Now that it’s summer, there’s a seachange towards lighter, sun-smart skincare, and the desire to bare skin that’s beautifully scrubbed, cleansed, and moisturised. In this latest ON MY DESK column we look at some new releases for face, neck, body and fragrance.
So, what’s new in skincare in the summer of 2014?
FACE
Manuka Doctor Illusionist Rapid Lift Mask
Want tightened and plumped-up skin? Me too. This new rapid lift mask from Manuka Doctor utilises purified bee venom, along with UMF18+ manuka honey, shea butter, and Vitamin E to plump and lift the skin so you appear refreshed and skin looks more youthful. You apply the mask for ten minutes, then remove with a clean cloth. Manuka Doctor Illusionist Rapid Lift Mask retails for $59.95 for 40 ml from www.manukadr.co.nz and Manuka Doctor store at 1 Quay Street Auckland city and at Life and Unichem pharmacies, and at selected department stores.
Plantae Vanilla Bean Day Cream
A good day cream is the cornerstone of your skincare regime. I like to use one that isn’t too rich and heavy, and is based around natural essential oils and preferably with active ingredients and antioxidants so that I’m hydrating and repairing my skin. Plantae, created by founder and Director, Carol Priest, ticks all the boxes. It is on a first name basis with plants, after all, it’s literally in their name. This vanilla bean Day Cream is formulated with Vinanza grape seed extract which is rich in antioxidants alongside vanilla, lemon balm, shea butter, myrrh, jasmine and camellia. It is $48.90 and available from selected pharmacies and health food stores. See www.plantae.co.nz for info and stockists.
Osmosis Hydralift Firming Gel Mask
I’m a huge fan of Osmosis Skincare and have been using various products of theirs for a few years now, so I was rapt to see this anti-ageing face mask that’s soothing as well as tightening and firming. Hydralift Firming Gel Mask is a clear gel with a lovely fresh fragrance that feels cooling and soothing as you apply it to your skin and leave it to work for five to fifteen minutes. It has key ingredients of aloe – known for its healing properties, cucuber extract – very gentle and soothing – and hero ingredients Sodium Haluranate and Potassium Hydrolyzed Polygamma-Glutamate. Using this mask, inflammation is reduced and skin is on the road to recovery. Hydralift is available at Osmosis stockists.
Dermalogica Breakout Control
In summertime you usually switch to a BB Cream or tinted foundation or wear no makeup at all instead of heavy foundations and concealers, and as such, a clear complexion is even more desirable. To this end Dermalogica have developed a new Breakout Control for acne-prone skin, to clear, control and prevent breakouts. It offers an alternative to Benzoyl Peroxide, instead using Azelaic Acid-derivative, Lactobacillus Ferment, and Colloidal Silver. Botanical tea tree oil and Zinc Sulfate reduce redness and minimise irritation. It is aimed at adult acne, not teen acne, and will be on counter in February for $79 and online at www.dermalogica.co.nz
Skinfood certified organic rosehip oil
Skinfood has an exciting new release – a certified organic rosehip oil, ECOCERT approved, and ideal to use on scars, dry skin, and signs of ageing. Use it as part of your night time skincare regime after Skinfood Cleanse All. It is priced at just $22.99 and conveniently available from supermarkets as well as online at www.skinfood.co.nz
NECK
Prevage Anti-Aging Neck and Decollete Firm and Repair Cream
We all know to moisturise and protect our faces. But what about the other tell-tale areas: the backs of hands and our necks? An answer to the neck area is this new firming and repairing cream from Elizabeth Arden’s Prevage line, formulated specifically for the neck, using their hero ingredient, super-antioxidant, Idebenone. This is joined with Retinyl Linoleate, lupin seed extract, and lipo amino acid to aid smoothing and firming. I have started using this on my neck area nightly, and am looking forward to a firmer and hydrated result: 76% of women tested saw firmer skin and 72% noticed a reduction in crepiness and an improvement in elasticity. That’s some excellent results, so I’m in. Prevage Anti-Aging Neck and Decollete Firm and Repair Cream is available from 24th November 2014 for $169 for 50ml at Elizabeth Arden counters. See www.elizabetharden.co.nz
BODY
Snowberry Broad Spectrum Sun Protection
I’m extremely aware when it comes to sun protection as a survivor of melanoma and wear a sunblock under my makeup as well as sunhats and I don’t go out in the midday sun. Tanning is a no-go for me so I am resigned to being “pale and interesting”. Women who like to chose natural skincare products and avoid toxic chemicals for their children and themselves have had difficulty until recently choosing a natural sunscreen. New Zealand skincare brand Snowberry has these fantastic natural sunscreens out in two strengths: medium sun protection SPF15 and high sun protection SPF30. What I like about them: they use zinc oxide as the sun protection agent, they are free of parabens, chemical screens, petrochemicals and are not tested on animals. They’re a nice brownish tone instead of glaringly white in colour so they blend in well, they smell lovely and not all chemically, and you can buy them online conveniently, at www.snowberry.co.nz priced $40 – $43.
J Bronze by Jennifer Hawkins Dark Tanning Spray
Here in New Zealand, as in Australia, we have to be extremely sun-smart and use self-tanning lotions and sprays rather than sun exposure. Top Australian model, celebrity and beauty queen, Jennifer Hawkins, has released this bronzing spray Dark Tanning Spray entitled J Bronze by Jennifer Hawkins for $39.99.
Sodashi Jasmine and Rose Body Lotion
Combining the concepts of aromatherapy to lift the mind, whilst essential oils hydrate the body, this rich lotion from Sodashi has the best of both worlds. The new Jasmine and Rose Body Lotion is a formulation of nourishing macadamia, almond and hazelnut oils to deeply nourish skin, with shea butter, Vitamin E, and antioxidants. Essential oils from jasmine, damask rose, sandalwood and ylang ylang add to the fragrance and complete your well-being. The body lotion is $78 for 200ml from www.sodashi.com stockists.
La’Bonic Body Wash and Body Lotion
I’ve previously used and enjoyed the rosehip cream from this Auckland-based natural brand and I was rapt to discover this range of bath and shower products that smell like a garden is blooming in your own bathroom. There’s so much intense beautiful fragrance in this range – I think this is the best lavender wash I have ever smelled. La’Bonic Body Wash and Body Lotion range not only smell amazing, they also only use certified organic oils and have no artificial colours or fragrances. There’s a range of body wash and body lotion in essential oils of lavender, citrus, and mint so you can have the relaxing benefits of lavender or the refreshing zest of citrus or mint. They are certified by BioGro, and La’Bonic is based in Botany, Auckland. See their website for more info and stockists at www.labonic.com
Anatomicals Seven Deadly Sins Melon Body Scrub
The Anatomicals brand has arrived in New Zealand and is a low-priced yet contemporary line of skincare, with witty slogans and cute typography on its packaging. The Seven Deadly Sins Melon Body Scrub is a pumice-based scrub with honey dew melon and retails for just $10.99 at selected Pak n Save, New World, and countdown supermarkets and Bin Inns.
Yellow Diamonds
Yellow Diamonds from Osmosis are the perfect companion for the party season! The Vitamin B and magnesium-rich yellow capsules are a dietary supplement praised by everyone who takes them for their results in removing toxins, increasing energy and focus, and improving mental clarity. You can get them online for $57 at yellowdiamonds.co.nz
FRAGRANCE
My Burberry Moisturizing Body Mist
You may remember seeing My Burberry perfume in our earlier columns, and now, My Burberry has this divine Moisturizing Body Mist spray infused with its fragrance. My Burberry draws upon a London garden after the rain, with top notes of bergamot and sweet pea, a middle of freesia, geranium and golden quince, and a base of centifolia roses, damask rose and patchouli. The body mist retails for $80 for 100ml from selected department stores.
Britney Spears Rocker Femme Fantasy
Britney Spears never fails to bring cool fragrances that perfectly fit her fans and are also reasonably priced under $50 which makes them ideal for gift giving. Her newest fragrance, Rocker Femme Fantasy, is a mixture of fruity and creamy accords that’s edgy yet playful. It’s a more sexy scent, slightly more grown up, in its studded punk bottle – albeit still pink – with a collar of black crystals. It has top notes of blackcurrant and blackberry and creamy coconut, a heart of florals including gardenia, jasmine and violet, and a base of amber, cashmere woods and vanilla musk. The eau de parfum is available from 1st December for $49 exclusively from Farmers.
Megan Robinson
15th December 2014
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