In the market for beauty and wellness newness? Here are the 20 best buys hitting the shelves this week
Any products in this article have been selected editorially however if you buy something we mention, we may earn commission
Autumn is here and the GTG team is pretty excited because this means myriad new launches. Plus we now declare cosy candle season officially open – we’ve got two covetable newbies from Jo Loves and Diptyque this week. Also in the mix is an iconic Clarins product that’s had an intriguing formula rejig and a new midlife cookery book by the woman Tess Daly describes as a “nutrition goddess”. Sit back, start scrolling and enjoy!
SJ Corfield-Smith, GTG beauty director, has found the perfect autumn lipstick
Nars Explicit Lipstick in Bare It All, £34
“With the comfort of a lip balm but the colour impact of a lipstick, this new lipstick franchise from Nars may be my favourite yet. The formula is smudge-proof and has a satin (the sweet spot between a bit shiny but not too matte) finish. It also has a cleverly designed bullet tip that makes swiping it on really easy. It comes in 36 shades, which in true Nars style covers every look you could wish for from classic red, deep berry and bright pink, but I have been loving this soft and versatile rose-nude.”
Alpha H Dawn to Dusk Serum SPF50+ Serum, £36.99
“We’ve said it before, and we will keep repeating ourselves, but when it comes to SPF the Aussies do it best (thanks to their stringent sun protection regulations). So let me introduce you to this one from down-under brand, Alpha H which is a stellar SPF in serum form. If you are still struggling to find a daily SPF that fits seamlessly into your routine, this has is it. It’s so lightweight you don’t feel like you’re wearing it (in case that’s one of your SPF excuses) plus it contains hydrating ingredients vitamin E and aloe vera alongside niacinamide which plumps and strengthens skin, so you can swap out your regular serum for this 2-in-1. Genius.”
Gisou Honey-Infused Leave-In Conditioner, £26
“Leave-in conditioner is quite an under-rated product in my eyes. It’s far too easy to overload hair, especially fine hair, with regular conditioner in the shower, leaving a residue that makes hair feel heavy and lank. Whereas leave-in condiitoners distribute a fine mist and are convenient if you’re in a rush. Plus they give you more control over where you’re placing it – as you don’t need conditioner all over your hair, only in the places that are parched. This light mist contains hydrating prowess from Argan oil, Mirsalehi honey and baobab extract. It detangles, provides heat protection and acts as a hair primer. It is one hard-working product that every haircare arsenal needs.”
Clarins Double Serum, £92
“If you haven’t tried this classic Clarins serum now is the time as it has just been reformulated to be even more effective. The new formula has been boosted to not only protect the skin against chronological ageing but also the effects that environment and lifestyle has on the skin thanks to the inclusion of an extract from the Giant Provencal Reed plant. Turmeric extract has also been included for its anti-inflammatory properties. Extra hydrating ingredients have been mixed in and the formula not only refines lines and wrinkles and boosts skin tone but also helps tighten up pores. In short, it does everything you want a super serum to do. Pop it on under your regular moisturiser if needed and your daily SPF and that’s your routine done.”
Kerry Potter, GTG contributing editor, loves a weird (in a good way) candle
Food For Menopause
, by Dr Linia Patel, £15.49
This is ostensibly a recipe book but it’s also jam-packed with loads of clear, up-to-date information about navigating menopause from all angles, including stress and sleep management. Patel is a well-regarded dietician (Tess Daly calls her a “nutrition goddess”) who knows exactly what midlife women should eat and understands how time-pressed they are, so there are plenty of speedy suppers here. She also lives in Italy and was taught to cook by her mother, who ran an Indian-Zambian restaurant, so there are plenty of interesting influences woven through her recipes.
Joonbyrd Wonder Land Hand Fortifying Lotion, £66
I know, I know that is expensive for a hand cream but it’s a rather gorgeous one with excellent credentials, in a jumbo 300ml bottle. It’s the latest addition to London dermatologist Dr Alexis Granite’s bodycare range Joonbyrd, a brand that combines TikTok-friendly packaging with formulas bursting with proven actives. Ceramides, hyaluronic acid, amino acids and niacinamide feature in this punchy spiced amber-scented potion, which swiftly soaks in. Put it on your Christmas list.
Diptyque Limited Edition Candle, Encre, £56
Bored of the same old fruity or floral scented candles? This is something completely different from the luxe French brand. Encre means ink, and here black liquorice and Indonesian patchouli create a scent reminiscent of a dusty old office, with a mahogany desk and lined from floor to ceiling with books. It’s an acquired taste (well, smell) but, as a writer, I’m into it.
Merit Great Skin Priming Moisturiser, £40
I already love the serum in this range – it’s perfect for a jolt of glowiness mid-afternoon, when you’re starting to look distinctly grey under the office striplights – and Merit’s new moisturiser is pretty darn good too. It’s light (despite being stuffed with hydrating goodies), it sinks in instantly and it doesn’t pill – all vital attributes when you’re slapping on your makeup at 100mph in the morning. This low-key, minimal brand for grown-ups just keeps getting better.
Isla Huffadine, GTG content coordinator, has disco diva eyes
LH Cosmetics Sparkl Liquid Eyeshadow in Adore, £23
“Want to try a bold eyeshadow look, but feel overwhelmed by how tricky it seems? I’ve got a game-changing hack that gives the illusion of hours spent perfecting your makeup, when in reality it’s as easy as swipe and blend. This liquid eyeshadow is genius: the slim wand ensures precise application, and the buildable formula lets you experiment with different styles. I like to blend it out with my fingers or a fluffy brush for a softer, more subtle effect. The pigment is great, so you’ll achieve disco-worthly glam without giving up your low-maintenance makeup vibe.”
Maria Nila Purifying Cleanse Exfoliating Serum, £23
“As a native New Zealander, I’ve found London’s hard water has really done a number on my hair, so I was thrilled when this purifying serum landed on my desk. Designed to exfoliate your scalp, AHA and glycolic acid work together to remove buildup from hard water and products, while peppermint extract provides a refreshing feeling. I love the ease of application – simply massage into your scalp 10 minutes before showering, then follow with shampoo and conditioner. After the first few treatments, my hair felt lighter and it didn’t get greasy as quickly – hello longer gaps between hair wash days!”
Suqqu Setting Eyebrow Gel, £25
“I recently discovered Suqqu and their new eyebrow gel has quickly become a staple in my makeup bag – so much so, I’m almost at the end of my first tube. The applicator is thicker than I’m used to, resembling a mascara wand – but it evenly distributes the light brown gel across your brows for a natural, fluffy finish far more easily. It’s buildable, or you can apply over filled-in brows for a deeper look and water-resistant, which you need to keep in mind when removing as you may need a double cleanse to get it off completely.”
Ziggy Flexi Brush, £16
“Introducing the latest sustainable hairbrush to level up your routine. Its large paddle design reduces brushing time, while the unique five ‘finger-like’ bristles mould to your head (hello free scalp massage!). It detangles hair without causing snags, which curly hair types and kids (and parents) will appreciate. Made from 100 per cent recyclable materials, it’s lightweight and there are four different styles to suit every hair type and texture.”
Marie Louise Pumfrey, GTG contributor, is loopy for lip oil
Jo Loves Amber, Lime and Bergamot Scented Candle, £55
“There’s always an unseemly fight over Jo Loves candles in our home. They inevitably end up in my daughter’s bedroom filling her room with the delicious fragrance. Not this time though. My favourite, the Amber Lime & Bergamot is just back in stock and is the perfect autumn scent of uplifting citrus, soothing spice and some woody warmth. It now comes in an epic luxury size (with an epic price tag of £375!) which burns for 200 hours and will last to Christmas and beyond.”
Ominlux CoQ10 Face Cream, £58
“Omnilux are experts in LED light therapy, and they use all that skin know-how in their skincare too. New for autumn is this radiance-boosting face cream with a combination of CoQ10 – known for boosting collagen production – and hydrating squalane. It’s soothing, nourishing and calming. You can use it with or without an LED mask, morning and night and is great for soothing out those pesky wrinkles.”
Environ Focus Care Revival Mask, £63
“I would argue this is the ultimate face mask because it does it all in one go; three exfoliating acids get to work on reducing pigmentation and brightening skin, while it also increases hydration and collagen levels. Not only that, but it’s versatile in its use – either apply for 10 to 20 minutes and rinse off or brush on a thin layer and leave on as an overnight treatment.”
Naked Sunday, Sheer Glow and Go Lip Oil, £24
“Having recently hit 60, my obsession with keeping my face away from damaging UV rays is next level and that has now diverted to my lips. Step in this protective SPF lip oil. It tastes of summer, with a delicious coconut flavour and is deeply hydrating. Plus, if you get cracked and chapped lips in the winter this will keep them soft and supple.”
Victoria Woodhall, GTG editorial director, has tried a fragrance finder
Kylie Cosmetics Skin Tint Blurring Elixir, £26
“If you like a light and hydrating base, this liquid foundation in 24 shades and a cute little bottle is a good bet. It’s moisturising enough for all-day coverage thanks to hyaluronic acid and easy to build on the areas that need a bit more love. It didn’t settle into my lines or go patchy. The finish is neither shiny nor matte which makes it suitable for everyone. I’ve never tried anything from Kylie Jenner’s brand and this was an impressive intro.”
Fiole Build A Discovery Set, £25 redeemable against purchase
“My daughter and I spent a fun half-hour with a Fiole (pronounced fee-ohl) niche fragrance discovery box, where you select a scent purely on smell rather than name or packaging. We sprayed each of the six decently-sized testers onto a numbered card and then whittled them down to the one we liked before opening the glossy ‘reveal’ card. I’d blindly picked a clean green scent called ‘Berlin’ by Gallivant (fittingly, as I’m half German) and there was enough in the tester for a couple of weeks’ use to see if it was a keeper (it was, I love it). You can redeem the £25 against the full size (my 30ml EDP would have been £70 full price). There’s a quiz to find out which discovery box suits you best, whether that’s greens, marines, florals or simply new arrivals – a very cool gift too.
Aevi Face Oil, £58
“A new discovery for me, this clean Scandinavian face oil is utterly moreish and I’ve found myself repeatedly choosing it over the many others in my testing stash. It has a thicker texture, but strangely feels less greasy. I love the deliciously subtle botanical scent from Nordic berries and flower extracts. It’s beautifully nourishing, calming and moisture-locking thanks to omegas 3,6 and 7 – perfect for colder months ahead. It’s and pregnancy- and child-safe too. Try it in place of moisturiser or add a couple of drops to your regular cream.”
Beauty Pie Healthy Hydration Hair Duo, £25
“Beauty Pie has revamped its entire hair range with next-level ingredients and new products aimed at repairing, nourishing and detoxing your hair – well worth a browse if your hair is a little frazzled or dull right now. If, like me, you have fine dry hair prone to breakage, the Healthy Hydration Hair Duo will add shine, strength, and moisture and will smooth tangles. The bottles are a hefty 450ml – good value if you are a member but a hard-to-justify £70 if you are not. There’s a 60-day free trial membership though and 20 per cent off with code 20OFFBP! Bargain!”
