SCENT OF FREEDOM
“Free” has long been an apt word to describe French luxury house Yves Saint Laurent, known for its rule-breaking and liberating brand ethos. Libre, YSL’s latest fragrance, is a playful floral with burning intensity, created as an olfactory ode to freedom. Crafted by master perfumers Anne Flipo and Carlos Benaïm, the scent is a modern take on a fougère, a historic lavender-infused men’s fragrance that has been reimagined to suit the modern woman. Echoing YSL’s iconic womenswear tuxedos, Libre possesses an intriguing gender ambiguity and a tantalizing scent built on juxtaposition. “I wanted to create a floral addiction,” Flipo says of the juice, ripe with orange blossom, lavender, neroli, mandarin, vanilla, and amber. “We have combined the most opulent and sensual fractions of Orange Blossom Absolute to obtain a floral note so concentrated it is almost carnal.” English pop sensation Dua Lipa is the fearless face of the fragrance, embodying its fiery femininity and freethinking perspective.
SILVER LINING
Marc Jacobs Beauty’s bestselling Highliner Gel Eye crayon has been reimagined in liquid form. Just as innovative as its cult-favourite predecessor, the new Highliner Liquid-Gel Eyeliner guarantees longwearing, highly pigmented colour with lustrous shine. Created with gel technology that ensures waterproof and flake-resistant performance, the liner features a custom flocked applicator that is ideal for executing looks that range from bold graphic shapes to delicate fine lines. The highly anticipated liquid liner is available in a number of daring hues, including a limited-edition metallic cranberry, as well as core shades like black, copper, and gold.
BEAUTY SLEEP
Skincare pioneer Estée Lauder has created a product to work in tandem with sleep’s natural nightly renewal process. The Advanced NightRepair Intense Reset Concentrate contains powerful antioxidants that work overnight to treat skin irritation, with discernible results that can be seen within an hour. Skin is soothed and wrapped in a 24-hour veil of hydration, as well as strengthened to adapt and respond to visible stressors. What’s more, the velvety formula has a soothing scent containing chamomile, lavender, and hedione, making it a dreamy addition to your before-bed ritual.
LOGGING OFF
Besides straining eyesight and disrupting one’s sleep schedule, overexposure to blue light emitted from electronic devices can leave skin feeling stressed, too. Clean beauty brand Volition has created a product to alleviate the symptoms of too much screen time, which include redness, irritation, and dehydration. The Screen Time Hydra-Mist contains 12 natural oils and extracts to combat the penetrating effects of blue light, including antioxidant-rich marigold flower extract, nourishing sunflower oil, and Indian ginseng flower extract, which is packed with replenishing amino acids. The perfect accompaniment to any desk or workstation, this superfine mist can be applied throughout the day for a much-needed moment of repose.
WINTER PEONY
The holiday offerings from Korean holistic beauty brand Sulwhasoo are more covetable than ever. This year’s Master Craftsman Art Collection, in celebration of the 17th anniversary of the ShineClassic Makeup Line, showcases one of Korea’s traditional artisan practices—an enamelling technique called “Chilbo”—in the form of hand-painted compacts with floral motifs that have been baked to preserve their vivid colours. The collection, which is a collaboration with Korean cultural heritage master artisans, contains a multi-hued blush formulated with plum blossom petal extracts and Korean ginseng flower, and a limited-edition powder that gives skin a smooth and seamless finish. With its luxury casing and hand-painted treatment, the ShineClassic 2019 Master Craftsman Art Collection makes for an inspired and precious gift.
