While I enjoy a multi-step skincare routine for my face, by the time I’ve applied all my serums and creams I’m ready to vacate the bathroom and lie on the couch. For that reason, my body care routine is much more streamlined. My eczema-prone skin demands a soothing lotion, and my go-to for a long time now has been Eco Tan’s Organic Coconut Body Milk. With a rich texture that falls nicely between ‘weightless’ and ‘leaves a sticky layer’, this unscented lotion hydrates and effectively soothes my angry skin, while still feeling luxurious (often not the case with eczema-friendly products). It’s also perfect for extending the life of your fake tan.
And of course, beauty being a head to toe affair, I try to keep my haircare ethical as well. Did you know the legendary Olaplex No.3 Treatment is vegan friendly? The OG that started the ‘bond builder’ craze, this creamy concoction goes on damp hair before washing to rebuild hair from the inside out, a literal game changer for those of us who bleach, colour and heat-style our strands (guilty!). My damaged hair also loves an extra-rich masque, and I’ve been leaning heavily on the Aveda Nutriplenish Masque Deep Moisture mask. Featuring a lavish blend of coconut oil, mango butter and pomegranate seed oil, this silicone-free treatment is thick, decadent, and is deliciously scented with cocoa extract and oils of ginger and cardamom. If your strands aren’t Hagrid-level unruly like mine, you may want to try the Light version for finer hair, as the Deep formula is pretty intense.
Last on my list is one of the most beautifully-fragranced hair care products I’ve come across. Ouai, a line of luxury products from celeb hairstylist Jen Atkin (whose hands have graced the strands of Kim Kardashian, Rosie Huntington-Whiteley, the Hadids, and more), recently popped up on Leaping Bunny’s Cruelty Free list, and you better believe I immediately added the range to cart. A standout is definitely their high-gloss Hair Oil, which features their Rue St. Honoré fragrance, a delicate blend of violet, gardenia, ylang ylang, and white musk (by the way, you can purchase each Ouai fragrance as a separate Eau De Parfum to complement your haircare routine if you’re feeling boujee). Lightweight but still hefty enough to smooth my damaged locks, this oil protects from both heat damage and UV exposure, and overall just feels incredibly luxurious.