While I couldn’t imagine permanently leaving North London, I’ve always wanted to spend more time in New York, not least for its unparalleled beauty scene. (Sephora! Be still my heart!) A recent trip made me realise that New York’s beauty culture and Jewish culture are intrinsically linked. The most famous example is Josephine Esther Mentzer — later known as Estée Lauder. She changed her name to try to appear as aristocratic and European as possible, but this no-nonsense New Yorker was actually born in Queens, the daughter of Jewish-Hungarian immigrants.
Lauder had a blockbuster success in 1953 with the launch of Youth Dew, a bubble bath which doubled up as perfume (an actual perfume was eventually released, which you can still buy today). Legend has it, Lauder got the attention of buyers by smashing a bottle of said Youth Dew on a department store floor, causing a commotion when a crowd gathered, drawn to its addictive aroma. (This is probably one of those famous beauty myths, but I love how epic and scriptural it sounds.) Either way, Lauder’s unparalleled salesmanship led her to become one of the doyennes of the industry and a household name. Another Lauder fragrance worth spritzing on is Modern Muse (£74), which I love wearing at this time of year. With an enveloping bouquet of jasmine, tuberose and musks — it’s rich enough to cut through the cold and get you into the party spirit.
More recently, another famous New Yorker to release a beauty range is musician Alicia Keys. Hailing from Manhattan’s Hell’s Kitchen, Keys famously wrote the love song Empire State of Mind in honour of her home city. And her skincare and bodycare range ‘Keys Soulcare’ is as impressive as her music. Developed by a dermatologist, products are designed to be applied mindfully and purposefully, inspired by ancient beauty rituals with ingredients like malachite, Manuka honey and Hojicha powder. The body oil (£25) smells delightful and leaves skin feeling like butter.
But for me, the brand that epitomises New York cool is Milk Makeup, who also do a seriously good line of skincare. Their Vegan Milk Moisturising Cleanser (£12) lifts away all manner of city grime without stripping the skin in the process, while their Highlighter Stick (£12) gives the complexion an expensive, lit-from-within effect.
And whether you’re remaining on this rainy isle or living it up in the Big Apple, some hardworking skincare is vital to protect your complexion during the winter months. Biossance Squalene + Vitamin C Rose Oil (£55) has kept my skin glowing and redness at bay, with radiance-boosting Damascus rose extract and skin-plumping Chios crystal oil, as well as the brand’s hero ingredient – squalene. Despite its odd name, it’s a go-to ingredient if the inclement weather has left your skin looking ruddy and chapped. Traditionally extracted from sharks (really!), Biossance’s vegan version is derived from sugarcane and supports the skin’s natural barrier to lock in moisture and prevent against irritation, giving you the complexion of a Park Avenue Princess. (Or Finsbury Park Princess in my case.)