This month saw beauty being defined around the upcoming warmer months. Skincare and makeup are now light and breathable, while the fragrance side has seen a plethora of fresh floral-fruity scents that smell like summer. Amongst all the latest releases, these are the ones worth adding to your vanity.
M·A·C’s Biggest Launch Yet
For the first time ever, M·A·C is now available to shop at Sephora! From May 1, the cult favourite brand will be joining the heavy hitters in the beauty space at Sephora, both online and in-store. For OG makeup fans, this is a huge news as it brings M·A·C’s heritage of artistry, innovation, and inclusivity into a wider market within the region. And yes, it will feature every iconic lipstick and cult product you can think of!
Amouage | Love Hibiscus
The Omani fragrance house has added hibiscus to their fan-favourite Secret Garden collection right in time for the warmer months. In a gorgeous berry-red bottle, Love Hibiscus is a woody-floral fragrance with spicy, sweet, and fruity notes. At the heart of the scent is hibiscus, tart and green. Paired with passion fruit, salted caramel, sandalwood, and vanilla, you can expect a sweet yet fresh dry down that’s easy on the nose, especially on hot summer days.
Armani Beauty | Power of You
Another fragrance set to tackle the warming season is Armani’s Power of You. A juicy gourmand, the notes that comprise this scent are a heady fruit smoothie! Opening with citrus notes of passionfruit, bitter orange, and lemon, the scent dries down to vanilla and benzoin. It feels like a refreshing summer dessert in the streets of Italy, packed in a bottle ideal for those who prefer their scents on the sweeter side.
BYOMA | Bio-Collagen Radiance Facial Mask
In its signature cuboid shape, BYOMA addresses sensitive, damaged skin with a transformational peel-off mask. Starting as a gel, the texture hardens and turns into a clear film once the ingredients sink into the skin. Speaking of, this mask features bio-collagen to work on skin texture, a tri-ceramide complex to work on the skin barrier, cica that helps with redness and inflammation, and astaxanthin, an antioxidant that helps with hydration, fine lines, and skin elasticity. This mask expects to invest some time in it because the actives take around 20 minutes to fully penetrate, but for those with dry, acne-prone, and sensitive skin, the investment is really worth it.
Hourglass Cosmetics | Unreal Liquid Highlighter
Adding to the skincare-makeup hybrids, Hourglass’ latest formulation makes a liquid highlighter meet a serum. With a lightweight texture, the product applies seamlessly onto the skin, refreshing it with hyaluronic acid and White Lupin Seed Extract, while the makeup formula uses ultra-fine light-reflecting pigments to mimic the way skin naturally reflects light. It leaves on a smooth, second-skin-like base that’s buildable with a radiant glow. For those finicky with cakey makeup, this is the ideal addition that doesn’t feel like that at all!
Lancaster | Sun Perfect AIR Invisible – Face Mist SPF 50
Considering that the GCC sun can be unforgivable, we’re always on the hunt for new SPF formulations. And this one by Lancaster has become the latest favourite because of its convenient use. Formulated as a skincare mist, this SPF is perfect to use for touch-ups and over makeup. The light formula gives us the protection we need without any greasiness or need to rub the skin. Whereas antioxidants and actives in the formulation leave behind a luminous glow with every spray.
Rare Beauty | True to Myself Natural Matte Longwear Foundation
As the name suggests, the latest foundation by Rare Beauty works to bring out the best in the skin, staying “true to oneself”. Formulated with a blend of sodium hyaluronate, ginger root, and algae extract, it’s another skincare-makeup hybrid that both primes and covers the skin in a weightless feel. With a natural matte finish, it feels less like a second skin and more barley-there skin instead. With 48 shades to choose from, it’s ideal for those with normal, oily, or combination skin.
YSL Beauty | LIBRE BERRY CRUSH
Recently reaching the GCC market, the latest entry to YSL’s Libre collection is a floral fruity fragrance that has come just in time for the Spring-Summer months. Playing around with the original perfume’s lavender scent, this berry version is reimaged with raspberry, orange blossom, coconut, and vanilla accords. It’s a sensual, deep, yet vibrant scent that’s pleasant to wear on the daily. However, its sillage can be on the stronger side, so spritz with caution!
Armani Beauty | PRISMA FLASH
While trying to keep the skin hydrated, sometimes lip care gets lost in the mix. Armani Beauty’s latest tinted balm adds the skincare formulation back, so the lips are taken care of throughout the day. Featuring squalane, shea butter, jojoba and blueberry oil, and a blend of butters and waxes, this product glides onto the skin and nourishes it deeply. And as a tinted balm your not missing out on colour either! With 15 bright shades to choose from, expect a glossy, pearlescent shine and instant colour payoff, perfect for those times when you just want to throw on a lip gloss and call it a day.
BOSS | Bottled Striking Lavender
With a name that’s on the nose, the latest release by BOSS takes the typical summer fragrance and reimagines it with earthy, mossy elements. A rich, masculine scent, it opens up with mineral notes, lavender, and dries down to a woody, moss notes. It’s clean and uplifting, suited for hot summer days.
Burberry | Hero Elixir de Parfum
Another masculine fragrance that’s warm and sensual, Hero Elixir is centred around its woody character, enhancing it with ambery, smoky notes, and leather. Once the smoke clears, it dries down to a soft vanilla that’s smooth and sweet, making this scent extremely addictive with its scent profile. The heady and intense scent makes a statement during summer nights but this can easily be a hit during the winter months as well.
CHLOÉ | Atelier des Fleurs Sous les Pins
For those who prefer their summer scents on the chypre side, CHLOÉ’s latest release brings that to life with green and woody accords. In a delightful, dark chartreuse bottle, the brand bottles the South of France, taking inspiration from their sunlit coasts and fragrant pine groves. The result is notes of eucalyptus, pine leaves, and wood. It’s airy, clean, and puts you in a zen mode from the first whiff!
Eucerin | Even Pigment Perfector Dark Circle Illuminating Eye Care
The latest by Eucerin works to target dark circles and hyperpigmentation at its root with Thiamidol at the forefront of its formula. A patented ingredient, the formulation works to suppress excess melanin production while hyaluronic acid depuffs the area, and oligopeptides work on the skin’s collagen network. The metal applicator further helps to cool down and massage the delicate skin, improving the area’s blood circulation.
Gucci | Bloom Ambrosia d’Oro
Adding to its signature Gucci Bloom collection, the Bloom Ambrosia d’Oro is a gentle white floral mixed with musk. Compared to the other scents in the collection, this one is velvety, powdery, and layered with apricot, jasmine, tuberose, and sandalwood. It leans towards the chypre side, while the ginger slightly spices things up.
ILIA Beauty | Overglaze Hydrating Lip Gloss
Adding to the range of skincare-makeup hybrids in the market, ILIA Beauty does this with a clean formula at the centre. Fenugreek Seed Extract helps to nourish and plump the lips while Seaweed Extract defines and volumises them. Whereas the gloss itself comes in a cushiony finish without feeling tacky or sticky.
IT Cosmetics | Do It All Serum Color Blam Blush
With the warmer months making us prime for flush-inducing makeup, the latest blush from IT Cosmetics delivers a lit-from-within look. With a lightweight, sheer formula, you can build on the intensity, which allows it to create that natural, radiant look. And infused with collagen peptide, hyaluronic acid, and vitamin E, it keeps the skin plumped and hydrated, which is exactly what we need on hot, humid days.
Urban Decay | Meet Tube Job Mascara
Tubing mascaras have been a fan favourite in the beauty community for a while now, so it’s no surprise that Urban Decay is joining the crowd with their own powerhouse formulation. Wrapping each lash in a tube that locks the lash in place, this mascara switches the panda eyes for a smooth lift. With a serum-like texture, the formula boasts hyaluronic acid, peptides, castor oil, and shea butter to protect the delicate hair while the slim, precise brush grips and builds the lashes without damaging them. And since it’s a tube mascara, removing it is the best part, as the product glides off with water, keeping the lashes and the eyes healthy.
Youth To The People | Adaptogen Cleanser
The recent release by Youth To The People is our go-to for the warmer months. As gross as it sounds, sweat can easily cause breakouts and itchy skin, making cleansing during the hotter months even more important. The Adaptogen Cleanser tackles the issue with its gentle but powerful formula. With a milky-gel texture, the cleanser transforms into a foam, taking off impurities without stripping the skin. With mushroom extracts and 7% glycerin, the cleanser also helps to destress the skin, making it an ideal choice for those whose skin is on the sensitive side.
