Beauty Cult #3
Beauty Cult returns once again and sees four more beauty lovers recommend the products that they can't live without. Your beauty shopping list just got a tad longer...
Lilly - Berlin-based lifestyle blogger at In A Pavilion with a penchant for interiors and magazines. People say don’t judge a book by its cover, but when it comes to Aesop I urge you to judge away - their products are simply genius. A new found love is their unisex Deodorant. Formulated with eleven essential oils and deliciously fragranced, it may not last 24 hours; but then again should deodorants really be able to tackle such a feat? I think not, and gladly take this little bottle wherever I go. Another trusty Aesop product you can always find on my bedside table is their Control Gel. Containing everything from aloe vera to tea tree oil, witch hazel and lactic acid, this little tube battles hormonal breakouts and itchy mosquito bites, all the while smelling inconspicuously and not leaving you looking like you have just covered your face in toothpaste. Stored in the fridge during the summer, it calms any spots and lasts longer than its little tube might make you think it does. Before I rest my case, I have to mention my all-time favourite perfume, Gypsy Water by Byredo. Having never been a fan of heavy or sickly-sweet fragrances, it’s as if Ben Gorhan created this scent for me. Top notes of bergamot and pepper mingle with base notes of amber and sandalwood and make its scent change throughout the day. If there was one product I could proclaim as my signature, it would most certainly be this one.
Charlotte - Vintage fiend and winged eyeliner enthusiast, blogger at Awake + Make. I had almost given up hope of finding a face scrub that wasn’t painfully fierce on my ridiculously sensitive skin, until recently trying St Ives Invigorating Apricot Scrub. This is such a joy to use. The texture is delightfully gritty – reminiscent of sand – and yet it never leaves me with peeling skin or lasting redness, which so many face scrubs have previously. A little of this goes a long way, but the rate at which I get through it is a testament to how much I love it! Even though it is specifically formulated for using on your face, I find myself using this on other problem areas too; the tops of my arms, and even on my feet. I noticed remarkably smoother skin after my first scrub with this, and it also helps with preventing breakouts. I love pairing it with Palmer’s Cocoa Butter Formula for when my skin is need of some serious TLC.
Alex - Skincare lover, baking obsessor and Scandinavian design enthusiast. In my opinion it is essential that you find a skincare routine that works for you, as you can’t have good makeup without good skin. Nowadays I’m reaching for cleansing milks, oils and balms as opposed to foaming types (on Holy Grail advice from the one and only Caroline Hirons). My cult product is the Chanel Lait Confort Creamy Cleansing Milk, designed for the face and eyes. Dry and dehydrated skin will benefit hugely from this cleanser, which can be applied and removed with a damp cotton pad or simply washed away with water. Since using this product morning and night, breakouts are few and far between and my skin feels plumped and nourished. Best of all, the iconic Chanel scent lasts on the skin. Heaven! At night time, I take the opportunity to really treat my skin and after cleansing and toning I apply the Pai Rosehip BioRegenerate Oil; this product looks like liquid gold in a bottle! The oil can be used in combination with a moisturiser or directly onto the skin. 2-3 drops is all that is needed to create a thin layer that absorbs quickly and makes your skin feel super soft, everything I would want in a cult product.
Courtney - Drug store beauty enthusiast from Canada ready to explore UK high street products. About a year ago I found myself in the midst of a skincare slump, my tried-and-true regimen just left my skin looking dull and dreary. To make matters worse, I started finding little white bumps across my cheeks --- the dreaded milia. When Extra exfoliation with scrubs and gloves didn't do the trick, my sister mentioned she was trying out the Nib+Fab Glycolic Fix pads. Reluctant to buy such a finite supply of pre-acid pads and lacking any affordable (for a trial run) cream options in Canada, I gave up the search until I took a trip State-side and found Alpha Hydrox: The Original at Walgreens. I know, the nondescript packaging looks sketchy, but at about $13 for 177mL I was willing to give it a shot. The glycolic acid in Alpha Hydrox is the same stuff used in chemical peels and while the cream is much milder, it works the same way: the acid dissolves the oil, dirt and dead skin on the surface of your face to reveal a fresh layer underneath when you wash your face in the morning. If you have combination skin like me I would recommend following it up with a moisturizer -- I use the Neutrogena Rapid Tone Repair (Night) as the Alpha Hydrox allows it to really get in there and work its toning magic. Now to find this stuff in the UK...
My own contribution to this month's Beauty Cult comes in the form of a sleek, gold tube from Eve Lom (see above). The Light Illusion Concealer is a glow-getter's must have. The light, creamy formula provides excellent under-eye coverage (without any cakiness), and blends beautifully. Perfect for swiping across the tops of my cheekbones and down the bridge of my nose for a contoured glow, this is spot-on for perfecting a 'no makeup' makeup look. And the MAJOR selling point? This one-of-a-kind concealer is enriched with white tea extract, caffeine, and essential vitamins and oils to brighten the complexion. More than just a cover up...
Share your cult beauty favourites below!
G x
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