Beauty bits: Tom Ford’s first face palette, Sam McKnight hair accessories, positive beauty talk and Coca Cola nails

FIRST LOOK AT TOM FORD’S FACE PALETTE

Tom Ford face palette

Last week I met with the PR for Tom Ford Beauty, where she arranged all the latest spring lip and nail colours before me. Most exciting was a first look at the new (and first ever) Tom Ford face palette (above) due in April. Even the MD of the store we were in snuck over from his meeting at the next table to get a peek. In the pics below you can also just see the Lip and Cheek Shimmers (bottom right) which also land on counter in April. In the meantime, I went away with a couple of the latest Lip Color Sheers to try. I’ve been wearing Firecracker, every day for the last week, a beautiful chilli orange-red with impressive staying power. (I wear two coats as I don’t like it too sheer.) Isn’t it great to see a (temporary) return to the ivory packaging?

Tom Ford Lip and Cheek Shimmer
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ROMANTIC RAIN

Jo malone London Rain cologne 100ml

For all the fear and loathing we Brits have for our inclement weather, we sure love to romanticise it. Hence Jo Malone London’s new limited edition fragrance, London Rain which reflects the different moods of the city during a downpour. There are four scents: Rain & Angelica, Wisteria & Violet, White Jasmine & Mint, and Black Cedarwood & Juniper (£82 for 100ml). My favourite is the ‘humid and seductive’ Black Cedarwood & Juniper – I’d say it’s the most masculine of the bunch but it’s very sexy. Best worn with a Burberry raincoat, leather riding boots and your most determined ‘I will get through this’ expression. Buy it from John Lewis and Jo Malone London.

SAM MCKNIGHT X VICKI SARGE

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If you follow Sam McKnight on Instagram, you’ll know he’s an avid gardener. His love of flora and fauna has been realized in a collab with jeweller Vicki Sarge – their collection of Flora Morte floral hair accessories arrives on Net-a-Porter.com from April…

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BUY BURBERRY’S ARTY AW14 NAIL SHADES NOW

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As is now routine, Burberry’s AW14 nail colours are being released early for a limited time. If you loved the painterly Bloomsbury theme to the collection, there are nail polishes to match in Burberry’s patented long-lasting formula. You can buy the set of six (£90) from now until 3rd March from Burberry.com. Doesn’t it remind you of those watercolour sets you had as a kid?

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POSITIVE BEAUTY TALK

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I really enjoyed reading Grace Timothy’s piece for Never Underdressed on the new positive messaging in beauty marketing. Personally when I see anything with the words anti-aging, I switch right off…! Read it here.

ESTEE LAUDER’S PURE COLOUR ENVY (NOT YOUR MOTHER’S LIPSTICK)

Estee Lauder Pure Color Envy

More lipstick news – this time from Estee Lauder. In a bid to position itself as ‘not your mother’s beauty brand’, it’s gifting us these frankly stunning Pure Color Envy Sculpting Lipsticks. Packaging-wise, I’m a sucker for a luxury lipstick case and I’d peg this right up there with YSL and Chanel. The tube (in a sophisticated inky indigo edged with gold) is based on modern architecture and closes with a satisfying magnetic clunk-click. The product itself is also excellent, my Vengeful Red bullet was so shiny I actually wondered if it was real. And it goes on like a dream straight from the tube – no liner or brush required. Containing hyaluronic acid to help seal in moisture (a first for Estee Lauder lipsticks), Pure Colour Envy tackles the age-old issue of long-lasting yet hydrating high-pigment lippies. Go for Impassioned or Envious for the ultimate iconic red or if you prefer a classic nude, try Insatiable Ivory. Buy Estee Lauder Pure Color Envy at Debenhams or Harrods.

OPI X COCA-COLA

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If you’re as Coke-obsessed as me but can’t afford get your hands on the Marc Jacobs sweatshirt or the Ashish collab, OPI has the next best thing. This summer it will team up with Coke to produce the ultimate red nail polish. I suggest one to wear and one for the collectibles cabinet…

[Sam McKnight images: Vogue, Hilary Alexander, Sam McKnight]