MY 4 BEAUTY HEROES FOR PREGNANCY & BEYOND

MY 4 BEAUTY HEROES FOR PREGNANCY & BEYOND

As some of you might or might not know, I am the Brand Ambassador for ELEMIS this year, one of my all-time favourite skincare brands. I would like to say it was a very natural and organic fit – seeing as I have been using their products and spa services for so many years! Their skincare just works, especially for my skin type. I have always been a big fan of more natural skincare brands, which fuses scientific methods to create active formulations to genuinely transform your complexion. As I have been using the brand for so many years, I naturally have quite a lot of personal favourites – but in the recent months during my pregnancy, there have been four products in particular, which has been true skincare saviours (during a time when I have needed it more than ever)…

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I am sure anyone who is, or has been pregnant, can vouch for their skin going through a lot of changes! First up, let´s discuss the face changes. Or what is commonly known as “The Mask of Pregnancy”, typically recognised in the form of tan/brown patches. These hormone-induced patches of hyper-pigmentation can appear on your forehead, cheeks, or chin. For someone who already suffers with pigmentation, this has not been such a welcoming change… Now on the flip-side, many lucky ladies also get that well-known “pregnancy glow”, and although I have been told I have it at times (note: not all the time!) – in-between a puffy face, sensitive skin, dullness and an uneven skin tone – my skin has definitely seen better days. But being a skincare junkie that I am, I was well prepared, and quickly sussed out what type of skincare that would work for me. Now, I have been testing out a lot of natural options (which you can read more about in this post) – but having the need for something a bit more active (yet still retaining the natural ingredients) – I have firmly been using the below four products on a daily basis

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1. PRO-COLLAGEN MARINE CREAM SPF30 

The Pro-Collagen Marine Cream is one of the brand´s bestsellers – for good reason. So naturally I was pretty excited when they launched an even better version, with SPF30 in it! I don´t leave the house without SPF, and especially now that I am pregnant and battling pigmentation, a face cream which also offers that broad spectrum protection, is absolutely essential.

The cream is also known for its anti-ageing fighting properties, with a clinically proven formulation blend of Padina Pavonica and Ginkgo Biloba, which has been proven to reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. This jar of skincare goodness, also helps boost hydration, improve elasticity and really creates that supple, firm, toned and smooth appearance that we´re all after.  In other words, it´s been my go-to morning face cream for years, and even more so, now that my skin has been thirstier then ever, not to mention, so tired-looking (thanks to far to many sleepless nights), uneven and dull.


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2. SUPERFOOD FACIAL OIL 

Another ELEMIS´s bestseller, the Superfood Facial Oil – is nothing short of a powerhouse in a bottle, and does exactly what it says on the tin. Created to really hydrate, nourish and smooth the skin, this natural blend of highly concentrated plant-based superfoods, with anti-oxidant and omega-rich Broccoli, Flax Seed and Daikon Radish, simply feeds the skin for that healthy, radiant glow.

And feed it does… Pretty instantly too, as the oil is super lightweight and non-greasy, which easily sinks in – giving me that much needed healthy glow. I apply it to clean and semi-wet/damp skin after cleansing, which really helps enhance the absorption of the oil, both AM and PM. I like to leave my serums to work on my skin for a few minutes (before I apply anything else). In the mornings, I follow with the Pro-Collagen Marine Cream, and in the evenings I add another oil, a richer night cream, or simply this one on it´s own (all depending on what my complexion needs on that particular day).


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3. PRO-DEFINITION FACIAL OIL

The recently launched Pro-Definition Facial Oil has quickly become a new favourite of mine. Not only does it really smooth and nourish; it´s incredible for regeneration, ideal for more mature skin (post your early 30s basically). The oil is formulated with Raspberry plant stem cells and Himalayan Gentian, to help restore hydration and leave skin nice and resilient, and also helps target those fine lines, whilst plumping and toning the appearance for a more luminous complexion.

Now you might be wondering why two face oils, and if there is much difference to this one and the Superfood Facial Oil? There´s a lot of difference in terms of the previous oil being more focused on intensely moisturising the skin; whilst the Pro-Definition Facial Oil is much more aimed at combating ageing skin. For me personally, I am after both; my skin has been so parched and dehydrated during the pregnancy, and I also feel like I am in the perfect age group to really focus on those fine lines, and increase in dullness to my complexion. Hence why I am using both on rotation on a daily basis.


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Now from the face, to all the body changes that come with pregnancy. And I am not going to lie, it was the latter which I was initially the most concerned about. I mean, don´t get me wrong, I have been embracing all the physical changes that comes with being pregnant; the weight gain, fuller breasts, water retention, swelling and increase in dress size – as there is not much else one can do other than roll with it! But there are certain bodily changes that I have been dreading, such as stretch marks and an increase in cellulite, with all that extra water retention. So I have been vigilant from day one to do as much prep work in advance, to help minimise and keep it under control. Now if you’re going to get stretch marks, it´s going to happen one way or another (depending on genetics or skin type) – but there are lots of things which you can do to keep it under control, or even prevent (if you’re lucky). I have found that regular daily dry brushing really helps stimulate the lymph system, helping the body rid itself of toxins and increase the circulation – all very good things when you’re fighting those stretch marks, and it has also been proven to help tighten the skin after pregnancy. As well as this, it´s all about intensely moisturising with specific oils and creams, which helps keep the body nourished, soft and subtle…


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4. JAPANESE CAMELLIA BODY OIL

Last, but certainly not least, and probably the product which has been my all-time skincare hero from ELEMIS, is the Japanese Camellia Body OilUsing only the finest grade ingredients, this super lightweight yet incredibly active oil, is really rich in plant collagen, which in turn keeps the skin so moisturised and supple, and really helps target and prevent those stretch marks and wobbly bits.

Not only is this oil incredible for the body, it´s also ideal for the care of nails, hair and scalp (you all know I love a multi-purpose beauty product). I have been using this without fail, every single day since I found out I was pregnant. Renowned to be one of Victoria Beckham´s personal favourite during her pregnancies, I knew it had to be the real deal. And so far, so good! I honestly look forward to massaging this onto my body post shower, as the oil is really easy to use and it just feels so luxuriously smooth to apply. I always put it on while my skin is still semi-wet or damp, which really helps increase the absorption and effects of it. I apply it to my stomach first (always in a clock wise motion), then move onto the lower back, my thighs, buttocks, and top part of my arms. Now I don´t want to speak to soon, but so far, I haven´t seen a single stretch mark – so fingers crossed, all this preparation and daily maintenance is working out!


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What are your pregnancy heroes? 


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Created in collaboration with ELEMIS. All words, opinions, styling & creative direction are, of course, my own.

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7 Comments

  1. July 6, 2017 / 12:24

    I heard about the brand through your blog, you most deserve to be their ambassador.
    Thanks so much for introducing me to the new products Anneli.
    Have a great day!
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    • Anneli Bush
      Author
      July 12, 2017 / 12:29

      That’s kind, thank you!

  2. July 6, 2017 / 18:11

    When we visited a hotel with a spa in Bath, they used Elemis products and they were so lovely to use x

    LuxeStyle

    • Anneli Bush
      Author
      July 12, 2017 / 12:28

      So gorgeous aren’t they :)

  3. Jelena
    July 9, 2017 / 20:37

    Hi Anneli, I learned about Elemis from your blog while ago but never had a chance to buy any of the products. I lived/live in places with no Elemis around :) Passing through London some ten days ago, I purchased three of their products, all from Pro-collagen marine line (including the day cream) and so far they are working wonderfully. It’s ten days only but I can see such a great change on my skin. I wish I’ve seen your post about the two oils before my travel but I leave that for the next time I pass through London or I find Elemis elsewhere. Thanks for introducing Elemis to me (and many other great things) and congrats on being their Ambassador xx

    • Anneli Bush
      Author
      July 12, 2017 / 12:28

      So happy to hear that! Their Pro Collagen Marine line is fantastic, so glad you love it too! Ax

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