Beauty is a world that is constantly evolving.
There's so much to discover with new in beauty products, but over time my magpie tendencies have slowed down. Perhaps I'm getting more discerning in my old age!
I'm certainly a lot more selective in my choices and instead of 30 different palettes or lipsticks that lie gathering dust in the dressing room, I just want a handful of things that I'll use and cherish.
So when I do try new things, I take a lot more care. I do my research. I buy with intent. And because of that, the latest beauty products I try now usually end up being the beauty products I can't live without.
These are the new products I've found myself falling for recently.
Chanel Le Vernis | 735 Daydream
Nothing says new season more than a brand new nail colour. When it comes to little luxuries that are worth treating yourself to, I love Chanel polishes.
The formulas are super glossy and last ages without chipping. The brushes are excellent and I get neat results with a single coat.
And it's that feeling of elegance in the heavy, square glass bottle with it's rounded edges, the iconic Double C logo winking at you from the cap. I feel like a fancy lady when I use a Chanel product, like I should be skipping along a boulevard in a tweed jacket clutching a box of treats from a boujie patisserie!
I wanted to get a neutral colour for autumn and nearly went for 'Organdi', which is your classic beige nude nail. But when I saw this pretty dusky pink shade I changed my mind.
It's a gorgeous, wear-with-anything shade with a touch more bite, perfect for a transitional season.
ELF Halo Glow Liquid Filter
The dupe that broke the internet! The level of hype around this product has been unreal and ever since ELF announced they were doing a version of the iconic Charlotte Tilbury Hollywood Flawless Filter, it's been consistently sold out in a lot of shades.
I've never tried the Charlotte Tilbury version because I wasn't quite sure how it would fit into my routine, but I had heard it was the one must-have a lot of professional makeup artists use for red carpet skin.
When shades of the Halo Glow became available again, I was intrigued enough to place an order.
Described as a hybrid of skin care and makeup, this product is packed with squalane and hyaluronic acid to plump and smooth, while the sheer pigment brings a beautiful glow to skin and finely milled micro-powders create a blurring effect to help hide fine lines and pores.
Sounds good, right?
Especially at just £14 versus £36 for the Charlotte Tilbury version and with more skincare benefits.
The packaging is really lovely as well. It comes in a heavy glass bottle with a pale pink lid and a giant doe foot applicator that makes it easy to swipe on.
There are several ways to use it.
- As a primer underneath foundation
- As a highlighter over the top of foundation
- Worn on its own to even out and perfect the skin
It works brilliantly in each of these ways, and I've found myself reaching for it a lot more than I expected, especially now that it's getting to the time of year when that natural summer glow fades and my skin looks quite tired and lacklustre.
This product is so versatile and really gives skin a boost.
Fenty Beauty Match Stix | Amber
On a daily basis, I like a very simple makeup look. I rarely go completely bare faced because I feel more myself with a little polish, but working from home most days I also want to keep it low key.
I don't tend to use eyeshadows or anything complicated, but what I won't ever skip is a cream contour product. Something that can swipe on and blend out in a matter of seconds but makes a huge difference to the way I look and feel. A quick contour is a game changer for me.
This one is creamy, easy to apply in a hurry and very long lasting as well. The shade 'Amber' is perfect for me, as the cool undertones create a realistic looking shadow.
It's a brilliant product that's become a real staple for me.
Prada Paradoxe EDP
Perfume is one of those things that is so personal and evocative. Catch a waft of the right fragrance and it can really transport you to another time and place.
Although I've switched my favourite perfumes over the years, I've always been drawn to what are often called 'florientals', and a lot of my favourites contain similar notes- Chanel Coco Mademoiselle, Hugo Boss The Scent for Her, Victor & Rolf Flowerbomb.
The new launch from Prada is very much part of the family there.
You have Moroccan neroli, orange blossom, jasmine, bergamot, a mix of pear and tangerine in the top notes, and a base of Amber, white musk, benzoin and bourbon vanilla.
It's on the sweeter side but without being too gourmand or cloying, and fresh with a bit of sharpness.
The ingredients are ethically sourced and it comes in a refillable bottle which massively appealed to me.
I was intrigued by the sustainable luxury concept, and the pretty triangular bottle, so I spritzed some in duty free during a recent trip to Switzerland and although I didn't buy it then, I couldn't stop smelling it! I hadn't seen it in the UK before at the time so I was frantically searching for it in airports as I travelled with work.
It's quickly become a firm favourite and works well for day and evening.
Transformulas Eyelifting In A Tube
You know those days when you look more fired than usual? Your eyes look puffy, creased and lined? I feel like when I don't sleep well, you can immediately tell.
Well, this product is the cheat code for tired eyes. Think of it as the equivalent of slipping on a pair of Spanx - you get an instant tightening, lifting effect.
It's a cooling gel that firms up the skin around eyes instantly, reduces puffiness and bags and helps to smooth out fine lines.
You basically get a high dose of peptides to refresh the skin and support the facial architecture around the eyes.
Sweep it on under the eyes and browbones, let it absorb slightly, and then use your fingertips to sweep upwards and outwards.
Perfect for those days when you just need a bit of a fix in a rush to make you look a bit fresher.
Trinny London Lip Luxe Sooze
So I adore Trinny London products. They've become what I reach for everyday - quick, high-performance products that have really streamlined my mornings.
I love having a simple stack that contains all my daily essentials and can be popped in my handbag with zero fuss.
I was using the Lip2Cheek from the range, only the formula is very matte and quite drying. Lip Luxe is much creamier and gives a satin finish with a sort of stain underneath that means the product lasts really well and doesn't suddenly disappear after you've had a coffee. I find it much more comfortable to wear.
And it's not so glossy that it doesn't work on the cheeks as a blush - I dot some on and pat in for a bit of a flush.
This cool toned heather pink is so pretty and has definitely become my daily pick.
Hourglass Vanish Seamless Finish Foundation
Hourglass are well known for their skin finishing products, most notably the cult Ambient Lighting powders. So could that expertise translate into a base product? Turns out it can!
This foundation manages that rare trick of being full coverage and yet extremely weightless. It's quite thin and runny, with almost an oily consistency. And yet when buffed into the skin with a brush it's both super light weight and really pigmented.
It's packed with light refracting micro spheres that help to even out skin tone and give a perfected glow.
The phase 'like a second skin' could have been invented for this.
It may not sit entirely right on oiler skin types, but if you have normal skin that gets a bit more dry during the winter, this could be the perfect one to try.
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