FACE | BEAUTIEDIT COSMETICS TAN: A 3-IN-1 TO TAN, TREAT & HYDRATE YOUR SKIN

It’s not often I do a standalone article on a tan, as I find many are similar in their offering, but this month I was sent the latest offer from the Irish gal duo at BeautiEdit Cosmetics and I have to say, I’m impressed.

I made myself a pact this year that I’d move away from reviewing and featuring products on here and on my Instagram which are not at least making efforts to be sustainable & ethical in both their ingredients and their packaging, and this tan passes that first test for me, with a formula that is ‘clean’ with no nasties like parabens, sulphates, dimethicone or alcohol.  It is vegan-friendly, cruelty-free and contains ethically sourced ingredients which deliver goodness to the skin, as well as a natural tan colour.

There are extracts of collagen, hyaluronic acid and aloe vera, so it’s ultra-nourishing, anti-aging and (apparently), anti-cellulite. The goal of developers (and best friends) Jennifer Cullen and Lisa McDermott was to come up with a tan product which delivered an anti-aging treatment that moisturises and nourishes your skin all at the same time, making it an innovative 3-in-1 product to tan, treat and hydrate skin. And as I have slightly thicker (read: older/drier!) skin, I have to be aware that tanning can be tricky without oodles of moisturiser beforehand, however less so with this product. (Note: I personally chose to slather on my usual Body Shop body butter before my review application, as I love my skin almost dewy with moisture and oil! You could easily go without, or just with some barrier moisturiser on elbows, ankles and the bony bits on feet and hands).  I also added some NUXE dry oil afterwards and when i went out for brunch the next day for extra glow & again, further moisture.

Also, on that note, I must add that it glides on super easily and blends well with the mitt. It’s not sticky either and has a non-transferable formula which means you can get dressed right away, although personally I do love to lounge around when I apply anything to my body! There is no biscuity (or other) smell, and in fact there is only a very light fragrance of sandalwood, jasmine and coconut. It lasts 5-7 days and fades beautifully with no snakeskin wear off – even with my post-holiday flaky skin!

All in all a lovely tanning product and certainly one that I would choose to buy (my initial one was gifted for review). It’s available across Ireland/NI in pharmacies as well as online at www.beautiedit.com

Here are my key takeaways:

• NO NASTIES - over 95% Natural ingredients

• CLEAN FORMULA USING THE HIGHEST QUALITY INGREDIENTS

• NO PARABENS + NO HARSH CHEMICALS + NO ALCOHOL

• NO SULPHATES + NO DIMETHICONE

• 99% NATURAL ORGANIC ECOCERT DHA

• VEGAN FRIENDLY + NO ANIMAL DERIVATIVES + CRUELTY FREE

• INSTANT COLOUR TINT THAT IS QUICK DRYING & DEVELOPS INTO A BEAUTIFUL GOLDEN GLOW.

• NO ORANGE TONES – the colour guide system adapts to your natural skin tone giving you a natural looking tan

• ANTI-AGINGb + ULTRA HYDRATING • SOOTHING AND CONDITIONING FOR THE SKIN

• SMOOTHING FOAM LEAVING YOUR SKIN FEELING LIKE SILK

• FAST DRYING IN SECONDS

• STREAK FREE FINISH

• NON STICKY

• NO TRANSFER

• EVEN FADE WITH NO SNAKESKIN WEAR OFF

• NO UNPLEASANT ODOUR - COCONUT, SANDALWOOD AND JASMINE SCENT

FACE | MARIE REYNOLDS LONDON IMMUNE SYSTEM SUPPLMENTS

TREATING OUR IMMUNE SYSTEMS IS IMPORTANT NOW MORE THAN EVER

Marie Reynolds is one of the UK’s most sought-after skin and wellness experts. Marie’s expert understanding of holistic health is available to all through her exceptional range of skin care, internal supplement products and her unique system for skin and internal wellbeing. Her unparalleled understanding of the skin’s composition has led her to build one of the world’s only genuinely incorporated skincare regimes, covering supplements, topical products, and even specially designed tools to create her modern vision of healthy skin. Marie Reynolds’ holistic view of skin incorporates several pillars which she believes are essential to creating magnificent skin. Not only that but Marie Reynolds London’s range of impressive supplements target many different areas of concern ranging from gut health, immunity, fatigue, and perimenopausal symptoms.

Now more than ever people across the globe want to build a strong immune system to ward off viral infections, to help with that the team at Marie Reynolds London have compiled the best in immunity to assist you in doing just that!

DEFEND - €35.00/£31.45

We are bombarded with external and internal pathogens that constantly place strain on the immune system. In today’s current climate the need to boost immunity and fight infection is ever more in need. Marie Reynolds London Defend is a tailored combination of both immunity ingredients and highly potent herbal anti-virals and anti-bacterials based on protocols Traditional Chinese Medicine. It contains high dose vitamin C (512mg) from multiple sources, i.e. herbs, berries, plants, and ascorbic acid PLUS 19 additional ingredients from herbs, berries, fruits, leaves, roots, mushroom, bulbs, vitamins, and minerals, as well as probiotics to boost gut immunity. This supplement is an exciting immune boosting and anti-viral formula to help give your body the support it needs against attack.

OCEAN EFA - €36.00/ £32.50

This 500mg supplement contains omega 3 fatty acids (DHA and EPA) and good fats that are required for a healthy body and mind. Ocean EFA also contains the powerful antioxidant, astaxanthin. Antioxidants protect our cells from damage by harmful free radicals - unstable substances that are thought to contribute to certain chronic diseases. Unlike many other antioxidants, astaxanthin crosses the blood-brain barrier, where it can protect the eye, brain and central nervous system from free radical damage. Unlike fish oil, krill oil does not cause a fishy aftertaste, a common side effect of fish oil. Krill oil is also more easily absorbed by the body and contains higher amounts of astaxanthin than fish oil.

Benefits:

Circulation, Skin health, Liver function, Blood sugar health, Brain function, Blood lipid health, Vision, Premenstrual syndrome, Low mood, Immune function, Healthy joints, Inflammation, Memory, and concentration, Fighting the signs of ageing, Protection for cell membranes, Nervous system function.

VEGAN C - €32.00/ £28.95

The human body struggles to recognise synthetic substances, and this includes vitamins. Food form supplements offer a convenient and effective means of topping up on vitamin and mineral intake, because they present nutrients in a form that is as close as possible to the foods where those micro-nutrients naturally occur. As well as providing vitamin C, it is packed with a multitude of other natural vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, bioflavonoids, pectin’s, essential oils, lycopene, carotenoids, plant sterols, catechins, polyphenolics and other Phyto-nutrients. This vitamin C combination is made up of natural food ingredients, as recognised and required by the body for maximum digestion, absorption, and utilisation. This natural combination is also one of the few vitamin C supplements that: is not rapidly excreted from the body; is easily absorbed (a lower intake is required); is not acidic - many people are unable to tolerate citrus-based supplements, which can aggravate certain medical conditions.

Benefits:

Immunity Collagen formation, Blood vessels, Bones and cartilage, Gums, skin and teeth, Energy levels, Nervous system, Oxidative, stress, Iron absorption.

YVE - €32.00/ £28.95

This gentle and completely natural helper is a favourite amongst women, not least because it does not contain hormones, such as those found in Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) drugs. Vitamin B6 contributes to the regulation of hormonal activity, normal energy-yielding metabolism, normal functioning of the nervous system, normal homocysteine metabolism, normal protein and glycogen metabolism, normal psychological function, normal red blood cell formation, normal function of the immune system and the reduction of tiredness and fatigue. Zinc contributes to normal fertility and reproduction, as well as the maintenance of normal bones, hair, nails, skin, vision, immune system, and normal cognitive function.

3-SET – €35.00 / £31.45

3-Set Is a dynamic apoptogenic Botanical Complex with EFSA approved health claims, a synergistic combination of herbs, roots, and vitamins, formulated to combat stress physically, chemically, or biologically while also supporting the immune system, energy levels, mental performance, and a general sense of calm, focus and vitality. These clever herbs help the body adapt to what it needs and regulate the system up or down, as required in the moment. The nature of adaptogenic herbs is to help a person “adapt” to their environment, as well as to normalise, regulate the body’s functioning and support the adrenals. It combines important nutrients and nutraceuticals that support hormonal and adrenal health.

Marie Reynolds London is available to purchase from SkinandBeauty.ie and MarieReynoldsLondon.ie

FACE | DISCOVER THE TROPICS WITH GUAVA AND GOLD

‘Barrister’ seems like such an important job and a pretty grand title. You’re a Queen’s counsel after all, aren’t you?  So to give that all up and, quite literally follow your nose and the scents of the tropics to do something entirely different seems quite radical doesn’t it? This is exactly what Claire Price did just over a year ago, in founding Guava and Gold – and we couldn’t love her more for it.

Her goal was to create an elegant, capsule collection of products with ethical credentials, inspired by heady reflections of the tropics and a desire to capture unforgettable, exotic holiday memories in a bottle - and then ultimately on skin and hair.

There’s really nothing like a smell to truly capture the essence of a memory and transport you off to a moment of sheer bliss; so drawing on the expertise, flair and imagination of an international fine fragrance house, Claire’s team used the distinctive scents of a delicious array of tropical fruits and flowers to create her products -  including delicious guava and cherimoya, fragrant pink magnolia, white floral facets of tuberose (‘the carnal flower’), sweet vanilla orchid and enchanting orange and plum blossom.

 To complement the fragrances, natural oils have been blended with botanical ingredients, specially selected for the health of the user’s skin and hair – these are all to enhance personal wellbeing and no fragrance used is to mask a chemical ingredient, because there are none!

Manuka oil is known for its anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial properties, while sweet almond oil boosts collagen production and keeps skin hydrated. Grapeseed oil, found in most products in the range, is a natural moisturiser which helps to maintain soft, radiant skin and hair, while rich shea butter and vitamins feature across many products in her ranges.

But while what’s *in* the product is natural, we have to applaud Claire and her team for their sustainability efforts in packaging also. All products are currently packaged in fully recyclable bottles and packaging; but the work doesn’t stop there, as there are plans to move to bio-polymer bottles made from sugar cane extract, and to incorporate water-free products into the collection so as to further limit Guava & Gold’s impact on the environment, so you can feel good about the products you use while enjoying a momentary memory – or a daydream trip – to the far-flung shores of the tropics.

You can purchase the full Guava & Gold range at Orlagh Maye salon via BODYCARE Archives - Orlagh Maye

FACE | LET ME TELL YOU ABOUT PAYOT….

Let me tell you a little bit about Payot, a brilliant beauty and skincare brand created by a formidable woman 100 years ago in my second home, France. Nadia Payot was the inventor of the ‘facial gymnastics’ concept, a pre-curser to all modern facial techniques, and, later that year, in 1920, she developed the 42-step facial massage which revolutionised skin treatments forever. 

Later, as her business developed, she worked on creating take-home products for everyday skin types which women could use themselves. In 1947 she developed the Pâté Grise, a brilliantly simple grey paste made from natural ingredients which continues to soar in popularity today. In fact, one pot of Pate Grise is sold every five minutes around the world – and there are quite a few fans here and across our network of online customers too.

What’s the secret sauce?; I hear you ask! Well, Nadia Payot’s Pâte Grise contains an optimum formula to bring small blemishes to a maturation phase. It works while you sleep to accelerate the maturation of minor sub-cutaneous spots and make them disappear, almost overnight. This cult beauty, anti-blemish secret has been passed from generation to generation of French women and across the world.

Payot Masque Charbon - Ultra-absorbent Mattifying Care - Orlagh Maye

FACE | The DL and the WTH of SPF

“Nothing looks better in your 50’s than suncream in your 20’s”

Jennifer Garner

The DL and the WTH of SPF

We all know we’re supposed to use it, yet so many of us still skip sunscreen. If you’re young, count yourself lucky that we’re so much more clued up about UV damage these days and start using SPF today. We may not be able to turn back time, and of course it’s good to get a dose of Vitamin D when we can, but all of us can take a moment to protect our skin and help prevent further damage.

If you do like a tan, fake it with my favourite, He-Shi – so many products right across the range - and/or add a few drops of Tan Luxe or Clarins tanning drops to your regular moisturiser for a golden glow on the face. 

5 reasons to slather on sunscreen - rain, hail or shine ...

1. Depletion of the ozone layer has increased our risk of damage from ultra violet rays.

2. Not a single ray of sun is required for skin damage to occur; UV rays are out in force every day, every season (even here in the UK & Ireland!).

3. Sunscreen protects against skin cancer, the most common form of cancer in the UK & Ireland, accounting for 31% of all cancers.

4. Sunscreen is the most powerful anti-ageing product. There is zero point in spending a fortune on the best skincare around if you don't add sun protection, end of. And if you only use one product on your skin, it should be sunscreen.

5. Products containing retinol, liquid exfoliants and some serums leave skin particularly vulnerable to UV damage and must be paired with SPF50+.

Sun Facts

• Most sun damage is done in our youth. (Count yourself lucky if you didn't grow up when SPF4 was the norm like me. I used actual olive oil on my skin in my teens, eek!).

• You can't layer SPFs. Makeup with SPF15 + sunscreen with SPF30 = protection of SPF30, not 45. Only the highest factor counts.

• Broad spectrum means you are covered for both UVA and UVB protection.

• SPF should be reapplied every 2 hours (more often if swimming, although please also think of the environment and the water pollution you can cause, so try not to jump straight in after applying, then reapplying and so on…)

• Sunscreen may be water resistant but not waterproof - and should always be replenished after swimming.

• Sunscreen has a shelf life and must be replaced every Summer to work optimally.

• SPF rarely causes breakouts; not removing it properly does. It's designed to stay around, so double cleansing is advisable for complete removal.

I like to use a separate SPF for my face as these are usually non-comedogenic (won’t block pores), have a lighter texture for under make-up and offer higher protection.  Always extend your facial sunscreen down your neck and décolleté - both of which are very delicate and equally prone to sun damage. I also apply any excess to the backs of my hands, one of the first areas to show signs of ageing.

My SPF tick list:

·                     high protection

·                     light, quickly absorbed formula

·                     no greasy feel

·                     no white cast

·                     won’t interfere with make-up application

·                     won’t cause breakouts

Which Sunscreen?

Choosing the best sun screen can be a bit of a minefield and with so many formulas available, it’s difficult to know where to start. Gone are the days of thick white creams that leave a white cast and greasy texture... facial SPFs are much more sophisticated now and as pleasurable to use as skincare. Speaking of which, SPF should be the last step in your skincare routine, directly before any makeup.

Note whether the active ingredients are chemical or physical sunscreens. Physical (often described as natural or mineral) sunscreens most commonly contain titanium dioxide and zinc oxide, which provide a physical barrier on the skin that reflect UV rays. Chemical sunscreens contain chemicals, which protect the skin by interacting with and absorbing ultraviolet energy.

The Hawaii state legislature recently passed a bill to ban oxybenzone and octinoxate, two chemicals found in most non-mineral sunscreen products. Studies show that these two chemicals have damaged Hawaii’s marine environment, causing coral bleaching and possible coral death. If the bill becomes law (in 2021), it will affect most chemical sunscreens sold in the United States and force manufacturers to reformulate or stop selling these products in Hawaii.

Suncare Favourites

While you’re probably used lashing on the SPF to help protect your skin over the summer, there’s more you can do to protect your skin against the sun: namely, antioxidants. Antioxidants are a great way to help neutralise the visible effects the sun may have on skin (such as dark spots and wrinkles), so picking products with antioxidants can go a long way.

 Just to give you a quick recap about just what exactly antioxidants do - free radicals (or as scientists call them, “reactive oxygen species”) form in our bodies from different causes, particularly UV rays. These molecules are missing an electron, so they scavenge around for one and in this process, they cause damage to other cells. This is where antioxidants come in to save the day. By “donating” an electron to free radicals, antioxidants manage to neutralize them and halt or minimize the damage.

One of my faves is Camellia Sinensis (Green Tea) Leaf Extract; it is often credited as the source behind the flawless complexions of the Japanese and green tea has long been known for its amazing health benefits. It’s also a potent antioxidant, making it a popular ingredient in skincare products like the IMAGE ORMEDIC Balancing Antioxidant Serum €70.50…

And two of my all-time favourite products, the IMAGE VITAL C Hydrating Anti-Aging Serum €76.00, and VITAL C Hydrating Antioxidant ACE Serum €67.00 are also formulated with green tea extract for a burst of antioxidant power.

Face:

• La Roche Posay Anthelios XL SPF50+ Tinted BB Cream (available in different formulas for normal-dry or oily) (RRP £17.00)

• ·Sisley Sisley Super Soin Facial Sun Cream SPF50+, 40ml (RRP £114.75)

• Eucerin SPF50 CC crème - ideal for sensitive skin (RRP £12.00)

• Kiehl’s Ultra Light Daily UV Defense SPF50 PA+++ (RRP £28.00)

• Tropic Tinted Skin Shade SPF50 (RRP £28.00)

Clarins Sun Care Body Cream UVA/UVB 30

• Eucerin Sensitive Protect Sun Lotion Extra Light SPF30 (RRP £18.00)

• Vichy Idéal Soleil Sun-Milk for Face and Body SPF 30 300ml (RRP £19.00)

•  · Green People Scent Free Sun Lotion SPF30 (RRP £22.50)

For after sun I love LANCASTER After Sun Tan Maximizer (RRP £26.00) and then rich body oils, butter butters (my old faves The Body Shop butters are fab here and usually available in all airports) as well as Aloe products for anyone who has overdone it.  

 

FACE | INTERVIEW WITH JENNIFER ROCK AKA THE SKIN NERD AS SHE LAUNCHES NEW BOOK

In a world where beauty consumers are inundated with marketing messages and every product is said to be the ONE you need for your skin, where does one turn to for truthful and helpful advice without agenda?

Look no further because The Skin Nerd, Jennifer Rock shares all her skincare expertise, and the passion and knowledge gathered in her extensive career in this helpful beginner’s guide. The Skin Nerd: Your straight-talking guide to feeding, protecting and respecting your skin is a 360° approach to your healthiest skin.

Written with Jennifer’s unique brand of humour and honesty, her first book is jam-packed with skinformation and advice, which will educate and empower you to know what your skin needs and how to achieve better skin health. Readers will learn how the skin works from the inside out with information on nutrition and beneficial skin vitamins and supplements, to managing the ageing process and tackling skin conditions. Jennifer also shares her core Nerd Philosophies and Commandments and the benefits of Spritz O'Clock. With all this information and more The Skin Nerd: Your straight talking guide to feeding, protecting and respecting your skin will be your skin bible for life.

Extractable sections:

·       The ideal skin diet

·       The skin test - assess your skin situation

·       Spot quick fixes/remedies

·       Jennifer’s favourite skingredients and makeup products

·       The Korean skincare regime and other skincare trends

·       Jennifer’s special event skincare schedule

Our editor Cathy caught up with Jenn for a bit of a chit chat on how she got to where she is today.

What was your tipping point, getting you to actually turn The Cleanse Off Mitt into a business? 

I was a skin therapist in London and I had clients who were buying premium results-driven skincare but using face wipes to “cleanse” first so the fantastic skincare wasn’t able to properly penetrate into the skin and do its job. They may as well have been pouring half of the serum directly from the bottle onto their bathroom counter (and expecting skin results). 

I knew that there was a gap in the market for an accessible, affordable and skin-friendly alternative to face wipes so I created it and so the Cleanse Off Mitt® was born. 

#cleansewithme is the new #getreadywithme - but can you overcleanse?

Yes! Of course you can! I think it more has to do with what you’re using to cleanse than the amount of cleansing you're doing. I advocate for a double cleanse - remove your makeup and debris with your first step and then cleanse with something that is either soothing or pacifying the skin or delivering active ingredients after.

Overcleansing is when you are using too many skin-stripping ingredients, you’re using active cleansers too frequently (such as a cleanser with a high salicylic acid content twice a day) and you’re essentially damaging your skin’s barrier. 

Everyone wants to know about adult breakouts - are they caused by food, hormones or products? Or a mixture of all three?

They can be caused by any of these or combinations. I believe it is important to investigate the root of the concern, to figure out whether it’s stress that is causing your breakouts, whether it’s lifestyle, whether it’s products that no longer work for you or whether it’s an intolerance, for example. 

This is why we send all clients of the Nerd Network a skin diary to complete, to track whether they slept correctly and how much sugar they ate, for example, and see if these things correlate with their skin troubles. 

Skin from within - which supplements would you recommend for healthiest skin?

All of them. First and foremost, vitamin A in some shape or form so long as you are not pregnant or breastfeeding. Probiotics are something that everyone should take, as are omegas. Vitamin C is key for tackling pigmentation, boosting our collagen production and strengthening capillaries to aid with redness. If you’re looking for plump, youthful skin, collagen supplements like IMAGE’s Yana are the ticket. 

Is sugar the devil? Should we stay away from it for our skin - for our health in general? 

Unpopular opinion but yes, sugar should be avoided whenever possible. Sugar increases inflammation throughout the body (thus in the skin) and helps to form AGEs (advanced glycation end-products) which attack our collagen and elastin and age our skin faster. 

That being said, all in moderation. Every once in a while, it’s not the end of the world if you have some chocolate. If that same chocolate helps to reduce stress, then isn’t it having a positive effect on your skin nonetheless?! 

For the blurb about book at end, can we feature the consultations too like so? (I've attached the book press release again below)

For an online skin consultation and personalised results-driven routine from an expert, as well as access to your recommended products on The Skin Nerd® store, exclusive content, events, webinars and so much more, visit www.theskinnerd.com/onlineskinconsultations/ and join the Nerd Network.