From The Body Shop's skin-reviving sheet mask, the Dove bath salts that add a feeling of luxe to bath time without breaking the bank to the new MZ Skin moisturiser that's a bit of a game changer, here's our round-up of the best new beauty buys.
There's a lot going on right now and while we would never claim that beauty products can make everything OK, what they can do is provide us all with a moment of distraction, self-care and contemplation which is what makes them so powerful. That's certainly what the team got from these latest beauty and wellbeing buys.
From the Elemental Herbology serum that will quite literally rescue your skin from a state of flux, the Aroma Active balm that soothes away stress and tension, to Monika Blunder's new cream blusher that also works brilliantly on lips for an instant makeup dopamine hit and Neom's new sleep programme that will get you sleeping better in just four weeks, even when Mercury is in retrograde. Read on to discover the products that have provided the GTG team with some moments of joy this week.
The multi-tasking hydrating balm: Jones Road Hippie Stick, £29
"Any product that saves me time and money are an essential, now so more than ever, and this creation by makeup artist, Bobbi Brown is a genius one. It is essentially a hydrating balm that can be used on skin wherever it’s dry and needs a dose of moisture. But there’s very little it can’t do. I’ve been using it on my lips, a stubborn patch of dry skin on my shin, to add some extra sheen and shine on my cheekbones and even on my hands and cuticles. Drier skin could use it all over their face as a moisturiser and it’s solid format makes it a great product to throw in your handbag for when you need it." Sarah Jane Corfield Smith, Beauty Director
The perfect flush of cheek (and lip) blush: Monika Blunder Liquid Flush Cheek Tint in Munchen, £25
"Following on with my theme of constantly being on the lookout for a multitasker comes this gorgeous cream blusher. Now, it doesn’t say that it’s for lips too but I have been slathering it on my lips and cheeks and it works a treat. It feels really hydrating on both and the colour payoff is gorgeous, giving my exhausted-looking skin an instant boost. As with all the Monika Blunder products I’ve tried, the pigment payoff is sensational so a little goes a very long way. There are four shades to choose from, an amazing bright orange that would look great on darker or more olive skins whereas this soft apricot-pink shade suits my fair skin." SJCS
The recalibrating serum: Elemental Herbology Perfect Balance Probiotic Serum, £60
"There’s a much greater awareness about balancing our skin these days – we’re now realising that, just like the environment, our skin is happiest when we don’t mess with it too much and support it to do its job properly. And this is where this new creamy probiotic serum for normal to combination skin comes in, although it’s for anyone whose face needs a little TLC; I have dry skin and I find it beautifully conditioning.
"It’s a silky blend of skin-identical oils (squalane, jojoba), moisturising polyglutamic acid and probiotics. In the ‘wild’ your skin is made of water (sweat), oils (sebum) and good bacteria and this has all three, plus a blend of minerals such as magnesium to knock back inflammation. I put this on first thing in the morning under moisturiser and can feel my overnight dehydration diminish. Elemental Herbology is a clever east-meet-west spa brand based around Chinese five elements but with modern science and although it’s been going more than a decade it feels even more right for now when stress levels are off the scale." Victoria Woodhall, GTG Editorial Director
The instant brow definer: Diego Dalla Palma Long Lasting 24HR Microblading Eyebrow Pen, £15.50
"This is not the first ‘microblading’ pen, but it’s a good one. The fork-y tip, infused with brow ink, is a brilliant idea: you can lightly rake it through the fat bit of your brows, then hold it sideways to subtly darken the tail end. It grabs and tints the hairs for a totally natural effect; others I’ve tried deposit so little ink that you’re forced to push the pen onto the underlying skin, which makes for a much less ‘born with it’ finish. It doesn’t fatten your brow hairs like some brow mascaras do, but it makes achieving precision-perfection really quick and easy." Inge van Lotringen, GTG Beauty Editor
The calm-inducing balm: Aroma Active SOS Forehead Balm, £8
"Aroma Active is a sister wellness brand to Aromatherapy Associates, with a similar ethos but a significantly lower pricepoint, hurrah! And as we all go back to school/work/uni, it’s just introduced a collection of balms for everyday ailments that are cute, pocket-size and perfect for a quick pick-me-up while on the go. Take this peppermint and eucalyptus Forehead Balm, you might not think you need a forehead balm in your life, but you do now. If you’re feeling a tad groggy, brain foggy or just need a moment of calm, rub a little over your temples and take a couple of deep breaths - you’ll be back on form in no time. A nice little reminder to introduce bitesize self-care practices into your day." Rosie Fitzmaurice, Health and Wellness Editor
The flawless concealer: Vieve new concealer, £22
"I love every single thing I’ve tried from MUA Jamie Genevieve’s makeup range Vieve, from her eye wands to the now cult Skin Dew - so my expectations were naturally high for her first concealer and one of her first ever base products. One of two big concealer launches this month (the other being Charlotte Tilbury Beautiful Skin Concealer, £25) this one’s also infused with hyaluronic acid to give a shot of extra hydration and comes in 20 shades - I used the online Find My Shade search tool to find a match by inputting my usual shade from another brand and it was pretty accurate, though I would recommend going a shade or two lighter if you’re using it to brighten under the eye area. I was initially surprised by the consistency of it, it’s thicker than most other concealers I’ve used, with almost a velvety mousse-like texture and a little goes a long way. This offers medium to full coverage so is ideal for anyone looking for that little bit extra, but It’s super bendable and doesn’t crease or cake and really stays put all day. Well done Jamie!" RF
The self-care salts: Dove Peony & Rose Renewing Care Bath Salts, £6.99
"Autumn is just around the corner, so what better way to kick off the cosy season than a relaxing long bath? These new limited-edition bath salts created in collaboration with Dove and TV presenter Stacey Solomon are perfect for transforming bath time. I apply two-to-three handfuls of the salts to warm running water and wait for them to dissolve before soaking in the tub. It’s formulated with pure sea salt — the perfect antidote for tired aching muscles, which leaves you feeling incredibly relaxed and soothed after a long day. It’s also infused with peony and rose scent (if you’re not a big fan of rosy fragrances, this might not be for you) but I love it. The delicate floral scent really adds to the self-care moment with a nice spa-like experience. Plus, it’s infused with skin-natural moisturisers which leave your skin feeling soft and smooth afterwards." Jemma Thompson, Social Media and Design Manager
The skin perfecting makeup base: Grown Alchemist Anti-Pollution Primer, £31
"Primers are one of those things I don’t really get and hardly ever use, but when Grown Alchemist co-founder Jeremy Muijs was in town last week to celebrate launching a pop-up at Nobu Portman Square and dropping the Australian skincare line on Selfridges I asked him for his top tip for dewy, juicy skin ahead of a wedding I was going to. He advised me to layer a hyaluronic serum, the brand’s is excellent, followed by this Anti-Pollution Primer under my base, and boy was it a power play. The primer is clear which I really liked as it doesn’t feel like you’re adding yet more creams into your routine, and is super lightweight with a silky finish that completely blurs the look of your skin like a filter. It contains a prebiotic-peptide, healing adaptogen ashwagandha and rose oil to nourish, protect and calm the skin, making the perfect canvas for a proper glow-up." RF
The cord-free hair styler: BaByliss 9000 Cordless Waver, £180
"I'm obsessed with adding bouncy waves to my hair but, try as I might, have never been able to master using straighteners to create them. So, I decided to give using a waver a try and have been asking myself ever since: why didn’t I reach for one sooner?! This new high-performance cordless model from BaByliss features a three-hour fast charge for 40 minutes of use at maximum temperature. This means that I can quickly curl my thick, afro-textured hair while dancing to Dua Lipa in a flash. There are three temperature settings to choose from: 160°C, 170°C, 180°C; I use the latter. The ceramic barrels contain micro-heating matrix heaters, which essentially help to control the temperature for consistently even heat, giving smooth uniform glossy wave formation. It’s so handy if you’re away or on-the-go as the portable waver comes with a luxe travel case, heat-protective mat, lining and glove. Plus, the waver is an absolute doddle to use, take this from someone who genuinely struggles to style their hair!" JT
The 4 weeks to better sleep course: Neom Perfect Night’s Sleep Plan, £10
"As a long-term poor sleeper – whenever stress strikes, I can’t do the very thing that would help me most – I’m signing up for Neom Organics' new 28-day sleep reset challenge. It starts this week - although you can start any time. It has been created with leading sleep expert Nick Whitton, who works with elite athletes. When you sign up, you receive Nick’s 11 golden rules for good sleep and in a pretty printed booklet with Neom’s Perfect Night’s Sleep Pillow Mist 30ml – this alone normally costs £20 so you’re already quids in. There will be weekly emails with videos and tips from experts in health, psychotherapy and nutrition and an online community. I met Nick recently and even though I’ve read every sleep tip going, he has a fresh and doable approach, which involves getting the timings right regarding light exposure, caffeine and alcohol and winding down, so that your whole day sets you up for the best possible night. I can’t wait to get started." VW
The dry skin reviver: MZ Skin The Rich Moisturiser, £150
"The job of a good moisturiser is to create a barrier on the that keeps moisture in and pollutants and other irritating particles out but also to make your skin feel comfortable. An investment moisturiser such as this new Rich Moisturiser (there’s also a Light Moisturser, also £150) from oculoplastic surgeon Dr Maryam Zamani needs to go further with key actives and to prove itself in trials (not all do!). Clinical and user trials on the two show decent results not just for moisturisation but improvement in brightness, decrease in wrinkle depth. The Rich (which is still light enough for day) has the edge in terms of results and is my choice for treating my dry skin twice a day and layering over vitamin C or retinol. I like the way she’s formulated it with vegetable butters and waxes for a smooth feel and for me it lives up to its claim of being the gold standard cream for ageing skin." VW
The glow boosting mask: The Body Shop Edelweiss Sheet Mask, £6
"This is the first sheet mask that has ever fit my face perfectly - no flappy bits or the feeling that it was sliding off my chin. I actually wore it to unload the dishwasher rather than having to lie down on the sofa to keep it in place. It’s saturated in their new edelweiss formula, which is taking the place of their best-selling Drops of Youth franchise (so if you were a fan of that you may love this more), and has a more potent and concentrated concoction of the antioxidant-rich plant. And when I say saturated, I mean it. The mask was so drenched with the serum that just putting the mask on meant I had enough serum left on my hands to rub all over my arms. Fifteen minutes later I took it off and my skin looked and felt juicy. This is great for prepping skin for a party or for popping on your skin before getting off a plane to replenish it. Oh, and it’s biodegradable too." SJ