With a pandemic related absence of testers on the shop floor, it falls to Team Hambledon and their skills in the art of advocacy to detail and describe their very favourite products in the Beauty and Grooming Department. Top picks based on efficacy, fragrance, practicality and sometimes something as very, very shallow as beautiful packaging.
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Ren Skincare Clean Jelly Oil Cleanser £25: Finn is quite the one for a rigorous regimen, demonstrated in her approach to both work and skincare. She is also quite the one for analysing and interrogating results (see the firm hand with which she steers the shop’s website) so her praise in the matter of Ren’s Perfect Canvas Jelly Cleanser is no small thing. This gentle yet effective cleansing treatment removes waterproof makeup, pollution and SPF. Safe for all skin types, even dry and sensitive, this three-phase, naturally derived oil-based cleanser is packed with three skin-loving seed oils: grape, sunflower and meadowfoam. With the added, but empirically proven by Miss Finn, benefit of minimising pores. Shop ►
The Seated Queen Cold Cream £39: Carolyn is meticulous and highly organised. In an effort to outlaw clutter, she is on a mission to minimise the number of products required in her daily skincare method. Step forward The Seated Queen with their Cold Cream Cleanser, a soothing and nourishing cleansing cream that replenishes, smooths and plumps dehydrated skin. Rich in vitamins, antioxidants and essential fatty acids, it's also super versatile and can be used as makeup remover, evening cleanser, facial or overnight mask. Ingredients include organic rosehip, borage and sunflower seed; safflower, argan and apricot kernel oils; patchouli leaf, lavender, frankincense, rose otto, clary sage, bergamot and camomile. As you can imagine, it smells delicious. Carolyn is also a graphic designer by trade and has been seduced by the packaging. Shop ►
Maison Louis Marie No. 12 Bousval Eau de Parfum £95: We think Amy may be pining for some kind of foreign holiday. Check out the inspiration for this brand new MLM fragrance and you might just yearn to join her. Bousval is named after the hometown in Belgium of Maison Louis Marie's founder's mother. Twinkie, for that is the unlikely name of Marie du Petit Thouars mum, would walk her four collies during warm summer evenings, spending most of her time camping outside, catching fish, and picking fresh vegetables near the pond next to her home. Inspired by her enchanted summers, this scent has nuances of Valencia Oranges are joined with Italian Bergamot and bold White Cardamom. A signature heart of Ginger Flower is complimented with Eucalyptus and earthy notes of Oakmoss. Undertones of rich, sultry woods add to misted Musk for a modern aroma. Shop ►
Ren Skincare Atlantic Kelp and Magnesium Energising Handwash £18: Lord knows, Rich needs to keep his hands energised. The life of the website fulfilment manager is not one of afternoon tea, smoking jackets and days spent in quiet contemplation. This is a man living the constant challenge of picking, packing, posting and lugging parcels up and down stairs. This hand wash is gentle, sulphate-free and deeply cleanses the delicate skin of your hands without over-drying. The purifying formula is enriched with Atlantic Kelp Extract and Magnesium PCA to help replenish skin with essential minerals, while moisturizing and soothing tired hands. REN's Anti-Fatigue Essential Oils blend will leave your hands refreshed and beautifully fragranced. Better get on with the orders now then! Shop ►
DS&DURGA Debaser Body Lotion £50: It really, really does smell good. But we feel that Jasper’s deeper reason for choosing this particular lotion may be more closely related to its name. As a die hard Pixies fan, and our very own guitar troubadour, Jasper most definitely identifies with the inspiration for this lotion. Green stems, deep purple fig, soft blond woods, a wet white ethereal musk, and the coumarin-vanillic note of tonka bean are as nothing to the vocals of Black Francis. Moisturising and replenishing aloe, vitamin C, vitamin E, glycerin, rosemary leaf extract, argan oil, and hyaluronic acid, all serve to conjure the 1989 Doolittle album. Shop ►
Ren Skincare Moroccan Rose Body Scrub £36: For conjuring memories of a very real, and somewhat more robust scrubbing experience in an underground hammam in the Moroccan city of Essaouira, Maggie has chosen Ren’s Moroccan Rose Body Scrub. This is a gentle exfoliating cane sugar body polish (redolent of the fragrance of the hamman without the rough pummelling) that will leave the skin silky smooth, energised and lightly scented with roses. Massage into dry skin before bathing or showering and rinse off. Shop ►
Heath Moisturiser £15: Ever practical and pragmatic, Joe has chosen Heath’s moisturiser. This fast acting moisturiser contains Hyaluronic Acid and Vitamin E (instantly plumping, smoothing and hydrating, thank you very much) and Soliberine® NAT (which apparently provides protection from ageing blue light; the screen light to which we have all been a little too subject recently). This has everything you need for simple, super effective skincare. And is absolutely perfect for anyone with a lingering Netflix habit or a compulsion to analyse data on an Excel spreadsheet for prolonged periods. Yes Joe, we mean you. Shop ►
Bachca Detangling Brush £22.95: Harriett has a very busy life. But she is always perfectly groomed; always in a perfectly lovely little Ganni outfit; always with a chirpy smile; always with perfectly lovely hair. And all (excepting the clothes and the smile) courtesy of Bachca’s Detangling Brush. The super flexible nylon pins, detangle hair with ease, even when wet. This brush is perfect for fragile or fine hair or hair that tangles easily as the nylon pins bend which avoids hair loss and split ends. The ball tips of the pins, together with the rubber cushion protect and gently massage the scalp. Shop ►
