Beauty

  With lockdown in full swing…it’s safe to say that I’ve let my beauty regime go a bit. I’m lucky to be washing my hair once a week, my nails look like a crime scene and my makeup bag is buried at the back of my bathroom cabinet collecting dust and cobwebs.  I'm looking less like a 25 year old woman and more like that creature from Lord of the Rings - screeching "My precious" to the last bottle of sav-blanc in my fridge…         Once we come out of lockdown I'm going to need to take a week of annual leave just to get myself looking SOMEWHAT presentable to be released back into the world.  My hairdresser won’t even recognise me under all the split ends and regrowth.  But then I remembered, behind my makeup bag - behind the cobwebs and the dust - is the key to saving us ALL.      Introducing the Kmart Hot Air Brush. I purchased this $25 rotating hot air brush from Kmart during lockdown last year and BOY did this save me then, and it’s going to save us NOW!   If you love a dupe, then this rotating hot air brush provides the same quality blow-out as a Dyson. And no, I don't mean the vacuum (even though I did consider that at one point).   It’s so simple to use, and gives you the ultimate salon-quality, wind swept, full bodied look, without ever having to leave the house. With a 4.5 star rating, don't just take my word for it! Check out its most recent review below:     I feel you Sinead! this tool is surprisingly good. Like, scarily good considering the price and you NEED to try it!      ~ FIRST THINGS FIRST ~ I like to use it on partially damp hair, try blow drying first or if you are like me (and go to bed with wet hair) it's the perfect way to tame your mane in the morning when it’s partially dry. And remember, always use a heat protectant prior to using any hot tools on your hair!        ~ SECTIONING ~ There are 3 heat settings. I start out sectioning off half of my hair and brushing with the hottest setting, holding the tool horizontal to my head like above.  Whilst brushing downwards, use the directional button with the arrow facing downwards 🔽 . This picks up the hair and rolls itself around the barrel.       With the full length of your hair rolled up into the brush hold for 10-15 seconds, then use the opposite button 🔼  to release the hair from the roll. This creates volume and those flicked-out ends that you thought only your hairdresser could do! 💁‍♀️       ~ HOT TIP ~ Now, when it comes to styling the hair around your face, you want to roll the brush in the OPPOSITE direction pulling away from your face. This will give you full-bodied volume and sweeping affect that frames your face.         ~ IT'S ALL ABOUT THE BANGS ~ If you are like me and decided curtain bangs were a great idea but then fast-realised they are an absolute PUNISH to style, then fear no more! This tool is all you need when it comes to creating those wind-swept, Jennifer Anniston bangs.          Sectioning off your bangs, curl them into the brush away from your face. Hold for 10-15 seconds and BEFORE UNROLLING flick the brush to the cool-setting. This will set the fringe into place and hold that wind-swept, full bodied look.        And there you have it! A salon-quality blow out from the comfort of your own home. This $25 Kmart Heat Brush is the perfect dupe for the Dyson Air Wrap and it won't break the bank! 

    With many of us in lockdown right now, there’s no better time to update your skincare regime! Here at G&H HQ, we love it when we find a must-have beauty product that we can share with one another. Self care and self love is SO important - so give yourself the lockdown glow-up that you deserve with our 6 top rated beauty necessities below!      I absolutely adore the Garnier Sheet Mask range! Whether you have Mature Skin, Oily & Combination Skin, Breakout Prone Skin, Tired Skin or Dehydrated Skin, the Garnier range caters to all skin types!  What I love about this product is, it's packed with hydrating ingredients that help to infuse the skin with moisture whilst also working to target areas of concern. The best thing is, it’s like you’re giving yourself an at home facial. Definitely my go to beauty product!      This mascara lengthens and thickens my non-existent lashes and is easily buildable without creating those dreaded spider lashes! It is also tear proof for when I’m having a typical Pisces emotional moment and definitely my go to beauty product!    Picked up at Woolworths for $20 & they are always on special for 30-50% off.        I have been using an LED mask for over 2 years and it is always my top recommendation when it comes to all things skin care. I have suffered from hormonal breakouts since I was 14 (now 25 SOS 😅) and LED light therapy is the first product I’ve used that has provided significant results in clearing breakouts and pigmentation.  The LED mask is mess-free and so quick and easy to use. I usually pop it on for 20-30 mins daily, after cleansing and while I’m watching TV! I find the use of the blue light predominantly followed up with 5-10 mins of the red light achieved amazing results for my skin!   You can shop the Peppy Co mask here with 30% off at the moment!   My absolute go-to is the Estée Lauder Advanced Night Repair Recovery Complex. It is a bit pricey but it is like liquid gold in a bottle and does last quite a while as you only need a drop or two each night. I put it on right before my moisturiser (which is also from the Estée Lauder night series) right before bed. When I wake up in the morning my face is everything you hope it will be. Soft, supple, moisturised, blemishes minimised and all over it just feels so fresh, clean and plump. It brings back a youthfulness to my skin that I adore. It’s the best feeling. I will never live without this. If you aren’t too sure (especially with the price tag) pop over to an Estée Lauder counter at Myer or David Jones, they always have little sample bottles to give away and that’s how I came across it myself. Loved it so much, now I buy the super big bottle.     My fave beauty products at the moment are both by the brand Eco Tan. The brand itself is amazing, they are all natural, organic, cruelty free and environmentally friendly! I have been obsessed with the glory oil - it has made my skin soft, hydrated and glowy. There’s not much this oil can’t do - hence the name! Put it on acne scars, wrinkles and redness, it can be used on your face and body or even your baby bump to reduce stretch marks!  I have also been loving and using their face tan water for years now. It makes me feel confident to not wear makeup as it gives you a light tan. Their Glory Oil and Face Tan Water used together is the perfect combo.   My favourite beauty product has to be the Precisely, My Brow Eyebrow Pencil from Benefit.  I absolutely cannot walk out the door without my brows on, and look for a product that is easy, simple to use and lasts a long time and this product proves worthy 🙌🏼 The pencil is thin and is consistently smooth which makes my brows look naturally full, lasting the whole day. I rate this product 5/5 stars! ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️        So which recommendation are you adding straight to cart? Tell us in the comments below!     G&Hxx