I had a comment on my TikTok this week from someone who said they enjoyed my videos but found my reviews slightly negative.
To that, I’ll hold my hands up. My approach to ripping open a jiffy bag is always one of scepticism. I don’t care if a brand tells me this is their biggest launch of the year; I never automatically believe the sensational claims on the packaging, and I will always turn the box round to read the actual ingredients list.
However, the excitement does come after that initial test; when I first try a product and get the kind of glee that makes me curl my chubby hands into little fists and do an excited cheer.
The best new beauty launches of 2023 so far
So, to prove that I can be a beacon of positivity: here are 10 new launches that made me do exactly that.
Diptyque Papier EDT, £90
I am a sucker for a skin scent and Diptyque has finally joined the family with its new paper-inspired scent. With notes of white musks, mimosa and blonde woods, I get more warm skin than A4, unless we’re talking Smythson-quality paper.
Arkive Headcare The Reset Dry Shampoo, £12
I may be biased because Adam Reed, the man behind Arkive, is my hairdresser, but his new dry shampoo is not only a great oil absorber, but it’s also scented like a high-end perfume. In this case, tomato and rhubarb (it works, trust me).
NYX Professional Makeup Brow Glue Tinted, £7.99
I loved NYX’s original clear brow glue for giving me soap brows without the fuss and the brand’s new tinted version means I can now stick them up and fill them in – a 2-in-1 I can get behind.
Milk Makeup Sculpt Stick, £22
Yes, Milk may have given its sticks the Ozempic treatment (the new 6g size replaces its whopping 28g), but these might just be the creamiest, easiest contour sticks I’ve ever carved myself a Boy George faux jawline with.
Lisa Eldridge Gloss Embrace Lip Gloss, £20
In news that no one (especially me) ever saw coming in 2023, I’ve ditched matte lipstick, and Lisa’s formula is the perfect balance between a traditional lip gloss and a non-sticky oil. Not to mention, she has a talent for creating unique but wearable shades like ‘Rain’, which just so happens to be my personal favourite.
Sculpted by Aimee Cloud Cream, £30
Turns out Sculpted by Aimee is as good at skincare as she is at makeup. This moisturiser contains my favourite skin barrier-protecting ingredient (ceramides) and makes your skin feel exactly as the name suggests.
The Body Shop Full Orange Blossom EDP, £39
My mum’s signature scent is Diptyque’s Eau des Sens EDT, £90, John Lewis, and as soon as I sprayed this Body Shop perfume, I WhatsApped her to say I’d found the ultimate dupe’. This one is must-buy if you can’t spare £90 plus on a perfume or if you want to smell like a sun-kissed Italian holiday destination at all times.
Rare Beauty Positive Light Silky Touch Highlighter, £24
In recent years, I’ve unconsciously gone highlighter cold turkey, but of course Rare Beauty is the brand to reel me back in. I cannot emphasise how much I hate powder highlighters and their tendency to make my cheeks look like a pebble-dashed house, but these are more like a cream-powder hybrid and blend smoothly with just your fingers.
Vieve Soul Shadows, £29
I don’t know about you, but I’m over large eyeshadow palettes. Vieve’s new quads not only have beautiful colour stories, but are small enough to fit in your makeup bag and blend with literally one brush.
MAC Lash Dry Shampoo Mascara Refresher, £22
MAC just solved the final makeup dilemma with its latest release. You’ll know, if you’ve ever tried to touch up your mascara, what an impossible job it can be. The brand’s Lash Dry Shampoo, £22, MAC, acts like a topcoat, allowing you to reshape your lashes without any crustiness – and will now forever remain in my handbag. Genius.
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