Your best beauty discovery of 2021: I am hard to please when it comes to new discovery. However, I have to say Fenty Skin Fat Water Pore Refining Toner Serum (£25) really had me gripped from the first use. Everywhere I turned, people were talking about it, so I was a little dubious. Once I tried it, I instantly fell in love. I mean, I was always going to love it (because Rihanna and Fenty never miss), but the product really works! It makes my skin look and feel juicy, especially on those no-makeup days where I want to be dewy and hydrated.
The under-£20 game changer: Aztec Secret Indian Healing Clay (£8). This is an actual life changer—no exaggeration! I adore products I can use on both my skin and my hair, and this works well to not only give my skin a powerful, deep pore cleanse, but also does an amazing job of helping clump my kinks and curls and give my hair and scalp a deep cleanse too. It’s a little bit messy, but it is 100% worth it. I was a little worried when I first used it, as you can literally feel your face pulsing, but fear not! That’s just an indication that the toxins are being drawn to the surface and it is time to wash it off. A word of warning, though—avoid falling asleep with this on. Been there, done that, wouldn’t recommend!
The beauty item you wish you’d discovered 10 years ago: Ten years ago, I was just beginning to explore and embrace my hair’s natural texture—slowly putting down my straighteners yet still blow-drying my hair a ton. I really wish I had met the Aveda Nutriplenish Daily Moisturizing Treatment (£30). Had I had a leave-in conditioner that also functions as a heat protectant like this, then I probably wouldn’t have had such bad heat damage. It left me with no option but to consistently trim my hair until I completely grew out the heat damage. It’s still one of my top 10 repurchases.
The best new beauty launch of 2021: Camille Rose Algae Renew Deep Conditioning Mask (£16). This is a Treasure Tress cult-favourite product—our subscribers love it! A new launch in the UK, this mask smells delicious, melts into your hair like butter, and the ingredients are good enough to eat (but please do not!). It is by far one of my favourites and always top of my list of recommendations when people want a clean, vegan product to try. It is definitely priced at the higher-end for natural hair products, but it is absolutely worth it!
The product that earns you the most compliments: I receive the most compliments on my hair, on the rare occasion when the British weather permits me to wear it out. I’m torn between Camille Rose Curl Love Leave-In (£12) and Ivy Wild Leave-In Moisture Spray (£17). I have naturally fine strands so to create the illusion of a full ‘fro, I rely on lightweight products that moisturise without weighing my hair down. Of all the leave-ins we’ve featured in our Treasure Tress boxes, these are the standouts that give me the best volume for my braid-outs!
The beauty gem you can’t stop recommending: This may sound a little weird, but Palmer’s Foot Magic (£5). This product—spring, summer, winter or autumn—we all need it all year round. The subtle peppermint smell gives your feet a slight tingle, and the formula itself is extremely rich. It is created for use on your feet exclusively. However, on summer days, it gives your legs the most perfect sheen and can be disguised in your handbag as hand cream. I am obsessed! We featured this earlier this year in our Treasure Tress boxes as a bonus gift, and it’s safe to say the feeling is mutual amongst all who tried it!
An under-the-radar beauty product that deserves more hype: Mane ‘n Tail Detangler (£8) for sure! When we first featured this brand in our Treasure Tress boxes, it’s safe to say we had a very mixed response, purely based on the packaging and branding of the products. Once you give them a try, you realise they really are a dark horse (no pun intended!), and the detangler is my go-to when I’m transitioning from a down style to an updo such as a bun and don’t want to commit to washing my hair again. Moisturising braids, prepping your hair for a twist-out or braid-out… Yyou name it, and this detangler does the job. And, yes, it actually detangles curly hair—it’s amazing!
