Bright ideas for your Monday
Michelle Pfeiffer's favourite blush, panic-shopping for the right dress and why HRT and self-tan don't mix.
Happy Monday! How are you?
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It’s a hand-warming mug of tea and toast kind of afternoon here, because it’s still NOT WARM.
How was your weekend? Ours was a mix of catching up on house stuff, trying to keep things as calm as possible (or the closest we ever get) at home—our youngest is in the middle of a biggie exam marathon—catching the Grand Prix action from Montreal, plus a visit to my dear dad in his residential care home. It was my birthday last week, and the first without my mother, and it was hard. Even more than I expected. I miss her so much.
On a lighter note, I also squeezed in an eleventh hour shopping expedition with my daughter, in search of something to wear for an “event”-event I’m going to with my husband this evening, which involves a marquee, sit down meal and, quite possibly, name stickers.
Can we all agree that the worst time to shop for an outfit is for a specific event? Especially if it involves names stickers. Bonus points if it’s less than 48 hours away, which can induce a particular type of panic.
On Saturday, at peak panic, I inexplicably found myself in the Zara changing rooms, halfway into what was, essentially, a very pretty, Greek-looking tablecloth WITH NO BACK, and a myriad of complicated strings, before I realised the error of my ways.
Very much not marquee/name sticker-wear appropriate.
I came home with a printed maxi dress with puffy sleeves (sadly, not the GLORIOUS one by Boden, pictured top of post), and the realisation that I wanted to give my arms and legs a little colour. Just something to take the luminous edge off after a winter in palazzo pants and fuzzy socks (which, for the record, I’m still wearing).
You’re so golden
I’d heard so many good things about Gatineau’s Golden Glow Gradual Tan, but it’s one I hadn’t tried. So I thought this weekend would be the perfect opportunity to give it a go, on behalf of us all (if you’re already fan—or not—let me know in the comments! In fact, tell us any of your fake tan faves). This one comes highly recommended by lots of midlife beauty insiders, such as Kat Farmer and makeup artist Caroline Barnes (who I’m 99% sure mentioned it in a recent video). It’s not a drugstore cheapie (which I’m always a fan of, and have flagged here), so I was hoping for good things.
I applied it on Sunday morning. Gatineau is very clear about the fact that you’ll get the deepest glow after application three, as the colour builds (after that, you can maintain it with regular top-ups).
It’s a lovely and light, fluid formula, so doesn’t need lots of rubbing in, and absorbs quickly. The large pump bottle is super-handy, I’ve got to say, for fast, mess and faff-free application. It’s also got a fresh, delicate scent that is ever so reminiscent, I think, of Ambré Solaire sun cream from the Seventies.
Golden glow and childhood summer memories for the win.
By the end of the day yesterday, there was a just-discernable glow, but I was doubtful that this was going to give me the colour intensity I was hoping for. But taking the directions at their word, I showered and applied a second layer. (Full disclosure: I totally forgot that I had to apply my HRT gel afterwards, which posed a bit of a problem as it’s supposed to be applied to clean, dry skin. I panic-wiped off the tanner in the areas I use my gel, applied that, but it started stinging. So I cleaned the whole lot off and, well, lesson learned. HRT and self-tanning don't mix (and other midlife beauty issues I never imagined I’d cover).
The second application, it turns out, is the game-changer. Unbelievably so. I woke up this morning to a deeper, even, golden glow, with no streaks. Result! I slapped a bit more on my lower legs and arms, but left it at that. Super-impressed. After three goes, I think you’d get the kind of intensity that you would with a regular self-tanner, but without the need for tanning mitts and certain streaking disaster (speaking for myself, even after 30 years of faking it). Especially in a rush and, even more so, when it really matters. I might use a little wash-off bronzer this evening, for an added colour boost. Which beings us to …
Best wash-off tints
Don’t have time/even want to apply self-tanner, but do want a touch of colour? Enter the temporary, wash-off tints.
I’ve got two for you that I’ve always come back to, starting with the much-loved Vita Liberata Body Blur which is the most spend-y, BUT it’s on offer at Boots right now for £16.50, instead of the usual £33. (Not an affiliate link.)
It comes in two colour intensities, lasts for ages and is a firm favourite with beauty insiders.
My other old faithful is St Tropez’s St.Tropez Instant Tan Wash Off Lotion Light/Medium (£8, usually £10). I sometimes mix this with a bit of body lotion (you can do this with any body makeup, of course, to dilute it or help it smooth on more quickly and evenly). It also comes in Medium/Dark.
Excited for …
Westman Atelier going into Space NK stores! It’s such good news that those who are curious about makeup artist Gucci Westman’s eponymous range can now have a play at a counter near them (the line just dropped at selected locations, throughout the UK). Who doesn’t prefer to try before they buy (especially when it’s a pricier range)?
I dropped into a Space NK near me a few days ago, where the consultant said the products are flying, and tried (again) with the Lip Suedes lipsticks (nope, my lips, sadly, are still too dry for this formula). But I had success with the bestselling Baby Cheeks sheer blush stick, which I bought in Petal (a soft, very natural rose). It takes seconds to dab on and blend, it’s SO lovely, and, I’ve discovered since, is Michelle Pfeiffer’s current favourite (and shade), which she shared on Instagram.
Photo, @michellepfeifferofficial I love her natural look here, don’t you? I also picked up the new Westman Atelier Squeaky Clean Liquid Lip Balm, in Pipsqueak — a glossy, non-sticky, super-moisturising Parisian red. (Sidenote: the pink WA packaging is so pretty, and the products so luxe to hold: heavy, with that satisfying magnetic click!).
ZARA is launching another hair care line, The Undone Collection, arriving online and in larger stores from Thursday (13 June).
Part of its ongoing collab with veteran catwalk and editorial hair stylist Guido Palau, I love the look of the teaser campaign, which suggests something beachy and texture-giving— Guido’s styling signature— for summer.
Ooh, I want to hear about the event, and I’m certain you looked gorgeous!
I am 100pc trying the Gatineau as I also saw Kat chatting about it! Great post and happy birthday! Xx