Round Two (or three, or four)
Between my work and blog, I’m rarely short of new products promising the earth. However I’m a creature of habit, and never more so than when I find something that works really, really well. Here are four products that have maintained my unfailing loyalty long enough for me to stamp them with my highest recommendation.
MAC Minerlize Skinfinish Natural in Light Plus (round three)
I’ve been using Skinfinish Natural for three years (and as is fairly evident, a compact lasts me about a year). I’m never down for super-powdered looks, but I do like a little dusting to set creamy products and keep any shine from becoming too, err, shiny around the T-zone. MSFN never looks overly matte or chalky thanks to almost invisible light-reflecting particles, but merges beautifully into the skin. It’s low coverage so doesn’t alter the colour of base products however, if I’m not wearing anything else on my skin, a quick swirl of this makes things look a little more even. I can’t vouch for any miracle shine-control properties but it’s enough to keep my combination skin in check for several hours.
NARS Pure Radiant Tinted Moisturiser in Finland (round two)
I should probably look at buying shares in NARS for the amount of friends and family I’ve converted to Pure Radiant who, like me, thought tinted moisturisers looked a bit too sheeny or weren’t tinted enough to be worth using. The fragrance isn’t obnoxious, it never feels greasy on my skin and the addition of SPF30 / PA makes up for days when I forget to top up with sunscreen. My only gripe is that my ideal shade is currently somewhere between Finland and Alaska, but it sheers out enough for me to wear year-round and NARS have added some lighter and darker shades to the range since it launched. If you’re still curious, here’s my initial review from May 2012 (yes, that tube lasted 18 months!).
John Masters Bare Unscented (round two)
This is technically round four as I’ve stockpiled three bottles…you know, just in case. Like Philip Kingsley No Scent, No Colour (another great sensitive-friendly range, but this is slightly ‘cleaner’), John Masters Bare Unscented isn’t going to do particularly magical things to your hair and it’s not the cheapest (£14.50), but if you’re struggling with chronic sensitivities it’s top of my recommendations to try. Formulated without sulfates or fragrance, it gently cleanses the hair without causing irritation. I tend to use a gentle clarifying shampoo a few times a month to keep on top of build up, but I haven’t had a problem with itchy, irritated or dry scalp since I switched to this and I don’t think I’ll be straying any time soon. Full review here.
Vichy Eau Thermale Hydrating Toner (round five)
Somehow I’m on my fifth bottle of this toner, yet I don’t think I’ve ever mentioned it. Perhaps because it’s not as ‘clean’ as I’d like and I’ve been trying to find an alternative that my skin likes just as much. The ingredients are mostly water and a couple of known skin irritants (aqua, PEG-8, glycerin, PEG-60 hydrogenated castor oil, tocopheryl acetate, disodium EDTA, copper sulfate, myrtrimonium bromide, parfum) making it fairly expensive for what it is at £11.50 a bottle (currently £9.75 on Escentual).
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