skin

I feel like face masks need a new PR. Sure, they’re having a bit of a moment right now, because what else is there to do? But, all too often they get put into the fun but frivolous category of skincare, along with cooling eye masks and scented body mists.  We tend to focus both our energy and spending power on heavy-hitters like active-packed serums and decadent night creams. So, consider this the beginning of my campaign for treating face masks with a little more respect.  First of all, we’re talking 20 minutes for results here. Not weeks and weeks of testing and trying. Sure, the results aren’t as long-lasting as an entire suite of skincare, but adding a powerful mask into your routine has plenty of benefits.  You Deserve to Make Money Even When you ...

You’d be right in assuming that makeup wipes really have no place in any beauty aficionado’s routine. Despite the fact that their throwaway nature has the potential to drastically damage the planet, they can also prove detrimental to the condition of your skin. “Most cleansing wipes contain detergent-like chemicals and harsh alcohols that strip away the natural pH balance of the skin. These ingredients can cause irritation and leave the skin dry, dehydrated and sensitive,” reveals celebrity facialist Lisa Harris. At this point, you might be questioning just how serious the dryness can really be. However, it turns out it’s not just the harsh chemicals that can cause the skin to age. Harris goes on, “Wipes don’t cleanse the skin properly and instead spread bacteria around the face, whic...

For those of you who have been diligently applying hand sanitiser for years, you’re probably feeling pretty smug right now—especially considering all of the eye-rolls you encountered every time you took out your prized bottle before a meal. Well, as this is our new normal, we all need to get on board and befriend the not-so-humble-anymore hand sanitiser. There are obviously two camps of sanitiser: the usual medical-scented ones and the more luxe versions.  With frequent use, the strong alcohol scent can often seem a bit harsh, so we’ve done the legwork for you to find the best hand sanitisers that also smell pretty nice. Reminder: It’s recommended to go for an alcohol-based hand sanitiser that has at least 60% alcohol content, so keep an eye out for th...

For those of you who have been diligently applying hand sanitiser for years, you’re probably feeling pretty smug right now—especially considering all of the eye-rolls you encountered every time you took out your prized bottle before a meal. Well, as this is our new normal, we all need to get on board and befriend the not-so-humble-anymore hand sanitiser. There are obviously two camps of sanitiser: the usual medical-scented ones and the more luxe versions.  With frequent use, the strong alcohol scent can often seem a bit harsh, so we’ve done the legwork for you to find the best hand sanitisers that also smell pretty nice. Reminder: It’s recommended to go for an alcohol-based hand sanitiser that has at least 60% alcohol content, so keep an eye out for th...

I often wish that I was a teenager during this time. Don’t get me wrong, I adored the nineties but I didn’t love the skincare choices that I had. My Saturday job only allowed for drugstore buys and let’s face it, the options were nowhere near what they are today. I grew up with pore strips, harsh cleansers and scented everything, so whenever I see an affordable skincare brand that actually works, I get really excited.  Skincare By Beauty Bay, the sell-out range that only a few lucky ones managed to stuff into their baskets, is back after a little break. There’s new products in the range and they are seriously good.  My inner thirteen year old was rolling her eyes and thinking about how much of a game-changer this would have been. But, alas, my cu...

Every beauty editor has a stash. The varying factors are the level of organisation, location and size of said stash. But we all have one. It’s filled with the almost daily drops of samples that we receive to write about and review, the beauty products that we actually buy and the ones that our well-meaning aunts still insist on getting us for Christmas.  We’re all very aware of the privileged position we’re in and have many strategies in place to make sure products are never wasted. One being a ban on any newbies until I’ve made my way through most of what I have. So as lockdown started and I wasn’t near any of my friend’s or family member’s faces to slather them in moisturisers, I hit pause on writing and sampling and deci...

This week, the government finally announced that salons can reopen and that they are allowed to offer manicures and pedicures once more. Frankly, I couldn’t be more overjoyed. Months of neglect has left my nails looking seriously worse for wear and there’s no doubt that they could benefit from some professional pruning. And, while I am certainly itching to get back to the nail bar and have book in for some chic nail art, it’s actually the prospect of a pedicure that has me most excited. As outdoor activities and general socialising are becoming a more regular part of my life, and I’m slipping on my summer sandals more and more, it’s becoming increasingly difficult to ignore the state of my feet. You see, whereas the lead up to summer would usually involve a trip to the salon for ...

For those of you who have been diligently applying hand sanitiser for years, you’re probably feeling pretty smug right now—especially considering all of the eye-rolls you encountered every time you took out your prized bottle before a meal. Well, as this is our new normal, we all need to get on board and befriend the not-so-humble-anymore hand sanitiser. There are obviously two camps of sanitiser: the usual medical-scented ones and the more luxe versions.  With frequent use, the strong alcohol scent can often seem a bit harsh, so we’ve done the legwork for you to find the best hand sanitisers that also smell pretty nice. Reminder: It’s recommended to go for an alcohol-based hand sanitiser that has at least 60% alcohol content, so keep an eye out for th...

While I’ve always trusted my French contemporaries to inform my wardrobe wares, it’s only recently that I’ve really started to take note of the beauty products they use, too. Surely their trademark glowing skin and barely there (but beautiful) makeup isn’t all down to genetics, right? After dedicating the last few months to road-testing French beauty products, I’m all in. From lightweight serums to sensitive but high-performing cleansers, items on my bathroom shelf are becoming more Gallic by the day.  Continuing my quest to discover the best French beauty products and create their flawless looks for myself, I consulted five of the chicest French influencers I know to find out which beauty buys they personally swear by. Scroll below to see what ...

So why do I love the serum? Let me count thy ways. First, the texture: it has a lightweight, milky feel that glides on very easily. It really wakes up my skin instantly, especially when my face looks as tired as I feel. It makes my face look glowy, fresh and more even. Over time, it also helps brighten my post-acne marks, which is what I originally sought out the product for. Be patient with results, though, as the marks won’t fade right away. The serum’s ingredient that helps with dark spots is called viniferine, which is derived from grapes. Last but not least, it basically doubles as a moisturiser for my oily/combination skin. If you have dryer skin, you’ll probably want to add a heavier moisturiser, but I have felt that it’s great on its own for me. Without...

There’s nothing that gives us more glee than all of the best, most sought-after beauty products strategically grouped together to deliver a truly foolproof shopping experience (especially right now when IRL beauty shopping is a thing of the past). As if answering our prayers, Net-a-Porter did just that. Say hello to the retailer’s annual Beauty Hall of Fame—a drool-inducing edit highlighting a crème-de-la-crème assortment of skin, makeup, hair, body and fragrance heroes carefully chosen to represent the brand’s curated vault of beauty must-haves. NAP explains that its Hall of Fame comprises the most trustworthy products that will stand the test of time and satisfy even the nitpickiest and most discerning beauty consumers. ‘There ar...

When it comes to my nails, I always play it safe. I have two colourways of choice and I’ve not dabbled in any nail art. Call me boring but I’m a minimalist at heart. However, there’s only so much baking I can do, so in an effort to find a new lockdown hobby, I’ve been dabbling in minimal nail art.  I thought I’d start off slow by baby-stepping my way into the world of nail artistry. Not too sure if I should call it artistry at this point, but I tried. I also wanted some new styles to cut out and keep for when I book in for my post-lockdown manicure. Sometimes, it’s best to leave it to the professionals. If you’re like me and have an aversion to wild styles gracing your fingernails, then keep scrolling for all the minimal nail art ins...