A Little Help...

I have been a fan of Shiffa for a while. Theirs are products whose ingredients literally sound good enough to eat. One of my biggest enemies at the moment is the potential of stretch marks rearing their ugly head, but Shiffa's founder Dr Lamees Hamdan actually developed her own concoction of pregnancy oil during her own pregnancy. It features, amongst others, macadamia, apricot, avocado, evening primrose and Mandarin oils that come together in one sweet, delicious smelling fits-all pregnancy oil. It's reassuringly rich, heady and totally soothing. Finally, waking up to a red and blotchy face is about as far from the pregnancy glow I was expecting. Shiffa's Tamanu moisturising cream is very healing and calming for angry red skin. Calendula will help to protect too. 

Anything to help me get my glow on.

Shiffa Pregnancy Body Oil £52

Shiffa Tamanu Moisturising Cream £74

Purify My Love

I have always wanted to make my home warm, cozy and inviting. In other words, a haven from the weather outside. One of my indulgences is scented candles. A good quality scented candle is worth its weight in gold.

I know Muji does nice colourful ones under £5, however, like cheap chocolate, after a couple of bites it's too sweet and sickly. So a luxurious candle is a worthy investment. On a trip to New York some years ago, my friend gave me a beautiful candle for my birthday that lasted for months. And every time I sniffed it, it reminded me of the little boutique she used to work in and my summer in the city. Ever since then, I have wanted to have at least one luxury candle at hand.

One of my favourite organic brands, Shiffa from Dubai has a gorgeous selection of candles. The Purifying Gem Stone candle is scented with orange flower, grapefruit and lily, designed to lift your mood, yet create an atmosphere of calm serenity. I just heard thunder outside, so that would be just perfect.

Shiffa Purifying Gem Stone, £31

New Winter (Beauty) Wardrobe

This autumn, if you want to make a fast and dramatic change to the appearance of your skin, a new beauty regime is the answer.


Decleor's AROMESSENCE™ ROSE D’ORIENT Soothing Serum is a wonderful all-rounder. It will help calm any breakouts and restore softness back to sensitive skin. While Dermalogica's Skin Smoothing Cream with its velvety-mixture of botanicals and extracts of Cucumber and Arnica will soothe and hydrate.

A good cleanser is a sure-fire way to a brighter skin and ultimately this season's most persistent trend: a perfect complexion. Liz Earle's Cleanse and Polish Hot Cloth Cleanser is a classic for a reason. Containing Rosemary and Eucalyptus for purifying and brightening, it is gentle enough to use every day. For an extra moisture-kick and an all-together super-deep cleanse, I have written about Omorovicza's Thermal Cleansing Balm before and it works wonders. Its high mineral contents from the Hungarian Moor Mud act as a magnet for impurities leaving the skin with almost an iridescent quality.

For bright eyes, I just can't get enough of Shiffa's Rejuvinating Eye Remedy. It is a one-stop-shop for puffy bags and dehydrated delicate under-eye skin.
 
Lisa Hoffman's collection of pulse point oils called Variations is divine. Each set comes with four roller-ball oils, of which the French Clary Sage Evening scent is the most sensuous and feminine.
Update your beauty wardrobe as you update your fashion wardrobe to keep your skin in check.

Liz Earle Cleanse and Polish Hot Cloth Cleanser, from £7.50
Decleor AROMESSENCE™ ROSE D’ORIENT, £42.00
Omorovicza Thermal Cleansing Balm, £45.00
Dermalogica Skin Smoothing Cream, £28.00
Shiffa Rejuvinating Eye Remedy, $88.00
Lisa Hoffman Variations French Clary Sage, $95.00

Jeepers Peepers

I have been in a search for a good eye cream for a long time. My obsession developed ever since I heard about a colleague at work who applies eye cream several times a day. And his skin is a-m-a-zing.

I tried eye gels. I tried heavy creams. I tried mixing a little Vitamin E oil for extra hydration, but I found my eyes rebelling against me. My obsession grew when I went on my summer holiday where I applied a mint-infused cooling eye gel on the beach, but it didn’t really cut the mustard where real hydration was concerned. My eyes were more tired than I was.

I really wanted to keep it natural. The skin around your eyes is the most delicate skin on your body after all. I was very hopeful when I found Shiffa. This is a beautiful range of organic skincare from Dubai inspired by Ancient Arabia. The word ‘Shiffa’ actually means ‘healing’ in Arabic. I have a huge passion for natural products that can actually deliver on their promises. Shiffa’s Rejuvenating Eye Remedy did just that. Containing carrot oil to tone and revitalise, green tea to protect and aloe for moisture, it was rich, powerful and beautifully packaged. Everything I would want from any beauty product. I’m hooked.

 
Shiffa Rejuvenating Eye Remedy , £56.00