Ah, January – the month that’s synonymous with fresh starts, resolutions and even the January blues. There’s no denying that January comes knocking with a great deal of high expectations, and the same holds true within the beauty industry. Each January, beauty fanatics eagerly await the year’s fresh releases – ready to slather, spritz and smooth their way into the new year, perfectly prepped for whatever the year throws at them. This year, we’re seeing an eclectic mix of skin-forward makeup, uplifting fragrances, high-performing powders and powerful hues reign supreme – all sure to swat the post-Christmas blues away.
Charlotte Tilbury
Powders are BACK, baby! Easier to control than liquid formulas, powders are making a comeback in creamy, melt-into-skin-like-butter iterations; the heavy, cakey powders of the past are long gone. Coming in a stunning array of shades, Charlotte’s latest makeup marvel will have beauty magpies everywhere drooling. Infused with squalane, it’ll make you “glow like the stars” without settling into fine lines or creasing.
Tarte
Okay so, unless you’ve been living under a rock, you’ve doubtless heard of Tarte’s (pre-TikTok) viral Shape Tape. Like the yin to Shape Tape’s yang, Tarte have now introduced the Sculpt Tape: an all-in-one liquid contour and applicator that delivers instant cheekbones (no buccal fat removal needed). Studded with skin-loving ingredients like moisturising shea butter, colour-correcting liquorice root and glow-giving porcelain flower, you’re going to want to add this one to your January Beauty wish list, stat!
Guerlain
One can never have too many red lipsticks – fact. Applying a red lipstick is like adding a layer of confidence – it simply screams power and oozes effortlessness. Drawing inspiration from nature, Guerlain’s latest makeup collection, The Red Orchid, includes Jewel Lipsticks in three new shades and finishes: velvet-matte Red Vanda, satin Red Ballerina and velvet-metal Red Fire Star. We want them all.
M·A·C Cosmetics
Backed up by multiple impressive claims (like 96% of people said skin felt more balanced after the first use), M·A·C’s newest foray into skincare is not to be taken lightly. It’s been a long time in the making, and as such, it’s been tested by multiple makeup artists before its release to the public. The hero product of the collection is the Serumizer, which is pumped with industry faves like hyaluronic acid, ceramides and niacinamide, as well as lesser-known Japanese peony extract to brighten and strengthen skin. If you struggle to get your skincare and makeup to play nice together, this one’s for you, because the entire range is said to create a “petal-soft canvas” for makeup.
Guerlain x Maison Matisse
Exploring the connection between fragrance, art and colour, Guerlain’s latest limited-edition collection is in collaboration with Maison Matisse – a design house founded by the famous Henri Matisse’s family. Alongside a reimagination of Guerlain’s Exceptional Creations bottle (there are just 14 signed editions of the collectible perfume at around 65K each), the houses have released a new scent called “Jasmin Bonheur”. A bright explosion of colourful jasmine, orange apricot, violet and rose, this scent is like sunshine in a bottle, and is inspired by Matisse’s artwork, “The Thousand and One Nights”.
NUXE
When you say January, all we hear is “post-party season under-eye shadows” or “morning-after eye bags”. Thankfully, NUXE’s latest launch is here to have us literally looking bright-eyed and bushy-tailed, with a 97% natural concoction of wrinkle-wrestling, firming, strengthening and lifting ingredients. And, as with all NUXE formulas, the scent is utterly divine.
Skincycles
From the mind behind the famous Harley Street Injectables clinic, these toning pads are your one-stop shop to smooth and hydrated skin. Combining three fruit-derived enzymes (PHAs, AHAs and BHAs) as well as hyaluronic acid and niacinamide, they work to break down dead skin cells, dislodge dirt and oil, moisturise, even skin tone and soothe irritation – all with a sensitive skin-friendly pH level of 5.5. Whew!
VIEVE
PSA: Skin Nova is now available in an extra-large version! A fan-fave skincare/makeup hybrid that hydrates skin and cares for your skin barrier, this formula can be used to add lit-from-within glow to bare skin, or under your makeup to make it extra dewy and long-lasting.
Gisou
A shampoo-cum-treatment, this formula goes way beyond the usual cleanse; it softens, hydrates, protects, strengthens and adds shine in one fell swoop. The delicious blend of oils and honey is perfect for on-the-go girlies who don’t have time for multi-step routines, and it’s 92% naturally derived and completely sulphate-free.
Paco Rabanne
Just in time for spring, Paco Rabanne’s newest offering is an uplifting bouquet of thorny rose and fresh peony with fruity notes balanced by those of heady wood. The startling juxtaposition between thorny and sweet florals represents the danger and beauty that coexists within femininity, and the two young female perfumers responsible for this juice – Fanny Bal and Nelly Hachem – describe it as “an effervescent and inspiring vision of the Olympéa Goddess.”
CHANEL
Harnessing the glow-bestowing powers of red camellia, this formula boosts cellular vitality by revitalising and energising skin. By distilling camellia ceramides (through a 100% natural process!), this cream locks in moisture and strengthens skin for a more youthful appearance – even in harsh environments. (AC, we’re looking at you.)
