If you’ve been on the K-Beauty bandwagon for years, tested everything J-Beauty has to offer and even made a trip down under to Australian beauty, boy have we got something new for you.
We’ve long been envious of our Scandinavian neighbours for their happy, healthy lives and incredibly stylish streets and interiors. And now Denmark, Norway, Sweden, Finland and Iceland are inspiring our beauty routines with some long-kept secrets and special ingredients.
So once you’re done transforming your living room into a hygge paradise, we welcome you to the world of Scandi beauty.
Skin like a clear lake
Scandi skincare is very much inspired by each countries landscape, and when you’re surrounded by lakes, mountains and forests, you know the natural ingredients used are going to be as pure as they come.
Those who have heard of the Blue Lagoon in Iceland will know about the rich mineral waters and algaes that are great for the skin – benefits of which are exclusive to the Lagoon’s own skincare brand, Blue Lagoon Iceland.
But the vast benefits of Iceland’s pure landscape doesn’t stop there. Using other natural water sources, powerful antioxidant berries and soothing algaes across the country, Skyn Iceland sources mineral-rich ingredients to fight the damage of stress and the effects it has on the skin. The number-one best-seller, which is also loved by Kourtney Kardashian, is the Berry Lip Fix, which contains a mineral-rich red algae to soften and hydrate a dry pout.
Lumene is another Scandi skincare brand to know, hailing from Finland with a whole host of hardworking products.
Another to not skimp on natural ingredients, the products take full advantage of the pure Arctic spring water, native plants and fruits. The vitamin C range in particular, uses cloud berries only found in the Northern hemisphere, which are packed full of vitamin C, E, potent antioxidants and cartenoids for glowing, radiant skin.
But it’s not just the amazing natural ingredients setting Scandi apart, it’s also the crazy cool technology.
Sweden’s very own FOREO launched a skincare game-changer this year in the form of the UFO device. This little disc-shaped machine uses light and heat to deliver an LED and thermotherapy facial in just two fricken minutes. It’s so speedy and has such good results, that the mini UFO device was used on models backstage at Victoria Beckham’s London Fashion show this season.
Hair like Rapunzel
When we think of Scandi, a Rapunzel-like goddess with blue eyes often springs to mind. But while the locals definitely aren’t all blonde, they do have glorious hair.
The same mineral-rich waters, sea algae and native fruits found in Scandi skincare work the same kind of magic in shampoos, masks, oils and more. Sachajuan is one beloved Swedish brand that uses its ‘Ocean Silk Technology’ to transform our dry, brittle, hard-water damaged hair into a tameable, tumbling mane. Try the Overnight Hair Repair Treatment and you’ll be hooked after one use. And they’re innovators too, recently launching the first dry shampoo mousse we’ve ever heard of.
From the same Swedish hotspot, Maria Nila caters to coloured-hair in particular, with a 100% vegan and cruelty-free range. Whatever shade you have, it will keep it looking salon-fresh with a Colour Guard Complex to protect it from washing, heat styling, UV rays and free radicals.
Scents like nothing you’ve smelt before
If two-minute spa facial treatments and mineral-rich skincare isn’t impressing you yet, perhaps this clever fragrance concept will.
Beauty boxes are nothing new, but a perfume subscription is. From £9 a month, you could have a new bespoke 8ml scent delivered to your doorstep every month.
Swedish founders of Sniph, Lisa Kjellqvist and Tara Derakshan, literally travel the world, sniffing out new scents to send out to subscribers. And if you’re a fragrance snob, you’ll know how important having a unique smell of your own is. And a unique smell every month? Now that’s the Scandi dream.
It also makes sustainable sense, as you’re never throwing out a bottle you don’t like or wasting off-fragrance. On your first order you’re sent a dispenser which you can refill each time with you new tester. But don’t worry, if you really want a full-size version of the one you fall in love with, you can find it on the SNIPH website.
