Editor Katy is feeling pretty in pink
with this month’s round up of
health, fitness and beauty finds
in her favourite shade!
Ilu Fit The Mindful Vest in pink
Perfect for lounging around at home or for a Pilates or yoga class, The Mindful Vest (£35) by Ilu is a winner – I’ll be wearing this while out and about as it’s too good just for exercise! It’s got everything I want in a lightweight top: large armholes to keep cool in summer and avoid sweat marks, a high neckline at the front to protect my décolleté from the sun, and a longer hem at the back to cover my bum!
Kure Bazaar nail polishes
One way to reduce your chemical exposure, while still feeling and looking pretty, is to go for a nail varnish with as few toxic ingredients as possible. Kure Bazaar polishes (£15) are made from a base of potatoes, wheat, cotton, corn, bamboo and Vitamin E, and are all free from the top ten petrochemical offenders: toluene, formaldehyde, dibutyl phthalate, synthetic camphor, TPHP, parabens, xylene, styrene, nano colours and Benzophenone1-3. I love the delicate pink shades of French Rose, Lily and Dolce (shown with flower) as well as French Rose Glow and Rose Milk Glow – both new for SS19.
Vida Glow Nourishing Lip Balm
I not only like using the Vida Glow unflavoured Marine Collagen Powder, but the brand’s new external beauty line is also a must-have. I’m a huge fan of the lip balm (£11.95), which softens with sweet almond and coconut oils, shea and cocoa butters, plus red algae marine collagen. The cleanser and mask also contains collagen.
The Beauty of Eczema book and cards
In 2008 I was fortunate enough to interview founder of Hay House publishing, Louise Hay. I was as nervous as I would have been if meeting my idol, the Queen of Pop, Madonna, as Louise was the queen of self-help and her book You Can Heal Your Life was my first (of many!) in the self-development genre when I’d been having a difficult time in my early 20s. I told her I had eczema and she later emailed me an affirmation for it: “Harmony and peace, love and joy surround me and indwell me – I am safe and secure.” I’ve never forgotten it, although I clearly do forget to use it as my eczema comes and goes as it pleases. And while I think mine is triggered by certain foods, I know it’s also stress-related, so I was pleased to discover that skin positivity campaigner Camille Knowles had written a book called The Beauty of Eczema (£14.99), in which she takes the basis of Louise Hay’s original affirmation work and hones in on just skin. Camille has had severe eczema and in the book she documents her story of finding a way to heal through a holistic approach, dealing with the root causes of a flare up such as stress, diet, home environment, self-care and mental attitude. There’s also now an accompanying card deck, Positive Vibes (£19.99), as well as a journal, Positive Scribes (£24).
Too Faced Damn Girl Mascara
This new Damn Girl Mascara (£22) contains a special blend of ‘whipped melting waxes’, which are waxes injected with air, apparently, for maximum volume. The ‘dual-fibre “Infinity Brush” is seriously huge – it’s double the thickness of any mascara brush I’ve ever seen! I thought it would make application a nightmare but as long as you make sure it’s not overloaded, it works really well. My lashes look massive and, as promised, I don’t end up with panda eyes.Neon Sheep Avocado beach towel
If space in your beach bag is tight, try this fab towel from Neon Sheep (£12). It’s microfibre so it’s really absorbant while being super thin and easy to fold away. Available in three other fun and colourful designs including a Watermelon print.
ghd ink on pink styler
I’ve always used ghd when wanting to straighten my hair, and although my set is in orange (should have featured them when I did that colour months ago!) now you can get this limited edition “ink on pink” design with £10 from both the ghd Gold (£139, ghdhair.com) and Platinum (£175) models going to Breast Cancer Now. Only available from July 22.
SkinGlo Collagen Sachets
While I like powdered collagen supplements, liquid ones are said to be more easily absorbed. These new SkinGlo sachets (£54,99 for 14 days) are not only liquid but also use liposomal technology, giving them an eight-times better absorption rate than comparable liquid supplements, according to the blurb. They also contain a skin-plumping cocktail of hyaluronic acid, ceramides, vitamin C, B vitamins (which cause the bright yellow colour), and L-lysine. I wish they didn’t contain the artificial sweetener sucralose, but apparently without it the taste wasn’t palatable – understandable as the collagen comes from fish!
SVR TOPIALYSE Palperbral CC Anti-irritation concealer cream SPF20
Why are there so few eye products containing SPF? I found one in Boots years ago but then it was discontinued. Now there’s SVR TOPIALYSE Palperbral CC Anti-irritation concealer cream SPF20 (£15). It’s a true multitasker containing mineral sunscreen as well as cotton oil, licorice, shea butter and hyaluronic acid to give it skincare-like qualities, plus a hint of colour so you can use in place of concealer.
Etica plastic-free panty liners
I’d not given my sanitary wear much thought until recently, but in the past month or so I’ve been inundated with information from new eco brands. One of these brands, Etica, is on a mission to change the world with their plastic-free, organic cotton pads and liners. They’re just as effective as anything else I’ve used. Plus, the brand is also tackling period poverty by donating a percentage of profits to girls around the world so they can get access to sanitary wear.
Emma Bridgewater x Chilly’s Water bottle in Pink Hearts
I love my pink Chilly’s water bottle, which helps me cut down on plastic. And now the brand has teamed up with British designer Emma Bridgewater to bring you three new designs with her signature patterns. My fave is this Pink Hearts one (£25). Chilly’s bottles are leak-proof and keep drinks cold for 24 hours, or hot for 12.
Botanicals Nourish Hydrating Mist
Suitable for normal/dry and mature skin, this three-in-one gentle hydrating mist clarifies, balances and hydrates the skin. Essential extracts of revitalising rose and anti-oxidant green tea are blended with soothing lavender and toning geranium in this pure and natural spring water spritzer. It not only removes the last traces of cleanser but it helps balance your skin’s natural pH, allowing for better absorption of the ingredients in your moisturiser. Nourish Hydrating Mist (£20 for 100ml) is 100 per cent natural and organic, certified organic by The Soil Association, vegan-friendly and cruelty-free.