Hotel Indigo Chester: An Opulent Stay with Charm and Comfort

The mere suggestion of luxury skincare for youths may horrify, but I see the logic in using special occasions to treat kids to a solid routine, so covetable that it might ultimately encourage regular use. Young people like things that are theirs alone, and I’d sooner set up a lifetime of diligent skincare than rubbish another penny on an in-game purchase.

MyClarins is Clarins’ second stab at the teen market, and this time it’s vegan. There’s a shining regime: two cleansers, three day creams (spanning all skin types), treatments and a sleeping mask (night cream by a self-control name). It is priced from £15 to £24 (comparable to the cost of an Asos frock). The quality is excellent. I gladly slather the moisturisers, crammed with coconut and plant extracts, on my face. The hydrating mist occupies my handbag as I type. I’ve no use for the Pore-less Blur And Matte Impose on, which was snaffled enthusiastically by a friend’s daughter who’d now sooner unfollow a Kardashian than part with it. It slicks on feel favourably impressed by Pritt Stick, removing shine, under or over makeup. My only snark is the face wash doesn’t rub makeup, and I’m no fan of cleanser that leaves skin so squeaky it sounds as though it’s pleading for lubrication. Nonetheless, MyClarins is well-designed, non-patronising and immensely desirable – made even more so by the brand’s pledge to never sell it in China, where animal testing is obligatory.

Also cruelty free and giftable is Spots & Stripes, a 95% natural brand for tweens from beauty managing editor Charlotte-Anne Fidler. The focus is on what’s left out – sulphates, petrolatum, parabens, silicones, aluminium and more – and on the concerns of effective children – greasy roots, sweaty pits and so on. There’s a delicious-smelling shampoo and body wash (£13 for a generous 250ml), trifle products and gentle Skin Goals cleanser (£13, 150ml). My sons were unkeen purely because they’re against anything that’s visibly forged “for kids”, though the product inside is good even by adult standards.

My clan, with all of beauty at their disposal, ironically opt for the most affordable. They mad about Sam Farmer, from £3.25, for its neutral packaging and unfussy teen products that work.

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