BEAUTY: TOP 10
Hello, I’m Ellie, a born-and-bred Londoner, now raising my children in Tunbridge Wells. I’ve worked on magazines since my teens, for Cosmopolitan, Harper’s Bazaar, and Look magazine, among others.
When it comes to shopping for beauty - in a confusing age of perfectly-curated instagram grids and ever-changing wellness trends - I’m your girl!
I’ve been through many different beauty phases in my life, but now I’m in my thirties, and running around after small children I moderate my own routine chiefly depending on how tired my face is looking!
With that being said, below are my current top 10 beauty buys available to buy locally, from the Drunk Elephant minis that will hydrate and brighten your complexion, to the universally flattering Hourglass face powders that give an instant photo-filter finish, and all in time for the Christmas parties!
1. The Drunk Elephant brand has finally launched in the UK, and just in time for Christmas. This super handy set of minis features seven of the brand’s cult products, all free from the ‘Suspicious 6’ - essential oils, drying alcohols, silicones, chemical screens, fragrance/dyes and SLS. It’s an excellent way to try out one of the most hyped skin care ranges ever, and hopefully discover some new holy grail skin fixes.
Drunk Elephant The Littles Kit, Space NK, Tunbridge Wells, £71.
2. Take your winter cleansing routine to the next level with Liz Earle’s new Rose and Cedar Wood scented Cleanse & Polish. This makes quick work of removing your festive glam at the end of the night - including that stubborn red lip!
Liz Earle, A Winter Rose, Boots, Tunbridge Wells, £23.50.
3. These powders are like an Instagram filter for your face. You’ll have to act quick to get your hands on this must have, and with six beautifying face powders packed in, this promises to be the gift that keeps on giving.
Hourglass Ambient Lighting Edit Volume 4, Space NK, Tunbridge Wells, £69.
4. OK, so not strictly a beauty product, but this beautiful seasonal offering from Diptyque will fill your boudoir with the scent of a northern forest - and once it’s finished, just pop it in the freezer to remove the leftover wax and re-purpose as a makeup brush holder.
Diptyque Sapin de Lumiere Scented Candle, Space NK, Tunbridge Wells, £53.
5. If you’re someone who likes a different scent for each change of season, then this fragrance is perfect for the winter months. Or if you’re looking for something special for someone, head to the Jo Malone website to add an engraving to the bottle.
Jo Malone White Moss and Snowdrop Cologne, Fenwicks, Tunbridge Wells, £96.
6. Glossier, the internet’s favourite ‘cool girl’ beauty brand, have re-formulated their best-selling lipsticks. If you’ve not used one before, they deliver a subtle veil of matte, just-blotted colour - and come packaged in bubblegum-pink bubble wrap pouches, that make really handy travel sized makeup bags.
Glossier Generation G Lipstick, Glossier.com, £14.
7. Nails inc have really delivered the fun factor with their xmas gift sets. The limited edition polishes, much like the packaging, come in a rainbow spectrum of shades. This collection, our favourite, features two full coverage cream shades, a baby pink foil effect, and a clear base multi-glitter one to layer on top.
Nails Inc Paint Your Nails Happy Nail Polish Gift Set, nailsinc.com, £29.
Charlotte Tilbury Luxury Palette of Pops in Starlight, Fenwick beauty hall, Tunbridge Wells, £39.
8. Charlotte’s Christmas quads are always a big hit, and this year she’s taken the ‘pop’ texture from her cult eyeshadow quads, and made two palettes with four pressed glitters - designed to add ‘over-the-top’ to existing eyeshadows – taking you from desk to dance floor!
9. Benefit always wow with their packaging, and this year’s cake-inspired tins are real show stoppers. I love their new volumising Bad Gal Bang mascara, and for £34.50, you also get these 3 full sized products too - worth £78.50!
Benefit Triple Decker Decadence Full Face Makeup Set, Boots, Tunbridge Wells, £34.50.
10. Our hair can take a heat styling beating during party season, so this set has been perfectly curated to infuse moisture, add shine, and provide that all important heat protection against extra GHD use.
Bumble and Bumble Happy Hairdays for a sleek, chic holiday look, Boots, Tunbridge Wells, £22.
Love Ellie x
