Wartime blues, scent to support
What’s a beauty columnist to do as war rages in Europe? Letting us know how to help, that’s what
I’LL ADMIT IT, it’s been a challenge trying to write about beauty with everything going on at the moment. As I write this, the war in Ukraine has intensified to such a degree that going into raptures about my favourite blusher just pales into insignificance, especially as fellow journalists risk their lives to report from the Ukrainian front line.
And yes I know there’s no point dwelling over world events that we have no control over, and that people might want to read this column to escape the tragic headlines. After all, beauty helps divert us and can give us some sense of control amid the chaos going on outside — it’s what draws many of us to write about and work in beauty in the first place.
But as someone whose greatgrandparents were Eastern European refugees, it feels remiss of me not to dedicate at least some of this column to what is happening. Having done some digging, I came across several interesting beauty companies from the Ukraine which sadly aren’t available in the UK. (I could talk about one of my favourite Ukrainian fashion brands but I think the lady to my left wouldn’t be best pleased.) But I’m glad to see the rest of my industry — often dismissed as “frivolous” is stepping up and supporting those in need. Beauty giants Estée Lauder and L’Oreal have closed all stores and counters in Russia and donated millions in support of relief efforts in Ukraine. Smaller brands are helping too. One of my favourite British bodycare lines UpCircle
Viola Levy will be donating proceeds from their best-selling Cleansing Face Balm (£18.99) to the charity Razom for Ukraine; while quirky indie candle line Earl of East will be donating 100% of profits from the sales of their Flower Power sunflower wax candle (£50) to Choose Love, which provides vital aid to Ukrainian refugees and fighters.
Beloved French perfume house Creed also recently paid tribute to those affected, at the launch of their latest scent Wind Flowers a few weeks ago. Held at The Serpentine Galleries’ restaurant, it was a glitzy, glamorous affair with supermodels galore and you could see a few people shifting uncomfortably in their seats while the CEO rightly paid tribute to what was happening outside that very beautifully decorated room, with fresh flowers at every turn and a string quartet from the London Philharmonic about to entertain everyone with a stunning suite from Dvorák. The scent itself, Wind Flowers (£260) was a cheerful medley of jasmine, orange blossom and peach with a rich base of sandalwood and praline. (Not my particular cup of tea, but if you love sweet florals, this will be right up your street.)
Being surrounded by such opulence really hit home that I’m living an existence that my greatgrandparents could have only dreamed of. And while I intend to eke every last drop of beautiful perfume out of my very charmed life, it’s important to never forget those whose struggles are the reason I’m here — or forget about those who are still struggling today.