Faithful Four: Hydrating Facial Serums

Caudalie Vinosource S.O.S Thirst Quenching Serum

Promise: “This serum collects and continuously and deeply spreads water to restore skin's water balance, making skin supple and fresh”
Price: £29.00 / $49.00 30ml

Purchase: John Lewis / Sephora

This really is a beauty product that stays true to its word. Caudalie’s S.O.S Thirst Quenching Serum is very lightweight and fine in texture, yet is still able to provide a whole load of hydration to the skin. One of its greatest strengths is that it does not irritate skin, a side effect that is common in highly concentrated serums. The hero ingredient in this skin saviour is organic grape water, an antioxidant rich water that helps to strengthen collagen and firm the skin. Typical of all Caudalie products, the S.O.S Thirst Quenching Serum is non-comedogenic, paraben-free and is not tested on animals.

Darphin Hydraskin Serum

Promise: “Hydraskin Intensive Moisturising Serum is formulated with the Extreme Hydration Complex and extracts of pomegranate and elm root to smooth, soften and restore suppleness to dry and dehydrated skin"

Price: £43.00 / $76.00 30ml

Purchase: House of Fraser / Space NK

Darphin’s water-based serum is a great hydrating serum for all skin types. Although on the pricey side, the Hydraskin Intensive Moisturising Serum feels weightless on the skin and leaves it looking healthy and plumped. It includes pomegranate extract, a powerful antioxidant that plays a positive role in the repair of skin damage caused by UV exposure and aging. The downside? It doesn't last long, especially if you take Darphin’s advice for maximum effectiveness and use five drops per application.

Antipodes Hosanna H20 Intensive Skin-Plumping Serum

Promise: “A water-charged and oil-free bioactive serum that immediately quenches thirsty skin and helps intensively improve skin appearance over time”

Price: £28.00 / $48.98 30ml

Purchase: Selfridges / feelunique.com

Antipodes Hosanna H20 Intensive is one of the best water-based serums available. This certified organic serum deeply hydrates the skin, leaving it plumped and free of those pesky fine lines. What's more, Hosanna replaces standard 'aqua' with Waiwera water, a water low in sodium and rich in naturally occurring minerals. It has been scientifically proven to stimulate type 1 collagen production by up to 72% and did I mention it smells amazing?

Chanel Hydra Beauty Serum

Promise: “This universal moisturising beautifying serum has the power to protect your beauty and restore all your radiance. Exquisitely comforted with vital moisture, skin is radiant, beautiful, fresh and plumped”

Price: £78.00 / $135.00 50ml

Purchase: Selfridges / Nordstrom

This ultra-hydrating serum absorbs into the skin almost instantly. In addition to treating dry skin, the Chanel Hydra Beauty Serum also helps to repair flaky skin and its non-greasy, smooth texture makes it a great foundation primer. The one thing that pushes this serum to the pedestal is that, after a week of using it, my concealer finally stopped creasing....halle-freakin-lujah! Unsurprisingly, the only downside is the cost.

The Beauty Myth: Red Lipstick Is Not For Everyone

Verdict: False

This myth makes me seriously pissed. I don't know why it continues to circulate the beauty world because it is serious bullshit. No matter your eye colour, hair colour or skin colour, you can wear red lipstick and look fabulous doing so.

It is true that certain lipstick shades look better on certain skin tones, however as there are a billion different lipsticks out there, there is something for everyone!

If you want to find the best red lipstick shade for you, you will need to understand your skin's undertone. The best way to do this is by looking at the inside of your wrist in natural light. If your veins are green you have a warm undertone and if they are blue you have a cool undertone. If your veins are a mixture of the two colours, you have a neutral undertone and can get away with all shades!

If you have a cool undertone, you will suit blue-based reds like Rimmel's Lasting Finish Kate Moss 01, Chanel's Dragon Rouge Allure Laque and Maybelline's ColorSensational Lipcolor in Red Revival. If you have warm undertones, you need orange-based reds, such as Chanel's Coromandel Rouge Allure Lipstick, MAC's Lady Danger and NYX's Eros.

Faithful Four: Illuminating Foundations

YSL Le Teint Touche Éclat Foundation

Promise: “The light of Touche Éclat foundation targets shadowy areas and highlights the contours of the face. With no opaque powders, its perfecting texture evens the complexion and helps conceal your imperfections, while enhancing your skin’s natural beauty”

Price: £29.00/$55.00 30ml 

Purchase: www.yslbeauty.co.uk, www.yslbeautyus.com, Saks Fifth Avenue

YSL's Touche Éclat foundation is the latest addition to the Touche Éclat family and, for this reason, it was one of the most anticipated beauty products of 2012. Available in a wide number of shades, this medium coverage foundation has a runny, gel-like texture that helps it glide onto the skin. However, what makes this foundation exceptional is the beautiful finish. Unlike some illuminating foundations, the Touche Éclat is able to brighten the skin and promote a natural glow without leaving skin looking greasy or too shiny. In addition, this foundation is long lasting, has a SPF19 and smells amazing. The only downside is the pump - it is almost impossible to control exactly how much comes out when you use it.

NARS Sheer Glow Foundation

Promise: “A glowing, satin-finish foundation with sheer and buildable coverage that immaculately evens skin tone. Used daily, Sheer Glow Foundation improves the skin's brightness and texture”
Price: £30.50/$44.00 30ml
Purchase: House of Fraser, narscosmetics.co.uk, narscosmetics.com

NARS Sheer Glow Foundation is a much-hyped foundation for good reason. It provides a beautiful satin finish that helps to even-out skin tone and brighten skin. Although the foundation is named 'Sheer Glow', the coverage is medium and is easily buildable. It is non-comedogenic and fragrance free, however it is lacking in a SPF. This foundation's greatest strength is that it is incredibly hydrating - a real plus for those with dry skin. The only downside is that this foundation has no pump, which is surprising when you consider how much it costs.

Chanel Vitalumiére

Promise: “The light texture of Vitalumière gives a slightly satin finish, for a radiant, natural, youthful–looking make–up”
Price: £34.00/$55.00 30ml

Purchase: House of Fraser, The Garden, Nordstrom

Vitalumiére is a real hero in the foundation world. It has won numerous beauty awards and is one the best illuminating foundations on the market. Though on the pricey side, this easy-to-apply foundation provides medium coverage and builds incredibly well without caking. It leaves a beautiful dewy finish to the skin, helping to reflect imperfections and give a youthful, fresh appearance. It is the perfect foundation for dry skin and also has a SPF15. The only downside to this foundation? It has to be set with loose powder as it can often make skin appear too shiny in photos. 

Stila Illuminating Liquid Foundation

Promise: “Never heavy, chalky, or dull, Illuminating Liquid Foundation glides on weightlessly for sheer-to-medium coverage and a silky semi-matte finish that evens out flaws while letting your skin's natural luminescence shine through”

Price: £25.00/$38.00 30ml 

Purchase: Boots, Sephora, BeautyBay.com

Stila's Illuminating Liquid foundation, unlike other illuminating foundations, actually contains tiny particles of glitter. Some people love this aspect, whilst others see it is as a huge downside. I personally think its a benefit, however it does mean that I only wear this foundation during the evening. Although described as having a semi-matte finish, I would consider the finish to be quite dewy. The coverage is sheer to medium and is buildable and easy to apply. This foundation's greatest strength is that it does not aggravate the skin, making it ideal for those with sensitive skin. Even when heavily built-up, this foundation feels lightweight and soothing on the skin. The downside to this foundation is that it is lacking a SPF.

News: Diane Kruger To Front Chanel Skincare

It has been revealed today that Diane Kruger is set to be the new face of Chanel Skincare. This comes as no surprise as Kruger and Chanel have some history. Kruger was the face of the Allure fragrance campaign in 1996 and the Paris-Biarritz handbag campaign in 2007.

The fashion model-turned-actress couldn't be a more perfect fit. Not only is she an absolute beauty,  she is a natural one with a gorgeous complexion to match.

The adverts are due to launch later this year.