Elsa McAlonan’s Beauty Upgrades: How to have trendy nails this Christmas with Quality Street colours
- Elsa McAlonan reveals a selection of colourful nail polishes to wear at Christmas
- She also shares Victoria Beckham’s must-have for catwalk worthy skin
- British beauty expert rounds up the best festive red lipstick to use at each age
WHAT’S NOW & HOW TO DO IT: QUALITY STREET COLOURS
Elsa McAlonan reveals a selection of the best colourful nail polishes for a merry and bright Christmas (file image)
It’s Christmas, so nails should be as merry and bright as a handful of Quality Street.
Go for metallic jewel colours, such as Cienna Rose’s aquamarine shade, Blue Me Away
ciennarose.com
For a bargain buy, try Poundland’s Make Up Gallery Time To Shine Nails in Sapphire Blue
poundland.co.uk
Or, if you’re short on time, Sally Hansen Insta-Dri Nail Polish in Go For Gold dries in seconds.
asda.com
CLICK THIS TODAY
Looking for the perfect last-minute stocking filler? The Sanctuary Spa Mini Manicure Set includes a hand cream with nourishing shea butter, sweet almond oil, and a long-lasting fragrance of patchouli, sandalwood and jasmine to keep hands hydrated and smelling divine throughout the day. It also comes with a handy nail file — a handbag must-have.
superdrug.com
VICTORIA’S MODEL SECRET
Victoria Beckham (pictured) said her models get their catwalk-worthy glow from the Foreo UFO 2
Victoria Beckham’s Fashion Week must-have is the Foreo UFO 2 (£249, lookfantastic.com), which she credits for giving her models a catwalk-worthy glow.
The treatment combines Korean-inspired sheet masks with a pulsating gadget that brightens, firms and softens the skin. The device also features eight LED light colours that target different skincare problems, such as acne, fine lines, uneven skin tone, dark circles, puffiness, sun damage and rosacea.
THIS WORKS
The lightest of sprays of the new No 7 HydraLuminous Fixing Mist will hold your make-up in place for up to 24 hours, while a blend of niacinamide and botanical extracts keeps skin hydrated and glowing. The microfine formula won’t clog pores, either.
boots.com
WHAT MAKE-UP SHOULD I USE ON ZOOM?
Tempting as it is to step up the shimmer for your Christmas Zoom calls, Morag Ross, UK spokesperson for Japanese beauty brand Suqqu, suggests taking a subtle approach.
‘Avoid excessive shimmer and heavy pigmented powder, as direct light from the screen will pick this up,’ she advises. ‘Highlighter infused with natural moisturising oils will give a radiant finish.’
Try Suqqu Powder Blush Compact, which has four blushers and two highlighters created with hydrating plant-based oils.
selfridges.com
3 OF THE BEST: FESTIVE RED LIPPY
ESTEE LAUDER Pure Color Envy Sculpting Lipstick in Carnal has a highly pigmented, hydrating formula that defines lips and stays in place for up to eight hours.
esteelauder.co.uk
AVON True Creme Legend Lipstick in Va-Va-Voom has a built-in primer that locks in moisture, while its teardrop tip promises precise application.
avon.uk.com
LANCOME L’Absolu Rouge Ruby Cream Lipstick in Rubiez is a long-lasting, bold lipstick with a satin finish. Its contouring, gem-shaped tip makes mature lips look fuller.
lancome.co.uk
SHAMELESS INDULGENCE
If there were a prize for the year’s most Christmassy candle, the Diptyque Ambre Plume would surely win it. The renowned French perfume house has crafted the perfect cosy scent with a mix of citrus and spice. The base of zingy orange, warming cinnamon and ginger is softened by notes of amber, and with a burn time of 60 hours, it’s sure to last throughout the festive season, too.
The jar, meanwhile, is covered in Parisian artist Ugo Gattoni’s illustration of a swan in the snow, which looks like it’s come straight from the pages of your favourite Christmas storybook from childhood.
spacenk.com