March beauty news: editor's picks

Baobab

Once considered a clandestine treasure of the remote African savannahs and lush Madagascan forests, the Baobab tree has in recent years become something of a global beauty phenomenon. The towering tree is also known as the ‘Tree of Life’ (both in its direct translation and essence) due to its ability to provide living things with survival essentials such as food, shelter, water and clothing. The fruits of the tree are a superfood in their own right: rich in vitamin C, Omega-3 essential fatty acids, antioxidant capacities and other anti-ageing properties, they have been proven to possess remarkable beauty and health benefits.

Keen to find out what all the fuss is about, we rounded up the new Baobab beauty products and made our selection of the best. First up, Greek beauty brand Korres’ Quercetin and Oak Anti-Ageing and Anti-Wrinkle Eye Cream, both containing Baobab essence to keep skin firm and fresh.

Korres Quercetin and Oak Anti-Ageing and Anti-Wrinkle Eye Cream, £36: www.feelunique.com

Writer: Romy van den Broeke

Baobab

Then there is Dr Jackson’s new Face Oil with extracts of Baobab seed oil in it to rejuvenate weather-damaged skin.

Dr Jackson’s Face Oil, £55 for 50ml: www.drjackson.co.uk

Writer: Romy van den Broeke

Baobab

Juju have created an entire range of skin care products using the goodness of the baobab tree and offer a refreshing eye serum to the mix.

Juju Eye Serum, $65, www.jujuskin.com

Writer: Romy van den Broeke

Baobab

Last - but by no means least - is the Aduna collection of Baobab powder products, which includes a fruit pulp powder which can be sprinkled onto porridge or into smoothies, and fruit pulp capsules.

Aduna Baobab Fruit Pulp Powder 170g, £17.99; Aduna Baobab Fruit Pulp Powder, for 30 4.5g sachets, £24.99; Aduna Baobab Fruit Pulp Capsules, £22.99, for 90 500mg capsules; www.aduna.com

Writer: Romy van den Broeke

Oskar Pink, London, UK

There is not a steely surface or sterile chair in sight at the new Oskar Pink salon. Located in Mornington Crescent, the boutique's interior oozes creativity and charm, much like founder Stavros Konstantinou. The latest addition to his family of three outposts features whimsical art nouveau murals – all designed and hand-painted by London-based illustrator, Zosienka. The walls are decorated with statuesque herons, an intricate scissor wallpaper and even a portrait of the father of psychoanalysis, Sigmund Freud - representative of the candid rapport many clients hold with their hairdresser. If a welcoming environment is as essential as snipping skills when it comes to choosing a hairdresser, Oskar Pink is definitely worth a visit.

5 Camden High Street, London NW1 7JE; T: 44.207 387 6618; www.oskarpink.co.uk

Writer: Romy van den Broeke

Oskar Pink, London, UK

There is not a steely surface or sterile chair in sight at the new Oskar Pink salon. Located in Mornington Crescent, the boutique's interior oozes creativity and charm, much like founder Stavros Konstantinou. The latest addition to his family of three outposts features whimsical art nouveau murals – all designed and hand-painted by London-based illustrator, Zosienka. The walls are decorated with statuesque herons, an intricate scissor wallpaper and even a portrait of the father of psychoanalysis, Sigmund Freud - representative of the candid rapport many clients hold with their hairdresser. If a welcoming environment is as essential as snipping skills when it comes to choosing a hairdresser, Oskar Pink is definitely worth a visit.

5 Camden High Street, London NW1 7JE; T: 44.207 387 6618; www.oskarpink.co.uk

Oskar Pink, London, UK

There is not a steely surface or sterile chair in sight at the new Oskar Pink salon. Located in Mornington Crescent, the boutique's interior oozes creativity and charm, much like founder Stavros Konstantinou. The latest addition to his family of three outposts features whimsical art nouveau murals – all designed and hand-painted by London-based illustrator, Zosienka. The walls are decorated with statuesque herons, an intricate scissor wallpaper and even a portrait of the father of psychoanalysis, Sigmund Freud - representative of the candid rapport many clients hold with their hairdresser. If a welcoming environment is as essential as snipping skills when it comes to choosing a hairdresser, Oskar Pink is definitely worth a visit.

5 Camden High Street, London NW1 7JE; T: 44.207 387 6618; www.oskarpink.co.uk

Perricone MD Blue Plasma

One thing’s for sure, there’s a plethora of skin products on the market promising pretty unrealistic outcomes. Hidden among these seductive serums are some products that actually do work, including Perricone MD’s newest invention, Blue Plasma. The serum performs three highly technical-sounding actions – Bio-Digestion (which preserves healthy cells), Micro-Extraction (puts paid to pollution and other causes of skin damage), and Hydro-Fusion (which is all about pumping moisture into the skin). The ingredients also reference old remedies such as copper, which was once traditionally used to heal and repair skin damage.

$95 per bottle; www.perriconemd.com

Writer: Romy van den Broeke

Maria Lux Massage Candles

Netherlands native Lilian Driessen is the talent behind niche clothing and lifestyle brand, Maria Lux. Following the release of the brand's triad of fragrances last year, Driessen has since unveiled matching candles, each corresponding to the set of perfumes in both style and aroma. She enlisted the help of Alessandro Gualtieri – otherwise known as ‘The Nose’ - to invent the fragrances: 'Truly' embodies floral notes, 'Madly' exudes tuberose, and 'Deeply' emits spicy scents. The candles have also been designed to be used as massage tools, with a grooved exterior to roll across the body, a temperature cap to prevent scalding, and infused shea and almond butters to leave skin feeling supple. After setting the mood and burning the wick a little, extinguish the flame and pour the warm wax over skin to aid the soothing of aches and pains.

£40 per candle; www.marialux.com

Writer: Romy van den Broeke

Aesop-Marimekko Sauna Duet

Aesop are no strangers to applying their aromatic savoir-faire to clever collaborative projects. After joining forces with APC for a fine fabric care program (and later for the humorous post-poo drops), this time they teamed up with Finnish textile brand Marimekko to work on a product for something the Finns do best: sauna. The fir needle Sauna Duet, launching in April, is a combined effort that celebrates the bathing rituals of purification and relaxation. The Body Scrub is a concoction of fine-milled pumice and bamboo extract to finely polish the skin, while the softening Balm completes the job thanks to the properties of vitamins D, E, F and botanical ingredients. The classic Aesop labels got a discreet Marimekko-makeover with a black and white pattern by in-house illustrator Maja Louekari, which is also printed on a canvas pouch that holds the collection together.

£50; www.aesop.com

Writer: Rosa Bertoli

DryBar Buttercup Appliances

The LA-founded Dry Bar has taken the US by storm over the past four years, with outlets opening across the country. It offers clients a menu of ‘blowouts’ with names that sound more like something that might be shaken or stirred, for example the Manhattan (sleek and straight) or a Mai-Tai (beach hair). Most recently the salon chain has launched a DIY kit consisting of a hairdryer, curler, straightening tong, hair clips and brushes. Available to buy individually, or collectively, these canary yellow hair appliances are in happy contrast to the more usual monochrome offerings in this area.

Buttercup Hair Dryer, $190: Hold Me Hairclips, $16: Lemon Drop Hair Brush, $15: Full Pint Hair Brush, $40: Half Pint Hair Brush, $35 : The 3 Day-Bender Tongs, $125: Smooth Operator, $125: www.thedrybar.com

Writer: Romy van den Broeke

DryBar Buttercup Appliances

The LA-founded Dry Bar has taken the US by storm over the past four years, with outlets opening across the country. It offers clients a menu of ‘blowouts’ with names that sound more like something that might be shaken or stirred, for example the Manhattan (sleek and straight) or a Mai-Tai (beach hair). Most recently the salon chain has launched a DIY kit consisting of a hairdryer, curler, straightening tong, hair clips and brushes. Available to buy individually, or collectively, these canary yellow hair appliances are in happy contrast to the more usual monochrome offerings in this area.

Buttercup Hair Dryer, $190: Hold Me Hairclips, $16: Lemon Drop Hair Brush, $15: Full Pint Hair Brush, $40: Half Pint Hair Brush, $35 : The 3 Day-Bender Tongs, $125: Smooth Operator, $125: www.thedrybar.com

Writer: Romy van den Broeke