Helpful Products

Just a list of some products I found useful immediately post-pregnancy.

I had super sensitive skin for about three days post-partum, my doctor actually recommended Aveeno body moisturiser. 

I found it's not as heavy as other moisturisers intended for sensitive skin, it's fragrance is light but a bit sickly (for me personally) but it really offers delicate and irritated skin a lot of relief.

If you're someone who insists on a full face of makeup before leaving the house, initially you may find it hard to get the time for full on kabuki makeup with a new baby. Remember to keep it simple, like idiot simple, for the first few weeks until you get into the swing of things. Tinted moisturiser, mascara, concealer and setting powder was as much as I could manage when feeling 'fancy'.

Concealer will be your new best friend what with your fetching new dark circles and the odd blemish while your body sorts those damn hormones out. Personally, I am a huge of fan of Yves Saint Laurent's Touche Eclat. It's lightweight but offers high coverage. It's brush applicator makes it easy to use at any time. Although it's not described as a concealer by YSL (it's a bloody concealer), I use it as one and love it.

However, if your budget doesn't stretch to YSL (or you don't have access to duty free coming up anytime soon ;) ), I've found L'Oreal's Touche Eclat knock off, Touche Magique is a good alternative. It's a bit heavier, it's applicator isn't as good and it takes more effort to find the right match for your skin but it offers the same coverage.

Finally, I would really recommend Palmers Firming Butter. I picked it up by mistake thinking it was Palmers Stretch Mark Massage Lotion. Unfortunately, stretch mark obliterating lotions and potions are all useless, don't waste your money. After months of slathering myself in Bio-Oil which felt disgusting, I realised in the later stages of pregnancy that all it succeeded in doing was make me greasy. Stretch marks are unfortunately genetic and unavoidable, if you're going to get them, you get them. Luckily they fade over time all on their own. Mine have all vanished.

However, Palmers Firming Butter works wonders. Used on a particularly cellulicious derriere after a week or so the results were visible, which I was impressed with. I still use it now. A week of ODing on water and using the Firming Butter and the offensive parts of my anatomy look less offensive. It doesn't get rid of it totally but let's be realistic.

Hope this has been helpful xxx