Whether you're jetting off somewhere gorgeous, attempting to keep children entertained or spending the last few weeks of the summer stuck at your desk, these new beauty buys will make life easier thanks to their multi-tasking abilities and unique formulations, and the simple fact that they're utterly brilliant. From the R+Co liquid dry shampoo that doesn't leave a chalky residue, the Wildsmith Skin essence that hydrates and targets pigmentation, an amazing Christophe Robin hair mask that triples up as a shampoo, conditioner and hair mask and the Tisserand moisturiser that really can be used from head-to-toe. Read on to discover the newness that has got the GTG team excited this week.
"Dry shampoo is one of the best inventions of all times. Fact. I only wash my hair every four days so by day three I’m always reaching for one to revive my hair and keep it going for an extra 24 hours. This one, thanks to its liquid consistency, is unlike any I’ve tried before. Because it’s not an aerosol there is none of that annoying chalky white residue that you can get, the formula is completely clear which means it truly works for all hair colours. It also has a gorgeous musky scent which lingers for a few hours and I have found that I’ve only needed a few spritzes for it to soak up and sort my greasy roots so I think this will last far longer than a standard can." Sarah-Jane Corfield-Smith, GTG Freelance Beauty Director
"From Lily Collins to Zendaya this celeb-loved cult buy is the number one toner in America — and has been around for over 175 years and now it's finally crossed the pond and is available here in the UK in Boots. The core ingredients are witch hazel, known for its medical and refreshing soothing properties alongside hydrating and anti-inflammatory aloe vera. There are four different products in the line-up; rose petal for glowing skin, cucumber to cool and refresh, coconut for extra nourishment and unscented which is great for sensitive skin. I’ve been loving the witch hazel toner; I apply it after cleanser and before moisturising. The gentle non-drying formula helps to balance my skins pH and oil levels and leaves my skin glowing." Jemma Thompson, GTG Design and Social Media Manager
"I love a one-hit-wonder hair treatment and have recently discovered the new Colour Shield Cleansing mask by Christophe Robin which combines all your hair washing steps in one - that’s right no need for shampoo, conditioner and a mask–this is all of those, in one. So whilst it is a pricier initial outlay it actually becomes a price-savvy product. Its also a great space-saving option for travelling. It’s great for all hair types as it contains Camu Camu berries which are rich in Vitamin C and protect the hair fibre, boost hydration and shine. But it has been formulated specifically to prolong coloured hair - there’s sunflower seed extract to help protect and reduce colour fade and macadamia oil to restructure the hair fibre - which I definitely need for my fading balayage and regularly touched up roots. It comes in an easy, scoopable tub, and has a creamy texture perfect for dolloping all over. You start with wetting the hair, before massaging into the scalp, and the roots and right down the lengths to the end. Leave it on for about ten minutes before adding more water to lather it up for a good scrub. Wash out, and ta-da, you are ready to go." Marie-Louise Pumfrey, GTG Contributor
"Beauty editors can’t get enough of this English brand which takes inspiration from its home of Heckfield Place, and the woods that surround it in the British countryside. This “pre-serum” is essentially an essence, designed to go straight onto cleansed skin, to add an extra layer of antioxidant protection into your routine. It contains gentle plant-based actives which have been expertly blended by biochemist Nausheen Qureshi, including an encapsulated vitamin C, with cranberry enzymes, plus a “micro-dose” of AHAs from apples (so you can safely incorporate the product into in your daily regime). In clinical trials it was shown to reduce pigmentation and improve smoothness, and it feels super light on the skin." Rosie Fitzmaurice, GTG Freelance Contributor
"If anything is going to woo me, its going to be an amazing moisturiser. There is nothing better, in my book, than your skin being quenched of thirst while also looking and feeling soft and supple. A good moisturiser is heaven-sent. A good moisturiser that is made with all natural ingredients is a gift from the gods. And that is what Tisserand's new intensively rich natural cream is. Enriched with active botanical ingredients, pure natural moisturisers and gentle essential oils it is designed to nourish even the dryest of skins and conditions, eczema included. The anti-inflammatory shea butter base helps to calm the skin, while naturally occurring anti-oxidant calendula extract works to reduce dryness. Blended with jojoba oil, which is rich in fatty acids, and sunflower seed oil with its high vitamin E content, the skin is left feeling smooth, fresh, moisturised and supple. This simple yet powerful formula is perfect for everyday use or once in a while when you have a flare-up, depending on your skin type." Hattie Sloggett, GTG Contributor
"I do like a natural toothpaste; they don’t feature the sodium lauryl sulphate that’s so overwhelmingly present in most regular toothpastes. SLS is the same ingredient I avoid in cleansers and shampoos for its drying, irritating and skin barrier-destroying prowess; in toothpaste, it foams and stings (it’s even been known to cause dermatitis on the chin as it drips out of your mouth). It’s also known to attack the microbiome, or good-bacteria balance, inside your mouth, so it’s not something you want to over-dose on. Weleda’s pastes (there are five) have been SLS-free for a century, featuring things like antibacterial and antiseptic plant extracts, silica and cellulose to polish, and sodium bicarb to purify. This minty gel also has Ratanhia, a Peruvian plant that supports gum health, and chamomile to soothe. There’s no fluoride which I find problematic, but dentists say that in fluoride-enriched water areas, this shouldn’t be an issue. Extra points for the always-recyclable aluminium tubes, too." Ingeborg Van Lotringen, GTG Freelance Beauty Editor
“Gone are the days when base products can just offer coverage, our lives are too busy for our makeup to not be multitasking as much as we are. And this tinted moisturiser, or BB cream, couldn’t be doing many more things. First up it delivers light to medium coverage that’s dewy and luminous. It contains SPF50, which is always good news. Oily and combinations skins, like mine, can apply it on top of serum as it does contain hydrating ingredients to give skin a dose of moisture, but drier skins may need a moisturiser underneath too. It comes in 6 shades, which doesn’t sound like much, but because the coverage is quite sheer each one spans quite a few skin tones so there definitely is one for everyone.” SJCS
"Enzymes are big news for glow-enhancing and reviving a dull complexion. This mask glides onto (dry) skin like a thick facial balm, then as you massage it in (you’re supposed to do it for one to two minutes), it gradually transforms into a thinner hydrating oil. It combines a mild enzymatic exfoliant created through a fermentation process, with AHAs like glycolic, lactic and malic acid to resurface, a shot of hyaluronic acid to plump and vitamin C to brighten. It’s a handy little reminder to include a quick facial massage into my weekly self-care routine and leaves my complexion immediately more radiant. The fun limited edition tube marks 90 years of the French brand for which this is a best-seller." RF
"I have combination skin that always goes slightly off kilter around my period resulting in a few spots. This month I have been using this cleanser to help keep my complexion balanced. It contains salicylic acid which gently exfoliates away dead skin, cleans our pores and keeps sebum (the oil your skin produces) levels balanced. It’s fragrance free, has great eco credentials and is a fab price point. Whilst I use it in a fairly targeted approach, it is gently enough to be used daily and is a great option for teenagers whose skin is still fairly unpredictable or if you are looking to sort out an oily complexion." SJCS
"Oooh I love a tinted lip balm, especially a red one, and I am already a fan of Dr Sam’s original lip balm for its hardy, intensive, lanolin-based conditioning powers – so this is a match made in heaven. With a very subtle hint of a russet-red tint (nothing to scare the crows – it looks a lot more intense in the tube than on the lips), it puts life back into tight mouths and stressed-out, pallid faces. This is a very neutral, slightly brown-based red that will suit everyone, although I’m more of a cherry-red girl (it brightens the skin and makes you look fresh): maybe there’s scope for a range of shades with a balm this good? Time will tell…." IvL
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