Tech helps us in all sorts of ways – keeping us entertained, helping us get stuff done around the house, even keeping us fit and healthy. But what about for our skin and haircare routine?
The colder weather can do a real number on our skin and hair – and this winter has been pretty chilly. So here are some top tips to give your skin and hair a little TLC…
Tip 1: Keep cleansing
Being wrapped up indoors probably means a lot less make-up for those of us that would usually wear it, right? So it’s easy to think we don’t have to clean our face as often or as thoroughly.
But giving our face a good deep-clean every day is a good habit to have, whether we’re channelling our inner make-up artist or not.
Central heating or air conditioning indoors can be very drying. We naturally produce oil and dead skin, but that drying process can ramp the production up a notch. What does that mean? Clogged pores and flaky skin which cause break outs. Not so nice.
What to do? Using a facial cleaning brush like the Magnitone First Step Facial Cleansing Brush really clears out those pores and leaves your face feeling super fresh. Pop a bit of face cleanser on it, choose your speed intensity, and gently move it in small circles over your skin. For your T-zone (areas that are prone to oiliness like your forehead and nose) do this for 20 seconds, and 10 seconds for your cheeks and the rest of your face.
Tip 2: Smell your way to better skin
Stress is not your friend. In most cases, but especially with your look. When we get stressed, we product cortisol. And when we produce cortisol, our skin’s less able to retain water - leading to wrinkles, dryness, oiliness, you name it. Be kind to yourself and your skin will thank you too.
Why not try aromatherapy? It can be seriously soothing and it’s easy to get started. Having a whiff of something pleasant triggers our smell receptors, telling our brain to relax. And if you want to take it a step further, check out these apps to help you find your zen.
What to do? Next time you’re having a bath with some essential oils or using a face mask (for those of us who are strictly shower dwellers), use this Homedics Ellia Aromatherapy Diffuser to help your skin from the inside and the outside.
Tip 3: Turn up the heat for your hair
We all know that too much heat styling is baaaad for our hair. But if you’re battling dry, brittle hair this winter, heated conditioning treatments could help restore those luscious locks.
To get scientific, heat opens up your hair cuticle. Whilst this might be worrisome otherwise, when you’re using a good hair mask, heat lets the product really get into the cuticle and do its job.
What to do? There are a bunch of articles online with recipes for homemade hair masks. Choose your favourite, slather it on, and brush your hair (gently) with a wide toothed comb so every strand is covered.
Dampen a towel and use a hair dryer like the Shark Style iQ to make it toasty (not too hot!). Wrap your hair in the towel for 15 minutes or so, then wash the conditioner out of your hair and voila, healthy hair that’s less prone to breakages!
Tip 4: Ditch the razor
Some of us might be happy to drop the hair removal routine over winter. If that’s the case - amazing, let that leg hair grow wild and free my friend.
But if you’re still keen for smooth legs without braving the cold for a salon trip, it doesn’t mean you have to struggle with at-home kits or turn to shaving. Shaving can be very drying (which, as we now know, is not great) and waxing strips sometimes aren’t tough enough.
What to do? Try an epilator. They pull hair out at the root so your hair takes longer to grow back, like waxing. But they don’t damage the upper layer of your skin, like shaving often does. Epilating can sometimes be a little bit painful, but this Braun one works on wet or dry skin so you can use it in the shower. That opens your pores, to make it all a bit more comfortable.
Like the sound of the home-salon treatment? You’re in luck. There are loads of ways to treat yourself to an at-home spa day.
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If you have – great. If not – don’t worry. You can always chat to an expert in-store or via video call on ShopLive. They’ll be able to give you the lowdown on loads of great health and beauty tech and accessories.