Here’s the best romantic beauty buys all year round!
MY BOYFRIEND, a man who gave me a kitchen composter he’d had his eye on for Christmas, is not a chap to depend on when it comes to February 14.
This is the way I prefer it. Valentine’s, and the new broom that is Gal-entine’s Day, are naff marketing concepts and I’m not suggesting you give them much thought either.
And, yet, the opportunity to indulge yourself at a time of year when life feels grey should be seized.
While the smells and bells of this advent of spring bring delight, whether it be scarlet smiles or rosestrewn scents, behold: I give you five girlish joys to treat yourself with this Valentine’s Day. Pick one — you, and I, have earnt it.
SCARLET LIPS
RED lipstick is the ultimate cosmetic as it is the ultimate fillip. Yet, I had never discovered mine; my features so cool it looked too orange. After a lifetime’s wait, make-up artist and colour genius Lisa Eldridge has solved this by concocting a ruddy bullet I can do business with.
Lisa Eldridge Velvet Duchess True Velvet Lip Colour (€32, lisaeldridge. com) is the clear, deep garnet inspired by the 1940’s shade favoured by royalty, and used for Imelda Staunton’s Queen in Netflix series The Crown. Finally, a classic red lip looks winning on me. I’m giddy with delight.
If you have the opposite problem and reds look too blue, then opt for Lisa Eldridge Velvet Dragon True Velvet Lip Colour (€32), a rusty, Chinese lacquer red with yellow undertones. While, if you veer neither one way nor the other, Lisa Eldridge Velvet Ribbon True Velvet Lip Colour (€32) is your hue, a sensational pillar-box number.
HEAVENLY HAND CREAM
I’M terrible at using hand cream, which is ridiculous because, whenever I do partake, I am struck by the instant feelgood factor it imparts. When my mother was dying, we used to massage it into her hands when words failed and touch was all, and were all soothed.
I only wish we’d had Bamford’s new Rose Hand Balm (€25.30, spacenk.com) at our disposal. Intense, but non-greasy, crammed with 99 pc natural ingredients and environmental cred, its serenity-inducing aroma makes it greater than the sum of its parts. It even makes parched nails look polished. I’m hooked.
PETAL-PINK NAILS
LIKE many women, I’ve been skipping manicures to save funds, and, ye gods, my nails are a mess. However, even those not pennypinching have a tendency to fall back on the same old shade.
Groomed, yes; fun, not so much. Dullness and dreariness be banished in the form of Leighton Denny OBE’s Electric Neon collection: Bright Spark (€15, marksandspencer.com), a Barbie pink neon; Live Wire, a neon coral; and Shocking, a glorious neon purple; or score the trio for €35 (leightondenny.com). If these feel too high-octane, Dior’s spring limited-editions are exquisite: Dior Vernis 555 Popeline (€33, dior. com), a peachy peony; 595 Lilac Organza (€33), an impeccable lavender grey; and 001 Dior Sequins, a silvery rose (€35).
CANDLE-LIT
AJA Botanicals is a handcrafted brand that specialises in natural scents made from the highest quality oils. Its Walk on the Wild Side Candle (€46.45, ajabotanicals.com) is pure boudoir: an edgy fusion of sensual smoke and soft leather, all labdanum, cade, cabreuva and oakmoss. There’s a sweet muskiness, and something slightly, suggestively off — and thus very much (get it) on.
DREAM CREAM
I FAN-GIRLED M&S’s Apothecary bath oil a couple of columns ago, noting that, in just two years, this range has become a €23million brand.
Marks & Spencer Apothecary Warmth Hand & Body Lotion (€8.25, marksandspencer.com) is my wet and windy February obsession. For, yes, a 250ml dispenser of this sublime cardamom, cinnamon, cedarwood and sandalwood-scented wonder — smelling as expensive as it is soothing — can be had for the same price as some ghastly Frappuccino. I’ve just spotted that there’s a Warmth Eau De Parfum (€12.50 for 50ml) and have ordered it, along with the Warmth Linen Spray (€11.50). Come Valentine’s Day, I shall be occupying a sultry world.