Sponsored by Shiseido
Another decade is calling and with a fear too great to consider going under any kind of knife, I'm relying on a strict beauty regime to halt further sags, bags and other unpleasantries.
Having mastered health and fitness over the past 10 years and surprised myself by running the London Marathon earlier this year, I'm now (very) late 30's and it's time to focus on beauty, something I have been a little slap-bang about until now. Discovering new methods and using solely one brand to see which have the bite to back up their bark, Shiseido had been recommended to me by a number of friends and industry professionals that I've worked with on shoots, so they were first on my list.
I promised myself I would do this properly, so along with serums, creams and concentrates, I'm going as far as to use the Shiseido night mask in the hope that looking in the mirror in the morning won't cause the usual repellent reaction (I find myself longing for my formative wrinkle-free years upon waking most days). Gel capsules that melt upon application and result in a more dewy and refreshed appearance were the lure when deciding just which products to use and how disciplined I would be with my new regime. So far, so dewy.
Very aware of the suns damaging effects to my skin, I have long been an advocate of Factor 50 for my face, but finding a product that would not clog my skin was an issue. Until now. Shiseido have created a lightweight, high-protection sunscreen that can not only be used on mine and my young son's skin, but it actually becomes more effective when the skin is exposed to water or perspiration after a short time. No unsightly clogged skin and no irritation is in part thanks to the formula being free from alcohol, parabens and fragrance - the things I try to keep as far away from my skin as possible.
Looking like small glowing atoms, I have found the true Shiseido skin saviours to be the Ultimune Power Infusing Concentrate and Eye Concentrate. Although determined to stick with a strict beauty regime, I still need products that are easy to apply, effective and fit in with my day; I live multiples lives as a mother, store owner, spin instructor and along with my social media existence, 'me time' is something that continually gets put to one side. Products that takes me through day and night, that act as a defense for the things that cause our skin to fade faster - pollution, emotional stress and aging - and that have proven effects on the skin are what I have looked for in order to choose just which creams and serums would be making their way to my bathroom shelves.
They say only time will tell, but four weeks of using these products and I am seeing (and feeling) the effects of smoother, less fractured skin.