A new year calls for new favourites. We’ve hit the refresh button on our routines, and we’re kick-starting the decade discovering what new and noteworthy beauty deserves a spot on your radar. Intrigued? We know you are. Scroll to find your future favourite…
#1 The Essential Moisturiser
I saw Plant Gold last year in a strategy meeting, and it was the launch that excited me the most from Clarins. Facial oil meets moisturiser; it’s 100% natural, it’s innovative, and it’s approved by the skincare expert Caroline Hirons herself.
I’ve been using the oil emulsion for about three weeks now, and all I can say is my skin has never felt so cushiony. As it feels quite rich, I use it overnight to give my skin time to soak in all of the essential oil benefits. By morning, my skin’s bounce is back, and I can see a clear difference in my overall glow; this is one moisturiser I’ll repurchase.
#2 The Fashion-Forward Blush
When I wear blush, I don’t want bright pink cheeks. I want a shade that makes me look healthy – like I’ve had my five a day and I’m a regular gym-goer. Givenchy’s Prisme Blush in the shade Spice does exactly that, and its creamy formula works excellently with my dry skin type. It doesn’t cling to my eczema, nor does the colour disappear by lunchtime. It’s the perfect blush, and I’ve known that since I swatched the entire Prisme collection last year. So, why is it here, now? Well, there’s a new limited edition on the block – and it’s gorgeous. A part of the Givenchy Spring Garden Collection, it has a one-off floral design that’s too good to miss out on; I didn’t waste any time adding it to my basket I can tell you that.
Love the look of this blush? We’ve swatched all of the shades and reviewed the formula here.
#3 The Instant Mattifier
I have a confession to make, I’ve never been that bothered about using a primer, until now. I think it’s because I always thought it was a bit of a ‘nice to have’ step rather than a necessity. But Filorga Pore-Express has completely changed my mind and taken my foundation application and staying power up a notch!
I’ve always suffered from an oily T-zone that needs touching-up by lunchtime, but this mattifying primer has helped control that. As I’m getting older, I’m conscious about the texture of my skin and in particular, my enlarged pores. This Filorga primer has a smooth, non-greasy texture and glides over skin, blurring away my visible pores. It’s a quick and easy step that makes such a difference.
#4 The New Niche
I’ve never identified as a rose lover, but now I do. Think, pink rose, and then some; GUERLAIN’s Musc Noble Eau de Parfum packs a punch with a spicy saffron kick that revamps a classic musky rose scent.
If you’re anything like me, and you want a powerful signature scent that no-one else owns, then this is definitely for you. Its oud-like aroma has a Middle Eastern vibe that is different from anything I’ve experienced before. But you won’t catch me wearing this day-in-day-out. For me, every spray is precious. So I try to save it for special occasions, only!
#5 The Plumping Primer
I am a massive Benefit POREfessional fan; the original primer was the first makeup base in my collection. Since then, I have owned the pearl primer, agent zero shine, and now the hydration primer (which I must admit, I gravitate toward over the original POREfessional). The hydration primer is perfect this time of year when the skin can feel a little dry and flaky; it has moisturising qualities that help nourish. The creamy texture glides over the skin, reduces the appearance of pores and adds a subtle glow without being sticky. I’ve also found that the additional moisture in the primer means that my makeup applies gorgeously over the top.
Learn more about POREfessional’s primer line-up in this edit.
#6 The Modern Masculine
First of all, can we all take a second to appreciate this bottle! Using a motif-esque design can easily end up on the wrong side of tacky, but the designers behind this flacon have tread that line very carefully. The result is striking; the juxtaposition between the robust black body and slither of gold on the stand makes a compelling statement, which is interesting, as it alludes to the collision of “Bright and Dark” notes inside.
As such, my first impression was that this fragrance is going to be something special. And the perfumers certainly delivered! The opening packs a punch with a pepper explosion, which, if you’ve read my previous reviews is one of my absolute favourite notes, so I was sold instantly. As it settles on the skin, a hint of clary sage pierces through the spice, revealing a creamy-aromatic concoction of cedar, tonka and cocoa – which leave a lasting impact.
Over to You!
What have you loved this month? Get involved with the conversation over on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram with #MyEscentual.
Discover More
• Enjoy reading about our monthly favourites? Catch up on last month’s lust list where we talked about 2019’s biggest and best launches…
