I will shortly be following this post with my, "Top five, "To hell with it, damn the cost, i need me some luxe products in my life or else, i shall DIE..." beauty products. (Much as i am all for a bit of thrift, one does need a luxurious treat every now and then, especially in these dismal, lean, times and of course i have my standards to uphold and my reputation to consider....).
Ok, Top 5 beauty budget buys:
- Mavala nail polishes. At under three and a half quid, these little Swiss-made beauties really are the business. They glide on dreamily, have great staying power and come in a range of classic and current shades. I have been using Mavala nail polishes since i first started doing my nails, (in the womb obviously) and for the ludicrous amount of money they cost, i don't think they can be beaten. I'm currently lovely 'Music Hall', a true red with discreet glittery bits and 'Fruity' a lovely tomatoe-y red. The little, dinky 7ml bottles are also great for travelling. You can take one for every day of your holiday, hurrah!!
2. Pears soap. I love the glycerin formula, the perfume, which is amazing and the fact that it is so aesthetically pleasing, with it's lovely orange-y brown colour and chunky, oval shape. Interestingly it is one of the only soaps that doesn't bring me out in hives or dry my skin out to the consistency of an old crocodile handbag. I have even, gasp, washed my face with it on occasion. Plus it doesn't clag up the soap dish as much as other soaps, which is a godsend for a slattern like myself.
3. Astral Moisturising Cream. This is another firm favourite. Like Pears Soap, it's been around since the year dot. My Nan was an ardent admirer of Astral. It is not dissimilar to Nivea in consistency and has the same, rather pleasant, old-lady perfume. It is perfectly fine to use on the face, although a little heavy i find for a morning moisturiser, pre-slap application. I do however use it as a night cream after using my serum or oil, when i feel my skin is very dehydrated and needs the extra boost. It also makes a very good after-sun cream and of course is great for use as a hand or body lotion.
Joanna Lumley is a fan apparently. So there.
4. Euthymol toothpaste. Possibly the best product design ever. I love its Victorian style packaging and tube.
It has a rather a medicinal flavour which can take a bit of getting used to, but it really is great stuff and is even purported to help prevent gingivitis and aid in the curing of mouth ulcers, due to its antiseptic properties.
I def recommend buying it, if just to watch small children wash their teeth with it for the first time.
Hehehe.....
5. Papier Poudre. This little gem of a product has been manufactured by Lehchasor since 1903. It was invented to be used in the boudoir by ladies who would have traditionally only powdered their faces in the morning at their dressing tables, since compacts had not yet been invented.
Actually the idea of an Edwardian lady wearing anything but a discreet layer of powder applied at home, (or perhaps a touch or rouge in the evening), let alone touching up said discreet macquillage in public, would have been tantamount to her announcing herself as a woman of very loose morals indeed. Fancy!
Papier poudre is basically little tear-off sheets of blotting paper infused with a light, fragrant scent, which gently cleanses the pores and smoothes away grease and shiny bits from the face. The formulation and packaging is unchanged since 1903. I love this product as it is easily slipped into the handbag and really comes into its own in the Summer months, as it does not sit heavily on the skin and well, just basically does what it says on the tin, removes shine and adds a little light powder to the face.
It does come in different colours, i personally prefer the 'Rachel', which is ideal for a light to medium complexion.
All these lovely products are available from Boots and/or the lovely vintageous chemist next door. This is for those of you who live in Rye obviously.
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