The Best Beauty Buys of 2021

Vinofresh Natural Stick Deodorant, £13 | Caudalie

We’re always on the hunt for a good natural deodorant and Caudalie’s exceeded all our expectations. Completely translucent, the glossy stick leaves zero stickiness or white cast behind, while the prebiotic-rich formula hydrates and soothes skin, so it’s great for those prone to sensitivity. We love the fresh, eucalyptus scent, which lingers on the skin, leaving you feeling clean and fresh all day. A brilliant switch to make if you want to avoid aluminium or synthetic fragrances.
 
Available at SpaceNK.com

Baie 19 Shower Gel, £38 | Le Labo

Le Labo’s Baie 19 is one of our favourite fragrances of all time, so we were thrilled to see the brand has launched it as a body wash. Notes of patchouli, juniper berries and musk combine for quite a masculine scent that’s heady, rich and a little bit peppery. Like all their shower gels, the fragrance lingers on the skin for days, so if you can’t afford the full fragrance, it’s a great way to try it out at a fraction of the price. 
 
Available at HarveyNichols.com

The Shoreditch, £10 | Shoreditch Nail Polish

Not only are the bottles cool, these nail colours are eco-friendly, cruelty-free and made using 85% bio-sourced ingredients. The gentle formulas never strip the nail or cause brittleness and the colours are fun – from soft pinks to coral oranges, deep blues to vivid greens, there’s something for everyone. Starting from just £10, they’re affordable compared to other conscious nail brands on the market. 
 
Available at ShoreditchNailPolish.com

Verso Enzyme Peel, £60 | Verso Skincare 

Are you prone to body breakouts? General redness? Ingrown hairs? If so, this Verso peel is for you. Full of exfoliating acids, the grainy texture quickly buffs away dead skin cells, while glycolic sucks out anything trapped in your pores for a smoother, more even appearance. Ideal for areas prone to acne – like the back and chest – it makes light work of spots. It’s also great for reducing inflammation caused by ingrown hairs, while the soft, uplifting scent makes the whole process feel less mechanical and a bit more luxurious. It’s expensive, but worth it if you’re serious about good body care.
 
Available at CultBeauty.co.uk

Christmas Beauty Sleep Candle, £30 | Balance Me

These candles provide instant calm and clear the mind. Made with soy wax, they’re brimming with essential oils – including lavender and cedarwood – to deliver instant, on-the-spot grounding. It’s great to have one by your bed, too. Light it when you want to relax and unwind before going to sleep – the scent is so potent, it only needs to be lit for an hour or so to fill the room.
 
Avaiable at BalanceMe.com

Musc Invisible Eau De Parfum, £85 | Juliette Has A Gun

If you were (or are) a fan of The Body Shop’s cult White Musk scent, you’ll love this release from niche fragrance brand Juliette Has A Gun. While similar, this version has more depth and longevity – it’ll last on the skin well into the following day. It’s rich, creamy and warm with a unisex quality – plus, you can order a sample first before taking the plunge. 
 
Available at Selfridges.com

Neroli Sun Eau De Parfum, £90 | Sunspel

Even if citrus fragrances aren’t typically your thing, you’ll love this one from Sunspel. Patchouli, sea moss, vetiver and rosemary come together to create something entirely different to the norm. It’s sharp, zesty, but also musky – with a masculine quality we can’t get enough of. The best bit? It really goes the distance – you’ll notice this is still on your skin long after you’ve spritzed it first thing. 
 
Available at Sunspel.com

Cold Processed Scalp Renew, £28 | Act + Acre 

Scalp treatments and exfoliators have been big news in 2021 and our favourite is this one from Act + Acre. Gel-based, it deeply exfoliates the scalp and balances out excessive oiliness for lighter, bouncier hair. Regular use will also stimulate blood flow to promote better hair growth, as well as relieve dry and inflamed scalps. Added salicylic acid removes product build-up, while peppermint adds to the luxury feel, complete with a satisfying tingle.
 
Available at NET-A-PORTER.com

Heart Of Glass Sheer Glaze, £22.50 | Davines

Designed to hydrate, smooth and protect, hair glazes are one way to keep hair looking good in between salon visit. The one from Davines is particularly effective on blonde hair. Using botanical oils to improve strength and elasticity, the glassy sheen naturally lightens hair to leave it looking brighter and healthier. Apply roughly seven to ten drops onto towel dried hair, combing it through before styling for best results. The recyclable, plastic packaging is a bonus.
 
Available at CultBeauty.co.uk

Super Strength Treatment Roots-To-Ends Balm, £24 | Fekkai 

Celebrity hairstylist Frédéric Fekkai has channelled his talent and expertise into a new conscious range. Using plant-derived ingredients, each product is free from parabens, sulfates, silicones and phthalates. Our favourite is this nourishing masque, which harnesses keratin, vitamin B5 and rice protein to protect, encourage growth and seal cuticles. You only need a small amount run through from the roots to the ends – just leave it on for four or five minutes, before rinsing it off. You’ll notice how much softer your hair feels almost immediately.
 
Available at FeelUnique.com

Satin Sleep Cap, £11 | My Kitsch

Satin sleep caps can be prohibitively expensive. Not this one from Kitsch, which uses a soft, silky satin to minimise friction and prevent snags. Simply pop it on before hitting the hay to let the fabric evenly distribute your natural oils throughout your hair as you toss and turn. It sounds like an indulgence, but it’s brilliant for maintaining styles between hair washes, as well as minimising breakage and frizz. Think of it like a silk pillowcase, just at half the price.
 
Available at MyKitsch.com

Shade No. 4, £44 | Liza Eldridge 

Available in 40 shades, Lisa Eldridge’s intelligently formulated, skin-friendly foundation offers a customisable medium coverage that can be dialled up or down. Self-setting, it creates a soft-focus effect, thanks to a formula that contains a natural, mesh-like ingredient that completely fuses with the skin once blended. The final finish is neither dewy nor matte, but something in between the two. Easily our favourite foundation of 2021.
 
Available at LisaEldridge.com

Paradise Shine Eye Sequins, £28 | Dear Dahlia

 If you love Stila’s liquid glitter shadows, you’ll go mad for these ones from Dear Dahlia. With intense shimmer and more of a wet-look finish, they were one of our favourite summer finds. The chunky applicator makes them easy to work with, while the colour always comes out even. There’s a vast number of shades available – we love ‘Angel Tears’, a pearly pink that catches the light beautifully. 
 
Available at LOOKFANTASTIC.com

Liquid Gel Blush, £22 | KVD Beauty

One of our favourite finds of 2021, this blush melts into skin. As you start to buff it in – we recommend doing so with a brush – you’ll see the texture starts to sheer out, turning the colour into more of a wash. We love the glossy dry down – it’s luminous, pretty and easy to wear. You can even tap it onto the highest points of your face for some subtle sculpting.
 
Available at FeelUnique.com

Eye Wand, £21 | Vieve

Velvety and smooth, these soft kohl liners are ideal for smokey eye novices wanting to create party-ready looks at speed. Simply scribble them on – no need for precision here – and buff them into the lid with either your fingers or a soft, fluffy brush. Because they blend and glide so seamlessly, they’re easy to layer with other shades. Use them all over your lids, in your lash line, or the waterline – there are plenty of shades available, but ‘Mahogany’ is our new alternative to black.
 
Available at Vieve.co.uk

Puff Paint, £24 | Natasha Denona

This silky serum-like blush gives skin a hefty dose of moisture, while leaving skin with a healthy flush of colour. Rich in pigment, the intensity is impressive, as is the longevity – you’ll find it really goes the distance, even in sweaty weather. Apply them with your fingers, or use a brush to sculpt and add more dimension to the face. The creamy texture is so easy to work with. 
 
Available at FeelUnique.com

Orange Cleansing Sherbet, £18.04 (was £23) | Aromatica

Struggle to remove stubborn mascara at the end of the day? This cleanser will remove impurities and all traces of make-up. Containing orange peel extract (to balance oil production), canola oil and organic babassu seed oil, the thick sherbet-like texture leaves skin feeling deeply cleansed, moisturised and soft.
 
Available at Tonic15.com

Hyaluronic Acid Serum, £12.75 | CeraVe

It’s no secret we’re huge fans of CeraVe here at SheerLuxe. After landing in the UK with a concise line of affordable, effective products, CeraVe launched an HA serum this year. Already a bestseller, the jelly-esque texture isn’t just satisfying, it’s also hugely hydrating. Sinking in fast, ceramides (the brand’s cult ingredient) work hard to lock everything in. A moisturiser-serum hybrid, it suits all skin types.
 
Available at Boots.com

The One That's Got It All - Sun Primer SPF 50, £20 | Hello Sunday

New brand Hello Sunday should be on your radar. Our favourite product from the line-up is this does-it-all primer. Protecting skin against sun, pollution and blue light, it ticks all the boxes, while the featherlight texture preps your complexion for make-up. With added hyaluronic acid and vitamin C, skin looks supple and luminous, while the fragrance-free SPF50 formula never irritates. A must-try.
 
Available at CultBeauty.co.uk

Glow Boost Ampoules, £155 | MZ Skin

Single-dose skincare had a huge moment in 2021. Encapsulating a number of buzz-worthy ingredients, ampoules are incredibly potent, and offer optimum results at speed. These from MZ are a must-try if you’re looking to reset your skin after a few too many late nights. Full of vitamin C, lactic and glycolic acid, they gently exfoliate to ramp up radiance, while added hyaluronic acid hydrates and keeps irritation at bay. Quite the powerhouse, expect to see results in just five days.
 
Available at HarveyNichols.com

Tropique Enzymatic Exfoliant, £16.80 | Plenaire

Here at SL, we love fully recyclable brand Plenaire, whose products are made in small batches in Norfolk. Its skincare range is second to none, and the products offer seriously impressive results. Adding to the small but concise range, this exfoliant is not to be missed. Full of natural fruit acids, it gently sloughs away dead skin cells for noticeably brighter and evenly toned skin. Salicylic acid is ideal for blemish-prone skin, as it quickly gets rid of dirt and smooths under-the-skin bumps. A must-try if you suffer with dullness, breakouts or enlarged pores, use it three to five times a week after cleansing, sweeping it over both your face and neck.
 
Available at CultBeauty.co.uk

Calm-Essentiel Soothing Emulsion, £40 | Clarins

With a serum-like consistency, this soothing emulsion can be applied both morning and night after cleansing. Working fast to take down feelings of discomfort – think dryness and tightness – while melting into the skin seamlessly for a hefty dose of hydration, you’ll see a difference pretty quickly – specifically more even tone, less inflammation and a softer texture that isn’t hyper-sensitive. You’ll love the soft luminosity it lends skin, too.

Available here

The Atomiser, £90 | Aromatherapy Associates

Aromatherapy Associates diffusers are the epitome of luxury and this latest launch is both waterless and portable. Using essential oils to create an uplifting, scented aroma that lingers for hours, a lack of water means the oils retain maximum potency and therapeutic benefits. Extra points go to the slick design, which looks great on your bathroom shelf. 
 
Available at AromatherapyAssociates.com

Small Domed Blush Brush, £11.99 | Edy

These fun brushes caught our eye over the summer. Created by celebrity make-up artist, Edyta Kurowska, they’re incredibly soft, with densely packed synthetic bristles for seamless application. Plus, the handles are made from purpose-grown wood, which is easy to grip. From brush sets to contour, highlight and powder brushes, there’s something for everyone – the range starts from just £9.99. 
 
Available at Shop.Edy.London

Razor, £8 | Flamingo

More than a million women use Harry’s razors, which is why Allie Melnick launched a sister brand this year – one that’s inclusive, but predominantly caters to women, giving them a smoother, more hydrating shave. Flamingo’s razor is lightweight, with a bended head that gets into all grooves and curves of your body, so you never miss a single hair. It’s not just razors – you’ll also find waxing pads and hair removal foam as part of the line – no wonder the brand sells one of its product every 15 seconds. Just like Harry’s, you can order products on subscription or pay in one-off instalments – whatever suits.
 
Available at Boots.com

HoliFace Massage Ball, £23 | Holidermie

Developed by yoga teachers, sport coaches and facial therapists, this pressure ball is designed to be used all over the face in gentle, circular motions to sculpt the cheeks and cheekbones. Great for easing tension – especially between your eyebrows – and stimulating sluggish skin, use it on its own, or with serums and moisturisers for extra slip. You won’t see results overnight, but providing you’re consistent, you will within a few weeks. 
 
Available at Smallable.com

LED Mirror One Size, £45 | Oxygen Boutique

For £45, this LED mirror is a steal compared to other versions on the market. Designed with a simple stand, it’s easy to fold away and pack in your luggage – not to mention the fact it’s incredibly lightweight. The lighting is easy to adjust – simply hold down the button to up the brightness or dim it. You’ll be amazed how well it illuminates your complexion and mimics the effect of natural light.
 
Available at FeelUnique.com