I'm so bored of new beauty launches—here's the only 9 I think are actually worth their money this month
I'd reached new heights of beauty fatigue, but these products helped get me excited again
I know I'm not the only person feeling fatigued by new beauty products right now. Personally, I'm putting it down to the drab weather. You see, typically at this time of year I'm dusting off my summer perfumes, pulling out the very best sunscreens and I'm at least half way through trying out the looks on my spring/summer nail trends inspo board. But this weather isn't giving summer, so my beauty inspiration is at an all-time low.
Because of this, any new beauty launches that have landed over my desk in the past month have, for the most part, been tossed aside. I simply don't have a place for anything new in my routine at the moment. I don't have the will to want to do my make-up every morning, I'm air drying my hair most days and my nails are grossly unmanicured.
Having said that, there have been some great new beauty products come my way this month—and a small handful of them have been good enough to persuade me to find the joy in my routine again. Whether you're looking for a beauty-related gift or have a hole in your skincare routine you want filling, here are the nine new beauty products from July I think are actually worth spending money on.
1. Chanel Codes Coleur Nail File & Mirror
Chanel The Nail File
Chanel Miroir Double Facettes
If you're currently on the look out for beauty gifts, may I please turn your attention to the new, limited-edition Codes Coleur collection from Chanel? Available in a variety of different colours (all as pretty as the next), there's a glass nail file, a plastic compact mirror and a leather make-up brush set available in each of the nine shades. In my opinion, there's nothing chicer.
2. Shiseido Revitalessence Skin Glow Foundation
Shiseido Revitalessence Skin Glow Foundation
I have a feeling this is going to make it onto my list of the best foundations of all time. If you're after something lightweight, skin-like, hydrating and with a natural-looking coverage, it's going to be for you. When I attended the launch event a few weeks ago, there were audible gasps and murmurs in the audience as we all tried it on the backs of our hands. If you're in the market for a new foundation, don't sleep on this.
3. Beauty Pie Le Smash Santal Shimmering Body Moisture Crème
Beauty Pie Le Smash Santal Shimmering Body Moisture Crème
Price shown is members' price.
If the weather isn't going to provide the summer vibes, then I'm going to rely on this body cream to do it instead. Not only does it smell like a summer dream (think creamy sandalwood, light florals and white suede), but it also has a subtle shimmer which leaves limbs glowing. It's also, of course, beautifully hydrating.
4. Olaplex Volumizing Blow Dry Mist
Olaplex Volumizing Blow Dry Mist
If you know me, you'll know that my flat-as-a-pancake hair proves troublesome for me. As a result, I'm always on the lookout for the best volumising hair products. The problem is, I don't like the feeling of product in my hair, so I want something that gives my roots a lift without leaving them feeling gritty. This pre-blowdry mist from Olaplex does just that. I spritz it through the roots and mid-lengths, blowdry my hair upside down, let it cool, flip my head back over and, like magic, my hair is full of body and life.
5. Nars Afterglow Liquid Blush
Nars Afterglow Liquid Blush
I have been waiting for this launch for months, and it's finally here. These glowing liquid blushers are nothing short of perfection. They leave a subtle wash of colour on the cheeks, making cheekbones pop, and give skin a truly beautiful lit-from-within look.
6. Elizabeth Arden Retinol + HPR Ceramide Rapid Skin-Renewing Water Cream
Elizabeth Arden Retinol + HPR Ceramide Rapid Skin-Renewing Water Cream
Despite being a beauty editor, I have a tumultuous relationship with retinol. My skin is reactive and acne prone, and I'm yet to find the perfect retinol product for me that doesn't result in flare-ups—but this might just be it. I've been giving it a go for a couple of weeks, and I'm impressed. It utilises a new technology (HPR) which delivers retinol-like effects without the upset. Plus, when formulated alongside retinol as it is in this product, it lowers the chances of reaction. All in all, I like it very much.
7. Hershesons Air Dry Spray
Hershesons Air Dry Spray
Above, I mentioned that I've been air drying my hair a lot this summer. Although it's not super hot outside, it is humid, and the thought of turning on a hairdryer when I'm feeling sticky isn't appealing. To help my hair still look styled and pulled together, I've been turning to this. Just mist it through lengths, scrunch your hair a bit and let the air do its thing. The result is an undone look that has earned my hair many compliments.
8. Ultra Violette Fave Fluid SPF50+
Ultra Violette Fave Fluid SPF50+
I'm always on the look out for the next best SPF product, and this is it. It's lightweight and truly feels like nothing on the skin. I'll be honest, I haven't been as much of a fan of Ultra Violette's other sunscreens as other beauty editors have been, but this one ticks all of the boxes for me. It has a truly barely-there finish.
9. Rare Beauty All of the Above Weightless Eyeshadow Stick
Rare Beauty All of the Above Weightless Eyeshadow Stick
My lazy-girl make-up routine has been loving these shimmering eyeshadow sticks. For days when I can't be bothered with an eyeshadow palette (which is most), I just scribble one of these creamy pencils over my lids and blend out with my finger. The wearable browns and nudes are easy to work with, and the shimmer gives a summer-ready look (now all we need is for the sun to come out).
Marie Claire Newsletter
Celebrity news, beauty, fashion advice, and fascinating features, delivered straight to your inbox!
Shannon Lawlor is the Executive Beauty Editor at Marie Claire. With nearly a decade of experience working for some of the beauty industry’s most esteemed titles, including Who What Wear, Glamour UK, Stylist and Refinery29, Shannon’s aim is to make the conversation around beauty as open, relatable and honest as possible. As a self-confessed lazy girl, Shannon has an affinity for hard-working perfumes, fool-proof make-up products and does-it-all skincare.
-
The royal Christmas dinner guest list has been revealed following rumours William and Kate wouldn't attend
Oh to be a fly on that wall...
By Iris Goldsztajn
-
Gracie Abrams weighs in on Paul Mescal relationship 'chatter'
Love her response
By Iris Goldsztajn
-
Why fans think Justin Bieber sent secret message to Selena Gomez after engagement
Interesting...
By Iris Goldsztajn
-
It's the best weekend to shop for gifts—as two beauty editors, these are the 8 products we're actually buying
Welcome to a very festive Beauty Desk Drop
By Shannon Lawlor
-
We don't buy into autumnal stereotypes, except when it comes to beauty - these are the 8 must-have products of the month
Welcome to October's Beauty Desk Drop
By Katie Thomas
-
We've invested *a lot* of time in testing autumn beauty products—these 8 meet our beauty-editor standards
They're the best new products by a long shot
By Shannon Lawlor
-
As beauty editors we've spent all month testing and scoring beauty products - these 8 got full marks
Golden winners
By Katie Thomas
-
This month, we tried to put a beauty-desk ban on new products—we failed, but these 8 were *so* worth it
If you're trying to cut back on spending, look away now
By Shannon Lawlor
-
We are two beauty editors who felt starved of exciting new launches this month - but these 9 products saved the day and seriously impressed us
Stand out for the summer
By Katie Thomas
-
It's not often a new beauty product stops us in our tracks but these 8 are in a class of their own
The crème de la crème
By Shannon Lawlor
-
Trust us, we know how overwhelming the beauty industry can be that's why we only recommend the best products - this month these 8 impressed us the most
Consider us hard to please
By Katie Thomas