Table of contents for December 6, 2023 in Stylist

I don’t need much encouragement to go all-in at Christmas. My tree was up mid-November, I’ve already cooked two Christmas dinners, made jewel-coloured paper chains, drunk approximately three litres of orange and cinnamon-spiked hot chocolate, face-planted a cheese fondue and constructed a gingerbread house that I had to stick together with a glue gun (and my own sweat and tears). I love Christmas: the magic, the nostalgia, the Mariah Carey. But, most of all, I love the irreverence of it: tinsel earrings, naff office karaoke, snowman-shaped desserts and even – as modelled by our cover star, Glassette-founder Laura Jackson – entire Christmas tree headpieces. Leaning into the creativity and joy of Christmas, and creating moments that are worth remembering (obviously all arguments about tangled fairy lights and pass-agg comments about…

STYLIST’S COLUMNIST BILLIE BHATIA shares what’s on her mind this month I begin my campaign for Christmas perfection as soon as my eyes open on 1 December (not one day earlier, that’s red flag territory for me). By this time of year, I’ve got my ideal Christmas mapped out. I know my run of events for the week leading up to the big day, my cheese-and-chill plan for the days after, and I’m ready to force them upon everyone. After weeks of research, I have nailed down the tablescaping theme, sourced the necessary props, and placed my order for matching tapered candles because we can’t possibly use the half-burnt ones left over from last year. I send the mood board to my mum, not for her sign off but just…

Stylist advertorial As seen on our Stylist Live catwalk, here’s how to master Max Factor’s iconic make-up look As seen on the likes of Rihanna and Margot Robbie, a richly-hued ‘bitten berry’ lip has been a stand-out trend for the winter season. Reimagined by Max Factor for the Stylist Live catwalk, we love how this look adds a luxurious flourish to everything from an LBD to a laid-back jeans and sweater combo. Luckily, Caroline Barnes, make-up artist in partnership with Max Factor, was on hand to give us a beauty tutorial (so you can recreate the look at home…). 1. ACE THAT BASE Every great make-up look starts with the basics: aka, the base. But don’t be fooled into thinking that this classic look calls for a matte foundation. According…

Stylist advertorial Suffering with damaged, lifeless hair? Stylist spoke to an expert about why this innovative new haircare system is about to revolutionise your routine… As far as beauty trends go, Team Stylist are always one step ahead of the game – which is why haircare as skincare (ie, treating our tresses to a curated routine that suits our individual hair type, like we would our skin) is the one topic we’ve been shouting about for a while. All it takes is an innovative new treatment to get us excited… Introducing the Absolut Repair Molecular regime from L’Oréal Professionnel Paris, a brand new three-step haircare system that uses a combination of peptide bonders (yep, peptides are also found in skincare) and amino acids to help rebuild the hair’s molecular structure**…

Stylist advertorial Jo Tennant, 40, is a photographer and mother of two, who started her business 20 Photos during the pandemic. She spoke to Stylist about how digital upskilling is helping it grow… "Isn’t it funny how amazing things can happen when you least expect them to? After 16 years working as a freelance photographer, the pandemic hit and suddenly I was out of work, trapped indoors and homeschooling two young children. It was a really tough time to be a creative and a woman. To alleviate the pressure of lockdown (and take a much-needed break from homeschooling), I assigned myself tasks to keep my creativity ticking over. The idea for 20 Photos actually came about during this time. We all have thousands of pictures on our phones that we do…

HIDDEN homelessness Finding a place to sleep is a matter   of life and death for the women who   make up two-thirds of London’s hidden homeless. Stylist investigates an invisible crisis that’s reaching fever pitch Words: Meena Alexander Content warning: this article contains references to addiction, abuse and suicidal ideation If you found yourself suddenly out on the street, no money and no loved ones to help, which direction would you walk in? Which underpass or alleyway might you consider, with tired eyes, as a potential bed for the night? Would you seek out others sheltering in makeshift tents, or would being alone feel safer? Would you risk asking that group of drunk men passing by for help? What would worry you more, that first night: the theft of your few…

for more recipes head to stylist.co.uk/food Inspired by the cloud-like confections she created for wedding parties while working as a pastry chef at iconic British restaurant St John, this three-tiered celebration pavlova from Ravneet Gill is a glorious way to go big for Christmas. Top it with whatever seasonal fruits take your fancy and store any leftovers in the fridge for up to two days afterwards to keep the party going preparation time 45 minutes cooking time 3 hours ingredients For the meringue:480g egg whites(approx. 16 eggs)20ml white wine vinegar1 tbsp vanilla bean paste800g caster sugar120g cornflour For the cream filling:1 litre double cream100g caster sugar2 tbsp vanilla bean pasteLarge pinch of flaky salt To assemble and serve:1kg fresh seasonal berries of your choice, rinsed and dried300ml fruit coulis of…

stylist’s editorial director lisa smosarski shares her career wisdom What does ambition mean to you? What will success look like for you in 2024? How can you pay your bills and achieve a sense of purpose? If you haven’t found these thoughts racing around your head over the past 12 months, then you’re one of the lucky few. For most of us, these are the existential questions we’ve been grappling with ever since the pandemic ripped apart the 9-5 and left us challenging the role that work plays in our lives. Like most people, lockdown impacted how I viewed work. Until then, from the moment I graduated, I had accepted that my life would always include 10 hours of commuting a week and 50 hours in an office. When I…

fashion Silver beats gold this season, so embrace cool chrome with high-shine fabrics, sequins and mirrored details to take partywear to the next level Damaris (left) wears: dress, £750, Violante Nessi (violantenessi.com); sunglasses, £318, Swarovski (sunglasshut.com); belt, £35.99, Mango (shop.mango.com); gloves, £20, Dents (dentsgloves.com); bracelets, £16 each, Marks & Spencer (marksandspencer.com); ring (top), £70, and ring (bottom), £115, both Pandora (uk.pandora.net); socks, £7, Calzedonia (calzedonia.com); shoes, £495, Dear Frances (uk.dearfrances.com)Luisa (right) wears: dress, £590, De La Vali (delavali.com); sunglasses, £199, Swarovski (sunglasshut.com); bag, £39, John Lewis (johnlewis.com); shoes, £85, Dune London (dunelondon.com) Jacket, £2,500, Gucci (gucci.com); trousers, £1,830, Louis Vuitton (louisvuitton.com); sunglasses, £355, Prada (sunglasshut.com); shoes, £475, Dear Frances (uk.dearfrances.com) Damaris wears: dress, £850, Rejina Pyo (rejinapyo.com); necklace, £850, Alighieri (alighieri.com); bag, £69, French Connection (frenchconnection.com)Luisa wears: blazer, £120, John…

beauty From the jammy tones of merlot to the deep ruby of a shiraz, the make-up trend of the season takes its inspiration from a mug of mulled wine The lips “A refreshed version of the classic red for Christmas, we’re leaning into mulled wine tones across the lips – and opting for a glossy finish,” says Jamie Genevieve, make-up artist and founder of Vieve. The right prep makes all the difference: “A little exfoliation with a lip scrub works wonders. Then use a lip mask before you apply the rest of your make-up.” When picking the perfect shade, Genevieve says it’s all about the lip liner. “Choose a tone that’s right for you. Fairer skin can go much lighter with the berry tones, whereas darker skin is best opting for deeper…

laura jackson Lean all the way in this Christmas with super-host and creative powerhouse Laura Jackson words: helen bownassphotography: JONTY DAVIESFASHION: LUCY REBER Last weekend, I went for a countryside mini-break with friends. While packing, I removed a towel from my bag to make space for a vintage lace tablecloth, two types of napkins, three shapes of candles and a bag of ribbons liberated from presents over the years. Later, when out walking through the frosty fields, my eye was drawn to the hedgerows around us, and I filled my pockets (and my friends’ pockets) with berries and rosehips pruned from the shrubs and trees. I was in charge of both the cooking and, more importantly, the table – and I had a vision. When my friends saw my artfully…

stylist advertorial Get Stylist magazine in print, daily online articles, plus exclusive offers and discounts when you subscribe to Stylist VIP, all for just £4.17 a month YOUR VIP MEMBERSHIP PACKAGe includes The print magazine delivered to your door every monthStylist magazine in a digital format to read on all your devicesUnlimited access to our back issue archive to browse old editionsDaily online articles covering relationships, psychology, and careersDiscounted and early access tickets to Stylist’s flagship events like Stylist Live and Stylist NetworkThe Sunday Supplement: a weekly email that recommends all of our favourite reads Visit stylist.co.uk/stylist-vip…

Stylist advertorial Take part in our audience survey today At Stylist, we pride ourselves on knowing our audience, so that we can continue to create content and experiences that they feel fully reflects them. Which is why we’d love to get your help! As a current reader of Stylist, we’d love to understand a little bit more about you and what you think about our brand. Follow this link to a quick 10-minute survey – at the end of which you will have the option to enter a prize draw where one lucky reader will win a £100 John Lewis voucher. …

THE MEANING OF LIFE IN 19 PROBING QUESTIONS What will the actor make of our festive-themed questions? Being an adult is… Never being an adult. Life is serious enough without being serious. I’ll be 50 next year and if I ever become an adult, smack me over the head. If someone could reveal what your 2024 will involve, would you want to know what would happen? I don’t know if I would want to, because you have to take the rough with the smooth, which is why I never read reviews because all you’d remember is the bad. When do you feel most alive? When I’m with people I love, admire and feel safe with, and can be ‘me’ without my surname attached. Christmas Eve or New Year’s Eve? Christmas…

Stylist advertorial Looking for the perfect Christmas present? Then you’ve come to just the right place... No one ever said that buying Christmas presents was easy. However, when it comes to gifting (or self-gifting) something memorable, a beautiful watch is a great place to start. Fusing style and practicality, a statement timepiece has long been used to mark special occasions (graduations, milestone birthdays, dream jobs), but with so many styles and brands to choose from, finding the right style can be tricky. A watch is much like a signature fragrance or piece of jewellery – it needs to be individual yet suited to the wearer. So, with that in mind we’ve pulled together a selection of choice gifting ideas, from a whole host of amazing brands. Whether it’s super-deluxe numbers…

Stylist advertorial Let your jewellery take centre-stage… It’s official. Jewellery is no longer playing second fiddle to fashion. This season, it’s all about letting your gems and adornments elevate your outfit, whether that’s through artful stacking, luxe layers or simply rocking a glittering pendant over a barely-there neckline. Championed by the likes of Sofia Richie and Zendaya, this subtle jewellery trend makes a sartorial statement without having to raise its voice – and if you’re looking to snatch a bit of quiet luxury, then look no further than Pandora. Offering everything from must-have gold hoops and huggies to lab-grown diamonds (the ultimate in low-key elegance), this collection is perfect for tapping into this look, whatever your budget. Think sparkling tennis bracelets paired with a crisp white shirt and cream cigarette…

beauty This year’s limited-edition beauty products are so charming that you’ll want to treasure them forever, just like your favourite baubles words: LUCY PARTINGTON THE DAY FRAGRANCE You can always count on Jo Malone London for its fun take on festive fragrance, and this year’s Ginger Biscuit Cologne is no exception. Delicately spiced with a mix of ginger, nutmeg and cinnamon, caramel adds a touch of sweetness, while tonka bean gives it some warmth. Jo Malone London Ginger Biscuit Cologne, £58 THE FESTIVE FLAME There’s nothing more pleasing than the ceremonial lighting of a Christmas candle, and Diptyque’s Sapin fragrance has quickly become an icon in its own right. Housed in a collector’s edition flame-themed jar, the woody scent of pine trees is the very epitome of the holiday season.…

Stylist advertorial From make-up to haircare, the new Boots beauty-only concept store has it all… Yes, it’s true. Battersea is about to become London’s hottest beauty destination. Opening on 6 December on Electric Boulevard at the iconic Battersea Power Station, the new Boots beauty-only store is going to be offering a whole range of expert services. Boasting more than 250 cosmetic, skin, fragrance and haircare brands, this is pretty much every beauty fan’s dream come true – and, frankly, we cannot wait to get involved. Here are just a selection of the amazing products that we’ll be looking out for… e.l.f. Hydrating Camo Concealer (6ml), £7 (£11.67 per 10ml) No7 Future Renew Serum (25ml), £34.95 (£139.80 per 100ml) Ouai Detox Shampoo (300ml), £28 (£9.34 per 100ml) R.E.M. Beauty Essential Drip Lip Oil (7mL), £16 (£22.86…

Stylist advertorial Looking to step out in style this Christmas? Allow us to introduce our Stylist x LøCI collab. Here’s how to get 25% off your own pair… When it comes to sustainable fashion, the question is: can we have it all? Is it possible to step out in style without compromising our values? Well, LØCI has teamed up with Stylist to resolve that dilemma with its latest creation, the new ORIGIN x Stylist – Wild Leopard sneak. Part of the LØCI ORIGIN range – these premium vegan sneakers, with a touch of leopard print on the heel, are made from recycled ocean waste, offering a sustainable alternative to environment-unfriendly leather shoes. In short, there’s a good reason why celebs, including the likes of Lucy Hale, Olivia Wilde and Mila…

daily grind With coffee machine sales through the roof and a new artisan bean for each day of the week, a generation is turning into obsessive home baristas. Allow us to enable your habit… “I’LL OFTEN HOVER OVER A BARISTA” Writer Jessica Salter charts her journey from milky cap-lover to full-blown espresso snob Every morning I creep downstairs in the dark, very careful not to wake anyone. I boil the kettle to warm my favourite mug (a ceramic Monoware one with just the right curves for my hands), weigh out exactly 25g of beans to grind and turn on my coffee machine, ready to make that first sacred cup of the day. With only the half-light from the street lamps illuminating my kitchen, I clutch my coffee and breathe in…

The titles worthy of a place on your bedside table CENTRAL PLACES by delia cai If, as Christmas approaches, you’re readying yourself to return to your hometown and feel a creeping sense of anxiety coming on, then Central Places will likely hit you where it hurts. The debut novel from Vanity Fair writer Delia Cai sees protagonist Audrey Zhou travel back to Hickory Grove in rural Illinois, where she grew up, so that her parents can meet her fiancé – Manhattan-bred Ben – over the Christmas break. What should be a happy occasion instead awakens old anxieties in Zhou, who hated high school and fled home to build an exciting life in New York. She’s busy and accomplished, with a hard-earned job in media and a flock of new pals, but what did she…