KEY POINTS:
Out with the old, in with the new. Spring is a good time to try a few of the latest offerings.
1. Clarins Super Restorative Decollete and Neck Concentrate
$125 for 75ml
It's all very well lavishing attention on the face, but the neck and decollete suffer too
you know. Clarins believes it's still possible to display the "youth and elegance" of that area after 50 provided you look after it. This concentrate smoothes and hydrates, helps minimise the appearance of wrinkles by helping with collagen synthesis, evening skin tone and enhancing skin texture.
From selected department stores, pharmacies and beauty therapists.
2. Chanel Hydramax + Teinte Bronze
$75 for 40ml
This is a chance to skin a hit of the brilliant Hydramax + moisture boost emulsion, a kindly SPF15 and a satin matte hint of colour to give skin a sheer, healthy glow. The bronze colour is for olive and tanned skin. It's recommended for the weekend when going au naturel in the makeup area is what most of us strive for.
From selected department stores and pharmacies.
3. Pure Fiji Dilo Rescue Bath Therapy
$45 for 470ml
Pure Fiji gets a big tick straight away for trying to reduce its carbon footprint, making soap by hand using a cold process among other things, and with a tree-planting programme for carbon credits. This rich bath milk uses a nut extract from Fiji's dilo tree, fresh coconut milk and herbs to soften skin and release tension. Almost as good as a laze on a Fijian beach.
From selected beauty therapists and spas.
4. Dr Andrew Weil for Origins The Way of the Bath Matcha Tea Body Scrub
$95 for 600g
Okay, the name may go on for what seems like forever, but Origins is forgiven, such is the allure of this scrub. The Dr Andrew Weil collection is all about optimising the skin's defences for beauty and wellness inside and out, and this is no exception. The Matcha green tea - part of the Japanese tea ceremony and Zen Buddhist culture - is combined with Japanese sea salt and nourishing oils so rough, dull skin is dealt to. Gives a sense of ceremony to bathtime.
From selected department stores and pharmacies.
5. La Mer The Eye Concentrate
$370 for 15ml
Remortgage the house. La Mer's new eye cream has arrived. The skincare company founded by a rocket scientist has taken pity on the eye area - prone to dark circles, puffiness and stress - and has infused the famous Miracle Broth with Concentrated Miracle Broth, Encapsulated Miracle Broth and magnetised hematite to help the eye area find its way back to radiance, suppleness and vibrancy. And the applicator's silver tip does a clever trick of picking up exactly the amount needed.
From Smith & Caughey, Queen St.