Ignore the bleached eyebrows (as seen at Altuzarra AW19). Some can carry it off, but the masses need brow definition. Focus on the dark eyes, nude lip combo – it is one of the easiest ways to channel modernity without looking try-hard. Start with a skin finish foundation, but don’t go overboard otherwise you’ll look ancient. Minimalists can swap shadow for liner. To get the most authentic nude, use a shade that matches your natural lip colour, adding a lighter hue in the middle. And don’t forget to put on your brows.
Essentials
1. Sisley Phyto-Teint Ultra Eclat Foundation £66, selfridges.com
2. Victoria Beckham Lid Lustre in Onyx £28, victoriabeckhambeauty.com
3. Giorgio Armani Lip Maestro Liquid Lipstick in 101 Granite £31, selfridges.com
4. Pat McGrath Labs Obsessive Opulence: MatteTrance Lipstick in Flesh 3 £37, patmcgrath.com
5. Huda Beauty Life Liner £22, hudabeauty.com
I can’t do without: a clay-based shampoo that’s a cut above
Trepadora Hibiscus Pink Cleansing Clay-Wash, £19, trepadora.com
I’ve been co-washing (a conditioner shampoo hybrid that is gentler and less stripping) for a while now, but recently began Clay Washing. No, it’s not a pottery-related pastime. Clay-based cleansers are highly moisturising, kind-to-scalp shampoo alternatives. Washing hair in this way has long been a thing within the natural/curly hair community. While everyone raves about how great it is for textured hair types like mine, I initially shied away from the process. My reticence was down to the fact that most clay-based products I had come across were in pots and masks. For me, these had ‘messy’ and ‘high maintenance’ written all over them. Now, however, I am sold. This particular offering, a French pink clay formulation, is wonderful. I immediately fell for the texture and the colour. It feels like a heavy but not stiff conditioner and looks like a strawberry-flavoured Angel Delight. You simply apply it to your hair and your scalp as you would your normal shampoo, and massage it in. It does not foam at all. For anyone who has been indoctrinated to love suds as much as I do, this was slightly disconcerting. So I was sceptical as to whether it would clean my hair. Thankfully it did that and so much more. My curls were detangled, super soft, incredibly defined and stayed that way all week. For those results, I am more than happy to go sud free.
On my radar: full lip service, a drop of dew, stylish scents
Gold standard I normally turn my nose up at ‘wearable’ fragrance products, but I love this. A gold-plated necklace with interchangeable perfume vials – what a gorgeous but practical way to travel with scent. NCP Olfactive The Piece Necklace, £175, selfridges.com
Smooth operator Clean ingredients, sustainable packaging and a solution to cracked lips is at the heart of makeup artist Zoe Taylor’s gender-neutral lip collection that includes a scrub, oil and balm. Tinker Taylor Lip Kit, from £20, libertylondon.com
Let it shine This light-reflecting oil serum, full of nourishing oils and brightening fruit extracts, leaves a dewy finish that works across all skin tones. Easily one of Glossier’s best launches. Futuredew, £23, glossier.com
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