'8 Beauty and Wellness Products Getting Me through Lockdown'
There's no doubt lockdowns in 2021 have been more difficult. Even as an introvert who would much prefer to spend nights indoors alone than out socialising, I'm finding it a challenge to stay, well, sane. And as an already highly anxious and stressed person, this extended forced time at home has really tested my mental health.
Although we've spent a great amount of this year in lockdowns here in Sydney, slowly but surely I've been able to find ways to adapt to my new normal and beat any feelings of languishing with the help of a few specific beauty and wellness products.
So, in an effort to help you survive lockdown - and beyond - I'm sharing these products with you. I'll keep my fingers crossed they work for you, too.
8 Best Products to Help You Through Lockdown
1. Bala Bangles
An at-home gym equipment frenzy started when we all entered lockdown in 2020. I mean, how else were we going to attempt to burn off all that banana bread we were making? But instead of investing in an expensive set of weights, I opted for Bala Bangles, which I kept on seeing all over my Instagram.
These stylish one or two-pound weights can be strapped to your wrists or ankles, and unlike other wearable weights I've tried, these are actually comfortable to wear (no chafing). They also come in a variety of aesthetically pleasing colours like blush pink, sage and a gorgeous cream sand.
And well into 2021, my Bangles are still strapped to my wrists and ankles for a little extra weight during my daily workouts and walks around the block.
2. Bed Threads Sleepwear
Look, despite working for Bed Threads, I'd be lying if I didn't say I've always been obsessed with their products (I promise this is a completely non-biased selection of products!). I swear by the Bed Threads Slips (yes, plural) during the warmer months so I thought I needed something a little warmer for the cooler months, which is why I invested in the Long Sleeve Shirt and Long Pants in Mineral. Not only are they incredibly comfortable and soft, but despite them been pyjamas, they're chic enough to wear during the day and actually make me feel like I've put some effort into dressing up. Plus, it's definitely a nice change from wearing activewear all day, every day.
3. Apple Watch
All my family and friends know I'm obsessed with my Apple Watch and lockdowns have only made me appreciate this device even more. It helps keep me accountable for my daily exercise and step count, which let's be honest, can be extremely difficult to stay on top of when you're stuck at home. However, no matter how unmotivated you're feeling, even a few minutes of exercise can help boost your mood — something we all need during this difficult time.
4. Biossance Squalene + Vitamin C Rose Oil
A mixture of the cold weather, indoor heating and me never leaving the house, has left my skin dry, flaky, prone to irritation and looking extremely dull. As a previous beauty writer, I've tried a wealth of products for fixing my skin woes but I always find myself resorting back to Biossance's Squalene + Vitamin C Rose Oil. This luxuriously lightweight vitamin C oil (no, it won't leave your skin feeling oily), has won multiple beauty awards for its ability to brighten, firm and hydrate the skin overnight. It's also vegan, cruelty-free and nontoxic, which gets a big tick of approval from me.
5. The Beauty Chef Sleep
As someone who already suffers from insomnia, lockdowns have had the potential to wreak havoc on my sleep quality even more. However, I knew this was the last thing I needed so to avoid this happening at all costs, I implemented The Beauty Chef Sleep powder into my bedtime routine. One hour before bed, I mix 1 tsp of this natural bio-fermented, skin-loving powder into warm water or milk and drink it. The lemon balm and passionflower (traditionally used in Western herbal medicine) work to relieve symptoms of milk anxiety so you can enjoy deep, uninterrupted sleep.
6. Long Lashes Eyelash Enhancer
While lockdowns are undeniably a horrible thing to have to go through, there is one plus side — it's a good chance to let our skin breathe from make-up, take a break from shellac and acrylics, and allow our eyelashes to grow without having extensions continuously weighing them down. I was in desperate need to restore length and volume to my lashes, I needed a serum that would give me fast results without the addition of harsh or dangerous chemicals (I have extremely sensitive eyes!) — and it's exactly what the Long Lashes Eyelash Enhancer has done. The Australian-made and owned product - which is also vegan and free from parabens, hormones and petrochemicals - helps lashes grow in length and thickness in as little as four weeks. I personally started seeing results after two weeks of continuous use.
7. InEssence Diffuser
I invested in a diffuser and a bottle of lavender oil a few months ago, and using them has now become part of my nightly routine. I turn my diffuser on before stepping into the shower an hour before turning off the lights, so by the time I hop into bed my senses are immersed in a room that smells like a fresh field of lavenders.
Studies have shown that when used an hour or so before bed, lavender oil can not only help you fall asleep, but it can also improve the overall quality of rest (hello, deep sleep!) so you wake up feeling extra refreshed.
Some days, I also transfer my diffuser to my work desk and pop in a blend of peppermint, eucalyptus and lemon, all of which are helpful for productivity and focus.
8. Local Supply Blue Light Blockers
I used to be one of those people who would boast about their 20/20 eye vision to friends and family. I’d watch movies off of my phone in the middle of the night (even though I knew it was going to ruin my sleep), spend hours of my days scrolling on Instagram, and have the font on my laptop and phone set to the smallest possible - and yet my eyes would be totally fine. Perfect 20/20 vision, if you had asked me.
However, since working off screens 24/7 has become the norm, my eyes constantly feel dry and tired. I have to take regular five-minute eye breaks to close my eyes and rest my pounding headache, and what’s worse - I’ve had to increase the font size on all my screens. To help alleviate what is known as 'digital eye strain', I now wear Local Supply's Blue Light Blockers. Not only do they actually look chic (as opposed to other blue light blocking glasses on the market) but they're also made with plant-based materials, use zero-use manufacturing and the brand also offers a recycling program for end-of-life.
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