Lisa Slade from The Chronicle of the Horse, Leslie Wylie from EN, and Kate Lokey from the USEA enjoying an impromptu facial in the media tent at Rebecca Farm. Photo by Ann Haller.
The Event at Rebecca Farm is one of my favorite competitions in North America to cover each year, but man, does that place fry my face off. All of us who spent last week in the dry Montana heat and sun were looking reptilian by the end, lips cracked like canyons and skin peeling off in flakes. The only one of us in the media center with her youthful, glowing visage still intact was Kate from the USEA, who was applying hydrating face masks a.m. and p.m. and ruthlessly moisturizing throughout the day. Well, and also Ann Haller, a timeless beauty who hasn’t aged a day since I’ve known her, so she does not count. No impromptu facial for you, Ann!
I was in a rush to pack and only managed to grab some crummy travel lotion, so I couldn’t wait to get home to my usual Diamonds In The Dirt skincare products. Now don’t get me wrong: I am hardly a princess when it comes to my everyday skincare routine. For most of my life, if I got it together enough to slather on some drugstore moisturizer (maybe with SPF) in the morning and (maybe) wash my face at night, I was doing pretty well. Even now, as a mid-30s woman who spends a lot of time outdoors and really should try harder, my version of a facial is caking my face with expensive sample product while going through airport duty-free on the way home from an event.
Diamond In The Dirt’s setup in the Amerigo booth at the 2018 Land Rover Kentucky Three-Day Event. Photo by Leslie Wylie.
But when I was introduced to a new beauty line called Diamonds In The Dirt at the Land Rover Kentucky Three-Day Event trade fair, I was intrigued. Diamonds in the Dirt was developed by sisters Sarah Donnell and Ruth Madeja, both lifelong equestrians. Their premise was simple and fresh, and specifically targeted toward horsewomen. “This skincare line is the result of our own journeys to find clean beauty options,” Sarah explains. “It all started with Nuzzle, our lip balm. We wanted a product free from chemicals, and with as few ingredients as possible. We felt there had to be a better option than what we found in stores and online.”
This resonated with me. I won’t even use chemical fly spray on my pony, so why would I subject my own skin to products with ingredient lists that read like a science experiment?
Photo courtesy of Diamonds In The Dirt.
Nuzzle, their “lip balm for weathered women,” is a prime example of the Diamonds In The Dirt mission statement. The ingredient list is totally organic: cocoa butter, virgin coconut oil, white beeswax, carrot seed essential oil, red raspberry CP oil, and sweet orange essential oil, and it goes on creamy-smooth with a barely-there citrus aroma. It’s even packaged sustainably, in a custom paperboard tube that is 100% compostable, including the label. It’s about twice the size of a typical lip balm tube — the more balm, the merrier — but still fits in your breeches pocket and is sturdy enough to not get crushed.
Photo courtesy of Diamonds In The Dirt.
Before I was introduced to Diamonds In The Dirt, like I said, my routine was pretty utilitarian: wash, slather random goop, sideways glance in the mirror, go. Now I actually look forward to slowing down and adding in a couple extra steps in there, because — wait for it — it actually feels luxurious! It smells good! It makes my skin look less like a saddle in desperate need of conditioner! Did I mention it smells good?
A little rose scent aromatherapy is an added bonus to using Wise Facial Toner, “for established women,” after cleansing. A fine-mist spritz of this pH-balanced toner on your face, neck and décolleté feels sensual and refreshing. The formula contains aloe vera to soothe, rose hydrosol and hibiscus tincture to restore radiance and youthfulness, and C serum to provide antioxidants that counteract the affects of sun and wind, and leave your skin brighter and more protected.
Photo courtesy of Diamonds In The Dirt.
I follow that up with Abundant Facial Serum “for generous women,” a roller-ball application formula that protects your face all day from the elements without feeling oily or greasy. The scent is subtle but dreamy, its bouquet lifted from the organic ingredient list: essential oils of jojoba, rosehip seed, helichrysum, frankincense and geranium. I know that sounds oil heavy, but it’s really light on the skin — dirt and dust won’t cling to it — and it keeps your skin feeling smooth, hydrated and silky all day. I typically add a moisturizing sunscreen over the top of it … maybe Diamonds In The Dirt will add one to its product line next, please?
Photo courtesy of Diamonds In The Dirt.
I haven’t tried the exfoliating Naked Body Scrub “for sound women,” yet, but I can testify to the glory of Savvy Muscle Creme “for rusty equestrians,” which is Diamonds In Dirt’s #1 best seller.
I ride, I run, I bike, I play soccer, I work out, I sit at my desk for long stretches, I get sore. And when I get sore, I reach for this rich cream, which contains OptiMSM® to ease tired muscles and joints. It also targets dry skin with soothing organic aloe, organic coconut oil, deep penetrating arnica and chamomile, warming black pepper and cinnamon oils, and cooling eucalyptus, peppermint and spearmint oils. I feel more relaxed just typing these words. And, like all Diamonds In The Dirt products, it is delivered in the most earth-friendly vessel possible, in this case a recyclable airless bottle.
“Small-batch, hand-crafted skin care with a focus on organic ingredients, simple formulas, and earth-friendly packaging.” It’s a beautiful mission, and one we’re happy to support. We eventers are so quick to take the very best care of our horses, and Diamonds In The Dirt makes it easier to take care of ourselves as well.
Shop the Diamonds In The Dirt product line here, and keep an eye on their Facebook page for all the latest! You can also shop the line via World Equestrian brands here.
Go Eventing.
