There’s no doubt that the very best part of being a beauty editor is getting all of the latest beauty product sent to your front door for you try. From bronzers and eye shadows to super-serums and cleansers, virtually no new launch goes untested. But with some many new launches every single day, each with claims as ground-breaking as the next, how is anyone actually supposed to know what’s any good?
Well my friends, that’s exactly what I’m here for. I put my face, body and hair through it all so that I can report back to let you know which of this month’s beauty launches are actually worth having on your radar. And, the last month has been a big one for beauty launches. After the majority of spring/summer launches were put on hold, this month saw a huge backlog in launches. In fact, in all of my years as a beauty editor, I have never experienced quite so many new products all launching at the same time.
As a result, I spent the majority of my September testing, trialling and monitoring every single launch that came my way so that I could put all of the best new products into one convenient space. (What can I say? It’s a tough job, but somebody’s got to do it.) So, if you want to find out which products were good enough to make a lasting impression on this tough-to-please editor this month, just keep scrolling.
Anyone that knows me knows that my incessant dark circles are my biggest beauty bug bear, and trying to find a concealer good enough to take them on is quite a challenge. This revolutionary new launch from L’Oréal Paris doesn’t just deliver enough coverage to disguise my under-eye rings, it also contains a bunch of hydrating hyaluronic acid to moisturise, puff out fine lines and leave skin glowing.
I am not a powder girl at all. I like my skin to glow and have a bit of life in it. I find most powders simply mattify and flatten my complexion, but this new formula from Laura Mercier really took me by surprise. The original is a big celebrity favourite, but I wasn’t a huge fan. However, this new shade adds a colour-correcting, glowing depth to the skin that I am here for.
I am a huge fan of It Cosmetics’ Your Skin But Better CC+, however I must admit that the coverage is on the heavy side of things. I like my face to look radiant and perfected, but not cakey, and that’s why this new foundation launch is one of my favourite of the year. It’s lightweight and second skin-like, but still delivers just enough coverage.
I genuinely lost count of all the great mascaras that launched this month, but this one really stood out. It has an almost whipped texture that makes it feel really light when it’s on. But the results are intense. Think jet-black, volumised lashes that don’t falter at all throughout the day.
I really can’t stand a matte, liquid lipstick, which is what I thought this product was going to be. However, it turns out these lip stains are far from the heavy liquid lip products I’m used to. They’re lightweight, sheer and seriously long-lasting. Plus, the shade selection is totally dreamy.
Glitter eye shadows are not my thing. In fact, eye shadow isn’t really my thing. However, this new palette from Urban Decay has totally unleashed my inner makeup artist. I have been playing around with the beautifully creamy, heavily-pigmented shimmering shades like I’m Picasso.
Another mascara launch that took me by surprised was this one from Nars. Usually volume isn’t something I long for in a mascara as my lashes are naturally thick and stumpy. However, this stuff is just wonderful. It delivers a super-black, intense finish that is perfect for heavier eye looks.
For those that suffer with spot-prone skin like I do, you need to know about this new serum from La Roche-Posay. The Effaclar cleansers and skin treatments are dermatologist-favourites thanks to their ability to clear up skin without upsetting it. This lightweight serum has kept my breakouts in check all month long, and I’m just about to start my second bottle.
Herbivore is one of my favourite skincare brands, which is surprising seeing as I’m not a huge fan of natural skincare. This new cleanser is calming, hydrating and the jelly texture is generally a pleasure to use. It’s the sort of product that makes cleansing exciting.
My sensitive skin couldn’t love this CBD-infused serum any more if it tried. It’s hydrating, soothing, calming and has managed to keep my sensitivity flare-ups in check for the last few weeks. It’s been a total game-changer.
Speaking of calming skincare, this serum has also worked wonders. It contains ceramides and sea aster to strengthen the skin barrier and soothe irritation. On top of that, Pai’s new eco-credentials are seriously impressive. I’m a particular fan of the way the website explains how each product is best recycled.
When you have oily skin that’s prone to congestion like I do, finding a suitable moisturiser can be tricky. This new product from Murad is formulated with salicylic acid to gently exfoliate and is totally free of pore-clogging oils. It’s a real winner.
Not only does this cleanser melt away the day’s dirt and makeup, it also soothes skin and delivers serious hydration while it works. It leaves skin feeling and looking plumped and healthy.
If you like your skincare to pack a seriously hydrating punch and ooze luxury, here’s one for you. Housed in little capsules to keep the contents as potent as possible, this serum is full of skin-loving ceramides and plumping hyaluronic acid to give seriously hydrating results. If rich products that deliver lit-from-within glow are your thing, look no further.
The price makes me weep, but this serum means business. It contains three different types of vitamin C to target ageing, pigmentation and dullness all at once. It’s powerful and, like only a few others I have tried in the past, actually seems to work. It’s a high price to pay, but it delivers genuinely healthy skin.
Believe it or not, this stuff was formulated with Harvard Medical School. It utilises the powerful antioxidant resveratrol to target signs of ageing without any nasty side effects. I’ve been applying it every single night, and I’m in love.
CeraVe is responsible for some of my favourite cleansers of all time, and this new launch is equally as good as the others. With barrier-protecting ceramides, hyaluronic acid, amino acids and niacinamide, if you’re looking for a no-fuss cleanser that does it all, look no further.
I find super-rich hair masks a bit too much for my fine hair, however Aveda do this strengthening mask in a light and rich version to cover all hair types. It only takes a couple of minutes to work and leaves my hair next-level shiny and bouncy.
I love a scalp scrub, and this new one from Oribe is up there with my faves ever. Not only does it really target scalp irritation and totally eradicate my dandruff, it also smells divine and looks incredible on my bathroom shelf.
I am not usually one for ultra-feminine, heady scents, but this juice can’t be disliked. With musky ambrette seed, jasmine, vanilla bourbon and cedarwood, it leaves an intoxicating, heady aroma that isn’t overpowering in the slightest. Up next, the beauty buys that live up to one editor’s high expectations.
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