The Feb new-in products our beauty team *need* you to know about
We have news! Welcome to our new beauty series, 'Cosmo Loves', where our expert team spotlight the launches you need to know about every. single. month. We get it, the beauty space is a vast one and it's confusing to say the least. Our best advice? Listen to us, the coolest beauty team going (hi there); here to share the goss on the products *actually* worth buying. Without further ado...
There are two things we, the Cosmo UK beauty team, are absolutely sure about. (1), there's nothing we love more than testing out the latest and greatest beauty products for you gals. And (2), there is a lot of it to get through.
Don't get us wrong, our beauty cupboard is a sacred place, filled with the most exciting launches to know about – some that get our Cosmo seal of approval, while others don't quite make the mark. But as sacred as it may be, that cupboard could qualify for its own episode of Hoarders. It's busy, to say the least.
With so much happening each month, and so many products to be tested, we thought we'd make things a little easier so you know where to put your hard-earned cash. Welcome to our new monthly series where our expert beauty team guinea-pig themselves into testing *all* launches and share the ones you absolutely need to buy.
In February, a lot happened. We saw Glow Recipe launch its first ever cosmetic product, the Watermelon Glow Niacinamide Dewy Flush, which quickly rose to TikTok fame – and we can attest the hype is absolutely warranted. ghd told us “bigger is better” 😏 with the launch of the Chronos Max. And REFY are about to launch a new and improved Lip Sculpt alongside an extended shade range.
Debit card at the ready!
Cosmo's fave new beauty launches from February
ghd, Chronos Max
Chronos Max
Thick, curly hair or just hair that’s hella long? Allow me to intro you to the newest addition to the hair tool kit. The ghd Chronos Max makes light work of a normally tedious wash day. The plates are 85% bigger than classic ghds so you are able to cover more hair per section, speeding up your getting ready time and allowing for more time in bed.
For me, these really shine in the weeks after I’ve had a Texture Release as my coils smooth out easily with the 185c degree plates and it doesn’t exacerbate damage. Also, critically, the ghd team have taken heed to the needs of us Afro-haired girlies, and the edges of the plates at 24% thinner, meaning we can straighten even closer to the root for a sleeker look.
Le Labo, Eucalyptus 20 Eau De Parfum
Eucalyptus 20 Eau De Parfum
If you like Thé Noir (one of Le Labo's most famous scents) or simply love a deep, woody fragrance, you’ll adore this newbie from the cult brand. It has a freshness thanks to the eucalyptus and whiffs of cedar but then the base of labdanum brings out a leathery richness and this is capped off with musk and incense at the base. Light and floral this is not. Sexy and earthy? Abso-frickin’-lutely. It’s not subtle so if ‘beast mode’ fragrance is your bag, add this to the cart asap.
Mielle, Rosemary Mint Clarifying Sugar Scalp Scrub
Rosemary Mint Clarifying Sugar Scalp Scrub
Mielle’s Rosemary Mint Clarifying Sugar Scalp Scrub is absolutely gorgeous. I’ve tried a few great scalp scrubs – Cécred, Charlotte Mensah – and Mielle’s is my favourite. The sugar granules are gentle enough that my scalp doesn’t feel raw when I rinse it out with warm water, while being super effective at removing build up – which is a must for curly hair since we use quite a lot of products. The nozzle head is genius, so that the product gets directly on your scalp, and I love that it lathers up to a creamy consistency, which washes out clean without leaving any exfoliants floating on my strands.
REFY, Lip Sculpt
Lip Sculpt
This month, REFY launched a new and improved version of its best-selling Lip Sculpt, and it delivers. Unlike the original edition, the simplified Lip Sculpt has parted ways with the silicone-based setting balm and has been reformulated to last all day without the extra steps – seriously, this thing doesn’t budge. The smooth, new formula is infused with vitamin E and coconut oil for moisture with the same, sharp point for a precise lip line. In celebration of the new formula, REFY added two new shades to the offering – Oat, a cool light pink, and Suede, a warm medium brown.
Kylie Cosmetics, Natural Blur Powder Foundation
Natural Blur Powder Foundation
Warmer, sunnier climes are creeping in (hallelujah!) and while we collectively rejoice, the oily skin girlies sigh… think: dewy summer skin on steroids. But, BUT (!!), fear not for the Kylie Cosmetics powdered foundation is a base that offers a lightweight, matte finish with up to 12 hours of wear. And as someone who has put it through its paces, I can confirm its longevity (read: the Central line ain’t got nothing on this beat). Use alone or on top of concealer for a flawless, cake-free look.
Zara, Cocoa & Sunset Eau De Parfum
Cocoa Sunset
Gourmand girlies, we ride at dawn because Zara’s Cocoa & Sunset perfume is worth fighting for (aka, once TikTok gets ahold of this one, we expect it to sell out fast). ICYMI, the brand recently released a trio of cocoa scented perfumes, with my favourite being the ‘sunset’ iteration. I’m talking a blend of fruity, floral notes with indulgent hints of milk chocolate and vanilla. Yeah I’m salivating and what?
Glow Recipe, Watermelon Glow Niacinamide Dewy Flush
Watermelon Glow Niacinamide Dewy Flush
The anticipation for this launch was off the charts, and I can tell you it was worth the wait! Combining makeup and skincare, the Glow Recipe Dewy Flush gives a stunning *dewy* flush of colour while feeding the skin with some hero skincare ingredients, including niacinamide, watermelon extract and hyaluronic acid. I applied it over makeup, but seeing as it gives a glossy finish to the skin, it will also look cute alone or over a very lightweight tint. I'll be taking this on my next sunny vacay, for sure!
Garnier, 8H Invisible Blemish Patches
Pure Active 8hr Invisible Hydrocolloid Blemish Patch
I love these little guys for drawing out the puss and gunk (sorry) from my spot. Practically working overnight to banish my blemish, the Garnier hydrocolloid pimple patches form a protective seal over the spot to reduce its appearance and bring down inflammation. I tested one over an annoying bout of hormonal acne and while no, they aren't the most advanced pimple patches out there (some feature ingredients like salicylic acid to draw out gunk), the stickers did a great job at calming and protecting from my wandering fingers (I'm a picker!). And they're 38p per patch – bargain!
TRESemmé, Lamellar Shine Ultra-Gloss Spray
Lamellar Shine Spray
Here's the thing, iconic is iconic and in my eyes, the Color Wow Dream Coat Spray is iconic. It deserves its hero status in its own right, but if you don't fancy dropping £27 on the bottle, TRESemmé have launched this Lamellar Shine Spray for a tenner – yep, £10!! I generously spritzed it though damp hair and used a hot brush to dry. The result was jawdrop worthy! It left me with a mirror-like gloss (which, on my dry-AF hair is an achievement), and my annoying flyaways suddenly became well behaved – hey, silky sleek lengths! I also appreciate the 230°C heat protection as it's often a step I forget.
Molton Brown, Bluebell and Wild Strawberry Shower Gel
Bluebell & Wild Strawberry Bath and Shower Gel
You'll never catch me using an unscented shower gel – like a shower is boring enough, let's make it fun, people! My latest obsession is the new Molton Brown Bluebell and Wild Strawberry Shower Gel. Yes, it's a little spenny for a shower gel, but it's a real treat for your senses and your skin. The berry-forward aroma is uplifting and invigorating for the morning, plus the light lather gently cleanses my skin and makes it feel soft once I step out the shower.
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