So here we are again, beauty pickers. We’ve witnessed the summer solstice and so yes, it is officially summer – just in case you hadn’t noticed. We’ve weathered the heatwave – just about… for the time being… But now that we’re out of our heat-induced delirium, what are the beauty products that truly turned our heads in June? Well, read on to see this month’s top 10 beauty chart toppers.
Kicking things off at Number One we have Refy and its new Water Blush (there is, by the way, also an excellent bronzer to accompany it) and it’s the perfect bit of cheek colour to serve up in the summer sun: barely there sheer, weightless, but just enough colour and dewiness to add a dash of glam. It has serious K-Beauty vibes with its cushion technology and comes infused with Green Tea Water and Cerafluid to hydrate skin and feels cooling to apply (a major plus lately, and no doubt helpful again soon). This is minimal make-up at its monumental best. Available in three shades, you can shop it here.
Number Two sees the make-up maven Charlotte Tilbury back in the charts, this time with her new Exagger-Eyes Easy Eyeshadow Sticks which make eye make-up a doddle. These easy-to-glide sticks, deliver great pigment in a range of 12 universally flattering shades, and with enough playtime to create your look before it then locks in and stays in place: it has 24 hour longwear tech but doesn’t feel remotely heavy or drying. Choose from two finishes: Matte Blur for depth and definition and Satin Glow to add light and luminosity. These are fantastic little sticks of wonder that can deliver serious impact with minimal effort – and great to pack for festival season. We’re in. Hop on the bandwagon here.
Violette_Fr makes a return to the chart this month too with a very welcome addition to its already cult Balm Amour at Number Three – and this time, it’s tinted. Yes, that cult lip balm (seriously it has to be tried to be believed and it’s actually more of a treatment that also delivers the perfect gloss shine) has even had a viral moment courtesy of Barry Keoghan who reapplied it so often during an interview it was as if it had talismanic properties (which we’re not aware of but don’t want to entirely discount since it is a balm of epic proportions). But now it comes with a hint of colour in three shades: Dahlia Noir, Rose Latte and Noisette. They’re all more like a wash so even if you think one might not be for you, it actually probably is. So, you may as well just buy a bundle. Shop here.
In at Number Four is Floris London, that wonderful British heritage fragrance brand which, in case you didn’t know, also created one of Marilyn Monroe’s favourite scents: Rose Geranium. Its latest launch, Celest, is rooted in the origins of perfumery and the rituals and ceremony that often centre around the burning of resins and incense and result in a certain smokiness – though in this fragrance is a smoke that’s about reaching towards the sky and the light rather than a dark and more enfolded take. Notes include a smooth musk, a deep and dry cedarwood, some English chamomile for golden clarity, honey for sweetness, davana that brings a liqueur-like booziness, frankincense for smokiness… and the combination is gloriously warm and sensuous but with a dash of sweet to create an uplifting joy of a fragrance that has impact but doesn’t hammer people over the head. A great partner for summer evenings; secure your spritz here.
At Number Five we’re bringing a bit of relief to anyone who suffers from some of ye olde water retention. It comes in the form of Eyeam’s De-Bloat Lymphatic Body Glaze which says it works in synergy with the lymphatic system to help to boost circulation and support drainage with ingredients including green coffee, horse chestnut, fennel, grapefruit and chlorophyll. The lightweight formulation absorbs instantly and it also leaves a lovely sheen on skin. Now, we’re not saying this is so transformational that we spent the heatwave wandering round town in a swimsuit, but things were decidedly less puffy than usual. All the better to fit into your summer sandals with, my dear. Get yours here.
Moving into the second half of this month’s chart we find ourselves with a couple of hand-focussed entries. First up, at Number Six, the coolest soap for on the move that we think we’ve ever seen in our lives. Which means, of course, that Officine Universelle Buly has to be involved. Prepare to be awed by its new Pâte de Savon. It’s a soap balm which contains less water than a liquid soap and is stored in an aluminium tube (fabulously decorated in true Buly style) which can be popped in a handbag or travelling tote so you can wash your hands with style, fine fragrance, and ease wherever you find yourself whilst on the go. Simply squeeze a small amount on hands, add water, and you’ll enjoy a fine, fragranced lather. It’s available in four fragrances here.
At Number Seven, if your hands are in need of some TLC, especially in a season of festivals, travel and harsh heat, then Yorkshire-based Navy Professional – already sought after for its nailcare tools and cuticle balm – has you covered with its new Restore Salve created to rescue stressed and compromised skin. It isn’t just for hands either: keep it in your summer travel kit as an instant soother for cuticles, dry heels and elbows. The water-free formula contains shea butter, squalane, rosehip, black seed oil and vitamin E and comes in a recyclable aluminium tube. Shop here.
We’re going for bronze at Number Eight with Sisley Paris and its Phyto-Touche Illusion d’été palette. It isn’t new, in fact it’s already a beloved classic, but the gel-powder bronzer that delivers a subtle glow has had a little revamp so it’s now even better than ever. It’s enriched with skincare ingredients to help to improve skin’s appearance over time: shea oil and phytosqualane to nourish and Vitamin E to fight free radicals. And the compact now has a very glamourous brushed gold effect. So, even though it’s bronze-focused, this compact is decidedly top of the podium stuff. Get your glow here.
We’re back to talking Marilyn Monroe at Number Nine with the limited-edition make-up collection by Lisa Eldridge created in partnership with the Marilyn Monroe Estate. It’s a glorious ode to this most enduring of movie stars who created, in partnership with her make-up artist Allan ‘Whitey’ Snyder, one of the most iconic beauty looks of all time. The range, which is inspired by a more off-duty, low-key Marilyn, covers all you’d expect from shades of red-hued lipsticks and glosses, to the much sought after skincare/highlighter hybrid Elevated Glow Balm Concentrate available in two shades – Butterfly Light and High-Key Light inspired by classic Hollywood lighting techniques. It’ll definitely be loved by you, boop-boop-a-doop. Shop it here.
And at Number 10 we’re ending this month’s chart with a treatment: the new Hero Skin Signature Facial at The Organic Pharmacy. It’s seriously one of the best facials we’ve tried lately with a mix of facial massage, acupressure, a deep cleanse, a mask chosen according to your skin’s needs and a scalp massage. The end result is a seriously glowy complexion and a sculpted face that lasted for days as well as a definite uptick in general mood. Definitely one worth booking in for – and try to bolt on a little extra time in your calendar post-treatment so you can really enjoy the floatiness of vibe that you’ll enjoy afterwards. Alas, it’s currently only available at its Cadogan Gardens flagship in London but here’s hoping it’s so popular that it will be rolled out elsewhere soon. Book your treatment here.
Top image: photography courtesy of The Organic Pharmacy.
