As I keep using The Ordinary products it turns out they are everything but ordinary. I would rather call them extraordinary because they are simply going against the tide of the immense money-making machine of the beauty industry offering no-nonsense, incredibly effective mix of clinically proven active ingredients for a jaw-droppingly low price in simple packaging, no added fluff, no ridiculous claims, only the good stuff. The fact that they make these formulations easily accessible for a low price so cutting edge skin care is no longer the privilege of the well to do is groundbreaking.
Continuing with my Deciem series, next up from The Ordinary is the Vitamin C Suspension 23% + HA Spheres 2%.
Vitamin C (ascorbic acid) is one of the major cornerstones of anti-aging, it is classed as an antioxidant, so it fights the free radicals that can damage cells, it brightens, fights pigmentation, firms and promotes elasticity. It is great if you take Vitamin C internally, and is a godsend if you include it into your skincare too; preferably in quite a high concentration. I would say, go over 20% if you'd like to see amazing results.
With the addition of Hyaluronic Acid this Vitamin C serum offers visible skin smoothing alongside all the other benefits of Vitamin C. If you read up on the brand's Vitamin C guide, this is the highest potency they offer. I've been using this for 3 weeks now and I have to say I am blown away by the results and will definitely re-purchase.
My skin has already become visibly brighter and smoother, it gave my skin a much needed boost. I use it at bedtime, as advised, after cleansing and follow it up with the organic rosehip oil I got from the same brand. There was a mild tingling sensation after the first few uses, but as you keep using the product it goes away. I made a mistake once putting it on after I exfoliated, well, that made me tear up a little bit because I have to say, the stinging sensation was quite something. I learned my lesson. Won't do that again in a hurry.
The serum comes in a simple tube (it's been recently changed, it used to come in a dropper bottle) that's suitable for the light formula and is keeping the product stable.
Deciem also provides and excellent guide how to use their products and where they should be used within your skin care routine. If you go for the Vitamin C suspension, please note that is conflicts with Niacinamide, so if you have both serums in your collection, don't use them at the same time.
The Ordinary Vitamin C suspension is available here for £4.90. £4.90! Amazing value for money!
This is the time of the year when my skin is craving nourishment. Every year around October it starts to feel a bit tired, dull and generally just 'ugh' all round so I was very excited to receive my order from Victoria's Health with The Ordinary goodies. I've become a bit of a skincare junkie in the past couple of years and I am always looking for that magic combination of products that will keep my skin in good condition, but sometimes it feels so great to strip it down and go back to basics. I decided to put my usual oil blends (Darphin 8-Flower Nectar Oil, Liz Earle Superskin Concentrate) aside and went for pure cold pressed organic rosehip oil. This has got to be my favourite beauty essential at the moment, I can't get enough of it. If I could use only one product all my life, rosehip oil would be it...and when my Mr jsmakeupartist remarks on my soft and glowy skin? I just want to take a bath it that thing!
Rosehip is an anti-ageing powerhouse and has been used for its healing properties since the ancient Egyptians. It comes from a particular variety of rose and the rosehip we know is the fruit that is left over once the flower dropped its petals. The oil they extract from it is packed full of nutrients, rich in vitamins (A, C, D), essential fatty acids (emollient, improves skin elasticity), antioxidants (that fight environmental damage), the benefits for the skin are countless. Just by using this oil you get more even, brighter skin tone, it is hydrating, soothing, it heals scars and helps with photo-aging too. What's not to love?
Here are the main advantages in detail:
1. Rosehip oil is high in Vitamin C which is the best way to regenerate skin cells and boost the collagen.
2. It contains Vitamin A that has small molecules, so it reaches deep and can restore moisture levels in the lower layers of the skin, hence it is great for reducing the appearance of lines.
3. It contains essential fatty acids that combined with Vitamin A protects the skin from free radicals that damage the skin and fights pigmentation.
4. Rosehip oil is classified as a dry oil, so its texture is light, not sticky and absorbs quickly.
Why go cold pressed? Because heat is not used in the extraction process, so it leaves all the nutrients untouched.
If you desire a real treat for your skin this winter, this 100% Organic Cold-Pressed Rosehip Seed Oil from The Ordinary is a great option! You get 30 ml for only £9.00 that will last you for a good few months. Just make sure you keep it away from the light in a cool place so it doesn't go rancid. You can use it on its own or mix it with your usual moisturiser, all you have to do is give it a good massage and wait for the results to kick in. This an excellent way to finish off your evening skincare routine. When on the hunt for other beauty products with rosehip seed oil in it look for Rosa Rubiginosa.
I am usually not for over-hyped beauty products, but in this case, I encourage you not to ignore the hype, it is all well deserved!
Available here: here
I've never really been a lipstick wearer, up until a few years ago when I got comfortable and confident enough with them. I usually stuck to my tinted lip balms, maybe subtle glosses safe in my comfort zone. Since then I've become a bit of a hoarder and revel in the fantastic ranges, colours and formulas coming out, highstreet, high-end alike. I am not ready to pick all-time favourites just yet, but I can certainly say wich shades I pick up most these days. Here is my top 5:
5. Chanel Rouge Allure Luminous Intense Lip Colour - Incandescente #97
Okay, I have to admit, Lisa Eldridge made me buy this. She used this lipstick for one of my favourite red carpet looks on Keria Knightley and I fell in love with it.
Chanel has an undisputed dominance when it comes to quality, class and style in makeup, their lipsticks have always been one of the best on the market. Incandescente is a highly pigmented tomato red with beautiful soft texture, subtle glossy finish and good staying power without drying the lips. The colour provides an effortless class to any look and on top of that the packaging, of course, is luxurious.
Incandesente is high end through and through without a doubt. High end obviously comes at a price, it is £26.00 a pop, but it is a good investment if you are a makeup lover and willing to buy into the class that brand Chanel provides.
It is available here.
4. Rimmel The Only Matte Rouge - Salute
Being one of the highstreet's best, Rimmel has come out with impressive new material lately. I loved their anniversary rose gold collection and the contouring palette that is already a staple of my everyday makeup. Recently they've launched a matte range that stole my heart completely... well, maybe apart from the packaging that feels a bit too loud and on the cheap side.
The rich, creamy, matte formula though IS worth a try. It is non-drying, easy to wear and comes in a good variety of colours. Salute has got to be my favourite of the range, a soft blue-pink that is great for a toned down, natural look. For £6.99 a pop? It's a steal!
It is available here.
3. Mac Liptensity Lipstick - Smoked Almond
When it comes to nude colours it is sometimes hard to find a sophisticated one that matches your skin tone. Mac has such an array of shades you will eventually find one that you love, no matter what skin tone you are. Their Liptensity range is their most recent innovation in texture and it has proved to be a big hit with the public.
The dense creamy formula feels comfortable on the lips, the colour payoff is incredible and it provides a long wear. Smoked Almond is my chosen favourite at the moment. I normally wouldn't go for rose-brown nudes, but this one is somehow perfect.
It is available here for £17.50.
2. Tom Ford #7 Pink Dusk
Pre-Charlotte Tilbury, there was Tom Ford (actually Tilbury was the creative driving force behind the Tom Ford makeup range). I've been a big fan of their lipsticks for years, not just because I'm a sucker for elegant packaging, but I find the quality exceptional too. They, are soft, creamy, delicious, glide on the lips like a dream and the shades are exquisite.
Spanish Pink is what I tend to wear the most, it is ideal for everyday wear, but complements a stronger party look too. It is sophisticated, not too flashy, easy and comfortable to wear. There's only one downside for me and it's the price: £39.00. Ouch indeed!
It is available here.
And now for the No. 1 on the list:
1. Charlotte Tilbury Hot Lips - Miranda May
There are only a few brands in the world that have become iconic as quickly as Charlotte Tilbury. This is hardly a surpise though. Her products ooze elegance, style with a whiff of Old Hollywood glamour not to talk about the incredible quality and very clever, fun social media campaigns that they do. There is real expertise, love and passion behind every single product they do. All the lipsticks within the brand are beautiful and delicious looking especially the most recent Hot Lips range, the colours of which were inspired by celebrity women Charlotte makes up on a daily basis. They are all gorgeous, sophisticated shades, it is hard to pick a favourite. If you twisted my arm though I would choose Miranda May.
Miranda May (inspired by the one and only Miranda Kerr) is a dreamy, highly pigmented pinky coral shade. It has the Matte Revolution formula, but I would call it more a satin finish. The super-creamy texture makes it really comfortable and wearing it you feel just a bit more special. The Charlotte Tilbury magic IS a thing!
Just take the statement on the packaging "A cashmere cream texture with a soft-matte finish, enriched with papaya and orchid." - it exactly feels like that! It makes me smile, but no one can describe a product in such a mouthwatering way as Charlotte Tilbury does. Cashmere cream? Yes, please! Soft, matte? Sounds good to me! Papaya and orchid? I'm on board already! Take my money! Am I too easily persuaded? Maybe, but I dare say Charlotte Tilbury lipsticks are the Rolls Roys of lipsticks - they are top of the class and pure perfection! Top marks on the price too, it's £23. What is this compared to the Tom Ford ones, right? Okay, it's not cheap, but worth every single penny!
It is available here.
What is your top five?
Long are the days gone when only one or two brands ruled the world of the make-up brush. There's such a wide variety out there sometimes it's hard to pick and choose your favourites. Do you go for hype? Quality? Old classics? Looks? Natural hair? Cruelty-free? Highstreet? Pro? Budget? Luxury? The possibilities are endless. At an age when cosmetics brands come and go, the competition is fierce and it is hard to deliver anything new or truly amazing.
When it comes to brushes everyone has their personal preference in shapes, sizes, bristle types, etc. but there's definitely one type that has had a growing public demand and in the past few years and has come a long way: cruelty-free, vegan and 100% synthetic brushes. People are conscious of animal welfare and the environment more and more but would this mean that they have to compromise on the quality of their makeup brushes? Not anymore. If you wish to avoid animal hair bristles you don't have to make do with rough, unflexible brushes with a plastic feel that are hardly able to blend products, there are plenty of alternatives. It is a trial and error finding the ones that will work for you but it's so much easier these days and you don't even have to break the bank to get pretty good quality.
Be aware that vegan and cruelty-free are not one and the same, so if you are truly concerned about animal welfare, make sure you read the labels carefully and go for 100% synthetic and vegan. Cruelty-free is a label that companies are free to use even if they still might use animal hair because technically you don't have to test a brush on animals. It's a bit like the 'paraben-free' label: the product itself doesn't list parabens as an ingredient, but the ingredients of the product might have been treated with it. Apart from protecting animals, there are many other advantages of using synthetic brushes: they don't absorb oils, they are easier to clean, they are very durable, cost less and great if you have allergies to certain animal hairs or have sensitive skin.
Here's a few, vegan, cruelty-free and ethical options that I have used and love:
Louise Young - not fully vegan or an eco brand, but one of the more ethical ones, handmade in the UK, responsibly sourced made sure no animals have been harmed or killed for their hair. They use both natural and synthetic hair, there is a nice variety there.
You can find them here.
Eco Tools - cruelty-free and vegan, tree-free using recycled materials and recycled bamboo. This has got to be one of my favourites for quality, variety, price point and for their philosophy.
You can find them here.
Urban Decay - cruelty-free and vegan, using recycled plastic bottles, they have a good variety of soft brushes and they have just released a fantastic, pro range.
You can find them here.
Real Techniques - who hasn't heard of the Pixiwoos and the fantastic business they have built on the success of their Youtube Channel? Their collaboration with Real Techniques has become one of the fastest growing brush brands in recent times and no wonder: the brushes are great quality, cruelty-free, vegan and a dream to work with.
You can find them here.
Look Good Feel Better - I'm all up for getting behind amazing charities like Look Good Feel Better (the only worldwide cancer support charity, providing practical support for women struggling with the side effects from cancer treatments). Bespoke Europe has created twelve handmade brushes using super-soft Taklon bristles making them allergy free, cruelty free and suitable for sensitive skin. 8%-12 % of the sales go for Look Good Feel Better (I wish it was a little bit more).
You can find them here.
Going vegan when it comes to brushes is a great way to make sure that the sourcing of the bristles doesn't involve cruel treatment of animals and I love that I can make a choice. The fact that a large number of brands realize the importance of animal welfare and opting out from taking part in senseless animal abuse and are more inclined to make ethical choices shows that companies are more willing to be influenced by public demand and be innovative about their products rather than following sometimes archaic corporate behaviour.
Other cruelty-free, vegan options: Illamasqua, Zoeva, Two Faced, OCC, INIKA, Aveda, The Body Shop, Kat Von D Beauty, Origins, It Cosmetics, Artis, Tarte.
