Grace Notes: December 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.
The Ordinary Natural Moisturising Factors
This one is for all the ‘scared of moisturiser’ folk out there. If you’re sensitive-skinned, easily congested, and believe that moisturising contributes to your oily skin and breakouts, do yourself a favour and try this. It’s a light but powerful cream that works for any skin type, every skin condition, and can be worn day or night, and applied as thick or as thin as you desire. I recommend this to clients who don’t moisturise, are wary of moisturising, or are limited by a budget. Natural moisturising factors defines a category of hydrating ingredients that are naturally found in the skin, so there’s absolutely no harm this can do. I’ve been using it recently myself because I wanted a really basic but hydrating cream that would work in sync with the more active products in my routine.
Bumble & Bumble Glow Thermal Protection Mist
For hair that needs a little TLC before going under the heat, this is the stuff. It makes my at-home blowout smooth and silky, basically the closest I’ve ever gotten to achieving that fresh-from-the-salon feeling. It’s part of a three-piece collection that Bumble & Bumble have just launched to repair, protect, and boost shine, and is a great choice for those who are as much a slave to their hairdryer/straighteners as I am. This tiny bottle was the stand-out of a recent event goody bag and I’ll most certainly be purchasing the full size version when it runs dry.
Bare Minerals Original Foundation
Yes, it’s the light foundation you used before Instagram makeup became a thing, and yes, it’s still the best. I’ve written recently about how my skin has gotten to a place where I feel confident enough to just wear concealer and/or a light base for everyday, and this has been one of my favourites. Funnily enough, it was the first foundation I ever wore, back when my acne was at its worst and I was scared to apply anything too thick or potentially pore-clogging to it. Now we’ve come full circle, and while my skin is currently the clearest and calmest it’s been in years, once again this foundation is the best thing for it.
Maison Margiela Replica By The Fireplace EDT
Imagine: Making a mulled wine, changing into cashmere loungewear and fur-lined slippers, wrapping yourself in a blanket, and getting cosy in front of a fire with a book that you love but haven’t read in years. Is this the perfect recipe for the perfect winter’s day? Then this is the fragrance for you. It’s deliciously warm, rich, a little sweet, and if I only had five words to describe it I’d go with ‘a hug in a bottle’. I’ve been wearing it everyday since I opened the bottle and I’m already considering how long I can draw out its wear into the new year.
Neighbourhood Botanicals Age of Aquarius Hair Oil
2019 was the year I realised how to make hair oil work for me, so it only feels right that one has finally made the cut for monthly favourites. What I discovered is that a small amount of oil massaged into and combed through the very ends of my hair before bed results in soft, silky, ends that don’t go fluffy or break into 64293 split ends. The reason I love this one so much is because it’s not thick or heavy and is impossible to overdo - mostly because the applicator is a spray and therefore dispenses just the right amount of product. Listen up haircare brands, spray oils are the way forward.