This year for Christmas, I got a bout of bad spots*. So bad was this particular episode that none of the many products I stockpile for just such a skin emergency really did anything to help and it became clear after one or two treatments backfired that time (and the reintroduction of salubrious habits) was to be the only cure.
While I wanted to hide my face in a mask, I was determined not to let unsightliness stop me from partaking in any of the festive activities I’d planned. I might not have been able to hide the mountainous spots, but I could do my very best to look glowing and distract from areas of bumpiness.
First in this battle was to choose a feature to highlight. As I didn’t fancy wearing tonnes of eye make-up (and feel a cheery lip befits the season, anyway), I went for a blazing red lipstick. I had many a red waiting in the wings, but as I’d taken Surratt’s Automatique Lip Crayon in P.O.C. on an outing earlier in the month at my birthday party and very much enjoyed wearing it that night, I plumped for it again.
Decided, I felt the only recourse when wearing a brighter than bright red was to illuminate skin (then conceal the many, many areas that were in need of concealing). I opted for By Terry Cellularose Brightening CC Lumi-Serum, as it is has the most pearl of the below and therefore really adds lustre to skin (though I’d have happily used the two slightly less reflective ones I’ve recommended below).
Once out with friends singing carols and drinking mulled wine (seriously – I really did do both on Christmas Eve), I suspect nobody noticed either the spots or the effort that had gone into strategically hiding them. But I felt much better about things, which is surely the best justification for an hour spent in front of the mirror I can think of. If you’re in a similar boat and don’t look your best having consumed enormous quantities of cheese and wine, I suggest getting your hands on the below for tomorrow evening pronto…
MY FAVOURITE REDS //
r: Surratt Automatique Lip Crayon in P.O.C. / This pen and I are having a moment. A perfect slightly orange-red that is matte and non-drying, I suspect this will be my go-to for New Year’s Eve.
m: MAC Retro Matte Lipstick in Relentlessly Red / A glorious pink-red that conjures up images of classic Hollywood, I use this if I’m going for classic glamour.
l: Lord & Berry Twistick in On Stage / Shiny, easy to apply and makes lips look bigger than they are, this is just the ticket when keeping everything else minimal.
TOP ILLUMINATING BASES //
Charlotte Tilbury Magic Cream / A cream used by many in the beauty industry, this non-greasy but illuminating base is brilliant on all but the most oily of skin types.
By Terry Cellularose Brightening CC Lumi-Serum / This provides a little sheen and shimmer when first applying but then dies down to a more subtle illuminating base. I reach for this every time I look peaky.
This Works In Transit Camera Close-Up / A hybrid mask/primer/moisturiser, this is a little richer than the others but very good if you’re prone to dryness (and does really keep make-up looking fresh for much longer).
*So as not to propagate an image of myself as some sort of Dickensian pauper shivering alone on Christmas day with only a handful of coal and my spots for company, I should probably add that I also got some rather more desirable things, but that’s a whole other post…