July: Must-have beauty buys

This month we’ve had the pleasure of attending some of the most fantastic events, showcasing all that’s hot in the world of beauty right now. From nail polish to new fragrances: we’ve seen, smelt and sampled it, all in the name of research! We’ve managed the increasingly difficult task of narrowing down our must-have beauty buys to this fabulous selection of just ten must-own products. Don’t miss out – ensure you’re in touch with the beauty zeitgeist, only at The Upcoming each and every month!

Shu Uemura eye-conic collection – rouge unlimited supreme matte lipstick (£19)

To mark its 30^th year of success, Shu Uemura has released its limited edition colour collection. With influences straight from the swinging 60s, this collection allows you, the make-up artist, to create a vast array of looks. From bold colour statements to nudes – we love the pigmentation of this range. The colour you see in the tube is exactly what’s delivered to the skin. With Shu Uemura’s matte lipsticks being our beauty pick-me-up for this month, we adore shade M pink 345 for its feel good, mood boosting shade of eye-popping pink. We could not believe its staying power, even when topped with a lip gloss it stood the test of time – and lunch!

Bumble and bumble – thickening Full Form Mousse (£21.50)

With flat hair being so last season, achieve the height of fashion-statement style: big, bouncy hair with a little help from those clever product boffins at Bumble and bumble. To increase the density of each strand of hair, apply a pump to damp towel-dried hair and style as usual. We particularly loved combining this with Bumble and bumble surf spray for a styled, yet messy, beach look.

BeneFit – Stay Flawless 15-hour primer (£24.50)

When the newly-released BeneFit primer landed on our desk, we were more than surprised by its appearance. A primer that’s not a gel – how would this work? The answer to the question is, incredibly well! We put this primer to the test, to see if it lived up to the promises made: 15-hours of long lasting make-up staying power and pore disguising. Only true tests are carried out by applying product to one half of the face. With this being a non-colour product, we (wrongly) assumed it wouldn’t be detectable. The first thing we noticed post-primer application was how smoothly our foundation glided on; we needed to use only half the amount, compared to the non-primed side of our face.

Post-lunch we were counting down the hours until we could remove our make-up and reapply, using the primer on our entire faces. One side of our face looked dewy without being shiny, not to mention flawless, with each product remaining exactly where it had been carefully placed. The un-primed side, however, highlighted why us glamorous beauty journalists popped out to powder our noses post-lunch break; with a less than glowing cheek and faded foundation, we were starting to receive strange looks from colleagues, as they wondered whether or not we had fallen asleep on our desks!

Thank goodness the following morning arrived speedily; peace and calm in the world of beauty were restored! With our entire faces primed, our flawless make-up lasted long into the evening.

Jurlique – Herbal Recovery Gel (£45)

Give your skin a healthy glow with Jurlique‘s Herbal Recovery Gel, to boost radiance, reduce fine lines, skin dryness and increase skin elasticity, hydration and radiance. This wonder gel is the ideal antidote to the post-holiday blues. One application of this antioxidant-rich super-serum and the smile returned to our once-parched faces.

Jason – C effects Pure Natural Creme (£15.99)

An anti-ageing miracle for under £20? When we heard of Jason’s pure natural creme achieving amazing results, we just had to put it to the test! This powerful, multi-antioxidant complex in an ultra-rich creme base, packed full of green tea, skin loving vitamins E and C certainly delivered. As a result, our tired complexions were left glowing, youthful and deeply hydrated.

The Body Shop – Baked to Last bronzer (£16)

We work so hard on developing a perfect tan during those summer months, yet set foot back on English soil and it seams to instantly fade – as if the harsh weather conditions simply drain your bronzed complexion upon first glance! Maximise the duration of your carefully developed tan with The Body Shop‘s Baked to Last bronzer! With just the right amount of shimmer combined with an array of gold and bronze shades, one palette really does suit all. Dust onto the areas of your face where the sun naturally catches you: the cheeks, top of the forehead and nose, or build to develop a deeper colour all over the face. Whichever application you choose, we are sure you’ll love this glorious bronzer as much as we do.

Bodhi: Jasmine Falls relaxing bath and shower therapy (£23)

When all you need is some quality “me time” of ultimate indulgence and relaxation, then reach for our post-hectic-day soother from Bodhi. Its essential oils of jasmine absolute, lavender and vetiver are well-known for their therapeutic benefits of relaxation, calm, and uplifting the emotional state. With only a small amount needed for each bath, the room is instantly filled with a heady and evocative scent, which takes you on a journey of deep relaxation; the worries and stresses of the day just disappear. Take this process one step further by visualising the stresses and strains of the day washing away down the plughole as you release the bath water, for a guaranteed great night’s sleep.

Jo Malone – charity candle (£45)

Whilst relaxing in the tub, create your own bespoke fragrance by combining the aroma of jasmine from your bath oil with rose and rosemary from Jo Malone’s new limited edition candle, maximising the potential for relaxation. Feel even better about this process in the knowledge that the cost of this candle is donated to charity. “For each Rose & Rosemary candle sold in the UK, Jo Malone Limited will make a donation equal to the full retail price of £45 to the following registered charities: 55% to Rotunda Limited, Liverpool, 37% to the Redhall Walled Garden / SAMH Scottish Association for Mental Health, Edinburgh, and 8% to the ongoing maintenance of the Thrive (Society for Horticultural Therapy) Old English Garden, Battersea Park, London.”

Oh So Bo – English Rose Body Scrub (£21.50)

Staying with the theme of rose, envelope your body in this rich oil and sea salt-based scrub from Oh So Bo, with added rose petals and the gorgeous essential oil of rose. When massaged into the skin not only does this scrub remove unwanted dead, dull skin cells, the essential oil travels into the blood stream whilst being inhaled, to further aid the process of relaxation. With one of rose oil’s powers being the powerful, anti-aging effect it has on the skin, we’ll be using this scrub on a twice-weekly basis, to keep aged skin well at bay.

Bulldog – Sensitive Face Wash (£4.49)

If you or your man is a sensitive soul then treat the complexion to a specially-tailored formulation from Bulldog. This formula is gentle, yet thorough enough to remove the dirt and grime from the day without harsh chemicals stripping the delicate skin.

Join us next month for more must-have beauty buys!

Lisa Bramley