I don't need a rainbow family... I have skincare

Hear me out before you think I've gone off the deep end from working in windowless solitude 15 floors above humanity. I'm no madder than before, just agonising over posts lately. There's a backlog, you see, and the more projects I pick up (I can't feed myself on mascara and pixels and, if you didn't know, few beauty blogs are yet awash with advertising $£$£), the less precious minutes there are dedicated to das blog, esp. as it battles with husband, exercise (not a natural part of life in the Land of Lincoln, requiring a gym. French women would get fat here), the siren call of the wine cellar... Many things.

Anyway, I got to thinking lately that, really, there isn't any good reason I must segment my thoughts on the skincare gracing my bathroom, because I don't in practice either. I have a very hard time understanding (other than for revenue purposes) why brands swear you shouldn't stray and use -- gasp! -- products from different ranges all that the same time. There should be little harm if used interchangeably or, even, at once... my theory goes that they should, really, enhance each other (the unspoken exception is for 'sloughing' or acidic solutions... probably don't mix those together).

Never have I found this all-embracing attitude towards skincare more effective than with moisturisers. There's no reason (especially if a beauty editor with a bounty of beauty at your fingertips) not to customise your products and embrace the chaos of the extended skincare family. For the last month I've been concocting a powerhouse winter moisturiser in my bathroom-cum-lab every day because my skin is DRY (I mean, can't wear foundation because it sits atop my molting skin dry, more desicated than a mummy dry). At first, I tried using the three moisturisers separately, searching for anything to make the taut gossamer sheen, that telltale sign of supreme dryness, disappear. Alone, each performed okay but, alas, the complexion became ashy and red before too long, no matter how closely I sat next to the humidifier.

Starting in October, I had already also switched to cleansing solely with balms (a hybrid, this time of REN-The Organic Pharmacy-Emma Hardie) at night, using just a splash of warm water in the morning and applying said powerhouse moisturiser (detailed below) the rest of the time... and things seem to be going well for now (we'll get to the, I believe, unrelated outbreak of winter adult acne and bacne later). What's in the mix? Read on to find out...

Clarins Multi-Active Jour | For early ageing prevention

Smells DI-VINE, like a rich but unassuming old countess. Slightly powdery, sinks right in and has SPF 15... Great go-to moisturiser for those with normal to slightly dry skin... Perfect for me in the summer time (seriously smells wonderful and needs little re-application when not completely dehydrated) and apparently formulated for early wrinkle prevention. Works well with...

Emma Hardie Amazing Face Natural Lift AM/PM Moisturiser | For lift 

Like most natural and/or organic products, it smells natural, but with a bit more class. I think I detect mint. For a lotion, it's rich. This too sinks in without a trace and is fabulous with the Amazing Face Natural Lift Eye Serum (which, I admit, I use ALL OVER my face at night). Do corresponding facial gymnastics and you do see a difference. But... because my skin is always dehydrated I dip back into beauty pool for...

MV Skincare Rose Soothing & Protective Moisturiser | For sensitive skin hydration 

This stuff comes out of a pump but don't be fooled. It's a proper cream, not just a lotion. One mush around with your fingertips and you'll see that it's more of the sort of face cream you remember from your mum's dresser when you were small. It's thicker, less viscous and smells of roses. In fact, it's not all that dissimilar to the Duchess Marden Face Creme. It adds that final and necessary barrier between my skin and the elements without irritating it (it's formulated for sensitive skin).

Plus a teeny dollop of Neosporin Triple Antibiotic Cream as it helps to speedily heal all skin regressions.

Um, reviewing this post, I realise the dramatic effects could be down to the fact that I'm using three (or more) pumps of cream, but I like to think that each of these adds something to the recipe.

There are many reasons I don't want a real rainbow family (lack of nannies and high-end, multi-baby prams, lack of desire, lack of bankroll, want to travel (entourage incl. nanny needed if done with kids), husband not as accepting of the idea as Brad Pitt, I live in a lofted one-bedroom...). And, though some may look on my little cosmetic surrogate family as a sorry excuse for one with living, breathing beings, in the end, Brangelina are just creating a collection. Me too. Except mine don't talk back.

Comments

[DINKY London]

Couldn't agree more, I never use products from just one range. There'll always be products my skin love and others which do nothing for me in any one brand. What's more, I'm a firm believer in giving your skin what it needs on a daily basis and change up/layer different products every day. Or at least that's what I tell myself for cluttering up the bathroom shelf with so many different ungents and potions!

[Michelle (BeautyEditor.ca)]

I always thought that thing about having to use all the products from one line was a total scam! Since one of the few perks of being an impoverished magazine person is having the luxury of switching up your beauty products all the time, why wouldn't I take advantage of that? I always laugh when facialists ask me what skincare I'm using... I can never remember since it changes by the day. They can scold me all they want - the skeptic in me will always think they're just trying to make me buy their products.

[Alena]

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