It’s a job perk, for sure.
Getting to try new beauty products and treatments is always fun. But having written about beauty and wellness for over a decade at this stage, I am the first to admit that it certainly isn’t every product that crosses my desk that impresses me.
However, some really do, and I love finding products that genuinely work – and getting to tell others about them.
And in that spirit, if you want to save yourself some trial-and-error, and expensive mistakes, take my word for these 11 new products I recently got to test.
Having used them up to the very last drop, these are all great buys:
1. Vichy Liftactiv Specialist Peptide-C Anti-Ageing Ampoules
Hyaluronic acid and Vitamin C are both big buzzwords in the skincare world these days, and Vichy has captured the power of both in this new anti-wrinkle ampoule enriched with 10% Vitamin C, natural-origin hyaluronic acid and peptides.
I don’t have too many wrinkles I am worried about yet, but there are days when I feel like my skin is definitively lacking both radiance and glow.
I loved the concept of these ampoules, and how they deliver a fresh dose of product for every application.
I think I noticed a difference in my skin even on that first morning after having applied that first glass ampoule, and every day, my skin just seemed to look brighter and more even and had a glow that made one of my friends comment I looked like I had been on holidays for a month!
And if that isn’t reason enough to re-buy this product, I don’t know what is!
€30
2. Sona Beaute Active Skin Hair Nails Complex
I am a big believer in that you really are what you eat, and that when it comes to your skin, it is far more important that you eat a good diet than any type of product you purchase and put on it.
Eating a healthy, wholesome diet full of plants and nuts and fruit is, of course, the most important thing you can do for your skin – and health in general, but I also believe that for so many of us, our lifestyles often see us needing to supplement our intake of vitamins, minerals and other nutrients.
I recently tested the new BeautéActive Skin Hair Nail Complex from Sona, and was impressed, mostly by the fact that they contained marine collagen.
As we age, our body’s ability to produce new collagen declines, and existing collagen begin to break down. The loss effects skin, joints, and bones, and the decreased collagen may also lead to increased digestive problems, weakened immune systems, and increased risk of chronic illness.
As well as this, collagen plays a big part in our skin, helping it look firmer, increase smoothness, and help your skin cells keep renewing and repairing normally.
€24.95
3. Prai Beauty 24K Gold Caviar Wrinkle Repair Serum
Super-luxurious (it’s infused with real gold!), this gorgeous serum gently and effectively combat signs of ageing – leaving skin with a luminous, youthful glow.
I used this serum twice a week until every bit of it was used up, and really can testify to it doing what it promises to do.
Even better? I love how none of the products from Prai have been tested on animals, are all certified cruelty-free by Leaping Bunny and that they donate a portion of every sale to helping animals.
€47
4. Loreal Revitalift Filler (+ Hyaluronic Acid) The Replumping Mask
I recently brought this with me as I was flying off on holidays, and quickly discovered that this mask is pretty much the most perfect thing to put on your face after stepping off a flight. Infused with hyaluronic acid, the masks gave my dry and sensitive skin some much-needed moisture. I know I’ll be stocking up on these before every flight from now on.
Available from March.
5. Maybelline Dream Radiant Liquid Hydrating Foundation
I am funny about foundations, and usually just wear a tinted moisturiser on my face. However, sometimes I do want a little bit more coverage and recently reached for this one by Maybelline.
My first impression was that it felt super-light on my skin, but gave a gorgeous, medium coverage that evened out my complexion, but still let my own skin shine through.
This new lightweight foundation is part makeup/part skincare, and formulated with hyaluronic acid and collagen, meaning it moisturises skin while also giving it a natural look. All in all, I have used it ever since on days when I feel like my skin needs a little bit more than just my tinted moisturiser.
€13.99
6. Nouba Noubaglow Highlighter Stick
My brand new must-have for my handbag – perfect when you just need to give your face a little boost of glow.
This multi-purpose stick I recently tried gives my skin a super-dewy finish. I was amazed at the jelly-like formula, rich in micronized iridescent pigments, and how it gently glides on my face resulting in a lit-from-within glow.
I also love how it can be used on naked skin – when you don’t want to wear makeup, but just wants a little radiance, or over makeup for a luminous finish on face, eyes or lips.
$17
7. La Roche-Posay Retinol B3 Serum
If wrinkles and uneven skin is something you worry about with your own skin, you need to introduce retinol into your skincare regime ASAP.
The mew La Roche Posay Retinol B3 Serum is an intensive anti-wrinkle serum to help combat the signs of ageing, containing pure gradual release retinol along with Vitamin B3 to leave skin feeling smoother, hydrated and renewed.
Results: Fine lines and wrinkles are visibly reduced, premature sun damage is reduced and skin is left visibly more radiant and youthful.
€34.99
8. Votary Intense Night Oil – Rosehip and Retinoid
My absolute favourite new product – by miles.
Yes, it is pricy, but trust me – it delivers.
Votary Intense Night Oil combines powerful natural oils with retinoid to smooth texture, even-out tone and it literally transformed my skin, making it appear younger, plumper and more glowing.
The science behind the award-winning formula it is that Intense Night Oil both encourages the skin’s natural turnover of cells and reduces the breakdown of collagen, meaning you wake with firmer, smoother skin.
€175.00
9. Loreal Elvive Frizz Killer Serum
Where have you been all my life?!
I love this new anti-frizz serum from Loreal, it simply just does what it says, keeps my hair sleek, smooth, soft and frizz-free – even on winter days when I am constantly moving between the freezing air outside and the heated air inside my office or home.
€11.50, pharmacies nationwide
10. Garnier Skinactive Rose Water Cleanse & Glow Micellar Water
If you are looking for an effective, gentle and easy to use a cleanser to both remove make-up and unleash your skin’s glow, you need to try the new Garnier Micellar Rose Water Cleanse & Glow. In just one step, it removes make-up and impurities while also brightening dull and sensitive skin.
Rosewater has been used for centuries to brighten skin, and now the clever minds at Loreal have managed to infuse their latest cleansing product with it. The result? Perfectly cleansed skin with a beautiful glow.
11. Rimmel Scandaleyes Reloaded Mascara
What can I say? It is perfect, especially for those days (or nights) when you want to super-size your lashes to the extreme.
I love the fact that there is no clumping, and that it is ‘sweat-proof’ rather than waterproof, which I often find hard to remove.
€10.00
