Building a Good Foundation

Whenever I ask a MUA to highlight the number one make-up sin, nine times out of 10 they say foundation – whether that’s the wrong colour or formulation for your skin type. The funny thing about foundation is, get it wrong and it slaps on 10 years, but get it right and you look radiant, youthful and fashionably flawless.

The ideal foundation should appear invisible, feel weightless and do amazing things for your complexion. Well, that ideal is seemingly only a squeeze away as cosmetic companies have raised their game in search for the no-foundation, foundation. Here are three that have recently come to my attention and seduced the skin:

Estee Lauder Invisible Fluid Makeup

I couldn’t quite believe this foundation when I initially tried it. It’s one I’ve been searching for since my beauty time has begun – 20 years ago! It’s no overstatement to say it is virtually invisible. Hailed as a new generation foundation, and developed with the understanding that women were now becoming ‘light-users’ of foundation, it’s a formulation that works with your natural undertones. Skin appears not dewy, but natural with a semi-matte finish. Before applying, give the bottle a darn good shake until the sound of beads disappear – this is the signal its been air emulsified, and apply with fingertips. Initially, I found it a bit watery, but I soon got used to the consistency, and in fact it’s the emulsion like texture that enables skin to look luminous.

Previewing at John Lewis from this month and nationwide in March. Costs £27

Clinique Stay-Matte Oil-Free Makeup

A liquid foundation targeted for oily skin, this is a great solution for anyone that suffers from overactive oil glands. Many foundations that are put into this troublesome skin category have trouble rising to the challenge of not feeling too heavy, along with giving the right amount of coverage. Not so with this one. Giving it to a friend who has oily pores, she reported favourably back on its lightweight formula with the power to debeam her shiny skin. Harbouring a patented technology to control oil and resist sweat, it’s mattifying to the touch, feels silky on the skin and helps keep your complexion looking perfectly in control.

Available nationwide from 4^th May. Costs £21.50   

Bourjois Healthy Mix Serum

This was launched end of last year, but I’ve only recently tried it. Raved about by make-up artists, it’s described as a ‘vitamin enhanced fruit therapy for the complexion’. Boasting three super fruits: lychee, goji and pomegranate, it sounds so nutritious I’m sure it could be passed off as one of your five a day! The fragrance is a little strong for my liking, but there’s no doubting its ability to improve the appearance of the skin. With light reflecting micro-pigments, the formula is easy to use with plenty of slip. Once applied, it gives skin an instant revitalising effect leaving the complexion looking like you’ve banked a few hours more sleep. And who doesn't want that? Plus, the more you use it, the more your skin accumulates a ravishing radiance.

Available from Boots, Superdrug and asos.com

RSVP Oui, Oui to the Bourjois Boutique

ILLUSTRATOR ZARINA LIEW WILL DROP BY AT THE BOURJOIS POP-UP BOUTIQUE

Fashionistas and mistresses of make-up listen up, as you won’t want to miss visiting this beauty emporium during the high energy buzz that is London Fashion Week.

Bourjois cordially invites you to its first pop-up boutique in Shoreditch – the heartbeat of cool culture between the 16^th and 20^th February. Bourjois will also play host on the small screen by bringing viewers up-to-date on what’s hot, hotter and hottest via backstage scenes at LWF for a new T4 programme.

More than just a dash-in-dash-out destination, the Bourjois Boutique (BB) will deliver a gift wrapped shopping experience. Their best selling cosmetics will be selling at purse happy prices – up to 65% off retail prices along with exclusive limited editions. A crack team of professional artists will be on hand to beautify compliments of Bourjois using on-message colours. Free hair styling and nail art services are on the menu too. Furthermore, you could walk away with an original sketch by talented fashion illustrator, Zarina Liew – showcased above. And in true oh la la Parisian style, savvy shoppers will be tempted with the daily arrival of melt-in-your-mouth macaroons whilst feasting their eyes on catwalk footage streamed from LFW SS12.  Goodie bags and daily prizes are also up for grabs. Nobody does shopping style as chic or civilised as the French!

Find The Bourjois Boutique at The Gallery, Beach Blanket Babylon, Shoreditch London E1 6LA.

For full details of opening times and schedule of services visit www.bourjois.co.uk

For Twitter updates follow bourjois_uk

CID for Make-up VIPS

NEW CID COSMETICS STUDIO GLAMOUR PALETTE

There’s nothing that really makes you understand a brand better than seeking out the creative team behind it. I’ve been lucky enough to catch up with Michael Phillips aka Mikey who is brand ambassador, international MUA and trainer for New CID Cosmetics.

MICHAEL PHILLIPS

With a list of make-up credits to his name, his a natural performer (you may have seen him on QVC) and collaborates  with Creative Director Rupert Kingston and brand founder Kelly Colman. Together they keep this brand fashion forward and on-trend with colours, ideas and formulations. Mike’s vision is to encourage women to become their own make-up artists.

Here he talks about relationship breaks through to career makes.

How did you become involved with New CID? I had a chance meeting with creative director Rupert Kingston. Rupert had seen some of my work and asked if I would be interested in working together? I've been obsessed ever since!

What was your big break? A big break for me was ending a four year relationship. I compromised my career on a daily basis. It was after leaving the relationship I gave 100 percent focus to my career, and for a long time I was working seven days a week on different jobs. I think hard work and drive have got me to where I am today.

What does the brand represent? I think the brand is so versatile and appeals to many women who are great at make-up, never wear it or just struggle with makeup. New CID delivers innovative packaging along with amazing pigments that helps take the complication out of makeup application. We want women to feel empowered and look and feel amazing!

What’s been your career highlight? There have been so many. Meeting Kylie, creating looks for London Fashion Week, presenting on QVC, the MTV Music Awards and working with beauty legends.

Favourite make-up discovery? It would have to be the way you can make someone feel. Having worked with lots of cancer patients and women who are in a bad place in their life, make-up instantly makes you feel better and look better. Make-up is power!

Your 5 favourite make-up picks from New CID and why?

1. i-primer, £27. No primer on the market even comes close! Silky, flawless, long-lasting, anti-ageing and works on pretty much every skin type. Primer is the secret to amazing looking make-up.
2. i-gel, £21.50. Obsessed doesn’t even cover it. The flexible texture I use as liner, and even as a lipstick if it’s for a show or a shoot.
3. i-glow £22.50. The hand baked highlighter is unbelievable on tips of cheeks, nose, cupid bow and the brow bones. Use as an eyeshadow too or on the body – just sweep across the collar bones. Baked products start life as a cream, so are soft and silky, giving radiance and glow to the skin.
4. i-gloss, £16. Unlike so many glosses these gel like formulations deliver great colour and really high shine without the stickiness. You can mix together or layer up for a 3D effect.
5. i-groom, £15.50. Before this product I would use an angled brush with a powder eyeshadow. But the universal shade of i-groom is buildable and natural. Plus, the chiselled edge allows you to create hair like strokes. Unbelievable!

i-glow

New CID is big on palettes. What’s your thinking behind them?

They have been put together in such a way to make it easier for women to make a selection. No crazy colours, colours that don’t work together, or you won’t end up using.

I’ve just been newly introduced to your lipsticks and they’re the creamiest, most comfortable lipstick I’ve worn. Plus colour lasts. What’s the secret? The lipsticks are amazing! They’re back to a more old-school formula with great colour pigments, moisturisation and feel. I love the colours and use them a lot on cheeks as a cream blush so you get more bang for you buck!

i-pout

Solve my dilemma: blush on the apples of the cheeks or high on the cheekbones? I would say 80% of the time it should be applied to the apples. It’s where you naturally flush and gives the face a real lift. Only on certain face shapes, such as more rounded would I apply it more on top of the cheek bones.

What’s new for SS12 in terms of formulations and colour?

This year sees exciting launches of:

* i-colour – a mousse like formula that reinvents cream eyeshadow. Outstanding colours and pigment with a waterproof formula, they’re really easy to blend or layer up. I’m dying to get my hands on these!

* i-illuminise - boasts a serum like texture – chose from pink or gold depending on your skin tone, mix with a foundation or concealer and apply to the tops of your cheek bones. It gives instant radiance and glow to the skin.

* i-polish - this is so exciting. A polish that look like you’ve had gels applied to the nail. Long wearing, great colour and did I mention it has a light on the brush?

Best ever make-up tip? Less is more and invest in make-up saviours, namely primer, concealer, brow pencil, mascara and bronzer. And you’re good to go.

You’re very active on Twitter. So, @MakeupbyMikey what do you enjoy about it? I’m all over it! I love the instant interaction with people, some of whom I will never meet. I have some really big names following me, which is flattering and it’s a great networking place.

Find New CID Cosmetics www.newcidcosmetics.com

Liz Earle's Swashbuckler of a Mask

With the continuous and rapid introduction of sophisticated, high-tech skin wizardry, some skin sleuths may view face masks as just a little old fashioned. And, let’s face it they’re hardly sexy. The Phantom of the Opera normally springs to mind when wearing one, but for me they are the cornerstone of a high performance skin regime, giving blockbuster results for a boosted skin. No facialist worth her cleansing cloth would skip one giving a treatment.

Masks come in different guises – brightening, soothing, detoxifying, hydrating… but my number one rule for all of them is, don’t be frugal and spread them on as thickly as butter! I have a ‘closet’ full of masks depending on my skin’s needs at the time – dry, oily, hormonal, out-of-whack, and once applied to freshly cleansed skin, they work wonders as I wallow in the bath for a good 15 minutes.

My favourite at the moment, Liz Earle’s Intensive Nourishing Treatment Mask I just had to skin share. It was recommended to me by make-up artist Jane Bradley who panders to the pores of Patsy Kensit, Leona Lewis and Stella McCartney to name but a few bright skinned lovelies. Problem shooting for parched and stressed skin; it’s what every skin shrink would recommend for a complexion in need of cocooning. Thick to apply, it’s a cocktail soothing of St John’s wort, comfrey, shea and borage. Remove with the muslin cloth included and skin looks like it’s had a yoga session. Really! And for those with skin really high-and-dry, it can be applied at night – it sinks in readily, and can be left on overnight. Any excess on fingertips apply to the backs of your hands.

Liz Earle Intensive Nourish Treatment Mask costs a very affordable £13.50 and is available from www.lizearle.com

L'Occitane Goes Cherry Picking

Succulent. Red. Tempting. Delicious. Ripe. L’Occitane are smart to launch their Cherry Princess limited edition collection in February. The month of true and romantic love, cherries sum up a lightness of being as well as a dash of sensuality. Really, a guy can’t go wrong when he brings a girl cherries – in whatever guise!

FRUITY, FLORAL SCENT: CHERRY PRINCESS

With a once upon a time threading its way through the collection, the story goes that Hortense de Beauharnais was the daughter of Empress Josephine. Admired for her porcelain complexion, and a girl who would blush in response to any compliment paid to her beauty, the name of this French princess was given to one of the most graceful cherry trees. When its white-as-snow petals give way to fruits, the branches of this cherry tree reveal rare red pearls that are crisp and juicy. They radiate with a natural, beautiful glow – just like the glow that once lit up the pretty face of the princess.

HAND CREAM

Apart from the inspiration, there’s much to like about this collection. Firstly, the packaging is tres jolie conveying a sense of playful sophistication, and secondly you can’t help but fall head-over-heels in love with the fragrance. Capturing everything you would want from a relationship it’s delicate and sweet with a floral softness that can’t help but lift your heart. St Valentine we hope you don’t disappoint!

The Cherry Princess Collection: Eau de Toilette, £29, Solid Perfume, £7.50, Silk Body Gel, £18, Pearlescent Shower Cream, £13 and Hand Cream, £7.50. All limited edition available from Februrary. www.uk.loccitane.com

  

Clinique Puts on the Gloss for GOSH

THE KISSABLE LIP SET

CLOSE UP: HEART KEY RING AND SELF EMBOSSED PURSE PATTERN

There’s nothing better than buying something that makes you look gorgeous as well as helping a good cause. In my mind that’s what really makes a feel good factor.

For the fifth year running, Clinique have partnered up with Great Ormond Street Hospital Children’s Charity (GOSH) for the KISS IT BETTER appeal. The brainchild of Carmel Allen – a former beauty director of glossy magazines, her daughter Josephine was treated at the pioneering hospital for Neuroblastoma, a type of cancer. Unless you’ve been in that position you cannot imagine the angst and turmoil Carmel and family must have gone through, but coming through the other side – thankfully Josephine, now 10 is leading a happy and healthy life, Carmel wanted to turn the experience into something positive. And make a difference she has to the lives of children with cancer everywhere. And the tagline? “The premise was simple,” explains Carmel, “kiss it better is something every parent says and does when their child is sick or injured.”

During the month of February (what a great Valentine’s Day present, so starting hinting now!) half of the retail price will be banked straight into the appeal. And wowser, what a gift! Just feast your eyes on this limited edition Kissable Lip Set. The silver purse is droolsville enough complete with a heart key ring hanging cutely from the zipper, but inside there’s everything you need to pucker and pout. Drum roll please for: the new Chubby Stick Moisturizing Lip Colour Balm in Woppin’ Watermelon along with all time must-haves including, Vitamin C Lip Smoothie Antioxidant Lip Colour in Pink Me Up, Superbalm Moisturising Gloss in Raspberry and Lost Last Glosswear SPF15 in Mystic. And as an encore for the charity, a £2 donation will also apply to all Clinique lipsticks or lipglosses sold at House of Fraser stores nationwide throughout February. It’s just another reason to heart Clinique.

The Limited Edition Kissable Lip Set costs, £25 and available exclusively at House of Fraser nationwide (excluding Ireland) and online at www.clinique.co.uk

  

Lancome go lip-tastic

EMMA WATSON DOES LANCOME

Emma Watson can look no wrong. Dazzling on the red carpet it was only time before her finely sculptured features and gamine crop were handpicked by a high end cosmetic company to be their face. Well, Lancôme have gone one step further and crowned her their ‘ambassadress’ of their new tempt worthy lipstick collection, Rouge in Love. Emma’s not only a pretty face (or should I say lips) for their campaign, but has also worked closely with them on their shade range, helping to give them a younger outlook.

Spending some time with Emma’s make-up artist, Charlotte Hayward at the launch she revealed that although Emma’s skin needs little coverage – after all she’s young and blessed with great pores, she does like to experiment with colour. With 24 superlicious shades, there’s certainly a kaleidoscope of choice, but it’s the formula that makes this lipstick a huge hit too. They slick and melt onto the lip like a balm, but are as colourful and grown-up as a lipstick to give a punch to your pout. “They’re great to apply,” explains Charlotte, “as they’re ultra light and extremely moisturising. This enables them to move on the lip really easily whereby you can ‘push’ them around and blend with your fingertip. As they’re so sheer, they’re easy to layer up for that on-trend tone-on-tone effect.”

340B ROSE BOUDOIR

The heartbeat of the collection is their exclusive ‘colour catching’ formula, which Lancôme explains as forming a fine film on the surface of the lips on which pigments and satiny agents are captured. Inspired by three different moments during the day, the colours slip into morning (fresh), boudoir time (sophisticated) and evening (seductive). The packaging is pretty saucy too. Just check out the red stitching at the back which is inspired by the intricate weave of couture stockings.

As for Emma’s favourite slicks she’s plumped for Corail in Love, Rose Boudoir and Rose Sulfureuse. Thoroughly modern and pretty, it’s a lip ‘wardrobe’ that you want to kiss and make-up with. Mwah!

Rouge in Love are £21 each and available exclusively at Selfridges from 1^st February and available nationwide form 1^st April.

L'Oreal Paris Has Colour Nailed

Like bad teeth, if nails are looking neglected it notices. And just like our mouths, we often talk with our hands (you try explaining something without waving them about!) so it makes sense to preen and polish your digits.

TWO NEW SHADES: SKY FITS HEAVEN AND OPERA BALLERINA

With expertise at their fingertips, L’Oreal Paris have been doing some fact finding, and report that nail polish purchasing power is up 24% compared to 11% for lipsticks. They say we now look upon polish as a fashion accessory, almost like a piece of jewellery. And it’s true, colours that pop on fingertips never go without a glance and can really up gloss your look. With this call to hands, they are launching an impressive 41 mini shades in their New Color Riche Nail collection. And boy, do they pop ‘n’ rock. Developed by their Colour Creative Director, Orrea Light, who picked up colour inspiration during her globetrotting – shade 202 Marie Antoinette for example was inspired by the shade in Marie Antoinette’s boudoir when she visited Versailles, a ‘wardrobe’ of nail colours were gradually developed.

So, what do women want when it comes to polish? Well, L’Oreal Paris confirms we want a polish that’s long lasting, chip free and good value. Their technology ticks all three boxes. Crystal Acrylic provides high shine to the nail formula, meaning you can skip a top coat. And the Liquid Gel Technology delivers easy application and long lasting coverage. There’s also their patented brush. You could be the best manicurist in the universe, but if your brush is rubbish you’re not going to achieve a great paint job. This brush gives precision, quickness and flawless results. One stroke is all that’s needed to confidently cover the whole nail plate.

NAIL EXPERT: LORRAINE GRIFFIN

Just to finish off this post, I thought I would bring you some professional insights from the high priestess of manicures, Lorraine Griffin who was on hand so to speak at the launch. Lorraine has collaborated with such legendary fashion folk as Tom Ford and Marc Jacobs, as well as working with Beyonce and doing Kate Moss’s wedding nails. Her nail know-how is second to none – when you’re creating 17 colours for 69 girls at a Marc Jacobs catwalk show, you’re one polished act! “Designers now expect nails,” she says, “and I think that’s true for many of us.” We suddenly feel naked without polish as we would a slick of lipstick or a spritz of fragrance. Hot for spring/summer Lorraine predicts pastels including soft blues, pretty pinks, raspberries along with flesh or foundation colours that really help elongate the hand. “Dark red always stands the test of time too,” she says. “We’re also going to be seeing more of a 3D nail where colours are layered up on the nail to give depth.” Just like lipsticks, Lorraine says you can also customise nail polishes. “Two colours can be put together along with a little clear varnish and a few drops of nail varnish thinner.” And as for the classic nail mistake, Lorraine cites lack of oil. “Nails are just like the hair, it’s made up of keratin, so if it’s not moisturised it will look dry and polish will go on streaky. A chic looking nail always lies in the best of preparation.”

New Color Riche Nail are £4.99 each and will be available nationwide from April.

      

Scent Yourself Joyful

It’s grey and chilly outside, so what better way to blow away the drab winter cobwebs and lift your spirits than with a fresh new fragrance?

Especially Escada is built around a delicate rose accord, and it has to be said, there’s something about the smell of a rose that romances the soul and puts a smile on your face. The juice looks pink petal fresh in the glass flacon, topped off with a rather fabulous gold finish, ornate lid. Once unleashed, the delicate and feminine rose notes deliver a light but exotic aroma, smelling equally luxurious and warming on the skin.

Rose has long made an impact on our wellbeing for thousands of years where it’s been found to have a rejuvenating, toning and restorative effect. But shaking off its old fashion image, rose has come out of grandmother’s remedy cupboard and has been enjoying something of a renaissance, especially in perfume. With the queen of flowers at its heart (rose) this fragrance is also cleverly complemented with a top note of pear along with ylang ylang, that together creatively mingle, giving a sophisticated and effervescent lightness. With the mood you’re in more to do with your nose than than the mirror, it’s a fragrance that represents pure escapism. Go on, treat yourself and scent yourself to serenity!

Priced from £32 for 30ml up to £56 for 75ml. Especially Escada will launch this week.

Ruby's New Make-up Move

MAKE-UP MAESTRO RUBY HAMMER

Behind every shining star there’s either a good make-up artist or smart products. Ruby Hammer does both. One of the beauty industry’s most respected make-up artists; she is a major influencer in the business, where her work has been splashed between the pages of the glossy greats including Vogue, ELLE, Harper's Bazaar and Marie Claire. Passionate and friendly in her approach, she before-your-very-eyes gave members of the public a youthover for Channel 4’s Ten Years Younger programme, where Ruby taught them less can be more, an expertly shaped brow knocks off five years and being stuck in a make-up rut can make you look more retired than retro. 

More than just a dab hand with the blusher brush, Ruby has been instrumental in the UK launches of some of the most successful and innovative brands including Aveda, L’Occitane, Tweezerman and Mister Mascara. In the mid-90’s she collaborated with beauty insider Millie Kendall and established Ruby & Millie, then later the Scarlett & Crimson make-up brands. With a keen eye for trends and a head for business, Ruby along with Millie was awarded an MBE five years ago for her long standing contribution to the cosmetic industry.

So, what’s new for this make-up maestro? Her fresh new collection, Ruby Hammer Recommends has recently hit Debenhams. Cleverly put together make-up kits, all created by Ruby, they’re foolproof to use and encourage you to dab and play, putting the fun back into making up. With incredible colours and on-trend formulas, the kits are surprisingly price friendly and start from just £5. With a high end lipstick now costing £20 upwards, it allows everyone to experience a slick of true expertise.

SMUDGE & SHADE EYE CRAYONS, £15

HANDBAG PALETTE, £5

Here I catch up with Ruby for a quick Q&A:

Describe yourself in five words

Loyal. Caring. Honest. Grounded. Passionate.

Who or what are your influences when it comes to work?

Everything. I seek inspiration from my travels, exchanging ideas, film…life in general.

As a working make-up artist, what do you believe women want most from their make-up?

They want to look great. They want to make the best of themselves. And they want to know how.

What do you personally look for in a make-up line?

Whatever grabs me. Sometimes it’s the colour, texture, packaging, quality, ease of use and price. But sometimes it’s just the wow factor.

 What were your aims for your new make-up collection? 

It’s an all year round gift collection. Fun at reasonable prices. They’re good to give and receive without needing a mortgage! Very exciting.

What have you taught your daughter about beauty? (Ruby has a 25 year old daughter called Reena) 

Little and often. A regime is better than a beauty binge once in a blue moon. Beauty equals good health too.

What’s been your best ever make-up job? 

Many great sessions. Some for the creative part, some for the team, some for the locations, some for the ease and fun, plus paid at the end too. Heaven!

What’s the one thing you have learned from being in the industry for 25 years?

Just being open to new ideas. Technology and its advances. Working with creative and respected individuals in their own fields, and being one of their peers. 

What’s the most under used make-up item?

Brushes and tools that give a professional finish. People buy products but begrudge buying brushes.

If you weren’t a make-up artist what would you be?

I would work for the United Nations, or be in the diplomatic service. Similar to what I do now! Travel, meet various people, deliver a brief. My work now allows me to be creative, which is what’s different, and what I love.

Ruby Recommends available from at Debenhams nationwide and www.debenhams.com

New Year, New Eau de Parfum...with love from Dior

One of the sensual mysticism's of fragrance is not wafting around smelling like everybody else. A mass fragrance may well have appeal, but it’s likely to be worn on pulse points from Bradford to Brighton. A cult fragrance gives off its own aura and therefore envelopes the wearer with a true sense of olfactory individuality. Whether borne out of being-in-the-know or simply out priced for many people’s pockets, Christian Dior’s Patchouli Imperial could be slotted into both categories.

La Collection Privee Christian Dior is the House’s most elite and luxurious perfumery creation. Powerful in statement – the fragrances are hand-made and hand-packaged, they are a collection of perfumes that are inspired by a person, place, ingredient or a moment in time dear to the House. Their newest introduction is Patchouli Imperial, a fragrance that symbolises the House’s Haute-Parfumerie expertise. Patchouli is an essential ingredient of Dior’s fragrances, and has been since the New Look revolution in 1947.

The bottle is simple in design that only goes to enhance its elitism. The cap is comfortably weighted which is magnetically drawn onto the top of the bottle. Anyone that is a connoisseur of Patchouli will tell you of its underlying masculinity, but with feminine bewitching qualities. Interestingly, Dior reveals that Patchouli’s reputation was established in the 19^th century with the importation of silk and cashmere. The leaves were used to wrap the fabrics, protecting them from deterioration.

Thoroughly modern in its approach, whilst still keeping its heritage, this Patchouli driven scent is softened by rosy notes with accents of cedar wood, sandalwood and amber. Once spritzed, it leaves its fragrance fingerprint lingering all day. For 125ml it rings in at £120, so not cheap, but if you have any post Christmas gift money it’s well worth splurging if you’re a scent siren.

Available from 23^rd January at Dior’s Maison de Parfums at Selfridges London     

   

A Slick of Skin Comfort Love Clarins

NOT A GOOD LOOK FOR THE COMPLEXION

If there was a time your skin ever needed a reboot, it’s probably now. Central heating, getting-chilly outdoor temperatures, not to mention the post party face of too much fizz and salty snacks, they all conspire to make the complexion look dull, dry and dreary.

CLARINS TO THE SKIN RESCUE

A month or so ago my skin was feeling, and looking like the leaf above from my garden. Okay, not so mottled (hopefully), but dehydrated and ‘crispy’ feeling. Moisturiser, even after upgrading to an intensive formulation just wasn’t cutting the mustard. During these times oil can be a skin’s saviour. Many people shirk away from oil believing it will leave their skin looking adolescent greasy, but far from it. Water free and harbouring pure plant oils along with a nurturing base oil as the foundation, they are deeply penetrating. Soft lines caused by dehydration are instantly softened, making the complexion look rosy and youthful. Were there ever two words more seducing to make you buy into a formula?

My skin somersault from leaf like to bloom came about with the help of Clarins Blue Orchid Face Treatment Oil for dehydrated skin. Clarins are known for their superlative face and body oils, which remain at the core of their range for high performing skincare. Blue Orchid is a facial oil recommended for restoring radiance and suppleness, it mingles three oils: Blue Orchid for its emollient properties, Patchouli for its stimulating properties and Rosewood for its soothing properties. Hazelnut oil is the anchor and rich in vitamin E. Applying at night, Clarins advise warming a couple of drops (the bottle has a dropper) between the hands and carrying out strong pressing movements on the face with the flats of the hands from the middle to the sides. My skin drunk up the oil thirstily, and after three nights I could really see and feel the difference. My pores were punch drunk from much craved moisture! Proven Effectiveness via Clarins reveal that 97.6% reported better hydrated skin and 87.8% had more radiant skin.

Clarins have launched three Treatment Oils this month, Blue Orchid, Santal for dry skin and Lotus for combination or oil prone skin, all priced at £29 each. Go try.

www.clarins.co.uk