Craving a payday treat? May we point you in the direction of 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.
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So much to tell you about this week – everyone else might be on holiday but our trusty reviewers are always hard at work, testing out the latest launches. So buckle up for the whizzy new Shark LED face mask, find out how to get hair like Rihanna and smell like Sabrina Carpenter, and don’t miss the clever new gadget that’s finally made us stop doomscrolling. Yes, really! Note: reading Get The Gloss doesn’t count as doomscrolling – it’s educational. So ready for some wellbeing and beauty learnings? Let’s get into it.
JEMMA THOMPSON
Our design & social media manager doesn't doomscroll any more
“My Instagram feed – ironically – is full of people ‘bricking’ their phones. Brick is a small magnetic device and companion app that blocks the apps you choose – and you can’t just hit ‘ignore limit’ on your phone to override it. Once your apps are bricked, you have to physically tap the device with your phone to unlock them. So you could leave your Brick at home, go out and not be able to doomscroll. Mine lives in my handbag (out of sight) and bricks my phone 9pm to midnight, ie when I’m most likely to disappear down a rabbit hole. I clocked up nine hours of ‘bricked time’ over the first weekend I used it. Such a welcome reality check.”
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“This isn’t a new launch but it’s new to me – and it deserves far more attention. I have incredibly thick hair so finding a brush that can actually get through it without snapping or ripping out clumps is tricky. (I’ve broken more brushes than I care to admit.) But this changes everything. The pins work through knots without snagging while the flexible head bends to the shape of my scalp, making it almost feel like a head massage. Brilliant for thick, curly, coily or textured hair and a bargain too.”
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Naturium Dew-Glow Moisturiser Mineral SPF 50, £25
“Naturium’s original Dew-Glow SPF built up a cult following, with those fans apparently requesting this mineral version to better suit sensitive and reactive skin. I was expecting the formula to feel thick (mineral SPFs once had that reputation), but it’s lightweight and leaves a soft glow without feeling greasy. It sits well under makeup and there’s no white cast. What I love most though is the built-in quarter teaspoon cup in the cap, which shows you exactly how much SPF you should be using. It’s always more than you think.”
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Liz Earle Cleanse & Glow Brightening Cleansing Balm, £22.50
“If there’s one thing Liz Earle Skincare gets right, it’s cleanser and as a fan of the Cleanse & Polish Hot Cloth Cleanser, I couldn’t wait to try this new balm. It has a fresh light citrus scent and melts into the skin to break down makeup. Packed with vitamin C, it’s designed to brighten as it cleans, but what I noticed most was how soft my skin felt afterwards. If you’re already a Liz Earle cleanser convert, you’ll love this too.”
SHOP
DAHABA ALI HUSSEN
Our content coordinator gets a first look at the new Shark LED mask
“The updated Shark CryoGlow Mask builds on the (excellent) original model with 560 LED light points (up from 480), giving better coverage across around the eye area, plus a much improved battery life. Still present and correct are the eye cooling pads and three treatment modes for better ageing, blemish repair and skin maintenance. I wore it while watching Love Island (it recommends 4-8 minutes daily for eight weeks) and was impressed by how comfortable and secure it felt. If you’re considering your first LED mask (read our round-up first), or looking to upgrade from the original model, this is definitely worth a look.”
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Sabrina Carpenter Lemon Pie Bite Size Eau de Parfum 10ml, £15.99
“After all the buzz surrounding Sabrina Carpenter’s Cherry Baby fragrance, I knew I had to get my hands on her latest scent. It comes in a pleasing bite-sized chunk and the compact bottle is perfect for slipping into your handbag or hand luggage. It feels fun and playful, while the gourmand-inspired fragrance delivers a sweet, zesty twist that’s perfect for sun-drenched days.”
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Dr Reju-All Advanced PDRN Rejuvenating Mask, £14.90
“I couldn’t resist trying this K-beauty sheet mask as PDRN is having such a moment. During the recent heatwaves, my skin has been stressed and dehydrated, and this proved a real treat. You get four in the pack so it’s decent value and it instantly soothed, hydrated and calmed irritation, leaving my complexion feeling refreshed and plump after 15 minutes. Exactly the skincare pick-me-up I needed.”
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Clara Multi Styler 6 In 1 Toolkit, £143
“As someone with naturally curly hair, I love embracing my curls but I also love experimenting. That’s exactly why the Clara Multi Hair Styler appealed. With its range of attachments, it offers plenty of styling options without feeling overly complicated. It’s intuitive to use and easy to switch between tools. And it’s an affordable choice for anyone who likes the flexibility of changing up their look without multiple styling devices cluttering up the bedroom.”
SHOP
INGEBORG VAN LOTRINGEN
Our contributing beauty editor has found a properly foolproof fake tan
Tropic Summer Skin Gradual Tanning Serum, £46
“This mega 300ml bottle of super silky serum-cream that smells gently of tiaré flower is the most foolproof self-tanner I’ve come across. It glides on, absorbs fast, properly hydrates and, despite the ‘gradual tan’ moniker, develops into quite the noticeable glow – without streaks, despite my cack-handed application. Fragrance and DHA (the active ingredient in fake tan) invariably aggravate my skin, but this doesn’t. Another winner from Tropic.”
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Dermatica Daily Firming Multi-Peptide Serum, £24.99
“This weightless, unscented serum is a good-value and gentle way to keep lines and wrinkles at bay. Featuring no less than nine peptides involved in collagen and elastin production and preservation, it’s also packed with effective hydrating and calming agents like ectoin, amino acids and hydrolysed rice protein for an all-round daily skin strengthener that won’t irritate.”
SHOP
“This vaguely menthol-scented balm promises to take the place of your foot creams and foot file – and it actually does. It has all the big exfoliating and deep-hydrating hitters a foot product needs to dissolve calluses, heal cracked skin and treat corns: glycolic and lactic acids, and lots of urea and glycerin. Together, they soften feet overnight and really do transform cheese rind heels and flaky toes and cuticles in just a few uses. It’s a cheat’s pedi in a bottle.”
SHOP
“A clear, scent-free gel that disappears into skin, this is really expensive but it’s the only non-steroid topical that actively settles inflammation, redness and even patches of eczema. Barrier-boosting and post-procedure creams based on ceramides are common these days but while they’re all great for sensitive skin, they basically just offer comfort and stop damage getting worse. This serum is different, featuring a patented ‘super lipid’ that blocks inflammation and rebuilds your barrier, and stops collagen breakdown. Worth the money.”
SHOP
Florence Scordoulis
Rihanna's dry shampoo? Our contributing editor found love
Fenty Beauty The Imposter Invisi-Boost Volumising Dry Shampoo, £24
“Rihanna’s latest powder dry shampoo has serious styling benefits. Massage a few puffs into the roots to not only extend wash day (the tapioca starch removes any oily build-up) but instantly boost volume and texture — so much that I also use it on clean hair, if my curls are looking flat! The lilac tint means it leaves no white cast. Plus, I’m addicted to the signature floral scent across the whole Fenty haircare range.”
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Water2Skin Handheld in Satin Gold, £75
“If you’re struggling with break-outs, skincare can only do so much, says Tala activewear founder Grace Beverley, who recently launched these chic shower heads after discovering that filtered water helped her own problem skin. They filter out up to 90% of chlorine and other hard water minerals, which strip moisture and disrupt the skin barrier, which helps products to penetrate more effectively and smooth frizzy hair. Note though: you buy the head, then must replace the filters every three months – they cost £40.”
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Headplan Daily Drench Motivational Reusable Bottle, £20
“I’m a big fan of Headplan’s productivity gadgets (especially the Focus Timer, £23), inspired by the co-founder’s own health scare and mission to help us max out our time. Now the 800ml water bottle is helping me gamify heatwave hydration. It’s one giant dopamine hit, with eight motivational markers at every 100ml (‘almost there’ and ‘you’re glowing’), coming in pretty pastel colours, like this butter yellow. The handle and flip straw make it portable, but not leak-proof, so best for your desk rather than your handbag.”
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Lyma ID Gut Powder Starter Kit, from £95
“Longevity trailblazers Lyma first launched with a do-it-all tablet for skin, hair and more, but now they’re pivoting to digestive wellness with a powder you mix with water. It’s like a greens powder but on steroids – so although expensive, you can strip your supplement routine back to this one drink. It contains 8.5g of fibre, including four types of prebiotics that target all areas of the gut, plus omega 3 and 25 other high-quality vitamins and minerals. You might have to hold your nose, but it’s worth it for the mood-boosting, immunity, focus and energy benefits.”
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