BEAUTY MONTHLY FAVOURITES – MAY 2015

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My favourite serums ATM (l-r): First Aid Beauty Uplifting Serum (£35); Vichy Aqualia Thermal Dynamic Hydration Serum (£17); Deciem Hylamide Serum

Deciem Hylamide Serum – £30
A serum so smart, it comes equipped with its own PhD. Well, it should.
To improve the look of your skin, I don’t think many other products get to work as quickly as serums. Layered under your moisturiser, choose the right one and it can take your skincare (and results) to the next level.
As a beauty product, serums are power-packed with ingredients –they can be firming, hydrating, soothing – there literally is one out there to meet every skincare demand imaginable. With such a crowded market, a new serum has to offer something pretty special to get noticed.
Hylamide is a newly-launched product – although it didn’t hit my radar until I read a review on skincare expert Caroline Hirons’ blog that convinced me to get purchasing. (See Caroline’s review here: http://www.carolinehirons.com/2015/05/deciem-hylamide-subq-anti-age.html)
To say that Hylamide is a sophisticated formula may be the beauty understatement of the year. Containing five forms of hyaluronic compounds to give your skin a serious boost of hydration, the serum also excels at resurfacing, with a next-generation Tripeptide which helps to ‘reduce the appearance fine lines, wrinkles and surface irregularities’.
What this roster of ingredients means for you is that the Hylamide serum hydrates, rejuvenates and strengthens your skin. My skin visibly improves each time I use it, and the effects accumulate: I get plumper, younger skin without irritation which is impressive for a product with so many ingredients. My skin also gets dehydrated quickly, so this serum pretty much ticks every box for me, performing at a level I’d expect from a product twice its price.
At £30, it’s not super-budget, but it definitely offers serious value for money. I’m already convinced after a few uses – and will be restocking once I’ve finished this bottle. This product’s a real winner; innovative, high performance and excellent value for money. You can’t say fairer than that.

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Cleansers galore (l-r): SBC Collagen 3-in-1 Cleanser; Vichy Cleansing Micellar Oil (£13.75); Sisley Cleansing Milk with Sage (£65)

 SBC Collagen 3-in-1 Cleanser – £12.50 (100ml)/ £25 (200ml)
This was a bit of a lucky dip purchase: I needed a new cleanser, but wasn’t ready to start using my lightweight, summer-only formulations. My skin needed a halfway house, and SBC have very kindly provided just that.
Their Collagen 3-in-1 Cleanser acts as a cleanser (obviously), a gentle exfoliator and make-up removal system. Designed for dry and dehydrated skin types, this product is a perfect balance of gentle cleansing and reviving exfoliation.
The cleanser is loaded up with plant oils, including Passion Flower Oil (anti-inflammatory); Kukui Seed Oil (moisturising); Papaya Seed Oil (conditioning). Combine that with a Shea Butter base, Vitamin E and collagen and you’ve got yourself a cleanser that only gets to grips with grime, but also tackles the visible signs of anti-ageing.
What I love about this product is that it quietly gets on with the job in hand, leaving your skin thoroughly cleansed, but without that pinched, tight feeling you can get with overzealous formulas. I find myself reaching for this cleanser when my skin feels a little out of sorts, and the cleanser always leaves it feeling soothed, comfortable and hydrated. SBC are more commonly known for their excellent face and body gels, but this cleanser highlights what else SBC has to offer. I’d say what better excuse is there to get acquainted?

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I do love a good scrub (l-r): Good Things Manuka Honey Refining Scrub (£4.99); Korres Wild Rose Exfoliating Cleanser; Burt’s Bees Peach and Willowbark Deep Pore Scrub (£10.99)

Korres Wild Rose Exfoliating Cleanser – £18
I do love a hybrid product, and the exfoliating cleanser has to be one of my favourites.
While Korres is by no means a budget brand, it certainly comes in a lot cheaper than my gorgeous Murad AHA / BHA exfoliating cleanser (£34) and certainly much cheaper than my beloved Tata Harper Regenerating Cleanser, which comes in at a hefty £60 RRP.
I always imagine the exfoliating cleanser as not taking the place of an exfoliator proper, but giving skin that needs it a bit of extra help. If you have skin with patches of roughened texture, or enlarged pores, adding an exfoliating cleanser into your routine can really nudge your skin into better condition.
I use mine once a week and it leaves my skin feeling smoother with pores visibly reduced. It’s not at all scratchy on the skin, but does have some grittiness to it. Overall, I think normal-combination skin would benefit most from using this, although I do think a light going-over once a week wouldn’t be the worst idea for dry skin either, as it would tackle sluggish cell renewal quite nicely. While it doesn’t match the peerless perfection of the Tata Harper cleanser, this Korres version is a nice alternative.

 

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Argan5+ Morrocan Rose bath soak – £5.99
There are times when a girl’s just got to say no to utility, and say ‘oui’ to a spot of indulgence.
Including a bevy of quality ingredients including Rose Otto oil, Avocado and Moringa oils, this bath soak goes far beyond your usual supermarket fare.
The beauty of this bath soak is not just the heavenly scent (although it’s frankly delicious), but the oil infused formula that leaves your skin feeling silky and beautifully hydrated. Perfect for a lazy weekend treat, (or a weekday treat if you feel so inclined), you can find this bath soak at Waitrose stores nationwide.

Revlon Ultra HD lipstick – £7.99
‘Ultra HD lipstick’ is quite a strange name for a product that’s all about ease of use. This is not, as you might expect, a mega-watt colour that imprints itself on the lips, but a smoother, lightweight formulation that takes the guesswork out of buying lip colour.
Created with a gel base for smoother application and wax-free formulation to give a ‘weightless’ feel, this lipstick is very different to other high-pigment lip colours currently available. When applied it literally feels as if you have nothing on your lips – without the wax, this lipstick becomes a whole different animal. Highly moisturising – it almost shifts into tinted balm territory if it weren’t for the punchy hit of colour.
The modern formula makes bold colour easy to wear – if you’re a bit colour-phobic, this formula is great for stepping up a shade. If you’re new to wearing colour, I’d definitely recommend this lipstick – it’s a comfortable, easy wear that doesn’t skimp on colour definition.
Revlon have been enjoying a real winners’ streak with regards to their lip products: their incredibly popular Colourburst Lip Butters and Balm Stains, the sophisticated Ultimate Suede Lipstick, and I think the Ultra HD Lipstick can added to this roll-call. Big-budget technology for a bargain price, Revlon’s Ultra HD lipstick is a perfect addition to your Spring make-up bag.
http://www.boots.com/en/Revlon-Ultra-HD-Lipstick_1669695/

Balance Me Rose Otto Face Oil – £32
I’ve only been using a trial size of this product, but so far, my first impressions have been excellent.
To get the maximum benefits, I press a small amount of this onto my face and neck after cleansing. I’ve found this to be particularly beneficial if my skin’s going through a reactive phase – it brings everything back into balance.
This oil boasts a wealth of ingredients including Rosehip and Starflower oils to comfort and soothe, and pure Rose Otto essential oil to improve moisture levels. Arctic Cloudberry may sound like a character from a Philip Pullman novel, but it is an excellent source of antioxidant which helps protect the skin from further damage.
I’d recommend this treatment oil for skin that’s prone to bouts of redness and reaction- it’s great at calming whilst encouraging your skin to be more resilient in the long-term. While £32 is not quite in budget territory, a treatment oil that not only tackles immediate problems but enables your skin to better protect itself in the future usually comes with a much higher price tag.
This is the third Balance Me product I’ve now tried, and to be honest, my only disappointment is that I didn’t get on board with this range before.
https://www.balanceme.co.uk/face/product-family/treatments/treatments-rose-otto-face-oil

HELEN TOPE

FOCUS ON: FACIAL TREATMENT OILS

When reviewing what I (thought) I knew about skincare, one of the biggest surprises for me was how much a leading role skincare oils can play. Along with serums and moisturisers, they are now viewed as one of the most effective ways of balancing your skin. Here’s my selection of products that really deliver results.

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OILY / COMBINATION
For someone who grew up with oily / combination skin, the idea of adding a treatment oil into my regular routine seemed like an act of lunacy. Why would I want to make a bad situation worse? What I ended up realising is that the plant-based oils launched by brands like Decleor and Clarins have ingredients in them that soothe a troubled, blemished skin, bringing it back under control. The oil texture adds a layer of long-lasting hydration, key for an oily skin that can often be desperate for moisture. It stops the cycle of the skin over-producing oil to compensate, and the skin balances, becoming easier to deal with over time.
There are some excellent treatment oils out there: the classic option is Clarins’ Lotus Treatment Oil (£33). Containing a blend of Rosewood, Geranium and Lotus extracts, this oil gently purifies the skin whilst a healthy dose of Hazelnut Oil retains vital moisture. In this oil, Clarins has perfected the balancing act, which has made the Lotus Treatment Oil a beauty classic. Use just a couple of drops patted onto the skin before you go to bed. If you want a treatment for oily skin that actually works, this is it.
One of my personal recommendations may seem like a strange choice, as it’s not specifically marketed for oily / combination skin, but the REN Vita Mineral Omega 3 Skin Serum Oil (£25) is an excellent all-rounder that’s got a lot to offer. Crucially, it contains Omegas 3, 6 and 9 – the essential fatty acids in Omegas help to reinforce the skin cell’s membrane. A healthy membrane is more able to hold water, keeping the skin looking more youthful. For someone with oily skin, the ability to hold water is even more important as a properly-hydrated skin is less reactive and prone to breakouts. I love this oil, as it just calms my skin whenever it’s a bit out of sorts but also acts as a good hydrator when I’m a bit dehydrated. Versatile and good value for money, REN gets my vote every time.
Other treatment oils for oily/ combination skin include: Dr. Hauschka Clarifying Day Oil (£25); Decleor Ylang Ylang Purifying Oil Serum (£44); Liz Earle Superskin Concentrate (£40.50)

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DRY/ DEHYDRATED
This is a tricky area. Dryness and dehydration can feel pretty similar, and it’s remarkably easy to confuse the two. Luckily for us, renowned skincare expert Caroline Hirons has clarified matters in this fabulous crib sheet:
http://www.carolinehirons.com/2011/11/dry-or-dehydrated-cheat-sheet.html
Basically, a dehydrated skin can affect any skin type, which could be an explanation if your skin has a Dr Jekyll / Mr Hyde quality to it. If you experience breakouts and blocked pores whilst your skin simultaneously feels dry, that’s definitely dehydration at work.
Dehydration is caused by a lack of water in the skin, not oil. However, if you have dry skin, this is caused by lack of oil, not water. If your skin feels tight and can be easily irritated – you probably have dry skin.
For dry skin, treatment oils really have to be up there with your cleanser and moisturiser as skincare must-haves. They will nourish your skin, making it feel revived, radiant and a whole lot more comfortable. They should be part of your daily routine, slotted in after cleansing and just before moisturiser is applied.
One of the ingredients you need to look out for if you have dry skin is glycerin. It is a humectant, which means that glycerin attracts moisture and locks it in. It will also help to maintain a normal pace of cell renewal, meaning that your skin will look fresh and glowing.
A face oil I’ve found with not only glycerin present, but Almond and Jojoba oils, is Boots Botanics’ Triple Age Renewal Smoothing Facial Oil. Containing extract of purple orchid, this oil nourishes the skin, reducing the appearance of fine lines, leaving your skin looking smoother and more youthful. It’s a great budget pick at just £10.49, and a fantastic introduction to what treatment oils can do for dry skin.
However, if you’re feeling a bit more spendy, Sisley has just the product for you. Their Black Rose Precious Face Oil at £136 may be at the other end of the price spectrum, but this newly-launched product is rapidly gaining cult status.

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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). Also featuring essential oils of Bulgarian Rose and Magnolia, Black Rose is a luxury experience from start to finish.
It’s a beautiful oil for any skin type, but I think for dry skin, using this regularly would prove transformative. It hydrates evenly and thoroughly, without ever feeling heavy or greasy on the skin. It performs at the highest levels every time you apply it, and if you have the means to do so, give the Sisley Black Rose oil a try. I promise it is impossible to be disappointed with this product.
For dehydrated skin, one name keeps coming up time and again: Clarins Blue Orchid Face Oil (£33). This oil contains extracts of Blue Orchid, Rosewood and Patchouli, underpinned by a base of Hazelnut Oil, which help to tone and restore moisture-starved skin.
While Blue Orchid is an absolute legend, you will notice that formulas for dehydrated skin are few and far between. There has been an assumption among some beauty companies that there’s no call for products treating dehydrated skin – we’re quite happy to use products for dry skin instead. This prejudice is being actively challenged, and thankfully, more products are on their way that will deal with the very specific issue of dehydration. I have been told that Origins will be releasing a companion piece to their phenomenally successful Night-a-Mins moisturiser. The High Potency Night-a-Mins Skin Refining Oil (£35) will be released shortly, and will join the roster of products that will make those with dehydrated skin dance for joy.
Other treatment oils for dry / dehydrated skin include: Balance Me Radiance Face Oil (£30); Organic Pharmacy Skin Rescue Oil (£29.00); REN Rose O12 Moisture Defence Oil (£42).

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SENSITIVE
It’s an understatement that sensitive skin needs gentle care. You can be reluctant to try new products as you don’t want to trigger a reaction.
I’ve had bouts of sensitivity in the past due to medication, but wouldn’t class my skin as particularly sensitive in its usual state. I have found that buying products that contain a small band of ingredients can help as it limits the potential for irritation.
Rosehip oil is a great ingredient for sensitive skin, containing antioxidants and essential fatty acids, which help reduce the appearance of fine lines, plumping out the skin. It’s not something you often think of with sensitive skin, but Rosehip oil is a great anti-ageing ingredient for those with sensitive skin. If the more traditional anti-agers aren’t an option for you, a couple of drops of Rosehip every night will give your skin a healthy, from-the-inside-out glow. Antipodes’ Divine Face Oil contains Avocado and Rosehip Oil where 100% of the ingredients are of natural origin and Certified Organic. The texture of this oil is a little thicker, but it soaks into the skin, leaving it feeling calm and nourished. It’s a particular favourite of mine, and at £19.99, it’s one of the more budget friendly options out there.
With regards to traditional, calming treatments, Almond oil is a key ingredient to look out for (assuming of course you don’t have a nut allergy). One of my favourite products for sensitivity is the Weleda Almond Soothing Facial Oil (£15.95). Fragrance-free, this oil not only soothes, but provides a protective layer over the skin. It’s gentleness personified, and a great layer to add on when my skin’s a little unbalanced as it decreases the chance of a reaction to any further products I might add.
Another oil that stays within the ‘protective’ theme comes from Stockholm-based brand Estelle and Thild. Their Fragrance-Free Facial Oil is Certified Organic and contains all of the ingredients that sensitive skin adores: Jojoba, Almond and Avocado Oil, Vitamin E extract and Omegas 3, 6 and 9. It is a deeply nourishing treatment, one I’d recommend for either layering under a night cream or wearing on its own. At £42 it is a considered purchase, but if sensitivity is an ongoing concern for you, spending extra on a targeted treatment can really help to tackle reactions and flare-ups.
Other treatment oils for sensitive skin include Balance Me Rose Otto Facial Oil (£32); Nourish Argan Skin Rescue Treatment (£21); The Body Shop Vitamin E Overnight Serum-in-Oil (£13)

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

FEBRUARY FAVOURITES

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

TRY ONE THING: PALMERS OLIVE OIL CLEANSING CONDITIONER

It may seem a little odd to start a beauty review with an episode of esteemed sitcom, ‘Frasier’, but watch this clip from 2.25 and you’ll see my point.

When it comes to instructions, I’m with Martin: don’t bother with the manual and pre-glue everything. Although I am aware this approach can leave you with a piece of pre-glued plank stuck to your hand.
For as much as I identify with Martin’s flouting of the rules, there are times in life where you just have to follow the manual.
My ‘try one thing’ for February really did test me: not only did it pose a direct challenge to my Martin-like tendencies, but I also had to embrace a different way of doing something very familiar: washing my hair. I’m well aware that my IQ dipped several points with the typing of that sentence, but bear with me.
A cleansing conditioner is a relatively new concept: these are super-moisturising formulas that cleanse your hair without resorting to the detergents and sulphates often found in traditional shampoos which mean no lather, no foam. I’ll be honest, I am a creature of habit, and although I know that the foaming agents in shampoos can be quite drying and responsible for colour-fade, the idea of getting rid of the lathering element altogether did leave me feeling somewhat sceptical. My hair can be quite temperamental and needs a good clean otherwise it just feels wrong and I get an attack of the grumps. Could a cleansing conditioner really take the place of shampoo?

There are numerous cleansing conditioners appearing, and I nearly opted for the Ojon Cleansing Conditioner (£18.50), but I went for the product that boasted not only a budget-friendly price, but a whole lot of love from reviewers online. Containing ingredients such as vitamin E, keratin protein and extra virgin olive oil, Palmers Olive Oil Formula Cleansing Conditioner (at an incredibly reasonable £5.99) got my vote.
As a cleansing conditioner doesn’t lather up like a normal shampoo, it needs to be applied slightly differently. This is where you have to be a Niles, not a Martin. The best advice I can give in using this product is to follow all the instructions: don’t be tempted to skip a step, or cut a few corners. It will end up with you stood in the shower with a lump of goo on your head, which is where no-one wants to be.
This particular cleansing conditioner asks you to wet your hair thoroughly, and then dispense 20-40 pumps of product depending on your hair length (which explains the hugeness of the container). Wet the product a little, emulsifying it (really important!) and then apply to your hair, massaging in as you would a shampoo.

The next bit I originally skipped when trialling this, and in hindsight, this is probably the most crucial step: Palmers ask you to comb the conditioner through your hair. Even if your hair is very short, or fine, do it anyway. Get a shower comb (to avoid snagging) and just ruddy do it. When I didn’t complete this step – the whole experiment ended in disaster. When I combed the conditioner through – smooth, soft, glossy hair was the result. It’s a no-brainer. Get a comb. Use it.
This then distributed the product evenly through my hair, which was then left un-rinsed until the very end of my shower (as per instructions). I found that rinsing the conditioner was surprisingly easy, leaving my hair feeling clean and refreshed. I have had problems with residue from traditional shampoos in the past, and this was a whole new ballgame. My head actually felt lighter as I exited the shower.
The next day, I woke up to smoother, calmer hair: I regularly use salon brands such as Goldwell and Redken, so I was interested to see how well a budget product would perform when compared to them. I’m a devotee of Redken’s Extreme Shampoo and I must admit that the results I experienced with Palmer’s cleansing conditioner were on a par with Redken’s Extreme – and I don’t make that statement lightly. My hair was smooth, under control and had a gentle glossy shine to it. This product is marketed as an all-in-one, and my previous experience of multi-functional products hasn’t been that great, but this product really does deliver on both fronts.
On balance, I would especially recommend this product to those with hair that has issues with moisture loss, build-up or frizz – if you find traditional shampoos too drying, slotting in a cleansing conditioner a couple of times a week will definitely help. I also found the Palmers’ Formula calmed my scalp which is prone to dryness (I think mostly from problems with shampoo residue), so if this is a concern for you as well – it’s worth giving this product a try. Frankly, I don’t think there’s anyone who wouldn’t benefit from using this type of product, and while there are cleansing conditioners available at every price point, Palmers is a great introduction, taking you onto the next level of hair care without breaking the bank.
So, I not only tried something new this month, but learned the importance of not getting a plank glued to your hand. Next month, I go from the best of budget to the ultimate in luxury skincare with Sisley’s Black Rose Precious Oil.

HELEN TOPE