Jo Loves... Midwinter 2023
From a world-class foundation to a (possibly life-changing) book on relationships via a flickeringly fabulous Florentine candle, discover Jo’s favourite finds across health and beauty, for these dark winter months
Trinny London BFF All Day Foundation
I’ve absolutely raved about Trinny’s BFF De-Stress Tinted Serum in the past – see here – so I was pretty much first in line at Trinny’s Fenwick counter to give this a shot. It is one of the very best foundations I have EVER tried. I use the De-Stress Tinted Serum on weekends, and in the week, layer this over the top. (Using the tinted serum means I need to use less of this, but it performs well on its own).
It offers good coverage, buildable without going cakey – though I think less is more, especially with the serum underneath – and feels unbelievably comfortable on the skin (it’s enriched with vitamin B3 and pro-ceramides). The finish is semi-matte, with enough radiance to make you look healthy but not shiny. Staying power? That’s good, too. (My shade is Cool Almond; there are 18 in all, covering the whole skintone spectrum.) Another winner, Trin!
£39 for 30ml – buy here
I’ve had to wait a while to post on these, because any kind of vitamin takes a while to work. But I am now converted, and ordering the refill packs on a regular basis, because my basically pretty crap nails have had a definite uptick in condition, I’ve had a LOT of compliments on my skin – and this is the only thing I’m doing differently. (They suggest a three-month trial, which is a long time to keep the faith, but that’s just how long you have to give many supplements.) Now, you don’t HAVE to do this, but the first time you buy the Manifesto gummies – 100% vegan, specially formulated to boost and maintain the health of hair, nails and skin – I’d suggest buying the tin, to keep them in, and thereafter buy the refill packs (as I’m doing). Only problem with these is that they’re so delicious, I have to force myself to stop at the daily dose of two – I think I could devour the lot in a day, which would be a waste!
£35 for 60 gummies – buy here
Santa Maria Novella Pot Pourri Candle
We are longstanding fans of Santa Maria Novella’s peerless pot pourri, having brought it back for years from Florence long before the heritage pharmacy had an outpost here. (We bigged it up in one our Christmas shopping guides, here.) But here’s a new way to enjoy it, which I’ve put on my Christmas wishlist and will be buying for myself if Santa doesn’t come good, having smelled it flickering fragrantly in SMN’s Piccadilly jewel of a boutique. It’s one of a new range of candles, of which I think I like this best, with its spicy blend of ingredients evoking the leaves, flowers and buds which grow on the Tuscan hills around Rome. It quite simply doesn’t smell like anything else on the planet, and I love, love, love it.
£75 for 250g – buy here
The Book You Want Everyone You Love to Read
I’m a huge fan of psychotherapist Philippa Perry’s column in The Observer Magazine. It’s been a while since I picked up a ‘self-help’ book, but TBH, it was the cover that lured me in – and I’m so glad. The life wisdom in here is phenomenal, from why the ‘exciting’ relationship choice so often turns out to be wrong through to nagivating tricky situations with colleagues, friends, parents, siblings, kids and all those other folk in our extended modern families. It’s incredibly down to earth and SANE, incredibly readable and dip-into-able – and the title’s spot-on, which is why several people are getting this from me for Christmas.
£18.99 – buy here
Terre Verdi FranChouliPom Face Serum
This has such a ridiculous name that I almost didn’t try it – and that would have been my loss. Though let me say first of all: this isn’t really a serum, but a facial oil (we do wish brands wouldn’t confuse the two). I’ve long been wedded to This Is Silk’s facial oil, which I absolutely love, but sometimes – just sometimes – it feels good to mix it up, and what this has in common with that fantastic product is an absolutely wonderful smell. So, turns out the ‘fran’ means frankincense (famed for cell regeneration), the ‘chouli’ is from patchouli (to firm and tone), and the ‘pom’ signifies pomegranate oil (anti-inflammatory, as well as nourishing). Rich, nourishing, and the heavenly scent encourages massage (which the texture of facial oil encourages). Soil Association-certified organic and natural, with refills available – and you can order a 4ml size for six quid, to see how you get on with it.
£38 for 30ml – buy here
