The Best New Beauty Buys For May
TANNING ESSENTIAL
James Read Click & Glow Tanning Drops, £25
A few drops of this silky tanning oil mixed into your regular cream, body lotion or foundation delivers a natural glow that suits even the palest complexions. It also uses vitamin C, aloe vera and hyaluronic acid to gently brighten and hydrate. What’s more, the formula itself requires fewer drops thanks to a thicker consistency, which allows for more noticeable, but believable, colour. You’ll also love the click-style-pen tube it comes in.
Available here
MAKE-UP MUST-HAVES
Bobbi Brown Dual Ended Long-Wear Cream Shadow Stick
Bobbi Brown is known for its easy-to-use eyeshadow sticks, and now it’s launched dual-ended ones for further ease. Pairing suits-all tones with shimmering pigments, you can scribble them all over lids for a foolproof smokey eye. They’ve also been reformulated to provide longer wear – expect a budge-free finish that never creases or smudges.
Available from 7th May
Diego Dalla Palma MyToyBoy Mascara, £24
This is one of the best mascaras we’ve tried in a long time. The tube itself is large and weighty, while the formula and wand have been created to lengthen and define. It thickens too – after just two coats you’ll notice a huge difference. It gives quite a dramatic effect, so is ideal for those after noticeable volume and inkiness. It layers nicely as well, with no clumping or flaking.
Available here
FLOWER Beauty Blush Bomb, £11.99
FLOWER Beauty is the brainchild of Drew Barrymore. After initial success, she’s expanding the range with more quality, affordable make-up. Our favourite new find is this dewy blush. Easy to tap on with fingers or build up with a brush, the formula melts into the skin, leaving behind a plump, glossy sheen that looks healthy. Six shades are available, and they blend together beautifully if you want a more impactful glow.
Available here
Hourglass Veil Setting Spray, £47
When is a setting spray so much more than just a setting spray? When it’s formulated with both skin-loving and water-resistant ingredients – just like Hourglass’s latest drop is. This one works to set make-up, while blurring imperfections and minimising pores, as well as providing skin with a glossy, soft-focus finish. Unlike others on the market, it never feels sticky or greasy, just hydrating and smooth.
Available here
GLOSSY ILLUMINATORS
MAC Strobe Face Glaze, £21
More of a balm than an iridescent highlighter, a few drops of this smooth glaze mixed into your foundation gives skin an unbeatable glow. Use a damp BeautyBlender to press it into the skin for more of a high-shine finish that reflects the light beautifully.
Available here
Revlon Skinlights Face Glow Illuminator, £9.99
Previously only available in the US, Revlon’s new Glow Illuminator has finally made its way over here. A 3-in-1 formula, it can be used to prime, highlight or boost the skin’s glow. Our favourite way to use it? Mix a few drops into your liquid foundation – you’ll find it gives your complexion greater luminosity and dewiness, without looking shiny or reflective. One of the best we’ve tried for a while.
Available here
BEAUTIFYING BODY CARE
Bondi Sands Coconut & Sea Salt Body Scrub, £12.99
Expanding its cult tan range, Bondi Sands has launched this scrub to rid you of dead skin cells and provide an even, smooth surface. Heavy duty and satisfyingly gritty, it uses coconut husk and walnut shell to buff the top layer of skin, while its oil-free formulation means it’ll never interfere with any tan application. Massage it into the skin dry, before stepping into the shower or bath to slough it all off.
Available here
La Roche-Posay Effaclar Micro-Peeling Gel Wash, £14.50
Suffering with sudden breakouts? Or skin feeling uneven and bumpy? Look to La Roche-Posay’s new gel wash, which works for both face and body. It uses zit-zapping salicylic acid and zinc to unclog blocked pores of bacteria, stopping further spots in their tracks. The addition of thermal spring water means skin is never dried out either, and continues to receive a hefty dose of hydration, despite the micro-exfoliation. It’s alcohol-free and dermatologically tested, so this one’s safe for even the most sensitive skin types.
Available here
Rituals The Ritual of Jing Peaceful Sleep Shower Oil, £8.50
We never knew we needed a shower oil until we tried this one. Formulated with soothing lavender and sacred wood, the relaxing scent will fill your bathroom fast, while the oil itself feels so luxe and hydrating on the skin. As you massage it in, it turns into a silky-soft foam that restores lost moisture, while removing surface grime. Ideal to use before bed as the calming smell stays on limbs for hours.
Available here
Sesderma C-Vit Radiance Glowing Body Milk, £39
One of the few body lotions we’ve tried recently that keeps dryness firmly at bay, this lightweight lotion penetrates the dermis with hydrating glycerine for long-lasting hydration. It uses light-reflecting pigments and vitamin C to brighten skin and provide it with an all-over even tone, while antioxidants strengthen skin and protect it from any environmental damage, including pollution.
Available here
ESSENTIAL TOOL TO TRY
Real Techniques Light Layer Foundation Brush, £11.99
Need a new foundation brush? Look to Real Techniques’ latest launch, designed to work with all formulas, from powders to creams and liquids. Its super soft, custom-cut synthetic bristles allow you to reach every area on the face, while the lightweight brush makes blending, building and blurring out formulas seamless. A must-have at £11.99.
Available here
HAIRCARE HEROES
Percy & Reed Volumising Shampoo & Conditioner, £36
Percy & Reed has had a revamp, and so have its much-loved formulas. Its latest volumising duo give limp hair instant fullness and body with vitamin B5, while strengthening and protecting strands from breakage. We’ve already used up two bottles since it launched and plan to go big on our next reorder so we don’t run out so fast.
Available here
GHD Helios Professional Hair Dryer in Neo-Mint, £159
GHD’s hairdryers are loved by industry insiders and editors for their super sleek appearance and the speedy results they yield. Its latest is no exception: with a new, neo-mint style, it has several speed and heat settings to allow you to easily adjust based on the style you want. It also has a cool shot button which is not only good for your scalp, but helps to keep all styles in place. Plus, it’s noticeably quieter than other dryers on the market.
Available here
Ouai Fine Hair Shampoo & Conditioner, £22
We’ve waited a long time for this drop. Created by hair stylist Jen Atkin, Ouai’s latest shampoo and conditioner are here to plump, bring bounce and add shine to lacklustre hair. Both bottles use keratin and biotin to strengthen hair, but also thicken it up from the root over time, while a blend of hemp seed extract and chia seed oil gives long-lasting hydration – ideal for hair that needs a bit of love in lockdown. The subtle smell of orange and peony is highly satisfying and will leave you sniffing at your hair all day long.
Available here
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