It’s New. In July. At MECCA.
June 29 | 4 minute read
Words by Izzy Wight
From scents that evoke a sun-drenched Italian palazzo to restorative formulas infused with honey, matcha and Greek yoghurt, these arrivals serve up a little la dolce vita – wherever you are.
The ‘Art’ in Artistry
As it turns out, I’m not the only one with European romance on the mind. From blush to lip colour, this month’s makeup arrivals are taking inspiration from the continent’s greatest Impressionist and Renaissance masters. Think soft-focus formulas and painterly pigments, designed to make you look like a work of art.
And what’s light without shade (can you tell I did art in high school)? Sculpt your canvas with a swirl of Summer Fridays’ new Bronzer Butter Balm – an ultra-hydrating formula for skin that looks like it’s been on a tropical holiday. Finally, channel your inner Monet with a touch of Kosas’ Impressionist Multistick Cream Colour + Lip Colour. With shades inspired by colour theory, it leaves a soft, skin-like finish.
Morning Routine-maxxing
I am not a morning person at the best of times, and significantly less so in winter. Who wants to do that (by that, I mean leave a warm bed for the frigid outdoors)? Nobody. Outside of the regular ‘I must show up to work, as it is my job,’ I’ve decided to start incentivising myself by adding little upgrades to my morning routine.
I'm switching up my post-shower routine with Crown Affair’s ultra-hydrating, Smoothing Air Dry Cream and Gisou’s Honey Collagen Gloss Drops for a sleek, shiny, flyaway-free blow-dry in the time it takes my coffee to brew.
Next, I’m starting my skincare off with Tatcha’s new The Matcha Foam Cleanse – a clarifying, gel-to-foam formula that lathers up in a satisfying shade of seafoam green – and when my under-eyes feel particularly heavy, MUTHA’s cooling Eye Maintenance 6-Peptide Eye Mask Prisms. Because it inevitably takes me a little too long to get out of bed, I finish with a slick of brow gel, lashings of black mascara and Naked Sundays’ latest SPF, the CabanaMilk™ Mineral Barrier Fluid SPF50 – best paired with a croissant, fluffy slippers and the heater on full blast.
SPF50 is a broad spectrum high protection sunscreen. ALWAYS READ THE LABEL AND FOLLOW THE DIRECTIONS FOR USE. Sunscreen is only one form of sun protection. Avoid prolonged sun exposure and reapply as directed.
Scents to Take You Somewhere
If, like me, your Instagram feed is full of sunkissed, smiley, envy-inducing people gallivanting about in the northern hemisphere heat, I have a solution. Cheaper than a plane ticket and better-smelling than a Parisian alleyway in 38C weather, a new fragrance can work mood-boosting wonders.
The sequel to its beloved Rose Atlantic scent, D.S. & DURGA’s Rose Pacific is a ‘laidback California rose’. It’s light, aquatic, fruity and a little green – but if it’s a rich, winter floral you’re searching for, spritz Escentric Molecules M+ Champaca. A departure from the brand’s usual minimalistic, skin-like scents, M+ Champaca is bold and opulent, with notes reminiscent of jasmine, orange blossom and sweet black tea.
Instant Gratification Skincare
Feeling impatient? Me too. As a beauty lover, I would usually have no qualms about waiting to see results – but lately, my Aries rising has been rearing its head. Instead of hovering around the hair-dye aisle in my local supermarket, I’m channelling my energy into something more productive: active-packed beauty products for almost-immediate payoff.
