[unpaid/sample/purchase/affiliate/ad] I’ve tried to focus on things that I’ve either discovered or used most this year and it doesn’t boil down to very many things/ That’s the trouble with favourites – you tend to use them to the exclusion of everything else. I love a good lip balm – it’s something I use at least once a day and before I go to bed and the absolute star of the year is Biossance Squalane + Rose Vegan Lip Balm. However, honorable mentions to Sisley (which I cannot give up even though it’s a horribly expensive habit) and to Victoria Health Fulvic Nail Cream (yes, you read that right!) which can be used for either/or and I think could well be the next ‘make-up artist secret’ product to revamp cat-walk weary models when things are back to normal.
You can tell how often I’ve used this by the lid which is definitely showing signs of wear! The formula creates a fine veil over the lips which has the benefit of making it last ages (this is still my sample pot from months ago). When I first reviewed it I didn’t realise that the ceramide + hyaluronic is the magic ingredient combination – I thought it was solely the squalane. I learned from Elizabeth Arden that ceramides and hyaluronic are a match made in heaven. Squalane is a lipid that we produce ourselves (annoyingly it declines as life goes on) and therefore is beautifully skin compatible. I have never noticed any plumping effect – and nor can I determine any rose fragrance – but nonetheless it’s a high performing balm that keeps my lips smooth, soft, moisturised and flake free and that’s pretty much all I’m looking for. Compared to many higher end balms, I think it’s very reasonable at £16 HERE, non-affiliate HERE.
You can tell these have been knocking about in pockets and handbags for a while, but I am on my third Gucci Rene Pink Lipstick since testing it out for FT How To Spend It. I know I’ve featured it here before (and across all my social channels) and hate to bang the same drum over and over but I can’t make up a new favourite when this is what I wear nine times out of ten. It’s juicy, beautifully balmy and a vivid red (it’s more red than pink) that just perks up my face (and it needs it!). Wearing it now, in fact. I have zero relationship with Gucci (owned by Coty and getting a sample for the FT was an experience I’ll never repeat because it was horrible) so other than the dead one at the end, the others are bought – and will continue to be so. It’s so often the case that if you have a bad experience with the brand it puts you off the products for ever but this is just so ‘my’ lipstick, that I can’t get my credit card out quick enough when it comes to needing another!
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This was taken in early December in a very chilly Covent Garden when we could have a coffee sitting down outside. But, it kind of sums up my feeling about this colour – it makes me smile. Of COURSE it’s not in the sale, but you can find Rene Pink HERE for £34 (I know – and it goes quickly too) non-affiliate HERE. Gucci describes it as a soft glow of colour and I think that’s about right – it’s not full saturation, is very moisturising so your lips look comfortable and smooth and pretty.
A shout out also for Glossier Gloss in red which, although a much more simple affair with standard ingredients Vitamin E and jojoba, is joy in a tube when all you need is a lightly tinted shine. It’s very well loved in beauty circles (last time I saw Caroline the first thing she said was ‘is that Glossier red?’) for good reason – cheap, cheery and an easy wear for every skin tone. If you normally steer clear of reds, it’s a good starting place. It’s £11 HERE, non affiliate HERE. I think this is probably my fourth or fifth tube and invariably, if I’m not wearing Rene Pink, I’m wearing this.
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