I suspect you all know by now that we’re gearing up for our holiday. Did you hear that one? WE’RE OFF ON HOLIDAY!
(Given I haven’t shut up about it, it would have been pretty hard to miss…)
Holidays act like a symbolic shove to switch my make-up bag to a summer version. Out goes the liquid eyeliner, and in comes bronzer. It’s a huge relief, but you can feel a little bare-faced when you step in to summer for the first time when those around you are still trawling it on.
Thankfully I haven’t worn foundation for a long time now. I remember some three years ago when I applied some in front of Craig when we first started dating. He came up behind me at my dressing table, planted a kiss on my cheek, and picked up the bottle (in that absent-minded way men sometimes do) and commented that he’d been “under the impression that only old women wore foundation, not pretty young twenty-somethings” - that was enough to make me question whether I needed it. He wasn’t flattering me, he just genuinely thought foundation was an old ladies weapon in the fight against wrinkles and age spots.
My ditching the foundation happened to coincide with the proliferation of BB Creams on the market. And I haven’t found any better than Ginvera Green Tea BB Cream. Until this came into my life I was using L’Oreal’s Nude Magique and would often end up with patchy cheeks where it cloyed and dried out my skin. This one hydrates and delivers perfect coverage all day. Even better, it’s SPF 30 to prevent photoaging and UVA damage.
A skin care sensation that has swept Asia, Ginvera is enriched with premium Green Tea, Ginseng, Chinese Angelica and Hyaluronic Acid. Not only does it smell utterly divine, it also has some pretty impressive long-lasting effects. Hyaluronic Acid (typically produced by the human body) helps bind moisture and leaves skin hydrated, plumper and firmer, whilst Green Tea, Allantoin, Ginseng and Angelica encourage cell renewal and revitalise tired skin.
Even the lightest of applications will leave your skin fairer and more radiant. Specially formulated with a nano fine texture to allow easy spreading and application, it’s a non greasy texture and dries to a velvety finish in seconds. Although it claims to mattify, you are left with a slight sheen but this is completely natural and healthy-looking and creates a perfect base for the rest of your make-up.
My only slight reservation is that, as a nude BB Cream, the inference is that it will colour match against your skin tone. I can’t refute this as my skin is pale. I would be interested to see it on someone with a richer and darker complexion though as it does leave my skin more porcelain than other BB Creams I’ve tried. It also dries to a matt finish incredibly quickly so you will want to apply in sections.
At £24.95, it is expensive, yet to say I’m blown away is an understatement. I just can’t imagine not having it in my make-up bag and will definitely buy it again. You can buy yours from official stockist Janiro.co.uk who are also on Facebook and Twitter should you want to see what other beauty journalists are saying about Ginvera.
As if I wasn’t spoiled enough, they’ve also given me some Bio Essence Bio Water Sunscreen to use on myself and the children. I came across this product months ago as it’s regularly listed as a top pick by health and beauty editors. I can totally see why.
With paper thin water technology, a little goes a long way. It applies just like water and dries to a matt finish in seconds. It’s completely non-greasy and a pleasure to pop on before hitting the beach. Sand won’t stick to it and nor will clothes - so it’s a great choice for fussy kids (also available in SPF 56).
As it’s so gentle, it’s fabulous for the face too. In fact, this is the real selling point for this product as we’re all so used to buying separate moisturisers and make-up with SPF. In fact, it’s worth noting that moisturisers with SPF aren’t all they’re cracked up to be. A good slather of these of a morning isn’t enough. To safeguard against UVBs it will need re-applying every two hours, or more if you use it too sparingly. Rather a mineral sunblock on top of your moisturiser before applying make-up will better protect your skin. These, much like Bio Water, sit on top of your skin to reflect the sun’s rays, rather than absorb into it.
I’d go so far as to say, you can pop this on top of your BB Cream without ruining your makeup - it’s that invisible. You’ll want to do this anyway as it’s also enriched with Tranexamic Acid which serves to lighten the skin and prevent dark spots and freckles.
Now for the best bit. It’s also rich in trace minerals providing a real cooling effect. This isn’t short-lived either, it’ll stay cool to the touch even under the afternoon sun. It’s not an unpleasant, or even particularly strong sensation, rather it’s gentle and understated. A definite bonus if you don’t cope well in the heat!
Once again, this isn’t cheap. You’re looking at £18.90 for 40ml. Yet as I previously mentioned, a little goes a long way, and a bottle per person should be enough for a week’s holiday. As you can’t put a price on your families skin, it’s definitely worth stocking up.
