Olverum

Taking a moment



Bruce Weber
When did self-care become a dirty word? The concept originated in the late 60s by radical feminists wanting to empower women by teaching them to get to know their anatomies. But in recent years, ‘self-care’ has come to encompass the Goopification of beauty, aka a capitalist catch-all that couches healthy habits and ancestral rituals in spa language and posh packaging. My take on self-care is somewhere in the middle. Nice-to-have products (that don’t have to be expensive) and free DIY practices to maintain health and wellbeing rather than ‘optimising’. (more…)



Shop the post: Kind cleansers



Face Values book - Mari Giudicelli by Demian Jacob

A major skincare shift I’ve seen over the last few years is the move towards products that protect, nourish and gently strengthen the skin, a departure from the problem-solving and ‘repairing’ narrative. While ‘wellness’ gets a bad rap, I think we’re now much more attuned to nutrition, hormones and lifestyle factors that affect the skin. (I mean, when Kate Moss launches a holistic skincare line, you know there’s a vibe shift.) Hopefully that means we’re raising a generation that won’t resort to invasive aesthetic procedures like injectables, lasers and skin resurfacing to repair damaged skin in the future.

In particular, cleansers, facial washes and body washes have become so much more part of a proactive wellbeing ritual. (more…)



Old and new spring beauty



Olverum Pure Radiance Facial Oil

After the longest winter ever, we’re finally seeing glimmers of brighter days ahead. The one thing that’s kept me going beauty-wise has been products that engage the senses. Much as I appreciate purely functional products, I’m far more likely to use things if they look, smell and feel nice.


SKINCARE.
Apart from the odd central heating-induced breakout, my skin’s been surprisingly well behaved this year. My morning routine is fairly simple – oil or balm cleanser, followed by hydrating serum, moisturiser and facial oil. Shiseido’s Vital Protection Radiance Serum* (£106 below) has been a joy to use. Even though it’s a creamy texture, it’s quite ‘wet’, so it gives a good amount of slip for morning facial massage (I use my knuckles but you can also use a gua sha stone). While it’s pitched as anti-ageing (for fading dark spots and firming the jawline), I just use it as an extra boost of hydration. (more…)



Trend report: my AW19 wish list



Jil Sander Aw19

While the fashion industry is becoming less seasonal by the day, instead opting for more frequent ‘drops’, in my mind, September is still officially New Season month. I still look forward to the September issue of Vogue (yes, I’m the one keeping print afloat) (Just – R.I.P Marie Claire) and I’m relieved to see proper clothes in the shops instead of endless tees and shorts. Hey, I’m a knitwear girl! Here’s my pick of the autumn trends and best buys I’m eyeing for the forseeable…


DIOR GORPCORE
While Dior menswear is getting most of my love at the moment, I’m here for the Dior plaid cagoule (more…)