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Another month, another slew of beauty products landing on the beauty desk. If you find keeping up with what’s hot (and what’s not) in the world of beauty as impossible as keeping up with the Neymar/Fernanda Campos cheating scandal, then don’t worry, I’ve got you covered. From the worlds of makeup, skincare, haircare and beyond, I’ve rigorously put the best new products through their paces to see what really deserves pride of place on a Beauty Editor’s vanity. Hey, it’s a hard job, but someone has to do it. From body-boosting lotions to age-defying creams and the best sun protectors in the business, these are the best new beauty products to stock up on this month. You’re welcome.
Benefit
Unless you’ve been living under a rock, you’ll have seen that Benefit has (finally) ventured into the skincare space with the launch of its new POREfessional line, and I can safely say it was well worth the wait. A six-strong collection of pore-perfecting products formulated sans harsh ingredients, everything is non-comedogenic, clinically proven and brimming with efficacious yet gentle ingredients. Whilst I’m obsessed with them all, if I had to pick just one product, it would be the Tight’ N Toned Toner. Thanks to its revolutionary foam texture, it can be applied using your fingers (read: no more cotton pads) and its AHA and PHA-packed formula instantly refines and smoothes out pores whilst providing a refreshing hit.
Forest Essentials
In other major beauty news, luxury Ayurvedic skincare brand Forest Essentials has opened its doors right here in Dubai with its first (watch this space…) UAE store located in Dubai Hills Mall. Which means I don’t have to shop and ship from India to get my hands on my all-time favourite night cream. Its gorgeous, rich formula comprises a serum and cream which, when mixed together, loads skin with rejuvenating, hydrating and firming ingredients (bakuchiol and hyaluronic and polyglutamic acids included) that penetrate deeply thanks to 24-karat gold – a natural activator. I wake up with super soft, oh-so-smooth skin that’s been nourished from the inside out. Dream (no pun intended).
Tatcha
Don’t get me wrong, I’m all for a retinol. But when you’re stuck in the Middle East for the summer, not so much. (Retinol + sunlight = big no). So, when Tatcha’s The Silk Serum landed on my desk, promising to provide two natural retinol alternatives to soothe and smooth my skin, my interest was piqued. After using it once, I was hooked. Not only is its super light, watery texture a dream to apply, but it sinks in instantly and plumps, hydrates and visibly improves texture. With a subtle, spa-like scent and ingredients such as upcycled cranberry extract and sea fennel, it’s a gentler but effective alternative to see you through the summer months and beyond.
Chanel
Name something chicer than a Chanel manicure. Nope? Thought not. Not only does the new Nail Looks Set feature three two iconic shades – a vivid red and a bright white – but there’s also a gel coat and sheets of Chanel nail stickers to take your mani from blah to beautiful in a matter of seconds. Perfect to pack for an on-the-go summer nail art revamp, it’s one of the best new beauty products to travel with this summer. The only problem? It’s limited-edition. So move. Fast.
Huda Beauty
If it’s ever the time to play with a pop of colour and rock peachy, pinky or corally hues, it’s summer. Nothing looks better against a sunkissed tan, which is just one of the reasons why I’m loving Huda Beauty’s new lip and cheek stain. Not only is it a two-in-one beautifier – loading lips with a slick of colour whilst providing the perfect pop of blush – but it’s formulated with hyaluronic acid powder and coconut extract for smooth application and zero dryness. Although the colour isn’t intense, they’re easily buildable. A slick of this and you’ll have a summery smile and gorgeous glow to enhance your summer beauty look.
Lancôme
As a Beauty Editor, I’ve heard it all, so I take beauty claims with a very big pinch of salt. But when a whizzy new cream comes along that not only claims to regenerate skin faster than it ages and has the clinical studies to prove it, I have to see what all the fuss is about. Not only is Lancôme’s new Rénergie cream packed with peptides (over 300 of them), but it combines potent active ingredients that, until now, were deemed impossible to combine. It’s also backed by over 40 years of scientific research. The result? A light but buttery age-defying cream that uses protein-rich plants, hyaluronic acid, niacinamide and – of course – all those peptides that encourages cellular turnover while visibly reducing fine lines, wrinkles and dark spots.
Aura SUNwear
A visor might seem like a strange choice for a beauty edit, but hear me out. I love being in the sun, but I’m always covering my face with a high SPF and trying to keep it in the shade as much as possible. Which usually involves constantly rotating under the umbrella while lying at weird angles. Until. now, that is. Not only does this nifty visor offer +99% protection from UVA and UVB rays, but it also protects against ageing blue light (yes, phones, I’m talking to you) and its heat-resistant technology lens even helps to keep your visage cool and fresh in the heat. Plus, its 360-degree lens can be worn up like a cap or fully down over your face for maximum sun shielding. You won’t find me on the beach without it.
Olivanna
Of course, that doesn’t mean that I’m skrimping on my suncare. Especially now I’m armed with Olivanna’s nifty new SPF drops. Super lightweight and instantly absorbed, they’re amazing to use under makeup or on their own, especially thanks to their glow-boosting properties. Boasting SPF50 protection and a calming, soothing, hydrating blend of niacinamide and rosemary leaf extract, they also help calm redness and strengthen the skin barrier. Oh, did I mention they’re reef-friendly and with each one sold online, Olivivanna will rescue 10 plastic bottles to help combat plastic pollution in our oceans? Beauty that gives back at its best.
H&M
I’m a sucker for a body cream or a gorgeously scented body lotion and slather myself with one after every bath or shower (your body is an extension of your face, after all). But, that being said, heavy body butters when I’m sticky and sweaty and the AC just isn’t cutting it, not so much. Launched just in time for summer, H&M’s new all-vegan bodycare line Ohh! (Oh Hey Hero) has just the ticket – a super lightweight, non-sticky gel-lotion body hydrator that doesn’t only smell sublime but is also undetectable and effectively hydrates thanks to Shea butter and jojoba oil. Even better? Everything in the collection is under 45 dirhams.
Louboutin
Last (but by no means least) in this month’s best new beauty products edit is Louboutin’s perfect new eyeshadow palette. Housing two complementary hues in one seriously chic red-studded case, you can create everything from a subtle shimmery eye to a sultry, smokey look with just the flick of a finger. I love how easy they are to blend and their highly-pigmented, creamy textures glide onto lids like silk to ensure fool-proof application, every time.
