SKINCARE
When it comes to buying skincare, there is so much choice that sorting the wheat from the chaff is no mean feat. For a truly brilliant daily sunscreen, turn to the Australian brand Ultra Violette. Dr Sebagh does a superb, line-smoothing night serum. And for an effective Vitamin C serum, try the new addition to SkinCeuticals’ range, Silymarin CF, which has been formulated with blemish-prone skin in mind.
1. BEST LUXURIOUS RITUAL
Precious Gold Vitality Mask, £250, by Clé de Peau Beauté (harrods.com)
2. BEST FOR REDNESS
3 in 1 Anti-Redness Miracle Formula SPF50, £29.99, by Rosalique (rosalique.co.uk)
3. BEST OVERNIGHT SERUM
Retinol Night Repair, £72, by Dr Sebagh (drsebagh.com)
4. BEST BESPOKE SKINCARE
Bespoke night treatment, £19.99 per month, by Skin + Me (skinandme.com)
5. BEST UNDER-EYE PRODUCT
Eye Rescue Pads, £25, by AlumierMD (prescription only; alumiermd.co.uk)
6. BEST AT-HOME TREATMENT
Meso-Melt Infusion System Microneedling Facial Roller & Serum, £138, by Sarah Chapman Skinesis (sarahchapman.com)
7. BEST SUNSCREEN
Supreme Screen Hydrating Facial Skinscreen SPF50+, £34, by Ultra Violette (spacenk.com)
8. BEST ANTIOXIDANT SERUM
Silymarin CF, £145, by SkinCeuticals (skinceuticals.co.uk)
The skincare author and consultant dermatologist’s skin saviours
1. BEST FOR HYDRATION
Hyaluronic Acid Serum, £17, by CeraVe (lookfantastic.com)
This light, moisturising serum is packed with ingredients to help hydrate the skin and support skin-barrier function, and includes hyaluronic acid, ceramides and vitamin B5. It is suitable for all skin types and has a nice consistency that doesn’t leave a sticky residue or film.
2. BEST FOR BRIGHTENING
Super Radiance Resurfacing Facial, £52, by Charlotte Tilbury (charlottetilbury.com)
An excellent at-home facial treatment containing a blend of exfoliating acids that help reveal a brighter, more glowing complexion. It has a pleasant fragrance and gel-like consistency, and is suitable for normal/combination skin.
3. BEST SUNSCREEN FOR OILY/COMBINATION SKIN
Soft Finish Sun Milk SPF50+, £23.80, by Missha (pureseoul.co.uk)
I love this K-beauty (Korean beauty) sunscreen. It has a light texture that sits well under make-up for daily use and does not feel sticky or leave a residue – perfect for oily/combination skin.
Ringing endorsements go to Tower 28, the LA-based brand whose vegan make-up is designed specifically for sensitive, eczema-prone skin. They’re not the only products that have shone out this year – other top picks include a gleaming highlighter made from wild-harvested ingredients by (M)anasi 7.
1. BEST PACKAGING
Eyeshadow 5 Colours, £56, by Byredo (byredo.com)
2 & 3. BEST FOR SENSITIVE SKIN
Tower 28 Beauty, from £14 (cultbeauty.co.uk)
4. BEST NEW BRAND
Yeux Paint in Rose d’Aurore and Cuivre de l’Aube, £27, by Violette_FR (violettefr.com)
5. BEST HIGHLIGHTER
All Over Shine in Kaito, £42.50, by (M)anasi 7 (contentbeautywellbeing.com)
One of London’s most successful influencers on the three products she recommends to help you look your best in front of a camera
1. BEST CONCEALER
Hyaluronic Hydra-Concealer, £35, by By Terry (byterry.com)
By Terry’s Hyaluronic Hydra-Concealer blends into the skin with ease, masking the effects of late nights and smoothing over fine lines, while keeping skin hydrated. I love the easy-to-use pen applicator when I’m on the go.
2. BEST LIPSTICK
Lip Power in Bright, £32.50, by Armani Beauty (armanibeauty.co.uk)
I look better on camera when I amp up my lips. This fiery red shade pops on screen. I also love the matte long-wear finish – it needs only minimal touch-ups.
3. BEST UNDER-EYE BRIGHTENER
Banana Lowlighter, £38, by Rodial (rodial.co.uk)
The camera tends to wash out my features, so I bring back dimension to my face using this, which is part colour-corrector, part highlighter. It’s super-smooth and I normally wear it over my foundation to brighten my skin and give it a natural glow.
The royal make-up artist selects her favourite products of the year
1. BEST MASCARA
Lash Volumiser 38°C, £31, by Sensai (harrods.com)
Nothing beats this Sensai mascara. It goes on so easily, building up the lashes to look thick and gorgeous. It also stays on all day, only coming off with warm water (at 38°C).
2. BEST BLUSH
Vanish Blush Stick, £45, by Hourglass (hourglasscosmetics.co.uk)
This has a lovely texture and comes in a gorgeous array of colours. It has a cream-to-powder formula that lasts all day and looks completely natural.
3. BEST FOUNDATION
Sublimage L’Essence de Teint, £115, by Chanel (chanel.com)
This is the latest in the Chanel Beauty foundation range and it’s the silkiest foundation I have ever used, with a serum-like texture. It can be built up to give good coverage and used as a veil to perfect the skin – and the range of shades is excellent.
WELLNESS
In today’s world, self-care is not so much a luxury as an essential, and the best wellness products support both physical and mental health. Make your home a sanctuary with Aromatherapy Associates’ chic new atomiser. For pain management, try Chanelle, Lady McCoy’s Pureis Ultra Pure CBD supplement. And for anxiety, mist some Forest Lungs perfume, which harnesses the health benefits of phytoncides (a compound found in trees) to mimic the experience of forest bathing.
1. BEST HEALTH TECH
Apple Watch Series 6, from £379, and strap, £99, by Apple (apple.com)
2. BEST CBD SUPPLEMENT
Ultra Pure CBD Spearmint Oil Drops, £58, by Pureis (pureiscbd.com)
3. BEST FACE TOOL
CRYOpress, £78, by 001 Skincare (001skincare.com)
4. BEST ROOM SPRAY
Winter Smoke Room Spray, £81, by Seed to Skin (libertylondon.com)
5. BEST CANDLE
Fleurshadow Candle, £45, by Boy Smells (spacenk.com)
6. BEST CALMING REMEDY
Forest Lungs, £85 for 50ml, by The Nue Co (uk.thenueco.com)
7. BEST DIFFUSER
The Atomiser, £120, by Aromatherapy Associates (aromatherapyassociates.com)
The American-born wellness author and yoga instructor Julie Montagu shares her top choices
1. BEST DEODORANT
Deodorant, from £25, by Wild (wearewild.com)
I’m always on the lookout for a natural deodorant that works and I’ve finally found one with Wild. The deodorants are aluminium-free and come with compostable, plastic-free refills. Oh, and the scents are magic: fresh cotton and sea salt, and jasmine and mandarin blossom are two of my favourites.
2. BEST BATH PRODUCT
Bath Melts, £9.50 for a set of five, by Herbal Harmony (herbalharmony.co.uk)
Cat Lannin, based in Dorset, is a soap-making teacher and felter, who also creates natural skincare products. I love Cat’s scented bath melts so much that all our yoga guests at Mapperton House receive them when they arrive.
3. BEST FOR SUSTAINABILITY
Hope & Bloom Candle, from £13, by Cosy Nook Candle Co (cosynookcandleco.co.uk)
Cosy Nook Candle Co is a small company based in Devon that produces the most glorious sustainable candles made from natural soy wax. They are all made by hand, using pure essential oils. I’m so obsessed that I have had two bespoke candles created for us at Mapperton House: English Garden and The Orangery.
HERITAGE
Be they long-time celebrity favourites or a new beauty range from a heritage fashion house, these are the prized products that will leave a lasting impact. Take La Perla: the luxury lingerie, sleep and swimwear brand founded in 1954 by corsetière Ada Masotti recently launched La Perla Beauty, which features eight Haute Parfumerie fragrances, four body products and a curated colour collection. Meanwhile, Miss Dior, Christian Dior’s first scent (named after his beloved sister, Catherine, a French Resistance fighter during the Second World War), has been recast for 2021: the new version of the fragrance is a dazzling floral bouquet of peony and lily of the valley, Dior’s favourite flower.
1. BEST MODERN CLASSIC
The Rich Cream Upgrade, £205, by Augustinus Bader (augustinusbader.com)
2 & 8. BEST NEW BEAUTY LINE
La Perla Beauty, from £45 (beautybylaperla.com)
3. BEST LIMITED-EDITION COLLECTION
Diptyque Le Grand Tour (diptyqueparis.com/en_uk)
4. BEST RELAUNCH OF A CLASSIC SCENT
Miss Dior Eau de Parfum, £118 for 100ml, by Dior (dior.com)
5. BEST LUXURY CREAM
Re-Nutriv Ultimate Diamond Energy Creme, £285, by Estée Lauder (esteelauder.co.uk)
6. BEST RE-INVENTION
7 Lights Powder Illuminator, £45, by Shiseido (shiseido.co.uk)
7. BEST TRADITIONAL SKINCARE
Milk of Cucumbers & Roses, £25, by Dr Harris (drharris.co.uk)
9. BEST SCENT
No5 Eau de Parfum, £120 for 100ml, by Chanel (chanel.com)
The ambassador for Christie’s and glamorous beauty connoisseur on the classics she goes back to time and again
1. BEST CULT PRODUCT
Transforming Body Lotion, £10, by Ameliorate (cultbeauty.co.uk)
This Ameliorate body lotion was recommended to me by a great friend of mine, and I’ve been addicted to it ever since. I also love the brand’s Rose Scented Transforming Body Lotion, too.
2. BEST FACE MASK
Black Rose Cream Mask, £119, by Sisley (sisley-paris.com)
I have this Sisley mask in my bathroom and use it overnight whenever I look particularly drained or tired. I always wake up looking so much better. I love the quality of the brand.
3. BEST FOR GIFTING
Acqua di Rose, £33, by Santa Maria Novella (uk.smnovella.com)
I first bought Acqua from Santa Maria Novella when I lived in Florence after university, and have given this to all the boys in my life at one time or another. Recently, Philip Treacy and his husband, Stefan Bartlett, gave it to my husband.
HAIR
When Covid struck and hairdressers closed, these were the hard-working, high-performing shampoos, conditioning sprays and colour correctors we turned to. Why? Because they are simply the best.
1. BEST NEW TOOL
Curl It Tongs, £65, by Undone By George Northwood (georgenorthwood.com)
2. BEST FOR DAMAGED HAIR
Keraphix Damage Healing Shampoo, £13.99, and Conditioner, £14.99, by Nexxus (nexxus.com/uk)
3. BEST FOR IRRITATED SCALPS
Flaky/Itchy Scalp Anti-Dandruff Shampoo, from £12.50, by Philip Kingsley (philipkingsley.co.uk)
4. BEST DETANGLER
Miracle Leave-In Conditioning Hair Spray, £17.50, by It’s a 10 (selfridges.com)
5. BEST LUXURY HAIR OIL
Gold Lust Nourishing Hair Oil, £53, by Oribe (cultbeauty.co.uk)
6. BEST MULTITASKER
Almost Everything Cream, £10, by Hershesons (hershesons.com)
7. BEST FOR DISGUISING ROOTS AND GREYS
Blending Brush, £19, by Josh Wood (joshwoodcolour.com)
The CEO of the celebrated London hair salon Hershesons – and one of the most influential names in hair – reveals his top three products
1. BEST HAIRSPRAY
Elnett Hairspray Normal Hold & Shine, from £2.60, by L’Oréal Paris (boots.com)
The original and the best hairspray: it is the greatest product to get hair to stay where you want it to. It is so fine that it brushes out easily. I tend to use a full bottle every day on set, which probably sums up how much I rely on it.
2. BEST PRODUCT FOR TEXTURED HAIR
Shea Butter for Natural Hair Coconut Curling Cream, £7.99, by Cantu (lookfantastic.com)
Cantu Shea Butter is amazing as it helps define curls and kill frizz without the hair ever feeling weighed down or greasy.
3. BEST FOR BLONDES
Blond Bain Purple Shampoo, £23.50, by Kérastase (kerastase.co.uk)
This shampoo helps protect against brassy and yellow tones. Unlike typical silver shampoos, which can be drying, it also delivers moisture.
BODY
Scrub, pummel and oil your way to smooth, ache-free, hydrated limbs with the aid of this definitive edit of best-in-class products.
1. BEST SUNSCREEN FOR THE BODY
Invisible Spray, £28.99, by Heliocare (heliocare.co.uk)
2. BEST BODY OIL
The Dry Oil Detox, £58, by Natura Bissé (harrods.com)
3. BEST HAND TREATMENT
Hands to Heart, £35, by Goldfaden MD (spacenk.com)
4. BEST CHEMICAL EXFOLIATOR
Alpha Beta Exfoliating Body Treatment, £58 for pack of eight, by Dr Dennis Gross (cultbeauty.co.uk)
Yasmine, a principal ballerina with The Royal Ballet, reveals what helps keep her body in the perfect condition for her job
1. BEST POST-WORKOUT TOOL
The Grid Foam Roller, £31.99, by Trigger Point (boots.com)
This is a hollow-core roller, which features a patented multi-density foam surface that delivers firm compression – just like a sports massage – which helps to channel blood and oxygen needed to repair muscles. It’s my go-to roller to release muscle pain and tightness, improve mobility and increase circulation.
2. BEST SCRUB
Geranium Leaf Body Scrub, £27, by Aesop (aesop.com)
Aesop Geranium Leaf Body Scrub is amazing. It is enriched with exfoliating milled pumice and micronised bamboo stem, and it keeps my skin supremely smooth, calm and soft. Geranium leaf, mandarin and bergamot oils purify, and it smells incredible, too.
3. BEST FOOT TREATMENT
Shea Butter Foot Cream, £21.50, by L’Occitane (uk.loccitane.com)
When I take off my pointe shoes at the end of the day, this cream is perfect for my tired, achy and irritated feet. It’s also enriched with natural antiseptic lavender essential oil and anti-inflammatory arnica extract.
The personal trainer, coach and co-founder of HW.labs multivitamin supplements shares the workout essentials he rates most highly
1. BEST MASSAGE TOOL
Theragun Elite, £375, by Theragun (theragun.com)
I was slightly cynical about massage guns when they first came out, but as soon as my friend gave me his Theragun to try, I was sold. It makes a world of difference to my recovery between workouts.
2. BEST MUSCLE RUB
Magnesium Ease, £20, by The Nue Co (uk.thenueco.com)
This magnesium body spray is infused with lavender and arnica – I use it after my workouts and before I go to bed, especially after a leg day, as it definitely helps me to walk properly again. The magnesium helps to restore the body’s natural pH balance, reducing lactic acid, which is partly responsible for delayed-onset muscle soreness (aka, post-exercise pain).
3. BEST PROTEIN POWDER
Vegan Protein Powder, £30, by Hermosa (livehermosa.com)
I have this protein drink after every workout and I’ve noticed improved performance and quicker recovery. Chocolate is my favourite flavour – I’ll often add it to my morning coffee and serve over ice.
