Inspiring make-up buys for summer
Are you worried about facing the world again? You're not alone. It seems like everyone is frantically preparing, from 'June 21st diet' now ranking high on Google to beauty sales rocketing since Boris Johnson announced the timetable out of lockdown.
Online beauty retailer Escentual.com has seen an unprecedented rise in make-up sales, with mascara up 300% in March this year, lipstick sales up 85%, eye make-up sales in general up 83% and foundation up 85%.
Escentual.com communications and campaigns manager Chelsey Edmunds said: 'Ever since the announcement of the path out of lockdown make-up sales have exploded. It's a hugely encouraging sign that the beauty industry has bounced back. It looks like the roaring 20s have just begun.
'Our mascara sales, in particular, are four times higher than usual and it's the luxury cosmetics brands that have been selling the best. Clearly, after the year of staying in, women are ready to get out there and want to look their very best.'
Here are the best products to hit refresh on your outdated beauty bag and help you brighten up for summer.
Stila Stay All Day Mascara, £20
Mascara only lasts between three and six months, so chances are your wand is dried up and bacteria prone by now. Invest in Stila's new tubular mascara – it offers long-lasting coverage and can stay-put even during an outdoor soirée when sat in the sun.
Stila Stay All Day Mascara, £20 – buy here
Gucci Rouge de Beauté Brilliant Lipstick, £35
The case is inspired by vintage brooches and the hybrid balm-meets-lipstick formula feels good to wear. It has black rose and peony oil combined with jojoba seed oil and karité butter for 24-hour moisturising and bright enough pigments to leave a stain.
It's also super-easy to remove, so you can wipe away and wear your mask on the journey home.
Gucci Rouge de Beauté Brilliant Lipstick, £35 – buy here
Charlotte Tilbury Brow Cheat Eyebrow Pencil, £22
If your brows are wild or sparse, then you can create order with this easy-to-use precision brow pencil.
So whether it's a fluffy, brushed-up effect or a more slick pointier Hepburn-esque end, then this can create the illusion that you've been to your brow person throughout the lockdown.
Plus, it comes in a marvellous range of eight inclusive shades.
Charlotte Tilbury Brow Cheat Eyebrow Pencil, £22 – buy here
By Terry Limited Edition Brightening CC Palette, £42
This instantly brightens up your skin and adds a realistic bronzy hue, a flush of romantic blush and also radiance and highlights too.
The effects are made even more luxurious by the aroma of roses it leaves behind.
By Terry Limited Edition Brightening CC Palette, £42 – buy here
Lancôme Teint Idole Ultra Oil Free Matte Foundation Stick, £29.50
You'll probably need to be colour-matched for a new foundation. Brands like Charlotte Tilbury are offering colour matching via Zoom. Alternatively, if you have a great shade already but would like a different finish, there is a clever site called Findation that can find your perfect match from hundreds of brands.
We're testing out the new Lancôme Teint Idole Ultra Oil Free Matte Foundation. It is super-easy to apply and offers fingerless touch-ups with the stick and brush combo, especially good if your mask has rubbed off your base when on the go.
Lancôme Teint Idole Ultra Oil-Free Matte Foundation Stick, £29.50 – buy here
Culture Whisper is your curated guide to the best of London. We may earn a commission for items purchased through our retailer links