March Beauty Edit ’20

Last month’s beauty edit is coming in a little late. And to be fair, I don’t have quite so much to talk through beauty-wise for March. I barely wore makeup, and my skincare regimen has been lacking to say the least. I count myself sorted if I have time to pop on a serum or two; lucky if I manage to get through my entire routine.

The Skincare Edit

Bioeffect Micellar Cleansing Water | Okay, I know. I’ve not really been wearing makeup all that much. But, on the days that I have, I’ve been using the Bioeffect Micellar Cleansing Water as my first makeup removal step. And I absolutely love this. It’s gentle on the eyes (no stinging if I go OTT with product), and it does a great job of melting down eyeliner and mascara. I focus this purely on the eyes, as my gel cleanser does all the hard work of removing any base.

Clarins Bright Plus Advanced Brightening Dark Spot-Targeting Serum | I recently finished up my last bottle of Double Serum (also from Clarins), which I’d been using as my next step after cleanser and toner. This had become both a morning and evening ritual for me, so when this new brightening serum arrived in the mail, I decided to use it as a replacement when I ran out. One thing I’ve been getting a lot less of this past month or so is sleep. I’m making up for not eating sugar or wheat in the four months leading up to the birth of our son, and one of the first place that shows is in my complexion. Since introducing this brightening serum, I’ve noticed my face looks a little bit fresher and more “alive”. Bar the slightly darkened circles under my eyes, I look like I got at least six hours sleep, even if it was really only four.

Antipodes H2O Baptiste Ultra-Hydrating Water Gel | My skin has been so incredibly dry since giving birth. I’d say this is in large part down to the fact that I’m breast-feeding. Little wonder that intensely moisturising products have become essential to me now, more than ever. One thing my complexion always responds well to is a good gel moisturiser, and I was drawn to the fact that this Antipodes “water gel” was especially suited to dry skin. The thing that hits me straight away when using this is the beautiful rose scent (and hue). Gel formulas tend to have a cooling effect making them perfect for the warmer months, but I’m also happy to reach for them when the weather cools too. I love the way this makes my skin feel. It leaves a slightly dewy feel to my complexion, and my face looks a little plumper – like it’s had a good drink of water.

Antipodes Kiwi Seed Oil Eye Cream | Eye cream has really become such an essential part of my skincare regimen in the past 12 months. Previously, I’d been neglecting my under-eye area. My skin can play up and be quite sensitive, and there had been a few too many instances with eye creams which had really not agreed with me. That’s all changed now, and I really place an emphasis on opting for creams that aren’t too rich or heavy. I was excited to try out this eye cream from Antipodes, not just because it’s cruelty-free. It’s packed with Vitamin C, and is clinically shown to stimulate type-1 collagen production. Yes, please. I’ve used products infused with avocado in the past, and generally found them too rich for my complexion, but this is well-balanced enough that it doesn’t break me out in milia. The actual formula feels super lightweight to the touch, and sinks into the skin quickly. A nice hydration boost. I’ll usually opt for a slightly thicker cream at night, but have found this is a welcome addition to my morning routine.

La Mer The Renewal Oil | This luxurious oil from La Mer is probably one of the most bougie products I have in my bathroom vanity. Previously I’ve used it more as a skin primer (mixed with moisturiser) to prep my face ahead of makeup application. Or, dotted on the high points of my cheeks for a glass-like highlight. Because my skin has been so incredibly parched, I decided to throw this back in rotation as the last step in my skincare routine ahead of moisturiser. It’s probably worth prefacing this by saying that I seldom use oils. My skin is dehydrated but combination/oily. Often, it’s just a little too rich for me – exactly what I found in the days after adding this into my routine. Don’t let my experience deter you, though. La Mer products across the board are genuinely beautiful, and this oil would be well-suited for someone with dry or more mature skin.

StriVectin Multi-Action Blue Rescue Clay Renewal Mask | I can’t even begin to tell you just how much I miss being able to incorporate a bit of salicylic acid into my skincare routine. I’ve still got a fair while yet before I’ll feel safe to use it again, so have instead been looking to other options when I have a breakout or my skin needs a calm down. This mask has been such a luxurious ritual… when I’ve had the time to use it, that is! It’s like a super-mask; ingredients like blue algae and red seaweed soothe your complexion, hydrate, and reduce the appearance of fine lines. Then you have probiotic ferment, which reinvigorates tired skin. While white clay and Shea butter refine pores and draw out impurities. I apply a generous layer of this post-cleanse, gently massaging it into my face until the mask turns blue. This signals that the formula has been activated. I often find clay masks to be a little drying, but that’s definitely not the case with this one. One of the hero products I’ve used this past month.

The Beauty Edit

Jo Malone Lavenderland Collection | I always come back to Jo Malone for fragrance. Wood Sage and Sea Salt is one of my ultimate all-time favourite perfumes, and I get excited every time I see the brand launching a new limited edition collection. The packaging, and often the scents too, are just incredibly special. The Lavenderland Collection includes a trio of extraordinary lavender-infused colognes, and a musky pillow spray. Rather than be imbued solely with pure lavender, the three fragrances mix the iconic flower with coriander, wisteria, and silver birch. The effect is unexpected – the coriander cologne perhaps most so. My favourite is the pillow spray. It’s combined with musk, which settles into a masculine aroma around ten minutes after spritzing it onto your pillow case.