What was your best festive multi-tasker? If you had to pick one solitary beauty essential to get you through the next few months until we hit spring, which would be “the keeper”?
We asked eight of Britain’s top beauty experts to share their go-to snow season beauty essentials…and here they are:
JO MALONE, MBE
“Designing fragrance is who I am. It makes my heart beat”
– Jo Malone
Founder of Jo Malone London and creator of her new fragrance-led brand JoLoves.com
My skin always suffers as soon as it gets cold outside and to keep it nourished I apply Josie Maran 100% Pure Argan Oil to my face every evening before getting into the bath. I have been using it religiously for six months and not only has it helped to heal scar tissue, it leaves my skin feeling absolutely amazing. I am obsessed!
We’re pretty obsessed by Pomelo by Jo Loves (below), Jo’s Mediterranean-inspired elixir-of-citrus fragrance with a uniquely modern twist and winner of Best New Fragrance Launch in the 2012 Beauty Shortlist Awards. Jo Malone received an MBE in 2008 for her services to the beauty industry.
If you haven’t tried Jo Loves yet, treat yourself to Jo’s “shots” gift set of mini scents at JOLOVES.COM). Or pop into her new shop in Elizabeth Street, London SW1 and smell the new bath elixirs, body lotions, candles…everything! (Allow extra time, you won’t want to leave)
KATE SHAPLAND
Beauty columnist for The Telegraph Magazine, founder of Legology and co-founder of MyShowcase.com
My multitasking wonder is Aromatherapy Associates Inner Strength Bath & Shower Oil.
Kate Shapland (right) with MyShowcase co-founder Nancy Cruickshank
Although it’s not the kind of multitasker you can use like a balm, it’s the most wonderful seasonal staple because it uplifts and fortifies, both when used in the bath or shower. I add it to the bath, and add a few drops to my sponge after washing in the bath or shower so the therapy stays with me. I absolutely love it. I also keep a mini bottle on my desk and sniff it like smelling salts. Quality aromatherapists like Geraldine Howard are rare finds these days.
Check out Kate’s ultimate beauty edit at MyShowcase.com or find out how to become a MyShowcase stylist HERE
Kate launched her own groundbreaking beauty product recently, Legology Air-Lite Daily Lift for Legs (you can find it at Liberty’s) and it’s a heaven-sent saviour for tired legs, reducing puffiness and cellulite at the same time!
When Kate Shapland couldn’t find a product like this, she created it.
A joy for heavy legs, Legology is part of the brilliant handpicked beauty edit at MyShowcase.com
GRACE TIMOTHY
Co-founder of Motherscollective.com and beauty writer for numerous publications including Vogue, Glamour and Allure magazine. The Mothers Collective was set up by Grace and magazine designer and stylist, Marianne de Vries of Stella, Red and Vanity Fair.
I am obsessed with Shu Uemura Stage Performer Instant Glow. It’s a primer-BB hybrid, and it just really softens and smooths everything out, like Spanx for your skin. Foundation goes on like a dream and STAYS put with this underpinning it all.
A beauty lifesaver, Shu Uemura’s skin-perfecting, hydrating, smoothing Stage Performer Instant Glow
CLAIRE VERO
Founder of www.aureliaskincare.com
Claire Vero, building a Great British (Natural) Beauty Brand
Guerlain Écrin 4 Couleurs Eye Shadow – Les Bois de Rose 04 is a gorgeous eye shadow palette and it goes everywhere with me – the four shades are adaptable for day and night. Used wet or dry they are really powerful, long-lasting, wearable colours. A sleek, golden palette houses the shades which would definitely bring a bit of luxury to my desert island! It would be fun to try out lots of different techniques as you can use the shadows as eyeliners too.
Aurelia Probiotic Skincare Miracle Cleanser
From my own range, Aurelia Probiotic Skincare Miracle Cleanser would have to be my go-to product. As a cleanser it is wonderfully effective, harnessing the power of probiotics to balance and protect my skin, thoroughly removing all make-up and daily grime and it can also be left as a superbly hydrating and soothing mask – with eucalyptus and chamomile essential oils as well as omega-rich baobab it really is a treat for all the senses.
Aurelia’s Probiotic Formula Miracle Cleanser with Chamomile, Eucalyptus, Rosemary & Bergamot (lasts for ages and we love it!)
LIZ MCCARTHY
Founder of beauty retail site A Beautiful World (enjoying the LA sunshine – above!). Liz travels the world and brings the best brands – many of them from LA and New York – across the pond to us in Britain. A Beautiful World is a good place to spend your lunch hour.
My winter wonder is sw basics cream. Made of just three ingredients it’s perfect to winter-proof skin. It acts as a natural humectant which helps skin retain moisture without clogging the pores. I love to use it as an ultra rich night cream, a hand cream, extra protection on elbows, and also mix it with a bit of lipstick to use it as a tinted lip balm or across my cheekbones to give them a rosy blush. SW Basics Cream is my winter beauty essential.
…and if you haven’t discovered The Body Deli yet, hello??! Check out the California brand that’s leading the raw beauty trend at A Beautiful World, from Sage and Grapefruit Cleansers to Blueberry Fusion Micro-Scrubs…
GRACE FODOR
Founder, Studio 10 Makeup
Wowing the beauty editors, beauty pioneer Grace Fodor has created the revolutionary contouring, age-defying makeup range that is Studio 10
“The winter season always takes its toll on my complexion. As well as using great skincare like Sarah Chapman and Cult 51, I like to work on beauty from the inside too. I use H30 Hydration by Rejuvenated as it’s the ultimate tonic for winter skin. With a powerful blend of antioxidants, hyaluronic acid and ionic minerals, it hydrates and conditions cells from within; a perfect ‘skin’ pick me up to and also keeps me hydrated! I swear by it!”
THE TEAM at Big Green Smile www.biggreensmile.com
We’ve gone for Egyptian Magic!
This product is a godsend; sent from Ra himself! It treats sore, itchy and flaky skin as well as more serious conditions like eczema and psoriasis, it fades scars, and is an all-round miraculous anti-ageing moisturiser.
All you need is a bit of Egyptian Magic. Celeb fans include Madonna, Kate Hudson and Oprah
KIRSTIE SHERRIFF
Founder of delicious spa skincare, bath and body brand Pinks Boutique www.pinksboutique.com, Kirstie has just been voted into the No. 1 spot (no mean feat!) in the Natural Beauty Yearbook’s Who’s Who Hotlist for 2015
Always start the day with an ingestible beauty boost by adding a sprinkling of Naturya’s Chia Seeds over porridge in the winter – its supercharged omega power is great for healthy skin, hair and nails. Remember this is an inside and outside game!
