From new season skincare switch-ups to autumn makeup bag updates, here's our pick of the best new beauty bits to hit the shelves this week
New season, new skincare? We're not suggesting you blithely chuck everything out but as the weather changes, a skincare reassessment can be helpful. Nipping between the increasingly chilly outdoors and warm homes (although we refuse to put the heating on until October - who is with us?) means your skin will inevitably need extra hydrating TLC and protection. That's why this week's round-up covers new season moisturisers and an undereye nourisher that are easy to incorporate into your routine. Then there's some super chic makeup bag additions, including a new Fenty Beauty launch and the much anticipated Vieve mascara (it's a YES! from our beauty director). It's all going on. Enjoy!
Victoria Woodhall, GTG Editorial Director
The does-it-all-styling product Michael Van Clarke Eureka Blow Dry Balm, £19.50
“At last, frizz-fighting styling product that is neither oily nor siliconey and doesn’t weigh my hair down. Not only that, it adds volume and heat protection too. So if like me you have fine hair that easily gets product-clogged, this one-and-done serum cream is a winner. I use three pumps on damp hair. When it’s dry, I love the slightly powdery, pouffy effect that's similar to the feeling of a volumising dry shampoo, but without the build-up. Eureka indeed!"
SOS for skin barrier: Dermaologica Stabilizing Repair Cream, was £65 now £52
"I’ve had a bout of itchy-rashy dermatitis recently and have had to swerve all actives and anything heavy. This velvety day and night cream is an absolute dream for helping repair the skin barrier - fast. I can feel it soothing my angry skin instantly. The brand’s testing shows it to be effective at taking down redness in 30 minutes. If you have a skin emergency – sensitivity, itchiness redness, or irritation – this is your rescue service."
The healthy look lip colour: Kosas Wet Stick Moisture Lip Shine, was £22 now £17.60
"For an everyday nourishing sheer lipstick, I highly recommend this wet look lip colour in 12 wearable nude shades from clean skincare brand Kosas. If you like a more natural look it's perfect for creating a healthy but noticeable colour wash that lasts decently long. Plus every shade is 20 per cent off as Space NK. I’ll take two!
The buildable base: Mac Studio Radiance Serum Powered Foundation, £39 - 56 shades
"I know people with a lifelong devotion to their Mac foundations - the shade range and choice of undertones are unrivaled. This serum foundation with a great glug of hydrating hyaluronic acid and moisturising vitamin E doesn't go patchy after all-day wear; if you have dry skin like me, it can ‘eat’ your foundation, but not this one! The serum texture makes it easy to apply sparingly or boldly, whatever you choose, for a dewy finish."
SJ Corfield-Smith, GTG Beauty Director
The silky smooth eye balm: Ipsum Best Skin Eye Oil Balm, £38
“Ipsum is an Australian brand that's just hit our shores and eveything in the range contains restorative native plant extracts. This product immediately caught my eye (pun intended). Its silky consistency provides just the right amount of slip, so it massages in nicely around the eye area. It contains vitamins A, C and E as well as Australian Banksia, a flower that strengthens capillaries and reduces dark circles. It has a balmy finish so might make your under eye concealer move during the day but it feels ultra-nourishing when applied at night."
The lightweight hydration layer: Laneige Cream Skin Cerapeptide Toner & Moisturiser, £29.50
“If your skin is going through a meltdown due to the change of weather then you may need to add in an extra layer of moisture into your routine. That’s where this moisturiser-toner hybrid comes in. It has the milky fluidity of a toner but the creamy hydrating capabilities of a moisturiser and contains a ceramide-meets-peptide patented ingredient that strengthens the skin barrier. Pat into the skin with your palms after cleansing, before your serum and moisturiser, to weatherproof your skin."
The all hair types hair tamer: Arkive The Good Calmer Cushioning Moisture Cream, £13
"This new addition to celebrity hairstylist Adam Reed’s affordable but effective hair care range is a winner for all hair types. It's been designed to add hydration, reduce frizz, smooth and calm. I use it as a blow-drying cream on my slightly wavy but frizz-prone hair to get it looking sleeker. However, curly haired friends say it’s a great curl definer and have scrunched it in and left hair to air-dry. My husband has also given it a whirl on his short hair and was so impressed that I can’t find the tube any more! Plus the scent (as with all the Arkive products) is outstanding."
The lash lengthener: Vieve Modern Mascara, £23
"Scottish MUA Jamie Genevieve took three years to perfect her first mascara and I can safely say it was worth the wait. It’s everything I look for in a great mascara; it has a bristle brush (not a plastic comb which I can’t abide) that creates serious volume and lift, the wand isn’t too long so you have control when applying on top and bottom lashes, and the formula is creamy and ultra black so it really makes a statement.”
The rosemary oil hair treatment: Hair Syrup Grows-Mary Hair Syrup, £15.50
“I've been intrigued by rosemary oil for hair growth thanks to TikTok. This rosemary and thyme concoction one caught my eye because it's a fuss-free choice – no need for DIY dilution which many of them require. I've been using it twice a week for a few weeks now, and while I can't say I've transformed into Rapunzel overnight, I've noticed a tangible difference. My hair feels softer and more hydrated and I'm prepared to wait a full three months before commenting on the hair growth element. But at this price, it's worth the experiment.”
The seasonal moisturising switch-up: Summer Fridays Rich Cushion Cream, £52
“I always have to swap to a richer cream in the colder months and this one from Summer Fridays is a real treat. It feels like a luxurious cloud - but one that seriously delivers on hydration - on your face. Packed with ingredients to help calm the skin, it supports the skin's natural moisture barrier and helps it recover from external stressors, it also made my complexion feel really plump. It's perfect to use day or night and it leaves a dewy glow that's perfect for a natural look or as a base for makeup. It's not cheap but it really works."
The easy-to-use eyeshadow: Fenty Beauty Shadowstix Longwear Eyeshadow Stick, £22
“Rihanna's latest beauty launch is possibly her best yet. These eyeshadow sticks come in 16 versatile shades, with eight shimmer and eight matte options to choose from. They're a doddle to use - they're incredibly creamy and blend like a dream with just your finger. The pigmentation is top-notch, delivering vibrant colour that stays put. What's more, they don't smudge or budge. So if you struggledwith blending and buffing powder shadows, give these a try instead.”
The potentially perfect lip gloss: Refy Tinted Lip Gloss, £16
“Looking for the perfect lip gloss? This might be it. First up, there's the texture. It's not sticky in the slightest, feels ultra hydrating and balmy but delivers a true glossy finish. There are six shades to choose from, plus the original clear option, and they are all really wearable ranging from a soft pink, a rose pink, a couple of mid-browns to a rich deep brown. And the colour is impressively long-lasting, so you can skip the need for constant touch-ups.”