7 Cult Beauty Brands Now Available In The UK
instagram.com/cerave
CeraVe
One of the fastest-growing brands in the States and a perennial bestseller on Amazon, dermatologist-founded skincare brand CeraVe is set to become a household name here on British soil after launching in Boots at the beginning of March. The innovative formulas are enriched with three essential lipid molecules – all naturally found in the skin but, until now, tricky to find in one product. The range, spanning cleansers to moisturisers, provides long-lasting moisture to the skin, plumping dry complexions as well as hydrating oily and combination skin. For those with concerns like acne, eczema and psoriasis, the range is bound to be a hit. The packaging may be unremarkable, but the dermatologist-backed formulas at sensible prices are one to keep on your radar. Available in Boots.
Hero products: The Moisturising Cream Pot has racked up thousands of five-star reviews on Amazon and Reddit, while the Hydrating Cleanser is hard-working yet gentle and the perfect morning cleanser.
Visit Boots.com
instagram.com/cyocosmetics
CYO
Championing affordability and versatility, CYO is causing quite the stir in beauty circles and it’s not hard to see why. The 200-strong product line-up, available exclusively in Boots, has every make-up need covered, whether you’re on the hunt for a smoky eye palette, lash-defying mascara or warm weather foundation. One of the brand’s main focuses is multi-tasking, with two-in-one lipsticks that can also be used as liners and metallic shadows that double up as highlighters. The best bit? The entire range is priced under £7.50, and unlike many other cheaper cosmetic brands, all of CYO’s products are cruelty free, and they pride themselves on using sustainable palm oil, too.
Hero products: Check out the Matte Foundation, which has had the beauty blogger seal of approval, as well as the Shimmer Switch, a dupe of Bobbi Brown’s Shimmer Brick. Those on the hunt for a spring make-up bag update should also try the Illuminating Mixing Cream, which can be added to your moisturiser, foundation or BB cream for a radiant glow.
Visit Boots.com
instagram.com/drunkelephant
Drunk Elephant
With Sephora’s top-rated skincare page reading like a who’s who of the entire Drunk Elephant line-up, it’s no surprise beauty editors are falling over themselves to get their hands on this much-hyped collection. The range consists of 11 products and claims to use clean, non-toxic ingredients rather than natural or organic, which may look harmless but can wreak havoc on the skin. Bloggers and make-up artists worldwide continue to wax lyrical about Drunk Elephant’s offerings – the majority of which are based around virgin marula oil, packed with fatty acids and antioxidants. If that wasn’t enough, the packaging is also on point, with the majority of formulas coming in airtight pumps to prevent bacteria from breeding, ensuring the product retains top efficacy.
Hero products: The T.L.C Sukari Babyfacial is the definition of a cult product – this exfoliating leave-on night mask has 25% AHAs and 2% BHAs to smooth skin, banish fine lines and boost cell turnover.
Visit SpaceNK.com
instagram.com/herbivorebotanicals
Herbivore Botanicals
Described by Vogue as a “cut above the rest”, Herbivore Botanicals is one to check out. Seattle-based founders Julia and Alex started the brand in 2011 with one guiding principle: the very best ingredients are made in the earth, not in a lab. Since then, the pair have stayed true to their vision, crafting skin, body and haircare wonders from all-natural botanicals, minerals and essential vitamins. If the products look familiar, it’s likely you’ve seen them on your Instagram feed – the clean-lined packaging, which allows the pastel colours of the products to shine through, is an undeniable part of the appeal. Find in Space NK stores nationwide as well as online.
Hero products: Packed with rosewater, aloe water and white tea extract, the Rose Cloud Moisturiser is perfect for all skin types and 100% natural, while the facial oils are also always scooping five-star reviews – we love the heavenly-scented Orchid Facial Oil.
Visit SpaceNK.com
instagram.com/igkhair
IGK
The brainchild of four achingly cool session stylists, US brand IGK hair has finally made its way across the pond and is now available at Space NK stores nationwide and online. Aimed to give women everywhere effortless It girl hair, each of the 21 products in the collection has a corresponding hashtag featured on the packaging, and is used to share looks created by IGK on Insta – and, of course, for customers to share how they’re using the line. Plus, the products are vegan, gluten-free, contain no sulphates or parabens and are loaded with some of the industry’s hottest ingredients, from turmeric to coconut oil. One scroll through the brand’s Insta feed and you’ll see the appeal for women with hair of all types and textures.
Hero products: The brand’s dry shampoos are shaking up the haircare sphere, while the Beach Club Texture Spray is one to try in the summer months. We’ve also been loving the Cleansing Walnut Scalp Scrub and are truly obsessed with the Thirsty Girl Leave-in Conditioner, which uses hyaluronic acid to nurture brittle ends.
Visit SpaceNK.com
instagram.com/katesomervilleskincare
Kate Somerville
This launch has caused some serious hype and for good reason – for those unaware of the brand’s story, Kate is a skincare expert with more than 25 years of experience behind her. She has a clinic in LA, where she boasts innovative technology, an impressive roster of A-list clients as well as a bestselling range of products designed to tackle a spectrum of common concerns; from blemishes to fine lines, now available exclusively on Cult Beauty. What really sets Kate Somerville skincare apart is a scientific approach paired with a genuine desire for women to have better skin – all the products are tech-savvy formulations fusing science, botanicals and soothing ingredients.
Hero products: You won’t be disappointed with the ExfoliKate Intensive Exfoliating Treatment – dubbed the ‘two minute Hollywood facial’, it’s packed with lactic acid and fruit enzymes to leave skin more radiant in a flash. Those prone to breakouts should also try the EradiKate Blemish Treatment.
Visit KateSomerville.co.uk
instagram.com/mrsmithhair
Mr Smith
Unless you hail from Down Under, you probably won’t have heard of Mr Smith, which has just landed in the UK and with it, an impressive haul of products designed to tackle all manner of haircare concerns. Founded by David Justin, the son of a session stylist, the 22-strong unisex range won’t just look great on your bathroom shelf – the gender-neutral products use only high-quality Australian botanicals and essential oils as well as containing zero sulfates or parabens; they’ve also never been tested on animals and are PETA-approved. Whether your blonde hair is prone to brassiness, you have oily roots or feel like you’re stuck in a hair rut, head to Salon64 in Soho to stock up on the products.
Hero products: The Foundation is a genius three-in-one nourishing leave-in conditioner that creates volume, body and hold, while the Masque, brimming with rejuvenating hair and scalp properties, delivers instant results.
For more information contact SALON 64
INSPIRATION CREDITS: Instagram.com/CyoCosmetics, Instagram.com/HydeSalon, Instagram.com/GKHair
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