Summer Scents.
Summer Scents.
Click Here To Purchase: Diptyque Philosykos, Malin + Goetz Bergamot, Glossier You Doux, Matiere Premiere Parisian Musc, Santa Maria Novella Acqua Di Sicilia.
*All images and words are my own.
Future Beauty.
Future Beauty.
1. A balm that can be used all over your face at any time of the day to protect your skin from blue light exposure, Tomorrow-Today Beauty Hydration Hero Balm. 2. A cream full of vitamins and antioxidants that help to rid the skin of free radicals and offers long-lasting hydration and barrier support, Dermalogica Multivitamin Power Recovery Cream. 3. A super hydrating night cream that deeply moisturises the skin and helps to retain moisture levels throughout the night, fantastic at smoothing the skin and helping with fine lines due to dehydration, Ella Baché Hydra Hyaluronic Night Cream. 4. A tonic that helps to stimulate hair growth and over time helps to even out greying hair, The Tonic by Robe Haircare. 5. A serum that can be used daily to help with hair growth, CZE Hair Hair Growth Serum. 6. A chic comb to keep in your bag to comb on the go, CZE Hair Wide Tooth Comb In Tortoise. 7&8. Sunscreens I have been wearing lately, Emma Lewisham Sunceutical SPF 50 Mineral Face Crème, RAAIE Sun Milk Drops Tinted SPF50.*Images provided by corresponding brands and styled by me.
My Top Grooming Products, And Where To Buy Them.
My Top Grooming Products, And Where To Buy Them.
Shaving has been a huge part of my grooming routine for over twenty years now, there's no denying that shaving can be irritating to the skin which is why it's important to have a good skincare routine in play and good products that can help the process.
Below I will be talking about my top tips for shaving which have helped me along the way, all of these products mentioned in this feature are available on Thirty7 which is a new grooming destination full of products that are targeted to men's grooming and shaving routines, the website has some really great brands that I have had the pleasure of using over the years and it's great to see a site with such a well thought-out selection of products and brands, I like when a website has everything I need and this website has that.
The first step in my shaving routine is using a physical exfoliant, this can help to lift the hair follicle making it easier for your razor blade to cut the hair and it will also help with ingrown hairs as it cleans deep down into the pores and gets rid of any dulling dead skin cells.
Product Recommendation: Recipe For Men Facial Scrub.
This is a really nice scrub because it's not too harsh on the skin and foams nicely meaning you can use it like an exfoliating cleanser hybrid, it leaves your skin feeling smoother instantly and allows for a closer shave.
A shaving gel seems like an obvious in a shaving routine but I am very particular about it, I think it's important to find a balance between providing enough lather to properly shave but not so much product that you are just clogging the razor and not shaving close enough.
Product Recommendation: Charles + Lee Shave Gel.
I like this shave gel as it has little to no lather to it but provides enough lubrication for my razor to glide over, it gives my skin a nice cushion for shaving and rinses clean. I like that I can control how much I use on my skin and if I need more I can just easily add more, in my eyes it's the perfect shave gel.
As I mentioned at the start of this feature, shaving can be irritating to your skin so it's important to have a good skincare routine and use a good moisturiser suited to your skin type after shaving to help hydrate and soothe the skin post shave.
Product Recommendation: Revate Hydrate Facial Moisturiser.
This moisturiser is great to use post-shave as it leaves a matte finish which I always like when it comes to using skincare after shaving, it uses antioxidants to protect against free radicals and helps to build collagen and keep the skin moisturised throughout the day and night.
As someone who has maintained a moustache for the last few years I can definitely notice that my beard hair can become dry and if I don't keep on top of it, it can look messy which is why a beard balm can come in handy.
Product Recommendation: The Groomed Man Co. Cool Cola Beard Balm.
I use this beard balm from The Groomed Man Co. as it helps to hydrate my beard but also keeps it in a nice shape, the scent is subtle but feels like a treat to use.
As mentioned all products are available from Thirty7, for more information on the site and to browse all of their great products Click Here.
Simon x
*This post has been in collaboration with Thirty7 and products have been provided for content inclusion, words and images are my own
My Favourite Hydrating Serums For Oily Skin.
My Favourite Hydrating Serums For Oily Skin.
Ella Baché Hydra Hyaluronic Cellular Serum: From the second I applied this serum to my face I immediately fell in love with it, my skin instantly absorbed it and immediately felt like it had a big drink of water. I love how this product makes my skin look and feel and as it is so plumping I have noticed a huge reduction in any fine lines that I have due to dehydration.
It uses a Bio-Fermented Hyaluronic Acid that deeply hydrates the skin whilst drawing in moisture and keeping it there, Antioxidants work to protect the skin from daily stresses and Natural Acids lightly exfoliate which I like when an exfoliating serum has an exfoliating property as I find it suits my oily-combination skin the best.
I mainly use this serum at night but it works both morning and night and it's one that I know I will continue to have in my routine.
iS Clinical Hydra-Cool Serum: This serum is great for any skin type but especially if you have oily skin as it's so lightweight and immediately absorbs into the skin without leaving any sort of residue behind, I love the way it feels on my skin and how it makes my skin feel more refreshed and cooler, it's been really great in Melbourne with the humidity that's going on currently.
It uses a blend of antioxidants and botanicals to protect the skin and keep it well hydrated, I like it after shaving also as a refreshing boost of hydration.
Dr.Lewinn's Serum Series Hydrate: I can be very fussy when it comes to hydrating serums, as they are not the only product I would use in a routine and by that I mean I would always use one over say a blemish serum or an antioxidant serum, so for me, they can't be too heavy and feel like I have too much on my skin but with this serum, I don't have any of those issues.
This serum is so lightweight and so hydrating that it actually feels like water on the skin, it uses Hyaluronic Acid to draw moisture into the skin which can help to plump and smooth out fine lines, Waterin Plus also adds hydration to the skin and helps to lock it in, it also helps to support the skin's barrier and prevent any water loss.
I am so happy to of tried this product and only upset that I didn't try it sooner, it's an absolute joy to use.
Saint Louve Vitamin B3, B5 & Hyaluronic Acid Hydrating Serum: This one is for you if you're after a serum that goes behind just hydration. Whilst containing multiple molecular weights of Hyaluronic Acid which draws moisture into the skin it also contains Vitamin B3 and Panthenol which helps to control oil production whilst hydrating the skin and helping with fine lines due to dehydration.
This serum feels immediately hydrating when I apply it and sits well with my other products, I love the way it makes my skin feel under makeup and I am starting to get fine lines around my forehead and this is helping to plump that area and overall keep my skin hydrated and balanced.
Emma Lewisham Supernatural Vitale Elixir: As with all products that launch from Emma Lewisham I was very excited about this one, as I am approaching my mid-thirties I am noticing some fine lines starting to pop up mainly around my forehead and eye area which I know are mainly due to dehydration which is my skin is prone to.
This serum from Emma Lewisham works to smooth out fine lines and wrinkles whilst giving an immediate filling effect whilst deeply hydrating the skin.
I like using this in the morning as it forms a really nice base for my makeup to go on top of as it's so smoothing, I also use it like a spot treatment, particularly on the lines I want to be smoothed out and it works wonders. This product does everything that it claims to do and when I run out of it I miss having it in my routine, there are a lot of products from the brand that I keep on repeat and this is one of them.
Simon x
*The products mentioned in this post have been sent to me for content inclusion, as always all thoughts and reviews are my own and all images have been shot and styled by me unless specifically mentioned otherwise.
A Month In Beauty, November.
A Month In Beauty, November.
*Endota New Age Glycolic Exfoliating Cleanser: Sometimes a cleanser can just be a cleanser but using a really good exfoliating cleanser is a huge part of my routine as my skin benefits from regular exfoliation, sometimes it can be hard to notice a huge difference in your skin with a cleanser but from the first use of this cleanser from Endota, I noticed an immediate difference in my skin.
As it contains a high percentage of Glycolic Acid [15%] it deeply exfoliates the skin and helps to slough away any dulling dead skin cells and immediately left my skin looking brighter and smoother, I was amazed at the immediate result that I got from it. It also contains Lactic Acid which is one of my personal favourite exfoliating acids as it hydrates whilst it exfoliates, I have been using actives for a long time and have no issue with this cleanser but if you are new to using actives I would start slow and work your way up.
I like using it at night after I have removed my makeup and it has done an amazing job of evening my skin tone and texture and whilst I have only had it for a short time I can already see myself buying backups.
*Emma Lewisham Supernatural Blemish Serum: This serum from Emma Lewisham has recently been reformulated and whilst I loved the old formula, I appreciate the reformulation and what they have done to the serum, I have also seen amazing results from using it daily.
It's essentially a dual-phase serum where you pump one to two pumps of each side and mix them together and apply like you would your normal serum, I use it daily either morning or night depending on what other products I use but I do use it on a daily basis no matter what as I love the results I get from it.
It uses a Live-Strain Probiotic that works to inhibit the bacteria that cause acne breakouts and helps with the overall microbiome of the skin, it balances the skin and feels so soothing and nourishing when I apply it. I am someone who has had issues with breakouts for the last twenty years and I am always looking for products to help combat the issue and this does wonder at that and I know I will continue to use this in my daily routine for as long as the brand has it, it's a true favourite and I know how much work and research has gone into it.
*The Facialist Perfect Cream: I'm very fussy when it comes to moisturisers, I have an oily-combination skin type that is prone to dehydration so I do need a moisturiser but I like one that is lightweight but hydrating enough and doesn't leave any sort of residue behind.
The name perfect is in this cream and to me, it is perfect. It's moisturising but not greasy, absorbs well into my skin and sits well with my other products, it also smells really nice and I know a lot of people have issues with fragrance but I don't and I really enjoy the scent of this product as it makes it feel really luxurious and like a treat to use.
It uses a blend of Prebiotics, Niacinamide, Kakdue Plum and Bakuchiol which all work together to brighten, calm and nourish the skin.
Glossier You Doux: I am a huge fan of the original Glossier You and was very excited when they launched two new fragrances, I bought both of them because that's the kind of person I am and I didn't even smell them first but I knew I would like them.
I like both but my favourite of the two is Doux which contains notes of Sweet Violet, Palo Santo, Frankincense and Myrrh. It's green and spicy but still fresh and smells really nice on the skin, when it does settle down it does have a similar scent profile to the original but with more of a green and spicy element to it.
I like spicy and woody fragrances and this one is lovely and I am looking forward to wearing it more.
Grown Alchemist Enzyme Exfoliant: This product is one that I always get as a sample when I make a purchase with the brand and the sample is actually a decent size and you get a few uses out of it, I loved this product so much that I had to eventually buy myself a full size.
It's an exfoliating mask that doesn't contain physical exfoliants its more like a gel mask that contains chemical exfoliants, I tend to put it on in the morning as soon as I wake up and leave it on whilst I am making coffee and choosing what to wear for the day, I only use it a couple of times a week.
It uses Papaya to gently dissolve away dulling dead skin cells as well as Vitamin C to brighten, I like it because I can leave it on for even five to ten minutes and I see great results from it, my skin is smoother and has a nice glow it and any makeup I put on for the day goes on better.
It smells lovely and overall I just really enjoy using it, I now have backups.
Simon x
*The products mentioned in this post that have been marked with an *asterisk have been sent to me via the brand or pr, otherwise, they have been personally purchased. As always all opinions are my own and all words and images are my own unless stated otherwise.
The Eye Creams That Target All My Specific Concerns.
The Eye Creams That Target All My Specific Concerns.
*ISDINCEUTICS K-OX Eyes: I am a big believer in using eye cream as I always like knowing that the ingredients in the product are specially targeted for my under eye concerns which are fine lines and dark circles, whenever I see a product targeted for these concerns I am always very eager and intrigued to try it.
This eye cream from ISDINCEUTICS has done wonders at smoothing the texture of my under-eye area and has provided a lot of welcomed hydration to the area, it's great to use morning and night and sits well under my makeup.
It uses Vitamin K Oxide which is well known as a brightening ingredient to brighten dark circles and I get great results from products containing this ingredient, Hyaluronic Acid works to draw moisture into the skin and moisturise at a deep level, Haloxyl helps to brighten dark circles and firm the area and Eyeliss works to target puffiness.
When it comes to choosing an eye cream I like one that targets a multitude of concerns and this one ticks all of the boxes for me and it has been a true joy to use.
*Dermalogica Phyto Nature Lifting Eye Cream: On the topic of lifting and firming, this new eye cream from Dermalogica has been a godsend at helping all of my under-eye concerns, I love their phyto-nature range and was happy to see it had now extended to an eye cream.
It uses Phytoactives to moisturise the skin and a blend of ingredients with CoQ10 to tighten and lift the area, I love the souffle-like texture of it that immediately melts into my skin and provides an immediate lifting and moisturising effect.
My skin can be quite sensitive to eye creams but I have had no issue with this product which is great because it's one that I really enjoy using, great to use morning and night but I especially like using it in the morning as it looks really nice under makeup.
Verso Super Eye Serum: I have always heard great things about this eye cream and have always enjoyed the products I have tried from the brand, I was lucky enough to receive it as part of a membership program and am so glad I did.
As the name suggests it's a serum rather than a cream but I tend to use it just like an eye cream, it contains the brand's signature Retinol 8 complex which helps with texture and fine lines, it also creates a light exfoliating effect. It also uses Tumeric which provides antioxidant properties to protect the skin from daily stresses and Peptides to help with dark circles.
I love the texture of this product, it's quite fluid which means you can place it wherever you want and it spreads and absorbs easily. I actually use it anywhere on my face that has fine lines and especially around my forehead which is starting to get fine lines. I also like that it is available in a 30ml size which is double the size of your traditional eye cream meaning I have that ability to use it where I want and not worry about going through it as quickly as a typical 15ml eye cream.
Sunday Riley Auto Correct Eye Cream: I got this eye cream as part of a Christmas pack so the packaging will be different to what you see when linked, I love this eye cream, the thing I love about a lot of Sunday Riley products is that whilst they don't contain coverage they immediately give your skin a lovely glow and that is the case with this eye cream.
It immediately makes my under-eye area look brighter and is nice for those no-makeup days, it uses Caffeine to reduce dark circles and puffiness, Brazilian Ginseng Root Extract energizes tired eyes and Horse Chestnut Extract helps with fine lines.
It's just a really great eye cream that does everything that it claims to do, it brightens, smooths and hydrates and I really enjoy having it in my routine.
*Emma Lewisham Skin Reset Eye Crème: Building on from the brand's now famous Skin Reset Serum the brand offers the Skin Reset Eye Crème which I have loved using as much as the serum, I like when brands launch multiple products from the same range and I always like knowing I am getting all the benefits I love from each product.
This eye cream firms the under eye area and helps to brighten the eye area over time, it has a beautiful feel on the skin, immediately feels nourishing and moisturising and has done wonders at smoothing out my fine lines and brightening my dark circles.
Simon x
*The products mentioned in this post that have been marked with an *asterisk have been sent to me via the brand or pr, otherwise, they have been personally purchased. As always all opinions are my own and all words and images are my own unless stated otherwise.
Protect Yourself.
Protect Yourself.
*Tomorrow-Today Beauty Tech Protect Serum: This is the serum that inspired me to write this post and one that I have been obsessed with over the last couple of months, it's a beautiful lightweight serum that hydrates your skin whilst using ingredients to protect against blue light from the devices we use on a daily basis.
The thing I love about this serum is how hydrating it is and how well it sits on my skin, sometimes hydrating serums can feel tacky and end up drying my skin out but this hydrates my skin beautifully, it's also lightly exfoliating with Lactic Acid which for someone with breakout-prone skin does wonders at keeping that at bay but also evening my skin texture.
I just love that there is a serum out there like this one to help with an issue that we deal with on a daily basis but also easily fits into my daily routine, I even like to apply it throughout the day by just lightly patting over my face to add another layer of hydration.
Grown Alchemist Skin Defense Anti-Pollution Primer: I saw this product getting a lot of hype on social media and was very eager to try it as I am a huge fan of the brand, essentially it is a primer that contains ingredients that help to improve skin quality and the skin's barrier and also protect it from environmental stresses.
It can be used like a traditional primer would which would be under makeup but also looks really nice on its own on no-makeup days, it gives the skin an almost blurred look and whilst it doesn't offer any coverage it does make your skin look smoother and more even toned.
It uses an Anti-Pollution Shield Complex that creates a barrier to protect the skin from blue light, and a Prebiotic Peptide works to protect the skin and improve barrier function, I like the way this product feels on my skin and it's nice to wear on no makeup days when I still want my skin to look smooth and even, and nice knowing that I am getting all the skincare benefits from it.
*Aesop B Triple C Facial Balancing Gel: One of Aesop's cult classic products that deserves all the hype it gets, an antioxidant-rich gel that brightens the skin whilst protecting it from daily stresses, whilst I like using it for its antioxidant properties, it's also great to use in the transitional seasons as it deeply hydrates my skin and almost forms a barrier to protect it from harsh weather changes.
My skin gets very affected by sudden weather changes and whilst I am on the oily combination side I can get easily dehydrated and this product helps to keep my skin balanced and in check. I like it as the last step in my skin routine before sunscreen or if my skin needs an extra hit of hydration, I will use it like a serum and follow up with either an oil or a moisturiser like the Perfect Facial Hydrating Cream from the brand.
*iS Clinical Active Serum: When it comes to talking about pollution and daily stresses and what products to use to combat these issues, I think it's important to include some sort of exfoliating product into your routine as this will help to slough away any impurities and dulling dead skin cells that have built up in your skin.
For me personally, if I have spent the day in the city I can feel my skin has become oilier and feels quite textured as opposed to when I have just spent the day at home which is why I like to exfoliate regularly with a serum like this one from iS Clinical.
It helps with breakouts and uneven skin tone and with continued use, I can honestly say it has done wonders at keeping my skin even toned and even my pigmentation from previous spots has diminished. With this serum, I feel like it's really working and no matter how long I have been using it, I still see continued results.
Drunk Elephant D-Bronzi Anti-Pollution Sunshine Drops: A bronze glow whilst protecting your skin from daily pollution? That's what this product from Drunk Elephant offers, it has become a cult favourite in its own right and in my opinion, is 100% worth all the hype it gets, yes there are dupes and I have tried some but nothing comes close to this.
You have to mix this product into either a serum or moisturiser or your foundation as they are super concentrated and it immediately gives your skin the nicest bronze sheen without looking too orange or too unnatural, it's up to you how dark you want the product to turn out as you can control how many drops you put into your desired product.
It uses a blend of Phytocompounds to provide antioxidant protection, Black Currant Seed Oil to moisturise the skin, Vitamin F helps to calm the skin and is full of omegas to nourish and the brand's famous Marula Oil which nourishes and provides even more antioxidant protection.
I am someone who likes to look bronzed and this product helps me to do that whilst slotting easily into my daily routine, I love that it has so many skincare properties and I do notice a huge difference in the overall health and balance of my skin when using this consistently.
Simon x
*The products mentioned in this post that have been marked with an *asterisk have been sent to me via the brand or pr, otherwise, they have been personally purchased. As always all opinions are my own and all words and images are my own unless stated otherwise.
Overnight Sensations.
Overnight Sensations.
ISDINCEUTICS Retinal Intense: Retinaldehyde is a well-known ingredient that helps with most of the signs of aging and as I am heading closer and closer into my early thirties, it's an ingredient that has been a mainstay in my routine. My main concerns are pigmentation and fine lines that are starting to appear mainly around my forehead and eye area and using a serum like this one from ISDINCEUTICS consecutively is helping to combat these concerns.
This serum comes in the form of a bi-phase which is mixed together once it's pumped to maintain its stability, it has a very light texture that immediately absorbs into the skin and a little bit goes a long way. The oil phase of the serum uses Retinaldehyde and Bakuchiol that with continued use help to stimulate collagen production as well as Melatonin that provides the skin with antioxidants. The aqueous phase contains Niacinamide which is well known for its skin-brightening capabilities and as someone who does have pigmentation, I have seen great results from using this ingredient consecutively.
It will help with fine lines and skin texture whilst hydrating the skin which are all concerns to me, this serum feels very active on my skin which I love as I have been using active products for a long time now and with this product, I really feel like I am getting the results I want.
*Editors note: When using any sort of active product it's important to be wearing an SPF on a daily basis to protect your skin.
Emma Lewisham Supernatural Sleeping Mask: Whilst we are sleeping our skin is working hard to repair itself which is why it's important to choose the products you put on your skin before you go to bed wisely, this Overnight Mask from Emma Lewisham uses a blend of actives to brighten, plump and firm your skin whilst you sleep.
You can apply it as the last step in your routine either over moisturiser or in place of it, I personally like using it instead of moisturiser a couple of times a week and my skin always thanks me for it. It's moisturising and repairing and whenever I wake up the next morning from using it I notice a huge difference in the overall texture and hydration of my skin, my skin looks calmer and has less redness when I use this product and from the texture and the scent of this product makes it an absolute joy to use.
It's super calming and nourishing and gives me the sense that my skin is being nurtured whilst I sleep.
Ella Baché Hydra Hyaluronic Night Cream: I have never really used a targeted night cream before but as I am heading into my mid-thirties and starting to notice the signs of aging creeping in and my skin becoming drier, in my nighttime skincare routine I like to make sure my skin is properly hydrated and nourished before going to bed.
This night cream from Ella Baché is super nourishing and my skin feels immediately more hydrated and plump when I apply it, I have to be careful with heavier moisturisers as I have an oily combination skin type but my skin is also dehydrated and it drinks this cream up and I don't have any issues with it feeling too heavy or pore-clogging on my skin.
It uses Antioxidants that help to fight free radical damage from daily stresses which being in a city is very important for me, Hyaluronic Acid helps to draw moisture into the skin and keep it there and this cream is also lightly exfoliating which is why I think I love it so much as whilst it is deeply hydrating my skin it's also helping to clear away any dulling dead skin and has helped with any breakouts or texture irregularities that I have going on. All in all, this is a great cream and I have really enjoyed using it.
Dermalogica Biolumin-C Night Restore: This is one of Dermalogica's latest launches and one that I was very excited about as I am a big fan of the products from the Biolumin-C range, their latest offering is the Night Restore which is a Vitamin C and Pro-Vitamin D Complex serum.
The Vitamin C in this product provides the skin with antioxidants that will help counteract any free radicals that have built up from daily stresses, it's also well known for its brightening properties. The Pro-Vitamin D complex helps to reinforce the skin's moisture barrier alongside ingredients to help hydrate and nourish the skin.
This serum has easily slotted into my nightly routine, my skin gets along with Vitamin C very well and this has made a nice addition to my routine.
Grown Alchemist Hydra-Repair Treatment Cream: Whenever my skin is feeling drier than normal and needs a boost, I immediately reach for this product. It's so moisturising and so soothing, it's almost like an oil in balm that normally I would think would be too thick for my oily-combination skin type but this absorbs really well into my skin without leaving any sort of greasy residue behind.
When I apply this my skin immediately drinks it up and looks immediately more nourished and my skin has a glow to it like I have just applied an oil.
It uses a blend of Phytosterols to add hydration, Geranium Blossom helps to rebalance sebum levels and Cane Sugar helps to soothe skin from UV damage. I look at this cream like a repair cream as that's what it does to my skin, I love how my skin looks and feels when I use this and it's one that I always want to have backups of as I know I always want it in my routine.
Simon x
*The products mentioned in this post have been sent to me for content inclusion, as always all thoughts and reviews are my own and all images have been shot and styled by me unless specifically mentioned otherwise.
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