Sustainable style

The bare necessities

Minimise your routine with these tried-and-tested formulas: the only beauty products you’ll ever need.

1. Advanced Night Repair

Today, serums are a key — if not the most important — part of any skincare regime. Packed with active ingredients that repair, restore and rejuvenate the skin, they’re your trusty moisturiser’s most powerful sidekick. But back in the 1980s, a ‘serum’ was a pretty alien concept; that is, until ANR came along. Estèe Lauder’s iconic Advanced Night Repair Serum was the first to break the cleanse-tone-moisturise skincare cycle that often stripped and dried out sensitive complexions; and by introducing the notion of repairing and replenishing skin overnight, the ‘little brown bottle’ reached legendary status soon after its launch. Initially sold as a do-it-all product, the wonder formula has been updated 
only four times since its debut. The latest iteration still honours the fool-proof original but comes supercharged with the brand’s Chronolux Power Signal Technology which helps to speed up the skin’s natural renewal of new cells and collagen. It has already snapped up 64 beauty awards since launching in 2020. Perfection, perfected.

2. All About  Moisture

There are few things in life more disappointing than shelling out on the latest cult moisturiser only to find, after weeks of religious morning-and-evening application, that the hyped-up hydrator just isn’t up to the task. We’ve all been there. Truth is, it is tricky to find a formula that caters to our skin’s complex individual needs: oiliness, excessive dryness and blocked pores can all affect how well a product absorbs into the epidermis — meaning that thicker or denser formulas often fall at the first hurdle, even if applied liberally day and night. Given the failure rate of most hydrating products, it’s not surprising that Clinique’s revolutionary Moisture Surge gel-cream has topped the ranks consistently since it first launched in 1988. Its lightweight, oil-free formula seeps right through the obstacles to deliver rich, soothing doses of hydration to each of the skin’s layers — plus, its auto-replenishing technology will even help your skin create its own internal water source to rehydrate itself throughout the day. Can your moisturiser do that? Give it a try (or pick up your 100th jar) with the travel-friendly Clinique All About Moisture Set paired with a refreshing face spray and a calming treat for your eyes, too.

3. Touche  Éclat

Every once in a while, a beauty product comes along to shake up the beauty industry and transform the contents of our make-up bags for good. And if it comes in the chic form of a slender, golden pen? Even better. The Yves Saint Laurent Touche Éclat Radiant Touch Illuminating Pen first hit the counters in 1992, offering a first-of-its-kind promise of a part-highlighter, part-concealer that can add luminosity and radiance to your skin at a time when matte complexions were all the rage. Fast-forward 
to 2024, and lifelong users of this cult product — including scores of celebs and make-up artists — practically swear by its versatile application, from brightening dark circles, giving cheeks a natural-looking highlight to diffusing signs of redness around the nose. Fans include Victoria Beckham, Naomi Campbell, Meghan Markle and Alexa Chung, who didn’t hesitate to tell Elle magazine that “it gets rid of last night’s bags immediately”. We don’t need more convincing than that.

4. It Does  It All

Too busy to give your hair a seven-step pampering ritual? Us too. Luckily, parched strands crying out for a quick hit of moisture can finally breathe a sigh of relief thanks to this one, superhero product that’s guaranteed to revolutionise your entire haircare routine (and free-up some space in your bathroom cabinet too). The multi award-winning Dr.PawPaw It Does It All Hair Treatment Styler is the only hair styler you need in your arsenal for nourished, well-protected locks as it can act as a heat protector, detangler, anti-frizz and split-end treatment while also stepping in to replace your blow-dry styling spray and daily leave-in treatment— all this while adding an unbelievable softness and shine without a greasy feel. And the best bit? It’s enriched with Dr PawPaw’s signature mango and coconut fragrance which smells right-down divine. 

5. They’re Real

Finding that one, perfect mascara to withstand the elements, add jet-black definition and lengthen every single lash for that flirty flutter (not to mention simply stay on throughout the day without smudging) is no mean feat. But the sole fact that one of Benefit’s ground-breaking lash products is snapped up every three seconds likely makes them the number one mascara brand around. Their award-winning They’re Real! Mascara was the first to make the beauty set pay attention with its two-way wand that can be used vertically and horizontally to curl and lift at the same time, and a flake-free formula that stays put for 36 hours. Soon, more block-busters with even more lash-transforming powers followed — from the gravity-defying BadGal BANG! Mascara containing real, lightweight aeroparticles to take bold eye looks to infinity and beyond, to the newly launched (and already viral) Benefit They’re Real! Magnet Mascara that supercharges lashes by up to 40 per cent their original length. Double up on the hype with each offered as a duo set — you’re welcome.