Beauty Bible Loves... Ciaté London Vitamin Boost Hydrating Primer
For years, we thought we didn’t need primers. Just an extra step in making up. Life’s too short, etc. etc. etc.
But… primers have upped their game, over time, and now we wouldn’t be without them. They’re not all created equal; some add radiance, some add ‘grip’ – and this plumps and hydrates, for those mornings when you wake up and think, ‘Hmmmm. This face needs extra help.’
Continuing our female-founders focus on BeautyBible.com, then, we are delighted to share our new fave rave primer – from Ciaté London, which was founded by editorial nail technician Charlotte Knight in the late 2000s, and it’s gone kinda tonto since then, extending way beyond the fabulous original nail range to offer a full range of make-up, tools and a truly excellent range of primers.
Ciaté London Vitamin Boost Hydrating Primer glides on like a serum, smoothing skin and combating dehydration and creating a smoother surface. Make-up goes on just so, so beautifully on top. There’s no actual ‘radiance’ – but skin just somehow looks healthier, while make-up is smoother and lasts well. For an older face in particular, who has never tried a primer, this is a great place to start.
The tech side? Alongside the plumping moisture complex are firming peptides, smoothing niacinamide and a touch of jojoba oil (but don’t worry about it leaving skin greasy; it’s just enough for a little extra nourishment). There’s a good how-to video for it, here, in which Ciaté London’s head of education demos it on half her face. Pretty convincing stuff.
We’d like to big up Charlotte, who we’ve never met – yet (though we hope to) – and share her thinking behind the brand, which chimes with our own.
‘I launched my brand, Ciaté London, after years as an industry insider working on sets, in salon and backstage at fashion week. Working with so many creative minds and incredible women at the forefront and behind the scenes of the beauty industry, it was never a thought that being a woman in business might hold me back. That’s what I love about the beauty community so much – it’s truly creative, inclusive and has some of the most exciting entrepreneurs and innovative leaders driving the billion dollar industry forward, many of who are women. I’m proud to be a woman leading an independent brand and to advocate for female empowerment, whether it’s through innovation in business or encouraging beauty lovers around the world to express their creativity and make-up their own rules.’
And Charlotte hasn’t stopped with Ciaté London: she’s gone on to create Lottie London (a brand we often feature for its amazing affordability), and Skin Proud. Truly impressive achievements, and we consider ourselves so, so fortunate to work in this inclusive industry, alongside dynamic founders like Charlotte.
And if you need convincing about a primer…? We’re pleased to say this one’s available in a dinky size – ideal for travel, but also for checking out its make-up enhancing power. If you spend £45+ on the site, you’ll receive it for free – but if not, it’s just £8 for 10ml.
Some of the best things really do come in small packages, then.
30ml/£28 – buy here
8ml/£10 – buy here
