Blocked pores, flaky skin, nasty chemicals – these are just some of the reasons why foundations have received a bad rap in the past. But thanks to breakthroughs in product technologies, the new wave of foundations double as effective treatments, targeting skincare issues while concealing imperfections. Here are the ones to look out for.
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Our eyes attract immediate attention, so it’s a good idea to have a few make-up tips and tricks up your sleeve for a striking yet youthful and wide awake look. Your journey to bigger and brighter eyes starts here.
Start the process by prepping your eyelids with a lid primer or pat on a little pressed powder. This creates a smooth base that provides grip for the products that follow, ensuring they stay put all day. Avoid priming your lids with concealer, foundation, or any other products containing oil, as this can cause your make-up to smudge or move around during the day.
Contouring isn’t exclusively for your cheekbones – this technique can also be used on your eyelids to add dimension. For the best effect, use a soft, fluffy brush to sweep on a matte eye shadow in the same shade as your skin tone along the crease of your eyelid. Next, apply a darker taupe shade in an arc along the crease, starting at the corner of the lower lash line, gently blending the eye shadow along the way. This will create depth, which is key to making your eyes pop!
Highlighter is one of the best tricks around for opening up your eyes, creating an appealing, wide-eyed look. Use it on your brow bone to give the illusion of ‘lifting’ your brow, on the inner corners of your eyes to open them up, and on the centre of the lid to brighten your eyes.
An eyelash curler is a must. It makes a big impact by lifting the lashes, making your eyes appear larger and more alert. Although it might look like a surgical tool, a lash curler is quite simple to use. Place your upper lashes between the two sides of the lash curler (keeping eyes open), then position the curler as close as possible to your eyelid without pinching your skin, starting at the inner corner of your eye. When your lashes are tucked inside, gently clamp the curler together. Hold for ten seconds, moving outward to curl the entire lash line. Repeat if necessary.
To further define and open eyes, apply two or three coats of mascara along the upper and lower lashes. For extra oomph, apply an additional coat near the centre of the upper lash line.
While black liner inside the lower eyelids will make your eyes look smaller, a brightening neutral shade will open them by creating the illusion of extending your whites. A white eye pencil can also be used, but the more neutral fleshy tones provide a natural finish and help conceal any redness too.
Videographer: Roice Nel. Hair & make-up: Renee De Wit/Gloss. Model: Morgan/Boss Models. Production: Leila Petersen.
Want to know how to make your lips look bigger with minimal effort? Sure you do. We show you how to work your magic with make-up to create the illusion of a full, youthful-looking pout.
Start the process with a hydrating lip balm to plump up your pout and create a smooth base for the lip-enhancing products to follow.
This will help define your lips, making them pop out more to create the illusion of fuller lips.
You might be familiar with the beauty-enhancing benefits of highlighter for your cheekbones but did you know that it works wonders for your lips too? Adding a little highlighter to your Cupid’s bow – the dip above your upper lip – will instantly make them appear bigger, thanks to its light-reflecting effects.
One of the easiest ways to make your lips look bigger is to line them with a lip pencil. Pick a liner one or two shades darker than your natural lip colour, and apply it just outside the natural line of your lips (be careful not to overdo it, you want to keep the look natural). Once the outline is done, fill your entire lip area with the pencil.
To further enhance your lips and add dimension, dust the centre of both lips with a highlighter.
Finish off with a slick of nude or pale-pink gloss. Lighter shades are preferable to darker ones, which tend to make lips appear smaller. Alternatively, apply the gloss to the centre of your lips only, for an attractive lip-highlighting effect.
Videographer: Roice Nel. Hair & make-up: Renee De Wit/Gloss. Model: Morgan/Boss Models. Production: Leila Petersen.
You’ve probably heard this before: eyebrows shape your face, which means having well groomed, proportional arches is crucial to your overall make-up look. Here, we take you through a step-by-step guide for brows to make you proud.
Don’t underestimate the power of the brow. Your eyebrows can either make or break your face and your entire make-up look. A pair of polished brows makes a strong statement and is one of the easiest ways to change your look. Here are three easy steps you can follow to ensure your brows wow.
1. Brush hairs using a spoolie
Begin by brushing your brows upwards with a spoolie. This will tame out any unruly hairs and will also help you see the natural shape of your arches.
2. Fill in with an eyebrow pencil
Next, using a brow pencil, fill in the gaps. Your brows aren’t meant to be a monotoned; you want to give them a gradient effect. Starting from the inside, use light feathery strokes to fill in the sparse spaces you can see, saving the bolder strokes for the tail end of the brow (towards your temple). Brush your brows again with the spoolie, as this will help blend and create a fuller look.
3. Set with a brow gel
Your last step requires a little setting gel. Use one of these brow gels for all-day perfection.
Videographer: Roice Nel. Hair & make-up: Renee De Wit/Gloss.
Model: Morgan/Boss Models. Production: Leila Petersen.
Red nose, chapped lips, puffy face, a pale complexion – these are just a few of the beauty woes that come with a cold. Make-up may not be your top priority when you’re seriously under the weather, but once you’re over the worst it’s time to breathe some life back into your complexion. Here are a few clever tips and products to help you look better than you feel.
A rich, nourishing cream will soothe parched skin and restore your natural glow. If your skin is dry and irritated, add a few drops of facial oil to your everyday face cream and pat it into your skin for an extra moisture boost.
Placecol Illuminé Reviving Oil 15ml 450; Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturizing Cream 50ml 295 SHOP NOW; Clarins Hydra-Essentiel 640 SHOP NOW
The sensitive skin around your lips and nose is hit hard by a cold, and may appear red, inflamed and chapped. Protect and repair it with an intensely nourishing balm that seals in moisture and helps your skin bounce back quickly.
Elizabeth Arden Eight Hour Cream Skin Protectant 50ml 315 SHOP NOW; Nuxe Reve de Miel Super Baume 475; Bobbi Brown Extra Soothing Balm 1050 SHOP NOW
Consider hydrating foundations and tinted moisturisers your skin’s new best friends. These hardworking products revive a dull, uneven complexion, giving your skin a healthy colour boost while erasing signs of fatigue.
Inglot Beautifier Tinted Cream 399 (Exclusive to Edgars); MAC Lightful C + Coral Grass Tinted Cream SPF 30 With Radiance Booster 560 SHOP NOW; Clarins Skin Illusion SPF 15 515 SHOP NOW
A concealer is essential when trying to disguise the aftermath of a cold. While hydrating foundations and tinted moisturisers go a long way to conceal shadows and red blotches, colour correctors target specific skin problems. A yellow-based concealer diminishes purple or blue under-eye circles; green-based concealers neutralise redness around the nose; and an apricot-hued concealer brightens the skin for a fresh, healthy look.
Clarins SOS Primer Diminish Redness 425 SHOP NOW; Sisley Instant Correct in Just Rosy 1110 (Exclusive to Edgars) SHOP NOW; Smashbox Photo Finish Color Correcting Foundation Primer 495 SHOP NOW
Sneezes and sniffles mean watery eyes, so keep eye make-up simple with soft, brightening eyeshadow instead of eyeliner, which might smudge during the day. Use a light coat of waterproof mascara to help revive and ‘open’ your eyes.
Kelso Beauty Waterproof Mascara 159.95 (Exclusive to Edgars) SHOP NOW; Lancôme Monsieur Big Waterproof Mascara 360 SHOP NOW; Givenchy Noir Couture Volume Waterproof Mascara 610 SHOP NOW
Nothing lifts a dull complexion more than a pop of colour. Blush is a must to give cheeks a healthy flush and bring your complexion back to life. Creamy, hydrating formulas will blend easily into your skin and give it a dewy finish, as opposed to powder blushes that may accentuate dryness. As for colour, go for peachy shades. These hues instantly perk up sallow-looking skin. Avoid red tones as these may emphasise blotchiness. Use a tinted balm or nourishing lipstick on lips for a healthy, protective glow.
Chanel Coco Rouge Flash in Furtive 645; Elizabeth Arden Eight Hour Cream Lip Protectant Stick Sheer Tint SPF15 in Blush 255 SHOP NOW; Dolce & Gabbana The Creamy Blush In Rosa Aurora 930 (Exclusive to Edgars)
All items subject to availability. Prices may change.
SENSAI
TOTAL LIP GLOSS
850
Fans of Sensai’s Cellular Performance Total Lip Treatment will love the fact that the brand has transformed its popular lip product into a gloss. Leaving a healthy flush of pink with a hint of shimmer, this gloss glides on smoothly and continuously hydrates and conditions lips with its Koishimaru Silk and Lip Care Complex.
CLARINS
EXTRA-FIRMING PHYTO-SERUM
1280
Clarins has added an incredible serum to its Extra Firming range. The product contains powerful plant extracts such as lupine, agave and quinoa to tighten and lift the skin’s surface for a smooth, youthful complexion. It also contains hyaluronic acid to help maintain the skin’s hydration, which is key for a gorgeous, all-day glow.
CLINIQUE
CLINIQUE iD
570
One of the biggest trends in skincare at the moment is bespoke beauty, and we just can’t get enough! Clinique’s latest launch takes personalised skincare to the next level with a revolutionary system that addresses your specific needs. First pick your base from one of three options – Dramatically Different Hydrating Jelly, Moisturizing Lotion, or Oil-Control Gel – then mix in one of five different active concentrate cartridges, each of which is formulated to treat your main skin concern. Clever and affordable, this skincare solution is what your face has been waiting for.
EXCLUSIVE TO EDGARS
Fragrance cocktailing, also known as scent mixing or fragrance layering, involves combining two (or more) scents to create a unique custom-blend aroma. However it’s not as easy as randomly spritzing on perfumes; you need to know which notes and fragrance families complement each other before you dive right in.
Knowledge of the fragrance categories (floral, woody, citrus, oriental and gourmand) is essential for layering. While there is no hard and fast rule, the general guideline is to mix scents that are either in the same family or in complementary ones. For example, if you are choosing to mix floral fragrances, start by layering light and fresh florals over the darker, deeper ones.
The less complicated the perfume composition the easier it is to mix. Look for subtle, minimalist fragrances that feature one or two notes only for a seamless blend. Try keep within the same family for better control of the combined fragrance.
Always spray the stronger fragrance first, so that it’s present but not overwhelming. When you’re layering an EDT or EDP with a body lotion (read further for more on this), or mixing two EDTs, always apply the heavier-smelling scent, wait for it to dry or soak in, and then apply the next.
Layering scents isn’t exclusive to perfumes; you can also use body care products such as creams and butters to create an intense, long-lasting, top-to-toe scent. Applying scented body oils, lotions and creams together underneath your fragrance will uplift it.
These complementary blends are worth taking note of:
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The philanthropist and style icon lets us in on his grooming routine, and it’s not as complicated as you might expect. Follow his guide to feeling fresh and looking sharp all day, everyday.
PR extraordinaire, award-winning sartorial figure, campaign strategist, humanitarian, brand influencer for Bvlgari – Matthew Mensah’s resume is impressive! We love that his personal style and grooming are always on point, despite his crazy busy schedule. We asked Mensah to share his grooming secrets.
What’s your approach when it comes to male grooming?
A man with respect for himself looks after himself, and there should be no excuses. If our female counterparts can manage a grooming routine, so should we. Manicures, pedicures and waxing should be part of every man’s grooming vocabulary.
Take us through your daily grooming routine.
It’s simple; I apply a rich moisturiser with shea butter from Ghana after my shower, brush my hair and beard, check that my nails are clean, and finish off with a great scent.
Which three key items are always in your bathroom cabinet?
Fragrance, moisturiser and a scissors for my beard.
Is there one grooming product you carry with you wherever you go?
I have a little miniature bottle of my favourite fragrance that I always carry in my bag, so I can refresh my scent throughout the day.
What are your top tips for men who would like to start a grooming routine?
Do you have a signature fragrance?
Yes, Bvlgari Wood Essence is currently my go-to scent, and it’s so fitting as I am now the official brand influencer for Bvlgari – a dream position as it’s always been one of my favourite luxury brands.
Which fragrance family are you most drawn to?
I prefer masculine scents with notes of cedarwood, ambergris, fresh citrus and coriander – which actually describes the composition of the Bvlgari Wood Essence fragrance, hence why I am drawn to it! Tom Ford, Paco Rabanne and Gucci Homme are also fragrance houses that produce scents I gravitate towards.
Your beard is in impeccable shape, how do your maintain it to ensure it always looks on point?
Aah, thank you! Many people don’t understand that grooming a beard takes time and effort and you should consider the same approach as you would for your hair. It needs to be washed, brushed and trimmed (or shaven) to create the style you desire. A beard oil is also an essential product that will ensure your beard is keep soft, nourished and smelling good.
When it comes to grooming, is it all about the products for you or does healthy eating and exercise also play a big role?
Eating healthy and keeping active is very much a part of my routine. I have a bit of a sweet tooth so going to gym is crucial!
In 2017 you were named GQ’s Best Dressed Man Of The Year – how have you established your go-to style, and what style advice do you have for our readers?
It was such an honour to be given this accolade. When it comes to my style, I have always dressed for myself. I love wearing a suit but I think it’s all about the fit, so I tend to tailor most of the pieces so they fit properly. I then add my own spin on it with interesting shoes and accessories. My advice would be to create your own style and identity, and look at the shape and fit of clothing – not only the brands and price points.
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