The New Beauty Products To Shop This Month, According To Our Beauty Editor

We said what we said.

2026 continues to see tweaked 2010’s beauty faves falling from the sky, alongside more proof that colour cosmetics are simply meant to be served in stick form. 

This month’s slice of beauty news also covers ultra-specific scents (read on for an egg-tart candle,) high-performing lip gloops, and impressive next steps for our beauty-bag stalwarts. 

A Star Reborn

Estée Lauder’s Double Wear Stay-in-Place Makeup | $93

Image Credit: Estee Lauder | Supplied

No biggie, but 2010’s most iconic foundation has had a revamp. 

If you logged into any social platform circa 2016, you already know that we’re talking about Estée Lauder’s Double Wear foundation. Though, it’s now the Double Wear Stay-in-Place Longwear Matte Foundation, to you. 

It’s true, this baby doesn’t budge. The new formula offers 36-hour wear, is transfer-proof and stays the same exact shade all day. Plus, it protects against any sneaky sebum ruining the look thanks to the inclusion of a shiny new Polymer Mesh Matrix Technology.

With this spiffy formulation, it’s only fair that the new packaging–a newly chisselled bottle—is added to squeeze out every last drop.

A Spritz of Floridita

Obvious Parfums Floridita’s Night | From $250

Image Credit: Obvious Parfums | Website

Nope, not a nod to a boozy night at Wellington bistro stalwart. Floridita’s Night is the latest from Obvious Parfums. You know, the french Fragrance house that brings us some of the best single-note confections like Une Pistache and Une Rose. 

This particular brew, however, has notes that read like a sun-kissed night that stumbles into a speakeasy: rum, tonka beans, cardamom and cigar leaves. Heck, one of the heart notes is a double daiquiri accord.

A New Rae Of Sunlight

Raeso | Price Varies

Image Credit: Raeso | Supplied

Speaking of revamps, our skincare crush, Raaie has evolved into Raeso. Same formulation, same goddam gorgeous bottles, same level of obsession (we’re speaking from experience here). 

ICYMI: Raeso is all about looking at skincare through a 24-hour cycle lens. The formulations are designed to compliment skin’s circadian rhythm, nudging hydration and repair when it needs it the most. 

Plus, on a lifestyle note, applying in their SPF—a tactile delight in its own right—each morning is enough to have us ditch the snooze alarm. Surely that’s another win for the circadian rhythm?

Stick It To ‘Em

Multiplayer Mode Shaping Sticks | $25 NZD

Image Credit: MECCA | Supplied

Morning beauty routines are best lived in ‘effortless’ mode. MECCA MAX’s latest, Multiplayer Mode Shaping Sticks, we think, is just the ticket to this.  

You see, they’re created for eyes, cheeks, contour and lips alike. The shades do the heavy lifting here (as does the blurrable matte finish,) with each shade bold enough to carve out a look, but natural enough to each suit all complexions. Yep, even that Burgundy red.  

We rate them for being thin (or wide) enough to offer a flush or tiny spot of colour. Plus, can fit into the slimmest of evening clutches—no more playing cosmetic jenga on a night out. 

Now that’s gamifying life. 

Three’s A Charm 

Aleph Aura Gloss | NZD $58

Image Credit: Aleph | Supplied

Queen of versatile beauty, Aleph’s Emma Peters, is officially giving us the gloss. The Aura Gloss, to be precise: a three-shade capsule (though one is crystal-clear) of high-shine lip gloss. 

The formula is impressively buildable for a gloss. One coat of Ember (the darkest, and our favourite) gives lips a natural, warm flush. One or two more swipes and the currant-tones come to play. 

Oh, and don’t you worry: these extra swipes won’t feel sticky or tacky. This gloss is smooth, baby. 

On the inside, there’s plenty to love about the Aura Gloss. They’re vegan, cruelty-free, have non-hormone disrupting ingredients and have kept microplastics at bay throughout the entire process. 

Work Kit Out

Kit: Sweat Powder | $42

Image Credit: MECCA | Website

First the bathroom cabinet, then bed-side-table, now the gym bag: Kit is coming for every nook of our lifestyles, and we’re not mad about it.

After all, magnesium—the hero ingredient in their new Sweat Powder—works wonders for energy and mood boosting. It’s sugar-free, both sweet and savoury, and lightly citrus-tinged. Not too tart, not too salty. 

Completing the SWEAT capsule is a magnesium oil (toodles, muscle cramps) and AHA and BHA-filled Workout Wash.

At this rate, we’ll take whatever Kit: is wanting to kit us out with (sorry, we couldn’t help ourselves). 

A Dose Of Vitamin G

David Mallet Vitamin Gel | $77

Image Credit: MECCA | Supplied

Darlings, your slicked-back bun can actually double as haircare. David Mallet’s Vitamin Gel does it all: infusing Vitamins C, E and B5 and Keravis (a protein complex that reinforces hair fibre) into tresses while keeping them in place. 

We rate this gel for it’s ability to give body to damp-turned-blow-dried hair alongside smoothing dried hair. Not to mention, keep the effects of UV rays away. But would you expect anything less from he who runs the Ritz Paris’ in-house salon?

Chubby Bunny

Clinique Chubby Sticks | $55

Image Credit: Clinique | Supplied

Here’s further proof that 2026 is the year of a) beauty sticks and b) the return of spruced-up 2010 beauty staples.

Yep, Clinique's buttery, tubby and tapered, satisfying-to-swipe n are back in full force, with 16-new shades across lip, cheek and highlight-slash-contour colours.  

Now, if you’re positively overwhelmed by these spiffy new shades, here’s our tip: Bee-line for the Moisturizing Lip Color Balm in ‘Boundless Blush.’ It’s a dusty rose that’ll suit all tones, and come in handy as an impromptu blush.

Squeaky Clean

Emboydme | Hand & Body Wash $75

Image Credit: Embodyme | Supplied

A new way to—quite literally—dowse yourself in Embodyme’s mood-boosting fragrances comes by way of a new Hand & Body Wash. They’ve whittled ‘Joy’ and ‘Peace,’ two of  Embodyme’s signature scents, into a multi-purpose cleansing formula. 

The result? Exactly what’s on the label: thoroughly-sudded skin, with a side of an emotional pick-me-up. Ps, you can thank their ScentState™ technology behind the mood-enhancement. 

A Golden Egg

Kissu Egg Tart Candle | $55

Image Credit: Kissuu | Website

Egg tart obsessives, this one’s for us. There’s a new candle creator on the block, Kissuu, and lucky us, their Hong Kong capsule collection captures our favourite scents: Jasmine tea, a black-tea steeped iced lemon tea, pineapple buns and our treasured eggy, custardy, caramel-tinged tarts. 

Consider it your ticket to Hong Kong, or even Tokyo, on any ol’ Tuesday. 

A Balmy Treat

Revlon Glimmer Lip Treat Lip Balm + Mask $28

Image Credit: Revlon | Supplied

Finally, a coloured lip balm with a punch. We’re talking about Revlon’s new Glimmer Lip Treat Lip Balm + Mask. It’s one of those rare beauty creations where the colour on the tube actually reflects the product—pigment and all. 

The ‘glimmer’ comes from the balm’s high-shine texture. It’s deliciously thick, but not in a way that would stop you from wearing it day-to-day. 

Colour-wise, Hibiscus Spritz has to be one of the best fuschia-toned balms out there. Plus you want a little throwback to 2010’s baby pink lips, Marshmallow Dreams is just the shade to dip your toes into. 

Oh Hello Honey(suckle)

Aerin Mediterranean Honeysuckle Soleil | $250

Image Credit: Aerin | Supplied

If the White Lotus had a scent, Aerin’s limited-edition Mediterranean Honeysuckle Soleil EDP would be it. 

Light, breezy, warm and sharp. The notes of Monoi Flowers make their presence known, while a slightly salty undertone peeps in afterwards. 

Y2K nostalgists will read it as the scent embodiment of Fruitiger Aero, while the ‘clean girl aesthetic’ enthusiasts among us will see it fit for their Hamptons (or, perhaps more realistically Matakana-bound) long weekends. 

It’s also one of the most lingering fragrance we’ve ever tried. *Sigh,* if only our holidays lasted as long.

God Speed

GHD Speed | $645

Image credit: GHD | Supplied

A literal life-saver for the impatient person with long hair. Or any kinda hair. Basically, hair that needs drying, lickedy-split.

GHD has released their fastest hair dryer yet: GHD Speed. 

More than giving you the chance to snap-dry your hair in-between ad breaks, it’s a total hair and lifestyle pick-me-up.

Frizz is reduced by 54%, the motor is 91% smaller, there’s four temperature settings, it remembers the last setting you used each time you turn the dryer on, aaaaand the airflow has been designed so can get close to the root without frying your scalp and tresses. 

For the beauty tech geeks here: this was all possible through their very own “ghd haloTM dual-airflow technology.” It blasts a ring of cool air around the heated airflow, which keeps the temp nice and easy on your scalp and making sure the dryer is cool-to-touch.  

Less arm cramps, less thrown-together damp buns, less fly-aways. More getting to work on time. GHD is the tech for the ‘future us’ we always dreamed of being.

Let’s Get Plumping

Dr. Dennis Gross Derminfusions™ Lip Tints | $63.00

Image credit: MECCA | Supplied

Is it lipstick? Is it a potion? Is it a medi-spa gadget? Well, Dr. Dennis Gross Derminfusions™ Lip Tints are kind of all of the above. 

Alongside a glossy pigment, these lip tints deliver both fuller lips with a stronger barrier.  

Four whole molecular weights of Hyaluronic Acid (AKA, the moisture-retaining superstar) allows moisture to stay locked in in all layers of your skin.

Throwing Shade

Westman Atelier Contour Stick | $94 

Image credit: Westman Atelier | Website

Right, so, we’ve already established that anything Westman Atelier whips up and puts into a stick form is a winner. So surprise surprise, the five new shades joining the Face Trace Contour Stick are killer. 

They’re one of the few contour ranges that actually cater to a full spectrum of skin-tones—not just a handful of middle-ground, bronzer-like tones. For starters, Kola is a cool-toned, rich espresso colour for deep skin tones. On the other end, Au Lait gives ultra-fair-toned folk definition, without a terracotta tinge. 

We’ve Got The Gloss 

Jacques Janine J18 Hair Mist | $34.99

Image credit: Jacques Janine | Website

We’ll never shut up about Brazilian hair products. Okay? And when our latest obsession, Jacques Janine J18 Hair Mist, has its way with your hair, you’ll understand. 

It’s a finishing spray that’s designed to glossify hair—even our beauty Ed’s mousey, notoriously-hard-to-make-shiny, bronde tresses. The formulation’s holographic shine microparticles take this one step further, leaving a subtle glimmer on your already sleek strands. 

Sweep Me A-Ouai

Ibiza Fragrance Mist Eau De Toilette | $57

Image Credit: Sephora | Website

Niche, but if you played MyScene growing up, this one’s for you. 

Jason Brookes, AKA the illustrator behind the glamorously sharp, club-meets-fashion illustrations of the 2000s, has collaborated with OUAI to bring the fierce OUAI-cation Eau De Toilette campaign to life. 

Ibiza and Santorini, naturally, join the jet-set inspired fragrance set with their very own glossy divas illustration. Without so much as smelling the syrupy spray, Ibiza has instantly nostalgic for the 2000’s, all while yearning for a sequin-studded Euro summer trip.     

A fragrance for the future we were promised. Merci, Ouai.

I C A New Obsession 

Nüwa Beauty | Various Prices 

Image credit: NüWa | Website

Here’s a new saved tab for you: NüWa. They’re an Aotearoa-based, online trove of C-Beauty. Their focus is on make-up, and trust us, their curation is equal parts practical and whimsical. 

Case-in-point, the world’s finest eyeliner: the Precisely Depicted Slim Liquid Eyeliner.

There’s even black blush, jelly glitter sticks, an apple-green blush, and pocket-sized palettes that take care of your whole face (or as they call them, comprehensive face-palettes.) So comprehensive, that one of their pans even features a primer balm. Genius.

Sticky Situation

Mecca Max Off Duty Blush Stick | $25

Image credit: Mecca Max | Instagram

The five new Off Duty Blush Stick colours aren’t mucking about, okay. Cool-toned fuschia “Crush” and near-firetruck red “Popsicle” lead the pigmented pack. They’re straight off 80s supermodel cheekones—but, being buildable, they’ll give you a subtle, dainty colour flush if you so wish. 

“Mellow,” “Sunswept” and “Cosy,” on the other hand, take things in a warmer direction, and would probably save you a contouring swipe. Speaking of, Mecca Max’s Off Duty Contour Sticks also have newcomers: an apt “Light” and “Tan.”

A Lush Bouquet

Lush Valentine’s Collection | From $9

Image credit: LUSH | Supplied

For a season marked by peachy tones and love-hearts, LUSH’s Valentines Day release is—quite literally—a fresh take.    

There’s an absinthe green toned (and flavoured) lip-scrub, alongside a macaroon-like Bananas For You Bubbleroon bubble bar, with a scent that’ll have banana milkshakes fiends frothing.   

And let’s not forget the Love Burger, an ultimate 3-in-1. The buns are a cherry-scented bath bomb, the veggies lather up as soap, and the patty is a crumbly little lemony bubble bar. 

But for you Valentine’s Day purists out-there, rest assured that the ruby-red Passion Body Wash (the one that’s made with 15,000 rose petals per batch) is back, alongside a new kitschy swan soap. 

Soothe Operator 

Isamaya | Microbial Gel 50mL | $72

Image credit: MECCA | Supplied

Isamaya has turned their whimsical lens to a rather functional Microbial Gel. Soothing, protecting, barrier-strengthening, and prebiotic-infusing.

Oh, and it also serves as an ultra-grippy makeup primer. Just make sure you let it set in properly, okay? 

Our overloaded, overwhelmed skin says thank you.

Melting Moment 

Tarte Macaron Blush & Glow™ Duo | $68 

Image Credit: Tarte | Supplied

Baked and buttered blushes, you say? Tarte, you’ve got our attention and our tummy rumbling.

There’s both a powder and a cream blush—in the exact same shade, mind you—in the dinky little new Macaron Blush & Glow™ Duo shell. And if that isn’t genius, we don’t know what is. 

Sure, the two textures will help you build up colour perfectly. But we also see this new beauty launch as an ultimate beauty travel companion: powder for balmy days, creamy for when you need a little dew.

It’s Teddy Time

MAC Velvet Teddy Updates | Multiple

Image Credit: MAC | Website

If 2016 is back in, then we’ve gotta bring Velvet Teddy back in full force. You know, the nude, matte, MAC shade on everyone’s lips while we were chokered-up, wearing Thrasher t-shirts. 

Lucky for us, MAC has cottoned on, creating new takes on the beauty fave. There’s the Powder Kiss Hazy Matte Lipstick in Teddy 2.0. And in true 2016 style, there’s also a liquid-to-powder version of the exact Velvet Teddy shade.

Hold The Line 

VIOLETTE_FR Lune Liner | $60 

Image credit: MECCA | Website

Patron saint of pigments that we didn’t know we needed, Violette_FR, has launched three Lune liquid liner shades. 

They’re both futuristic and nostalgic—think scarab meets frutiger aero aesthetics—with the next-level performance to boot. 16-hours of wear, multi-chrome colours, and a freshly-foiled looking finish. Plus, have you seen how fine that brush is? 

Making Scents 

O Te Ra fragrances | Price TBC 

Image credit: O Te Ra | Instagram

What’s this? A new Aotearoa-grown fragrance label? We like what we see so far, O Te Ra.

We can’t tell you what the perfume smells like—literally, we’re waiting for their first glimpse to land in our inbox—but we can tell you a bit about O Te Ra’s ethos. They bind Aotearoa with France, and their scents are designed with the creative mind, in, well, mind.  

This could be the start of a new signature scent. For now, O Te Ra is firmly in our saved tabs. 

Go With The Flo 

From Nina Fragrances | From $98.90

Image credit: From Nina | Website

Remember how we gushed about From Nina’s new fragrances? Buckle up for some more. 

Their Blanc and Pearl fragrance range has landed at Flo and Frankie, in both 10ml sticks and 30ml bottles. You’ll be finding us spritzing here for the foreseeable future.

A Skincare Smoothie 

SOME BY MI PDRN Spirulina Soothing Sherbert Mask | $47

Image credit: Hikoco | Website

We never thought we’d see “spirulina,” “sherbert,” and “mask” in one sentence—let alone in skincare creation. But here we are, fawning over Hicoko’s newest import. 

It’s a cooling mask that strikes a (rare) balance of being both gentle, and a little bit of gentle exfoliation (thank you well-chosen ingredients). Oh, and it’s even designed to soothe your barrier while it’s at it.

Draw A Line

Aleph Multi Liners | $42

Image Credit: Aleph | Supplied

Colour cosmetics can be tricky to make multi-purpose. But can you believe it, our very own Aleph cracked it. Aleph’s Multi Liners are—famously—not eyeliners. They’re not brow liners. Not lip liners either. They’re not even simply eyeshadows or contour-ers. 

They’re ultra-pigmented and matte pencils that are yours to use to define and pigment any which way you choose. 

Struggling to choose one? Go for Fig. A deep plummy shade, that works as an eyeliner, lip liner, and if you’re bold: a cheekbone definer.  

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

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

Main image credit: Prime Skin | supplied

Urban List editors independently select and write about stuff we love and think you'll like too. Urban List has affiliate partnerships, and if you purchase something through the links in this article, we will earn a commission from those partners. To find out more about who we work with and why read our editorial policy here.