I decided to write this post after becoming fed up with being told we need to fight the “signs of aging”. Skin is meant to age, just as the rest of our body does, but it seems this is not allowed.
The real trigger point was a Sunday Times Style magazine article (28th Nay 2017) called “Is your screen killing your skin?” by Claire Coleman. The first paragraph ended with “But if the prospect of a sleepless night isn’t enough to have you powering down, would the news that this type of light could also be prematurely ageing your skin have you reaching for the off button?”
So here’s my third and final post on the Bel Age Anti-Ageing Show (the others are here and here). One of the best things about going to shows is that you can discover new brands and find out more about existing brands. The people on the stands will have good product knowledge, can offer advice and for smaller brands, you might even get to meet the founders/makers!
At Lancôme, I was asked what my skin concerns are. I don’t think I have any huge problems – dry cheeks, oily nose, dullness in winter. I was advised to exfoliate, which I hadn’t bothered to do for some time. Exfoliating has several advantages:
The annual Bel Age Anti-Ageing Health and Beauty Show in association with the Harley Street Clinic was held on 14-15 May this year. I had never been before so when I spotted the opportunity to receive a complimentary ticket from Thirty Plus, I did a quick spot of research then registered my ticket.
As you would expect, there were stands dedicated to turning back the clock by using various methods ranging from skincare to cosmetic surgery and everything in between. It’s a one-stop shop to learning how to look and feel like the person you want to be and then to take steps to do so if you wish.
In the past I hadn’t attended because I thought it would be all about cosmetic surgery and anti-wrinkle cream. I’m also not comfortable with the phrase “anti-ageing”. We all get older and I personally don’t have a problem with that. I just want to look the best I can for my age and grow old healthily. I think that if I look after my insides, it will show on the outside. Having said that, I wouldn’t rule out cosmetic surgery or other less invasive procedures for a bit of a boost. It’s there when I’m ready for it.
The good news is I learned a lot! I knew I wanted to attend some talks to learn how I could improve my general health and visit the Lancôme stand for some day cream. Other than that I was just going to see what caught my eye.
When I received a voucher code in one of the various magazines I subscribe to (can’t remember which one), I thought it would be the perfect opportunity to try a Love Me Beauty box.
Since my first post about my time at Keziah Connections, you might think I have not returned. This is definitely not the case! I love meeting new people who have similar interests to me. I love it even more when that interest is beauty. Here’s a few snippets in case you’re thinking about joining me at some point. As you can see, we talk about more than beauty – business, fashion, media and Black History Month have all featured.
Last weekend I went to the Olympia Beauty show, a show for beauty professionals. I went with the intention of trying to find new products to share with you and to attend beauty talks. It was very business-like so not really a place for selfies and Periscopes. A lot of the products would only be available to professionals or in salons but I did get to see the new OPI Starlight Collection which you can find on my nail blog here. I also came face-to-face with the botanical nail polish brand Soigne which I will also post about on my nail blog.
I also had look at the Benefit Christmas gifts. Yes, I wrote the “C” word! Here’s what I would like to see under the tree.
There were three gorgeous tins all costing £39.50 representing a saving on buying the products separately of between 31% and 51%, depending on which one you go for. As for the tins themselves, I don’t really know how to describe them but the inner part rotates which was a nice, typically quirky touch from Benefit. You’ll have to see them. Even if I can’t use all of the products, the tins are very nice and I wouldn’t mind seeing some, or all of them under the tree!
Benefit Christmas Gift Sets
The green tin, “get your party on” contains hoola bronzer, they’re real mascara, high beam highlighter and gimme Brow in medium/deep. It would be better for me if Sun Beam was the highlighter though. I’m worried High Beam might look a little stark. It might be ok for strobing for an evening look but I’m not sure for the daytime. I’ll have to try it (did you see that Santa?). Hoola works for me when I don’t have a tan so it would be good for warming my winter battered skin. I’ll have to put it away in the summer though.
The blue tin, “your b.right! to party” is the skincare set which makes it the most universal. It contains it’s potent! eye cream which I was unsure of until I was shown how to use it properly then loved it, the POREfessional primer which I just love, instant comeback facial serum and triple performing facial emulsion.
The pink tin is called “you’re so party!” and contains your start-to-finish essentials – the POREfessional primer, hoola bronzer, hoola lipgloss and they’re real mascara. They’re real is an amazing mascara – I didn’t know my lashes could look so long! I’m not really a fan of the lip glosses by Benefit but I know people like them because they are not sticky at all. I don’t mind a little tackiness if I get longer wear.
Benefit Christmas Gift Set – you’re so party!
There were also some smaller sets which were tempting but I resisted, perhaps to my peril!
The “pucker up & party” pictured above) balm and tint set containing benebalm and benetint, the red shade and posie tine and posie balm, the pink tint is made for me. This one is amazing value at only £19.50. I want to try benetint under red lipstick but I’m unsure how drying I’ll find it, although that’s why the balm is included. The colour comes from the tint and the moisture from the balm. I haven’t tried posietint at all but I do like pink lip!
“party like a rockstar” has both they’re real and rollerlash mascaras. I love them both and cannot choose a favourite between them! It also has hoola bronzer, the POREfessional primer four neutral eyeshadows and a couple of tools. I’d use it all!
Before applying any make-up, it’s important to prepare the skin, especially when you need the make-up to last all day. This was especially important when I went to BeautyCon London 2015 when there were temperature changes from warm, to very hot to cold in the wind.
I kept it quite simple as I don’t have a huge amount of time to get ready. After cleansing, I used Benefit Puff Off eye cream under the eye only, Elizabeth Arden Eight Hour Cream Lip Protectant on my lips to prepare my lips for my lip colour, and Benefit Total Moisturiser facial cream for the rest of my face. There was no time to apply serum!
At BeautyCon London, I managed to pick up two Liz Earle Cleanse and Polish hot cloth cleansers and two muslin cloths. One was from the vending machine for sending a tweet and the other was for posting a selfie on Instagram. I am quite pleased with this as I like to use hot cloth cleansers as a well-needed treat, like a little spa at home.
I was lucky enough to attend the Simple “Kind is Simple” Store preview in Covent Garden in London on Thursday evening, as a Stylist magazine reader. It’s a cute little pop up store where “kindness is currency”. In other words, to receive Simple skincare goodies, you perform a kind act and publicise it on social media using the hashtag #kindissimple, rather than paying with sterling.
There were several ways to be kind and I tried them all. I posted my efforts on Instagram and Twitter. You could describe someone you know using positive words and sticking them on a board, send a positive tweet, create a piece of art to give as a gift or something else as suggested on the kindness tree.
As for the skincare, I learned about Simple’s micellar water and micellar water cleansing wipes. I was quite excited about these as I love cleansing water and I am always on the search for some decent cleansing wipes.
Simple micellar water is triple filtered to remove as many nasties as possible and it contains glycerin to lock in moisture so skin is not left feeling tight after makeup removal. This micellar water is also used in the wipes. As with other Simple products, there’s no added fragrance or colour which is why it is great for sensitive skin. I don’t really like using scented products on my face so this is a great option for me.
On a quick test on my hand of both the wipes and the water, my skin felt clean and cool. So far so good. Hopefully I’ll get around to doing a full review as I received a full sized micellar water and packet of micellar cleansing wipes.
You can visit the store today on its last day, 22nd May, in the Covent Garden piazza at the Russell Street end. Have fun!
The positive words board and the kindness treeHydration stationThe expert table with samples to trySimple micellar water and micellar wipes
