There’s always a lot going on in the beauty world, with new releases, celebrity appearances and brand ambassadors raving about new products.
We’ve been captivated by the announcement that Rihanna is the new face of Dior’s J’Adore and a notable new lip balm arrival from the Ordinary has also held our attention, but there’s plenty of other exciting developments to share and shop this week.
Black Honey revisited
Clinique’s universally flattering lipstick shade Black Honey first debuted in the 70s with a number of incarnations since.
A frenzy on social media has led to a resurgence in its popularity, as a new generation embraces the sheer plum/raspberry hue that subtly boosts the natural colour of lips.
The brand has capitalised on that interest since with a lip gloss version, and now, two new arrivals: Black Honey High Impact Mascara and Black Honey Pop Lip & Cheek Oil.
The mascara is a flattering, deep burgundy hue while the light lip oil, made with nourishing oils including safflower, jojoba, olive and sunflower oil, can also be used as a fresh and flattering blush tint on cheeks.
The range goes on sale July 2.
Simone Biles links up with K18
As we get closer to the Olympics, sports stars will continue to grab the spotlight, even in the beauty realm. Simone Biles made headlines this week as the newest ambassador for popular hair treatment brand K18.
The American star, the most decorated gymnast in history, has begun a two-year partnership with the brand, to promote its reparative products, including its famous peptide Leave-in Molecular Repair Hair Mask.
“A lot of people think gymnasts don’t do much with beauty — that we don’t wear makeup or change up our hair — but that’s not the case,” Biles told WWD, saying taking to the mat donning her look of choice is “even more [part of my artistry] than the music, because when I feel beautiful and true and authentic to myself — I perform better.”
The star connected with the brand after using the products through her hairdresser after her hair became weakened from her signature in-competition bun and ponytail styles.
A new start for Naomi Watts’ menopause brand
When parent company Amyris filed for bankruptcy this year, the future looked uncertain for Naomi Watts’ menopause-focused skincare and lifestyle brand Stripes.
Now, it’s been picked up by L Catterton, offering a new boost for the range. L Catterton also has a stake in beauty brands such as Tula, Oddity, The Honest Company and Kiko Milano.
Launched in 2022, Stripes Beauty was founded by Watts with the mission to normalise conversations about menopause and other symptoms associated with natural hormonal changes as women age.
The brand offers skincare, hair and body products that aim to address some of the physical changes that are commonly brought about by menopause.
Couture beauty shines in Paris
It’s couture week in Paris and the world’s top fashion houses premiere their haute couture fashion collections for the Fall-Winter 2024/25 season.
Haute couture collections reveal the most exclusive designs, custom-fitted for top customers. The ranges are created from the highest quality fabric and sewn with extreme attention to detail and finish, often using time-consuming hand-executed techniques.
Of course this means the beauty looks are refined and elegant but always with touches of daring. Our favourite might just have been Giambattista Valli’s pretty petal-strewn skin models displayed alongside the house’s detailed gathered and gorgeous gowns and separates.
Valli himself is said to believe in “the healing power of beauty, and flowers are the ultimate embodiment of botanical pulchritude”.
Memories of “the abundance of floral garlands strewn outside every Indian temple,” led him to lavish blooms throughout the collection.
New No. 5 bottle
Over a century after its launch, Chanel No. 5 remains one of the most famous and popular perfumes in the world. Hollywood icon Marilyn Monroe once shared No. 5 was “the only thing she wore to bed,” a moment that helped cement its famous status.
Created in 1921, the fragrance combines rose, jasmine and citrus with the then unprecedented use of aldehydes, used in perfumery to give fragrances a clean, soapy smell.
Now, the French fashion and beauty house has launched a limited edition drop-shaped bottle containing No. 5 L’Eau, a “fresher, more casual version of No. 5.”
“It’s a scent that radiates citrus and aldehydes,” shares Chanel. “A whirlwind of flowers, carried away by vetiver, cedar, and soft musk notes. The unstoppable momentum of N°5 infused into a fresh, exclusive release.”
Blush Blindness
Another talking point in the beauty world right now is ‘blush blindness.’
We all know blush is big in beauty right now, as brands bring out ever more ways for us to get some rosy colour.
But it seems camps are divided about how much, is too much. If you’re not sure, you might have what folks on TikTok are calling ‘Blush blindness.’
Referring to the shiny pink cheeks commonly rocked by stars like Sabrina Carpenter right now, the trend refers to those that don’t realise how much of the ultra-pigmented blush products they are really are piling on.
The not-so-serious take is meant to be in jest, but it does make you stop and think about the best ways to apply your blush as you raise your brush!