Tried and tested: Beauty products that will deliver the wow factor

Whether you’re aiming for glowing skin, fluttery lashes, or a flawless complexion, the right products can make all the difference in achieving your beauty goals. From skincare staples to makeup must-haves, today’s innovations are designed not just to enhance your appearance but to empower you with confidence and ease.

Here’s a roundup of the recent releases that have earned a spot in my makeup bag or skincare shelf,

Anastasia Beverly Hills Impeccable Blurring Matte Foundation, £42

Designed to deliver a second-skin finish that blurs imperfections effortlessly, this medium to full-coverage formula, infused with hydrating hyaluronic acid and Precision Blur Technology, provides a smooth, velvet-matte look that lasts up to 12 hours. Ideal for all skin types, especially oily skin, it effectively minimises pores, fine lines, and wrinkles while maintaining a natural appearance. Available in 25 flexible shades, this foundation is dermatologist-tested, non-comedogenic, and free from harsh ingredients like phthalates and parabens. Whether you’re seeking a flawless base for everyday wear or a special occasion, this foundation promises to deliver a seamless, just-like-skin finish that feels as good as it looks. With its cruelty-free and vegan credentials, it’s a must-try for those seeking a high-performance, ethical beauty staple. A word of caution though, these shades run darker than what they appear online and the shade range is limited.

Merit Retrospect L’Extrait de Parfum, travel size (9.5ml) £30 full size (30ml) £79

Crafted by renowned perfumer Fanny Bal, this extrait de parfum boasts a luxurious 30% fragrance oil concentration, ensuring long-lasting wear and an intimate, skin-like finish. The scent opens with crisp bergamot and juicy pear, unfolds into a floral heart of jasmine and rose, and settles into a warm base of vanilla, musk, and earthy moss. Its complexity evokes nostalgia while feeling undeniably modern — like a cashmere sweater in fragrance form. Housed in a sculptural glass bottle inspired by modernist jewellery, Retrospect is as much an accessory as it is a perfume. Clean, vegan, and cruelty-free, it’s perfect for everyday wear or special occasions. Yes, it’s certainly an investment, but if fragrances such as Glossier’s You and Dedcool’s Xtra Milk are your scents of choice, then Retrospect is likely to gain a spot in your heart, and opting for the travel version lessens the pain on the bank balance.

Too Faced Ribbon Wrapped Lash Extreme Length Tubing Mascara, £28

Too Faced has done it again with its Ribbon Wrapped Lash Extreme Length Tubing Mascara, a game-changer for anyone seeking dramatic, fluttery lashes. This innovative tubing formula coats each lash in a weightless, smudge-proof tube, delivering up to 24 hours of extreme length, lift and definition. Perfect for all-day wear, it resists flaking, smudging and humidity while ensuring your lashes stay curled and voluminous. The secret lies in the Ribbon Wrap™ Technology and the precision Lash Extension brush, which grips even the tiniest lashes for a fanned-out effect. With ultra-black pigments and a buildable formula, this mascara creates an eye-opening look that’s easy to remove with just warm water — no harsh rubbing required. While the appeal of a tubing formula is the ease of removal, it often means sacrificing lash drama; somehow Too Faced have by-passed this dilemma by combining the best of both worlds in its latest mascara release. On initial opening the wand holds on to a lot of formula, but after a few uses the length and volume was truly impressive.

Bubble Day Dream Vitamin C + Niacinamide Serum, £18 30ml

An ultimate skincare multitasker, designed to brighten, hydrate, and refine your complexion, this serum is packed with powerhouse ingredients like sodium ascorbyl phosphate (a stable form of Vitamin C), niacinamide, and alpha arbutin. This serum targets dark spots, uneven texture and dullness while boosting radiance. Plant-derived ceramides and tranexamic acid work to strengthen the skin barrier and calm irritation, making it suitable for even sensitive skin. The lightweight formula absorbs quickly, leaving no sticky residue — perfect for layering under makeup or sunscreen. Free from parabens, fragrances, silicones and sulfates, it’s clean, vegan, cruelty-free, and reef-safe. Day Dream made my skin notably smoother and having been left disappointed by products promising to do the same thing at a price three times higher, this is a powerhouse of a product from a truly impressive brand that not delivers, but is affordable. It has become a staple in my skincare routine.

Dr Sam’s Flawless Nightly Pro 5% Retinoid Serum, £62, 30ml

Another must-have staple in my nightly routine is this award-winning product from Northern Irish dermatologist Dr Sam Bunting that’s clinically proven to reduce wrinkle depth by just over 20% in just eight weeks. An advanced formula that combines Granactive Retinoid®, niacinamide, azelaic acid, and bakuchiol for unparalleled results, its designed to tackle premature aging, pigmentation, uneven texture, and breakouts, and it’s the perfect solution for those seeking radiant, compliment-worthy skin. Free from parabens, sulfates and oils, this cruelty-free product aligns with Dr Sam’s mission to empower users with science-led skincare — and I’m fairly confident this is the product that resulted in my skin being complimented, while at the gym, no less. I’m on to my third bottle of this serum, and if your skincare budget can only accommodate one splurge, then let it be this. Chef’s kiss (and remember, apply SPF daily when using retinoids).

Dr Sam’s Flawless Brightly Eye Cream, £40 15ml

At the risk of sounding a bit like DJ Khaled, yet another one by Dr Sam’s (and no, this review is not #sponsored). A breakthrough solution for tired, aging eyes, combining instant results with long-term benefits, this eye cream is clinically proven to brighten the eye area instantly, reduce dark circles in just seven days, and improve skin firmness and elasticity within 28 days. This multi-tasking serum is a game-changer. Packed with powerhouse ingredients like niacinamide, milk thistle extract, sunflower shoot extract and bakuchiol, it targets fine lines, dark shadows, and puffiness while future-proofing the delicate eye area against aging. Its lightweight yet nourishing formula hydrates deeply without feeling heavy, creating the perfect base for makeup. Optical brighteners and hydrators like shea butter deliver an immediate glow while advanced actives repair skin at a cellular level. This small but mighty product, arrived at the ideal time for testing; blocked sinuses and a cold. Although I don’t tend to be bothered with dark under eyes, I do have pesky darkness at the innermost corner of my eyes and over the years no matter which eye creams I’ve tried, I’ve never seen an improvement — until now. Truly the only eye cream that’s ever made a difference, a little product goes a long way.