TheHigherGloss

Sisley is one of my firm favourite brands. The quality and performance of all of their products is excellent. You get what you pay for – for sure. I have never been disappointed, both their skincare and cosmetics deliver.

Recently, I have been tempted by their Phyto-lip Delight range. I picked up two which I could not resist, and my choice of colours was ‘Sweet’ and ‘Cool’. The product is a lip colour which is light and transparent, yet opaque enough to give just enough coverage to finish off a look.

‘Sweet’ is a subtle and soft pink which is very flattering and feminine. ‘Cool’ is a perfect nude that enhances in a subtle way. The product is wonderfully smooth and glides on easily from its ‘doe-foot’ applicator, a clever little cup-like scoop which dispenses just the right amount of product. The product is long lasting, but whilst out and about, if you need a quick refresh,a little slick from this magic wand is all that is needed.

As always, Sisley packaging is elegant and refined. The gold case with the iconic white ‘S’ is simple and stunning. The little window in the bullet ensures you can monitor exactly when you need to revisit the Sisley counter.

Sisley Phyto-Lip Delights are priced at £37 each and are available here

Throughout my lifetime I have been fortunate to be genetically blessed with relatively trouble-free skin. It is only now that I am older that I actually appreciate what an asset this is. During my younger years, there were no major dramas, apart from an odd pimple or two from time to time.

Having lived abroad for many years, I quickly learned that sun is not a complexion’s best friend. Women who live in sunny climes actively avoid the sun’s damaging rays, and I quickly adopted their habits. There is nothing more attractive than having a golden healthy glow, but many people still overdo the tanning process, leaving their skin parched, dry and wrinkled.

At the moment, I am all about oil! I bathe and shower with oil-based products, moisturise my body with oil, I even use oil in my hair routine. There are so many wonderful choices out there right now, and the latest facial oils I have been experimenting with are from The Ordinary range. During the day I still use a cream moisturiser prior to make-up application, but on make-up free days and after evening cleansing, my go-to now is always an oil moisturiser.

Some of these oils seem quite expensive, and that is because of the high quality and purity of the product. The Ordinary, however, have hit the mark with an extensive range of oils and serums that offer that same quality at a more reasonable price. Lately I have been using their 100% Organic Cold-Pressed Moroccan Argan Oil regularly. What I notice is that my skin drinks the oil in swiftly, no greasy residue is left over, and my skin is much more plumped and cushiony. The oil seems to seep into my skin, rather than just sit on the surface, as some moisturisers do.

My latest haul from The Ordinary includes their Hyaluronic Acid for hydration, Buffet Serum for general skin health, Rosehip Oil and Marula Oil. I have also purchased their AHA 30 + Peeling Solution, an intriguing red potion which is to be used for chemical exfoliation. I will keep you updated on their performance.

The packaging of the products is reminiscent of old-school pharmacy bottles with droppers for accurate dosage.

THE ORDINARY 100% ORGANIC COLD-PRESSED ARGAN OIL is priced at £5.90 and is available here.

Clean Reserve is an American perfume brand which has recently come to my notice. Fragrance is such a personal thing and we all have experiences where strong memories have been evoked by a waft of a particular aroma.

Some people stick faithfully to a single signature scent through thick and thin. Personally, I change my fragrance according to season, weather, mood, occasion, and so on. Clean Reserve Acqua Neroli is one I have been using during this spell of warmer weather that we have been lucky enough to be experiencing right now.

Heavy scents have their place, but for a pleasingly fresh spritz, straight after a cleansing shower, this fragrance gets top marks. It is very evocative of  the Mediterranean and I have received several positive comments whilst wearing it.

Clean Reserve offers a wide range of fragrances including; Warm Cotton, Blonde Rose, Sueded Oud, and Sel Santal. Their range is all about simplicity and sustainability, their USP is producing anti-mainstream fragrances that focus on the individuality of the wearer. These all work so well together that you can even layer these fragrances to achieve a completely individual result.

For the moment, I am enjoying wafting around in a Neroli cloud. If I can’t actually jet off to the Med right now – this is the closest thing!

Clean Reserve Acqua Neroli is priced at £82 and is available here

Recently I find myself drawn to the relatively new American make-up brand Glossier.  Their philosophy is to keep everything clean and simple, enhancing attributes, minimising ‘flaws’, and facing the world as the best version of yourself.

Sometimes we can become stuck in a rut, clinging on to what worked for us in the past, but the trick is to acknowledge that like everything else, time moves on. Personally, I find it exciting to experiment with different products that perhaps are aimed at a more youthful demographic, but who doesn’t want to look healthy, fresh and glowing?

The Glossier range is well curated and the prices are very reasonable. Their products are excellent and the packaging is simple and fun. Recently, I ordered the Balm Dotcom trio for £25. Six choices are on offer, I opted for Birthday, Cherry and Rose. These balms work incredibly well, leaving the slightest hint of colour, moisturising  lips, leaving them plump and juicy, and importantly, dispensing a delightful flavour.

Finding a concealer to cover imperfections without looking cakey is a continual quest. Glossier have come up with the perfect solution; their Stretch Concealer is amazing. The formula contains coconut oil, so the product glides on easily, blends well, and stays put during the day, even in the hot weather we have been experiencing lately. I use mine every day and have hardly made a dent in the pot. This has become one of my new favourites.

Brows are an art in themselves. Everyone I speak to has their own ritual, and to create perfect brows we now need an arsenal of products. Glossier’s Boy Brow is a wax that I use as the final step in this process. The product comes in a dinky little tube with a tiny spoolie that dispenses just the right amount of product for each application. This product seems to enhance and thicken the brows, keeping brows groomed throughout the day.

It’s a brand which, although aimed squarely at the younger market makes products which work well for all age groups. I’ve been pleasantly surprised by both the products’ affordability and how well they work! You can purchase Glossier here.

Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant is a recent addition to my daily cleansing routine. Speaking to specialists in the industry and relying on good old common sense, it seems obvious that for a perfectly made-up face, our skin has to be clear and blemish free.The packaging is clean, clinical and emits a ‘no-nonsense’ vibe. You know this product is going to work. Exfoliation used to be quite a harsh affair with gritty scrubs that left skin looking raw, rather than glowing. This product is miles away from that! Firstly, wet the face and then dispense a small amount of the product into your hand. Make a paste and apply to the face. The product begins to foam on contact and whilst you rub in a gentle circling motion, you can control the consistency that works best for you. Splash with clean water to remove and then follow your usual moisturising regime.

Nothing is more attractive than glowing skin, and this product ensures the daily build-up of grime and dead skin cells are gently removed, leaving the skin smooth and able to drink in the moisturiser of your choice. My preference these days is to use a facial oil in the evening, rather than a cream. My skin actively drinks in the oil, leaving my skin plump and refreshed.

Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant is priced at £49.50 and is available here

I was lucky enough to attend a recent pop-up in Glasgow hosted by Fenty Beauty. The range of make-up on display was phenomenal, and with the weather on our side, it was a pleasant way to spend a Saturday morning. The event went on from 10:00 am until 8:00pm. Fortunately I was able  to preview prior to admission, so it was a luxury to peruse the products with the professional make-up artists willing to give a helping hand.

The pop-up was held at SWG3 – a unique event space, and with the DJ creating a clubby atmosphere, the morning passed by quickly. Being gifted with a generous swag bag containing the latest Moroccan Spice eyeshadow palette which retails for £42, I was ready to experiment. Included in my haul were two beautiful make-up brushes, an eyeliner and primer.

The palette contains a mixture of matte and glitter shadows, some vibrant, some more subtle. Usually, several shadows in my palettes remain unused, but the professionals at Fenty showed me several ways to incorporate more adventurous shades in a wearable way.

The event was well-attended, crowds gathered prior to admission and there was an excited buzz. Sometimes expectations of celebrity-endorsed products can be low, but with Fenty this is not the case. Having been glammed-up by the delightful staff, it seemed a waste not to hit the town for a long al fresco lunch!

Even if you don’t manage to catch the pop-up on its tour of the UK, you can pick up the entire Moroccan Spice collection here.

Although I normally stick faithfully to tried and tested products that I know work for me, I love to experiment – just to make sure that I am not missing out. In the warmer summer months my aim is to look fresh and pulled together, leaving a more ‘made-up’ look for cooler weather.

This little lip balm by Winky Lux is just too good to pass over. The bright fuchsia and gold bullet packaging is both eye-catching and tactile. The clear balm inside is enhanced with a tiny flower suspended within the balm. The product not only looks summery and beautiful, but glides on smoothly with a slight hint of coconut, which is always appropriate in the summertime. The balm reacts with your own pH level and will look slightly different on each individual. The look is ultimately natural, smoothing and moisturising – perfect for a clean, fresh finish.

I feel it is important to keep experimenting with new products. Sometimes it is easy to become stuck in a rut –  something which can be very ageing. With so many advancements in science and technology connected to the cosmetic industry, it would be mad not to keep up-to-date. Personally, my aim is to look healthy and groomed, not made-up. Texture is as important as colour, and I feel that nowadays there is so much on offer that there is no reason to settle for second best.

We all return to products that make us feel comfortable and secure, knowing that we have found a perfect match, but adding to this arsenal is what keeps things looking fresh and new. I will keep you updated with my latest finds.

You can find Winky Lux Flower Balms for £13 here