Glossy Picks are go! We tested hundreds of new launches – these 16 deserve your attention

SJ CORFIELD-SMITH

Our editorial director has tried a superlative serum

Omorvicza Gold Oleo Serum, £230

“I know this is pricey but if you’re not into injectables and are looking for a hard-working serum packed with ingredients to help plump, firm, and smooth, this is the one. The reason for that price tag? It contains colloidal gold: tiny gold particles suspended in liquid that help brighten and encourage firmness. There’s also biomimetic collagen that mimics the skin’s own collagen to boost hydration and bounce, while liposomes help deliver that plumping effect. Clinical trials back up the claims but take it from me: I know the care Omorovicza puts into every launch. Nothing is made just for the sake of it. This is expertly crafted and, if you have the budget, you won’t be disappointed.”

Hello Klean Shower Head+, £60

“Living in a hard water area without a water softener means I can literally see limescale on my bathroom appliances. Goodness knows what it does to my hair and skin. That’s where the newest model of this genius shower head comes in. The built-in filter reduces the chlorine and impurities and it’s so easy to attach. This new one comes in chic brushed chrome, brass, or bronze and it tracks your water usage so it can tell you exactly when the filter needs changing. A subscription make refills more affordable, at £27 per filter, which lasts at least three months. My hair is 100 per cent softer and easier to style.”

Raybalm Lip Rescue, £5.99

“As someone with chronically dry lips, finding a lip balm to get me through cold weather is imperative. And this absolute bargain buy will do the job brilliantly. I am a huge fan of the SPF50 version, but this is slightly more buttery, without any of that tacky, stuck-to-my-hair stickiness. It leaves lips feeling velvety soft. There’s no fragrance nor flavour, so nothing stings when my lips are at their flakiest and the price means I can stash one everywhere without having to remortgage.”

Fyle The File Manicure Kit, £52.90

“It wasn’t until I watched the transfixing filing tutorials on Fyle’s website that I realised I’d been doing it wrong all my life. This kit puts that right in five minutes flat. The ethos is simple: don’t cut away your cuticles or use aggressive mechanical files to shape; everything can be done with this kit. At first glance, the files (you get 6 plus a cuticle stick, cream and nail shiner) look ordinary, but you actually stick them to a sturdy central ‘blade’. Put a finer grit strip on one side and a grittier buffer strip on the other. Then start filing – if the central blade flexes, you’re pressing too hard.”

INGEBORG VAN LOTRINGEN

Clarins doing haircare? Our contributing beauty editor investigates

Clarins Expert Smoothing Flash Conditioner, £40

“Clarins is doing haircare now? This was a surprise but I’m really enjoying this sumptuous conditioner. They’ve managed to make it feel just like a luxe, cushiony (yet not heavy) face cream, and a teeny blob detangles hair in seconds. I was hoping for one of the brand’s classic botanical scents but it’s more of a creamy vanilla that’s thankfully not too cloying. Hair emerges soft and smooth, but not lank, thanks to seaweed extracts, plant oils and hydrating sugars – not silicones. An investment, yes, but indulgent and effective.”

Makeup by Mario Soft Shimmer Long-Wear Cream Eyeshadow, £25

“More weightless and sheerer than cream eyeshadow sticks (which I love for their ease of use) but these wands still give my lids a sheer wash of flattering, gently shimmering colour in seconds that won’t go anywhere until I take it off with some serious remover. The eight neutral shades aren’t described or represented online very well (my ‘mauve’ is anything but – more like a sparkly rose gold) so best to check in-store or look at swatches, but I love them nonetheless.”

Ultra Violette Unblock Screen SPF50 Breakout-Friendly Sunscreen, £38

“The idea of daily SPF when you have oily or spot-prone skin is not attractive, so sunscreens designed to tackle congestion and not worsen it are a real find. This unscented, airy tinted lotion with max-level UVA protection is a mix of chemical sun filters and physical zinc oxide, a UV screen as well as an oil absorber and mattifier. It goes on disconcertingly streaky and tacky, but persist for a minute and you end up with a beautiful even-toned glow and a dry-touch, velvety and weightless feel. It also actively minimises pores and discolouration while you go about your oil slick-free day.”

Romilly Wilde Sculpting Eye Serum, £75

“A delicately silky orange serum-lotion that smells beautifully botanical (it’s the high level of vitamin-rich sea buckthorn oil), this action-packed eye cream relies on the power of clinically-backed, biotech-derived natural ingredients. It proves, like everything in the revamped Romilly Wilde range, that modern natural skincare can be every bit as hi-tech as, well, hi-tech products. Full of power antioxidants and calming extracts alongside next-gen miniproteins, this stuff plumps away crepiness, gets rid of puff (hence the ‘sculpting’) and gently speeds up blood flow to slay dark circles.”

Marie-Louise Pumfrey

Our contributor's new blush is lush

Armani Makeup Dolci Blush, £38

“This might be the quickest way to mimic eight hours sleep that I’ve found. A quick dab on my cheeks, lips and even above my eyes and I instantly look fresher. Armani makeup is always dependable and this new cream blusher is another winner. I have Mauve, a gorgeous pinky brown that gives me blush and a hint of bronzer in one. The hydrating cream to powder formula, with vitamin E, blends beautifully and doesn’t go cakey or sit in my lines. This little screw top stick now lives permanently in my handbag.”

Pixi Antioxifeye Eye Mask Goggles, £6 for 3

“After a bad night’s sleep, the last thing you need are tell-tale dark circles and puffy eye bags. The older I get, the harder they are to disguise, which is why I’ve become obsessed with these Pixi eye mask goggles, my new morning saviours. Jelly-like, packed with hyaluronic acid and caffeine, and biodegradable, they cover the whole eye area, including puffy, hooded lids, but crucially you can still see (and so do things) while you’ve got them on. Keep them in the fridge and wear them while you get dressed and do your hair. They’re brilliantly cooling, soothing and hydrating. A total bargain too.”

Gatineau Renewal Ultime Multi-Acid Resurfacing Pads, £46

“At 62, pigmentation is one of my biggest bugbears: my skin only has to glimpse the sun and more brown spots appear. Fortunately, Gatineau has developed these clever exfoliating pads, combining five acids to help fade pigmentation and boost radiance, while still being gentle enough for everyday use. They’re dual-sided, with a textured side for extra exfoliation. It’s early days for my sun spots, but my skin already looks clearer and brighter, with no irritation.”

The Organic Pharmacy Retinal Renewal Night Serum, £65

“My 27-year-old daughter is now thinking about starting retinol, but having used Roaccutane for teenage acne, her skin is still delicate and sensitive. Over the years I’ve bought her many an Organic Pharmacy product because they’re science-led but natural and her skin just loves them. I’ve been trying this new retinal serum first, just to make sure it doesn’t cause any reaction (read our report on retinal vs retinol)  and have found it both brightening and really soothing. It’s been designed with sensitive skin in mind. Slightly reluctantly, I’m now passing it on to her!”

FLORENCE SCORDOULIS

Our contributing editor's curls have been boosted by an unlikely celebrity

Wavy Everyday Curl Crème, £22

“A Love Islander with great hair is behind my new favourite curl cream: Eyal Adi Booker – known for his luscious locks on series four, back in 2018 — is now helping men reclaim their natural curl pattern (but I’m a fan, too). The consistency is lightweight, and gives decent hold while still allowing for plenty of non-crunchy movement and body. It smells like a spa, thanks to it’s 98 per cent natural ingredients, and lemony, peppery and geranium notes — all in a sleek squeezy tube that’s a joy to use.”

Iconic XL Lash Illusion Volumising Tubing Mascara, £25 

“If you’re after high-impact lashes with zero faff, you’ll love this new tubing mascara. The genius curvy wand (it’s shaped like a bushy tail) separates lashes with serious side-flick and minimal clumping. The bamboo tubes add both volume and length that doesn’t weigh down your lids and lasts all day – barely any smudging. Like all tubing mascaras, it washes off easily in warm water without tugging. You can layer it up for either everyday or going out out. No wonder glamourpusses Beyoncé and JLo are fans of the brand!”

Sol de Janeiro Cheirosa 62 Intense Perfume Mist, £34

“This reformulated gourmand body and body spray is a must for any die-hard Sol de Janeiro fans. It comes in the classic Cheirosa 62 scent (meaning ‘someone who smells delicious’ in Portuguese), with pistachio and vanilla designed to recall a Brazilian sunset. But this time, at a higher fragrance concentration, which is stronger and longer-lasting for 10 hours (hence it being pricier than the original, £25). You can also upgrade your Cheirosa 59 and 74. All day compliments incoming.”

The PRO Method: Three simple steps to reinvent your life by Rosie Nixon, £14.19

“Celebrities from Gabby Logan to Dame Kelly Holmes are raving about this self-help book for busy women on the brink of burnout, juggling careers and family, by Rosie Nixon — because she’s been there too. Previously a Hello! mag editor, she had a breakdown and reinvented herself at 48, before becoming a life coach and running retreats to help other midlife women. Now she is sharing her PRO method, which works with your brain by pausing to interrupt the stress cycle, then reflecting deeply to explore your wants and needs, before organising a plan to move forwards. It is a simple, tried and tested roadmap for anyone in crisis asking: what am I going to do next?”