Beauty bits: Michael Kors, NARS, Jo Malone London, Into The Gloss, & Other Stories, YSL, My Beauty Emporium
COMING SOON: MICHAEL KORS MAKE-UP
The Michael Kors machine is about to get even bigger with the announcement of his colour cosmetics line arriving in August. He already has a hugely successful fragrance market (the scented Michael Kors leg shine is one of my all-time favourite products), but this beauty line is set to send his stock even higher. And the packaging is predicted to be a bit ‘wow’ too, with the kind of glossy, golden, geometric shapes that I like. Produced by Estee Lauder, the line will be available exclusively to Macy’s in the US for the first year, as well as Michael Kors stores…
PIERRE HARDY FOR NARS
Who doesn’t love Pierre Hardy’s cubic repeat print pattern? But if you can’t stretch to a bag or pochette, you can certainly buy these. Hardy has collaborated with Nars on a capsule collection of nail colours and blush palettes (due next month). The blush palettes with their signature Hardy patterns would make a great gift for a Hardy fan, as would the nail polishes, which come in pairs. Clever concept, no?
JO MALONE’S HOME SMELLIES
Jo Malone London continues to crank out the homesy smellies with its line of ‘Scent Surround’ sachets and padded hangers. I don’t think these are the kind of thing you buy yourself (at £40 a pair it’s a tad indulgent, no?), but if you know a Jo Malone fan who is drowning in colognes and candles, then this (scented with English Pear & Freesia) is a lovely gifty option instead.
COURTNEY LOVE ON INTO THE GLOSS
Who knew Courtney Love was such a beauty junkie? Love did a Top Shelf interview for Into The Gloss in which I discovered you can buy face masks for your boobs…
YSL’S 2013 COLLECTOR EDITION TOUCHE ÉCLAT
Do you collect Touche Éclat? Well some people do. And every year YSL releases a new (limited edition obv) collectable version of its hero product. This year, it comes in a textured, ‘jewelled’ case which mimics the beading on an ‘exquisitely embroidered dress’. (You may or may not know that with these mega-brands, the beauty division is treated quite separately from the fashion, hence no Slimane-directed grungy make-up products or packaging at YSL Beauté. Yet.) Although I wouldn’t necessarily collect this, it’s a beautiful product, so if you’re due a restock, it’s available now – in shades 1 and 2 only – at £25. Buy YSL Touche Éclat Collector here…
& OTHER STORIES MAKE-UP
I must give a shoutout to the ‘& Other Stories’ make-up line. I bought an eyeshadow at the shop opening, and was gifted a lipstick, and both have been put through their paces over the last five weeks. The lipstick in particular is a huge success. It’s a proper punchy pink (called Ninon Pink, £12), which I never usually wear but the texture is buildable so you can go quite light (as I do) or more intense. What I love is that it fades to a stain without drying out your lips, so a couple of applications last pretty well throughout the day. The Foulard Marrakech Satin Eye Colour (£7) is a little crumbly but once on also has good staying power. You can buy & Other Stories online, but the in-store experience is so enjoyable, I’d recommend a visit if you’re heading to Regent Street…
MY BEAUTY EMPORIUM
Beauty editors have been slowly drifting ‘to the other side’, either as blog-style online publications (ref Susannah Taylor’s Get The Gloss), or as editorialised etailers (ref Anna-Marie Solowij’s BeautyMART). The latest beauty-editor-turned-etailer is Karena Callen (ex Elle and Red) who, with founder Seonaid Macdonald, has launched My Beauty Emporium. Their USP is beauty sourced from across the globe, mixing well-known brands like Caudalie and This Works with exclusive smaller finds. An ethical approach is a consideration too. The focus is on women for now, but mens grooming products ‘will increase month by month’. I like the no-nonsense look of Inedit, a Parisian skincare line, with clean, minimalist packaging…
