It's the luxury crème on everyone's wish lists. Victoria Beckham swears by it. Sienna Miller calls it "amazing." And I for one couldn't agree more. Created over 40 years ago by an aerospace physicist called Dr. Max Huber, it pioneered the use of sea kelp as a basis for Miracle Broth™, the potent seaborne elixir that helps nourish, heal and renew the skin. As its formulation is so entwined with the sea, La Mer proudly supports Oceana, the world's leading ocean advocacy organisation. And to celebrate the fifth year of this partnership, La Mer has, for the first time EVER, changed the colour of its iconic pot — going blue to reflect the ocean. This is a HUGE deal as it's never been done before, so the ones that go on sale are seriously limited edition . . . Tempted? I've got to say that a big blue pot of Crème de la Mer interests me far more than eating or paying rent for the rest of the month the year my life.
The limited edition Crème de la Mer blue pot ($645) will be sold in June for one month only. Stockists: 1800 661 392
Back in 2008, Chanel created the heavenly Hydramax+ Active range, which boosts the skin's hydration systems thanks to an ingredient called Ceratonia PFA. Without proper hydration, the skin barrier can be compromised which not only sounds bad, is bad. Skin becomes fragile, it lacks protection and all in all just looks gnarly. You need to feed it up with water and lipids to ensure that this doesn't happen and I'd heavily recommend Chanel's latest addition to the Hydramax+ Active range: Nutrition. The three-piece range — there's a lovely rich Nourishing Cream ($109), the first-ever lip balm ($52) and a mask, too ($79) — features Ceratonia PFA, plus rosemary liposomes to help balance natural cell renewal, cottonseed oil extract to help restore the natural skin barrier and rose wax, to prevent against future dehydration and damage.
The Chanel Hydramax+ Active Nutrition is available from May 16.
I am so into product reviews. It's like having someone on hand with the exact same skin type, texture and concerns as you, who was born around the same kind of time (so totally gets your love for Neil Young/George Michael/Tiffany) who has already been out, bought the product, tried it and decided if it's good or not. What's not to love?
In your 40s, your face loses volume around the cheeks and your lips get thinner, so you have the constant appearance of a sad lady even if you've just won $10mill on the lotto. Now, Lancôme has really set itself up as a leader in skincare with heaps of great technology under its belt. The most recent being the GF-Volumetry™ complex which keeps skin cells in constant communication, an absolute must if the skin's structure and shape is to stay the same as when you were in your 20s. It's featured in Lancôme Rénergie Lift Volumetry Volumetric Lifting and Shaping Cream SPF15 ($175) and this is what we thought about it . . .
"Quite simply, you lose face as you age—skin doesn’t bounce back readily. With gravity and time tugging at your complexion, you need some serious fight-back with some serious muscle. Lancôme’s Rénergie Lift Volumetry is a hydrating and firming moisturiser that restores shape to ageing skin. It feels quite lush and restorative on the skin without a trace of greasiness. Keep reading . . .