October Beauty Thrills: The Must-Have Buys Our Beauty Editor Swears By
From the latest mascara and ’90s brow pencil to collagen skincare and Arabian night-inspired perfume, these are the beauty products to have on your radar this month.
1.
From one of our hero clean beauty brands, this new hydrating lip oil is packed with smooch-loving ingredients (think hyaluronic acid, jojoba oil and shea butter (which make up SAIE’s signature fatty acid complex) that hydrates, nourishes and softens lips. My personal favourite is the Push shade – a soft brown that’s just the right side of nude with a pinch of colour.
2.
Admittedly this is pretty pricey for a mascara, but not only does it look super slick in your makeup bag but this buildable mascara manages to catch every lash, even my small stumpy ones, and makes them look like fluttery whispers of hair. My go-to is usually an inky black shade, but the rich chocolate shade is beautiful for a daytime flutter.
3.
With the barely there 90’s brow doing the rounds again, this precise (1mm) double-ended brow pencil and spooler will create ultra-thin shapes in a natural way that allows you to still look like you. As someone who has pencilled on her eyebrows since I was first introduced to makeup, I can honestly say this is one of the best pencils I’ve tried for both filling in sparse patches, of which I have many, and adding a natural feathery effect. Plus, there’s six shades to choose from – which in the eyebrow world, is a lot!
4.
This is like a posh, clean version of Vaseline, with a load of extras that nourishes your body and leaves a beautiful film rather than a greasey residue behind. It’s fast becoming a family favourite for dry patches such as heels that have been destroyed from a summer wearing flip-flops and football chaffing (it’s a thing!) With its buttery melting balm-to-oil texture, you’ll find many excuses to use it.
5.
Looking for nail polish that simultaneously looks chic and strengthens? This vegan, plant-based brand is a recent favourite find of mine. Its ground-breaking, eco formulations go beyond offering professional quality, they are proven to strengthen nails whilst they colour. And their latest colour palette, (deep plums, leafy greens, and dark navy) has my Autumn wardrobe written all over it!
6.
I’ll soon be giving in to the cold and reluctantly turning my heating on at home, in the office and in the car. It may feel cosy, but I know my skin will be crying out for extra hydration at the end of the day. Which is exactly when these soft biodegradable sheet masks will come in handy. Drenched in hyaluronic acid, marine algae extracts and aloe vera, that acts as a second skin to penetrate the ingredients into the tissue thanks to the use of biocellulose as the mask material. Basically, this means less wastage and glass-like skin. Everyone’s a winner!
7.
This illuminating, barrier-strengthening serum has been making noise since word got out that this serum is not just skin-loving but also adds a sophisticated golden glow to all skin. A blend of niacinamide, gallic acid, and mulberry leaf extract fades hyperpigmentation, dark spots, and post-breakout marks to improve skin’s clarity and radiance, and omega oils nourish and soothe. All the while, light-reflecting pigments revive dull skin without leaving a sparkly or glittery finish, but a grown-up sheen. In a word, it’s brilliant and worth every bit of the hype.
8.
Disrupting the fragrance industry with its launch in 2006 of Molecule 01, you know the scent that everyone was wearing back in the day, that smelt completely different on everyone? Well, now the brand is launching its first EDP (exclusively in Harrods) which is a luxe gender-fluid scent that is utterly magical. Think sun-soaked deserts, celestial night skies and golden sand dunes, which in fragrance terms translates into moss, musk, and amber notes. Delish.
9.
When this Aussie brand first launched into SpaceNK, three of their products sold out in 24 hours and it’s clear why. Upon trying this pH-balanced oil cleanser, it dissolved all my makeup, including my waterproof mascara I should add, and made my skin smell fragrant without being overwhelming. The oil works into a milky lather when massaging into skin, which is perfect if you’re a double cleanse kinda gal, which I am, while leaving behind a beautiful sheen. And it has Caroline Hirons’ approval, who is basically the don of all things skincare. Need we say more?
10.
It makes perfect sense that the UK's No.1 leading collagen experts has launched into the skincare market. As founder, Maxine Laceby says, “our consumers were crying out for skincare, so we listened and responded.” The collection consists of a day cream, night cream, eye cream and what I predict will be the hero, a neck and decolletage cream. Reasonably priced, impressive formulas and amazing clinical trial results to prove it.
11.
Curly haired people rejoice! The new collection from natural brand Rahua is bringing lifeless waves, curls and coils back to life. Inspired by the rituals of Amazonian women, Rahua was set up to bring the natural ingredients from the rainforest to salons and showers worldwide. Infused with Rahua oil, known for it's transformative properties, the Enchanted Island™ collection is the first stop in promoting healthy hair and strengthening hair follicles – helping prevent premature hair loss and flood dry strands with hydration.
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.