For me, autumn is in many ways the clean slate of the calendar, a time for fresh starts in almost every aspect of life, so more than appropriate an occasion for a skincare reboot. Likewise, it goes without saying that a change in seasons goes hand-in-hand with a ritual skincare edit; and the summer-autumn transition brings with it a sudden change in climate that calls for appropriate skincare tweaks.
Read MoreFirstly, apologies for the brief blogging hiatus; moving back to the city presented a serious case of 'hitting the ground running' and in order to keep on top of work, study, and life in general, writing was forced to take the brunt of the blow. This month's stand-out products were easy to establish - those that were not relinquished to a stack of cardboard boxes, but remained at my side throughout the drawn out process of my moving mayhem.
Read MoreArguably the most delicate [and therefore easily damaged] area of the skin, the under-eye area is one of the first to reveal our sins when things take a turn for the worse. Dehydration, lack of sleep, stress, anaemia, [and even hereditary factors] all play a role in contributing to the notorious dark circles we are all plagued with, albeit to varying degrees. Whilst my own are far from severe, I do find that a little coverage goes a long way in ensuring a flawless complexion, serving to brighten the eyes and consummating any base look. The cure to those 'little dark circles' encompasses both the science of skincare and the art of makeup in order to ensure that darkness is reduced from inside and out.
Read More'Glow' is the undisputed beauty buzzword of the season, with everything from foundation to toner promising to infuse skin with radiance and dewiness. Enter masking, where recent launches [notably the Origins mask immediately below - the inspiration for this feature] prove that masks are no longer simply divided between just two camps [moisturising and cleansing]. Instead, thanks to innovative formulas and high-tech ingredients, we can now anticipate bright, dewy, and healthy skin in a matter of moments. For, in order to achieve truly radiant skin, we need to go that extra step further than simply a basic skincare routine. Face masks may appear to be the one-stop wonders of the skincare world, but when used on a frequent and regular basis, will make all the difference in boosting your skin to next level luminosity.
Read MoreSummer's beauty products have a lot to live up to; from withstanding the rigours of travel to countering the effects of heat and fatigue, the products that prove their prowess are as much lifetime winners as they are seasonal ones. Having spent the first half of the month travelling in 30+ degree temperatures, and the second suffering a summer cold with a discernibly dull and grey vista from my window, these products have more than proven their versatility in meeting every requirement upon the season's agenda.
Read MoreAs a long-term advocate of putting skincare before makeup, I've always had a soft spot for virtuous makeup products. We spend so long focussing on ensuring that our skincare regime is perfectly suited to our complexions and is packed with all of the right ingredients, before throwing it all to pot and slathering our faces with makeup that is more often than not packed with nasties. I'm especially fussy when it comes to base makeup; in my experience, a good foundation [much like a good cleanser] is worth investing in. It's the one product we wear longest, on such a regular basis, and in such close proximity to our skin that we really ought to pay more attention to its formulation.
Read MoreI'll warrant that little introduction is needed as concerns the much coveted Glossier beauty line; the brainchild of Into the Gloss' Emily Weiss, Glossier is a beauty brand with a difference. The aim of the game is fun-to-use beauty products with a wearability that translates into real life, 'skincare as makeup', products that help you to be be the best version of yourself, and not the photoshopped one.
Read MoreFashion chains' beauty ranges are notoriously hit and miss, but it's a little known fact that & Other Stories was originally conceived as a beauty only retailer, making it more than noteworthy in the eyes of any curious beauty enthusiast. Add to that the fact that the makeup and skincare collections were developed in conjunction with leading makeup artist Lisa Butler, and that Ben Gorham [founder of Byredo] formulates the brand's fragrance lines and even the sceptics will lend the brand a favourable eye. Another off-shoot from the H&M Group, & Other Stories is both a chic older sister to Monki and the cool younger sister of COS. Utterly modern and stylish, the Swedish influence is evident in every aspect of the brand's clean, minimalistic aesthetic.
Read More
