I am almost six weeks postpartum so I thought this would be a good time to reflect on the beauty treats that made my pregnancy experience that little bit more indulgent and beautiful. I managed to escape stretch marks (save a few tiny lines that appeared on the underside of my breasts once my milk came in and my breasts expanded exponentially) and my skin, though a lot drier than pre-pregnancy, looked pretty good over the nine months and counting. Here is what I used and loved:
Clarins Tonic Body Treatment Oil. No stretch marks and the skin around my bottom and upper thighs also looked smoother after months of using this.
Mustela Nine Months Stretch Marks Double Action. I applied this velvety cream over the Clarins oil. I love this French pharmacy range and use a couple of the baby products on myself as well as baby.
Caudalie Vinotherapie Vine Peach Shower Gel. I bought this because I wanted a lovely shower product to use in hospital – a special indulgence just for me but which required little time or effort. I love the smell of peaches so this sulphate-free gel was perfectly comforting and refreshing for a wide-eyed new mother. I used it the other night for the first time since returning from hospital and the scent immediately reminded me of that special, precious time – the first night and following days with baby. Note: Caudalie is not available direct in Australia but I purchased this from Feel Unique in the UK.
Dr. Hauschka Eye Contour Day Balm and Rose Day Cream. The Day Cream is too rich for me usually but in the days immediately after giving birth, my fatigued, dehydrated, hospital air conditioning skin needed something a bit heavyweight: plus I love the rose scent. I used the very emollient and rich eye balm throughout the nine months – and I also used it on my lips.
Chanel Perfection Lumiere Foundation. Foundation may not have been the first thing on my mind when I had the baby, however in the somewhat shell-shocked days and weeks that followed it was important to me that I at least looked ‘together’ – even though I did not feel the same way! Shade number 10 fits my skin colour perfectly and it is a super quick and easy (read: baby is about to start screaming) foundation to apply. I dab a tiny amount on with my beloved Beauty Blender, which makes the process even quicker.
Lansinoh HPA Lanolin. This hospital-grade lanolin is widely recommended by Australian midwives for breastfeeding nipple care. It soothed my sore and dry nipples and I also bought a tube to use as a lip balm and to dab onto baby’s dry, flaking skin.
Audra James Botanicals Sleep Spritz. Audra James offers ready-made and bespoke blends for face and body, including custom pregnancy and birth products. I used her Sleep Spritz which imparted a calming and warming scent on my pillow; perfect for third trimester insomnia.
Decleor Prolagene Energising Gel. This is one of those mythical I am not quite sure how it works exactly or what it is meant for but it is wonderful cult products the French are so good at making. Decleor Prolagene has a legion of followers who love it for scar healing to anti-aging. I used it on my face, decollete, under the eyes and on my skin graft. I have definitely noticed the red skin around the skin graft is lighter and flatter and I also found it to be a good pick me up for a tired pregnancy face.
What beauty essentials and small indulgences took you through pregnancy and the early weeks?
July 13th, 2012 → 2:12 pm
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