I’ve worked in skincare for over nine years and I’m happy to say the application of countless different creams and serums has not damaged my skin. But despite all the scientific formulations I’ve tried, I favour natural over synthetic products. A chemical-free beauty routine means fewer cosmetic fails and more skin successes. And I’m all for that.
Three of my favourite brands have all contributed to the fresh-faced 30-something version of Karen you see before you. Clean, green skincare delivered:
1. Urban Decay Naked Smokey eye palette
What’s the deal? The nude tones are epic. If you’re fragile-skinned like myself, anything that is low on chemicals (without the product being compromised) should be commended. For me, the intensity of pigment and the range of colour from this brand is unmatched and it stays put. I actually use the remnants of UD eye palettes as pigments for body painting. Should you have an exceptionally oily eye surface, use their primer.
The application: Three basic colours should be applied to the eyes. Use a light tone over the lid to the eye socket, a mid tone on the lash line and soften along the crease of the eye. Finally, a darker tone should be lightly applied onto the outer corner of the eye. Master this and you’re winning.
The green bit? 100 per cent vegan. Find Urban Decay in House of Fraser, €46.
2.. Yogandha Body and Bath Oil
What’s the big deal? This gal is not a phoney. The mother of Yogandha – Sinéad Duffy – responded to the suffering of her own Yoga clients who were tired, feeling off-balance, stressed, or needed a good deep sleep. How they reacted to the mood-boosting benefits of her oils was what spurred her to bring Yogandha to fruition. I keep the Sandalwood and Frankincense roller-ball in my handbag to relieve stressful episodes. It’s the bomb.
The application: Sinéad’s oil collection can be used as moisturiser, make-up remover and skin salve for problem areas. It’s also a great out-of-the-shower lotion on wet skin. The smell is pretty epic and it leaves you feeling soft as a baba. Her three-year-long research in the Himalayas is based on our bodies connection to a 5000-year-old tradition of stimulation of the senses.
The green bit? Yogandha is 100 per cent natural, 100 per cent vegan and not tested on animals. Cool. Find Yogandha in Harvey Nichols, €20.
3. Liz Earle Cleanse and Polish
What’s the big deal? If you want the cleaning capacity of a facial cleansing brush or similar device and the buffing of daily exfoliator, this is the holy grail, especially at night. Leftover face paint in the kids faces from a birthday party? This product will even remove that without irritation. Say goodbye to product build-up because cleaning the skin and eyes without mineral oil just got easier. Fact.
The application: Two little pumps on the fingertips massaged into the face will remove the day. Any underlying stress brought on by work, family and your other half will also disappear (for me anyway). Our skin remains supple if we are careful not to drag the surface by cleaning, moisturising or sloughing it in any way. Basically, don’t scrape the face off yourself. Right?
The green bit? Beeswax, eucalyptus, cocoa butter and chamomile in this product are scentastic and all products are suitable for vegetarians. Yay. Find the Anniversary edition Liz Earle Cleanse and Polish, in Arnotts.ie, €28.
Got a skincare query? Pop me a mail: karen.forde@herfamily.ie
Hat tips for images: OmYogaShow, @MarieClaire, and Temporarysecretary
