Throughout this year I have seen trends come and go while innovative beauty products and stunning packaging never cease to add a squeal of excitement in the office. With a new year on the horizon, product developers and beauty brands continue to up their game while the wows of 2015 are still very much present and well worth the purchase.
If you haven’t already tried these game-changing beauty delights now’s your time as there’s so much more to come in 2016. And surely everyone deserves a gift to bring in the New Year.
The perfect scents
Jo Malone Mimosa and Cardamom, from £42; Jo Malone Orris and Sandalwood Cologne Intense, £105 for 100ml (available from January)
Jo Malone colognes need no introduction. Their innovative fragrances use unusual notes that surprisingly work and smell gorgeous on skin. Next year sees the launch of Orris and Sandalwood transporting you to Tuscan hillsides with irises in bloom.
The Friendly Face
Bareminerals Pure Brightening Serum Foundation, £26
The mineral make-up brand that started the alternative make-up revolution continues to amaze with new formulas that carry out their claim.
The Skin Boost
Dermalogica Overnight Retinol Repair, £72
Dermalogica is every beauty editor’s go-to skincare brand. If you’ve been lazy with building up a skincare routine, a new year is a great time to start and Dermalogica will quickly get your skin up to speed…forever!
The Oil Revolution
Elizabeth Arden All-Over Miracle Oil, £29
Tarte Maracuja Oil, £38.50 at QVC
Oils seem to be the consumer’s preferred texture in skin, body and hair care this year. These new formulas smooth out the creases while leaving a luxurious glossy veil minus any greasy film.
The Smooth Rider
Kérastase haircare, from £16
Bad hair day’s bygone with thanks to the continued success of Kérastase products. Though they come with a price tag, they’re worth every penny — and more!
The Face Sculptor
Clinique Contouring and Sculpting Chubby Sticks, £19 each
Contouring was the new beauty buzzword in make-up this year. It takes skill to get the chiselled finish of the likes of Rosie Huntington-Whiteley, but with these foolproof pencils, your cheekbones will be red carpet ready.
The Magic Pill
Ingenious Beauty Ultimate Collagen+, £75 for a 40-day supply, ingeniousbeauty.com
Skin supplements are gaining a following thanks to sophisticated new age formulas that are helping our skin from inside out. These collagen boosters are the newest kid on the block.
The one-stop make-up shop
Charlotte Tilbury collection, from £15
If you’re unsure where to get a new mascara, blush, lipstick and so on, head straight to a Charlotte Tilbury make-up counter or her newly opened (and first standalone) Covent Garden shop. With decades of industry experience, painting some of the world’s most famous faces, her make-up collection is second to none.
The Perfect Wave
John Frieda Beach Blonde Sea Wave Salts Spray, £5.89
The cult beach hair spray returned this year celebrating the beauty of a relaxed curl from a bottle — that can be achievable even on dead straight hair.
The Bare Minimum
Jessica Nail Whitener, £14.55, gerrardinternational.com
Bridge the gap between going bare and shiny fuss-free talons with a base coat that acts as a foundation for nails and glistens too.
The time saver
With eyebrow queen Shavata Singh taking residence in larger M&S stores and Hershesons hair bars making blow-dries accessible to everyone, there’s no need to get party ready at home ever again. Plus you don’t need to book in advance. Simply show up and get pampered.
The Groomed Man
Lab Series Future Rescue Repair Serum, £48; Kiehls Facial Fuel, £38.
Now’s the time to persuade your partner to jump on board and join the ever-growing band of men that know their exfoliators from their serums. First timers should try Lab Series and Kiehls for luxury skincare that’s still man enough