As the local beauty industry slowly returns 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.
What do they all have in common though? They’ve been meticulously tested, intensively investigated and very much loved by us.
Here, the top 10 beauty launches that landed on GRAZIA’s beauty desk or piqued our interest this week.
Pictured Above: 1. New Nostalgia
If you’re looking for a rose fragrance that is fresh and feminine, this one might not be for you. Instead, if you’re looking for a rose fragrance that is strong, full-bodied, and with a slightly sexy undertone then this is a clear winner. With peppery rose, warm amber, and earthy papyrus, you might even think it smells like old withered roses pressed within an old book if you’re into the academia aesthetic.
Byredo Rose of No Man’s Land, $414 for 100ml
2. Six Count
The thing about cult Parisian fragrance brand Akro is that they are what we call photorealistic fragrances. What we mean is that whatever ingredient the brand describes its fragrance will smell like is exactly what you’ll get. And these six ones are a fun way to explore classic Akro ingredients like cigarettes, chocolate, and even alcohol. You will be surprised too how long each vial will last as just one spritz gives incredible throw with a long-lasting sillage.
Akro Discovery Kit, $48
3. PLUMP START
If you want to start using retinol in your routine, this is a good product to start with as it has low chances of causing sensitisation despite its high retinol percentage due to its skin microbiome-optimising properties. In short, it exfoliates, renews, and smoothens while protecting and strengthening but of course, like with every product containing retinol, you should do a patch test first.
Augustinus Bader The Retinol Serum, $530
4. BETWEEN LINES
We would always recommend eye products formulated with retinol if you’re looking for long-term results concerning wrinkles and besides containing a gentle but effective dose of pure vegan retinol, this serum also contains caffeine to instantly depute and peptides to improve elasticity. A half pump too is enough for both eyes so you can expect this product to go a long way.
Drunk Elephant A-Shaba Complex™ Eye Serum, $98
5. POWERING UP
Best used on drier skin as it has squalene oil in its formula, this serum immediately smoothens out dry patches and soothes irritation (pro tip: you can leave it in the fridge too). With the addition of ceramides, people with sensitive skin might notice less reaction too with prolonged use both day and night. Its slightly oily texture also makes it a nice way to sheer out thicker foundations and give it a glowy finish.
Evolve Organic Beauty Blue Velvet Ceramide Serum, $68
6. FULL CREAM
Promising up to 24 hours of wear even without the use of a setting powder (it dries to a matte finish), this concealer has strong coverage without a heavy finish that settles into fine lines or wrinkles. You can also go one shade lighter with it, draw a line starting at your outer corners and towards your cheekbones, and next, blend it out to “lift” the skin. Because the concealer also has a blurring effect, it will mask the texture that is commonly found around those areas.
Givenchy Beauty Prisme Libre Skin-Caring Concealer, $60
7. GILT TRIP
Consider this blush an all-in-one complexion product, one that delivers a beautiful tint of pink on the skin (58 Rose Cuivré pictured above is the most universal in our opinion), slightly blurs skin texture and subtly highlights the skin with finely milled shimmer. Another thing we like about Hermès blushes are that you can build up to the intensity you want without it ever looking chalky.
Hermès Rose Hermès Silky Blush in 58 Rose Cuivré, $126 and $69 for the refill
8. IN THE THICK
If you’re familiar with lip “fondant” products from Korean or Japanese beauty brands where the product’s texture feels like icing, this one is sure to delight you as it also contains ginger root oil, capsicum extract, and menthol to plump the lips. A glassy shine without any stickiness can be expected too and if you’re wondering why we chose this shade to feature (it’s called Lime Green), it’s because it goes on sheer and changes colour according to your lips’ pH level and into a my-lips-but-better shade.
M.A.C Cosmetics Squirt Plumping Gloss Stick, $37
9. BRIGHTEN UP
Colour-correcting light to severe discolouration under the eyes with one to two layers, the emollient texture of this product provides a smooth base for concealer if you require more coverage (pro tip: it can also be used on eyelids as an eyeshadow base). If you’re wondering which colour to pick, the packaging of the sticks are also colour coordinated according to how severe the discolouration you have is. Another pro tip: tap it in with your fingers instead of using a brush or sponge as the warmth helps to better “push” the product in.
OLEHENRIKSEN Banana Bright+ Vitamin CC Sticks, $49
10. PURPLE HAZE
The Body Shop has been hitting it out of the park recently with its beauty products and its new Eau de Parfum collection called Full Flowers has four stunners: Full Rose, Full Ylang Slang, Full Orange Blossom, and lastly, Full Iris which we’re the more enamoured with. Compared to the Iris & Violet Essence fragrance, this one strikes the right balance between fresh dewiness and powdery woodiness and upon drying down, becomes a skin-scent that beautifully radiates in our hot weather.
The Body Shop Full Iris Eau de Parfum, $75