Skincare Edit

I like Finland, but there are things that are damn hard to get in this country. One of them being my choice of skincare. I mean, sure, there are good brands available, but I decided a couple of years ago to invest in the best products that I know. I am over thirty years of age after all. I tend to get a lot of questions concerning my skincare regimen, which is utterly hilarious given that I quite rarely post any photos of myself on social media, but I suppose I learnt a thing or two while I worked in fashion the industry full-time.

So, my go-to resource is Melanie Grant. I treated myself to a facial at her Sydney studio while in Australia earlier this year. The picture above is from last year, but it contains all of my favourite products apart from the Supernatural face cream by Emma Lewisham. I have been using that cream since January and it is the best. I also love Augustinus Bader, but its price tag is high. But if you have never used Biologique Recherche, now is the time. Their P50 is, like they say, a facial in a bottle, and I have never looked back since.

Biologique Recherche P50, Biologique Recherche Masque Vivant, Biologique Recherche Masque Visolastine +, Augustinus Bader The Cream, Vintner’s Daughter Active Botanical Serum, Vintner’s Active Treatments Essence.

My brother got me a new bottle of P50 and the Serum Iso-Placenta, which is also brilliant, from New York. That is the point - you cannot buy the brand in Finland. P50 is very similar to the Essence by Vintner’s Daughter. Both are damn great, but you can only use one at the time. I always add SPF50, but I tend to change the brand from time to time.

Biologique Recherche P50 & Biologique Recherche Serum Iso-Placenta.

Moon Juice SuperYou

Most of my foreign friends would be familiar with Moon Juice, the cult US supplement brand by Amanda Chantal Bacon, but my Finnish friends probably not so much.

I got recommended their SuperYou while in New York before Covid (do you still remember that time?) as I was going through a pretty difficult time in my life. I never bought it back then, but I came across this tiny little bottle in Sydney in early January. In Australia they have got lots of great brands we don’t have here, let me tell you, such as Goops, Emma Lewisham, Drunk Elephant for starters. Well, I bought SuperYou and I have been so happy with it.

I am not that big on taking supplements apart from making sure I get my daily greens and magnesium, instead I try to eat a balanced diet. Or some people might say otherwise, hah. But SuperYou is all natural, responsibly sourced and the active ingredients are Shatavari, Ashwagandha, Amla and Rhodiola. Lets just say that, in my opinion, this stuff takes the edge off. I am kind of worried that my tiny little bottle is almost empty.

Masque Visolastine +

Since I am on it here is another beauty product I want to get my hands on. Biologique Recherce is a cult brand which hails from France. I have never tried any of their products, but the brand has been on my radar for some time. Actually, I was going to get one of the Lotion P50s but the essence I use from Vintner’s Daughter does a similar job and I really love it. I would like to try both the Masque Visolastine + and the Masque Vivant. The latter might suit my skin perfectly at the moment because I have had some imbalances and breakouts ever since fall. Have you had any experiences with these masks?

Contains commercial links.

Self-Care Update

Long time no see! But I don’t have that much to tell when it comes the business of getting dressed. Instead, I have focused on self-care; I used to go to pilates (studio) twice a week and I still attend a class or two whenever possible. But now I also workout at home like many of us do. I love Fluidform at Home which is my go-to and I do it around 4 times a week. It is quite nice to see that doubling up my workout regime has yielded some results! Though, that means I have cut down on wine consumption, sadly and shockingly.

Anyhow, I am super into all things lymphatic drainage and have been wanting to try this tiny little thing called Circu-Lite Squueze Therapy For Legs by Legology. I know it looks rather interesting, but it should promote circulation and reduce fluid retention. We shall see how that goes! I also got this scalp treatment by Act + Acre. My scalp gets itchy in the winter, but the make-up queen Cyndle told me this brand has worked for her, so I wanted to give it a go!

Contains commercial links.

New Circumference Cream

This is not a super recent launch but I still I want to bring it to your attention: Circumference have developed their first face cream. It is a very potent brand! They gifted me some products (actually their entire product range) a bit over a year ago, and I was really impressed by the Day Serum and In-Depth Hydration Face Mask. The products are nutrient-rich and deeply hydrating in addition to the beautiful branding and packaging. I have grown quite skeptical about products that look pretty - the stuff needs to work when you pay a premium. For me it is all about how my skin feels and I like to look radiant, but these products actually work.

The new Active Restorative Moisturizing Cream uses the leftovers of the winemaking process to create the Vitis Vinifera Extract, their new stellar ingredient. The cream heals damaged skin, reduces inflammation and promotes healthy cell turnover which sounds very ideal.

I wrote about Vintner’s Daughter quite recently and how pleased I have been with that power duo. Yes, the essence is equally good, if not better than the serum! Right now I apply the essence every evening (1 or 2 layers - layering is the trick) before applying the serum. In the morning I use a Whamisa toner instead of the essence and my skin feels like I had just got a facial. It is a bit ridiculous how good those products are, to be honest, because I don’t know how I will be able to afford this regime. The serum, however, has lasted for two and half months and I have been using it twice a day, which is not too bad. Anyway, my plan is to introduce the Active Restorative Moisturizing Cream into the morning ritual and see how my skin feels after.

Active Restorative Moisturizing Cream by CIRCUMFERENCE

Contains commercial links.

Circumference

I just realised I haven’t shared my love for Circumference ( the highly potent natural skincare brand) with you - probably, because, I think my skin would really benefit from a couple of their products, as it feels slightly stressed due to the alarming amount of wine that is going down at the moment. During my stay in New York ( ages ago… in October last year) they were kind enough to gift me their entire ‘Essentials Collection’. Sadly, the Face Oil spread all over my beauty kit on the way home, so never got much use out of it, but I need to praise the Refining Toner and the two masks. I don’t think I’ve ever come across such a good Clay Mask which does not dry the hell out of my skin. I should also add that I have finished every single bottle!

Find Circumference here.

Augustinus Bader

I am a self-proclaimed beauty junkie, and I love the feel of well-hydrated skin. I just stocked up on some of my essentials, but I keep on hearing many good things about Augustinus Baded. It is a brand that was launched only about a year ago, but it comes with a cult following. I am pretty keen on trying out either one of the their creams; maybe the milder one called The Cream. Any opinions as the price point is pretty steep?

‘The Cream’ by AUGUSTINUS BADER

Quarantine Routine

Amy’s studio in NYC.

Hi all hope you are safe.

I am writing this entry with slightly mixed feelings. It is pretty wild out there! I returned to Finland on Friday which means I will spend the next two weeks in quarantine. I was saddened to leave, but thankfully I did not have to make that decision on my own and, to be honest, I have no clue what I will do next. But I believe coronavirus presents an opportunity to pause and reflect. To think about who you are or want to be. What are your priorities?

I went through a very severe burn-out and panic disorder after university. It paused my life for two and half years and brought me to question everything. It was a very extreme and difficult time period, but I had to learn to accept whatever comes without judgement and let go. Despite the unprecedented nature of the current situation I find myself feeling calm and at home with myself.

While I have been privileged enough to benefit from therapy, my experience of stress is a physical one and I have found relief from low-intensity workouts like pilates and yoga. I also attend restorative yoga classes weekly and meditate using Headspace daily because they activate the parasympathetic nervous system.

Many of my friends will offer online classes whereby high quality teaching is going to be more accessible than ever. I will continue to train with these talented teachers during this period:

• BAY Helsinki is where I started my pilates journey and their founder and my teacher, Julia, will offer the first mat pilates classes for free! Follow the link in order to sign up. I will join Hanna’s serene yoga classes too.

• Johanna, the founder of Proud Pilates, used train Hollywood actors with the classical ethos in London. She is responsible for transforming my body. Enough said?

• Amy Nelms of Flatiron is a pure genius! Amy only offers one-on-one instruction in her NYC studio, but she has recently released a free 15 minute routine on IGTV. I am doing it daily!

• I had the privilege of training with Kirsten King of Fluidform at her boutique studio while I lived in Sydney. Her online program looks kick ass!

• I will go back to doing Ballet Beautiful as well. It is a very effective method and easy to do from the comfort of your own home.

• I usually start my day by doing a quick 15 minute Boho Beautiful yoga. Their online selection ranges from yin yoga to HIIT classes. One of my favorites is their Transform program which I have completed three or four times.

• Headspace is a beautiful business as they promote meditation free of any spiritual and religious associations. It is all about calming the mind. This link will lead to the selection of free meditations they offer during the crisis.

I would also love to hear your restorative yoga suggestions?

Love Hanna

Vintner's Daughter

During my stay in New York I had a chance to try Vintner’s Daughter for the first time. In truth, I had been eyeing the brand for a long while, but the high price range kept me at bay. Eventually I became convinced after Ilona Hamer said it’s really that good (she gives away the best beauty tips like Ricari Studios… ) and I could not agree more!

After just a couple of days I can say the Active Botanical Serum is the best facial oil I have ever tried on my skin and it has a lovely smell too. Has anyone tested their Active Treatment Essence? As I am obviously interested in that one now as well.

‘Active Treatment Essence’ VINTNER’S DAUGHTER

Contains commercial links.

Byredo Horn Comb

Byredo will launch an exclusive selection of horn combs which will be available on the 28th of June. I have soft spot for beautiful combs – I have been using Aerin Beauty’s travel comb for years – which is why this launch catches my attention.

I also like the fact that ”each shape is conceived as a tribute to powerful women in African history: Quaan Pharaoh Hatshepsut, the Legendary Queen of Sheba, Queen Mother Idia of Benin, the warrior Queen Aminatu of the Zazzau kingdom and the powerful Queen Nginga of Angola.”

Each comb is presented in a calfskin leather case and has been made of sustainably sourced zebu horn.

Image courtesy of Byredo. 

Wet Hair

The Row delivered an impeccable collection but the big, small things matter as well – like art by Noguchi and the wet-look hair! In my opinion, this particular hairstyle looked so chic and added a careless vibe. There’s no point blow-drying your after a beach day this year. Just off you go, ladies!

Images via @olseninfluence

Beauty Essentials

Good news to kick off the week – SK-II is finally carried by Net-a-Porter! Next Glossier, maybe?

I have a pretty deep love affair with the brand’s ´Facial Treatment Mask´ but I have been wanting to try out their ´Facial Treatment Essence´for so long…

´Facial Treatment Essence´ SK-II

Contains commercial links.