This month, we’re firstly championing a purple reign with the prettiest perfumes and powders, we’re going luxe and wearing designer on our nails and our skin and beautifying ourselves from top to bottom (quite literally).
1. Lilac nails
First came colour correcting for our faces, now nails follow suit with Essie’s Treat Love & Color Strengthener in Laven-dearly, £8.99. A sheer lilac shade that neutralises uneven nail tones and is pretty enough to wear even when nails don’t require TLC.
2. Floral body lotion
Just the thing to brighten up murky mornings, L’Artisan Parfumeur La Chasse aux Papillons Body Lotion, £30, is heady with white flowers and makes us think of lazy summer days with every application. Well we can all dream, can’t we?
3. Facial cleanser
Serious skincare that’s fun to use is a rare thing but Oilixia’s Gummy Facial Cleanser, £24, is just that. A unique tacky texture that literally sucks out make-up, dirt and grime, skin is noticeably softer and brighter afterwards thanks to plum extract and macadamia oil.
4. Eau to dance
As the name suggests, Diana Vreeland Full Gallop, £180, is a vibrant, punchy (and hugely wearable) homage to amber, jasmine and pepper. Inspired by Diana’s love of dance, this will get us skipping and sashaying into spring.
5. Powder power
This nifty, handbag-sized Givenchy Prisme Libre Travel in Mousseline Pastel, £27, banishes shine and softens yellow tones to give skin a more even appearance. The in-lid powder puff also means no more grubby brushes at the bottom of our bags.
6. Chic to cheek
As with most things in life, options are always welcomed. Which makes NARS NARSissist Unfiltered II Cheek Palette, £45, a dream buy. Opt for earthy raspberry on days you require a natural, athletic flush, or pale peach when all you need is a subtle but sexy glow.
7. Skin renewing cream
It used to be that to go natural you had to sacrifice on efficiency. Not anymore, thanks to Kiehl’s Pure Vitality Skin Renewing Cream, £49, which harnesses Korean Red Ginseng Root and Manuka Honey, both sustainably sourced natural ingredients and proven biological actives. The combination helps skin resist oxidative damage and lock in hydration.
8. Moisturising matte lip colour
A moisturising matte is a rare thing but bareMinerals Gen Nude Matte Liquid Lipcolour in Juju, £17,
ticks all the boxes when it comes to comfort. Even better, the full coverage stays put through daily rigours including workouts and wine and the plum shade is spot on for the new season.
9. Bottoms up
If you thought facial masks were cutting-edge, allow us to introduce you to their better, or should that be, bottom, half. Nannette de Gaspé Uplift Revealed Tush, £130, uses active ingredients like hyaluronic acid in a (discreet) dry mask formulation that plumps and lifts your derriere from inside your undergarments. Squats optional.
10. Roots touch-up
While blending powders aren’t new news, EVERPRObeauty Back2Blonde Temporary Root Touch-Up Magnetic Powder, £12.99, makes it feel like they are. Perfect for on-the-go root reversal, this pigment with built-in sponge applicator matches a multitude of blonde shades and leaves no chalky residue (AKA no tell tale signs) behind.
11. Contour for your legs
Fab legs minus hours in the gym? Sisley has introduced White Ginger Contouring Oil for Legs, £115, to do just the job. Infused with essential oils and white ginger extract, it sculpts and tones for model-esque pins. Heavy legs? Massage in using a circular motion to soothe swollen tissue.
12. Eau so fresh
A scent to transition you from winter to spring comes courtest of Miu Miu. L’Eau Bleue, from £49, is an airy blend of lily of the valley, honesuckle and akigalawood. A light spritz on pulse points will keep heads turning.
13. Cooling gel
Skin is exposed to up to 17 thermal shocks a day from temperature and humidity changes, causing irritation and dehydration. Clarins Hydra-Essentiel Cooling Gel, £36 boosts moisture-retention and delivers a radiant yet matte finish. Now to escape the sub-zeros.
14. High-shine nails
While our pay check doesn't stretch to a pair of Louboutins, here's the next best thing. Loubichrome II nail polish, £23, is a highly pigmented fiery red with a chrome finish inspired by the specchio leather of Christian's famous red soles.
15. Getting lippy
2016’s liquid lipsticks have been replaced by more kiss-friendly formulas. Revlon Ultra HD Gel Lipcolor, £7.99, uses gel infused with hyaluronic acid to keep lips supple, while still packing plenty of pigment. For a Valentine's vibe, go for deep red HD Abode.
16. Gucci perfume
The latest incarnation of Gucci Bamboo Limited Edition, £68, projects a super-cool ladylike strength. And fleeting this fragrance is not – it’s warming, silky soft Casablanca Lily and Tahitian Vanilla notes linger nicely all day.
17. All-in-one eye palette
Beauty editors fell hard for MAC’s AW17 Trend Forecast Palette for Eyes, £35 at the spring / summer shows. Setting the agenda for the season, we’re applying its earthy hues to bestow a cool, modern breed of beauty.
18. Burgundy nails
When black feels scary and pastels too pretty, adorn your nails in Chanel Le Vernis in Emblématique, £20 (available from 10 March). On the plummy side of burgundy, it’s a universally flattering shade that will see you through from desk to drinks with ease.
19. Eye Eye
Marc Jacobs’ desirable makeup pouch created with illustrator Julie Verhoeven caused a slight scuffle on the beauty desk. We hope its eye-enhancing contents mean kissing no more frogs as well. Marc Jacobs Velvet Reality Eye Collection, £45.
20. The perfect shade of red lipstick
Those clever types at Givenchy know that finding the perfect red lip is a trying task, so created Rouge Interdit Rouge Révélateur, £25. This marbled bullet changes according to the pH of skin, turning lips a beauteous and bespoke shade of rouge.
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