From autumn scents to skin sense, make-up pro tips and our objects of desire, these beauty updates will see you through the season …
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1. A scent or two
As we move towards richer, deeper scents for autumn, that category of smoky, sultry scents comes to the fore. Walking by the sea in the evening, the air cold scented with fire smoke, always makes me feel nostalgic at this time of year; bonfire night in November is a big thing in the UK, and that combination of wood smoke tinged with something sweet, like cinder toffee, is such an evocative smell – if I could bottle it, I would.
For a similar vibe, I like some of the Replica eau de toilettes (at Arnotts) – By the Fireplace, for example, and the sultry Jazz Club. But the one I always return to is an all-time favourite and a bit of a hidden gem, from Carlo Huber’s Arquiste perfume line. Huber’s Anima Dulcis eau de parfum was created by Rodrigo Flores-Roux and Yann Vasnier; two brilliant perfumers who have worked together on some absolutely banging perfumes, including Velvet Orchid, Vanille Fatale, Santal Blush and Plum Japonais for Tom Ford; to Jo Malone London’s English Oak & Hazelnut and Blue Hyacinth, to name just a few.
This pair excel in creating memorable, punchy and outrageously sexy perfumes, and Anima Dulcis is, for me, one of their absolute best. It’s velvety smooth and utterly delicious; rich with warm spices, such as smoked chilli, clove, cumin, sesame seed, paprika and cinnamon. Warmth comes from dark cocoa absolute and Mexican vanilla bean. As well as this deliciousness, you also get a hint of dark wood and burning fires, plus a sensuous, heady flourish of night-blooming jasmine. The brand describe it as “Mexican Baroque”. Arquiste is stocked widely worldwide (though sadly not in Ireland anymore), including Bloom Perfumery in London; I’ve also spotted it at Les Senteurs (£150stg at www.lessenteurs.com). I’m dying to smell some of the other Arquiste scents too, such as Adriatic Aromatic, which sounds like a holiday in a bottle (think fig leaves, black olive, fleur de sel and clementine, on a base of pine needle and fir balsam). In some stockists, you can find Arquiste candles too.
While designer scents are marketed relentlessly (especially at this time of year) with flashy “faces”, campaigns and pricetags to match, sometimes you need to look a bit further for a truly memorable scent that really stands out as being original and memorable. Anima Dulcis is one of those, and it’s definitely in my desert island perfume selection.
See also: Augment Your Scent This Autumn
2. The make-up pro tip we were dazzled by
Last week, we learned a new instant way to create glowing skin. Estée Lauder held a masterclass at Arnotts to show off their skincare, make-up and Legacy fragrance collection, exclusive to Brown Thomas. Make-up pro artist Emma Tillman demonstrated the best looks on the always fabulous Thalia Heffernan.
As well as learning that you can get Double Wear everything now, from mascara to concealer, our favourite tip from Tillman is one that’s perfect for upcoming festive beauty. It involves the Bronze Goddess Highlighting Powder Gelée in Heat Wave, which devotees will know is a bit of a classic – a similar version appeared in Victoria Beckham’s original beauty line (created with Lauder back in 2012), with Beckham saying she used it all the time. If you love some highlight to add radiance to your skin, Tillman showed us the best way to use this smart product: mix it on the back of your hand, together with a few drops of the classic Advanced Night Repair. ANR is one of the best-known night skincare products, and the first to feature hyaluronic acid in a beauty formula. First created in 1982, it’s credited as being the first ever serum. I love the idea of mixing it with this highlighter as it creates a lovely liquid gleam on your cheekbones.
Thalia is wearing the Pure Colour Explicit Silk Matte in Heartbeat (€39) lipstick, a beautiful true blue-red. The slender gold packaging of these lip colours is really elegant, though it’s a shame they’re not refillable. It reminds me of the Hourglass Confession lipsticks (€40), with that cigarette holder-type slimness; refills are more affordable at €25, making this a more lasting purchase.
3. The lip colour
A lip colour can offer an instant dopamine hit. Trinny London’s Just Joyous collection hits the mark – this is a lipstick that hydrates the lips (with hyaluronic acid and moringa oil) and is super-comfortable (it wears like a very tinted lipbalm). Definitely one to try if you’re not a habitual lipstick wearer. There are 11 delicious shades, from pale toffee Mitra to berry Eden (a standout rich claret that’s ideal for autumn). The bullets feel pleasingly weighty and substantial, though as with the Lauder, we’d prefer it if they were refillable. As always, Trinny knows her audience – we want a pop of joy, and these glossy colours definitely give us a lift. €32. www.trinnylondon.com.
4. An object of desire
Spotted at The Loom, the bespoke Real Skin Solutions space in Dublin 8 that’s home to specialist Biologique Recherche treatments (including bespoke ones for cancer patients: see Find Out About The Skin Treatments Specially Designed For Cancer Patients): this Dibbert Black Forest teapot, available at Bodo Sperlein, with cups, plates and more to match (and also in gold). Absolutely exquisite, and an elegant gift for a tea-lover. www.bodosperlein.com
5. Home scents
I wrote about some standout candles here, and we’re adding Jo Malone London’s just-launched winter ones to the list. Their Orange Bitters cologne is a bit of a beauty (from €67 for 30ml); uplifting without being too sweet, and devotees will be delighted that it’s available as a room diffuser and home candle, too.
6. Skin sense
Yes, you still need to wear an SPF at this time of year, as any skin expert will tell you. And yes, there are excellent ones around that you won’t even know you’re wearing. Two options: EltaMD’s tinted UV Clear SPF46 (€61, at www.instituteofdermatologists.ie) is a dermatologist-recommended option, and one I wear often because it feels so light on the skin. Also, New Zealand brands tend to deliver great SPFs, and Raaie (pronounced “ray”) skincare’s tinted Sun Milk Drops SPF50, in its distinctive glass bottle (its stone-like beige curves remind me of Makka Pakka from In the Night Garden), is no exception. The bottle feels very refillable, so we’re hoping refills will follow (they are already available for their moisturiser, the Cocoon Ceramide Cream). I’ve been using this for weeks and find it excellent, with a beautiful peachy finish – it feels more like wearing a tinted moisturiser than an SPF. If you’re going to invest in your skin in any way, it’s paramount to have a hard-working UV shield that’s nice enough to wear every day, to both protect and care for your skin: 80 per cent of extrinsic ageing is caused by exposure to UV rays. There are many more affordable versions, of course (we love the Skingredients Skin Shield, for example, and Ultrasun at M&S, around €29), but this is a particularly luxurious option. €91; www.Raaie.co.uk
See more: Tips and Treatments – How To Care For Your Neck Properly
