Once again, we are at that time of the year, when holidays end, and it’s time to start all over with the routine, be productive, and active, and adjust our pockets to our “new” reality. And what better than to start with clean and conditioned skin?...And hair free of impurities and soft? Get ready to smell like a goddess, and feel smooth like a goddess.
BODY.
Skin is the largest organ of our body, and with it, the one that suffers the most from external aggressions, and in some cases, the one we take the least care of. We simply decide to use any type of cleanser and moisturizer on it, without realizing if we are using the right product.
By having sensitive skin, the last thing I want after vacation is to have to go back to the routine with tight, and itchy skin after a shower, and even if I still haven't been able to find a perfect dupe for my favorite shower gel (Lactacyd shower gel), I have decided to find more affordable alternatives that effectively cleanse the skin, without leaving it dry, tight, and itchy.
Micellar gel shower, by BYPHASSE.
For months I had been trying different products from this brand, which had left me pleasantly surprised, therefore decided to leap to the rest of their range of products, mainly shower gels, starting with the range of micellar shower gels, which aim to gently capture impurities on the skin without drying it out.
Both correctly fulfill the promised function, but my favorite was the monoí shower gel, for leaving the skin softer, conditioned, and with the characteristic smell of the star ingredient: monoí oil.
Body wash, by SOAP AND GLORY.
Soap and Glory has become one of my favorite beauty brands. Their range of products indicated for the body has never disappointed me so far, however, some products work better on one type of skin than others, such as these two shower gels. Both smell great, have a good texture, are highly concentrated making 500ml last the same as 1000ml, and emulsify into a rich foam that covers the entire body.
However, the Smoothie Star shower gel has a denser and richer texture, with an enveloping vanilla aroma, which leaves the skin clean, soft, conditioned, and perfumed; in contrast, Call of Fruity leaves the skin slightly tight.
HAIR.
Just as we cannot use just any product on our skin, the same thing happens with our hair, especially after a crazy vacation. Depending on the type of hair, preferences are different, since untreated, virgin hair will not have the same needs as hair that has already undergone various chemical treatments, such as bleaching, straightening, or dyeing.
Nutritive and repairing reset shampoo, by BABARIA.
This shampoo is one of the best hair products that Babaria has created. It leaves hair soft, highly malleable, shiny, and smelling deliciously like a sweet orange smoothie.
Aloe Vera and Shea Butter hair mask, by SECRET CODE.
The perfect complement to the previous shampoo is this hair mask enriched with Aloe vera and shea butter, which leaves hair extra soft and silky, with a very appetizing smell. Besides that, and in my personal experience, compared to other hair masks I have used, it is not necessary to use a lot of product to cover all the hair and see results.
Kukuí oil shampoo, by OGX; and Keratin hair conditioner, by SYOSS.
If your hair is going through a very bad time, due to aggressive treatment, bleaching, or simply has just undergone an intense chemical process, this is one of the combos that has surprised me the most. To me, it has become one of the star combinations to use right after having a straightening treatment, since it leaves the hair clean, soft, and shiny, and progressively strengthens it. Definitely another masterful combination.
Baobab nourishing oil, by PRÉPHAR; Sleek and Shine 10 in-1 hair leave-in cream, by GARNIER; Ronquina enriched with rosemary extract hair toner, by CRUSELLAS.
The perfect triad to keep the hair nourished, soft, malleable, frizz-free, and smelling good. Right after lightly drying the hair, using a good hair tonic helps re-balance the scalp, preparing it for the next product to be applied. Yes, just like the skin, the scalp needs a good tonic that works as a first step and penetrates the scalp. My favorite is the one by Crusellas, which is enriched with rosemary extract, whose main ingredient is ronquina, a tree known for its balancing properties, which contribute to hair regeneration, preventing hair loss and breakage, with various antiseptic, antibiotic, and healing properties.
Secondly, leave-in conditioner, in this case, my favorite so far has been Garnier's 10 in 1, it does what it promises, and contributes to the nutrition and strengthening of the hair fiber (straightened hair and 4C afro hair).
Finally, the final dressing is hair oil. Normally I alternate this last step with, occasionally, hair grease, my preference is always based on the best and greatest combination of natural ingredients. Baobab's oil is known for its softening properties.