New week, new launches – here’s what the team were most excited about this week. Glossy Picks are go!
Any products in this article have been selected editorially however if you buy something we mention, we may earn commission.
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So many interesting new health, wellbeing and beauty launches land on our desks each week, sometimes it’s hard to narrow things down to the 16 you need to know about. For the latest instalment of Glossy Picks, Kerry has been out running in gear created using NASA technology (fancy) and trialling a £300 moisturiser (even fancier), SJ has stolen a lip balm from a small child (bit mean) and Isla has the lowdown on the latest Dyson hairdryer (ooh). Let’s get stuck in!
KERRY POTTER
Our deputy editor is impressed with these easy at-home blood tests
Medichecks Advanced Female Hormone Blood Test, £99
“It takes ages to get a blood test via my NHS surgery so I did this at-home hormone one to speed up the process. And speedy it was: I did a finger-prick test (the instructions were clear), whizzed it off in the post and two days later was emailed a full breakdown of 12 hormone levels, including oestradiol, testosterone, FSH, LH and thyroid ones; plus a doctor’s report explaining the results and offering advice. I then took this to my GP when discussing tweaking my HRT prescription, where it proved a useful part of the puzzle. Medichecks do a wide range of tests, from bowel cancer to sports performance. And if you’re not keen on squeezing blood out of your fingertip, you can pay a bit more to get it drawn at one of their nationwide partner clinics or have a nurse come to your house. Efficient and well-priced.”
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Kollo Health Electrolytes+ Advanced Hydration, £19.99 for 14
“TV presenter and marathon runner Jenni Falconer’s brand do an excellent collagen (I wrote about how it helps my joint pain when running) and their new electrolyte supplement is decent too. Each sachet of powder contains six minerals but please note it’s relatively high in sodium at 800mg (many brands have around 200mg). I use it after long runs or sauna sessions to hydrate speedily and avoid cramps, rather than as a daily pick-me-up. It doesn’t taste too salty though, nor too sweet. There are four flavours – go for the zingy lemon and lime.”
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“This is ideal for morning runs at this time of year, when it’s often chilly at first but you’re overheating within minutes. The steep price is due to the NASA-developed fabric tech: the material regulates your temperature, absorbing or emitting heat, depending on what’s needed. It works like a dream – I actually sweat less while wearing it, meaning I stay hydrated and run better for longer. I’m not entirely sure about the colourway or cut – great substance, more style please – but otherwise impressive stuff.”
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Dr Levy Switzerland Overnight Booster Cream, £299
“Can a moisturiser ever be worth £300? This night cream, from a rarefied, dermatologist-founded Swiss brand, is certainly highly credentialled. It contains a patented plant stem-cell extract shown (by the brand’s clinical trials, at least) to boost collagen production, plus various anti-inflammatory goodies to target cortisol-related skin stress while you sleep, including alpine microalgae. It feels luxe on my skin and I wake up looking noticeably fresher. A little goes a long way – the 50ml bottle apparently can last up to six months – which might make that initial outlay slightly less scary.”
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SJ CORFIELD-SMITH
Our beauty director loves Lorna Luxe's charity collab
Elemis x LA-S Beauty Staples Edit, £95 (worth £151)
“This is the second collaboration between skincare brand Elemis and mega-influencer Lorna Luxe, and this one is particularly poignant as Elemis are donating £20,000 to cancer charity Maggie’s in memory of Lorna’s late husband John. Inside the gorgeous pastel blue clutch (very Dior, no?) is everything you need for healthy glowing skin. There’s the Pro-Collagen Cleansing Balm, Hydrating Cleansing Mousse, Marine Cream (all travel minis) and full-size Skin Protection SPF 50 that alone is worth £55. I’m popping it in my holiday suitcase and that’s my evening bag and skincare sorted.”
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Gatineau Golden Glow Blurring Body Bronze, £40
“Need to look bronzed in an instant but don’t have time or the inclination for fake tan? That’s where this genius body lotion comes in. It combines a transfer and sweat resistant bronzing pigment with nourishing and hydrating ingredients so not only does your skin instant look better but it feels silky soft too. It comes in two shades (light/medium and medium/dark) and is suitable for all skin tones who need a flawless tan fast.”
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AlphaH Clear Skin Face And Body Wash, £21.99
“If you have a teenager with oily, spot-prone skin who couldn’t care less about washing their face, or their body for that matter, pop this in the shower and get them to give it a go. It’s a salicylic-based cleanser that can be used on the face and the body to help balance out oil levels, unclog pores and gently exfoliate the skin to make it clearer. It’s really good for pesky zits on the back and chest and only needs to be used two or three times a week, which may also appeal.”
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Inde Wild Dewy Lip Treatment in Sweet Treat, £18
“I thought I was going to try this and then give it straight to my 11-year old daughter, but it’s so good I’m keeping it for myself. It’s the perfect combo of being really hydrating and balmy while delivering just a hint of tint. No stickiness, no super sweet scent and it leaves lips feeling soft and pillowy instantly. Plus, you get the cute bow bag charm as a free gift so you can clip it on your bag and never be without it.”
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INGEBORG VAN LOTRINGEN
If you pick one PDRN buy, make it this one, says our contributing beauty editor
Meder Derma-Fill Prebiotic Moisturiser, £100
“This newly updated, fresh-feeling gel-cream gives an instant glass-skin effect but it’s more than a basic moisturiser (as it should be at that price), being spiked with prebiotics, lecithin and algae that have really settled my flaring skin recently. Plant-derived peptides and an air pollution shield protect skin from environmental assault and collagen from degrading, so it’s a great all-rounder for sensitive skins that want a hard-working cream.”
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Medik8 Exo-PDRN Prismatic+ Serum, £79
“PDRN is a bit of a hype ingredient, but if I had to choose one product containing it, it would be this newly launched, weightless one. Unlike most others, it has special technology to help its (vegan) PDRNs (which are large molecules that tend to stay on the skin surface) actually penetrate to help calm and heal skin. They’re teamed with exosomes and miniproteins with their own clever delivery systems to refine texture, tackle fine lines and make you glow.”
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l’Objet Delphes EdP, £135 for 50ml
“This scent is quite a clash of the ages: it smells nostalgically of 1980s ‘aromatic’ men’s classics like Kouros and Drakkar Noir but is laced with subtle hints of 21st century sweetness, making for something quite addictive (especially if you had a boyfriend in the ’80s). Cool like an ocean wave but drying down into a sun-drenched skin scent, it has ‘granny scent’ notes of violet leaf and oakmoss but also a rare ‘pressed olive’ absolute that makes it smell like a summer holiday. Created by legendary perfumer Jean-Claude Ellena, it’s not cheap but it’s special.”
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Skin Rocks The Strong Acid, £75
“You won’t see me use this – it’s way too strong for my rosacea-prone skin, as creator Caroline Hirons fully agrees. But if you have normal skin with texture or ageing issues, or just want a remarkable glow, then judicious use of this (follow the instructions please and don’t go overboard) multi-acid blend with glycolic, lactic and salicylic will achieve it. Carefully formulated to get results but still look after your skin, it’s a great addition to your tool kit for those times when you need a dramatic boost.”
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ISLA HUFFADINE
Is the new Dyson a winner? Our content coordinator has thoughts
Dyson Supersonic Travel Hair Dryer, £249.99
“A new Dyson launch always sparks excitement, and this travel-sized hair dryer is designed to make styling while abroad easier. Forget disappointing hotel dryers and meet the brand’s first model with universal voltage. Powered by their Supersonic technology, it delivers a similar (although slightly less powerful) fast-drying performance to the original, while being a third smaller and 25 percent lighter. A smoothing nozzle is included and it’s compatible with other Supersonic and Nural attachments. Small but mighty.”
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Naked Sundays Glow Balm Mineral Peptide Stick, £24
“This cool Australian sun-care brand has added a blusher to its repertoire. But it isn’t your typical cream blusher – the formula comes with added SPF 50 protection, without compromising on texture or payoff. The balm blends well, even with your fingers, and layers easily for a more vibrant finish. While it obviously shouldn’t replace your daily SPF, it’s a clever top-up for added protection – because when the formula performs this well, why wouldn’t you want extra SPF?”
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Caia Cosmetics Face Palette, £43
“This Swedish beauty brand, that majors in glow-enhancing skincare and makeup, has recently landed on our shores. Its four-in-one face palette is a brilliant multitasker (especially for summer holidays), complete with a contour, bronzer, blush and highlight in one travel-friendly mirror compact. The versatile shades can double as eyeshadow or be swirled together for an all–over bronzed glow. It’s decent value given everything included.”
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Fadeout Pure Glow Brightening Sunscreen and Primer SPF50+, £20
“This sun screen/primer hybrid simplifies your skincare routine by combining SPF 50 protection with the smoothing benefits of a primer. The lightweight, non-tinted formula suits a wide variety of skin tones, absorbs well and leaves a smooth, moisturised finish. Plus, added vitamin C helps brighten the complexion over time.”
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