18 S MAGAZINE ★ 18 AUGUST 2019
So solid crew
For space-saving skincare products that won’t leak, be
savvy and pick solid formulas Photograph by Megan Bramley
A
fter one too many struggles with those
little plastic bags at the security gate,
this summer I’ve discovered the appeal
of skincare that comes in solid form.
Today’s smart formulas make it possible
to now buy cleansers, toners and moisturisers in
neat, glue stick-style delivery systems that melt
upon contact with the skin, and won’t leak, explode
in your suitcase or count towards your liquids limit.
They also perform a quick facial massage as
they’re worked over the skin – bonus.
The cute Oh K! Chok Chok Cleansing Balm Stick
(£12.99; Superdrug) is a lightly scented oil-based
balm made with Korean skincare ingredients.
Scribble it over the face and it will melt easily into
the skin before turning into a light foam when a
splash of water is added.
One for oily or blemish-prone skin, Simple Daily
Skin Detox Charcoal Cleansing Stick (£9.99;
Boots and Superdrug) has a firmer consistency
and contains shine-zapping charcoal powder,
thyme, zinc and witch hazel. It recommends
wetting the face before swiping on, but I think
it’s most effective when applied to dry skin (it’ll
leave a sickly, grey film, but try to look past that).
Wait for a few minutes, letting the charcoal
soak up any excess oils, then rinse off.
Frances Prescott Tri-Balm (£46; francesprescott.
com) was one of the first solid, twist-up skincare
products I tried, two years ago, and Frances,
a facialist and make-up artist, is clearly something
of a minimalist, as she has only felt the need
to launch one other product (a mist) since. It’s
a big, chunky blend of botanical oils and gently
exfoliating pumpkin seed enzymes, and it fits
comfortably into the facial contours. It markets
itself as a three-in-one cleanser, exfoliator and
moisturiser, although oily skin types might find
it a little too greasy used as the latter. As a
make-up remover, though, it’s highly effective,
and feels heavenly rolled over the skin.Both the Milk Makeup Cooling
Water (£20.50; cultbeauty.co.uk)
and the Darphin Hydraskin Cooling
Hydrating Stick (£25; darphin.
co.uk) have been a godsend
during the recent heatwave, when
I have regularly been bare-faced,
and are a more pleasant alternative
to rubbing an ice cube over your face.
When compared, Darphin’s feels
more water-like, while Milk Makeup’s
could double up as a light, gel-like
morning moisturiser. Most of Milk Makeup’s
skincare comes in stick form and they look
especially pleasing all lined up on the shelf.
We Are Wild is another brand specialising
in skincare in firm form, combining probiotics,
antioxidants and natural ingredients into a
simple, three-piece collection. Its Solid Oil
(£22; victoriahealth.com) melts instantly into
the skin, giving instant relief and a lightweight
sheen to areas troubled by dryness.
Another oil-based one, MUA Pro Base
Softening Facial Oil Stick (£5; Superdrug)
has a more noticeable look and feel on the skin,
which is why it leans slightly more into the make-up
category than skincare. I’d recommend keeping
it away from the T-zone, where oil naturally builds
through the day, but on the cheeks it gives a
lovely glow under make-up.
Like the Tri-Balm, Primark x Alex Steinherr
Plump & Glow Facial In A Stick (£5; Primark)
is a multitasker, working as a cleanser and quick
skin hydrator, and contains hyaluronic acid and
antioxidants. For something so small and low-
priced, it does a surprisingly good job at removing
make-up, although its firm consistency and slim
bullet does poke at the face a bit. It’s great as
a second cleanse, though, removing any spots
of make-up that may have been missed, or to
instantly soothe patches of dry skin.●S