Tonnes of New Products Landed on My Desk This Month, But These 10 Were the Best

First on my list is Shark's new Flexfusion styler. You might already know the Shark Flexstyle (the popular hair multi-styler, which is a Who What Wear Next in Beauty Award winner, BTW) but the latest styler features a ceramic straightening plate, as well as other attachable styling heads such as a curling wand, a large round brush as well as a hairdryer smoothing nozzle and diffuser. And it's so good.

It has two modes, meaning you can use it on wet or dry hair (making it great for wash days, or topping-up your style in between shampoos) and it effortlessly straightens even very curly hair textures in just two passes through the lengths. I've been using the straightening attachment a lot lately, which has left my often frizzy hair very smooth in no time at all, staying sleek right up until my next hair wash.

The round brush is large enough to twist even through the longest lengths to achieve salon-worthy blowouts, and delivers just the right tension for shine and long-lasting hold. The addition of the curling wands and the built-in hairdryer are added bonuses. I can see myself taking this on holiday when you don't want to pack a separate hairdryer, curling wand and straightener. While an investment, this is a great hair tool and hot brush alternative if you favour sleek styles.

Key notes: Winter lemon oil, cardamom oil, cinnamon oil, jasmine "cœur de saison" absolute, orange flower absolute, geranium oil, patchouli oil, vanilla bourbon extract, vetiver oil

In what might be one of the chicest new fragrance launches of 2024, Bottega Veneta has launched five new fragrances, and each one is as beautiful as the next. And can we take a moment for the beautiful green marble base that accompanies the bottle?

Inspired by the brand's Venetian origins, the collection draws inspiration from Venice's history as a trading port, which are reflected in the location-centric ingredients from all corners of the globe (think French angelica oil and Morrocan orange blossom absolute). The rippled bottles themselves are also inspired by blown-glass techniques (you can spot the air bubbles in the glass) and the lagoons of Venice.

It's hard to pick a favourite, but Déjà Minuit captured my attention the most. It's both fresh and a little spicy, chic yet understated. If you can't decide which fragrance to try, the discovery set allows you to try 2.5ml vials of all five scents to help you find your favourite.

Nothing marks the start of the festive season in the beauty world than the annual launch of Hourglass's limited edition Ambient Lighting Edit Unlocked palettes. And this year, they're even more covetable, both inside and out (the three palettes are beautifully designed with either a dragon, lotus flower or evil eye illustration).

Inside the palettes are a mixture of Hourglass's iconic ambient lighting baked powders in blusher, bronzing, highlighter and finishing powder forms. What's all the fuss about their powders, I hear you ask? These are butteriest, most beautiful powders in the game. They have a subtle radiance (read: zero shimmer, all glow) which melt into the skin to give you a lit-from-within, filtered finish. They're great if you like powder formulations to set your makeup, but don't want to compromise on looking matte.

Trust me, these would make a great Christmas beauty gift for the makeup lover in your life (but be quick, as these tend to sell out fast) and are a great way to try a range of powders from the range. Which should you try? It really depends on how much pigment you like, and some features more blushes than others, but generally speaking those with deep complexions will enjoy the high-payoff pigments in the Lotus palette, while the Evil Eye and Dragon palettes will complement medium and fairer skin tones respectively.

Key notes: Vanilla, tonka bean, cedarwood, tobacco leaves, plum

Oh Victoria, you've done it again. We're already obsessed with Victoria Beckham Beauty's fragrances, and now there is a new one, 21:50 Rêverie, to enjoy. Housed in a sleek, dark green bottle with gold detailing, I can confirm the juice inside is just as alluring and expensive-smelling.

This is a dark and moody vanilla, with smokey tobacco leaves unfurling leaving a luxurious trail that is a guaranteed compliment generator (trust us, we put it to the test in the office, and it was a hit with everyone). It has impressive lasting power too, one spritz in the morning is just as noticeable into the evening hours. VB was inspired by her visit to the Indonesian island of Java in 2001, where her and David Beckham sat down for an open-air dinner under the stars, surrounded by nearby rainforests and candle flames. The addition of tonka bean and cedarwood make this seductively sweet and smooth fragrance one that you'll want to wear all throughout winter and beyond—it's the ultimate date night scent.

Now we're in the full swing of autumn and the colder months of winter ahead, now is the time to switch up your skincare routine with some nourishing formulas to shield your complexion as the temperatures drop. Rhode's Barrier Butter is a luxurious balm that you can use anywhere (it comes in a smaller size, which is perfect for applying to dry hands, as well as a larger size for hydrating your body), and is particularly great as the last step in your nighttime routine to lock in moisture and hydrate dry skin.

The buttery texture is nourishing, but designed to be non-comedogenic, so it won't breakout acne-prone skin types. It creates a hydrating barrier, which is made of multiple types of hyaluronic acid, polyglutamic acid (a humectant that helps draw moisture into the skin), nourishing murumuru butter and ceramides, which help to restore the skin barrier on compromised or irritated skin.

Ask any beauty editor about their favourite body products, and you just know they'll mention Naturium (its body washes are phenomenal). So when I heard that a new body butter was on the way, I could not wait.

Seriously, if I could buy enough of this body butter to fill a swimming pool and dive into it, I would. This is single-handedly the best body butter I've ever tried. Naturium were not lying when they put multi-oil on the label—it contains no less than five different oils which basically melt into the skin with a buttery finish that leaves even the driest of limbs nourished and hydrated. It also leaves your skin glowing with a subtle vanilla scent—I'll be keeping this on standby as we head into winter and party season. If you really want to up your body hydration routine, the matching body oil is just as good.

Key notes: Sweet violet, myrrh, palo santo, frankincense, ambrette, ambrox

October was a strong month for new perfume launches, and we can't not talk about Glossier, who treated us to not one, but two new versions of its iconic scent, You. The new scents, Doux and Rêve, embody the same skin-like ambrette and ambrox qualities that make the original You fragrance so covetable—but with a twist.

Rêve is a gourmand, good-enough-to-devour twist on You, with jammy plum butter, nutty toasted almond, floral iris and sandalwood, which is sure to be a hit with those who like sweet scents. But my favourite of the duo is Doux, which takes the creaminess of sandalwood and pairs it with warm and smokey myrrh, woody palo santo and powdery sweet violet. It's like the older sister of the OG You scent. Having tested them both throughout this past month, they've both become mainstays in my perfume rotation and earn me so many compliments. Like the original You scent, these really work with your own skin chemistry and smell unique to you, and I find the scents reappear throughout the day even hours after the first spritz.

Okay Merit—take my money. How adorable are these miniature Flush Balms? Containing three mini shades in Mood, Stockholm and Bespoke—a limited edition shade—these make a perfect stocking filler or secret santa present for the minimalist makeup lover in your circle.

The domed shape of these blushers are the perfect size for throwing in your bag, and mean you can conviently swipe onto cheeks without the need for a brush. The dewy, sheer formula makes them so easily to pat and blend onto cheeks and lips with your fingertips, leaving behind a subtle glow and hint of colour. This set is a great way to try a few different shades if you're yet to try the beauty editor-loved blushers, or want to add some cute miniatures into your makeup bag.

Currentbody has built upon the success of its viral LED mask, releasing a new and improved version that features even better LED technology and a better fit on the face that improves the coverage of LED across the face and is more comfortable to wear.

The 236 LED bulbs emit three clinically recognised wavelengths, including red (633nm), near-infrared (830nm) and new deep near-infrared (1072nm), which each help to encourage collagen production, reduce fine lines, wrinkles and redness all while giving your skin an amazing glow that you could expect from an in-clinic LED facial. It's definitely an investment purchase (I'm keeping my eye out for it in the Black Friday beauty deals) but if you're wondering what the best LED masks are, this one sits high up on our list.

Key notes: Butterfly lily, miracle berry, oakwood, patchouli

Hermès has a new chic fragrance that should be on your radar if you like chypre scents and want to embody some expensive-smelling, Parisian energy.

It's both sophisticated and elegant while remaining modern and almost skin-like in the way it dries down. It's definitely a fragrance that whispers rather than a beast-mode type of scent, and has a warming, earthy and mossy quality with a subtle berry sparkle to it that makes it so wearable for day to day. The bottle was inspired by the namesake Hermès bracelets, and Barenia is a nod to the brand's heritage leather, which is buttery soft and skin-like to the touch.

The highly anticipated Celine Beauté line is launching in January 2025, but we have been treated to the first instalment: the Rouge Triomphe lipstick. The universally flattering red is launching exclusively at the Harrods Haute Parfumerie corner and Winter 24 pop-up from 31 August ahead of launching online in October. Housed in a faceted gold case, it's an objet d'art in itself, and the formula inside is just as luxe. It delivers a hydrating satin finish that any Parisian would want to swipe onto their lips and display on their vanity table. What's more, it's also refillable, making this a beautiful lipstick that you can keep using and enjoy forever.

September is here, which means we're firmly back in candle season. And I'm so here for it. I'm rejoicing in lighting cosy candles as the evenings draw in earlier and the limited edition Papier is one I keep striking a match for. Part of Diptyque's L'eau Papier collection, this candle is inspired by paper. It's musky, smooth and a little sweet like the pages of a well thumbed book. If you like the L'eau Papier fragrance then you'll recognise the nutty sesame and sweet rice notes that make this fragrance so unique. I can confirm like many of Diptyque's candles, this has impressive throw that fills the entire room with scent. It's perfect if you want a chic autumnal candle that doesn't veer into pumpkin-spiced territory. If you want something a little more moody and mysterious the Encre candle in the collection is inspired by deep black ink, and smells of patchouli and liquorice.

When Merit comes out with a new launch, you know it's going to be good. Or in the case of this moisturiser, great, in fact. The first time I tried this I was floored by the texture. It's like wearing silk on your skin, which primes the skin for makeup so well and enhances any base products you apply on top. I like that it is lightweight, but doesn't leave skin feeling slippy—it has a cashmere soft dry-down on the skin, so it's the perfect pre-makeup moisturiser which means you can skip a primer altogether. The formula also contains peptides, spermidine, and polysaccharides, which work in tandem to help firm while hyaluronic acid and oat extract help to hydrate and nourish.

It was hard to settle on just one scent from Dior's new Esprit de Parfum collection (spoiler: they're all incredible) but I settled on Lucky, which captivated our whole team this month. This range sees Dior's iconic La Collection Privée fragrances reimagined in stronger intensities. Think beast mode fragrances that last the entire day and then some. Lucky is a take on Christian Dior's lucky flower, lily of the valley. The sweet green floral is given an edge, punctuated with dark green leather and and woody notes which make it feel so modern. While expensive, one spray will ensure you leave a compliment-generating trail of scent wherever you walk, so a little goes a long way. If you like a warm and cosy, drinking-whisky-by-a-roaring-fire type of scent, Ambre Nuit is a must smell.

Hair glosses are having a huge moment, and they are the key to unlocking a glass-like shine that you get from a salon visit. The glossing treatments you get from your hairdressers often have a semi-permanent tint, or are totally clear, to add a glossy shine to the hair. This new wave of at-home glossing treatments work in a similar way to add a lustrous veil to lengths, often in the form of a rinse-off treatment after shampoo and conditioning. Oribe's take has transformed my dull lengths and reinvigorated them with a glossy shine, silky smoothness and bounce.

Glossier You fans, buckle up. The much loved fragrance now comes in the form of a body butter, and its everything I hoped for and then some. First things first: the scent. The scent! It's strong in the best way, and noticeable on my skin hours later. Paired with the fragrance, this will really help enhance the scent to last even longer, while leaving your limbs soft and silken. The buttery texture melts into the skin quickly leaving the skin velvety to the touch. It's safe to say I'm obsessed, and if you're already a Glossier You super fan, you're going to want in on this.

Having oily skin, I'm yet to find a good oil-controlling moisturiser that won't make my bank account cry. Thankfully, CeraVe has come to the rescue with its Oil Control Moisturising Gel-Cream, which comes in under £20 and is so great. The gel-cream texture sinks in immediately, leaving skin hydrated (thank you, hyaluronic acid and ceramides) but also velvety matte due to the oil-absorbing technology, which has helped my complexion stay shine-free for longer throughout the day. The addition of niacinamide is also beneficial for those with oily or combination skin, as it helps to reduce breakouts and soothe skin.

Charlotte darling, you've created my dream mascara. If you like mascaras that lift, volumise and give a fanned-out effect, then you'll want in on this new launch. I have stubbornly straight lashes which look perky with a few bursts with an eyelash curler, but flop after a couple of hours. This mascara actually keeps my lashes standing to attention all day, locking in the curl for a wide-eyed effect. It has a curved bristled brush which hugs lashes at the base, lifting and stretching them into impressive lengths, while simultaneously volumising and capturing every lash for a false-lash look. I'm pleased to report that this doesn't smudge or flake either.

This month saw the launch of Dyson's first hair styling product range, which features a pre-styling and post-styling cream, which are each available in versions for both coily to curly hair and wavy to straight hair, which then each come in both light conditioning and rich conditioning versions, depending on the level of nourishment you need. I particularly love the Pre-Style Cream, which I noticed added a healthy shine and softness to my lengths, as well as additional hold when used my the Dyson Airwrap attachments. In true Dyson fashion, even the packaging is innovative. You push the dispenser into palm which releases a careful amount of product, so you never risk wasting or applying to much product.

Le Labo fans, get ready. The perfume house has launched its latest City Exclusive fragrance. These special scents are only available to buy in Le Labo stores in certain cities around the world. But, every September anyone can buy them online between the 1st to the 30th September, after which they return to their respective cities exclusively. The latest scent, Coriandre, is exclusive to Mexico City and inspired by coriander leaves. Yes, the herb is divisive for many, but as someone who isn't a huge fan of it in my food, I love it as a scent. It's fresh, aquatic and green, and combined with a twist of lime which makes it feel really refreshing. If you're looking for a new perfume for autumn that is fresh and very wearable, this makes for a great choice.

Key Notes: Ambrette, nesberry, magnolia, sandalwood, violet, amber, cedarwood, musk

As someone with sensitive skin, I was thrilled to see that Byredo has brought out a limited edition alcohol-free version of it's much-loved Mojave Ghost fragrance. The alcohol in fragrance can sometimes cause irritation—my skin breaks out in eczema patches when sprayed directly on my skin—so my workaround has always been misting my clothes instead. But, it's never quite the same as allowing a fragrance to develop with your skin's own chemistry. It's also safer to wear if you're out in the sun and means you can also spray it in your hair without the drying effects of alcohol. As for the scent itself, this is a comforting woody-musk scent that has a creaminess that reminds me of Glossier You with grounding sandalwood and a smooth, skin-like muskiness that makes me want to bury my nose into it every time I wear it.

You know how French women have that blurred, just bitten kind of lipstick that looks like they have naturally flushed lips? I've long tried to re-create it, but thankfully Violette_Fr has bottled it in the form of Bisou Balm, which creates 'bouche mordue' (or 'just bitten lips') in one swipe. The balm has been around for a while, but this new shade, BonBon Coquelicot, has been a staple in my makeup bag. It has a lip balm consistency with a sheer matte finish, which imparts a flush of colour to the lips that magically feels hydrating, but there is no hint of glossiness here. One swipe gives a soft-focus, your-lips-but-better veil of colour, but it can be layered for more impact. The new shade has been designed as a nude-red, making it ideal for those who prefer a more subdued colour than a bright red—and I'm totally converted.

I've been a fan of Lumene's CC Cream since it launched and so I was intrigued to try its new foundation that comes with more coverage, but in a serum texture that's infused with plenty of skincare ingredients. And it has become an instant hit in the Who What Wear UK office. One pump offers enough coverage for the face, concealing over redness and pigmentation, while allowing your skin to shine through. It has a dewy finish and feels hydrating on the skin (that will be the addition of three weights of hyaluronic acid to hydrate, as well as Arctic willowherb and Nordic algae) while the pearl pigments secure a lit-from-within radiance that gives your skin a healthy glow. It can be layered for a full-coverage finish, but I find one small pump is plenty to even my skin tone while letting freckles peek through.

On days when I've been wanting a glossy look, I've been reaching for UKLash's plumping lip gloss in rose. Comparable to a more expensive twist-up gloss balm out there (and at over half the price), these sticks impart an ultra-glossy finish to the lips. There are currently two shades, Clear and Rose, to choose from, and the latter gives a natural-looking universal pink tone to lips. It offers both hydrating and plumping effects thanks to a chilli extract to make lips look fuller, while jojoba seed oil and aloe vera drench lips with moisture. It's a great low-maintenance lip gloss to throw in your bag for whenever you require a glossy, plumped result.

I'm a magpie to a chic yet functional product, and Blink Brow Bar's makeup pouch is the very thing I didn't know I needed for carrying my products on-the-go. The nimble curved-zipped pouch is ideal for housing your products in your bag (think eyebrow pencils, brushes, and lip gloss) without being bulky in your handbag. It's free when you spend £60 or more on Blink Brow Bar products, which are already a favourite in my lash and brow remit. My picks would be the Clear Brow Gloss (£25) which gives brows natural hold that actually stays in place all day, the Ultra Slim Brow Definer 2.0 (£22) for precise brow shaping and the Nourishing Brow Oil £27, which really works to encourage brow growth.

Key Notes: Ginger, cedarwood, galbanum, sandalwood

Honestly? Louis Vuitton's latest fragrance was love at first smell. It's inspired by the feeling of your skin bathed in sunlight and photosynthesis, and it's delightfully luminous, green and woody—like strolling in a sun-dappled forest with dewy green leaves. Created by Louis Vuitton's master perfumer, Jacques Cavallier Belletrud, and men's creative director Pharrell Williams, it has an amazing projection and lasting power (I can still smell this on my clothes by the end of the day) and it's one of those scents that instantly lifts your mood while smelling incredible.

Speaking of great fragrances, Phlur's new Body Oil in its iconic Missing Person scent has me totally entranced. The musky fragrance went TikTok-viral last year after it had a universal effect of reminding wearers of people they miss. The cosy, musky skin-scent is now available in body oil form, and I was amazed at how long-lasting the scent is. After applying overnight and showering in the morning, I could still smell the scent on my skin. If you already love the perfume, this will be a great addition to your routine to enhance the fragrance and staying power, but it's also a great gateway into trying the scent if you haven't yet committed to buying a bottle.

I've been testing GHD's latest innovation, the Duet Blowdry, and I'm impressed. I wasn't sure if I needed a new hot brush tool in my life, but this one ticks a lot of boxes for me that others don't. Not only does it take hair from wet to dry with a bouncy blowout finish, but the large brush head and bristles make it both very quick and easy to style with a smooth result. The bristles are firm enough to create the tension needed for a bouncy, volumised curl, yet soft enough that hair doesn't get tangled (IYKYK). It's great for adding volume at the roots, and it even manages to smooth my very frizzy hair in just a few passes and I benefit from lasting bounce until my next hair wash. It's on the pricier side, but it's genuinely one of the best hot brushes I've tried so far.

In the market for a new lip liner? Glossier's shade range is great. It's inspired by the old makeup artist hack of your nipple colour making a great colour match for your lipstick, and these neutral-toned lip liners are so flattering. From cool and warm to pink and brown, there is a flattering match for all skin tones. They last well on the lips, glide on smoothly and look great worn alone or paired with a lip gloss or lip oil, and are both smudge and transfer-resistant, so no need for topping up here.

When SkinCeuticals launches a new serum, I listen. The brand's iconic C E Ferulic serum has become a beauty icon, and this one is set to become just as popular. Promising to deliver 'glass skin', this peptide-infused serum help to address nine different kinds of wrinkles (from crow's feet to nasolabial lines) while improving the skin's texture for a smooth, radiant complexion that resembles glass. The peptide formula is combined with PHAs to gently exfoliate, niacinamide to boost the skin's barrier and laminaria extract to boost glow. What more could you want?

Key Notes: Raspberry pulp, strawberry, Bulgarian rose, cyclamen, amberwood, rhubarb

This month has been a great one for new perfume launches, and Commodity's latest drop is a must-smell if you love fruity fragrances. Imagine a punnet of the most delicious and dewy strawberries and mouthwatering raspberries whizzed into a juicy pulp with rhubarb, jammy rose and floral cyclamen, drizzled with a warm, amber base. It's the scent of summer. As with all of Commodity's amazing scents, they come in three intensities: Personal, Expressive and Bold. Each progressively has a stronger projection, so you can choose whether your scent is only noticeable to you or leaves a trail behind you that will have everyone asking how you smell so good.

I've always been fascinated with how Nordic women achieve their famously amazing complexions. Thankfully, Nordic brand Lumene has allowed me to borrow the glow with its CC cream, which both evens the skin while imparting glow with its supercharged skincare ingredients of Nordic lingonberry seed oil and Arctic spring water. The cream texture melts into the skin to deliver a dewy and fresh-faced glow and a sheer veil of colour to lend coverage without masking the skin. The addition of SPF 20 acts as a extra line of defence, too. This will be a mainstay in my beauty bag for summer and beyond.

Key Notes: Lemon, mandarin, orange, rose, jasmine, ylang-ylang, vetiver, cedar, musk

Let's just take a moment for the objet d'art that is Chanel's N°5 L'eau, housed in this limited edition water droplet-shaped bottle that you'll have no doubt seen this all over social media. A must for any beauty collector, the N°5 L'eau scent has the DNA of Chanel's world-famous N°5, but in a lighter, fresher take with citrus, rose and musk that was imagined in 2016. It's the cool, younger sister to the iconic N°5 original (you might recall the interview in which Marilyn Monroe said she wore just a drop of Chanel N°5 to bed, which the bottle appears to give a historical nod to). This pebble-shaped bottle makes it feel even more special, to wear, to hold and to treasure.

Hailey Bieber has spoiled us with not one, but two new launches this month. The first being her much anticipated Pocket Blush—which she has been teasing for a while with her perfectly flushed cheeks on her IG—but also corresponding Peptide Lip Treatments in complimenting hues so you can match your lips and blush—so cute! There are six blush and four new lip shades to choose from, but my favourite has to be this coral-duo in Spicy Marg and Guava Spritz. Not just for the fun shade names, but these creamy and pigmented blush sticks leave a dewy and pretty flush to cheeks that's so easy to apply and sure to become a summer makeup staple. If you want to go all out, you can even get the matching phone case in your favourite colour too. I'm totally obsessed.

Raise a hand if you've been personally victimised by pollen, because same. Thankfully, these UKLash Hydra-Gel Eye Patches have been a total life saver on days when I've woken up with irritated, puffy eyes. I like to pop them in the fridge for instant cooling relief in the evenings and I've really noticed how they've hydrated and plumped the dehydration lines around my eye area. I've been using them before makeup and I've noticed a big difference in how my makeup sits on top—it's smoother, creases less and lasts way better. They're infused with hyaluronic acid, as well as caffeine which helps to reduce dark circles and puffiness. I'm recommending them to everyone.

Key Notes: Orange oil, ocean breeze accord, dragon fruit, Baltic amber, musk, orange blossom, sampaguita, tuberose

I was given a top-secret sample of this prior to the launch, and had a hard time keeping schtum about it. Ouai's fans have been collectively begging the brand for its tropical island-scented St Barts body range in fragrance form. It's finally here in a Hair & Body Mist and I just know its going to fly. In case you're not familiar with the hype around St Barts, imagine a far-flung island in the tropics where you're sitting under the dappled light of a palm tree, sipping a pina colada as an oceanic breeze wafts through your hair. It's a one way ticket to a holiday with every spritz.

I recently discovered this tinted SPF and it was love at first application. I love a dewy finish with my base products, and this leaves a radiant finish to the skin that lightly conceals, yet still lets freckles and your natural skin shine through. It's truly like a second skin, but with the benefit of SPF 40 and tonnes of skincare ingredients to nourish your skin as you wear it, including hydrating hyaluronic acid, vitamins C and E for antioxidant protection, microalgae to firm the skin and a trio of polyphenols, phospholipids and AHAs to leave skin radiant. It really does improve your complexion as your wear it.

If you know and love Clinique's iconic Black Honey lipstick, then you must try the new lip oil in the same much loved shade. The magic of Black Honey is that it suits everyone, and now we can enjoy it as a glossy lacquer on the lips in the form of a lip oil. You can also wear it on the cheeks for a dewy flush. It's very moisturising yet isn't sticky to wear at all—I'm layering mine with the OG Black Honey Lipstick for a bolder look for the evenings.

Key Notes: Prickly pear, bergamot, jasmine, iris
I've lost count of the number of times people have complimented my scent when I've worn this over the past month. Diptyque's Ilio scent (which means 'sun' in Greek) is released each summer in a limited edition bottle alongside a matching hair mist as part of its summer collection, and its a sure-fire way to generate compliments. It smells like a Mediterranean escape and sunkissed skin fresh from a dip in turquoise waters. I personally adore the eau de toilette, but the hair mist is a great alternative to try it at a more affordable price point. Plus, scent always clings longer in the hair and its often what people smell when you hug them, so it's a worthwhile investment.

At this time of the year I'm often asked what SPFs are great for summer, and Elemis's latest launch is top of the list. Grace Lindsay, our junior beauty editor, and I have been seriously impressed with this formula, which is very moisturising (just like the OG Pro-Collagen moisturiser formula we all know and love) but also sinks in to a non-greasy finish that wears really well underneath makeup. Boasting SPF 50 and an invisible finish on the skin, this is a sunscreen that you'll actually enjoy using throughout summer and beyond.

Chanel's new scent Comète (part of the house's Les Exclusifs De Chanel fragrances) is both breathtaking and steeped in Chanel history. Gabrielle Chanel herself was superstitious and known to love astrology (she was a Leo, FYI). So, when it came to designing her first jewellery collection she looked to the stars for inspiration. One of the pieces featured a necklace in the swooping shape of a shooting star that sits close to the skin and is covered in diamonds. This formed the inspiration for the perfume, which is inspired by stardust and gives a nod to the form-fitting necklace with skin-like musk. It's powdery, sparkling, complex and so, so beautiful when it mingles with your own skin chemistry. Expect heliptrope, powdery iris, cherry blossom accord and smooth musky base. Although a skin scent, don't doubt it's projection and longevity—the dry-down lingers for hours on end of the skin and has gotten me noticed whenever I've worn it. In fact, the first day I tested this perfume I sprayed it in one room and hours later, I re-entered and could still smell the sparkling scent lingering in the air—quite literally olfactory stardust.

I've reviewed Commodity perfumes previously and I'm a big fan of its concept, which allows you to choose each of its scents in varying strengths (Personal, Expressive and Bold) depending how far or close you want you perfume to project. My personal favourite is Milk Expressive (the brand's bestseller), which smells like a cold splash of milk, warm, toasted marshmallow and smooth mahogany wood. It's honestly addictive and brings me compliments whenever I wear it. The brand now has these custom sets where you can try any two of Commodity's scents in 30ml size, with a £23 saving. I'll be topping up on Milk Expressive and also giving Milk Bold a try too.

There are now a lot of hair growth serums out there, but this one has some very impressive before and afters to back up its claims, with reviewers seeing visible hair regrowth and less hair loss after three months. Having experienced some thinning around my temples, I'm excited to give this formula a try, which contains clinically proven ingredients to help foster hair growth, including AnaGain (pea sprout extract), turmeric and lemon fruit water all in a lightweight gel formula that sinks in quickly without leaving a greasy residue. You'll need to be consistant with it to see and maintain the results, but this is one of the more affordable hair growth serums I've seen around that actually works.

Dr Barbara Sturm's iconic Glow Drops were so popular with her patients that they begged her to create a moisturiser with the same light reflecting pearl pigments that give the skin a healthy-looking glow. And here it is! Not only does it impart instant radiance, but it also comes with a roster of ingredients that will boost your skin in the longterm, too. Bistorta root extract helps to boost skin radiance while plumping fine lines, purslane extract works as a powerful antioxidant to shield the skin from oxidative damage. It's luxuriously rich and nourishing, making it ideal for those with dry and sensitive skin that want both an immediate glow with longterm benefits.

On the topic of glow, I've really enjoyed using this makeup primer lately. There is zero shimmer or glitter here, just a subtle bronze pearl in a lightweight gel texture that sinks in while leaving your complexion both glowing and nourished. The beauty of it is that you can use it alone for a healthy glow, underneath makeup for a lit-from-within radiance or mixed with your moisturiser on those days when you don't want to wear makeup but would like luminosity. I also like to apply it to my cheekbones and collarbones for extra radiance now the weather is warming up.

I haven't been *this* excited about a lip liner in a long time, but Kosas has designed what I consider to be the perfect one. It has a retractable nib, but someone clever at Kosas acknowledged the problem that you can't always get a crisp line with these, and at the other end of the pencil is a pop-out sharpener which sharpens the liner to a sharp point. Genius! Also inside the end cap is a lip brush for you to diffuse your lip liner, apply gloss or clean up the lip line. As for the formula itself, it's creamy, hydrating (thank you, hyaluronic acid) and glides on easily to a creamy finish that isn't drying or drags on the lips, yet it has a grippy-ness to it that hold onto whatever else you apply on top—it looks great worn alone or paired with a gloss or lip oil. I'll be carrying this in my bag for top-ups forever more.

It's been a great month for lip launches, and I've been raving about this lip balm (which now has a new range of shades in neutral, cafe-inspired tones) to anyone that will listen. I have long had chronically dry and sensitive lips, and this is one of the few tinted lip balms that doesn't make matters worse. It's actually very nourishing and plumping, leaving lips pillowy soft long after the gloss has worn off. I've been wearing the shade Chai, a warm brown, which is so glossy and bridges the gap between a hydrating lip balm and lip colour. There are a range of shades to choose from, from deep berry and plum to every shade of pink and brown you could want.

Forgive me, it's another lip balm—but this one serves a very different purpose to the above and equally deserves recognition. If you're after more of a satin-finish with your tinted lip balm as opposed to a glossy lacquer, this collaboration with film director and screenwriter Sofia Coppola will tick the box. Coming in three very wearable tints (including a deep pink, coral and plum), these deliver a wash of colour to the lips that can be layered for more intensity. I like to swipe on a layer and pat in with my fingers for a blurred finish. As the balm wears off you're still left with a pretty stain that lasts really well, so it's ideal if you're low-maintenance with your lip products—no need to top up here. It's also very nourishing with Augustinus Bader's hero ingredient, TFC8, a blend of amino acids, peptides and antioxidants that help to leave lips soft and plumped too.

I've been in my cream blusher era of late, but Dior has reminded me just how good its powder blushers are with an extension of new shades in it's TikTok-viral Rosy Glow blushers. It now comes in Poppy Coral (featured here), Bronzed Glow and Pink Lilac, which give the skin a healthy flush of colour and also react to your skin's pH to give you a natural tint of colour too. They're really pigmented, so you only need to dab your brush into the palette to get a natural-looking veil of colour, but you can easily dial up the intensity for a bolder effect. The new shades are also available in the much-loved Lip Glow Oils, Lip Glow balm and li-plumping Maximiser gloss, which feature the same pH technology to give you a lasting tint of colour to your lips too—so fun for summer.

I don't usually recommend sleep supplements, as good 'sleep hygiene' is often recommended by experts instead to boost the quality of your sleep (i.e., not scrolling on TikTok or doomscrolling through an overflowing inbox). In other words, taking a supplement alone won't cancel out bad habits that often lead to us being tired and groggy, even if we get a decent amount of hours' sleep. That being said, I've been having notably better sleep since taking these. They're expensive (if you take two a night, a jar will last a month) but haven taken two each night before I go to bed, I really notice that my sleep quality is much better and I feel more rested come morning. If you want to kickstart some better shut eye, these neutraceutical supplements are a great option to try.

Key Notes: Aldehydes, rose, violet, orange blossom, peach, vanilla, sandalwood, frankincense, musks

Let me tell you, this scent floored me. I love a clean-smelling scent and this Acne Studios x Frédéric Malle collaboration smells like the most luxurious laundry detergent—think slipping on a fuzzy mohair jumper that has been freshly laundered and dried on the line on a sunny day. Its cosy soapiness paves way to violet, rose and orange blossom, underpinned with a musky, sandalwood base. A few hours after spraying, my boyfriend even commented on how nice this smells—a testament to its longevity on the skin which will follow you around all day long.

I've made a pact with myself to make my morning and evening routines into a mindful ritual (rather than hitting snooze on my alarm and doom scrolling on TikTok) and generally being more mindful of those moment when I'm stressed and I reach for sugar on autopilot. And this aromatherapy mist is just what I've been missing to help energise my mind and body before I start the day and help soothe the nervous system. I've long been a big believer in the transformative power of aromatherapy, and the zesty Mediterranean bergamot, sweet orange, lemon, eucalyptus and cooling mint are like a shot of sunshine and motivation to keep my mood and energy up, signalling the beginning and end of my working day as I close my laptop. I also love to mist it throughout the day for a quick pick-me-up when I'm feeling stressed or sluggish in the afternoon.

After catching that flu-y cold that's been making the rounds and battling pollen season, my skin—and my eyes, in particular—have been in need of some life. Dr Barbara Sturm's new Everything Eye Patches couldn;'t have launched at a better time to help soothe puffiness, hydrate and improve the look of dark circles in one fell swoop. They are so incredibly hydrating and nourishing, which make them great for sensitive skin like mine. I've noticed my allergy-induced puffiness improve, and the dehydration lines—that don't seem to disappear no matter how much water I drink—look plumped out and smoother. If you want to invest in something a little luxurious this month, these chic eye masks won't go amiss on your bathroom shelf.

My bleached ends have been looking rather dull and lacking in shine. My hair is also quite coarse in places, so getting that enviable glass like shine that you see in hair adverts has long been a struggle since using more colour and heat on my hair. Incredibly, this has transformed my hair with a real mirror-like shine. The range includes a four-step system of shampoo, conditioner, treatment and a serum, but this is the heavy-lifer of the bunch. If you only buy one thing from the range, make it this one as it's the real workhorse of the routine. It's left my hair so silky and soft with an glassy shine, and at this price point, I'll definitely be repurchasing.

I'm always telling my friend's that we need to be wearing SPF year-round, not just on sunny days, and the most common response is that SPFs are sticky and leave a ghostly white cast. Luckily, Glossier has reformulated its iconic Invisible Shield, which has always been amazing, but now has a SPF 50 rating in the same much-loved formula that is truly invisible on the skin—there is zero white cast here—and I've been recommending it to everyone. The transparent gel texture has a velvety feel which smooths over the skin, making your skin look like butter worn alone, but it acts as a great primer for makeup too. Now we have no excuses not to wear it.

Glossier has also partnered with Black Girl Fest, a programme that offers Black beauty entrepreneurs the opportunity to bolster their personal and professional growth alongside financial support to help build their businesses. Five grantees are also given the opportunity to network within the beauty industry alongside mentoring and guidance from industry experts. If you're interested, or know someone who is, the deadline for applications is 10th May.

If you love nutritionist Emily English's gut-boosting TikTok recipes just as much as I do, you'll want to know about her new supplement brand, Epetōme, which is seriously impressive. I'll admit, it's on the investment end among the spectrum of gut health probiotics but I know I'm going to be buying more of these. It features clinically trialled strains of bacteria which actually work—and reach the gut alive, unlike some supplements. After taking them for three weeks, I've noticed great improvements to my digestion and overall wellbeing, with fewer gut issues and reduced bloating. Of course, these need to be taken in tandem with a varied diet for them probiotics to flourish, but it's really spurred me on to eat a wider variety of foods into my diet.

When it comes to base products, I will always trust legendary celebrity makeup artist, Lisa Eldridge. I love her philosophy that we don't need to plaster skin in foundation. When I spoke to her for The Glowdown, she said she advocates for applying a little bit of makeup, just where you need it, which is why I love her skin tint. It gives a sheer veil of coverage while letting your natural skin shines through. It disguises redness and blemishes, but still lets your natural features such as freckles peak through. Its serum-like texture easily blends into the skin with a lightweight, second-skin feeling that looks and feels undetectable. It's hydrating with a radiant finish, which lends itself well to work with all skin types.

I've not yet met an Hourglass product that I don't like, so I'm not surprised that this new pressed powder is a game-changer too. As someone with an oily T-zone, finding a powder that doesn't look cakey after a few hours of wear is tricky. This somehow manages to mitigiate shiny situations while simultaneously setting my makeup and blurring over pores for a flawless finish. I also love that this compact comes with a powder puff for top-ups on the go—and no makeup bag explosions that might come from a loose powder. I've been using the translucent shade, but it also comes in Light, Medium, Tan and Deep shades if you want more coverage from your powder.

You might be thinking that these look a little similar to a more expensive brand, and you'd be correct. These bronzing drops really do give an amazing sun-kissed glow to the skin, whether you choose to wear it on bare skin, mixed in with moisturiser or SPF or even with foundation for a touch of colour. I've been using the Pure Gold shade (it also comes in Copper Gold for deeper complexions and Rose Gold for fair skin) mixed in with my SPF on the days I don't want a full face of makeup, but need a little glow and radiance. It looks dark coming out of the nozzle, but it blends out to a sheer bronze finish that will have people asking if yo;;ve been away. And at £12, it would ne rude to not try them.

I'm so relieved Ouai launched this, because during this transitional weather that swings from spring to winter within an hour, I've been at loss at what to do with my hair during this frizz-inducing weather. Used on towel-dried hair, this cream smooths hair and I've really noticed less flyaways around my crown when I use this and blow dry my hair smooth at the roots. I'm left with silky smooth and bouncy hair without a flyaway in sight. Thank you for your service, Ouai.

If you know me, you'll know that Supergoop! Glowscreen is my ride-or-die tinted SPF for a lit-from within glow with zero shimmer or glitter. I love it so much for a 'no makeup' look that I've since put friends and colleagues onto it too. It was previously only available in one flexible shade in the UK, but Supergoop! has now launched three new additional shades that can stretch to suit all different skin tones. The original shade, Sunrise, is a golden champagne hue that works well on light skin; Dawn has a pink pearl finish that's great for fair skin; Golden Hour has a bronze glow that blends perfectly on medium and tan skin tones; and Sunset leaves a luminous glow on deep complexions. I'll never stop raving about this SPF.

Our junior beauty editor Grace Lindsay has been raving about these Milk Makeup Cooling Water Jelly Tints and I have to agree, they're so much fun. The TikTok-viral twist-up lip and cheek stick reveals a wobbly middle that jiggles just like jelly, and imparts a popsicle-like stain to lips and cheeks. A word of caution—they're seriously long-wearing, so once you apply these, they're not going anywhere for the rest of the day, making them great if you often find your blusher disappearing, or prefer a stain finish that melts into the skin. There are four shades to choose from, including Spritz, a pink coral which is my personal favourite; Burst, a juicy pink hue, Chill; a vibrant red and Splash, a deep blackberry shade. Nab them while they're still in stock.

I could well be a little biased as a Beyoncé fan, but, I'm really enjoying using the products from her new hair line, Cécred, which caters to all hair types and forges together science with generational hair ingredients and rituals. Having tested some of the products over the past couple of weeks, my recommended pick is the Nourishing Hair Oil. It has multiple uses, from sealing in moisture and adding shine to making hair feel more manageable. Much of the range is scented with Cécred's signature fragrance, temple oud, which I can only describe as the most luxuriously floral oud I've tried, leaving hair lightly scented and noticeable with every swish (if you're reading Bey, please bring this out as a hair perfume too). It has a cocktail of 13 nourishing oils, making it great for those with medium, thick and textured hair types that require extra hydration and lustre in their routine.

I'm well aware of the eye-watering price tag with this device, but, it does combine microcurrent (AKA electrical muscle stimulation), LED and radiofrequency—all brilliant modalities that you'll often see in clinics to sculpt, brighten and tighten the skin.

Having tested it for a couple of weeks, I'm seeing some great results and unlike some other facial gadgets, it's not at all cumbersome —I actually want to use this. It features a couple of different settings so you can target concerns most suited to your skin, and you can use it with any water-based serums in your routine (no having to purchase a branded formula here). It's recommended to use every other day, and with just a three minute-treatment on each area, so it's easy enough to fit into a skincare routine.

I've been making use of all the settings and have seen the LED helping my skin look more even-toned, while the radiofrequency helps to heat and contract collagen fibres for firmer and plumper skin with use. The microcurrent takes some getting used to if you haven't tried it before. As it targets the muscles with a painless electrical current, you do get some involuntary lip twitches (which made for some great Whatsapp group chat content) as it gets to work to lift the muscles for a temporary sculpted effect if you're getting ready for a special occasion.

Loved by celebrity makeup artists and beauty lovers alike, Chanel's Baume Essentiel highlighting sticks have become a modern icon for imparting a dewy glow to the skin, so much so that you have to move fast if you see them in stock. For Spring/Summer, Chanel has launched a new shade, Mermaid Glow, which has subtle specks of pink and gold shimmer. And it's so incredibly pretty. Apply it on cheekbones, on eyelids or on the lips for a touch of dewy shimmer.

If shine is a hair goal, then try Redken's latest treatment, which adds serious mirror and lustre with some clever science that actually works. It's part of a 4-step treatment of shampoo, gloss, conditioner and a heat protector that helps to bring hair to the sweet spot of the pH scale. When hair is damaged and compromised, it leans more alkaline, but this treatment helps to make your hair more acidic, which is key to unlocking shine and smoothness. Having thick and frizzy hair that's had it's fair share of heat and colour damage, my hair is often dull and lacklustre but this has delivered some brilliant gloss to my lengths. It can also be used on hair that hasn't been coloured for additional shine, or as a top-up to coloured hair to help keep your hair colour looking glossy in between salon appointments.

I received a lab sample of this launch back in January, and I've been dying for it to launch ever since so that I can finally talk about it. It's a tinted gel cream that lends lightweight coverage with a helping hand of hydration that floods skin with moisture to make your complexion look vibrant and dewy. It becomes at one with your skin as opposed to some glowing foundation bases that sit on the skin. It's the perfect skin-perfecting tint that will see you through the spring and summer months. The first time I wore this, I had someone tell me my skin looked great—so this is a keeper.

Speaking of glow, L'Oréal Paris' new Lumi Glotion has also been another MVP for adding radiance into my makeup bag this month. The luminous, subtly tinted formula adds a pearlescent sheen to the skin that can be worn alone, mixed with foundation or used on cheekbones as a highlighter. And at just £12, it's very hard-working multipurpose product I'll be reaching a lot for over the coming months. It comes in four flexible shades and is infused with moisture-drawing glycerin and nourishing shea butter, which makes this formula particularly great for those with dry or dehydrated skin. It dries down quickly into a non-greasy finish, making it perfect for morning when you just want no fuss on the makeup front.

Perhaps it's because my thirties are soon approaching, but my eye area needs some extra attention right now. Following in the success of Summer Fridays iconic Jet Lag Mask comes the Jet Lag Overnight Eye Serum, which contains all the good stuff the eye area needs to look rested and refreshed. Retinol and retinyl linoleate (a plant-based vitamin A) help to plump fine lines, hydration glycerin and soothing ceramides, while licorice helps to diffuse puffy under eye situations. It's guaranteed eight hours of sleep in a luxe serum texture.

I've long loved Korean brand Erborian's formulas—it's BB and CC creams are iconic—and now there is a matching BB concealer joining into the mix. This concealer has a serum-like texture, which not only melts into the skin, but delivers coverage alongside niacinamide and ginseng, which are great ingredients if you're looking to address dark circles. It has a satin finish that hydrates the eye area without slipping and sliding into fine lines. It's a dreamy formula that looks undetectable on the skin.

I've been so excited to write about this mask because let me tell you, my skin drinks it up. This is an incredible treatment to try if you want to flood your skin with moisture whilst gently exfoliating. Despite only needing to be left on for five minutes, the gel formula quenches the skin and leaves my complexion so incredibly glowy, softening any texture and plumping fine lines in its wake. That will be down to exfoliating alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs) and red camelia. The flower is an iconic motif of Chanel, and it harnesses some impressive benefits for the skin too. It's exactly what my skin has been craving during these winter months—I've been using this religiously.

Hailey Bieber has been teasing a new product over the past month, and I was lucky enough to get my hands on a lab sample ahead of its launch on 25 January. This is Rhode's first cleanser, which was four years in the making, and I can confirm it's a goodie. It's a balm-gel formula (in a satisfying yellow hue) with pineapple enzymes to very gently exfoliate, polyglutamic acid to lock in moisture and green tea extract to soothe. On contact with water, it gently foams, making it ideal as a second cleanse after you've removed makeup and SPF. My skin is sensitive yet oily during the winter months, so I like that this doesn't irritate but still provides a gentle exfoliation via the enzymes to help leave my skin bright and clear yet hydrated and glowy.

CeraVe has a few products that are only available in the U.S., so I practically screamed when I found out that this product was coming to the UK this month. This tube of ointment has amazing reviews and can be used in so many ways. It's packed with hyaluronic acid and ceramides, and the long-lasting formula means its great for shielding chapped lips against bracing winter wind or adding hydration and nourishment anywhere you need it. I'm prone to eczema on my hands in the winter and I've been applying this as a protective shield. The fact that it's only £11 makes me love it even more.

In my opinion, L'Oreal Paris mascaras are unmatched. The newest launch, Panorama, has quickly become my new favourite. Featuring a flexible, conical brush with lots of bristles, this mascara manages to capture even the smallest lashes and stretch them to their full potential. It gives a fanned-out effect with impressive lengthening, volumising and hold. My lashes are stubbornly straight and yet this manages to make them hold a curl well. It also leaves a silky coating on the lashes, which can easily be layered without any clumping if you prefer a false-lash effect. I'm tipping this to the next big mascara of 2024.

Everyone adores the Summer Fridays lip balms, so you can imagine the excitement when I found out that the brand was launching lip oils. As a beauty editor who has tried every lip oil going, these have quickly become my favourite. Available in four considered shades, the buttery soft oil leaves a tint of colour that hydrates and adds a glossy sheen. My favourite shade is Rosewood, a deep red-brown that imparts a moody tint to the lips.

Trust Maison Francis Kurkdjian to make me look forward to doing my laundry. The perfume house has launched a laundry detergent and softener in its beautiful Aqua Universalis scent, along with a fragranced linen mist. They are both a fragrance lover's dream for scenting every part of your life in the soapy, ultra-fresh scent, but the linen mist is my favourite as it can be used in so many ways; on freshly laundered clothes or bed linen before storing them or making the bed, or to simply give a room a breath of fresh air by spritzing onto bedding or upholstery. With 200ml worth of scent, it's a more affordable entry into the brand if you don't want to fork out for the eau de parfum (at over £300 for the 200ml bottle size equivalent)—it basically doubles up as a perfume too. 

These lip and cheek balms from Chanel have been so popular that they've been selling out. Worn by everyone from Margot Robbie to Sofia Richie Grainge, they've reached icon status. Thankfully, Chanel has treated us to three new shades in the dewy blushes: Ardent Brick, Vibrant Coral and Purple Energy. My favourite is Ardent Brick, a terracotta hue that adds a healthy flush to cheeks with a dewy sheen. It's also great to pat onto lips for a quick French-girl flush of colour. If the OG shades are anything to go by, these new shades are going to fly. So if you want in, I'd move fast before these inevitably sell out.

I've long been a fan of Jo Malone's cologne intense collection (Myrrh & Tonka is my ride or die), and the latest addition, Red Hibiscus, is absolutely worth smelling if you enjoy stronger, long-lasting scents. I'd describe it as a moody solar floral, which centres around deep red hibiscus nestled amongst a tropical rainforest. Tempered with jasmine sambac, ylang ylang and vanilla, it creates a mysterious fragrance that unfurls on the skin. I'm obsessed.

In my opinion, a lot of eye creams are overpriced. This is why I'm impressed with Glossier's latest launch, coming in at a reasonable £28 and with a number of ingredients that are actually proven to address dark circles, puffiness and fine lines around the eyes. The lightweight gel-cream texture melts in quickly, leaving the skin hydrated and plumped whilst the addition of white hawthorn and jasmine flower work in tandem to boost microcirculation and address hyperpigmentation around the eyes, which are two culprits behind dark circles. Meanwhile, niacinamide and arctic micro algae help to de-puff the eye area for a wide-awake effect. It's a brilliant eye cream for day-to-day.

In case you didn't know, Shani Darden is the facialist behind the complexions of Rosie Huntington-Whiteley and Emily Ratajkowski, and her skincare line is seriously impressive. At this point, I practically trust this woman with my life. The latest launch, Moisture Boost Plumping Serum, has been working wonders for my skin. A brilliant all-round hydrator, it floods my skin with moisture whilst plumping, leaving it looking radiant and bouncy.

Key Notes: Angelica, sweet lemon essence, petitgrain, neroli, ambrette butter and orris butter.Okay, wow. I was obsessed at first smell. The citrusy scent of neroli is given a creamy ambrette treatment that results in a smooth, musky dry-down of powdery orris. It's one of those fragrances that comes alive throughout the day, radiating wafts of refreshing neroli and skin-like ambrette that cling closely to knitwear. It's also available in a travel-sized vial, as well as body milk, body oil and some very covetable hand soaps. This is just as well, as I want to smell like this from head to toe. This might be one of my favourite perfumes of the year.

The latest flavour of Rhode's Peptide Lip Tint is Jelly Bean, which is just as delicious as you'd expect, plus the sheer pink lip balm is infused with subtle sparkles that make lips look radiant and plump. I love the hydrating formulas of these balms on their own, but the addition of sparkles is a great option if you want something a bit more special for party season, whether worn alone or layered with lip liner, à la Hailey Bieber. The scent is really nostalgic and fun—it would make a great stocking filler.

I take festive candle research very, very seriously. But I've concluded that the Jo Loves Christmas Trees candle is the most realistic-smelling candle form of pine trees. It has a greenness that smells exactly like choosing your Christmas tree, or the sweet pine sap that fills the cold air on a winter walk. If you only buy one candle this month, make it this one. You won't regret it.

Behold what might just be the smartest beauty investment of 2023: the Dior Limited Edition Makeup Bag Clutch. Dior's gift set not only comes with four lipstick shades to pop in the embellished case, but you can remove the insert inside the clutch to wear it as a bag, complete with gold chain. A Dior bag and four lipsticks for £270? This is the kind of maths I can get on board with. Everyone I know is adding this to their Christmas list immediately. It's still in stock for now, so move fast if you want in.

Cream-blusher fans, you're going to want to try this. Makeup By Mario has created the silkiest one I've tried yet, which gives a radiant yet realistic flush to cheeks. It blends effortlessly and has a hydrating formula which means it wears beautifully. I've tried the shade Barely Blushing (pictured above) and it adds a subtle flush to my complexion, but the Berry Punch shade would look beautiful on deeper skin tones. These work amazingly for the "underblushing" makeup technique too.

I'm seriously impressed by this new moisturiser from Fjör, a Nordic-inspired brand based on the simplicity and minimalism of all things Scandi. This gel moisturiser is incredibly hydrating thanks to its trio of hydrolytic enzyme, Japanese bloodgrass root extract and xylitol, which work in tandem to support the skin barrier and offer long-lasting hydration. And it works. It leaves my skin plumped and silky with a matte finish—brilliant prep for makeup.

Now that gifting season is here, I couldn't not include this very chic Slip silk gift set, which includes a silk pillowcase, silk patterned scrunchie and black silk hair tie. Since sleeping on a silk pillowcase I now wake up with smoother hair, and using silk scrunchies keeps my hair up and out of the way without snagging or causing kinks. If you're buying for someone who loves luxury, you can't beat this as a present (even if it's for yourself), and it currently has a great discount on Look Fantastic.

My balayage appointment is now long overdue, and the bleach in my hair has started taking on a brassy tone. Thankfully, Virtue's new hair mask has completely transformed and revitalised my hair colour whilst I wait for my next appointment. It has brought out the blonder tones by taking the brassiness out of my lengths, leaving it looking salon-fresh once again.

If you're not one for traditional Christmas candles, I implore you to smell Diptyque's limited-edition Coton. Although part of its festive collection, it won't feel out of date come January. To me, this smells of crisp snowfall and fresh sheets—a really pretty and bright take on the heavy festive candles that are abundant at this time of the year. And Diptyque is always, always a welcome gift to a fragrance lover.

There are a lot of hair supplements out there, but I've always seen the best results with gummies (perhaps because they taste better, I'm more inclined to take them!) Champo's Pitta Hair Gummies combine the ancient wisdom of Ayurveda with modern technology to nourish hair from the inside out. I've started to see some new hair growth, so I'm looking forward to seeing full results.

I’m already utterly obsessed with Maison Francis Kurkdjian’s 724 Eau de Parfum (which smells clean and soapy, thanks to fresh notes of aldehydes, zesty bergamot and skin-like musk), so when the new body range landed on my desk, I swiftly brought it home to give it pride of place in my bathroom. The line consists of a body and hand wash, body lotion, hair perfume and body oil, and I think my favourite is the body wash. It leaves skin delicately but noticeably scented and really enhances the longevity of the eau de parfum. This would make a great present for a fragrance fan who revels in scented self-care.

Sticking with the theme of smelling clean, Jones Road’s new fragrance, Shower, captures the feeling of being freshly showered all day, and has already been flying off the shelves. I’m not surprised—it smells exactly like the feeling of stepping out of the shower. "This, for me, is the ultimate pick-me-up in the afternoon when I have to run from work to dinner. I spray on Shower, and I feel revived,” says founder Bobbi Brown. The notes include grapefruit, neroli, patchouli, sea spray and orange blossom. It’s also very reasonably priced at £39, so if you see it in stock, run.

Truly, this is one of the best mascaras I’ve tried in a long time, and I'm hard to please when it comes to mascara launches. If you have stubborn, straight lashes and wish for all-day lift, curl and fanned-out volume, this mascara will not disappoint. My lashes are long but struggle to hold a curl all day, but using this in tandem with my eyelash curler gives me the most amazing, lifted lashes that don’t flop by midday. The flexible wand features helix-shaped bristles that coat each lash in a glossy, deep black film. You only need a couple of sweeps as it gives instant volume. Everyone has been asking me if I’ve had a lash lift, but I tell them it's this mascara.

Fans of Drunk Elephant’s D-Bronzi Drops, listen up, because the new B-Goldi Drops might just be my favourite. If you want a dewy glow (without any bronze tones), these are a delight to mix into moisturiser or a skin tint, or to apply as a highlight wherever you want to add radiance. Despite alluding to gold in the name, I’d say this gives more of a subtle, tint-free radiance rather than a glitzy, golden-hued colour. It gives the skin a really healthy-looking glow and captures the light in the most beautiful way. I know when party season arrives I’ll be adding a couple of drops into my body lotion for gleaming limbs too. Our junior beauty editor Grace Lindsay is also a big fan—read her in-depth review. 

Candle season is upon us, and Susanne Kaufmann’s Balancing Candle has been melting away my stresses and fending off seasonal affective disorder as the nights draw in. This smells just like a spa; in fact, it’s inspired by the Susanne Kaufmann spa in Bezau, Austria, which is tucked amongst fresh forest pines and surrounded by mountain air. The uplifting notes of citrus, ylang ylang and lavender mingle with grounding myrrh, nutmeg, cedarwood, patchouli and vetiver, filling the room with a deeply relaxing scent. Lighting this feels like a big sigh of relief at the end of a busy day.

Refy’s cherry-red lip look has gone viral, and it's this kit that is used to create it. It includes the brand’s much-adored Lip Sculpt (which includes the lip setter, helping to lock the lip liner in place all day long) in the shade Red to line the lips, and the Tinted Lip Gloss in the same hue, which coats lips in a glossy, cherry-tinted lacquer. With a nod to the autumn makeup aesthetic, the set also includes the brand's Cream Blush in Cherry, which imparts a dewy tint of colour to cheeks, along with a compact for touch-ups. I know I’m going to be wearing this all through autumn and into party season.

Lately, I’ve been in a hair-health rut, but Gisou’s new Hair Serum has given my tired lengths a new lease of life without weighing them down. If you want to jump on the benefits that Gisou's honey-infused products bring to lacklustre lengths, but you find hair oils too heavy or have fine hair, then this launch is for you. The serum houses tiny encapsulated beads of honey that burst on contact with the hair, weightlessly imparting shine and hydration, whether used on wet hair prior to blow-drying or to refresh second-day hair.

Now the colder weather has arrived, many of us can benefit from an extra layer of hydration in our skincare routines, and Dr Jart+'s Ceramidin range is ideal for repairing and shielding the skin barrier from the cold. The Skin Barrier Serum Toner has a milky, lightweight texture that is packed with ceramides and panthenol, which sinks in instantly whilst quenching the skin. It can be used underneath your serum or moisturiser—think of this as the equivalent of a fine knit you might wear underneath a winter coat for an extra layer of comfort for the skin.

Phlur's fragrances always fly, but I tip this new Hair and Body Fragrance Mist to be a total sell-out. Both skin-like and decadently sweet, Vanilla Skin combines gourmand vanilla with creamy jasmine, before drying down into a smooth cashmere wood, sandalwood and cedarwood base. A little goes a long way and it's very long-lasting, too.

I always fall head-over-heals for anything Tatcha creates, but I think this serum stick is particularly genius. This solid serum stick is designed to top up hydration throughout the day—even over makeup—helping to address fine lines, creasing concealer or to refresh makeup without having to reapply a full face. It lends very well to those with dry skin, thanks to the addition of nourishing squalane, soothing Japanese lemon balm and Hadasei-3, Tatcha's antioxidant complex that has made the brand a go-to for celebrities and makeup artists alike.

Now is the time of year that candles come into their own, and I'm obsessed with Malin + Goetz's new candle launch, which centres around strawberry. The scent is both beautiful and completely unexpected. It's less fizzy-strawberry-sweet and more wild woodland strawberry, with woody oakmoss and cedarwood notes surrounded by creamy jasmine and bright, crisp bergamot. This will make a chic scented addition to your mantle.

Templespa's newest cleanser has given my skin the most incredible glow. In fact, I'm finding I can wear less makeup as it has helped to fade acne scarring and leftover pigmentation from the summer months. It has a gel texture that melts into a luxurious oil that draws out the day's makeup and excess oil from the skin, whilst the addition of vitamin C helps skin glow to a glass-like effect.

Junior beauty editor Grace Lindsay has convinced me to try L'Oréal Professionnel's latest launch. "I have always loved L'Oréal's leave-in masks, and the brand's newest creation might just be my favourite one yet," she says. "The first thing I noticed when using this was the scent. It smells like such an expensive perfume and really lingers in the hair, which I love. The second thing I'm obsessed with is how easy it is to use. All you have to do is apply it to the ends of your towel-dried hair and you're good to go. The mask itself works to restore strength and also protects from heat, and I can't wait to see the long-term results."

With the arrival of autumn comes many incredible fragrance launches. First up is Parfums De Marly's new Althaïr, which is a delicious yet fresh take on bourbon vanilla. Without being at all sickly sweet, the warm vanilla notes are bundled in orange blossom and bergamot before drying down into a creamy praline base with addictive musk and smokey, honeyed guaiacwood. This is a scent that will linger on your autumn knitwear beautifully throughout the season. 

Behold: the most perfect red-brown nail polish. This is part of Chanel's limited-edition autumn collection (so you'll have to move quickly to snap it up) and I've had several compliments on the autumnal hue whenever I've worn it. Brown nails are big news for 2023, and this one perfectly balances the warm undertones of red with chocolate brown, really flattering those fingertips. As with all of Chanel's nail polishes, it's ultra-glossy and very long-wearing, too.

The past month has been an excellent one for fragrance and candle launches, which includes Maison Francis Kurkdjian's latest candle, Es Cap—the perfect antidote to the numerous pumpkin-spiced candles we often see at this time of year. This candle was inspired by an isolated barn in Formentera, with a chic take on the woody fig tree and sun-parched soil. It has a fresh yet dry quality to it that reminds me of hay dried under the midday sun, which pairs well with the subtle jamminess of the fig fruit, tempered with grounding cedarwood. It fills my room with fragrance and is ideal if you're not yet ready to dive head-first into those heavier winter candles.

I've long been a fan of Ren's Evercalm range, which caters to sensitive skin and redness, and I'm equally enamoured with the new body balm. It has a silky, buttery, balm-to-oil texture that melts into the skin, giving a cocooning effect to compromised skin in the areas where it needs a little helping hand. Rich in omegas 3 and 6 as well as a number of hydrating oils, it instantly soothes irritation, softens dryness and leaves skin silky smooth and comfortable.

In what might be the chicest collaboration of the year, Byredo has partnered with Susanne Kaufmann, founder of the eponymous luxe skincare and spa brand. This perfumed roll-on is inspired by Kaufmann’s home in Bregenzerwald, Austria, and transports you to the mountainous regions of the Austrian Alps—all fresh air and green pines. Designed to be rolled onto pulse points, the green scent soothes the mind, whilst the addition of sweet fig and jasmine are bound to earn you compliments.

With the weather beginning to cool down, baths are back on the agenda, and Neom's new bath milk is the perfect way to ease into those shorter days as the evenings draw in earlier. It contains magnesium, which can be absorbed through the skin, and helps to induce a restful night's sleep, helping to soothe aching muscles and frazzled minds. The bath milk features a cocktail of skin-hydrating organic oils, and the dreamy scent of lavender, chamomile and patchouli is guaranteed to send you to the land of nod as your head hits the pillow.

And for those who are all too excited to welcome spicy, wintery scents, allow me to acquaint you with Frederic Malle Heaven Can Wait Eau de Parfum, created by perfumer Jean-Claude Ellena (who is behind many of the brand's scents, and has also created perfumes for Hermes and Cartier). This new launch features a dark yet warm blend of clove, fiery pimento, creamy ambrette and earthy carrot seed, which are given a subtle sweetness with peach and prune. It reminds me of an elevated take on carrot cake and has me constantly sniffing my wrists.

Firstly, can we have a moment for this beautiful tortoiseshell-print bottle? You'll be pleased to know that the contents is just as captivating. Perfumer and founder Jo Malone CBE was inspired by the glamour of Concours d’Elegance, an event with vintage cars, champagne and picnics on an estate gardens at sunset. Warm amber pairs with zesty lime and bergamot before drying down into a smooth patchouli and suede base. 

I'm welcoming in the new season with open arms, and that means switching up my home fragrance and ushering in some late-summer scents. Diptyque has launched three new scents of its diffuser, which is now available in Figuier, Mimosa and Fleur d'Oranger. I'm a fan of the Figuier scent, which evokes walking amongst a fig tree grove, and this reed diffuser really does fill the room. The fluted glass vessel fits perfectly into any interior, and will look chic on any mantle or side table to elevate your space. It makes a gorgeous gift for the person who has everything, too.

Every single member of the Who What Wear UK team has fallen in love with Merit. The minimalist makeup brand is ideal for those who want chic yet understated makeup that doesn't take an age to apply in the morning. Merit's new Solo Shadow is the eye shadow for people who usually hate wearing it. The cream-to-powder texture leaves a soft-matte finish that can be applied easily with fingertips or a brush for an all-over wash of colour without any fuss. I've been wearing Studio, a taupe shade, all over my lids for when I want to add a bit of warmth to my eyes, and I've been really impressed with how well it stays put throughout the day. 

Launching on 31 August is Charlotte Tilbury's Magic Water Cream. You'll have no doubt heard of the brand's iconic Magic Cream, but this new version features an ultra-hydrating formula (packed with hyaluronic acid, peptides and niacinamide) with a gel-cream texture that melts right into the skin. I can attest that it makes makeup go on like a dream. It's also ideal if you prefer a light moisturiser or just require some quality hydration if you have dehydrated skin, regardless of your skin type.