Each month comes with its own share of beauty launches across the spectrum that makes us want to spend all our money on them. We’ve put together the ten best that are worth real estate on your beauty shelves.
For a detox
With energising hibiscus (known for its ability to eliminate toxins) as its star ingredient, this serum saves skin exposed to external aggressors and pollutants by transforming oxidised proteins of the damaged epidermis into agents that can produce new proteins—which means cell renewal. Thus, skin is revived, strengthened and nourished.
Dior One Essential Skin Boosting Super Serum, Rs 8,300
For an even-toned smoothness
Elemis’s trio of enzymes subtilisin, protease and papain—work with active ingredients like white truffle, raspberry seed oil and organic myrtle to moisturise and protect skin against free radicals. With the addition of UVA and UVB protection, it’s an overall essential.
Elemis Dynamic Resurfacing Day Cream SPF 30, Rs 6,865
All that argan
Lakme’s harnessing the extreme nourishing power of argan oil in its matte lipsticks and foundation. Expect super-soft textures and a hydrating finish that your skin ought to love. Plus, a skincare range of an oil-in-crème with SPF 30 and oil-in serum will ensure your skin never stays parched.
Lakmé Absolute Argan Oil Radiance Oil-in-Crème, Rs 799
For an overnight glow
1) Omorovicza’s soft gel mask will gently exfoliate with black willow extract and salicylic acid, fight hyperpigmentation with sand lily, hydrate your skin with red alga, and regulate sebum with copper gluconate—all while you sleep.
Omorovicza Midnight Radiance Mask, Rs 7,600
2) A sleeping mask that controls excess oil is exactly what young, blemished skin needs. Cooling tea tree essential oil in The Body Shop’s mask will purify skin and salicylic acid will help smoothen skin overnight.
The Body Shop Tea Tree Anti-Imperfection Night Mask, Rs 1,995
For an anti-ageing routine
Because of its lightweight, smooth texture, Avène’s day, night and eye cream trio is a simple, pared-down routine to try if you’re getting yourself used to using multiple products to reverse ageing. They’re infused with hyaluronic acid (HA) mono-oligomers, fragments of HA that provide moisture where needed—think of them as your skin’s true friends, the ones who are always there when you’re in need.
Avène Physiolift Night Balm and Smoothing Day Cream, Rs 2,500 each
Oil well
Finding a state of calm in a chaotic world can be hard. Nykaa delves into aromatherapy with therapeutic essential oils to balance the body and mind. ( 350 each)
For anxiety and stress: Lavender—use it on your pillow or feet before bedtime.
For muscle pain and body ache: Lemongrass—five to six drops on your palms or your feet.
For hair growth and health: Ylang ylang—add 2-3 drops to coconut oil for conditioning.
For mood swings and migraine: Citronella—use 2-3 drops in a cold or hot compress and apply on affected area
Feel the blue
What it is: Hermès Eau des Merveilles Bleue EDP (100ml), Rs 8,750
What it bottles: A crisp, clean scent that when sprayed is like an approaching wave of a vast azure ocean. Sitting on a salty heart are citrus fruity tones and notes of the sea, warmed subtly by patchouli.
What it does: A spritz of this aquatic scent will definitely transfer you to cooler spaces. Evident because when I sprayed it, “Did someone spray a perfume?” was let out in the air. And when I coyly confessed it was me, a quick “Please use this every Monday morning—it’s exactly what we need to start our day. So fresh!” followed.
Don't let it fade
Freshly coloured hair always feels great: that intense mocha revealing slivers of caramel all blended together perfectly. But then you step out, and days go by, and it all starts to fade. A powerful haircare routine to preserve the colour is mandatory. To neutralise the damage caused by water’s three molecules—chlorine, copper and calcium—Kérastase’s Reflection Chromatique range is infused with sodium citrate, yuzy and lychee effect. The ingredients will let you enjoy that mocha a little longer!
Kérastase Reflection Riche, Rs 1,800
Matte versus matte
The people at L’Oréal Paris get your matte obsession, so they’re giving you two new variants to pick from—one’s fun, cool and casual; the other, high on glamour and moisture. Decisions, decisions.
1) Le Matte Crayon: Young and fresh, the sticks are bright and colourful, just like the five shades that go from hot pink to maroon. Rs 750
2) Color Riche Matte Addiction: Glam gold and black encases these hydrating matte bullets that come in nine hot hues like plum tangerine and scarlet. Rs 999
Hide away
Of all the beauty launches that come my way, I always get most excited about concealers. After all, it’s my deserted-island product—at any given time you’ll find at least three on me, ’cause who knows what shadow, blemish or spot life may throw up. It all starts casually as an experiment but quickly goes down the mad scientist route. My latest subject—Bobbi Brown Instant Full Cover Concealer. I put the formula through a battery of tests and wore it in all situations I see myself in—under harsh sunlight, through a 90-minute ashtanga session, during a shower… I even wore it to bed and kept it overnight (advance apology to my dermat and the skin gods!) to truly test its potential. The cosmetic chemists at Bobbi Brown got the formula bang-on with this one—the texture is creamy yet doesn’t sit on top of skin, it’s super pigmented but not cakey, and the doe-foot applicator makes application effortless. My under-eye area has never felt more loved—the texture is creamy and goes on beautifully. A few taps later it sinks in comfortably—you’d never guess I’m running on anything less than eight-hour sleep. My only gripe is that I have to mix two shades to match my tone; one is too light, the other too dark, together they are magic. Dark circles—0. Concealer—1. —Nidhi Sharma Punjabi
The post The best make-up, skincare, hair care and fragrances to buy this September appeared first on VOGUE India.