What’s Landed On Our Beauty Director’s Desk
All products on this page have been selected by our editorial team, however we may make commission on some products.
Swimming Pool Eau De Parfum, £225 | BIBBI
BIBBI hasn’t put a foot wrong since launching. The name made me sceptical, conjuring up chlorine, but I needn’t have worried. This scent is chic, clean and seriously refreshing, with a minty, head-clearing quality I’ve not found in fragrance before. Dashes of white woods, eucalyptus and ginger remind me of an uplifting bath oil. It lasts for hours on the skin too.
Available at LibertyLondon.com
Boost Cleanse & Recovery Spray, £18 | The Light Salon
My skin is sensitive, so I tread carefully with the ingredients I use to bust breakouts and inflammation. I’ve been so impressed by this unassuming spray from The Light Salon. It’s full of hypochlorous acid which experts – and TikTok – will tell you is the ingredient of the moment. A weak acid, it has a low pH level and strong antimicrobial properties. In other words, when formulated correctly, it effectively takes on issues like acne, eczema and inflammation, speeding up skin’s natural healing processes. There are no ‘filler’ ingredients in this either. I use it liberally after a workout or whenever my skin is flaring up – without fail, it quells the issue, or at least stops it spiralling.
Available at HarveyNichols.com
Sh**ty Day Eau De Parfum, $85 | Noyz
We’re loving new fragrance brand Noyz at SheerLuxe – specifically this ‘Sh**ty Day’ scent which is anything but sh**ty. Vanilla, amber, cashmere woods and black plum combine for a scent that’s both green and ever so slightly gourmand-y. It has just enough headiness to it without being cloying or overbearing, while the unisex quality makes it more appealing. It certainly has all the right ingredients for a date night or drinks.
Available at Noyz.com
Miracle Pure Serum Foundation, £15.99 | Max Factor
This is one of the best make-up hybrids I’ve tried recently – even better, it’s under £16. I love the light coverage it provides, along with a luminous, natural-looking glow that actually lasts a day. It looks great when layered up for a full face of make-up, or when worn lightly as a smooth, polished look. It’s versatile and loaded with niacinamide and bisabolol – two ingredients that promise to even up your skin tone.
Available at Boots.com
After Sun Shimmering Oil, £22.99 | KIKO Milano
This was made for sun-ravished skin, but I’ve been using it daily just to give my skin some life. It has just the right amount of shimmer in – i.e. barely any – catching the light for a healthy luminosity I love. Full of oils – think almond, coconut and avocado – it feels so nourishing. I can see how it would alleviate discomfort and inflammation, not to mention conceal it slightly. It enhances a tan nicely too, while the beachy scent keeps you feeling fresh.
Available at LOOKFANTASTIC.com
Hydra Setting Powder, £40| RMS Beauty
Setting powders aren’t always my thing, but I like the glassy effect this gives skin. It is so fine with a soft, light-reflecting finish that is spot on. Just a tiny amount minimises oiliness and mattifies lightly, helping any make-up underneath to sit comfortably with no creasing or sliding. It’s expensive, but it will last you for months. I love that it uses antioxidant ingredients to protect skin lightly from the dullness of day-to-day pollution.
Available at CultBeauty.com
Brow 1980 Volumizing Pomade, £26 | Merit Beauty
I’ve been waiting for a brow gel to compete with my beloved Benefit Gimme Brow and this one comes very close. It has a chunkier applicator, but I love that it catches every single hair without depositing too much gel in one go. The pigment is subtle and buildable, so you can create fullness gradually, without ever weighing your arches down. Newly formulated, it now contains 1.8 x more product than its predecessor, which is a bonus. It works nicely with the brand’s new Brow 1990 Gel Pencil, which is easy to work with and mimics the appearance of individual hairs without any of that ashy shadow you often get with brow pencils.
Available at MeritBeauty.com
SU Hair Mask , £23.25 | Davines
Bleached and fine, my hair is prone to bouts of dryness. This lovely, buttery mask has helped to bring it back from the brink lately with nourishing fruit oils. Designed to tackle damage from the sun, chlorine and salt, it’s ideal for summer when you want to boost softness and overall hair health. It helps to make hair more manageable too – ideal if, like me, you’re prone to tangles and general unruliness. I recommend leaving it on all day for maximum nourishment, or even overnight if you really want to boost hydration.
Available at UK.Davines.com
Lustre Lip Oil, £20 | ICONIC London
Forget sticky, tacky lip oils, these ones from Iconic London are smooth and quick to absorb, yet they still leave behind a plumped-up glow. My lips have been dry and flaky lately, and these have transformed them, thanks to hyaluronic acid and vitamin C. I love all three shades but ‘She’s A Peach’ is a soft, sheer pink that works for everyone. The chunky applicator is great on the go.
Available ICONICLondonInc.com
Cell Cycle Catalyst Serum, £120 | SkinCeuticals
If, like me, you’re starting to consider ways of firming and tightening your skin, this was made for you. It’s got 7.7% alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs) and 1% taurine, which are proven to activate your skin’s cell renewal for better bounce and smoothness. While I’ve not reversed the lines I find bothersome, I will say my complexion looks fresher, with renewed radiance and better tone. Silky-smooth like all SkinCeuticals serums, it easily slips into your routine and is surprisingly gentle. A great alternative to retinol, which I currently find too abrasive on my sensitive skin.
Available SkinCeuticals.co.uk
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