Hello there, Glossy Picks – meet the May marvels that are the talk of our office

VICTORIA WOODHALL

GTG Editorial Director

Clarins Double Serum Light Texture, from £65

“Clarins’ iconic Double Serum for mature skin now comes in a Light Texture version, very timely as we head into summer months. The original formula is exceptionally lightweight anyway, with a beautiful sensorial feel that makes it a joy to use. It really is one of the best all-round age-proofing serums with a combination of lightweight oils and hyaluronic acid to look after your skin barrier, plus all sorts of botanical goodies and actives such as peptides – a performance product and a treat. Great news too that Clarins has just achieved B-Corp certification.”

Trinny London Trinity Stick, £36

“If you love to slick your colour on with a stick, rather than faff around with brushes, you’ll love Trinny London’s new Trinity double-ended sticks for cheeks, lips and eyes. There’s a matte end and a sheer glow end in various shades of pinks and browns, which you can apply as highlighter, bronzer, lipstick or eye shadow. I use Mustique the most because the matte end gives me a pretty but punchy pink blush that works equally well on the lips and the cool brown end doubles as a sheer eye gloss and a pop of bronze. Because the two shades match tonally, you can create a pulled-together look without too much effort – win!”

Suqqu Clearing Scrub, £40

“It might call itself a scrub, but there is nothing gritty about this triple-clay cream mask that leaves your skin feeling baby-soft, hydrated and smooth. I’ve mostly avoided clay masks as they can be drying (I learned from a French pharmacist that you should never let them dry and crack), but I trusted that Suqqu’s Japanese heritage would deliver hydrating and juicy results. It’s now my weekly massage-in and leave-on treat for 10 to 20 minutes, no need for additional acid exfoliators.”

No7 Future Renew Damage Reversal Night Serum, £39.95

“Between 2am and 4am is the busiest time for skin renewal, according to No7, which has added an extra botanical ingredient (lindera strychnifolia) to its blockbuster Future Renew Damage Reversal Serum to maximise that circadian moment. If your nights are disrupted and you’re not getting enough regenerative sleep in the early hours, this serum can help give you back your beauty sleep, according to No7’s research with the University of Manchester and clinical trials. If you already love the OG, this new night version, with the same award-winning peptide technology, is a must. The skin-softening texture is a big improvement, too.”

SARAH-JANE CORFIELD-SMITH

GTG Beauty Director

Belif Aqua Bomb Jelly Cleanser, £19.95

“Belif is a huge K-beauty brand that has just landed on our shores and Aqua Bomb is the best-selling range. The eye cream (which is brilliant) became Sephora US’s best-seller when it launched there last year, so expect similar hype here, but I think the cleanser is worth your attention. It starts life off as thick jelly and you’re meant to add water to it to create a foam and then massage it all over, but I like massaging it in as a jelly and then getting water involved. However you use it, it gets rid of all makeup and feels really hydrating and leaves skin silky soft. A tiny bit goes a long way so you get a lot of beauty bang for your buck with this.”

Ultrasun Sun Stick SPF50, £27

“I am forever looking for quick but effective ways of topping up sunscreen on my two young daughters (and my husband!) and this transparent stick from SPF experts, Ultrasun is going straight into my handbag for on-the-go swipes. It’s not greasy or balmy so can be used all over, is water resistant and it’s chunky in size so makes light work of being used on the back of necks, tops of ears, down noses and across cheeks.”

Jo Malone London Beach Blossom Cologne, £86 for 50ml

“If visiting the Seychelles is on your bucket-list of destinations to visit but budget is lacking, this bottle of gorgeousness is, almost, like being there, with your toes in white sand and gazing out onto crystal clear waters. The warmth and tropical landscapes are recreated with coconut water and tonka bean, and the lightness of days and mind are nodded to with zesty lime. It is your summer holiday in a bottle and it comes with zero jet lag or mozzie bites!”

Prada Pradalines Durable Gliding Eye Pencil in Wood, £26

“In the debate of brown vs black mascara, I waver between the two depending on the look. When it comes to eyeliner, I’m firmly in the team brown camp as I find it far more flattering and this is my new makeup obsession. It’s creamy so easy to glide on (even for those that find applying eyeliner tricky) but after a minute it dries so it then doesn’t budge.”

INGEBORG VAN LOTRINGEN

GTG Contributing Beauty Editor

Living Proof Full Shampoo, £29

“Living Proof have updated all their formulas with ‘sili-clone’ technology (I love a pun) to achieve the smoothing, glossing benefits of silicones without the heavy, eco-unfriendly drawbacks, and they have succeeded in their mission. At least as far as I and my fine hair (which is not a fan of silicone) are concerned. Claiming to double hair volume in a single wash, it certainly delivers light, bouncy hair that doesn’t fall flat.”

By Terry Rouge Opulent Hydra-Youth Serum Lipstick, £49

“This is quite some texture: making lips look coated in richly pigmented velvet, it doesn’t feel waxy or dry on your lips, but rather fresh and hydrating. The colour (there are 12 shades) lasts forever, and the retro casing and refillable bullet are almost too pretty to ruin by using them. It costs a fortune, but it has peptides and antioxidants, so you can think of it as skincare for your lips.”

Little Soap Company Mini Bar Soap Storage Tin, £3.95

“I do love a soap tin for my soap-free bars and this weightless, rust-free aluminium one has a handy self-draining drip tray built in so my bar doesn’t melt while I travel. This is the mini-version; there’s a bigger one too.”

Element Eight O2 Caffeine Eight Active Eye Cream, was £165 now £145.25

“A rare eye cream that gets noticeable results: my undereye area definitely looks brighter when I use it. A light unscented lotion, it doesn’t irritate (another rarity in my case) and contains depuffing, blood vessel-constricting caffeine plus peptides and arnica, all supercharged with liquid oxygen. Instead of trying to come up with miraculous new ingredients, this brand has developed its ingenious oxygen-based delivery system to make proven actives work more effectively, and that does justify the (very considerable) price.”

ISLA HUFFADINE

GTG Content Coordinator

Sol de Janeiro Limited Edition Agua Mistica Perfume Mist, £24

“Calling all cult-brand lovers – Sol de Janeiro is back with three limited edition summer scents. My pick is Agua Mistica, a fresh, zesty orange fragrance that evokes a warm beach day. While these mists don’t have the longevity of a classic perfume, they’re perfect for an on-the-go refresh or quick post-gym spritz. Plus, you can layer them with their other scents to create your own unique combination.”

Charlotte Tilbury Lip Cheat Contour Duo Pencil, £22

“I don’t usually reach for lip liner, but this clever launch is enough to convert me. It’s a dual-ended pencil, designed to define and sculpt your lips – think contouring, but for your pout. One end features a deeper shade for shaping, while the other is perfect for filling in. They’re creamy to apply, blendable and practically foolproof. The fair shade is a lovely pinky nude, subtle yet flattering. I top with a gloss for an added touch of glam.”

Valentino Beauty Puffer Gloss, £36

“After seeing Charli XCX wear this at Coachella, I’ll admit I was influenced, but for good reason. Infused with hyaluronic acid, vitamin E and ceramides, it feels incredibly nourishing and offers lengthy hydration. The plumping effect is subtle – just a slight tingle – giving a naturally fuller looking pout. Yes, it’s a bit pricy but this gloss-oil hybrid delivers. With a non-sticky finish and seven flattering shades, it’s earned a spot in my festival bag this summer.”

Free Soul Free 4-in-1 Magnesium Plus Turmeric Supplement, £12.49

“Free Soul came onto my radar after their greens powder was a finalist in our Wellness Awards. Their latest launch, a magnesium supplement, targets muscle recovery, sleep and overall health. It blends three types of magnesium – glycinate, citrate and malate, which work together to promote relaxation, digestion, energy and recovery. The addition of turmeric adds a natural boost for everyday wellness. I take it before bed to unwind, but I’ve also noticed a reduction in nightly muscle cramps. Plus, it’s budget-friendly.”