If you were a fan of Pamela Anderson’s minimalist beauty look at the recent Fashion Awardsbut don’t want to go without make up altogether – a dab of foundation and mascara can be the difference between looking fresh-faced and like a worn-out schmatter. But just as you wouldn’t go outside in just a t-shirt and jeans without a coat at this time of year, nor should your foundation be applied without a bit of moisturiser mixed in. I’ve never been a fan of putting foundation on ‘neat’ in any case. If your skin is anything like mine, it makes foundation look caked-on and mask-like (even the most hydrating formulas).
And yes I know there are tinted moisturisers out there but I didn’t like them when I was 13 and I don’t like them now. (Ditto: “clear mascara” which has all the appeal of non-alcoholic wine). I prefer to mix the foundation-to-moisturiser ratio myself depending on the weather or the amount of coverage I want. And during this current cold snap my skin needs all the hydration it can get. I’m currently wearing a cocktail of By Terry’s Hyaluronic Hydra Foundation (£53), which has hydrating hyaluronic acid mixed in, together with Skin Rocks The Rich Moisturiser (£65) with ceramics and lipids to bolster the skin barrier. (The latter is a range created by skinfluencer extraordinaire Caroline Hirons so you know it’s going to work hard for its money.) For those of you with oily skin who want something more lightweight, another product I love for this time of year is The Body Shop’s Vitamin E Bi-Phase Serum (£20) which delivers a hefty dose of moisture without feeling heavy or greasy.
Similarly, perfume in the winter months should be multi-layered, with enveloping base notes, rich enough to cut through the cold. My current go-to is Olfactive O’s ‘Skin’ by Jewish perfume designer Olivia Da Costa (£110). With beeswax, cedarwood and earthy vetiver, it works with your own skin pH and can be layered over other scents to add an extra earthy warmth. And for those with champagne tastes on a ginger beer budget, Bespoke London’s Sweet Spice and Sandalwood body spray (£1.99) has a perfectly pleasant sweet and woody scent with all the delectable appeal of a gingerbread latte. And speaking of gingerbread, I stumbled across a candle at a local craft fair which is the epitome of everyone’s favourite winter treat. Memory Scents are based in Hertford, Hertfordshire, with candles made from hand-poured soy wax with a large percentage of profits going to the Alzheimer’s Society. I’ve previously been a bit of a snob about scented candles as you normally can’t get a good ‘throw’ (how well a scent fills a room) unless you’re spending on the likes of Diptyque. But the way this £11.50 candle filled my entire flat with the sweet scents of gingerbread was nothing short of a Chanukah miracle.
You can find them at local craft fairs or visit their Instagram to shop: @memoryscentsx
