Commuter Makeup

It’s been a while since I blogged about the commuter handbag and I’m pleased to say I’ve settled into a comfortable pattern of rushing for the train in the morning and slowly climbing the hill back home in the evening. What I haven’t managed quite so well is getting out of bed in time to apply the warpaint before heading into the corporate jungle so I’ve had to adapt to moisturising and making up on the train.

I’m lucky because I’m at the end of the line so I get a seat in the morning and, quite often, I don’t have anyone beside me. The moisturizer technique has been perfected. Pump of Origins White Tea Skin Guardian on the back of the hand and then gently applied to the face, followed by Decleor’s Hydra floral. Really the moisturiser is too light for me on these winter mornings but it smells so wonderful and the texture is so beautiful that I can’t bring myself to abandon it in favour of the more effective and equally pleasant to use Liz Earle Superskin Moisturiser.

Next comes the make up and that is the tricky bit. Please, please, please Bare Escentuals come up with an on the go applicator. So far the versions that I have tried have been hopeless – like the one in the little black purse. They’re just too messy. Preloaded retractor brushes also don’t work because I forget to preload them.  There’s got to be a better model. If it weren’t for the fact that the makeup is so good, I’d have given up by now.

Models Prefer for the mascara. Yves Saint Laurent Touche Eclat for the dark circles under the eyes. Bare Escentuals again for the lips – the buxom babes range.

That’s it. Good to go. 15 minutes all told. Sure who wouldn’t take the extra few minutes in bed in the morning?

To Serum or Not To Serum, That is the Question

Dry and sensitive skin, particularly during the winter months, can be a bit of a nuisance in perimenopause. Lately every weekend seems to involve a mini facial of one kind or another to repair the damage of a week’s commuting. Could serum be the missing ingredient in my skincare routine? I’ve sampled a few recently and have a preference for natural products so Origins White Tea Skin Guardian which is pleasant to use, but pricey and L’Occitane’s new serum have both been on my trial list. The most recent addition is a much, much cheaper option, from Lidl’s Suhada range but what I’d really like to know is, do you use a serum? And if so, with what results?

Ten Skincare Gift Suggestions for Menopause and Midlife Women

Lots of men on twitter are asking what to get their wives for Christmas this year. Perfume becomes a tired choice but nice quality skincare products can be a real treat. Here is a little list of 10 quality products that are a pleasure to use. If you can get them in a gift set with some samples and freebies, all the better.

  1. Origins Modern Friction Microdermabrasion removes dead skin, brightens the complexion and leaves skin feeling soft and smooth.
  2. Origins White Tea Skin Guardian feels like an expensive balm on the skin – comforting and beautiful worn under moisturiser in winter.
  3. Liz Earle Cleanse and Polish. Simple, effective, and wonderful to use.
  4. Liz Earle Deep Treatment Mask
  5. Decleor Tonifying Lotion or a toner from the Clarins range
  6. Philosophy Hot Salt Scrub body smooothing and softening
  7. Philosophy Inner Grace Perfumed Body Lotion - a really effective body moisturiser that smells great. Complement with the Inner Grace Spritz if your budget runs that far.
  8. Decleor Hydrafloral light texture, wonderful moisturiser, smells delicious
  9. L’Occitane Ultra Rich Hand and Body Wash comforting and moisturising, good for hands and nails. L’Occitane milk soaps and lavender hand wash are also excellent.
  10. Margaret Dabbs Intensive Hydrating Foot Lotion
You can pick these up in most good department stores.