Credit: Courtesy of brands
Beauty
From a lymphatic drainage moisturiser to the ultimate hair repair mask, here are 12 products our beauty director loved in January
2 months ago
4 min read
Each month, Stylist’s beauty director discovers an array of new launches across skincare, haircare, fragrance and make-up. These are the ones she keeps going back to.
Much like every January, this year has started off with an abundance of beauty launches aimed at repairing, restoring and replenishing across different areas of our routines. This includes new ingredients (hello, ectoin), new technology and even world-first packaging, including the moisturiser that has a lymphatic drainage massage tool embedded into the dispenser.
I’ve also noticed some of my most loved beauty products reimagined in new forms, including Vieve’s latest iteration of its bestselling primer, Sol de Janeiro’s new Cheroisa 59-scented body wash and Laneige’s new cleanser, which forms part of its popular Water Bank range.
Here are the new launches I tried, tested and loved throughout January.
Vieve Super Skin Nova
You’ll have likely heard of Vieve’s brilliant Skin Nova Primer, a skin-boosting formula that packs a glowy punch. Now, the brand has released a new addition to the franchise: Super Skin Nova. Thicker in texture, this primer delivers the same healthy-looking glow but also contains seven types of hyaluronic acid, peptides and ceramides for deep hydration.
Sol de Janeiro Delicia Drench Shower Oil
Another brilliant collection extension, Sol de Janeiro has bottled up its cult Cheirosa 59 scent and blended it into a nourishing body wash. The oil-to-foam formula cleanses away dirt, while a combination of nut and seed oils replenishes skin.
Shop Sol de Janeiro Delicia Drench Shower Oil at Cult Beauty, £23
Refy Face Sculpt
It’s finally happened: viral brand Refy has branched out into skincare. Within its impressive two-product line-up is this clever moisturiser. Not only does the gel-cream texture plump and hydrate skin (and sink in quickly with zero stickiness), but it also has a not-been-seen-before built-in facial roller, adding an element of lymphatic drainage as you apply.
Essie On a Roll Apricot Nail and Cuticle Oil
After seeing a significant decline in my nail growth over the last few months, I’m paying closer attention to my overall nail and cuticle health, and this handy Essie roll-on makes it a doddle. The perfect size to throw into my handbag, I can keep my nails and cuticles hydrated and nourishing easily.
Shop Essie On a Roll Apricot Nail and Cuticle Oil at Lookfantastic, £14.99
Dr Sam’s Flawless Brightly Eye Serum
The Stylist beauty desk has long been fans of Dr Sam Bunting’s brilliant eponymous skincare brand. Her latest launch comes in the form of an eye cream that ticks off numerous benefits. Wonder ingredients niacinamide, bakuchiol and alpha glucosyl hesperidin work together to rejuvenate skin and milk thistle extract protects skin against environmental aggressors. Then, to top it all off, the formula brilliantly primes the skin for make-up, while optical brighteners deliver a skin boost to neutralise blue or green undertones, making you less reliant on concealer, too.
Glossier No 1. Pencil Creamy Long-Wearing Eyeliner
In case you haven’t seen it plastered all over social media already, cherry is beauty’s big colour, scent and ingredient of the moment. Tapping into the big trend, Glossier has unveiled its Black Cherry collection, an ode to the deep, rich red colour. My favourite from the range is the dark eyeliner. As somebody who often reaches for black pencils, this one offers the same eye-opening effects but in a subtler, softer way.
Shop Glossier No 1. Pencil Creamy Long-Wearing Eyeliner at Sephora UK, £18
Laneige Water Bank Gentle Gel Cleanser
Already a big fan of Laneige’s Water Bank Blue Hyaluronic Acid Intensive Cream (honestly, if you haven’t tried it, you must), I was excited to see the brand has brought out a cleanser packed with the same blue hyaluronic acid. It lightly foams to wick away signs of make-up and dirt while leaving skin soft and bouncy.
Shop Laneige Water Bank Gentle Gel Cleanser at Cult Beauty, £25
The Inkey List Ectoin Hydro-Barrier Serum
Ectoin has been hailed a wonder ingredient for 2025, thanks to its ability to simultaneously deliver hydration while strengthening the skin’s barrier. The skin experts at The Inkey List have homed in on this, making it the star of its latest serum, a formula dedicated to a healthier barrier while reducing signs of dryness, dullness, redness and flakiness. What more could you want?
Shop The Inkey List Ectoin Hydro-Barrier Serum at Sephora UK, £16
Gisou Honey Gloss Ceramide Therapy Hair Mask
Between drying central heating and battering winds, my hair has been taking a bit of a beating recently, but this delightful pot is working wonders to restore it. Formulated with Gisou’s signature Mirsalehi honey (founder Negin Mirsalehi’s father is a sixth-generation beekeeper), hyaluronic acid and ceramides, this powerful combo works to leave hair shinier, healthier and smoother.
Shop Gisou Honey Gloss Ceramide Therapy Hair Mask at Sephora, £39
Murad Heartleaf Soothing Body Cleansing Wash
Much like we do with our moisturisers, I’m a big believer in switching up my body wash depending on how my skin is feeling. This one is perfect for those with sensitive skin: it contains lipids that replenish skin, strengthen the barrier and leave your skin feeling soothed and soft.
Shop Murad Heartleaf Soothing Body Cleansing Wash at SpaceNK, £26
Byoma Phyto Mucin Glow Serum
Utilising the benefits of phytomucin, an ingredient praised for its moisturising and healing abilities, this clever (and very affordable) serum works to not only hydrate but even skin texture and improve elasticity.
Chantecaille Les Papillons Nymph Eye Trio
After noticing that the butterflies that often visited her garden had stopped, Chantecaille founder Sylvie Chantecaille created a collection to support two non-profits working to conserve butterflies and their habitats. Alongside helping, this eyeshadow palette looks gorgeous on all skin tones. I particularly love the middle lilac shade.
Shop Chantecaille Les Papillons Nymph Eye Trio at Chantecaille, £70
Images: courtesy of brands
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