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HELP! I’VE LOST MY MAKE-UP MOJO

Rediscover your love of make-up with our Beauty Editor’s expert tips

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beauty sos

HELP! I’VE LOST MY MAKE-UP MOJO

Rediscover your love of make-up with our Beauty Editor’s expert tips

Shop now

Words: Grace Gargini

Question: has months of staying in killed your make-up mojo? I get it. Like many of you, my regular routines have been put on pause (like that final, heart-breaking scene in Toy Story 4, my beloved products have sat neglected). If the extent of your everyday make-up routine has been rushing to blend in concealer two minutes before a Zoom call – or you’ve simply gone make-up free for the past few months – you may feel a little rusty in the make-up department. So, let’s get our confidence back with the baby steps you need to reconnect with your make-up bag – and have some fun along the way! 

Easy does it

Any foundation-phobes out there? If, like me, you’re not quite ready for a full-coverage foundation, but are past the point of going completely bare-faced every day, then a tinted moisturiser is the perfect middle ground. This industry favourite from Laura Mercier has a light-yet-buildable formula that looks natural on the skin and gives it a healthy glow. It’s the perfect ‘throw it on’ product that requires minimal effort – simply blend in with fingers and add a dab of concealer where you need some extra help.

LAURA MERCIER – Tinted Moisturizer Natural Skin Perfector SPF 30

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BACK TO BOLD

Last week, I decided it was time to dust off my favourite lipstick and don a bold red. Yes, it felt a little strange at first (my face hadn’t seen that much colour on it for some time) but once applied, I felt instantly uplifted – and I even received a “Ah, Grace is back!” on one of my work calls. If you’re dabbling in a bold lip colour again, keep the rest of your make-up super simple to balance things out and not look like you’ve tried too hard. NARS creates some of my favourites – the Powermattes apply wet like a gloss and dry down to a matte finish that will not budge.

NARS – Powermatte Lip Pigment

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I WOKE UP LIKE THIS

For low-key make-up days when I want to look nice but make minimal effort, I reach for a lip balm with a little something. These balms by GUCCI not only look gorgeous (the vintage-inspired designs come from the brilliant mind of Creative Director Alessandro Michele) but the formula is addictively moisturising and leaves a soft sheen to the lips. They come in transparent as well as three shades of pink, which are great for adding a hint of colour without any commitment.

GUCCI – Lip Balm

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ME, BLUSHING?

Don’t get me wrong, if you enjoy spending a solid 10 minutes blending in an intricate contour, highlight and blush trio, then fill your boots. Don’t let lockdown stop you. But if that feels like too much work, or you just want to ease back into colour, then these duos from Natasha Denona are for you. The finely milled powders have a velvety texture that blends easily into the skin, and the two-toned colour combo lets you create your own custom shade so you can get creative.

NATASHA DENONA – Blush Duo

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LASH LIFT

If you’re one of those people that can’t leave the house without wearing mascara, it’s likely you have done just that and (consciously) uncoupled with yours. I’ve personally rejoiced in not having to spend extra time rubbing away at layers of jet-black waterproof mascara every evening – but you can’t deny a few coats of mascara can make all the difference. To ease back in, this one from MAC has a lightweight formula that gives lift and curl for fluttery lashes that don’t clump like some of its heavier counterparts. Plus, the long-lasting formula can also be removed with good old-fashioned warm water, which is great for those with sensitive eyes.

MAC – Extended Play Perm Me Up Lash Mascara

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ALL ABOUT THE EYES

OK, lipstick might feel a little formal for your solo WFH set-up, so shift the focus to the eyes. Keep things nice and easy with these eyeshadow pencils from Charlotte Tilbury – the buildable formula glides on and can be softened with your fingertip so you don’t need to faff about with powders or brushes. You’re sure to find a colour that catches your eye in the vast shade range and they’re really long-lasting (which makes them a perfect candidate for mandatory face covering days out of the house. Hey, it’s all about the eyes now).

CHARLOTTE TILBURY – Colour Chameleon Eyeshadow Pencil

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BRUSH UP ON YOUR BROWS

Eyebrows are the frame of the face, which is why so many people look completely different when they confess to “not putting my brows on”. If you were trigger-happy with the tweezers in your youth (we get it, the Nineties were a difficult time for brows everywhere), then opt for a brow gel to add definition. This gel by UOMA contains fibres that cling to the tiniest of hairs to bulk them up – simply brush the spoolie up in the natural direction of the hairs and watch them grow before your very eyes.

UOMA – Brow Volumising Gel

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Looking for more post-lockdown beauty inspo? Head this way… 

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NEW AT-HOME VIRTUAL BEAUTY APPOINTMENTS

Our in-store beauty and hair appointments will be back as soon as the government advises it’s safe to do so, but in the meantime, our beauty experts are here to inspire you from the comfort of home with at-home video call appointments. From step-by-step guidance on more post-lockdown beauty tricks to personalised skincare advice, they’re here to help.

Find out more