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Welcome to GRAZIA’s guide to beauty: a monthly instalment of everything our beauty editor is testing, trying, and buying right now. From treatments to new products, it’s a melange of all the best in skin, makeup, and wellness vetted by us (so you don’t have to). May… where do we even start? A month that see-saws between balmy sunshine and frigid mornings, otherwise knows as complexion hell. For that reason, we’ve been testing skincare launches that promise to soothe and restore, from rich sleeping masks to the creme de la creme of lip balms. The perfect orange-red matte lipstick, a soft-focus setting spray and the perfectly-scented shampoo are also on high rotation. See the best in beauty this month below.
Bright Idea
Neutrogena Bright Boost Illuminating Serum, $35. SHOP NOW
Neutrogena is proof that effective skincare doesn’t have to burn a hole in your pocket. Powered by turmeric and Neoglucosamine (an amino acid that gently exfoliates), this light serum sloughs off dead skin cells to reduce the look of dark spots and pigmentation. It sinks in fast, so works well under makeup.
French Girl Hair
L’occitane Almond Shampoo, $31. SHOP NOW
L’Occitane has expanded its cult loved almond range to hair care, including this wonderful, frothy shampoo. Full of light almond oil, it will leave dry and fragile hair silky soft, not to mention laced with a delicious, lingering scent. French girl hair, oui, s’il vous plait.
Creature (Camellia) Comforts
Chanel Hydra Beauty Camellia Repair Mask, $112. SHOP NOW
Buttery and rich, this latest offering from Chanel is like a warm hug for your face. It contains nourishing camellia wax to help soothe the skin and lock in moisture – the kind of product that you can feel working instantly. Perfect for dry, tight, reddened winter skin.
Beauty Sleep
Laneige Cica Sleeping Mask, $48. SHOP NOW
Laneige’s sleeping masks are the stuff of beauty legend, turning dry/sad/dull skin into plump/juicy skin while you snooze. The latest offering is based on the the K-Beauty phenomenon of cica cream – balmy, soothing products that restore sensitised, stressed out skin. Packed with Forest Yeast, it will intensely nourish and prevent water and oil loss. While it works incredibly well, it’s really buttery, so apply an hour or so before bed so it sinks in.
Watermelon Sugar
Glow Recipe Watermelon Glow Pore-Tight Toner, $54. SHOP NOW
Bubblegum pink packaging and a saccharine scent make this feel less like skincare and more like a cocktail, but it really works. It’s a PHA and BHA dual exfoliant, known to be less abrasive than its AHA cousins. Cactus water and high concentrations of hyaluronic acid give skin a bouncy feel post-application, too. The perfect chemical resurfacer for dry, sensitive skin.
Red Hot
Revlon Super Lustrous Matte Lipstick in On Fire, $25. SHOP NOW
In exciting news, Revlon have released a matte range of its iconic Super Lustrous Lipstick franchise. The finish is deep and blotted – not chalky or dry. Also, it wears really well, n pilling, crumbling or transfer on the teeth. Try On Fire – the perfect bright orange-red that will lift anyone’s isolation-dampened spirits.
Lip Service
Charlotte Tilbury Magic Lip OIl CRystal Elixir, $56. SHOP NOW
Lip balms are not all created equal – case in point, Charlotte Tilbury’s new (and currently sold out) Crystal Elixir. The syrupy oil formula is incredibly hydrating and gives lips a glassy sheen. Add a little during the day under other lip products (or alone), or slather on a thick coat overnight for a mask-like treatment.
In Focus
Hourglass Veil Soft Focus Setting Spray, $77. SHOp NOW
Setting mists are polarising – they’ll either change your life or feel like money wasted. This rendition by Hourglass is the former. Extremely fine in texture, it blurs skin texture (but not too much) and gives a really subtle, dewy sheen. It keeps things in place for 24 hours, too.
