When September was still blazingly hot, makeup wasn’t an issue – who could be bothered? But now that we’re in back-to-work mode, most people require a little something. May I suggest a bold lip? Not only does it do the fundamental job of a lipstick – ie adds colour and light to the face – it’s also more joyous to wear because new formulations are chock-full of skincare ingredients. And it’s the one bit of makeup that won’t melt off your face.
1. Paco Rabanne Rouge Rabanne Lipstick £29, selfridges.com
2. & Other Stories Maquis de Nuit Lipstick £17, stories.com
3. Chanel 31 Le Rouge Lipstick £140, chanel.com
4. NARS Powermatte Lipstick £26.50, lookfantastic.com
5. Rouge Hermès Shiny Lipstick £66, hermes.com
I can’t do without… An exfoliator that brilliantly combines nature and science
I’ve long had a problem with beauty brands using the word ‘natural’ as a way to describe their offerings. As I always say, natural doesn’t mean much or necessarily translate to ‘good’. Arsenic is natural. Some people would refer to Emma Lewisham’s eponymous brand as natural. Actually, though, it doesn’t tell the full story. Yes there is a focus on natural, plant-based ingredients, but this is a clever brand that goes far beyond the ambiguity of natural. It has banned close to 3,000 ingredients – for sustainability and safety purposes – and only uses those certified safe by the Environmental Working Group, and those it does use are powered by research-backed science. After spending an evening sitting next to Emma Lewisham at a dinner party, it quickly became evident that the passion and desire of this New Zealander to create good-for-you, good-for-the-planet, science-driven skincare was real. And the products are excellent. The illuminating exfoliant is one of my favourites. On paper, it shouldn’t be because it’s a scrub, which I usually eschew. But this treatment, which uses plant-sourced exfoliants to loosen dead skin cells and brighten the skin, is so finely milled it doesn’t feel scratchy or irritating. Rather, it hydrates while smoothing the texture and brightening the skin. So yes, it’s a scrub but as it ticks all my ‘good exfoliator’ boxes, I’m all in. Naturally. Emma Lewisham lluminating Exfoliant, £48, net-a-porter.com
On my radar… Skin soothers and a scent that’s out of Africa
Present and correct Inspired by modern and historical Nigerian literature, this bergamot smoked tea, jasmine and tonka bean fragrance is part of a collection that is an ode to African culture. Roads Past – Presence, £120, roads.co
Skin saver Blighted by breakouts? Try this sulfur and salicylic-rich clay mask, which reduces excess oils, congestion, blackheads and spots without drying the skin. Murad Rapid Relief Sulfur Mask, £40, murad.co.uk
Thirst quencher A decade after the launch of Charlotte Tilbury’s bestselling Magic Cream, you can now get the lighter, bouncier gel-textured sister, for dehydrated skin. Charlotte Tilbury, Magic Water Cream, from £26, charlottetilbury.com
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