OCTOBER FAVOURITES

October’s definitely one of those in-between months. Not quite chilly, not really that warm…I find myself reaching for skincare that nourishes and balances.

Superdrug Optimum PhytoDeluxe Day Cream and Night Cream (£14.99 each, currently Buy One, Get One Free)
It’s been hard to ignore this latest skincare launch, as it’s been all over the beauty press. Getting your new product noticed in a crowded marketplace can be a challenge. If your product is going to stand out, it needs a hook. Luckily for Superdrug, their hook is pretty darn persuasive. These are no ordinary face creams – they contain a super-luxurious ingredient: Black Diamond Truffle.
Putting truffle extract on your face may sound utterly bonkers, but Superdrug is definitely onto something. Black Diamond Truffle is the same prized ingredient used in the Estee Lauder Re-Nutriv range.
Along with its unique flavour and high price tag, it has been discovered that the black truffle renews the skin’s ability to fight the ageing process, giving the skin cells the energy they need to repair themselves, hence they look younger for longer.
Superdrug combine their Black Diamond Truffle Extract with PhytoDeluxe – a specially created formula containing a potent terapeptide. Especially good for mature skin, this beautifully nourishing formula is surprisingly lightweight. My skin has definitely felt much smoother since I’ve started using it. I usually rely on peels and masks to refine my skin’s texture, so was very surprised to see such a marked difference with a moisturiser that costs less than £15. It has the feel and finish of a much more expensive product. Superdrug have a great track record of creating their on-brand products, and the PhytoDeluxe range offers real value for money in terms of the results it delivers. As they’re currently on a Buy One, Get One Free – get both. It’d be rude not to.

Cowshed shampoo and conditioner (Volumising / Strengthening / Balancing / Smoothing) – £16 per shampoo, £18 per conditioner
Thanks to a bumper yield at TK Maxx, I managed to get my paws on some Cowshed hair products. I’m already a fan of their skincare, so was intrigued to give their haircare a try.
I bought the balancing, volumising and strengthening shampoos as my hair tends to be quite contrary and has different needs on different days. I started off with the strengthening shampoo and was totally blown away by the formulation: a rich, creamy lather that rinsed cleanly away. I have quite thick hair, which I realise may be the dream for some, but I have found that some shampoos end up getting clogged in my hair: and half-washed hair and an itchy scalp is no-one’s dream.
The Cowshed products are free from petrochemicals, sulphates and parabens. I have found ‘natural’ beauty products somewhat hit and miss with regards to performance, for every Tata Harper there’s at least a dozen brands that just don’t measure up. However, Cowshed are a terrific example of what happens when you get the basics right. The work done on the formulations is self-evident: I’ve used both body care and skincare products from this range, and everything has worked exactly as it’s supposed to.
The Cowshed shampoos really suit my hair, rinsing quickly through but not leaving my hair feeling stripped. The volumising shampoo is a real thing of beauty; gently adding volume just where it’s needed. My hair feels nourished and has its ‘bounce’ back which is glorious after months of frustration with other products.
My only gripe, and it’s a small one, is that Cowshed don’t offer a shampoo for colour-treated hair, which would frankly cover all my bases. But if you want a shampoo that gives you great hair every time, Cowshed really is worth checking out.

Elemis Herbal Lavender Repair Mask – £30 (plus another much-loved faithful, the Liz Earle Intensive Nourishing Treatment Mask, £15)
I do love a new product, but equally, you really can’t beat an old favourite. Elemis is one of the first ‘serious’ skincare ranges I used. Their philosophy of using plant extracts to create balance in the skin worked really well for my skin in my twenties, and I still use it now just a few years later (cough).
The smell of the Herbal Repair mask is so evocative; Marcel Proust could have written a book about it. Containing Rosemary, Thyme and Lavender essential oils, it’s excellent at working on congested skin. Using a clay base, the mask deep cleans and rebalances, taking care of any redness and irritation as well as soothing blemishes. It’s a great all-rounder for when your skin is feeling a bit out of sorts.
While Elemis have grown to become a company at the sharp end of skincare innovation, I still find their ‘basics’ incredibly effective. Every aspect of the mask has been thought about: the lavender is gorgeously calming as it gets to work; it’s all part of Elemis’ holistic approach to skincare. This face mask is the beauty equivalent of a cosy cashmere blanket: reassuring, comforting and perfect for this time of year.

Pixi Rose Oil Blend – £26
Another recent launch – I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again, I am a total sucker for face oils. I’m also a sucker for any product with a rose scent. Needless to say, my purchase of this new product was a foregone conclusion.
Containing a blend of sweet almond, rosehip, jojoba and rose geranium oils, the scent of this oil is absolutely amazing. It needs to be made into a perfume, it’s that good. But as with all things Pixi, there’s more to this product than just a great smell. The oil sits somewhere between light and mid-weight – even if you’re quite heavy handed with it, the oil sinks in well to the skin, nourishing without leaving a residue. It’s a perfect choice if you’re new to face oils; the ingredients are all tried-and-tested hydrators.
If there’s any negative with this product, it’s the fact that I now feel compelled to seek out other items in the Pixi range….Overnight Serum…I’m coming for you!
Skyn Iceland Icelandic Relief Eye Cream with Glacial Flower Extract – £30
They say there’s no such thing as a free lunch, but I got this eye cream free of charge as part of a store promotion, when I purchased the Skyn Arctic Face Oil (see? Obsessed).
I didn’t have particularly high hopes for this product as a result, but it just goes to show what I know. Turns out Icelandic Relief is a gorgeous little number that my eyes are immensely grateful for.
The genius part of this product is that it contains Saponaria Pumila, a plant extract that tackles dark circles, puffiness and signs of ageing. Saponaria is a flowering plant that survived the Ice Age (really) by adapting to extreme climates. It helps to stimulate cell renewal, improving the skin’s appearance from the inside out.
I’m surprised in researching this product that Skyn don’t make more of the eye cream’s hydrating properties – it plumps out fine lines beautifully and comforts dry, tired eyes. I dab on a little in the evening, and it instantly soothes and cools. In the morning, it gets to work on dark circles, making me look well rested (even if I don’t feel it).
This eye cream has become an invaluable part of my skincare routine – and when the time comes, I will definitely be repurchasing.

https://www.cultbeauty.co.uk/skyn-iceland-icelandic-relief-eye-cream.html

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Eve Lom Intense Hydration Serum – £75 (plus Vichy Aqualia Thermal Serum; £22.50 and Hylamide Booster Sensitive Fix Serum; £18)
This is a beauty range normally beyond my budget, but a canny bargain courtesy of TK Maxx made this Eve Lom wonder part of my skincare collection.
I do have a bit of a thing for hydrating serums, as they do treat my dehydrated skin particularly well. While the Vichy Aqualia Thermal Dynamic Hydration Serum is fabulous value at £22.50, I was intrigued to try a product higher up the price ladder to see how it compared.
Using Hyaluronic Acid as its main ingredient, the Intense Hydration Serum claims to increase your skin’s moisture levels by ‘up to 20% in just two hours’. I was somewhat curious to see if a £75 serum could really deliver results worthy of its price tag.
There can often be the slightest margin between a good product and a great one, but Eve Lom has created a serum that performs head and shoulders above its competitors. The hydrating effect is instant, plumping out the skin with a surge of moisture. But what makes this product special is that it really does make a long-term difference to your skin’s hydration levels – I use this a couple of times a week, and it really has made a difference to the look and feel of my skin. Many hydration products work as a quick fix – and do a great job – but the price you pay for this serum is reflected in the quality of product.
Recommended for normal / dry skins, I’d say this would be a must-have for anyone whose major skin concern is dehydration. It really does tackle the problem head-on, and delivers the level of results you’d expect from a prestige brand. Any future purchases for me will have to be reserved for a lottery win, but if you’ve got the budget – the serum is well worth it.
That’s it for another month…next time I anticipate pre-Xmas madness. Will I manage to get my mitts on the M&S Beauty Advent Calendar?? The anticipation…

HELEN TOPE

SUMMER ESSENTIALS: BODY CARE

For this series, I’m focusing on products that help you make the most of summer. This week, it’s the (what turned out to be) rather extensive world of body care.

Also featured (l-r): Soap & Glory Orangeasm Limited Edition Body Exfoliating Body Polish £8; Bliss Super Minty Soap’n Scrub £25.50; Cowshed Grumpy Cow Uplifting Body Scrub (part of Xmas set). Currently on sale – £12 for full 200ml size

Bliss Hot Salt Scrub – £30.50
I’m not afraid to admit it: I do enjoy a good scrubbing. Out of every step in a body care routine, scrubs have the power to be genuinely transformative. Dry, flaky skin can be banished in seconds; the lovely scaly build-up from a winter of tights and denial is gone.
I’ve found with body scrubs that price is no indicator of quality: good, bad or otherwise. I’ve tried expensive scrubs – some were incredible, others were just disappointing. By the same token, some of the best scrubs I’ve ever used have cost under £10.
But for me, when it comes to scrubs, the best of the best comes from Bliss. I think this is a brand that has really got their body care sorted – the body butters are phenomenal, but the scrubs are stars in their own right.
The Bliss Hot Salt Scrub offers a master class in getting the basics right. Containing Rosemary and Eucalyptus oils, this invigorating scrub heats up on contact with the skin, offering a spa-like experience. The sea salts are substantial enough to give your skin a good buffing, but are never scratchy. When they make contact with water, the salt grains dissolve cleanly away for a smooth finish.
The formulation is oil-free, but doesn’t dry the skin out – extracts of glycerin and algae keep the skin soft and hydrated. It’s a well-thought-out formula that delivers salon-quality results. The heady aromas of Rosemary and Eucalyptus tip this scrub into the realms of luxury – Bliss really have thought about the whole ritual of body care and made it into something truly enjoyable. If you’ve shied away from scrubs before, there’s now a wealth of options out there that turn a beauty chore into a hedonistic delight.
Other scrubs include: Rituals Hammam Hot Scrub £19; Soap & Glory Sugar Crush Body Scrub £8; Champneys Spa Indulgence Distant Shores Body Scrub £10

Balance Me Super Toning Body Oil – £20
I’m a bit of a soft-sell on body oils, as I have been so thoroughly converted to their usefulness in skincare. The reason I have selected this is not because I think it will transform your wobbly bits into a paragon of firm, toned virtue, but because the ingredients will make for a delicious antidote to humid, muggy weather which seems to be a regular feature of British summers.
Just take in the list of ingredients: juniper, bergamot, geranium, lavender…the juniper and bergamot will lift your mood while the lavender and geranium will soothe frazzled nerves. Ideal as a post-shower treatment, apply this oil to slightly damp skin (the ‘slip’ to the skin will make the product go further). Also containing moisturising Jojoba and Sweet Almond oils – known for their essential fatty acids – this oil will condition your skin beautifully. It’s perfect for those times in-between days on the beach, smoothing and hydrating any patches of dry skin.

This oil is marketed by Balance Me as a means of keeping ‘the visible signs of cellulite at bay’. To be fair to Balance Me, just the physical application of the body oil will boost your circulation, giving your skin a peachy, youthful glow. If you want your skin to be hydrated and looking its best, a good body oil is an excellent way to go. You might think of oils as heavy, but these plant-based oils are lightweight and leave the skin silky to the touch. They are ideal for summer as they provide a thin layer of moisture, but one that packs a seriously hydrating punch.

The real plus point of this product for me is the quality of the ingredients – Balance Me make great skincare and that same level of attention gets applied to their body care range. No corners have been cut – this body oil goes all out to impress. The gorgeous blend of aromatics makes this a real luxury item – but I’d be tempted to think of this as an essential. It is summer, after all.

Other body oils include: Weleda Citrus Refreshing Body Oil £13.95; Neutrogena Norwegian Formula Body Oil; £7.99; Estee Lauder Bronze Goddess Body Oil £35

Also featured (l-r): Nip + Fab Glycolic Fix Body Cream £7.99; Korres Japanese Rose Body Butter £12.50; Garnier Body Oil Beauty Oil-Infused Nourishing Lotion (Dry Skin) £5.25; Weleda Wild Rose Pampering Body Lotion £19.95; Dead Sea Spa Magik Silky Smooth Body Lotion £7.70

Korres Fig Body Butter – £12.50
For all the things I don’t heart about warm weather, I do love that fragrance intensifies in the heat, making it truly one of the joys of summer. Fresh, invigorating fragrance becomes the perfect accompaniment to endless summer afternoons, with heady florals hanging in the air for a touch of decadence. I really should be writing the voiceovers for perfume ads.
I love scented body products, and ones that combine brilliant moisturising properties with glorious fragrance are just the best.
Korres, for my money, do the best body butters out there. These are plenty of half-hearted moisturisers around, but Korres make butters of substance. Thick, intensely moisturising with a huge range of scents, these hydrators are perfect not only for getting to grips with dry patches (elbows, heels and knees) but light enough to apply all over.

With the scent of freshly-cut figs (courtesy of actual fig extract), this body butter contains Shea Butter, plus Sunflower, Almond and Avocado oils. Not just a smart choice for hydration, Shea Butter also protects the skin against environmental aggressors (that’s extreme weather to you and me).
These body butters make light work of moisturising the body – for a post-holiday treat they would be perfect for keeping your skin soft and supple and you don’t need to apply much either. The intensively nourishing formula means a little goes a long way. It may not be the cheapest option out there, but Korres really gives you value for money. Can you tell it’s my favourite?
Other body creams include: Garnier Body Repair Anti-Dryness Restoring Moisturiser Extra Dry Skin £6; Pai Comfrey & Calendula Body Cream £22; First Aid Beauty Ultra Repair Cream £22

Nourish Golden Glow Toning Body Shimmer – £25
And finally…it’s completely non-essential and totally decadent, but body shimmers are growing in popularity. Whether layered on top of a tan or your skin au naturel, shimmers really have come of age. For those of us who remember the Body Glitter Years; fear not. This is a whole different breed of product. They are now a sophisticated means of achieving glow – a beautiful addition for a summer evening.
The superiority of these formulas now means that you don’t have to be as careful with shimmer as you had to be in the past. The particles are so much finer, that it can be applied to larger areas of the body (legs, arms) rather than pinpointing smaller areas such as collarbones. Of course, how shimmery you want to get is entirely personal preference, but the risk of looking like a glitter ball is much reduced. Such are the miracles of modern technology.
Nourish, to my mind, is a vastly underrated beauty brand, and one well worth getting to know better. Their Golden Glow is produced by light-reflecting particles that bounce off the skin. Using golden resins of frankincense and myrrh (really), this formula contains a phyto-active marine extract to help boost the skin’s suppleness. The impressive ingredients don’t stop there – this formulation also contains super-hydrating hyaluronic acid and tri-peptides which stimulate the skin to produce more collagen. The result? Younger looking skin with a glow that’s refined, not garish. I told you shimmers had got fancy.

Other body shimmers include: Nuxe Huile Prodigieuse Multi-Usage Dry Oil – Golden Shimmer £34; Roger & Gallet Bois d’Orange Crème Sublime £15; Elemis Total Glow Bronzing Body Lotion £34.50
You’ll notice that there’s no mention of cellulite treatments in this blog post. The reason for that is fairly simple: I don’t believe they offer anything of value to the consumer. Putting body politics aside for the moment, there’s no definitive way to treat cellulite, because it’s not a medical condition that needs to be alleviated –it’s a natural occurrence. Some men even have it. They do! Honest! If you want to improve the look of your skin, boosting your circulation can help. That doesn’t involve expensive creams or oils – dry brushing is more than enough.
Dry brushing should be done on dry skin, using gentle, sweeping strokes up towards the heart. If you’re going to go down the dry brush route, it’s worth giving your whole body the once over as an improvement in circulation really does give the skin a nice, healthy bloom.
The only other way to minimise the appearance of ‘orange peel’ skin is the boring stuff: reduce your caffeine and salt intake, regular exercise, be kind to small animals…all the stuff we know we should be doing but real life gets in the way.
The reality is if you have cellulite, you’re pretty much stuck with it. You have two options: spend your days bemoaning the fact, buying products that simply won’t work; or you can make peace with it. You and your cellulite don’t have to get along, but the sanest way forward is to find a way to live with each other.

Also featured (l-r): Sans Soucis Pomegranate Conditioning Body Oil; Burt’s Bees Lemon & Vitamin E Bath and Body Oil £9.99; Superdrug Vitamin E Creamy Oil Body Lotion £3.99; Boots Ingredients Coconut Body Oil £2.54
There’s been a lot mentioned in the press about being ‘beach body ready’. The concept of course is nonsense. If you have a body, and you’ve remembered to pack the SPF, you’re by definition ready for the beach. This summer, do yourself a favour and just forget about the bits that wobble, sag, or pucker. Put them to the back of your mind – the same place where you store ‘reasons to give up coffee’ and ‘algebra’. The fact that you’re able to sit on a beach and enjoy the sunshine means you are, in terms Charlie Sheen will understand, winning already. Summer is short, and none of us are perfect. Stop finding fault with yourself – if you have a fully functioning, reasonably healthy body – you’re lucky- and it’s time to start appreciating that.
I believe that beauty should be about enjoyment, not chastisement. The products I have chosen are not aids to creating that slim, tanned silhouette and I make no apology for that. My notion of body care is products that give something back. If a product isn’t a joy to use, it belongs in the bin.
I will continue with a Summer Essentials series – although I don’t anticipate a blog post on blush sticks getting quite as political…

HELEN TOPE

TRY ONE THING: LUXURY SKINCARE

(Two of my loves: great skincare and great books)

When it comes to skincare, I am definitely equal opportunities. I think it’s important to keep an open mind as to what can work for you – I’ve never assumed that big brands know best. Some of the most significant finds in my skincare journey have been mid-priced buys; some could even be safely classed as budget.
That being said, I’ve always kept an eye on the developments at the top end of the beauty industry. Brands such as Sunday Riley and Tata Harper are combining lab technology with plant extracts to produce products that are outselling the more traditional luxury beauty names.
I have dipped my toe in the luxe market once before – my love for the Tata Harper Regenerating Cleanser is true and pure – if you can get your hands on it (cough…Space NK website…), its no-holds-barred excellence will knock you for six. But I haven’t gone for a big-name big brand (eg: Chanel, YSL, Estee Lauder) for quite a while. I’ve bought a blusher here, a Touche Eclat there, but nothing skincare-related. My needs were met by smaller brands, so I didn’t really bother with that end of the beauty hall.
But as my birthday rolled round, I got the opportunity to dive back in that very exclusive pool. My product of choice this time was a very easy decision. New on the market, and with a wealth of goodwill behind it, I opted for Sisley’s Black Rose Precious Face Oil.
I did my groundwork first, researching it online, reading consumer reviews and beauty press beforehand. This new launch for Sisley has put this luxury brand front and centre – this product has wowed bloggers and editors across the board. This was the product of the moment – and I wasn’t going to miss an opportunity to try it.

At £136, this is the most expensive beauty product I’ve ever purchased. My normal budget usually has a ceiling of around £50 for an individual item, and that item has to be pretty darn fabulous to warrant that amount of spend. But, armed with birthday money and a sense of the intrepid, I approached the Sisley counter and made my purchase.
Getting the Black Rose oil home, I was struck by the size of the bottle. At 25ml, it was a more generous amount than I’d imagined; this product has a shelf-life (opened) of 12 months – and at a few drops per use, it would take you a year to use it all up. The idea that luxury brands are flash over substance, offering poor value for money simply isn’t true: the concentration of ingredients used by quality brands means that less is needed to make an impact.
In terms of ingredients, Black Rose comes armed to the teeth. Rich in Omega 3 and 6 extracts, this oil also includes Padina Pavonica (the key active ingredient in Elemis’ Pro Collagen Marine Cream – another beauty notable). Also featuring essential oils of Bulgarian Rose and Magnolia, Black Rose intends to be a luxury experience from start to finish.

The main reason I selected Black Rose Precious Face Oil over other cult products in the Sisley range, is that I have combination skin, but with patches of dry / dehydrated skin that are difficult to treat. It’s an issue that gets worse during the winter, and striking a balance between hydrating and not causing breakouts is not always easy. For me, it’s often a fine line between nourished and overwhelmed.
My first surprise on using Black Rose was how lightly textured the oil was. Not greasy in any way, the lightness made application very easy and comfortable even on a skin that veers towards combination. Even with just the few drops per use that are recommended by Sisley, the oil is brilliantly mobile – a little really does go a long way. Don’t be tempted to use more in order to speed up the results – you will end up wasting product. A couple of drops are the perfect dose.
The effects of Black Rose were immediate: smooth, even hydration that lasted for hours after application. This was the most impressive aspect of the product for me – I’m used to accumulative results from using products regularly, but Black Rose worked from the very first use.

The softening, hydrating effect lasted in-between uses, with my skin feeling comfortable, soothed and under control even on days I hadn’t used the oil. To get the most out of this product, applying it once a day is more than enough – even if you have exceptionally dry skin.
I’ve only used this oil for a few weeks, but what is becoming very clear is that this product has outperformed every oil, serum and moisturiser I’ve tried before. It makes a material, measurable difference to the hydration levels in your skin, meaning that the rest of your skincare products work more efficiently because they’re not battling against a skin that’s starved of moisture.
If you’ve skin that’s perfectly balanced – put that purse away. Sisley’s Black Rose isn’t for you. But if you have skin that’s dry, irritated or prone to be reactive, the balancing, soothing properties of this oil could be a brilliant investment that could transform the way your skin looks and feels.

At £136, Black Rose Precious Oil is a considered purchase at pretty much every budget level. But if my experience is anything to go by, Sisley has made me revise my view of luxury skincare – this is a hard-working product that earns its stripes – nothing is wasted, nothing is there for show.
Having said that, the packaging is gorgeous (who wouldn’t love that little bottle on their dresser?), but the amount of research and development that’s gone into this product is what’s so impressive. Sisley have taken their time with this launch and it shows: Black Rose really does deliver on what it promises, right from the very first application. With a product that’s been lauded with such hype and praise, there’s always a chance your expectations won’t be met – but Sisley have re-set the bar for skincare excellence, and Black Rose has all the makings of a true beauty classic.

HELEN TOPE