The lipstick
If there is one thing every woman should keep in her handbag, it’s a nude lipstick. For one thing, it’s a shade that goes with whatever you’re wearing, and even better, you can swipe it on in a rush or without a mirror and never fear messing it up. The ever-popular Armani Lip Power, $72, is a top pick for beginners and devotees alike. The brand has recently expanded their already extensive offering of neutral lipsticks to include three newbies, including this, #113, which is quite possibly the perfect pinky nude.
The retinol
Considering harnessing the power of retinol to help beat the passage of time? Dermologica has just the thing with the release of their Dynamic Skin Retinol Serum, $185. This formulation uses three different types of retinoids to reduce key signs of ageing in a high-dose, fast-acting, 3.5% complex that also contains booster technology to transform your complexion. And the best bit? They say you can start to see results in as little as two weeks. Count us in!
The serum
We adore New Zealand-designed skincare, so were very pleased to hear about the latest clean brand to be developed on our fair shores, Mater Beauty. Pronounced with a long ‘a’ and meaning ‘mother’ in Latin and Croatian, it includes products you’ll love having in your beauty cabinet, like the I Woke Up Like This Beyond Hydration Perfecting Serum, $77, which is loaded with botanicals, vitamins and other active ingredients. The range was inspired by founder Petra Škorić’s desire to encourage mothers to take time to nurture themselves, and that’s a sentiment we can all get on board with.
The new tool
Luxury local body-care brand Tronque is set to unveil a second tool that places a focus on the ritual of self-care. The ergonomically designed Ionic Body Brush, $70, goes beyond the average dry brush with ultrafine ion-charged copper bristles that create negative ions through the natural friction generated with use, which grounds your energy as you brush. The upshot of that is it’s calming to sweep across your skin to exfoliate dry areas for a smoother and brighter appearance, while working to reduce cellulite and inflammation all in one go.
The eye creams
Consider this another PSA reminding you not to skip eye cream in your nightly routine. Granted, at the end of the day, it’s a step most of us can’t be bothered with, but actually it’s so soothing to tend to that delicate under-eye area. If you’re in the market for a new version, Jeuneora has just released DoeEyes Revitalising Eye Serum, $87, crafted using antioxidant-rich, de-puffing ingredients and including a cooling ceramic applicator to soothe tired peepers. New from Mecca Max is their Chill Out Brightening Eye Cream, $25, a satisfying blend of brightening vitamin C, hydrating hyaluronic acid and strengthening ceramides designed
to smooth and enliven.
The acids
Tackle your specific skin concerns with these individualised Ultra Pure High-Potency serums from Kiehl’s, $57 each. There’s a trio to choose from: hyaluronic acid for hydration, niacinamide for oil control and glycolic acid to smooth.
The skin prep
We’ve long known about the highlights of MAC’s cult Strobe Cream and now there’s a new iteration — Strobe Dewy Skin Tint, $102 — to make your visage look as radiant as humanly possible. The illuminating tinted moisturiser provides flattering sheer coverage, and because it’s filled with hyaluronic acid, shea butter, squalane and vitamin E, it infuses your skin with goodness while it makes you look good. To really go for broke, team it with the brand’s Hyper Real Serumizer, $102, or Hyper Real SkinCanvas Balm, $90, to strengthen and protect the skin barrier and smooth your complexion over time.
The sunscreen
Loved for their existing power-couple of skincare creations and the sculptural vessels they’re packaged in, Kiwi company Raaie has just announced their much-anticipated third product, Sun Milk Drops, $110. The lightweight tinted sunscreen is SPF50+ and an excellent choice to apply before your make-up. Although this is a 100% mineral sunscreen, it has the silky feel of its chemical counterparts, while being safe for you and the environment.
The investment
You might have noticed some more prominent
pigmentation on your skin post-summer, making PCA Skin’s new Pigment Gel Pro, $299, a sound investment. The intensive dark-spot-correcting blend uses an exclusive SynerPro Complex to reduce the appearance of photodamage and melasma. Use twice daily for optimal results.
The gift set
Glasshouse Fragrances have a special, limited-edition offering coming out in time for Mother’s Day in May. They’ve partnered with indigenous Australian artist and designer Rachael Sarra to bring the collection to life with packaging that packs a punch. If we had to choose, we’d say our winner is the Pink Suede & Peony fragrance, an uplifting floral with notes of pink grapefruit, mandarin and pineapple that’s available in two different sizes of soy candle, from $26, and a fragrance diffuser, $65. Whatever her personal taste, you’ll find something in this sweet range for the mum or mum-like lady in your life.
The fragrance favourites
Every new season brings with it a raft of new scents, so allow us to regale you with some of our favourites. We predict you’ll love the way Armani/Privé Santal Dan Sha (100ml $323) warms the cockles of your heart with sandalwood, bergamot and spicy cardamom. Meanwhile, after a four-year fragrance hiatus, we’re pleased to see Karen Walker’s latest blend, B+ (100ml $215). The fashion maven says, “I wanted to encapsulate the scent of pure joy and unbridled optimism”, and that she has, with peach tuberose and an array of other notes, including iris, rose and zesty Italian lemon. Like its predecessors, Yves Saint Laurent’s Black Opium’s Le Parfum (90ml $314) has the signature hit of coffee, but this time it’s mixed with feminine jasmine sambac, orange blossom and vanilla. The latest rendition of Giorgio Armani My Way is also out now as Le Parfum (100ml $220), charming with iris and fresh and fruity orange blossom. Lancôme La Vie Est Belle Iris Absolu (100ml $281) has had another makeover inside and out, and boasts 10 times more iris than ever before.
