Adventures of Barbarella

Current Skin

Chantecaille Just Skin

Tanning

Here goes one on tanning. I haven't written about this for a while. In that time, countless products have been released, better formulations aplenty. I've done a little bit of experimentation over the last couple of weeks, and I can still say that:

St.Tropez Mousse is still my favourite thing for body. Fast, easy, completely foolproof. Been using this since i was 17, although of course, the formula has completely changed since then. Actually, I think I used the lotion at 17, but straight after when the mousse was released I switched to mousse. Ah the lotion! Those were the days! I got so dark, and my sheets/clothes/people who touched me, too.

Clarins Liquid Bronze is my new favourite thing ever for face! Next some pics to show just how natural this looks:

Beauty Essentials

I'm stuck at home with a cold and I have nothing to say about clothes. In fact, I'm not wearing any, so I thought i'd take this opportunity to catch up with something that I've been meaning to post for a while. It's not particularly fun, it's just one of those things that we girls like to know about. It's my beauty basics, those items that I am so dependant on that I systematically use and don't ever talk about, and I wholeheartedly recommend them to everyone.

SilkSkin pillowcase: This is a silk pillow case but not only that- in my experience, the best. It's not just like regular silk (granted, it's more expensive), it feels almost tacky. It's the softest material I've felt in my life, it feels almost moist. And I do sleep on the side, but it is also fantastic for the hair, it doesn't tangle at all on this.

Talika Lipocils: I've been using Talika on my lashes for years and years. It conditions them and brings them to their optimum state, which for most people means that it makes them curl, longer, thicker, and more of them. I use it as a primer in the morning (makes mascara apply so much smoother and also makes it easier to take off at night) and every night.

Liz Earle cleanser: I've only used this for about 4 months now but it has already become an all-time necessity. It just works and it feels great.

Nuxe Lip Balm: Again, used this for years (since I was 18?) on and off. Whenever I don't have it around I always miss it. It has a funny consistency for a lip balm, kind of like an organic lemon+honey health bar crushed. It doesn't have any shine and it keeps your lips moisturized for ever. I can't do vaseline or anything with petrolatum, it give me eczemas and doesn't moisturize at all.

YSL Touche Eclat: Another all time. I don't have dark circles, but this just makes my eye area feel bright and awake. It's also the best highlighter ever. And it feels like a cooling eye cream treatment.

I'm stuck at home with a cold and I have nothing to say about clothes. In fact, I'm not wearing any, (does a La Senza thong count?) so I thought i'd take this opportunity to catch up with something that I've been meaning to post for a while. It's not particularly fun, it's just one of those things that we girls like to know about. It's my beauty basics, those items that I am so dependant on that I systematically use and don't ever talk about, and I wholeheartedly recommend them to everyone. I think I'd rather have these than my wallet.

SilkSkin pillowcase: This is a silk pillow case but not only that- in my experience, the best. It's not just like regular silk (granted, it's more expensive), it feels almost tacky. It's the softest material I've felt in my life, it feels almost moist. And I do sleep on the side, but it is also fantastic for the hair, it doesn't tangle at all on this.

Talika Lipocils: I've been using Talika on my lashes for years and years. It conditions them and brings them to their optimum state, which for most people means that it makes them curl, longer, thicker, and more of them. I use it as a primer in the morning (makes mascara apply so much smoother and also makes it easier to take off at night) and every night.

Liz Earle cleanser: I've only used this for about 4 months now but it has already become an all-time necessity. It just works and it feels great.

Nuxe Lip Balm: Again, used this for years (since I was 18?) on and off. Whenever I don't have it around I always miss it. It has a funny consistency for a lip balm, kind of like an organic lemon+honey health bar crushed. It doesn't have any shine and it keeps your lips moisturized for ever. I can't do vaseline or anything with petrolatum, it give me eczemas and doesn't moisturize at all.

YSL Touche Eclat: Another all time, and the older I get the greater it becomes. I don't have dark circles, but this just makes my eye area feel bright and awake. It's also the best highlighter ever. And it feels like a cooling eye cream treatment.

Question: What are your favourite all-time skincare items?

FINALLY answering this question. I use very few products. I don't have a huge amount to say about them, other than, they are fantastic and they work. For reference my skin is sensitive normal to dry-ish and blemish prone.

- Estee Lauder Tinted Moisturizer: This is great for Summer, for going to the beach. It gives some color and has some SPF. The only thing I'd say about it is that it looks quite shiny and it doesn't have any coverage, it's just a tint. I wouldn't wear this out in the city with nothing else on.

- Garnier BB cream Miracle Skin Perfector. I have this in Light and Medium, I mix and match. It's the best moisturizer with some coverage and it makes skin feel amazing. I wear this by itself as a light foundation every day. My skin looks a lot better after starting using this, I don't know if it's because I'm no longer wearing foundation every day, or because this stuff is so good.

- Skinceuticals Retexturing Activator: This is the only "treatment" that I use on my skin. I use this twice a day. I couldn't say what it does, it just makes it brighter and gets rid of impurities. It's also moisturizing enough to skip moisturizer.

- Liz Earle Cleanse and Polish: This is my cleanser. Tried it once and never went back to anything else. It is that amazing. I've noticed a huge, visible improvement on my naked skin after using this a few times. I never thought a cleanser made any difference in the quality of your skin. I still can't figure out how it does it.

- Sisley Gel Express aux fleurs: This is a great express masque, when your skin is dehydrated and feels a bit rough after a night out, this smooths it out, gives luminosity, hydrates...I've used this for ever.

- Mario Badescu Drying lotion: I dot this on pimples and they go away within a few days without a trace

- Mario Badescu Buffering Lotion: This is meant to be used for cysts. Let's face it: there's no miracle for cysts except hard drugs and hormones, but this does help them heal without too much of a scar.

Sun-tanning: Beach favourites

I have to restrict myself not to carry all of this every time I step out of the house.

(Left to right)

Hawaiian Tropic: I just love the smell/look of this brand. And I MUCH prefer body oils to lotions. They feel better and look great, don't wash off etc. I wear that oil for moisturizing, not really for protection. I only wear that on top of some other sunblock, once I have a tan already.

Hei Poa hair oil: I drench my hair in this before going to the beach, and ideally would reapply after swimming but I never do that. I have the feeling that it stays in my hair until I shower though, so I'm not too bothered. What does it do? It keeps it from drying out in the sun, and from getting all frizzy while it's drying. It's so humid here, hair never quite looks dry anyway. I use the Hei Poa body oil too. More on that some other time.

Garnier body oil: I am an oily gal I told you! I love this stuff, this is probably my favourite all-rounder. It's not cheap, but it feels great, smells delicious but not overpowering, doesn't rub off, ever, even after swimming- which makes it particularly difficult to get the sand off yourself, it sticks to it like glue-. Very recommended.

Polysianes gel nacree SPF10: Another one of those moisturizers that you use purely for glitz and decoration. It's a gel-oil texture, completely delicious and indulgent. And it has a gold shimmer to it. Smells amazing. The whole polysianes line does.

La Roche Posay Anthelios SPF50+ for Face Tinted: This is a tinted cream which is great because it acts like a tinted moisturizer, and the protection is unparalleled. Favourite face SPF. My mom wears it too. You know it's good when your mom has worn it for thirty years.

I apply all of this (well, not all of it at the same time. I choose the high SPFs first) over my body before going out, and then reapply as needed. I usually stick to a 30-15 and always use high protection on the face because otherwise it starts feeling horrible. I think it's a good idea to listen to your skin, it should feel lovely and moisturized all the time; if it doesn't you need more cream. And if you haven't tried oils, i urge you to.

Happy beaching xxx

Beach Favourites - Polysianes by Klorane

This comes three months too late for my northern hemisphere readers but I thought I'd do it anyway.

All the products in this line are incredible, from the way they're packaged, to the way they look, to the way they smell like monoi oil and tiare. Some of my favourites:

The monoi oil in the glass bottle: I use this all over hair, body...it smells delicious, makes the skin glow and the hair glitter and tames the frizz.

 

Creme fondant: As an after sun, oily rather like the oil, and again, exquisite

SPF10 Nacree sunscreen: This has microglitter particles and a mother of pearl shine, cooling sensation plus the signature tiare scent and a low sunscreen. Such a luxury to apply this at the beach!



They're more expensive than your regular Nivea but not prohibitively so, and soo worth it.

I have yet to find out if these are available in London.