As a beauty editor, these are my top 10 favourite products
As someone who is constantly inundated with the latest and greatest beauty products, it’s a really difficult task to pick my favourites. When I worked at Vogue, one of my very first stories as beauty editor was to catalogue my top 100 products. I was clever enough not to rank them, but I still received flak from beauty companies who felt left out. So here I go again with just 10 – and in no particular order!
Credit: Susanne Spiel/Trunk Archive/Snapper
Eve Lom Cleanser ($206).
Everything about this makes it a cult product, from the soothing smell to the luxurious consistency and its awesome power. Begin your cleansing routine with the best.
Aspect Sun Hydrating Face SPF 50+ ($59).
You know the drill: never go out without sunscreen on.
Elemis Frangipani Monoi Body Oil ($85).
Keep it in the shower as the heat makes it runny and ready to roll. The fragrance is just yum!
Neutrogena Norwegian Formula Hand Cream ($6.40).
I love the story behind this. The formula came into being when it was noticed that Norwegian fishermen had remarkably soft hands. Neutrogena worked out that this was because they were often immersed in fish oil and created a synthetic version in 2000. Not only is it inexpensive, you only need a tiny amount.
O.P.I Nail Polish in My Vampire Is Buff ($13).
I am almost as obsessed with nude colours for nails as I am for lips and this piece of perfection, all parchment and clotted cream, is my go-to.
Gucci Cushion De Beaute SPF Foundation ($115).
This is my new constant handbag companion.
Charlotte Tilbury K.I.S.S.I.N.G lipstick in Bitch Perfect ($54).
Make-up artist extraordinaire Charlotte Tilbury can do no wrong, and this perfect nude lipstick is no exception. Let’s just say it has joined my other nude babies in the hallowed halls.
Laura Mercier Caviar Stick Eye Shadow, $55.
I’ll take whatever shade is going (although if I had to choose, it would be Cocoa) as I love a smoky eye and this stick gives the best bang for your buck. It truly is foolproof.
Davines Love Smoothing Shampoo ($46).
Family-owned Italian haircare brand Davines comes from Parma and is steeped in sustainability and coolness. It contains fig extract for moisturising, olive for cleansing, rice proteins to protect hair and the packaging is carbon-neutral.
Frédéric Malle Synthetic Jungle EDP ($291).
I have deviated from my signature scent, Fréderic Malle’s Portrait of a Lady, to run with this unisex bad boy. Top notes feature galbanum, basil and blackcurrant; middle notes are lily-of-the-valley, hyacinth, jasmine, ylang-ylang and almond; base notes are oakmoss and patchouli.
ASK STEPH
How does vitamin C boost skin?
A super antioxidant, vitamin C delivers anti-ageing and brightening benefits in its bioactive form (L-ascorbic acid). It scavenges free radicals, helps make skin tone more even and boosts collagen. My favourite is SkinCeuticals C E Ferulic Vitamin C Serum, $242.
Send questions via Instagram, @mrssdarling.
Get the best of Sunday Life magazine delivered to your inbox every Sunday morning. Sign up here for our free newsletter.