Gold makeup is dry and ageing on over 40s! Beauty expert Hannah Betts reveals the anti-ageing shade loved by the Queen Mother you should try instead

Warm-toned women, I worry that this column doesn’t indulge you as you deserve to be indulged. For, as much as I strenuously issue warm-toned tips, my heart lies with cool-toned hues.

Until now, that is.

For this is the season of the new, cool corals. Coral is a shade that used to be anything but trendy, associated as it is with the late Queen Mother. It felt safe, suburban and prematurely ageing.

Well, no more. Today’s cool corals – and related light apricots and bold satsumas – spell sultry summer 2024.

The trick to make matters look modern is to balance textures – mattes, sheers, glosses, shimmers and metallics – in pliant and beautifully blendable finishes. Think of colour as face jewellery – something to augment an existing look. And don’t feel you have to do a full face.

Today’s cool corals – and related light apricots and bold satsumas – spell sultry summer 2024 (stock image)

Holidays, or simply that holiday feel provided by this balmy August, make a terrific time to experiment.

Given the angle and intensity of the sun in high summer, it’s possible that everyone – however cool-toned – can benefit from introducing some warm, coral aspect. Just as a chill-cheeked pink element can work in the slanted, grey light of winter, even on warm women.

And where golds can look dry, dusty and ageing, especially on 40-plus complexions, corals add a juiciness on sweltering summer days.

M y gateway from coral phobia to fixation was the limited-edition eyeshadow palette Chanel Les 4 Ombres in Coral Treasure (£54, boots.com), a collection of radiant, rippling oranges and pinks evoking corals and undersea flora. Fabulously luminous, these deliver joyousness with edge.

Inspired, I experimented with the Chanel Nature Getaway set (£162, chanel.com): four products in a neat apricot pouch. Again, the mood is refreshingly vibrant.

First there is an Ombre Essentielle eyeshadow called Rose in Hand, a shimmering coral, enhanced with pinky-gold glitter. I am wary of shades claimed to ‘suit everyone’ but in this case, it really does. The nearest thing I’ve managed to unearth as a budget take is Kiko High Pigment Eyeshadow in Sparkling Tangerine (£7.49, kikocosmetics.com). The overall colour is a good match and packs a punch but the sparkling flecks are gold not fuchsia.

Next in the Chanel kit is a Baume Essentiel highlighter in Morning Dew, the ultimate peachy pink to give your skin a dewy glow.

Then, there’s Heart Beat, an uplifting, surprisingly wearable, hot pink, waterproof, liquid Liner de Chanel. And, finally, a silky Rouge Coco Flash lip colour in Bisous, a limited-edition coral- pink shine.

Beauty expert Hannah Betts (pictured) says the trick to make matters look modern is to balance textures – mattes, sheers, glosses, shimmers and metallics – in pliant and beautifully blendable finishes

I never thought I’d say this about anything remotely orangey, but I’m smitten – the pink elements rendering the whole look freshly flattering. If you’re not keen to invest in a whole new make-up set, one trick to warm up your rouge is adding vibrant orange and shimmering gold to your usual shade.

Brush on E.L.F. Camo Liquid Blush in Comin in Hot Pink (£7, elfcosmetics.co.uk), with E.L.F. Camo Liquid Blush in Gorge Orange (£7) and either Relove by Revolution Glow Up Liquid Highlighter in the yellow gold Heaven Sent (£4, superdrug.com), or Relove by Revolution Glow Up Liquid Highlighter in the peachier Lit Up (£4) for paler types.

Many women will rather do cool coral via a minimal, pared-back face, with a vivid lip in sweaty summer. Try colour queen Lisa Eldridge’s Insanely Saturated Lip Colour in Strawberry Shock (£27, lisaeldridge.com), a bright coral, or True Velvet Lip Colour in Velvet Morning (now £18.90), a fiery orange-red. Warm women, this is your moment. Enjoy!

RACE YOU TO IT! 

Styling, shielding, plus a treatment in one application, Michael Van Clarke’s LifeSaver Sun UV Leave-in Styling Treatment (from £11, vanclarke.com) is aptly named. 

Moisturising without heaviness, it instantly tames frizz, fixing broken bonds, combating hair dye fade and keeping hair supple, protected and strong. 

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MY ICON OF THE WEEK

Jennifer Garner

Actress Jennifer Garner (pictured) is a fan of Neutrogena Hydro Boost Hyaluronic Acid Serum, followed by Westman Atelier Foundation Stick 

The 52-year-old actress and ex-wife of Ben Affleck favours Neutrogena Hydro Boost Hyaluronic Acid Serum (£13.33, boots.com), followed by Westman Atelier Foundation Stick (£62, libertylondon.com). Chanel Les Beiges Healthy Glow Bronzing Cream (£48, boots.com) helps achieve a bronzing look, with Virtue Healing Oil (£34.40, sephora.co.uk) on her hair.

 FIVE BODY BLITZERS

(boots.com)

‘CeraVe Bump Remover’ is the brand’s top TikTok search term – this is it.

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 (murad.co.uk).

Exfoliants and soothing ingredients to axe blemishes and ingrown hairs.

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(theordinary.com).

Only 9 per cent of skin is on the face. Now this top budget brand has a body range.

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(environskincare.co.uk)

This helps speed up skin renewal to soften calluses and energise dull and dreary-looking skin.

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(ocado.com)

Organic after sun guarding against midges, ticks and mosquitoes for up to four hours.

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 COSMETIC CRAVING 

At this time of year, we crave skincare that is simple, fuss-free and brilliant. All hail, Clarins Double Serum (from £65, clarins.co.uk), a bestseller, with one purchased every four seconds, and winner of 450 awards worldwide.

First launched in 1985, Double Serum has just been released in its ninth incarnation. Its cult two-thirds hydrating and one-third oil formula – which has 95 per cent organic ingredients made from 22 plants — has been augmented with five new pure active molecules. It also includes giant Provencal reed, a tall Mediterranean plant known for its healing properties, to counteract skin ageing.

Fresh on the face, yet potent in its effect, it’s a joy to use. Here is skin’s summer one-stop shop. Available now at clarins.co.uk, and nationwide from August 23.

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