From adding sheen and sparkle to the skin to a wearing a scent which stands out, Our beauty editor recommends these little touches and tweaks to liven up our beauty this winter.
Make-up can be the best accessory. From shots of bright colour to sheen and sparkle on the skin, we are looking to the little touches and tweaks that liven things up for winter. For me, a great scent is always the first way to amp up a mood, whether you want comfort or joy. @sarahhalliwellbeauty
This is the time to break out the fun stuff – see Blank Canvas Eyelights, in Studio 54-esque shades of emerald, gold and purple, for delivering a full-on party atmosphere in one streak for €12; www.blankcanvas.com. We’d rather have sparkle round our eyes than dark shadows.
Other fabulous accessories for facing the cold in? A velvety bright lipstick – we wholeheartedly adore Lisa Eldridge’s Velvet Dragon ( €32; www.lisaeldridge.com), which lives up to the hype (oh the texture!).
Try also Nars Powermattes, slim sticks of super-intense colour, €28.45; www.lookfantastic.com. And when matte is too much, Clarins Lip Comfort Oils, in flavours like lavender, mint and lemon, are indeed comforting; we also welcome the return of Lancôme’s Juicy Tubes for the most glossy finish. As for our skin, it’s all about the glow, rather than the cover-up. We’re looking to bespoke facials, from Ultraceuticals’ consultation-led treatments, to Brown Thomas Dundrum’s made-to measure pick of the beauty hall – your chance to try out the finest selection. The Venn Supercharged facials at Harvey Nichols are calling our name, too.
Disco to Die For We’re dressing up for the winter months – and Charlotte Tilbury’s Hypnotising Pop Shots, in peacock shades of ice-blue and cool green, above, offer immediate glamour and fun; €30, at counters nationwide.
Smooth Operator The latest Frédéric Malle eau de parfum, Uncut Gem, puts a modern, sexy spin on cologne. Devotees of Cologne Indelebile will absolutely fall for this. Maurice Roucel, the perfumer behind Musc Ravageur, created this for himself, and it took five years for Malle to persuade him to share it. The title might suggest a rough diamond, but this is a sophisticated, smooth blend of spices, leather, frankincense and amber, and smells great on all sexes; it’s as far from sweet and girly as it gets. From €200.
Naked Ambition Chanel’s cool, considered take on skintone shades for nails (try Dénudé, €28) and lips is both calming and chic. This Halpern look (main picture) pairs a disco vibe with a neutral lip colour (Nars’ Belle de Jour) to winning effect. This is how we’re wearing make-up this season: it’s about contrasts.
Evening Essentials With all this colourful make-up, a good cleanser is vital. I’m currently using Ultraceuticals Ultra Calming Cleanser (€45), a reliable and gentle daily staple (they do great facials too; learn more at www.thegloss.ie ). And I’m really impressed with the beautiful new Dr Hauschka Cleansing Balm – gentle, luxurious, fragrant and less than €23; www.drh.ie and pharmacies.
There’s a lot of buzz around allnatural perfumes right now. Leading the charge is Hiram Green, a Netherlands-based all-natural lineup. There’s nothing timid or fleeting about these, from Moon Bloom, a bright and brilliant tuberose, to thundering woody patchouli blend Arbolé €169; www.parfumarija.com. Don’t forget The Burren Perfumery’s Wild Rose eau de parfum if you’re after an entirely natural, long-lasting scent with no compromises.
Last month we talked about the move towards foundation-free skin, and Chantecaille’s Sheer Glow Rose Face Tint sums this up in one jar. Lying somewhere between skincare and make-up, it’s a brightening, smoothing route to radiance. €81, at Harvey Nichols, Dundrum Town Centre.
Beauty Shopping News Kildare Village has some new arrivals that are making us drop everything and plan a visit immediately – we’re particularly excited about the first Charlotte Tilbury standalone store in Ireland (for a limited time), with discounts of up to 33 per cent. And Elemis has arrived too. There’s also make-up by Ayu, alongside all the fabulous existing brands such as L’Occitane and Neom. Christmas has come early … www.kildarevillage.com.
Big In Japan Maru Hair Tokyo in Dublin is Ireland’s first Japanese salon: check it out for specialist hair treatments, bridal hair and make-up and kimono rentals. www.maru.ie.
