Years ago, we read author Margaret George’s historic novel The Memoirs of Cleopatra. Written in the first person, George recounts the Queen of the Nile’s life from her childhood growing up under her father’s tenuous reign of Egypt to Cleopatra’s own ruling of the country and her love affair and political endeavours with the Roman general Marc Antony. Cleopatra’s courage and tenacity leapt off the pages of the book, inspiring us just as much as her unapologetic indulgence for the finer things in life, like, her ritualistic bathing in rose petals for their sensual scent and skin-hydrating properties.
So obviously, we’re applying Fresh Rose & Hyaluronic Acid Deep Hydration Emulsion with the ferocity of the late queen. Since we’ll never be royalty, we might as well look the part, right?
Lightweight in texture and silky to the touch, the facial moisturizer smells as good as a delicate floral bouquet and packs a whammy of a do-good punch. Like its name suggests, the lotion’s formula is abundant in roses. Damask rose extract boosts our skin’s natural hyaluronic acid levels and strengthens our epidermis’ (the top layer of our face’s skin) barrier to help prevent water loss. Rose flower oil, distilled from the rose bud, helps hydrate, tone, soothe and balance our complexion. An infusion of hyaluronic acid, favoured for its sponge-like capacity to attract and retain water to hydrate our epidermis (the second layer of our face’s skin), visibly plumps our skin up. The addition of yarrow extract (a flowering plant) acts as an antiseptic to eliminate acne-promoting bacteria, soothe inflammation and tighten our pores.
Overall, with twice daily use our skin looks smoother, feels softer and wafts a very light hint of rose. If we could lock in our own version of a Marc Antony, we’d really be feeling the Cleopatra vibes.
Fresh Rose & Hyaluronic Acid Deep Hydration Emulsion, $62 for 100 ml available at Sephora stores and online at www.sephora.com.
