I don’t really believe in new year resolutions – too fickle, too much pressure. However, I do believe in a reset. After a season of sparkle and OTT maquillage for endless events, a clean, minimal approach to makeup can be a breath of fresh air. Also, if you intend to be out or up late to ring in 2024 (good for you!), the last thing you want is an elaborate makeup look that takes ages to wash off when you are finally able to slide into bed. Happy New Year.
1. U Beauty The Super Tinted Hydrator £98, cultbeauty.co.uk
2. Max Factor 2000 Calorie Brow Gel £9.99, boots.com
3. Tula Radiant Skin Brightening Serum Concealer £25, tula.com
4. Westman Atelier Eye Want You Mascara £42, net-a-porter.com
5. Il Makiage Uncensored Lip Plumper £31, ilmakiage.co.uk
I can’t do without… A gentle cleansing oil that doesn’t leave your skin feeling greasy
Cleansers – and most skincare products – tend to be split by skin type categories – oily, dry, sensitive, or normal. Side note: brands do need to reconfigure their language around this. Saying one person has ‘normal’ skin automatically assumes everything else is ‘abnormal’. Anyway, I digress. Our skin shifts as time passes, and hormones and environmental aggressors can play a part in this. Which means our skincare should shift accordingly. Case in point, I’ve always considered my skin very oily (a hangover, perhaps, from my acne-ridden teens) and so a cleansing oil aimed at ‘very dry to irritated, sensitive skin’ would never have spoken to me. But I didn’t notice that when I stumbled across this cleanser from the French pharmacy stalwart. It was late, I had a face full of makeup, I needed something that would take it off quickly, I spotted the bottle, it said, ‘Cleansing oil’ and I said, ‘Great, that’ll do!’ And now, this cleansing oil, with its slightly foamy texture, has quickly become one of my most-loved beauty products. It is incredible. Not only does it remove makeup brilliantly, it is non-greasy, hydrating, excellent value (it’s for face and body) and it balanced out my skin – which I’ve realised is increasingly dry and dehydrated. So if you are now re-evaluating your skincare and type, this cleansing oil is a good place to start. Bioderma Atoderm Cleansing Oil, £15, boots.com
On my radar… Stress patches, perfume and a healing serum
Needle work Renowned acupuncturist Ross Barr now has at-home patches to combat everything from stress to sleep issues. Get the Barr treatment at a fraction of the price. Ross Barr Patches, £15, victoriahealth.com
Scents of freedom London store Liberty has combined with top perfumers to create an exquisite fragrance lineup, including Zephrine, a gorgeous meld of figs, rose, incense and leather. LBTY Eau de Parfum, £225, libertylondon.com
Star serum For skin compromised by the overuse of actives, this complex serum created by Jasmina Vico, the A-list facialist with Margot Robbie on speed dial, leaves you with a screen-worthy glow. Vico Skin Screen Star Serum, £105, vicoskin.com
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