SKINCARE DIARY XI
New York may be the city that never sleeps, but beauty writing is without a doubt the profession that never stops. Even when my annual summer holiday rolls around, my suitcase is stocked with seasonally appropriate new launches, and I keep a notepad and pen on hand at all times to jot down notes, whilst heading immediately to the beauty section of every foreign supermarket and department store. My latest trip [a week in France followed by two weeks travelling through Spain and Portugal] was no exception, and I made use of the trip to put a carefully curated selection of summer-inspired skincare to the test.
MONDAY
MORNING : VERSO Foaming Cleanser*, GLOSSIER Priming Moisturiser.
AFTERNOON : GARNIER Micellar Cleansing Water, EVE LOM Cleanser*, KAPLAN MD Daily Moisture SPF30 Concentrate*.
EVENING : EVE LOM Cleanser*, EVE LOM Hydrating Serum*, EVE LOM Eye Lift*, NARS Aqua Gel Luminous Oil-Free Moisturiser*.
Verso's new cleanser landed on my desk a few days before my departure so was automatically included in the mix. Its texture isn't at all 'foaming' in the traditional sense; it's actually much more like a gel cleanser, thick and pudding-like [think : a luxed up take on the [now discontinued] La Roche-Posay Physiological Cleansing Gel]. In the AM I seek a cleanser that is both refreshing and effective yet doesn't dry my skin out, so it's perfect. I wore makeup today so used Glossier's Priming Moisturiser underneath my foundation [which is SPF30] - I adore its light, silky consistency; ideal primer material, and packed with skincare benefits to boot. The temperature was hitting the mid-30s by the time I got home so I removed my makeup straight away [I can't stand wearing foundation in excessive heat]. The Kaplan MD moisturiser is another new addition, and I adore it already. It doesn't feel like an SPF at all, instead it's completely weightless and absorbs really quickly, leaving a noticeable glow instead of the usual tackiness and ashen caste that come hand in hand with facial sun protection.
TUESDAY
MORNING : VERSO Foaming Cleanser, VICHY Ideal Soleil Tinted BB Cream SPF50*.
EVENING : GARNIER Micellar Cleansing Water, KAPLAN MD Cell Renewing Microfoliant*, SISLEY Radiant Glow Express Mask*, EVE LOM Hydrating Serum, EVE LOM Eye Lift, NARS Aqua Gel Luminous Oil-Free Moisturiser.
Even when I've only worn sun protection during the day, I always make sure to cleanse my face rigorously [starting with a micellar water] as SPF can cause me to break out. Garnier's micellar water is a personal favourite when it comes to removing the bulk of product from my face. In lieu of decanting it into a smaller bottle ahead of my trip I picked up this miniature version [FYI, it will last you exactly three weeks with daily use]. I'm super fussy with facial exfoliants as I have sensitive skin so I don't like anything too scrubby, yet at the same time I want something that really works. Kaplan MD's is quite unlike any I've ever used. The formula is a very light and silky clay texture [it could easily double up as a mask], wrought through with [just the right amount of] [finely milled exfoliating particles [jojoba and date seeds] which gently polish skin to a silky softness. It also contains soothing oatmeal, so doesn't leave my skin feeling tight or dry.
WEDNESDAY
MORNING : VERSO Foaming Cleanser, VICHY Ideal Soleil Tinted BB Cream SPF50.
AFTERNOON : VICHY Ideal Soleil Tinted BB Cream SPF50, GLOSSIER Soothing Face Mist.
EVENING : EVE LOM Cleanser, EVE LOM Hydrating Serum, EVE LOM Eye Lift, NARS Aqua Gel Luminous Oil-Free Moisturiser.
Soaring temperatures called for a day spent poolside, devouring iced drinks and magazines with equal fervour. Naturally, makeup was a no-show and SPF protection vital. Vichy's Tinted BB Cream combines both coverage [light, but enough to tone down redness and blemishes] and sun protection with a high hyaluronic acid count that plumps skin with moisture [a must in hot weather]. I made sure to keep it topped up throughout the day, subsidised with liberal application of Glossier's Soothing Face Mist; a cooling blend of rosewater, aloe vera, and glycerin - especially refreshing when stored in the refrigerator.
THURSDAY
MORNING : VERSO Foaming Cleanser, GLOSSIER Priming Moisturiser.
EVENING : GARNIER Micellar Cleansing Water, EVE LOM Cleanser, EVE LOM Hydrating Serum, EVE LOM Eye Lift, NARS Aqua Gel Luminous Oil-Free Moisturiser.
My evening routine has remained consistent throughout the week [without the usual temptation of my at-home skincare stash and new products dropping through the postbox], and is all about hydration. Eve Lom's Cleanser is an all-time favourite, it deeply cleanses my skin without causing irritation or dryness, and is an absolute joy to use for facial massage. I spoke in more detail about it here. The Eve Lom Hydrating Serum is one of my favourite products to use in the summer months; it's designed to attract and lock moisture into parched skin, and is incredibly soothing [especially if you've caught a little too much sun]. It's without a doubt the best hyaluronic acid-based serum I've used. I'm rarely overly enamoured of an eye cream; my sensitive eyes wager most unusable, but this light and cooling option fails to incite irritation, and has noticeably improved the dry skin I was suffering beneath my eyes. Come summer I favour a water-based moisturiser over an oil-based one, finding them infinitely more appropriate for my [hot weather-induced] dehydrated skin. Nars' option is particularly refreshing, and absorbs quickly, so I can apply it right before bed without fear of it ending up in my pillowcase.
FRIDAY
MORNING : VERSO Foaming Cleanser, VICHY Ideal Soleil Tinted BB Cream SPF50.
AFTERNOON : VICHY Ideal Soleil Tinted BB Cream SPF50, GLOSSIER Soothing Face Mist.
EVENING : GARNIER Micellar Cleansing Water, KAPLAN MD Cell Renewing Microfoliant, EVE LOM Rescue Mask*, EVE LOM Hydrating Serum, EVE LOM Eye Lift, NARS Aqua Gel Luminous Oil-Free Moisturiser, MARIO BADESCU Buffering Lotion.
Another day spent at the pool layering on SPF50 called for a much-needed deep cleanse. I rarely travel without a tube of Eve Lom's Rescue Mask; it's a real one-size-fits-all/all-in-one kind of product, no matter what your skincare concern [dehydration, blemishes, excess oil, redness, scarring, etc.] you can rest assured that this will fix it in one fell swoop. With a few breakouts popping up and my skin feeling a little worse for wear after a day in the sun, the soothing and refreshing blend of camphor and honey was just what I needed, leaving my skin suitably prepped for an evening routine tailored to intensive hydration. Over said breakouts I applied Mario Badescu's Buffering Lotion; a real hero product, it stops spots right in their tracks and depletes their size, pain, and appearance immediately, without leaving any marks or scars. A bottle will set you back just £13, and last you as many months.
SATURDAY
MORNING : VERSO Foaming Cleanser, VICHY Ideal Soleil Tinted BB Cream SPF50.
EVENING : GARNIER Micellar Cleansing Water, EVE LOM Cleanser, NARS Aqua Gel Luminous Oil-Free Moisturiser.
A day spent travelling across the south of France and into the north of Spain [an 8 hour trip in total] called for a fuss-free and minimal base, I paired the Vichy BB Cream with just a little mascara, brow gel, and lip balm. Spending the night under canvas, and arriving at my destination under cover of darkness, I had neither the time nor the inclination to labour over my usual evening routine. However despite my exhaustion, the late hour, and a deplorable lack of warm water in the campsite bathrooms[!!] I made sure to double cleanse and moisturise [two steps which cannot, under any circumstances be excused in my book].
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SUNDAY
MORNING : VERSO Foaming Cleanser, KAPLAN MD Daily Moisture SPF30 Concentrate.
AFTERNOON : GARNIER Micellar Cleansing Water, KAPLAN MD Cell Renewing Microfoliant, SISLEY Radiant Glow Express Mask, GLOSSIER Priming Moisturiser.
EVENING : GARNIER Micellar Cleansing Water, EVE LOM Cleanser, EVE LOM Hydrating Serum, EVE LOM Eye Lift, NARS Aqua Gel Luminous Oil-Free Moisturiser.
Last night's paired-down evening routine was not without consequences, and my skin was definitely on the wan and depleted side of things this morning. I woke to temperatures already in the high 20s [and steadily crawling], so forwent even BB Cream in favour of Kaplan MD's skincare/SPF cocktail. Within seconds of application it literally feels like you're not wearing a thing on your face. A spacious marble hotel bathroom [with not one but two hot taps, bliss] was awaiting me upon check-in to my hotel this evening, so naturally I went all out and gave myself a lengthy facial in the hours before dinner [thankfully Spaniards eat late and our restaurant didn't open until 9pm!]. I reserve Sisley's Radiant Glow Express Mask for when my skin is in a generally 'good' state and isn't calling for any specific treatment, as the results [a noticeably brighter complexion and reduced pigmentation] are instantly noticeable on a clear complexion. It's perfect for adding a burst of radiance and finesse, so I often use it before applying makeup. It not only infuses my skin with a brightness and vitality that transcends consequent makeup application [particularly beneficial if you're wearing a low coverage base] but leaves skin so soft and smooth that foundation application is rendered flawless.
What products have starred in your summer skincare regime?
