Going matte without losing all the glow
Here’s the thing with glowy skin. In photographs, it is lost in translation. That glossy, glassy skin looks a bit too much and can simply look greasy. But what’s the alternative? Super-matte skin that makes you look dead? No, there’s a balance. Start with a makeup primer that gives a glow, but not too much. Avoid oily foundations. Only highlight key points, like the top of the cheekbones (no one needs a highlighted forehead) and always have a finely milled translucent powder to hand.
Bergamot Glow Prada Reset Rebalancing Setting Powder £49, selfridges.com
Too Faced Born This Way Soft Matte Foundation £38, boots.com
Byredo Matte Lipstick £50, byredo.com
Dolce & Gabbana Bergamot Glow Primer £42, dolcegabbana.com
Violette FR Bisou Balm £30, violettefr.com
I can’t do without… A super-powered serum that gives skin that extra special zing
People are still afraid of retinol. But retinol has had a makeover. No longer is it that thing that stings and burns and leaves your skin shedding like a snake on acid. No, there are now, thank goodness, kinder, more modern iterations of the skincare polymath that does everything from smoothing to brightening the skin. Like Kate Somerville’s Mega A Skin Transforming Serum. The name of this serum really sets the bar high, doesn’t it? When a product tells me it will transform my skin, I roll up my sleeves and say bring it on, cynical as to whether it will actually deliver. But you’ll be pleased to know that this serum not only lives up to expectation, it exceeds it. Powered by a clinical-grade retinol, it is 11 x more powerful that your regular retinol and yet gentle enough to use every single day. The downside associated with retinols – the burning, the peeling, dryness, etc – is nowhere to be seen. Perhaps that is because this light milky yellow-hued serum includes ingredients such as hyaluronic acid and squalene, meaning your skin’s hydration and elasticity is through the roof. Also it means it is totally suitable for the most sensitive of skins. Within a few days of trialling this product, I noticed my skin texture was much smoother, had a more even tone and was plumper – my makeup goes on like a dream. It is giving me the kind of results I would only expect with a good facial. Magic in a bottle. I’m obsessed. Kate Somerville Mega A Skin Transforming Serum, £72, spacenk.com
On my radar… Rich and florally musky scents for the new season
Blooming marvellous This lily, oakwood and patchouli scent, the first chypre fragrance from Hermes, is stunning. But the artistically designed bottle, inspired by the fashion house’s iconic Collier de Chien bracelet, is the real collectible. Hermes Barenia Eau de Parfum, £100, hermes.com
Plenty of bottle Gourmand scents – fragrances mainly with notes of vanilla- continue to gain traction. Once polarising, their latter day versions avoid the syrupy and are instead sophisticated – like Gucci’s clever reinvention. Gucci Gorgeous Flora Eau de Parfum, from £68, sephora.com
Sweetest thing This sweet, musky fragrance – Featuring plum butter, toasted almond and creamy sandalwood -is one of two highly anticipated – and addictive – new scents from Glossier that riffs off its original bestseller YOU. Glossier You Doux eau de parfum, £62, glossier.com
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