The Beauty Diary by Rebekah Scanlan: All the things I’m using leaving isolation
Isolation has taken its toll and it is showing in the worst place ever – our faces. But this product is proven to prevent stubborn wrinkles.
I’m going back to the office tomorrow.
That’s right, after 2.5 months of solo isolation where I’ve barely worn make-up, rocked a greasy top knot and lived in jammies, I’m re-entering the professional world.
And to mark the occasion, I’m going all out.
Sure, we don’t need make-up and nice hair to make our debut back into society. But after weeks of having zero motivation to make an effort, I suddenly have a place to go and people to see them (from a safe distance, obvs) – and it feels so exciting, I could burst.
So today, I’ll be prepping every-inch of my new doughy isolation bod to make it look like I’ve been on an exotic holiday rather than slobbing about in my trackie dacks eating cereal out of the box.
I know we are a long way off getting back to normal (will life ever be the same again?) but getting out of bed in the morning, applying my make-up and going to the office feels like a victory we should celebrate.
So here’s all the super fabulous, somewhat over the top, lush products I’ve pulled out of my beauty collection in preparation for the big day. I hope they can bring you a little bit of the joy and magic they’ve bought me during this extremely weird time – and hopefully cover up some of those COVID-induced wrinkles that have formed on my face since the last time I saw my colleagues.
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ELLE EFFECT FAKE TAN
Available at Mecca and elleeffect.com
Price: $44.95
I’ve barely left the house let alone been sunbaking, but I will be using this to fake my post-lockdown glow as it’s one of the best fake tanning products I’ve ever used. The mousse is easy to apply, smells like actual roses and leaves limbs streak-free and sun-kissed to perfection. One of the other reasons I really like it is because it’s buildable, meaning I can whack on one coat if I’m just after a subtle glow or go full-throttle ‘I’ve just got back from the Bahamas’ with three coats, and only need one product.
REVLON NAIL ENAMEL
Available at Target, Priceline, Big W and Chemist Warehouse,
Price: $13.95
The shade of polish I’ve been rocking in iso, and will top up for Monday’s big debut back into society is called ‘Bare That’, a perfect nude shade for when you want to look like you’ve made an effort, without looking like you’ve made an effort. It’s also pretty long-lasting, going about a week before I notice a chip as long as I apply a base and top coat as well.
WISHFUL YO GLOW ENZYME SCRUB
Available at Sephora
Price: $70 (100ml)
The first time I used this, my face went bright red and had an itchy, tingly sensation for a few hours. But it did the job of ridding my face of dry-skin that had appeared on my T-zone and along my hairline. Now my skin, which is not easily irritated, is used to it, it buffs away flakes without any irritation – perfect for prepping the face before applying make-up.
YSL PURE SHOTS NIGHT REBOOT SERUM
Available at adorebeauty.com.au, Mecca, Sephora, Myer, and yslbeauty.com.au
Price: $109
This bougie serum is one of my faves. You need to shake it to activate and wear at night as it is also an exfoliant (because of the Glycolic) as well as a serum. After, my skin is visibly bouncy, smooth and brighter. The perfect pick-me-up for tired lockdown skin. The bottle is also re-usable so once you’ve used up your product you can replace the vial inside, saving money and the environment.
LANEIGE WATER BANK MOISTURE CREAM
Available at Sephora
Price: $52
I’m obsessed with this water range – it is just SO hydrating and feels heavenly to apply – it definitely doesn’t feel like other moisturisers but I can’t quite put into words why.It’s light, has a beautiful fresh scent and is suitable for sensitive skin and oily. I’ve been lathering my face in it and even in lockdown when I’ve barely worn make-up, it sits well under my sunscreen and gives me a nice glow. Love.
ULTRA VIOLETTE CLEAN SCREEN FRAGRANCE FREE
Available at Sephora and ultraviolette.com.au
Price: $42
I may have practically given up on make-up for the best part of three months and been inside, away from the sunshine – but I never stopped using was sunscreen. SPF is so important, even if you’re only going for a quick 20 minute stroll or working near a window. It not only protects you from sun damage, but it’s also proven to be one of the best anti-ageing methods out there – so no stress induces isolation wrinkles here. This new fragrance free variety of Melbourne brand Ultra Violette is great for sensitive skin and is super light weight, and doesn’t have that gross sticky white residue, which makes it great under make-up. A perfect everyday sunscreen.
GUERLAIN L’ESSENTIEL PORE MINIMISER PRIMER
Available at Sephora
Price: $83
Ooh yass, I’m feeling fancy. I told you I was going all out. Everything about this product is swish and makes me feel special when I’m using it. After using the pipet style dispenser and dropping a few drops of this onto my hand, I find it rubs in really easily and gives a gorgeous, almost blurred, finish that is the perfect base for foundation. I never get piling with it – a common complaint I have with primers – and it keeps my oily skin matte for longer than others I’ve used.
BITE CHANGEMAKER SUPERCHARGED MICELLAR FOUNDATION
Available at Sephora
Price: $57
If you’re shopping around for a new foundation, this is it. Whenever I’ve worn this I’ve found it sits so smoothly on my skin, doesn’t settle into creases or dry me out. It also gives a natural, glowy finish that lasts ALL DAY. Just what I need too look my best out of isolation with minimal effort.
CHARLOTTE TILBURY EYE COLOUR MAGIC PALETTE
Available at charlottetilbury.com/au
Price: $80
The Kween that is Charlotte Tilbury has recently created a line of eyeshadow palettes designed specifically to make your eyes pop – you just have to buy the right shades for your eye colour and BAM, your tired post-iso eyes will be more brighter. For green eyes like mine you need Mesmerising Maroon (match your own eye colour to palette here) which I have been practising the perfect daytime smoky eye look while bored in lockdown and have been waiting for the perfect opportunity to use in real-life. The first day back to the office is definitely it. #YOLO.
FENTY BEAUTY CHEEKS OUT FREESTYLE CREAM BLUSH
Available at Sephora
Price: $33
Fenty Beauty recently stepped into the realm of cream blushes and bronzers and this one – Strawberry Drip – is my ride or die. She’s bold, pigmented and vibrant – exactly what I need to face the world again. She gives a gorgeous flush to cheeks and a splash of colour to lips – plus, as with anything Rhianna creates – looks gorgeous on ALL skin tones. The creamy formula blends out easily without being sticky and gross, and you can build it up for a more powerful hue too. There are nine different shades available and trust me, you’re going to want them all.
FENTY BEAUTY MATCH STIX GLOW SKINSTICK
Available at Sephora
Price: $39
The first time I applied this to my cheek bones, it was love at first swipe. This new cream highlight stick to Fenty’s hugely popular Stix range adds a subtle, almost iridescent, sparkle to skin that glides on like melted butter. While it’s definitely not an in your face highlight as there’s no glitter (I bloody love glitter) it makes the perfect base for layering highlight and ensuring it stays put without looking chunky. I’m also obsessed with the shade name, Purrrl.
FENTY BEAUTY DIAMOND BOMB ALL-OVER DIAMOND VEIL
Available at Sephora
Price: $39
It’s honestly like Rhianna knew I’d need a bit more glitz when I returned to work and created this just for me. Cognac Candy is the latest shade of Fenty Beauty’s super popular highlighter and it takes glitter to another level. I particularly love layering it up with the GlowStick (above) which also helps the powder stay in place too. In the compact, the product looks like a dark bronze, but it applies more glittery than solid, leaving cheeks like they’ve been rained on by a glitter storm. While I appreciate the chunky shimmer highlights aren’t for everyone – this is totally my jam. OBSESSED.
KAREN MURRELL NUDE LIP PALETTE
Available at karenmurrell.com
Price: $50
I’m gonna be real here, this palette is a quiet achiever. It doesn’t look super impressive at first glance, but it actually contains five of this all natural lippies – all of which look good on every skin tone. The lipsticks themselves are made from ingredients such as avocado oil and have a delicious cinnamon scent to them that smell so good, you’ll want to lick your lips. As well as being a noticeable fragrance, the cinnamon plumps lips which I think is really cool. You can also use the cream product on other areas of your face such as cheeks and eyes, making it super versatile. I am loving Blushing Rose, which gives a pink flush to lips that looks really natural.
MORPHE CONTINUOUS SETTING MIST
Available at Mecca and au.morphe.com
Price: $24
This is one make-up product I can’t live without, especially as the airconditioning at work really dries my skin out, affecting the way my make-up sits throughout the day. I spritz this on regularly throughout my make-up application process and it keeps everything in place. It’s also nice to use to refresh your glow as the day goes on. Can’t recommend enough, especially if you’re a fan of full-coverage foundation.
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