I’m not going to lie, I kind of hoped that I would hate La Mer’s Radiant SkinTint. I feel like the brand was the first one to make expensive skincare ‘mainstream’ and each release since just feels a bit spendier. I know people moan about the mineral oil in the formulas, but they really seem to work for my skin, and sadly (for my bank balance), the SkinTint is no exception.
Packaged in a slick tube, the SkinTint is a sheer-coverage option which is perfect if you’re looking for a natural finish base. As someone who like a barely-there finish, this one has quickly become my work and zoom go to. It’s sheer, but perfecting and it has the perfect amount of glow too.
As you would expect from the brand, the SkinTint has an spf 30, and contains the brand’s signature miracle broth, and the result is that it keeps skin hydrated all day long, and it stays nicely glowy too. It’s a nice polished finished, which is a step up from my regular formulas. The SkinTint lasts well all day, and I don’t need to top up my makeup, even if I’ve been out and about. The only downside (apart from the horrific price point) is the limited colours available – with a choice of seven, it’s really not the greatest, and I don’t understand why brands are still keep shade ranges so small.
The La Mer Radiant SkinTint is priced at £75 and is available here (UK) and here (US)
When it comes to beauty treatments, my most-loved might just be a really great cleanse. There’s nothing like that really clean face feeling, especially if it’s been a busy one, and I just want to wash the day off. There’s nothing worse than the feeling of makeup after a full day dashing about – and despite wearing pretty lightweight makeup, my skin can sometimes feel a little clogged by the end of the day.
When I stopped into Chantecaille’s new Harvey Nichols counter last month, I was very kindly gifted a bottle of their Purifying and Exfoliating Phytoactive Solution. Designed to refine skin, minimise pores and give skin a glow – this is one of those products I love to use once or twice a week. After cleansing, I saturate a cotton pad, and run it over my face and neck. It’s perfect for beating winter dullness, and thanks to its innovative cocktail of ingredients and 10% AHAs, the formula works to visibly brighten, resurface and balance.
Despite having sensitive skin, I don’t get red or irritated when I use it, and it primes skin wonderfully for my serum and moisturiser too!
Chantecaille Purifying and Exfoliating Phytoactive Solution is priced at £76 and is available from Harvey Nichols here.
Hi – it’s me. Apologies for the radio silence on here – work has (thankfully) gotten incredibly busy recently, which means that every single second has been spent doing that, and less of this. Which is annoying. So despite today’s to do list sitting at 50% completed I thought I’d share this gorgeous find which I’ve been loving recently.
Over the past year or so, I’ve really been on a bit of a hair health kick. I’ve ditched my usual highlights regime (thanks Lockdown) and I’m now the nearest I’ve been to my natural hair colour since I was 13. I’ve also overhauled my product stash, ditching everything with silicons, paragons and sulphates, and honestly, my ends haven’t felt this healthy in a long time.
I feel like each and every product from Christophe Robin’s line could be classified as a favourite, but if you’re in need a once a week treat – the Aloe Vera Express Mask is the one. Formulated to hydrate, plump strands and emphasise shine, I slather it on every Monday after using the brands Sea Salt Scrub.
The result is hair which feels soft and silky, and it’s super shiny too. Since ditching the bleach, I don’t have to worry about broken baby hairs which frizz at the slightest touch of heat or humidity, and my hair feels so much thicker too!
Christophe Robin’s Aloe Vera Express Mask is priced from £15 and is available here (UK) and here (US).
I feel like 2021 is the year of the staycation. I’m not brave enough to book a foreign holiday and hope for the best, so I’ve spent the summer exploring closer to home, and last month I headed out to Perthshire for a much-needed night away.
Just over an hour from Edinburgh, Perthshire is home to some of Scotland’s most stunning scenery, and it’s the perfect destination if you’re in the mood for an outdoorsy break. My destination was Murrayshall House Hotel, a Perthshire icon which has been welcoming guests since the 70s. Boasting 40 bedrooms, a noted golf course, as well as offering a range of activities including fishing, kayak experience and food tours, it’s the perfect destination to head to if you’re looking to experience a truly Scottish getaway.
We weren’t feeling too adventurous, so we opted to just have an evening with a little indulgence. After arriving at about three, we checked in to our beautiful Deluxe Room and spent a few hours unwinding. With plenty of plug sockets and fast wifi, I could finish off a couple of work bits, whilst a roomy bath meant I could also spend a decent amount of time soaking with a bath bomb and a good book.
I loved the oversized headboard, and the touches of tartan sprinkled throughout the room gave it a real sense of being in the heart of some of Scotland’s most beautiful countryside. Our room was right at the front of the hotel, which meant we enjoyed views stretching into the gardens, and at night baby bunnies hopped about – absolutely magical!
When it came to dinnertime, we headed downstairs to the Lynedoch Brasserie. Playing host to a birthday party and a number of couples, it was such a beautiful spot to spend a sunny evening. After grabbing a table by the window, it was time to deliberate over menu options. Dishes served present local Scottish ingredients with an international flair, so we tended to share, as they were just too delicious to keep to ourselves!
Rather impressively, you can enjoy two courses at the Lynedoch Brasserie for only £30 per person, which is great value with the quality of dishes on offer. We kicked dinner off with two of the fish options available – George Campbell & Sons Smoked Scottish (£3 supplement) and Andy Duncan’s Hand Dived Scallops served with a Thai-style bisque, fennel, crab bhaji (£6 supplement). Both were delicious, and I loved the attention to detail – capers and caviar with the salmon, and a rich bisque and crisp bhaji which contrasted perfectly with the buttery scallops.
Our main courses were equally delicious, as we opted for the Corn Fed Chicken Breast served with Haggis Bon Bon and and the Gressingham Duck. We couldn’t resist adding some broccoli and hand cut chips (£4 each) to try too. The chicken came with the most delicious, savoury wheat, whilst my duck was the perfect summer supper. Rich duck meat contrasted perfectly with the mouth-puckering kumquat, and it was potentially the prettiest meal I’ve had all year!
Whilst we were almost full to the brim thanks to such a delicious supper, we couldn’t resist trying a dessert. We opted to share the Rum and Raisin Creme Brûlée (£6) which comes serves with homemade shortbread. Rich, eggy vanilla custard sat beneath a perfectly crisp sugar crust, and the biscuits positively melted in the mouth. I loved the addition of boozy raisins too – it was a wonderfully fun update on a classic!
After such a wonderful meal, it was heavenly to be able to head upstairs and enjoy the comforts of such a cosy room. Summer temperatures meant we could fling open the windows and fall asleep to the sound of the surrounding countryside, and in the morning we woke to birdsong.
After enjoying a bit of a long lie, it was time to head down to breakfast – it was served in the Lynedoch Brasserie, so once again we got to enjoy the most perfect views. After a few cups of piping hot coffee and a cheese omelette, it was time to head home.
We enjoyed an absolutely wonderful stay at Murrayshall. Every member of the team was lovely and super helpful, whilst the hotel and grounds were an absolute delight to enjoy. It was exactly the staycation we both needed, and it was so very much appreciated!
You can enjoy to staycation with Murrayshall House Hotel for only £100 per person per night – more information is available here.
When Glossier released their new Ultralips a few weeks back, I just knew I’d love the new formula. Described as the lipstick equivalent of a cashmere sweatpant, the idea of a comfortable, easy slick of colour for my daily makeup felt like perfect timing. Over the summer I’ve been giving my daily products a bit of a refresh – powders have been swapped for creams, and I’ve been really simplifying what I reach for, so the release felt like perfect timing.
Packaged in the cutest pink, minimalist tube, the Ultralip has quickly become one of my most reached-for products. One of nine available shades, Lucite is a soft, cool-toned pink which Glossier describe as ‘peony’. It’s my favourite kind of daytime lip colour – subtle colour with a flattering sheen. It’s hydrating too, so lips are never left feeling parched, even when I’m on the go.
With a formula which includes Hyaluronic Acid, three hydrating oils and buildable pigment, has quickly become a real daily staple. I’ve been grabbing it for everything from coffee runs to zoom meetings and everything in between. It’s super comfortable to wear, and it’s ultra flattering too! I guess that’s why it’s called Ultralip!
Glossier Ultralip is priced at £14 and is available here.
New to Glossier? Follow this link to receive 10% off your first order!
