Want to know what beauty buys I REALLY want for Christmas?
Prepare to be inspired, bemused and quite possibly baffled...
There’s one kind of magazine/media brand content that I still really enjoy (if it’s done well that is) and it’s the ‘what the editors want’ type gift guide. Sometimes they fail to hit the mark by being overly lofty - I mean, does anyone need a 12k ashtray? But sometimes you pick up some hidden gems you wouldn't otherwise know about.
So, this is my version. As a warning it won't be the quintessential ‘glossy beauty editor’ list, you can get that elsewhere. Plus, I gave up on being glossy about two years into my career when I realised I was just chaos, so went back to wearing Slipknot t-shirts to the office again (oh how they lolled at Marie Claire.) So this is real beauty stuff that I’d like for Christmas.
Prepare to be inspired, bemused and quite possibly baffled too…
PS: If you want a GREAT gift for the festive season - for yourself or others - then you might want to consider my book UGLY: Giving us Back Our Beauty Standards. It will be coming out in the US next year too…i’ll keep you posted on that.
Right, lets do this…
Haus Labs by Lady Gaga Atomic Shake Long Lasting Lipstick in Ruby Shine, £26
I’m mildly obsessed with the formulation of these glossy liquid lipsticks. For YEARS, honestly YEARS, I’ve tried to find a glossy red lipstick that doesn’t end up all over my face like Ronald McDonald. This true red has been sold out for ages and was on my list until I just got my hands on it. BEHOLD:
Tattoo from Rebecca Vincent….PRICELESS!
My pal Rebecca Vincent - a tattoo artist based in London - did a cover up on an old tattoo on my arm that I'd had since I was 18. The fact that you legit can’t tell what the original tattoo was, is testament to her skill and popularity; she’s booked up for over a year in advance, but releases dates via her Instagram. I want to add another piece to my back and shoulder to go with the one I have below. Apols for the Darth Vadar breathing….
Chanel Vanity Case, £2000+
I’ve been trying to track one of these Chanel vanity cases/bags down for years. I did find one in an actual Chanel store in Barcelona earlier this year, so I went in to try and buy it. Sadly, they told me it was a window display piece and I couldn’t buy it - at which point I launched into a tirade about how you shouldn't have stuff in the window you don’t sell. Was I livid? You bet. Did I behave in a slightly Karen-esque way? Totally. Did I feel like a massive sh*tbag about 10 mins later - absolutely. I still want one though. Whether I deserve one after the above performance is another matter.
Danessa Myricks Lightwork IV Palette, £130
I often ask myself ‘what's the most I’d personally spend on a single beauty product?’ and £200 for perfume is probably my limit. I’ve wanted this palette for ages - the colours are incredible - and I did see it in Sephora in the US, but I just couldn’t justify the price. It does now seem to be sold out everywhere so, I’m kinda waiting to see if I can get it online second hand (powder doesn’t hold bacteria the way liquid does, so safety-wise it’s not the worst idea I’ve had.)
Carl Brown Hair Vintage Wig Styling Class IRL and online, £varies
I’ve fully given up trying to create the perfect vintage set on my fine weedy hair - honestly I have EVERY single kind of roller you could imagine. So, I’m turning to wigs instead. I already have one wig made by Carl Brown (below) but I’m actually really good at hair generally (I even used to cut all the other assistants and interns hair when I was a junior to save them money) so I'd like to try and make my own vintage-style wig. And I think this course will help me!
Estee Lauder Spiderweb Compact, £PRICELESS
I collect vintage compacts, and in particular LOVE an Estee Lauder compact. This compact is my absolute dream. I think it's from the early noughties and I have alerts set up for it, but I keep getting outbid online. If anyone sees one - you know where I am. You’ll make a brown goth very happy, what’s a better festive gift than that?!
Ashley Williams London UGLY hair slides, £110
My book is called UGLY, these slides say UGLY - I wish there was more to it than that. But there isn’t…
