Skin Cleansers - and a video!

Finally!

*insert Arnie voice* I'm baaaaaack. :)

Erm yes so I've been a little absent on the YouTube front. Soz. Work is really busy, kids were on summer holidays, you know how it goes. As I mention in the video - I'm not a 'pro' blogger, I still work (hard!) my 'day job' and obviously that takes priority when time is tight. Anyway - I'm back!

Instead of the usual favourites I went with my current skin cleanser obsessions. Fancied a change!

The cleansers break down as (all links are in the video description box):

Alpha-H Age Delay - love this - have used for a long time but it's still as relevant as when it launched. Suitable for all skin types, washes clean away, no residue. I love using this in the morning.

Amanda Lacey Cleansing Pomade - bliss in a jar. Expensive, but if you can, do. Suitable for all skin types, washes away clean, no residue. This is a second cleanse for me in the evenings, after the gunk has mostly gone.

Lush Ultrabland - a great affordable alternative. I'm sorry, but £10 is affordable to me. There are no cleansing balms available for £1.00 (as I was asked today) that will do the same job. Richer than the others, this needs a couple of goes on the flannel to properly clear but there is no residue, just loveliness. Another good A.M. one.

NUDE Perfect Cleanse Omega Cleansing Jelly - brand new this week and bloody lovely. I've been using it non-stop since I got my mitts on it. It is light enough to use in the mornings or as a second cleanse in the evening and leaves no residue. All skin types.

Su-Man Purifying Cleansing Oil Gel - Brilliant value considering the quality, the ml in the tube and the amount you actually need to use. Especially considering the plethora of extortionate mineral oil cleansers out there. Suitable for all skin types, two goes of the flannel (if you don't emulsify- like awkward me) :) Evening for me.

Tatcha One-Step Camellia Cleansing Oil - beautiful, simple, divine quality oil. Suitable for all skins, massages well, two goes of the flannel for this. You can use a tiny amount of this and still get great massage and cleansing action. this gets used both morning and evening, usually when I want speed as it's 'ready to go'.

The Organic Pharmacy Carrot Butter Cleanser - beautiful, luxurious, gives a great massage, slightly heavier on the shea butter content than the others so oily/acne faces can absolutely still use - just make sure you follow with some solid flannel action to remove thoroughly. Don't be scared.

Tata Harper Regenerating Cleanser - Rose clay, apricot seed powder and a plethora of gorgeous waxes make this a beautiful exfoliating cleanser without stripping or any harsh skin-damaging ingredients. This is my current first pick for either an AM cleanse or a fresh-as-a-daisy skin ready for retinols etc in the evening second cleanse.

See you tomorrow!



ooh look at me being all organised and shizz.

The Experts. The Facialists. Amanda Lacey.

I'm so frequently asked about favourite brands and facialists that I figured it was time to start showcasing them a little more.

If I was forced to pick one facial to have for the rest of my life I'd probably go for Amanda Lacey's. You know when someone is just excellent at what they do? That is Amanda. The surroundings are immaculate - always - and the hands are warm and firm and leave your skin looking like you've had a rest. Which is what I always, always, need. No-one removes milia better. No-one.

Unlike the trend in recent years, she has no interest in discussing her celebrity clients. None. She would be mortified if she was mentioned as a 'celebrity facialist' - equally, she has zero interest in being famous herself. Completely refreshing and old school. 

Amanda also makes some of my favourite products of all time. I have long been obsessed with the Cleansing Pomade, whilst the Camellia Oil and Oils of Provence Oils will never not be in my arsenal. As well as the hands, Amanda has a nose to rival most fragrance houses, her perfumes, body products and candles are just beyond.

I'm regularly asked for advice on entering the beauty industry so I grabbed Amanda for a quick Q & A this week to get her take on a few things....

How did you end up as a facialist? Was it something you always wanted to do and therefore a straightforward path? Or something you discovered you loved almost by accident?

I guess after my beauty training at the age of 23.  I only ever wanted to own my own business and create beautiful products.  It’s interesting, beauty, it kind of grew on me, and I've had a love affair with it ever since...

I receive a lot of queries about training – some of them seem to be asking for the quickest route to a qualification. Where did you train and how important do you think the basic level of training is?

I trained at Joan Price's Beauty School in Chelsea, London.  Joan was the Beauty Editor at Harper ‘s Bazaar many years ago, so an important figure in the British Beauty scene.  The basic level of training for any therapist is of the upmost importance. Try and always go for a school with heritage and immaculate credentials. (Amen to THAT - CH)

What do you think the best reason for having a facial is? Is it for the results or the feel-good factor – or both?

 I feel when you are having a facial, it is important to experience a sense of well-being and of course overall excellent results. So both!

What is your favourite part of what you do?   

I really have to say, I am very blessed, in that I love every aspect of my job.

What is your favourite skincare product outside of your own range? 

Sisley Ecologique Compound. 

Thanks to Amanda for taking the time to answer my Q's. More Facialists to follow!

More information on Amanda Lacey can be found on her website www.AmandaLacey.com. Queries to jess@amandalacey.com.

Do yourself a favour. Go.

*I have no business affiliation with Amanda Lacey. She's just very good at what she does. 

OSKIA Signature Glow Facial & Skin Smoothing Massage Candle - Review

I didn't go into the beauty business expecting to be paid for reviewing and trialling facials and treatments. It just organically happened. In a really wonderful way. Sometimes it's not fun - when the therapist or the products just don't 'work', I cannot wait to get off the bed.

And sometimes you have a treatment with the perfect product, in the perfect spot, with the perfect pair of hands. Step forward OSKIA and Abigail James.

Set in Covent Garden, the OSKIA rooms are above yoga studios, which immediately sets the tone in a really calm, peaceful manner (removing your shoes to climb the stairs seems appropriate, not over the top).

Not me. Obvs.

What's good about it?

The OSKIA products lend themselves wonderfully to treatments and the routine is along these lines:

• Double cleanse with hot towels (amen)
• Exfoliate using the Micro Exfoliating Balm reviewed recently here 
• Hot oil massage (see below)
• Steam/extraction - if appropriate/requested
• Tissue massage
• Renaissance mask
• Exfoliate and massage arms and hands
• Finishing with sitting up, leaning forward and hot compresses and work on the back (you will groan at this point - not in a 50 Shades way - but you will groan - in a stress being pushed out of your body thank-you-very-much way)

The mixture of Abigail's experience and these glorious products is amazing. Abigail has been added to my list of 'great hands' and I'll be going back for more treatments. She's the kind of therapist, that as a therapist (me), makes you strive to keep learning and be a better therapist.

While all of the products used were beautiful - and I will be reviewing the ones that I haven't already in the near future, I need to take a minute to talk about this:

There is no run-of-the-mill massage oil used in this treatment - OSKIA's massage oil comes from freshly melted candle wax scented with Rose de Mai and is as close to perfection as you will get for massage. I have always warmed oils before using them during treatments - no point in putting them on cold - not tactile, not pleasurable and takes longer to really get the massage going. I smelt this on Abigail's hands as they hovered above my face and as soon as she made contact shouted 'WHAT is THAT??!!!' I think I made her jump. Poor love.

Ironically, given my known dislike of mineral oil - one of the best things during a facial is a bloody good oil under a paraffin wax mask. The heat seals in the oil and your skin is nothing short of remarkable afterwards when the mask is peeled away. Amanda Lacey does this brilliantly in her treatments.

This candle gives you the ability to do something similar - at home - in the comfort of your own surroundings. There is no paraffin here - hence its ability to be used as the massage element rather than the overall mask. Its a mixture of soybean, beeswax and coconut oils. It's also scented with Rose de Mai - swimming with happy Chantecaille memories for me.

Utter bliss.

What's bad about it?

It's not widely available in the UK. You need to come to London. Honestly, that's about it.

OSKIA Signature Glow Facial - 4/5 - purely for limited distribution reasons

Skin Smoothing Massage Candle - 5/5

More information about the OSKIA Boutique Beauty Rooms can be found here and Abigail James here.

More information about the amazing to-die-for candle can be found here. 

Disclosure:

I was a guest of OSKIA. A very grateful one.

No affiliate links.

My Staple Diet - Cleansers

I am often asked what products I use.  To be honest I change my skincare more often than I change handbags. But I do have a few fallback staples that I always rely on which I will allude to below. First up is Cleansers - something for everyone!

Emma Hardie Moringa Cleansing Balm (I use P.M.)
No surprises here - it's my 1st choice for a fallback option and although I love trying others, if I run out of this I get panic palpitations. There is nothing about this cleanser that disappoints me. And I'm not alone - this little gem is winning awards left, right and centre. More on EH here.

Amanda Lacey Cleansing Pomade (P.M.)
OK here's the thing: I love this cleanser. A lot. It is beyond beautiful. I first used it about 10 years ago. But it is £55.00. Yes. £55.00. If you can afford it - power to you - it IS lovely. Check it out here.

Clarins Extra-Comfort Cleansing Cream (A.M./P.M.)
I know I am a little obsessed with oily/balm cleansers but I do love this milk cleanser. I don't have a hugely sensitive skin but I always tend to lean towards sensitive cleansers and toners when buying - they usually do the job with less nasties and are less harsh. Interestingly with this particular one, I love that it comes in a big fat pot that I can scoop my fingers into and smear all over my face. Not elegant, but sometimes necessary to just release that 'aaahhhhhh' feeling. Lush. Check it out.

Lancome Galatee Confort (A.M./P.M.)
Ah Lancome. This one is here by demand of Mama Mouth. She has used it for Y.E.A.R.S. I mean really. I do not even BOTHER trying to get her to use anything else. And the reason it is here is because when I am going home (anywhere where Mum is) I don't take a cleanser. I use hers. It takes EVERYTHING off. No need for separate eye remover. And its available here.

OK so my final pick is a tribute to my beautiful Nana (pictured above).  I feel incredibly lucky that my earliest memories are of watching my Nana do her evening skincare routine. Whether she was staying with us or I was at her house, without fail, she would pull this out of her bag, get her cotton wool, and set to work. This amazing woman is now 84 and still has people saying: 'My God - Nana Mouth (not her real name) - your skin looks A.MAZING.'
Ladies and (limited) Gentlemen, I give you:
Almond Oil. *The Mouth Recommends - Staple

Yep.

Almond Oil.

A few words of warning: We use to remove eye makeup only and use sparingly - puffy eyes and you're using too much.
So. If you want a cheap, natural alternative to those extortionate eye makeup removers, pop down to your local chemists - they may have it behind the counter - ASK - and save yourself ££££'s. Personally I love a bit of Neal's Yard but you can buy it cheaper if you want to.