In skincare, there is nothing quite satisfying like a good face mask.
The new dermalogica charcoal rescue masque ticks all the boxes in the satisfaction list: it applies well, you feel working, upon washing acts as a gentle exfoliant and the best part: it sets! Ok, maybe not the best but a pretty satisfying one.
Its star ingredient is the activated Binchotan white charcoal, from Japan, made with Ubame oak using ancient methods resulting in ultra high porosity charcoal, which means much superior (more than 1,000 times its weight) impurities absorption.
As it’s a multitasking mask, it also contains 5% sulphur which removes dulling cells, combats breakouts and revitalises, volcanic ash, sea silt, bamboo stem extract, phytic, lactic and mandelic acids for exfoliation, pantenyl and naringenin, both anti-inflammatories and Chilean wild mint, which is refreshing but also acts as a temporary pore minimiser.
I have to say, its grey colour is great fun to use (I am silly like that), even though it sets very hard, it feels comfortable while on the skin and washes off easier than I thought.
Because of its particles, you can give your skin a gentle exfoliating massage while removing it; it has a good grit to it without being too abrasive.
Skin feels super soft, brighter and healthier from the first use.
Dermalogica has many fantastic face masks and now with the multi-masking beauty trend, it is very easy to find a combination right for you.
You can have a consultation with the dermalogica specialists at their concessions in gorgeous places like Liberty, and come out with a face mask (and why not full skincare regime) which is right for your skin conditions and concerns.
The dermalogica charcoal rescue masque costs £38 launched exclusively at Liberty last month but is now available online and at dermalogica concessions nationwide.
God do I like a good contour. Not just the crazy-85-layers-of-30-product contour, but also an everyday, quick and efficient one that gives you just that extra oomph – definition and fierceness.
For this review, I used them all, as instructed on the guide, plus a little bit of shade 1 over my cupid bow, down my nose too and brow bones.
I first did my base with my usual primer and foundation, then using the medium palette, added the colours in the respective areas with a duo-fibre applicator brush (I used MAC 282).
Then I blended quite a bit with a very light touch, starting with my lighter colours to the darkest, using another duo-fibre brush (MAC 130 which I highly recommend for flawless cream/liquid blending; I use with concealer a lot).
To finish off, I set with a translucent powder (coloured powder can mask the contouring, I used GOSH prime ‘n set), a little bit of blusher (Charlotte Tilbury First Love), subtle mascara (Benefit They’re Real Lash Primer used solo, as a brown mascara) and a lipgloss (yes, a lipgloss! Lancôme Juicy Shaker in Apricute) .
That my skin is problematic is no news. I am always on the lookout for products that will give my skin what it needs – hydration, radiance, exfoliation, whatever – without aggravating it or breaking the delicate balance between an ok skin day and weeks of awfulness.
While I can see immediate results – more even skin tone, less shine – the effects are meant to get better over time. I have to say that my monthly breakouts did not make an appearance, so thumbs up!
Lipgloss hasn’t been a thing for me in a long time.
The classic Lancôme Juicy Tubes were an integral part of discovering makeup for me, but I felt I grew out of them, in a way.
Start with the packing, a cute bullet that keeps a surprise: a ridiculously soft sponge applicator in a conical shape, which delivers the right amount of product and helps contour the lips.
I tried Apricute and Cherry Symphony and the pigmentation is very decent: a somewhat buildable tint (which is said to get more intense the more you shake the bullet) with a lovely sheen that is in no way sticky. My hair hasn’t caught once!
So good tat even my little forest friend wanted a piece of it – I had to be pretty nifty in removing them from the tray! 😀
They come in an amazing 14 shades, including the limited edition Mint to Be, cost £18 each and can be purchased online and at retailers nationwide.
Skin hydration as become a huge issue for me and I am always welcoming products that not only deliver that but also maintain it.
I do love a serum, and this one has a water-like consistency and applies extremely well, being absorbed really quickly by the skin.
Always worth remembering La Roche-Posay cares for sensitive skin types. It contains thermal spring water associated with hyaluronic acid fragments alongside arginine and serine. It does not contain parabens.
Love at first spray: Dove Soft Feel has been my deodorant since I tried it for the first time, when it launched last year.
The stunning powdery fragrance, developed exclusively for Dove with French fragrance house Givaudan, for me is the perfect way of celebrating today (21 March), World Fragrance Day.
I’ve been using it since June last year and the effects of that extra moisture boost really show; my underarms not only smell great but feel fab!
Because I love this aroma, Dove has challenged me to guess which notes are part of Soft Feel fragrance.
Soft Feel comes in three sizes: Compressed 125ml (£3.79) and 75ml (£2.99 and perfect for flying!) and roll on 50ml (£2.39, also great in-flight).
On a daily basis we put all sorts of products in your hairs: smoothing, styling, conditioning, heat protecting… And the list goes on.
It’s clear in colour and has a slight lemon smell. It’s gentle on the scalp and hair and hair feels super clean and fresh, with more body, afterwards.
It one comes with the Super Strong Liquid Treatment, a product that repairs hair from inside out, helping sela split ends and contains marine extracts and vegetable proteins, and is also a joy to use.
Now, let’s take a minute to admire the beauty of this colour: a holographic white technicolor dreams are made of.
Now I just want to wear them all the time. There are so many amazing designs and finishes, from your super classic mani to the out there fab fashion designs (House of Holland, I’m looking at you).
Oh, the feeling to be sent something brand new, yet to be launched, that not many people have seen, just like you were let in to a secret….
It has a medium creaminess formula – not too dry, not too wet. It’s super black and glossy.
Not too long ago I mentioned Sleek was the very first red lipstick I ever owned, and that started a love affair that spanned years.
Apart from the more luxurious packaging with the colour at the bottom, this £5.49 gem packs a punch. It’s super pigmented and hydrating, with Vitamin E, Shea Butter and Coconut Oil, at the same time, while offering a very decent durability!
My favourite, Flaunt It, is a vibrant orange; Night Spot is a rich pinkier red (and I love a red lipstick!); Guest List is a bright coral; Backstage, a warm coral pink; Reserved, a candy pink and Private Booth a great nude with some pink in it, and not grey and dull as most, so suitable for my skin tone!
So Many Lovely Things 