May Beauty Thrills: The Must-Have Buys HB’s Beauty Editor Swears By

I have a job that most would envy, with fresh and innovative new beauty products landing on my desk every single day. Yet the choice is fast becoming overwhelming, even for me. And with the price of living going up, beauty often doesn’t come cheap. So, here I am – HB beauty expert to the rescue – ensuring your hard-earned cash goes that extra mile by filtering out the products that really deserve a big hooray! From hot new brands to the must-have skin serum, plus the beauty train to get on board, these are the products and brands that I honestly recommend and buy on repeat.

This month’s beauty must-haves, from skin serums to bronzers

Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturiser Bronzer, £28

Skin that mimics a day in the sun but without the harmful effects of the rays gets my vote every time. I’ve done my fair share of bronzer testing throughout my career and I’m thrilled to announce this is one of the best bronzers I have used. This creamy formula gives a believable colour that’s buildable depending on whether you’re going for more of a UK staycation look than an exotic getaway complexion! Simply press the colour into your skin using your fingertips, focusing on areas you would normally bronze from the sun (tops of cheeks, forehead, and bridge of the nose). There’s no orange tinge, it doesn’t streak and if you’re brave (unlike me) you can use the bronzer for sculpting too. It comes in six shades (I tried 02 Sundrop) but be warned a little goes a long way.

No7 Future Renew Damage Reversal Serum, from £34.95

You’ve heard the hype; you’ve read the reviews, but can this really reverse the signs of ageing? Er, in a word, no. But it does contain the “world’s first” super peptide blend (which No7 are currently getting patented) that ‘biohacks’ the skin’s natural repair processes to make them work better. In simpler terms, this basically means it tricks the skin into thinking that it has been damaged to signal a renewal of key proteins such as collagen and boost the skin’s natural self-repair mechanisms, that in turn target signs of ageing and damage. To be fair, I haven’t given the skin serum substantial testing time, but I can report that it sinks in at record speed, there’s no greasy residue, it brightens my skin and is definitely the hero product of this new range. So far, I’m impressed (I’ve been using it twice daily for a fortnight) and sticking with it in the hope it lives up to its outstanding reputation. I’ll keep you posted…

Beauty Pie X Holly Willoughby ‘Holly-Day’ Kit, £59 for members, £150 for non-members

As someone who can (unfortunately) relate to Holly’s early morning starts, I am always eager to know what products the nation’s favourite morning TV presenter uses on her face that gives her complexion an enviable glow. Well, the guessing game is over! Already a big fan of the incredibly affordable membership club for beauty lovers, Holly has teamed up with Beauty Pie to create a curated kit of her go-to summer makeup products (all sourced from the most deluxe suppliers in Italy, but available to members at high-street prices). Housed in a beautiful vegan leather metallic makeup bag, this ‘Holly-Day’ (see what they’ve done there?!) edit consists of a blush, a (waterproof) mascara, an eyeshadow quad, and a lip balm (my fave), which is quite frankly all the make-up you need for summer days in the city or to pack for your beach holiday. But be warned, this kit is limited-edition, so put it in your basket fast. With 1.2 million followers already ‘liking’ Holly’s Insta post on launch day, I have a strong feeling this may be a sell-out. Hurry!

Ulé Skincare

Ule skincare is about embracing your laughter lines and being the best version of yourself but still looking radiant and bouncy while also ticking that French cool-girl chic box. It’s also the first beauty brand to use vertical farming (the non-weather-dependent way to grow ingredients indoors on vertical pillars under LED lights powered by renewables and has been touted as a sustainable way to transform agriculture and food farming). You heard it here first!
Ulé’s debut range includes 10 skincare products and supplements, which slot into four categories but all aim to strengthen and protect the skin’s barrier, brighten, hydrate, and nourish. My current fave is The Avoir It All In & Out Oil which is a lightweight oil that can either be applied to the skin or ingested for true inside-outside beauty benefits.

Face Gym Acne Light Shot, £60

I often get a little overexcited when it comes to home devices that promise salon results at home, but usually, I end up feeling disappointed that I have parted with both an arm and a leg. However, this super innovative cutting-edge tool definitely stands out from the crowd, and I don’t need to sell a limb to buy one! Result! Using blue light to tackle the bacteria that causes acne, this device then gets deep down into your skin’s epidermis, treating the issue from the inside out and healing the skin. It’s recommended you use it for speedy 20-minute sessions to stop active spots in their tracks and prevent new arrivals. I was expecting the device to slide straight off my face but in fact, the adhesive stickers feel surprisingly secure, the device is lightweight, and the action is fast. I don’t have acne, but I do get the odd blemish and this pocket-size powerhouse is undoubtedly a much better way to tackle a spot than my usual squeeze-until-it-pops approach.

Glossier G Suit, £18

I can always rely on Glossier to fill up my beauty arsenal with trendy, reliable products with the extra wow factor. The latest launch, which was 3 years in the making (!!), are nine shades of demi-matte lip crèmes that glide on lips. The colour is bold and there’s no need for touch-ups by lunchtime or even after your Pret dash, plus the added bonus is I don’t need to use a mirror for precision, it’s almost impossible to make a mistake thanks to its substantial and soft lip nib.

Keren Bartov Advanced Skin Repair Serum, £160

I know it’s eye-wateringly expensive, but I’ve seen incredible results on my skin since using this slippery skin serum by the A-list facialist that gives Gal Gadot her glow. Its silky super-hydrating formula makes it a no-brainer for neglected complexions and particularly for dry skin. Rich in vegetable-based fatty acids, this serum locks in moisture and is especially effective for skin rehabilitation after invasive treatments. So, if you’ve had a little tweak here or there, this will heal your skin fast. This is 100% one of the best products I’ve tried for a while. Start saving now, you won’t regret it!

The products on this page have been selected by our editorial team, however, The Handbook may make a small commission on some products purchased through affiliate links.