Now we’re in the middle of the year we’re being inundated with exciting new beauty releases. In part it’s thanks to the northern hemisphere summer, where new makeup and body products in particular are launched around this time, and part is meeting our own needs Down Under, with nourishing skin solutions and pick-me-up makeup that gives our mood a little boost in the dreary weather.
There’s certainly a lot to get excited about right now. In particular, we’re always awed at the continued the evolution of skincare science that has identified even more effective ingredients for skin health. These ingredients can be more advanced versions of existing favourites like hydrating wonder-ingredient hyaluronic acid, or new probiotics that help maintain the skin’s protective barrier and keep it working as it should even in the face of changing environmental conditions.
Then there are new discoveries from plants that are re-created in labs to ensure the sustainability of our planet’s precious resources.
These are our top picks for the best new beauty launches this month:
Elizabeth Arden White Tea Skin Solutions
Elizabeth Arden has a beautiful new skincare line called White Tea Skin Solutions. There are five products that provide a full skin routine and each is intended to help reinforce skin’s collagen using effective ingredients of natural origin. The hero ingredient is a potent antioxidant, Epigallocatechin Gallate Glucoside, (EGCG), an active molecule extracted from White Tea, but each product has its own further active ingredients. The line focuses on clean, vegan formulations and each product has lovely modern textures that are easy to use and rinse away or absorb quickly.
MECCA MAX Pout Pop Lipsticks and Pencils
L-R: MECCA MAX Pout Pop Lipsticks in Sass Queen and Hot Tip; MECCA MAX Pout Pop Sheer Lipstick in Top Down; MECCA MAX Pout Pencils in Classy, Lavish and Daring
For a cost-effective makeup buy, we regularly pick up trend-driven items from MECCA’s MECCA MAX line. There are lots of great products, they are easy to use and the shades are on-point compared to other luxury lines out there. The lipsticks in the line and matching lip liners have been refreshed with new options and more colour variety – 55 shades in total! The colours are mostly neutral and suit a wide variety of skin tones. There are shine lipsticks with a lovely moist finish, matte lipsticks that give a good dose of bold colour and then sheer options that look lovely and balmy on their own or over a lip liner.
Lancôme La Vie Est Belle Iris Absolu EDP
You can’t help being drawn to a scent that is made as a celebration of intense happiness. A new addition to Lancôme’s popular La Vie Est Belle line-up, Iris Absolu elevates elegant Iris to the fore in an intense floral-fruity scent that blends juicy blackcurrant with a heart of orange blossom and iris before settling into deeper notes of patchouli and a sweet gourmand accord.
MAC Cosmetics Connect In Colour Eyeshadow Palettes
MAC’s eyeshadows have been a go-to for years as they always have great pigment payoff and blend beautifully. The new Connect in Colour palettes gather a number of best-selling shades together so you can create coordinated eye looks and carry similar colours with you on-the-go. There are three epic 12-pan colour collections and four smaller 6-pan palettes that cover off easy neutrals, soft shimmers and pop brights.
The hype around skin essences comes and goes, but those of us that are fans love the soothing skin step in our routine. An essence is a lightweight elixir with ingredients to help smooth, soften and prepare your complexion for your subsequent serums, moisturisers and creams. Shiseido Eudermine, which was first launched all the way back in 1897, has passed the test of time remaining popular over the years. It’s just been updated and reformulated to deliver even more long-lasting hydration and radiance, with fermented Kefir essence helping gently and effectively renew skin.
Aspect has been a respected cosmeceutical brand beloved by skin specialists for years but now the brand has released a new collection with even more advanced and concentrated ingredients for serious skincare users. The range features concentrated high-performance ingredients using the latest skincare science with no additional fragrance or textual inclusions, ensuring that the actives can deliver the optimum benefits to the user. From hydration to brightening and minimising lines and wrinkles there’s an option to suit.
L-R: Natio Celebrate Eyeshadow Palette; Natio Love Being You Cream Blush & Highlight; Natio Sheer Beauty Lip Gloss in Rosy
This year Aussie skin and makeup brand Natio is marking its 30th anniversary. To acknowledge the milestone, a limited edition makeup collection, fittingly named Celebrate! is out now. The soft, wearable pinks and nude hues work beautifully for day or night, but the star of the show, an 18-pan eyeshadow palette, includes glimmering golden and shimmering plum options when you’re ready to kick up your heels and feel a touch more glam.
Kiehl’s Ultra Facial Advanced Repair Balm
If you’ve overdone the retinol or exfoliant, the winter weather is causing dryness or your skin is just acting out of character, your natural moisture barrier might be impaired. This is a rich, intensively hydrating balm that helps soothe and improve even the driest skin with with Colloidal Oatmeal and Beta-Glucan.
Karen Murrell Empowered Reds collection
L-R: Karen Murrell lipstick in: Freedom; Temptation; Passion; Seduction and Desire.
Ever found it tricky to find the perfect red lipstick for you? Natural lipstick queen Karen Murrell is making the job easier with a new collection called ‘Empowered Reds’. There are five new shades that flatter a range of different skin tones and preferences, each with the brand’s signature formula that includes natural and nourishing ingredients, including avocado and evening primrose oils, candelilla, carnauba wax, cinnamon and sweet orange.
L-R: Moroccanoil Smoothing Brush; Smart Styling Infrared Hairdryer and Curling Iron
Moroccanoil has been busy with new launches. A new body range includes lotion, oil, body serum and more, developed around the hair brand’s use of nourishing argan oil. Now, the brand has extended its hair expertise to a heated styling tool range including a hot brush, flat iron, Infrared hairdryer and curling iron that create a smooth and shiny finish to your ‘do.
Even in winter static can worsen frizz and flyaways in your hair. Living Proof’s new No Frizz styling range covers all the bases with a spray for fine hair, a cream for medium hair and a serum for thick or coarse hair, each using new smoothing ingredients that ward off moisture and static, cutting drying time and keeping strands under control without the use of silicones.
Urban Decay Stay Naked Quickie Concealer
A lightweight, high coverage concealer in a wand that stays in place and lasts all day without looking cakey and dry or making fine lines obvious. Dab on and use the brush in the other end to blend quickly, as once it’s set it wont budge!
