YOUR BEST AGEING ARSENAL
Let’s get a few things straight upfront.
1. I’m… well… older than 40.
2. I’m vain.
Pheww, now that I’ve got that off my chest (or my face), I need to stand up for myself. I’m actually not super high maintenance in the beauty department but I am fond of a bit of “maintaining”.
Regular hair salon cut and colours, the odd facial when I can swing it and a mani/pedi every month. And, I’ve made no secret of the fact that I’ve had a little Botox around the eye area twice a year since the year I turned 40.
I know this isn’t everyone’s cup of beauty tea. But I’m ok with it and, yes, I can still move my face.
In my bathroom and my handbag and on my desk you’ll find dozens of “products” that either I can’t live without or have been sent to me to trial. I’m not trying to wind back the clock to look like I did in my 20s. God forbid. I’m just trying to preserve what I’ve got while I age gracefully – or disgracefully – depending on what night of the week it is.
Here are the five things you’ll always find in my ageing arsenal:
1. When you reach a certain age – sometime in your 30s – your skin does not renew quite as easily as it did in your 20s. To keep you looking some version of fresh you need to exfoliate. Now, while I do love all manner of face scrubs, the one thing that’s consistently kept my face well cleansed and vaguely fresh since I started using it, is the Clarisonic (pictured is the limited edition Clarisonic Plus RRP $269 – I own the smaller version, the Mia RRP $149). The vibrating head works with a cream cleanser to leave your skin silky smooth because it’s helping to turn over those dead skin cells – gently – every day. Gwyneth Paltrow loves hers, as does Madonna, Kim Kardashian and Hilary Clinton.
2. There’s been a lot of hype about rosehip oil of late, which is funny as it’s something that’s been around a long time in skincare. Rosehip oil helps to prevent skin ageing by helping with that renewal business. It’s also super hydrating and easily absorbed into your skin. Antioxidants within the formulation then work as a bonus to fight off the environmental stuff thrown at our skin ever day. I’ve long been a fan of the original Trilogy 100% pure organic rosehip oil ($21.95, pictured) but you might want to also look at the new super duper Rosehip Oil Antioxidant +. I use mine at night – you can add a moisturiser over the top of rosehip oil but some people are happy with it on its own.
3. I declared Garnier’s BB Cream Miracle Skin Perfector (RRP $15) my beauty product of the year for 2011. The price is a winner. Even at full price (and it’s often on special, some times as low as $8), it’s easily smuggled under the sausages while doing the grocery shopping. It’s a tinted moisturiser, sunscreen (SPF 15+) and a complexion enhancer. It will make your skin look radiant from the moment it’s applied but as you use it more regularly, it will have a longer-term effect of evening out your skin tone. The BB stands for Blemish or Beauty Balm – these creams (in higher concentrations) have a cult following in Asia for their skin lightening abilities.
| Page 1 of 2 | next >> |
57 Responses to this article
-
Mrs Woog April 19, 2012
That BB cream is the business. Love it and love that you can get it at the supermarket. And of course the Trilogy is my number one product. Glad to see you here, sharing your no-nonsence approach to beauty! x
-
Nikki @ Styling You April 19, 2012
Mrs Woog, I think we share similar beauty regime!
-
-
bigwords April 19, 2012
I need to print this out the next time I’m out shopping. My skin needs some loving. Thanks Nikki x
-
Nikki @ Styling You April 19, 2012
Part of your looking after you, Bianca? I think that’s a good thing x
-
-
Meredith April 19, 2012
I am with you on the Ella Bache Sportsbloc- it is the best sunscreen ever. What I have to know is where do you find the Trilogy Rosehip oil? is that a chemist or salon purchase?
I still love the Clarins Beauty Flash. As a makeup primer it really does the trick.
Great article Nikki.-
Nikki @ Styling You April 19, 2012
Love Beauty Flash – a cult favourite from way back. Trilogy is widely available at pharmacies around Australia and online – there’s a stockist page here: http://www.trilogyproducts.com/stockists where you can punch in where you live to find a stockist near you.
-
-
Stacey April 19, 2012
Love your tips Nikki – I’ve heard good things about the Clarisonic and the BB cream and your recommendations have sold me. Thanks!
-
Nikki @ Styling You April 19, 2012
Thanks Stacey – I’m bummed I missed out on Garnier BB Cream on sale at Coles this week for about $7 – out of stock with my online grocery order!
-
Stacey April 19, 2012
I’ve just ordered the Clarisonic, it will be here tomorrow. My skin is hideous at the moment due to some lovely hormones, so this might be just what I need!
Coles here I come – thanks for the tip!
-
-
-
Sommer April 19, 2012
Loving your tips, Nikki!
I’m seeing a lot of hype about BB creams and can’t wait til there are more available in Australia, so that I can buy one made by an ethical cosmetics company. Unfortunately Garnier is one of the many, many companies owned by Loreal, who are well-known for their continuing insistence on animal testing… and as such I will never buy their products.
I’ve heard the Clinique one is good, but it is much more expensive!
I wonder if you know of any BB creams which are affordable and also made by companies with good ethics?
-
Nikki @ Styling You April 19, 2012
Hi Sommer, I totally understand your position but in regards to Garnier, this is their public statement on their website:
“Garnier has not tested on animals since 1989 and this is thanks to 100 years of knowledge in the field of cosmetic ingredients and 30 years of research into alternative testing methods.”
And here re the L’Oreal company as a whole: http://www.sustainabledevelopment.loreal.com/research-innovation/focus-on-predictive-evaluation/a-new-generation-of-predictive-evaluation-methods.aspx
There are no other BB creams in this price range currently available in Australia.
-
Sommer April 19, 2012
Thanks Nikki. I wish that were the whole story but the reality is that Loreal still conducts animal testing, and while Garnier may not, they are owned by Loreal and all profits flow upwards in that direction. (For the same reason I will not buy from The Body Shop; even though they do not personally conduct animal testing, they are also owned by Loreal.)
That being said there are some great ethical companies out there and I am sure it’s only a matter of a very short time before they hop on the BB-Bandwagon! (They’re probably working on it as we speak…)
-
-
-
Sue April 19, 2012
Great article. Always looking for good products that don’t cost a fortune.. Do you know if the Clarisonic is available in Asia? I live in Singapore..
-
Nikki @ Styling You April 19, 2012
-
-
Robin Storey April 19, 2012
Fantastic! One of my pet hates is cosmetic companies who charge a small fortune for a 30ml jar of ‘miracle cream’ that contains a mile-long list of ingredients with four-syllable quasi-scientific names. I buy all my beauty products from the supermarket and will certainly be trying the ones you’ve recommended. Like you, I’m over 40 and will cheerfully admit I’m vain and want to do as much as possible to age ‘disgracefully’ but without pain (so cosmetic surgery is out) and without being ripped off. An unattainable goal? Ask me when I’m seventy!
-
Nikki @ Styling You April 19, 2012
I don’t think it’s unattainable, Robin! My Nan is 96 in two weeks and is still putting Ponds cream on her face every night. Her skin is incredible for that age.
-
-
Sharon @ Funken Wagnel April 19, 2012
I love, love, love my clarisonic! No idea what I did without it. I have rosehip oil which I’ve only been using for a few weeks. Even though I need anti ageing stuff, I’m struggling with the rosehip because if I use more than the tiniest amount, I break out. I like what it does for my skin other than that, but time will tell if I stick with it.
-
Nikki @ Styling You April 19, 2012
Sharon, I’ve heard that re rosehip from someone else too. It’s probably not for you. The thing is, just because something is natural or organic, doesn’t necessarily mean it’s going to work for you.
-
Sharon @ Funken Wagnel April 19, 2012
Well, that makes sense then! Thanks. I might just go back to vitamin c serum as I was pretty happy with it. Maybe I can use the leftover rosehip oil on my cannon-blown belly
-
-
-
Louise April 19, 2012
Wecome to the hoopla!
Sort of…
Well I am a total purist and in a forum for free and questioning things I am sad to see a biased representitive for all things manufactured and corporate that do not enhance a woman’s life!
Beware! These companies are there to make money from you!
No science is behind them and they are simply a jar full of chemicals!
Free yourselves ladies and avow a life of non-interference and free of chemicals, your body and wallet will thank you…
You may like to know what I use…..scoll down if you wishOils soaps and lotions from Balanced Essentials be@aroma.com.au ….Raspberry oil (more active ingredient than rose hip) and coconut soap and a manual scrub sponge…
-
Nikki @ Styling You April 19, 2012
Thanks Louise … totally get where you’re coming from. I love the organic essential oil blends from Twenty8.com and they are very much a part of my daily rituals. I say each to their own in most things in life and am happy with my ever-changing mix of products and potions.
-
-
Kaia April 19, 2012
Thanks Niki – have just added most of those to the shopping list this week!
-
Nikki @ Styling You April 19, 2012
Sneak them under the sausages
-
-
JoJo April 19, 2012
Hi Nikki (or any of the other Clarisonic disciples)!
I’m just wondering if you know whether it’s worth saving up for the Clarisonic Plus or if the Mia does the job and the plus are things you don’t really need?
What bang do you get for the extra bucks?
-
Mrs Woog April 19, 2012
I have a Mia and that is all I need x
-
Nikki @ Styling You April 19, 2012
I have the Mia and very happy with that!
-
-
Carli (@tinysavages) April 19, 2012
I love my Clarisonic Mia. My husband does too apparently because I keep going to use it and the battery’s dead.
-
Nikki @ Styling You April 19, 2012
I banned my husband, Carli!
-
-
Vicky April 19, 2012
Amcal chemists currently have the BB cream for $9. Well they did yesterday.
-
Nikki @ Styling You April 19, 2012
We like to hear that Vicky!
-
-
Lisa April 19, 2012
Would you say the “light”is for peaches and cream complexion and “medium” for more olive skin Nikki? Thanks for the article!
-
Nikki @ Styling You April 19, 2012
Yes, that’s generally the case. Some people have said the light is too dark for their skin. It works for mine.
-
-
deb1611 April 19, 2012
I bought the Clarisonic Mia and it’s bloody brilliant – I don’t think the extra investment in the Plus is necessary. The Mia is great for travelling, recharges easily and is waterproof so you can take it in the shower. My skin is SO much better than it was. I’m 55. (Love the Garnier BB cream too – it’s all I wear. Lisa, you are right – there are just two shades and the light is for peaches and cream, while the medium is a little darker).
-
Nikki @ Styling You April 19, 2012
Agreed Deb!
-
-
Lady Penelope April 19, 2012
For white teeth and healthy gums use organic white sesame oil. First thing in the morning put 1tblspn in mouth & swirl it around push it
Around with your tongue for approximate 10 mins (in the shower is good). The difference
In a couple of weeks is really noticeable. Its an Ayurvedic method. -
Johanna April 20, 2012
Fabulous tips for some inexensive products for us as we age. I’m going to try the Garnier tinted moisturiser, oh and the Nivea Q10 eye roll on – I have often eyed that up at the supermarket and wondered what it’s like. I’m over 50 (gulp) and need all the help I can get these days! Glad to hear that you’re a teensy bit vain Nikki – your admission me feel a little bit better. I break out in a cold sweat (or is that hormones going haywire sweat) when I think that at my advanced age I can still be vain about how I present to the world – it seems a bit shallow at this age! I confessed this on my own blog recently
-
Nikki @ Styling You April 25, 2012
I think it’s totally ok … and not shallow … to care about how you look. It’s not the be all and end all but makes me feel better to do so!
-
-
Meredith April 20, 2012
Did my grocery shopping yesterday and bought the BB cream and the eye rollon. Both are brilliant- thanks for the tip Nikki. I’m light olive and the medium looks completely natural. Now if only I could get rid of the pregnancy masking on my neck! Mx
-
Nikki @ Styling You April 25, 2012
Great to hear! And re the pregnancy mask – I had that … the dreaded hormones plus sun. Keep up the sunscreen and the BB Cream will help a bit to disguise. It will go away eventually.
-
-
Jackafabwa April 20, 2012
Good on you for being upfront about a little bit of Botox use xx
-
Nikki @ Styling You April 25, 2012
Always have been Jacki – in fact my first time was for a newspaper feature so there was no “hiding it” from the start … I know it’s not for everyone and I certainly am not excessive with it. Most people are surprised to hear I do have it.
-
-
Jewel Divas Style April 21, 2012
I would love to use one of the vibrators, ugh, brushes but the price is a bit too much for me. I know Loreal had one but even that was too much. Is there a cheaper alternative brush that also comes with a body brush?
My BB is okay, I went for a slightly darker shade to put some colour in me. Always use sunscreen, Nivea face and body works for me.
Haven’t tried the Nivea Q10, but I did try the pot a few years back and found it did nothing for me. I use Derma from Coles for $6 and it’s great. The night time cream for morn and night is fine. Works well with combination skin and isn’t greasy.
I’ve tried rosehip but found it made me quite greasy and it never soaked in. Now I use Vaseline if I’m a bit dry and that works better.
-
Prue April 21, 2012
Totally love your article Nikki! Always done the rosehip – been an organic gril from way back – and got the BB today. .. I am now finally embracing Garnier. Yeah they’re L’Oreal but are they managing the enviro/grosscorporate trip? I think they may be the first crossover. ..Maybe.
-
dramaqueen75 April 24, 2012
I am a sucker for a personal recommendation. I am also using the BB cream and I love it. It is a bit heavier than my previous tinted moisturiser (Dove) but not as heavy as a regular foundation.
I have very dry skin and the rosehip oil is making it feel lovely.
Thanks for the tips-
Nikki @ Styling You April 25, 2012
Oh, glad it’s a winner for you!
-
-
Allison April 25, 2012
Great tips Nikki – thank you. I have been using rosehip oil for quite a few years now, love it and recently came across a really good value brand which ticks lots of boxes – certified organic, not tested on animals, australian company, made in australia AND great value. Can usually pick up a 25ml rosehip oil packaged with a 125ml facial moisturiser for just under $20 rather than over $20 for just the slightly smaller bottle from Trilogy. Brand is sukin – australian natural skincare. Would love to be able to buy rosehip in larger quantities though so I can slosh it all over myself and not just my face – about the same size as the 3 or 4 litre olive oil tins would do the trick! Perhaps I’ll ask sukin if they would discount on a bulk purchase.
-
Nikki @ Styling You April 25, 2012
Sukin is an awesome brand and I’ve been lucky to have tested a number of their products … love your idea of a bulk deal on the rosehip
-
-
Stacey April 29, 2012
Hi Nikki, feedback from a week later…
I am in love with my Clarisonic – seriously in love with it! My skin is clearer and the break outs have stopped. In love! Thank you for the recommendation! -
Rhoda September 12, 2012
I think you’ve all convinced me to buy the Clarisonic. Hope they haven’t all sold out LOL
Thanks Nikki!!
