Blusher that goes beyond the cheeks
This season, blusher was given something of an extreme reinvention. Many makeup artists bypassed the limitations of the cheek, taking the colour right up to the hairline, temples and forehead, in various hues. It had “Who are you kidding?” stamped all over it. This, as seen at the Aigner AW19 show, is a more realistic version. Take a big, decent-quality brush and simply swipe the blush in a subtle curve shape from cheek to temple. It helps if your eye and lip makeup matches your blush; that way you won’t end up mimicking a multicoloured world map.
1. Anastasia Beverly Hills Blush Trios in Pink Passion £30, beautybay.com
2. Dior Blush Brush 16 £32, dior.com
3. Chanel Joues Contraste 27 in Vibration £35, johnlewis.com
4. MAC Extra Dimension SkinFinish Trio £32, maccosmetics.co.uk
5. Milk Makeup Lip + Cheek £20.50, cultbeauty.co.uk
I can’t do without: a glow-giving essence approved by dermatologists
NYDG Skincare Luminizing Skin Essence, £95, harrods.com
Essences – super-hydrating concentrated liquids that give good glow – are the beauty products most people eschew because the last thing anyone wants is yet another complication added to their skincare regime. Even I have days when the simple act of face washing feels like a climb up Kilimanjaro. But, alas, as a beauty masochist with an addiction to the Asian-inspired multistep skincare ritual, old habits die hard. So I love an essence. They are a great way to prepare the skin for subsequent products to penetrate deeper, faster and much more effectively. This offering by New York Dermatology Group – a coterie of four dermatologists beloved by the A List – is my most recent find. It is a concoction of probiotics, rosemary leaf and aloe vera in a serum form and imparts an incredible glow. Use straight after cleansing, pat into skin, then layer serums and moisturisers on top. I’ve seen a difference in my skin – plumper, dewier and less fatigued – in a very short space of time. Oily skins will notice their skin is more balanced, sensitive skins will find it incredibly soothing and drier skins will be thankful for the hydration. It is not cheap and it is not an absolute necessity but if you want skin that goes from meh to marvellous, here’s your answer.
On my radar: a refining mask, fashion fragrance and travel set
Pore perfection If you can’t get to Liberty in London for the incredibly detoxifying Black Magic facial, this superb pore-unclogging, line minimising mask is the next best thing. Seed To Skin The Black Magic, £119, seedtoskin.com
A scent for all Gucci’s unisex scent is an unusual blend of chamomile, jasmine and sandalwood that you can’t quite put your finger on, but will love anyway. Gucci Mémoire d’une Odeur, from £54, selfridges.com
Beauty on the go Space NK’s mini travel ranges are a clever way to tap into brilliant products without spending a fortune. Away We Go Set, £50, spacenk.com
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