notes from LONDON

Well, after a week of London summer it’s already kicked into hardcore winter mode over here. And the only thing unhappier about this than me, is my skin. It’s so mad about the lack of vitamin D, its gone on a hunger strike and is refusing to drink any of the delightful moisturisers I’m tempting it with.
I was actually beginning to wonder if I was destined to have a face flakier than…er… a flake forever. Then, THEN! I discovered something wonderful, a golden elixir of the mositurising world. Oil.
I’m a total convert, so much so that I brought it up at least three times on Saturday night at inappropriate points of conversation. Here are some of my favourites:
Rosehip oil, especially Living Nature’s Radiance Night Oil, RRP $37.I began to use this instead of a night moisturiser (mainly because I’d run out of night moisturiser and it was all I could find) but man am I glad I did. Rosehip is all cell-renewing and so by the time you wake up your skin is softer than a silk pillow and kind of plump looking. And, because oil kind of absorbs into your skin instead of clogging on top, my skin positively lapped it up. Winner.
Extra Virgin Olive OilI assume you are looking at me kind of strangely right now, probably similar to the way my boyfriend looked when I accidentally let slip that I saw the Hannah Montana movie. But, while I have no excuse for my horrifying taste in movies, I can explain to you the olive oil thing. See, just the way some fats (avocado oil, salmon) are good for your body, good fats are also good for your hair because they’re so nourishing for your dry hair. Don’t believe me? Just warm a little oil in the microwave, comb in through your hair and sit for 15 minutes. Wash it out and when it’s dry I promise you’ll be tossing it around like you’re on a conditioner advert!
Bio Oil, RRP $19.95 for 60 mls. I love a good multi-tasker. Creme blush that doubles as a lipstick? Sold! Breakfast and lunch combined into brunch? Ingenious! So really, it was no surprise that I love Bio Oil – it’s a stretch mark preventer/fader and a definitely excellent alternative to moisturiser if you’re running late and need to put on tights before moisturiser could dry. Put a cap full in bathwater and not only will the lavender scent soothe you but when you get out, your skin will be baby-bottom smooth.

What about you? Gone mad for oil or are you still scared of the slippery stuff?

Claire Starkey xo