ABC

ABC..

BB Creams, CC Creams - you'd be forgiven for thinking that the beauty industry has gone alphabet crazy and that your favourite cosmetics counter has turned into a scene from Sesame Street. So what exactly are these products? Are they functional? Do they work? Do we need them, or is this simply need creation marketing on a grand scale, another strategy to get the humble consumer to flex the plastic and boost those profit margins?

Hugely popular in the Asian market, BB Creams (Beauty Balms) are essentially a souped-up tinted moisturiser. Like that hot guy/girl you always seem to "accidentally" text when tipsy, they are your cosmetic friend with benefits, combining skin care with an SPF and skin-perfecting pigments. Providing a medium level of coverage, my only problem with these is that at present, they are only really available in fair to medium shades at best, meaning that anyone with a deeper skin tone is left in the shade. No-one wants to be the person refused entry to the club. So not cool. 

Off the back of these we now have CC Creams (Colour Correcting Creams), as seen above on Hollywood actress (and cult of Tom Cruise escapee) Katie Holmes in the Bobbi Brown campaign.

Bobbi says,"We created CC Cream for any woman who wants more even-toned, healthy-looking skin. Our formula colour corrects, illuminates and protects in one easy step. It's lightweight and blends seamlessly into skin so you instantly look fresher and healthier. Wear it under foundation every day or just when you need it. It's CC perfection."

One of the new breed of high tech cosmeceuticals, she adds "This colour corrector plus treatment hybrid takes a three step approach to evening out skin tone over time and works to prevent future signs of dark spots."

Available in three shades:

Pale Nude, a lavender pink tone ideal for pale skin tones.

Warm Nude, a natural peach tone ideal for medium skin tones.

Golden Nude, a warm golden tone ideal for deep skin tones.

I received a sample of the Warm Nude and have been testing it for the last week. To be honest, I was sceptical as to whether this would be a help or hindrance in my daily makeup regime. I always prep my skin with serum, an oil and moisturiser and follow with a primer before applying my base and concealer.

I used the CC Cream instead of primer and though not exactly earth-moving, I did notice a pleasingly subtle difference. The product has a gorgeous creme-mousse like texture and creates the same slip on my skin that a primer would, extending the wear of my base and ensuring product doesn't settle into any fine lines. Subtly pigmented with peach tones, it perked up my sallow complexion and was especially brilliant when smoothed over eye lids and under the eyes, counteracting discolouration in these areas, meaning I could get away with applying less concealer. I definitely looked perkier which is always a bonus in my book. If Clarins Beauty Flash Balm and Urban Decay Primer Potion had a love child (via a brief dalliance with sunscreen), it would be Bobbi Brown CC Cream, with the stellar qualities of both cult items fused in one product. You can even layer the product over make-up for a subtle highlight on the brow bone, cheek bones and cupid's bow. Win. I recently wore the product when I hooked up with a friend before a meeting in Soho. As we were walking along he said "Do you realise how many guys have checked you out?" To be honest, I was too engrossed in the conversation to notice but I'll say this much - CC is staying.

It is too early to tell whether there have been any tangible changes in the clarity of my skin but I do love the cooling feel of this product on application and the fact that it has an SPF of 35 is a welcome bonus. Forget "pram face", I've attended enough beauty seminars, lunches and launches over the years to know that UVA and UVB damage is the quickest route to a "prune face". It doesn't matter whether the sun is shining, these harmful rays are present even on cloudy days and will break down the collagen and elastin in your skin, resulting in lines, wrinkles, sagging, age spots and pigmentation, not to mention the risk of skin cancer. You know how photographs fade over time when exposed to direct sunlight? Your skin is no different. If you aren't already incorporating an SPF into your daily routine, then this is a supremely easy way to start.

If like me, you like the concept of fusing science and nature, this product (probably) has more natural extracts than your favourite green smoothie.

Not only does it contain the skin-plumping Sodium Hyaluronate, Trehalose and Glycerin, it also packs a punch with these goodies:

Brightening Cucumber

Brightening Apple

Brightening Scutellaria

Balancing Laminaria Saccharina

Plumping Barley

Plumping Wheat Germ

It's worth noting that I spent a fair bit of time analysing the listed ingredients on the product packaging. As a rule of thumb, the closer to the top of the list the ingredients are, the higher their concentration in the formula. If they are listed towards the bottom, then their contribution to the formula is negligible. These ingredients all featured in the top-to-middle sections, meaning that they haven't scrimped on this front. 

Product:

Bobbi Brown CC Cream SPF 35 - £29.00

Stockists:

Exclusively available at John Lewis and Nationwide from all Bobbi Brown Studios from 17th March

www.bobbibrown.co.uk

www.johnlewis.com

I Want Candy

I Want Candy..

If there was an indication of the colour direction for this season, Christopher Bailey for Burberry Prorsum Womenswear Spring/Summer 2014 was it. An exquisitely executed collection in a melange of saccharine sugared almond pastel hues. The fabulously feminine draping and constant re-invention of the brand's signature trench evident in previous seasons were ever present. However, it was the interesting play on diaphanous, sheer textures married with clean lines and opulent jewelled embellishments that added the seriously covetable air of girly-freshness that will have these pieces flying off the racks and onto the backs of women of all ages.

FYI, if you need tips on how to rock fruit sorbet-chic, look no further than Paula Patton. Pictured above wearing Lorena Sarbu earlier this month at the Independent Spirit Awards, her short lemon shift dress featuring a delicate lace overlay and scalloped hem was sheer perfection. The nude courts, fresh dewy skin and subtle rosy hues on her cheeks and lips kept the overall tone subtle and sophisticated. Quite possibly "revenge" dressing at its best. "Robin Thicke who?" the world chimes in unison..

Sugared Almonds

If dressing like a snow cone isn't your idea of a good time, an easy way to tap into the pastel trend is with sugared almond coloured nails.

I often do my mother's nails on a Sunday as she goes to the cancer hospice on Mondays. Last Sunday, I thought I'd perk her up with some Easter-appropriate candy nails.

I raided my nail varnish stash (I have two boxes) and grabbed the colours pictured above.

Left to Right:

Chanel Nouvelle Vague, Topshop Play For Keeps, Topshop Daydream, Topshop Parma Violet, Topshop Zealous, Superdrug 2 In 1 Top Coat & Nail Hardener

You can achieve this look with any nail colours, using the brands of your choice. I like Barry M, Illamasqua, OPI, Butter London, Jessica and Dolce & Gabbana.

I primed her nails by filing and buffing them, pushed back her cuticles, then prepped the nails by wiping them with acetone-free nail varnish remover (this helps the varnish grip better). I did one coat of the top coat / hardener as a base coat, then followed by painting each nail with two sheer coats of colour (one individual colour per nail). I finished with another layer of top coat. It's Thursday and her nails still haven't chipped. To refresh the shine and extend the length of your candy-mani, I suggest applying another layer of top coat as and when needed.

Stockists:

Topshop Nails

www.topshop.com

Chanel

www.selfridges.com

www.harrods.com

www.debenhams.com

www.boots.com

Superdrug

www.superdrug.com

One Smalls Step For Man

One Smalls Step For Man..

I was so excited when Estee Lauder sent me a press release on their collaboration with Derek Lam for his AW11 catwalk show in New York. Puerto Rican-born model Joan Smalls (pictured above), ranks 7th in Models.com's Top 50 Female Models. She was the third new Global Spokesmodel signed by Estee Lauder last year. She follows in the oh-so-glamorous footsteps of Ethiopian supermodel Liya Kebede, whose contract as a face and Global Spokesmodel for the brand, came to a natural end in 2008.

I'm mixed race (my mother is half Ethiopian and half Eritrean, while my father is Scottish), and it is SUCH a joy to see diversity in beauty advertising. Though I was born in Oman, I relocated with my parents to Northumberland at the age of five. I was educated in Northumberland, Scotland and London throughout the 80's and 90's. Yet throughout my childhood, I often felt somehow detached and disenfranchised. My black hair, olive skin and brown eyes set me apart from the people I saw around me. Where did I fit in?

I'd attended an international school in Oman. When I think of my classmates, I envisage a Benetton campaign. Lots of youthful, smiley faces, in an array of skin tones with infinite nuances in hue and tone. This was my earliest memory. But soon, I found myself on a plane out of the Gulf Coast, headed to a remote town in rural Northumberland, surrounded by farmer's fields and a stone's throw from the sea (talk about a culture shock). The point of this little anecdote, is of course that I couldn't help but feel a little cut off. My new neighbours and classmates found it difficult to process me and my African mother at first, but in time we were vaguely accepted into the community (but not by all my any stretch of the imagination, this was slow progress).

Even while at school in Scotland through my late childhood to my mid-teens, my Scottish heritage was irrelevant. People didn't believe me when I said I was half Scottish. For one, I didn't sound Scottish and I certainly didn't look it. In summary, had I seen more diversity around me. Had I seen it in the films I watched and the adverts I saw, perhaps I wouldn't have felt quite so alien.

This is why brands such as Estee Lauder ought to be celebrated. As a professional who has worked in the fashion and beauty industry for over a decade, it genuinely warms my heart to see a global brand of this magnitude, communicating proudly, that beauty is multifaceted. It is not one race, creed, colour or religion, neither it an age. We are all inherently beautiful. Everyone has a beautiful aspect about them, be it that little twinkle in their eyes, a disarming smile, flawless skin, killer legs, an amazing bum, a fabulous tummy, a bountiful bust or just a delightfully mischievous sense of humour. Beauty and charisma, even star quality, are not tangible, measurable qualities.

When I think of the original supermodels of the early 90's; British/Jamaican Naomi Campbell with her panther like strut and cocoa-hued skin, Canadian Linda Evangelista with those inimitable cat eyes, American Cindy Crawford with that mane of chestnut hair, beach tan and aerobics queen body and American/Peruvian supermodel Christy Turlington with her exquisite angelic face, they were all so different. When they, along with fellow supermodel Tatjana Patitz, starred in George Michael's Freedom video, it not only cemented a definitive cultural moment, it also showcased (albeit on a minute scale), the breadth of beauty our world has to offer.

The late Yves Saint Laurent was groundbreaking in his frequent use of black models (femmes noires) on the catwalk. Without his appreciation of African beauty, I'm not sure if Burberry would have cast black British model Jourdan Dunn to be the face of their brand last month (for the month of February only). African American male supermodel Tyson Beckford would have been unlikely to have graced the 90's Ralph Lauren billboards and African American supermodel Veronica Webb would most probably, have not become Revlon's first black face, again, back in the 90's. It is worth mentioning that Naomi Campbell has publicly acknowledged that she had been approached to be the face of Revlon, but when her fellow supermodel friends told her that Revlon were paying them significantly more than they had offered her, she politely declined (highly respectable).

What I find remarkable about Revlon, is that its billionaire founder Charles Revson, had a well documented affair with the American actress and singer Eartha Kitt. In her book, "Confessions Of A Sex Kitten", she talked at length about their intimate relationship. He lavished her with expensive gifts, even buying her a ranch and land when he had to cool their romance, after his estranged wife had threatened to publicise the fact he was dating a black woman, unless he gave into her divorce demands on his assets. A dear friend of James Dean, Kitt's mother was half Cherokee and half African-American, while her father was of European origin. I wonder what the late Revson would have made of the fact that the very company he founded, would go on to deny Naomi Campbell the same rate as her fellow models. Kitt even mentioned in her book, that after she complained that Revlon had no lip colours to suit her complexion, he looked at the lipstick she bought in Paris and soon, a shade for her was available in Revlon's collection. Not only was Revson clearly a devoted and kind lover, ever the businessman, he was actively seeking to give his consumer what she wanted.

Campbell has also said, several times, that had it not been for her great friend Christy Turlington, she wouldn't have had a fraction of the modelling work she received. Turlington and the other supermodels, would often threaten to boycott designers, telling them that they would all cancel appearing at their shows, unless Naomi got booked too. This display of humanity and sisterly solidarity, is for me, quite possibly the most important aspect of the entire supermodel legacy. Forget the glamour, the clothes and accessories, the jet set lifestyle, the parties, the jewels, the hotels, the red carpets. What good are any of those things without freedom and equality. Like the musketeers, it was a case of "all for one and one for all", and what a marvellous attitude that is to embrace, as we move towards the future.

Not one of the couture make-up brands has a black face (you'd be hard-pressed to find even a tanned one). This season Chanel has Eastern European model Jac, Dior has the Italian actress Monica Bellucci, Dolce&Gabbana has American actress Scarlett Johansson and Armani has American actress Megan Fox. These legendary brands supposedly inspire the masses and define the trends, yet on a commercial level, all the marketing campaigns seem tragically outmoded (or c'est depasse as the late Saint Laurent would say). I hope that these brands follow in the footsteps of Lauder brands; Estee Lauder, Bobbi Brown and MAC, who have been intelligent and humane enough to accept and celebrate every glorious, unique facet of global beauty.

Bobbi Brown took the brave step of casting real models in last season's Pretty Powerful campaign (and accompanying book), featuring women of various ages and diverse ethnic heritage. These are the faces of modern beauty. Yes, consumers like to stare wistfully at beautiful faces, after all, we all love to dream, and dreams are the very foundations upon which the fashion and beauty industries are built. I'd be lying if I said that I didn't enjoy flicking through all my favourite fashion magazines, drooling over the lavish set designs, hot models, world class photography, design, styling and make-up. For me, design is as valid an art as painting or sculpture. If one can admire a Picasso painting or an Anish Kapoor sculpture, why can't you appreciate the high art that goes into creating fashion and beauty imagery.

There's no doubt that in this business, we sell people their fantasies. The industry creates the fantasy as a means of "need creation". Entire advertising campaigns, or "fantasies", are built around products, be it accessories, garments, or cosmetics. Gazing adoringly at an Armani Beauty campaign shot of Megan Fox for instance, it would be very easy for a female consumer to think "I need that lipstick", if the prospect of buying that product somehow whispers seductive promises of Hollywood sex appeal, Angelina Jolie lips and mass adoration. At the core of all this glamour, lies the "feel good factor". Fashion and beauty makes us feel great. But how can I feel good about myself when I can't even see myself in the very campaigns that were designed to make me spend my hard-earned cash in the first place?

This is where Estee Lauder differs. Just look at the diversity of the two other Global Spokesmodels the brand signed last year:

French supermodel Constance Jablonski, pictured above at the Derek Lam AW11 show, is seen wearing Estee Lauder Automatic Brow Duo through her brows, her eyes adorned with the NEW Estee Lauder Silver (metallic finish) and Black (shimmer finish) Eyeshadow shades, two hot new shades launching in AW11. Her eyes have been highlighted with the NEW Estee Lauder Illuminating Powder, also launching in AW11. On her lips, she wears the NEW Estee Lauder Nude Matte Lipstick, again, launching in AW11 (gosh this is painful, I'm already pining for all these delectable treats).

Constance has been popping up on the runway pretty much everywhere. One of the hottest faces of the moment, like Joan Smalls, she is beloved of many a high profile designer and photographer. Constance ranks 6th in the Models.com Top 50 Female Models chart.

Liu Wen, pictured above at Derek Lam AW11, became the first Asian face of Estee Lauder, having been appointed a Global Spokesmodel for the brand last year. Hailing from the Hunan Provence of China, she was the first East Asian model to walk the Victoria's Secret runway in 2009. She has since starred in a major campaign for CK Calvin Klein, photographed by the leading photographers of luxury advertising campaigns, Mert & Marcus, not to mention gracing the runway for a plethora of global fashion brands. Liu ranks 10th in Model.com's Top 50 Female Models.

Originating from Korea, Jin Soon Choi (pictured above), is the founder of New York's uber-successful chain of Jin Soon Natural Hand and Foot spas. Like Marian Newman, Leighton Denny and Mike Pocock, she is one of the hottest creative nail artists in the world. She collaborated with MAC for AW10 on a limited edition range of six nail colours, inspired by Imperial Asia. For the AW11 Derek Lam show, she painted the models' nails with Estee Lauder's NEW Pure Colour Nail Lacquer in Porcelain, launching in AW11. Joan and Liu sport the ethereal shade on their nails in the photos above. It looks like an amazing manicure colour for anyone who favours a natural look. It looks unbelievably fresh and clean, a great work or bridal shade.

Constance, Liu and Joan, pictured backstage at Derek Lam AW11

Constance, Tom Pecheux, Liu Wen and Joan Smalls, pictured backstage at Derek Lam AW11. Tom created the make-up look for the show, with sheer velvet finish skin, nude lips, subtly contoured cheeks, defined brows and a graphic winged silver and black eye shape.

The official Estee Lauder face chart Tom Pecheaux created for the Derek Lam AW11 show.

Tom and his team prepped the model's skin with Estee Lauder DayWear Multi-Protection Anti-Oxidant Creme SPF 15. This super-hydrating cream is best used twice-daily. With a unique anti-oxidant that offers broad-spectrum protection from the ageing effects of UVA rays. I'm forever writing about the importance of incorporating an SPF of at least 15 into your daily skincare regime as a means of maintaining the youthful quality of your skin for the long term. If you leave a photograph by a windowsill for too long, it soon yellows and fades. The same is true of our skin, if you want to avoid being mistaken for a raisin in the supermarket, it would be well worth you investing in this multi-tasking moisturiser.

The model's immaculate, sheer velvet finish complexions were created using Estee Lauder Double Wear Light SPF 10 Foundation. Estee Lauder originally launched with Double Wear, a 15-hour wear full coverage foundation, with a much heavier texture. This lighter version, has a deliciously sheer texture whilst still imparting a soft, medium coverage finish. The SPF 10 is a bonus, though dermatologists recommend an SPF 15 as a minimum for safe daily exposure to UVA rays. Because the models' skin was prepped with an SPF 15 moisturiser, they needn't have worried about using their foundation in conjunction with a purpose-designed SPF product. However, if you choose to wear Double Wear Light with a regular moisturiser, you could always apply a product like Clinique City Block, a sheer liquid UVA shield, available in a range of SPF levels.

The foundation was set with a light dusting of Estee Lauder Lucidity Loose Powder. It's worth noting the skin finish on all the models was velvet matte, a departure from the dewy skin that is so hot this season.

Naturally, each of the three featured Estee Lauder Global Spokesmodels has been blessed with razor-sharp cheekbones. Tom Pecheux and his team further enhanced this aspect of their beauty, sculpting and contouring their cheeks further with Estee Lauder Bronze Goddess Soft Duo Bronzer.

Estee Lauder DayWear Multi-Protection Anti-Oxidant Creme SPF 15 - £35

Estee Lauder Double Wear Light SPF 10 Foundation - £25.50

Estee Lauder Lucidity Loose Powder - £25

Estee Lauder Bronze Goddess Soft Duo Bronzer - £26

Estee Lauder Automatic Eye Duo - £16.50

www.esteelauder.co.uk

L'Eau My God

L'Eau My God..

When I first saw the visual for Chanel's Vitalumiere Aqua foundation, I was stunned. Lagerfeld's latest muse, Monika "Jac" Jagaciak, has more than an air of a 90's era Vanessa Paradis. The porcelain skin, piercing green eyes and flowing mane of brown hair, are all reminiscent of Paradis in the 90's Chanel Coco fragrance advert, directed by the legendary Jean-Paul Goude. In this TV and print campaign, Goude envisaged Paradis as an exotic caged bird. She swung suggestively, clad in Chanel couture, a dazzling vision of black feathers and sheer black diamante encrusted nylons (well this was Paradis in her prime). A work of conceptual genius, perhaps Goude was alluding to those privileged and beautiful women in society whom inhabit a gilded cage. Their prison may be crafted from gold, but what use is opulence to them without freedom?

Paradis' make-up in the Coco advert is like a Polaroid from the Supermodel era. That definitive cultural moment when Vogue put Christy Turlington, Cindy Crawford, Linda Evangelista, Naomi Campbell and Tatjana Patitz on their cover. George Michael cast the same girls to appear in his Freedom video, and (with the exception of Patitz) they were photographed striding down the catwalk together, arm in arm for Gianni Versace. And so the supermodel was born. The antithesis of the modern waif, the supermodels were all suggestive curves, big hair, doe eyes, Bardot lips and a strictly matte, maximalist approach to make-up.

The "more is more" beauty maxim may have worked back in 1990, but for Spring / Summer 2011, there's a strong trend towards sheer, translucent dewiness. Gone are the heavy powders and bases that defined early 90's beauty. In their place, we have super-lightweight, silky, "barely there" textures. The difference between the old fashioned souffle and velvet textures and the new super-sheer formulations, is like the difference between opaque wool tights and the finest silk denier stockings. The former completely obscures the skin, masking it rather than enhancing it. While the latter offers a whisper of coverage, whilst allowing the skin to shine through. This is the essence of Chanel Vitalumiere Aqua's allure, only, what it lacks in viscosity, it more than compensates for in pigment content.

As with all things Chanel, this new wonder-product has already earned a loyal celebrity fan base (not to mention selling out pretty much everywhere). Hollywood starlet Anne Hathaway may have worn Balmain for the cover of ELLE UK's December 2010 issue, but it was with Chanel Vitalumiere Aqua that make-up supremo Kay Montano adorned her face.

To wear this look well, it is best to adhere to the beauty mantra "beautiful make-up begins with beautiful skin". Investing in a gentle facial exfoliant will do wonders for the surface texture of your skin, imbuing you with a perfectly smooth canvas. The gentle jojoba microbeads in Chanel's Maximum Radiance Exfoliating Gel will slough off dull dead skin cells, smoothing the texture of your skin and revealing the fresh "virgin" skin beneath. The massaging action itself will do a world of good, stimulating micro-circulation, bringing life to the complexion. Don't forget to exfoliate your lips, after all, a fabulous lip colour or gloss is pointless with a parched pout. With the dead cells gone, the skin is ready to be nourished.

I suggest incorporating a facial serum into your skin regime. Applied post cleanser / face wash, and before moisturiser, a good serum will nourish the skin, boosting the effects of the moisturiser. Nothing evokes youth and vitality more than plump skin. Massage Chanel's Hydramax + Active Moisture Boost Serum into the skin in firm circular motions, starting from the neck, working up behind the ears, taking care to massage the back of the neck, and finally up to the face and temples. I can't stress enough how much good a little regular daily facial massage will do for your complexion and skin health. Stimulating blood flow will allow the active ingredients to penetrate deeper into the skin.

They say that the eyes are the windows to the soul. Like the neck and hands, they are also one of the biggest indicators of our age. Banish fine lines and dark circles with Chanel's Energising Multi-Protection Eye Gel. For a truly soothing treat, keep this in the fridge. The coldness on application will shrink capillaries, reducing puffiness and shadows. I suggest massaging gently around the eye, using the lightest pressure with the tip of the ring finger. Finish by tapping lightly around the orbital bone, this will stimulate lymphatic drainage, easing the flow of toxins away from the eye area.

For people of my generation, I'd suggest hydrating the skin with Chanel's Hydramax + Active Moisture Fluid. If you have a more mature skin type, I'd suggest upgrading to something richer, as our skin tends to lose moisture as we advance in years, necessitating increased nourishment. Massage the moisturiser into your skin in the same manner as the serum, allowing a few minutes to dry before applying your primer.

The cold weather can wreak havoc with the skin's moisture levels. A great make-up artist trick for giving skin a hasty boost, is to apply an intensive hydrating mask prior to a special occasion. Chanel's Hydramax + Active Moisture Mask is a fantastic option. Layer over skin after cleansing, leave for 15 minutes then tissue or rinse off as desired. I often take this approach when a client's skin is looking a little parched, or when a model turns up for a shoot, fresh off the plane, with the lacklustre skin to prove it. This handy little trick is the perfect pre-party pick me up.

When hydrating the skin, it's important not to forget your lips. I always suggest applying a conditioning balm to the lips after moisturising the face, as it allows sufficient time for the product to sink in prior to the application of lip colour. Chanel's Hydramax + Lip Care is a handbag / manbag essential. I can't live without lip balm, especially at this time of year.

The key to replicating the ethereal dewiness so loved by the A-List is to invest in a good cream / liquid highlighter. Chanel's Le Blanc De Chanel Sheer Illuminating Base can either be applied to skin prior to foundation, mixed in with the foundation, or applied over foundation (on cheekbones and temples) to achieve an incandescently radiant complexion. Experiment to find the best option for you, though I suggest investing in Chanel's superb foundation brush, as this will assist you in achieving that airbrushed Hollywood finish. The shorter hairs in this brush make it fabulous for buffing. Of all the professional brushes I've tested, this is without doubt one of my all time favourites. A "must have" for anyone who is serious about flawless foundation.

With your skin buffed, plumped, primed and illuminated, it is time to perfect your base. Using the Chanel Foundation Brush, I suggest buffing Chanel's Vitalumiere Aqua foundation down the central panel of the face, blending softly outwards the hair line and temples. When you look at someone or converse, you tend to focus on this area of the face, hence focusing the denser coverage in these areas. Water-based, this foundation delivers sheer-to-medium, buildable coverage, with ease of texture of a tinted moisturiser.

The pigment content is the highest of any of the similar products I've tested from competitors on the market. The subtle, fresh oceanic scent further intensifies the sensuality of this product, making it a true delight to use. It is quite literally a breath of fresh air for the skin. Lotus water extract boosts micro-circulation, while hyaluronic acid hydrates and brown seaweed revitalises (and all in such a tiny portable plastic bottle).

Like some of the other notable "next generation" foundations, Chanel's Vitalumiere Aqua contains silicone. This ingredient not only assists in waterproofing (and therefore extending the wear of) your foundation, it also imbues it with a liquid silk texture, creating the smoothest of canvases. Meanwhile, the Radiance Light Diffusing Complex creates a halo of soft light, imparting an ethereal and highly flattering glow. The SPF 15 provides sufficient protection from the ageing effects of sun exposure and environmental aggressors, negating the need for an additional SPF product.

To keep this look fresh, it is best to stick to liquid concealers. Anything heavier will take away from the dewiness. Chanel's Eclat Lumiere Highlighter Face Pen is the perfect option. I suggest blending under the eyes, on the brow bone, lightly along the cheekbones, down the bridge of the nose, along the cupid's bow and around the sides of the nose (anywhere prone to shadows and redness).

With your face highlighted to perfection, it is time to sculpt. Chanel's Soleil Tan Sheer Illuminating Fluid is a delightfully sheer and pearly cream bronzer. I love to apply this with Chanel's Foundation Brush for a truly flawless finish. I suggest blending along the cheekbones, up towards the hairline. Or for a more elaborately scultped look, blending along the hairline and temples, down the sides of the bridge of the nose, beneath the cheekbones, along the chin and under the jaw line. My skin looks especially sallow at this time of year, so I rely on tricks like this to add some subtle warmth to my complexion.

Too much powder would really kill this look. Using the accompanying powder puff, I suggest gently patting / rolling the faintest whisper of Chanel's Natural Finish Loose Powder down the T-Zone. Minimising shine here is fine, but avoid powdering the cheeks and the edge of the temples, as shine in these areas has a beautiful lifting effect on the face.

I shall leave you with some words of wisdom. Never accept gifts from strangers (with the sole exception of licensed couriers hand-delivering Chanel).

Maximum Radiance Exfoliating Gel - £32

Hydramax + Active Moisture Boost Serum - £52.50

Energising Multi-Protection Eye Gel - £40

Hydramax + Active Moisture Fluid - £44

Hydramax + Active Moisture Mask - £35

Hydramax + Lip Care - £27

Le Blanc De Chanel Sheer Illuminating Base - £29

Vitalumiere Aqua Skin Perfecting Make-Up - £31.50

Eclat Lumiere Highlighter Face Pen - £26

Soleil Tan Sheer Illuminating Fluid - £31

Natural Finish Loose Powder - £31

www.selfridges.com