Our New Beauty Writer Orin’s Ride-Or-Dies
Our New Beauty Writer Orin’s Ride-Or-Dies
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Our New Beauty Writer Orin’s Ride-Or-Dies

Orin Carlin is SL’s new junior beauty writer – so naturally, what she doesn't know about skincare, make-up and hair isn't worth knowing. Here, she’s rounded up her all-time favourites – from a fragrance classic to a velvety cream blush…
By Orin Carlin /

All products on this page have been selected by our editorial team, however we may make commission on some products.

For A Reliable Cleanse

Vitamin C+ Skin Renew Cleansing Oil, £14 | Superfacialist

If I was ever stuck without a cleanser, this is the one I’d nip out to buy. An affordable hero, Super Facialist’s cleansing oil destroys make-up with ease (including waterproof mascara) so you can afford to be gentle with your flannel. Afterwards, my skin looks bouncier and the bright, citrusy fragrance is always uplifting.

Available at BOOTS.COM


For Silky-Smooth Limbs

Moringa Luxury Body Scrub, £42 | Emma Hardie

I find regular exfoliation makes all the difference when it comes to improving skin texture, and this Himalayan salt scrub by Emma Hardie is the one I always find myself reaching for. I prefer scrubs with a properly grainy feel, and this one is effective at sloughing away dead skin cells without feeling scratchy. The spa-like scent adds a touch of luxury, and I love the silky layer of moringa seed oil that lingers on your skin long after you rinse.

Available at SPACENK.COM

For Easy Brow Upkeep

Eyebrow Tweezers No. 211, £12.99 | Shiseido

A quality pair of tweezers makes brow maintenance a joy rather than a chore. I’ve really liked the ones by Tweezerman and Rubis in the past, but these days my weapon of choice is by Shiseido. I’ve used this pair for more than five years now, and they’re still as sharp and precise as they were when I first got them. They have exceptional grip, firmly grasping the hair to minimise discomfort and prevent any breakage. 

Available at ZAKZAKKA.COM

For Classic Elegance

N°5 Eau De Parfum Spray, £145 | Chanel

Hardly a revolutionary choice, but I’m unapologetic. Chanel N°5 holds a special place in my fragrance wardrobe, as it does for many. For me, it lifts that bricks-on-the-chest feeling, making any difficulty more attackable. Soapy and elegant, Jacques Polge’s take on Ernest Beaux’s original creation radiates sophistication. I’m currently hooked on its sparklier, airier incarnation, N°5 L’EAU, but I’ll return soon enough. 

Available at BOOTS.COM


For Clearer Skin

Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant, £29.75 (was £35) | Paula's Choice

The gold standard for BHAs, this Paula’s Choice formula is unrivalled. It quietly unclogs pores, balances oil levels and stops congestion in its tracks without causing any irritation. It’s not wildly exciting, but it’s highly effective and deeply dependable. Simply soak a cotton pad and sweep it over your skin a few times a week. I can’t recommend it enough if you’re blemish prone. 

Available at PAULASCHOICE.CO.UK

For Flattering Warmth

Terracotta The Bronzing Powder, £46 | Guerlain

Inventing its Terracotta powder was a stroke of genius by Guerlain back in 1984. I love this line wholeheartedly, from the exquisite limited-edition designs to the glossy brown casing. But above all else, it’s a winner because the powder is so finely milled it feels almost silky, and the shades are so considered and natural-looking. No glittery orange, just a soft veil of sun-kissed warmth. I’ve used (and loved) mine for a decade. 

Available at JOHNLEWIS.COM

For Immediate Comfort

Eau Dynamisante, £42 | Clarins

Splashy and soothing, this treatment fragrance was created in 1987 by Jacques Courtin-Clarins, and it’s been a constant companion of mine. It’s distinctly citrusy, featuring bitter orange, mandarin and petitgrain, but for me, it’s a signal of safety – a sedative rather than energising. I wear it rarely, almost never in fact, but it’s part of my bones. It’s my mum’s signature scent and to not be able to smell it would be unthinkable.

Available at BOOTS.COM


For Instant Health

Cheeky Posh Cream Blush Stick In 'Playground', £39 | Victoria Beckham Beauty

Cream blush would be my desert island make-up product – nothing else perks up your face quite like it. Victoria Beckham’s Cheeky Posh stick is perfect. The soft, velvety formula blends easily and adds a natural-looking flush of colour. The mid-tone terracotta ‘Playground’ is my favourite. I like to swipe it across my lips for tonal cohesion. 

Available at VICTORIABECKHAMBEAUTY.COM

For Budget Bodycare

Beauty Bar Soaps, £1.75 | Dove

Dove’s Beauty Cream Bar lives in my shower – I’ve been through hundreds. Cheap as chips and available everywhere, it gently cleanses the skin without creating that hideous squeaky feel. I flit between more luxurious bars from time to time, but this budget-friendly version remains my daily go-to. Pop it inside an exfoliating jute bag if you want softer skin.

Available at BOOTS.COM

For Close-Up Clarity

Sensor Mirror Compact, £89.95 | Simplehuman

It was faintly humbling at first, but now I can’t imagine life without my Simplehuman magnifying compact. Simulating natural sunlight, the chargeable mirror gives you a close-up view of your skin, allowing you to see everything in forensic detail. It’s oddly compelling, and now that my eyesight is steadily worsening, I won’t pluck my brows without it. 

Available at BOOTS.COM

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