February’s Best New Beauty Buys

Proof that great lip balms don’t need to try too hard, NARS’s cult Afterglow has undergone a subtle upgrade. Delivering up to 24 hours of hydration, it wraps lips in a buttery, comfortable layer with a soft, sheer tint and just enough shine. The shade range spans everything from playful pinks to neutral browns, making it easy to find a favourite. Powered by a moisture-locking blend, it smooths and softens as you wear it – perfect alone or blended with a liner for an easy, effortless lip.

Available at NARSCOSMETICS.CO.UK

Elemis is an icon in the cleanser category, so any newness always catches our attention. This more than lives up to expectation. Powered by a blend of nine essential oils, it gently transforms from a silky cream into a whipped mousse and is infused with the brand’s signature spa-like scent. It performs best as a lighter morning (or second evening) cleanse and – crucially – leaves your skin feeling balanced, not tight. 

Available at ELEMIS.CO.UK

Quite literally the product you didn’t know you needed, this clever addition will take your shower routine to another level. Blending eucalyptus, peppermint and lavender, it’s a steam-activated mist that fills your bathroom with a soothing, botanical cloud. An instant mood-booster, this genius product by Aromatherapy Associates restores calm and makes even the earliest starts feel more manageable. Simply spritz directly into hot running water and breathe deeply.

Available at SPACENK.COM

Blurry, balm-like and comfortable, Merit has quietly perfected the modern matte. Launched in 2023 as a limited-edition buy, this now-permanent fixture is ideal if you love a wash of colour but don’t like the feel of a traditional lipstick. Weightless and low-maintenance, this comes out sheer but can be easily built up into something more pigmented. True to form, each of the eight shades feels considered and flattering. Our favourite is ‘Vendôme’, a pretty, throw-on brown-nude. 

Available at MERITBEAUTY.COM

Loved for the way it instantly perks up tired skin, this skincare-meets-make-up hybrid is all about the lit-from-within finish. The updated formula shifts the focus even more on skincare, combining Japanese rose and tea rose extracts with light-reflecting pigments to brighten and keep your skin comfortably hydrated throughout the day. Apply all over for a rested, healthy-looking effect, with minimal effort.

Available at SPACENK.COM

Poker-straight lashes are no match for Lancôme’s new launch. Designed with a 40° twisted brush and dual micro-reservoirs, this promises to curl your lashes from root to tip and lock them in place for 30 hours. Sparse lashes appear thicker and lifted, without that annoying feeling of extra weight. 

Available at LANCOME.COM

Soft, warm and quietly addictive, Almost Always is the kind of fragrance that slips easily into your everyday rotation. Floral and fresh, before settling into something creamier and more comforting, it combines white florals with a hint of woodiness and cosy vanilla warmth. It wears close to the skin, making it ideal if you prefer your scent to feel pared-back and personal rather than overly statement. This is one you’ll keep coming back to, whether it’s for daytime or an understated evening spritz.

Available at BOOTS.COM

If you like your base minimal but hardworking, this is one to know. Sitting somewhere between make-up and skincare, Laura Mercier’s Tinted Blur Balm has a clever balm-to-powder texture that melts in seamlessly. The coverage is sheer at first but builds easily, making it ideal for low-effort days when you want a hint of coverage or simply to even out your skin without masking it. Full of peptides, squalane and camelina seed oil, it smooths over texture and leaves behind a wearable, natural-matte finish. 

Available at CULTBEAUTY.CO.UK

Creamy and hardworking, Charlotte Tilbury’s new concealer covers a multitude of sins. It’s full coverage but don’t let that put you off. It properly covers everything, from dark circles and spots to broken capillaries, without sitting heavily on the skin’s surface. It blends like a dream and feels unexpectedly flexible for a high-coverage formula. A word of warning, a little goes a long way, but trust us – this makes you look like you actually slept more. 

Available at CHARLOTTETILURY.COM