#100 The MAGNIFI-CENT - EPISODE I

As this is my 100th post - cheers! clink clink - I figured I'd ditch the bad-mouthing for a bit and list my TOP 100 BEAUTY TREATS. So, here is Part One of the good stuff...


But just in case the nods get too nauseating, for my 102nd post I'll be dishing the dirt on the MOST OVERRATED BEAUTY LAUNCHES OF ALL TIME... yep, a round-up of all those 'cult' beauty products that ought to have had their bubbles burst from day one. So stay tuned!!!

For the time being, however, here's the stuff that true beauty is made of:

BODY

1) BEST BODY OIL: NEOM REAL LUXURY ORGANIC BODY OIL

2) BEST BATH OIL: NEOM REAL LUXURY ORGANIC BATH OIL
The best-smelling pair in my bathroom; and they make a real difference to dry skin.

3) BEST BODY WASH: REN MOROCCAN ROSE OTTO BODY WASH
Suds up nicely without the sodium laureth sulfate - I like to load up 4) the £1.99 exfoliating gloves you find in Superdrug, and give the back of arms & thighs a good scrub with this. Soft soft soft!

5) BEST BODY SCRUB: ORIGINS INCREDIBLE SPREADABLE SCRUB
Nowadays it's the Superdrug gloves (see above) 2/3 times a week, BUT if I still fancy a little luxury, this is the scrub I return to.

6) BEST BODY CREAM: BROWN EARTH SHEA BUTTER
Thick, unctuous & a little bit sticky - but nothing's better for ever-flaky limbs.

7) BEST DEODORANT: ORIGINS ORGANIC TOTALLY PURE DEODORANT & 8) THURSDAY PLANTATION TEA TREE SPORT DEODORANT
Both smell fresh & herby & keep pongs at bay. They won't do a thing for sweaty pits though... sorry.

9) BEST SUNSCREEN, BODY: GARNIER AMBRE SOLAIRE KIDS RAPIDO NON-STOP SPRAY SPF 30
Great stay-put formula, light & unfussy, no suspicious pongs & true protection that kept every exposed part pink-free all holiday

BEST HANDCREAM:
10) FOR SOFTNESS: AVENE EAU THERMALE COLD CREAM HAND CREAM (sinks in in seconds)
11) FOR SPF: THE SANCTUARY HAND CREAM SPF15 (really yummy SPA smell)
12) FOR HANDBAGS: ATRIXO ENRICHED MOISTURISING CREAM (cheap, & cheerful hands)

BEST BATH SALT: 13) INA HIMALAYAN SALT CRYSTALS
Ain't cheap, but these leave a glossy film over skin & seem to depuff the entire body. For DIY treats, pour 14) Epsom salts into water and add two to three drops of pure Rose Essential Oil on top.

BEST CELLULITE PRODUCT: NUDE SMOOTHING BODY REFINER - if used daily for several weeks skin will take on a much smoother & even appearance. I got my thighs out for the first time in 6 months thanks to this serum - they felt far less jiggly too, thank god - but be warned, within days of giving it up the thighs went back to normal. Groan. It's an effective short-term fix though.

SKIN


15)BEST CLEANSER: ESPA GENTLE DEEP CLEANSING BALM
This baby wins out because it emulsifies with water, so rinses clean every time, and the blend has, finally!, balanced my skin out beautifully. 16) Spiezia Cleanser is lovely too, but is tougher to remove - best coupled with the brand's floral toner; 17) Saaf Cleanser is also luxurious, but I have found that it's best for drier skins. I'm also concerned that, over time, one or two of the oils in it make skin a little bit reactive... let me know what you've found though.

BEST FACE CREAM:
18) FOR COMBINATION/CONGESTED: ESPA 24 HOUR BALANCING CREAM - three months in, and my skin is calmer and less congested than ever.
19) FOR DRY: ELEMIS PRO-COLLAGEN MARINE CREAM - friends swear by the sink-straight-in texture and 24-hour benefits.


BEST FACE OIL:
20) FOR COMBINATION: ESPA BALANCING FACE OIL - just 2 drops day & night have made a world of difference to my up-and-down skin.
21) FOR DRY: ILA GLOW OIL - one of the most nourishing formulas on the market & a real cult beauty favourite.
22) FOR SENSITIVE: DARPHIN CHAMOMILE OIL - I used this, and nothing else, after cleansing on the morning of my wedding and skin remained clear & calm all day.
23) FOR CONGESTED: DARPHIN PURIFYING BALM - great for healing post-extraction skin.

BEST FACE MASK:
24) PURIFYING: OMOROVICZA PURIFYING MASK - a little dollop mixed in with their wonderful cleanser makes a fab deep-cleansing treat.
25) HYDRATING: JURLIQUE INTENSE RECOVERY MASK - this does it all: balances, purifies, brightens, but best of all, it packs botanical-rich moisture into parched skin - and the effects don't wear off overnight either.
26) CALMING: ALPHA-H CALMING & HYDRATING MASK - feels fresh & cool - takes down redness well, and is great for sunbaked skin.
27) NOURISHING: DERMALOGICA MULTI-VITAMIN POWER RECOVERY MASK - the high vit c levels give skin a real glow - it's also great for helping damaged skin to heal itself.
28) SOOTHING: ORIGINS DR WEIL MEGA-MUSHROOM SKIN CALMING MASK - the smell isn't for everyone - it actually makes me feel a bit nauseous - but it does restore comfort to skin that's prone to flare-ups.
29) BRIGHTENING: SK II FACIAL TREATMENT MASK - packs a nicely soothing punch & leaves skin looking clarified - BUT it can cause breakouts in those who are prone.
30) EXFOLIATING: ELEMIS TRI-ENZYME RESURFACING GEL MASK and KORNER SPARKLE BRIGHTLY RENEWAL MASK - both get rid of scaly patches gently, but make a visible difference.

BEST EXFOLIANT:
31) ORIGINS MODERN FRICTION - use a small amount & lots of water for best results.
32) AGERA MICRODERMA CRYSTAL C SYSTEM - used once a week, nothing is better for fading pigmentation patches.
ALSO WORTH A NOD: SPIEZIA ORGANIC ROSE & CHAMOMILE FACE SCRUB - an old school granulated formula - but the nourishing rose oil keeps this feeling like a real treat. I mix a bit in with my ESPA Cleanser when I feel I need a bit of a slough.

BEST EYE CREAM:
33) FOR DAY: DERMALOGICA TOTAL EYE CARE SPF15 - brightens, smoothes & protects.
34) FOR NIGHT: CREME DE LA MER THE EYE BALM - the smallest amount depuffs & soothes.

35) BEST SUNSCREEN, FACE: LA ROCHE POSAY HELIOANTHOS SPF50+ (light & traceless) AND 36) BEST TINTED SUNSCREEN: MURAD SHEER TINT SPF15 SUNBLOCK (an old favourite that I wear most days instead of foundation - it's a foolproof staple)

BEST LIPBALM: 37) SISLEY NUTRITIVE LIPBALM (steep at almost £35!! BUT it really has transformed my lips and I now apply balm just 1 to 2 times day) & 38) YES TO CARROTS LIP BALMS (thick, stay-put, and non-drying thanks to no petroleum)

39) BEST SPOT CREAM: ESPA ESSENTIAL TEA TREE GEL - I have raved about this lots, sorry, but having tried absolutely everything, from acid-based gels to essential oil roll ons, this just seems to WORK. A tiny dot dabbed on 'almost but not quite yet' spots, has, more often than not, nipped the blemish right in the bud. Love love love it!

40) BEST CLEANSING WIPES: GOTCHA! THERE IS NO SUCH THING. You are never ever going to get an adequate clean by rubbing a chemical-laden wipe over your face. Just not possible. Sorry.

BEST HAIR REMOVAL:
41) BOOTS EXPERT FACIAL HAIR LIGHTENER: Much less irritating and less pongy than Jolen - and cheaper too. For best results though, you might want to leave on for up to 10 mins (I do, and have never had an issue). Of course, if it stings or pops or burns at any time - WASH OFF straight away.
42) BOOTS EXPERT FACIAL HAIR REMOVAL CREAM: Purports to have no smell, but it does - pretty stinky too after a few minutes - but it does make light work of fuzzy bits.
43) VEET READY TO USE FACE WAX STRIPS: For speedy, unfussy waxing these have just the right amount of stick-to-rip ratio. The waxy paper is easy to position too. Avoid the strips that come on stiff plastic - they're hell to manoeuvre and seem to leave most of the wax behind on the skin.

44) BEST TWEEZERS: TWEEZERMAN SLANTED TWEEZERS - I've had mine for ten years!

45) BEST EYE MAKE-UP REMOVER: JOHNSON'S 3 IN 1 REMOVER - fab on waterproof mascara and 46) LIZ EARLE EYEBRIGHT SOOTHING EYE LOTION - will take off eyeshadow (struggles with liner & mascara). But as far as treats go, keep it in the fridge at all times for a soothing end to sore eyes.

47) BEST LINE ERASER: DERMALOGICA POWER FIRM LIP & EYE - the organic silicon base temporarily soothes out lines, so it's a great one to pat on before undereye concealer.

48)BEST SELF-TAN, FACE: OLAY TOUCH OF SUN - I'm not a big fan of self-tanning, but this deposits a kiss of colour that never settles in pores.


BEST TONER: 49) INA CRYSTALS WHITE GOLD RADIANT SKIN TONIC - refreshing, quenching & brightening. My favourite beach bag treat and 50) SPIEZIA FLORAL TONER WATER - great for taking off masks, cleanser or simply keeping in the fridge, soaking through a muslin cloth, and using as a Sunday night treat.


NEXT POST: #101, MAGNIFI-CENT: THE SEQUEL.... WHICH COVERS MAKE-UP, HAIR & NAILS....