Today on ‘Seoulfull Conversations with’ , I’d like to welcome Richard, the brains behind the most inventive, imaginative, charming and downright cute Instagram account around, @boy_into_beauty. Adorable pictures that truly delight and witty captions aside, Richard is a top human being. He is one of the most supportive people on Instagram and his photography skills totally blow me away. His hashtag bibtextureshot where he shares clicks of his favourite skincare products (usually hailing from indie, small batch and green brands, just like I ‘em, he’s a boy after my own heart!) are skincare porn. I can literally spend hours staring at my screen, transfixed by his creativity and artistry.

In this instalment, we learn a little bit more about him and what he does for a living, we discover his excellent taste in box sets and a little trick that ensures that Mac and Cheese can be turned into a store cupboard dish (genius, why did I never think of that?)

A little bit about me…I’m in the maritime city of Bristol in the South West of UK (home to the pirate Blackbeard) hauled up in my house with my two cats & boyfriend and best friend who I own my home with. I’m one of the lucky ones, keeping my job so I’m on my laptop zooming if I’m not out cycling in the countryside. 

I start my morning by…fending off aggressive cat kisses from Hector & Dolly, they want their breakfast at 7 sharp so are a great furry alarm clock.

My morning routine starts with…slapping on an exfoliating cleanser (I’m currently obsessed with Orveda’s Enzyme oil & Seed to Skins Clarity Cleanse but i also love Naturallogic Lustral and Aislin Quinn Lehua Honey Enzyme Cleanser! )Then I make a proper coffee (with cinnamon & super smoothie, brush my pegs, then rinse – then I’ll apply my vitamins ( normally B3 & C) I really enjoy the Multi C Serum from Bluh Alchemy and the Antioxidant Booster from Bella Aura. I also like a Niacinamide filled essence like those from Purito, Skin regimen & African Botanics infusion. And finally my Josh Rosebrook Nutriet Day CreamSPF 30 is of course a must!

How I’m spending my days right now…I plonk myself on the sofa, run through my emails, catch up with the team and then I’m working on getting all of our learning online – I work in community learning delivering free courses to disadvantaged communities. 

For exercise…I’m doing a 20 mile cycle 3 time’s a week – I cycle out into the country & chat to the horses, hey I’m starved of face to face contact so Ned will do!

Current OOTD…I’ve been in my cosies for 4/5 days on the trot now – oops. 

How I’m really feeling… fine for myself, I’m self reliant & good with my own company, I’m gutted for those who this has hit hardest.

Currently binge watching… Stranger Things, Carnival Row, The Boys, Pose, The Morning Show, Game of Thrones, Breaking Bad, Killing Eve, Handmaids’ Tale – yikes the list could go on. I’m whizzing through box sets like they’re going out of fashion!

Podcasts and books I recommend…I enjoy practicing mindfulness so Tara Brach podcasts, I recently posted about Ruby Wax’s series of books with a Buddhist Monk & Psychotherapist which are brilliant and I love non fiction from Iris Murdoch, Ian M. banks & Stephen King. 

Everyday I look forward to… playing with my cats, they’re corona, anxiety and depression proof. Everyday they are as playful & full of love as the day before.

I’m really grateful for… lots! I actually practice gratitude normally but some recent things have been the immense solidarity and community vibes which this collective challenge has inspired. 

How I’m keeping in contact with family and friends…we are having zoom houseparties every weekend where we do pub quiz’s , have a few sherry’s and dress up  – fun!

When I’m craving comfot food, I turn to… Cottage Pie, always (easy store cupboard-make as you can use lentils, beans mushrooms etc instead of meat) and Mac & Cheese – easy anytime if you freeze a bag of grated cheese.

I start my night time skincare routine by…masking. Current favourites include Ayuna’s Essence, Saint Iris Adriatica Purity Paste, Monastery Made XX and May Lindstrom’ s Problem Solver and then I layer layer layer –  essence ( Orveda Healing Sap, Naturalogic Elemental, Josh Rosebrook Hydration Boost Concentrate & Dr Jackson‘s Face Essence ) serums (from BellaAura, African Botanics, lepaar) and balms & oils – I have to say African Botanics again is my current oil obsession alongside Tanu from fifty7kind– for me it’s all about hydration & barrier support – and taking my time with massage and some good smells!

One skincare product that I’m seriously digging right now is…the Orveda Overnight Skin Recovery Mask, it’s expensive but will last forever & does exactly what it promises – very clever.  

One luxury item I love at the moment is…my Bang & Olufsen sound system – music never sounded better .

I’m currently coveting…I do like my clothes so anything from Folk, Oliver Spencer, a.p.c, ymc & Asket .

Once this is all over, I’m really looking forward to…the party to end all parties where I can hug my loved ones and dance the night away. 

What’s keeping me sane…I’m very lucky ( and I’ve worked at it too) so I’m generally pretty relaxed and don’t find sanity an issue – but chatting with friends & family keeps me grounded. 

One piece of advice I’d like to share with everyone…I’d say take this one day at a time, avoid feeling overwhelmed by breaking the whole into pieces and choosing your battles – we’ll all get there, trust me – and who knows we may just emerge better!