This is a post about certain beauty products I would buy in bulk if I could. Little fixes that I always stock up on whenever there’s a promotion. They work, and have changed my skin for the better.
It took me a few years to realise just how picky my skin could be. I never experienced acne as a teenager, but in my late twenties, it became a constant war, with visits to expensive dermatologists that served of very little, – not that I wouldn’t recommend going to one, I just didn’t find the right person to deal with my skin – years of scrubbing, using harsh chemicals and, ultimately, treating my skin really badly. It ended up being oily in some areas, yet extremely dry, dehydrated and flaky in others. With regards to what has worked in my case, it’s mostly down to gentle thorough cleansing, the right face cream and make up.
Lush has been a massive discovery to me. Angels on Bare Skin (Piel de Angel in the picture) is a fantastic cleanser I use twice daily with the hot cloth cleansing method (see Sali Hughes for this). It provides very gentle exfoliating, and cleanses without stripping your skin of very necessary oils. It smells like heaven: almond, lavender, chamomile. Then there’s Vanishing Cream, a light, über soft face cream with Witch Hazel extract (a natural antibacterial) and dashes of lavender, rose, grapeseed oil, honey and lindseed infusion. Both these products have done wonders for my skin, which at present, is perfectly clear and extremely healthy.
For when I need an extra pick-me up with my skin, I have Kiehl’s and it’s actually amazing Midnight Recovery Concentrate.
The first time I heard of this product I thought it was the result of an effective marketing campaign, and possibly a fad. However, even with the expensive pricetag (around €40 on my side) I decided to give it a go and Oh-My-Dior was I impressed. Every time I use it (after cleansing my skin, before applying my night cream) the morning after my skin looks plump and bright, as if I’ve slept for 10 hours. It’s basically beauty-sleep in a teeny weeny bottle. I only apply a couple of drops on my forehead, and around my eyes and cheeks. For me, it works, brilliantly.
With regards to make up, with my unruly and over-sensitive skin, most foundations would clog up my pores, and wearing anything for long hours became a no-no. That is until I came across bareMinerals.
Their Matte SPF15 Foundation agrees with my skin. It’s light, easy to apply – just make sure you invest in a good brush, specific for mineral powder -. If I feel like it, and need it for extra coverage, I grab my Mac concealer to camouflage any imperfections, and finish off with Mineral Veil also by bareMinerals.
Another miracle product comes in the form of a primer, by Urban Decay.
Their Eyeshadow Primer Potion comes in handy with my eye-liner addiction. I normally go for the original shade, and it’s simply brilliant. If I want eye make-up that stays in its place, all day, rain or shine, this is the product I go for.
Last but not least, my favourite lip balm, discovered via a goodie-bag, it has to be Carmex.
I would be lost without my daily dose of Carmex lip balm. Oh how many times have I ran through Gatwick airport in search of this little pot of subtle magic. It’s extremely pleasurable to wear. Works great when applied in a tiny amount (dab a tissue on your lips to remove excess) as a base for red lipstick.
And that’s it. These are the products I go back to, over and over. Tears will fall the day any of these go out of production, so I welcome any suggestions on your own favourites.
x
Pictures: Fashion Limbo
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