Skin Treasure

 
Is winter skin getting you down? (I am nodding). Tried everything?? (Uh huh!). Tried serum, facial oil and moisture masks? (Still nodding). Well, of course all of these help, but I have found a treasure product that will perk up your skin in five seconds flat (or I will eat my own hat).

I have hidden my treasure away and almost don't want to share it, but I will. It is Radiant Immediate Lift by Sisley, which coats the skin with a pearly burst of moisture and luminosity. You'll your skin looking as if you've just had a few extra hours sleep. Lemon extracts tone and the prickly pear boosts your cell renewal. Super versatile, sheer and will do what it promises. Add before or after your makeup. This beauty gem is worth its price tag.

I am already guarding my treasure like Gollum. 
Sisley, Radiant Immediate Lift £123 from Harrods

Sharing My Food Secret

Having lunch in Soho is like a mini adventure. But I always relish the opportunity to visit my favourite cafe Food Secret. With the yummiest, scrummiest food, I always end up with something super healthy. Plus, the labels give you all the helpful stats of carbs vs proteins, fats, sugars and detailed ingredient breakdown. AND hardly anything costs over £5. YUM. 

Check out their website with helpful hints and tips on what to eat to look your best and fun recipes with unusual ingredients. 

Food Secret, Broadwick Street, London
 

Brighten Up

I am continuing to stage a boycott against the dullness and greyness of winter. I used to be sceptical of articles that promised to 'brighten your complexion' in one easy stroke, BUT, that was before I tried some of the products. Of course, some brightening products are basically shimmer. And unless I plan on looking like a spaceman who has just dipped her face in glitter, what I am looking for is 'that glow'. Not just shimmer.

 One of my absolute favourite brands, Omorovicza (who may as well be credited in the tag line for this blog, I love it that much) has a most wonderful Complexion Brightener. You can add it after your moisturiser (or use instead of) and before your foundation. Although it looks alarmingly white when you first pump it, it blends beautifully. The apricot seed oil will also help to protect and hydrate skin.

It will leave you with 'that glow'.

The first step though, is exfoliation. Omorovicza comes up trump again with Gentle Buffing Cleanser. The soft Diathomaceous earth exfoliating granules will slough away dead skin to reveal a brighter layer underneath.
 Finally, I have become quite addicted to Nettle Tea. It has a list of health-boosting properties. Plus, use it as a rinse for your hair to make it stronger and super-shiny. Trust me. You'll be glowing all over.
 
Omorovicza Complexion Brightener SPF20, £82
Omorovicza Gentle Buffing Cleanser, £43
Neal's Yard Nettle Tea, Cheap as chips

Sweet Kinetic Heat

I have been wanting to embrace the New Year with a sweet new signature scent. It's funny how a perfume can lift your mood, give you confidence and make you feel completely positive. I have found one that does all three.

Two words: Jimmy Choo. The empire is in no danger of winding down. Quite the contrary in fact. And far far from jumping on the fragrance bandwagon with a mediocre creation. this debut offering has legs. It starts off fresh and innocent with top notes of pear nectar and sweet Italian Orange. (It already sounds like a beautiful dessert from Patisserie Valierie). Then, the Tiger Orchid, and Indonesian Patchouli kick in. I strongly recommend to try it. And I defy anyone (albeit with a sweet tooth) to walk away not wanting it.

Jimmy Choo Fragrance, available from The Perfume Shop from 29 January, from £39.00

Treat After Treat

Tomorrow I am going to a spa. A really rare treat. And a really welcome one too. And, speaking of treats, I have extended my detox month to include some of my favourite 'treats'.

First, Bumble and Bumble Mending Masque is one of the best I have tried in a long time. My hair is so soft, it's starting to dangerously resemble dandelion spores. This could be a good thing and I can start to channel that 70s boho-flyaway-hair look.

Then for complexion, if you get one brightener to fit all, Oskia's Renaissance Mask is a hero product. It's super-thick (reassuringly so rather than sticky and gloopy) and has a mix of potent ingredients you don't want to mess with. Papaya Enzymes will exfoliate and boost cell renewal plus a vibrant mix of beauty-boosting goodies to revive tired skin.

BUT, best until last, my grandmother packed me off in Moscow with homemade strawberry jam. You don't get any more 'treat' than that and I feel rejuvenated with every spoonful. Is there such a thing as 'Homemade Jam Diet'?

Oskia Renaissance Mask, £48.50
Bumble and Bumble Mending Masque, £27.50

Avante Garden

If you, like me, have sensitive skin, this is the range for you. So I do have sensitive skin sometimes... ok, all the time, and I wish I could just use any old moisturiser, but I can't.

I recently saw a friend of mine who actually washes her face with a bar of soap. Not fancy soap neither. Just ordinary soap that probably costs less than £1. If I did that, my face would shrivel up like a prune.
So I take care. I have danced around the Darphin range for a while because I love the scents, ingredients, colours of the products. I finally tried Intral and it's the most delicious range. 

The Redness Relief Soothing Serum is a veil of calm for angry skin. Chamomile soothes and beautiful-sounding peony extracts protect. The Soothing Cream is a cacooning shield with Orchid extract and vitamin E to repair any damage.

You will find similarly beautiful ingredients in all of Darphin's products. Plus, they will single-handedly raise your bathroom beauty credentials. Must must must have.
 
Darphin, Intral Redness Relief Soothing Serum, £47.00
Darphin, Intral Soothing Cream, £37.00

The WOW-BROW

This January, I am sporting a 'wow-brow'. That means minimal makeup. A clean complexion. And accentuated brows. It's a look I have been wanting to try ever since Alexander Wang's models were spotted on the catwalks with flicked, heavy brows. Mine is of course a low-maintenance version. 

New CID's brow pencil is one of the best I've tried. Great colour, great blendability and THE best eyebrow comb. 

Even out your complexion with a creamy concealer. It's great for the laid-back, back-to-basics, low-yet-high-maintenance look. Trust me.

New CID i - conceal Brush on Fluid Concealer, £19.00

NEW CID i - groom, Eyebrow Grooming Pencil and Brush, £15.50

Tee-Total Dee-Tox

So they say that in January, resolutions are made and by February they are usually broken. I have decided I am not going to make any drastic promises to myself. It's the little things that count. My three resolutions are as follows:

- MOISTURISE: John Masters Organics range is one to watch this year. The Rose and Apricot Antioxidant Day Creme provides a nifty boost of antioxidants for the skin. The omega-6 will protect skin against harmful bacteria. Just the ticket for any city dweller.

- PROTECT: Although I am a total convert to Imedeen supplements, I am not regimented enough for any more supplements. However, for a flash of antioxidants, Perricone MD's Super Berry Powder with Acai is a super-strong concoction. My tip is to drink with fruit juice rather than water. A portion of fruit and better taste. Win win.

- TREAT: I must admit: I am a total face mask addict. It's a fact. However, I don't remember trying something so radically different as Malin+Goetz's Detox Face Mask. It feels like a super-creamy shaving foam (unusual, I know) but your thirsty skin will thank you for it. It will clean pores, moisturise and heal skin all in one. It is literally a detox for your skin. Investment time.

I think three new commandments should be manageable. And if they are, thou shalt be beautiful. 

John Masters Organics, Rose and Apricot Antioxidant Day Creme, £25.00
Perricone MD Super Berry Powder with Acai, £41.00
Malin+Goetz Detox Face Mask, £29.00

Russian Wonders

On my beauty adventures to local markets in Russia, I couldn’t help but reminisce about the lotions and potions from Communist days gone by. To my surprise, a lot of the classic brands were still on sale! The creams for feet, hands, face and ointments are sold in metal tubes, like old-fashioned toothpaste and are actually surprisingly good. I used to swear by a greasy cream that smelt like flowers, but was the only thing that soothed my dry skin.

But, rather interestingly, apart from the Garniers and the Loreals that dominate the beauty market no matter where you are in the world, Russia has some of its own beauty brands on the rise. I noticed Natura Siberica, which is an organic beauty brand made with Russian plants from Siberia. Natural and not expensive (£2 for a face-wash), I decided to try it. And love it I did. The only thing that stopped me from buying and trying the entire collection was luggage restriction. 

http://www.naturasiberica.ru/ 

 

Back From Russia, With Love

Phew! What a winter holiday that was. Russia on average was -15 and I experienced no less than five skin (and non-beauty related) emergencies. First my skin was totally flaking to shreds. Then my lips developed a crust thicker than the lunar surface. Finally, I diagnosed myself with the worst hat-hair I have ever seen, having to practically wear my hat even indoors.

However, I did start as I meant to go on. On the plane there, I armed myself with Caudalie's Eau de Beaute Elixir spray, trying desperately to keep my skin hydrated. I also always save up my sample sachets so that I can travel light on the plane. Finally, I was taming my hair with a comb-come bottle opener (from my grandmother's communist days. The Russians know you always need good hair and drink in-hand).

In Russia, I decided to try a new routine altogether. I had Rodial's Glamtox Serum. It is a beautiful texture, almost like a light oil, which helped to improve my skin tone in the harsh temperature changes. This was followed by Aromatherapy Associates Triple Rose Renewing Moisturiser, with the power of three different roses: Moroccan, Turkish and Bulgarian. Roses (after diamonds) are a girl's best friend. And you can never have too many.

I am glad to be back on less snowy shores and my skin can't thank me enough.

Caudalie's Eau de Beaute Elixir, £32.00
Aromatherapy Associates Triple Rose Renewing Moisturiser, £49.00
Rodial's Glamtox Serum, £60.00