The Best New Beauty Buys For March
Haircare Brand Of The Moment…
Arkive
Adam Reed is one of the most renowned hairstylists in London and now he’s poured his expertise into a concise range of his own: Arkive. With products starting from just £10, there are 11 essentials in the line-up – from everyday cleansers, hairsprays and conditioners to intense hydrating masks. You’ll find only the best ingredients here: think jojoba oils, shea butter and baobab protein, which is proven to increase hair strength and elasticity for a glossier, healthier finish. The Crown Scalp Scrub has to be our personal favourite. Brimming with fruit enzymes and caffeine, it has tiny beads that swiftly remove excess product build-up and any other dirt. The result? Better bounce, shine and volume.
Available at ArkiveHeadcare.com
Niche Nail Polishes…
Gitti Plant Based Vegan Nail Colour, €17.90
Nail polishes don’t get gentler than this. Plant based, vegan and made using only the cleanest ingredients, Gitti’s polishes are some of the best we’ve found. Better still, the vast shade range is full of options, including quirky colours that aren’t so trend-led for those who want something a bit different. Keep the layers thin as you apply it – you’ll need a couple of coats for rich pigment – and finish off with top coat. You’ll be amazed how long these last – at least five days – without any chips or crinkling.
Available at GittiConsciousBeauty.com
Multipurpose Make-Up…
Pley Beauty All Over Colour Stick, £16
We love a multipurpose stick and this is our new favourite. Available in eight shimmery shades, scribble these sticks on whenever you fancy a bit of extra sheen on your eyelids, lips or cheeks. With an almost wet, creamy texture, they layer easily and provide instant luminosity. Plus, the stick form makes application a breeze – even make-up novices can’t go wrong. Apply just a small amount for a hint of something, or layer them up for a look that’s more intense. The shade ‘Moon Dust’ is ideal for highlighting the skin, or opt for ‘Pley Pink’ for a rosy, smokey eye.
Available at Revolve.com
Everyday Essentials…
Rose Inc Number 3 Foundation Brush, £28
Need a new base brush? This one from Rose Inc. has densely packed, vegan bristles, while the angled top allows you to really buff foundation and concealer into your skin. Never abrasive or harsh, it’s gentle on skin, giving a natural and believable finish. It’s already sold out a few times but as soon as it’s restocked, we advise snapping one up.
Available at SpaceNK.com
Stoney Clover Lane High Tea Printed Large Pouch, £96
This is expensive, but worth it if you’re after new storage for your beauty basics. The rigid material is sturdy, so it never feels like it will split or break – plus, it’s easy to clean, so in case of spillages, you don’t have to worry about permanent stains. It also makes a great gift.
Available at Revolve.com
Manucurist Huile Verte Nail Care, £14
Manucurist is vegan and cruelty free, using only the kindest ingredients for optimum nail nourishment. This clever product brims with six plant oils – including coconut, almond and walnut – to soak dryness up and soothe cracked skin. Silky in texture, it absorbs fast and never feels sticky or heavy, so you can go about your day with zero downtime. We recommend applying it at night (taking the time to massage it in for the best results) and regular use will deliver both stronger-looking nails and healthier-looking skin.
Available at CultBeauty.co.uk
Nion Beauty Purity Hands Body Brush, £18
If you like the idea of body brushing but find some brushes too abrasive, check out this one from Nion beauty. The flexible, bendy bristles gently buff the skin to remove any bumps and uneven texture. Meanwhile, soft nano-silver removes bacteria and dirt – without any need for soap – so it’s great for your hands, as well as the rest of your body. A shower and sink side staple for smoother-looking skin.
Available at CurrentBody.com
No7 Lash Extender Fiber Mascara, £14.95
One tube of this mascara sold every 20 seconds on the day it launched. It’s now Boots’ bestselling mascara, and we can confirm it’s worth its hype. Bamboo fibres latch onto lashes for extra volume, length and definition, while the chunky wand coats every single lash for even, intense results. At just £14.95, it doesn’t cost the earth, either.
Available at Boots.com
Skin Smoothers…
Le Labo Face Scrub, £43
Exfoliators don’t get more luxe than this one from Le Labo. With small beads, the formula gently buffs away dead skin cells for a brighter, more luminous complexion. Volcanic ash, seaweed and ginger extracts combine to quickly refine uneven texture and diffuse the appearance of enlarged pores and blackheads. You only need to use it a couple of times a week. We recommend massaging it in while you’re in the shower, rinsing it away with cold water. You won’t notice a difference immediately, but regular use will encourage a better glow.
Available at CultBeauty.co.uk
Nuxe Firming Velvet Cream, £40
You can always rely on Nuxe for rich, hydrating products that never suffocate skin. Its latest Velvet Cream uses micro-algae oil (which is proven to strengthen slackened skin) to plump, hydrate and soften skin immediately, absorbing fast so you never have any of that tell-tale greasiness left behind. Its suitable for all skin types, but those prone to dryness will benefit most.
Available at CultBeauty.co.uk
Paula’s Choice Skin Perfect 25% AHA Exfoliant Peel, £39
If you love Paula’s Choice BHA Exfoliant, you’ll love this new peel, which is made up of 25% exfoliating AHAs. Together, salicylic, glycolic, lactic, mandelic, tartaric and malic acids work to deeply exfoliate and purge pores of any product build-up. In turn, skin looks smoother, blackheads appear visibly diffused and breakouts are reduced. Don’t let the potency put you off – ingredients like allantoin, bisabolol and butterfly pea extracts will cushion any irritation, keeping skin supple and luminous. Leave it on for no longer than ten minutes, once a week.
Available at CultBeauty.co.uk
CeraVe Hydrating Foaming Oil Cleanser, £12.50
You’ll know we’re huge fans of CeraVe at SheerLuxe. With a concise edit of cleansers, its hard-working range continues to reign supreme when it comes to visible results and a gentle approach. The latest addition is this Foaming Oil Cleanser. Designed to be used on both the face and body, it’s brimming with ceramides to lock in moisture, as well as squalane oil and triglycerides to condition and bolster hydration for smoother-looking skin. Despite being an oil, it’s non-comedogenic, so you don’t have to worry about it blocking your pores and causing further breakouts. A must-try for those suffering with severe dryness, or anyone wanting to hydrate areas like their elbows, shins and legs.
Available at Boots.com
Dr Jart Cryo Rubber Masks, £10
Powered by Korean skincare technology and soothing allantoin ampoules, these cooling masks lock in some serious moisture, as well as boosting the skin’s natural barrier for a smooth, even complexion. The feel of the rubber is a bit strange at first, but as it clings to the skin, you’ll enjoy how soothing it feels. Put it in the fridge before you use it for an extra cold blast. Designed to hug the skin’s contours, all the ingredients are better absorbed so that, when you remove it, you’ll immediately see more luminous results. Added clay and algae extract also help to hydrate, while tiger grass takes down any unwanted inflammation. A nice treat for your skin, but also ideal for prepping your complexion for an evening out.
Available at Boots.com
Hair Hero…
Kérastase Chroma Absolu Soin Acide Chroma Gloss, £31.85
DIY hair glosses are all the rage right now. Our favourite has to be this new one from Kérastase. Designed to leave a slick gloss behind, it boosts the vibrancy of your hair colour and seals in moisture for stronger, more elasticated strands. Meanwhile, added lactic acid gently exfoliates, getting rid of any product build-up that can cause hair colour to look dull. For best results, apply it to wet hair post-shampoo and massage it in for at least eight seconds before rinsing it out and following up with conditioner. Suitable for all hair types, but especially those prone to frizziness.
Available at LOOKFANTASTIC.com
Glow-Givers…
Smashbox Photo Finish Illuminate Glow Primer, £22.50
It’s been a while since Smashbox dropped something new, but this brand always delivers. Its new Illuminate Primer uses hyaluronic acid, vitamin C and passionfruit to brighten and hydrate the skin. Better still, unlike other primers, it isn’t full of silicone, yet still leaves behind a smooth, even complexion that looks extra luminous thanks to added peachy-gold pearls. Wear it on its own, or let it set for five minutes before applying your foundation.
Available at Boots.com
Tan-Luxe The Crème, £40
Tan-Luxe is known for its silky glow-givers, and this has to be its most hydrating one yet. More of a rich, velvety moisturiser, it uses amino acids, antioxidants and skin-plumping lipids to seal in hydration for a supple, smooth finish. As it nourishes, it gradually works to build a believable, warm glow that’s never overpowering – just subtle enough to win you compliments. Added squalane boosts elasticity for a firmer appearance. A must-try for tan novices, or anyone who doesn’t want anything too dark.
Available at Boots.com
Fragrance We Rate…
Cra-Yon Eau de Parfum Continental, €75
We love Swedish perfume brand Cra-Yon. Aesthetically-pleasing, the minimalist bottles look good on a bathroom shelf, while the scents themselves are unique. ‘Continental’ is the one we’re loving right now. A citrus and woody hybrid, it’s full of notes like amber, Brazilian orange, vetiver and Russian coriander. The result? A unisex fragrance that feels warm and cosy, but also uplifting and clean.
Available at Cra-Yon.com
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