skin

If there is one thing I have learned in my time as a beauty editor, it is this: A great formula does not a successful beauty product make. It’s painful to admit, but believe me when I say that the secret to a successful beauty launch is rarely down to whether or not the product actually works. Once upon a time, the success of a beauty launch was dependent on huge advertising budgets and maybe just a little bit on how good the formula was. Now, however, things are even shallower. In a world where social media runs the game, aesthetics come first, and it is with that shift that my job as a beauty editor has also changed.  Whereas it was once the role of a beauty editor to spread the news and wax lyrical about new launches, now with the power of social media, the job of pr...

The truth is making sure that you are applying the correct sun cream in the correct way is absolutely crucial in ensuring sun safety. “From March to October, UV levels are at their highest. I would recommend applying sunscreen to any exposed skin 15 minutes before you head outdoors,” advises consultant dermatologist Justine Kluk. “It is possible to burn, tan and sustain sun damage that increases your risks of skin cancer and premature ageing from just 15 minutes of casual sun exposure without the right protection.” And this is where the issue lies. In reality, very few people do apply sun cream correctly, and thus expose themselves to damage. “Many people make the mistake of thinking that their makeup contains SPF, so they don’t need to wear a separate sun protection product, but...

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 d...

When I finally asked Lotte what foundation she used (it only took me over a decade), I wasn’t expecting it to be a No7 product. So what is it about this foundation in particular that Lotte loves? She told me that while she can’t remember how she discovered it, when she went into a shop to be shade-matched, she was pleasantly surprised they had a shade pale enough for her. She went on to tell me that part of the reason she’s so obsessed with it is down to the coverage. It’s not too heavy and still allows her skin to shine through. She uses three pumps daily and blends it into her skin using a Beautyblender. The result? A super-even, fresh finish. Lotte says, “If I had a pound for every time someone had mentioned how great my skin looked and what found...

And I can vouch for it. Over the past week or so, I have been using Magic Serum every single day before applying my makeup, and honestly, it’s all I ever wanted. It delivers the perfecting qualities of Magic Cream (glowing hydration, refined pores, smoothed texture), just without the threat of oily breakouts. My only niggle? Much like the original Magic Cream, I’m still not entirely sure how it fits into an evening routine. While the brand recommends application both morning and night, a quick glance over the ingredient list leaves me conflicted. Sure, both products are jam-packed with skin-loving goodness, but they also contain perfecting ingredients that could be potentially pore-clogging and are largely unnecessary for pre-bed application. However, if you’re willing...

When I lived in New York City, every trip I made to come back to England involved a suitcase filled with bagels, Oreos and Glossier. While there’s definitely been some questionable Oreo flavours, I’ve never met a Glossier product that I’ve not liked.  They recently launched their Priming Moisturizer Balance, to add to the other pair in the moisturiser family. The OG that is the Priming Moisturizer and the super luxe big sister, Priming Moisturizer Rich.  So let’s talk balance. I didn’t think I needed this one as the other two are staples in my routine. I use the original on days when I want a light base and I use the rich one, when my skin is feeling dry and deprived of dewiness.  Glossier’s Priming Moisturizer Balance is slated to wo...

Its secret ingredient is Estée Lauder’s ChronoluxCB Technology, which promotes the skin’s natural nightly repair process for healthier, more youthful-looking skin come morning. The foundation of this serum, however, is beauty’s super ingredient, hyaluronic acid. In fact, it’s full of the stuff. So while the ChronoluxCB Technology works on renewal and helps to counteract the signs of ageing, the HA helps to restore moisture and plump, resulting in a smoother, more hydrated and radiant complexion. The proof, as they say, is very much in the pudding when it comes to this stuff. As someone who has very sensitive skin (I just have to look at a bottle of glycolic acid for my face to start burning up), Advanced Night Repair has been my saviour. It doesn’t smell fancy, it doesn’t feel l...

“Benjamin Buttoning.” Ageing backwards. Stopping time. If there’s one effect or buzzword that elicits the same visceral reaction from beauty editors, skincare experts and customers alike, it’s anything with the term anti-ageing in it. The truth of the matter is this: There’s no miracle cream, gel, serum or treatment that has the power to actually reverse or halt the signs of ageing on the skin. (Sorry, it just doesn’t exist.) That said, there are a small number of products that come pretty close, and we’re about to share an edit of them below. Per a roster of celebrity makeup artists—Emily Cheng, Naoko Scintu and Emma White Turle—we’re uncovering a curated selection of the best anti-ageing moisturisers. The keyword he...

Working in the beauty industry definitely has its perks. Not only is it an industry full of amazingly creative and inspirational women and men, but it’s also incredibly fun. Although we might not get to sit and play with lipstick and serums all day, it is a big part of the job. Which brings me to perhaps one of the most obvious perks, free products. And while being sent all of the latest beauty products is without a doubt a blessing, it does come with its issues. The main one being storage.  You see, the number of new beauty products that launch every single week is a bit overwhelming, and quite frankly, it’s all too easy to end up having more products than you do space (and face). It wasn’t until I started to have a spring clean of my own collection a couple of we...

More recently, as I have found my stress levels rising and my mind and soul have demanded more “me” time than ever before, I have found myself reaching for my most-coveted smellies almost daily. I find that not only do they help bring some delight to otherwise mundane tasks (like scrubbing your entire body), but the scents themselves also help to evoke a feeling of calm and clarity.  And yes, there is some science behind why great-smelling beauty products make us feel good (it’s all to do with aromatherapy and hormones), but frankly, right now, I don’t think it matters. If one divinely scented product is enough to put a smile on your face and help you get through the day, then I say go for it. Luckily, though, to save any mishaps (or irritation-induced ras...

ExfoliKate by skincare guru Kate Somerville is clinically formulated to exfoliate and polish skin, revealing a smooth and glowing complexion. By clearing away dead skin cells, this product preps skin to better absorb the rest of the products in your regimen, making every ingredient that you apply next much more effective. Friendly key ingredients such as papaya, pineapple, and pumpkin enzymes help to avoid overdrying the skin. Plus a pop of honey and vitamin E smooths and softens. What’s better, it’s safe and effective for exfoliation at home, which we love! You Deserve to Make Money Even When you are looking for Dates Online. So we reimagined what a dating should be. It begins with giving you back power. Get to meet Beautiful people, chat and make money in the process. Earn re...

It often takes a minute for beauty to catch up with conversations that have been circling in social media communities. Skin-acceptance and skin-positivity movements have been making their way around for a while, but no brand has really been able to capture that in an authentic way. Yes, unretouched photographs of models are a huge deal, but this authenticity needs to follow through in all areas of the brand. I’m talking everything from prices to how they’re engaging with their audience. Enter Skin Proud with its call to have us all embracing our skin. Not just one type of skin, either, as the brand has made it a priority to make the products and language it uses as inclusive as possible. Not a single person or skin type will be left behind, and in an in...