Are you In need of something new and exciting to ease yourself out of January and give you the pick-me-up you need for February? We’ve got you.
January saw a flurry of new beauty, skincare and fragrance releases and as a team, we’ve been trying and testing them – here’s what we think is worthy of your attention this month…
The Ultra-Fine Makeup Setting Spray
There have been so many great launches this month that it was hard to choose just one. But the Benefit POREfessional Super Setter deserves my vote. When I first received it, I thought wow, because the POREfessional range is a big deal in beauty, but will I need it over lockdown? To my surprise, I’ve used it every day since. On makeup days, it’s kept my look in place perfectly, and on no-makeup days, I’ve adored spritzing it for its pore-blurring benefits. Unlike some other setting sprays, this mist is very fine, so it doesn’t leave a wet or heavy feeling behind. It’s the ideal finishing touch to my routine.
The Do-It-All Neck Serum
In 2020 I nailed my skincare routine, so 2021 is all about finding ways to enhance it with new technology and new additions. One of the areas I’ve become more and more conscious of as I get older (I mainly noticed it after I hit 40 years old) is the skin on my neck. It doesn’t feel as firm as it once did and I’m starting to notice more wrinkles in that area. Time to act! I’d never thought about using a targeted neck serum until last year. Still, now I’m constantly on the lookout for good ones, and the Dermalogica Neck Fit Serum certainly sits in this category.
For me, it’s all about the application. I love the roll-on applicator that makes massaging it into the skin more enjoyable as well as sensorial. It smells divine (a botanical spa-like aroma) and the Flex Lift Technology acts as an invisible lifting mesh to tighten and lift this area of delicate skin. Not only that, but the formula helps to smooth out lines, brighten and hydrate this area, so it immediately looks better and also feels more smooth to the touch.
The Tempting Hair and Nail Capsules
Ingestible beauty has been a massive trend in recent years, but Klorane’s Quinine Keratin Caps have been the only tablet to tempt me.
With everything that’s been going on this year, stress has also affected my appearance. My nails? Bitten and brittle. My hair? Dull and lifeless. I was willing to let it pass, but after a couple of weeks of taking the capsules daily, I’ve realised I don’t have to. I’m starting to see my nails become stronger, and my hair bouncier – I’ll document my results as I go, but so far, I’m really impressed!
The Work From Home Foundation
I was so excited to launch this new foundation as I had the pleasure of trying it last year and instantly fell in love with the formula and the iconic Givenchy bottle. Without a shadow of a doubt, my monthly favourite and the first one of 2021 is the Givenchy Prisme Libre Skin-Caring Glow Foundation (I wear 4-W310).
Not only does this light to medium coverage foundation have 30 shades, but it also has 12-hour wear, all-day hydration, 97% natural origin ingredients and active ingredients that will improve the skin quality. What more do you want in a foundation? It instantly gives the skin a natural, radiant glow and melts into the skin. Natural beauty has become one of the most leading makeup trends, especially with many us working from home, and we do not want or feel the need to wear a lot of makeup. This foundation is a must-have and the perfect addition to your working from home routine! However, if you love a full coverage foundation, it is also buildable and will make your skin look flawless on a night out (when we can finally go out again).
The Skin-Repairing Spray
It’s no secret; I love the Aquaphor balm. And, I’m not alone, with celebrities like Beyonce and Meghan Markle also using this healing balm to heal everything from grazes, chapped lips to rough, dry hands. Sounds good, right? The only catch is that the balm is that the thick texture doesn’t lend itself well to even application over large areas, but the new spray format solves this problem.
The new Aquaphor Spray features everything that I love from the balm, the skin-repairing formula and ability to create a breathable barrier around damaged skin so that it has the right environment to heal but is more practical. Instead of a thick balm, the spray distributes a thin and even layer of Aquaphor over hard-to-reach areas, making it ideal for anyone who like myself, would like to use it all over the body.
The 90s Comeback Scent With a Twist
I’m always excited when a fragrance launches, and there was a lot to get excited about when it came to the new Issey Miyake L’Eau d’Issey IGO. Fans of the original L’Eau d’Issey Eau de Toilette will recognise the bottle; it looks nearly identical to the original, but the larger silver cap has now been transformed into a lightweight removable flacon to use on-the-go.
Of course, I’m a huge fan of the fresh, pretty floral-aquatic scent, but the clever 2-in-1 design is what really caught my eye; it’s unlike anything I’ve seen in the fragrance industry. It’ll be a great choice for when we’re allowed to travel more freely again, but the 20ml cap is also ideal for a work-from-home space or a handbag, too; and trust me, it really is that lightweight that you can carry it around in a handbag without realising it’s there!
The Crowd-Pleasing Fragrance
Cartier Pasha de Cartier is a statement piece that should take pride of place in any perfume collection. From the curvature of the top to the sleek lines running down to the bottom, the bottle is amazing.
The bottle’s colours complement each other very well; silver cap, black bottle with gold band highlighting the clear glass window that looks into the juice.
Although a re-release from last year this has been a firm favourite since my first smell. A big hit in our office with everyone saying they would wear it regardless of gender. One that inspires multiple sprays – that citrus hit that warms down beautifully!
The Eco-Conscious Cleanser
I’m a big fan of Caudalie and loved their Vinoclean range, so I was excited to see their re-launch, making them even more eco-conscious – but just as sensorial and effective!
My favourite has to be the Makeup Removing Cleansing Oil; it’s a luscious cocktail of 100% plant oils, including almond, grape seed, sunflower and castor.
The silky oil is rich yet non-greasy; it transforms into a milky emulsion that cocoons skin in a comfortable and softening veil, while the sweet almond scent reminds me of marzipan, which I can’t get enough of!
Plus, the pale green bottle is made of recycled and recyclable plastic, which is a bonus for me as I’m trying to be more sustainable with my skincare!
