Lockdown Favourites

After a month spent in second lockdown here in the UK, like everyone else, I’ve been spending a lot of time indoors. Below is a roundup of all the things I’ve found comfort in during this time: from new skincare and beauty purchases, to the TV shows and podcasts I’ve been listening to, and recipes I’ve been cooking up.

Music/Film/Culture

TV: I owe a lot of my sanity throughout lockdown to the great television that has been gracing our screens lately. Classics such as The Great British Bake Off and Strictly Come Dancing have provided a sense of normality and comfort to me during this month, and I’m almost embarrassed to say that I’ve spent far too many hours a week watching TV - although in my mind, this is completely justifiable during lockdown…who’s with me?

A number of new series have also cropped up during the last month: The Crown Season 4 was all I was talking about for at least an entire week (I binged the latest series in one sitting…the drama! The outfits!) and The Queen’s Gambit and The Undoing have also had me on the edge of my seat.

Podcasts: Lockdown also heralded the return of one of my favourite podcasts, ‘Things You Can’t Tell Yer Mum’, hosted by Lizzy and Lindsey. I listen to this podcast when I’m running (believe it or not, I’ve restarted the Couch to 5K app for the fifteenth hundredth time), and listening to this podcast is wonderfully distracting from the pain of exercise while I’m out on my runs. Listening to Lizzy and Lindsey discuss subjects like romance and friendships is both comforting and amusing at the same time, and it does feel like you’re listening to old friends natter away.

Skincare

I’ve mentioned before how my skin type is dry, and in winter it’s essential that I use products that are creamy and hydrating. As a fan of Paula’s Choice products, I recently purchased this cleanser to add into my nighttime skincare routine for my second cleanse each evening. It’s super hydrating and silky on the skin, and seamlessly washes away any impurities and makeup from the day.

I also decided to invest in a niacinamide booster, in an effort to help reduce pores and decrease pigmentation on my skin from sun exposure. I use this every evening by patting onto the skin before my hydrating serum, and I find that this helps to tighten my skin and reduce pore size.

During lockdown, I’ve elevated my skincare routine one step further by purchasing this facial steamer from Amazon. For only £26, it’s a very affordable addition to my routine - and it feels incredibly pampering. Twice a week in the evenings, I use this facial steamer for a 15-minute blast after cleansing and exfoliating: not only is it great for gently opening up pores, but it’s also extremely hydrating and soothing.

Hair and Beauty

This Philip Kingsley toner has worked absolute wonders on my scalp and hair. I’ve suffered from a dry and itchy scalp for years: in general, I have dry skin all over my body, and this is aggravated even further by my hayfever (which I seem to suffer from year round). I’m someone who washes my hair every other day, and before discovering this toner, my hair would always be slightly itchy and greasy by the second day; come evening time, my scalp would feel horribly dry and uncomfortable. I’m not sure what took me so long to find a product to fix this, but this toner has worked miracles: it’s applied by drizzling onto the scalp after washing hair, and running through with your fingers. My scalp hasn’t flared up at all since using it, and even on day two, my hair still looks and feels great - sometimes I don’t even need to wash it until day 3! A total GAME CHANGER.

Glossier’s beautiful branding eventually won me over back in April when I purchased their Boy Brow in ‘Brown’ for the first time. I’ve since gone on to purchase a few more items from this cult beauty brand: I’m such a sucker for that natural, ‘no-makeup’ look which Glossier embodies so well. I recently treated myself to their Generation G matte lipstick and Skywash eyeshadow, both of which I’ve used every day since purchasing. When I find a good makeup product, I’m a real creature of habit: the Generation G in ‘Leo’ is a gorgeous nude brown shade that feels completely weightless on the lips, whereas Skywash in 'Echo’ is effortlessly applied by sweeping across the eyelids and then blending out with a cotton bud or finger to achieve the perfect soft brown colour.

Cooking

Lockdown this year has really provided me with ample time to spend in the kitchen. I absolutely love cooking and feeding other people. Cooking is somewhat therapeutic for me, and a creative outlet of sorts - even better, is that you get to eat your creations afterwards! This is one of my favourite recipes that I’ve made over and over again lately: galettes look just as enticing as they taste, and I love getting creative with various fruits and toppings. I make a savoury version of this galette as well, omitting the sugar in the pastry, and filling it with ricotta and tomatoes, or root vegetables and feta. Where I can, I’ve also enjoyed shopping from small businesses, and picking up my groceries from local delis such as Supermarket of Dreams and Joy at Portobello.

On days when I’m feeling a little lazier, Oliver and I have recently discovered a new delivery favourite of ours: Sidechick, which is from the same minds behind Patty & Bun. Essentially an elevated Nando’s, you can order delicious peri-peri roast chicken to your doorstep, along with salads and crispy roast potatoes - the perfect antidote after a long day at work!

I’d love to know what your lockdown favourites are - what’s been keeping you sane during this time?