As the local beauty industry has returned to its former glory with drops by the day, we have taken it into our hands to talk weekly about some of the best beauty launches. Some are noteworthy for their instant results, while others are special simply because they make us feel and look good while looking good themselves.
Here, the top 10 beauty launches that landed on GRAZIA’s beauty desk or piqued our interest this week.
Pictured Above: Maison Francis Kurkdjian Es Cap Scented Candle, $140 for 280g.
If the fact that the Limoges handcrafts each Maison Francis Kurkdjian candle doesn’t impress you (fyi, they’ve been crafting porcelain for global royalty since 1830) then perhaps its scent will—aromatic dry wood, sweet fig, and balsamic cedarwood oil that’ll transport you straight to a romantic summer in Puglia.
Remember to trim the wick every time you extinguish it though, lest it burns with dirty smoke. You don’t want to ruin the fantasy, do you?
Augustinus Bader The Body Cleanser
Yes, this body cleanser comes at a cost but you can’t put a price on softer, cleaner, and glowier skin with just one wash. It contains a formula of ceramides, the brand’s proprietary TFC8 complex, coconut oil, and copaiba resin which is all the good stuff that makes skin calm and happy but it’s eucalyptus that’ll turn a shower session into a truly sensorial experience. And yes, it works even better on days when your skin is feeling hot and irritated.
$83, SHOP NOW.
Bioderma Sensibio Defensive Serum Soothing Anti-inflammatory And Anti-aging Serum
One application of this serum instantly soothes inflamed skin while dialling redness down and two strengthens the skin barrier by providing up to 24 hours of hydration. Three, however, is the winning number as it’ll give your skin a beautifully radiant glow like it has just drunk a glass of ice-cold water.
You can even mix it into a liquid or cream foundation to get a light and lovely tinted version or with a highlighter to be applied on places where you want to softly glimmer.
$72.20, SHOP NOW.
Fenty Beauty Shadowstix Longwear Eyeshadow Sticks
Twist it, swipe it, and next, admire the alluring look you’ve created that shimmers from all angles even when you’re under the worst of lighting conditions (read: a dimly lit office cubicle). According to the brand, Riri uses both a matte and shimmer version to create an everyday look—she uses the former in the crease of her eye and underneath her bottom lash before using the latter across her eyelid and under her browbone.
Don’t worry about setting it or even priming the lids prior to application as it stays put for up to 12 hours no matter the heat or humidity. And as for its removal, just one swipe of a micellar water-soaked cotton pad suffices. Work.
$39, SHOP NOW.
Grown Alchemist Restorative Hand Cream
This hand cream is elegant in all manners from the way it gently hydrates and softens with camellia, grapeseed, and aloe to its scent (a sophisticated blend of vanilla and citruses like a French lemon madeleine), and right down to the way it charmingly sits on your bedside table. So fancy!
$38, SHOP NOW.
Gucci Beauty Concentré De Beauté Liquid Concealer.
The excellent formula of this concealer is ideal for anybody who loves hitting the snooze button or has decision-making problems when it comes to packing. It combines the nourishing properties of a skincare product (use it on the eyes or even the face) with the full coverage and stretchability of a liquid foundation.
And, it doesn’t need any setting powder as it forms a film that keeps it fresh for up to 12 hours and more, not that we’re planning to wear it for that long to truly put it to the test.
$65, SHOP NOW.
Kiehl's Multi Corrective Soft Cream
If you only have the dexterity, energy, or time to use just one product in your nighttime routine then let this cream be it. It’s infused with Phytomimetic Vitamin A, ProxylaneGX and Chaga Mushroom to tackle everything from skin laxity, to darkness, and lines within just one sleep. Truly a one-and-done—just make sure to use a pea-sized amount as a little goes a long way.
But just in case you were overboard, its creamy texture makes for quite the nourishing hand salve especially since we don’t often show much love to the skin on our body that rapidly thins as we age.
$105, SHOP NOW
Laura Mercier Ultra Blur Translucent Loose Setting Powder
Statistics done by us have shown that half the time, makeup artists always reply that they’re using this powder when we ask how a subject’s skin looks so good in real life and in photos. Besides blurring skin with a soft-focus finish, it helps makeup to stay fresh with shine control that stretches up to 16 hours (read: no need for touch ups).
The best part too is that there’s no flashback which is quite the plus even for those of us who live paparazzi-free lives. Click, flash, guess who looks gorgeous even with direct flash pointed at her?
$76, SHOP NOW.
Loewe Solo Ella EDP
There are floral fragrances that smell good and there are ones like Loewe Solo’s Ella which make people tell you that you do so. It contains a 30% concentration of green apple, neroli, white wood, and green tea essential oils that leave a stunning sillage but that means one spritz is more often just enough.
$250 for 100ml, SHOP NOW.
NARS Laguna Eyeshadow Quads
NARS always splendidly captures the essence of summer, but their latest Laguna eyeshadow palettes are where they’ve struck gold. The shinier one that we’re attracted to like magpies is on the left titled Laguna Sunset–four bronzed neutrals that come in an eye-opening shimmery finish.
It’s sort of like the boho beach babe look Lauren Conrad from Laguna Beach would wear if you happen to get our reference. If not, it gives Hadid-Jenner-Bieber-insert-any-famous-Los-Angeles-fashion-influencer.
$70, SHOP NOW.