How to master five minute make-up
When it comes to New Year’s resolutions, I always make mine in September. There’s less pressure on the diet that never happens, the January that’s rarely dry and, heck, at least the weather’s much nicer (or one would hope). During the summer months, I find my make-up is a bit all over the place, especially with this year’s heatwave that caused everything to slip and slide around. But in September, it’s that shiny new pencil case feeling: a welcome chance for a new edit of hard-working products that feel grown-up and suitably autumnal. Here are my quick-fix tricks for seeing in the new season…
1. One-minute secret to a good base
Arm yourself with a fine semi-matt but natural-looking foundation. I’m all for a bit of dewy tinted moisturiser in the summer, but from September it’s back to a proper base again.
I’ve been loving the new liquid Hello Happy Soft Blur Foundation by Benefit – I tap it on to my face with a damp make-up sponge, working from the nose out, where I have the most redness. Using a damp sponge means you can quickly build coverage where you need it, without looking cakey.
Its finish is what I like to call matt-fresh: still glowy enough to look like natural skin, just better.
2. One coat of an excellent mascara
My favourite new lash product for the season is a £6 buy from Boots.
If you haven’t tried CYO yet, give it a go – there are some quite bright shades of make-up in the range, which aren’t for me, but the mascaras are genuinely fab.
My favourite is the Eye High Length mascara that looks great with bold autumnal lip shades. Best of all, it takes just a quick curl of the lashes and one swish of mascara, then you’re ready to go.
3. Hit refresh with a new-season lipstick
If you’re looking for a new lipstick for autumn, let me point you in the direction of Sisley’s Le Phyto Rouge collection.
There are 20 extremely flattering shades in total, again quite matt but with a balmy texture that seems to last all day – honestly. They are quick and easy to apply straight from the bullet with no need for a lip liner, and I’ve even been dabbing some on my cheeks for a makeshift blush, too.
I love colour 40, a bold tomato red that should be a secret weapon in every new-season make-up bag. If you like a glossier finish, try Tom Ford’s new liquid tint Lip Lacquer in the soft pink, suits-everyone shades Cara Mia or In Ecstasy.
THE STELLA TOP FIVE
Tom Ford Lip Lacquer in Cara Mia, £40
Get great glossiness without stickiness.
Lancôme Bronze & Glow in 01, £42
Keep that summer radiance going with this part bronzer, part highlighter.
Sisley Le Phyto Rouge Lipstick, £38
Creamy, long-lasting colour in a fabulous range of shades.
CYO Eye High Length Mascara, £6
You can’t go wrong with this budget buy.
Benefit Hello Happy Soft Blur Foundation, £25.50
If you like a buildable base, this is the one.
