Rihanna’s special shampoo, a Bollywood star’s clever concealer and a baseball cap with beauty benefits – how can you resist reading this week’s Glossy Picks?
Any products in this article have been selected editorially however if you buy something we mention, we may earn commission.
Cracking Korean skincare newness, a cult singer-songwriter’s suprisingly good blusher and a magic baseball cap that makes your hair grow – there’s something for everyone in this week’s Glossy Picks. We only include the very best of the samples we’re sent each week by beauty and wellbeing brands – so you can rest assured that these the new launches that are worth your time, money and attention. Let’s do this!
VICTORIA WOODHALL
Where did our editorial director get that hat?
Higherdose Red Light Hat, £399.99
“Hair thinning is not something you want to shout about, and no one would know that underneath this baseball cap are 120 LEDs delivering a dose of 650nm red light (the optimum wavelength for hair growth, according to studies – skin is 630-660nm). By boosting circulation and reducing inflammation, it provides a better environment for hair growth. There is no ‘light leak’ from the edges and the cap emits only a small beep when it’s done. With no wires, it’s the ultimate in convenience, making it much easier than bulkier devices I’ve tried to use for the recommended ten minutes per day.”
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“We’re moving into watery eye season, when the cold hits your cornea and it’s game over for anything other than waterproof mascara. Thank goodness for the boom in tubing mascaras, that won’t budge or panda (officially declaring that a verb) when the waterworks strike. UKlash has a new one in black or mocha, at a very reasonable price, with a non-clumping lash separating wand for the perfect balance of volume and definition.”
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Swissline Cell Shock 360 Collagen Night Concentrate, £251
“It’s been said that NAD+ booster supplements are the closest we have to the elixir of youth (I take them daily) and unsurprisingly, skincare wants in on the action for ‘skin longevity’ – what we once called ‘anti-ageing’. Sunflower sprout extract has this boosting effect and it’s the basis of a new clinically trialled ingredient called Rejuvenad. Premium Swiss skincare Swissline is has cocktailed it with its already punchy plant-based growth factors for this ultra-light, watery night serum. I use it with all other actives – even over retinol – for the ultimate DNA-repairing beauty sleep.”
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Genaura Levagen + Smart Face Serum, £294
“There’s a new skincare ingredient on the block called Levagen+ and it’s great news for anyone with skin barrier and inflammation issues. These are increasingly common, according to dermatologist Dr Derrick Phillips, who spoke about it at last week’s launch of Genaura, the first skincare product to contain Levagen+. Until now it’s only been available in oral form to treat inflammation and chronic pain (for which there are double-blind, placebo-controlled trials). Genaura is a premium product, made in Australia in small batches, with the highest concentration of the active found to be effective for skin health, plus a host of non-irritating supporting botanicals. A luxe treat for stressed skin.”
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SJ CORFIELD-SMITH
Our beauty director has finally found a setting spray she likes
Laura Mercier Translucent Hydrating Setting Spray Ultra-Blur, £25.60
“I’ve never found a setting spray that doesn’t make my skin feel tight and my makeup feel dry. Until now. This Laura Mercier one is a hybrid product that’s a skincare facial mist – it contains skin-nourishing ingredients such as hydrating hyaluronic acid, pore-tightening niacinamide and barrier-strengthening ectoin – but has all the benefits of a makeup setting spray too. You can apply it on freshly cleansed skin for an extra hydration boost, but also after makeup to lock everything into place.”
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“It’s officially candle season and, thanks to this new beauty from Espa, I am here and ready for it. The scent is a delicious blend of pure essential oils, chosen to help you feel balanced, restored and ready for whatever life is going to throw at you. It comes in a luxe, porcelain-esque fluted jar (which will look beautiful on your shelf once finished) and would also make the perfect gift.”
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Simihaze Beauty Velvet Blur Matte Lipstick Balm, £37
“You shouldn’t judge makeup by its packaging, but when it looks this cool, it’s hard not to. This lipstick balm is from Simihaze, a super-cool brand created by Palestinian-American twin sisters Simi and Haze. The formulations all contain skin-caring ingredients and have been designed to create a second-skin effect, rather than looking heavy and cakey, so there are lots of balms and creamy textures that sink into the skin rather than sitting on it. I’m wearing the soft rosy pink shade, Windburn, but there are 15 colours to choose from.”
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Emma Hardie Vit C Brilliance Cleansing Balm, £52
“If you are a fan of the original Emma Hardie Moringa Cleansing Balm, then you’ll love this vitamin C version. There’s lots of chat about how effective vitamin C cleansers can be as you wash off the active ingredient. However, you can leave this on the skin for a few minutes, like a mask, so the vitamin C can get on with its brightening work. It’s a gorgeous balm to use to get rid of every scrap of makeup and grime, and it leaves skin feeling plump and silky. A shout-out too to the dual-sided cleansing cloth that comes with it – it’s the best one around. I keep all of mine and use them with whatever cleansing balm I have on the go.”
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JEMMA THOMPSON
The heat protector of dreams? Our design and social media manager is on it
K18 Heat Bounce Conditioning Heat Protectant, £48
“As someone who frequently heat-styles their hair (admittedly on the highest settings), I’ve tried more than my fair share of heat protectants. Most just sit on the surface; you can feel them lingering there, making your hair feel a bit stringy or fake silky. This one’s different. It absorbs and works from the inside out. It protects up to 232 degrees and leaves my hair feeling light, smooth, and properly conditioned, not weighed down or greasy. You can also use it on dry hair for touch-ups or restyling. It’s protective, but also leaves your hair feeling genuinely healthy.”
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“I wasn’t expecting to fall this hard for a hot pink blush, but this completely changed the game for me. It looks alarmingly neon in the tube but on warm-toned skin like mine, it melts in and gives the freshest flush. Founded by singer-songwriter Halsey, About-Face has been on my radar for a while but this was the first product I tried – now I’m eyeing up the whole range. It’s insanely pigmented (a tiny bit goes a long way), but what surprised me is how blendable it is. If you love the Rare Beauty blush, but find it tricky to work with, this one’s a dream, just as long-lasting, but with a bit more give. It’s one of those buys that makes you feel like you’re good at makeup.”
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Kay Beauty HD Liquid Concealer, £10
“I’ve been trialling a few buys from Kay Beauty, which was founded by Bollywood star Katrina Kaif. Everything’s under £20 but the formulas feel far more luxe, especially this concealer. It’s featherlight but somehow still covers redness, dark circles and breakouts without looking like makeup. It builds beautifully, never cakes, and stays put, without settling into any weird creases by lunchtime. What I love most is how skin still looks like skin — just fresher. Don’t sleep on Kay Beauty, this is your sign. The whole range feels like a hidden gem – high-performing, well thought out and reasonably priced.”
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ISLA HUFFADINE
Our content coordinator says "ooh!" to this new shampoo
Fenty Hair The Clear Thinker Clarifying Shampoo, £29
“Struggling with hard water and product buildup? Same here. But I’ve recently started using this clarifying shampoo and I’m impressed. It’s lightweight, safe for colour-treated hair and keeps your scalp hydrated, while reducing excess oil and residue. I use it with one of those spiky scalp massagers to really work it in, so a little goes a long way. The best thing about Rihanna’s Fenty Hair is it works for all hair types (my colleague Florence rates it for her curls), plus it smells seriously luxe. Since I only use it once a week in place of my usual shampoo, it feels like a self-care treat that’s worth spending slightly more on.”
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Illiyoon Ceramide Ato Concentrate Cream, £19.99
“This isn’t the sexiest looking moisturiser but don’t let the packaging fool you. Illiyoon is a popular Korean skincare brand that’s finally landed in the UK, and their ceramide cream is perfect if your skin is feeling drier with the seasonal shift. This hypoallergenic, fragrance-free moisturiser is gentle enough for even the most sensitive skin and suitable for the whole family, on both face and body. Despite being a cream, it absorbs quickly. Plus, I found it doubles as a smoothing makeup base, giving that coveted ‘glass skin’ finish.”
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Dr Jart Vital Hydra Solution Lip Mask, £22
“This teddy bear-shaped lip gloss is so cute that any tweens in your life will definitely try to steal it. Sure, it has the adorable novelty factor, but being from cult-favourite Korean skincare brand Dr Jart, you know it will actually perform. The formula has the same non-sticky, hyaluronic acid-powered blend as their classic lip mask, only this time with a sweet twist: a berry and bubblegum scent with a subtle pink sheen. Wear it as a primer under lipstick, a gloss, or slather it on overnight for an extra boost of hydration while you sleep.”
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Origins Youthtopia Apple Butter Cleansing Balm, £29
“If traditional balm cleansers feel a little too oily for you, this multitasking cleanser-makeup remover could be the answer. Its unique triple-texture formula starts as a balm, transforms into an oil and rinses off as a milky wash. It effectively melts away makeup without clogging pores or leaving behind a greasy film, and it didn’t irritate my eyes, even when faced with stubborn tubing mascara. Infused with apple seed oil, it has a subtle yet fresh scent that isn’t too overpowering.”
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