The Skincare Benefits of Avocado Oil

Avocado oil is an edible oil pressed from the fruit of an avocado (persea americana). And for those unsure of what an avocado is - it's that green fruit that likely dominates your IG feed. People really, really like it.

Avocado oil is a nutrient-packed, clinically-proven skin moisturiser and conditioner. It is packed with vitamins A, B1, B2, and D - plus the powerhouse antioxidants vitamin E and chlorophyll, which help mitigate skin damage and unwanted ageing. These antioxidants work together to collect and neutralise free radicals (AKA highly reactive molecules or unstable compounds that can destroy skin cells and DNA, leading to skin damage and unwanted ageing).

Baby | Best Skincare Brands

With Ezra turning two in a couple of months, it's safe to say we've tested a large number of baby skincare brands and products - from gentle body washes and nappy creams, to lotions and shampoos! 

So I decided it was time to share some of our favourite brands and the products that have earned a place in Ezra's skincare cabinet.

Quarantine Beauty | Eyebrows

Self-isolating isn't the greatest thing in the world, especially when the sun finally makes an appearance BUT it's for the good of the country so stay at home, kweens. Sadly, without the regular trips to the hairdresser, nail salon, spa, or clinic, our personal upkeep will be taking a hit. However, being under quarantine may have its benefits. By not having to face a goddamn soul, you have the freedom to either try something completely new or correct something that's been bugging you for months, safe in the knowledge that - if it goes to shit - no one will see it!

So, for those looking for beauty ideas during this crazy time, I have a quarantine mini series for you. Each post will have a different beauty focus - whether that be nails, hair, or skin. This one is all about the brows...

Viva La Cica! | The Skin Benefits of Centella Asiatica

Some call it Cica, others call it Gotu Kola, but one thing is certain – Centella Asiatica is one of nature’s most powerful skin healers and it deserves a place in every beauty cabinet...

Feelunique Desert Island Delights | Emma Hull

The floors of Feelunique HQ are packed with guys and gals who know a thing or two about beauty. After all, feelunique.com is Europe's biggest online beauty retailer, selling thousands of products from some of the world's best brands. Working there has to create a beauty or grooming addiction.

I thought it was about time I started racking up beauty recommendations from #teamfeelunique. So each month, I'l be speaking to various Feelunique employees to uncover which three products they'd take to a desert island. Imma call it Desert Island Delights...

The Tuesday Tip: Rewarding Recycling!

Coming to the end of a great beauty product is never a good thing, however if you purchased the product from a particular brand, you may be able to recycle it for a little reward...

Must Have Face Masks

I love a good face mask. They perk up your skin (and your spirit) and help treat any imperfections in time for a holiday, date or big event. I've been on a mask mission for the past couple of months, trying a wide range of different product, with a variety of price points and skin promises. Here are my current favourites...

The Beauty Myth: Toothpaste Removes Pimples

False...ish. Some toothpastes can reduce the size of a pimple, as they contain ingredients such as menthol and alcohol that dry the skin and draw out impurities. However using toothpaste will not kill the bacteria causing the problem or prevent future acne. Furthermore, the very ingredients that help reduce the size of pimples, can also cause irritation, dry the skin and encourage acne...

Grooming: Getting Back To The Basics

Staying well groomed should be a priority for all men. However as simple as a good grooming routine can be, most of you struggle mastering one. You just need a small number of products to keep you looking gorgeous for us girls and, lucky for you, I'm going to share a few recommendations...

Boosting Beauty Sleep

Sleeping is one of my favourite past times and I know, for sure, I'm not alone. Like me, you probably get excited about coming home from work and sleeping before you've even left your bed in the morning.

The best thing about sleep - aside from how fucking great it feels - is that it does wonders for your skin and hair. So this concept of 'beauty sleep' isn't some fairytale bullshit girls, it's the real deal. Skin has increased mitosis during sleep and mitosis is a cell process that renews and repairs the skin. Blood flow is also boosted by the body while you sleep, helping to give you a healthy and radiant complexion. This boosted blood flow also helps the hair, as it supplies the hair follicles with nutrients, vitamins and minerals.

Anti-Pollution Skincare

2016 has seen an onslaught of new beauty trends but none intrigued me more than anti-pollution skincare. Each year we're told to protect ourselves from the millions of different things causing skin damage and premature ageing, so I'm surprised that pollution-protection products haven't come sooner...

Grooming: Christmas Gifts For The Guys

With the grooming industry ever growing, there are a huge number of gifts available for the true metrosexual man this Christmas. Here are some of my favourites...

Starting with the Aesop Perseus skincare set (£60.00 aesop.com). Aesop is a brand known for marrying cutting-edge technology with long-established scientific practices to create exceptional skincare products....much like the ones found in the Perseus skincare set. The serviceable tin box contains a trio of some of Aesop's favourite formulations, including the Fabulous Face Cleanser 100ml, Moroccan Neroli Post-Shave Lotion 60ml and Geranium Leaf Body Cleanser 200ml; everyday essentials that any guy would love to be gifted.

Weekly Worship: DKNY, Kiehl's & REN

DKNY Be Desired

Price: £69.00 / $88.00 100ml

Stockists: John Lewis / dkny.com

DKNY's Be Desired is a fragrance classic that I have recently fallen back in love with. Containing top notes of grapefruit, orange, blackcurrant and violet leaf, middle notes of Turkish rose, jasmine, cassis and black locust and bottom notes of cedar, cashmere wood and amberwood, this fresh, floral and fruity fragrance smells absolutely divine.

Be Desired is a super feminine fragrance that is pretty and delicate...but also powerful. The eau de parfum lasts for hours after application and only two or three spritzes are needed to make an impact!

Weekly Worship: Kiehl’s Daily Reviving Concentrate

Price: £36.00 / $46.00

Stockists: kiehls.co.uk / Barneys

Kiehl’s Midnight Recovery Oil is such a cult product, that you'd think Kiehl's would have a hard time producing another oil as impressive. However it has, and it is called Daily Reviving Concentrate.

The Daily Reviving Concentrate is designed to fight daily oxidative stress and free radical damage to the skin, which not only causes immediate skin problems but also leads to premature ageing over time. The new oil is formulated with ginger root oil, which contains anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory properties to soothe and protect skin, sunflower seed oil, which increase skin hydration and Tamanu oil, which locks in moisture.

News: Kiehl’s Pioneers by Nature Programme

Kiehl's new Pioneers by Nature program honors innovators, game changers and trendsetters who are pioneering new ways of viewing and experiencing the world. As part of the programme, Kiehl’s is donating $150,000 and teaming up with a variety influencers - from the industries of music, fashion, style, art, technology and green design - to support organisations that serve children and the environment.

Behind The Brand: Kiehl's

Date of Birth: 1851

Founding Fathers: John Kiehl

History: Kiehl's started life as a full-service pharmacy in New York's East Village. The pharmacy, founded by John Kiehl, offered customers homeopathic and herbal remedies, as well as essential oils, over-the-counter drugs and the first Kiehl's brand name products.

A Guy's Guide to Father's Day Gifting

I know a thing or two about male grooming and I'd like to think I know what a man needs when it comes to choosing products. However, although I know what a guy needs, I don't know what a guy wants. So, with Father's Day fast approaching, I've handed my gift-selecting responsibilities to my fabulous GBF Doug, because no one knows how to select grooming gifts quite like a gay guy, trust me. So, if you are stressing over what to get your dad this Sunday, I suggest you check out Doug's picks below...

Patsy from Ab Fab famously declared, "You can never have enough hats, coats or shoes". However, when it comes to men, the necessary requirements are a little different. One of the most important things a man needs to master is his hair; luckily there are some great products out there to help him.

I love the Toni & Guy haircare range - one of my particular favourite products is the Messy Salt Spray 200ml (£7.49 Superdrug). Not only does it help provide great texture to the hair, it smells gorgeously of salty sea and beach holidays. Another hero in the range is the Styling Putty 75ml (£7.00 Boots), aka the perfect product for taming and shaping unruly hair! Like the Messy Salt Spray, the Styling Putty is a great gift if you're limited to a small budget; your dad will appreciate the hair help and you won't have to break the bank.

For the anti-ageing obsessed dad, I would recommend a good eye cream. Eyes are often the first feature to show signs of aging so, if your dad is rocking crows feet or big bags, he will appreciate a nourishing eye treatment. I’ve fallen for the Kiehl’s Facial Fuel Eye De-Puffer ($20.00 kiehls.com). You just have to roll this cooling agent under your eyes to instantly perk up those red, puffy and tired peepers!

If you have a generous budget for gifting this Father's Day, I really recommend a fragrance. I’ve recently discovered two incredible scents; Issey Miyake Nuit d’Issey and Liquid Imaginaires Fortis. Issey Miyake’s Nuit d’Issey 125ml (£59.50 theperfumeshop.com / $89.00 Sephora) is a hypnotic masculine scent, with a spicy-woody composition. It includes top notes of bergamot and grapefruit, middle notes of leather, black pepper and vetiver and base notes of tonka bean, patchouli and incense. I only got my hands on this fragrance a couple of weeks ago and it has already taken pride of place in my bathroom cabinet.

Liquid Imaginaires Fortis 100ml (£150.00 Selfridges / $210.00 Barneys) is a precious assembly of rare woods and spices - notes include saffron, gaiac wood, amyris, vetiver, sandalwood and vanilla. Only two pumps of this eaux de parfum is needed per use and its smokey, sweet scent lasts several hours. It is the most expensive gift on the list, however it's a real must-have for dads who deserve an extra special treat this year.

Ingredients 101: Liquorice Root Extract

Natural or Synthetic: Natural

Origin: Liquorice Root Extract is sourced from liquorice, the root of the Glycyrrhiza Glabra plant.

Location: Liquorice is produced in a variety of countries including Iran, China, Pakistan, Iraq, Azerbaijan, Uzbekistan and Turkey.

Beauty Benefits: Liquorice root extract has been used for its medicinal benefits for hundreds of years; as far back as ancient China! It is one of the few natural ingredients that has been scientifically proven to provide health benefits.

Liquorice root extract contains powerful anti-inflammatory properties and it's effective at controlling redness and flushing. The popular ingredient has also been known to lighten skin and fade dark spots and blemishes.

Liquorice root extract is also the perfect anti-ager, as it is packed with powerful antioxidants that speed up skin cell regeneration, promote skin elasticity and fight the free-radicals that cause early skin-ageing.

Warnings: Liquorice root extract ingredients are safe to use topically.

Found in: The Kiehl's Clearly Corrective Dark Circle Perfector SPF30 15ml (£29.00 John Lewis / $38.00 kiehls.com). This makeup and skincare hybrid is a dark-circle diminishing demon! It is a lightweight, tinted eye cream that has a very thin consistency. Due to its SPF and tint, the Dark Circle Perfector works like a BB cream for the eye area, helping to moisturise, conceal, protect and prime! It absorbs quickly and creates the perfect base for further concealer application. I suffer from the worse dark circles and no concealer hides them completely; however, using this product underneath my concealer does the trick!

Faithful Four: Face Oils

Perricone MD Chia Serum

Promise: “This scientifically formulated serum rapidly transforms dull, dry skin to a visibly vibrant, glowing and healthy complexion”

Price: £62.00 / $75.00 30ml

Purchase: Selfridges / Sephora

First up is the Perricone MD Chia Serum (aka the radiance booster of the group). Although the word 'serum' features in its title, this face oil really is just a face oil.

The Perricone MD Chia Serum is an antioxidant-rich face oil that is packed with - you guessed it - chia oil. Chia oil is extracted from the seeds of a chia plant, which is native to central and southern Mexico and Guatemala. Chia seeds are rich in omega-3 fatty acids. Omega-3 fatty acids strengthen the skin cell membrane of the epidermis and improve the texture and quality of the skin.

Ingredients 101: Vitamin C

Scientific Name: Ascorbic Acid

Natural or Synthetic: Both

The Science: Vitamin C is a water-soluble vitamin that is found in certain foods. We don't store or accumulate vitamin C in our bodies, so we have to get it from food and other sources. Foods high in vitamin C include berries, kale, broccoli, citrus fruits and tomatoes. Although vitamin C is found naturally, it can also be produced in a laboratory.

Vitamin C is essential for overall body health; it helps protect cells and keeps them healthy and it helps to repair and regenerate tissues. Vitamin C also protects against heart disease and cancers, aids in the absorption of iron, helps wound healing and supports a healthy immune system.

Beauty Benefits: Vitamin C is a big skin healer, helping to repair damaged and dry skin. The hero ingredient also plays a major role in the production of collagen. As you know, when you age, collagen breaks down and wrinkles begin to form. So getting your vitamin C fix, both internally and topically, helps to keep premature skin-ageing at bay. Vitamin C is also known to treat UV damage and lighten dark discolouration, such as skin freckles and age spots.

Finally, vitamin C is one of the most effective nutrients at helping to grow and strengthen hair. It also strengthens nails and helps them grow.

Warnings: Vitamin C is considered safe to use topically

Found in: Kiehl's Powerful-Strength Line-Reducing Concentrate 50ml (£49.00 John Lewis / $60.00 Nordstrom). This super serum contains an impressive 10.5% pure vitamin C, helping to create a smoother, clearer and refreshed appearance. It has a thick consistency (well, thick for a serum) that applies easily and leaves skin with a velvety smooth finish. The best thing about this treatment is that it makes good on its promise; it really does reduce my fine lines!