I moved house a couple of weeks ago, and I’m writing this with half a seat to my name on the 6.42am to London Waterloo - a new commute that has required unlocking an all-new skill and survival set level.
Today’s thoughts: When did train seats become so impossibly small? Because though my bottom is certainly not the size it once was, it’s possibly still on the smaller end of the spectrum, but won’t nevertheless, fit onto this seat. Will the fine art of leg-spreading on public transport ever fade into history? Is the end of flu season finally in sight?
And finally, because a little escapism feels essential at this particular moment - what are the most exciting, novel, and noteworthy beauty launches this week?
BALMAIN BEAUTY Blanc Galaxie Eau de Parfum
I love lemons. The way they look - preferably still on the tree, set against a blue sky. The way they taste - in sparkling water, sorbet, in curd spread thick on toast. Even their dimpled, waxy feel. And of course, that crisp, clean, sunny scent, long harnessed by perfumers for its uplifting alchemy. A must-have for citrus lovers, Balmain Beauty’s latest launch delivers all the zing and zest you’d expect but with an irresistible creamy softness, thanks to the addition of magnolia.
£195 for 50ml at selfridges.com
LISA ELDRIDGE Pinpoint Concealer Micro Correcting Pencil
I like my concealers buttery-soft, buildable, and easy to apply on the go - which is why this is my latest crush. Its ultra-precise 1.5mm tip and natty twist-up mechanism facilitate ‘makeup micro-dosing,’ and deliver it does. With a silky glide, seamless blending, and a perfectly matte finish, it ticks every box.
£27 at lisaeldridge.com
LAURA MERCIER Almond Coconut Honey Bath
Fans - myself included - have gone wild for the return of this iconic bath product, inspired by Laura Mercier’s own bathing rituals and discontinued a few years back. Joy! If you’re new to it, expect to be cocooned in clouds of decadent gourmand bubbles, while its silky formula leaves skin sumptuously soft.
£47 at lauramercier.co.uk
BEAUTY PIE Le Masque Micro-Caviar Overnight Moisture Mask
Landing later this week, this rose-tinted, oil-in-serum mask has already secured a spot on my (admittedly long) list of Beauty Pie favourites. The perfect antidote to lacklustre skin - where I’m firmly positioned now - it restores glow and hydration, fast. I’m particularly taken with its caviar-like texture: each jar contains over 100,000 Omega-9, Meadowfoam Oil, and Shea Butter micro-droplets that melt into the skin in the most satisfying way.
£29 at beautypie.com
FENTY SKIN Cherry Dub BHA Toner
Rihanna has added a gentle BHA toner to her best-selling, Barbados-inspired Cherry Dub range (be sure to try the excellent AHA-powered body scrub), and I like it a lot. Designed to unclog pores without stripping moisture, it leaves skin brighter, fresher, and clearer. Ta, RiRi.
£29 at fentybeauty.co.uk
