Whether you adore a 10-step skin regime or you prefer to use one cream for everything, your beauty needs are as unique as you are. Maybe you’d give up coffee before you gave up your blow-dry, or perhaps your idea of relaxing is running a 5k rather than a mani-pedi. But when it comes to beauty, what unites us all as women is that our skin goes through an awful lot every day, whether we realise it or not. There's applying makeup, removing makeup, probably not getting as good quality sleep as men, hormonal fluctuations…the list goes on.
Which is why I wanted to put a spotlight on female creators in beauty. Women who created products to fill the gaps in their own routines; women who couldn’t find anything that spoke to them in the right way; women who needed something to make their lives easier: women just like you.
To celebrate five years of beauty on NET-A-PORTER, I’ve chosen my five favourite products from the site's luxury beauty offering, made by women, for women. Each one has a unique story and purpose and, crucially, does something pretty incredible for the skin.
Read on for more…
Nurse Jamie 24K Gold Uplift Massage Beauty Roller
Founder Jamie Sherrill is the beautician of choice for some of Hollywood’s finest (Jessica Alba, the Kardashians, Jenna Dewan...). A spot with her one-on-one will cost you an arm and a leg (not to mention flights to LA), but her at-home tools make her expert touch available to all – including her 24K Gold Uplift Massage Beauty Roller.
Why Jamie created it...
Jamie loves doing facial massage for her clients in Hollywood but understood that for a lot of women, the process is too complicated. Trying to massage your own face effectively isn’t easy, so she invented this clever tool so you can do massage at home, while catching up on emails (or Netflix).
What makes it different...
The roller has a clever hexagonal shape and is embellished with 24K gold nodules, meaning all you need to do is roll it over your face to instantly depuff and sculpt. It mimics the action of an in-spa massage, and requires zero batteries or downtime.
It's best for...
If your face feels a little puffy first thing in the morning, or you want to get a super sculpted look for a special occasion. It’s cooling and depuffing, and helps the skin look taut and glowing.
Nurse Jamie 24K Gold Uplift Massage Beauty Roller, £995, available at NET-A-PORTER
Silk is the gold standard when it comes to sleepwear and bedding, but Slip founder Fiona Stewart felt that there weren’t enough good quality options on the market. Using only non-toxic dyes, with the most premium quality silk and the perfect amount of shine and durability, this Slip Eye Mask is a touch of luxury you can enjoy every day.
Why Fiona created it…
Fiona was working for 21st Century Fox when she was prescribed aggressive anti-acne medication. It worked, but her hair and skin became incredibly sensitive and sore. Her dermatologist suggested she start using silk bedding, but she struggled to find anything practical as well as pretty. Enter the Slip Sleep Mask: perfect for helping even the fussiest of sleepers get some shut-eye, it’s soft and gentle, but will go the distance with you.
What makes it different…
Lots of eye masks are made of synthetic fibres, and even those made from cotton can be abrasive on sensitive skin. Avoid irritation and get a good night’s beauty sleep with this clever little mask. Plus, the 'Incredible Woman' embroidery is exclusive to NET-A-PORTER to celebrate their five-year beauty anniversary.
It's best for…
If you find it hard to sleep on planes, or struggle to nod off unless it’s pitch black in your room, this mask will be a godsend. It’s gentle on the delicate skin around your eyes and won’t leave a kink in your hair.
Anne Semonin Express Radiance Face and Eyes Ice Cube Set
Cold is a puffy face’s worst nightmare. Cryotherapy, or the use of sub-zero temperatures, has been popular in beauty for decades – Kate Moss has often said her go-to pre-shoot trick is to dunk her head into a sink of ice water. Well, these 'ice cubes' are just as effective and much more pleasant. Anne Semonin was a legendary French facialist (she counted Grace Kelly as a client!) and these cubes are beloved by superstar MUA Lisa Eldridge.
Why Anne created it…
It’s a speedy way to brighten, depuff and hydrate the complexion. Makeup always looks best on smooth, glowing skin, and few of us have the time to layer serums every day. These ice cubes can be stored in the freezer and popped out, ready to use, whenever you need.
What makes it different…
The set contains both the eye and face cubes, giving you a holistic treatment in the palm of your hand. The Eye Express Radiance Cubes have hyaluronic acid to plump and ginkgo biloba to improve dark circles, while the Face Express Radiance Cubes have lysine to combat fine lines and azelaic acid to mop up sebum.
It's best for...
If you need an instant pick-me-up for your skin, they’re ideal. Great before special events (Lisa loves them for the red carpet), they’re also great the morning after a special event...
Anne Semonin Face and Eyes Ice Cube Set, £55, available at NET-A-PORTER
Susanne Kaufmann Antioxidant Body Oil
Susanne grew up in the idyllic Bregenz Forest in the Alps, where beauty and wellbeing are a local obsession. She learned about the natural healing power of botanical extracts and was inspired to create a streamlined, functional range of products to promote wellbeing for women across the globe – this body oil is one of my favourites from her range.
Why Susanne created it…
Susanne has a spa in the luxurious Hotel Post Bezau, where guests come from around the world to recharge and unwind. Using natural actives like lavender and rose, her body oils are immensely popular as they help enhance the relaxing experience and leave skin impossibly soft.
What makes it different…
Lots of body oils feel greasy – not this one. Susanne Kaufmann’s perfectly combines maximum hydration with rapid absorption. No matter how liberally you spread it, it’s hard to overdo it, making it ideal when you need to get ready in a hurry. Plus, the beautiful scent lingers all day.
It's best for...
If your skin is perennially dry and you find body lotions too greasy, this body oil is ideal. Rich in naturally sourced biotin to hydrate, your skin will be left supple and smooth, while the lavender scent is calming.
Susanne Kaufmann Antioxidant Body Oil, £54, available at NET-A-PORTER
Vintner’s Daughter Active Botanical Serum
Winery owner April Gargiulo became obsessed with natural skincare after finding that lots of products she was using were weighed down with toxic fillers. After two years, Vintner’s Daughter was ready to go to market, and its Active Botanical Serum has become an international bestseller.
Why April created it…
April wanted a product that offered heaps of anti-ageing benefits, without the manmade nasties. Thus Active Botanical Serum was born, using 22 ingredients to promote healthy, bright, clear skin – all with botanical or essential oils.
What makes it different…
Vintner’s Daughter only makes one product: this serum. That’s how good it is. It’s lightweight in texture but still does some serious heavy lifting with all-over brightening, complexion-evening and hydrating properties. It’s perfect if you’re looking to streamline your routine but still want efficacy. What's even better is that NET-A-PORTER's exclusive five-year anniversary version is 20ml bigger and has a bespoke print on the bottle.
It's best for...
The serum is a brilliant all-rounder but it's particularly good if you’ve been sluggish or slapdash with skincare in the past. It’s brilliantly brightening and hydrating, and helps to balance congested complexions.
Vintner’s Daughter Active Botanical Serum, £230, available at NET-A-PORTER
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