MARCH FAVOURITES

In terms of beauty, March can be a bit of a weird month. It’s not quite winter still, but it’s still not warm enough for me to debut my cherry blossom-print kimono.

A Global Tour of Beauty: Sans Soucis Conditioning Body Oil; Sans Soucis Blackcurrant and Peach Skin Smoothie (France); Dr. Scheller Blackcurrant and Marula Moisturising Day Care (Germany / USA); Tiaki Night Cream (New Zealand);Nourish Argan and Kale Anti-Ageing Hand Cream (UK)
My skin, as a consequence, has been on a bit of a roller-coaster ride. It started out the month in full-winter-mode, needing lots of hydration and TLC. By the end of the month, I’ve found myself switching to lighter textures, rinse-off formulas rather than the thicker cleansing balms and butters. But a few products have shown themselves to be stalwarts, and that’s why they’re my March Favourites.

Sans Soucis Sunflower Rich Day Care Cream (£14.55 on Amazon, purchased at TK Maxx – approximately £4) March really has been a month for me trying out new products. I love a good rummage around the TK Maxx beauty section, and every so often, I come across a lovely little find.
At such bargain prices (nothing more expensive than £10), I did pick up a couple of Sans Soucis products including an as-yet-untried body oil which I’m very excited about, but as I finished one day cream, I was in the market for another, and the San Soucis Sunflower cream filled the gap nicely.

(l-r: Sans Soucis Sunflower Day Care; Sans Soucis Jojoba moisturiser)
Containing organic ingredients such as chia seed extract, apricot and almond oil; this is a great moisturiser to tackle mild to moderate dryness. I’m not sure I’d recommend it for extremely dry skin, as I think there are more heavy-duty products out there. I think this cream works best on skin with dryness / dehydration issues, rather than dryness as being the sole concern. Don’t get me wrong – it is effective, but its gentleness may not be enough for someone who has long-term problems with dry skin.
Its gentle qualities, however, I think recommend it as a suitable day cream for skin with sensitivity. Its mid-weight texture isn’t at all overwhelming, and sinks in without leaving residue. Obviously, I couldn’t make a claim that it would be suitable for everyone with sensitive skin, but if you see a rogue tube loitering in TK Maxx, for £4 I would definitely say give it a go.

Cowshed Natural Lip Balm – £5 I really do have a soft spot for this skincare brand. I’m already a fan of their lavender and fennel hand cream (as epic as it sounds) and their chamomile toner, but their lip balm. Oh, their lip balm….
It contains essential oils of sweet orange and rose geranium, and the dense, thick texture of this balm may suggest it would sit on your lips and not do much, but when it gets into contact with your body warmth, the balm becomes smooth and malleable. A little goes a long way with this product and the 12ml tube I’ve just purchased, I suspect, will last aeons.
The balm properly nourishes and protects – it’s been a godsend during the early winter mornings I’ve spent at the bus stop – and in short, I can’t recommend it highly enough. It does the job without fanfare, and to be honest that’s all you want from a lip balm.

http://www.cowshedonline.com/lippy-cow-natural-lip-balm-12-ml.html

(l-r: Small Bottle, Big Bottle)

Antipodes Divine Face Oil Certified Organic Avocado Oil and Rosehip – £18.99
Product layering has been one of my favourite discoveries this month. A technique that I’ve shamelessly purloined from renowned facialist (and beauty blogger legend) Caroline Hirons, I have gone from choosing either a serum or facial oil to go under my moisturiser to slotting in both. The trick is using a very thin layer of each – serum first and then the oil.
This double whammy has really improved the texture of my skin – I’m prone to patches of dehydration and the dual impact of serum and oil is really tackling the tautness I feel later during the day. My skin has got its ‘bounce’ back and I’ve been trialling this technique with a couple of my skin oils, and they all do stellar work, but I’m loving the Antipodes Divine Face Oil.
I bought this originally as part of a mini set from Antipodes (I’m a sucker of minis of anything – so cute!) and I’ve now ordered the big size as I’ve been so bowled over by this product. Containing organic avocado oil and rosehip, this product doesn’t claim to reinvent the wheel, but at giving your skin a long-lasting hit of moisture and protecting your skin against the elements – it’s a hard-working oil that delivers. It’s great for layering – I’ve found it works well with pretty much every serum and moisturiser combo I’ve thrown at it. Light and non-greasy, it’s a quietly brilliant product. If you want a treatment oil that has all the bells and whistles, they’re definitely out there, but if you’re new to using face oils and want a product that’s soothing, nourishing and reliable – Antipodes.

(Also featured: Elemental Herbology Watermelon and Cucumber Body Moisturiser; Organic Surge Million Dollar Anywhere Balm)

Elemental Herbology Neroli and Rose Damask Body Cream – £21 (purchased at TK Maxx for £7.99)
Another TK bargain, I had already been won over with the Elemental Herbology Bio-Cellular Matrix Serum and Moisturiser I purchased at La Maxx on a previous occasion, so when I spotted Elemental Herbology body products on sale – I hopped right on-board.
Infused with Rose Damask water, and containing mango butter, organic aloe, argan and rosehip oils to restore hydration levels, this is a lovely, smoothing moisturiser that is excellent for dry skin. I get very dry arms, and this body cream has been excellent at tackling the problem. Being a mid-weight consistency, the cream isn’t too heavy and doesn’t sit on the skin for ages afterwards. I have used this whilst getting ready for work several times with no problems.
The major plus about this cream, though, is its luxurious scent. A slightly old-school choice of rose damask, scent is well-known for its ability to unlock associations in the memory. For me, Neroli and Rose Damask will be permanently associated with me watching Wolf Hall, happily smoothing on the cream. This association is not as random as you might think either: while the Damask Rose itself hails from the Syrian region, some historians say the Rose was introduced to England when Henry VIII’s physician gave him a single Damask Rose, as a present, in 1540.
So if you want to get into the habit of regularly applying body moisturiser, and you would like to smell like Tudor royalty (whilst keeping head and neck firmly attached), this choice from Elemental Herbology is a gorgeous, luxurious option.

(Also featured: SuperFacialist by Una Brennan Calming Creamy Cleanser; L’Oreal Skin Perfection Cleansing Oil)

The Body Shop Nutriganics Softening Cleansing Gel Oil – £10
Another recommendation via Caroline Hirons’ website (www.carolinehirons.com) this Certified Organic range is designed for the first signs of ageing. I have used cleansing oils before with mixed results: the idea that they go onto dry skin and are then emulsified with some warm water, worked up into a milk consistency which can then be rinsed off is terrific. It gives you the deep-cleaning properties of a balm, but with the refreshing rinse-off appeal of a foaming cleanser (bypassing the harsh, drying foaming agents).
While some have worked brilliantly, others have lingered on my skin, refused to emulsify properly, leaving me with a gooey, hard-to-rinse mess. I chalk this up in part to my tricky skin type (combination / dehydrated), plus the simple fact that not every skincare product is going to work for everybody. You will come across products that others hail as the bees’ knees – but with you, it’s a big, fat flop.
But The Body Shop, with their intriguingly-named Cleansing Gel Oil, has come up trumps. The texture, when squeezed fresh out of the tube, is a gel. You apply it to dry skin (and it will feel weird, but go with it). Wet your hands with some warm water, and rub your hands over your face. Behold – a lovely, easy-to-rinse milk appears on your skin.
Not only does this product rinse off cleanly with minimal fuss, but it leaves your skin feeling genuinely refreshed but not stripped or taut. It is a perfectly balanced cleanser, and for £10, it’s a ruddy bargain.
That’s it for March – next month I anticipate featuring Barry M’s excellent new lip gloss pencils (there is such a thing) and the Vichy Aqualia Thermal Dynamic Serum that is recommended by everyone, and I’ve finally got round to purchasing. Until next time…

HELEN TOPE

BEAUTY REVIEW 2014

For my first post of 2015, I’m keeping things simple. This is a review of beauty products I have discovered during the past 12 months. Some are new launches, others are old hands at the beauty game – but if it made a material difference to my skin, it made the list.

(L-R: The Body Shop Camomile Cleansing Butter, Tata Harper Regenerating Cleanser, REN No. 1 Purity Cleansing Balm)

Cleanser
As far as my skincare routine is concerned, 2014 has definitely been the year of the cleanser: balms, oils, creams and waters – I’ve tried a bit of everything. While I think that your formulation of choice should be between you and your beauty supplier, it’s really been brought home to me just how important a role cleansing plays in getting your skin to look and feel better.
I started with the classics: Liz Earle’s Cleanse and Polish (still a favourite) and REN’s Clear / Calm Clarifying Cleanser which made light work of any troublesome blemishes. However, as I got a little more comfortable with the concept of a non-foaming cleanser, I started to branch out into untried territory.
Up until very recently, I was not familiar with skincare expert and namesake brand, Tata Harper. Working in Vermont, she produces products that are completely free of synthetic and chemical ingredients. Non-toxic, plant-based technology forms the basis of the Tata Harper range – and these products pack a serious punch when it comes to performance.
On a chance recommendation, I tried the Tata Harper Regenerating Cleanser (£60). While it is most certainly the most expensive cleanser I have ever purchased, every time I use it I am further convinced that it is one of the best beauty products I’ve ever come across. Slightly gritty in texture, the Regenerating Cleanser contains apricot seed powder, pomegranate enzymes and willow bark – all of which combine to form an exfoliating, clarifying product mild enough to use every day. It doesn’t leave your skin feeling stripped: this cleanser neatly sloughs off dead skin cells, leaving behind fresh, glowing skin. The granular particles are so small they rinse away easily, making this ideal for a quick morning cleanse.
As you can tell, I’m definitely a convert – and if you fancy making regular cleansing one of your New Year’s Resolutions – this is an amazing place to start. Oh, and the aroma is absolutely incredible. You will be hooked.
Other favourite cleansers included: Rodial Dragon’s Blood Cleansing Water (£29), The Body Shop Camomile Cleansing Butter (£12)

Exfoliation
If you’ve got even a passing interest in beauty matters, you can’t have helped but notice that the mega, all-conquering moisturiser isn’t garnering as much attention as it used to. The concept of putting all your eggs in one beauty basket now seems a little old-fashioned; relying on one product to save your skin from a poor cleansing routine and non-existent use of exfoliators and masks.

(L-R: First Aid Beauty Facial Radiance Pads, Murad AHA / BHA Exfoliating Cleanser)

We’re starting to recognise that the steps that lead up to the moisturiser are just as important – if not more so. A good skincare routine doesn’t need to be endless or overly complicated – using just a couple of good quality, high performance products can make a huge amount of difference.
If you’ve avoided exfoliating in the past, a new generation of exfoliants are determined to win you over. Eschewing the traditional scrub formula, these new exfoliants are non-granular and a cinch to use.
Whether as a liquid or in little product-soaked pads, the exfoliator as scrub is rapidly taking a back seat to these resurfacing, glow-getting miracle workers. If any product has made a material difference to the texture and appearance of my skin, it’s the FAB First Aid Beauty Facial Radiance pads (£20.50). Small but very effective, they can be swept over a cleansed skin and…that’s it. That’s about as tricky as it gets. The genius part of this type of exfoliation is that there are no excuses for getting on board: no gritty bits left in your hair; no worries about granules scratching a blemish and transferring infection; no mess, no fuss. There are definitely pricier exfoliator pads out there – but First Aid Beauty’s version is a good price for an extremely impressive product.
Other favourite exfoliators have included: Ole Henriksen Walnut Complexion Scrub (£26), Murad AHA / BHA Exfoliating Cleanser (£34)

Treatment oil
As someone with long-term combination skin which also leaned towards dehydration (despite mine and Evian’s best efforts), the concept of putting oil on my face still felt like a bridge too far. A treatment best left the reserve of dry skin.

(L-R: Trilogy Certified Organic Rosehip Oil, REN Vita Mineral Omega 3 Optimum Skin Serum Oil)

But my skincare routine, though adequate, had at this point reached an impasse. My skin wasn’t looking any worse, but it had stopped improving. A skincare rut is always tricky to manoeuvre your way out of: trying new products or application techniques require a leap of faith. I looked for recommendations, opinions. I researched, weighed my options and ended up trying the REN Vita Mineral Omega 3 Optimum Skin Oil (£23). It was an absolute revelation: calming and balancing my dehydrated skin without it ever feeling overloaded or overwhelmed. The oil texture was also a surprise: much lighter than I was expecting. It sank into my skin easily without leaving an oily residue – making it the perfect pre-moisturiser treatment.
The reason why oils work so harmoniously with our skin is that they are ‘lipophilic’: they are able to pass through the lipid (outermost) layer of your skin faster, plumping the skin with moisture more effectively. It’s also a great way of delivering highly-concentrated ingredients to your skin, using a texture that your skin will readily recognise and accept. A year ago I didn’t even know what ‘lipophilic’ meant….look at me now, kids. Look at me now.
Other favourite treatment oils included: Trilogy Certified Organic Rosehip Oil (£16.50 for 20ml), Weleda Soothing Facial Almond Oil (£14.95)

Moisturiser
While I have spent this year exploring new formulations, it never hurts to review the basics. I firmly believe that a good moisturiser doesn’t have to cost the earth: it’s a myth that expense always equals excellence.
I’ve tried mid-priced moisturisers for the most part – and have found a fairly decent product can be found for the £30 mark. While Kiehl’s Ultra Facial Cream was a very close contender for my favourite of the year, Murad’s Skin Perfecting Day Cream Age Reform SPF30 wowed me consistently and thoroughly.

(L-R: Embryolisse Lait-Creme Concentre, Korres Wild Rose Brightening Cream, Neal’s Yard Rose & Almond Night Cream)

It was so good I ended up cutting open the tube and scooping out the Murad-y goodness within so I didn’t miss out on a drop of fabulous product. It was the first moisturiser I have tried where the moisturiser went where it seemed most needed, meaning I ended up using less and less as time went on. At £39, Age Reform is not a budget buy, but not so outrageously expensive you’d have to live on baked beans for a month in order to afford it. This is the perfect middle-of-the-road product. The term ‘middle-of-the-road’ is often used in a derogatory way, but here I mean it to represent Age Reform’s best qualities.
It is not an extreme, anti-ageing moisturiser so packed with ingredients the skin gets overwhelmed and reacts with breakouts or sensitivity. It is has enough active ingredient to make a difference, but not at the expense of your skin’s general wellbeing. Age Reform’s moisturiser is perfectly balanced, and your skin cannot help but respond favourably. Containing lecithin to plump out the skin, and borage seed oil (an ingredient you’ll hear much more of in 2015), this moisturiser offers hydration that just feels damn good on the skin. There’s no other way to put it. A good moisturiser is hard to find – and when you find one as good as this, love it, appreciate it – it may be the best investment you’ll make all year.
Other favourite moisturisers have included: Neal’s Yard Remedies Rehydrating Rose and Almond Night Cream (£22.99 on Amazon), Kiehl’s Ultra Facial Cream (£24)

(L-R: Nip + Fab Dragon’s Blood Plumping Mask, Weleda Skin Food, Time Bomb Complexion Cocktail B12)

I spent 2014 getting to know brands and products that, a year ago, were completely unfamiliar to me. It really has been a year of discovery: turns out for me a good cleansing routine was the key to getting my skin under control. It was a total lightbulb moment for me – I had assumed my skincare routine was good because I did all the extras (masks, serums etc) but thorough cleansing was the thing my skin needed – and responded to – the most.
Your lightbulb moment may be different: a liquid exfoliant or fantastic treatment oil could be your key to better skin. I would urge you to explore: read reviews and blogs, listen to experts and then make up your own mind.
Thanks to advances in both plant and lab-based technology, changing up your skincare routine is less of a gamble than it used to be. There is still an element of trial and error, but it’s vital to be open to the formulations and textures that may suit you. The most exciting brands at the moment are breaking apart the old rules to treat skincare concerns speedily and effectively. It’s a big skincare world out there and there is a product and range somewhere that’s perfect for you: to put it simply, if you want to shake things up, there’s no better time than now.

HELEN TOPE