An epic, lash-boosting mascara, the only portable hot brush, glow-inducing skincare, and more. Here are the editor-approved beauty buys to invest in this New Year, says Trudi Brewer.
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2023 is the year of putting yourselves first. While inflation bites, treating yourself to an affordable luxurious beauty buy is not only a self-care practice but also uplifting and essential. These are just a handful of the products that deliver on their promises and will bring you instant joy - I promise.
To discover them, keep scrolling.
The hot brush
Lady Jayne Salon Pro Rechargeable Straightening Brush, $109.
I have shared the endless benefits of this new straightening brush before. But here goes again. It’s wireless, compact (fits in a small handbag), lightweight, and portable. This frizz-taming, USB-chargeable hot brush (I keep mine in my car) gives you smooth hair anywhere. Each double-row of 3D-like pins is coated with ceramic and ionic powders, which means no static, and in one pass of the five temperature options up to 200 degrees, your hair looks like you have just stepped out of a salon. If you don’t have one, best you get one.
The Mascara
Revitalash Double-ended Volume Set Primer & Mascara, $69.
I bought this mascara off the back of the hype created among beauty experts - and when I saw a friend sporting incredible-looking lashes late last year, I can now attest every word is accurate. It’s a two-in-one bright blue lash primer and rich, glossy black mascara duo that does more than prep lashes; it boosts volume, and wow, does it increase the length? Why? The formula's biotin and soft flex polymers help condition and strengthen lashes; the brush, let’s face it, that is what makes or breaks a mascara - is a volume-building wonder wand that captures every lash, and it’s water-resistant. As mascara goes, it’s extraordinary.
The hair mask
Schwarzkopf BlondMe All Blondes RICH Mask, $44.
The summer sun is brutal on my coloured, curly hair, But a weekly dose of the clever 3D bonding technology that takes a few extra minutes in the shower on towel-dried hair has restored my fragile, frizzy hair from the inside out. Those flyaways and that crispy feeling are a distant memory - plus, the light floral scent smells divine.
The unisex scent
AllSaints Flora Mortis EDP 100ml, $140.
I love a unisex scent for the holidays; it means you pack less for travel. UK fashion brand Allsaints has cracked its fragrance offering. This woody floral perfume is loaded with orchids, black pepper, and amber wood. You know when you can’t stop smelling your wrist, you have a fragrance match - also, it smells so different on both my hubby and me.
The brow gel
Nude by Nature Precision Brow Mascara, 01 Blonde, $30.
It’s not just the perfect, petite brush that gives this brow groomer the wow factor; the vega formula boosts brow growth with pro-vitamin B5 and provides each hair with a glossy sheen thanks to candelilla wax. Yes, it dries in seconds and holds brows in shape for hours, and the blonde shade slightly lightens my dark brows to match my summer blonde highlights - it’s not just a great buy; it’s a beauty staple.
The lip balm
Elizabeth Arden Eight Hour Lipcare Stick SPF15, $45.
Summer calls for a heavy-duty SPF lip balm, and I always reach for this famous skin healer every year. If you know Eight Hour Cream, Victoria Beckham swears by it post-flight for combating dehydrated skin; then this is the stick form of what has become a cult beauty buy that is 93 years old. The reason it’s called Eight Hour is that one of Ms Arden’s loyal clients claimed the miracle cream healed her son’s grazed knee in just eight hours. What makes it so good is the blend of skin-soothing beta-hydroxy acid, which gently exfoliates, and vitamin E. Oh, this stick is not exclusively for lips; I use it as a nourishing cuticle cream and on my cheekbones for a subtle, on-the-go sheen.
The body butter
Garnier Body Superfood 48-hR Repairing Butter, $12.
There are two things I love most about my job, finding a brilliant cheeky beauty buy and sharing its virtues. First, this new body butter is addictive, which is ok when it costs $12 and can be found at your local supermarket.
Also, if your skin is dry, like mine, and you like to drench it in rich cream, the cocoa butter and ceramides in this 96 per cent natural, vegan formula work wonders - and it smells like a vanilla-y-mango daiquiri.
We ask the experts.