Quick ‘pick-me-up’ make-up

Feel like your mood could use a boost? These skincare tips and feel-good products are guaranteed to spark joy – and put a smile on your face when you need it most. By Sonia Haria

In 2001, Leonard Lauder – former chief executive of the Estée Lauder Companies – coined the “lipstick index” theory. He argued that during times of recession and hardship, beauty products serve as an affordable pickme-up.

More than 20 years later, the theory still stacks up, and it’s a trend that the retailer Net-a-Porter calls “Dopamine Beauty”. It looked at data from its millions of global customers and noticed that the checkout basket would often include clothing, skincare and a single item of cheering make-up.

No contouring or shading needed; from a bold red lipstick to a pop of pink blusher on the cheeks, it doesn’t need expert application or half an hour sitting in front of a mirror to apply. One of Net-a-Porter’s global bestsellers is the Happikiss Lip Balm by Charlotte Tilbury, a deeply moisturising lipstick in cheering berries and corals.

During times of recession and hardship, beauty products serve as an affordable pick-me-up

The same concept can be applied to the eyes, too.

A wash of eyeshadow across the lids – either worn sheer or bold with a slick of mascara – is “the most modern way to wear eyeshadow,” says make-up artist Adam de Cruz, who created the looks on our 50-something model in these pictures.

If you’re not keen on eyeshadow, a bold eyeliner is a great colour-popping compromise.

Let’s not forget the cheeks, which can immediately make you look more youthful. The past year has seen an explosion of liquid and cream blushers, which can be applied with the fingers and tapped on to the apples of the cheeks for an uplifting look.

The most grown-up of them all is Westman Atelier’s Baby Cheeks in Poppet, a bright fuchsia pink that blends out to a sheer flattering hue (if bright pink is not your thing, try the softer version Petal, instead).

Can your make-up really make you happier? With these uplifting products, it’s hard not to smile.

A blush with genius For a beautiful tonal look, dab some of your lipstick on your cheeks in place of blusher

Are you reddy? If you’re not usually a fan of wearing bold red lipstick, try it in a glossier formula instead.

In the pink A fuchsia-pink eyeshadow is surprisingly flattering for all skin tones, and can be applied sheer or bold.