Alexandra Dudley – Lifestyle Editor
Dr Jack Good Night Night Cream
I am sporadic at best with my nightly skincare routine. Late nights working or socialising have meant that my routine in the past was often a rushed cleanse before bed. I started using the Dr Jack Good Night night cream about a year ago and it’s been a game changer. It contains a 4th generation retinoid which helps to keep my skin clear, as well powerful anti-inflammatories, antioxidants, and hydrating peptides. I struggle with adult acne and dry skin and this cream has everything I need in one. Even if I am totally exhausted I know that I can put on my night cream and my skin will be happy
£89.00 at drdavidjack.com
111Skin Vitamin C Brightening Booster
I’d be lost without this vitamin C booster. I use it in conjunction with the 111Skin Hyaluronic Acid Aqua Booster every morning. I tried so many Vitamin C serums in the past that felt claggy and sticky on my skin. This one sinks straight in and gives you the most wonderful glow. It’s helped to dramatically improve my acne scarring and pigmentation too.
£100 at 111skin.co.uk
Kendra Leaver-Rylah – Co-founder & Editor
Dr Barbara Sturm Hyaluronic Serum
This serum is bursting with natural ingredients – purslane, rice starch, tea tree oil, aloe vera, prickly pear – and boasting exemplary scientific credentials. It is quite literally the perfect product for a complexion glowing in time for the big day. Sturm’s products are all truly remarkable, re-energising dry, lacklustre skin but it’s the serum for me that is the jewel in the crown of this truly epic product line. After just a few weeks you’ll see a dramatic difference with red acne prone skin reduced, lines filled and people saying, ‘hey you look great…’
£235, available at SpaceNK.com
111SKIN Nocturnal Eclipse Recovery Cream NAC Y2
This product is ideal for dehydrated and damaged skin, the night cream boasts a rich, indulgent texture, offering instant nourishment. With a blend of phospholipids and hyaluronic acid work synergistically to help retain moisture in the skin, encouraging a plumping effect. The multi-purpose cream also aims to minimise the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. Using it is more of a maximalist skincare routine, with most negative side-effects occurring as a result of barrier breakdown and a ‘more is more’ skincare diet.
£180 at 111skin.co.uk
Isabella Foulger – Co-founder & Editor
Laura Mericer – Tinted Moisturizer Natural Skin Perfector SPF 30
This has been my go-to product for many years. I love that it’s lightweight but buildable, perfect for transitioning from day and night with no need for a foundation. I wear this product for work meetings, nights out and on holiday (it also contacts SPF) – it leaves the skin dewy, natural looking and fresh for all occasions. There are many shades so suits all skin tones, it feels luxuriously silky to touch and blends beautifully into the skin. For long-lasting results, apply a primer first and you’ll be glowing all day.
From lauramercier.co.uk
Dr Barbara Sturm Enzyme Cleanser
This is a new discovery of mine, and once you try there’s no turning back. The cleanser is a powder, so you mix with water to create a silky foam and then cleanse the face and neck. It leaves the skin feeling so clean and fresh – it is proven to remove impurities, dirt and makeup while also hydrating the skin. I use this product two to three times a week, and would highly recommend trying in the lead up to the big day.
£50 at drsturm.com
Bandi Manzini – Beauty Director
Caudalie Vinopure Blemish control salicylic serum
Caudalie’s Vinopure range is the skin saviour for anyone with oily and blemish prone skin. The range’s star of the show is the blemish control salicylic serum: its hero ingredient, salicylic acid penetrates deep into the skin, unclogging oily pores and fighting acne. Not only that, it also contains niacinamide which is known for tightening pores and will ensure that you’ll look pixel perfect for photos on your big day. The serum is great on its own but delivers even better results when used with the rest of the range to calm down temperamental skin.
https://uk.caudalie.com/p/344/blemish-control-salicylic-serum-344.html
Portia Freeman – Drinks Editor
La Roche Posay Pure Vitamin C 10 Serum
My skin can be somewhat temperamental. Acne, hormonal breakouts et cetera… I use an array of La Roche Posay products because they’re so out of this world gentle for sensitive skin. Their vitamin c serum is rich and nourishing and I’ve seen such a huge difference in the anger levels of my breakouts and the overall vibrancy of my complexion. I use it daily and have done for a number of years now and quite honestly I couldn’t live without it. Ideal for anti-aging, radiance, and giving back a glow that you feel like you’ve been lacking, oh and not to mention great for anti-aging!
£40 at larocheposay.co.uk
Trish McEvoy Instant Eye Lift
Ok, so… let’s get this out there, I adore Trish McEvoy for skincare and makeup in general but the love I have for this product, in particular, is next level! I apply it on top of my daily tinted SPF and before my concealer and the difference it makes is out of this world. Whether you’ve had a late night due to kids being sleep thieves or one too many martinis whilst out with the girls, this product will be your BFF! Blurring the look of fine lines and dark circles they say? GIMME!!
Serena Knight – Lifestyle Director
Obagi Vitamin C serum
I have been using this product every morning for years – it’s worth every penny and really works. It’s a medical grade vitamin-c and each bottle lasts between 3-4 months. It really helps brighten the skin and reduce the appearance of dark spots and sun damage. I use the 15% strength (they also do 10% and 20%) 15% feels the sweet spot for me with offering all the benefits without irritating my skin with a higher strength.
Tom Ford lipstick
I make sure I have a Tom Ford lipstick in varying shades of red, pink or plum in my hand bag, clutch bag and make-up bag at all times! They are super creamy in texture, long lasting and brighten up any outfit I am wearing.
£44 at tomford.co.uk
Rosalyn Wikeley – Travel Editor At Large
Kevyn Aucoin, skin enhancer, £39
I suffered from acne as a teenager and in my twenties, so decades of my life were essentially spent tracking down the holy grail of concealers – the one that covers without clogging. While it’s fairly thick and a little clumsy to apply (I strongly recommend not wearing white in the process), the coverage is pure wizardry.
£39 at spacenk.com
I rarely leave the house without a splash of red. It’s a ritual I picked up from a stint in Paris. Chic french friends would step out of their apartments with barely-brushed hair, irritatingly glowing bare skin, the teeniest smidge of mascara, and bam, blood red lips that woke up their outfit and overall look. The French are more reserved on lipstick layering than the British, but I love nothing more than a statement red, layered on if my eye make-up is pared down or nonexistent. I fell hard for Dolce & Gabbana’s Matt Lipstick – a gift when I worked for Conde Nast. It’s one that keeps on giving as I rebuy the exact same one each time and panic if it’s not in my handbag. I love its vampish, blood-red power to instantly dial up an evening outfit or to salvage an otherwise scruffy day look.
£30 at lookfantastic.com
Tom Couch – Contributing Editor
Dr Barbara Sturm, The Better B Niacinamide Serum
Ever a fan of Barbara Sturm products, I was swayed into purchasing this serum when it was described to me as a ‘filter for the face’. I already use the Sturm eye cream and moisturiser so why not make it a trilogy. I don’t use it every day as it can leave my face looking a little too shiny for my liking. However, it is great for a morning after too many cocktails or when you need a little extra glow. It also wipes out any blemishes or red spots, just like your favourite Instagram filter.
£110 at drsturm.com
111Skin Sub-Zero De-Puffing Eye Mask
My goal is to own a lifetime subscription to these eye masks. This 20-minute cryo boost for your eyes often saves the day or is perfect to use just before an event to add that look of an extra 8 hours sleep. Reducing puffiness and dark circles these little blue masks are easy to apply and stay on whilst you are pottering around getting everything else ready. I sometimes even pop them on under sunglasses and head out, but don’t tell anyone!
£75 (8 eye masks) 111skin.co.uk
Fran Newman-Young – Contributing Editor
CeraVe Hydrating Cleanser
I discovered CeraVe on the bathroom shelf of a dermatologist friend and I haven’t looked back. It’s affordable, effective and is suitable for almost any skin type. CeraVe was initially created to help those with psoriasis, eczema and acne – it’s all about restoring the skin’s protective barrier. Those who suffer from body breakouts must try the smoothing cleanser and cream!
£10 at lookfantastic.com
Bioeffect EGF Serum
This award-winning serum is made with just seven plant-based ingredients – including the key ingredient barley EGF. It gives my skin incredible hydration and is a great year-round product as it’s light and non-greasy. A few drops a day gives my skin a gorgeous glow and keeps the fine-lines at bay,
£100 at bioeffect.com
Alessandra Frame
Sarah Chapman Ultimate Cleanse Cleansing Balm
Who knew washing one’s face could become such an enjoyable ritual? I’ve been using this cleanser for about 4 years and it still feels like a pampering spa treatment every time. Massage the luxurious balm onto your face while it’s still dry then hold a hot washcloth over and breathe in the scented steam
£54 at sarahchapman.com
Charlotte Tilbury Primer with SPF50
This is a very recent addition to my daily routine and I don’t know how I’ve lived without it until now! It is the most incredible primer, it is moisturising, and applying makeup over it is an absolute joy. On top of that, it includes SPF 50 which I wear on my face every single day including during the winter months so I love that it includes two steps in one.
£40 at charlottetilbury.com
