GHD Helios Hairdryer

The GHD Helios Hairdryer [2] (£159) is the lightest and fastest blow dryer from GHD yet. The ionic technology (developed by GHD's UK research and development lab in Cambridge) reduces frizz and flyaways, giving hair up to 30 percent more shine, all while drying the hair incredibly fast with the 2200 watt motor. "The GHD helios Hairdryer gives you the perfect flow of air when drying to create a natural fullness, stunning shine, and smoothness," says GHD ambassador Zoë Irwin, who broke out the new tool backstage at Olivia Rubin's Autumn 2020 show [3] at London Fashion Week. "It's my new kit bag essential as it's so fast and really minimises drying time, therefore limiting damage to your hair."

GHD Professional Diffuser Attachment

For those with curls, kinks, and coils, GHD has also come out with the GHD Professional Comb Nozzle [4] (£25), which helps comb through afro hair textures to create a natural blown-out style.

"I am especially impressed with its design that not only provides tension suitable for different densities of afro hair textures, but the rounded ends are brilliant for scalp comfort," said hairstylist Charlotte Mensah [5] via a press release from the brand. "I like to use the nozzle to create a sleek blow-out for my clients. My top tip is to blow dry in small sections ensuring each section is completely dry before moving onto the next. Damp hair equals frizz so, keep a water spray bottle handy to re-wet damp sections before thoroughly blowdrying. Finish with a blast of cold air to close the cuticle to reduce frizz."

Amika High Tide Deep Waver

We are so excited that the Amika High Tide Deep Waver [6] (£90) finally made its way across the pond and into the UK. When it launched, American beauty editors and influencers couldn't get enough of the multi-tong tool for its ability to create cool, relaxed-looking waves with very little effort — just keep clamping it along sections of hair from just below the roots to right above the ends. No awkward wrapping, twisting, and contorting your arms required.

Dyson Corrale Straightener

We've been waiting for a Dyson straightener since the brand dropped its Supersonic Hair Dryer back in 2018. And this month, it's finally here. The Dyson Corrale Straightener [7] (£399) has revolutionary flexible metal plates, three temperature settings, and rechargeable battery with a detachable magnetic cord that gives you the option to go cord-free if you like. After seven years of research and £25 million of investment in research and development, Dyson promises that the Corrale reduces the damage to your hair by 50 percent [8] as the flexible plates provide better distribution of force and heat every time you clamp down on a section.

Cocofloss

I never thought one could get excited by dental floss until I came across Cocofloss [9] (£7) as a beauty editor in New York. Non toxic, available in flavours like coconut, strawberry, and mint, and infused with coconut and fruit oils, not only does Cococfloss look cute, but the dentist (Dr Chrystle Cu) who created it also claims that it's better at getting rid of bacteria, too.

The secret is in the texture. A lot of traditional floss is smooth and flat. Cocofloss, on the other hand, is made from 500 interwoven filaments, which means it has more of a soft, cloth-like texture which according to Chu is really good at snatching up plaque and debris from in between your teeth. And I would have to agree. After two years of using it, I will honestly never use another floss brand again, which makes the fact that it's now available in the UK via Goop is very good news.

Strivectin

No, Strivectin it not a new brand per se. Founded in 2002, it launched in the UK a year later. However, this summer, the company announced it's relaunching its formulations on this side of the Atlantic, with plans to expand their distribution network,. That means you're going to start seeing their creams and serums on shelves — both digitally and in-store — a whole lot more in the future.

For those who are unfamiliar with the skincare brand, here's a little background. Strivectin's formulas are based around an ingredient it calls NIA-114, which is an isolated form of vitamin B3 that promises to smooth lines and strengthen and hydrate the skin. The brand has (very) thoroughly researched the ingredient (for 35 years and through 30 independent studies), and their hard work has paid off because this stuff actually works. In the US, the brand is beloved by beauty editors and dermatologists, racking up awards year after year after year. If you need some ideas on what to invest in (because yes, the products are quite spenny), we especially rate the Strivectin Intensive Eye Concentrate For Wrinkles [10] (£58), which we've been diligently slathering on since lockdown started, and noticed a significant decrease in crow's feet and crepey-ness ever since.

Starface Big Yellow Hydro-Stars Hydrocolloid Pimple Patches

Historically, when it comes to spots, we've always tried to disguise them as best as possible, whether that's by popping them (which we absolutely don't recommend but have inevitably done many times), covering them up with concealer, or, more recently, hiding them with flesh-coloured pimple patches.

Beauty-editor founded brand, Starface, with its photogenic hydrocolloid pimple patches, encourages us to do the exact opposite. The brand's Starface Big Yellow Hydro-Stars [11] (£19), which finally launched in the UK this month, are meant to be seen — and shown off — as they simultaneously absorb fluid from the spot (thereby flattening it), protect it from bacteria, and prevent you from picking it or touching it.

Simple Skincare Radiance Booster SPF 30

If you're looking for something to add to your moisturiser for extra hydration, consider the new Simple Skincare Radiance Booster SPF 30 [12] (£4). The unique formula applies like a lightweight serum but with the added benefits of SPF 30 to help protect against UVA and UVB rays.

Sun Bum

If you've never heard of Sun Bum, well, let us introduce you to your new favourite sunscreens. Started in Florida by a group of surfers, the once indie brand specialises in both chemical and physical sunscreens that are vegan, reef-friendly, paraben free, and smell like the beach in a bottle (a warm, sweet blend of coconut and bananas we'd say).

In June, Sun Bum arrived in the via Boots [13], which now stocks a few of the brand's best-sellers, including its Sunscreen Lotion (in SPF 30 and 50), SPF 30 Sunscreen Face Stick (great for kids), SPF 30 Lip Balm, and the Sun Bum SPF 30 Sunscreen Spray [14] (£18), which also comes in SPF 50 — all of which are must-tries in our opinion.

Skingredients

Skingredients is a new brand out of Ireland, the brainchild of Jenn Rock, a former aesthetician turned skin-care expert best-known as The Skin Nerd on Instagram [15]. After years of running her own online skin consultation business called the Nerd Network, Rock realised that while the skincare industry and grown exponentially, people were still confused about what to use on their skin. "People seemed demotivated," Rock told POPSUGAR. "There are lots of amazing brands out there, but zero education." So Rock set out to change that, launching Skingredients, a collection of six products with a focus on education and simplicity.

The range is broken up into the "Core 4", with each of the products numbered to denote the order in which you apply them and the smart packaging that dispenses the exact amount you need in one pump. There's the 01 PreProbiotic Cleanser, 02 Skin Veg Pre-Serum (which contains hyaluronic acid and polyhydroxy acid), 03 Skin Protein (a vitamin A and C serum), and 04 Skin Shield SPF 50 PA+++ (a gorgeous mineral-based sunscreen that we highly recommend checking out). Additionally, Rock created two "Mix + Match" products, the Sally Cleanse (a strong salicylic acid face wash) and Skin Good Fats, (a rich ceramide-laced balm), that can be incorporated into your routine if you are experiencing spots or need more hydration.

Only months after launch in Ireland, the brand's best-seller in actually the Skingredients Core 4 Bundle [16] (£127), which includes all four key products. After giving these items a test run for the past couple of weeks we'd say the set is worth checking out, whether you're confused about skin care or not.

Summer Fridays Soft Reset AHA Exfoliating Solution

The Summer Fridays Soft Reset AHA Exfoliating Solution [17] (£49) contains two of the most important ingredients when it comes to exfoliating away dead skin cells and evening out texture: alpha hydroxy acids and niacinamide. And while the formula is certainly powerful, it's also supremely gentle, even for those with sensitive, acne-prone skin. Case in point: the POPUSGAR editor who tested the solution before it launched has sensitive skin and found that she can use this chemical exfoliator every day to keep breakouts at bay — as long as she follows it up with a good moisturiser, that is.

Algenist Blue Algae Vitamin C Dark Spot Correcting Peel

From the beginning, Algenist has always been about two things: alguronic acid and using ingredients derived from algae. It took seven years, but the brand finally found a natural-yet-potent form of vitamin C (L-ascorbic acid) in the form of spirulina, which is found naturally in blue algae and. Once Algenist pinpointed and tested the ingredient — discovering that it was more potent than any other naturally-occurring sources of vitamin C such as goji berry, kakadu plum, strawberry, and camu camu extracts — they got to work formulating its first vitamin C product, the result of which is the Algenist Blue Algae Vitamin C Dark Spot Correcting Peel [18] (£80), launching in the UK on 15 Sept. exclusively on Cult Beauty.

In addition to vitamin C, the peel contains alguronic acid (which softens fine lines and promotes hydration), the brand's proprietary Triple Acid Complex (made up of low levels of alpha, beta, and poly hydroxy acids, as well as azelaic acid and tranexamic acid), and lavender and blue tansy oils (for the colour and the smell). With all of those actives, you wouldn't be wrong to think this might be superharsh. But Algenist formulated the peel in a special way — putting glycerin at the top of the ingredient list instead of water. Not only does the humectant attract water into the skin to keep it from drying out (meaning less irritation), but it also helps deliver the ingredients in a really interesting way. The ingredients in the peel will not activate until they come into contact with water, meaning you must apply this to damp skin to get it to work, then leave it on for 20 minutes before rinsing it off. All of these things — the glycerin base, the stable vitamin C that only activates when you mix it with water, and the low levels of multiple acids (versus high levels of just one) — result in a brightening and spot-fading formula that won't burn your face off.

Shiseido Expert Sun Protector Face Cream SPF50+

Shiseido has long created high-quality, effective sunscreens. Unfortunately, the creams weren't always easy to rub in, often leaving your skin with a white veil. That's not the case with the brand's new Shiseido Expert Sun Protector Face Cream SPF 50+ [19] (£32), a broad-spectrum formula that's invisible on skin, no matter how deep or fair your complexion. (Just watch beauty blogger, Nyma Tang [20], apply it on Instagram; we know the post is sponsored but there's no denying how sheer it looks on her skin.)

In addition to being sheer, the formula also features some fancy new proprietary technology from Shiseido called "SynchroShield". According to the brand, the complex actually allows the sunscreen to become stronger when exposed to heat, water, or perspiration, meaning that it should perform incredibly well in very hot, sunny weather.

BeautyStat Universal C Skin Refiner

American beauty editors have long relied on cosmetic chemist Ron Robinson and his vast knowledge of ingredients and product formulations to help with their stories (including the one writing this sentence right now). Robinson has developed products for major companies like Clinique, Estée Lauder, Revlon, Avon, and L'Oréal, and in 2019, he finally shifted gears to start his own brand called BeautyStat. The debut product? BeautyStat Universal C Skin Refiner [21] (£96), and it's officially arrived in the UK via Cult Beauty in July.

After being introduced to a new encapsulation technology that allowed him to better stabilise vitamin C (a notoriously finicky ingredient) and patenting it, Robinson was able to create a serum that contains 20 percent L-ascorbic acid that's delivered at full strength from the first to the very last drop (so the vitamin C won't degrade over time). A stabler form of the ingredient means the serum should brighten, firm, and improve skin texture better than your average vitamin C ingredient, and do all that without any irritation, even for those of us prone to sensitivity, according to the brand.

Charlotte Tilbury Magic Serum Crystal Elixir

In what might possibly be her biggest launch since the debut of her brand, Charlotte Tilbury is coming out with a serum version of her best-selling Magic Cream, called the Charlotte Tilbury Magic Serum Crystal Elixir [22] (£60).

Similar to the original cream, this ingredient-packed serum [23] promises to sit nicely under makeup and impart an immediate glowiness to your skin. The difference is that the serum promises long-term smoothing, firming, and hydrating benefits, thanks to a laundry list of hard-working ingredients like niacinimide, vitamin C (which is bound to gold microparticles to be less irritating and more effective), polyglutamic acid (a humectant derived from soybeans that the brand promises has four times the moisturising capabilities of hyaluronic acid), plant adaptogen and superfruit extracts, as well as the brand's proprietary Replexium peptide complex.

Charlotte Tilbury Magic Serum Crystal Elixir [24] (£60) launches on 16th April.

Wishful Yo Glow Enzyme Scrub

Beauty entrepreneur Huda Kattan started off the new decade with a bang by introducing the world to Wishful, her new skincare line [25]. The first product launch of the range is the The Wishful Yo Glow Enzyme Scrub, which is one-part gentle scrub, one part chemical exfoliant. Made with a base of glycerin and almond oil, the formula breaks down dead skin cells on the surface both physically and chemically: with tiny granules made from cellulose floating around in the milky base, but also with AHAs, BHAs, and pineapple and papaya enzyme-extracts in the formula. Massage it over your face and you'll be left with smoother, brighter-looking skin in minutes.

The Wishful Yo Glow Enzyme Scrub launches at UK retailers on 18 Feb.

No7 Advanced Retinol 1.5% Complex Night Concentrate

The No7 Advanced Retinol 1.5% Complex Night Concentrate [26] (£25) is a big deal for No7, as it's the brand's first product to contain retinol in a product. Sure, the Protect & Perfect line contains retinyl palmitate, but that's a weaker form of vitamin A that isn't as effective at speeding up cell turnover. This is because for retinyl palmitate to work, once it enters the skin it must be converted to retinol, which then needs to be converted into retinoic acid. If you're already starting off with retinol, it only needs to be converted into retinoic acid. "Retinol is one step closer to retinoic acid than retinyl palmitate," Dr Mike Bell, head of science research at No7, sums up nicely.

But the fact is, retinol has the downside of causing more irritation. What's so exciting about this product is what No7 paired the retinol with to make it less irritating. The 1.5% complex is made up of 0.3% retinol, the "sweet spot of retinol concentration" that Dr Bell and the scientists at the University of Manchester (who helped develop the serum) found a majority of people could tolerate during their extensive development process. The other 1.2% of the complex is what the brand calls a "retinol optimiser," a water-and-oil blend that encapsulates the retinol to both stabilise it and deliver it more efficiently through the surface layers of the skin. The formula also contains bisabolol, an ingredient derived from chamomile, to help soothe the skin, as well as Matrixyl 3000, a peptide blend that helps repair the fibril strings underneath dermis that help keep skin elastic and bouncy. "Matrixyl 3000 is our powerhouse in terms of [treating] wrinkles," says Dr Bell, "and it's the combination of the Matrixyl 3000 and the 1.5% complex that will transform the appearance of your skin."

L'Oréal Paris Revitalift Filler Hyaluronic Acid Serum

L'Oréal Paris Revitalift Filler Hyaluronic Acid Serum [27] (£25) has landed in the UK after a verysuccessful launch in the US; so successful, in fact, that, Stateside, one of these pretty dropper bottles sells every minute. The hyaluronic acid molecule retains a thousand times its weight in water, which, in turn helps to maintain moisture levels in the skin, keeping it feeling super hydrated. This serum (which you can read a full review of here [28]) has been formulated with 1.5 percent concentration, which doesn't sound like a lot, but is actually the optimum amount to hydrate the skin without causing irritation. That means this formula is unlikely to cause any unwanted side effects even in sensitive skin

Drunk Elephant F-Balm Electrolyte Waterfacial Masque

Drunk Elephant soothes your parched skin with the new overnight F-Balm Electrolyte Waterfacial Masque [29] (£44), which launches right off the bat in January. The ingredient list is jam-packed with some superhydrators like niacinamide, sodium PCA, plant squalane, five forms of ceramides, and vitamin F, which is where the product name comes from. Vitamin F isn't actually a vitamin but rather refers to the two fatty acids (linolenic and linoleic), both of which help repair and hydrate the skin.

Augustinus Bader The Cream Cleansing Gel

When Augustinus Bader collaborated with Victoria Beckham [30] last year on a couple of skin-care products for her beauty brand, it hinted at things to come from his own brand. Starting this summer, Bader finally (we've been waiting!) takes his own beauty-editor-loved range beyond moisturisers with the Augustinus Bader The Cream Cleansing Gel [31] (£50).

The lathering cleansing gel blends Bader's proprietary TFC8 ingredient (which the brand claims is made up of over 40 different ingredients including vitamins, peptides, and amino acids, and allegedly activates stem cells in your skin, encouraging them to go into healing mode) with rose flower water, cucumber extract, and aloe leaf juice. When combined, the gel helps to cleanse and tone the skin, but without compromising or over-drying the skin barrier. In fact, thanks to the cucumber and aloe leaf, it actually helps calm and soothe your skin as it washes away makeup and grime. We absolutely love how soft and pampered it leaves our skin after using it.

Dermalogica Retinol Clearing Oil

With both retinol and salicylic acid, the Dermalogica Retinol Clearing Oil [32] (£69) promises to help tackle both breakouts and premature signs of ageing, which if you're in your 30s, you know exactly what I'm talking about. The formula — meant to be applied only a night — features retinyl proprionate (a vitamin A derivative that's milder and more stable than retinol) and salicylic acid suspended in an oil base. While it might not seem it, the oil is what's important here, as the combination of argan, rosehip, and golden jojoba oils was carefully developed to mimic skin's own natural oil production, which they've found not only leads to less breakouts, but also keeps skin soothed and happy, even as the retinyl proprionate is hard at work boosting cell turnover.

Herbivore Blue Tansy Resurfacing Clarifying Mask

The Herbivore Blue Tansy Resurfacing Clarifying Mask [33] (£38) is one of the brand's best-selling products in the US, and in May, it finally comes across the pond via Cult Beauty [34]. Why's the mask so popular? The formula — using plant derived AHAs and BHAs — gently breaks down dead skin cells on the surface on your skin, while simultaneously clearing out clogged pores. The addition of blue tansy essential oil, which has anti-inflammatory properties, means you're left with skin that's clearer, smoother, and less irritated, with the added bonus of smaller-looking pores.

The Inkey List Apple Cider Vinegar Acid Peel

If nothing else, The Inkey List's Apple Cider Vinegar Acid Peel [35] (£15) is sure to have you intrigued. Launching in February, the peel is designed as a resurfacing treatment to be used weekly to help reduce breakouts and the scarring caused by breakouts.

Victoria Beckham Beauty by Augustinus Bader Cell Rejuvenating Power Serum

Beckham's first product launch of 2020 [36] marks her second time collaborating with German skincare brand Augustinus Bader. The Victoria Beckham Beauty by Augustinus Bader Cell Rejuvenating Power Serum [37] (£180) contains a mix of heavy-hitting skincare ingredients including hyaluronic acid, niacinimide, glycerin, vitamin E, and olive fruit extract, as well as Dr. Bader's proprietary TFC-8 ingredient, which the brand promises helps spring skin cells into action, resulting in a smoother, glowier, firmer, and all around more youthful-looking complexion.

Weleda Aknedoron S.O.S. Spot Treatment

Weleda's two Aknedoron products for spot-prone skin have been around for years, but in 2020, the brand is expanding the range with three new products: a gentle gel cleanser, a refining lotion, and the Weleda Aknedoron S.O.S. Spot Treatment [38] (£11), which we can't wait to add to our skincare arsenal. The entirely organic formula is made up of sulphur, willow extract, thyme essential oil, and witch hazel to help calm and reduce the appearance of spots and blackheads overnight.

Milk Makeup Vegan Milk Moisturiser

Your love (read: obsession) with nondairy milk just made its way into your beauty routine. The new Milk Makeup Vegan Milk Moisturiser [39] (£35) combines fig, oat, and argan-derived milk with grapeseed oil and squalane to make it an incredible hydrator for the chillier months.

Yves Saint Laurent Beauté Pure Shots Night Reboot Serum

At the end of the month, YSL Beauté debuts a brand new skin-care range that's all about treating "overworked skin," or in other words, skin that's dry, dull, and constantly being subjected to the dirt, grime, pollution, stress, and general lack of sleep that comes with living in a busy city like London, New York, or Paris.

The range consists of a face cream, a hydrating essence, and four serums (the "shots," which are all refillable, by the way). There's one for fighting dullness, one for smoothing fine lines and wrinkles, one for firming, and one for helping revive your complexion overnight, called the YSL Beauté Pure Shots Night Reboot Serum [40](£59). The bi-phase serum, shown here, is the star of the line and contains cactus oil, which according to the brand mimics the effects of melatonin on the skin, and 3.4-percent glycolic acid, to remove dead skin cells. Shake the bottle to mix the two phases together, slather this on before bed, and your skin will look like you actually got eight hours of sleep a night.

Pat McGrath Labs x Supreme MatteTrance Lipstick

It's quite possible that the Pat McGrath Labs x Supreme MatteTrance Lipstick [41] is not just the most exciting beauty launch of September, but potentially of all of 2020. It's also quite possible that it will also be sold out by the time you read this. The epic partnership was announced at the end of August, and the brands surprised us all with a 24-hour notice that it would be launching on 10 Sept. We got a chance to test out the bold matte red hue [42] ahead of the launch, and trust us when we say that this much-hyped makeup item will be worth every damn pound.

Il Makiage Woke Up Like This Foundation

In May, makeup brand Il Makiage comes to the UK — after two years of disrupting the digital beauty space in the United States. Launched in 2018, the brand is solely sold online and has became best known for their foundation — the Il Makiage Woke Up Like This Foundation [43] (£36), which comes in 50 shades, has sold out five times since it launched, and has accumulated over 90,000 reviews, which the brand claims makes it most-reviewed beauty product online in the US.

But it's not just the huge shade range and numerous reviews that have people excited. It's the fact that, even though you can only get it online, the brand has created an algorithm that helps you find your perfect shade without having to test it out in person. The PowerMatch quiz [44]takes 90 seconds to fill out and according to brand's co-founder, Oran Holtzman, has a 94% success rate when it comes to clients finding a perfect shade. The algorithm/quiz gets smarter the more people use it, and with 10 million users having already taken it in the US, and beauty retail shops closed all over the world, we're gonna bet your chances of finding your perfect match is quite high.

E.L.F. Luminous and Matte Putty Primers

In the U.S., E.L.F.'s original Poreless Putty Primer sold out an impressive 10 times. The unique makeup-priming balm has been described as a less expensive dupe for Tatcha's Silk Canvas Primer, which also happens to fly off the shelves quite a bit. Excitingly, for the new decade, the brand has treated us with two new versions of the much-loved product. The E.L.F. Luminous Putty Primer [45] (£8) adds hyaluronic acid and vegan collagen into the mix to keep skin hydrated and looking radiant throughout the day. The E.L.F. Matte Putty Primer [46] (£8), on the other hand, uses kaolin clay and white charcoal to keep excess oil from making you look shiny and breaking down your makeup into a cake-y, streaky mess.

Anastasia Beverly Hills Brow Pen

Anastasia Beverly Hills is a brand that was founded on brows. Founder and makeup artist Anastasia Soare groomed the arches of many a '90s supermodel, taking her expertise and transforming it into a beauty line with a collection of gorgeous brow-groomers. The new Anastasia Beverly Hills Brow Pen [47] (£23), which launched 10 Aug., is actually the second felt-tip brow pen the brand has launched, the first of which got discontinued. "We had a brow pen years ago, but the colour science and technology were not advanced enough at the time and we found the shades would oxidise," Soare told POPSUGAR. "Fast-forward to now, and we have perfected the formula and created a wide range of shades."

With nine shades, a steadfast formula, and the finest tip we've seen on a brow product, the new-and-improved ABH Brow Pen is worth investing in — especially if you have naturally sparse brows. The pen allows you to create precise, hair-like strokes that you can eventually build up to look like full, feathery arches. Just take a look at one beauty writer's mind-blowing before and after photos [48] after giving the pen a go.

Hourglass Unlocked Instant Extensions Mascara

Aside from being encased in the ultraluxurious and iconic Hourglass gold packageing, the new Hourglass Unlocked Instant Extensions Mascara [49] (£29) delivers results that are just as impressive. As the name promises, it gives eyelashes extreme length in just one coat with zero clumps. It creates a false lash effect giving the most natural finish, all thanks to the flexible wand, which catches each and every lash. It's also smudge-proof due to the film-forming technology, but comes off with just a swipe of warm water (or micellar water if you prefer). Oh, and it's vegan and cruelty-free.

The best part? 5 percent of all profits of all Hourglass Unlocked products goes to The Nonhuman Rights Project [50].

Marc Jacobs Beauty At Lash'D Lengthening & Curling Mascara

The Marc Jacobs Beauty At Lash'D Lengthening & Curling Mascara [51] (£25), is quite honestly one of the best formulas we've tried in a while. It's definitely on the more dramatic side — it adds lots of length and lots of volume — but the formula is silkier, more flexible, and lighter weight. And because the wand is slimmer and the bristles closer together, it's easier to catch and comb through every lash, resulting in zero clumps or smears while applying it.

Fenty Beauty Full Frontal Mascara

2020 was the year that Fenty Beauty [52] finally launched a mascara. The Fenty Beauty Full Frontal Mascara [53] (£21) has a long-wear, water-resistant formula and a supersmart, dual-sided flat-to-fat wand, which allows each and every lash to be coated in just a few swipes.

Pat McGrath Labs Mothership VII: Divine Rose Palette

It's been a while since Pat McGrath has treated us to a new Mothership palette, and in June, she dropped two as part of her Divine Rose collection [54]. The Pat McGrath Labs Mothership VII: Divine Rose Palette [55] (£115) features an array of soft and pretty pinks and mauves. However, this being a Pat McGrath palette, it also features a few subversive hues — like an opalescent rose that shifts and changes with the light (Iridescent Pink 003), a golden rose duo-chrome that looks like sunset in a pan (VR Venus Rose), and an ultra-shimmery pink-tinged platinum shade (Astral Solstice). If you love softer, pretty eye shadow shades, then this is the McGrath palette to invest in, while loyal PML fans will definitely want to add this into their collection.

With Ted Cosmetics by Ted Baker

In the beginning of 2020, legendary fashion designer Ted Baker made his first foray into makeup. Ted Cosmetics is a truly comprehensive makeup range that includes all of the basics — mascara, lipstick, lip liner, eye shadow quads, lip gloss, liquid liner — plus a few fun items like dual-ended shadow crayons, liquid glitter shadows, and a massive eye-and-face palette, all of which comes in packaging decked out in bespoke, art-deco-inspired designs. Our favourites of the bunch? The With Ted Regents Satin Lipsticks [56] (£22 each), which have a smooth-as-butter consistency and are loaded with pigment. Available in 10 shades, we're especially partial to Poised, an exceptionally pretty pinky-taupe that's neither too rosy nor too pale.

Face Halo X

We absolutely love a bright and bold eye makeup look, but do you know what we don't love? Taking it off. The original Face Halo pads work wonders for removing even the most stubborn makeup with just a splash of water and a swipe. However, when it comes to eye makeup, Face Halo discovered that 51 percent of British women preferred a Q-tip for removal, which isn't exactly sustainable.

That's why Face Halo X [57] (£24) was born. Simply slot your finger into these nifty little pads that are made from knitted microfibres (which essentially means they're super soft and won't cause irritation) and add water or micellar water to tackle any left-over, hard-to-reach makeup residue. Once you've used each of the pads, pop them into the cute drawstring wash bag, throw it into the wash, and reuse.

And now that face masks are a way of life, the Face Halo X can also be used as an on-the-go touch-up tool. Chloe Morello, beauty vlogger and co-owner of Face Halo, stashes one in her bag (turned inside out to keep it from getting dirty) so that she can wipe away any lipstick or foundation that's smudged whilst wearing her mask. Genius!

Larry King Liquid Hairbrush Conditioner

Following the success of his product styling range, famed London hairstylist, Larry King, has launched a hair-care range aptly named The Wash Cycle. The collection includes three shampoos and one conditioner, the Larry King Liquid Hairbrush Conditioner [58] (£42), which, in addition to moisturising the hair, also smoothes down the cuticle to help lock in moisture and reduce frizz. It also helps detangle the hair while you rinse, which means less brushing when you step out of the shower. Like all the products in the range, the conditioner is free of sulphate, silicones, and parabens, and comes in refillable glass bottles.

And with the salon closed due to the coronavirus pandemic, purchasing this or any other of King's hair products is a great way to help support the salon [59] and the workers who are unable to work at the moment.

Ouai x Byredo Super Dry Shampoo Mojave Ghost

While the rest of us were baking banana bread or hosting Zoom pub quizzes, hairstylist Jen Atkin was working hard on her dream collaboration: a hair product scented with one of Byredo's chicer-than-chic perfumes. After DM'ing Byredo founder Ben Gorham on Instagram, Atkin and the Ouai team managed to whip up the Ouai x Byredo Super Dry Shampoo Mojave Ghost [60] (£20), which may just be one of the best-smelling hair products well, ever. "It is definitely one of the best moments that we've had so far as a brand," Atkin told POPSUGAR of the launch [61].

Coco & Eve Deep Clean Scalp Scrub

When Coco & Eve's Super Nourishing Coconut and Fig Hair Masque is a favourite of the POPSUGAR UK editors [62], so when the brand announced they'd be launching a scalp scrub this month, we were very intrigued.

The new Coco & Eve Deep Clean Scalp Scrub [63] (£37) is both a physical and chemical exfoliator for your scalp. The gel — which smells like peppermint and is the colour of mint ice cream — contains coconut shell powder to mechanically remove any dry skin flakes lingering at your roots, as well as a mix of alpha and beta hydroxy acids that help break down any dead skin cells hanging about. But in addition to leaving you with a soothed (thanks to the peppermint oil), flake-free, and squeaky-clean scalp, it also helps absorb excess oil, leaving you with more volume along the hairline and at the roots.

DevaCurl

Finally, Devacurl is coming to the UK [64]! The range of products includes cleansers, conditioners, treatments, and stylers that will be exclusively available at FeelUnique as of mid-January 2020. Some iconic products to look out for include the DevaCurl No-Poo Original, DevaCurl Ultra Defining Gel, and DevaCurl Melt Into Moisture Conditioning Mask [65] (£33.50).

Living Proof Triple Detox Shampoo

Ever felt like you needed a salon-level deep hair clean but don't have the time, money, or effort to actually go to the salon? Well, Living Proof Triple Detox Shampoo [66] (£24) means you don't have to. The new shampoo aims to "detox" hair from pollution, hard water (which can cause dry and dulling of dyed hair colours), and product buildup to give you that just-washed feeling, even on day-three hair.

Virtue Exfoliating Scalp Treatment

Innovative hair-care brand Virtue has turned its attention to scalp care this year, with two new products: a scalp serum, and the Virtue Exfoliating Scalp Treatment [67] (£44). We're especially obsessed with the latter, which, in addition to the brand's proprietary alpha keratin 60ku ingredient (that helps rebuild damaged hair follicles), also contains rice beads and fruit enzymes that very gently mechanically and physically exfoliate away the dead skin cells on the surface of your scalp. Kalahari melon and jojoba oils then help to hydrate both skin and strands, which means you're left with silkier, shinier hair in addition to a soothed, squeaky-clean scalp.

Redken Brownlights Shampoo and Conditioner

Redken Brownlights is a new colour-depositing toning range of shampoo and conditioner that helps to eliminate the appearance of brassiness and unwanted warmer tones in brunette hair.
The Redken Color Extend Brownlights Shampoo [68] (£18) and Redken Colour Extend Brownlights Condition [69] (£19.50) both drop exclusively at Look Fantastic in January.

Herbal Essences Bio Renew Hemp and Potent Aloe Sulphate-Free Shampoo and Conditioner

Herbal Essences is launching its first ever sulphate-free shampoo and conditioner — Herbal Essences Bio Renew Hemp and Potent Aloe Sulphate-Free Shampoo [70] (£6) and Herbal Essences Bio Renew Hemp and Potent Aloe Sulphate-Free Conditioner [71] (£6) — finally providing an option from the range that is ideal for those who prefer to wash without the ingredient. Additionally, the colour-safe formula promises to help leave your hair soft and smooth.

L'Oréal Paris Elvive Full Resist Power Mask

Who doesn't love a hair mask to give their hair a fresh, shiny boost? We certainly do, and there's a newbie we'll be adding to our stash this year. The L'Oréal Paris Elvive Full Resist Power Mask [72] (£13) is intended as a weekly treatment mask, containing a cocktail of ingredients such as biotin, vitamin B5, and arginine, which promises to help strengthen weakened hair due to shedding and breakage. Eve more reason to add this to your haircare regimen: In September, the brand announced that all of the Elvive bottles would be made from 100% recycled plastic [73] from here on out, saving approximately 900 tonnes of new plastic in the UK annually.

Bardot Lift + Volume Spray

Bardot is a new line of haircare and styling products that pays homage to the French beauty icon, Brigitte Bardot, who was known for her sexy, voluminous blonde hair. "Bardot's modern relevance is very easy to identify," says Stephen Durham, the founder and CEO of the brand. "Her iconic look has been emulated by successive generations of supermodels like Claudia Schiffer, Giselle Bündchen, Kate Moss [74], and Gigi Hadid; and in term of today's pop culture, you can see her influence in artists from Beyoncé, to Taylor Swift [75] and Lana Del Rey.

No matter how Bardot wore her hair when she was in the spotlight — down, half-up, twisted into a chignon, or tied up in a bow — she always had lots and lots of volume, and that's what this range of five products is supposed to help you recreate. There's a shampoo, conditioner, dry shampoo, and dry texturising spray, but the star of the range is the Bardot Lift + Volume Spray [76] (£19), which you apply to damp hair before blowing it dry.

And because Bardot has long been a champion of animal rights (she set up The Brigitte Bardot Foundation for that purpose in 1986), "we knew it was important to ensure the range was results driven, yet clean, vegan and cruelty free," adds Durham.

Sally Hansen Good Kind Pure Nail Polish

Sally Hansen Good Kind Pure Nail Polish [77] (£7) is the newest range from the brand, and the first in years, but it was well worth the wait. The formula is 100 percent vegan and contains no animal-derived ingredients, and instead is derived from plant-based ingredients such as potato, corn, and wheat. The range is far from boring with eight current colour to choose from, and is launching in January.

Floral Street Arizona Bloom Eau de Parfum

Floral Street doesn't drop new perfumes often, so when they do, it's reason to take notice. The Floral Street Arizona Bloom Eau de Parfum [78] (£60) —the smell of which is inspired by the flora and fauna of desert landscapes — is best described as a "dry floral amber." When it comes to the juice inside, coconut and fig leaves add that quintessential summer sweetness, cashmere and musk notes give the eau a sexy, second-skin effect, while jasmine petals provide a creamy quality that will make you want to keep spritzing again and again. As for the gorgeous blue-and-yellow floral design on the outside? The image is shot by British fashion photographer Matthew Donaldson, making this truly a miniature work of art.

Isle of Paradise Refill Pouches

Fake-tan brand Isle of Paradise not only leads the conversation in body positivity, but now they're leading the pack when it comes to sustainability. This year, they introduced new refill pouches in a pledge to reduce plastic waste. The new Isle of Paradise Refill Pouches [79] (£15) are made with a whopping 81 percent less plastic than the bottles of self-tanning water. Not only that, the packs also save you money — £4 less than a brand new bottle, to be exact. With the easy-to-use refills, simply pour the pouch into your original tanning water bottle, twist the bottle cap to seal, and spritz away. And like all of the Isle of Paradise products, the tanning water is vegan and cruelty-free.

Chanel Chance Limited Edition Perfume Pencils

Say hello to the chicest, best-smelling, and potentially most expensive crayons you'll ever set eyes on. The Chanel Limited Edition Perfume Pencils [80] (£65) are an adorably elegant (and highly transportable) set of four solid fragrances moulded into the shape of a pencil/crayon/whatever writing utensil you want to call it. The scents include the original Chance as well as three other variations — Eau Tendre, Eau Fraiche, and Eau Vive — that you simply scribble on your wrists and neck whenever you need a little scent refresher.