking at the brush thingies, but haven’t yet tried them – they seem quite a steep investment, and unfortunately, I do have problem skin. I’ve really been getting into the Neal’s Yard skincare though and it seems to be doing some good.

    I love salt. I don’t use loads and loads of it when I am cooking, but I do enjoy salt on potato things and, randomly, chilli. I have a couple of smoked salts which I do use for cooking that I love.
    Steph recently posted…2017: Not my yearMy Profile

  2. That brush sounds fun! I try to look after my skin but it’s really sensitive and a lot of things (even things like Simple stuff) can irritate it, or leave it feeling really dry and stretched. I did use to use Clinique (mainly because I loved the idea of the free samples even though I never used them…) but then I read somewhere about their policies on something like palm oil (so terrible that I can’t remember)- anyway, after I used the stuff up I didn’t buy any more. Also they discontinued my fave face cream. I’m using a combination of lush stuff and also sometimes Neals Yard but that’s a bit hit and miss. I keep seeing those skin oil things and being tempted but then also a bit confused by all the different types. I do have face wipes for after a race as I do get very salty skin (perfect segway into the next question!). I don’t tend to use a lot of salt in cooking but I think if you mainly cook from scratch then adding a bit to your meals is fine.
    Maria @ Maria runs recently posted…A Christmas Day parkrun and other festive going-onsMy Profile

    1. I’ve never tried Lush anything. Tbh I rarely spend money on skincare products or bath stuff (except shower gel and shampoo and conditioner). But they always look lovely.
      I think as just a bit on your own cooking is fine – once you’ve tasted it. I hate it when people just add salt without even checking first!

  3. I keep meaning to use my manual face brush, and failing miserably. I’m not very good at facial scrubs either. But I am OK on cleanse/tone/moisturise most days.

    We don’t add much salt cooking – but oooh! Salty crisps 🙂

  4. I’ve just got round to listening to that episode of Don’t Salt My Game (it was me who recommended it to you on Twitter) and I really want to try the Ordinary resveratrol (and I definitely need a good SPF with all the running). I don’t use much stuff on my skin anyway, so I was super happy to hear that all the advice to use about 50 products is totally unnecessary!

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