We’re back, beauty pickers, in this very merry – and record-breakingly hot – month of May. So what have been the movers and shakers in the beauty world this month and managed to chart it in our beauty top ten? Wonder, no longer.
Very appropriately, straight in at Number One we’re falling hard for an SPF and in case you hadn’t noticed there’s a real stick shift going on in this arena. This month though, we’re all about the Dior Invisible UV Stick SPF 50. It’s chic, bien sûr, but also very practical. Apply it after skincare and/or pop it in a pocket or hand – or beach – bag and reapply over make-up throughout the day. The creamy texture is lightweight and not sticky, and it also mattifies and hydrates as it goes. Suitable for all skin types, shop yours here.
We’re keeping the sun protection theme going strong – or at least into Number Two – as we lie down and baste ourselves with Ultra Violette and its Disco Queen SPF50 Luminous Body Oil. Much as its name suggests, this delivers a really sexy shimmering finish to skin and is water resistant for two hours. It comes with a very summery scent of creamy coconut, piña colada and jasmine, and its almond oil-based formula sinks right in. But it’s a limited edition, folks, so snap it up quickly. And always remember to practice safe sun. Secure yours here.
At Number Three we’re getting green aware with the latest creation from Olfactive O: New Earth. With a base of fir balsam, oakmoss and myrrh alongside geranium and clary sage it’s a grounding-in-the-present-moment sort of a perfume – you can feel yourself centring as you sniff. But with a dash of pink peppercorn, shiso and spearmint there’s also a feeling of new shoots springing up, the chance for fresh starts and new perspectives. And who doesn’t want a spritz of that – especially when it means supporting a really special independent brand. Indulge here.
It’s grime stoppers that has us gripped at Number 4 as we go all in with the new Officine Universelle Buly balm cleanser, official name: Baume Nettoyant Superfin. As you’d expect from this brand, the packaging is major and it comes in a super stylish red aluminium tube adorned with Baroque-esque graphics. The balm itself is indeed very fine: lightwight and choc full of skin-friendly ingredients such as sesame and plum oil and kaolin for sensitive skin and a hint of an orange blossom fragrance. It’s a joy to use and it does leave skin – and conscience as this is Cosmos organic certified. – squeaky clean. Scrub up here.
We’re halfway through the May chart and we’re starting to get our bronzing in place, but starting with… nails. Yes, our Number Five spot this month is reserved for the limited edition spring-summer collection from Hermès Beauty and its Brun Hélios iridescent, copper-brown nail polish which was created by creative director Gergoris Pyrpylis and is inspired by sunset hues to lend fingertips some very poised appeal. Plus, the formula is longwear. Prepare to paint here.
Number Six sees the return of chart favourite: Westman Atelier. This time brand founder make-up artist Gucci Westman brings her natural-looking-but-better skills to her very stylish Sun Tone Bronzing Crème palettes – yes our bronze theme continues in the charts. The cream-to-powder formula has been designed to deliver a natural bronze skin finish and come in palettes of duo shades to build real dimension and help create that naturally sunlit look. And should you fancy it, there’s a swanky Blender Brush II featuring recycled synthetic bristles that’s made by artisans in Japan to use alongside. Blend here.
Gucci sweeps in to take the Number Seven slot with its new Glow Oil-in-Water Lip Tint, the perfect way to accessorise lips in the sunshine. It’s a mix of the hit of colour of a lip tint, the glow of an oil, the care of a balm and delivers a watery shine finish. All with hydrating powers, buildable colour and a choice of eight shades all housed in very stylish little ivory bottles. Swipe right here.
Hair guru David Mallett, who presides over salons in both Paris and New York, makes his first appearance as he enters the charts at Number Eight with his new Conditioning Mist housed in his signature chic black packaging. This works as both a detangler and a heat protective leave-in conditioner which also helps to boost shine, moisture and softness for hair that looks smoother, sleeker and feels more manageable. All this and it has a very elegant aroma of fresh citrus and mint too. Purchase yours here.
House of Hackney enters the world of beauty and wellness, and enters the charts too, at Number Nine with its apothecary Wonder Garden collection. Inspired by nature and herbalism, this is all about divining the ancient wisdom of plants and their properties and applying them to the everyday. From a Sun Season Elixir face oil to the accompanying drops of a botanical supplement to a bar soap, a candle and a tea blend, this range centres around the traditional herbs of linden tree, rose, verbena, chamomile and nettle which have been biodynamically grown at the home of HoH founders Frieda and Javvy in Cornwall. Herbal practitioner Harriet Coleman assisted on the project which is all about harnessing the goodness of the natural world in our everyday rituals. Immerse yourself here.
And we’re feeling very fruity as we finish this month’s chart with Bronnley reviving its lime soap at Number Ten. This soapy sibling to its classic lemon soap was first launched at the start of this millennium but discontinued a few years ago. But it isn’t just the bar that looks very much like a real lime that has us all lathered up, but the accompanying Lime Vitamin C Body Wash with a really zesty zing that includes brightening Vitamin C, lemon fruit and Yuzu peel extracts to help with a natural glow up. Feel the zest here.
Top image: photography courtesy of Bronnley.
