Mother knows best about beauty!

My mother, a complete beauty expert in her own right, turns to me the other day asking if I know of a 'foundation that's not like the texture of a foundation but can even out skin without looking heavy or matte. ‎Nothing masking but that will make my skin look fresh, less tired and not sit in my pores. I don't want it to feel like I've got anything on...'

I've probably heard this a trillion times and often  faced with a client who is unrealistic about requesting a quick fix, who instead really needs more coverage and a skincare overhaul and injection of beauty-sense. But this was my mum, someone who taught me about routine and maintenance for my skin.

My mind mulled over a few products such as BB creams, which I hastily dismissed as 'too make-uppy' for my mum. Plus any sign of 'colour' and she'd ‎give me that look that only mum's do!

Some weeks ago I attended the launch of Erborian, to the UK, an event I could not and would not miss.  Although very under the weather I would have camped outside the venue in order to make it‎.  Why?

I'd come across the hybrid formulations and intriguing technology on a work trip to China a few years ago‎ whilst researching for another brand in Sephora.  Erborian literally excited me on the spot, serums and cleansers with textures I'd not seen. Not only was I convinced I'd arrived on my Beauty planet Asia, a destination that is so advanced in skincare, it was also apparent that Koreans know beauty and we have a lot to learn!

Katalin, one of the two creators of Erborain ‎personally showed me some of the range and even her desert island must-have, BB Flash Essence.   I was a little sceptical on hearing the CC Creme worked for caucasian to very dark skins.  Hmm, it's hard enough finding a sun lotion that doesn't appear ghostly on mid to dark complexions but I placed a dot of CC onto the back of my hand that Katalin had confidently handed to me in its silver tube with a smile, then smoothed the white cream, yes, it squeezes out white and dense, much like a high factor sun cream.  As I massaged the cream into my skin I watched it blend and become seamless in developing to flawless soft-focus skin. I'd found it! Mum, your wishes have come true, all boxes ticked, Erborian CC Creme it is and here's a - the photos tell it all album -  YOU WILL BE AMAZED and the best child a mother could ask for when you start purchasing this brand from two fav beauty portals Selfridges and Space NK. 

Instant skin gratification Erborain CC Creme

Bright white formula

Cleverly changing colour

Smoothed and seamless

 Have you discovered Erborian yet?

Rare Beauty Treat: Ar457 Elixir Metaserum

I love a rare find and this has to fit into a category as one of those beauty products you wish you'd had when you first begun using skincare as I am convinced I would be able to stand the test of time.  I tend to by pass packaging but no doubt, this is beautifully designed, light to carry and unfussy.   Ar457 Elixir Metaserum is a highly concentrated, powerful serum heaving with active ingredients such as Argan Oil, very much the buzzword in beauty over the past few years and a long time loved oil in many parts of Africa and the Middle East, lucky them. 

I have had this in my bathroom since the beginning of the summer and since I've been overwhelmed testing so much skincare I really had little time to put this through its paces, until now.  Branded as the 'do-it-all' elixir as it also tends to blemishes, dry nails and hair it does seem too that a little goes a long way. 

You'd expect this to feel oily and as heavy as Argan Oil but no, it has the quality of something a little like honey in appearance, without the stickiness and once a few drops are smoothed over skin, it gleams and sits a little, which I just love in this wintry weather, as my skin feels protected.   As you can see from the image above it adds a glow and can be worn alone, at night too, though I have experimented a little by mixing a few drops with daily moisturisers, a light-weight formula, Skin Science Bio Active 24hr Protective Complex Cream

 and Dior's Hydra Life Pro-Youth Protective Cream SPF 15, a rich cream where both appear to benefit by an all day radiance and hydration. 

A rare find that is Ar457Elixir Metaserum does carry a hefty price tag, approx £78, though saying this I believe it is a good, economical investment seeing as you need only a few drops for every use.  I'm in!

The Science of Skin.

As you know by now, I am not going to get into the science part of a product not only because you can access that information yourselves but also I'd like to give you my honest perspective on a product or range.  Basically, does it work and does what it says it will do?

Skin Science is a Scandinavian brand I've seen and heard about but had never hit my radar until I was asked to try them recently.   

There are skincare brands that I totally adore and which you can read about on my blog but I don't love every brand I try, though Skin Science is one I am finding I would never want to run out of!

Ok, so I lied, a little bit of science.  Skin Science introduces 'ultra potent antioxidant Spermine' which claims to achieve visible and lasting results plus 'Spermine is proven to be 25 times stronger than Vitamin E'.  I am doubtful of 'anti-ageing' results from any skincare but what I do believe in is healthy skin and I find the Bio Active 24hr Protective Complex Cream SPF 15 assists in this very well.  Whilst wearing this hydrator in the morning after cleansing, I noticed the initial feeling of moisture in my skin lasted all day.  Gold star for this and for the fact it looks suitably radiant on my complexion too.

I occasionally combine the Complex Cream after applying Bio Active Stimulating Serum as an added boost for my dry skin, I love how this feels and most definitely the toning effect after all they say, 'Thanks to its immediate deep penetration it works on all layers of the skin.' 

These Bio Active Instant Replenishment Complex ampoules in addition to the hydrators are incredibly effective when used two or three times a week after cleansing to saturate the skin with the Spermine and work deeply.  I believe about one third of an ampoule is best applied after cleansing at night so that you have optimum chance of replenishment and repair.   These potent pods can also be used after invasive treatment ie. laser or acid peels.

Remarkable skincare in all from Skin Science and one have to spread the word about and make sure I don't run out of.

www.skinscience.com