Experimenting with makeup is joyous. Years down the line, though, photographic evidence of your creativity might leave you cringing. Glossy skin juxtaposed with matte bold lips (as per Talbot Runhof AW19), however, is timeless. First, prep. Refine your skin texture and hydrate to the hilt – no amount of makeup will disguise rough, dehydrated skin. Choose a dewy foundation with a skin-like finish, a subtle highlighter, a hint of blush and finish with a bright lip. Just remember to choose a non-drying matte or you’ll end up with more cracks than our current political climate.
1. Beauty Pie Dr Glycolic Pore-Purifying Glow Toner from £9.79, beautypie.com
2. Illamasqua Antimatter Lipstick in Glow £20, illamasqua.co.uk
3. Suqqu Pure Color Blush £34, selfridges.com
4. Milk Flex Highlighter £24, cultbeauty.co.uk
5. Armani Luminous Silk Hydrating Primer £34, selfridges.com
I can’t do without: a foundation to suit an ever-changing skin
charlottetilbury.com
I have a wardrobe of around six foundations. They are of varying textures, consistencies and shades and I use them in rotation, sometimes mixing and matching. I do this because, be it hormones, stress, life or the weather, skin changes. It is a living, breathing organ, it doesn’t stay stagnant so one must adapt accordingly. Thanks to a history of bad foundations (I have looked orange, grey and green), I approach new foundations with niggling cynicism. This one, however, is a goodie. The 44 shades are created with undertones in mind (one of the keys to a great foundation) and they are full coverage but weightless, so no risk of a mask-like finish. The formulation and stats are impressive. It contains Replexium, a skincare compound proven to reduce wrinkles by 22% over eight weeks. It also includes a pollution-fighting peptide and boosts moisture levels by 216% – so it’s great for dehydrated and older skins (oilier types may need a translucent powder.) It basically looks like a more expensive, uber-radiant version of my normal skin. So this is now in my foundation repertoire: I have a one-in one-out policy. Of course, no matter how many times I have explained the thinking behind my six foundations, it never stops sounding indulgent. Forgive me, I’m a beauty editor.
Charlotte Tilbury Airbrush Flawless Foundation, £34, charlottetilbury.com
On my radar … Blemish attacker, epic eye palette and racy perfume
selfridges.com
Eyes right This epic palette is what happens when a collaboration between a superstar influencer and a social-first beauty powerhouse works. Anastasia Beverly Hills x Jackie Aina eyeshadow palette, £46, selfridges.com
Spot check To blitz spots use a non-drying, gentle on the skin and tough on blemishes product like this willow bark-infused inflammation fighter. REN Non Drying Spot Treatment, £15, renskincare.com
Premier scent It is arguable that nothing could take the place of Malle’s cult scent, Portrait of a Lady. But this latest concoction of rose, geranium and leather is bound to nip at its heels. Editions De Parfums Frédéric Malle Rose & Cuir, £135, libertylondon.com
Follow Funmi on Twitter @FunmiFetto
This article contains affiliate links, which means we may earn a small commission if a reader clicks through and makes a purchase. All our journalism is independent and is in no way influenced by any advertiser or commercial initiative. By clicking on an affiliate link, you accept that third-party cookies will be set. More information.
