I've been keeping a secret... Plus, new beginnings, beauty newness and excellent friends.
Week 35 | 2024
Usually, this column is a sort of in-real-time account of my week but, dear reader, there is something I’ve been keeping from you…
A few weeks ago, I had byline pictures taken for a new feature in YOU Magazine, available weekly with the Mail on Sunday, called YOU The Jury. The YOU beauty team, expertly led by the excellent Rosie Green, will select a product for us to put through its paces every month and we’ll give you our true and fair feedback on its value for money, ease of use, efficacy and any drawbacks.
First up, the Maybelline The Colossal Curl Mascara, £12.99, which just so happens to be one of my favourite mascaras. As I said in my review, if I lost my makeup bag and needed to restock in a hurry, this is the mascara I’d seek out because the curved brush, inky pigment and long-lasting curl is beyond impressive. You can check out the entire panel’s feedback here.
This week has featured a lot of newness; the very exciting publication of my friend Ruth Crilly’s book How Not To Be A Supermodel and the launch of Vieve’s first foundation, the Skin Nova Complexion Balm, £34. Vieve is a brand that surprises and delights me with every new product because as much as you might think you can’t reinvent the wheel or bring anything new to the table when it comes to a foundation, a bronzer or a primer, Jamie Genevieve manages to bring something unique and unexpected to her formulations every single time.
I’ll post a full review of the Vieve Skin Nova Complexion Balm next week but in preliminary trials, it’s absolutely wonderful - think light to medium coverage with a seamless, skin-true finish that covers without flattening.
And look, I know you’ve heard me wang on about how great Ruth’s book is, but it genuinely is. She’s been tirelessly promoting the book this week in the run-up to its publication and has been giving live TV, radio and podcast interviews from sun-up to sun-down ( you can listen to our conversation here). One thing I’ve noticed is the tendency to assume that a book about her modelling career in the Noughties, is a tale of the dark underbelly of modelling, of corruption, of sexual predators and a general tale of navigating the worst of humanity while looking pretty.
This, however, misses the point. It’s a romp, a comedy of errors, a love story and a tale of emotional growth told through the lens of someone who looks back on the experience with fondness. It’s the kind of book you struggle to put down because it is so well told, so brilliantly written and just thoroughly entertaining. Seriously, if you want people to think you’re cool, read this book and then start recommending it to everyone.
I might have to do a separate post on my major day in London so this column doesn’t take up too much of your Sunday, but this week has been special on account of catching up with some excellent people I hadn’t seen in a while. First off Laura Kennedy, who is over from Australia and who I caught up with over coffee with Claire Coleman before heading to Ruth’s book launch. Plus, I was lucky to be sitting with Lily Pebbles, Bryony Blake and Hannah Martin at the Vieve lunch and, trust me, those women are always a good time! I’ll be sharing a lot more pics of our shenanigans on my Instagram so head over there to see more.
Until next week!
The book sounds fantastic— adding to my TBR list!
Congrats on the new job! How does it feel being back on the other side again 😋