Recently, to celebrate what would have been Maria Callas’s 100th birthday, the Merchant of Venice launched a fragrance paying homage to the opera singer – and it smells gorgeous. But let’s talk about the soprano’s brows. Full, healthy, glossy and highly desirable, they were extraordinary. Olaplex’s new Browbond Serum will give you denser brows in four weeks. In the meantime, we can fake it with these products, which will give the wispiest of brows Callas magic in seconds.
The Guardian’s journalism is independent. We will earn a commission if you buy something through an affiliate link. Learn more.
1. Charlotte Tilbury Brow Fix £25, charlottetilbury.com
2. BBB London Eyebrow Pen £23, bbb-london.com
3. Morphe Supreme Brow Sculpting Wax £9, selfridges.com
4. Rare Beauty Brow Harmony Flexible Lifting Gel £17, spacenk.com
5. Anastasia Beverly Hills Brow Freeze Gel £24, sephora.co.uk
I can’t do without… Beyoncé’s hair brand, on a mission to repair and strengthen
Amid the column inches around Beyoncé’s country album, you may have missed that she launched a hair brand, Cécred (pronounced sacred). Before you dismiss it as yet another celebrity beauty launch, it’s worth knowing that Beyoncé’s mother (and the brand’s co-founder), Tina Knowles, is a former hairstylist who owned a salon in Texas where Beyoncé, long before she became, well, Beyoncé, was an assistant. Also, I’d venture that the hundreds of hairstyles Beyoncé has worn over the course of her career are a good indication of her hair obsession. Still, I hear you ask: ‘Is the brand good?’ Well, actually, yes. It helps that it was formulated with scientific innovation and product performance at the forefront. This was spearheaded by Dr Kari Williams– an incredible trichologist and now, director of education at Cécred. The eight-strong line includes the usual suspects – shampoo, conditioner, etc – but the focus of all the products is repairing and strengthening the hair. The Moisture Sealing Lotion is sublime. It is essentially a moisturiser, but not all moisturisers are equal. This one is light yet incredibly effective at locking in moisture and leaving hair smooth, shiny and hydrated. And the longer you use it, the better your hair gets. As an editor who is sent hundreds of products for review, the acid test is always whether I would spend my own money on it. In this case, the answer is: absolutely yes. Cécred Moisture Sealing Lotion, £37, cecred.com
On my radar… Luxe after-dark fragrances with heady appeal
City slicker The musician founders of this brand combined pink pineapple, black pepper, sandalwood and black tobacco to capture the scent of New York nightlife. DS & Durga Black Magenta, £155, cult beauty.co.uk
In the night garden This aromatic incense and smoky scent is part of the Alchemist’s Garden range, Gucci’s haute couture collection of fragrances. This is a sultry, sexy scent and utterly addictive. Gucci, A Midnight Stroll, £240, libertylondon.com
Horses for courses Originally inspired by the comforting smell of a chestnut horse, this exquisite scent blends the leatheriness of expensive oud wood with the fresh femininity of rose petals. Hermès Oud Alezan, £283, hermes.com
Sign up to Observed
Analysis and opinion on the week's news and culture brought to you by the best Observer writers
after newsletter promotion
Follow Funmi on X @FunmiFetto