favourite face masks

Who doesn’t love a good face mask?? Everyone loves a face mask (even my husband). Fact. Sales of prestige face masks in the US are actually up by a whopping 60% (+11% in the UK) - people are looking for that do-all wonder-fix and masks promise to breathe new life in to tired, lacklustre, dry or damaged skin. You name the concern, there’s sure to be a mask that promises to fix it.

I wanted to share my 3 favourite masks, which I have written before (from the archives) but I still adore them and repurchase even years later.

1.       For a quick fix, you just cannot beat Sisley Radiant Glow Express Mask (£73). It’s so easy. Apply to a clean face and let the red clay do its magic. Plus, it has a wonderful chamomile extracts that will also calm angry skin – I have used it when I have had eczema on my face and it reduced the redness. The best thing is that you only need 3-5 minutes for this mask – it doesn’t dry cakey and leaves skin velvety soft. It’s pricey but worth the investment.

2.       For a moisture kick I LOVE Korres Yoghurt Moisturising Mask (€9.15). It smells heavenly, like sweet, rich honey blossom and thirsty skin will slurp up the luxuriously thick formula instantly. In the Mediterranean yoghurt has been used as a soothing and nourishing ingredient for the skin for generations  and in Russia, a certain version is used to soothe sunburn and enflamed skin. It’s a true bargain and an absolute staple.

3.       For cleansing I love and have been using Nude’s Deep Cleansing Mask (£38) for years. It is another clay-based (pink and white clay) mask but it doesn’t dry hard and chalky, which can leave the skin stripped of moisture. It’s actually full of omega oils and even shea butter, which is wonderful for a cleansing product. Plus, it has fine buriti seed shells to gently exfoliate at the same time. It’s a triple whammy.

What are your favourite masks? I love finding new products. 

Ask Me Why I'm Glowing

So the New Year has arrived. The Chinese year of the dragon. And with it, it brings change to Beauty Mole. The announcement here is that I am pregnant! An exciting start to the year and a definite change in my beauty routine. The little baby is due on July 7^th (subject to change) and has brought a whole host of interesting side effects with it already.

The first is that I have to moisturise my body more than ever. I must admit that I can be quite lazy with body moisturisers, even though I love it when I do. Of course the skin feels so much softer and if you have the right one it also smells amazing. Now, however, I am using oil. Bio Oil is a cult favourite and I am using it to keep stretch marks at bay from my expanding belly. However, I discovered that it’s also amazing for any skin ailment, especially dehydrated skin. Slather on to your face the night before you want to wash your hair and you will wake up to calmer skin in the morning guaranteed.

Then I am using Trilogy’s Aromatic Body Oil for everywhere else – with rosehips, rose and vanilla, the skin simply drinks it up after a shower.

Finally, as my ‘glow’ has not quote arrived, I am cheating with Sisley’s Radiant Glow Express Mask. This helps to bring out the rosiness in any complexion and the red clay will draw out any impurities.

So, now you can ask me why I’m glowing….
Bio Oil from all pharmacies - cheap as chips!! 
Trilogy Aromatic Body Oil, £16.50
Sisley Radiant Glow Express mask, £64.50 

Winter Scent-sation

Now that the nights are getting colder, the afternoons are getting darker and I have well and truly unpacked all my winter clothes: I am also doing the same for my perfume and makeup.
There is something about blustery wind of this yellow and orange season that also makes me want to wear more 'grown up' makeup and scents.
I am in the mood for more spicy scents, so my flowery, sweet perfumes from summer can have a rest for now. One of my front-runners is Sisley's Eau de Sisley 2, which is a sparkling, clean scent with cardamom, bergamot and basil. Water lily and rose add a feminine edge, but I love the 'leafiness' of this scent at this time of year.
And Neal's Yard debut fragrance is surprisingly elegant. Pure Essence Eau de Parfum No.1 Frankincense smells like a deliciously warm waft of spa. It's a deeper fragrance than Sisley's and heavier in its ingredients: frankincense, patchouli and pink pepper.
Both add a touch of warmth on a cold winter's day.
Sisley Eau de Sisley 2, £97.00
Neal's Yard Pure Essence Eau de Parfum No.1 Frankincense, £35.00

One Hell of a Skin Saver

I had professed my love of this product before already. But I will say it again: this product is a life saver. Say your skin is dull, it’s maybe even spotty – it’s basically upset that it’s winter and doesn’t like the wind and rain. In comes Sisley’s Gentle Buffing Cream, which much like a hero swinging from a chandelier will sort out all your skin woes in one easy swoop.

First, you massage on to dry skin, thereby starting the gentle exfoliating process. Then, you leave to dry on your face, like a mask, and afterwards, scrub off gently. Honestly, it’s like little fairies have been giving you a facial all the while. I really like to then slather on lots of serum and moisturiser, which sinks in immediately. I also love to then stroke my face and marvel at my baby-soft skin.

Sisley Gentle Buffing Cream, £50 from Harrods

The Facial Love of My Life

In your life, you have probably had a facial or two. And like dates, you know when you have had one that is REALLY special. That is how I felt when I had the Sisley Facial in Harrods a few weeks ago. And I feel that my skin is still reaping the rewards…

I was so relaxed under that big duvet that I could have fallen asleep whilst the lovely beautician massaged my face, arms and even feet! At a time when with all the travels, I really felt that I needed that boost, Sisley has always been my go-to for beauty rescue remedies.

I especially fell head over heels for the Gentle Buffing Cream. This product deserves a standing ovation. It is applied like an exfoliating cream, however, it is then left on the face until it is bone dry and you then rubbed off to reveal brighter, smoother looking skin. Genius. Then the Flower Gel Mask will lock in the moisture and rejuvinate the skin in only 5 minutes. I love that.

The bottom line is: it made me love Sisley even more than before, if that’s even possible.  

Take your pick, you can’t go wrong. From £100.

Liner Super Star

Having reported on how much I loved the Sisley Khol Star pencils at the airport Duty Free a couple of weeks ago, you can imagine my excitement when the said pencils landed in the Beauty Mole studios this week.

For anyone who is a fan of a lined eye, I would solidly recommend these pencils. They are worth the splashout. They are soft and blendible and contain a hint of sparkle (just enough for day time) to jazz up the eye. Plus, they come with a little Swarovski cyrstal on the tip and their very own little velvet pouch. Imagine that touch up on a night out.

I am now sparkly eyed and bushy tailed. Picture here are my favourites Black Diamond and Sparkling Bronze.

Sisley Phyto Khol Star Eye Pencil, £29.50

Duty Free Style-ee

Whenever I am at the airport, of course, like any girl probably, I savour my time in Duty Free. I always look forward to flying from Heathrow, though, because they have Cocoon - which is a beauty mecca of some of my favourite brands.

Today, I made a beeline to Sisley, as I always think of them for summer makeup. I fell in love withe their Phyto-Khol Star sparkly eye crayons in Purple, Blue and Green that I know would create the most amazing sultry eye post-beach bar-hopping.
I also loved their Rouge à Lèvres Lipsticks in L15 (shimmery pink, 80s frost) and L9 (creamy creamy candy pink).
With the crayons and lipsticks, and perfect skin after a holiday, this is summer in the bag. And I wouldn't even have to get any liquids past security.

Summer Treats

I couldnt be happier that the sun is finally shining (regularly). Or not in today's case. I often joke that I must be a reptile because I need the warm weather to survive. For true summer skin, I think you need radiance. When time is of the essence, I just think Sisley's Radiant Glow Express mask is the best hands down. The colour from the red clay is so luminous I almost don't want to wash it off. Luckily, it leaves the skin not only soft, but keeps its promise of the glow.

Plus, how can I start summer without a new fragrance obsession. Versace Vanitas is my latest bit of glam. Flowery enough, it doesn't smell of grandmother's cardigans. It has a hit of cedar wood and tonka bean for sensual edge.

Versace Vanitas, £80 for 100ml
Sisley Radiant Glow Express mask, £64.50

Flower Addiction

I think I have become obsessed with flowers. I need a conservatory. A simple jog turns in to a flower expedition, as I have to smell each rose bush. And in supermarkets, I am like a flower fiend too. i am running out of pots and vases.

This is the season for roses and many other early summer blooms. And now that the weather is getting warmer, my previous moisturiser is starting to feel too heavy. So step in Sisley's Ecological Compound, an extremely versatile product - its light texture means you can use it as a moisturiser on its own, or as a serum, plus it helps to protect skin against environmental pollution.

But my favourite part is it's full of botanical goodness (Rosemary, Ginseng and hops) and smells like a bouquet of field flowers. So it goes some way to ease my flower addiction.

Sisley's Ecological Compound, £125 from Harrods or other excellent Department Stores.

Glowing Glowing Glow

Phew! I can breathe a sigh of relief that my travels of the UK for now are almost over. However, I have Athens and Istanbul to look forward to next. So, whilst I try to travel light, my beauty products inevitably end up being the heaviest part of my suitcase. I limited myself to one ’treat’-ment this time round and opted for Sisley’s Radiant Glow Express Mask. I knew that I would be short on time, so I could slather this on while I had a cup of tea and waited for the shower to heat up. I had a lot of people telling me I looked ‘fresh’ this week, despite having less than 6 hours sleep each night. That’s the Rosemary and Chamomile, with Red Clay working hard to deep-cleanse my skin and leaving it looking looooom-in-ous.



I think I will call it my radiant-suitcase-hero.
Sisley Radiant Glow Express Mask £64.50 from Harrods

And... RELAX

Although it now feels like spring is in the air (just my mood, not the weather), I am still having bouts of the winter blues from time to time. And moving flat at seven o’clock in the morning doesn’t help. And finally, trying to be more organised with booking my summer holiday has left me feeling more frazzled than on top of things. I am finding myself reaching for two products to soothe me.

Sisley’s Hydra Flash Formula Intensive is just perfect for pepping up the skin. I can almost notice the colour coming back to my cheeks when I pat this on - Rosewood Oil and Marjoram stimulate the skin. It smells so gorgeous and the consistency is just the right side of rich. You can use as an intensive mask for hydration boost too.

To relax (and celebrate my new flat’s bathtub) I am indulging in Aromatherapy Associates aptly named Relax Body Wash. It is like spring in a bottle; heady, floral, rich. Yum. Can someone run me a bath right now? I need me some relaxation time!

Aromatherapy Associates Relax Body Wash, £21.50
Sisley’s Hydra Flash Formula Intensive, £104.00

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

Party Disco Party

I am ready to party. Having come to terms that it IS actually December, the time of the year to party has now arrived.

I have always been more of an eyes person than lips. This year, after harping on about my Intergalactic Beauty trend, I will be rocking silver-sheen smokey eyes. It is a futuristic take on a classic. I think Sisley’s Phyto Star Eyes palette will do the trick. Each shade has a touch of shimmer giving the eyelids a glossy sheen.  The Silver Moon and Black Star also lend themselves very nicely to my outer-space theme.

I will also be spritzing a generous dose of Lolita Lempicka’s classic Si Lolita fragrance. I love the spiciness of this one. It’s all Pink Peppercorns and amber. Girly yet sexy. Young yet classic. You get the drift… 

Party on.