The Detachment Edit

The skincare routine I’m using at the moment, as an Indian woman over 40. It includes my morning routine, my rotating evening routine, and the mask and gua sha products I reach for. This is what’s working for me, rather than a one-size-fits-all routine.

The beauty advent calendars currently on my wishlist this year. I’m comparing what’s inside, what I’d actually use and whether the price feels worth it. Byredo is the one I keep coming back to, but £650 is a serious splurge!

The London places I genuinely go back to, from beauty appointments and little local finds to places worth making a detour for. No huge “best of London” list, just places I would actually send a friend.

I am incapable of walking into a pharmacy or beauty shop abroad without having a look. But I don’t want a suitcase full of things I will never use again. These are the kind of finds that earn their space coming home.

My pinky nude favourites, from cool toned pinks to a softer brown nude. I like these with a darker lip liner or worn on their own. Shades can look different across skin tones, so these are my personal picks and how I wear them.

These are the supplements that have actually stayed in my routine in my 40s. I’ve tried to keep things relatively simple and focus on what I genuinely take consistently rather than every wellness trend. This is the stack I keep coming back to for energy, bone health, sleep, recovery and general wellbeing. I am not a medical professional so please consult with your doctor but these are what have worked for me.

If anyone knows me, they know I love my eye makeup, especially a good smoky eye. I wear everything from simple, natural looks to a full dressed-up eye, with the occasional pop of colour thrown in. These are the mascaras, liners, palettes and tools I actually use and keep coming back to. There are some longtime favourites, a few newer discoveries and plenty of products at genuinely good price points.

Books I’ve read or listened to this year that I gave 4 stars or higher with my honest notes as I go. A few page-turners, a few that made me cry, and the occasional book that sent me straight to Google.

The Amazon Prime Big Deal Days offers actually worth looking at. I went through the sale looking first for products I already use and recommend, then for beauty, hair, travel and lifestyle buys that genuinely look like good value. I’m skipping the tiny discounts and focusing on the things I would actually consider buying at these prices. Prices can change throughout the sale, so check the current Amazon price before buying.