Dry January Survival Guide

Anyone like myself who is also a student will know that the prospect of doing ‘Dry January’ is almost laughable. I’d like to think that in the future I will take part in the annual health-kick, however the £1 drinks at my local bar are currently too enticing to resist.

This therefore brings the title of this post into question. Despite the continuation of drinking habits, I have noticed that January can be a dry month in many other ways…

Following the Christmas indulgence, the return of late nights out and the bitterly cold weather, the first month of the new year can be tough on our bodies. I have always found that regardless of my decision, my skin, hair and lips seem to always partake in ‘Dry January’ without my consent. This means that I must arm myself with multiple products to prepare for the annual battle, and as many others face a similar problem, I have decided to share some of my saving graces with you.

Simple ‘Water Boost’ Micellar Cleansing Water- £6.99

I came across this when it was on offer in Boots and was attracted by its promise to soothe dehydrated, sensitive skin. I have always liked using Simple’s products due to their lack of artificial perfumes and colours, finding them ideal for dealing with problematic skin. I apply the micellar water with cotton pads, using it in two different ways. Firstly, for a boost of hydration underneath my moisturiser, and secondly, for thoroughly removing the remnants of my makeup. This product has a genuinely effective hydrating quality and also feels great on your skin.

Simple Replenishing Rich Moisturiser – £4.29

Another favourite from Simple’s range, this has been my holy grail moisturiser for the past year. It comes in either ‘light’ or ‘rich’ and I opt for rich as I feel it gives me the best hydration. Non-greasy and quick to sink into the skin, I highly recommend this product for those suffering with dryness.

The Body Shop ‘Born Lippy’ Balm- £2.50

I find lip balm to be essential all year round, and despite using this one from The Body Shop almost every day, it has lasted me over a year! They have an amazing range of scents and raspberry is a particular favourite of mine. What is also great about these is that they can usually be found on offer in combination with other products, so it’s well worth checking out your local Body Shop store.

Mac Prep + Prime Fix Plus Mist- £18.00

I must admit that I was dubious about this product initially, questioning whether I was paying a high price for what was essentially a bottle of glorified water. However, after reading some reviews, I decided that it was finally time to use the MAC gift card from my birthday. Since then, I have fallen in love. Although it may seem so, Fix Plus is not a setting spray, rather its function is fix your makeup and help it blend together for a smoother, dewier look. To achieve this, I spritz the mist onto my face both before and after my makeup. It is a relatively expensive product, however I would definitely still recommend it as it does last a long time and gives the look of healthy, glowy skin.

Face Masks

Using face masks regularly is a great way of keeping your skin in good condition. I use a variety for different reasons, however I find the hydrating and brightening ones to be particularly effective when your skin is in need of a pick-me-up. Moreover, being usually priced at a few pounds, this product will help your skin without breaking the bank.

The Body Shop Body Butter (400ml)- £20.00

I must admit that I feel this product is a bit too pricey and would not usually spend this much myself. However, I do think the Body Shop Body Butters are great as birthday or Christmas gifts. I am obsessed with the pink grapefruit scent whilst my other favourites from the range include mango and peach, but there are so many different scents to choose from. I find that this body butter feels amazing on the skin and doesn’t take too long to sink in. Moreover (as you can see from the tattered label) this product has lasted me over a year and I still have quite a bit left, making it more worth the higher price tag.

TRESemmé Oleo Radiance Conditioning Mist- £6.99

I absolutely love this product and have been using it for roughly a year to keep my hair looking healthy. Containing argon and almond oils, this conditioning mist can be used on either wet or dry hair so I usually apply it both before and after drying or styling. I also like to spritz it on my hair in the daytime when I feel that it needs a conditioning boost. The scent is beautiful and it leaves your hair feeling soft, smooth and healthy, I can’t recommend this product enough!

So those are the products that are helping me survive this month. I use all of them daily and find them to be very effective for me. I hope this post is useful for those suffering with stressful skin or hair in 2018 and that we can all beat Dry January together!