When I was in London for BritMums recently my roomie Steph and I took our old decrepit arses out for dinner. We ate at The Diner in Shoreditch, somewhere I used to frequent in the heady single days of yore. They do a great burger, their cheesy fries are amazing and they add alcohol to their milkshakes. Enough said.
As you may imagine, a restaurant like this is full of lots of young people. The waiting staff are pretty rubbish but gorgeous and our fellow diners were much the same. The music playing in the background was early ’00s punk pop, our kind of thing, and we had a right old laugh singing along in the style of ‘mums-who-don’t-get-out-very-much’. Oh.
Anyway, we got chatting to a group of young guns next to us, 4 guys who were probably around 23? 24? Young enough to make us feel old, but hey, it was fun. They laughed at our ‘tuneful’ warbling, we told them that we didn’t get out much.
When we were discussing our ages (made me feel old. You too, Steph?) one of them said to me, “what do you use on your face? I’ll recommend it to my mum”.
…….?
When I picked my jaw up off the floor I told myself he was probably joking, and not to worry, I am a very youthful four days away from 28. I got ID’d at The Co-Op last week, after all. The Young Gun in The Diner was probably just making some weird young person joke. Or something. I definitely didn’t weep into my fries :(
So, Young Gun. If you’re reading, this is what you need to be recommending to your mum.
I thought I was pretty loyal to my favourite Emma Hardie Amazing Face balm. Until Elemis came along with their Pro-Collagen Cleansing balm… this stuff is simply brilliant. I find it such a treat for my skin as it’s so luxuriously rich, on some days I find I don’t even need a moisturiser which is unheard of for my previously parched skin. It’s so rich I tend to just use it as a second cleanse in the evening (Emma Hardie’s still my go-to gal in the mornings). It’s expensive but you’ll find it lasts for ever: I received a PR sample of it 5 months ago and have only just re-purchased. And if the goddess Sali Hughes is recommending it, you know it’s good. Elemis Pro-Collagen Cleansing Balm, £31.60.
This is another product I would never have tried had I not been sent a sample yet have already re-purchased: Decleor Aroma Night Balm. Again this is another gorgeously rich concoction that is really going to come into its own during our cold winter and it’s already worked wonders on my dry wrinkly forehead. It literally melts into the skin and smells totally divine. Recommended. Decleor Aroma Night Balm in Neroli, £46.75.
Not strictly a beauty item I know, but I always lump scented candles into the category of ‘items that aren’t really essentials but are certainly essential when it comes to keeping me sane’. See also: wine that costs more than £10, Ben & Jerry’s ice cream, alone time. I used to be pretty loyal to my old favourite of Cowshed scented candles but Neom are now the new kids on my sweetly-scented block. I love them, in particular the Limited Edition Enchantment candle with Bluebell, Guaiacwood and Rose, and they burn for up to 50 hours (which is 30% longer than standard premium candles). Plus £1 from the sale of each candle is donated to the Woodland Trust: charitable shopping is my favourite! Neom kindly sent me one of these candles to test but again, I’ve re-purchased already. Neom Enchantment Home Candle, £42.00.
I never really understood the points of oils in beauty until about a year ago, when I started using a facial oil. I’m now a convert, and while they don’t form a part of my daily beauty routine I love using Caudalie’s Divine Oil when I need a little extra TLC. It’s gorgeous massaged into my face before bed (HINT: avoid the eyes. Ouch) and leaves my skin feeling really soft and smooth. It’s also brilliant on the ends of my hair; I rub in last thing at the night and when I wash out the next morning my mane is that bit softer and healthier. Lovely. Caudalie Divine Oil, £25.
Anything I’ve missed? Next on my list to try are these new CC cream things. Let’s see if they’re any different to BB, shall we?
Fab recommendations lady, I might have to raid my piggy bank for those though! I bought into the whole BB cream at the time and actually found them rubbish, so I’m not really sold on the supposed next big thing…I’ll wait it out for the DD cream.
Instructions – pick up wallet, keys, and children, go to Boots or similar, buy Clinique CC Cream, thank me later. xx
Origins GinZing moisturiser has saved my parched face this year. Love love love it.
That Elemis cleansing balm sounds amazing and has just been added to my list! x
BAHAHAHAHAHA! Oh my God! I’d forgotten all about that.
I have that Caudalie oil – I got it in a Glossybox, I am yet to use it, but good tip about rubbing it into hair. My bleached-to-birdsnest locks will likely thank you for that!
We MUST have a trip to London again soon, my sister says I can stay in her flat in trendy Wapping when she’s away.
Thanks for the recommendations! Although not sure i need them, zenith windows guy asked to speak to my parents yesterday ;) Not bad for 33! It was a bit dark in my hall though….
Well you both look 21 and that’s no lie! Love all of the above and have been addicted to Divine Oil for a year now, so nice on the ends of your hair too!