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I don’t think I need to go into much detail about how much of a creature of habit I am. I rinse and repeat the same dinners (salmon tray bakes, macaroni cheese, vegetarian ragu and so on and so on), outfits (denim jackets, striped tops, prairie dresses, high waisted jeans), make up (cat eyes and red lipstick), music combinations (The Lemon Twigs and Les Mis) pretty neatly until they run dry; and when it comes to skincare- the same applies.
But ever since moving house in November, I’ve been on a limited rotation which means everything I’ve been using, I’ve been using. There’s been little space for frippery and the products I can get my mitts on have really been having to work for me, otherwise it’s been panicked trips to Boots and Space NK (which, let’s be honest- is truly not the worst thing in the world)- but by this point, I know what’s good.
Anyway- since then, these are the products that have been my skincare support system. The ones seeing me through late evenings, smudged mascara and random seven o’clock spots. The ones that come out when my general reaction to a glimpse in the mirror is ‘oh my CHRIST I look knackered’ and ‘…was that there last night?’
I’m at a stage of life where my priorities with my skin, by and large, are hydration, trying to hold on to some semblance of glow and looking healthy. Despite the funny old time we’re in for ageing and tweakments and the way we appear online (no judgement! Your face, my dudes!) most of the time I’m at peace with my skin looking its age, and as long as I can claw back a few of the hours where my sleep might have been a bit patchy with a nice oil, I think we’re doing okay.
The Cleansers
Beauty Pie Happy Face Cleanser: The most silky brilliant gel cleanser which is an amazing second cleanse/morning cleanse/or no make up day cleanser. It gets to the real gumph (do we know how we’re spelling this?) and my face always feels like it’s been properly washed after using it. Fuss free good stuff.
Emma Hardie Cleansing Balm: It pains me to admit that people have been talking to me about this for YEARS. It’s the Sex Education of skincare for me. The one where people say ‘oh you’re gonna LOVE it!! It is SO GOOD’ for years until I finally encounter it by chance and then, obviously, OBVIOUSLY fall in love. I believe I got a little pot from my pal Dulcie at Christmas and I also remember Gem talking to me about it- and yes, it’s amazing. It smells like a spa and alongside my girl Elemis and her Pro Collagen offering, it’s about as close to an at home facial as you’re getting. The queen of the double cleanse. Anything that smells this stunning and doesn’t leave me with spots deserves some serious recognition. How does she do it!
The Serums
Clinique Smart Clinical Repair Wrinkle Correcting Serum: Late last year I went to a Clinique pop up bus which did skin consultations (fun!) and matched you up with products that suited the care your skin might need. I was lucky enough to take home a selection of new products to try based on the assessment, and one of those was this wonderful serum which seems like it’s powered by magic and this bottle is still going strong. I almost wonder if it will ever run out. It’s a cocktail of hyaluronic acid and retinoids (safe to use both morning and night) as well as a ‘CL1870 Peptide Complex™’ (which sounds very futuristic but seems to be doing something wonderful) and although there are lots of impressive consumer clinical studies about it reducing fine lines which is exciting, the main thing for me is that my skin instantly feels more hydrated after using it and always looks significantly better when I’ve been using it solidly.
Beauty Pie Youthbomb 360 Radiance Concentrate Serum: Oh man, THIS STUFF. I’m not sure what they put in this exactly but it’s great. And anything that sounds like a meteor of youthfulness to the skin is bound to have me at hello. On their website it says ‘with exclusive Biolog-Elastic™ Complex to help visibly firm, resurface, brighten, tighten, hydrate and glow – all in one bottle’- and, really- who am I to argue with that kind of confidence?
SkinCeuticals C E Ferulic Serum: If I could only use serums from SkinCeuticals I think I would (which, typing, I think is a bit like saying if I could only ever drive [insert fancy car name here] I would- but you get my point). Financially, it would be crippling- but if there are products worth their weight in gold- it’s these. Last year I tried out a whole routine from SkinCeuticals and it may well be the best my skin has looked in years. I really felt like I woke up and didn’t look like I’d slept like an upside down bat for four hours. I’d go as far as saying model skin, but the bat analogy feels a bit more humble. So far I have tried this, the HA Intensifier and Cell Cycle catalyst and they always deliver. This is one of my favourite Vitamin C based serum’s I’ve tried (the Drunk Elephant one and Typology one are also very very good) but for some serious under-make up morning glow (as well as lots of other magic skincare science), this is about as good as a very elaborate smoothie with added fancy seeds from a café with a neon sign that says something like ‘You GLOW girl!’
The Eye Creams
ILIA Bright Start Activated Eye Cream: Man, everything ILIA are doing seems to be just really good. I have yet to meet an ILIA product I didn’t like; from Skin Rewind Foundation Sticks and Beauty Lip Wrap Reviving Balm. It’s really all good stuff. Skincare wise I have been extremely impressed by their Barrier Build Skin Protectant Cream as a great morning and night moisturiser and this eye cream is brilliantly brightening and de-puffing (and applies with a fancy little ceramic applicator which always feels very luxurious too).
MZ Skin Soothe & Smooth Eye Cream: For a long time I was very much ‘if you’ve tried one eye cream, you’ve tried them all’ but after getting this bad boy in the Liberty advent calendar this year (worth £110 NO LESS!!) I very much realise not all eye creams are made equal because this feels like pure luxury. It’s got a Greek yoghurty thickness which I’m sure isn’t the kind of description they were banking on, but one you can really feel smoothing things over. I need an eye cream that’s going to brighten and smooth. Flatten out the creases a bit when I’ve slept face down on my pillow and this stuff is special.
Bobbi Brown Vitamin Enriched Eye Base: Can you mention a series of eye creams and not mention this? I am reaching an age where I am beginning to appreciate the true beauty of a really good, weighty eye cream (see above) and this Bobbi Brown one seems to be rightfully omnipresent in my bathroom cupboard. I think skincare and beauty can be hugely overwhelming, especially when you’re in the market for something new- but this just feels like one I can count on.
The Moisturisers
Tatcha The Dewy Skin Cream: I picked up one of these moisturisers during a very controlled walk around Space NK about a year ago, and they’re just gorgeous. I think I came for the adorable little tub (it has A GOLDEN SPOON applicator?!!!) and glowing reviews (no pun intended) and stayed for the fact that actually, it’s really bloody good. The dewy skin cream does exactly what it says on the tin. I’ve been hopping between that and the water cream, and both are just excellent moisturisers.
Elemis Pro Collagen Marine Oil: Sometimes, just sometimes- I crave a fancy oil. There are evenings when you’ve used a cleanser like the Emma Hardie one and for the full fancy experience you just have to treat yourself to an oil. To go to bed lying horizontally and radiating lotions and potions. Sometimes, it just has to be done. If that evening is coming up, make this your oil. As with many Elemis products, it feels luxurious but just quietly gets the job done. Quiet skincare luxury if you like.
The Suncream
Beauty Pie Super Healthy Skin Ultralight: What can I say! It’s just a great suncream! It goes on brilliantly under make up, and hey- it’s important! It’s also incredibly light and doesn’t feel cakey when you’re already two serums and a moisturiser deep, which is also important.
Elizabeth Arden Eight Hour Cream: Talking about this in a new and original way feels a bit like trying to explain why Let it Be is a good song to someone that just knows it’s great. IT’S JUST GOOD OK. It never misses. Dry lips? Sorted. Weird patches of dry skin on your hands/elbows/face? Not a problem! Want to slick your eyebrows with the leftover stuff? Nee bother! Although it’s not *quite* as important as needing my house keys and debit card in my bag, I’d say it’s a close third. Musn’t. Be. Without.
x
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