November is upon us, which means the shopping Olympics have commenced. Whether you’re a Black Friday master or a nervous newcomer, you’re in the right place. This year, you won’t succumb to the perils of the impulse purchase, but rather navigate the fashion and beauty sales like a true expert. Avoid the overwhelm and join ELLE UK's Senior Shopping Editor daily as she reveals the one single thing you need to see from the behemoth November sales. We promise you’ll emerge with your sanity intact (and some very good purchases under your belt).
Silly season is fast approaching, and while I’m not necessarily against swathing myself in glitter and sequins, I do draw the line at my make-up. As someone dangerously allergic to Disney-style shimmer, a champagne-hued, metallic-leaning cheekbone has never been my beauty look of choice. As such, I’m particularly pedantic about my complexion products: like most of us, I want that ever-elusive skin ‘glow’, but I don’t want it to come with disco-ball impact. I’d rather look naturally radiant, as if a green juice were my festive tipple of choice (it isn’t), than soaked in seasonal sparkle.
Of course, that are some cult classics that fit the bill here: Chanel’s almost constantly out-of-stock Baume Essentiel is the ultimate no-pigment glow-giver, designed to be swiped simply over cheekbones and patted in with a finger. Make-up artist Gucci Westman has also developed a slightly more pigmented winner: her Liquid Super Loaded Illuminator is excellent, if a bit of an investment. (On that note, Beauty Pie makes a very good, reasonably priced imitator.)
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But if you’re after an everyday complexion boost now the bizarrely warm autumn has given way to apocalyptic climes, may I suggest Iconic London’s criminally underrated Radiance Booster. As part of the brand’s Black Friday sale, it happens to be reduced by 40% today, but that’s not the real reason you’re investing: this unassuming tube is, honestly, a great skin day, all bottled up.
On application, it’s gentler and less pigmented than it first appears, melting into skin to brighten and bounce the light without veering into that dreaded ‘Champagne frosting’ territory. (Just be sure to only use a small amount: if you're metallic, you've used too much.)
The finish is just the right amount of dewy: it doesn’t dry into powdery pigment as the day goes on, but nor does it ruin a white shirt collar, or make hugging a friend a risky endeavour. There are plenty of shades (not always the case with illuminating products) and you can use it in a multitude of ways: either mixed into your foundation, applied strategically under or over a base product, or – my preferred method – blended into moisturiser for a super-subtle yet surprisingly effective glow boost all-over. Trust me: this shortcut to glass skin is a brilliant product – and not just because, right now, it’s a total bargain.
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Roberta Schroeder is the Senior Ecommerce Editor at Harper's Bazaar, ELLE and Esquire, overseeing shopping strategy and content across fashion, beauty, and travel. Roberta has reported on everything from market-leading skincare brands to the world’s most iconic fashion pieces, while also regularly updating a range of shopping guides, including LED masks, heritage cashmere brands and niche new dress brands to know.
Roberta has more than 15 years' experience in the luxury sector, spanning editorial consultancy, trend forecasting and journalism. Over the years, she has worked for global brands including Farfetch, Chanel, and Vogue.
When not testing beauty products, trialling trends and curating content that spotlights the very best in fashion and beauty, Roberta can usually be found trawling resale sites and vintage stores for a long-coveted designer find. Follow Roberta on Instagram at @roberta__schroeder
