Like a beauty firework display, this year’s Awards generated the most comprehensive definitive list of winners…ever. I could write at least ten posts covering some of the stand-out winners, but here’s a concentrated round-up of the products that I know will become a staple for me this year – as well as many of the judges – and I’ve handpicked products that fit nicely for the next two seasons, starting with spring! (You can see the full beauty and wellbeing (health) results HERE
So to kick things off, I’m going to choose one of OSKIA’s newest launches…
OSKIA
Much loved and a diverse and multiple winner, OSKIA won Best British Skincare Brand and Best Brand (age 30+) this year, seven years after its first ever Beauty Shortlist Award (I think!)
While I love and use OSKIA, with spring here soon the Tri-Phase Adaptive Tanning Mist deserves the spotlight – this was a very high scorer pretty much in a league of its own. The formula includes skin nutrients and delivers a natural, build-able glow within about 3 hours and lasts for up to 7 days. Simply apply a few extra mists after your initial tan for extra sun-kissed “highlights” on face, legs and shoulders, for example. This product belongs in the genius category.Easy to apply and flawless results.
AMLY’s DAY LIGHT SUPER FINE FACE OIL
Gosh this was good! I’m still using this. I’m more of a face oil fan in winter but this one is literally made for SS19. Cleverly curated oils like linden, raspberry, cranberry and prickly pear mean it’s nourishing but not cloying. Sinks in super-fast like a dry oil, boosts radiance instantly while nourishing your skin for much longer and it totally hits the sweet spot if your skin basically needs an oil but you usually go for a rich moisturiser or serum.
Scent: floral, touches of jasmine, and totally reminds me of the wild, flower-filled path to the beach at a house we used to stay at in Greece every summer. I’ll probably use this after sun exposure this summer, too – it’s divine.
DR JACKSON
As a tea drinker (more herbal than builder’s these days but I still crave black tea with oat milk in the morning then switch to herbal during the day…until tea-time!) this was a nice discovery. Dr Jackson won 4 awards, including one of the inaugural Beauty Shortlist Wellbeing Awards and their gently foaming clean cleanser scooped a win, too.
There are a lot of interesting USPs to this brand (it also has a strong wellness element to it) and I like its amber glass bottle skincare range. Plastic-free, clean, modern apothecary-style and low key without looking like the other zen brands around. When you’re really good you don’t have to shout.
Kudos for being one of the more eco-conscious brands on the packaging front too.
LUMITY LIFE ANTI-AGEING NUTRACEUTICALS/FOOD SUPPLEMENTS (DAY & NIGHT)
Along with Rejuvenated’s Collagen Shots (also a winner), this is one of the supplements the judges raved about and for good reason. Start now and you and your skin should look and feel markedly better (better sleep was reported too) by late spring, well prepped for summer.
SENSPA TRANQUIL ESCAPE HIMALAYAN BATH SALTS
With some pretty high-priced Himalayan Salts out there, this is my under £6 Friday night in recommendation, replete with natural ingredients & essential oils and available from SenSpa. Or, find it at Waitrose when you’re doing your next weekend food shop.
Grounding, unwinding, uplifting and a lovely, gentle sleep inducer.
Full ingredients
Sodium Chloride (Himalayan Salt), Lavandula Hybrida (Lavandin) Oil, Pelargonium Graveolens (Geranium) Flower Oil, Aniba Rosaeodora Wood (Rosewood) Oil, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Expressed (Sweet Orange) Oil, Citrus Limon Peel (Lemon) Oil, Cymbopogon Martini (Palmarosa) Oil, Juniperus Mexicana Wood (Texas Cedarwood) Oil, Lavandula Angustifolia Herb (Lavender) Extract, Cistus Ladaniferus (Labdanum) Resin, Rosa Damascena Flower (Rose) Oil, Limonene*, Linalool*, Geraniol*, Citronellol*, *Naturally occurring in Essential Oils
KINN LIVING SWEET ORANGE KITCHEN CLEANER
I (really) just don’t get why anyone – particularly families with babies or young kids? – use toxic big brand cleaning materials at home. And for anyone who says “Oh, but organic/eco is more expensive” (as they happily fork out for yet another packet of expensive toxic, polluting, anti-social cigarettes)…what?!
I sometimes make my own home cleansers and add a touch of lavender, orange, lemon, rosemary or mint essential oil…such is the beauty of aromatherapy when you incorporate it into your daily life.
For a clean, green kitchen, KINN’s lots-of-thumbs-up Sweet Orange Kitchen Cleaner does the job well, and the sunny orange scent is the icing on the cake.
Spring often brings an annoying round of coughs and bugs before more stable weather sets in, and I gave my Weleda Cough Elixir to a friend with a really hacking cough last week. He took it away with him for the weekend and returned cough-free. Congrats, Weleda. A new 2019 Wellbeing Winner.
Last one for today!
KINVARA HAND CREAM (photo below)
Irish brand Kinvara has gone from strength to strength, I’ve followed it closely for a few years now, and this no-greasy-residue Omega rich perfecly textured hand cream was a “wow” in that department. Partly because of the jojoba here, which is actually a wax ester ( jojoba is the only plant that produces these naturally, very protective moisture-retaining wax esters as far as I know.
Add in shea butter, watermelon seed, more plant oils and a zesty, mood boosting clean, sweet lemon fragrance and you have yourself an award-winning hand cream.
My hand cream test usually includes: “Can you drive just after applying? Aka “the steering wheel” test.
Yes you can, with this one. Sinks in super fast while protecting and naturally scenting your hands while you get on with your day.
Pop this one on the new Spring Shopping List!
WINNER – Best Every Day Hand Cream 2019.
