The urban guide to the countryside -
Gotta Have it
Winter ravaged skin? We hear ya! Muddy to the rescue with our round up of the 5 best local beauty buys to treat your skin to right now.
I don’t know about you but the past few months have wreaked havoc on my skin – the fluctuating temperatures have left me with chapped hands and lips, while this new winter chill has brought on red, windblown cheeks, and underneath my hundreds of layers of clothing, my legs and arms are dry and flaky from ‘dehydration by central heating’.
It’s time for some serious skin SOS. Here’s what we’ll be adding to our beauty armoury this month – and they’re all natural and locally made. New radiant and glowy me incoming!
The multi-tasker
This Luxury Beauty Balm from Herts-based vegan and organic skincare brand Bramble and Blossom performs miracles on any problem areas, thanks to its combo of natural butters, oils and waxes. Soothe chapped hands and nails, use as an intensive face treatment or even try it as a wipe off mask or hot cloth cleanser.
£19
The miracle oil
Made from just 5 botanicals, including anti-oxidant Rosehip, elastin-boosting Grapeseed and protecting Jojoba, this 100% natural and award-winning Restore Face Oil from Harpenden-based Mallow and White will give dry skin the boot - just add a couple of drops to your moisturiser or massage into cleansed skin at night.
£14
The home-grown one
As well as being a gorgeous place to visit in the height of spring - think swathes of purple lavender blowing in the breeze and filling the air with its intoxicating scent - Hitchin Lavender harvests its crop to create beauty products from the oil. This Massage and Body oil is free from Parabens and artificial nasties and makes a nourishing post-bath treat.
£8.95
The glow-getter
Like the idea of sloughing away that layer of dull skin without using harsh scrubs? Try this Liquid Radiance Glycolic Toner from organic and eco-friendly Herts brand Evolve. It contains 100% natural acids to act as a liquid exfoliator, reducing dryness and revealing instantly brighter skin.
£20
The redness rival
Containing Prickly Pear Extract to soothe and firm, this Serenity Cream by plant-based small-batch Herts brand S5, specifically targets redness as well as protecting your skin against pollutants, while combating the signs of ageing by plumping out those wrinkles, too.
£46