It’s boring, cold and dark but, don’t despair, we have some shiny new things to show you! Here’s this week’s best beauty and wellbeing launches, expertly curated by the GTG team
Any products in this article have been selected editorially however if you buy something we mention, we may earn commission
Boo for boring old January but hurray for exciting new health and beauty buys! There’s plenty that we need to tell you about this week – from the healthy recipe book that’ll help you bin UPFs and costs less than a tenner to the latest from a fast-rising indie brand that’s giving Victoria Beckham Beauty a run for its money. Not forgetting the blingiest sleep mask you ever did see. Ready? Let’s do this.
VICTORIA WOODHALL
GTG Editorial Director
Otis Batterbee Retractable Brush Edit, £80
“Former fashion designer Otis Batterbee has created the Tesla of makeup brushes. They are performance-engineered for optimal powder pickup and dispensing, and have sustainability in their DNA. While I love the colourful handles of Batterbee’s signature brushes, this chrome travel collection of retractable tools is as satisfyingly weighty and clicky as a posh car door. The clever casings keep both makeup bag and brushes hygienically clean.”
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Dr Somji Vitamin C Daily Defence Moisturiser SPF 30, £75
“When a surgeon as eminent as Dr Munir Somji launches an eponymous skincare line, we know it’s going to be well worth a look. The range is treatment-focused making it easy to find what you need, whether that’s for redness, acne, wrinkles or post-tweakment. This protective and brightening, hydrating moisturiser with vitamin C and SPF30 hits the spot for my dry city skin in winter.”
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“If you find dry shampoos too powdery, white and claggy, you’ll love how this spray reinvents the genre. It’s not an aerosol but a softly-scented mist that quickly dries to a fine powder finish. You can feel it but you can’t see it, even when you spray it onto your hands (I got a better result doing this and running my fingers through my hair than spraying my parting). It mops up grease and odour really well and bouffs up limp locks. You need only a tiny bit so this pricey bottle should last a while.”
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Upcircle Peptide Serum, £24.99
“There’s quite a buzz about this good-value plumping serum that made a 29 per cent difference to the elasticity of the skin of the 22 people in Upcircle’s 14-day clinical trial. It’s a non-sticky, scent-free formula with impeccable eco credentials, and an excellent hydrator. The collagen and elastin-boosting Tripetide-1 meant that just a few drops made my skin pleasingly bouncy.”
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SARAH-JANE CORFIELD-SMITH
GTG Beauty Director
Mirror Water Sun Through Trees Scented Candle, £54
“Meet the debut candle from content creator Estee Lalonde’s brand Mirror Water – and trust me when I say it is delicious. Like the rest of her tightly edited range, you can tell every detail has been really considered, from the weighty green glass jar to the herby, ambery scent that smells expensive but comforting at the same time.”
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Phlur Hair & Body Fragrance in Coconut Skin, £38
“Body mists are quite a thing these days – they’re lighter than perfume, often more affordable but still carry a good punch of fragrance without smelling alcohol-heavy (like the body mists of the ’90s). So cool fragrance brand Phlur have created a range with their signature musk ingredient that make them smell like a second skin. This one has coconut but it’s not too tropical, more buttery and milky.”
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Josh Wood Miracle Care Set for Fine And Fragile Hair, £30
“Celebrity hair colourist Josh Wood knows what hair needs and his newly formulated sulphate-free shampoo and conditioner duos have been curated to sort specific hair issues If, like me, you have fine, coloured hair, this is the set for you. The shampoo locks in colour so it looks vibrant for longer and the conditioner focuses on nourishing the hair for maximum swishiness.”
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“This heavenly-scented serum contains a host of ingredients to smooth wrinkles, pump and lift. There’s the plumping plant-based Easyliance and a trademarked ingredient called Homeostatine, which stimulates collagen production, alongside the stalwart niacinamide. This is going to do all the things you want a super serum to do, plus it’s a delight to use. The texture is silky and one pump will cover the face. It leaves a sheen on the skin that isn’t oily but perfectly glowy.”
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KERRY POTTER
GTG Deputy Editor
Unprocess Your Family Life by Rob Hobson, was £18.99 now £9.49
“I love nutritionist Rob Hobson’s recipes because he totally gets that most of us don’t have £4000 to spend on fancy ingredients nor three hours to make dinner. He also gets that cooking healthily for one’s pesky kids can be challenging, especially when they’re teens and obsessed with Pringles and all things ultra-processed. From homemade cocoa pops to tasty tacos, this recipe collection aces unprocessed snacks and meals that the entire family will devour without whinging.”
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Hildun Silk to Set Longwear Lip Pencil, £17
“I’m happy to report that this indie Irish brand’s new lip pencil performs just as well as its one for eyes (which is a dupe for Victoria Beckham Beauty’s much-loved kajal liner, at half the price). Currently available in three neutral shades (with more promised this year), this feels pleasingly creamy on the skin yet sets swiftly and doesn’t budge. They’ve also launched a lip balm in three complementary shades, which is also a winner.”
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Healthspan Elite UC-II Collagen, £29.99 for two month’s supply
“As someone who found collagen supplements helpful in nixing the joint pain that was ruining my running routine, I was drawn to this launch from the affordable supps brand. Aimed at older adults (tick) and athletes (tick, kind of), this is type II collagen, derived from chicken, which is said to be particularly beneficial for joint strength (read up on types I, II and III collagen in Do Collagen Supplements Work?). I like that the dose is simply one small capsule per day – no artificially sweetened fishy gel here.”
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Wonky Rebalance+ Restore, £22.99 for 10 servings
“Yes, it’s January and everyone’s living like monks but make note of Wonky’s (great name) two-step supplement regime for next time a hangover is on the agenda. Created by two British brothers who love a party, it involves taking three white capsules after booze/before bed, then two green ones the morning after. The former contains NAC for liver support, magnesium glycinate for sleep and turmeric to reduce inflammation. The latter has calming ashwagandha and rhodiola for fatigue. There are 21 vitamins, minerals, nootropics, adaptogens and electrolytes in all – you don’t get that with a bacon sandwich and can of Coke.”
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ISLA HUFFADINE
GTG Content Coordinator
Drowsy Silk Sleep Mask Crystals by Swarovski, £129
“This has to be the most luxurious sleeping mask on the market – because who wouldn’t want to sleep adorned with Swarovski crystals? A GTG Award winner, this iconic mask has had a serious glow-up. It features the classic wrap-around design in 22 momme mulberry silk, but is now embellished with gems. Rest assured, they’re on the outside, so you’ll still enjoy that cloud-like cushioning against your skin. Talk about taking your beauty sleep to the next level!”
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Comis Multi Mist Self Tanning Kit, from £38
“I’m the first to nab a new tanning product and this one caught my eye with its tech-savvy design. While not new to the UK, it’s the first we’ve heard of this innovative gadget. Designed to evenly distribute a fine mist across your face, it’s as easy as popping a capsule in and spritzing. The mist feels light and you can build layers for a deeper tan – plus it didn’t break out my acne-prone skin. They also offer a range of other skincare capsules for targeted treatments, applying with the same contactless, high-absorption method.”
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This Works Deep Sleep Beauty Soak, £28
“Nothing is quite as comforting throughout winter than soaking in a warm bath. This blend relaxes muscles and promotes restful sleep, thanks to its five per cent magnesium, sodium, and zinc combination – while lavender, vetivert and chamomile oils create a calming effect. Add a spoonful to your running bath and let your body absorb the minerals, while the soothing aroma helps your mind unwind. You’ll feel zen and prepared for a peaceful night’s sleep.”
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Bali Body Express Tan Remover, £25.95
“If you maintain a tanning routine throughout winter, you’re likely familiar with the challenge of removing old tan. This scrub leaves my skin hydrated rather than feeling raw, thanks to ingredients like urea, lactic acid, and pumice (that break down tanning pigments gently). For best results apply to dry skin, let it sit for a few minutes, and rinse off. If you’re short on time it works just as well in the shower. Use an exfoliation mitt to completely remove residue, leaving your skin smooth and prepped for a fresh bronzed layer.”
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