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The Beauty Edit

CF Beauty Editor's Favourite New Beauty Products This May

With a host of new beauty launches passing across her desk each month, Citizen Femme’s beauty editor Becki Murray, knows what it takes for a makeup, skincare, or fragrance product to stand out from the crowd.

This month, her pick of May’s best beauty launches will revitalise your cosmetics case and bring new inspiration to your routine. From Pat McGrath’s latest innovation for cheating your way to a sun-kissed glow, to the body wash that’s got the science-side of the beauty internet really talking – these are this month’s beauty launches that are actually worth trying.

THE SUN-KISSED GLOW

We already know the importance of colour-matching our foundation, but did you know that the secret to a flattering, defined glow is the tone of your bronzer too? World-renowned makeup artist Dame Pat McGrath certainly does, which is why her new Divine Bronzer is available in eight shades to balance red, golden and neutral tones. The subtle pearlescent powder will sculpt your face and provide a sunny radiance to your skin without tell-tale patchiness. 

 

THE FLORAL FRAGRANCE

Proof that feminine fragrances don't have to be meek and mild, this playful scent captures all the joyfulness of being out in a sunny English garden with juicy peach extracts blended with jasmine and soft white flowers. We can let you into a little secret too; it will last for ages on your skin due to the depth of sensual ambergris and musk in the base. 

 

 

THE SHOWER MUST-HAVE

Cosmetic scientists on social media have been going crazy for the formulations behind Naturium's bodycare range and I wholeheartedly agree with them. My personal favourite is the exfoliating wash that provides not just a thorough soapy clean but also leaves my skin feeling soft and smooth due to the exfoliating powers of glycolic, pyruvic, lactic and tartaric acids. Consider this how I intend to prep my body pre-holiday. 

 

THE LIGHTWEIGHT FOUNDATION

Guerlain promises big things with its latest foundation, considering it's marketed as having the coverage of a foundation but the lightness and glow of a powder. Yet, as with most of the Terracotta range, especially the cult classic bronzer, it more than delivers. The best way to describe the finish is like the healthy radiance you get post-walk, but it still has enough coverage to blur away redness and blemishes.

 

THE CLEARING BODY WASH

It might not be the most glamorous topic but if you struggle with body breakouts, especially as the weather heats up, I can't recommend this vegan body wash enough. The combination of salicylic acid, green tea and willow bark extracts make light work of unclogging pores without making your body sore or red. You'll be more confident in your summer outfits in no time. 

 

THE SUMMER CANDLE

With summer (hopefully) approaching, it might feel like an unusual time to update your candle collection, but trust me it's my faultless trick for making the countdown to sunny holidays more bearable. Recently, I've been burning Paul Smith's Sunseeker candle. If I close my eyes and enhale, the aroma of sparkling bergamot, mandarin and basil sends me straight to the Mediterranean citrus groves.

 

THE BODY CREAM

Ever since I fell in love with the Honey Bath Soak years ago, I get excited about new bodycare launches from Laura Mercier. This lightweight body cream does not disappoint. Open the packaging and you're met by the most heavenly, coccooning scent of almond and coconut that makes applying the radiance-boosting creme even more delightful. Your limbs benefit just as much – the formula is packed with rich moisturising ingredients, including French olive oil, French plum seed oil and glycerin. 

 

THE HAND WASH

Inspired by the Moroccan Valley of roses and featuring ingredients found in the region, including prickly pear and argan oil, Rituals’ limited edition Rose Damascena-scented range is the perfect gift. The hand wash currently sits proudly in my bathroom, garnering positive reviews from all my house guests, and it comes with a hand balm too, to ensure your hands get all the tender loving care they need.

 

THE FUSS-FREE SPF

I'm never without an SPF in my makeup bag, but I'm pretty selective about the formulas I choose. They need to be broad spectrum, high factor and still have a hydrating feel on my skin so my makeup doesn't become patchy. This one from Skin Proud, which contains skin nourishing ceramides, acerola cherry and spirulina, delivers on all counts and looks set to be a summer essential.

 

THE MAGIC MOISTURISER

Not many affordable moisturisers make it to cult status nowadays, but Weleda's Skin Food has – one sells every four seconds globally. Now, the hero has a family of products to support it in its mission to soothe and balance skin. My favourite is the day cream. The lightweight cooling formula, with soothing olive leaf extract and chamomile flower, was exactly what I needed when my irritation-prone complexion reared its head. 

 

THE CALMING TRAVEL TOOL

For someone who travels a lot, I'm not a great flyer, so I always keep a grounding essential oil aroma in my carry-on. For my next trip, I'll be bringing Neom's calming pen with lavender, chamomile and sweet orange. I already trust the brand implicitly for its soothing elixirs, and was out like a light during a practice run at home.

 

THE CLEANSING BALM

The brand renowned for its ability to destress your mind and body is helping make taking your makeup off less of a chore too. The first-ever skincare offering from Aromatherapy Associates contains a full routine of exciting products, including skin barrier-protecting oils and moisturisers. However, it's this creamy balm that wipes away makeup with ease that is my personal favourite. Its enriched with blue tansy and raspberry seed oil to nourish skin too.

 

THE HAIR REVIVER

For anyone like me who adores the idea of a hair mask, but tends to not enjoy slimy, sticky textures – Bumble & Bumble has found the solution. This airy scalp scrub has a whipped texture and is enriched with dead sea salt and nutrient-rich seaweeds, which will help give all hair types a deep and nourishing clean. Try using it once a month and see your hair really start to shine. 

 

THE HYDRATION HIT

Comfort Zone is a brand that really does what it says on the tin – its line up of products are soothing, hydrating and comforting for your skin in equal measure. That's why the relaunch of its hero hydration range, Hydramemory, should make you especially excited. The products now contain super hydrators such as prickly pear extract and hyaluronic acid, plus a technology inspired by how desert plants retain moisture in the heat. A top pick for your summer serum.

 

THE SUMMER TAN

St Tropez's latest tanning innovation has finally helped me break up with my tights in time for warmer days. The tanning serum doesn't just give your skin a natural-looking colour, it also contains plumping and hydrating ingredients, such as hyaluronic acid, niacinamide and vitamin B5, which make your limbs appear smoother and more toned too. 

 

THE EXPERT CLEANSER

Lisa Eldridge has just launched skincare and it's as covetable as her makeup essentials: you can tell a makeup artist who has worked on thousands of faces is behind it. Take my personal favourite from the range, the cleanser. Massage it between your hands and it easily transforms in texture, developing from balm to milk for a silky smooth way of removing even stubborn makeup.

 

THE ON-THE-GO SPF

Say goodbye to SPF that makes your skin look greasy or which takes ages to apply. Givenchy's clever SPF50 stick means you can easily apply your sun protection on-the-go and keep it topped up, with fruit extracts and subtle light-reflecting pearls helping you on your way to lit-from-within radiance throughout the summer.

 

THE CLASSIC SCENT

With all eyes on the Coronation of King Charles III in Britain this month, Clive Christian has released the perfect unisex scent for the occasion. The original Town & Country was created almost 100 years ago, in 1925, and was famously worn by Winston Churchill. This new iteration has all the original's grandeur and flair but with modern charm, as the signature herby blend of clary sage and juniper is joined by musky woods and grey amber. It's the perfect scent to spritz before your next important meeting.


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Lead photo credit: Rituals

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