Beauty Spot

Does your makeup collection need an update? Here are my top picks for what’s hot right now:

 

Urban Decay’s latest addition to their cult-fave lineup, Naked Reloaded, $76, features a 12-pan palette of warm-skewing nudes, best suited to those with warm skin tones. Six bold, high-impact cool neutrals make for a versatile combo in the Magnify Emphasize Eye Design Palette by Kevin Aucoin, $79. For a smouldering bronzed look, the Dior Wild Earth collection is one not to be missed. With golds, coppers, and taupes in luminous finishes, these tawny shades create sensual looks beyond compare.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sensitive Solutions

Whether you’re breaking out or flaking, a change in season tends to be hard on the skin. Use a soothing yet impurity-extracting mask like the Sukin Pink Clay Facial Masque, $21.50, and follow with the supremely hydrating Dr Lewinn’s Ultra R4 Face Mask, $11.99, to plump and nurture tired skin. Take extra care around the eye area to prevent lines and soothe puffy eyes with Arbonne RE9 Advanced Prepwork Gel Eye Masks, $82.

 

Eye to Eye

A floral-woody blend with a heart of orange blossom, Calvin Klein Woman EDT, 50ml, $99, has a clean and modern scent in classic CK fashion. Imitating the fresh smell of pressed white linen, the lemon, white peony, and ambrox meld to evoke a sense of optimism.

Create the look

Use haircare rich in oils to prevent the absorption of external humidity; Alterna Caviar Smoothing Anti-Frizz Shampoo and Conditioner, $52 each; for lacklustre hair, an illuminating hair mask will bring back shine, Davines The Spotlight Circle, 19.90; spritz through a nourishing all-in-one protective spray like the Sisley Hair Rituel Protective Hair Fluid, $135; mould the hair with kms Thermashape Straightening Cream, $ ; use liberal amounts of Moroccanoil Volumizing Mousse, $63.50, to create a voluminous side part. Dry and fix with ghd festival air hairdryer, $265. Finish the look with Oribe Superfine Strong Hair Spray, $60.

 

 

 

Bright and Luminous

There’s no better time than autumn to undo some of summer’s ravages. Ultraceuticals Ultra Brightening Serum, $175; and Moisturiser Cream, $132, works as a potently exfoliating yet nourishing night regimen to dramatically enhance luminosity and clarity in the skin.  For a natural alternative, the Arbonne RE9 Advanced Brightening Night Cream, $152, includes cherry blossom, birch leaf and licorice root extracts.  If you suffer from rosacea or acne, you may be prone to inflammatory pigmentation. Azelaic acid, urea, ceramides and high amounts of Omega 6 in dermaviduals Complexion Skin Care Liposome Plus, $98.50, work as an anti-bacterial anti-inflammatory to visibly reduce acne and redness.

Skin Comforters

Protecting the skin from stressors, Environ Antioxidant Gel, $68, acts as a cooling comfort cream, relieving discomfort and shielding the skin against pollutants. If you’re in need of a rich and nourishing formula to hydrate very dry skin, layer or mix Weleda Almond Sensitive Skin Soothing Facial oil and the cream, $28.90 each, to alleviate and treat irritated skin.

 

 

Parisian Dream

Sensual, potent, mysterious and wild, excessive florals bloom in the latest releases from France. Soft and airy, the velvety rose is caressed by sambac jasmine and violet leaf in Rochas Mademoiselle, EDT, 90ml, $145, perfectly epitomizing the Parisian chic je ne sais quoi. White flowers, peaches, pears and bergamot meld in YSL Mon Paris Parfum Floral, 50ml, $179, to create a fruity-floral chypre that sparks passion and romance. Guerlain Mon Guerlain Bloom of Rose, EDT, 50ml, $157, explores feminine confidence and dazzling positive radiance in its bouquet of Bulgarian rose, neroli, lavender and white flowers.

 

 

Glow Factor

To create a lit-from-within glow, use a fresh and luminous foundation formula to prep the canvas.
Clinique Even Better fresh, $70; NARS Sheer Glow Foundation, $79; Bobbi Brown Intensive Skin Serum Foundation SPF25, $110.
To conceal blemishes and highlight the high points, go in with the new high-coverage YSL Touche Eclat Full Cover Radiant Touch Pen, $69.
Combining a contour, blush and highlighter in one, NARS Mosaic Glow Blush, $72, gives that covetable multi-dimensional look with a super radiant finish.
Add a pop of pearlescent pink champagne or glittery gold on the eyes for the final wow factor. Stila Iridescent Glitter & Glow Liquid Shadow Mini Trio, $43

 

Food for Skin

New Zealand brand Kotia has harnessed the abundant nutrients and antioxidants in deer milk to create a promising skincare formulation. Rich in vitamin A and B, folic acid, Zinc and anti-inflammatory agents, it feeds the skin to repair and regenerate.

Hydrating Day Cream SPF15 $69; Regenerating Night Cream $75; Purifying Toner $40, Exfoliating Cleansing Milk $40, Rejuvenating Serum $86, Nourishing Cream Mask $51; Brightening Eye Cream $63; Revitalizing Hand & Nail Cream, $34.

 

 

JI Trinity

Jane Iredale celebrates 25 years of luxury mineral makeup with a Limited Edition Anniversary Kit, $207, just in time for Mother’s Day. The heavenly trio of PurePressed Base Mineral Foundation and compact, Handi Brush and Pommiss Hydration Spray, creates a sheer and weightless veil that instantly mattifies and evens skin tone.