We customise everything, from our morning coffee to the clothes in our wardrobe, so why not customise the products in our bathroom cabinet and makeup bag, too? Well, thanks to the growing number of bespoke beauty services, creating a product that suits you and your needs has never been easier.
While the concept of customisable cosmetics is nothing new, in the last few years the options have grown enormously and the choices available have become both more accessible and affordable. Once the privilege of women who could afford a Harley Street dermatologist, customisation is now available on the high street, for a fraction of the price.
A big part of this shift comes down to customer demand. With honest reviews readily available on YouTube, social media and forums, consumers no longer rely on brands or sales assistants for their advice. The beauty fanatic knows what they want and, thanks to the world of bespoke beauty, chances are, they might now be able to get it.
Bespoke services are available in all corners of the beauty industry – this is our edit of the ones worth investing in.
The first brand to pioneer the ‘drop concept’, Cover FX lets you create the coverage you want with the skincare you already love. Their Custom Cover Drops – essentially a concentrated liquid foundation – can be added to any product in your current skincare lineup, including serum, moisturiser, primer or face oil, to customise your base – from a sheer tinted moisturiser (one drop) to full-coverage foundation (four drops), and everything in between. Not only can you create your own unique formulation, you can switch it up on a daily basis depending on your needs or the occasion. Plus, if you’ve got the bespoke bug, Cover FX now has similar ‘drop’-style products for blush, bronzer and highlighter, too.
Cover FX Custom Cover Drops, £36, available at Space NK
The majority of us don’t have one skin type. Thanks to changes in season, environment and lifestyle, your skin can differ enormously from day to day. Instead of investing in endless products, try adding two to three drops of one of Odacité’s Serum Concentrates to your current moisturiser or serum to give it a specific boost. There are 18 to choose from, and each of the 100% natural concentrated serums targets a particular issue – from dry patches and spots to sensitivity and oversized pores.
Odacité Serum Concentrate, from £27.50, available at Cult Beauty
If you’ve struggled with finding a serum that ticks all the boxes, then Kiehl’s new customisation service might be what you're looking for. Following an enlightening consultation and analysis by a skin expert at the Kiehl’s counter, you will be prescribed a bespoke serum which combines a base of Skin Strengthening Concentrate plus two individually chosen Targeted Complexes designed specifically for your skin concerns.
Kiehl's Apothecary Preparations Service, £90, available at select counters
For an all-natural approach, look no further than MixNature, an online lab where you can design your own skincare. You choose the base by your skin type, then you select your choice of essential oils, extracts and activating agents to create your own unique formula. Whether it’s a moisturiser, cleanser, scrub or mask, MixNature will whip it up and have it to you in just a few days.
MixNature Skincare, from £7.90, available at MixNature
Considering many people deem mascara a ‘desert island product’, it is surprising how often we’re unsatisfied with the current options on the market. This is where Eyeko’s Personalised Mascara Service comes to the rescue. Following a consultation with one of Eyeko’s Mascara Editors (yep, that’s a thing), you choose a formula and wand to suit your eyelashes before they create it in front of you, and pack it up in a monogrammed box.
Eyeko Personalised Mascara Service, £30, available at Harvey Nichols
Bonnie XO’s colour-matching service will create any shade of lipstick you like. Whether that’s a discontinued product you're desperate to duplicate, a dress you’re looking to match or a hue you just can’t get your hands on, Bonnie XO will make it. Alternatively, for just a tenner you can create your own lipstick by choosing a shade from their extensive selection and pair it with one of their seven scents (vanilla, cherry, strawberry, pomegranate, orange, rose, and unfragranced).
Bonnie XO Custom Colour Service, from £10, available at Bonnie XO
For bespoke nails, Palette’s create-your-own kits are just the ticket. The starter pack offers three primary nail shades plus white and black so you can custom-make an endless array of nail varnish hues. Complete with pipettes and a simple-to-follow guide, mixing up your own unique polish couldn't be easier.
Palette London Create Your Own Nail Paint Collection, £25, available at Palette London
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