It’s June. JUNE. I won’t dwell for long on how speedy this year has been, but seriously – June. Madness. In the fleeting month of May (and, actually, much earlier for some of these), I seemed to hit beauty gold. Here are the details //
The Skincare /
I’ve been using either Omorovicza Buffing Cleanser or Zelens Z Pure Liquid Cleanser to cleanse with in the morning and as my second cleanse in the evening (my first is, as always, with a balm). The Omorovicza cleanser offers that sensation of ‘clean’ without scratching at skin (the exfoliating particles are crumbly and therefore won’t cause microscars), while the Zelens one is about the most gentle, non-drying thing I’ve ever put on my face (but it still emulsifies properly and doesn’t leave an oily film on the skin. Amen).
Eyes are becoming my obsession – I catch those pesky lines looking back at me in the mirror all the time now. I’m keeping them hydrated with Niod Fractionated Eye Contour, which contains hyaluronic and a bunch of clever depuffing agents (less puff = fewer wrinkles longterm). Weekly – or when stressed – I still turn to Institut Esthederm Eye Contour Repair Patches for a proper shot of moisture.
There is but one serum that’s turned my head this month: Bioeffect EGF Day Serum. This brand took the beauty world by storm last summer with everyone raving about the serums in particular. I fell hard for the body version (absurdly expensive, but if you’re going to be flashing some flesh a bottle will significantly improve skin), and have now been delighted by the face version too. Though not cheap, the idea is to buy the bottle and use it each morning until it’s finished as a sort of treatment period. I’ve noticed my skin looks tauter and healthier all round after three weeks of use.
Onto innovations: first, James Read H2O Tan Mist. Forget everything you think you know about fake tanning sprays – this is more ‘refreshing, cooling, transparent mist’ than whiffy, brown thing you spray on and hope to high heaven won’t stain your carpets/bedsheets. It can be spritzed on repeatedly throughout the day without making skin orange. The effect is subtle – I’ve noticed it just takes the edge of paleness. The other nifty find is the Foreo Luna Play. I dearly love the big version, and really recommend it, but this is a good way to go if you’d like to dip your toe in without committing too much cash (it’s £29 for one and will last for around 100 cleanses).
The Body & Scent /
The Atelier Cologne Bergamot Soleil literature talks about the bergamot, jasmine and vetiver notes, but my response to this scent is so emotional that I find myself unable to disseminate. I drew a little mind map to try to help me and the words ‘fresh’ ‘tangy’ and ‘Sicily’ tumbled out. So if you like the sound of that…
Though I’m well aware that bright polishes are par for the course at this time of year and a slick of something juicy is very uplifting, the greeny black Essie Off Tropic caught my eye and has accounted for at least half of all my polish wear over the past month. For those of you who agree that colour is better around this time of year, pick up one of these, but if a moody nail gets your juices flowing, grab this one.
Like your hair really, properly clean but also a bit stronger and definitely not dry? You’re going to love StriVectin Shampoo for Damaged or Thinning Hair – it’s been in my shower for the past month and I am bereft that it’s coming to an end as it’s made my (very processed) hair far happier.
The final recommendation in this category is Bliss Foot Patrol foot cream. I always become a little aware of the dire state of my feet around this time of year and find that a foot cream coupled with a trip to Margaret Dabbs usually gets me sandal ready. This cream’s a clever worker – deceptively thin and un-buttery (so perfect if you hate the feeling of product on your skin), it contains acids to help slough away dead skin and allow to soften.
The Make-Up /
I’m still all about the base – I want glow, I want evenness, hell: I want J Lo’s skin. And the discovery of By Terry Terribly Densiliss Sun Glow has certainly got me that little bit closer (previous rave here). For coverage, I’m loving Oxygenetix Foundation (offers a medium to full finish depending on how it’s applied and treats skin underneath) or Chanel Vitalumiere Powder Foundation, which is up there among the very, very best.
MAC 217 brush is a deserved classic and holds a dear place in my heart – it’s a whizz at buffing concealer in seamlessly or for blending out the edges of a smoky eye (and you all know how all over the smoky eye thing I am). I’m using it with pretty much any brown eyeshadow and then applying lashings of bareMinerals Lash Domination, which is outstanding on account of the precise comb and lash-conditioning ingredients.
Lips have been simple: if I’m going for colour, I’ve been applying Smith & Cult Linger Sigh which stains my lips bright pink and offers a glossy finish, or for a more subtle lip I’ve hit up Givenchy Rouge Interdit Vinyl Beige Indecent, which I first got into in January. It is the perfect slightly-glossy nude and therefore looks great with a subtle tan (fake by way of James Read or otherwise).
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