8 Buzzy New Makeup Buys Our Editor Thinks Are *Genuinely* Worth the Hype
Amy Clark is Adore Beauty's former Senior Editor and co-host of Skincare School the podcast (and self-appointed beauty road-tester!). Amy's worked as a journalist, beauty editor and podcaster for several years, previously writing and talking about all things beauty at Mamamia and You Beauty. When she's not writing honest, no BS product reviews and taking selfies 'for work', you'll find Amy eating halloumi in a hair towel turban and... taking more selfies.
Dunno about you, but skin care has been getting most of my attention lately.
Retinol serums. Face oils. Sheet masks. 10-step Korean skincare routines.
You name it, I'm slathering it on my face in the name of non-wanky self care.
But there's only so many skincare products one person can use (yep, truly). Same goes for how often you can wash your hair.
So, I think I'm ready to get excited about makeup again.
Feeling the same? You're in luck because I've already trialled a bunch of buzzy new makeup products to find out which ones are worth your time and money.
From a new version of a cult foundation to the bronzing drops that'll make you look like you've been on a holiday somewhere warm (a gal can dream), here are eight new-ish makeup launches to add to cart ASAP.
*Literally ASAP, because two of them have already sold out and won't be back in stock for long.
1. Pai The Impossible Glow Bronzing Drops, $59.
What:
Think of this pretty bottle as a hydrating face serum, liquid bronzer and highlighter drops in one helpful product.
Why I'm obsessed:
Is this bronzing hydrating serum a Drunk Elephant D-Bronzi dupe? 100 per cent.
And I'm not the only one obsessed with them. Legit, I was going to write this article a month ago, but they sold out in a matter of DAYS.
My favourite way to use this liquid bronzer is by adding a few drops to my moisturiser, face oil or primer for an instant subtle glow.
Exhibit A.
That said, this hybrid hyaluronic acid skin care/pigmented makeup product is so versatile.
Mix it into your foundation for a glowier, sheerer coverage and finish. Wear on its own for an even wash of colour. Apply to the high points of the face as a bronze highlight.
You can even pop some on your eyelids as a creamy eyeshadow. Or on your décolletage as a bronzing body oil!
Be warned: A little goes a long way. The bronze pigment is super strong, and can look a bit orange-y if it builds up - especially in your eyebrows!
Shop it here:
2. Smith & Cult in Seek Me Out, $32.
What:
A fancy pants nail polish in the most joyful shade of metallic cherry pink!
Why I'm obsessed:
I feel like this nail polish speaks for itself, but let me tell you why you need a $32 nail polish...
The high-shine, metallic cherry colour looks even better on the nails than it does in the bottle. It literally shimmers in the light, it's mesmerising.
I tried my hand at some at-home nail art by painting geometric shapes using a small eyeliner brush. I think I did good.
The formula also ticks all the usual nail polish boxes.
Quick drying. Chip resistant. Self-levelling. Vegan (yep, vegan nail polish is as thing).
Plus, it's 8-free, meaning it contains no Dibutyl Phthalate, Toluene, Formaldehyde, Formaldehyde Resin, Camphor, Xylene, Ethyl Tosylamide, or Triphenyl Phosphate.
Shop it here:
3. Lancôme Lash Idole Mascara, $50.
What:
A volumising mascara with a lightweight, clump-free formula that lasts for up to 24 hours.
Why I'm obsessed:
Lancôme make some of the best mascaras in existence, and their newest 'lash-lifting' launch is no exception.
The Lancôme Lash Idole Lash Lifting Volumizing Mascara delivers fuller, more lifted lashes without any dreaded clumping.
Here's a look at how my lashes turned out after just one coat!
The wand is flexible, but not too bendy. And the micro-bristles combined with the curved and tapered wand shape mean you can get right int there to cover every damn lash.
Even better, the formula genuinely stays put, but isn't hard to remove.
Shop it here:
4. Estee Lauder Double Wear Sheer, $60.
What:
A sheer coverage version of the best-selling Estee Lauder Double Wear foundation!
Why I'm obsessed:
I won't say too much about the new version of Double Wear because we've got a full review and comparison coming up...
But if you love the original long-wearing Double Wear but wish it wasn't so full coverage, this is the foundation for you.
It's pretty hard to find a truly sheer to medium coverage foundation that has a skin-like matte finish (most are dewy).
Perfect for anyone with normal to oily skin who needs their foundation to last, but doesn't want the full coverage look.
5. Anastasia Beverly Hills Stick Blushes, $50.
What:
The beautiful creamy blush sticks everyone's been raving about on Instagram.
Why I'm obsessed:
We've done a full review of the Anastasia Beverly Hills cream bronzers and blush sticks, but I thought it was worth talking up the blushes again.
As a cream blush aficionado, I can confirm these ones are excellent. And very attractive, no?
They're creamy and easy to blend, but dry with a radiant skin-like finish that sets and lasts all day. My two favourite shades are Peach Caramel and Soft Rose.
You can see how these cream blushes look on other skin types and complexions in our ABH cream bronzer and blush YouTube video below.
6. MAKE UP FOR EVER Aqua Resist Brow Filler, $42.
What:
The brow product for people who don't know how to use brow products.
Why I'm obsessed:
Got absolutely no clue how to fill in your brows? This brow pencil is near impossible to stuff up.
I find the thicker, angled tip of the pencil easier to use than really skinny ones. Plus, the creamy formula is waterproof, transfer-proof, smudge-proof, sweat-proof and humidity-proof.
Very important detail, the pencil comes with a spoolie brush (naked mascara wand) on the other end, making it two brow products in one.
Here's a super easy, very effective way to fill in brows I learnt from an eyebrow artist:
- Use a spoolie to first brush your eyebrows all the way up so you can see where the gaps are.
- Lightly trace around the shape of your brow using the pencil - this will add definition - and then lightly colour in any gaps.
- Brush your brows with the spoolie again to distribute the brow product through the brows for a natural result that doesn't look 'drawn on'.
7. Napoleon Perdis Sketch Pot Gel Eyeliner, $42.
What:
The new-and-improved version of the cult Napoleon Perdis China Doll eyeliner, in the shade Dawn.
Why I'm obsessed:
Remember how devo everyone was when the Napoleon Perdis China Doll eyeliner pots were discontinued?
Never fear, because they're back and better than before.
They're still rich, creamy, pigmented and long-wearing, but now, these no-smudge, no-flake pot eyeliners come in more shades and are even more versatile.
I've been applying the shades Dawn (a bronze brown) and Tango (a shimmery deep berry) with as non-crease cream eyeshadows!
8. Lanolips Lanostick Coconutter, $18.95.
What:
The nuttier, coconut-scented version of the Lanolips Lanostick you know and love.
Why I'm obsessed:
Last but not least is maybe my favourite Lanolips product, ever. Big call, but I stand by it.
Again, this coconut and lanolin lip balm stick sold out not long after it landed on Adore, and for good reason.
It's the perfect mix of everything I need in a lip balm:
A delicious coconut scent that doesn't leave an icky taste in your mouth. Actually keeps my lips feeling hydrated. Convenient and cute stick packaging. Under $20.
My only issue with it is how it seems to run out so quickly... hoping the brand can do something about that.
Shop it here:
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