October’s Elevate & Illuminate edit presents the opportunity to embrace the gentle freedom of being exactly who you are.
October always opens with a reminder of independence. This year, with the parades cancelled, that reminder feels quieter, almost intimate. It nudges us to turn inward and ask a more personal question: what does freedom look like when it’s yours alone?
True independence isn’t always loud. Sometimes it’s the slow, steady work of trusting yourself. It’s the liberation of saying no when you need to, and yes when it feels right. It’s claiming space in a world that constantly tries to shape you, and realising that being exactly who you are has always been enough. That kind of freedom shows up in the everyday — in the rituals that centre you, the choices that affirm your essence, the objects that become touchstones for your truth. They don’t perform; they support. They don’t disguise; they reveal.
That’s the spirit of this month’s Elevate & Illuminate edit. Each pick has been chosen to meet you where you are and expand your sense of self without asking you to be anything else. October’s invitation is simple: rest in the richness of your own becoming, and let that be freedom enough.
Beauty, Refined: Freedom from dark spots and boring cheeks
Dark circles and spots don’t belong here
Freedom can be as simple as stepping out barefaced, unbothered by dark circles or lingering spots. Bright, even skin has a way of lightening more than just your reflection — it shifts how you carry yourself. These skincare essentials are all about that kind of release, offering you the glow of clarity and the ease of knowing your skin can breathe without cover-ups.
PDRN Pink Peptide Eye Cream
₦17,517
Medicube
I love this eye cream because it feels weightless yet delivers visible brightness where it counts. The blend of salmon DNA and pink peptides works gently — no stinging, just smooth hydration that layers beautifully under makeup or on its own. A little goes a long way in lifting tired eyes into something fresh and luminous.
Vitamide Brightening Pad
₦18,000
Mediheal
I love how these pads instantly wake up my skin. They drench it in hydration while lifting away dullness, so the result is skin that looks plump, refreshed, and naturally radiant — like you’ve had a good night’s sleep in just a few swipes.
Get 10% off when you purchase this with our discount code: MARIECLAIRE10
Blush blindness is a myth
People like to joke about “blush blindness,” as if we can’t tell when we’ve gone a little heavy-handed. I don’t buy it. For me, there’s no such thing as too much blush — it’s colour, it’s energy, it’s life on the face. A good blush doesn’t mask, it amplifies, and when you find the right one, it pulls everything together in the most effortless way.
At the moment, these are my favourite blushes:
Cheeks Suede Powder Blush in “RIRI”
₦45,000
Fenty Beauty
This blush does exactly what makeup should — it brings instant colour to my face. “RIRI” is the perfect balance of pigment and shimmer, lighting up my cheeks without looking too heavy. It’s bold yet weightless, and every time I wear it, I feel instantly gorgeous.
Sun Kisser Blush in “City Sizzle”
₦17,350
Maybelline
This is a perfect sunset rouge — warm, radiant, and impossible to ignore. It lights up my cheeks with a fiery glow that feels both playful and polished. The bonus? It doubles as an eyeshadow, so one sweep across the lids ties everything together in the most effortless way.
Perfumes perfect for the weather
The rainy season brings its own mood — the air grows heavy with humidity, the sky unpredictable, and every scent seems amplified by the damp. It’s the perfect time to rethink fragrance. Instead of anything too dense or heady, I reach for perfumes that feel like a breath of fresh air: light, uplifting, and clean enough to cut through the weight of the weather without overwhelming it.
BLEU DE CHANEL L’EXCLUSIF
$275
CHANEL
This is my rainy-season power move. I love how the bright citrus cuts through the thick, damp air, while the woods keep it grounded and smooth. It’s fresh, but never flimsy — the kind of scent that makes me feel put together even when the weather is unpredictable. There’s also something comforting about it, like catching a glimpse of blue sky through grey clouds. It’s my armour and my ease in one.
Matsukita
£400
Clive Christian
Matsukita is my rainy-day luxury. There’s something about its sparkling citrus and soft florals that feels like stepping into fresh air after a storm. It’s clean but not cold — a kind of luminous elegance that settles beautifully on damp skin. On humid days, when everything feels heavy, this perfume gives me clarity and lift without ever tipping into sharpness. It’s my little reminder that rain can be radiant.
Style, Elevated:
Bags that are simply mobile art
In the world of fashion accessories, some bags transcend their utilitarian purpose to become wearable masterpieces that blur the line between function and fine art. These extraordinary pieces—whether adorned with hand-painted illustrations, sculptural silhouettes, or avant-garde embellishments—transform everyday carry-alls into mobile galleries that move through the world with their owners. Crafted by visionary designers who view leather, fabric, and hardware as their canvas, these bags make bold statements on city streets and gallery openings alike, turning heads and sparking conversations wherever they go. They’re not just about holding your essentials; they’re about expressing individuality, celebrating craftsmanship, and carrying a piece of artistic vision that reflects personal style and appreciation for design as an art form. In this way, the bag becomes both accessory and artwork, proving that beauty and practicality need not be mutually
Water Klutch
₦125,000
Kweyve
This piece feels like carrying the ocean in one’s hands. The resin catches the light in a way that genuinely resembles a wave frozen mid-motion; fluid yet uniquely sculptural. What I especially love is the small affirmation card tucked inside, a gentle reminder to go with the flow. It’s a mood I get to carry with me everywhere I go.
Erika Bag in “Wine”
$108
Steve Madden
I’ve always had a soft spot for Steve Madden, and the Erika bag is exactly why. The rich wine shade is bold, striking that balance between statement and sophistication. It’s one of those pieces that instantly pulls a look together, adding just the right amount of intrigue while staying beautifully practical.
Who doesn’t love a great shirt?
Really, who doesn’t love a great shirt? It’s the ultimate wardrobe chameleon — polished enough to anchor a boardroom look, relaxed enough to throw on with denim, and bold enough to turn heads all on its own. I’ve always believed shirts have their own kind of quiet power: the way they frame the shoulders, skim the body, and set the tone before you’ve even said a word. A good statement shirt isn’t just worn, it’s inhabited — it becomes part of your presence, carrying both ease and intention in every fold. These are some of my favourite pieces at the moment:
Kaili Oversized Cotton T-Shirt in “Black”
£115
Kai Collective
I love this shirt for its easy comfort and surprising punch. The cotton feels soft and breathable against the skin, while the oversized fit gives it that effortless, borrowed-from-someone-cool vibe. What really makes it special, though, is the logo print — bold, colourful, and full of personality. It turns a simple black tee into something instantly eye-catching.
Buzu Top in “Green”
₦155,990
Knanfe
This top is all about playful structure. I love how the textured fabric gives it a rich, tactile feel, while the cut flatters the bust in such a fun, confident way. The green shade feels fresh and unexpected — the kind of colour that instantly lifts a look and makes it memorable. It’s equal parts easy and striking, which is my favourite kind of balance.
Mindful Living: as within, as without
Soothe, soothe, soothe
So much of modern life is designed to overstimulate — endless scrolling, relentless demands, the constant pressure to keep up. It’s no wonder we find ourselves craving spaces and rituals that feel quieter, slower, more human.
My next recommendations are the kinds of things that help me reclaim that softness: pieces that feel like a deep breath, grounding me when the outside world is in overdrive. They don’t just soothe in the moment — they remind me that calm is something we can choose, and keep choosing, every day.
Aromatherapy Stress Relief Spray
₦13,000
Dr Teal’s
This spray is like an instant exhale. A few spritzes and I feel my whole body unclench — the kind of calm that travels from the outside in, and then somehow deeper still. I love using it before bed, when I want to drift easily into sleep, or whenever I need to press pause and soften the day’s edges. It’s a small ritual, but one that makes a big difference.
“Cuffing Season” Scented Candle
₦85,260
Forvr Mood
The year may be winding down, but love always finds a way to rise. This candle captures that feeling perfectly — warm, enveloping, and a little intoxicating. “Cuffing Season” smells like being wrapped in someone’s arms, safe and cherished, no matter what’s happening outside. It’s not just fragrance, it’s atmosphere — the gentle reminder that love, in all its forms, can be the cosiest refuge.
The Season’s Affirmations
As you all may know, I love affirmations. They’re simple phrases that remind me of my own wholeness when the world tries to convince me otherwise. They don’t have to be grand or complicated; the best ones are quiet truths you can return to again and again, until they begin to live in your body.
This season, I’m leaning into affirmations that ground me in the belief that I am all that I am — and that is more than enough:
1.
I am free to take up space exactly as I am.
2.
I am enough without needing to perform or prove.
3.
I am at peace with the peace of my own journey
4.
I am worthy of love, softness, and ease.
5.
I am unafraid to be seen in my fullness.
6.
I am guided by my own rhythm, not the world’s noise.
7.
I am safe in my own skin.
8.
I am the author of my own story, and it unfolds beautifully.
9.
I am free to rest, to rise, and to return to myself.
10.
I am whole, and that wholeness is more than enough.
Be all that you are, and let that be enough
What I’ve found while putting this edit together is that freedom doesn’t always feel dramatic — often, it’s in the subtle gestures that make us feel whole. A blush that wakes up the face, a shirt that speaks for us, a scent that calms the air around us — these are the details that, together, create a life that feels like our own. They remind me that beauty isn’t about transformation into something else, but about returning to what’s already there.
And so this month, I’m holding close to the simple truth that I am all that I am, and that is enough. If you take anything from these recommendations, I hope it’s the gentle permission to lean into yourself — into your rhythm, your pace, your presence. Because when we choose to show up as we are, the world feels less like something to conquer and more like something to embrace. Separation, after all, is life’s greatest illusion.
Love always,
