My Skincare Routine (in 4 very long steps!)

I'm always being asked about my makeup and skincare regime, what I use, when I use it and how. So, I thought a post on my key steps might be useful if you feel like you need to step your skincare up. I must warn you, I have a lot of steps and use loads of products...!

Step 1 CLEANSE

A critical step, I've always been phobic about keeping my face clean. I try and double cleanse every evening; I use a cleansing balm (currently Emma Hardie and Ren Rose) which I massage in and remove with a warm flannel. I then use a gel cleanser (SkinCeutical Age and Blemish or Dermalogica Special Cleansing Gel) with a Clarisonic. I find this gets rid of all my makeup (although if there is any residue eye make, a sweep of Bioderma gets rid of it).

Step 2 TONE

Until recently, I really believed that toners were outdated and dreadful for your skin. And I guess the old fashioned alcohol based ones are. But there are some brilliant toners on the market which help to prep your skin for products and moisturise whilst soothing. The brilliant skin guru Caroline Hirons recommends double toning, which I try and do, starting with Skinceuticals Equalising Toner to gently exfoliate (hydroxy acids in this suit my skin really well, Ren's Clarifying Toner is also great) and finishing with Neal's Yard Remedies Rose Toner to add moisture and replenish. 

Step 3 TREAT

In the morning, I use a trio of SkinCeuticals products. I start with Phloretin CF, a fantastic anti ageing, antioxidant product that I adore, followed by Pigment Regulator, to repair sun damage, and finally Retexturing Activator to gently exfoliate and boost moisture levels. I then moisturise, currently with By Terry's Gelee de Rose, which is light and smells amazing (I also love Zelens 3T cream), and use an eye cream (either Zelens Triple action eye cream or Delarom Eye contour lifting serum).

In the evening, I alternate between using Skinceutucals Retinol 0.5 for 3-5 days in a row and Chanel Le Weekend, which are both quite strong ( if in doubt, seek advice, particularly for Retinol products), with the Pigment Regulator. I then slap on a layer of Creme De La Mer The Concentrate under a final facial oil (Trilogy Rosehip or Nude Progenius Oil).

Step 4 PROTECT

My final step every morning is to use a sunscreen. I have about four on rotation, at the moment I love Dermalogica skin perfect Primer, which makes your skin look great, Zo Skin Health Oclipse (another sunscreen and primer) and SkinCeuticals Ultra Facial Defense in sunnier days.

So that's my general, everyday routine, and some of my current favourite products. I also try and have regular facials (not so regular since babies came along!) and anti ageing treatments, and use face masks twice a week (I adore La Prarie and Sisley masks, my credit card is less enthusiastic).

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Cuddle Up in Cashmere

With the weather getting colder by the day, we've been entering into daily battles of whether or not my daughter will wear a coat/hat/scarf etc. Arthur is slightly more male in expressing his opinion on such matter, simply choosing to rip off whichever woollen article he dislikes and throw on the floor. So, I was thrilled to receive a deliciously soft bundle from Olivier Baby last week, containing the most gorgeous bobble hats for my two terrors. Soft, warm, easy to put on, and cool enough to grace Fifi's head, we've been struggling to get these gorgeous hats off! They're also priced so well for cashmere, costing £28.

Olivier baby also have the amazing Design Your Own jumper range, where you can choose colour , trim and picture. Perfect Christmas presents and they're such fun to design. 

For more details, visit Olivierbaby.com

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Detox Time

For the last few months I've been feeling increasingly lethargic, bloated and out of sorts. Despite exercising 3 or 4 times a week, nothing was making me feel better. So, I decided to start on a healthy eating regime, beginning with a juice detox.

The lovely people at Purifyne, sent me a 3 day signature cleanse; a yummy array of organic, cold pressed juices, with lots of additional supplements thrown in, to really clear out the system. 

I can't lie, it was hard. Watching Mr.G hide in a kitchen cupboard in order to eat ice cream without me seeing, was a low spot. The second day, was really hard. I felt exhausted, with flu like symptoms, and went to bed obscenely early. But, before I put off too much, after 3 days, I felt incredible. Seriously amazing. I felt energised, postive and slim. I lost a few pounds, and my 'mummy tummy' was really flat. I felt full of health and vitality. And bloody proud of myself. So proud in fact that I continued cleansing (with a more homemade approach, buying good quality shop bought juices) for a further two days. 

In fact, I'd go as far as to say it has totally changed my approach to food. I've always been a comfort eater, diet coke junkie and partial to way too much wine. But cutting it out completely, made me realise how much caffeine, alcohol and sugar can negatively affect your mood, weight and skin. Mr. G gave up caffeine last week ( he was drinking up to 4 pints of coffee a day, seriously !), having seen the massive boost in my energy levels, and totally agreed. It's shocking how much we rely on these things, which  do seem to make you feel worse in the long run.

I'm going to try and cleanse every two months, and am eating a much healthier diet in the interim. Alkaline food (see Honestly Healthy for more info) agrees with me, as does a vegan ( ish, I need a bacon sandwich every once in a while ) diet. I am feeling better than ever, and I put it all down to my juice cleanse !

Purifyne Cleanse, see www.purifynecleanse.com for more details. A mini cleanse starts at £89.

Honestly Healthy, a great resource for alkaline food. Visit www.honestlyhealthyfood.com

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Whisky and Water

Last week I was sent the most excitingly scented hand soap and lotion to try out. Whisky and Water by Noble Isle was always going to be a winner in our house; It's Mr.G's tipple of choice, and having met in Scotland, it holds a special place in our hearts. The scent is so evocative of honeyed barley and smooth maltiness, I adore it. But as a soap, I wasn't sure if I'd end up smelling like I'd been hitting the bottle before the school run!

How wrong I was. The scent is sublime. Made from barley sourced from the Balvenie disterillery, it has the right balance of sweetness and subtle notes of whisky. Blind tested by my mum, she took a while to identify that it was actually whisky, identifying the honeyed smokiness and almost heathery notes, not hardcore whisky! 

I think this would make the most amazing gift for anyone that loves whisky. I really do adore it. Noble Isle have some other divine extract in their range of products, including Rhubarb Rhubarb, Fireside and Willow Song, which all sound delectable!

Noble Isle Whisky & Water, from £18 for a hand soap. Visit www.nobleisle.com for further details.

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Estelle & Thild

I've stumbled across another divine range of products, for adults, but with the loveliest baby range I have seen for a while. Estelle and Thild is a Swedish brand which is eco-friendly, organic and super gentle. Packed full of plant extracts and vitamin rich oils, the products are designed to nourish the skin. My favourite bit is the beautiful packaging, an array of pretty pastel colours, with a vintage feel.

The baby shampoo and conditioner have been fantastic of Fifi's curly hair, taming tangled, without stinging her eyes or using any nasties. And the bottles look so pretty next to the bath, they make me smile everytime we use them! 

Estelle & Thild is available from The Urban Retreat, www.urbanretreat.co.uk. 

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The Little White Company: Shop and Play

Yesterday, Fifi and I were invited to The Little White Company's Shop and Play event, to showcase their Autumn Winter 2013 range and have lots of fun.

It was such a wonderful event, with loads for Fifi to do, from treasure hunts to naming teddy bears and eating treats prepared by our favourite caterers Porgies. We also decorated biscuits with the Biscuiteers, which was sugary heaven for both of us! A fab way to while away an afternoon.

 I fell in love with so many things, their clothes and home wares are gorgeous! I particularly adored the Meadow Floral comforter, a vintage style eiderdown, perfect for any little girl! Fifi set her heart on the Sparkle heart sweater. Suffice to say we left with rather full shopping bags!

The Meadow Floral comforter, with extra balloon, a winner in Fifi's eyes!

To view the range, visit www.thewhitecompany.com

Sparkle Heart Sweater, £30

Meadow Floral range, from £25. The comforter is £125

Biscuiteers recently launched the Little Biscuiteers School of Icing. To book a class call 08704 588 358 and quote White Company for 10% off.

For delicious catering for children, visit www.porgies.co.uk

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Piccoli & Co

This weekend I stumbled across the most gorgeous baby shop I think I have ever found. Situated on Abbeville Road in Clapham, the pretty sage green exterior hides a treasure trove of monogrammed French linens, hand made cots and an array of delicious baby clothes and toys sourced from France, Belgium and Britain.

The hand painted cots are mind blowingly beautiful, real heirloom pieces that could be passed down through the generations. And when made up with soft, embroidered linen, I challenge anyone not to go a little bit weak at the knees.

Although not a fashion boutique, they also stock one of my favourite brands, Rachel Riley. Her crisp cotton pyjamas have been staples for my children, both summer and winter. And, if in need of a new baby present, look no further. From booties to bibs, the choice is both endless and ridiculously fun!

Piccoli & Co, 63 Abbeville rd, SW4 9JW. 020 8675 3900. 

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