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

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

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
 

A Russian Winter

Beauty Mole will be travelling to Russia for Christmas and New Year! I am however trialling some amazing new products and will report back in January. The conditions are perfect. Sun, snow and wind chill factor.

Shine On

 

I am in high spirits at the moment. You know, the usual, pretending to plan party makeup, but actually just wearing the party makeup too early and looking very glittery even during the day. That's the way I roll.

I am indeed like a magpie and appreciate all things shiny, sparkly and both shiny and sparkly at the same time. Much to my boyfriend's disdain, who is an ardent minimalist, I try and incorporate sparkles as often as I can. 

 

Therefore, it's probably no surprise that I fell head over heels for bareMinerals High Shine Eyecolors. They promise smooth, lasting and oh-so-blendable colour and they deliver. Just enough sparkle (to get away with)for day and more than enough shine for night.
I would apply with a brush to ensure no drop off. 

 

Shine on. 

 

High Shine Eyecolors, £14 at bareMinerals counters nationwide

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