Bare Essentials

Every now and again a brand comes along that changes the way we perceive a particular type of product. And skincare is such an over-populated, over-hyped beauty category that it can often be hard to see the wood for the trees. But Nude, a new brand to Harvey Nichols this Summer, stands tall above the crowd with an enticing combination of super-stylish packaging and a purist, chemical-free ethos. The collection is based on the principle of working with the skin's own biology using ingredients that the body can actually recognise. Pre and probiotics strengthen the skin's natural defences, helping to reduce premature ageing, inflammation and dehydration; peptides, phytoactives and bioactives target the causes and signs of ageing; while antioxidants defend against environmental aggressors. The natural components of the formulae help nourish the skin with fatty acids and hydrate it with water and probiotic cultures and herbal extracts optimise these processes. Nude has really put some thought into the impact of the consumables on the environment. The beautiful looking, edgeless boxes with a tactile, pebble-like appeal are entirely recyclable and even the bottles within contain 40% recycled plastic. The aim is to make the entire packaging set fully biodegradable within the next few years. There's a full range of face and body products within the collection including scrubs, cleansers and lip treatments, so that if you so desire and you like the company's worthy principles you can make your whole beauty routine go Nude. Nude is available at Harvey Nichols London now and at Manchester from August, from £18.

Shower, Shave and Spa

Men's skincare regimes are getting more comprehensive by the minute, and rightly so. Afterall, although men's skin has a different biophysical structure to women's (it is more oily, thicker and warmer), it is still subject to the negative effects of ageing and the environment. Regular shaving does nothing to help the cause. ESPA have stepped up to the challenge by creating a slick new skincare range for men. The ESPA Men collection encompasses nine advanced products that cover your entire regime, from shaving to moisturisation. The range includes: Facial Foam - invigorating cleansing wash Skin Polish - exfoliating skin refiner Shave Mud - smooth shave mud and purifying mud Post Shave - soothing tea tree gel Skin Tonic - herbal spafresh spritzer Hydrator - essential protective moisturiser Skin Balancer - 24 hour balancing complex Brightener - instant revitalising serum Clay Mask - instant revitalising soothing mask To discover the range and get guidance on how to use them to maximum effect, visit the ESPA counter instore. One of the ESPA team will provide you with a complimentary skincare consultation and if that doesn't feel like quite enough pampering or attention, you can always book the new Men's Purifying Facial, Shoulder and Scalp Massage. A calming and cleansing treatment in the midst of the hustle and bustle of the city. ESPA Men is available at Harvey Nichols in London, Manchester, Edinburgh and Leeds.