From the internet’s favourite lip balm to a perfume that smells like marmalade: May’s best new beauty launches

May best new beauty

Credit: Brands

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From the internet’s favourite lip balm to a perfume that smells like marmalade: May’s best new beauty launches

By Holly Bullock

2 years ago

All products on this page have been selected by the editorial team, however Stylist may make commission on some products purchased through affiliate links in this article

4 min read

Warm weather calls for a beauty shake up – here are the best new products our beauty writer tested this month…


Is it just me, or does it seem like May is finally starting to take its role of easing us into summer seriously? Lightweight dresses have been dragged out from beneath beds and removed from their plastic Ikea casings, sandals have been given their seasonal debut (blisters ahoy) and evening drinks in the park that once seemed like an unachievable goal are now sparking a slew of new WhatsApp group chats.

With the turning of the seasons there often comes a changing of the beauty product guard, too. A switch from rich moisturisers to lightweight serums and gels, for example. Or a renewed enthusiasm for body care now that the weather is on our side.

Thankfully, Stylist’s beauty desk is awash with new launches that fit the seasonal bill. This month, I road-tested a cooling eye cream that feels like a grown-up version of soothing cucumbers, an ingenious hair serum that’s helping to revive my dry ends, a citrussy summer scent that’s in no way overly sweet, and I trialled the internet’s new favourite lip balm. Spoiler: it didn’t disappoint. 

Kerastase Nutritive Nutri-Supplement Split Ends Serum

Kerastase Nutritive Nutri-Supplement Split Ends Serum

When I saw that this serum is made for “dry hair with split ends”, I felt very seen. I apply a few pipettes full to the mid-lengths and ends of my hair while it’s wet – followed by a leave-in conditioner because my hair is curly – and it’s made a world of difference. The formula contains polymers that coat the hair and leave it with visibly fewer split ends. (If my hairdresser is reading this, I promise I’ll get that haircut soon…)

Shop Kerastase Nutritive Nutri-Supplement Split Ends Serum at Sephora, £36.60

Buy now

St.Tropez Self Tan Luxe Body Serum

St.Tropez Self Tan Luxe Body Serum

I slather myself in so much SPF50 that I rarely get a tan, so I rely on at-home self-tanners to make myself feel summery in the run-up to warm weather. This hyaluronic acid-packed serum feels like a gel moisturiser and leaves my skin with a subtle glow without being sticky.

Shop St.Tropez Self Tan Luxe Body Serum at Boots, £28

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Acqua di Parma Arancia La Spugnatura Eau De Toilette

Acqua di Parma Arancia La Spugnatura Eau De Toilette

If, like me, you love the slightly bitter orangey tang of marmalade, this citrussy fragrance is like that in perfume form. It’s a limited edition for this summer, but the freshly squeezed Sicilian scent deserves to be spritzed for seasons to come.

Shop Acqua di Parma Arancia La Spugnatura Eau De Toilette at Harrods, £157

Buy now

Ulé Beauty Oh la Plump Quenching Hydrating Serum

Ulé Beauty Oh La Plump Quenching Hydrating Serum

No matter how much water I drink, I still get those dehydrated fine lines around my eyes and on my forehead unless I don’t use a good hydrating serum. Packed with glycerin and hyaluronic acid, Ulé’s new launch makes my skin feel plump and refreshed.

Shop Ulé Beauty Oh la Plump Quenching Hydrating Serum at Space NK, £80

Buy now

This Works Perfect Legs Skin Miracle

This Works Perfect Legs Skin Miracle

This product may not be entirely new, but the larger bottle size, recyclable packaging and my enthusiasm for it are. Like a tinted moisturiser for the body, on days where I want to disguise unevenness on my limbs and add glow, this non-streaky vitamin C serum is what I reach for.

Shop This Works Perfect Legs Skin Miracle at M&S, £40

Buy now

Paula’s Choice Advanced Sun Protection Daily Moisturiser SPF 50

Paula’s Choice Advanced Sun Protection Daily Moisturiser SPF50

This facial sunscreen feels more like a lightweight moisturiser than a typical suncream, but it contains five different UV filters for maximum protection. Measure it out using two fingers to make sure you’re applying enough, and prepare for a dewy, sheer finish with no white cast.

Shop Paula’s Choice Advanced Sun Protection Daily Moisturiser SPF 50 at Paula’s Choice, £39

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Estée Lauder Pure Colour Crème Lipstick in Defiant Coral

Estée Lauder Pure Colour Crème Lipstick in Defiant Coral

Estée Lauder’s signature lipstick range has a colour to suit everyone, but this peppy pink-toned red is my favourite. I apply two thin layers, dabbing with a tissue in between, for an almost matte finish that’s ultra long-lasting.

Shop Estée Lauder Pure Colour Crème Lipstick in Defiant Coral at Look Fantastic, £31

Buy now

Earl of East Shinrin-Yoku All Over Oil

Earl of East Shinrin-Yoku All Over Oil

You’ve probably heard of its candle workshops and chic home scents – now, Earl of East has launched body care. This generous bottle smells brilliantly herbal and can be used everywhere from dry shins to the ends of your hair.

Shop Earl of East Shinrin-Yoku All Over Oil at Earl of East, £55

Buy now

Chanel Hydra Beauty Micro Crème Yeux Illuminating Hydrating Eye Cream

Chanel Hydra Beauty Micro Crème Yeux Illuminating Hydrating Eye Cream

If you have eyes that feel puffy and swollen when you wake up, firstly: same. Secondly: this eye cream is for you. It’s a lightweight gel and contain lots of mini droplets which burst when you lightly smooth them onto your under eyes – this action, plus the hydrating formula, will leave everything feeling soothed.

Shop Chanel Hydra Beauty Micro Crème Yeux Illuminating Hydrating Eye Cream at John Lewis, £55

Buy now

Rhode Peptide Lip Treatment in Salted Caramel

Rhode Peptide Lip Treatment in Salted Caramel

I can’t be the only one whose TikTok feed is wall-to-wall Rhode. But when I tried this lip balm, I instantly understood the hype. It smells like Werther’s Original in the best possible way – and makes my lips feel instantly hydrated and smooth without any of the tingling associated with typical lip plumpers.

Shop Rhode Peptide Lip Treatment in Salted Caramel at Rhode, £16

Buy now

Images: courtesy of brands

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