This morning I’ve delegated the school run to Mr Styling You. He’s taken an annual day and we’re off to the track (sadly, not Flemington … one year). While he’s dropping off Mr 6 to school and picking up his newly hemmed suit pants from the drycleaners, I’ll be getting my hair done and my headpiece secured. As you do.
To tell the truth, I’m a wee bit excited. This is the first Cup Day that I haven’t worked the MC mic for an event in three years, so it will be lovely to scoff a lot of champagne sit and relax with friends and pretend like I know something about horse racing.
What I do know is that Melbourne Cup Day signals the official start of the silly season, the end of which occurs in two months time when I usually take a look in the mirror before getting online and ordering four weeks worth of juice cleanses.
I can’t promise that this year I’m going to present a more mature approach to end-of-year parties and catch-ups* but I am feeling a wee bit smug, having armed myself with these beauty essentials:
1. Youngblood Mineral Illuminating Body Tint $52: I’m in LOVE with this body tint. It works a treat over a spray tan or between spray tans for a glow and sheen that not only looks great but is great for your skin. Key ingredients are shea butter, a cocktail of oils (sunflower, jojoba, coconut, avocado and argan), as well as vitamins A and E to de-scale dry skin. This is a serious alternative to fake tan and your skin will thank you for it.
2. QV Face Rescue Gel $19.95: My skin is prone to sensitivity at the best of times. When wine *slips* into my mouth for a few days in a row, it tells me in no uncertain way that it’s not happy. Which is why this gel is going to become my bestie. You can use it at any time of the day and under makeup. Its calming ingredient, Avemide, together with witch hazel, goes to work immediately. It’s also a dream after a dose of sun.
3. Lanolips Lip Ointment Mulberry $13.95: Stylers, you know I’m a HUGE fan of Lanolips, right? Have been from day dot. So, to have a Christmas limited edition tube to carry around with me is just too festive for words. Don’t be fooled by the dark colour of the tube. On the lips, it’s quite sheer but with a underlying dark berry tint. The mulberry inspiration comes from its creator’s Christmas holidays spent picking fresh mulberries and turning them into pies and jam.
4. Garnier Clean Sensitive Gentle Facial Cleansing Wipes $7.95: Ok, so there are some nights that I’m out late and get a little bite *tired*, so tired that my usual skincare routine may be in danger of being missed. But no-one likes a makeup-smeared pillowcase. I’ve always got face wipes on hand and these ones are perfect to cope with a sensitive skin that has been used and abused during the party season. Tip: buy an extra pack for your bedside table and leave some moisturiser there too.
5. John Frieda Full Repair Touch-up Flyaway Tamer $15.99: When summer sets in, so do the frizzies. Mine get particularly unattractive as I have new hair growth that can be quite tufty (I regularly lose A LOT of hair due to a thyroid condition). This product is genius. Firstly, you can take it in your handbag with you. Secondly, the mascara-like wand used to apply the styling formula is inspired. Thirdly, the the formula itself contains Inca Inchi oil that works to smooth things down. On demand.
6. Skin Doctors Jungle Bronze Skin Gloss$39.95: I like to extend my salon spray tans as long as possible. Yes that means lots of moisturiser but I’ve also found that if I use a bronzing or gradual moisturiser you get more bang for your buck. The Youngblood one above is an example but this one adds some serious colour that sticks. It’s a bit scary looking as it’s really dark brown but goes on perfectly to work with your skin tone. The colour comes from a brown iron oxide and it also contains a moderate sunscreen.
7. Bobbi Brown Bobbi’s Party eau de parfum $115: This one’s not on counter till November 13 but I’ve been lucky enough to give it a test run over the past couple of weeks. The fragrance is part of a special Bobbi Brown collection celebrating the makeup guru’s 20 years in the business. It was a bit spicy going on for my initial liking but within minutes, it mellowed as the rose and sandalwood notes dominated. Now we’re firm friends and she’ll be seeing me through the party season and beyond.
8. Aveeno Positively Radiant Eye Illuminator $19.99: My eyes are never happy with me at the best of times (think late nights tweeting working) let alone at this time of year when I can wake looking less than special. I have a beauty cabinet almost exclusively devoted to eye products and this one is the latest arrival. It targets dehydration and dark circles with a soy complex, light-diffusing formula and this is applied with a brush-like applicator. It’s cool on contact, providing instant relief.
9. L’Oreal Paris Base Magique Transforming Smoothing Primer $29.95: Summer + parties + makeup is not a match made in beauty heaven. Makeup can slide off your face quicker than it takes to finish your first champagne. Which is why I never leave home without priming under my makeup. This one is a little tub of delight. It’s a seemingly thicker texture than most primers but it goes on super lightly leaving an incredibly smooth base on which to apply your makeup. Tip: apply some to the top of your hands before heading out. Tired skin is refreshed in a flash and looks pretty damn perky wrapped around that champers glass.
10. Elizabeth Arden Limited Edition Eight Hour Cream Intensive Moisturising Hand Treatment $35: Eight Hour Cream is a living legend in the skincare world. So many women I know have been buying it for years – maybe not since it was first released on the market in 1930 but you get my drift. If you’ve never, gosh horror, tried it, now is the time, with three limited edition products in this Jewel Collection. You know how I mentioned about hands and champagne glasses above? Well, this is my overnight secret weapon. Slather it on before bed (preferably after you’ve finished reading your iPad … or is that just me?) and your hands will congratulate you in the morning, figuratively speaking of course.
Have you found a beauty product this month that you’d love to tell us about? Share below. We’re all ears … eyes and face. *And what is it about the catch-up that everyone has to have before Christmas? Are we afraid things will be different next year?
The above products were sent to me for editorial consideration in accordance with my disclosure policy.
Comments 22
I love the idea of the Youngblood tint, I’m trying to go more natural too so it would be perfect. Need that hair tamer in my bag stat!
Author
Oh they’re both amazing products. Love the subtle shade the Youngblood tint gives and the hair tamer, pure genius.
I use the Garnier facial wipes – love them to death – as a mum with a toddler they make skin cleansing simple and quick – so I actually do it!
Author
That’s the key, isn’t it? Finding products that are no fuss and easily fit into your day.
Great selection as always Nikki!! My two faves for summer are both from Garnier (no I am not sponsored by them!!) Their sugar scrub for the body is amazing before applying fake tan, it makes your skin so smooth and soft, ready for the beach (or cocktail frocks!).
My second pic is Garnier’s BB miracle cream – it’s a great tinted moisturiser. Great coverage, sunscreen in it and a yummy smell! With those two products (and the 30 others in my makeup bag) I’m covered for summer!! xx
Author
You and me both, Garnier BB cream is my go-to product. Possibly product of the year! (I featured it in last month’s Beauty Bag but it’s still on high rotation!)
Thats so good to know. Ive been wondering what would be a good buy for summer ‘foundation’ that isnt heavy and pore blocking and you’ve just answered the question!
Author
Even better is that you’ll be able to re-stock without breaking the budget!
That is a fab selection of products!! Love the Lanolips range. One of my fav lipglosses!! I can’t live without a rosewater spritz. I use it to refresh makeup, cool me down through summer, as a pick me up and a toner before applying my moisturisers. Love it!
Author
I know, I’m obsessed by Lanolips. Have every colour and always have the 101 ointment by my bed. Rosewater spritz is a brilliant idea!
I love the look of the mulberry coloured Lanolips, will have to pick one of those up (I’ve only got about 55 lip products in the bottom of my bag after all!) Also, how amazing is the L’Oreal primer, smooth as silk, love it.
On rotation for me at the moment: Sodashi’s incredible Rejuvenating Face + Neck moisturiser, Trilogy rose hip oil (always) and L’Oreal Revitalift facial cleansing wipes, which I find ultra-nourishing – they don’t leave my face feeling dry and tight. x
Author
Rach, your handbag sounds similar to mine! But there’s always room for one more 😉 And LOVE the products you mentioned – all good for keeping you looking fresh.
Hi there 🙂
I LOVE Youngblood Mineral Illuminating Body Tint!!! It’s the best one I’ve used. Gone are the days of Dove Summer Glow or Johnson’s Holiday Skin (what a nightmare that was hehe).
Happy cup day!
Author
It’s pretty special, April, isn’t it?!
My favourite beauty product of the moment is Laura Mercier tinted moisturiser. It’s so easy to apply and looks much more natural than foundation. I’m so in love with this product as I thought I’d never use a tinted moisturiser, but this provides enough coverage without the cakey look.
My other favourite is Pure Fiji Body Oil in Frangipani. It’s so moisturising without being heavy, and the scent reminds me of being back in Fiji.
Author
Laura Mercier tinted moisturiser is a cult beauty product for all of those reasons. And Pure Fiji is like a holiday in a jar or bottle. Heaven!
For me it’s got to be Garnier’s new Miracle Skin Perfector. Been using it since the trial and have not used anything else since. Love the fact that it’s “one stop shop” type of thing, where I only need a concealer on top of that to cover any other blemishes.
Author
Norlin, BB Cream has not left my side since it launched! Love it!!
ok you ladies have got me wanting to try BB out now – I’ve been too fixated trying to work out what BB stands for!
Author
Beauty or Blemish Balm – has been hugely popular in Asia for years. Now making its way here. Illamasqua’s new foundation, Skin Base, is also BB inspired.
I’m loving the new Napoleon Perdis Sheer Genius Liquid Foundation. The last 3 foundations I’ve bought are too yellow for me, but this is perfect.
Also keen on Sebastian Microweb Fiber. Takes my sweet curly bob into edgy Alexa Chung territory.
Australis Creme Colour for cheeks + lips costs $10 and is awesome! I like the sweetly pretty Flirtatious Pink and the slightly more dramatic Dusky Rose.
Author
Hi Kim-Marie, yes Napoleon Sheer Genius is what it says – genius. It’s not their latest but one I keep coming back to.