With the new year here, it is time to shake up our routines and give our beauty kits a well-needed makeover, too. The drop of a brand new legion of beauty buys this month means we've updated our collections with some exciting, weather-appropriate essentials.
There's game-changing skin illuminators and bright blushers that are a welcome treat for the gloomy, cool climate, so you can rest assured knowing this lot will give you reason to start rethinking your kit and have you covered throughout the season.
Easily the best new beauty products in the UK right now, this line up is guaranteed to spark joy. Whether you shop them on the spot, screenshot them for later, add them to a wish list or share them immediately with your friends, these buys are not to be missed.
Shop: The Best Beauty Buys Of The Month
www.cultbeauty.co.uk
Rachael Martin, beauty editor: 'Since the launch of its newest shade 'Rose Glow,' Saie's Glowy Super Gel has been back in the beauty spotlight - and for good reason. TikTok is going wild for the soft, golden wash of illumination that it imparts on skin (think a warmer, less silvery take on the OG version.) The texture is silky, fluid, and gel like, perfect for prepping skin for foundation. The luminosity levels are high without so much of a hint of glitter - expect more of a dewy gleam than a mega-watt highlight. All that and the inclusion of brightening vitamin C and moisturising glycerin. Not just a pretty face, but a healthy one, too.'
www.cultbeauty.co.uk
Rachael Martin, beauty editor: 'Rose based scents have me at hello, which is why I'm adoring this new launch from Jo Malone. A traditional, floral scent with a twist, there's also notes of rich coffee and warming amber for a deliciously gourmand finish. One mist in the morning lasts until cocktail hour.'
uk.glossier.com
Rachael Martin, beauty editor: 'If you're after a fool-proof eye make-up look (with minimal effort) then this shadow stick could be just the remedy. Scribble on, blur out and finish with a few layers of mascara. The shade Roadie is a barely there delight. Sheer and golden, it's a dream to apply.'
www.westman-atelier.com
Cassie Steer, acting beauty director: 'Me: The perfect matte lip product doesn’t exis... Westman Atelier: hold my margarita. This new shade in Westman Atelier’s gloriously comfortable suede matte format is as close to perfection (in my humble opinion) as you can get. It’s a matte formula that offers a cool-girl stamp of pigment but in a "hydro-matte finish" infused with skin goodies even the most staunch gloss-lover could get on board with and this dusky pinky/peach/nude is supremely flattering.'
www.bstn.com
Cassie Steer, acting beauty director: 'Scandi beauty is having a moment. I may be biased being half Swedish/Danish but I have fallen hard for this niche Swedish brand (call me shallow but the bottles alone are worth it for the shelfie appeal). The latest scent is essentially forest-bathing in a bottle and reminds me of Swedish summers and the dry, woody, resin-y scent of pine trees beside the beach.'
www.meritbeauty.com
**Cassie Steer, acting beauty director: '**Scalps are beauty’s latest erogenous zone with #scalpcare amassing over 1.4 billion views on TikTok. Why? A healthy scalp is the key to healthy hair and this newbie from Aveda (who know their scalps) offers skincare-grade hydrators (including vegan squalane) to soothe scalps and leave hair smooth, soft and hydrated. It also makes hair wash day a darn sight easier as you can slather on from root to tip knowing it’s doing both your scalp and hair a world of good.'
hudabeauty.com
Sameeha Shaikh, beauty writer: 'As someone who wasted no time in jumping on the blushed under-eye trend - that being, the TikTok hack that sees beauty buffs blend their blush right up into their under-eye area for a bright, bold flush - you can probably understand my excitement at the prospect of a Huda Beauty electric lilac-toned kit that intends to help achieve the look with a swift few steps. Two, to be exact. A swipe of the the Blush Filter in Ube Cream and the Easy Bake Loose Baking & Setting Powder in Ube Birthday Cake, which work in synergy to created a flawless, filter-like, lift to the face thanks to its unique neutralising tone. To top it all off, a glazing of the Faux Filler Gloss UUU-Baby creates the ultimate monochromatic frosty style. And this collection brings it all together in one place.'
www.maccosmetics.co.uk
Sameeha Shaikh, beauty writer: 'Still haven't found your perfect nude? Don't worry, we know the struggle and so do the experts. Look to MAC's newest lip launch for guidance. Reinvigorating our love of the ultimate nineties neutral lip, the stunning line up consists of 28 new and iconic nude hues so everyone can find the right shade to complement their unique skin tone and undertones. I've landed on the new Cool Teddy shade, which boasts a cool-toned pink with brownish undertones that works beautifully against my medium, olive skin tone.'
www.meritbeauty.com
Sameeha Shaikh, beauty writer: 'I'm not usually one for ultra-poppy colours on my cheeks, having long favoured natural-looking warm shades that compliment my medium skin tone, but I've made an exception for Merit's newest shade of Flush Balm in Le Bonbon. This totally-outside-my-comfort-zone bright blue tones pink blush is made completely wearable by its glossy and sheer microfine formula that imparts a light and buildable glimmer of colour, which can be glided over cheeks and lips with a natural skin-enhancing satin finish. It'll perk up your complexion in seconds without looking OTT, trust me.'
10.
Refy Face Sculpt
refybeauty.com
Rachael Martin, beauty editor says: 'My skin is red in tone, so anything that promises to cool and calm garners my attention. Excitingly, the Face Sculpt has become a staple in my routine. Featuring a built in roller massager that rotates across the skin, just a few sweeps works to tone, sculpt and calms- I saw an immediate reduction in puffiness after the first use. And the cream itself is beautiful too - expect a light, gel-like texture that sinks into your complexion in seconds. There's pro vitamins in there, as well as glycerin to add dewy nourishment - it also sits beautifully under make-up, no pilling in sight.'
Sameeha Shaikh, beauty writer says: 'As far as packaging goes, this is perhaps one of the most innovative moisturisers I've ever used. The five steel ball roller applicator cools skin on first touch and helps the luscious cream to easily and evenly glide over skin to nourish while giving the face a lymphatic drainage-like lift. As for formula, my acne-prone skin was (thankfully) unfazed and reacted well to the umptious texture which definitely leaves behind a believable glow.'