So here we are at the end of March, a quarter of the way through the year, and, now that the clocks have gone back, busily straddling embracing two seasons simultaneously: it’s officially spring time but it’s happening under British Summer Time rules… either way, it’s rosé o’clock, here we come. Which, of course, means that when it comes to all things beauty we’re in the mood to lighten things up too. So here, beauty pickers, are the movers and shakers that have earned a spot on the top 10 beauty chart this month. See you after the Easter break, beauty chicks.
Swooping in to take the Number One spot with no equivocation is Guerlain, the French brand that’s almost 200 years old. It’s legendary in its fragrance, of course, but in the world of make-up, it also has one of the greatest gems: the Terracotta bronzing powder. If you’re quick, you can get your hands on one of the new, limited edition Terracotta Golden Dunes compacts created in partnership with Aït Manos, a Moroccan maison which specialises in crafting traditional ‘zelliges’ tiles. There are three patterns to choose from, all inspired by Manos’ work and each named after Moroccan deserts, each of which feel like little treasures. There’s Red Zagora, Green Agafay and Blue Dakhla, all filled with brown and light coral shades of pressed powder for more precise bronzer application. Plus, they’re refillable. Snap one up here.
We’re taking body care seriously at Number Two as we welcome Grown Alchemist to the charts with its dynamic duo including the Resurfacing Targeted Body Cleanser and Lotion. Both are designed to smooth, unclog pores and aid an all-over glow while deploying a mix of AHA and BHA acids (they can even help with Keratosis Pilaris – often described as the ‘chicken skin’ effect) and hydrate with squalene to get the job done. Both are fragranced with a mood-boosting aroma that includes bergamot, lemon, rosemary leaf, cedarwood and green herb. Get slathering before the great limb reveal commences for the year. Shop here.
Our definition is this: the new Vieve Modern Brow Definer and accompanying Brow Gel. Yes, it’s another special partnership in at Number Three with our new favourite eyebrow products ideal for giving a natural yet defined look. They’re super easy to use too: the Definer is a super thin pencil which makes it easy to deliver a realistic-looking finish with precision that comes in six natural shades. Set them in place with the clear gel which promises longwear hold but with no crunch or flaking (so no look of browdruff). It also contains a special blend of antioxidants to help to boost brow growth. We’ll never be without them again. Shop here.
We’re getting snatched and more at Number Four thanks to FaceGym and its new Pro device that works on sculpting the contours of the face and promises a lift in just five minutes flat. The Pro uses a mix of low, medium and high frequencies and offers up to ten levels so you can choose the intensity of your face workout. Clinical results over a two week period using the Pro 5 times a week are impressive: jawline definition enhanced by 51 per cent, cheek sagging by 37 per cent and fine lines and wrinkles reduced by up to 35 per cent. So, we’re here for it. Also, it’s well designed to make it more ergonomic and therefore easier to use and hug areas of the face where you’re deploying it. Think of it like a weights routine for your face. The device comes with a 100ml bottle of activator gel – secure yours here.
Let’s talk protection at Number Five, with the new and first-ever chemical sunscreen from cult skincare brand Tatcha. Say hello to The Milky Sunscreen SPF50 with a texture that feels like a very light, milky lotion and sinks straight in without leaving a white cast so it’s suitable for all skin tones. More than that, it’s packed full of hydrating ingredients including encapsulated ectoin and vitamin E which in combination, also help to repair the skin barrier, and Okinawa aloe which soothes dehydrated or stressed skin. Not just great at doing its job protecting against UVA and UVB rays, this SPF also helps to prime the skin and leave it with a glowy finish so it works well as a base for make-up. All housed in a lilac tube which is much chicer than your average sunscreen, you can shop the suncream here.
It’s time to bring the Outside-In at Number Six, which is the name of the brand-new brand from Hourglass founder Carisa Janes. It’s all about hybrid make-up, skincare and tools and centres around the idea of textures and finishes that feel lightweight and second-skin like. The star of the show (though it’s a concise show) is the Silk Serum Foundation, which – much as it sounds – offers light to medium coverage (one to two drops from the pipette dispenser for light, and three to four for medium) and delivers a finish that somehow perfects the complexion yet is also undetectable with a soft-focus finish. Skincare ingredients include niacinamide and hyaluronic acid to help even skin tone over time and boost hydration. Available in 25 shades, blend it in with your fingers or the brand’s brush which boasts a limestone composite handle and synthetic bristles. The Floral Reserve Oil meanwhile, is a blend of sweet almond, sunflower, meadowfoam, jojoba and macadamia seed oils. Non-greasy, it absorbs instantly and is meant for use before make-up. These all-vegan formulas are packaged using rice husk bio-resin instead of plastic crafted shades. Shop here.
At Number Seven it’s the chicer than chic make-up artist Gucci Westman and the new launch from her Westman Atelier brand: Hydrobalm Tinted Lipstick. It’s the latest in the nouvelle vague of lip hybrids with all the care, lightweight feel and shimmer of the sheerest of balm, not to mention buildable colour coverage so you can use it like a lipstick. Use it with just the lightest of swipes and most of the ten shades will deliver more a wash of pigment in hues that are actually wearable for most people. There really is some proper lip care included here: with special moisture-locking technology to seal in the hyaluronic acid benefits and peptides, seaweed extract and ceramides that help to smooth and possibly plump too, all housed in refillable pale blue cases. Read our lips: this is a new spring and summertime essential. Shop here.
Continuing to get excited about the sunnier season being upon is Number Eight wherein we welcome Dedcool to the charts with the latest fragrance creation in its milk themed line: Mineral Milk. If you talk notes, then it’s about amber milk, Virginia cedar, ocean air, marine salt and Australian sandalwood. But to get the sense of this, just think beaches, sand, sunshine and carefree vibes all mingled and entwined like seaweed through a prism of grains of sand stuck to half-used tubes of sunscreen. Designed to be layered or worn alone, here comes the sun in spritzable form. Shop here.
We’re ‘crazy in love’ with our hair styling with this month’s Number Nine and Cécred, aka the hair product line created by none other than Beyoncé Knowles-Carter. Following on from the care range, a new collection of styling products is here, all very much inspired by the brands lead global stylist Neal Farinah who has collaborated with Beyoncé for more than two decades. All of the collection comes with 450 degrees Fahrenheit heat protection and humidity resistance built in. We love the Thermal Shield Mist which promises 94 per cent less frizz post your blow dry and the Heat Activator Silk Glaze for a glass finish. All come with the brand’s signature Temple Oud fragrance with vetiver, sandalwood, jasmine and musk and are about a gazillion times more sophisticated than your average hair brand. Shop here.
And concluding this month’s chart in at Number Ten we have the original Hourglass and its new highlighter, Unreal Liquid Highlighter, which offers a buildable dose of luminous glow that doesn’t get metallic or too shiny – and comes with hyaluronic acid to hydrate as it highlights – available in five shades. Hourglass also grabbed our attention this month with the announcement that it signed Brit-winner Olivia Dean as global partner for its new Complexion campaign. As part of the collaboration, Dean has and will curate a series of product capsules all built around the products she loves to use both on and off stage. Get your glow here.
Top image: photography courtesy of Tatcha.
