Biannually, beauty editors are invited to go backstage during fashion week to see how the looks are constructed first hand. I have been in that huddle of journalists scores of times, and while the artistry is dazzling, a form of beauty pageantry, a testament to what happens when products meet imagination — we all know that for the most part they don’t translate to real life; relatively few of us are likely to add a flamboyant flourish like gold leaf to our standard smoky eye.
But, as Meryl Streep famously explained to a mortified Anne Hathaway in The Devil Wears Prada , every choice of how you decorate your form has its genesis somewhere, and just as that “lumpy blue sweater” was “actually cerulean… selected for you by the people in this room,” the makeup that becomes covetable often stems from the creatives who are pushing the boundaries and playing with texture.
You may be reading this wearing deep aubergine mascara or sporting a blurry lip edge (both bang on trend, btw) and just be after new products to play with. Or you may be someone who’s opted for the same look for years on end and wants a refresh. Perhaps you’re not really a makeup wearer, but you want to dip your toe in to the blush trend without looking too panto.
Wherever you’re at, it’s worth taking note of what brands are up to, periodically updating your products, stepping outside your comfort zone. A little, or a lot. Maybe there’s scope for that gold leaf, after all.
e.l.f. Soft Glam Satin Foundation
The price, the shade range, the skincare in the formula: all great. But none of them would matter if the foundation wasn’t damn excellent, which it is, mimicking skin but — you know — much better. Much, much better in my case, so I’ve been wearing it on repeat and leaving its much more expensive counterparts in my makeup drawer.
Buy now £8.00, ELF Cosmetics
Dolce & Gabbana Eye Dare You!
This may be a divisive one. you will either look at it and think it is absolutely not for you or, like me, be overcome with the urge to stick your fingers in the glittery shades to determine whether anything could really be that reflective on the skin. Turns out, yes, it can — and if you like glitter, these will delight you. Kudos to Dolce & Gabbana for adding the sticky black balm to make getting maximum colour-slash-glitter pay off a breeze.
Buy now £74.00, Harrods
Victoria Beckham Beauty FeatherFix
Nobody but a fellow brow obsessive could’ve made this gel. First, the wand: a triumph, with long rubber bristles that apply the product all the way to the roots. Next, the gel itself, which offers a firm hold without crunch or residue. I like the clear one and am generally scathing about coloured brow gels, though concede in this case, that the coloured options have been executed really well, offering a little more oomph rather than a coloured paste that overwhelms the brow.
Buy now £30.00, Victoria Beckham Beauty
Trish McEvoy Bronzing Cream
So creamy, so very very creamy. This is a good thing in my opinion — not only does it smooth on really well, leaving a bronze that doesn’t look at all fake, but the formula offers what looks like a little optical blur, making skin look smoother and a little healthier. The brilliance of this is, by the way, not unexpected from American make-up artist McEvoy — her brand is many an insiders’ go-to for their reliability.
Buy now £38.00, Harvey Nichols
Delilah Wake Up Radiant Eye Perfector
While I think the murmurs in some quarters that undereye concealer is dead are ridiculous, there has definitely been a much-needed shift away from thick, opaque concealers that may knock back undereye shadows, but are so very present that they draw attention to the area for different reasons.
This is a refreshing product, in all regards. Think: a serum that contains brightening spheres to either make the area around eyes look less knackered, or to prep them for concealer — you will need less, and it will look better.
Buy now £28.00, Delilah Cosmetics
Jones Road Miracle Balm Palette
Not a new product but a new format of the much-talked about Miracle Balm, which made waves for being quite different from other products when it launched thanks to the thick, translucent paste-like formula that added sheen and juiciness along with colour to the skin. These palettes are a great travel option, or are a good buy if you want to see what all the fuss is about. But do hurry, I’ve heard whispers that they’re close to being fully sold out.
Buy now £28.00, LIberty London
Lottie London The Lottie Palette in Soft Grunge
The 1990s trend in all things aesthetic is still in full flow, and this palette is the perfect choice if you adore and want to channel that soft smoky eye that Andrea Corr did so well back then. Worth noting is that grey is much more flattering than you might expect, and that the quality of these shadows belies the thrifty price.
Buy now £5.95, Lottie London
My Kit Co x Danessa Myricks My Yummy Brush Collection
You may have heard artists say that much of the skill of making makeup look great lies in the tools — and it’s true. If you’ve already got great brushes, make sure they’re clean if you want them to perform well. If you don’t, this set of ten vegan brushes expertly curated by makeup artists James Molloy and Danessa Myricks will cover most scenarios.
Buy now £150.00, My Kit Co
MERIT Brow 1990 Sheer Gel Pencil
If you want a pencil to mimic hairs, this is the one for you. The finer than fine gel pencil slides realistic-looking strokes onto the skin, filling gaps and adding bulk. Remember to add it in the same direction as hair growth if you want to avoid the appearance of block brows.
Buy now £26.00, MERIT Beauty
Armani Beauty Luminous Silk Cheek Tint
It is rare that I insist anyone does anything with their makeup — but if you want to look up to date, blush is an absolute must. Sling it close to your eyes (see Celine Dion’s triumphant Olympics’ performance for a steer on how to make it look modern) and make sure it’s blended properly at the edges. This liquid one is a perfect choice, forming a fine film of colour on the skin that doesn’t budge but still looks luminous.
Buy now £36.00, Look Fantastic
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