Get the best of CF straight to your inbox.

Subscribe, sit back, and let your mind travel.

The Beauty Edit

CF Editors Pick Their Favourite Beauty Products This Month

All the hottest beauty drops we are coveting in December.

December is a month of contrasts when it comes to beauty: whilst we want the fun and frippery of über sparkly eyeshadow palettes, lipsticks and shimmering blushes, we also need products that work extra hard to keep complexions glowing, nourished, and flake free. Here are our favourite products of the month from pragmatic to party!


THE WINTER KIT

Finding the right combination of products to fight the dryness and irritation that comes with winter can be tricky – happily Dr Barbara Sturm has done the hard work for us with her compact The Winter Kit, which also comes in a chic portable make-up bag. The seven-step regime contains her much-lauded Enzyme Cleanser, Balancing Toner, Face Mask, Hyaluronic Serum, Calming Serum, Face Cream Rich and Lip Balm, leaving your skin all lovely and hydrated, ready to withstand the elements.

 

 

Finding the right combination of products to fight the dryness and irritation that comes with winter can be tricky – happily Dr Barbara Sturm has done the hard work for us with her compact Winter Kit.

THE LUXE ROOM SPRAY

The tree may be up, presents may be bought, and you’ve definitely heard Wham's 'Last Christmas' at least 10 times, but it can be quite tricky to get into the festive spirit this year. If you need a little nudge towards that warm festive feeling, spritz the Frederic Malle Joyeux Noel perfume gun into your living room to conjure the conviviality of the season. The scent of pine, amber, cinnamon, and an unexpected touch of cotton candy will do the job.

 

THE LIPSTICK

I don’t think any lipstick sums up party season quite like the Tom Ford Lip Spark, which can only be described as a shimmering galaxy on your lips. This super-pigmented formula glides on seamlessly, leaving the appearance of loose glitter in it's trail. Simply pair with a cat-eye flick to let your lips take centre stage.

 

I don’t think any lipstick sums up party season quite like the Tom Ford Lip Spark, which can only be described as a shimmering galaxy on your lips.

THE FAUX GLOW

The days of streaky, patchy fake tan are so over. The new wave of tanning products deliver a natural glow that have people wondering just when you fit in a seven-day jaunt to the Bahamas. Whilst lipstick fell off radars during lockdown, statistics show that sales of fake tan soared, as more of us relinquished a full face of make up, for a fresher complexion. It’s no wonder James Read’s latest product has been an instant hit: the concentrated tanning gel can be added to your moisturiser for a buildable tan. Not only does it deliver a healthy glow, but also treats skin thanks to vitamin C and plumping hyaluronic acid.

 

 

THE FACE TOOL

With London in Tier 4, we are in desperate need of mastering the at-home facial until we meet with our favourite therapists again. Thankfully FaceGym have heard our cries of despair: its new whizzy tool comprises of an impressive 2,000 non-invasive dissolving microneedles, filled with hard-working hyaluronic acid and peptides. Simply roll all over your face to allow the crystallised serum to sink deeper into your skin. After four weeks, it leaves skin looking noticeably firmer, smoother and youthfful.

If a FaceGym studio session is the full HIIT workout, consider this a mini bootcamp for your face, you're welcome.

 

If a FaceGym studio session is the full HIIT workout, consider this a mini bootcamp for your face.

THE PERFUME

Fans of Killian Hennessy's fragrances know he always delivers the unexpected. Such is the case with his new addition to the The Liquors collection, paying homage to his heritage as part of the Hennessy alcohol dynasty. Roses On Ice is an ode to his wife's favourite drink: "gin on the rocks", and the result is surprisingly light and wearable. With an instant hint of refreshing cucumber, it warms into sandalwood, musk, juniper, with a delicate rose heart.

 

THE BATH DUO

'Tis the season for baths and I for one am making the most of it, with not much else to do this December. I was thrilled to discover Soak Sunday, the brand is essentially a love letter to the soothing ritual. The "build your bath time" formula allows you to tailor a bespoke set to your favourite scent and mood you wish to manifest (think soothing lavender, rose, coconut, sage, and chamomile).

 

 

THE BLUSH

If the Chanel 2.55 bag is out of budget this year, you can at least infuse your life with the French house’s brand codes thanks to the holiday collection, inspired by the iconic golden chain. Alongside shimmering metallic nail varnishes and lipsticks packed with flecks of golden is this very chic compact, embossed with the chain emblem. Not only does it look divine, the glistening pink blush delivers a quintessential English rose flush, when swept across cheeks.

 

If you can’t quite afford a Chanel 2.55 bag, with its iconic chain details, you can at least infuse your life with the French house’s brand codes thanks to the holiday collection.

THE CAT EYE CREATOR

The Mad Eyes duo from Guerlain doesn't just look oh-so-chic in its rose gold tubes, but provides all you need for a signature cat-eye look. The mascara adds volume, length, and curl for 24 hours, whilst the super-fine tip of the eye liner, inspired by caligraphy brushes, give a sharp flick in one elegant sweep. It's the perfect last-minute gift for your best friend, or for yourself. 

 

THE TOP-TO-TOE HEROES

For those suffering from Keratosis Pillaris, this one is for you. The skin condition, flares up in winter months, leaving those red spots on arms and legs (due to build up of keratin) all the more itchy. Happily Ameliorate's full kit can reduce the appearance and irritation, nourishing skin from top-to-toe. I can vouch the results of the Transforming Body Lotion are dramatic, especially when combined with the Nourishing Body Wash and Exfoliating Body Mitt.

 

THE EYESHADOW PALETTE

We don’t select our eyeshadow palettes based on their packaging, no that would be silly, but it doesn’t hurt when they look like an objet you’d proudly display in your home. This Byredo five-colour palette encased in a shimmering gold pebble that fits satisfyingly in your palm is one such example. The super-blendable shades of souped-up neutrals are silky on lids and very much live up to the hype.

 

 

We don’t select our eyeshadow palettes based on their packaging, no that would be silly, but it doesn’t hurt when they look like an objet you’d proudly display in your home

THE BLUE LIGHT BANISHER

If you’re serious about anti-aging, protecting skin against UVA and UVB isn't enough. High Energy Visible (HEV) blue light, emitted from the sun and also our screens, smartphones and LED lights, is your new nemesis. Luckily the Digital Defence Range is your NBF.

The plant-based range protects skin from HEV and restores vitality too. Comprising a mask, cleansing milk, eye cream, and moisturiser, we are particularly fond of the velvety Day & Night Protection Serum which sinks into skin like a dream with no stickiness.

 

You May Also Like

Any Questions or Tips to add?

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Share