Together At-Home With Fleur de Force

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Throughout lockdown, Fleur de Force has been documenting her weekends on YouTube for her 1.4m subscribers and sharing her baking successes with her 774k strong Instagram following. But, what has she learnt from her time staying at home with her family? We asked Fleur to share the lockdown lessons that have helped boost her mood and keep her sane over the past few months…

Lesson 1: Routinely Sweat It Out

It sounds like an obvious one, but before lockdown I didn’t have a routine in place for my exercise – or for my life in general. As my job is very unstructured I’ve never had much of a day-to-day routine. Being in lockdown has given the opportunity for the first in a long time to create one. I have been sticking to a daily workout routine solidly and it has given me so much joy. And, I genuinely thought I would never say that.

Lesson 2: Ready, Steady, Bake

While I love cooking, I was never into baking before lockdown. I’m not very patient or precise, I prefer to throw all the ingredients in together and see what happens. Over the past few months though, I have really been enjoying baking the more obscure things like pitta bread and focaccia. I’m also vegan, so I’ve been experimenting with vegan cookies and cakes too.

Lesson 3: Me Time Is Not Overrated

Personally for me, I have fallen back in love with skincare and having time to really pamper myself. I’ve been using a lot of my absolute favourites, as well as mixing in some new discoveries that have helped give me a little pick-me-up. 

I’m going to start with tanning products because I love looking naturally tanned, but I hate looking like I’ve fake tanned. I’d rather look pasty. There are two products that I have been using together throughout lockdown to keep my subtle tan topped up. The first is Tan Luxe’s NEW Super Glow Body, which is more like a gradual tanner. I use it twice a week to maintain a healthy glow and the formula also keeps your skin hydrated. The second product, which I’ve been using daily is the By Terry Cellularose Brightening CC Serum in Sunny Flash. It gives your skin the most gorgeous glow. 

In terms of pampering, my go-to product is Aromatherapy Associates Inner Strength Bath & Shower Oil. It’s a lot lighter and fresher than most aromatherapy oils. If you haven’t used Aromatherapy Associates before I want to caution that a little goes a long way and you only need a drop or two. Another essential is Byredo Tree House Candle, which I burn while I bathe in my Aromatherapy Associates bath. The scent is fresh, woody and calming. 

The skincare buys I’ve rediscovered include Sarah Chapman’s Ultimate Cleanse and Dr. Dennis Gross Professional Grade Resurfacing Liquid Peel. The latter is very similar to the pads, if you’ve used those in the past, and I just apply this once a week in the evenings with a cotton pad. I’ve discovered Algenist during the lockdown and I cannot tell you how good the Genius Calming Collagen Relief is. It’s a fantastic, soothing cream and very good for those with drier skin. I’ve also been using the brand’s Alive Prebiotic Mask, it gently clears your skin without drying it out.