When you work in beauty, you see a LOT of new launches each month throughout the year. 2017 was a banger, with awesome new makeup from the likes of Huda Beauty and Fenty, impressive skincare from Beauty Pie and Vichy, and buzzing hair bits by Sam McKnight and Shu Uemura. Here are some of my new favourites…
Sol De Janeiro Bum Bum Cream
2017 was the year of the bum. Championing the cause? Sol De Janeiro’s much-hyped body moisturiser, of course. For use all over the body (as well as your bum) this smells insanely good and sinks into the skin like a dream.
Glossier You Perfume
Definitely a grower rather than a shower. I thought it was way too sweet at first, but it’s increasingly addictive the more you use it. Dammit Glossier, you got me again!
Urban Decay Naked Heat Palette
When I was at Glamour, this was initially so in demand we were only allowed to keep a sample for 24 hours to use for video content. It exploded onto the market earlier this year and has become my favourite Naked palette yet…
Anastasia Beverly Hills Subculture Palette
Despite the ruckus around the oxidising and difficult-to-blend shades, I got on pretty well with this. It was actually my first ABH palette (I’ve never had Modern Renaissance, sob) and the pretty Autumnal colours were right up my makeup street.
Huda Beauty Desert Dusk Palette
I remember carrying this home after being given one by Danni, a lovely PR for Huda, and thinking that if I got mugged I would rather hand over my keys and money than this bad boy. SO PRETTY.
Huda Beauty Smokey Obsessions Mini Palette
Huda was super smart in making these. I know everyone’s obsessed with the bigger palettes but they’re a seriously spenny £56 a pop so smaller, more affordable options have made many-a-dream come true for beauty fans. I like the smokey colour-way, but they’re all beaut.
Shu Uemura Urban Moisture Shampoo & Conditioner
I’d never really tried Shu Uemura haircare until I was sent these, and they’re really high quality, lovely products that smooth hair and smell amazing. I would definitely fork out real £$£$£ for them.
Frances Prescott Tri Balm
I’ve gone on about this so many times, partly because Frances is a good pal and I want to support her, but mostly because the product speaks for itself. It’s become my go-to balm cleanser for removing makeup at night.
Hourglass Confessions Lipsticks
The chicest-looking lipsticks I ever did see, and the colours and pigment are impressive too. Hourglass has got some really amazing launches coming up in 2018, and these were my fave this year.
Vichy Mineral 89 Serum
Injecting a massive hit of moisture into skin, I love this purse-friendly serum for morning or night before moisturiser.
Becca First Light Priming Filter
It smells like sweets and the formula is a gorge purple haze. It primes skin by adding a great glow without looking shiny.
Beauty Pie Fruitizyme Five Minute Facial
Tightens pores, smoothes skin and adds a hint of radiance – ALL IN FIVE MINUTES. The ultimate speedy mask of 2017.
Shiseido Wetforce Sports BB Cream SPF 50
I wore this in New Zealand while zorbing in an inflatable ball full of water – and when I got out, it was STILL ALL THERE. When they say waterproof, they damn well mean it.
Fenty Beauty Killawatt Freestyle Highlighter in Ginger Binge
The most amazing rose gold shade for cheekbones and eyes, these soft powders are the best thing in the Fenty range, IMO.
Diptyque Unicorn: Frosted Forest Christmas Candle
Is it just me or do Diptyque Christmas candles keep getting better year-on-year?! I’m obsessed with the smell and look of the Unicorn one this festive season.
Diptyque London Special Edition Candle
Earlier this year, Diptyque designed a candle for each big city where they had a store, and the London one is stunning. I haven’t brought myself to burn it yet because it just feels so special.
Chanel Gabrielle Perfume
The brand’s biggest perfume launch in a long while, this admittedly isn’t my all-time favourite Chanel scent (that’s Beige) but it’s such a special one and is packaged beautifully.
Tata Harper Creme Riche
I’m not sure I would actually fork out £185 for this but I do really love it. It’s super velvety and lovely to pop on before you go to sleep.
Glamglow Volcasmic Matte Moisturiser
While having a moisturiser that’s both matte and glowy in finish doesn’t seem to make sense in theory, IRL this actually works a treat, giving you an illuminating boost but leaving a matte finish ready for makeup.
By Terry Mini Baume De Rose
My absolute favourite rosey lip balm comes in a super dinky mini size this Christmas and I AM SO THERE FOR IT.
Sam Mcknight Lazy Girl Spray
I’ve already been through two of these since it launched in the summer, which for me is a big deal as I rarely finish things. It’s taken over from the Oribe Apres Beach Wave Spray as my favourite ever texture-giver.
Tom Ford Girls Mini Lipsticks
To join the much-loved Tom Ford Boys Lipsticks, this year the luxe brand rolled out 50 (I think?) new shades to make up the Girls collection. Naturally for TF, they’re insanely good.
Huda Beauty Faux Filter Foundation
I was so sure I wasn’t going to like this. It’s known to be very high coverage and I worried that much like the Fenty and Kat Von D formulas, it would feel a little cakey. But since wearing it I’ve had so many compliments on my skin. It’s high coverage, but has a glow and lets skin shine through. One of my new faves.