Very recently, yesterday to be exact, my outlaws joined us for dinner. In many families this causes a flashback to the personality you thought you’d left behind. When you stopped being a toddler. Of the tantrum and tiara variety. However, in my case, I actually like my outlaws. A lot. They are terrifically fun, funny, and we have many things in common. Like wine.
Also, my step-mother-in-law (don’t go there, so complicated I would need a Venn diagram, a laser pointer, and two days to explain) is a psychologist/psycho-analyst/something starting with ‘p’. So when she asks, “How are you?” She means it. I always end up telling her how I really am (yesterday, hung-over). It’s very cathartic. And one of the best bits? It comes at a very discounted rate. Of being married to her step-son.
During yesterday’s visit, my outlaws kindly told me I looked very well. Which from the baby boomer generation is usually code for; you’ve put on weight, and/or, you look pregnant… Are you? Happily (for my self esteem/waistline) they specified and said your skin is, literally, glowing…
As I mentioned, I was under the weather from the official party season kick off – an excellent, very liquid, pre-Christmas dinner on Saturday evening. How did I achieve this glow, while feeling like I had one foot in the (hang-over) grave? With a little help from my skin-sential friends…
1. Clarins Beauty Flash Balm. This product is basic beauty 101. Add to your Christmas stocking wish list and mail/email/text to skin-care Santa immediately. BFB is one of the highest selling beauties of all time. And there’s a valid reason. It works. I usually apply a small amount under my evening/party foundation for pretty party skin. Yesterday when I woke up looking approximately 15 years older than my husband (who is 7 years older than me), I mixed a small amount with my SPF day moisturizer and… Ta Da! Skin that glows…
2. The best (w)under-eye concealer you can lay your hands on. Liberally and enthusiastically applied. I’m working two at the moment; the exceptional Bobbi Brown Corrector. Lasts all day and blends unbelievably well. My skin looks like it’s been photo-shopped. And, a recent recommendation from a lovely radiant-skinned friend, By Terry Touch-Expert Advanced Concealer. (‘Terry’ is the same make-up artist who invented the cult YSL Touche Éclat. Also an excellent concealer btw.) By Terry provides lighter coverage for days when I don’t need quite so much skin-assistance.
Now you can enjoy the party season with a glowing visage that looks more Cameron Diaz (Mary) from There’s Something About Mary. And less her boozy next-door neighbour. Whose character’s name I can’t recall, because I was too busy being horrified by her skin. Which was like a very very old lobster. With a spray tan.