Overpriced pillowcases, fluffy socks and candles are my guilty pleasure – and there’s no better place to seek them out than The White Company. It’s become a destination in its own right because of the purity of the colour scheme and the quality of the items within, but until now they’ve kept their focus very much to homewares. I was surprised to find out that the founder of The White Company was originally a beauty journalist and therefore incredibly passionate about skincare, so it makes complete sense that this year the brand are trying their hand at launching a capsule range of beauty products that very much fit within their ethos of minimalistic and aspirational shopping. Rather interestingly they’ve partnered with Deciem (who really know their stuff – they’re the people behind The Ordinary, Niod, Hylamide, Fountain and Hand Chemistry) to bring this collection to life; if you want the industry to stand up and take notice, then these are undoubtedly the guys you’d turn to for help. Using their expertise to develop a collection that consists of a cleansing balm, night oil, moisturiser, concentrated serum and eye treatment, the result is a five piece line-up that provides a great basis for any skincare regime. But is it worth the hype, and more importantly the price?
The stripped back approach to skincare they’ve developed matches the brand aesthetic completely, remaining in-keeping with their approach to everything from candles to bed throws. There’s no fluff or faff, just a range of easy-to-use and incredibly beautiful formulas that will undoubtedly appeal to The White Company customers old and new; even the packaging is simple, elegant and timeless – ensuring that this appeals as much to a 25 year old as a 65 year old. Although the capsule collection is somewhat refreshing, it does mean if you want a more bespoke skincare regime or have specific needs that you’ll need to look elsewhere – or at least add in a product or two from perhaps the standalone Deciem ranges. Let’s take a closer look at each in turn…
SUPER SERUM ÂŁ40.00
Featuring a blend of grape vine stem cells, protein-rich amino acids, green-tea and marine extracts, this intelligent serum offers protection against UV damage and ageing while also helping it to look plumper, smoother and more even. This is probably my favourite from the range, as it’s incredibly light and more like an oil than a serum; my skin soaks it up within a few seconds, leaving a pretty radiant complexion behind that’s ready for my moisturiser. It’s a great all-rounder for all ages, but you will need a touch more punch if you’re wanting to tackle any bigger issues than ‘I just want to look after my skin.’
ADVANCED HYDRATION ÂŁ30.00
Blended with an advanced form of hyaluronic acid, nourishing Amazonian oils and soothing aloe-vera butter, this lightweight moisturiser is non-greasy and absorbs quickly to leave skin feeling hydrated and comfortable. It’s delicately scented with lavender, rose and orange essential oils to make the experience evocative (although the lavender puts me to sleep a little!) and luxurious, but despite that it’s a relatively standard moisturiser. In my opinion the price is a little steep considering the amount of product you get, and the downside is that I’m a little disappointed there’s no dressing-table appropriate pot.
EYE REVIVE ÂŁ20.00
This ultra-light gel formula claims to diminish the appearance of dark circles, visibly reduce puffiness and helps to lift the upper eyelids. It’s definitely cooling and pleasurable to apply, and thanks to a blend of Persian silk tree, oxygen-boosting actives and probiotic technology there’s the possibility that it could actually brighten over time too – but again, it doesn’t provide the immediate difference I look for and it’s not amazing enough for me to stick with over a longer period of time.
SUPER BALM ÂŁ25.00
A cleansing balm that’s designed to deeply, yet gently, cleanse and dissolve all traces of make-up while instantly boosting hydration, this is a great staple for anyone that needs a good cleanser at the end of a long day. It starts as a cream, melts into a lightweight balm upon contact with the skin, and then emulsifies when mixed with water to leave a creamy cleanse behind. You get a lot of product for your money too, making this a relatively affordable and effective option that I wouldn’t think twice about recommending.
NIGHT OIL ÂŁ30.00
Formulated with an enriching blend of Amazonian oils, anti-oxidants and poppy-flower extract to ensure that you’ll awake with deeply nourished, super soft and firmer-looking skin, this night oil smells delicious and is a great texture for those nervous about applying oils. Although it’s certainly pleasurable, I don’t think there’s anything groundbreaking going on here so you’ll definitely be investing in more of a sensorial experience rather than hardcore skincare – but if that’s your bag, you’ll love it.
Overall the range is great to use and provides a simple approach to skincare, but it’s not rocking my world. I feel like you’re definitely paying a premium for it being in White Company packaging, rather than for what’s inside; my main concern with this range is the fact that partnering with Deciem means that you can get the same level of expertise and quality of ingredient from them directly – for a much cheaper price point. (The Ordinary starts at only a fiver, and if you know how to use it the range will be a life changer.) It’s the perfect addition for the usual customer that pops into The White Company for a bathrobe or Christening gift and I completely understand why they’ve made this brand extension, but for those of us that expect great things from their skincare product it may be worth investing your cash elsewhere. (Or just picking up a load of Deciem instead.)
What do you think about The White Company’s skincare range? A great addition, or a waste of money?
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