Having spent the last year embroiled in a toxic relationship with the elasticated members of our wardrobes, time is running out for us to pull ourselves together. Not only does emerging from lockdown (even if it is just for a coffee on a bench) mean having to get dressed in real clothes again, it also means having to spare a thought for our pallid complexions and feral manes.
Since the Prime Minister’s announcement at the end of February, sales of make-up have spiked by 110 per cent and 48 per cent at John Lewis and Space NK respectively, with sales of bronzers and tinted moisturisers among the most sought-after.
If you, like us, haven’t even considered changing out of your pyjamas for the last year, let alone slapping on a full face, fear not. These are the ten products your post-lockdown arsenal is crying out for. Glow get ‘em.
Glow getters
After our socially-exiled year, we need a glow up and fast. One of John Lewis’ best-selling products of 2020 was Chanel’s re-formulated Soleil cream bronzer (selling enough to fill 17,000 Chanel 2.55 bags), while NARS’ caramel-toned Laguna is its most popular of 2021 so far.
NARS Laguna bronzer | £31 |John Lewis & Partners
Bare faced cheek
Selfridges has noted an uplift in blushers in recent weeks. Clean beauty brand Westman Atelier’s Baby Cheeks sticks are leading the charge, while make-up artist Jamie Genevieve’s namesake VIEVE’s inclusive range has been one of Cult Beauty’s best-selling launches of the year so far.
VIEVE blush | £23 | Cult Beauty
Pucker up
Sales of lipsticks dipped in 2020, but they’re very much back for our re-emergence, having spiked by 30 per cent at Space NK since Boris’ announcement. Most sought-after are Charlotte Tilbury’s new Hyaluronic Happikiss balms and NARS’ peachy Afterglow Lip Balm.
NARS Afterglow Lip Balm | £23 | Space NK
Set in stone
Selfridges is anticipating big things for setting sprays post-lockdown to keep make-up in its place. Clean beauty brand MILK Make-Up’s new Hydro Grip Set + Refresh Spray sets make-up and offers skincare benefits thanks to niacinamide and hyaluronic acid.
MILK Make-Up Hydro Grip Set + Refresh Spray | £15 | Selfridges
The do-it-all dewy base
Sales of Charlotte Tilbury’s shade-inclusive Hollywood Flawless Filter have peaked at both Space NK and John Lewis since the announcement, while MILK Make-Up’s Sunshine Skin Tint is a triple threat of a face oil, SPF 30, and skin tint with shades across the spectrum.
Charlotte Tilbury Hollywood Flawless Filter | £34 | Space NK
Lash lovers
Given that half of our faces look to remain indefinitely covered by masks, we ought to go big for fluttery lashes. Benefit’s new They’re Real! Magnet Extreme Lengthening Mascara is the best launch of the year, while Space NK sells two of Hourglass’ every minute.
They’re Real! Magnet Extreme Lengthening Mascara | £24.50 | Selfridges
Wow brows
Broadway Market’s BAM BROWS has received 500 bookings for the month of April alone. To keep brows tamed until you manage to elbow your way back in to have yours seen to, look to Glossier’s best-selling Boy Brow, which just launched its first shade for ginger hair.
Glossier Boy Brow | £14 | Glossier
Eye spy
Sales of Charlotte Tilbury’s cult-status eyeshadow palettes rocketed by 113 per cent following Boris’ announcement, as we look set to continue our flirtation with sultry eyes. Its Pillow Talk palette has shades that’ll take you from desk to dusk (at a distance.)
Charlotte Tilbury Pillow Talk eyeshadow palette | £40 | Space NK
Body buffs
Black-owned brand LIHA Beauty’s Idan Oil struggles to stay in stock owing to its tuberose scent and nourishing vegan properties. Simply slather on in the morning and stay supple and scented all day.
LIHA Beauty Idan Oil | £39 | LIHA Beauty
Luscious locks
Sales of Olaplex are up 100 per cent on this time last year at Cult Beauty, but its No.7 Bonding Oil is the real star of the show, with the ability to tame even the most feral of manes.
