Givenchy

Old and new spring beauty



Olverum Pure Radiance Facial Oil

After the longest winter ever, we’re finally seeing glimmers of brighter days ahead. The one thing that’s kept me going beauty-wise has been products that engage the senses. Much as I appreciate purely functional products, I’m far more likely to use things if they look, smell and feel nice.


SKINCARE.
Apart from the odd central heating-induced breakout, my skin’s been surprisingly well behaved this year. My morning routine is fairly simple – oil or balm cleanser, followed by hydrating serum, moisturiser and facial oil. Shiseido’s Vital Protection Radiance Serum* (£106 below) has been a joy to use. Even though it’s a creamy texture, it’s quite ‘wet’, so it gives a good amount of slip for morning facial massage (I use my knuckles but you can also use a gua sha stone). While it’s pitched as anti-ageing (for fading dark spots and firming the jawline), I just use it as an extra boost of hydration. (more…)



First impressions: Riccardo Tisci for Burberry SS19



Burberry ss19 by Jamie Stoker for Vogue International

First impressions of Ricccardo Tisci for Burberry SS19 aka New Burberry? I thought he was very smart to open on those super grown up, chic, gentlewomanly pieces. Gorgeous honey-coloured trench coats with silky pleat skirts and scarf-style blouses, worn with elegant leather waist bags and stilettos. So not what we expected!

I noted that the younger models struggled on those pin heels (well they have been wearing Nikes for the last five years) but the supermodels (Stella, Natalia, Mariacarla et al) walked with grace and purpose. There was a little bit of Burberry check, but executed in a nuanced, respectful way, rather than the brash check of last season. (more…)



Summer fragrance: citrus and musk



Hermes Eau de Citron Noir and Musc Pallida and Cardamusc pure perfume oils
This summer’s twin fragrance obsessions are citrus and musk. I can’t get enough of either. My big citrus passion at the moment is Hermès Eau de Citron Noir (from £48 for 50ml), the latest addition to the Hermès colognes by in-house nose Christine Nagel. From the same family of cool citruses as Eau D’Orange Vert, it’s so juicy and delicious, I want to stick a straw in it and drink it. (more…)



Beauty favourites: moisture-packed lip sheers



The best Sheer moisturising lipsticks from YSL Chanel Givenchy Burberry Dior

There seems to be a huge push for multi-tasking moisturising lipsticks that let you decide if you want them sheer or high impact. YSL Beauty’s new Rouge Volupté Shine Tint-In-Oil sticks are the perfect example. They’re packaged like a classic lipstick but deliver so much more, which doesn’t surprise me – beauty consumers demand a hell of a lot from beauty products there days. The YSL Rouge Volupté Shine Tint-In-Oil stick is the solid stick version of the brilliant Volupté Tint-In-Oil that came out early last year. (more…)