‘Season of mists and mellow fruitfulness’ and one of my favourite times of the year. Is it because I was born on Christmas Day that I have never minded the nights drawing in, or is it because we are halfway through the season of Strictly Come Dancing and The Great British Bake Off which reliably and pleasurably take us into midwinter and towards year’s end?
Or maybe I love this time of year because I much prefer winter clothes and also like the switch to an autumn/winter look for my makeup which really suits my cool tones?
Autumn / Winter Style: Staying Warm
My long sleeve vest and gilet from Uniqlo
A month ago Gail Rolfe gave us all a brilliant steer for fashion trends for A/W 2021. For me the main challenge of the winter season is how to look good when you’re freezing cold. There’s a very big temptation to go for the Michelin Man approach of piling on the layers or wearing an all encompassing huge puffa coat and waiting for spring! I have one of those coats myself. I bought it in Zara and it’s brilliant if there’s horizontal freezing rain (or snow) and you feel as though you’re coming down with flu. It’s a bit like going out wrapped in your 15 tog duvet and about as stylish! I know Gail showed us a trend for huge puffa coats in her recent fashion blog, and I spotted lots of these in a recent trip to Zara, however she’s a slim size 10 and I’m not!
A slightly thicker body warmer by Gerry Weber
My long sleeve vest and gilet from Uniqlo
My solution to the ‘stay warm’ challenge is layering. When I was a teenager and I complained to my mum about feeling cold, she’d proudly show me her winceyette vest and give me absolutely no sympathy. So now that I’m older and more sensible, I follow my mother’s advice and make sure that I am always wearing a fine layer of something cosy next to my skin to insulate my body. I was interested that Gail mentioned a trend for fine wool polo necks, however I find wool quite itchy. So my ‘go to’ is my local Uniqlo which sells a huge range of very lightweight ‘Heattech’ thermal tops, leggings and accessories which (according to their blurb) “use moisture released by the body to retain heat to keep you warmer in colder months.” They even do ‘Extra’ and ‘Ultra Warm’ pieces for those among us who really suffer with the cold.
A slightly thicker body warmer by Gerry Weber
A month ago Gail Rolfe gave us all a brilliant steer for fashion trends for A/W 2021. For me the main challenge of the winter season is how to look good when you’re freezing cold. There’s a very big temptation to go for the Michelin Man approach of piling on the layers or wearing an all encompassing huge puffa coat and waiting for spring! I have one of those coats myself. I bought it in Zara and it’s brilliant if there’s horizontal freezing rain (or snow) and you feel as though you’re coming down with flu. It’s a bit like going out wrapped in your 15 tog duvet and about as stylish! I know Gail showed us a trend for huge puffa coats in her recent fashion blog, and I spotted lots of these in a recent trip to Zara, however she’s a slim size 10 and I’m not!
My solution to the ‘stay warm’ challenge is layering. When I was a teenager and I complained to my mum about feeling cold, she’d proudly show me her winceyette vest and give me absolutely no sympathy. So now that I’m older and more sensible, I follow my mother’s advice and make sure that I am always wearing a fine layer of something cosy next to my skin to insulate my body. I was interested that Gail mentioned a trend for fine wool polo necks, however I find wool quite itchy. So my ‘go to’ is my local Uniqlo which sells a huge range of very lightweight ‘Heattech’ thermal tops, leggings and accessories which (according to their blurb) “use moisture released by the body to retain heat to keep you warmer in colder months.” They even do ‘Extra’ and ‘Ultra Warm’ pieces for those among us who really suffer with the cold.
My 'worth a punt' New Look coat which paid off
Uniqlo also produces a great range of featherweight sleeveless and long-sleeved body warmers which I find brilliantly comfortable to wear indoors over jumpers, but they are also perfect as an extra non-bulky layer underneath any coats which don’t cut the mustard in a north wind. The photo shows me in a bright pink long sleeved ‘vest’ and cream gilet from Uniqlo and also a picture of me wearing a slightly heavier pink body warmer I’ve just bought from Fenwicks by Gerry Weber. Both work well underneath my unlined purple Max Mara coat when the temperature plummets. The black and white checked coat is especially cosy. I saw it on a social media post at £59.99 from New Look and I thought it was worth a punt. I had low hopes for fit or quality but was really surprised when it arrived - I love it because it ticks those essential boxes of stylish and really warm!
And my bright purple coat from Max Mara
Uniqlo also produces a great range of featherweight sleeveless and long-sleeved body warmers which I find brilliantly comfortable to wear indoors over jumpers, but they are also perfect as an extra non-bulky layer underneath any coats which don’t cut the mustard in a north wind. The photo shows me in a bright pink long sleeved ‘vest’ and cream gilet from Uniqlo and also a picture of me wearing a slightly heavier pink body warmer I’ve just bought from Fenwicks by Gerry Weber. Both work well underneath my unlined purple Max Mara coat when the temperature plummets. The black and white checked coat is especially cosy. I saw it on a social media post at £59.99 from New Look and I thought it was worth a punt. I had low hopes for fit or quality but was really surprised when it arrived - I love it because it ticks those essential boxes of stylish and really warm!
Autumn / Winter Style: Makeup
Why would makeup have to change to accommodate a different season? Well, mostly because the light changes from bright and clear to soft and muted as our world turns away from the sun. We also spend much more time indoors and in artificial light, so you need to think about how that might affect your face.
I’m going to start by assuming that you are protecting your skin from the elements with our brilliant serum, day, and eye creams. These really are designed for optimal hydration for 24 hours, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. I also think that applying a layer of makeup over your skin care is the perfect way to ensure that your skin is shielded from the worst effects of cold and wind. My lips never get chapped because I never leave the house without wearing one of our lipsticks. I am happy to say that our new Longer Lasting Lipsticks, now in five warm and five cool colours, are equally protective and moisturising.
Here's How I Adapt My Makeup at This Time of Year:
Here's How I Adapt My Makeup at This Time of Year:
Foundation
I have just started to apply Continuous Cover Foundation without the extra addition of a squirt of Beauty Balm which I add as a tint in the summer months. The coverage provided by this is perfect to create an even skin tone and reduce that ‘raw’ look that older skin has without a good foundation. I have met so many women who avoid or are frightened of foundation on their older faces. I blame the ‘less is more’ young mavens of the beauty police, who in my view, don’t know what they are talking about! A light covering of a perfectly formulated foundation does wonders at covering, concealing and correcting a multitude of sins. In the winter months the right foundation also acts to balance out any blue tinge due to the cold, or any redness due to the wind.
Colour on the Face
After I have applied my foundation, topped with my usual Cover to Cover Conceal on all those areas which need extra camouflage, I like to add a very light sweep first of Translucent Powder followed by the lightest touch of Bronzer, even in the winter. The effect you’re aiming for is less ‘sun-kissed’ and more ‘fully human’. Older skin is pale, pale, pale and a light touch of Bronzer really helps to reduce that pallor. Now apply your Radiance Blush and remember that we now have the stronger tones of Raspberry Pop (cool) and Coral Pop (warm) which you may like as a boost to your usual Rosy Glow or Peach Cream. I especially like to apply a small amount of the Raspberry Pop blusher for a winter evening look as it really brings my face to life in artificial light.
Eyes
Suddenly I am reaching for the Soft Purples palette more than the Cool Blues one which I have been wearing for most of the summer. I especially love Pewter at this time of year for a simple wash of smoky colour over my whole eyelid. If I was warm toned I’d be choosing Cocoa or maybe Terracotta to create a similar effect. During the summer, I have been using the grey Bring Back Brow Shape to create a nice light and subtle effect, but I have recently switched back to the dark brown one. I use the spoolie brush to adjust the colour so that the weight of my brows works perfectly for my autumn/winter face and balances the darker eyeshadows that I am wearing.
Lips
My summer favourites Dusky Pink and Fuchsia have been packed away in favour of the colours of autumn fruits - Soft Plum (newly available in the Longer Lasting version) and Very Berry (also in both versions). For winter evenings I absolutely love the two cool reds that we have in our lip collection: Cherry and Monroe Red. Our warm tone range has some wonderful autumn colours including Russet, and Foxy Lady. For a gorgeous winter evening look the Hollywood Red is hard to beat.
Sometimes in news footage there is film of young girls outside night clubs in the middle of winter. Invariably they are wearing skimpy clothes (not a sensible vest in sight!) But they are young and foolish and you and I are not. In fact I seem to feel the cold more with each passing year, so in the conundrum of style over warmth, I hate to admit that I’d probably now choose warmth. However, that’s really not necessary! With small adjustments to my makeup I can counteract the grey winter light and any unflattering artificial light. I also know that with lots of insulating layers I can feel and look fabulous despite the challenging elements.
Tricia x
Upcoming Event Information:
Film Club - Lady Bird
available on Amazon Prime
Day: Friday 19th November
Time: 4pm
Link:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82741136763?pwd=V3IrRG8xd1V2OFNzYjZBYmdPcmREUT09
Meeting ID (if needed): 827 4113 6763
Password (if needed): LOOKFAB
Teatime with Tricia - Karen Haase, Owner of Yorkshire Eyeware
Karen is an eyeware expert, dispensing optician and owner of 3 'Yorkshire Eyeware' practices with her husband. She has a passion for eyeware and can advise customers on colour, shape and style. Tricia and Karen met at a 'Silver & Sassy' Event, where Tricia was drawn in by the exciting glasses frames that Karen had on display
Day: Tuesday 30th November
Time: 4pm
Link:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86477538421?pwd=NVVLdWluVlhJUkZ0NHZMemRDNmdTZz09
Meeting ID (if needed): 864 7753 8421
Password (if needed): LOOKFAB
