Lisa Oxenham
The final desk to be invaded by WIMH belongs to Lisa Oxenham, Beauty Director of Marie Claire. A burst of sunshine brights and summer essentials, Lisa’s desk has got us hankering for a holiday… If you missed it, take a sneaky peek here, and read on to discover how at the tender age of just 4 years old, this beauty buff was already on the road to success with her first beauty venture…
My big break… I did work experience as fashion assistant at More magazine for 6 weeks – then went into beauty PR as there were no jobs going in fashion. I fell in love with the complexities of the beauty world and a few years later More got back in touch and employed me as beauty writer. I stayed at more for 4 years and loved every second.
My beauty icon… Kate Moss is my everything icon – I love her sense of style, her attitude and her beauty. She always looks amazing – from hanging out backstage at Glasto to the interview we did together at Claridges. She looks great and her effortlessness is what makes her so attractive.
My formative beauty moment… My mum was an Avon lady and she used to let me and my cousins play with her sets. I set up shop with them and did make-overs from the age of four. If that’s not formative I don’t know what is…
Eavesdropped from an MUA… There’s one make-up artist that gets her models to do smudgy liner themselves for a not-so-perfect effect.
Balm, lipstick or gloss… Balm all the way, baby! I try to love lipstick and go for it when I’m DJing but in the beauty world balm helps me to look groomed.
My default face… I love a healthy glow – but that’s created with Chantecaille Ultra Sun Protection SPF50 – a primer that makes my face dewy as well as protecting against pollution and UV rays and a MAC Bronzing Cream. I only wear Laura Mercier concealer where I need it – around my nostrils and chin and I do without foundation. I like seeing my skin – and I don’t want to cover up my freckles. I’ve used YSL Touche Eclat for over a century around my eyes and to highlight my cheekbones. My brows are very fair so I use YSL Brow Pencil in 3, a slick of Clinique Glossy Mascara in Brown – it isn’t as harsh as black – and finish off with a slick of By Terry Rose Lip balm, which takes down the redness in my lips and nourishes at the same time.
Always in my bathroom… Aromatherapy Associates oils – they make my bathroom smell like a spa. I love any oils with sandalwood and lemon. L’Oreal Professionnel or Kerastase for hair, Neom candles and Darphin shower gels – they smell delicious and wake me up every morning.
My beauty shame… God – loads – I’m the most ungroomed beauty editor in London! I run out of the gym with wet hair, I don’t like manicures – I never wear a colour on my toes and I love the sunshine – although I do wear SPF, the sun just makes me happy…
