Editor’s Picks: 10 New Beauty Products I Tried & Loved Last Month [Review]

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The beauty world is full of surprises! Just when you thought you’ve seen it all, the clever sausages keep pulling more rabbits out of the hat. I tried a lot of beauty products in September but these 10 finds were indeed my favourite of them all. Here are my picks for the top 10 new beauty products to try this month and beyond.

1. Wet Brush Paddle Detangler

Being a big Tangle Teezer fan I didn’t think another brush could steal my love away but the more brushes I try from the Wet Brush range the more smitten I become. My latest obsession from the range is this Wet Brush Paddle Detangler which can be used on both wet and dry hair with ease. With a wide surface area, this special little brush helps you spread treatments evenly through wet hair and also helps to gently and easily remove stubborn tangles and knots in wet hair after washing. This thing glides through knots with absolute ease and the super strong, heat resistant bristles help to eliminate the tugging and pulling you usually have to endure when combing out wet hair. Offering the perfect transition from wash to style, this brush is a pleasure to use and gets an A-plus-plus in my books.

The Wet Brush Paddle Detangler is available online from Hairhouse Warehouse at R165.

2. Purple Tree Papaya Miracle Balm

Papaya balms are pretty much the best thing in the history of ever and I am so excited that more brands are bringing them to South Africa. I got my hands on my first papaya balm when visiting Australia 3 years ago and ever since then I’ve been on a mission to try as many different variations of this wonderful balm as possible. Made in the UK, using key natural ingredients, Purple Tree Miracle Balms are made from natural extracts of Papaya and Honey, as well as Safflower Oil. This little tub of joy is a handbag essential and provides relief from dry, cracked and irritated lips and skin on the go. The balm leaves lips feeling oh-so-soft for ages after application and it smells divine. But it’s not just for lips, the multi-purpose beauty can also be used to treat brittle nails and cuticles, tame eyebrows, and soothe cuts and burns. It’s also vegan and cruelty-free so you can use it with a clear conscience.

Purple Tree Papaya Miracle Balm is available from Clicks at R69.95.

3. Mavala Res-Q-Me First Aid Kit For Problem Nails

Nothing makes me happier than a good beauty kit and these nifty little tins from nail care brand, Mavala are indeed enough to make me all giddy inside. I recently became a little obsessed with artificial nails but I’ve gotten to the point now where I need to take a break and give my nails time to breathe, so this Res-Q-Me kit couldn’t have landed on my desk at a better time! This nail rescue kit offers everything you need to bring your nails back to life in one neat little package — a bottle of instant nail hardener (2ml), two-step nail shield (5ml) that strengthens and protect nails from further breakage, cuticle oil (5ml), and a mini emery board matchbook. Since I’ve been using this kit over the last two weeks I have seen a big difference in my nails. The Mavala Scentifique K+ Nail Hardener seems to have made the most difference as my nails went from soft and splitting to hard, strong, and healthy. If you’re serious about bringing your nails back from the dead, this kit is a surefire way to do it!

The Mavala Res-Q-Me First Aid Kit For Problem Nails is available from Dis-Chem R375. The range also includes an Anti-Biting and Dry Cuticle Mavala ResQMe kits.

4. Elizabeth Arden Green Tea Fig

Elizabeth Arden is back with a fresh, new iteration of the much loved Green Tea fragrance. Available just in time for warmer weather, the delightful new Green Tea Fig is one of those fragrances you can’t help but adore. While other fragrances might merely offer a hint of the ingredient mentioned in the name sake, this isn’t the case with Green Tea Fig. The sweet, yet fresh top note of green fig stands out and is instantly recognisable from the first whiff. This fresh note of green fig combines oh-so-beautifully with the more astringent green tea while nuances of citrus, Ivy leaves, Italian Bergamont, Tonka Bean, and Violet Leaf, all combine to make it simply unforgettable.

Elizabeth Arden Green Tea Fig is available from Edgars at R445.

5. Boost! Skin Serums

The brainchild of renowned plastic surgeon, Professor Tim Christofides, the Boost! range of serums offer targeted solutions to common skincare woes. Whether you’re struggling with redness, irritation, dull skin, or even dryness, there’s a Boost! serum to help! Adding a powerful serum to your skincare routine is a great way to tackle skin issues head on. Serums are designed to be a super efficient delivery system and allow active ingredients to penetrate deep into the skin where most other products cannot penetrate. The Boost! Calm serum is a whizz at helping to treat irritated skin and I was super impressed at how quickly it absorbed into my skin and how soothing it was. I would highly recommend this serum for anyone with stressed skin. If you’re looking to give your skin a real boost on the hydration front then the Boost! Energize serum is a must-try. This hydration powerhouse is rich in Vitamin B and helps to revive lackluster, dehydrated skin to give you a beautiful glow. It left my skin looking and feeling rejuvenated after just a few applications!

The Boost! Calm and Energize serums are available online from the Boost-skin website at R329 each.

6. Himalaya Purifying Neem Facial Wipes

If you’re addicted to facial wipes but are on the hunt for a more eco-friendly version then you’ll love these vegan, all natural wipes from Himalaya. They’re free from alcohol, artificial colours, as well as parabens and are made from herbal active ingredients that are gentle on the skin. Formulated with neem extract and turmeric, these wipes help to gently purify and tone your skin, while maintaining your skin’s natural moisture balance. The super soft embossed wipes have a real luxury feel to them and they’re ideal for removing waterproof mascara and makeup before cleansing with a gentle cleanser.

Himalaya Purifying Neem Facial Wipes are available from Wellness Warehouse for R60.95.

7. Argan Green Calcium Bentonite Clay

In terms of outstanding results, this mask has got to the best thing I tried all month! If you’re struggling with impurities on the skin, dryness, redness, acne or even just want to give your skin a real treat then you simply HAVE to try this all natural Calcium Bentonite clay mask. This wonder powder is purifying, detoxifying, and exfoliating (a triple threat in terms of skincare) and once you try it, you will never look back. The mask is composed of aged volcanic ash and when the clay is wet, it swells and draws impurities and dirt into it like a sponge — pretty cool! The product contains calcium, magnesium, sodium and a small amount of other minerals that help to treat the skin in a natural but oh-so-effective way, making it deal to treat common skin conditions like dermatitis, eczema, and psoriasis. Applying the mask is pretty easy, you simply add a half a teaspoon of the mask powder and few drops of argan oil (or any other moisturisering oil) to hot water and mix until you have a paste. Apply the clay mask to your face and leave it on for 20-30 minutes before removing with a wet sponge. You need to make sure to keep the mask wet by patting it with wet hands while it’s on, which is a bit of a schlep but once you see the results you’ll forget all about that hassle.

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Argan Green Calcium Bentonite Clay is available from Wellness Warehouse at R85.95.

8. Purple Tree Papaya Miracle Balm

Ladies who travel often, or who regularly need to create a show stopping look on-the-go, will know the value of having one versatile eyeshadow palette that you can easily pop in your bag. With 6-shadow shades and a matching lip glaze, Mud’s new Smitten Kit gives new meaning to versatility on-the-go. Combing beautiful, bold colours with neutral favourites, the oh-so-compact Smitten palette allows you go from work to play in one convenient palette. Featuring lush mauve tones and soft natural shades, the Smitten kit gives you the freedom to create a wide range of looks wherever you are. Whether you’re looking to create a warm smoky eye or a neutral day-time eye for the office, with Smitten the world is your oyster.

he Smitten Eye Palette is available from MUD studios as well as online via the Mud website at R650.

9. Oh-Lief Green Rooibos Natural Sunscreen

These days we’re all about using natural, good-for-you products on our skin so why should your sunscreen be any different? This facial sunscreen from natural brand, Oh-Life is a must-try for environmentally conscious sun babies. The product feels super luxurious on the skin and can be worn on clean skin or under makeup and is also water resistant. Oh-Lief says the broad spectrum sunscreen took about two years to formulate, using high-performance, non-toxic ingredients like zinc oxide, beeswax, carrot and pomegranate extracts. The product contains green Rooibos, a powerful anti-oxidant that is reportedly 200 times more effective than vitamin E when it comes to protecting the skin and repairing existing sun damage. I’ve used it on a few occasions now and found that it not only protected my skin from the sub but also left it feeling soft and hydrated. This beautiful sunscreen feels ultra light on the skin and absorbs quickly without leaving that greasy sunscreen appearance on the skin and is a truly exceptional find for those looking for a natural alternative to traditional daily sunscreens.

Oh-Lief Green Rooibos Natural Sunscreen is available from Wellness Warehouse at R206.95.

10. Deep Heat Muscle Roll-On & Deep Freeze Roll-On

Active types will love these two new additions to the Deep Heat range — Deep Heat Muscle Massage Roll-On and Deep Freeze Muscle Massage Roll-on. Super easy and convenient to use, these new products are a must have for any gym bag. Use the Deep Heat Roll-on for targeted heat therapy that will allow you to effectively release and ease tight muscles before and after exercise. When heat therapy is combined with massage, it relaxes tight muscles and soothes painful ‘knots’ so this product is nothing short of brilliant. I’ve been struggling with my shoulders a lot lately and I’ve been using the Deep Heat Roll-on lotion after gym sessions to ease aches and pains in my shoulders. It works like an absolute bomb and I can definitely feel that I have a less pain and an improved range of motion after massaging my shoulders with this nifty new product. If you’ve got an injury, then The Deep Freeze Muscle Massage Roll-on Gel is also a great way to get targeted cooling therapy on injured areas while also helping to reduce pain and inflammation. Whichever one your use, the formulas work within two minutes and the effects last ages on the skin. The Deep Heat lotion stays hot for hours after applying and is pretty much the next best thing to visiting a physiotherapist when you’re struggling with post-exercise muscle pain!

Deep Heat Muscle Massage Roll-on Lotion and Deep Freeze Muscle Massage Roll-on Gel is available from Clicks, Pick n Pay, Shoprite, Checkers, Dis-Chem and select pharmacies nationwide.