health & beauty
TOP NEW RANGES, TREATMENTS AND NEWS FROM THE WORLD OF MAKEUP, SKINCARE AND FRAGRANCE
Compiled by Nicola McGeorge
WHAT A CHRISTMAS BEAUTY!
LATEST TRENDS
We can make your Christmas shopping a doddle with the best of the beauty gifts – in all price ranges. There are even some products to help you prepare for that important mistletoe kiss!
Iconic beauty
Bring glamour back this season with Revlon’s Fire and Ice range. A take on the collection of 1952, this saucy scarlet was one of the most iconic campaigns in advertising history and featured the first ever model, Dorian Leigh. Revlon have re-created the original ad campaign with Mario Testino and Jessica Biel – and it’s smoking hot. Red lipstick usually washes me out, but this red has just the right amount of blue and orange in it to be pretty much universal. Did I feel like a ‘50s bombshell while applying it? You bet I did.
revlon.com
The power of a woman
Eighteen years after Angel and five years after the extraordinary Alien, Thierry Mugler is saluting femininity. Named Womanity, the fragrance is a symbol of feminine power: a link, a positive energy shared by all women, a way for women to connect. This is an eau de parfum like no other, celebrating the diversity of styles and femininity… a unique, sweet, salty, woody creation. I found Womanity sweet, but not too sweet – it's heady and it's definitely got a lot of personality.
thierrymugler.com
Look into my eyes
A highlight this autumn was the launch of Star by Julien Macdonald, created exclusively for Debenhams by the internationally renowned fashion designer. For ladies who love the spotlight try these fun, pink and black feather, quirky party lashes to add a striking look to any LBD.
debenhams.com
The must-have
Benefit is one of my favourite brands, so if I do not see this gift set sitting under my Christmas tree I am not going to be a happy bunny. Be warned, boyfriend! Some Beauty To Love is a limited-edition set of four Benefit "lust-haves" in a collectible, purse-shaped box. This kit is the perfect gift for the beauty-obsessed (me) and includes an array of face-brightening products: one full-size Coralista coral-pink cheek powder; one full-size Eye Bright instant eye brightener; and deluxe minis of That Gal brightening face primer and BADgal Lash mascara. Believe me, after too many late nights and way too many mince pies, That Gal will be your Christmas lifesaver.
benefitcosmetics.com
Perfect your pucker for the holiday season
A unique holiday gift set… mix and match these Long Last Glosswear SPF 15 duos so you'll never be without your favourite shades. The moisture-rich hues, with eight hours of lasting shine, are Air Kiss, Bamboo Pink, Bonfire, Juicy Apple, Kissyfit and Mystic. I will be using Kissyfit to lure my man under the mistletoe.
clinique.com
Retro chic
Marks and Spencer’s Busy But Beautiful beauty gift set is a range of body-beautiful, must-have products to help keep your skin feeling fabulous. The five-part set includes a 50ml shower cream, 50ml body polish, 50ml body lotion and 10ml lip gloss, and an eye mask. I am also totally in love with the kitsch packaging – not what you would expect from M&S at all. This collection of beauty essentials is ideal whether you're at home or away. You can always be glam!
marksandspencer.com
The naked palette
This is how Urban Decay do neutral! Far from a group of boring beige shadows, this long, lean, seductive case is packed with TWELVE gorgeous neutrals. Shades range from delicate champagnes to dark, gritty gunmetal, and feature five new shades with names such as Darkhorse, Virgin and Buck. They have also included a range of textures: everything from glitter to shimmer to matte. Another one to be added to my list for Father Christmas.
urbandecay.com