Falling Into Winter | Seasonal Essentials

See what I did there Falling into Winter, get it! ... no just me … okay … moving briskly on … 

   

Today I thought I would share my seasonal essential for Autumn and Winter.  I love this time of the year; crisp, sunny days filled with anticipation of Christmas (I know I said it!). But most importantly filled with the little luxuries, which we can’t use in summer.

The Anthony Logistics for Men Glycolic Facial Cleanser is a stellar cleanser for year round use but it’s especially comes into its own during autumn/winter. This cleanser with glycolic acid keeps your skin super clean and blemish free. What I really like about this is that it brightens my skin, no dull ashy skin for me which I can be prone to at this time of the year. Check it out here at 4Men.ie and Mankind.co.uk.

I am totally smitten with the Clinique Moisture Surge Extended Thirst Relief (you can read my full review here). Skin can become a tad dehydrated and flaky in the fall of the year; even oily skin. This can exasperate both acne and dry skin conditions. This instantly rehydrates and soothes your skin but is non greasy – it’s a super light weight gel. So to quench you skin’s thirst, use Clinique MoistureSurge.

Another seasonal favourite is the Liz Earle Superskin Concentrate. This is great as a night time indulgence – it locks in hydration like your life depends on it! But it also fantastic at healing any kind of pigmentation one might have. Oh, did I mention that is smells ahh-mazin! You can find it here at Liz Earle or Boots.

Clarins Men Anti-Fatigue Eye Serum is ideal for this time of the year; with getting up in the dark and what not. And wooh … let’s not forget all the parties and nights out that frequent this busy period. This eye serum will banish any dark circle and puffiness – so everyone will think you were tucked up in front of the fire. You can read all my thoughts on it here. And you can find it here.  

I know this may be a strange one to include in an Autumn/Winter essential but with the sun hibernating until next May, one has to take some action to fight off a ghostly pallor. My two favourites are the St. Tropez Gradual Tan In Shower Lotion (at Boots & full review) and the St. Moriz Medium Tanning Lotion (here at Boots). I’m definitely not advocating to go all out but a light-handed hint-of-a-tint to have you looking you best at this hectic time. And both of these heavenly tanning lotion (cause there St) give the best natural tan ever.

This time of the year wouldn’t be complete with the quintessential transitional item ever – the scarf. Nothing says autumn/winter as eloquently than the scarf. It practical and stylish and adds immediate cosiness to any outfit. I’m particularly partial to any kind of a wine, maroon, burgundy scarf; like the one here.

ahh cosy slippers! Nothing beats coming home after a long hard day on your feet and ripping off your shoes and flinging those dreaded (and sweaty) socks across the room. And then slipping your aching feet into a warm soft lush pair of slippers.  My top tip is to leave your slippers in the hot press (airing cupboard) and they’ll be lovely and toasty when you arrive in the door.

The most notorious item associated with this time of the year is … the coat. I love to have a leather jacket in autumn – the weather can be so changeable and not gonna lie, they’re just plain cool! Pair it with the above mentioned scarf and bang instant autumn style. I love wearing a coat and my favourite is my ¾ length charcoal funnel neck coat. It’s super warm and stylish and I actually don’t know I lived without it. it so versatile - its great for being uber smart work and formal events (graduations, particularly at this time of the year) or pair it with a knitted jumper and some black jeans and you're ready to take on the world. 

My final Falling into Winter essential is a hot chocolate. Personally hot chocolate is dabomb.com; I really lust after the Starbucks hot chocolate.  But Starbucks is a distant luxury for me (it literally and hour and a half to the closest). I like to fill my Starbucks mug to the brim with warm creamy chocolatey goodness, with a roaring fire in the background while watching TV.

I nearly forgot an important staple – the Nuxe Reve de Miel lip balm is ideal for autumn/winter as it super nourishing but in a non-sticky or greasy way. It stays put all day long. No bitter wind will turn my lips into sandpaper. You can find it here.

There you have my Falling into Winter basics. What are your staples for autumn/winter?

Clarins Men Anti-Fatigue Eye Serum

One of the real giveaway signs of a work hard, play hard lifestyle are those bags under your eyes. While women can hide theirs with the use of concealer, men aren’t afforded the same luxury. The eyes are the gateway to the soul and no man wants his gateway to be dark, dull, and puffy. So what can we do to help look fresher? The solution – EASY, Eye Cream. 


And I actually think this is an important part of skincare that is often overlooked by guys. Did you know that gels are best for bags and creams are best for fine lines and wrinkles. Serums however penetrate deeper and contain nutrients.

The Clarins Men Anti-Fatigue Eye Serum energise your under eye area and stop the ageing effects of time. This anti-fatigue eye serum is an energising serum/gel to combat early visible signs of ageing around the eyes. But most importantly, it instantly reduces puffiness and dark circles thus leaving your eyes fresh and rejuvenated. Your Gates are pristine and shiny once more!

The Anti-Fatigue Eye Serum is a light gel/serum consistency that is chock-a-block full of great ingredients that will keep those peepers in perfect condition.

• Extracts of bison grass, gymnema and organic goji berries: recycle and boost cellular energy. Helps slow the visible signs of ageing; restores vitality, tones the skin and adds radiance.
• Avocado peptides: visibly reduce fine lines and wrinkles.
• Organic oat polyoses: instantly smooth out the skin.
• Horse chestnut extract: helps eliminate dark circles.
• Caffeine: helps deflate puffiness.
• Betaine: moisturises.

The Anti-Fatigue Eye Serum is a fragrance free gel; you only need to apply the tiniest amount to the area. So be gentle when you squirt! It super easy to apply, gently dab it in and cover the area from just below the tear duct to the start of your eyebrow. It has super fresh feeling and it absorbs in the blink of an eye! 

Now I don’t really suffer from puffy under eyes or dark circles but I do have a slight darkness to the inner corners of my under eye area; I think it from wearing glasses. But from using the Anti-Fatigue Eye Serum my skin genuinely feels refreshed, brighter and tighter. Ohh for even better results; leave it in the fridge and then apply. You can thank me later!

The packaging is robust and masculine but a tad impractical for travel. It will last for ages; as you use only the tiniest bit and is made of ingredients which are good for your skin. And remember that a dab of this ginseng-extract based serum, which is jam-packed with vitamins and antioxidants to keep your Gates glowing.

Clarins Men Anti-Fatigue Eye Serum is available here online at Boots and Debenhams and in-store at Clarins counters nationwide.

Here’s a helpful video from Clarins on how to apply the Anti-Fatigue Eye Serum; I think this method is more suited if you want to give yourself the royal treatment but if you find that too time consuming, then just dab it on with your ring finger.  

MAN-UP It’s Summer! | ☀️ Summer Essentials ☀️

Today I thought I would compile my Summer-Must-Haves to guide you through a summer of fun. Here are my Summer Essentials that will have you prepared for anything this summer can (and probably will J ) throw at you! 

Sunglasses are a summer staple (actually obligatory if you ask me). My favourite are these Ray-Bans. They are on trend with the Wayfarer frames but I love the twist of the slimmer sides. I think these are a cool alternative to the standard Wayfarer. Why follow the herd! Make a statement with these Ray-Bans. They are perfect for all occasions: the matt black in so transitional from formal to festival. I think these are the most flattering sunglasses, no matter your face shape. And above all they are comfortable to wear. Check them out here.

You may think that GlamGlow ThirstyMud (you can read my full review here) is more of a winter essential but it's excellent during the warmer months. It rehydrates your skin but is non greasy way - so you won't be left like an oil slick. Hydration is so important during the summer, as the sun can have drying effects on your skin. This can exasperate both acne and dry skin conditions. Thus to be looking your best use GlamGlow ThirstyMud .

Úna Brennan Super Facialist Vitamin C+ Glow Boost Skin Serum is ideal for summer usage. It is a lightweight serum with a combination of Vitamin C, Hyaluronic Acid and a skin lightening algae extract that replenishes and gives your skin a healthy glow and appearance. Ahhh … spot-on! Just what I need for summer. You can find it here.

La Roche-Posay Effaclar Duo +; what can I say it works! You can read all my thoughts on it here. In the humid heat of summer it keeps spots at bay and my skin clear. Yah! That = happy me J. Haha!

La Roche-Posay Serozinc is another summer necessity; it mattifies your skin – it really does banish shine! But also the Zinc Sulphate will help heal any blemishes and kill bacteria on the skins surface. You can grab a can here. And read my full review here.

Carmex Mint Moisturising Lip Balm  you can suffer from dry, chapped lips at any time of the year (the sun’s fault again). Not only does this balm heal dry, cracked lips, it also acts as a sunscreen with the added protection of SPF 15. Protect that pout!  You’ll find it here.

If you need that sun-kissed glow then I whole heartedly recommend the Clarins Radiance-Plus Golden Glow Booster. It gives you a subtle fool-proof sun-kissed glow. No oompa-loompa face for me! What’s not to like. You can get it here.

Vichy Ideal Soleil Mattifying Face Fluid SPF30. I like Vichy suncare – a lot! This SPF is a “dry touch” cream that has no greasy or white residue and sits well on my skin. A good, comprehensive SPF for oily combination skins. Grab yours here.

My signature summer scent is Jean Paul Gaultier Le Beau Male .This an ultra-fresh blast of minty cool aromas; perfect to offset the heat of the summer. With notes of mint, artemisia, lavender and musk – a definite masculine summer scent. Get your hands on it here.

I just thought that I would mention that your skin can get more congested in the summer to the humid weather and extra sweating (depressing yano). Therefore I recommend using a clay-based mask at least once a week to detox your skin and purge your pores of all that grossness! My two favourites are the GlamGlow SuperMud (here) and the Sanctuary Sanctuary 5min Thermal Detox Mask (here); both of these masks will have you sorted in a jiffy! Leaving you to get on with your summer.

… And finally I’ll depart with some advice. If you exfoliate your skin regularly throughout the summer, you will achieve a better tan. Not a fake one, but a real tan! So if you’re looking to keep a good colour during the summer, make sure to exfoliate as this leads to a deeper and a more even tan. By exfoliating away the dead skin cell, you are revealing fresh skin cells that can tan more easily.  But exfoliating also deepens the colour of your tan and makes it last longer. My recommendations are the Clinique Mild Clarifying Lotion (here) for your face and Sanctuary Body Scrub (here) for the body. However, don’t forget to use lashings of SPF! (see some great SPFs here) and don’t get burned.

There you have my Summer Essentials.

Enjoy your summer and make the most of it!

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Clarins Radiance-Plus Golden Glow Booster

Entering summer and with the weather getting warmer, you might want to look more sun-kissed rather than luminous white or sun-burnt but self-tanning is difficult for guys. Get it wrong and you're an oompa-loompa. But get it right and you look healthier and more rested, even if you're not. So here's a great self-tanner that gives that natural sun kissed "golden glow" look we all crave.

Clarins Radiance-Plus Golden Glow Booster is a pretty fool-safe way for guys to facial tanning: it's subtle, it's streak-free and it gives the most gorgeous, believable sun-kissed glow. The Golden Glow Booster has a 99.8% natural formula combines natural DHA (an omega-3 fatty acid) and erythrulose, with Aloe Vera extract, to help preserve skin's softness; while giving your complexion a healthy-looking glow. But for me its biggest selling point, though, is the fact that it slots into your skincare routine seamlessly; all you have to do is add a few drops of the concentrate to your usual face cream or lotion or whatever you use, mix it together in your palm and apply it to your face and neck.
It's totally customisable to your skin's needs, at any time of the year. Add it to a lightweight gel or a supremely rich night cream; a few drops for a natural sun-kissed tan, or five or six if you want that instantaneous hit of sun-kissedness! There's no smell, no residue, it's an all-round tanner that doesn't go streaky or patchy and it's also highly portable – perfect for holidays. I would definitely recommend using this with a gel texture, as I find it even easier to blend it out. But I tried it with the Origins Drink Up Intensive Overnight Mask with perfect results but with the added glow from a hydrating mask. It leaves such a natural result, I was looking in the mirror (face nearly pressed to the mirror 😂) to find a patch. To no avail! This truly is an excellent self-tanner.
It's a multi-purpose facial tanner that gives subtle, natural results and is a total summer necessity, but I would definitely use this at any time when I need a subtle tan, that "golden boost".
Clarins Radiance Plus Golden Glow Booster is €23.50 and you can find it online at Boots and at Debenhams.

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