Grace Notes: October 2019
WORKING AS A BEAUTY WRITER PRACTICALLY REQUIRES ME TO TURN UP AT WORK WEARING AS LITTLE PRODUCT AS POSSIBLE – A BLANK CANVAS IF YOU WILL – TO BE SMOTHERED AND SWATCHED IN POTIONS AND PIGMENTS FROM 8 ‘TILL 5. AS IT'S MY JOB TO SWATCH AND SNIFF MY WAY THROUGH THE LATEST AND GREATEST BEAUTY LAUNCHES, EACH MONTH I DEBRIEF ON THE ONES WORTH WRITING HOME ABOUT.
Hershesons Almost Everything Cream
If you (like me) favour a lazy approach to haircare, then this is the kind of product that will absolutely speak to you. As its appropriate name suggests, it’s a multitasking hair cream which can be used as anything from a hair mask to a styling cream (and everything in between). I personally prefer to make use of it for the latter - either on wet or dry lengths to prevent frizz and fluffiness. It goes on smooth and creamy, and never leaves me with clumpy bits or greasiness. I use on freshly washed hair to make blowdrying more manageable, or on dry ends in the mornings when they’re looking a little dry and need a pick-me-up.
Eve Lom Cleansing Capsules
If at first glance you thought that the 90s’ trend for bubble bath pods (remember those?) was back, I can only apologise for getting your hopes up - and assure you that in fact what I’m about to describe is even better. Meet the latest edition to Eve Lom’s family of cleansers. Fuss free, travel friendly, and every bit as luxurious as the cleansing balm we all know and love. By gently twisting off the nib of these (biodegradable!) mint green capsules, you release a perfectly portion dose of cleansing oil (in scent and formula exactly like the cleansing balm but in the form of a light, silky oil). It really does feel like silk - perfect for massaging into skin, and it’s the exact perfect amount of product - so nothing is wasted.
Byredo Bal d’Afrique Body Lotion
I first used Byredo’s Bal d’Afrique on my trip to Australia last year. Since then I haven’t been able to so much as sniff it without being instantly transported back to happy memories of sandy beaches, palm trees, and morning iced coffees. Such is the power of scent. I haven’t properly worn the EDP since - I’m scared of overwriting the good memories - but at the same time, smelling the warm, vibrant fragrance is the best way to keep them alive. The Body Lotion has presented the perfect opportunity to do so in a slightly more subtle way - with one rubdown I’m instantly transported to a beach holiday (minus the sand and sunburn). As with all Byredo lotions (both hand and body) the scent lasts on skin all day, so even though it’s most definitely winter in Manchester right now, I can close my eyes and instantly be transported back to Bondi Beach.
Bobbi Brown Skin Serum Foundation
As I was writing up an edit of the best ‘skin-like foundations’ (coming soon), I discovered Bobbi Brown’s Skin Serum Foundation and latched on, tight. It’s medium coverage (and buildable), but feels completely weightless on skin. The word ‘serum’ really is the best way to describe not only the texture of the product (light and silky) but also the effect it has on skin - it gives that fresh, radiant glow, that’s normally only achievable via tactical layering of primers and highlighters. Potential wedding foundation? Watch this space...
Surratt Auto Graphique Liner
Like every beauty editor, I’m committed to the lifelong quest in search of the perfect black liquid eyeliner - it’s the little black dress of the beauty world. I’ve always known that the formula would be a felt tip - they’re by far the easiest to apply - and so I think I might have hit gold in this one. The plushy but firm nib is long and perfectly shaped, depositing just the right amount of ink (no second coat needed) and making light work of the trickier aspects of eyeliner application - angle, length, thickness, placement etc. It makes cat eye liner less of a ‘wake up ten minutes early and have 6574839 cotton buds on hand’ exercise and more ‘job done in < 30 seconds’, which is 100% my vibe, and (if you value your sleep) probably yours too.
