Sarah loves... February
Sarah (also) loves... a new moisturiser, age-defying hand cream and foundation - and keeps fresh and fragrant, on-the-go...
These moist scented tissues (above) are a must have for every handbag. If you know someone who is travelling (even for a day on a train, or half an hour on a tube or bus, and always for planes), or in hospital, give them a box. Or two. (And save one for yourself.) I can’t move anywhere without them in my bag – and curiously perhaps I find that men love them too. They might look a tad worried at first but the moment they sniff that citrussy, aromatic fragrance - a true, true, classic unisex cologne - they’re dabbing them round face, neck and hands with abandon.
• 4711 Eau de Cologne Tissue Wipes/ £3.10 for ten at www.victoriahealth.com - buy here
Jo and I have both loved this range since former beauty PR Amanda Denning started it in 2002 as a ‘serious natural and organic skincare brand for women, and men, as the ageing process takes place’. The Nourishing Night Treatmenthas been a staple but until now I had somehow not discovered the moisturiser. With a cornucopia of organic ingredients (rosehip, shea butter, aloe vera, calendula, beeswax, seaweed, vitamin E and sodium hyaluronate) it gentles your complexion into looking its best, day long. Amanda suggests adding a drop of facial oil (complimentary with every order) to one pump, for extra radiance.
• AD Skin Synergy Radiant Skin Moisturiser/£28 for 50 ml at www.adskinsynergy.com -buy here
Oh, how funny. Jo and I never discuss what we're going to feature as our 'loves', but we've both chosen something from the same range that did so brilliantly in the 'Miracle' category in our latest book, The Anti-Ageing Beauty Bible. And this, too, truly delivers. I came back from Australia having neglected my paws (slapped wrist) and really needed instant results. Apart from the fact this smells so divine that I want it as a scent – which is down to the Immortelle flowers it contains – it immediately made my hands look better, softer and smoother with more even skintone. The secret to hand cream – well any skincare really – is to enjoy using it, then you do…I now keep it on my desk. By the way, I noticed for the first time that I have real right-handed 'Beauty Editor’s hands' – as in: my left hand looks 10 years younger than my right, due to many many times I have tested creams on my left and neglected my right. So, February resolution is to start with my right hand!
• L’Occitane Immortelle Brightening Hand Care SPF15, £19 atwww.uk.loccitane.com - buy here
Darphin Melaperfect Anti-Dark Spots Correcting Foundation SPF15
This is a fabulous foundation. From this legendary French brand’s range formulated especially for hyperpigmentation, it promises to even out your complexion and help correct dark spots (which affect pretty well all of us over a certain age). The key thing for me is that it conceals just enough without looking cake-y or heavy, and makes my on-the-dry-side skin look dewy and bright. Plus it has a useful SPF15 (though don’t forget that won’t last all day if you are out and about in sunshine).
• Darphin Melaperfect Anti-Dark Spots Correcting Foundation SPF15, £25 for 30 ml at www.darphin.co.uk - buy here