Sounds simple, but sometimes it’s so hard to get rid of something that is so attached to you. Such as, your hair.
I don’t know why I’ve always felt like I need to have long hair. Like, I’ve actually felt ugly and insecure if it was short. Maybe it has something to do with the two times I’ve cut my hair super short and immediately regretted it. Like, I’ve done it without giving it much of a thought. Which, though, sounds like a typical Charlotta.
But a while back I got to the conclusion that my hair was just not doing me any favors. Cutting my hair much shorter was something I actually had thought about for a longer time – even though the decision happened quickly (like, do you know the feeling when you just need something to happen NOW?). You know I’m all about those natural curls, but my hair was so long and the ends were so damaged, they hardly managed to curl at all.
So I guess I did it for the curls.
Before and after!
And I have no regrets! I love my shorter hair. Which is still long. It’s like short long hair. Or long short hair. Or a long bob? Be it whatever – it curls so much better now and actually that’s what’s making it appear shorter than it is. My hair can now lift itself up.
And I feel quite lifted as well. Making a change to your hair is quite a powerful thing to do, as superficial as it sounds. I am so happy I made the big cut. I feel quite relieved. I don’t need my hair to be long – I just want it to appear healthy and nice.
In these photos you see my hair in it’s natural state – there are no curl creams whatsoever used. Susanna just washed my hair and used some moisturizing curl cream and a light oil. Then she diffused my hair and let it live it’s best life. She even used a sulfate-free shampoo, because she knows how I am. So if you have naturally curly hair and are thinking of going to a hairdresser – I can warmly recommend Susanna.
Thank you Susanna for once again taking care of my hair!
If you have dry skin, you already know that a good skincare routine is crucial for you. That’s why I collected the best dry skin products in this post, with a little help from my sister.
What is dry skintype?
A normal skin produces both sebum and sweat, which together create an acid mantle. That is the skin’s barrier, which protects the skin from dryness, bacteria, air pollutants and other external threats. Dry skin type doesn’t produce enough sebum, which is why the skin appears dry and sensitive. Basically the acid mantle isn’t working properly. On dry skin the pores aren’t really visible or they’re small.
Dry skin demands oil and moisture. It can be more or less sensitive. It can’t take certain ingredients and it can react to things like weather quite dramatically, since the acid mantle isn’t fully there to take the hit.
Dry skin. Here is Annika and her beautiful skin. You can see she takes good care of it! Her beauty therapist-sister must be proud.
My sister Annika has a dry skin, which, you wouldn’t necessarily believe, if you didn’t know better. She takes such good care of her skin, it basically looks flawless.
Only fair to share her skincare secrets, right?
Besides sharing her current routine, Annika also shared all of her favorite products for dry skin.
On mornings, Annika just wipes her face clean with a toner. Currently she is using Biotherm’s hydrating & softening lotion. Usually she can’t use products that contain alcohol, but this particular product is working fine. Long time favorite toner of hers is *Clarins Extra Comfort Toning Lotion
Moisturizing
Serum & Argan oil
Annika uses a moisturizing serum before applying the oil. Two of her favorite serums are *Novexpert Booster Serum with Hyaluronic acid and Estelle Thild BioHydrate Thirst Relief serum.
Argan oil is the most important thing in Annika’s routine. It’s actually an oil that I love to use on my skin as well. It’s safe to say that it’s an oil, that is suitable for all skin types and problems: dryness, wrinkles, blemishes, acne scars and even acne. My sister also sometimes uses argan oil in her makeup: she just mixes a few drops in her foundation.
I like to think I taught my sisters the importance of an eye cream. An eye cream is a part of Annika’s routine and I’m proud. Taking care of that thin skin around our eyes is important. *Natura Siberica Siberian Ginseng Eye Cream is very moisturizing, but doesn’t feel heavy.
Annika uses makeup eraser to remove all her makeup in the evening. The original makeup eraser is very soft and it’s indeed gentle enough even for a dry skin. She has used this for a few years now.
It’s seriously so effective, but soft as a feather. Or heaven. (I ended up buying it and I love it.)
Cleanser
Annika’s favorite skin cleanser is unfortunately discontinued (Clarins Pure Melt Cleansing Gel). I would recommend Lumene Valo Balm Cleanser, which has that same balmy oily consistency.
Moisturizing
After the double cleansing, it’s the same toner + oil + moisturizer + eye cream combo than it is on the mornings.
WEEKLY MASK FOR DRY SKIN
Weekly exfoliating and masking is crucial even for dry skin. Getting rid of those dead skin cells helps the toners and moisturizers to do their magic even better.
When you choose the right products, it’s not too drying, I promise. I gave Annika Lumene’s Nordic-C Glow Reveal Peeling Mask as I felt it was very gentle and could work for her. Happy I did, because it’s now dry-skin approved. I wrote a post about Lumene Valo products here.
Other masks that Annika likes to use are moisturizing *sheet masks (from korean brands mostly) and acid-containing exfoliants (like the Lumene one mentioned above).
And sometimes (not weekly, more like once or twice per month) she uses a more effective mud mask. But she never applies the mud mask on the most sensitive areas which are her cheeks and forehead. If she does a mud mask she only applies it on her nose and chin.
Thank you dear sister for helping me put this post together! Hopefully this helps all the dry-skinned beauties out there. Would you like to see more posts like this? I’m thinking of some makeup recommendations, dry skin approved?
This website uses cookies to improve your experience. We'll assume you're ok with this, but you can opt-out if you wish.Accept
Privacy & Cookies Policy
Privacy Overview
This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience.
Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. These cookies do not store any personal information.
Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website.
