February – the month of romance – gets the beauty world creative far beyond pink hues and heart-shaped cosmetics. The brands that have caught our attention know the secret to our love is not through gimmicks but supercharged skincare, new brands, sustainable alternatives and high-fashion masking.
In our monthly Let’s Make-Up round-up, we bring you a selection of the tried and tested, freshest, and buzziest beauty launches that are worth adding to your basket. All types of lotions and potions across makeup, skincare, haircare and more cross our desks and we take it upon ourselves to review them all so you don’t have to. If we include it below, then you know it’s a good ‘un.
This month’s new launches are all about soothing skin, beautiful scents and smart anti-ageing. There’s been great innovation with the latter in terms of ingredient formulation from Murad, Clinique, Trilogy and Dr Dennis Gross.
Makeup is back and with the help of KVD Beauty and lash lengthening heroes from No7 and Avon, we can start refilling our post-Omicron diaries - while looking and feeling our best selves with a radiance boost from Fenty Skin, Dior and a spritz or two from new fragrances at both Boy Smells and Viktor & Rolf.
Self-care is still very much on the agenda and influencer Estée Lalonde is on hand with her mindful lifestyle launch filled with bath and body heroes. Fresh to UK shores, BYOMA and OWAY are simplifying our skin and hair routines respectively (the latter of which have a sustainability from soil to our beauty cabinets).
For all this and more besides, see our edit of the hottest beauty drops you need on your radar.
OLAPLEX No.4-P
One of the bestselling products in the beauty category at both Space NK and John Lewis, Olaplex has taken the haircare market by storm. All products are helpfully numerically ordered and each uses the brand’s OG Bond-Builder System.
However the latest addition isn’t actually the next in line but rather a swap in of the cult shampoo. The Olaplex No.4-P Blonde Enhancer Toning Shampoo (which treats as advertised) has been “scientifically proven to make hair 3x brighter than other purple shampoos” according to the label, while also leaving it soft and fortifying strands. It’s also vegan, cruelty-free and free from any nasties.
Buy now £26.00, lookfantastic
KVD Beauty Good Apple Concealer
Calling fans of KVD Beauty’s Green Apple Foundation; the brand has some big news. The ultra-hydrating, extreme long-wear formula has now been transformed into a concealer. Under eye bags and blemishes will be erased thanks to the crease-resistant full coverage formula. The name is not just a reference to the juicy nature of the product but it is also infused with antioxidant-rich apple extract as well as raspberry stem cells for greater nourishment even for delicate areas like around the eyes. Choose from 32 shades.
Buy now £19.55, Boots
Avon Legendary Lengths Mascara
Avon’s calling with a new lash maximising formula designed to lengthen and volumise. According to a report from the brand, 46 per cent of UK women feel more confident when they have long lashes, so they’ve launched this product to give immediate results. The silicone brush allows for smooth application, while the formula remains in place all day without smudging or clumping.
Buy now £7.00, Avon
Trilogy Microbiome Complexion Renew Serum
We’ve all had to deal with a lot on the skin department since masks became a thing but Triology’s latest launch is designed to balance our the skin’s microbiome and leave it healthy and happy, while adhering to covid protocols.
Made to soothe stressed complexions, the lightweight formula combines trademarked advanced topical postbiotic ingredient technology known as ProRenew Complex CLR with Kalibiome Age, Hyaluronic Acid, White Tea and Fermented Goji. The technology has been “proven to recover 90 per cent of microbiome diversity in 7 days” to leave your skin feeling more hydrated, soothed, boosting collagen production and minimising the appearance of wrinkles.
Available from February 7.
Buy now £33.50, lookfantastic
No7 Lash Extender Fiber Mascara
The new drop in No7’s hugely popular cosmetics range is the Lash Extender Fiber Mascara that, since its launch mere weeks ago, has already become the bestselling mascara in Boots. It is designed to give three times the level of volume with a buildable formula boosted by bamboo fibre.
Buy now £11.95, Boots
Jo By Jo Loves A Bath Cologne & A Hand Sanitiser & Hand Lotion Duo
As far as beauty staples go, hand sanitiser has taken the top spot thanks to the pandemic, and that won’t change for a while. Jo Malone has added a version to her Jo by Jo Loves range and combined it as a two-in-one with hand lotion to counteract the dryness of the alcohol. The gel lotion has 70 per cent purifying alcohol, while it is scented with notes of Grapefruit, Bitter Orange and Lime.
Buy now £25.00, Space NK
MIRROR WATER
It seems everything Content Creator and Creative Director Estée Lalonde touches turns to gold. Well, quite literally in the sense of her ever-popular collaboration with one of our favourite jewellery labels, Daisy Jewellery, but also with the launch of her lifestyle brand.
MIRROR WATER is set to take your bath time up a few notches, from the mineral-rich SOAK Bath Salts (£35), to the BUFF Body Exfoliator (£35). Lalonde explains; ‘For years, I have found that bathing makes a soothing, reflective space to hold a mirror up to your life, your routine, or even just your day, which for me is true self-care.’
Buy now £35.00, MIRROR WATER
Fenty Skin Pre-Show Glow Instant Retexturizing 10% AHA Treatment + Reusable Applicator
Radiance in a bottle, this formula is perfect for big events – it may not be a photoshoot a la Rihanna but a date, a wedding or even just to celebrate leaving the house, it will go down a treat. The at-home treatment packs a real punch to get your skin prepped and ready to go. It has brightening, smoothing and pore-minimising effects. The formula is made up of 10 per cent AHA (Alpha Hydroxy Acids), Rooibos and fruit enzymes (Pomegranate, Papaya & Cranberry) and extracts (Barbados Cherry & Hibiscus) to act as a subtle chemical and physical exfoliant without any downtime.
Buy now £28.00, Boots
Dr Dennis Gross Advanced Ferulic & Retinol Intense Wrinkle Cream
Since Dr Dennis Gross founded his eponymous brand, he has brought the professional salon experience home and the same is true with this new wrinkle treatment. It is made up of a trademarked Phyto-Retinol Blend that has been proven to repair the moisture barrier to leave you with hydrated, more youthful looking skin. The formula is packed with all the good stuff – we’re talking Retinol, bakuchiol, rambutan, and ferulic acid to decreasing the look of wrinkles.
Buy now £77.00, Space NK
Murad Targeted Wrinkle Corrector
We don’t blame you if you’re sceptical on ‘instant wrinkle fixes’ as is described by this wrinkle corrector from Murad and while we agree it should be taken with a pinch of salt, this product has an impressive blurring effect right from the get-go.
It’s applied using a metal tip that has a lovely cooling effect on skin. The formula then gets to work with filling and hydrating properties. The ingredient line-up includes the wonder that is hyaluronic acid for plumping, Acetyl Hexapeptide-8 to boost elasticity and Plant-Derived Squalane to mimic the skin’s natural production of moisture. The brand reveals that in testing “100 per cent showed visible improvement in wrinkles”.
Buy now £70.00, Murad
Clinique NEW Smart Range
On a mission to “outsmart lines and wrinkles”, Clinique has added to its supercharged skincare line-up with some serious anti-ageing heroes. From the Smart Clinical Repair™ Wrinkle Correcting Eye Cream (£45), to the Smart Night Custom-Repair Moisturizer (£59), the products have been put through their paces to ensure that wrinkles are reduced and skin appears smoother. There’s also the Smart Clinical Repair™ Wrinkle Correcting Serum (£55) to re-plump dry fine lines and the oil-free Smart SPF 15 Custom-Repair Moisturizer for UV protection (£40).
Buy now £40.00, Clinique
Viktor & Rolf Flowerbomb Ruby Orchid
From its inception in 2005, Flowerbomb has reached cult status and is still today one of the most popular fragrances on the market with new iterations only adding to its legend.
The latest is Ruby Orchid, an all-encompassing fruity yet floral yet oriental aroma that is delicate and fresh. It opens with a velvet Vine Peach Accord that evolves into a juicier Freesia note. At its heart, Grandiflorum Jasmine Super and the namesake Ruby Orchid add a luxurious infusion, while the base of Red Vanilla Bean and Bourbon Vanilla add to its uniqueness and depth.
Buy now £79.50, The Perfume Shop
Dior Sauvage Grooming
There are two new additions to Dior’s Sauvage range that are set to be as popular as the fragrance (which is now the best-selling perfume worldwide; one is sold every three seconds). The fresh bergamot scent now comes as a shaving gel, after shave balm and face & beard gel. In terms of packaging, the aluminium bottles are refillable, while the rest is either recycled glass or entirely recycled plastic.
Buy now £32.00, Harrods
Boy Smells Marble Fruit Fragrance
Unisex fragrance house Boy Smells is adding to its ever-growing fragrance collection with its sixth scent.
Marble Fruit was inspired by founder Matthew Herman’s childhood and in particular a set of scales at his grandparents’ house that displayed marble fruit. The compilation is fruity but also floral, woody and mineral – pushing traditional fragrance associations and emerging the ultimate all-rounder.
The scent combines notes of Pear, Pink Peppercorn, Nectarine, Cinnamon, Rose Centifolia, Jasmine, Magnolia, Wild Freesia, Ambrox, Musk, Australian Sandalwood, Cashmeran and Cedar.
Buy now £105.00, Space NK
Dermalogica Awaken Peptide Eye Gel
Eye creams can be quite a divisive topic where there are bound to be many of you out there that don’t understand the necessity for a designated product for your eyes but if anyone can change your mind, it’s Dermalogica. The brand has created the Awaken Peptide Eye Gel that is designed to do as much energising to the periorbital area as your morning cuppa would to your mood. The formula uses an active blend of Tetrapeptides, Rosemary Leaf Extract, Bioengineered Succinic Acid and Voandzeia Subterranea Seed Extract to essentially add radiance, smooth skin, depuff and leave you bright eyed and bushy tailed – literally.
Buy now £55.00, lookfantastic
KELSEY Raspberry Farms launch farm fresh serums
There’s a new hero ingredient in beauty, and its name is raspberry. KELSEY Raspberry Farms has discovered a way to harness the antioxidant-rich fruit in a trio of brand new serums, each designed to leave skin looking farm fresh and flawless. There’s Morn to Eve, a daily concentrate to apply under makeup; Full Bloom, which plumps instantly; and Three Moons, designed for nightly use and luminous glowing skin by the morning.
All ingredients are responsibly sourced, fully recyclable and vegan-friendly.
Buy now £80.00, KELSEY
Chris Appleton x COLOR WOW MONEY Masque
We first wrote about the Chris Appleton x COLOR WOW MONEY Masque back in April 2021 and we are happy to (finally) announce that it is finally available on UK shores. Kim Kardashian’s hairstylist has teamed up with the legendary haircare label to create a mask that is designed to leave you with “expensive-looking hair”, as is Appleton’s signature. It’s a lightweight but ultra-nourishing product that will breathe new life into your locks.
Buy now £39.50, lookfantastic
Aurelia London Hydrate & Calm Gel Cream
There are not one, but two new products over at Aurelia London deserving of your attention this month. The brand is growing its CBD offering with the Hydrate & Calm Gel Cream (£58) and CBD Aqua-Oil Cleanse (£24). The marijuana-derived ingredient is known for being an effective anti-inflammatory and that is exactly its purpose here but is included as a crystal isolate and as such in its purest form to soothe, cool and calm skin.
For the Gel Cream, the crystals are suspended in hyaluronic acid and combined with Niacinamide to support moisture and encourage collagen production.
The Aqua-Oil Cleanse is the first step in your regime and helps to counteract sebum production and protect against external aggressors.
Buy now £24.00, Aurelia London
BYOMA
BYOMA is here to simplify your overcomplicated skincare regimes with its essential products. The brand keeps it streamlined with three lipids to protect the skin barrier that is its signature tri-ceramide complex. They have all been clinically proven and dermatologist approved to give you your best skin each day – and the packaging adds style points too. The range is entirely vegan, cruelty-free and available at accessible price points. They are also free from alcohol, fragrances and are non-comedogenic.
As far as the products go, each comes in a cute pastel-hued bottle. The range is made up of the Clarifying Serum (£12.99) to banish blemishes without feeling too harsh on the skin, the Hydrating Serum that does as it says on the tin and the Brightening Serum for glow-getting results. The Creamy Jelly Cleanser (£9.99) uses a pH balanced formula that transforms for gel to cream on application, while the Balancing Face Mist (£11.99) protects the skin’s barrier. The Moisturising Gel Cream and Moisturising Rich Cream (£13.99) combine actives to hydrate and leave skin dewy.
Buy now £11.99, Cult Beauty
Dior Backstage Eye Reviver Patches
For a quick fix eye treatment with a high fashion twist, look no further than these patches from Dior that might just be the most stylish masks we’ve ever seen. Illuminate tired eyes with the potent eye serum that quickly absorbs into skin and leaves them looking radiant in just 10 minutes. Made for the ‘Gram, they are embellished with the French fashion house’s signature logo.
Buy now £23.00, Dior
Algenist BLUE ALGAE VITAMIN C™ Skinclarity Brightening Serum
Given the seal of approval by facialists across the country, this serum is designed to counteract pigmentation in just 10 days. The powerhouse formulation will bring clarity back to complexions, while also protecting against future damage. It is enriched with vitamin C derived from spirulina that is packed with antioxidants to fight against free radicals. The is combined with the fine line fighting Alguronic Acid, smoothing Marine Ferment and a Triple-Action Moisturizing Complex to bring the moisture.
Buy now £56.00, Cult Beauty
OWAY
Italian haircare label OWAY is taking a more sustainable approach to its product creation with Zero- Mile Beauty as its raison d’être. From the way in which the ingredients are grown on the brand’s five-hectare farm in Bologna and the biodynamic agriculture methods to their formulations, every step is designed to be kinder to the planet. Comprised of natural ingredients, the range consists of all the staples, as well as cotton turban and a hydro-balance scalp gel to counteract excessive sweating.
Buy now, OWAY
BYREDO Diffuser
While Byredo is known for its minimalistic approach to packaging, the cult fragrance label has gone all out in the creation of its first ever diffuser. The not-so subtle design is more an objet d’art created to resemble an old-school gramophone. This ‘Olfactive Stéréophonique’ uses the same theory behind the speaker to spread scent into your space. It’s the result of a collaboration between artisanal speaker and accessories brand OJAS and Byredo’s founder Ben Gorham to more effectively fill your home and send you on a multi-sensory journey.
Buy now £880.00, BYREDO
