Elsa McAlonan’s Beauty Upgrades: How to transform skin with hand serums
- Elsa McAlonan reveals the best serums to transform stressed-out hands
- She also shares how Jennifer Lopez styled her hair at the People’s Choice Awards
- British beauty expert rounds up the best exfoliators to use at each age
WHAT’S NOW & HOW TO DO IT: HAND SERUMS
Elsa McAlonan reveals a selection of the best serums for transforming stressed-out hands (file image)
Traditionally a skincare must-have for faces, serum is now a saviour for stressed-out hands.
These soothing salves not only transform skin stripped of moisture by constant washing and sanitising, but also tackle age spots and crepey skin.
Neal’s Yard Frankincense Intense Hand Treatment Serum is enriched with narcissus extract and rosehip oil for extra hydration.
ocado.com
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There’s nothing wrong with seeing the world through rose-tinted glasses at the moment — so good timing for the arrival of this new Barry M Rose Tinted Eyeshadow Palette.
It contains nine matte and shimmer shades, ranging from a flattering petal pink to dramatic deep hues. Plus, the packaging is made of card so can be recycled after use.
barrym.com
J-LO’S SLEEK, CHIC UP DO
Jennifer Lopez (pictured) had her hair done by Chris Appleton for the People’s Choice Awards
Jennifer Lopez went full glamour at the People’s Choice Awards this month, with a flowing updo by Chris Appleton, Color Wow’s global creative director.
‘We snatched the front to show off her face and let the hair in the back do all the talking,’ says Chris, who used the brand’s Dream Coat Supernatural Spray (£25), Style On Steroids Texturizing Spray (£22) and Cult Favorite Firm + Flexible Hairspray (£22, colorwowhair.com).
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Any product that aids sleep gets my vote, and there are plenty of excellent options in Aromatherapy Associates’ new Aroma Active Laboratories range, created to tackle everyday lifestyle concerns. I like the relaxing Sleep Mist (£10), Sleep Pulsepoint Rollerball (£8) and Over Night Recovery Face Oil (above, £15, boots.com) which rejuvenates and plumps up skin.
WILL A PRIMER STRENGTHEN MY LASHES?
Yes, the right one can, says Nicole Faulkner, director of global artistry for beauty firm Morphe.
In addition to nourishing sparse and damaged lashes, primers can also prepare them for mascara and help to boost volume and colour.
‘You should use a lash primer with your mascara because it will form a protective shield over your lashes and help build volume,’ adds Nicole.
Morphe’s The Big Prime Lash Primer contains three types of proteins and vitamins which help to repair split ends and damaged lashes.
If you’re feeling brave, you could use it instead of mascara — its bright blue hue makes a fun statement on its own.
feelunique.com
3 OF THE BEST: EXFOLIATORS
Malic acid, from apples and pears, exfoliates and brightens the skin in Q+A’s Apple AHA Exfoliating Gel, while glycolic acid softens the look of fine lines and sun damage.
feelunique.com
Katherine Daniels Essential Exfoliating Gel has a non-abrasive formula that transforms from a gel to a silky oil when mixed with water.
katherinedanielscosmetics.com
Enriched with thermal spring water, La Roche Posay Ultra-Fine Scrub is suitable for even the most sensitive skin, leaving it soft and gleaming.
lookfantastic.com
SHAMELESS INDULGENCE
We could all do with a little sunshine in our lives, so banish the winter blues with a spritz of the new lightly fragranced Soleil L alique Hair Mist.
It leaves hair looking and feeling silky soft and smooth and, with notes of cardamom, bitter almond and mandarin jostling with caffe latte, jasmine, pear granita and pink praline, it forms a scent that’s sweet yet refreshing and bold yet deliciously light.
The bottle gives the feeling of summer days before you even get to smell the warming fragrance, with an appealing coral colour and a golden top. The perfect way to give your hair and mood a lift this Christmas.
lalique.com