It’s mid-May and the lilacs have faded, their delicate purple petals fallen between the cobbles of the streets and into glistening puddles after the rain. We’ve begun discussing new gym memberships, though the prospect of achieving an actual summer-ready body feels increasingly aspirational. Fortunately, skincare offers a more immediate form of gratification. I’ve recently introduced several new beauty devices into my routine, and the results have been impressive enough to inspire a renewed sense of enthusiasm around the essentials currently shaping my new daily regimen.
LIFE IS A collection
OF BEAUTIFUL,
ORDINARY MOMENTS
Remember when I told you I was adding four minutes to my morning routine? Well, somehow I’ve now been convinced to add another ten. I’m actually using this LED mask right now as I write this, and honestly, I really like it. It’s incredibly easy to use — there’s only one setting, and it turns itself off automatically when the treatment is done, so I barely have to think about it while I sit here typing away.
The device I’ve been using is the CurrentBody Skin LED Light Therapy Face Mask: Series 2, a flexible silicone LED mask designed to target firmness, texture, redness, brightness, and overall skin tone in a simple 10-minute treatment. Unlike earlier at-home devices, it combines three distinct wavelengths – red light, near-infrared, and deep near-infrared – for a more layered approach to skin rejuvenation. There are 236 LEDs in total: 110 red 633nm LEDs, 110 near-infrared 830nm LEDs, and 16 deep near-infrared 1072nm LEDs, with a power density of 30mW/cm². The recommended routine is three to five sessions weekly.
What makes the Series 2 especially interesting is the addition of the third wavelength. The 633nm red light focuses on visible skin quality: supporting collagen production, softening fine lines, and improving overall tone and luminosity. The 830nm near-infrared works at a deeper level, targeting firmness and recovery beneath the skin’s surface, while the new 1072nm deep near-infrared wavelength was developed to address areas where signs of ageing tend to be more pronounced, with an emphasis on deeper collagen support. After doing a little research into red light therapy, I’m actually excited to see the results over the next few weeks.
Sweed Beauty is known for its clean, vegan, cruelty-free makeup that still delivers professional-level performance. Founded by makeup artist Gabriella Elio, the brand is especially loved for its award-winning mascaras, natural ‘no-makeup makeup’ aesthetic, skin-friendly formulas, and minimalist Scandinavian style. Many beauty editors and makeup artists gravitate toward Sweed for products that enhance natural beauty while feeling lightweight and effortless to wear.
I’ve tried the Eyelash Growth Serum and noticed my lashes looking a little longer after about six weeks of use, so I’ll definitely keep using it. I also really like the formula of the Lash Lift Mascara, and I especially love the Cloud Mascara in the shade Dark Brown.
SURI was conceived as a sustainable alternative to the disposable plastic electric toothbrush: a repairable, aluminum-bodied design fitted with plant-based heads. I’d been tempted to switch ever since it launched four years ago, but never quite could. I was convinced that only Oral-B’s oscillating round heads delivered the kind of clean I trusted. I’m borderline obsessive about dental care (flossing, water flossing after meals, the works) so compromising on performance never felt like an option.
I made the switch about a month ago and honestly can’t quite work out why I didn’t do it sooner. There’s a noticeable difference in how my teeth feel afterwards, with that smooth, freshly-polished kind of clean you usually only get after visiting the dentist. The sonic technology does most of the heavy lifting, I think, paired with medium-soft bristles that feel effective without being harsh.
I’ve also become slightly fixated on the materials. The brush heads are plant-based, made using cornstarch with castor oil-derived bristles, and there’s something satisfying about that small reduction in petroleum-based plastics. Even the end-of-life process feels considered, with used heads being recycled and repurposed into other products rather than simply discarded.
Then there’s the practicality: the battery lasts over four weeks, making it ideal for travel. I also use the UV travel case, which feels like a modern grooming object in its own right. It uses UV-C light to help sanitise the brush head on the go, a small detail that means a lot to this germaphobe.
It’s honestly been a pleasure. I actually look forward to brushing my teeth every day, which is probably the best proof that the design works.