Whilst the weather's cold, the nights are dark and we're still indoors hibernating, it's the perfect time of year to upgrade your self-care routine and try out new skincare, body and beauty products. Whether it's committing to twice-weekly face masks, body brushing, making the time for indulgent baths, giving cold water showers a go, or treating dry winter skin to rich creams and moisturising oils each evening, these easy-to-keep self-care promises are New Year's resolutions that actually stick... Here are some of my favourite recent beauty discoveries, either brand new products or just new to me.
Hourglass Phantom Volumizing Glossy Balm
Dermalogica Pro-Collagen Banking Serum
Sol de Janeiro Cheirosa 59 Perfume Mist & Cheirosa 59 Drench Body Butter
I'm a big fan of the new, uplifting scent from Brazilian brand Sol de Janeiro - I've had a couple of their products over the years, but this woody, vanilla fragrance is my favourite. The body butter is a rich, luxurious cream which replenishes dry skin, leaving it soft and silky smooth. It's vegan, cruelty-free and easily absorbed, and gives a velvety finish along with the exotic fragrance of creamy vanilla orchid, sugared violet and sensual sandalwood. I spritz the perfume mist liberally all over, including my hair, for a mood-boosting finish.
Fresh Hesperides Body Wash & Body Lotion
I love Fresh - the American skincare brand launched in 1991 championing natural ingredients, and I haven't met a product I didn't like - and I love citrus shower products to wake me up in the morning, so I'm enjoying this zesty duo for a refreshing start to the day. The best-selling grapefruit products are enriched with shea butter and vitamin C & E, and an energising scent with pink grapefruit, citrus and floral notes. The pH-balanced foaming shower gel cleanses and hydrates, and the lightweight, creamy body lotion locks in hydration while infusing skin with its invigorating fragrance.
Hourglass Shape & Sculpt Lip Liner
These soft, blendable lip liners from Hourglass are perfect for lining your natural shape, or filling your entire lips with matte colour before applying lipstick for a more intense look. Infused with nourishing jojoba oil for a creamy finish, they glide on easily, leaving your lips feeling soft and smooth, and don't transfer, smudge or fade. I've been applying then topping up with the glossy balms for a pigmented, shiny and comfortable finish that lasts for hours.
And Begin The Revolution Serum-in-a-Cream
And Begin is a new brand offering personalised skincare designed by expert dermatologists for midlife skin. I've been sent the hydrating serum-in-a-cream to use each night, which delivers proven actives dosed at your ideal level for real results. Packed with tretinoin and azelaic acid to improve fine lines and hyperpigmentation, matrixyl and hyaluronic acid to enhance radiance and luminosity, and soothing niacinamide and ectoin to calm skin, I've only just started using it, but my dry winter skin is loving it so far.