The Best New Beauty Buys For December

Azurina Noel Noel Candle, £9.38

If you’re after candles that are more natural with zero paraffins, opt for Azurina. Made from 100% natural soya wax, they’re kinder to the environment, without the nasty chemicals. We love this ‘Noel, Noel’ fragrance that’s reminiscent of mulled wine, log fires and pine – everything you want for Christmas. The mini sizes are ideal for stockings, too.

Available at TheAzurinaStore.com

Diptyque Moonlit Fir Candle, £27.20

It wouldn’t be December without Diptyque’s annual candle launches. Year after year, Fir remains their bestseller and with good reason. Notes of eucalyptus, rosemary and peppermint come together to fill the room with the scent of a wintery forest that’s cosy and nostalgic. Plus, the beautiful packaging and ceramic lid make it a great gift for girlfriends.

Available at Liberty.com

Frederic Malle Joyeux Noel Candle, £58.50 (was £65)

Frederic Malle’s festive candle blends notes of pine, amber, cinnamon and cotton candy for a fragrance that’s completely unique. Filling the room for hours on end, it’s also designed to bring a sense of calm, too. Very atmospheric, it’s guaranteed to lift your spirits – the simple design is a bonus, too. What’s more, the brand now offers a special online service, so if you’re looking to snap up a new fragrance or candle for yourself, or a loved one, you can find virtual expert advice here. 

Available at HarveyNichols.com

Josh Wood Colour Miracle Shot

Worried about the damage dye or bleach is doing to your hair? Look no further than this clever conditioning treatment. Designed to strengthen, curb breakage and prolong your colour, this Miracle Shot works fast. It uses fatty omegas (3 and 6), alongside vitamin E to boost elasticity, shine and hydration. Mix it in with your DIY permanent colour (or take it to your next salon appointment) and apply it all together for optimum results. You’ll see the benefits immediately, with 93% of testers claiming their hair felt instantly hydrated, with 96% noticing visible shine.

Available at JoshWoodColour.com

Sunday Riley Clean Rinse Clarifying Scalp Serum, £42

Scalp serums are big business these days thanks to their ability to get rid of dirt and build-up, while simultaneously promoting added softness. Our current go-to is Sunday Riley’s – not only is it easy on the eye, its formula works at speed to exfoliate and dissolve excess grease, thanks to a mix of salicylic and glycolic acid. It does all this without ever drying out your hair, as rose clay at witch hazel work to restore lost moisture, while rehydrating and soothing thirsty strands. While it doesn’t claim to promote growth, we noticed our own hair felt fuller and denser within just a few weeks. An investment, but a worthy one – especially as a little goes a long way.

Available at CultBeauty.co.uk 

Playa Monoi Milk Leave-In Conditioner, £19

If your regular conditioner just isn’t cutting it, give Playa’s Monoi Milk a go. Ideal for chemically treated, dry or frizzy hair, it works to prime, tame tangles and protect against heat styling, too. The monoi oil inside latches onto hair for extra moisture, while coconut milk enhances shine, strength and softness. It’s completely weightless, too, so it never leaves your hair feeling heavy or lank. Mist it over wet or dry hair from mid-length to ends and brush through – you only need to use twice a week to notice a difference. 

Available at CultBeauty.co.uk

Kitsch Drawstring Chiffon Scrunchie, £7.32

So much more than your average scrunchie, these chiffon hair ties are the epitome of fashion fun. With oversized frills and a handy drawstring, they add a bit of feminine elegance to any hairstyle – particularly ponytails. A great stocking filler, they’ll look pretty worn on the wrist, too. A fun accessory for the festive season.

Available at MyKitsch.com

Vieve The Essential+ Make-Up Bag, £25

Vieve is the new range from influencer Jamie Genevieve, and we’re loving her streamlined beauty bags. This one isn’t just chic (the black, faux crocodile had us at hello), it’s also compact, with plenty of space for all your daily go-tos. Covetable and ideal for on-the-go, it’s a great addition to anyone’s dressing table. Check out the make-up offering, too – from suits-all lipsticks to neutral eyeshadows with the perfect amount of shimmer, the concise edit has everything you need to create a flawless look. 

Available at CultBeauty.co.uk

Huda Beauty Gold Obsessions Palette, £27

Housing nine festive shades, this beautiful palette is a must-try for anyone that loves a shimmery, metallic eye. It’s limited-edition, so you’ll need to move quickly, but it’s worth it, as the pigments are so vivid – so much so they rival that of a liquid – while the various shades will suit all skin tones and allow you to create several versatile looks. Without doubt, this is the palette of the season.

Available at CultBeauty.co.uk

BareMinerals Strength & Length Serum-Infused Brow Gel, £14.40

The fluffy brow trend continues and with it, so does a slew of new launches to encourage fullness and growth. Cue BareMineral’s new Serum-Infused Brow Gel, which is proven to boost density and volume by up to 90%*. With a flexible, comb-like brush, it latches onto every hair easily for great, even coverage that lasts all day. Thanks to the flexible formula, you won’t see any of the stiffness, flaking or shadowing you sometimes get with other gels. 

*Based on an 8-week consumer perception study with 30 women.

Available at JohnLewis.co.uk

CheekSlime Lip & Cheek Tint, £17

We spied this brand on Instagram and have since become huge fans of their simplistic, yet slick, formulations. Designed to add warmth and colour to your lips and cheeks, this buildable formula blends beautifully into the skin for a budge-proof finish, which is still glossy and luminous. We recommend the shade ‘Cuffed’ which is a light, suits-all peach. One of our favourite finds of 2020.

Available at BeautyBay.com

Clé De Peau Beauté Radiant Fluid Foundation Matte SPF20, £105

If you’re after a new base that provides full-coverage, while also caring for your skin, check out Clé de Peau’s latest launch. It’s matte, but with an unbeatable luminosity, thanks to the in-built ‘light-empowering enhancer,’ which controls shine and amps up radiance. The benefits don’t stop there – despite the longevity on offer, it never cakes or suffocates the skin. Instead, it delivers plenty of moisture and hydration, while the non-comedogenic formula won’t block your pores. Use just a few pumps to cover your entire face, buffing in with a brush or damp BeautBlender for the best results.

Available at Harrods.com

Kiko Holiday Gems 4D Lash Mascara, £12.99

Need a new mascara? Kiko do some of the best and at affordable price points, too. Their latest comes with a chunky wand to catch every single lash for a wide-eye effect. Just one coat offers impactful definition thanks to a jet-black formula, but you can layer it up as much as you like (it stays wet for a few minutes) for extra volume and length.

Available at KikoCosmetics.com

Beauty Pie Pure Oxygen Radiant Glow Moisture Infusion, £75

We’ve only been using this for a few days and can already see the difference in our skin. With stabilised vitamin C (which offers speedier results) and pure Swiss water, a small dollop massaged in daily boosts dull, lacklustre complexions, while also delivering plenty of hydration. Great for sensitive skin types, it leaves your face looking and feeling dewy and plump with zero irritation. Plus, unlike other creams, the consistency is quite thin, so you can layer other formulas up, easily – especially your make-up. Seeing is believing but we’re truly impressed so far.

Available at BeautyPie.com

Jo Malone London Car Diffuser, £73

Car diffusers just got a whole lot chicer thanks to Jo Malone. The clever design of their car diffuser allows you to attach them to your air vent, and comes filled with one of its three signature fragrances – Lime, Basil & Mandarin, Peony & Blush Suede or Wood Sage & Sea Salt. The scent is potent, too, so you get proper bang for your buck, without it being too overpowering. A great gift for anyone this Christmas.

Avaialble at JoMalone.co.uk