I’ve long been a fan of oils. This love was cemented by a certain A-list actress I was working with, mentioned she splits open a vitamin E capsule and layers onto her glowy dermis every week – I quickly hot-footed down to Holland & Barrett to load up on my very own anointed skin fix. In fact, most supermodels and red carpet royalty incorporate some kind of oil into the skincare mix. The benefits of oil are two-fold; the oil itself penetrates well, and the act of the massage boosts blood supplies to the skin. Win. Win. I have many tried-and-trusted favourites (a whole shelf full) – but here’s my list of the oils I’m testing right now, which are great for the summer months and beyond.
Nadur Genie Rinsable Cleanser & Make-up Remover, £25
This oil-based cleanser is water-soluble and gently lifts dirt and makeup without stripping skin or irking the dermis. Plus it gets rid of waterproof mascara and smells beautifully floral – meaning it’s such a pleasure to use. Plus it’s ethically sourced, non-toxic cruelty and gluten-free and vegan.
Buy here
MV Organic Skincare Rose Plus Booster, £80
I got a little too much sun at the weekend, and this totally took down the pink-tinge. I’ve heard it’s especially useful after a microdermabrasion or peel treatments, courtesy of the Rose Otto, Rose Geranium, and rosehip oils. Plus it really sinks in – so don’t be afraid of using it during the day – I promise you won’t look like a greasy mess.
Buy here
Olverum Bath Oil, £29
This is brilliant if you’re suffering from a summer cold or are full of hay fever. The Siberian fir needle, rosemary, and lavender provide a nice herbal aroma, while the inclusion of eucalyptus, lemon, and lime give a refreshing boost. It makes your bathroom (and the rest of the house) smell great, long after you pull the plug.
Buy here
De Mamial Settle Oil, £38
June has been pretty brutal, and if you’re anything like me, it’s always at bedtime where my brain goes into overdrive and is an active mass of thoughts. Annoyingly this starts as soon as my head hits the pillow. So, I roller this onto pulse points and into my hands, rub them together and take a few deep breaths and the little ritual reduces some of the listlessness.
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Well, didn’t I have a lot of misconceptions about cruising… (Bad buffets, coffin dodgers, norovirus and sun-lounger-wars; really didn’t sound like a stylish and fun kind of vacay time to me.) However, my head was turned when I stepped aboard the Royal Caribbean’s Independence of the Seas newly revamped (think £67 million makeover) ship. It was super spacious – so didn’t feel like you’re elbowing your way through the crowds, with plenty of available sunbeds to bask, spaces to sit, Jacuzzi’s with a view and places to feel at one with the ocean. There’s also amazing shopping – think Michael Kors and Ralph Lauren, brilliant beauty brands like L’Occitane and jewels by Pandora and their own high-end bling boutique. The food options were incredible, and I was amazed at how many activities there were to see and do. We sailed from Southampton for a 2-day cruise, but could’ve stayed much longer and headed out to one of their exotic locales. Here’s my edit of the 5 great things about sailing the high seas…
