If you love fresh fragrances, or, a new mascara always tempts you, you won’t be able to resist the product picks in this edit. July has brought us some of the most exciting new beauty. With innovations from Kiehl’s, YSL and bareMinerals to name a few, there’s something for everyone below…
#1 The Magic Mascara
GIVENCHY Volume Disturbia Volume & Curve 24 Hour Wear Mascara
I’ll hold my hands up. I’m usually a creature of habit when it comes to the majority of my beauty routine – I’m that girl who has worn the same eyeliner for ten years. But when it comes to mascara, my loyalty goes out of the window. I love to try the latest formulations, different types of brushes and consistencies; I’m convinced that there is something better out there, until now perhaps!
It’s hard not to take notice of Disturbia’s weighted metallic red studded casing that feels so edgy, luxurious and oh-so GIVENCHY. I can almost picture their latest muse, Ariana Grande, applying it and following up with her signature cat-flick!
Inside the packaging lies a clever formulation that lets you adjust the volume according to the occasion. This is good news for me because I prefer my lashes to look natural during the day (with just a little length and volume). While for a night out, I like to recreate a glamorous false lash effect. Volume Disturbia’s silicone brush and the pigmented formula is exceptionally long-lasting. It doesn’t flake or smudge; even in high temperatures; so I can feel confident that it isn’t going to end up halfway down my face when I wear it.
GIVENCHY has also released a red version of this mascara, an addition that I’m wearing as a top coat over black to add a subtle hit of colour to my eyes. Trust me, it looks fantastic and enhances the natural colour of your eyes. But hurry, this is a limited edition shade and won’t be around for long!
#2 The Mouth-Watering Fragrance
Miller Harris Dance Amongst The Lace Eau de Parfum
Without a doubt, this month’s favourite is the Miller Harris Dance Amongst the Lace. For me, I love finding fragrances that are unique and different where people ask what I am wearing. And this fragrance stands out. This new edition to the Forage Collection has a fresh, long-lasting scent that has minty, green and zesty notes. The perfume focuses on the aroma of cow parsley, an ingredient that’s usually found in different places within a city. It’s this that makes the scent one of a kind and the perfect summer Eau de Parfum for women and men.
#3 The Moisture Mask
Kiehl’s Avocado Nourishing Hydration Mask
Have you ever tried DIYing an avocado face mask? If so, you’ll know that the green stuff gets everywhere, and it takes a lot of time to prep. Luckily for me, my avocado addiction put me at the front of the queue for giving this a test run. Let’s say I was very excited and sceptical to see if this could live up to the benefits of a homemade version.
When I opened the pot and dug in, I couldn’t believe how much the texture resembled a mashed avocado. Like, how? It gets better. In just 15 minutes, my skin felt cushiony again. After a month or so of trialling, my youthful, smooth texture is restored. So, it’s decided; this mask deserves a permanent slot in my weekly beauty ritual – it’s already on my ‘replen’ list!
#4 This Summer’s Lip Finish
Yves Saint Laurent Vernis a Levres Water Lip Stain in 618 Wet Vermilion
As soon as I saw that YSL was launching the Water Lip Stain, I knew I had to have it, particular 618 Wet Vermillion, it’s my favourite kind of shade; an orangey-red that makes a statement without trying.
Don’t get me wrong, I won’t go anywhere without my Slim, but this lip stain was just what my collection was missing for summer: fresh, weightless colour that’s versatile. Before work, I apply one layer for a hint of red; then after hours, I build two or more coats to transform my look.
#5 The Glowy Makeup Mist
bareMinerals Dew Mist Setting Spray
Until this month, I only had eyes for one setting spray: Urban Decay All Nighter. If you read our favourites religiously, you may have even spotted the summer limited edition as my pick last month. And don’t get me wrong; All Nighter still takes pride of place in my makeup bag. But, Dew Mist, bareMinerals’ new setting mist brings something entirely different to the table.
Throughout July my eczema went into overdrive (flare-up is an understatement). So, I pared back my makeup routine, to limit irritation; and as a result, I didn’t need All Nighter’s longevity powers. Instead, I was after a clean, glow-enhancing formula with a side of hydration and a setting element too. Luckily for me, Dew did that and more. The star ingredient, kombucha ferment, which is known to help with skin tone, texture and clarity, made my skin look radiant and healthy – a confidence boost I needed as the rest of my skin was blotchy and itchy! My skin is doing better at the time of writing this, so I’m now pairing All Nighter and Dew Mist together – my glow isn’t going anywhere!
#6 The Shareable Scent
Annick Goutal Eau d’Hadrien Eau de Toilette Spray
I usually wear gourmand fragrances like Viktor & Rolf Bonbon or Prada Candy, so I can safely say that a citrus scent was a first for me.
Eau d’Hadrien is like a breath of fresh air and a must-have for spring and summer! Its scent is like a freshly squeezed lemon, and just one spritz helps me start the day feeling confident and refreshed. Its zingy scent reminds me of relaxing in the sun on holidays. I’d recommend it if you’re looking to change-up your signature fragrance for summer. It’s also unisex, so my boyfriend can use it too (but I can’t say I enjoy sharing).
With over 30 years of history behind this fragrance, it’s clear that I and countless others love it. I loved the original Eau de Parfum, so I was excited to try the Eau de Toilette, and I have to say this is my new favourite. Truly timeless, its lighter concentration gives a light lemony and woody aroma that’s not too overpowering for daytime wear.
Finally, the beautiful bottle can’t go without mentioning. Its gorgeous weighty gold top and ornate ribbed glass bottle make Eau d’Hadrien an all-round favourite of mine.
Discover More:
• Find out what the team loved using last month in our June Favourites edit.
