We tested all the new wellbeing and beauty launches – these 16 Glossy Picks stood out

SJ CORFIELD-SMITH

Our beauty director has found a way to never forget her SPF

Darling Shield-Me SPF50+ Clear Sun Stick Bundle, £32

“Barely a week goes by without a new beauty charm for my handbag – and the latest is this transparent sun stick from new, super chic Italian SPF brand Darling. They’re big on textures that are a delight to use and 100% recyclable packaging. The range includes lotions, mists and creams but this clear, solid stick is ideal for quick top-ups over makeup, and to swipe over ears, backs of hands and any other spots that may have not had enough SPF TLC. The fact I can attach it to my bag means I will never be without sun protection this summer. Genius, darling.”

Birkenstock Smoothing Pumice Stone, £9.50

“Birkenstock doing foot care and nail polishes makes so much sense. The German footwear brand is known for its sandals that aid the health of your soles and feet, and these new launches share the same ethos. There’s an exfoliating foot scrub, hydrating balm for cracked skin, a soothing lotion for tired legs and ankles, and a collection of five nail polishes in shades that compliment Birkenstock sandal colours. But this chunky, bar of soap-shaped pumice stone is exceptional. So many pumice stones are too small but this is big enough for a good grip and has the perfect level of grit. Not the sexiest purchase but an essential for summer.”

Cowshed Active Bath & Shower Gel, £26

“British brand Cowshed was created 30 years ago for the spa at gorgeous hotel Babington House in Somerset. Famed for deliciously scented shower gels, body lotions and candles, each with a purpose (to energise, relax, aid sleep), it was my first choice a a present, thanks to its brilliant gift sets. Then it slightly fell off the radar. Now it’s back, rebooted with even better formulations and more modern packaging. My pick is this divine-smelling bath and shower gel which makes my evening soak into a total joy.”

Erborian Glow Moisturiser, £21

“On the hunt for a lightweight moisturiser that won’t feel heavy or greasy during the summer (and beyond)? This is it. Erborian is one of the OG K-beauty brand and known for textures and formulas that feel like a second skin. This gel-cream sinks in immediately and leaves skin looking glassy, but not shiny or oily. It has a pleasing light scent and is packed with all the ingredients you want from a moisturiser, such as pore-reducing niacinamide and hyaluronic acid. Well-priced too.”

INGEBORG VAN LOTRINGEN

Foundation balm? It's a yes from our contributing beauty editor

It Cosmetics Do It All Sheer Tint Face Balm, £29

“Solid foundations (for which there is a bit of a trend currently) can be hit-and-miss in terms of texture, but this one is 100% a clean girl makeup triumph. It melts seamlessly and weightlessly into your skin, leaving a beautiful velvety gleam that’s somehow non-shiny and imperfection-blurring at the same time. It comes in eight flexible, sheer shades and doubles as skincare: it has vitamin E and collagen peptides to shield and help regenerate skin. Apparently it was created with mature skin in mind so it’s a yes from me.”|

Wildsmith Magnolia and Rose Hand and Body Wash, £35

“Wildsmith don’t do garish and loud: their new plant-based hand and body wash is, true to form, classy, delicate and grounding. The cleansing agents leave skin feeling comfortable and hydrated and the rose, magnolia and cedarwood aromatherapeutic scent is mildly herbal, never blousy. Plus it comes in the classiest re-fillable blush pump dispenser.”

Color Wow Money Laundering Hydrating Shampoo, £28

“With hyaluronic acid and four types of marine algae as its main ingredients, I’m tempted to put this on my face as a hydrating serum. But this shampoo is a prime example of the skinification of haircare, offering non-stripping cleansing suds in a clear, oil-free formula that hydrates both your hair and scalp weightlessly. I’m already a fan of the water-based instant sprucing of the Money Mist leave-in conditioner, so I’m happy to add this to my collection.”

Meteron Labs Liposomal Glutathione, Alpha Lipoic Acid and Selenium, £69.99

“With a massive number of supplement brands vying for attention, it’s good to see one with a point of difference. Meteron Labs formulations aren’t just liposomal, which improves absorption into the bloodstream, they combine nutrients known to work synergistically to offer more than the sum of their parts. This milky liquid (you need 5ml a day) is a daily antioxidant bomb to boost cellular health and energy balance, with glutathione and alpha-lipoic acid among the most powerful antioxidants on the spectrum, and selenium functioning as an antioxidant enabler. A word of warning: like any glutathione, it smells of rotten eggs, but it tastes a lot less disgusting than that.”

JEMMA THOMPSON

PMOS? Our design and social media manager has a supplement that's helped

Shreddy Superwoman Women's Wellness Blend, £36 for 30 servings

“Having PCOS (now PMOS) since I was 15, I’ve spent years trying ways to manage my symptoms but the options have often felt equally overwhelming and limited. Founded by influencer and entrepreneur Grace Beverley, this daily powder appealed to me because it combines several supplements (including myo-inositol, CoQ10, NAC, all of which support hormonal balance and ovarian function, plus various vitamins), so I don’t have to remember to take a handful of tablets every day. I have one scoop mixed with water each morning and, while it’s no miracle cure, I’ve noticed fewer food cravings and I feel more energised. The fact it tastes more like apple and blackcurrant squash than a supplement is a bonus.”

Shark ChillPill 3-in-1 Fan, Mist and Instachill System, £129.99

“This is the answer to all my sweaty-girl problems (I blame my thick hair which feels like I’m wearing a woolly hat in summer). It’s a beauty tool-cum-gadget – a fan with 10 settings, an ultra-fine facial mist and a cooling plate that’s like an ice cube against your skin – and it’s become my secret weapon for hot commutes, heatwaves, sunny holidays and stuffy offices. The fan is pretty loud on the highest setting but I don’t care. The hands-free clip attachment is useful too – I’ve attached it to my son’s buggy, my desk and a sun lounger on holiday. Totally worth the splurge.”

Phlur Beach Skin Hair and Body Mist, from £26

“When did body mists get so chic? It’s cliché to say it smells like summer but it really does, reminding me of warm skin, salty sea air and creamy coconut. I love that it’s fresh and clean, while still being sweet enough for vanilla lovers. If you’re a fan of Tom Ford’s Soleil Blanc £145, this has a similar holiday-in-a-bottle feel for a fraction of the price. And I’ve found that layering it with Phlur’s shimmering body oil helps the scent stick around for much longer.”

By Terry Tea To Tan Lip and Cheek Stain, £26

“This is a 2-in-1 for lips and cheeks, ideal for throwing in your handbag when you’re rushing out the door. The lightweight formula melts into the skin and gives a healthy, natural flush. The cherry-red shade looks intimidating at first, but it’s surprisingly wearable and easy to blend. I tend to dab on a tiny amount and then inevitably add a bit more because the finish is just so nice. It also gets bonus points for not transferring everywhere, which isn’t always a given with tints.”

ISLA HUFFADINE

Our content coordinator ponders an expensive hairbrush

La Bonne Brosse Limited Edition Lagoon Blue N01 Hairbrush, £146

“Initially I wasn’t convinced any hair brush could justify £150. It felt too beautiful to use – the swirl handle and handmade details are undeniably premium. The price tag is due to the keratin-rich boar bristles, which absorb natural scalp oils and distribute them through your hair like a natural conditioner. The result is shinier and healthier-looking locks. While I wouldn’t use it for extreme tangles, my hair felt softer and glossier after use, even more so over time. There are four styles to suit different hair concerns, plus an online quiz to find the right one. An essential? No. But if you’re serious about hair health, it’s a worthwhile investment.”

Huda Beauty Easy Bake Intense EdP, £70 for 50ml

“Huda Beauty may be best known for its iconic Easy Bake Setting Powder but I was sceptical about the idea of turning it into a perfume. I’m not entirely sure it smells like makeup but whatever the inspiration, this sweet, powdery fragrance earned unanimous approval in the office. Notes of wild cherry, cinnamon, caramel and vanilla create a rich gourmand scent that’s far less sickly than it sounds. As the intense name suggests, it offers impressive longevity. The bottle is more understated than I expected, but its minimalist matte finish is rather chic.”

Charlotte Tilbury Exagger-eyes Easy Eyeshadow Stick, £27

“Eyeshadow sticks aren’t a new concept, but they’re a first in the Tilbury lineup. Of course, they’re unmistakably on brand with ritzy gold packaging, and the crayon-like shadow inside is creamy and easy to use. Just scribble it across your eyelids and blend it out with your fingers or a brush. It wore well throughout the day, with far less creasing than others I’ve tried.  There’s a decent selection of shades too – six matte and six shimmery.”

Airyday Bronze Glow SPF50+ Dreamscreen, £39

“When an Australian SPF brand launches, we listen – they know their suncare. Created after its founder’s skin cancer diagnosis, they’ve developed a carefully curated SPF ‘wardrobe’, with formulas tailored to different skin tones, preferences and lifestyles. For those who love a healthy, sun-kissed glow, this one is a standout. The tinted lightweight, satin-finish SPF50 provides broad-spectrum UVA and UVB protection while delivering a subtle boost of warmth. The three adaptable shades are designed to be worn alone or under makeup.”