All the Friday goodness!
The best Glossier products for midlife skin, Lancôme's London pop-up, and Sheryl Crow's new look.
Hello, and happy almost-the-weekend!!
I’m kicking off with a pic of this bag for no good reason other than that I’ve been thinking about it ever since I was scouting the rails at Oliver Bonas for that dress on Monday. (SO summery! Resistance might be futile.)
A big WELCOME to all those who’ve joined us this week, I’m so happy you’re here.
Glossier: a best-kept midlife secret
This week, Glossier arrived at Space NK (hot on the chic kitten heels of Westman Atelier). On this side of the pond, the only options until now have been to shop online or in person at Glossier’s London store in Covent Garden.
On shopping trips with my daughter, somehow all roads end up leading to WC2, where the flagship still attracts snaking queues down King Street. When it’s raining, they provide pink branded brollies, and shoppers watch the street entertainers in the piazza while they’re waiting to enter the shiny pink palace.
Glossier has now entered Space NK stores in Liverpool, Edinburgh St James—LOVE it there!—Arndale and Cardiff, offering more opportunities to try the “no makeup makeup” must-haves, along with new launches, including the Lip Enhancing Pencil (£18). Online, next day delivery is available at £5, which isn’t available via the Glossier site - expedited costs £7 - so that’s another bonus.
What’s interesting is that, whilst pitched at a younger market, some items have become staples in midlife makeup bags. Just recently, British Vogue rated the Glossier Stretch Fluid Foundation (£34) as the “best crease-proof foundation for mature skin” here, and the Glossier site leads with this review for Ultralip: “I am an older woman who has revamped my makeup during the pandemic. Less is definitely more."
Curious, I messaged midlife beauty journalist and fellow Substacker Jane Cunningham, who writes the wonderful newsletter, for her take. “I love, love, love their lip gloss in Red,” she says. “It’s the best ever product for anyone who is ‘Red shy’ because it’s just a sheer and shiny wash of colour.”
“I also love their Ultralip in Fete, which is a kind of juicy watermelon shade. A lot of their makeup is so perfect for mid-lifers because it’s subtle but not shy, and it’s in creamy, light bringing textures that work perfectly for older skin. There’s also something quite joyful and liberating about their collection of products - they’re for all faces, age irrelevant. Sometimes I wonder in their big efforts to create a range for Gen Z, they realise they actually made the ideal brand for Gen Xers like me.”
I love that!
My 3 midlife Glossier picks
Ultralip High Shine Lipstick (£22)
I’m with Jane on this one. I love this gloss/balm hybrid, which feels like the most sheer, moisturising lipstick. For me, it delivers that polished look of a lipstick I sometimes want (I’m a hardcore gloss girl) but can never find, as most dry my lips out. Actually, it reminds me of Chanel’s Rouge Coco Flash, which does much the same but at nearly twice the price. A midlife home run.
Cloud Paint (£22). A little of this super-fluid, highly pigmented cheek colour goes a long way. Apply with fingers, tap and blend for a stain that’s neither dewy nor flat-looking, and really lasts. The pinks and roses are great, but I’m going to check out the tans for summer bronzing.
When I put the question to Instagram stories, this clear or tinted brow gel came back as a firm midlife favourite (and it’s their bestseller). More than merely a fixer/groomer, it’s got waxes in the mix which add volume to thinning brows.
In case you’re in Covent Garden this weekend …
Speaking of the Glossier neighbourhood, if you’re in the WC2 area tomorrow (Saturday 15 June), Lancôme is hosting its first pop-up London shop, Idôle House, to mark the launch of the new Lip Idôle ButterGlow lip balm.
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If you fancy a mooch and maybe bagging some free samples and a masterclass, head to 40 Earlham Street, London, WC2H 9LH, between 10 am and 6 pm tomorrow.
“Hit it!”
Can you even hear the name Sheryl Crow without immediately hearing All I Wanna Do in your head? Only me?
Appearing on BBC Breakfast to promote her new album, Evolution, this week, Sheryl’s radiant makeup was the handiwork of Caroline Barnes.
I so associate Sheryl with her long, beachy waves, I didn’t recognise her at first. But I thought I’d share this pic, as a gorgeous example of a jawline-skimming bob. (In case you missed it, we covered midlife cuts a while back, with some great advice from Cos Sakkas, two-times British Hairdresser of the Year and Global Creative Director at TONI&GUY).
Have a lovely weekend!
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See you next week.
I am with you on Glossier- love the stretch concealer and the boy brow!
Well, does Sheryl Crow age?!?! She looks fab!
It may be time to revisit Glossier. I tried a few things when they first appeared on the scene. That lip product you mentioned could be just the thing! Natalie xx