Wave a wand: the magic of mascara

Many moons ago I remember reading about famous people’s beauty habits (these days I try to occupy my time with more useful things). Mascara was the one item of makeup many would not leave the house without. I didn’t get it. As my lashes slowly become inexplicably sparser and shorter, I got it. A decent mascara is magic – as seen backstage at Givenchy. Yes, it gives the illusion of longer fuller lashes, but you also look healthier, awake, more youthful and, worn on its own, it gives off a chic insouciance that you look fabulous without making much of an effort.

1. Victoria Beckham Beauty Vast Lash £32, victoriabeckhambeauty.com (out on 14 August)
2. Huda Beauty’s One Coat Wow Mascara £20, sephora.co.uk
3. KVD Beauty Full Sleeve Long + Defined Tubing Mascara £22, boots.com
4. Gucci Beauty Mascara L’Obscur £31, selfridges.com
5. Milk Make Up Rise Waterproof Mascara £19, spacenk.com

Weeks ago, I was invited to a secret unveiling of the new beauty collection by Prada. Did it meet my expectations? Absolutely. It’s Prada. It was always going to be fabulous, modern, chic, etc. The beauty range – all refillable – currently comprises a foundation that has the finish of a beautiful serum; kaleidoscopic but pragmatic eyeshadow palettes inspired by Prada’s print archives; and a streamlined, super impressive, science-backed skincare line. Then there are the lipsticks. The aesthetics alone elicit a sense of pleasure. But for a matte-lipstick devotee like me, it was the finish that pricked my ears. All of the lipsticks – 26 glorious hues – are matte; a soft matte and a hyper (intense) matte. Most matte lipsticks are yet to master the art of delivering great pigment without drying your lips to a pulp. Most are not particularly pliable and if you need to top up during the day, you are better off starting from scratch as it rarely goes on seamlessly. Prada lipsticks have been infused with a technology that enables our lips to bypass all that drama. In a single stroke the pigment spread evenly across my lips, layered with ease and the weightless texture felt more like a balm than a lipstick. The ethos of the range is ‘rethinking beauty’ and I agree: Prada has found a way to rethink matte lipstick and it is extraordinary. Prada Beauty Monochrome Lipstick, £37/£29.50 (refill), selfridges.com

Pick of the crop This super chic French apothecary brand has launched an innovative scent collection inspired by vegetables. I am obsessed with this Iraqi Beetroot and Egyptian Rhubarb concoction. Officine Universelle Buly Perfumes, £144, buly1803.com

A win for skin Most makeup still doesn’t treat skin. So this concealer rich in niacinamide and hyaluronic acid, which also treats dark spots and pigmentation, is great. IT Cosmetics Bye Bye Dark Spots Concealer + Serum, £26, cultbeauty.co.uk

Ditch the dullness With a nutrient-rich complex that includes kelp, red algae and coconut water ferment, this creme/mask reduces oiliness, soothes redness and combats dullness. Estée Lauder Nutritious Melting Soft Creme/Mask, £39.50, esteelauder.co.uk

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