2021 has already had some strong beauty launches and resurgences that have caught my eye and landed in my saved items and various wishlists. Some may have slipped and fell into my Boots basket too. From TikTok viral foundations and creamy blushes to skincare infused tints and game-changing mascaras, have a scroll through for the launches I can’t stop thinking about. In the meantime, I’ll try and justify my way into buying 3 foundations, 2 mascaras and yet another neutral eyeshadow palette.
Huda Beauty Brown Obsessions, £30.00, Huda Beauty
I am obsessed with Huda’s Obsession range (pun now intended). The only reason I don’t have more than one is purely because I can’t decide which one I want next, as I pretty much want them all. This latest drop however speaks to me, with it being full of pigmented neutrals in 3 different colourways, all in beautiful tortoiseshell packaging which is a print I love. I most definitely do not need another neutrals palette (I do) but if I was going to get one (I will), it would be this – specifically the Chocolate and or Toffee. [Edit: yeah I want Caramel as well…so all of them].Technically, Huda said they’re not your normal neutrals so…
Fenty Beauty Eaze Drop Skin Tint, £25.00, Boots
I EEEKED with joy when I saw the announcement on Instagram. I have been WAITING for Fenty to drop a tinted moisturiser, as we all know they would come through properly (no shade…well a little) with the inclusive 25-shade range in the first drop. Everyone has been loving a lighter base at the moment, myself included, and this looks perfect for WFH but also if/when we are going out and about as it looks like it gives pretty good coverage too. I think I’ve figured out my shade from the very helpful cheat sheet they posted, so this was straight in my Boots basket as I’m treating myself using my advantage card points PLUS its currently on sale for £21, as part of the Big Pay Day Drop. You’re welcome.
Pat McGrath Limited Edition Lust Lip & Eye Kits, from £25.00, Pat McGrath Labs
Pat McGrath has me in a virtual choke-hold, I’m convinced. Sorry that was dramatic (and God forbid) but my gosh, there are few brands today that have me audibly gasping at photos.She announced she’s dropping limited edition eye and lip kits, and I was immediately drawn like the magpie I am to the cobalt blue shadow because WOW. Its just stunning. the lip kit too is a red, and has this ruby shimmer pigment which I thought was an eyeshadow but is actually for your lips. Honestly, I just want everything from this drop, and whilst I wish they came as single products and I have to take the plunge and at least get the eyeshadow kit because I can’t not have that colour in my life.
Lancôme Lash Idole Mascara, £23.50, Boots
Katie Jane Hughes sold me on this one after seeing her use this numerous times on her IG story tutorials, along with the lovely Lisa Caldognetto in the video above. I most definitely don’t need a new mascara but my gosh this looks so good, and Lancôme are one of the consistent winners in the mascara field I think so very trusted. I usually shy away from mascaras that claim to be voluminous as they can be quite clumpy and the wands are too chubby for my liking but this looks right up my street. It grips every lash to give natural looking volume whist fanning out and lifting the lashes.
Jouer Blush & Bloom Cheek + Lip Duo, £29.00, Cult Beauty
I am a bit of a magpie at the moment when it comes to anything cream blush related, so when I saw this on Cult Beauty’s feed I was intrigued. I love the idea of it being a duo stick, which is something I’ve not really seen on the market at the moment. Having looked at the imagery and shades, I’m not 100% sure they’ve sold me on using some of them as a lip colour as they intended – which is something I like to use blushes for – but for cheeks, I’m sold. I’m immediately drawn to the shades Inspire and Celebrate.
Ciaté London Dewy Skin Glass Glow Tint, £26.00, ASOS
The hype is real around tinted moisturisers at the moment, and ’tis the season for them. I had my eye on this initially during competitor research for work but when I saw Mel’s Wardrobe and Dr Ewoma both say they like it, I knew I needed it in my life. Its more than I expected at £26, which isn’t bad, just thought Ciate London were more of a mass brand. I do think there is some room to add a couple of shades to the current 10 shades but these look quite flexible and go quite pale and deep. I quickly added shade 090 in my ASOS saved items, but its inching its way to my basket with the right discount code (or pay day).
NARS Air Matte Blush, £25.00, Lookfantastic
The cream blush obsession continues with what I think can only be described as little pots of joy. How satisfying is the picture please? I’m in love. I tried on some shades using their Instragram try on (so cool by the way), and I want most of them but particularly called by Torch, Scandalous and Rush. NARS is one of those brands that I’ve always admired from afar but never bit the bullet and bought anything (not counting the bargains found in TKMaxx) but this and the Tinted Moisturiser (now they’ve extended their shade range) have caught my eye. Might as well get the Air Matte Lipstick to match whilst we’re at it, would be rude not to finish off the look right?
Maybelline Lash Sensational Sky High Mascara, £9.99, Boots
So this isn’t new new but its recent enough I would say to count? No? Ah well too bad, its here anyway. Although some of my all time favourite mascaras come with a slightly premium price tag, I don’t think you need to spend loads on mascara and there are some brands that do just as good, if not better jobs. Maybelline for me is one of them, especially lash sensational waterproof – my go to high street mascara. I saw this doing the rounds on Instagram after it had done the rounds on TikTok which I had evidently missed; but I’m so impressed by the dramatic lengthening results on different people’s lashes too. It looks to be a proper lengthening and separating mascara without making lashes look clumpy – so it’ll be interesting to see in real life whether the extreme length is too spidery. For £9.99 you really can’t go wrong and its gone into my basket when I can find it in stock!
Bobbi Brown Luxe Defining Lipstick, £29.00, Bobbi Brown
This is a genius product, and I have to applaud the product development team for this so right. I feel like we often see a lot of product claiming to be a lip liner and lipstick in one, but it’s not without the fuss of getting a lip brush or awkwardly positioning your lips or the product to apply as a liner. When in actual fact, as Bobbi Brown have shown with this, it’s quite simple – make a pigmented lipstick with a fine tipped end. I saw these used on the Bobbi UK team, namely Jasmine and Holly and knew I needed to try this. It comes in 11 pigmented shades, so you’re bound to find something that suits you. The precision tip just makes life easier, particularly for bold lip newbies but also the experts who want the crisp finish. I have my eye on a *few* shades, namely Rococoa, Red Illusion and Terracotta.
KVD Beauty Good Apple Skin Perfecting Foundation Balm, £27.00, Boots
You have probably seen this makeup everywhere already so here it is again for you! Again, a product doing the TikTok rounds and I see why, the coverage is THERE. Like its full coverage. So why do I , the person who just said I like light bases a few scrolls up, want a full coverage foundation balm? I could ask the same question, but truth be told its a balance. I definitely prefer a light to medium, buildable coverage on a day to day basis but turn to full coverage on special occasions such as weddings where I need my makeup to last all day. Still impressed by the coverage and its fresh matte finish, but hesitant because it may not be for my combination skin. However, videos have suggested with the right skin prep and setting, those of us with a tendency to get oily are good to go. I’m also impressed by the amount of shades available and the fact that I’m probably in the Tan category, which is a first(!?) but implies how deep the shades go.
This list could’ve been longer, but I think its time we stopped there. Do you have any of these on your wishlists (or have you now added them to yours)? What makeup launches are you excited about? Share with them with me in the comments below.
You’ll also notice that where I can I have linked to Boots, as they have up to 20% off premium beauty until 30th March. Of course, this isn’t sponsored but just thought if you can save some pennies and collect some points while you’re at it, then why not! I will more than likely be using my points to treat myself to at least the Fenty Beauty Eaze Drop (and maybe a couple of others that were already in my basket….oops).
Hope you enjoyed reading this as much as I enjoy writing it. Happy shopping!
Until next time,
Esther xxxx
EST. SINCE 94 