17. Rituals and Farewell to Bodycare Faves.
The discontinued Nécessaire product that sent me into a spiral.
The new moon is in Virgo. I barely know what that means, but last night, I attended a ceremony, and the theme was introspection and release. It was completely unplanned, and I had no clue what to expect. But after two and a half hours of holotropic breathwork and meditation, every cell in my body vibrated with electric energy. If I’d destroyed any of my neuropathways in the past, which I’m fairly certain I have, they were resurrected last night.
Stress? What’s that?
Anxiety? I don’t know her.
Last night was a proper crash course in checking in with oneself and self-regulating the nervous system through rapid and controlled breathing patterns. It was a learning I am grateful to have stumbled upon, and one I will 100% be incorporating into my self-care practice moving forward.
Speaking of self-care, my nighttime routine is as sacred as it is necessary, and the biggest component of the process is locking in moisture after my hellishly hot showers.
Let’s talk about my obsession with body lotion. I personally believe everyone needs at least one scented lotion for indulgent days and nights and an unscented one when you want your perfume to be the main star. Then, there’s consistency and thickness. Like the conditioner versus hair mask conundrum, you’ll want a body lotion with more slip and absorbency for casual days and a thicker body cream for the days you’ll want to provide a little extra TLC.
But that’s not all. It’s 2024. We’re treating our bodies with the same respect as our faces. Hyaluronic acids, glycolic sprays, retinol, and dry oils are also in the arsenal. When you finally create your prized lineup, it’s so satisfying. But sometimes, for what feels like no apparent reason, you’ll lose a soldier. Out of the blue, a brand will discontinue the one product you faithfully stock up on.
Here is my In Memoriam. Cue the music.
It’s So Hard To Say Goodbye.
Farewell Nécessaire The Body Cream. This jar looked so pretty in my bathroom and got me through many harsh winters. It was the perfect unscented thick cream, and I will never forgive them for taking her away from me.
Rest easy, The Established. One second, you were here, and the next, you were gone. As a Glossier Grant recipient, this brand had so much promise. The Neroli-scented cream and accompanying Elixa oil were understated in presence but worked overtime, locking in moisture and maintaining their fragrance.
So long, Versed Back Up Plan Acne-Control Body Mist. For the times when my cream obsession got the best of me and I overdid it, this girl had my back–literally. And this isn’t the only product Versed has ripped away from me. I’m seeing a trend, and I have my eyes on you.
May you rest in peace, Deciem’s The Chemistry Brand Hand Chemistry. A few years back, Deciem was going through it. Their founder lost the plot, but the craziest thing to happen was the discontinuation of this hand cream. Real tears were shed.
But fret not, my friends. There are still amazing products to discover and replace our lost ones. Below is a list of what’s currently in my rotation.
The Replacements〰️A New Lineup.
➸ Ouai Body Crème Shibuya, $38, has a lingering scent of citrus, spice, and violet that all work really well together. I also have the St. Barts version for the same price; that’s a chef’s kiss in the summer or packed for a beach vacation.
➸ Mindbodygreen Post-Biotic Body Lotion Neroli $30. Not only am I getting my Neroli fix, but also the added effects of postbiotics and prebiotics. The only drawback is that you do have to rub this one in for a while before it absorbs.
➸ Soft Services Theraplush Overnight Repair Treatment $62. I discussed this one in a previous article about nails. It’s a great way to incorporate retinol into your hand care routine. Plus, the container looks great on the nightstand and feels ritualistic as a last step before bed.
➸ Nécessaire The Body Acne Solution $25 is a great replacement for the Versed Back Up Plan. It gets the job done and, honestly, feels a little less sticky, which is nice.
Honorable Mentions:
I haven’t found the perfect jarred cream to replace my beloved Nécessaire, but below are more repeats and in-rotation buys that I’ve previously shouted out. p.s. sound off in the comments with reccos. I’m all ears.
➸ CeraVe Moisturizing Cream for Body and Face $16.99
➸ Eucerin Intensive Repair Essential Oil Balm $12.99
On The Radar:
Speaking of Neroli, one of my fave Beauty podcasters, Brooke Devard of Naked Beauty, just released her premiere, Eau de Parfum, bursting with notes of Bergamot, Neroli, Orange Blossom, and Green Tea. I haven’t tried it yet, but it’s on my list!
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