Comforting Beauty Buys
In stressful and uncertain times, practising self-care is a great coping strategy, with a calming beauty routine the perfect way to begin
Many of us are finding adjusting to life after lockdown stressful. Whether you’re feeling conflicted, fatigued or lacking in confidence, self-care routines can provide some respite. According to Vivien Leung, wellbeing expert and founder of bath and body brand Verdant Alchemy: “Self-care is simply an act to improve mood, help de-stress and improve emotional and mental health. Beauty is slow; the skincare ritual, the make-up routine, it all takes time, and this helps me to focus on myself.”
Our pick of products could help encourage moments of calm and contentment…
✶ BBBLondon Rose Water Mist, £22. Visit bbb-london.com. A moisturising mist to soften and revive tired skin. It’s used as part of Blink Brow Bar’s tenminute Brow Pinching treatment (£20; visit bbb-london.com to book). Inspired by ancient ayurvedic practices, the ritual focuses on pressure points around the eye area to relieve tension, reduce puffiness and encourage collagen production.
✶ De Mamiel Altitude Oil, £30. Visit demamiel.com. A potent blend of immuneboosting plant oils to ground and energise you. Founder Annee de Mamiel created this handbag hero to help her deal with the heady feeling you can get on flights. Deep inhalations will help you keep a sense of perspective.
✶ Balance Me Pre and Probiotic Cleansing Milk, £20. Visit balanceme.com. A creamy cleanser that is all things to all skin types. It contains anti-inflammatory fatty acids, soothing manuka honey, natural exfoliators and linden oil – touted for its de-stressing properties. Hold a warm cloth to your face and breathe in before buffing it away.
✶ Violette FR Bisou Balm in Calisson/Guimauve/Bêtise, £24. Visit violettefr.com. The perfect pick-me-up. A sheer, low-maintenance matte lipstick with just enough pigment to make it worthwhile. Softens like a balm and comes in three flattering shades. Layer it up, no mirror required.
✶ Verdant Alchemy Ascent Pink Himalayan Bath Salts, £26. From liberty.co.uk. Draw a warm bath and sprinkle in some of these sweet-smelling, magnesium-rich salts. Bathing has been linked to various health benefits, such as reducing anxiety, tackling chronic pain and even improving your heart health.
✶ Disciple Intervention Face Mask, £30. From cultbeauty.com. It’s the closest thing to crisis management for your skin. Apply this mask for 15 minutes to hydrate and brighten stressedout complexions. As well as exfoliating fruit acids, it’s packed with glow-giving antioxidants.
✶ Loum Pure Serenity Golden C Serum, £90. From cultbeauty.co.uk. Part of a new wave of brands tapping into the mind-skin connection, Loum targets the effects of stress on your complexion. Created with the input of worldleading psycho-dermatologist Dr Francisco Tausk, this nourishing serum targets dryness, redness and breakouts.
✶ Caudalie VinoFresh Deodorant, £13. Visit uk.caudalie.com. Upgrading basic, everyday products can be particularly gratifying. Made with natural ingredients, including soothing grape water and antibacterial eucalyptus, this deodorant will keep you smelling fresh all day.
✶ Bloom & Blossom You Glow Girl Oil, £35. Visit bloomandblossom.com. Reconnect with your body using this skin-strengthening oil. It tones, brightens and hydrates – and sinks in within seconds. The blend of ylang ylang and lavender will help quieten busy minds, too.
✶ Oskia Rest Day Comfort Cream, £56. Visit oskiaskincare.com. Formulated to give sensitised complexions a break and bolster barrier function, this cooling, vitamin-rich cream aims to keep moisture in your face, pollutants out, and encourage skin to reset and recuperate. Available from next month.