The beauty director’s edit: January 2020
Skin-brightening lipsticks, winter escapes, the easy green smoothie machine and the best medi-pedi in London
Escaping to the countryside at the Lygon Arms
Leave London behind and book into the Lygon Arms, Cotswolds, for a bit of slow living. The 14th-century coaching inn still retains the old-world charm enjoyed by previous sovereigns, but has had a luxurious and modern upgrade.
On the doorstep are beautiful country walks, such as the four-mile hike taking in the Broadway Tower, farms and fields. Alternatively, there are stables nearby for a trot through the woods and hills across the Cotswold escarpment. On your return to base, cosy up in one of the nooks and crannies, with the glow of a roaring fire to warm the cheeks.
Set within acres of idyllic British gardens, there is a fully functional spa, featuring a 13-metre swimming pool, spa bath, saunas and a eucalyptus steam room, state-of-the-art Technogym with both personal training and nutritional advice.
I love their OSKIA Signature Glow facials that merge a skin-clearing facial treatment with deep relaxation.
This place is the perfect way to ease yourself into January – the staff and surroundings make you feel physically and emotionally swaddled.
Rooms from £135 per night
Creating the ultimate smoothie with Vitamix
Sana Khan, nutrition consultant at the Avicenna Wellbeing Clinic, recommended a small New Year resolution: aim to get at least one portion of greens in daily. Sometimes that might be a kale salad or soup – but the easiest way is to pop it into a smoothie. I did use a juicer but it is a nightmare to clean and the veg residue in the base gave me a case of the food-waste guilts. So I’ve invested in the Vitamix Ascent A2500i Blender. It whizzes everything up – kale stalks, nuts, fruits, veg, ice and all – and transforms it into a no-bits, no-chunks smoothie in super-quick time. It’s apparently down to the super-duper power level and laser-cut blades.
And it means that all the fibre, vitamins, antioxidants and minerals remain in the glass. Plus, the machine takes less than 60 seconds to clean. It's actually really easy to go green.
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Going Orange with Gucci and Fenty Beauty
Brighten up your visage in a flash with the new Gucci Rouge à Lèvres Matte Lipstick, £34.
You can swipe and go with no make-up artist trickery, no liner, or endless blotting steps. The formula is a soft gelling wax with a matt, velvety finish that doesn’t dry out your lips, and the colour stays intense after hours of wear. This shade is Agatha Orange – the perfect orange-red mix. Another favourite is the Fenty Beauty Mattemoiselle Plush Matte Lipstick in Saw-C, £16 – it will add zing to your complexion on these dark winter days.
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Booking a Medi-Pedi with Flawless Feet at Harvey Nichols
I’m getting rid of the glitter and gloss of the past party season with a Flawless Feet Medi-Pedi at Beyond MediSpa in Harvey Nichols. Simone is my go-to girl. She transforms tired tootsies with her pro-podiatric techniques; carefully filing, buffing and removing layers of polish and skin, to reveal baby-soft feet and natural varnish-free, healthy nails.
A 45-minute treatment includes a foot evaluation, and the use of professional podiatry or chiropody grade tools and techniques, from £160. Simone’s recommended products? She loves The Ordinary 100% Organic Cold-Pressed Borage Seed Oil, £4.20 massaged into cuticles, to keep toenails and skin healthy and conditioned. Click here
Click here for Flawless Feet at Beyond Medi-Spa
Spritzing the new Jo Malone Vetiver & Golden Vanilla Cologne Intense
It may have vanilla in the name, however, don’t think of Jo Malone's Vetiver & Golden Vanilla from £78 is all sweetness and light. It’s actually a heady spritz that's more of a sultry woody, grassy, oriental than a British Bake Off saccharine concoction.
It has a hint of cardamom spice, green vetiver and fresh grapefruit all warmed by the base notes of bourbon vanilla – resulting in a sexy scent that appeals both to men and women. Yes, safe to say husband and I are literally fighting it out over this one – I might have to hide it!
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PS…
Don’t miss the iconic fashion and beauty January sale 2020 picks right here. 
Sarah Joan Ross
Culture Whisper beauty director