The one balm to replace half of your beauty bag
As a beauty writer, my beauty bag has naturally been in a dangerous state of overflow for a while now. So, in the spirit of decluttering (and in true GH style) I’ve been looking to swap in a few multipurpose products that not only minimise space, but work their magic across the board. I’m talking double ended-brushes, lip and cheek oils, cleansing balms turned face masks – you get the gist.
When royal and celebrity makeup artist Hannah Martin shared a TikTok recently, seemingly answering my silent prayers, I was instantly hooked by the multipurpose product she was raving about – one that actually spans makeup and skincare at the same time.
Having worked with some of the most high-profile clients, from Kate Middleton to Helen Mirren, Hannah reveals that from her twenty year career, her top pick for versatility is Elizabeth Arden’s Eight Hour Cream Skin Protectant.
In her video, Hannah explains that it's “excellent on cuts, burns and scrapes but also an amazing ointment for cuticles, gnarly dry elbows, cracked heels and so much more.”
The award-winning balm was first designed by Elizabeth Arden herself way back in 1930 as a universal skin-healing remedy. Although she originally used it to soothe her horse's legs and patch up her children’s grazed knees, her formula has stayed unchanged for almost a century, and now acts as a hand cream, lip mask and even a makeshift brow gel, all in one.
“It’s one of my favourite OG products,” Hannah says. “But, my favourite use of the Eight Hour Cream isn’t snazzy – I love it for lips.”
Hannah demonstrates using a pea-sized amount of the balm as a lip salve which creates a beautifully sheer, glass-like sheen. Being infused with a soothing beta-hydroxy and vitamin E blend, the lightweight formula avoids leaving any unwanted stickiness or “metallic nastiness”.
Hannah also gives a nod to fellow celebrity makeup artist Mario Dedivanovic, who has been known to experiment with the product on many of his high-profile clients. Mario once revealed that the secret to his long-time client Kim Kardashian’s shimmery skin was the “expensive glow” offered by applying the Eight Hour Cream to the high points of her face and cheekbones as a highlighter.
Even better, the balm-like texture and durability of the formula means that it stays put without disrupting your base underneath.
Already a GHI-approved staple, the other uses of the Eight Hour Cream are endless, whether it’s slicking down your brows, hydrating your cuticles after a mani, blending it with a cream eyeshadow for a glossy effect, or even highlighting your collarbones with a quick dab on each side. The brand itself also recommends mixing the balm with sugar to create a lip scrub, or applying it over the body before self-tanner to avoid streaks.
At just £24.80 in a current sale, the Elizabeth Arden Eight House Cream Skin Protectant is our new favourite space, time and money saver, to boot.
Shop the Elizabeth Arden Eight House Cream Skin Protectant below
Eight Hour® Cream Skin Protectant
£24.80 at elizabetharden.co.uk
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