Welcome back tenners to the beauty charts after our summer sojourn and amidst the city-hopping that is fashion month. So what’s been good enough in the beauty sphere to make it into the charts for September. Well, there’s no need to wonder any longer, just read on.
In at Number One is Mrs Victoria Beckham with her brand new and instantly must-have VBB Foundation Drops by Augustinus Bader, which also continue her collaboration with the cult skincare brand and their proprietary TFC8® technology so it’s working hard on skin moisture, fine lines and elasticity whilst doing it’s job as a foundation. As for the foundation element, this is make-up minimalism perfected and offers a really healthy skin glow, just the amount of light coverage that makes things look smoother, naturally perfected and luminous (available in 19 shades). A little does go a very long way. You can apply with fingers but it’s even better buffed in with a brush – and handily Mrs B has launched a Flat Complexion brush for the task. Shop here.
And it’s a double whammy for Mrs B as she’s straight back in the charts at Number Two with her Victoria Beckham Beauty Colour Wash blush which launched just before we downed tools for the summer. It continues her rhapsody on a theme of minimalism and the water-based formula gives a really natural-looking flush to cheeks that looks as though you might be auditioning for a part in a Jane Austen adaptation. Much as with the foundation drops it also looks even better when buffed in with bristles rather than fingertips. Available in three shades, you can shop it here.
In at Number Three is new body and bathing range Wallow from the folks at Piglet in Bed, the bedding, PJ and bath wear brand. Available in two aromas – Untamed Moss (an earthy blend of patchouli, geranium, bergamot and lavender) and Eternal Sun (a cheerful lemon, jasmine and coconut – and all housed in stylish but low-key containers (much of it refillable) there’s a hand wash, hand cream and a bath and body oil which are all as sumptuous as each other. Shop here.
Reome returns to the charts at Number Four as the modern heritage brand founded by a former beauty director, Joanna Ellner, launches its first face cream – or rather its Biogenic Melting Cream. It’s a new gen moisturiser which is based on longevity science, deploying a complex called Telessence M3, which is clinically proven to extend cellular resilience and boost skin’s youthful appearance. The whipped buttery texture melts straight in once applied and is not remotely heavy and locks in hydration. Luxe skin care that’s at the forefront of challenging and changing the way things have been done. Shop here.
Nestling in at the midway point Hourglass takes the Number Five spot with its new charms collection. You can now curate your own bespoke Ambient Lighting palette by customising your lid from a collection of specially designed charms featuring letters of the alphabet, horoscope signs, good fortune talismans and natural elements – including a lightning bolt, rainbow and a mushroom – at The Charms Bar at Selfridges (or online at Hourglass.com). The charms are magnetic and designed to click in to specially made divots on the top of the compact. And if you don’t know the palette well it’s only one of the most iconic in the biz with its glow giving curation of finishing powder, bronzer, blush and highlighter and for this project there’s another option (Volume II) offering a limited-edition mix for a warmer radiant glow. Shop here.
In at Number Six is Sisley which has, after much demand from customers, taken the fan favourite fragrance of their Hair Ritual haircare range and turned it into a stand alone hair fragrance (though you can use it however you like). Yes, it contains alcohol, but the atomiser has been designed to give a long mist so hold it far enough away and the alcohol should have evaporated before it hits your hair. As for the aroma, if you aren’t familiar, it’s a very evocative and cosseting blend of lemon, verbena, lavender blossom and mimosa flower with a woody amber base. Shop here.
Tucked into many a fashion editor’s pocket whilst on the road for the rest of the fashion month is our Number Seven chart entry: the new Clarins Invisible Sun Care Stick High Protection SPF50. A handy little number it’s super easy to use, melts straight in on application, has a transparent finish and can be applied over make up leaving a velvety feel and all housed in a very delectable orange case. It’s gorgeous suncare, anytime, anywhere. Shop here.
Skin longevity continues to be the big topic in skincare – and in this month’s beauty charts – and at Number Eight in the charts it’s taking a serum form and coming from that brand that everyone loves to love: Tatcha. Bid welcome to The Longevity Serum (a moisturiser will be joining it in February next year) with a gel-oil texture and that’s based on the premise of reducing senescent cells (cells that have stopped dividing but don’t get killed off and hang around causing trouble and increasing inflammation). At the heart of the formula is the brand’s Okinawa Cellescence Complex inspired by the nuchi-gusui – the nutrient rich diet behind the Japanese philosophy that food is medicine. – that has been proven to reduce those pesky senescent cells by 55 per cent and boosts cellular resilience to deliver a firmer and smoother skin appearance. Shop here.
Continuing on a skincare theme if you haven’t already latched on to the greatness that is our Number Nine this month then don’t delay any further and grab yourself some Merit Great Skin Double Cleanse. This bi-phase formula make life easier combining as it does all the skills of a makeup remover and combining it with a foaming cleanser (the surfactants are derived from oats so it’s gentle on skin) that can take off sunscreen, make-up and all the rest whilst also delivering a gentle (PHA) exfoliation and has some clary sage to boost radiance. It’s a powerful little that’s as practical as it is brilliant. Shop here.
And at Number Ten well how can not mention the continuing advance of the beauty advent calendar. Yes, if you’re not well ahead of things and ready to pounce then these days you’re likely to be left disappointed well before December. Of the OG calendars Space NK is on the verge of selling out – by the time you read this it could already be too late – but Liberty won’t be far behind (this year, with £1245-worth of goodies for the price of just £275 and this year, to mark the store’s 150 anniversary it comes in a Liberty print dust bag which is as covetable as the calendar itself). But if you want to go single brand then the fanciest you could find is Dior’s which only launched on September 26 and contains a very covetable mix of fragrance, skincare and makeup and comes in one of the fanciest packages.
Top image: photography courtesy of Merit.
