As the winter weather bites, our hair and skin tend to take the brunt of the wind and cold — just as the Christmas party season is getting into full swing! Sam Huff has found a few products to help stave off those winter beauty blues for the festive season and beyond. Whether you’re looking for a Christmas gift or just something to smooth out those rough winter edges, these should do the trick.
Let’s Start at the Top…
This Christmas, Philip Kingsley has put together a limited edition Christmas gift set — Moisture Balancing Jewels
— to help restore that glamorous shine.
This great-looking set contains moisture-balancing shampoo and conditioner, alongside Elasticizer deep-conditioning treatment and Finishing Touch Polishing Serum.
The deep-conditioning Elasticizer was apparently developed for Audrey Hepburn to help restore some bounce and lustre to her hair after weeks of being styled on the film set. It is still the company’s best-selling dry hair product, and I can see why. It’s an easy product to apply, and the results are good, even after a single application.
The moisture-balancing shampoo and conditioner feel great, too, with a subtle, fresh scent that isn’t overwhelming. A little goes a long way, and my hair felt light and well-conditioned afterwards.
With the Finishing Touches Polishing Serum adding a touch of pizzazz before drying and styling, you’ll be ready for the party season.
Our verdict: Great quality products that left hair feeling light and healthy, even after just a few washes. It’s not cheap, but it is an excellent option to keep things in shape, even if it’s just for the party season.
And Now for the Skin…
When looking for skin products, it’s good to know that the brand is well established, and Heritage Store has been creating beauty products for the US market since 1969. The aim is simple — to use only natural, plant-based ingredients to create products that enrich and nourish both hair and skin. The company has finally made it across the pond, and its products are now available in the UK for the first time, so if you’re looking for stocking fillers or just after something to give you that extra glow this party season, these are some great options.
Ancient Healing Clay Pore-Cleansing Mask comes in a powdered form, so you can mix up just the right amount for your needs, cutting down on wastage. Containing Bentonite clay, the mask is simple to mix and makes a lovely, smooth paste which is nice and easy to spread on the skin. On the tub we tried out, the instructions recommended a mix of one part powder to three parts water, but this was way off, making just some muddy water. When we consulted the product information on the website, however, the recommendation was for equal parts water to powder, which worked well. The website also suggested that substituting the water with apple cider vinegar elevates the soothing and cleaning properties of the clay — something we’ll be trying out!
Overall, the Ancient Healing Clay Pore-Cleansing Mask, available from Superdrug, was a triumph — it was easy to mix, spread, and wash off with minimal faff after the allotted 15 minutes. Once it had been removed, my skin felt fresh and very smooth, and the 15 minutes of chill time (an essential addition, I’d say) as the clay worked its magic made the experience a rather pleasant one that I can highly recommend!
The Rosewater Collection is one of the best-selling ranges from Heritage Stores. Each product within the collection uses Damask rose oil to soften the skin and add fragrance — and what a lovely fragrance it is. Vor-Mag water — Heritage Stores signature water which it describes as “vortexed and magnetised through the ritual of positive intention” — is used in the products too, but besides these, the list of ingredients is short and made up of natural products, with absolutely no chemicals added.
Rosewater Refreshing Facial Mist, available at Amazon, is designed to dispense a light mist with each squirt, creating a layer which is quickly and easily absorbed by the skin to rehydrate the refresh whenever you feel the need.
I found it to be fresh and light, and as a follow-up to the clay mask, it left my skin feeling clean and healthy, and the delicate perfume enhanced the freshness well. It’s one to try when the weather heats up again to see just how refreshing it can be. Available from Amazon.
Like the Refreshing Facial Mist, Rosewater & Glycerin Hydrating Facial Mist gives a fine mist spray with each pump, deploying it evenly over the skin. This particular facial mist is for use as a part of your daily cleansing routine, being applied after cleansing to hydrate the skin, but it can also be used after makeup has been applied, as the glycerin helps to lock in the moisture and keep the look fresh and vibrant throughout the day or evening. It is hypo-allergenic and suitable for all skin types. Available from Amazon.
Our verdict: A lovely brand with some great products that feel and smell fabulous. They would make great stocking fillers this Christmas and will undoubtedly become a part of skin care regimes from now on.
- Late summer wines to toast the end of the season - 28 August 2026
- Havana Club Golden Mojito: Should you mess with a classic? - 10 August 2026
- Sipping summer spritz with a Cotswolds Distillery twist - 4 August 2026