Beauty Journalist Sali Hughes Shares Her Little Black Beauty Book
For A Haircut…
Hershesons has been my go-to salon for years. They just understand how I want to look and how little time I want to spend achieving it. I’m so comfortable there I often pop in just to write my column in the coffee shop, or to do my make-up in the waiting area. I’ve even popped into the office at the back to do radio interviews before now. My hair is cut by Luke Hersheson, Adrian Partikny or Jordan Garrett at the Berners Street salon, and every four months, I get thickening extensions done by Hadley Yates at the Harvey Nichols branch. They’re like family.
For Hair Styling…
Aveda’s Thickening Tonic is one of my staple products. I use it every time I wash my hair, without fail. I spray it onto damp hair, rough dry upside down with a Dyson, then use either a GHD Creative Curl Wand or Babyliss Cordless Straightener to style. I separate ends with a tiny amount of Hershesons Almost Everything Cream and fix with some Elnett or Sam McKnight hairspray. The whole thing takes 12 minutes.
For An Instant Glow…
Tan Luxe’s Hyaluronic Super Glow Serum gives instant plumpness and hydration, developing into a golden glow within an hour. I add drops of it to my moisturiser first thing, or apply it before bed – especially if I know I won’t get much sleep.
For Defined Brows…
I can’t face spending ages on my brows – life is too short. Instead, I get mine microbladed by Nez Hasan. She’s hugely talented and her work is so intricate and natural-looking that I only have to sweep through a brow gel in the morning. The results last well too – I’ve had mine a year and am not planning a top-up for a few months.
For Neat Nails…
Every three weeks I’ll get CND Shellac at DryBy at Hershesons and almost always go for dark, jewel tones – my favourites are Fedora, Cuppa Joe and Tartan Punk. I rarely take a break as proper application and removal keeps my nails in good condition. If I want to change colours between Shellac, I just paint regular polish over the top. YSL, Avon, Chanel and Barry M are my favourites. To treat and nourish them, I swear by CND Rx. It works wonders on splitting and brittle nails.
Shellac Nail Polish, £16.95, CND
For Bronzer…
Cream bronzers are a must-have for warming up complexions and I am loving the Nudestix formulas right now. I always want a sheen to my skin, so I also use Charlotte Tilbury’s Hollywood Flawless Filter as a primer and a very fine, slightly pearlescent face powder like Bobbi Brown Nude Finishing Illuminating Powder. Matte, for me, is reserved for lips and eyes.
For Fragrance…
I am obsessed with perfume and switch according to my mood, schedule and outfit. But my collection is certainly never without Chanel No5 and Coco, Frederic Malle Portrait Of A Lady and Heeley’s L’Amandiere.
For Lipstick…
As a lipstick obsessive, I tend to carry one pinky-nude and one orange-red at all times. NARS, Pat McGrath, Bobbi Brown and Chanel do some of my favourite colours – I am never without a shade from one of these brands.
Inappropriate Red Lipstick, £22, NARS
For Anti-Ageing…
Exfoliating with acids daily is my mantra, but I also can’t live without a vitamin C serum – Drunk Elephant, Beauty Pie and Dermalogica do some of the best. I use a low to moderate dose in the daytime to give antioxidant protection and glow, then ramp up to something more concentrated at night to treat pigmentation. I also never sit in the sun and avoid matte, full coverage foundations at all costs – I understand why it might appeal but it ages you in an instant. Satin, dewy and skin-like is much more flattering.
C-Firma Day Serum | Drunk Elephant
For Smoother Skin…
I am never without my Dr Dennis Gross Alpha Beta Peel Pads, and I always want a rich, preferably silicone-free moisturiser, like those by Drunk Elephant or Milk. I adore classic Crème de La Mer, and as much as I don’t think anyone needs to spend a fortune on skincare, my super dry complexion absolutely loves Augustinus Bader, The Rich Cream, too. I so wanted to hate it but it’s annoyingly gorgeous.
For Hair Colour…
As I’m allergic to PPD and PTD (present in all grey-covering colourants), I can’t colour my hair. I pray for an alternative, but it’s more likely that I’ll one day go blonde, as I’m not allergic to bleach. When I do, I will almost certainly go to Nicola Clarke at the John Frieda Salon. She is the best blonder in the business.
For Repeat Purchases…
My job means I’m sent everything when it comes out. I’m very lucky and I appreciate it hugely, but also, it means there’s a level playing field and I can cater for all readers. It also means I often have to abandon things I love in order to move on to the next thing in the testing pile, though I rarely stray far from Clinique Lash Power Mascara and Charlotte Tilbury’s Pillow Talk lip pencil – I’ve been through dozens of each. I buy all my toiletries – Gillette Venus razor blades, Neutrogena Deep Moisture Body Lotion, BeCo soap, Nivea deodorant – from Superdrug or the supermarket. I will also buy things I’ve mistakenly left at home or when I get an unexpected invitation – I’ve bought many an emergency MAC Lady Danger lipstick to upscale my outfit last minute.
For Relaxation…
Baths are my thing. There’s nothing like locking the door on the world, putting on the Desert Island Discs podcast and sinking into some posh bubbles from Laura Mercier or Cowshed. I always have candles burning too – my favourites are Diptyque’s Baies or Jo Malone’s Dark Amber & Ginger Lily – the smell of my wedding day.
Intense Dark Amber & Ginger Lily Home Scented Candle, £58, Jo Malone
DISCLAIMER: We endeavour to always credit the correct original source of every image we use. If you think a credit may be incorrect, please contact us at info@sheerluxe.com.