European fragrances inspired by the tropics and an eyeshadow palette direct from the Hollywood Hills- these are the very best beauty products landing on Australian shelves this April.
This month sees the Australian launch of the NARS Exposed Colour Collection, the hero of which is the Exposed Cheek Palette. The palette includes six satin finish cheek powders- a bronzer (named Give It Away), a highlighter (Tell All, lying somewhere between gold, pearl and champagne), and four blushes (Now Or Never, a terracotta, Make You Mine, a peach, Come Hither, a watermelon, and New Fling, a fuschia).
NARS Exposed Cheek Palette, $90
Although not technically part of the Exposed collection, the NARS Ignited Eyeshadow Palette launches concurrently with the aforementioned this month. The palette is composed of mostly shimmers, with all shades falling under the umbrella of “nudes and pinks”- even more so than last year’s Wanted Palette. Neutrals aside, this palette feels cooler in tone and heavier in shimmer than last year’s offering.
NARS Ignited Eyeshadow Palette, $90
To prepare the lips for this month’s lip launches is the NARS Afterglow Lip Balm in Clean Cut, a clear balm with subtle peach and gold light reflecting pigments.
NARS Afterglow Lip Balm in Clean Cut, $43
Rounding out this month’s NARS launches are the Explicit Colour Mini Lip Duos. NARS limited edition lip sets are historically good value, and this season is no different with each duo containing a deluxe travel sized Velvet Matte Lip Pencil and glossy Lip Tint. Pictured are Intriguing, a rose pink, and Dragon Girl, a vivid red.
NARS Explicit Colour Mini Lip Duos, $34
Hourglass’ cult No. 28 Lip Treatment Oil arrives in new shades this month- pictured are Cameo, a neutral rose, and Icon, a true red. The oil itself feels like a lip treatment and delivers on its promise of intense hydration, while the colour dries to a surprisingly rich, satin-finish wash. Expense wise these are a real luxury, but they are truly beautiful products.
Hourglass No. 28 Tinted Lip Treatment Oil, $75
A dramatically more ostentatious option for lips comes in the form of Ciaté’s Glitter Storm Lipsticks. Rich in colour pigment and even richer in glitter particles, pictured are shades Topaz, Apollo and Spark.
Ciaté Glitter Storm Lipsticks, $43
Rounding out this month’s arrivals in the lip colour category are Smashbox’s Gloss Angeles Lip Glosses. The pigment of these glosses, to me, feels more akin to that of a gloss finish liquid lipstick- where a gloss is a sheer wash of colour, the pigment here is rich and opaque with a gloss finish.
Smashbox Gloss Angeles Lip Glosses, $29
Smashbox have also delivered their LA Cover Shot Eye Palette to Australian stores this month. The palette sees 16 shades, nine matte and seven shimmer, join forces across a collection of just about every colour from aqua and fuchsia to chocolate and gunmetal.
Smashbox LA Cover Shot Eye Palette, $69
This month in fragrance, Jo Malone London introduce their new Blossoms Collection. The limited edition offering of bright floral personal and home fragrances in much-loved Jo Malone scents and the just-released Frangipani Flower, inspired by balmy summer nights. Pictured are the Frangipani Flower Cologne and Star Magnolia Hair Mist.
Jo Malone London Frangipani Flower Cologne, $198
Jo Malone London Star Magnolia Hair Mist, $85
GlamGlow kick off this month’s skincare launches in the form of a night cream and cleanser. The Good In Bed Passionfruit Softening Night Cream is designed to brighten and hydrate the complexion overnight, harnessing the exfoliating properties of citrus acids and moisturising qualities of hyaluronic acid, while the GentleBubble Cleanser works to gently remove makeup and surface grime.
GlamGlow Good In Bed Night Cream, $79
GlamGlow GentleBubble Cleanser, $43
This month marks Australian skincare company Lano’s first foray into facial skincare products. Globally famed for their iconic Lanolips lanolin-rich lip balm, the Lano Face Base collection includes a Vitamin E Day Cream and Gelcream Cleanser, both formulated to intensely hydrate the skin without stripping it of its natural protective barrier.
Lano Face Base Vitamin E Day Cream, $26
Lano Face Base Gelcream Cleanser, $24
All products have been supplied to media without any obligation to review and all opinions are, as always, my own.
