Vitage

My job evaluating products and treatments means that I have to be honest, after all I write and live locally – people can find me if I lie and reputation is everything!  So I’m always very wary of promoting products that claim they can make you look younger when they just smell nice or the packaging looks pretty.  I can never argue with scientific proof (although sometimes the jargon throws me) and positive reviews, and with years of research there are some creams that can stave off wrinkles, treat acne, sensitivity, rosacea and hydrate.  This is where Tracy Parkin comes in, founder of Vitage Skincare and colour minerals, Essex born and bred in Colchester and I went to meet her to find out what her brand has to offer and why we should part with our hard-earned cash to use it!

Tracy Parkin has been in the skincare industry for over 28 years.  Whilst she started her career training to a high standard beauty therapist, she eventually realised her skills lay in marketing and she became instrumental in launching the wonders of mineral makeup in the UK, BareMinerals. However, whilst seemingly confident, she tells of her battles with her own skincare problems of eczema and large cysts and the frustration of not finding anything on the market to help her - she tried every remedy and tablet available and finally took matters into her own hands, and by mixing her entrepreneur skills, high knowledge of skincare and along with her team of specialists she produced Vitage – Vitamins against Ageing.

Her philosophy was simple, she didn’t want to produce a brand to make you look younger, her vision was products to make clients skin age well; it was about skin health not vanity. She explained a very simple analogy, one that will stay with me forever - from the age of 25 our skin goes off, imagine cutting an apple in half, if you leave it out oxidising causes the flesh to brown, however, put lemon juice on it (Vitamin C) and it’s restored, this is why her products have the highest concentration of antioxidants, Vitamins ACE.  I was surprised when I asked if she put sunscreen in her products and she replied no, however, her reasons made total sense – skin cancer is greatly on the increase and when applying Sun Protection Factor (SPF) it should be at least a teaspoon amount to cover the entire face, when you apply a moisturiser with SPF added, it contains such a small dose it’s not nearly enough and can give a false sense of security - hence she sells this separately. She’s an advocate of less is more – skin doesn’t need lots of different products as over-load will make it more sensitive in the long-run. Her range is simple, precise and has just a few key ingredients that are proven to work. Another ethos is to manage people’s expectations – quite often we expect miracles. A huge difference between a skin specialist such as Tracy and a therapist in a department store, is that Tracy treats you as a whole, she gets to know your lifestyle and how you work so she can get inside your mind and know what she recommends you will fit into your life – why give someone a lengthy regime if they can only spend a few minutes? Why recommend a product for anti-aging if they smoke or sunbathe?  As she takes the words out of my mouth, we are all searching for that Holy Grail of a product, but if you don’t treat yourself internally with antioxidants – super foods such as blueberries, broccoli etc., then it will show and no cream can compete.

Her skincare products and colour line (it’s not makeup) is achieved in 4 quick steps. A simple cleanse with a muslin cloth, application of Vitamin C and sunscreen, then finally colour. I tested a completely unique product Natural Daily Perfector, a mineral that’s milled so finely and added with beeswax to give incredible sheer coverage and feels extremely hydrating. Unheard of in makeup technology, this wonder product only contains 9 ingredients including Brazilian Green Tea and Golden Seaweed (super-antioxidants) – there is nothing like it available on the market. The range of colours contains intense pigments yet when applied blend effortlessly and are incredibly sheer.  The easy go-to shades target every eye colour and skin tone, and whilst a small capsule collection of universal colours it takes away any confusion of whether it will suit.

I left Tracy’s office incredibly inspired, as a beauty editor I often hear a lot of mumbo-jumbo (to put in a nice term), but once in a blue moon I meet someone who I know is the real deal and I have to say I’m so impressed that I’m going to her seminar. Of course I should also add that she looked absolutely incredible and is an advocate of her own range – finally someone who doesn’t hide behind Botox and makeup, but someone who wants people to age as best as they can with what God has given them. Tracy Parkin is now my mentor and a breath of fresh air.

Prices from £14. For list stockists and RRP visit www.cosmeceuticals.co.uk. If you have a business in Essex or would like your products featured email Molly@askmollybeauty.com or Twitter @askmollybeauty.