Glossy Picks time! These are the hot new buys that most impressed our editors this week

VICTORIA WOODHALL

Our editorial director has found the ultimate LED mask

Nooance Paris X600 LED Face Mask, £599

“Why, when there are budget LED masks for £60, would you spend ten times that? Because Nooance Paris, the biggest beauty tech brand in France, has optimised every aspect of what makes a good LED mask. That makes this worth saving for, if you are serious about brightening and collagen-boosting results and can commit to ten minutes three times a week or one 30-minute session. It has more LEDs than any other home mask (600) set in soft, face-hugging silicone, allowing for greater, more even coverage including right up to the hairline, sides of the nose and under the chin. They’ve eschewed all fancy coloured lights, using only those clinically proven for skin boosting: red and near infrared but at a high irradiance (power) level. Clinical trials are due early next year, which should be impressive if those on their earlier (less expensive) masks are a yardstick. One for the Black Friday wishlist!”

Rhute Density and Repair Scalp Serum, £55

“Dr Aamna Adel is one of TikTok and Instagram’s most followed UK dermatologists (she specialises in hair loss) and it’s perhaps no surprise that her first product, a scalp serum that delivers immediate and long-term results, went viral when it launched in September, selling out three times. It’s a watery liquid that you apply daily to a wet or dry scalp, to soothe itching and dryness within days (I can vouch for its efficacy), leaving no residue or build-up. In around six months it helps improve density, as the many photographic testimonials show. Dr Aamna is sufficiently confident (and cognisant that rigorous proof is needed) that she’s investing in a six-month double blind placebo controlled trial, and that is a sign that this serum means business.”

Aiya Scalp Massager and Applicator, £22

“Nez Hassan is as much known for her celebrity red carpet facials as for being one of the top practitioners to see for microblading and semi-permanent makeup (I’m heading her way for tattoo eyeliner soon). But she’s also the woman behind Aiya Inc, a scalp and brow care collection featuring treatment oils, a scalp and brow microneedling dermastamp for exfoliation and better product penetration, and this rather genius scalp massager that’s also a scalp oil applicator. It makes oil application less wasteful and messy thanks to a well in the middle, that connects to tiny rollerball prongs, which then dispense the product directly onto the scalp for the larger spikes to massage in. I’ve been using it to apply the nourishing Aiya Inc Miracle Scalp & Brow Mask.”

Ruby Hammer Lip Serum Balm, £18

“Once you’ve discovered legendary MUA Ruby Hammer’s Lip Serum Balms, there’s no going back. These fun everyday crayons with skincare benefits, deliver the juiciest pigmented pouts in a sheer finish, with the option of a hint of shimmer if you want to slick the unpigmented FX and FX Gold on top. While the shade ‘Red’ will forever be my perfect red lip, there are now two additions to the colour line-up, a bright Coral and Deep Nude, perfect for darker skin tones. Pop them on your cheeks too.”

SJ CORFIELD-SMITH

Our beauty director smells like Selena Gomez

Rare Beauty Fragrance Layering Balm in Amber, £18

“Following the launch of Selena Gomez Rare Beauty’s first fragrance – the imaginatively named Rare, £71 – come four innovative fragrance layering balms. They are designed to be applied to the skin before you spritz the perfume over the top to amplify the scent (you can, of course spray any perfume over the top). Or they can be worn on their own. The options are Woody Oak, Floral Peony Blossom, Bergamot but I instantly headed to Amber Vanilla. I tried it under the Rare perfume and it really did amp it up, making it more sultry and taking the vibe from day to night.”

Soapsmith Mini Soap Collection, £35 (for box of 8)

“East London artisanal soap brand Soapsmith should be on your radar. The scents are all inspired by different corners of London, including a delicious new moss and cardamon one called Dulwich, £10, which appear in this cute Christmas gift set. Perfect for buying for London-based friends – and to make former Londoners feel nostalgic.”

Byoma Hydrating Milky Moisturiser, £15

“In winter all skin types need more hydration but if you have oily skin it can be tricky to find a moisturiser that that doesn’t cause overload. Byoma’s new light one, however, packs a serious hydration punch. Despite the ‘milky’ name, it’s not runny – it’s more of a gel-cream. When applied, it melts into a silky serum before sinking in. As you would expect from Byoma, it’s packed with ingredients like lipids and ceramides to help strengthen the skin barrier, as well as great hydrators such as avocado oil. A fabulous option for tweens, teens and grownups too.”

Bioderma Atoderm Soothing Lipid-Replenishing Cleansing Oil, £16.50

“This is for eczema sufferers who find dropping temperatures can cause on flare-ups. The mega 1l bottle of soothing shower oil is suitable for every age, including babies, and can be used in the shower or bath and as hand wash. My 11-year-old has been rubbing it on the crooks of her elbows where her eczema gets really bad, rinsing it away and patting it dry – she says it makes he sore skin feel instantly better. There are smaller bottles available, but if you know you’re going to be using it regularly this is a more economical buy.”

INGEBORG VAN LOTRINGEN

Our contributing beauty director's new black eyeliner will not budge

Kay Beauty Intense Black 24hr Kajal Eyeliner Duo, £12

“Kay Beauty is an Indian makeup brand new to the UK, and I’m a big fan of their pencil liners as they won’t melt or budge as the day wears on. This particular one goes one better though: it teams a jet black, butter-smooth pencil with an even ‘jetter’ black liquid liner – brilliant if you like to pump up the intensity to go from day to evening, as I like to do (on the rare nights I actually go out). Very clever.”

ESK x Selma Blair Ultimate A Gold Night Cream, £83

“Since having had perioral dermatitis, I’ve become wary of active anti-ageing formulas: most pose the risk of setting off a reaction for me. So I’m surprised to find that this serum, with a whopping 0.1 per cent retinal and potent pigment controller butylresorcinol, isn’t irritating my skin at all and is already leaving it quite radiant (even as, to be on the safe side, I layer it over a barrier serum). It was formulated for reactive skin – actress Selma Blair, who has autoimmune disease and can handle few skincare products, is an avowed fan – but still. The light, bright orange formula has all you need for pigmentation and wrinkle reduction and a tiny pump goes a long way. A great investment.”

No7 Good Intent Radiance Reflect Spray Serum, £14.95

“Here’s No7 quietly embracing the innovation and deep-hydration focus of Korean skincare with a franchise called ‘Good Intent’, and despite that odd name, the products are really good. This quenching, fine, unscented serum mist is a blend of hyaluronic acid, glycerin and castor seed oil that leaves you glowy but not oily, providing moisture that lasts longer than your average hydrating mist. Use it before cream in the morning, or to top up moisture levels through the day.”

Rahua Aloe Vera Essential Hair Care Set, £70

“Both the shampoo and conditioner in this set (you can buy them separately as well, the price works out the same) have a thick cream texture so that can get a bit confusing, but together they leave hair super soft yet not flat. There’s a lovely scent that’s gentle enough not to irritate, aloe and witch hazel to soothe the scalp, and sustainably sourced rahua oil and rainforest botanicals to fortify both scalp and hair. As always, part of your money goes to Amazon rainforest preservation.”

ISLA HUFFADINE

Our content coordinator is thirsty for this cool new hydration brand

Sult Electrolytes, from £8 for a sample pack

“New British brand Sult has taken over my social feed with their fun, relatable videos that make the case that electrolytes can benefit everyone not just hardcore athletes. Each sachet delivers six essential electrolytes – including magnesium, sodium and potassium – with zero sugar and refreshingly natural peach and watermelon flavours that I genuinely enjoy. Add to your water daily to support recovery and boost hydration – and they’re also a saviour after a large night out!”

Valentino Born in Roma Body Shimmer, £52

“This fancy body shimmer is perfect for party season, infused with Valentino’s Born In Roma fragrance for a deliciously scented glow. Though pink in the bottle, the lightweight gel absorbs clear, leaving pinky specks of glitter that catch the light. Apply to areas you’d like extra luminosity using your hands or a brush – just rinse them after to avoid disco-like palms. Added hyaluronic acid hydrates without feeling greasy, while the sweet scent means you can skip reapplying perfume as often.”

Sips Water Bottle, £30

“I’m calling it – this trendy new water bottle is about to be the next must-have accessory. With its sleek design, it’s both practical and aesthetic. As someone who finds oversized bottles a bit intimidating (and admittedly doesn’t drink enough water), the 480ml size feels achievable and isn’t too heavy to lug around. Its slim rectangular shape slips easily into bags and has already earned me a few compliments for its unique look. Available in 14 colours, there’s an option for everyone, which makes it ideal for gifting – especially with bundle discounts on two or more.”

Tease Sugar-Free Madagascan Vanilla Syrup, £15

“If you’re in London and haven’t visited wellness bar Tease yet, consider this your sign. Their menu is full of health-focussed drinks made with adaptogens, superfoods and clean ingredients – and they taste as good as they look. Now you can bring that café-quality flavour home with their sugar-free vanilla syrup – a game-changer as I embrace my matcha era. Made with Madagascan vanilla pods, it adds a natural sweetness that doesn’t taste artificial – just pour 25ml into your matcha and whisk. You can also use it for baking.”