Craving a beauty treat? We’ve got you. From luxe makeup brushes to a bargain body wash, there’s a brand new buy for every budget.
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A new version of a cult lip oil, the £10 scented candle with floating crystals and a celebrity fragrance that’ll make you rethink celebrity fragrances – there’s a brilliant new beauty buy for every taste in this week’s Glossy Picks. Are you sitting comfortably? Scroll on to find out more…
SJ Corfield-Smith, GTG beauty director, has said the C word
Hourglass Evil Eye Brush Set, £139.50
“Please don’t get annoyed if I mention the C word – Christmas, that is. If you are the type that likes to plan and get their shopping done early then I’m putting this brush set on your radar. A set of three (although one is double-ended, so four technically) complexion brushes, it’s everything you need to apply your foundation, powder, blush, bronzer, contour and concealer. They are pricey but if you make sure to clean your makeup brushes regularly and properly they will last a lifetime.”
Evolve Organic Beauty Intense Hydrating Mask, £28
“If you love the idea and results of a face mask but struggle with the faff of it then this is for you. It can be used in the traditional way or as an overnight treatment instead of a night cream. You can also slather it over hands and feet to give them some extra TLC. It contains four mega hydrating ingredients; resurrection plant molecule to boost hydration levels, classic skin plumper hyaluronic acid and plant extract pentavitin which locks in moisture. Plus a a fermented ingredient extracted from Alicante’s salt lakes to restore the skin barrier. This is one hard-working face mask for an excellent price.”
Erborian Centella Cleansing Balm, £21.75
“You may know Erborian for their brilliant bases, including the best-selling CC Cream but did you know they have fantastic skincare too? I especially love the cleansing balm. It contains the brand’s key ingredient, centella asiatica, which is known for its ability to reduce redness and inflammation in the skin. This makes it a great option for sensitive skin types, or for anyone whose skin often feels tight post-cleansing. It has a gorgeous scent and a buttery texture that melts into an oil, making light work of dissolving makeup, SPF and grime. Use a cloth to remove it and it will leave your skin feeling clean, plump and hydrated.”
Soulstice London Candle, from £10
“These dreamy candles are made from natural soy, essential oils and contain crystals. They make a great value gift for the woo-woo friend in your life, teachers, everyone really! As they burn, the gorgeous scent of either lemon, ginger and amber or bergamot, cyclamen and cedarwood fill the space and the candle melts around the crystals so at the end you are left with two gems to place in your home.”
Ingeborg van Lotringen, GTG contributing beauty editor, has found a Danish spot zapper
Dr Jart Ceramidin Body Lotion, £22
“If you avoid body lotion because you can’t stand having sticky or oily limbs, this is the product for you. A milky lotion that feels more like a cooling gel, the weightless and fast-absorbing texture belies the nourishing punch it packs. Like the Ceramidin face care, there are four types of barrier-repairing ceramides alongside fatty acid-rich coconut oil and three types of quenching hyaluronic acid, not to mention a load of other moisturising factors and antioxidants. Unscented and lovely to use, even my husband will like this.”
Apeer Spot Stick, £23
“Packaged in a stylishly beige tube, this Danish answer to adult acne breakouts is really a light gel featuring bacteria-killing yet anti-inflammatory and redness-reducing azelaic acid, alongside gently exfoliating and brightening lactic acid. Together, they nuke spots but respect skin, so you don’t have to worry about irritation on post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation. Dab directly onto spots for a visible difference in a few hours.”
SBC Hydra-Collagen Intense Moisturising Gel, £39 for 1000ml
“SBC is a British brand that has for 30 years provided skincare therapists with moisturising face and body gels to use in-salon – but these same products are available to the public in the same jumbo-sizes sold to professionals. Now that so many beauty lovers have invested in some kind of electrical face or body tool that requires a hydrating serum for ‘slip’, these water-based gels are a great buy as they will save you a pretty penny compared to slapping on your pricey anti-ageing serum every time you wield your tool. Plus, they’re ionised, which means they’ll help hydration and actives penetrate more easily into the skin when used with microcurrents. Just be aware that all these gels are heavily scented.”
Calecim Professional Serum, £366
“Journalist Rachel Johnson, sent me a glowing review of a cosmeceutical serum and I thought I’d share it. She says, ‘Having seen Trinny Woodall on Instagram declaring her Plump Up Microneedle, £44, followed by serum was ‘transformational, I was immediately interested. I ordered a roller online and went for a pricey but potent course of stem cell serums from Calecim – probably the most powerful skincare for at-home micro needling. You just glide the prickly roller over your face and then anoint with the precious rejuvenating liquid. I have no question noticed an improvement. My face seems clearer, the skin more resilient and bouncy – there’s been a definite glow-up.”
Isla Huffadine, GTG content coordinator, has got big hair energy
Gisou Cherry On The Cake Lip Oil, £24
“Gisou is back with a new addition to their cult-favourite lip oil range. The formula is the same as their OG honey flavour and packed with the same nourishing mirsalehi honey, oils extracted from Gisou’s bee garden as well as hyaluronic acid and jojoba oil. This limited-edition offering has a subtle cherry scent, plus a red tint and shimmer. Red lips isn’t my go-to for an everyday look but this is perfect for adding a touch of glam without the fuss of a full red lipstick.”
Rituals The Alchemy Collection Face Mask, £40
“I love a bit of DIY beauty and this is the most luxurious at-home treatment I’ve tried yet. It’s really easy to use – just combine a tablespoon of the powder with two tablespoons of water, mix with the brush (that’s included), sweep the gel over your face, leave for 20 minutes and rinse off. I’m not sure whether it’s the flecks of 24-karat gold, the rich scent of myrrh, the exfoliating amber or the hydrating aloe vera, but it certainly feels fancy and ideal for the ultimate girls’ pamper night. It left my sensitive skin glowing and feeling plump.”
Amika Rising Star Volumising Finishing Spray, £14
“My TikTok feed is inundated with Sabrina Carpenter’s bouncy curls so I too have been trying to zhuzh up my flat-looking locks. Step in this instant volumising spray. A quick spritz at the roots, a tousle with my hands, and I’m good to go – no crunch either, just airy volume (but don’t overdo it or you can look slightly frazzled!). I opt for the 60ml handbag-size, which is the perfect for reviving limp hair if you have post-work plans.”
Wild x Emma Bridgewater Body Wash, from £15.40 and £5.80 for a refill
“Wild are committed to making our bathrooms more sustainable, one body wash at a time. They’re known for their natural ingredients and eco-friendly packaging, and their latest collaboration with B Corp ceramics brand Emma Bridgewater, is so cute. Featuring a bumblebee design, the Hawaiian ocean scent strikes the perfect fresh yet sweet balance. You can purchase the body wash and case as a set, with refills at a discounted price of £5.80. Plus, enjoy 20 per cent off with a monthly subscription. Cute designs, compostable refills and natural ingredients – now that’s something to buzz about!”
Florence Scordoulis, GTG contributing editor, has fallen for a surprising scent
Rahua Aloe Vera Hair Mousse, £32
“All of the products in this cult natural hair care collection contain nourishing rahua oil, sustainably sourced from the Amazon rainforest. And, good news for curly girls: they’ve just released their first mousse, too (although, it can be used on all hair types). Instead of a harsh aerosol consistency, it has an ingenious liquid-to-mousse formula (enriched with smoothing aloe vera and sugar cane for hold) that feels more like a gentle foaming cleanser – so there’s no crunchiness, and it doesn’t weigh down the hair. Apply it to wet curls for soft definition and bouncy volume, or when dry for a second-day refresher.”
Lords Fragrance House Glencoe Candle, £34
“This female-founded small business creates scents inspired by specific places and memories around the world using natural oils: essentially, wanderlust in a bottle. This new infusion – which comes as a candle – or a reed diffuser, £34 – is an ode to Glencoe and hiking in the highlands. The woody, autumnal infusion of Scottish pine, heather, honey and tobacco leaf is perfect for (imagining) cosying up in front of the fire, on a dreary mid-week night.”
Kora Organics Active Algae Cleansing Balm, £43
“Supermodel Miranda Kerr’s certified organic skincare brand, Kora Organics, has just launched a new cleanser – and I’m obsessed. The zingy green balm melts into dry skin and contains soothing micro-algae, hydrating jojoba and pineapple enzymes for clarifying. It whisks away any trace of makeup, without stripping away the moisture or leaving that dreaded oily sheen. All of their products come with an affirmation on the pot – and this one is ‘release’ – so you can mindfully massage and cleanse away the day.”
Lovenotes by Ariana Grande Vanilla Suede, £75 for 125ml
“My favourite new celeb perfume innovation is by Ariana Grande: it’s part of a set of four that have been inspired by different love languages and released in the UK, Europe, America and Australia (with each country getting their own signature scent). Ours is a surprisingly sophisticated, warm musk – with notes of vanilla bean, creamy sandalwood and Italian bergamot – and serious staying power. Thank you, next.”
