As an Oxfordshire-based magazine celebrating women, who better to ask for expert advice than Emma Hardie? Based in Oxford, the renowned facialist has had a slew of celebrity clients including Angelica Houston, Naomie Harris, Melanie C, Fearne Cotton and Sophie Dahl (some of whom could perhaps be spotted visiting her Summertown garden studio, others request her by name when frequenting hotspots such as Soho Farmhouse).
Emma launched her eponymous range in 2009 with the game changing Moringa Cleansing Balm, which remains one of my most recommended skincare products. I can personally attest that a facial from Emma is a revelatory experience. Her deft hands miraculously lift and plump the skin. You can contact Emma through her website at emmahardiedesigns.co.uk or calling her on 07946 492480 to experience the magic for yourself but if a trip to Oxford isn’t on the cards she has generously shared her expertise on how to make the most of your daily cleanse.
Emma Hardie’s 5 Top Tips for Balm Cleansing
1. To cleanse your skin, press a warm flannel or micro fibre cloth onto your face to loosen dirt and grime and help relax the pores. Then warm some balm between your fingers and massage your skin slowly and thoroughly.
2. If you wear a lot of makeup, Moringa balm is great to do a thorough double cleanse. Foundation can lodge into skins pores making it look dull.
3. If your skin is dull and dry, massage the balm well into your face, remove with a hot micro fibre cloth, then re-apply the balm, massage into your skin and either leave it on as a treatment or remove after 15 minutes. I often leave it on all day.
4. For a natural-looking skin glow use your balm as a face highlighter. I love to apply it over my foundation on my cheek bones as a natural skin softening radiance boost.
5. Facial massage is vital if you want glowy, plumped looking skin. Apply to a cleansed skin then slowly massage your entire face and neck with your balm. Remember to slow your breathing down and inhale and essential oils of rose, geranium, neroli and orange flower.
Other balm cleansers to try:
FaceWise is the brainchild of actor Sharon Maugham who, working with professional experts, developed the gentle range with after experiencing a severe reaction to salicylates. The Melting Cleansing Balm is a great choice for anyone with sensitive skin.
£39.95 facewiseskincare.com
Marks and Spencer’s Pure Super Hydrate Rose Cleansing Balm is loved by customers for its efficacy, its scent and – not forgetting – its price.
£12.50 marksandspencer.com
Celebrity MUA, Monika Blunder knows skin. She knows how to prep it to apply makeup and how best to nurture it when it comes to product removal. Her superlative skincare is based around healing edelweiss and arnica and includes the Melt Down Cleansing Balm.
If you have oilier skin you may be hesitant to balm. Clinique’s Take The Day Off cleansing balm has been formulated to suit all skin types and its non-greasy formula will clarify and decongest blocked pores.
Whilst an indulgent scent may form part of the pleasure for many, for some it can prove the opposite. Augustinus Bader’s The Cleansing Balm is, in common with all his products, fragrance free. It tones, softens, nourishes and conditions the skin without stripping and the patented TFC8®formlua actively supports cellular renewal.
