9 December, 2017

Festive beauty for for minimalists

I struggle with festive style. I cannot abide a novelty ‘Christmas jumper’, anything too sequinny makes me think ‘Julien Macdonald for Debenhams’, and sparkly eyeshadow makes my eyelids look like they’re disintegrating.

Instead, I resort to my default option of silk shirt (my black Levi’s one with navy stars is as jazzy as I go) and tailored trousers with a cocktail ring or two and one of my Judith Leiber ~~vintage minaudieres~~.

Chanel’s Numéros Rouges limited edition Christmas collection is rather jewel-like too, with newly red-encased lipsticks replacing the classic black packaging. I’m a die-hard bullet girl when it comes to lipsticks and the Rouge Allure bullets come in a unique case where the lipstick ‘pops’ out with one push. There are four reds in this collection – numbered 1, 2, 3 and 4. That’s two Rouge Allure reds (with a well-pigmented satin finish in No 1 and No 4) and two soft matte Rouge Allure Velvets in No 2 and No 3. (In the above and below shots I have No 1 on the left and and No 2 on the right.) The lipsticks are all £30.

I try to put my red lip on well before time to let it soak into a stain. After ten minutes, I blot and reapply, then blot again and then go on top with a sheer gloss. (Chanel’s Rouge Coco glosses are excellent; there are two in this collection, called True and Romance, £26). When the gloss wears off, you’re left with the original pigment and a little sheen. I do a cream smoky eye shadow and lots of mascara only on the top lashes and try to tease out the edges into a feline shape.

I have to flag up the Chanel no 5 Fragments D’Or (£70 for 250ml). Chanel always does clever things to reinvent its fragrance ancillary products, such as pearlescent powdered perfume and some memorable Chanel no 5 ceramic mini camellias that I have squirelled away somewhere. Chanel no 5 Fragments D’Or is a stroke of genius, a sparkling body gel that’s slightly sticky on application but dries into a veil of shimmering gold flecks. (Buy it in the UK here.)

You can apply this to arms, neck and décolletage and the scent of Chanel no 5 will gently envelope whoever leans in to kiss you. You can put it in your hair as well – it’s not greasy at all. That aside, it’s the most spectacular jewel to decorate your dresser. The combination of minimalist angular bottle and molten gold liquid is quietly decadent, yet absolutely chic.

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WORDS AND IMAGES: Disneyrollergirl/Navaz Batliwalla

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