The New Beauty Products To Shop This Month, According To Our Beauty Editor
Ava Wardecki
Freelance Sub-Editor | Urban List NZ
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It’s a work smarter, not harder kind of Beauty News month. There’s multi-tasking concoctions, and heavy-lifting sheet masks and face sprays that make you wonder how you lived before they came into your beauty cabinet.
Plus, a bunch of 2-in-1 and muti-tasking heroes that atone us for yesteryear’s 4-in-1 shampoo.
This candy-box of a Beauty News round up is yours to dig into.
Your New Glowy Go-Tos
Go-To | Limited Edition Make Up By Go-To Range | From $26
Image credit: Go-To | Supplied
Aussie skincare queens Go-To are just about to launch a very glossy, very *very* limited edition make up range ready to help you feel luminous over the festive season (and beyond). Wrapped in their signature gorg peachy packaging, Make Up By Go-To will feature Very Glowy Blush (a hyaluronic acid-filled serumy blush), Matte Pop Blush (perfect for blurring and plumping) and Ring Light (a glaze-giing liquid highlighter).
A GHD Under The Tree
GHD’s Christmas Release: Cherry Chic | From $50
Image Credit: GHD | Supplied
Torn between a new styling tool and a purse for Spring? Don’t be. GHD’s hotly-anticipated Christmas release is here and let us tell you it’s 1) delicious, and 2) include pouches that are a bit of a nod to C&Ms Poppy Clutch.
Coffrets and clutches aside, black-forest tones are the go for GHD’s limited-edition styling tools this year—aptly named Cherry Chic. All our favourite folk are here: the Helious Dryer, the Conical Wand, all the straighteners, and the #lazygirlhairlover hack: the GHD Duet Blowdry Hair Dryer Brush.
We’re calling it now: you’ll be repurposing the trunk packaging like a 1920’s heiress in Monaco, swanning around with your sleek, shiny hair.
Getting Lippy
The Ordinary | PHA 5% Exfoliating Lip Serum | $17
Image Credit: Deciem | Supplied
Hands down, one of the most innovative lip products to come out of this decade—maybe century—is here: The Ordinary’s PHA 5% Exfoliating Lip Serum.You’ll be quick to spot this pretty pink ampoule at the Deciem counter. And for good reason: it’s the best, quickest and most gentle route to a smooth pout.
You know that impossibly smooth and clean feeling you get in the days following a facial? This baby does just that—only from the comfort of your own space. Forget itchy lip scrubs, forget vigorous facecloth scrubs to the corners of your mouth, the Exfoliating Lip Serum takes care of all your exfoliating needs (plus some) with a gentle yet swift approach.
The PHA works in the background to dissolve away the structures holding dead skin cells—the gunk—in your skin, increasing cellular turnover. All the while, glycerin (a hydrating and soothing fave) works to drive moisture deep into the skin. Oh, and retain it.
It’s gentle enough to not cause irritation, but punchy enough to see results on first use. And even is safe for sensitive skinned folk to use it (a rarity in the world of exfoliants).
We’re obsessed
Lit For A Princess
Flamingo Estate | Princesstartå Candle | $127
Image Credit: Flamingo Estate | Website
Flamingo Estate and Mecca, the purveyors of aspirational, well, everythings, have done it again. Together, they’ve brought the sold-out Princesstartå candle (a Beauty News favourite that we gave covergirl position to earlier this year) out of hiding.
It’s now exclusively available at Mecca’s Bourke Street Flagship store—or online (phew,)for us New Zealanders.
Rest assured, the scent’s the same: jasmine petals, toasted cinnamon incense, almond, neroli leaves. Or, as our noses experienced: marzipan, whipped florals, a touch of your boyfriend’s aftershave, and someone walking by with a box of cannoli
I Scream For Sunscreen
Bondi Sands | Sunny Range from $14.99
Image Credit: Bondi Sands | Instagram
What’s more delicious than a rich yet lightweight SPF50? Finding it in serum form—alongside its caramel-scented lip balm little sister.
Ample enough to act as a makeup base and potent enough to provide SPF50, the Sunny Drops SPF 50+ Face Serum is a clear stand-out in Bondi Sands’ new Sunny line.
All of the SPF count, none of the ‘sunscreen-ey’ texture. Find it in our hand, beauty and beachbags for the foreseeable future.
Lurking In The Shadows
Shadow by Taylor Boutique | $197
Image Credit: Taylor | Website
The doyenne of dark shades and bold shapes—Vicki Taylor of Taylor Boutique—is at it again. She’s created her first ever fragrance, and get this; Riesling is one of the key notes.
Alongside the notes of our favourite tipple, “Shadow” weaves together palmarosa, the korean berry Omija, soap and musk. Or as Vicki puts it, it embodies “balance, texture and restraint.”
Gosh, and we thought it was already hard enough leaving their boutiques empty-handed.
BC, Why Not?
39BC | Body Oil Cleansers | From $60
Image Credit: 39BC | Instagram
Shower owners rejoice, we finally get a slice of those gorgeous oils usually reserved for the tub. 39BC has officially launched, and its maiden collection—the Vol. 1 Alexandria—has four delicious body oil cleansers. You’ll find Fig Milk, Denarii, Sage Water and Silk Veil (a jasminey, tuberose blend inspired by Cleopatra VII herself).
Delayed gratification is the name of the game here. Pre-order now, then get your UK-living pals to lug it over to Aotearoa on the mass migration home for Christmas
A Bit Bouffant
Bouf | Flouf Factor Growth Shampoo | $39.95
Image Credit: Bouf | Supplied
You’ve no doubt seen Bouf’s Flouf Factor Growth Shampoo do the social rounds, so let us give you the skinny from the other side of the screen.
The shampoo is gloriously thick. It suds up like no one’s business. Hair feels sleek as soon as you rinse it out. Scent-wise, it’s a dead ringer for the Shampoo isle of a French supermarket.
We know that hair growth is Bouf’s focus, but the instant structure and firm body this shampoo gives our tresses is what we’re really obsessed with.
Best Face Forward
Mecca Cosmetica | Future Face Hydrogel Mask | From $15
Image Credit: Mecca Cosmetica | Instagram
A little bit of pre-bed-time theatre? Oh why not. Rip open the Future Face Hydrogel Mask, smooth the two-piece gels over your face, and settle in.
The cooling sensation will gently cover your face (and that’s before you even think about keeping the sachets in the fridge) while the Vitamin C and Niacinamide get to work.
In the meantime, gold flecks will keep you thoroughly mesmerised anytime you swan past a mirror. Another home run for our creators of easy, pocket-friendly pick me ups, MECCA Cosmetica.
Let’s Baina
Baina's Apothecary Range | From $65
Image Credit: Baina | Instagram
Baina—creators of those aesthetic towels—are officially in the bath and body products business. And like all good millennials, we’re obsessed.
The Apothecary line is exactly what it sounds like. Aromatic, nourishing bath and body creations stacked with essential oils that have been blended and chosen for their effect on the brain and body.
Simply put, Baina’s newbies brighten our bathroom’s nooks, brains and skin.
A New Flame
Deadly Ponies x Dan Arps Candle - Deadly | $149
Image Credit: Deadly Ponies | Instagram
Let that new leather handbag smell linger a little while longer. Deadly Ponies have brought out a candle that celebrates this oh-so-fleeting scent: Deadly, in collaboration with artist Dan Arps.
Soft leather is naturally a top note, before a bit of resin, earth, oak and woody floors (a nod to their boutiques) before being bookended by notes of ‘worn leather.’ Poetic and pretty.
A Dose Of Omega
Dyson Omega™ leave-in conditioning spray | $120
Image Credit: Dyson | Supplied
Dyson’s winning streak of haircare continues. Though this time, it’s their liquid hair creations that caught our eyes.
The Omega Leave In Conditioning Spray is everything we love in a post-hair-wash spritz: A futuristic tube, an even (and horizontal) spray shower, an oh-so-light texture, plus heat and UV-protection.
The ingredients are as high-tech as their air stylers. There’s 7 omega-rich oils (that’s thanks to Dyson’s’ very own Oli7TM blend) alongside fermented sweet almond and camellia seed oils.
It’s best for damp, pre-styling hair. But we’ve found that it’s a great injection of moisture for dry tresses or even as a daily fragrance. Seriously, it smells like a rich French Aunt
A Burning Circus
Circus Candles | From $85
Image Credit: Circus | Instagram
You just know a candle company that calls their wares’ burnable art,’ and drapes them in opulent, Balmain-circa-2017-inspired dresses or chic leather jackets is going to be a goodie.
One look at their candles’ names—Bound in Butter, Fuzzed and Christal Fetish—and you’ll be sold.
Go on, save Circus Candles to your favourite tabs, sneak in an order, and settle in for the next few years of “I knew them first” smugness. We know we’ll be doing just that.
Island Time
Image Credit: True Tahiti | Instagram
If a jaunt to Bora Bora is off the cards right now, a visit to True Tahiti—or your shower, actually—will do.
The locally-made but Tahiti-led line takes its cues from the island’s special flora. Tamanu oil is front and centre: a jet-black liquid that’s known rumoured to be more rejuvenating than Vitamin C.
As for a sweet treat? Digging into a tub of the sweet Coconut Caramel Luxury Body Scrub will do the trick. Thanking you True Tahiti for taking care of our travel and snacking cravings.
A Lippy Confession
Ed n' I | Confesstions Lip Smudge Pencil | $48
Image Credit: Ed n' I | Website
It's the lip liner equivalent of The Sisterhood of the Travelling Pants. We kid you not, the ‘Confession’ shade of the new Lip Smudge Pencil works a treat on everyone.
Muted rosey pigments, smooth candelilla and carnauba waxes and clearly, sorcery, go into this delicious new launch by Ed n’ I.
Is the lipliner you want to cover your entire pout with it. And, good news, you can. This baby is smooth.
Bedtime Caffeine
PDRN | Pink Caffeine Night Wrapping Mask | $45
Image Credit: Hikoco | Website
Turns out you can have your caffeine hit at night. Only it’s pink, sparkly, gelatinous and glides right across your skin. Medicube’s PDRN Pink Caffeine Night Wrapping Mask is perhaps the most glamorous skincare seal there is.
Sure, it’s designed to lock in goodies like Hyaluronic Acid and Niacinamide. But it’s also powered with PDRN (a salmon-derived DNA component—far more accessible than its injectable counterpart).
Plus, you get the satisfaction of peeling the film off in the morning. Who needs morning coffee with this dopamine hit, really?
New Dudes
Two Dudes: the new look for two Dudes | From $14
Image Credit: Two Dudes | Instagram
A new look for Two Dudes is here, just in time for Christmas gifting. In fact, their new shade of green—AKA Green Dude—wouldn’t look amiss under or decorating a Christmas tree.
Plus, it’s all the better to spot it in Chemist Warehouse runs, we say.
A matter of both style and substance, the new look also offers extra user-friendliness (for instance, their new smooth-glide deodorants and day cream in a pump.) Oh, and a ruddy good occasion to get Paddy Gower in a lime-green Lambo to celebrate.
Got It Covered
Life Proof Satin Blur Foundation 30ml | $42.00
Image credit: Mecca Max | Supplied
It’s the kind of foundation that makes you skip concealer altogether. Lifeproof Satin Blur—Mecca Max’s newest beauty—is the heavy-lifting all rounder we all aspire to be.
Spanning 40 shades (where literally every undertone is accounted for,) the light, medium-coverage and matte-leaning formula supports hydration with raspberry seed oil and hyaluronic acid.
The coverage is just as impressive. One pump delivers plenty of product, and a little bit glides a long, long way. It’s a pretty generous 20ml, so we’re anticipating this bad boy to stay in our beauty rotation for a while.
Our tip? Start your application with a brush, before patting in the rest with your fingers to dial up the blur.
Glow-Getter
Revlon Colorstay Face & Body Glow Lotion | $24.99
Image credit: Revlon | Website
Revlon’s new Colorstay Face & Body Glow Lotion is, well, anything you want it to be. More sparkly than pearly, it’s a pocket-rocket that delivers a warm metallic tint of your choosing.
It’s a highlight for both your cheekbones and decolletage. It’s a bodyshimmer that won’t send sparkle particles into your clothing fibres or airways. It’s even a luminescent base to the most matte of foundations (try it thank us later).
Or, if you so wish, it’s a throwback to a Rarotongan holiday, courtesy of its coconut scent.
Raaie Of Sunshine
Tranquillity Water Activating Mist | $139.00
Image credit: Raaie | Supplied
It’s the facial spray that made us blurt out an expletive. Seriously. A spritz and a squiz into the mirror later, we were gobsmacked with our reflection: firmer skin, plumped texture and visibly faded forehead lines.
Scanning the back of the bottle is just as joyful. Multi-weight hyaluronic acid, antimicrobial kawakawa leaves, skin-signal mimicking peptides, mānuka water, a gentle exfoliant (Gluconolactone, PHA) and marine bioactives all call Raaie’s Tranquillity Water Activating Mist bottle home.
Plus, it purveys the most even and angelicly fine mist we’ve ever tried. It’s official, our Raaie skincare fanclub subscription is renewed.
Tinted Love
Rimmel London | Blur it Out Mattifying Skin Tint
Image credit: Rimmel | Website
Finding a mattifying skin tint is like finding a pair of jeans. A colossal chore. So allow us to make it simple: head to your local Chemist Warehouse, beeline for Rimmels’ new Blur it Out Mattifying Skin Tint and pick your shade just by looking (yes, it’s that easy—there’s 16 shades, all visible through the tube).
The fluid buffs seamlessly into your skin, melding skin tones and pores as it goes. Plus, it’s ultra buildable. Though, trust us, one layer does the trick.
Lanolin Loving
LANOCRÈME Originals Sheet Mask with Vitamin E | $9.99
Image credit: Lanocrème | Website
Two things our skin always needs—Lanolin and Vitamin E—come together in sheet mask form thanks to Canterbury-based Lanocrème (though you’ll find them in any good Chemist Warehouse.) They’re bamboo-based, and leave your skin impossibly soft thanks to its Premium Grade New Zealand Lanolin and concoction of green tea extract, hyaluronic acid and Vitamin E. Plus, just look at that mask-per-pack price breakdown, would you?
Dripped Out
Magic Drip Lipgloss | $39.00
Image credit: Mecca | Supplied
Give us high-octane glitter, and you’ll always have our heart. Case in point, Half Magic Drip Lipgloss in Dreamie Genie: a new cosmic purple lip confection that looks straight out of a Y2K music video.
Bright lilac in the bottle, and a warm sparkling glow on your lips, it’s equal parts lip gloss and magic trick.
Let it Roc
RoC Derm Correxion Firming Serum Stick | $77.99
Image credit: RoC | Supplied
While not quite a crystal ball, the perfect wee dome of RoC’s Derm Correxion Firming Serum Stick is somewhat of a glimpse into your skin’s future: lifted, firm, contoured. You see, this new retinol product is all about delivering fast-absorbing advanced retinol (and firming THPE and antioxidants) to keep skin youthful. Plus, it’s ruddy easy to smooth across your neck, face and back of hands.
Building Barriers
Verso Barrier Strengthening Cream | $118
Image credit: Mecca | Supplied
It’s winter, and you know what that means: a wafer-thin skin barrier. Stop the thinning right in its tracks—or beat it to the chase—with the Barrier Strengthening Cream from Verso at Mecca. For something so functional, this cream feels oh-so luxurious.
Our pro tip? Smooth a thick layer on the sides of your nose to soothe it from allergies, tissue-induced damage, or simply the toll of cool weather. Rudolph nose, be gone.
Girl With The Pearl Fragrance
From Nina Eau De Parfum | $98
Image credit: From Nina | Website
Aotearoa, we’ve got ourselves a new favourite fragrance range. Masters of chic and delicious candles, From Nina, are rebooting with Eau De Parfum front-and-centre. Cult-favourite scent Patisserie has made the list (thank goodness, there would have been riots,) with ‘Blanc Cedar’ and Pearl rounding out the trio.
We hear the latter is a take on their also-iconic Pink Salt Perfumed Candle. Inviting, salty, and floral in all the right ways. You’ll want to gatekeep this one—but the string of compliments you’ll get while wearing it might make that tricky.
Sugar Lips
Super Lustrous Glimmer Lip Oil | $20
Image credit: Revlon | Supplied
Revlon’s latest lip creation is basically dessert in a tube. Seriously, the Super Lustrous Glimmer Lip Oil colours look like they’ve been lifted straight from a gelato cart. Translucent fairy-floss pink Candy Hearts, grape-jelly-esque Plum Pop and our maraschino cherry favourite, the Glow Mama. As for the texture, the oil is equal parts smooth and shiny.
It’s basically a buffet, except nothing’s sticky.
Strong Bonds
Bumble and Bumble Triple Bond Flash Rinse | $73
Image credit: MECCA | Supplied
The Triple Bond Flash Rinse is kind of everyone’s best shower date. It does everything. Sure, it’s touted as a way of building three types of bonds (hydrogen, covalent and ionic) that keep your hair strong. But, it’s also seriously good for defining curls, and adding gloss and keeping frizz at bay. Plus it leaves a peachy, honey lingering scent.
It’s as simple as a root-to-tip lather and rinse. Use it alone, sandwich between your shampoo and condish,’ it’s that simple.
Playing It Cool
Prime Skin Ready To Glow 3-in-1 | $56
Image credit: Prime Skin | Supplied
We’ve found the 21st-century textbook definition of working smarter, not harder. It’s Prime Skin’s Ready To Glow 3-in-1—a primer, serum and moisturiser that also happens to be squeeze out through a smooth, cooling, facial roller. Perfectly sized, the steel roller soothes the entire face and riiiight up under your eyes. It’s basically your ticket to ticking off a full-face cryo, gua-sha and skin routine by the time your coffee’s ready.
Turn the tube around, and you’ll see a who’s-who of ingredients. Aloe Vera Powder, Niacinamide, Squalane and Ceramide alongside barrier-building Chondrus Crispus Extract.
A Protein Potion
Moisture + Protein Infusion 20 | $50
Image credit: Sansceuticals | Instagram
You’d be forgiven for mistaking it for perfume—luminous, beautifully bottled and all—but Sansceuticals’ latest is all about splashing your hair with protein.
Sidestep any old ideas about hair only ever being treated from the roots and scalp: this one’s specifically about nourishing your hair’s mid and end section. Yep, it’s entirely possible. All thanks to a patented gradual-release of small molecular proteins, Vitamin B, and a bunch of moisturising goodies that seep right through the cuticle layer of the hair.
Not only strengthening, we hear it’s also a banging-anti-frizz portion too. But what do you expect from a recipe originally created for salons-only?
Curly Girl
Giannini Umberto Strong Curls Collection | From $24.95
Image credit: Giannini Umberto | Supplied
Giving the curly tresses the TLC deserve is Giannini Umberto, who has whipped up an entire new collection dedicated to healthy, nourished and—quite literal—strong curls.
There’s a lot to plow through (and love) in this range, so let us make your life easier by laser focusing on the Moisture Milk Rosemary Oil Leave-in Conditioner. This isn’t the simple rosemary water you’d rinse through your hair in highschool. Nope. This one has all the benefits of rosemary oil bundled into one easy step—no soaking rosemary strands for yonks. Better yet, It’s not at all heavy in texture, but’ll give your strands a sculpted and glossy edge.
A Dose Of Vitamin C
Tailor Skincare Gold Dust | $65.50
If only taking vitamins was always as easy—and tactile—as Tailor Skincare’s latest route to boosting Vitamin C. Take a scoop of their Gold Dust, blend it into a moisturiser or a serum, and boom, you’ve got a bomb of brightening Vitamin C.
It’s a true multi-tasker. The Vitamin C reduces hyperpigmentation and peps up collagen production, COQ10 helps reduce damage from UV rays, stamp out breakouts and even reduces the appearance of scarring. You want this baby on your side.
Balmy Mornings
Ashley & Co x Ozone | From $15
Image credit: Ashley & Co | Supplied
At a time where espresso is taking over the airways and ‘mocha’ is found in basically every new garment, here’s a refreshing take on the craze: Ashley & Co have teamed up with local coffee legends, Ozone, for a new lip punch and coffee blend duo.
And a veritable punch it is: the Tint Me Lip Punch in Coffee Date bundles vanilla, citrus blossoms and a touch of almond into a naturally mineral-pigmented gold tone. As for the coffee blend, it’s a strictly limited-edition affair of whole beans with balmy notes: honeycomb, orange, and a smidge of vanilla. Early bird gets the, well, balm.
Main image credit: Prime Skin | supplied
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