Narrowing it down to our favourite 16 was tricky this week, but we’ve done it. Discover the new stuff that caught the team’s attention and has gone straight into our makeup bags, bathroom cabinets and kitchen cupboards
Any products in this article have been selected editorially however if you buy something we mention, we may earn commission
As well as some brilliant new beauty buys – we’re talking new summer SPFs (can you ever have too many?) and the covetable new palette from Jones Road – several genius new wellness launches caught our attention this week. In the mix is the latest cookbook from Melissa Hemsley, brimming with easy recipes that help you swerve ultra-processed foods, and a new seed mix that’s targeted at menopausal women but which everyone will want to add to their summer salads. Enjoy!.
View this post on Instagram
SJ Corfield-Smith, GTG Beauty Director
Catherine Fairiss
Narrowing it down to our favourite 16 was tricky this week, but we’ve done it. Discover the new stuff that caught the team’s attention and has gone straight into our makeup bags, bathroom cabinets and kitchen cupboards
Jones Road Miracle Balm Palette, £28“Consider this your PSA that the best-selling Jones Road Miracle Balms are now available in a pocket-size palette. Perfect for travel but also if you’ve wanted to try them out but didn’t know which shade to go with. With this, you get three in one. There are three options to choose from – light, medium and dark – each perfectly curated by makeup supremo Bobbi Brown (the brains behind the brand) and containing a pinky blusher, a bronzey one and a lighter highlighter. The beauty of these balms, and the reason they are such a hit, is you can put them wherever you like to give you an instant glowy healthy look. I sweep them over my eyes, lips, cheeks and it gives you that ‘I’ve just spent a weekend at a spa’ vibe – when in reality I feel frazzled to my core.”
Willpowders Protein Shake, £38“If you struggle to get enough protein in your diet as I do then I can’t recommend protein powders enough, especially if you exercise regularly too as they’re a great way to refuel post-workout. The difference with this one is that it contains beef bone broth (so it’s not suitable for vegans – but never fear for we’ve rounded up loads of great vegan protein powders) and keto powder so it’s very low in carbs and this apparently keeps afternoon sugar cravings at bay, which I am very much here for. I add two tablespoons to a mixture of milk and water, add ice cubes and whizz it up in a blender so it’s like a chocolate milkshake.”
Moncho Moreno One Minute Wonder, £35“Who has time to dedicate ten minutes to a hair mask? Not me! Hence why this one-minute hair treatment caught my eye. It’s from a brand that’s new to the UK but well-known in Spain. You can buy it at Harrods (online and in-store) but as soon as it launched it sold out, but it will be restocked asap. I love it so much that I’ve been using it as a regular conditioner. It hasn’t weighed down my fine hair but it’s definitely hydrating enough for thicker and coarser hair than mine. Plus the scent is next-level and lingers for hours. Definitely one to have on your radar.”
Catherine Fairiss
Real Healthy: Unprocess your diet with easy everyday recipes
by Melissa Hemsley, £19.23
“My main bugbear with cookery books is I rarely have half the ingredients, I don’t have time to marinade for hours on end or half a day to cook it. Step in this new book from Melissa Hemsley which does none of those things and aims to cut our ultra-processed foods from our diets – win-win. Page after page is filled with yummy offerings and there’s a whole chapter dedicated to traybakes which is my go-to cooking style for dinner most nights. I’ve already made the aubergine, cherry tomato and butter bean traybake – delicious – and I’m planning on giving the flourless chocolate cake with espresso cream a whirl next.”
Ingeborg van Lotringen, GTG Contributing Beauty Editor
Catherine Fairiss
Peachie Tasty Toppings for Menopause in Almond, Cranberry & Crunchy Seeds, £12.50 for 10 servings
“Now there truly is no need to buy a seed mix especially ‘for menopause’, let me make that quite clear straight off the bat. But these seed, fruit and nut blends (there is another one with cacao nibs and hazelnuts that tastes like Nutella) are very tasty (and indeed crunchy, which is nice), making it simple to supplement your diet with the super-nutrient bombs that are seeds. They feature a lot of added essential vitamins (Bs, C, D) as well to support a depleted system. You could of course make up your own mix, but this is the easy option.”
And Begin Moisturiser-in-an-SPF 50, £44.99
“Proving that a daily SPF can be as sumptuous as your regular moisturiser, this is definitely rich and nourishing (And Begin is a prescriptive derm brand for the over-40s) and feels like a treat for dry skin. It has an advanced blend of sun filters (no contested ones) and very high UVA (so anti-ageing) protection, alongside peptides, a retinoid booster, and calming antioxidant ectoin, all to tackle and prevent signs of ageing. The precise pump dispenser makes it easy to measure out the right daily amount you need. I wish it would last a bit longer than it does (a month) for the price, but if you love this enough to sign up for monthly delivery, you get charged £15 less per bottle.“
Aestura Atobarrier 365 Hydro Essence, £22.99
“If you love the glow-giving and weightlessly quenching joys of Korean skincare but can do without the fragranced formulas and faux-kiddie packaging, this dermo-cosmetic brand from the land of porcelain-smooth skin is for you. The essence is an unscented milky-viscous lotion that mimics the skin barrier’s make-up to instantly replenish is with the ceramides, urea, minerals and more it needs, while leaving oily to normal skin hydrated enough to immediately top with SPF (no separate moisturiser needed). Either that, or layer under additional serums and creams for an extra hit of hydration and skin strength.”
Lixirskin Good Skin Shaker Super Dew, £39
“I don’t understand how it works, but this serum contains liquid oxygen (I’ve noticed oxygen making a bit of a comeback in skincare and aesthetics) said to energise skin and speed up microcirculation. That should help get rid of puffiness, while hyaluronic acid plumps skin at the same time, and shimmering bronze particles (which you have to shake to wake) leave a super-subtle instant sun-kissed tint and lovely post-facial gleam. A tiny drop could also function as a quick liquid bronzer to perk up your cheeks.”
Isla Huffadine, GTG Content Coordinator
Catherine Fairiss
Umberto Giannini Mermaid Beach Waves Texturizing Hair Mousse, £8.95“Having straight hair, I’ve always longed for luscious beach waves, and this mousse is helping me realise my dreams with minimal effort (and no travel) required. Simply scrunch the coconut-scented mousse into wet hair, coiling sections around your fingers to enhance tighter curls. I leave it to air dry after applying, achieving a more tousled look.”
Catherine Fairiss
Elf Soft Glam Satin Foundation, £8“This medium-coverage liquid foundation is perfect for those who prefer a lighter feel, yet it can be built up for more coverage. The long-lasting formula ensures it stays put all day without becoming cakey or greasy, even on my combination skin. There are 36 shades to choose from, which may sound overwhelming but their website offers a virtual try-on feature, allowing you to upload a selfie or use your camera to find your perfect match. And it’s only £8.”
Images: Shutterstock,
Inde Wild Champi Hair Oil, £29“Inde Wild are celebrating South Asian Heritage Month with a gift set featuring their champi hair oil. Years of Ayurvedic knowledge has gone into the formulation with ingredients like bhringraj extract, castor oil, and brahmi extract that strengthen hair, promote growth, and provide soothing effects to the scalp. Use for head massages, as an overnight treatment, or before washing.”
Images: Shutterstock,
Lottie London Serving Lash Mascara, £7.95“Social media has declared the clean girl aesthetic is out and it’s time to embrace your inner ‘brat’. No idea what I’m referring to? Think grunge, dark eye makeup, hints of fluorescent green and the party girl vibe – and Lottie London’s newest mascara embodies it perfectly. The hourglass applicator provides a dramatic lift, the formula doesn’t smudge or budge and the affordable price tag means you too can experiment with being a ‘brat’ this summer.”
Marie Louise Pumfrey, GTG Contributor
Catherine Fairiss
The Organic Pharmacy Antioxidant Face Firming Serum, £85“My daughter suffers from dry, sensitive skin, caused by taking Roaccutane acne treatment seven years ago. She’s now 25 and her skin is flawless but it needs a lot of moisture and this is one of her much-loved products. It’s not new but the brand has just has a refresh with a focus on their hero products, this being one of them and it’s not hard to see why. It absorbs quickly, feels really nourishing and super calming. It smells divine too and leaves a wondrous plump and pillowy finish.”
Images: Shutterstock,
Facetheory Hyaluronic Acid Plumping Serum, £22“Sustainable and B-Corp beauty brand Facetheory has launched a striking new look for their affordable products. Inspired by the Bauhaus art movement, the chic new sustainable packaging is gimmick-free with classic brown bottles and recyclable white metal tubes with bold green titles. I’m a fan of all their products but this hyaluronic acid plumping serum is a favourite; lightweight, soothing and non-sticky. I keep it on my desk for ad-hoc top-ups.”
Images: Shutterstock,
Joonbyrd Little Love Hydrating Body Lotion, £66.00“To say I’m obsessed with this body lotion is a total understatement. It makes me so happy every time I look at it – the packaging is spot-on – but also whenever I slather it on thanks to its gorgeous scent of sweet milk vanilla, caramel mixed with roasted coffee bean. It’s totally intoxicating and the product itself is heaven to massage in. There’s some serious science in the formulation to with a super fruit blend, plus niacinamide and ashwagandha too.”
Catherine Fairiss
Ultrasun SPF 50 Anti-Pigmentation Face Fluid, £28.00“This is a very clever SPF indeed. Not only does it deliver super high UVA and UVB protection, it also reduces pigmentation and is formulated to be an effective primer and moisturiser. I’ve been using it all summer and it’s coming on holiday with me next week. It contains rainbow algae which is clinically proven to reduce pigmentation in just one week, by up to 27%, and it soothes and hydrates. If you are not a fan of heaping on loads of face products, which can be especially unpleasant in the heat, then this one-hit-wonder is for you.”
