Best new beauty buys

Fending off the dreary winter weather doesn’t have to be an ordeal. Stock up your beauty cabinet with these newcomers to the skincare and make-up scene and you’ll be ready to face the change in seasons.

: Smashbox Always On Matte Lipstick ($54) does what other mattes don’t: it’s water resistant, long wearing and contains a nourishing cocktail of jojoba, apricot and sunflower oils to keep lips smooth around the clock. “This breakthrough liquid formula does it all, hydrating lips while producing a wash of beautiful, velvety color with unprecedented staying power,” says Lori Taylor Davis, Smashbox global pro lead artist.

: Newcomer marula oil is set to have its moment in the spotlight this year.“It’s full of fatty acids and antioxidants, Marula oil is extracted straight from the pip of the African marula fruit and is deeply nourishing but highly absorbent,” says Jacob Stanley, head of education for MECCA Brands. Try Drunk Elephant Virgin Marula Luxury Face Oil ($115) which you’ll find at MECCA Maxima and mecca.co.nz.

: A clever cocktail of colour-correcting and illuminating pearls in Guerlain’s Météorites Happy Glow Pearls ($125) vanish tired skin and enhance radiance.

: Cheeks will be cheerful with a burst of Lancome Cushion Blush Subtil in Sparkling Framboise ($77).

: Chanel Blue Serum is the latest skincare innovation to join the anti anti-ageing, pro skin health brigade. Rather than focusing on fighting lines and wrinkles, Chanel takes a wellness approach to skincare. Inspired by blue zones – the world’s longevity spots – the formula harnesses the power of ingredients derived from these unique environments. The result is firmer, smoother, healthier skin.

Three Beauty Rules Thou Shalt Not Break

It’s not too late to revise those lofty beauty resolutions and make them more achievable. If taking better care of your skin and getting your beauty regimen in tip-top shape was on your priority list for 2018, take heed.

Get your vitamins
Forget about deciphering unpronounceable beauty ingredients – the building blocks of any good skin care are easy to get one’s tongue around! Vitamin A is the cornerstone of skin health and remains one of the only scientifically proven ingredients that can slow the signs of ageing. Add vitamin C to the mix to restore radiance and reduce pigmentation.

Wear sunscreen every day
Don’t let those overcast autumnal days fool you – UV rays don’t have to be sizzling skin to be doing irreversible damage to both your skin and your DNA. Always end your usual skincare regimen with sunscreen to keep skin youthful for longer.

Master the basics
Fortunately, the secret to great skin isn’t really a secret – nor is it overly complicated. Load up your diet with a rainbow of fresh vegetables and drink plenty of water and you’re halfway there. The rest lies in skincare basics – cleansing twice a day, exfoliating regularly according to your skin type and using skincare that targets your concerns.