REALLY MADE UP
Sarah Young gives you something to blush about
Typically the reserve of festive gifting, beauty sets prove to be an area of contention as more often than not, there tends to be something you don’t really want in the mix.
But lately, a new crop of curated beauty kits have been changing all that.
Not only do you get hold of some of the brand’s best products which would normally cost a whole lot more if you paid for them separately, but they’re also the perfect way to try out new products.
Here, we take a look at some of the best beauty kits on the market right now.
Nars, Fresh Flushed Skin Kit, £89, Net-a-Porter
Achieving that seasonal glowy look has never been easier. This Nars Fresh Flushed Skin Kit contains three of the brand’s most popular products that promise to leave your complexion illuminated and radiant.
While the Luminous Moisture Cream creates the perfect base with 24-hour hydration, the liquid Illuminator in Copacabana will help to enhance your natural bone structure. Simply dab a small amount on your browbones and high on the cheeks for a pearly finish. We also love the Bumpy Ride blush – it gives your skin an instant flush of rosy pink.
Tata Harper, Luminous Glow Collection, £57, Cult Beauty
Another glow-inducing kit here but this time, it’s all about what goes underneath your make-up. Built with everything you need to give your skin a natural luminosity, Tata Harper’s Luminous Glow Collection is ideal for any traveller or if you’re a newbie to the brand and just want to give their goodies a go. Trust us, you won’t regret it.
The set includes a Regenerating Cleanser to dissolve dead cells and eliminate pore-clogging dirt, the new Illuminating Eye Crème and Illuminating Moisturiser, which both contain diamond dust and hyaluronic acid to banish wrinkles. You also get a Resurfacing Mask which acts as the perfect pick-me-up by brightening and counteracting signs of skin-fatigue.
The Secret to Seduction Look, £115, Charlotte Tilbury
Is there anything Charlotte Tilbury can’t do? Short answer – no. Taking all the hassle out of creating what should be a complicated make-up look inspired by iconic screen sirens, the maestro has curated a beauty kit that includes a range of full size products, and at a fraction of the price.
It includes the Colour Chameleon eyeshadow in pencil in Black Diamonds, a Rock ‘n’ Kohl eyeliner in Bedroom Black, the award-winning Full Fat Lashes mascara, Cheek to Chic blusher in First Love, Lip Cheat lip liner in Pillow Talk and the brand new K.I.S.S.I.N.G Lipstick in Valentine.
Mac, Look in a Box: Hooked On Nude, £35, Selfridges
An exclusive to Selfridges, Mac Cosmetics have created a series of “Look in a Box” sets that showcase a variety of looks for lips and eyes using a mix of some of its best selling products. Our favourite has to be Hooked on Nude.
A neutral toned edit designed to create a natural smokey eye look, it includes Eye Shadows in No Pretense and Hooked On Nude, Modern Twist Kajal Liner in Long Espresso and Upward Lash mascara.
Marc Jacobs Beauty, Beauty Kit, £175, Net-a-Porter
Marc Jacobs Beauty have ticked all the boxes with this set that contains everything you need to create the perfect daytime look. Perfect your base with the Under(Cover) Perfecting Coconut Face Primer, before adding some drama to your eyes with the Fineliner Ultra Skinny Gele Eye Crayon in Blacquer and the Velvet Noir Major Volume Mascara.
Then complete your look with a wash of the Glow Stick Glistening Illuminator and a slick of Sheer Gel Lipstick in Eat Cake. What’s more, the handy travel-size products also come stowed in a sleek black carry case.