This month, my favourites have all been geared towards one concept: making life easier. It’s February; it’s cold, and dark, and Easter with its plethora of chocolate eggs seems very far away. You need your products to do their fair share of the heavy lifting and get you through into Spring.
http://www.boots.com/en/OGX-Thick-Full-Biotin-Collagen-Oil-Mist-118ml_1498719/
OGX Biotin and Collagen oil mist (£6.99) When it comes to hair care, the more idiot-proof, the better. I can be a bit over-eager when applying product and anything that allows me to apply in measured doses really does get my vote. I have been introduced to the OGX line via Caroline Hirons’ website (http://www.carolinehirons.com) – and while I’ve loved the Macadamia Oil and Coconut Water shampoos and conditioners, the Oil Mist has impressed me the most.
Spritzed onto freshly-washed hair, it’s a beauty cliché, but a little really does go a long way. A light mist onto the hair is all you need to protect and condition your locks. It doesn’t weigh your hair down, and while it doesn’t replace a conditioner, for times when you’re in a hurry, or even using it as a booster for when your hair needs a little extra help, it’s pretty near perfect.
http://www.sisley-paris.com/en-GB/skincare/face/eye-and-lip/sisleya-contour-yeux-et-levres-15ml.html
Sisley Sisleya Eye and Lip Contour Cream (£119) This product forms part of my journey into luxury skincare (which will be blogged about in further detail in March) – and it’s a journey that’s been most illuminating.
I am not usually someone who is able to spend this amount of money on a single product – the normal ceiling for my beauty budget would be around the £50-60 mark and I have experienced great results from products well under that price point. I’m no beauty snob – I don’t think a big name necessarily guarantees quality, and my experiences of buying beauty products over the years have taught me to keep an open mind – a game-changer can emerge when you least expect it.
I picked Sisleya Eye and Lip Contour Cream as it was one of Sisley’s (many) iconic products and I have wanted to try a top-notch eye cream. I’m not particularly lined, but my concerns are more with tackling lack of firmness, dark circles and the general ageing process.
I do believe that when it comes to eye care, spending a little extra is worth it, as the skin is so much more delicate and shows signs of ageing much earlier than the rest of the face. Sisley put their energy into sourcing the best ingredients, and the Sisleya eye cream contains several actives including vitamins E and B5, plus Padina Pavonica (fun beauty fact: the same ingredient featured in the Elemis Pro Collagen Marine Cream).
This is my first experience of beauty luxury, and I wasn’t disappointed: what impressed me was that the product really performed at an enhanced level. My eye area was smoothed, and hydrated, as you would expect, but after a few uses, my eyes felt ‘cushioned’ by the cream. There was a lifting effect, but it was subtle and gradual –gently firming and making the eye appear more ‘wide awake’. The features you would expect from an eye cream around the £50-60 mark were all there, but the noticeable difference was how the product continued to work hours after it had been applied. I didn’t need to keep ‘topping up’ product during the day as one application in the morning really was enough. In terms of efficacy, Sisley really proved its worth – it not only delivered results but offered real value for money. Very impressed.
http://www.blissworld.co.uk/skincare/shop-by-product-type/moisturisers/bliss-fabulous-face-lotion-spf-15/
Bliss Fabulous Face Lotion SPF15 (£26.50) I bought this for a bargainous £7.99 at TK Maxx (totally #bargainbrag) and this month it really has become my little buddy. The slimline tube is ideal for touting around with you during the day. The past few weeks have seen my skin flag in its ability to cope with a pretty standard British winter. Whereas Liz Earle’s Skin Repair moisturiser comes in very handy for evenings, during the day I just need one or two moisture top-ups and the Bliss moisturiser has done the job perfectly.
It is a mid-weight texture – a lotion that has depth and substance to it, rather than being thin and watery. Applied onto the skin, it soaks in beautifully, hydrating like a ruddy dream. It’s self-evident that Bliss has really worked on the formula of this lotion – it’s no bog-standard, this-will-do moisturiser tossed in to flesh out their range. The quality of the SPF provision alone highlights the care that has gone into making this product. Containing SPF 15, this lotion provides UVB plus UVA protection – while getting sunburn during February isn’t going to be high up on your list of beauty concerns, the UVA rays (responsible for sun-related skin ageing) are always present, even during winter. I thought that would cheer you up!
The Bliss moisturiser is a good all-rounder with equally impressive ingredients including vitamins, minerals and skin-nourishing Omegas. With such attention to detail, all that’s left for you to do is a dab on a generous splodge, and let it get to work.
http://www.cowshedonline.com/chamomile-refreshing-toner-250-ml.html
Cowshed Chamomile Refreshing Toner (£16) Again, another product that bears testament to my boundless laziness. Can’t be bothered to wipe a bit of toner across your face? Just spritz it on – and you’re done. This is a gorgeous toner that importantly contains no alcohol – there are lots of toners that pretend to be your best friend, but Cowshed’s Chamomile Toner is the real deal. Containing lavender and chamomile essential oils, this gently refreshes and revives, making it an everyday staple that’s so gentle and user-friendly it definitely creeps over into the luxury category. The spray dispenser, whilst enabling my laziness, is a great money-saving device. The 250ml bottle sold on Cowshed’s website will last you an age.
http://www.philosophy.com/shower-gel/snow-angel-shower-gel,en_US,pd.html
Philosophy Snow Angel body wash – (purchased in Philsophy sale for £7) A shower gel might not seem like a time saver, but bear with me. I do love Philosophy’s scented body washes and their Christmas limited editions are a particular treat – forget the gingerbread lattes – give me one of Philosophy’s body washes and I’m a happy girl. Philosophy’s Snow Angel is a beautiful, delicate, airy scent that hangs around long after your bath or shower. But while the scent draws you in, it’s the quality of the cleanser that’s the surprise in this product. Scented body washes tend to have a bad reputation with their fondness for foaming agents – but Philosophy always goes the classy route, and this non-drying formula cleanses thoroughly without leaving residue or stripping your skin. During winter, this body wash has been a must-have, as my skin has been more in balance – hence less dryness, and less moisturiser needed. It’s a beauty win-win. While Snow Angel itself may be difficult to get hold of now, Philosophy’s range has a fruity, floral or sophisticated fragrance to tempt you – go sniff ‘em out!
http://www.boots.com/en/Superfacialist-Rose-Peaceful-Skin-Night-Cream-50ml_1493126/
Una Brennan Superfacialist Rose Peaceful Skin Night Cream – £16.99
There’s no two ways about it – I’m a fan of this budget range, and its moisturisers in particular are worthy of note. Not greasy, or tacky, or too lightweight – these perfectly pitched beauties keep your skin smooth, hydrated and just get the job done.
The Rose Peaceful Skin Night Cream is a new addition to the range, and I for one am loving it. It’s not just a gorgeously-scented product (although the rose aroma is expertly judged), but a moisturiser with serious skincare clout.
Containing hyaluronic acid, rosehip oil and cucumber and willow extract, this moisturiser aims to rejuvenate, replenish and hydrate. It soothes tired skin, and the gentle but distinct rose scent lulls you off to sleep. It’s a genuinely restful night-time moisturiser, and a joy to use. The texture isn’t too heavy, which makes it ideal for layering on top of a treatment oil or serum. It’s a great option if you’re new to night creams as it’s impossible to be too heavy-handed with it – as with all products in the Una Brennan Superfacialist range, this night cream performs above and beyond its face value.
That’s it for another month – March should prove interesting as I’ll be going outside my comfort zone with brands like New Zealand organic skincare line, Tiaki, and vegan skincare line Dr. Scheller. Will I be impressed? Will they make the March favourites list? Ooh…the dramatic tension. Until next time…
HELEN TOPE
designergirl77 