A definitive list of things you really don’t but DO need during this lockdown!
Bonjour friends, its me, your favourite bad influence. I am here today to give you a list of things that quite frankly you dont but really do need to spend your money on to make lockdown that extra level of pizazzy.
I am all about self gifting, there is nothing better than a magical package arriving at your door and I have found that retail therapy during these peculiar times has really helped to elevate the mood.
Silk pillow case - dont knock it until you have tried it, once you go to the silk side you wont ever return. I started during my first year of university and I am now the proud owner of 5 silk pillowcases!
My absolute favourite are from Slip, but the price tag is not so cute, so if you are looking for an entry level dupe I have found one on amazon which is equally brilliant. They are the perfect self gift but also make for a great present for others especially during lockdown as I am spending more time in my bed than ever. I have gifted my fair share of silk pillowcases to my friends (just call me the silk fairy!)
IMAGE CREDIT: https://www.instagram.com/p/B2txWt-FgVo/
Its all about self care, and one is not cared for without a good hair mask! I am currently obsessed with “Like a Virgin” from Coco & Eve. It is extremely nourishing and smells incredible.. quite frankly the closest thing I am getting to a holiday! It recommends to leave on for 10 minutes, but I sleep in it to get the extra nourishment and my bleached hair is feeling better than ever!
The Philip Kingsley Elasticizer is also one of my favourites as it works wonders for restoring damaged hair.
IMAGE CREDIT: https://www.instagram.com/p/ByN-s03Bwef/
I wear a lot of mascara and lockdown has been kind to my eyelashes due to the lack of plans I haven’t had the need to lather on the layers of bad gal band (my favourite mascara). This eyelash serum is amazing and has really helped to regrow and thicken up my lashes.
IMAGE CREDIT: https://www.instagram.com/p/B_X-QBZgw7h/
Facemasks for me are so important, I suffered with acne for YEARS and as a result have tried multiple products to ensure my skin is cute. My current favourites are the following:
The Origins Retexturizing Mask with Rose Clay, its a 2 in 1 mask and when you wash it off it turns into a face scrub.
Glamglow sells incredible facemasks and quite frankly you can’t go wrong with any of them but their supermud is my personal favourite as its great for purifying and brightening the skin.
Glamglow is fairly expensive so a cheaper alternative that I often use when i’m too poor for glamglow (right now) is the Loreal detox clay mask, far cheaper and has a similar effect!
IMAGE CREDIT: https://www.instagram.com/p/B_-0npXjQXa/
If you have followed me for a while then you know I am obsessed with my nails, obviously due to coronavirus I will not be heading to a nail salon any time soon so needed to find a solution. @pressedbyjo is an incredible nail artist who creates bespoke acrylic nail sets which are hand painted and 100% customisable. She is extremely lovely and I have already ordered 4 sets from her! The most intricate designs only cost £20 a set which is insane value for money considering the workmanship and they also last for ages! I have linked both her press on instagram and her general nails page.
I have also for some reason really gotten into homeware despite still living with my parents and having no imminent prospects of becoming a homeowner (lol). As a result I have ordered some cute coffee table books and some prints online to add a dash of oomph to my room. The Catwalk books come as a collection and you can order an array of designer ones depending on your colour and designer preferences. They make for great stacking books due to the fact they are the same size but different colours. Amazon is a great place to look for coffee table books as they are often cheaper than the brand websites (Assouline is great for inspiration!)
These are ones I have ordered thus far…
I also bought a Slim Aarons reprint from Etsy, they have an array of options which come framed or unframed and they honestly make such a difference to the room, the print makes me smile every time I see it and transports me to the sunshine! Etsy is great for prints as they sell reprints which are the same high quality but for a fraction of the price!
IMAGE CREDIT: https://www.instagram.com/p/B_hrHJ7lNGi/
If you are like me and want to spend all your money this lockdown then I have found quite a few cute jewellery brands that make me want to empty my bank account! I am jewellery obsessed so these are slippery slopes for me…! I have only ordered from Missoma before but all the others are calling my name and who doesn’t love a bit of sparkle in their lives!??!
IMAGE CREDIT: https://www.instagram.com/p/B-cRWsmJRfz/
Alcohol is very useful during lockdown but there is nothing worse than an ugly bottle, limited edition alcohols are so fun as you can keep the bottles and refill with the same spirits. Last year my boyfriend gifted me a gorgeous Moschino x Ciroc bottle and it is definitely worth having on show! There are an array of online stores which are very good at stocking limited edition bottles of alcohol so depending on your spirit of choice it is worth perusing online!
IMAGE CREDIT: https://www.harveynichols.com/brand/c--roc-/2949574-ciroc-x-moschino-limited-edition-vodka/p3314961/
Snacks are also a key part of lockdown, I am all here for the functional snack which tastes good, but what about the treat that not only taste good but looks even better? I introduce you to bouji biscuits. Baked by steph creates the most incredible bespoke biscuits which are guaranteed enjoyment, I am counting down the days until she reopens so I can order myself some!
IMAGE CREDIT: https://www.instagram.com/baked.by.steph/
Books, I feel as if this will be my least controversial necessity but for my lockdown needs they are equally as essential as the rest!
These are some of my favourites: Becoming - Michelle Obama, Panama Papers, Narcoeconomics, The Secret Barrister, Cabin Fever, Shantaram, Freakanomics, Clean, and whilst I have not read it yet I have heard from many others that Normal People is a must read!
and finally, a Yasmin recommendation list would not be complete if I didn’t tell you it was imperative to drink a Pornstar Martini. If like me you are inept as a bartender then you need a ready to serve cocktail to save the day and I have just the solution! This cocktail fulfils every Pornstar Martini fantasy you may have and has an extremely reasonable price point. It is foolproof as you only have to shake it over ice to serve or if you want to get jazzy you can mix with champagne or prosecco, I promise if you like a Pornstar Martini this is HEAVEN.
