- Quick and easy hair tips - 27 September, 2018
- Top summer face masks for 2017 - 2 August, 2017
- Perfect Body Lotions for Spring/Summer 2016 - 7 April, 2016
Photo by Diego Zúñiga
Over the past few years people have come to accept that to have good skin you need to input time and money in order to get the best quality products. Whilst you can get some cheap product from the drug store that works initially – after time you will probably switch onto something else. There are a lot of high end skin brands out there who know the benefits of good quality ingredients and science behind their products. Here is a run through of the Top High End Skincare Products.
Voya – Totally Balmy Cleanser Balm
RRP £38 available from voya.ie
Beeswax has been used for years due to its anti-inflammatory benefits as well as soothing and softening the skin.
Spa brand Voya’s Totally Balmy Cleanser Balm is perfect for taking off make-up and deeply cleanse the skin whilst still being perfect for everyday use.
Along with beeswax the base of the balm also has hand harvested seaweed which will help to tone and repair the skin making this cleanser perfect for all types of skin, young or old.
Exuviance Triple Microdermabrasion Face Polish
RRP £57.50 available from effortlessskin.com
Containing 10% glycolic acid, Papaya enzyme and professional grade crystals the Exuviance Triple Microdermabrasion Face Polish is perfect for those that have congested pores, stimulate cell renewal and loosen dead skin cells. Barbra Green, Vice President Clinical Affairs Neostrata Inc, says that it is, “the most significant innovation since the invention of the Glycolic Peel.” Personally, I found the scrub to do all these things and more. It made my skin incredibly soft and I found it wasn’t too harsh.
Silver Serum
RRP £12.95 from skinshop.co.uk
This is one that everyone has heard of – and even more want it! With a waiting list running up until mid-February I was very lucky to get one! Some of the results have been outstanding and, whilst I have clear skin, I have used it for the past few days and I have seen a noticeable difference in my skin. It is a lot firmer, softer and suppler. If you see it in stock I would definitely stock up!
Xanthe Men Meteorite Scrub
RRP £35.00 from beautylab.co.uk
Another scrub I am particularly fond of is the Xanthe Men Meteorite Scrub. With quartz and meteorite powder this scrub is very powerful. Infused with aloe and cederwood this helps to combat the harshness that quartz can be. This is fantastic to use with the Xanthe Post Shave serum (£20 from same suppliers) as the serum will help to soothe the harshness of the scrub. Whilst for sensitive skin it may not be the best, if you want a really good exfoliation you want to check this one out.
MIMI Sleeping Beauty Facial Oil
RRP 35.00 from makeitmakeit.com
When this first arrived to me I got very excited. You get to make your own serum. It arrived in a gorgeous box and every bottle smelt gorgeous. There is a face mask and body scrub available but the Sleeping Beauty Facial Oil is my favourite. Full of avocado oil, lavender and ylang ylang when put on at night this oil will get to work rejuvenating, repairing and plumping.
It already has a cult following, especially with men, and is 100% natural. Perfection.
ARK Skincare The Regenerating Skin Defence
RRP £70 available from arkskincare.com
The Regenerating Skin Defence by Ark is a definite cult classic. Using plant stem-cell this serum will repair the skin and help any skin to reach its full potential. Alpine Rose, Vitamins B, C and E gives the skin a youthful glow and will make you look as good as you feel.
The primer is also a good product to use in conjunction with the Skin Defence especially if you get the odd breakout or you want something during the day that will help to refresh and revive you.
Face Matters Skincare
Available from Fenwick Bond Street and facematters-skincare.com
Using organic silicon Face Matters is a new anti-ageing skincare range that has an amazing story behind it. Having opened up in Fenwick Street on 6th of November and already receiving a Pure Beauty award just shows how up and coming this brand is.
Founded by Sally Curson, a senior therapist in the beauty industry having over 20 year’s experience, she wanted to come up with the perfect skincare range which inevitable became Face Matters.
Consisting of five products – Daily Moisturiser; All Day Spritz; 24/7 Balm; Evening Elixir; and Anytime Foaming Cleaner – the range is one that will suit almost everyone in some way, shape or form. As I am a fan of balm cleansers the balm is something that I am particularly drawn to. The Evening Elixir (£102) is known as the ‘hero’ product and I featured this on my Top Beauty Serums article which can be found here.
A percentage of all the sales of any of the range goes to women’s charity Refuge, which is close and person to Sally who lived in a refuge due to her ex-partner.
Trialled on 100 women the results were highly positive and we will hopefully see a lot from Face Matters Skincare.
Jack Black Peel Pads
£35 available from mankind.co.uk and larger Boots stores
The Jack Black Peels Pads are perfect for people who want their skin to look good but don’t have too much time on their hands. To be done 2-4 times a week, these pads will help to rejuvenate your skin and make 2015 that little bit brighter! The pads made my skin tingle at first but it was nothing that I couldn’t handle and the results were most definitely worth it!
ReVive Perfectif Even Skin Tone Serum
£200 available from Space NK January 20th and Harrods and Urban Retreat in March
This product is the granddaddy of all serums! With Nobel-prize winning technology that mimics the performance of youthful skin this serum one that if you want to treat yourself to something, treat yourself to this! Having used it for the past few days it is one that I think you will struggle to beat. The price tag may seem expensive but it’s a small price to pay for the technology behind it and the results you will get.
The Perfectif Even Skin Tone Cream Broad Spectrum SPF30 Sunscreen (£175 from the same suppliers) is good coverage and protection for the day ahead and, even though it is Winter, you do need SPF in order for your skin to not get so damaged from the sun. In a study carried out by ReVive, 8 out of 10 subjects found the products were more effective when used in conjunction with each other with the majority finding their skin problems significantly resolved.
Rehab London Men’s Facial Anti Fatigue Cream
Available from Boots stores and boots.com
Using natural ingredients and no animal testing Rehab London is a company that has ingredients high on their agenda. The Anti-Fatigue Cream has ginseng and Hawaiian Water Algae to brighten and soften the skin leaving you fresh faced after ten minutes!
Having been used on shows such as Downton Abbey, Good Morning Britain and Game of Thrones it’s easy to see why this range is star quality.
Lush Skincare
Available from Lush stores worldwide and lush.com
Lush is a company that I have used since I was 17. Having struggled with teenage acne I went to Lush to try some skincare. Needless to say I now work there and showcase it everyday to customers so it must have worked! The ethics of Lush are also an added bonus being 100% vegetarian, 85% vegan and no animal testing on their products at all.
Skincare wise one of my favourites would have to be Gorgeous facial moisturiser (£42.50). Made originally for Princess Diana, there is no definite answer as to whether she actually used it – here’s to hoping, it is a product that makes my skin feel so much more awake and ready for action. I find it to be a confidence boosting and due to all the natural cold pressed oils such as avocado, cocoa butter and dove orchid extract the scent of it is simply divine. Good for all skin it is just food for the face that everyone can enjoy – without the calories. It is definitely one of Lush’s cult classics!
