A French Classic

The stress of all these city breaks I keep subjecting myself to is now again wreaking havoc on my skin. But having been in Paris recently, I rekindled my love affair with Darphin.

There is something so beautifully chic about this golden oldie.

The Aromatic Purifying Balm is fantastic at restoring a frazzled complexion overnight. It smells devine and I am a total sucker for anything that is a)rich b) smells amazing and c) works. This one ticks all three boxes.
The anti-fatigue eye gel is a real saviour for flights/trains/automobiles. Any any mornings-after-the-night-before.

Darphin has such a rich history (invented the first serum 53 years ago!) that you can't help but trust their expertise.

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 

Puffed Up (Not Anymore)

My favourite film line of all time comes from the original 1966 Alfie film with Michael Caine. He walks in to a pub and his chum tells him, "You looked puffed up." Poor Michael Caine, or Alfie rather, starts pinching himself at the sides with disbelief that he might have put on weight. "Yeah, you look puffed up, sort of poncified," the friend continued. I laughed until I cried. And still remember Michael Caine's shocked face.

Recently though, my eyes have been feeling 'puffed up and poncifed'. In the mornings more specifically. However, my favourite eye-depuffer-extraordiannre, aka REN Active 7 Radiant Eye Maintenance Gel has been working wonders. It packs my bags and sends them off to Timbuktu. And I'm not putting in a claim for lost luggage.
REN Active 7 Radiant Eye Maintenance Gel £18.00