I’m a beauty editor and I’ve tried hundreds of new beauty products – these are the best
ONE of the best bits about my job as a beauty editor is getting to try products weeks, if not months, before they hit shelves.
This month has been a real blockbuster, with more brilliant beauty launches than most.
But still, they can't all be the best.
So, after thoroughly putting each new product through its paces, I've whittled it down to just five launches, and these are my absolute favourites.
THE HAIR HERO
Of everything that's landed on my desk, I have to say Typebea earns top spot.
Beauty
Created by Rita Ora and Anna Lahey – AKA the woman behind ingestible beauty brand Vida Glow – this isn’t your average celebrity launch.
The range consists of just four products – G2 Strength + Length Shampoo, G3 Strength + Length Conditioner, G4 Hydra-Gloss Treatment, and what I imagine will be the bestseller, G1 Overnight Boosting Peptide Serum – which makes navigating trying them all far easier.
Typebea Strength and Length Shampoo and Conditioner, £23 each
There are great things about each product, but I’ll start with the packaging.
The shampoo and conditioner have genius twist-up lids, which means you don’t have to fight to get to the product, there are no lids to go missing and the tight seal means that water doesn’t find its way into the formula while it’s in the shower.
Plus, the pipette on the overnight treatment is the exact amount you need, so there’s no wasted product.
Performance-wise, each one exceeded my expectations.
The shampoo and conditioner left my hair so soft and smooth that I didn’t need to follow up with a detangling spray, and the gloss treatment earned me a compliment from not one but two hairstylists when I went for a blow-dry last week.
The star of the show, however, is the peptide treatment.
It’s the first hair serum I’ve ever used that doesn’t make my hair look greasy come morning, which makes it easier to use consistently, as I’m not having to wash my hair more frequently.
Natural Collection Lengthening Mascara, £3
Natural Collection Bronzer, £3
THE MONEY-SAVING MAKE-UP
Make-up-wise, the biggest news of the month is the return of Natural Collection to Boots stores.
The much-loved budget brand has had a major glow-up, and now consists of 100 products across make-up, skincare and bodycare, all of which are £5 or less.
How To Save Money On Beauty Buys
IF your purse is feeling tighter than ever before and you're looking to save cash on your make-up routine, have you ever thought of trying out beauty dupes?
Here's five of the best recommended beauty buys that are almost identical to the posh versions, but for a fraction of the price.
FACE BASE: If you can't afford Charlotte Tilbury's £52 Magic Cream, why not try a dupe that costs just £5.49 from Superdrug?
TONE IT UP: If Drunk Elephant's £62 Protini moisturiser is out of your price range, you'll need to check out the new dupe in Home Bargains.
TINTING IT: With Fenty's 'game-changer' skin tint costing an eye-watering £29, a popular supermarket's affordable alternative might just be the thing for you.
GET COVERED: At £29 for a Tarte concealer, the new Primark dupe is much more affordable at just £3.50.
SPRAY YAY: For those wanting to smell fresh, without the price tag, Aldi's new Prada and Chloe perfume dupes cost a fraction of the price.
It’s the make-up that has impressed me most, especially Natural Collection Lengthening Mascara, which is the perfect everyday mascara.
It separates and lengthens lashes without smudging or irritating my sensitive eyes. Natural Collection Bronzer, is the best powder bronzer for the price I’ve tried in ages, and it’s great to see there are six shades for all skin tones.
Plus, while I’m not usually a lipgloss person, I’ve been reaching for Natural Collection Lip Gloss, thanks to its hydrating formula.
Glossier Strawberry Balm Dotcom, £14
THE COMEBACK BALM
The reason I don’t usually gravitate towards glosses is because lip balms and oils have me in a chokehold.
My lips are chronically dry, so they need all the moisture they can get – and this month they’ve been totally spoiled for choice.
Glossier launched Strawberry Balm Dotcom, which heralds the return of the OG formula in a new, dark-pink shade.
Byoma Liptide Lip Mask and Liptide Lip Oil, £9.99 each
Plus, skincare brand Byoma has released not one but three new lip products.
My favourite of the trio is Byoma Liptide Lip Mask, but I’ve also been very impressed by the Liptide pH Lip Oil, which sold out on launch and has already racked up millions of views on TikTok.
If you don’t want the pH-tailored tint, there’s also a clear formula – Liptide Lip Oil – so you can get the best of both worlds.
Joonbyrd Moon Swim Hydrating Body Wash, £48
THE BODY BOOSTER
At the beginning of the year, I made a commitment to take better care of the skin below my chin, and so far, it’s not been going well – but I think the launch of Joonbyrd might change things.
It’s the brainchild of leading dermatologist Dr Alexis Granite, so as much as the fun packaging and moreish scents are designed to spark joy, the science-backed formulas pack a punch, too.
READ MORE SUN STORIES
If you only buy one product, make it Joonbyrd Moon Swim Hydrating Body Wash.
Yes, it’s pricey, but it has made my mornings so much more enjoyable thanks to its hyaluronic-acid-rich formula and comforting vanilla scent.