These new beauty buys will brighten up even the dullest of Januarys
January isn't always the most thrilling of months which is why we've found the latest beauty buys that will give your hair, skin and makeup bag an instant reset and refresh simply and easily. From the glow-making base from Maybelline that's the ultimate multitasker to the Mac cleansing oil that leaves skin feeling plump and balanced. And if you're looking to revamp your makeup look we have found a blusher shade you may not have considered before but absolutely should try.
The convenient cult cleanser: Tatcha The Rice Wash, £41
"If you love the Tatcha Rice Polish, a cult cleansing powder that gently exfoliates, you’ll enjoy the convenience of the new Rice Wash, which is like the powder, only already mixed. It’s a nourishing creamy formula that demands only a tiny amount (this is a spenny treatment cleanser that does go a long way). It’s a really thorough makeup and grime-busting cleanse that remains gentle. I like to wet my skin a little first before I apply it to make it a little creamier. There’s a new calming cleanser for oilier skins too, the Tatcha Deep Cleanse, £41 which my teens report is great. It’s oil-free containing gentle exfoliating luffa fruit." Victoria Woodhall, GTG Editorial Director
The does-it-all glowy base: Maybelline Instant Anti Age Perfector 4-in-1 Glow Makeup, £12.99
“I’d like to think of myself as the queen of glowy bases. When it comes to foundations, matte and flat is not my bag but light and luminous, verging on shiny I’d say, is where I like to be. This can take many different products to achieve but this clever little thing cuts through quite a few steps thanks to it having a primer, highlighter, colour corrector and foundation all rolled into one. The sponge applicator top isn’t for me so I put it on the back of my hand and then applied with my fingers and a brush but there are others who love them. It is a sheer coverage so again may only appeal to those who don’t want to wear too much on their skin and because it is so light it only comes in three shades - light, medium and dark - so you may want some additional concealer in places but the finish is a gorgeous healthy glow.” Sarah-Jane Corfield Smith, GTG Beauty Director
The non-greasy cleansing oil: Mac Hyper Real Fresh Canvas Cleansing Oil, £32
"PSA! MAC has debuted a performance-based skincare range called Hyper Real. the range is designed to simultaneously improve skin and enhance makeup. Their new cleansing oil is all about creating a clean, healthy canvas with no shine or residue. In my early 20s I was sceptical about using oils on my acne-prone skin, but I found out that oil cleansers can help balance the skin, and lock in moisture whilst also removing stubborn makeup, pollutants and micro-dust and even though my acne has now calmed down I still like to reach for a cleansing oil in colder weather to give my skin extra hydration. The luxurious formula effortlessly glides on and rinses off skin leaving it feeling hydrated and fresh and prepped for skincare and makeup.£36 might seem a bit excessive when there are a lot of cheaper alternatives out there, but I can promise you it’s worth it, and why not treat yourself to a little bit of luxury during the January blues?" Christina Callaghan, GTG Commercial Director
The repairing hand cream: Olverum Soothing Hand Lotion, £25
"The winter season really wreaks havoc on my hands. Over the past three months, I’ve been constantly warding off dry and dehydrated mitts and subsequently finished a couple of hand creams (how ridiculous!) in the process. That was until I found this long-lasting formula from wellbeing brand Olverum. It’s formulated with a blend of 99.55% natural botanical ingredients including shea butter, apricot oil and vitamin e which all work to restore the skin barrier. I love how it keeps my hands soft, smooth and supple for hours on end and I only need two or three pumps to get by! Mind you, I do wish there was a purse-friendly size of the 50% recycled plastic bottle for when I’m on the go. However, I’ll forgive Olverum because the luxurious scent of marjoram, lavandin and geranium essential oils always puts a spring in my step." JT
The surprisingly flattering blusher shade: Morphe Ultra Lavender Blush Balm, £12
"I know what you're thinking: purple blush, that's never going to work. But trust me when I say that this cream blush ticks all the boxes. Firstly, it has a gorgeous dewy finish that looks really natural. Secondly, the texture is almost like a balm thanks to it containing It contains moisturising murumuru and cupuacu butter and it blends in effortlessly and easily. And then we come to the shade, while it looks punchy in the picture it buffs onto the skin to be a very soft lavender hue. It can be layered for intensity, which would look beautiful on darker skin tones or sheered out using a brush for a softer look. A little goes a long way so at £12 this is a very wallet-friendly option and I should know because I have been using their Notoriously Neutral shade for over a year and have barely made a dent in it so I doubt I’ll ever finish these two." AR
The spot clearing serum: Gallinée Vinegar Gelée Anti-Blemish Serum, £35 for 30ml
"Gallinée has no truck with the status quo and just does things its own way, based on all the proper skincare science and evidence the brand is steeped in. So no alcohol or zinc or acids here -not even anti-pimple hero salicylic acid- but instead a fresh liquid jelly that smells unmistakably of vinegar, as that is the not-so-secret active ingredient. A gentle postbiotic (obtained through fermentation), the hibiscus vinegar works to soothe and brighten skin and offer very gentle exfoliation, alongside fellow postbiotic lactic acid. Meanwhile, ‘Dendriclear’ is another fermented bio-active proven to reduce breakout-causing C. acnes bacteria while promoting non-acneic strains. So it’s all about balancing the skin microbiome here until it’s in a calm, clear state devoid of oil slicks and blemishes. While the serum works on that, it keeps skin feeling well-hydrated and looking nice and glowy. I don’t even suffer from breakouts but I still love this." Ingeborg van Lotringen
The instant effect eye cream: Tula Skincare Rose Glow & Get It Cooling and Brightening Eye Balm, £28
“The issue I think most people have with skincare is that it takes time and patience to see any kind of results. If, like me, the idea of a product that gives you instant transformation while you know it’s working hard in the background on long term change thrills you, then this eye balm is for you. It comes in a handy stick, a bit like many of the best cream blushers and solid foundations, and is a pinky-pearly colour. The colour transfers onto the skin to instantly make the skin around your eyes look more awake and brighter (I’ve been tempted to put it all over my face), which is what I need most mornings. The next instant result is the menthol in the product kicks in and tingles and cools the skin down. Wonderful if you’ve had a terrible night sleep and your eyes need pepping up. In the long term there’s niacinamide to brighten, hyaluronic acid to hydrate and a plant-based retinol to soften lines. It does everything basically.” SJCS
The effective flaky scalp shampoo: Vichy Dercos Technique Anti-Dandruff Shampoo, £12.50
“Vichy has entered the shampoo game with two washes, an Energising Shampoo, £18, to revive the scalp and give the illusion of thicker hair, which I’m enjoying and this anti-dandruff one. It gets my pick this week as two members of my household (husband and son) are raving about it for their dandruff-prone itchy scalps. Both formulas are light and leave your scalp feeling refreshed and calmed and your hair bouncy.” VW
The hand cream equivalent for hair: JVN Complete Conditioning Mist, £16
"The Complete Conditioning Mist is a new addition to the JVN haircare family and I would buy it for the scent alone (a gorgeous blend of amber and cashmere musk, with a splash of lemon and mandarin). I have been blessed with thick hair but I can spend a ridiculous amount of time making sure I've applied product evenly. This mist does all the hard work for you cutting down on time and effort while maxing out on results. It has a really lightweight consistency making it a great option for fine hair too and it contains defrizzing ingredients as well as heat protection for when you're styling. It's also super hydrating and I've taken to using it a bit like a hand cream and spritzing it on my dry hair throughout the day for an extra hydration and smoothing hit. And for those that don't have time for one of the best hair masks out there, this is a quick but equally effective alternative. " CC
The face oil made for January: Ole Henriksen Strength Hydrabarrier Nourishing Face Oil, £36
"If your skin is in need of some TLC thanks to the January combo of cold weather outside and hot central heating inside, or you're simply looking to take some extra care of your skin let me introduce you to my newest skin saviour from Ole Henriksen. This barrier-supporting oil is like a warm hug for your face. The combination of peptides for elasticity, ceramides for hydration and bounce as well as berry oils for added moisture help strengthen the surface of the skin to keep moisture in and aggressors out and also makes your skin softer and less prone to irritation. You can use this oil AM or PM, alone or as the final step in your skincare routine to seal in all your other products, or even mixed in with your foundation for extra glow. I’ve used it every way possible and I am hooked . Fun fact: Selena Gomez was wearing this at the Golden Globes last week and looked radiant as ever and who wouldn’t want skin like her, I know I do!" AR
The perfect red lipstick: Elf O Face Satin Lipstick, £9
"Forgive me for not knowing what the hell an ‘O face’ is (is it to do with orgasms? How tiresome), but I like these lipsticks nonetheless. My ears pricked up when I saw the texture is satin – with the fashion firmly for matte textures, I’ve been struggling recently to find a new lipstick I like. Matte to me feels uncomfortably dry and looks unnecessarily unflattering, sapping lips of moisture and accentuating the steady decline of lip volume that comes with age. Satin and gloss textures are much more forgiving, with satin having the added advantage of not running into lines. This pleasingly good-value formula also has major colour pay-off, requiring just the single swipe for a full-on pout, plus it feels comfy and features plenty of nourishing, lip-loving oils. Out of the ten shades (20 from February) I went straight for the cherry red, which is universally flattering and has the added advantage of making teeth look whiter. It’s called No Regrets and it’s polished in a timeless way, with very good staying power." IvL
The ultimate hair styling prep spray: Beauty Pie Super Healthy Hair Blow Dry Spray, £10 (non-members pay £20)
"For fine hair (mine is also thinning) it’s a challenge to protect it from heat while your style while not weighing it down with too heavy or too many products that leave you with a limp greasy mop. This multi-tasking coconut water spray does it all, with heat protection, gentle styling hold and nourishment to calm dry ends. It’s light enough to be used between washes to dampen my hair in preparation for a refresh with my hot brush (Hot Tools Black Gold Volumizer, since you ask – just the best!). Another great reason to be a Beauty Pie member is that you save £10 on the price. Not a member? Use code GTGSENTME for £10 to spend when you sign up." VW