New year, new beauty cabinet? It's all about petite pick-me-ups and effortless swaps into your routine. From better sub-ins for our standard hairwashes, a total 180 for one of the most anti-ageing ingredients out there to brushes crafted straight from the brains of makeup artists—we've got you thoroughly covered beauty buff.
Here are the best new beauty products to shop right now.
Good Things Come In Three
A barely-there feeling moisturiser that works is mighty hard to come by, but Tronque’s slinky new Triple Active Body Milk gives us a renewed confidence in the category.
It also gives us a lift in elastin production. And collagen. It lashes us with splash of Hyaluronic acid. It treats us to a natural glow. And it sculpts and smooths our skin surface.
All this, while being ethically made, full of natural ingredients and with zero endocrine disrupters.
Given it’s such a powerhouse, we’re one step away from asking the Triple Active Body Milk to run our meetings and file our taxes.
Glory Be To GHD 
Proving that GHD is the kid that definitley didn't just peak in highscool—rather, staying ahead of the curve her whole life, all sleek and mysterious—is the latest launch, the Chronos Max.
It basically makes your life easier in every single way possible. Like a personal assistant, only in heat styling tool form.
Can’t be troubled doing tiny sections of hair? That’s cool. The plates are nice and wide—85% larger, to be presise—and can glide a decent chunk through at any given time.
Don’t want to go over the same section again and again? They’ve already thought of that. You see, it’s specifically designed to take note of your styling movement, and internally adjusts the tool to make sure you only have to do one glide per section to get the results you want.
Nervy about having left it on? Don’t fret, it turns itself off after 10 minutes of inactivity.
And then there’s the shine factor. Oh boy oh boy does it leave a lingering, none-fried feeling shine. And from our reserve, even mousey blonde hair (the hardest to make shiny) gets seriously sleek.
Beach Head
We’re awfully good at protecting our skin during sea and salt-soaked days. As for our hair? We’ve all been caught off guard with just how hot the top of our tresses get after direct sunlight. Eeek.
Among Umberto Giannini’s new drop of summer-centric haircare, the Swim Proof Water Resistant Hair Protection Cream is a knock-out. Aside from smelling like a vegan stone-fruit pudding and being ultra-well priced at $25 a pop, its focus is on blocking—not repairing—swimming-induced hair trauma.
It protects against UV, chlorine damage (yes, even the dreaded green-tinge), excess sea salt. All you need to do? Just apply it evenly to your scalp and tresses before you hit the beach.
Sure, it might take an extra wash of shampoo to fully rinse it from your hair. But let’s be real, the double-cleanse is probably a welcome idea post-swim.
Rose Tinted
We thought we’d seen all of Gucci Westman’s cheek-bone-and-up colour sorcery, and then along came the new Lit Up Highlight Stick in Petal (an iconic shade usually reserved for blush).
We’re obsessed. Application is second-to-none: it glosses on smoothly, can blend with a brush or twinkle of your fingers, and is incredibly layerable. A tiny hint of pink or a rose-coloured cheekbone smokeshow—it’s all up to you.
It’s the kind of highlighter that could do the job of your blush in one swoop (a rare thing to find in the beauty market, we say)
Not glittery. Not too pearly. Definitely not sticky. Just pink-tinted, radiant gorgeousness that catches light like no other.
Kitted Out For Bed
If you aren’t adding a couple of Kit goodies to your evening wind-down, then you’re not living. Err, snoozing.
We’re almost certain that the benefits of the new Good Night Pillow Mist cancels out the effects of your bed-time doom scroll.
Further unofficial research conducted by us finds that spritzing a little bit into the corner of your shower also works a treat. A steamy, soothin, gentle scented shower.
A Welcome Dose 
There’s two things that make Elizabeth Arden’s Visible Brightening Clearly Radiant Spot Correcting Capsules ultra satisfying.
The first, is twisting open these squishy silver capsules and squeezing them out.
The second is the results: they do in fact actually brighten skin and blotchy pigmentation. In our camp, it’s even lightened the pigmention around our Beauty Ed’s eye,
And while we’re rattling off a love list—we should add that the serum makes your skin feel like actual velvet.
Sunday Session
If you’re not already a devout member of the Sunday Riley C.E.O. sect, then pull up a pew and read this list: Murumuru Butter, Oat Lipids, Cocoa and Shea Butter, and our friend, Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate (that’s a powerful, stable antioxidant)
You’d be forgiven for thinking that’s a wishlist of our ultimate skincare ingredients. But rather heroes in the new C.E.O Vitamin C Brighten + Tighten Body Butter.
Silky, fast-absorbing, perfect for post-sun use. This bad boy ticks all the boxes.
Misty Miracles
Here’s a nifty all-in-one that won’t make you shudder (looking at you, 2-in-1 shampoo,) the Repairing Facial Spray With Hypochlorous Acid by Mario Badescu.
Chronically co-dependent with their existing facial sprays? Let us tell you, the obsession is only going to intensify from here. You see, this spray does it all. Yes, it’s practically a no-rise cleanser for your face. And your hands, your makeup brush, your icky phonescreen, a new piercing (and we hear it’s tattoo safe too). It soothes redness, little grazes, and calms post-waxing inflammation.
We foresee a bottle here, there, in your glove box, gym bag and everywhere. And—given its cleansing and barrier-strengthening properties—nearby to absolve us of the weekend’s poor choices.
In Good Company
Ashley & Co, Aotearoa’s tasteful apothecary, is at it again with beautiful gifting—this time, a focus on perfect pairings for year-round gifting.
They’ve thought of everyone. Or rather, every part of our life that can use a little freshen up. There’s a Nice Locks set, where—you guessed it—shampoo and conditioner meet chicly. There’s also hand-lovong staples in The Pair Up, where Washup and Sootherup come together.
Jewel in the crown is none other than the Dog Box set—the natural Awoof Wash and Ruff Star spray say it all.
Prime Time
Primer has reinterred the makeup chat in the mid 2020’s. Namely Revlon’s Illuminance Balm Primer— a cute little little that is well worth a sample next time you glide around their counter.
It’s super silky, but not so much that your foundation would side right off. It’s lovely and translucent, without being shiny. Basically, it’s the kind of primer that we all wished we had when we first played around with liquid foundation.
Rae of Sunshine
A wearable period cramp heat pad exists. We repeat: a fully wearable, walk-aroundable, business-as-usual, tuck-it-into-your-jeans kind of period cramp head pad exists.
Knowing that the last thing you want on the godfather day of you period is any admin, Scarlet’s new heatpad, Rae, has taken the fuss out of getting comfy. A sleek, slim (and beautifully designed) wireless heatpad for your lower stomach, Rae heats up at the tap of the button and adjusts to three levels of heat—the highest being 45 degrees.
Its gentle curve fits any level of bloat. Or under any outfit (thank you slim-fit design). Or their period pocket briefs. And for that, we rate it.
SPF Sorcery
Forget everything you know about SPF. It turns out you *can* in fact spritz SPF50 over your make-up and not even worry about streaks, blending in blotches, or a milky tinge.
Max and Louie have invented a totally clear SPF facial spray. And get this, the spray is actually a fine, even mist.
We’ve found it to be the best way to reapply your SPF, quickly, before scorching slogs in traffic. Not to mention, it’s probably the most user-friendly way of protecting the back of your hands—no film or residue in sight.
Don’t believe us? Pop to Newmarket Life Pharmacy where you’ll find the only Max and Louie counter in town. Until then, we’ll be sitting here, smugly.
Salute The Sunceutical
Emma Lewisham | $85-125
Image credit: Emma Lewisham | supplied
Sunflowers, assemble. Sustainable skincare goddess, Emma Lewisham, has launched her first mineral SPF 50 range. Made with invisible mineral zinc oxide, the Sunceutical range—which took eight years to perfect—is light, silky smooth and, in true Emma Lewisham style, refillable.
Apply the face ($85) and body ($125) crème as the last step in your morning skincare routine and 20 minutes prior to sun exposure for your ultimate defence against our unfiltered rays, no matter the season.
Grow-Getter
The Ordinary | $32
Image Credit: DECIEM | Supplied
BREAKING BEAUTY NEWS: Growth factor-packed skincare now no longer needs to cost you an arm and a leg. Nor a full days’ paycheque. This is not a drill.
The newest in The Ordinary’s stellar line up of serums is none other than one singularly focused on delivering Growth Factors direct into your skin: the GF 15% Solution.
Now for a quick schooling: Growth Factors are substances that naturally kick your skin into repairing—something that slows in all of us, as we age. They’re notoriously expenny in skincare, and until now, Growth-Factor-first products tend to put you back a few hundred.
Not anymore. $32-ish a pop (yes, that’s NZD), and a smooth serum packed with 15% Growth Factors is all yours.
The 15% is a pick and mix of all things good for reducing fine lines: TGF, EGF, and IGF. From regeneration, firming your skin, smoothing texture, supporting skin density and even amping up hydration—they do it all. You wouldn’t pay inflated-luxury-level pricing for a pain killer or cough drops. So why accept berserk prices for something that’s oh-so-functional?
Passion Pit
Image Credit: LUSH | Supplied
It’s a dead ringer for SOUL Bar’s pornstar martini—well, to the nose, at least. It’s bubbly, it’s bright, it’s impossibly passionfruitey. And you'll want to gulp it right back.
We’re talking about LUSH’s Passion Shower Gel, freshly landing as part of the 2025 Valentine’s Day collection.
It’s as pretty to touch as it is to look at, and of course, sniff. There’s red rose petals for obvious (and seriously softening) reasons, passion-fruit juice full of deep-cleansing enzymes and a fragrant Buchu oil. Not to mention, a velvety and pearlescent finish.
Draw A Line
Image Credit: Revlon | Supplied
If only we could glide through life as easily as Revlon’s Colorstay Multiplayer Eye Pencil glides across our lash line. Seriously, we’ve never met a more user-friendly eyeliner—one which could very easily double as an eyeshadow shadow, with an artful smudge.
Application aside, the colours are rich, baby, rich. Jet-black “Checkmate” shade is exactly what you’d want from a classic pigmented black liner, and the MVP goes to “Under The Radar,” for its versatile, glimmery mocha shade that will suit *anyone.*
Three’s A Charm
Image Credit: Tronque | Supplied
It’s the kind of threesome all beauty lovers pine for around Valentines Day: three pint-sized versions of Tronque’s bodycare must-haves, bundled in a chic limited edition red pouch.
Except they’re not pint pint sized. The Body Essentials Mini Trio’s Vitamin C Body Oil, Exfoliating Refining Serum, and Firming Butter are all 15ml—basically the perfect size for maintaining your dose on the go, be it a weekend or a few weeks away. Not to mention, barely making a dent in your carry-on liquid quota.
It’s only available from 1-14 February. And frankly, we’ll be gifting it to ourselves this Valentine’s Day
Everyday Luxury
Image credit: Ashley & Co | Supplied
If you’ve spent any time on the internet, it seems that mindful—or dare we say, luxurious—laundery routines are very much in for 2025.
Our vote? Sidestep gimmicky, colourful restocks of washing pods and fragrance wardrobe of synthetic softeners. Instead, nab yourself a bottle of Ashley and Co’s gorgeous Everyday Launder laundry liquid.
The scent is something you’d wear as a perfume: a nectar of Lily, Ylang Ylang and sandalwood. Scent aside, there's benefits for clothes and laundry routines alike: it contains active enzymes to remove stains, is pH balanced, and works for *all kinds* of loaders and wash temperatures. Versatility is the true luxury, we say.
Honey, You’ve Done It Again
Image Credit: MECCA | Supplied
When a product has “Honey Gloss Ceramide Therapy” in its name (basically, individually all of our favourite things) it’s bound to be a goodie. And when you add the fact that it reduces frizz and increases volume by 59%, you’re 100% going to fall in love with Gisou’s new Honey Gloss Ceramide Therapy Hair Mask.
We’re drumming up ideas to upcycle this pottle—but for now, we’re happy with twirling our fingers around our light-weight yet incredibly hydrated locks.
Cool As A Cucumber
Image Credit: The Skin Wardrobe | Supplied
Remember being a kid, thinking that the pinnacle of adult sophistication was cucumber-eyed spa day? Relive this nostalgia—stylishly—with X-Lash’s Calming Eye Gels.
They’re jam-packed with ultra-soothing and hydrating ingredients, like Aloe Vera extract, 7x Hyalurinic acid and of course, cucumber extract. Now go on and hop to Ponsonby’s The Skin Wardrobe—these eye patches basically count as a grocery run.
Not-To-Be-Mist
Image Credit: CZE | Supplied
February is here, bringing with it those scorching days. Days which, when layered with the odd blow-dry and heatstyle will wreak havoc on our hair’s health. The Glossifying Hair Mist by Chloe Zara (on sale at the moment, thank us later) is the chic antidote to this. It protects against heat and UV damage, detangles, and as we’ve found out, adds beautiful body and structure to the lower part of our strands—without weighing it down.
There’s a special, patented, technology to thank for this: HAIR Oléobooster, which is a micro-structured oil-based extract. One that also happens to be green, after all, this hair mist is made from 100% natural or naturally derived ingredients.
Dream Team
Image Credit: Joico | Supplied
What’s better than Defying Gravity these days? Defying hair damage, that’s what.
Doyennes of preventative-focused haircare, Joico, are at it again, launching a shampoo that’s all about stopping frazzle and fatigue in its tracks. Pool dips, days in the sun, heat styling has nothing on the new formulation, the Defy Damage Detox Shampoo.
Specifically, the Activated Charcoal and bio-based chelator (science lesson: that’s the special chemical designed to latch onto and remove bad free metals) work as a day spa for your hair. Impurities, build up, stressors be gone—with a stack of simple hair washes, no less.
New Year, Same Scent
Image Credit: MECCA | Supplied
Lunar New Year is more than a feast for the heart and tastebuds—your skin also gets its fair shake this year. Or should we say squeeze?
Malin + Goetz, creators of fabulous fragrances for the self and home, have whipped up a hand and body wash for the occasion: Lunar New Year Bergamot Hand + Body Wash 250ml. A foaming texture offers a little bit of basin-side theatre, and the gel’s signature Bergamot fragrance utterly refreshes your senses.
Time To Brush Up
Image Credit: MECCA MAX | Supplied
Gone are the days of overpriced make-up brushes. Hallelujah. Four new creations have joined Mecca Max’s collection of pretty-price-point brushes—and get this—these affordable newbies start from $10.
The Detailed Buffing Brush, Precision Eyeliner Brush, Precision Setting Brush, Angled Diffusing Brush have all been designed with your wants and needs (and a few astute observations from the Mecca artists on the shop floor) in mind.
Multitasking is at the heart of them, and we can attest to that. The dome-shaped Detailed Buffing Brush is a personal favourite: we love it to buff in streak-free concealer under the eye, and even swipe a slither of highlighter across the cheekbones.
Join The Club
Image Credit: MECCA | Supplied
So the Australian Open stories from your newly-minted Melburnian friends’ time in the Mecca Summer Club are giving you FOMO. Darling, we get you.
So we’ve got the next best thing to a time machine and a plane ticket across the ditch: a swipe of the Mecca Max Skin Filter Blurring Primer (our mattifying saviour to safe-guard your foundation from a sticky, sunny day) and maybe a spritz of new-look Sol de Janeiro Cheirosa 62™ Perfume Mist to match the sunny surroundings.
Glimmer Of Hope
Image Credit: Revlon | Supplied
Have we mentioned how much we love Revlon’s doe-foot lip gloss applicators? They’re generously oversized, a little hollowed out (perfect sized dollop of gloss) and make for a rather satisfying (and precise) swipe of colour and hydration—and, as this latest launch prooves, *sparkle.*
You won’t find any ordinary sparkle in the Super Lustrous Glimmer Gloss though. They’re three-dimensional, mesmerising and the sparkles are ultra-fine, not to mention 100% Biodegradable Glitter.
Oh, and it seems that every single colour suits every single complexion, as if they morph perfectly with the wearer’s tones. That’s glitter sorcery, baby.
Take A Very Lush Stand
Image credit: Lush | supplied
Not everything in life is squeaky clean (ahem, the Treaty Principles Bill) but with Lush Cosmetic’s limited edition Together for Te Tiriti soap you can take a stand, in quite the flex of zesty activism.
Treat your skin to a lather of citrus-spiked Amazonian murumuru butter suds made all the better by the knowledge that 100% of profits will be donated to ActionStation’s Together for Te Tiriti programme. Now, that really is lush.
This powerful pocket-sized cleanser manifests in Tino Rangatiratanga flag’s signature trio of black, white and red hues, it's already available for preorder online ($13) and will be in stores from Tuesday 4 February.
Come, Slither
Image Credit: Glasshouse Fragrances | Supplied
You might know it as the Year of the Snake, but it turns out that 2025 is specifically year of the Green Wood Snake.
Now, forget starting the year with a typical sage-ing of your space. We’ve found something much more chic. You’ll want to burn Glasshouse Fragrances’ Wisdom of the Snake candle through every nook and cranny of your house—then leave it on full display, because by golly, this ceramic vessel is some of the prettiest packaging artwork we’ve seen in a while.
Good juju from the air cleansing aside, you’ll feel a lifted energy thanks to the lingering notes of rose petals, lemon, Jasmine on the top, supported by cedarwood, orange blossom, musks and mulberries.
Now hop to it, this limited edition candle is bound to slither (sorry, we just couldn’t help ourselves) off shelves in a snap.
Raaie Of Sunshine
We always have a soft spot for anyone who can make cleansers sexy. And here at Urban List, we already have a soft spot for local Beauty brand Raaie. So you can imagine our joy when Katey Mandy confected the Golden Nectar Mānuka Honey Enzyme Cleanser.
It works magic from all sides. There’s fruit enzymes (i.e., our favourite in facial peels) to nibble away at the gunk on and in your skin. Plus, it restores your skin’s PH balance. And of course, the darling ingredient: pure Mānuka honey to deeply nourish, revitalise and also naturally cleanse your skin of bacteria and repair damage. Kawakawa provides an extra layer of detoxing and anti-inflammatory help too.
It’s going to be a double-whammy festive purchase from us: one to gift to our international loved ones (hello Aotearoa’s best botanicals) and for our beauty cabinet, obviously.
Tinted Love
Choosing a foundation is hard graft. As is picking a serum. Or heavens, a concealer.
So, sidestep all of the above and beeline for Aleph’s new Skin Tint. Simplicity is the name of the Smoothing Skin Tint’s game.
Start with one of three shades (see, told you, easy peasy,) and watch as the gentle pigment melts into your skin, blurring and almost magically enhancing your natural colour and brightness. As we’ve found out, the sheer tint is perfectly buildable and also layers in with under heavy-duty foundations. Oh, and comes complete with Broad Spectrum Mineral SPF20 and is PA+++ Rated. She’s a real multi-tasker and we love her for it.
Hypnotic Scents
Looking for a scent to make you—and those within noseshot—spring into a colourful daydream? Let us present to you Medina Perfumery and their collection of hypnotic fragrances. Tea and Oranges, caramelly-Vanilla Moss through to Violet Nights and the love potion-like Hypnotic Incense. All born of a love for botanicals and inspiration from Holy Lands of the Far East, the confections are a true labour of love by creator Medina Morin.
Fragrance folk will appreciate the fact that Eau de Parfum, Cologne and Fraiche are all part of the collection. History buffs will love the fact the a heritage building houses the quaint Greymouth boutique. And we all love the fact the entire collection is ours to peruse and purchase online.
Three’s A Charm
Here’s a hill we’ll die on: A good Christmas gift set is marked by just how chic—and reusable—the gift box set is. We’re pleased to report that the Body Bar Trio by Glasshouse Fragrances is exactly that. Sturdy, satisfyingly clasped with a magnet and practically a jewellery box. Not to mention, covered in a starry pattern that’d make Pucci himself swoon.
In all seriousness, open up the luxe set and you’ll see that good things really do come in three: favourites A Tahaa Affair, Lost in Amalfi and Midnight in Milan are there. The collective whiff reminds us of a romantic dessert shared on a pine-lined lake. Bliss.
An Australian Apothecary Has Landed At Adore Beauty
Newsflash, Ikkari is officially on Adore Beauty—and basically, the closest we’ll ever be to a direct IV-drip to this gorgeous, soothing lifestyle brand.
For the uninitiated, IKKARI is your next obsession: a lifestyle brand inspired by the Greek island of Ikaria—a renowned Blue Zone of longevity and wellness. It’s the brainchild of Aje’s Adrian Norris, so naturally, it’s nothing short of beautiful.
A Geranium and Parsley hand wash, Tonic Sachets, Magnesium Recovery Soaks, Hydrating Mineral Sunscreen, Refining Enzyme Masks. It’s all there and ready to beeline to our homes, bedstands and bathrooms.
In The Shadows
If you’re over the internet’s obsession with “clean girl” aesthetic but still relish the thought of paired-back eye makeup that’s all about natural, almost pearlescent tones, we’ve found the thing for you. Actually, Elizabeth Arden has: The Eyeshadow Quad.
Three palettes. Four shades. A balance of matte and shimmer. Endless combinations. There’s a guide for which shade to swipe across your eyes’ lid and crease—but trust us, the shades are so well chosen, that any pick, mix and placement will look chic.
Leather Loving
A double whammy of good fragrance news: Arquiste, the darling of WORLD’s fragrance shelves has launched a new blend, and it’s here just in time for the holidays—or a sneaky sniff when you’re shopping.
Almond Suede aptly smells of marzipan and leather, with touches of pink peppercorn, pine tar and cistus concrete (don’t worry, it’s a plant) from Spain. You’d be right in thinking the ingredients list reads like a medieval apothecary—it’s specifically inspired by Medieval Andalusia as well as almond sweets.
Heavy Metals
We get it, the task of choosing an eyeshadow seems overwhelming in the overflowing year of 2024. We’ll make it simple: set your sights—and $17 from your festive budget—on this Mecca Maxima’s eyeshadow quads. Four nifty tones, in two colour ways. Both of which suit *every complexion* and outfit situation. Decision fatigue cures have never been so glittery, effortless and beautifully covered by Natalia Huges’ art.
Bonnie’s Here, Baby
There’s a new girl in town, Bonnie. She’s bronzed, she’s peppy and will splash sunshine into your life—very much like the powerhouse behind the brand, Christchurch’s very own Mary Outram.
Bonnie is our homegrown answer to safe—and oh-so-easy—tanning. It’s all about the long game here: Gradual Tanning Lotion, Glow Gradual Tanning Face Drops, and Glazed Moisturising Lotion and Tan Prolonger. Bonnie’s considered approach goes far beyond the sun-kiss, they’re vegan, safe for sensitive skin and dermatologist-tested. Swoon.
Tapered Out
If you’re sick of seeing tapers candles jammed into fruits and veggies they shouldn’t be, or squiggly messes, let us present a welcome alternative. Artefact, specifically their Coloured Beeswax Candlestick Bundle. In line with Artefact’s ethos, these dinner party or vanity set-up staples are celebration of craftsmanship: they come in lots of three or six and are all made locally, with beeswax/paraffin (read, they’re super smooth to touch and ensure an even melt).
Chic and impossibly sleek, the colours wouldn’t look amiss in a neoclassical painting. But for now, they’ll make do in your home.
A Devilish Duo
We love a Christmas bundle that packs serious value. Case in point, Nars’ Climax Eyeliner & Mini Mascara Duo. Sure, we love the price point ($58) and function of both eye makeup faves, but it’s the practicality that this mini mascara affords us. Easy touch ups between hauling between your second cousin’s twice removed Christmas brunches? We rate it.
In A Lull
Secret Santa is officially sorted. Beauty News (and soon-to-be your) favourite label, Latibule, has spun a soothing take on their La Pillow scent sachets: Lavender Lull is joining the collection.
Iconic is an overused word these days, but trust us, it’s not lost on these pillows. Fine Japanese silk crepe casing, organic lavender, a touch of pearl, plus Latibule’s heavenly balanced scent profile? Decadent. (And only $39 a pop).
Land Of Milk and Gelly
Here’s a beauty all-in-one that won’t give you a jumpscare. The Kleen Oil-Gel to Milk Cleanser by Dscribe Beauty is a new stand-in for your cleanser, treatment mask, and hydrating balm.
The over-achieving doesn’t stop there. It’s packed with antioxidants (hello fighting free-radicals). It’s made with sensitive, dehydrated and dry skin in mind. Oh, and playing with the gloopy, rosey, silky-soft texture is also very mesmerising.
Sea You By The C
Vitamin C is having its skincare come-uppance (yet again) and we’re here for it. This time, it’s all about effortless ways to layer it into our routines. Proof in the pudding is Get Glowin’ Brightening Moisturiser by Bondi Sands.
A perfect dose of Ferulic Acid, Australian Finger Lime Extract and, ding ding ding, Vitamin C make it perfect for daily use. The formula is lightweight and nourishing, and we’ve found that it truly works in with all our other serums and SPFs.
There’s something so refreshing about a Vitamin C product that doesn’t need to be *perfectly* timed around the other skincare in your rotation (Just a healthy lick of SPF daily should do). So thank you, Bondi Sands.
Misty Business
It’s that time of year—spritzing, fanning and spritzing some more to keep our heads cool and skin, well, not parched. Our favourite for this? Dr Lewinn's Hydrating Ceramide Mist 100ML.
The mist cloud is generous and even (always important) and the ingredients are unparalleled. Hyalurionic Acid, collagen-inducing palmitoyl tripeptide-8, Provitamin B5, high amounts of ceramides — the skin barrier loves it in the long term, your body’s comfort levels love it in the short term.
Put A Patch On It
Here’s a delicious pick and mix to keep all to yourself: Patching All The Way Eye Gel Sampler Kit. It’s a buffet of their best, most soothing gel patches with benefits from illuminating through to firming and de-puffing. The cost per pair is low (umm hello, $28 for a lot of five), and the variety is high. And for this expenny (and sometimes puffy-eye-inducing) time of year, we love it.
Sweet, Kissable Treats
It’s an overwhelming time of year, so we may as well be tongue-in-cheek about it with a lip balm to match. MCo Beauty’s Mega Balms are it. For starters, they’re hilariously oversized. Secondly, they scents are impossibly playful and fun—think Hot Cocoa and Gingerbread, complete with cutesy little decorative faces. Christmas time is about camp (alongside togetherness, and lashings of food of course) and these absolutely embrace it.
Get Scent
Lush is on a roll, distilling tried and true scents from their collection straight into fragrance form. The citrusy, creamy notes of Supermilk hair zester and conditioning spray? Yep, it’s available in a sweet, fine fragrance form now—and notes of cocoa butter and almost a light peppercorn come into the mix. Even the creamy and fruity aroma of Sultana of Soap is joining the perfume ranks.
It’s all part of the Lush x Community collection—where you, the lush lover, chat with the team on Discord to vote for the next iteration of scents.
A Juicy Secret
Your trusty favourite from yesteryear has had a sweet, indulgent new look, feel and scent. She’s bold, she’s gold, she’s bursting with rather indulgent notes. We’re talking wild berry notes, vanilla cream, melted caramel, sandalwood and the aptly-picked golden amber in Viva La Juicy’s new Gold Couture appearance.
It’s the kind of decadent bottle that wouldn’t look amiss in your jewellery box, your perfectly-curated vanity, Madonna’s wardrobe or as the sixth member of the Pussycat Dolls. It’s maximalism for your senses at its finest, and we love it.
Cosmic Helpers
We can’t solve the age-old festival ick of a stinking hot tent in the morning, but we *do* know something that’ll help tide you over: The Warehouse’s Cosmic Crush Festival Set, complete with a face mist, some glitzy eye stickers, a petite packet of wet wipes and, praise the festival gods, a hand-held fan. Plus, it comes in a tent-chic pouch for ultimate pre-festival gifting (or grabbing en-route to Gizzy).
A Virtuous New Addition
Coveting a whiff and a bottle of The Virtue’s candles, but find yourself without a grabaseat ticket to New Plymouth to peruse the boutique? Not to worry, saunter to your local Zambesi instead.
You’ll find and handpicked selection of The Virtue’s hypnotic home scents and—in true Zambesi style—impossibly chic, black matches. It’s a scent-filled chapter for the Zam Fam and we are here for it.
Air Time
Why be weighed down by your beauty routine, when light, whippy and downright frothy alternatives are at our (quite literal) fingertips?
Somebody’s Sister’s take on Body and Hand Whips offer decadent scents not always found in the world of body creams: Peach Blossom and Lilac Dreams For that, we love it. We also love the ability to choose an almost precise quantity: from 30ml to 200g. While your parcel ships, cure your RBF with this—no lies spoken—face massage tutorial.
Good Bacteria, Baby
Homegrown favourite Emma Lewisham has relaunched her Supernatural Blemish Serum. It’s kind of impossible these days to have avoided some kind of conversation about gut health (gurus on insta, looking at you), but chances are you’re ignoring the microbiome of your largest organ: your skin. Emma’s new iteration of her blemish serum is packed with a 48% increase in live probiotic cells for nourishment and to crowd out some of the bad bacteria that can lead to acne.
Breaking ground with this patented formulation—it’s rare to be able to deliver live microbes to the skin—Emma’s leading the way in addressing underlying skin health to help fight pesky pimples. With the festive season around the corner and summer on the horizon, your skin is going to be doing a lot of heavy lifting, so think of this as giving it the fuel it needs to keep it looking its best. And there's no shame in admitting mixing together the probiotic and activating crème is like a fun little science kit, either.
Let Us Be Crystal Clear
Let us give you the lowdown on the only Retinal Serum you need to know for a while. Crystal Retinal 24, Medik8’s new launch, is one of the most intense (in a good way) retinals out there—in fact, it’s the latest and most potent strength in Medik8’s Crystal Retinal range. It starts from Crystal Retinal 1 (with 0.01 retinaldehyde) all the way up to this newly-minted 24.
And no, none of the above was a typo. Retinal is retinol’s cool aunt who has everything together: not mucking about to deliver clinical-grade Vitamin A—that only goes through one conversion, unlike retinol—to trigger skin regeneration.
Technocolor Dreamcoat
It turns out a self-tanning fairy-godmother actually exists. Bondi Sands, specifically their Technolcolor range, has a very handy widget to find your perfect shade—perfect timing with the Technolcolor Self Tanning Face Serum landing on the scene.
Sapphire or Caramel delegation aside, each shade does more than enhance and deepen your natural colour tone: it nourishes it. Blemish Control ComplexTM de-aggravates, Vitamin C brightens, chamomile soothes, and electrolytes (yep, that’s in the formula!) hydrates. Consider your complexion lovingly blurred, barrier protected and natural skin tone sunkissed.
Sugar Lips
You’re going to fall head over heels for this local brand, but let’s kickstart your obsession on a sweet note. Hair Candy has just whipped up liquid candy in the form of Butter Up Lip Candy. It’s a lipgloss with a subtle sparkle, a lightweight texture, a bangin’ tube, and a pretty price point. But, like all good pick-and-mix cabinets, this batch has limited quantities.
A Quick, Cool Dip
Cryotherapy benefits from a tube, without you *being* in the cryo tube. That’s how we’d describe Cold Therapy Facial Treatment from Kit—and that’s before we even pop it in the fridge.
Centella Asiatica and squalene alongside our favourite reishi and chaga mushrooms do the heavy lifting here. Leave this baby on for two minutes, let that cooling sensation kick in, and know that you’re on your way to a boosted circulation, reduced inflammation and calmed skin.
A New Light
Mecca Cosmetica’s latest pearly offering is a welcome addition to our cheekbones. Or under them. Or eyelids. Or cupid’s bows. Or our whole face. Seriously, there’s no place that the In A Good Light Illuminating Drops simply can’t spruce up.
The drops kinda do it all. They blur imperfections, even skin tone and deliver a wash of illumination (thank you pearlescent pigments). Prop tip: we’re particular fans of swiping the red-toned Dusk across our cheekbones and lips, opting for Golden for full-face pick me up, and swapping in Sunlight for a daily highlighter.
Blur, Baby, Blur
Skin colour cosmetics created just for us folk in New Zealand and Aussie? See, we told you that it’s Revlon’s world and we’re just living in it—even if they’re catering to our world.
You can kinda do anything you want with Revlon’s IlluminanceTM Glow Filter. You might want to treat it as a subtle blurring and colour coverage. You might want to build your foundation over it for a touch of radiance. Or blend it in with your fave foundation. Or, totally flip it on its head, and apply it as a highlighter post-foundation.
Oh, and there’s 4 shades in this ultra-flexible range—perfect for a blind buy. We love everything about this.
Refill Your Cup
We love a good refill here at Urban List. But this find goes beyond a keepcup or visiting a bulk-buying mecca jar-in-hand. Frankly, it's much more chic.
Tronque’s Natural Deodorant—also newness in itself—officially has a refill on the market.
We’re giving it major props for the fact it’s one of the first refillable deos on the market. Secondly, it slots *right* into the existing roll on tube, no faffing about with refills and spills required.
Hooked On Christmas Scents
It’s not too early to be thinking about Christmas. Not when an iconic candle company has launched their Night Before Christmas Collection and Tree Scent Stems exist (!!!).
Glasshouse Fragrances has officially whipped up the most indulgent addition to a Christmas tree: hooked and attachable fragrance sticks, in currant-esque, tart and slightly spiced—otherwise known as the Dancing Sugar Plums Tree Scent Stems™.
Now that word’s out, we’ve got ample time to stock-pile them ahead of Christmas. We’re already dreaming up the places and spaces we’ll be hanging them. Cars, offices, front doors—opportunities are endless, really.
Black Magic
Everyone talks a big game about romanticising their lives, and we think we’ve found the handbag essential to help this: Karen Murrell’s Night Moves Magic Tint.
Jet black in the lipstick tube, rosy and just-bitten on the lips, this colour-changing formula evolves to enhance your natural lip tone. But, like all good magic, it’s here for a good time, not a long time. Get it before you regret it.
Sunshine State Of Skin
Missed out on your LA getaway this year? Not to worry, a jaunt to your nearest Mecca will do the trick. Bee-line to the Tower 28 shelf and acquaint yourself with this cali-cool brand’s gentle colour cosmetics and effortless skin care—each design for the most sensitive skin, no less.
We’re huge fans of all-hour use of the SOS Rescue Facial Spray for obvious reasons, alongside the ShineOn Lip Jelly for juuuust a hint of colour.
Summer Spritz
Umm okay we see you there, Mecca Cosmetica, continuing your home run on creating irresistible (and pocket-friendly) beauty bag spruces. Or should we say spritzes?
The Optimist Energising Fragrance Mists couldn’t come at a better time. Aside from the welcome $36 price point in these cost of living times, Holiday Heatwave offers a throwback to Euro Summer (or the holiday that should have been,) while Top Down blends all the scents of spring, minus the pollen attacks. As for Date Night Butterflies? Its sweet-savoury blend reminds us exactly of shopping at a luxury boutique. Exactly our kind of date.
Colouring Between The Lines
Revitalash continues their reign on our lash lines with the timely introduction of ‘Slate’ into their—now trio—of Defining Liner Eyeliner shades.
Trust us when we say that it’s not just any colour, it's an everything colour. Not too dark, not too watered down, and somewhere between a taup-ey, mushroom, deep shade that looks good on *everyone.* Oh, and it slides on effortlessly, keeping pigment going all the way.
Ecostore’s New Scent-sibilities 
Fresh off a slick brand refresh, Eco-store has caught our eye. Technically, they never left it, being an anchor among our shower, bathroom, laundry and well, everything routines. Peep the botanical x-rays outside and the very handy addition of pumps in their new Personal Care range.
Oh, what’s in the bottles has had a nip and tuck too. Peony & Guava has joined the line and we think is genuinely what the colour pink would smell like. You’d be forgiven for mistaking the rest of the Body Wash and Hand Wash line for a cocktail or smoothie bar menu—with the likes of Vanilla Bean & Coconut and Lemongrass & Lime making appearances.
Wildly Delicious
We’re forgiving ourselves for talking about Christmas gifting so early on (and you should too) because Wild Horses’ new launch is worth all the premature pine tree talk.
Literally. Their Christmas Edition Candle collection has landed, bringing with it welcome twists on classic scents: Summer Pine, Pavlova, Gingerbread and Frankincense. See? classics in all both historic and contemporary culture context.
Ps, you simply must have a snoop at their other scents. Names include Blue City, Caramelised Poetry, Strange Brews, Halcyon Days—so enough said, really.
Working Overnight
We’ve found our favourite all-rounder mask, TWYG’s Regenerative Overnight Repair Mask.
Where do we begin with our love list? For starters, their signature Bioactive Totarol: a seriously potent antimicrobial and antioxidant that’s unique to Aotearoa and our Totara trees. Then there’s Niacinamide, Squalene and Hyaluronic Acid for serious hydration.
Oh and some seriously lush local botanicals. And that’s just scratching the surface—something you won’t be doing, when you wake up with plump, soothed and hydrated skin.
Oh-La-Latibule
Here’s a home fragrance label to throw your “told you so” and “I knew them before they got big” card around on: Latibule. You may have seen their candles’ graceful curved vessels online, but have you met their scrumptious little ‘La Pillow’ scent sachet? She’s cute, she’s dainty, she reminds us of Cibo’s iconic handbag pillows, and she disperses Latibule’s exquisite fragrances like a champ.
Three scents are currently on rotation and available in both forms: the woody Om, floral Dolce Far Niente (the sweet art of doing nothing) and the abstract, slightly earthy yet floral Kaukokaipuu—the Finnish concept for the yearning undiscovered places.
Très chic, and we are très excited to see what scents are up Latibule’s sleek sleeves.
A Moment With Mānuka
Image Credit: Activist
We’ll let you in on a personal anecdote here. Mānuka honey plays an important role in our beauty ed’s life—simmering down her teenage self’s relentless acne, and with that, restoring a shred of confidence.
Offering a much easier application (spoon to jar to face is messy work‚ trust us) the ACTIVIST Mānuka Honey Mask effortlessly glides on the skin, soothing and regenerating the skin from a cellular level. Use it as a spot-treatment, pop it over rashes and burns, as a cleanser and of course a face mask.
Our expert opinion? Book yourself in for HANA’s Activist Experience. You’ll experience their iconic infrared sauna and PBM light pod session—with endless Mānuka Honey infused moments. We won’t ruin the full surprise, but it does involve a A 300+MGO Activist Mānuka Honey, Activist Mānuka Immune Elixir-infused water and our favourite healing mask—which works wonders under the PBM light.
Give Your Neck A Boost
We’d be willing to bet that you’re neglecting your skin below your chin. Don’t take it personally, almost everyone is. Seriously—research is finding time and time again that even the most extensive of routines doesn’t make it anywhere near your collarbones.
That’s about to change with Boost Lab’s Neck Firming Serum on the scene (soon in your beauty bag). Its key ingredient, edelweiss, a flower you may recognise from Austrian postcards, is all about supporting collagen production and smoothing out crepey skin. A must do if you sleep on your side or needing a literal lift. Better yet, two drops max is all you need.
Main image credit: Emma Lewisham | Supplied.
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