Karora’s Instant Tan (wash off)
What: The brand new full faux tan range from “eco chic” Irish brand Karora, including normal & dark self-tan mist shades.
Why: Easy to apply, works on face or body, adds luminosity, lasts up to 24 hrs, full of botanical moisturisers – and washes off.
Smells: Not the usual odd digestive biscuit smell, much more subtle/pleasant but can’t quite pinpoint it!
Feels: Silky (and super easy to apply- rather like a fluid foundation, gives good instant colour – no “agent orange” – hurrah.)
Costs: €14.99/125ml (in euros on their site) = approx £12.50/125ml.
Seascape – Men’s Daily Moisturiser
What: New Daily Moisturiser for Men from Seascape Island Apothecary (left, in the pic)
Why: 100% natural essential oils of Jersey Lavender and Neroli soothe, calm, and Petitgrain tones and refreshes. No parabens, no silicones, no SLS, no petroleum, no artificial colours, no artificial fragrances. With moisturising Shea Butter.
Smells: Subtle, fresh, calming.
Feels: Pure, smooth, clean. Tested on a rather gorgeous man who has kept it! And also by us. Excellent formulation (we’d use it.)
Costs: £16/100ml
Betty Hula’s “The Secret” Oil
What: This intriguing and rather addictive super-concentrated anti-wrinkle, skin repair oil
Why: It’s 100% “free-from”. Just Grapeseed Oil, Apricot Kemel, Avocado Oil, Hemp Oil, Vitamin E, Rose Absolute, Jojoba Oil.
Smells: Slightly scented, a subtle rose/apricot combo perhaps? (Liked it)
Feels: Ultra-lLight, fine, delicate, absorbs quickly, can be used on dry skin patches as well as the face.
Costs: £15.99/50ml which would probably last for decades (!)
Savar’s Pure & Natural Antioxidant Night Cream
What: Very ‘clean’ New Zealand brand which recently launched in the UK (buy online).
Why: Savar is one of our brands to watch this year. This super-restorative night cream benefits all skin types. Full of the high C’s – blackcurrant oil, pomegranate extract and rose oil, Omega 6, Omega 3.
Smells: Unscented – there’s a very faint scent of plants or berries but it just smells “very pure” for want of a better description.
Feels: Rich but light, not over-greasy.
Costs: £32/30ml
Dr Nick Lowe Skin Solutions Dark Circles Correcting Cream
What: Anti-Dark Circles Complex with Light Reflectors
Why: First product we’ve tested by Dr Nick Lowe. Helps minimise the appearance of dark circles, firm and tone delicate eye area.
Smells: 100% neutral
Feels: Refreshing on application (pat into skin, do not rub!) – use morning & evening.
This product ideally requires a longer period of use, so we’ll report back in a few months, but so far so good. Definitely seemed to brighten the under eye area, and you can feel the slight firming effect. Dr Lowe’s Top Skin Tip: Avoid rubbing skin around eyes as it can make dark circles darker (yikes!)
Costs: £15.31/15ml and also at Boots
Bio2You Skin Scrub
What: A brand new, just-launched, facial exfoliator from Latvian Beauty company Bio2You.
Why: Natural brand which uses Sea Buckthorn, a mega Vit C/Omega 7 skin booster. Nourishing oils, super-gentle exfoliator.
Smells: Almost imperceptibly lemony (contains lemon extracts)
Feels: Exfoliates gently (doesn’t sandblast like some products do). Results were visible instantly, gentle, effective, it works.
Costs: £18.99/100ml
http://www.spirulinskincare.co.uk
