Beauty: Meet my new favourite things…
From sunshine for skin to moisturising lipstick, these are the make-up launches sparking joy
Lip glossing twist-ups in my new beauty stashes, mascara that perfectly coats my eyelashes, light-cover skin tints for complexions of dreams – these are a few of my favourite things. My sing-a-long nod here to The Sound of Music is whimsical, but it does also have an editorial device. It groups together a few cosmetic products that I want to write about simply because I like each of them enough to want to sing a little ditty of appreciation.
My favourite of all is Milk Makeup Sunshine Skin Tint Broad Spectrum SPF30 (£39, and £27 for refills, selfridges.com). This actually isn’t new but the packaging has been revamped because it was previously a bit problematic. It has a rollerball delivery which is easy to apply (and super practical for when we get out and about again properly with handbags), giving the perfect lightweight skin tint that, thanks to its oil content, looks dewy and moisturises as it goes. It’s available in 14 shades but the coverage is so light and adaptable that each of those would work for at least three skin tones. I love this: it gives the perfect boost to skin and evens out any redness so your face looks brighter, happier and healthier.
Dior Forever Skin Veil SPF20 (£36, dior.com) is another new favourite. It comes in one universal shade suitable for all skin tones and is a bit of a primer and hydrating skincare hybrid. It certainly does add extra luminosity under foundation but I also like it on its own, after moisturiser, for a no-make-up day as it slightly blurs wrinkles, evens out skin tone and adds a bit of glow to the complexion.
Also worth mentioning on the skin coverage side is Elf Camo CC Cream. It feels very lightweight when it’s on but gives good, natural-looking coverage, though definitely for days when you want more camouflage. It comes in 20 shades and is very affordable at just £14 (boots.com).
Lancôme Lash Idôle Mascara (£23.50, lancome.co.uk) is a winner. It’s just a simple, great, lash-enhancing coat of colour. It doesn’t over-promise, doesn’t make your lashes look like spider’s legs, just elegantly dresses what you’ve got and adds a little emphasis. Plus, with new gel technology, it doesn’t clump and lashes don’t feel stiff.
For lips, I can highly recommend the new Nars Air Matte Lip Colour (£23, narscosmetics.co.uk). It’s a very lightweight – almost mousse-like texture – liquid lipstick that glides on (via a sponge tip applicator) and feels moisturising. It gives good coverage and lasts well. I like the shade Shag, a rosy-pink, but there are nine other shades including some fabulous reds. Be quick, though, as this is sadly a limited edition.
For a bit of easy gloss, try Elf Hydrating Core Lip Shine (£5, boots.com), which gives a sheen of colour and conditions lips at the same time.
@edwinaingschambers
And my body’s best friend
When a brand tells me it has ‘reformulated’ one of my all-time favourite products, I can’t help but fear for the worst.
Thankfully, it’s all good news with the Clarins Moisture-Rich Body Lotion (£33, clarins.co.uk), a long-standing favourite of mine for its texture, effectiveness and aroma (a happiness fix of orange wax and raspberry). The scent is unchanged (hallelujah!) and the cream has added shea butter so it’s even more hydrating but still absorbs instantly and leaves skin feeling super-smooth.
The packaging has had an update, too, and been given ‘a new eco-design that is 100 per cent recyclable and represents a saving of 2.8 tons of plastic compared to the previous bottle,’ says Virginie Courtin-Clarins, deputy CEO and head of Clarins CSR technology. It’s part of a bigger environmental push from Clarins. The packaging is also made as ‘zero waste’ as possible and all paper used comes from sustainably managed forests.
Additionally, as part of the brand’s We Care Campaign, for every tube sold (plus all ofthe other Clarins cocooning classics) until 7 March, it will donate £1 to the Duty to Care charity which supports our NHS heroes.