autumn beauty essentials

It has suddenly turned very cold here in London, which means that not only have the coats and scarves suddenly surfaced, but I have also had to dig out the skincare big guns. And it’s not all about fancy, expensive potions to protect against these unpredictable elements. Two days ago we had sheets of rain, wind and then blazing sunshine in one day. Yikes.

So, first of all and perhaps most importantly, I have amped up my cleanser to Eve Lom’s Morning Time Cleanser. If you are put off by strong, herby smelling products – this is not for you. If you also don’t like a buttery, balmy cleanser – this is also not for you. But my god, I love this. The smell reminds me a little of Elizabeth Arden’s 8 Hour Cream and consistency of Organic Pharmacy’s Carrot Butter Cleanser. It is a real wake-me-up for the skin and feels more than a little moisturising and toning for a cleanser thanks to a combination of Chamomile, Carrot Oil and Clove Oil. Purely indulgent.

Next: moisturiser. I think I have discovered my moisturiser soul mate. I am in love with Dr Organic’s Snail Gel Cream. Your first thought may be, erm WTF – snail gel???!! Yes, go with it. The power of snail’s slime has been proven to be a healer and is naturally high in collagen. The bottom line is: it feels ultra moisturising whilst not greasy. It tones. It is a grafter. A hard worker.

Finally, I love bareMinerals Primers, which act as a brilliant base for makeup. Even if it’s a little concealer over the top. And as a cherry on top, I am not usually one for fake tan as such, but this Faux Tan from bareMinerals adds a very subtle glow when mixed with moisturiser. I always get compliments when I wear this and my complexion looks more ‘healthy’. I wore it on my wedding day and how worn it looks is a testament to how much I love it. 

Autumn, I am ready. 

Eve Lom Morning Time Cleanser, £40
Dr Organic Snail Gel Cream, £19.99 from Holland and Barrett stores 
bareMinerals Prime Time Foundation Primer, £23

bareMinerals Faux Tan Face Gradual Glow Sunless Tanner, £18

Feeling Rusty

These colours are beautiful! I absolutely love pumpkins. Bring on Halloween!

Wild Nails

Following on the Autumn theme, my nails are really becoming a kaleidoscope of colour. Today, I have gone rusty with NARS's King Kong polish. Part of the new Vintage Nails collection, I love the connotation with the old-fangled beast from the 1930s. The juicy colour has just the right amount of sparkle. In other words it lives up to the glamour it eludes to.

NARS, King Kong Nail Polish, £13.00

PS: How amazing would this look with O.P.I's Bring on the Bling on top??

Blonde Nails

Inspired by the palette of the burnt-orange, golden yellow and red leaves now appearing on the ground, I have started to bring some of these colours in to my everyday beauty routine. Something that caught my eye recently is a fabulous mustard-colour Nail Varnish by Butter London called Bumster. Love the name. Love the colour.

Actually, not as yellow as it appears in the bottle, it settled more nude on the nails and I liked this understatement. I liked that you could almost be mistaken for not wearing colour at all, however, perhaps ironically, the colour is bound to catch your eye. I am calling it blonde nails and we all know blondes have more fun. 

Butter London, Bumster, £12

As a bonus, Butter London vrnishes are free of formaldehyde, toluene and DBP. So even nail varnishes can be a little more natural!

Autumn Watch Beauty

I actually found myself tuning in to Autumn Watch yesterday evening. Fact. I found it both hilariously entertaining and shocking at how seriously the presenters take themselves. But, I did however enjoy the wildcats and otters who were, of course, the stars of the show. To help me get to sleep after such excitement (!) I found myself reaching for Badger's Sleep Balm, which has a heady scent of organic lavender that you can rub on your pulse points and enjoy the wonderful scent of its mixture of essential oils.

Plus, as the colder weather does set it, I do tend to suffer from dry cuticles. This statement did inspire my friend to proclaim me a geek recently, but it's true. Badger's Cuticle Balm (which is also organic) works wonders and I have not been able to open the tin without someone commenting on its rich scent of lemongrass, which is intoxicating. Geeky or not, my cuticles are in a-plus condition. Naturally.

Badger Beauty Products
Buy Badger on HQ Hair

Honey I Shrunk My Pores

Now that I am seeing more and more red leaves on the trees, I am starting to truly embrace Autumn. I am drinking endless cups of lemon, ginger and honey with hot water, in my mind the most warming drink when it's cold outside.

Something that is just as sweet and comforting I've found, is Liz Earle's Deep Cleansing Mask with Manuka Honey and Green Clay. It's so gentle and the scent of the honey is overwhelmingly fresh. It actually smells like proper honey that I used to buy in Russia out of barrels when I was little.

This mask absorbs excess oils and can even be dabbed on to spots for an overnight treatment. But best of all, once you wash it off with the natural sponge, which naturally exfoliates, you're left with a flushed complexion as if you've just been for a brisk walk. A miracle worker, and I say amen to that. 

Liz Earle, Deep Cleansing Mask, £12.50 (translation: bargain!)