Manuka Doctor CC Cream
A gorgeous sheer luminizing CC cream infused with Vitamin C, olive, and organic cactus extract (imagine the hydration!). Designed to work with any skin tone, which I wouldn’t normally believe but this appears to be true, at least when tested on very fair pink, and medium olive toned skin. Obviously that means coverage is pretty sheer but sometimes you want that, especially in summer and sheer glowing skin is all we’re seeing straight off the runways right now. SPF20 is a good level of sun protection; enough to block harmful rays but not so much to reflect camera flash and make you look white in photos!
Dermalogica Climate Control Lip Balm
A lip balm is one of my essentials. So much so that I have one by my bed, at my desk, in my gym bag and in the car! Shea Butter enhances barrier function of the lips to shield against pollution, temperature extremes, stress, and hormonal factors. It contains no artificial fragrances and colours and it’s the perfect size to carry around, plus it looks gender neutral and is mostly matte so a great one for guys concerned about that sort of thing to have to hand as well.
Oasis Fruit Smoothie Exfoliating Mask
A facial scrub and mask in one. The power of four P’s: papaya, pineapple, pink grapefruit and pink clay. These natural enzymes are combined with jojoba beads (totally nothing like evil microbeads, don’t worry) to gently exfoliate the surface of the skin. The clay then really helps draw out impurities and tighten pores. If you’ve never used a clay mask before, please start (you’ll thank you). Use as a scrub or leave it on to set for 10-15 mins and wash off to reveal clear, impeccably smooth radiant skin. Natural and cruelty free too.
Smashbox Instamatte Lipstick Transformer
So it was always easy to gloss up a matte lip, but a lot trickier to make a lip matte without losing the pigment. This is a game changer and a must have for any makeup artist or lip junkie. Recently launched, this gel transforms any cream lipstick into a velvety matte finish that's never chalky. It also lengthens the wear of any lipstick. Genius!
Trilogy Everything Balm
This is a true beauty multi-tasker with rosehip, coconut, echinacea and pawpaw. Use on lips, cuticles, hands, feet, elbows and knees, scars, on dermatitis, or for true indulgence as a massage oil (just need to find a willing masseur). You can also use it to melt away makeup before cleansing. I use it primarily on hands at night as mine get a battering with constant brush cleaning. Definitely worthy of a top 5.