“Live in the moment” – It’s a ubiquitous admonition, one endlessly trotted out by yoga instructors, beauty gurus and personal coaches. We’re forever being told that mindfulness and meditation are cure-alls for many of life’s most persistent problems – stress, anxiety, insomnia and a host of other contemporary ailments. Can stopping to smell the flowers really slow the passage of time, or is youth something that can never be recaptured?

Guerlain, a leader in the field of anti-ageing cosmetics, seems to think growing old is far from compulsory. As proof positive, its new Orchidée Impériale cream comes complete with instructions on how to maximise its benefits through a variety of massage and breathing techniques. Meanwhile, the main ingredient – an orchid popular in traditional Chinese medicine – gets to work counteracting the root cause of wrinkles and blemishes.

Similarly, Tatcha is promoting the power of muscle stimulation with its Ageless Akari Gold Massager. Coated in 24-carat gold leaf, this luxurious massage tool is said to nurture collagen synthesis.

For those seeking a more indulgent skin treatment, the new Extra-Firming Mask by Clarins smoothes wrinkles and firms the skin with its soothing mix of organic green bananas and lemon thyme. Alternatively, courtesy of Lancôme, there is the ever-popular Advanced Génifique Youth Activating Concentrate. Known affectionately as “The Little

Black Bottle,” its biotechnology-derived ingredient is said to repair the skin, while improving its luminosity.
Although all unique in their approaches, the one thing that unifies these brands is their commitment to rekindling the spark of youth – the most precious gift that could ever be bestowed.

“These beauty brands seem to think growing old is far from compulsory”