New & Noteworthy: The 10 Buzziest Beauty Products To Launch This Year (So Far)
Put down a finger if you've caught yourself exclaiming: 'How is it June already?' at least twice so far this month.
Yes, we're hurtling through 2025 at record speed - and faster still is the rate at which beauty brands are innovating and unveiling new products to simplify routines.
This year alone, we've seen the reformulation of a mascara from one of the country's top clean makeup brands, a citrussy scent range from a cult-favourite fragrance maker, and a luxurious new haircare line which prioritises scalp and hair health.
But that's not all that's impressed us this year so far.
Below, beauty editor Ashleigh Cometti charts the 10 best products to land on her desk in 2025, from a XXL plumping lip gloss to a hybrid exfoliating mask.
The Cleanser
Bioderma limited-edition Victoria Beckham Sensibio H20 Micellar Water, $35
It's been 30 years since Bioderma released its now-iconic micellar water, the first of its kind back in 1995. To mark the auspicious occasion, the French pharmaceutical brand has teamed up with fashion designer and long-time fan of Bioderma, Victoria Beckham. 'When I was a teenager, I suffered from serious skin problems and it had a significant effect on me. Today, it's essential that I take great care of my skin,' Victoria says. 'Bioderma's Sensibio H20 has been a must-have product for me for years. It's been at my side every day for as long as I can remember.' While the gently cleansing formula remains unchanged, the limited-edition offering is bedecked in hot pink with the former pop-star's initials 'VB' emblazoned on the front.
Available from Chemist Warehouse or Chemistwarehouse.co.nz.
The Exfoliant
Aesop Lucent Facial Refiner, $133
In a world-first for the brand, Aesop has unveiled its new and only chemical exfoliant, one which is applied like a mask and removed after a 15-minute period. The new Aesop Lucent Facial Refiner, $133, is a gently exfoliating mask which sees PHAs and BHAs combine with vitamins B, E and F to improve both skin texture and appearance, while leaving it smooth, supple and hydrated. The twice-weekly exfoliant is the second product to be added to the artisanal brand's Lucent range, following in the successful footsteps of its Lucent Facial Concentrate. When used together, the Lucent Duo is designed to reveal skin that appears more luminous and even-toned, said to address hyperpigmentation with ongoing use.
Available from Aesop signature stores, selected department stores or Aesop.com.
The Serum
Osmosis StemFactor Growth Factor Serum, $269
As the next 'big thing' in beauty, expect to see exosomes cropping up both in-clinic and in topical skincare over the coming months. One brand which has cottoned on to the benefit of these buzzy, nano-sized cell messengers is Osmosis, with the launch of its new StemFactor harnessing the next generation is exosome tech to allow the high-performance growth factor serum to better penetrate skin. The patented formulation contains more than 600 different types of growth factors and peptides to strengthen skin's structure, while supercharging its ability to heal, repair and regenerate, meaning its particularly effective on ageing, dry or sensitive skin types. Not to mention it's excellent to smooth on after invasive skin treatments such as micro-needling, to support wound healing and skin regeneration.
The Moisturiser
Murad Heartleaf Calming Cream, $159
Skin feeling inflamed? Irritated? Itchy? Enter Murad's newest innovation - an ultra-soothing cream-based moisturiser which is geared toward those with sensitised or eczema-prone skin in mind. The calming, hypoallergenic formulation is free from both alcohol and fragrance, rendering it safe to use on skin that appears red, dry, itchy or tight. It does so thanks to the use of fermented heartleaf extract, an antioxidant-rich ingredient revered in K-beauty for its ability to soothe and hydrate, alongside ceramides and microalgae to calm an angry complexion and boost moisture levels once more.
Available at Caci clinics nationwide or see Caci.co.nz or Murad.co.nz.
The Primer
Smashbox Photo Finish Pore-Vanishing Primer, $67
It's the newest in Smashbox's stable of skin-smoothing primers, and now the new Photo Finish Pore-Vanishing Primer joins the party to help blur the appearance of pores while gripping makeup for up to 12 hours. It promises soft-focus skin, and can be worn alone, on top of moisturiser to prime for the makeup steps to follow, or patted over top of makeup for a diffused effect. Not to mention the oil-free formulation won't leave behind a white cast or pore-clogging deposits on skin, leaving skin feeling smooth, velvety and mattified.
The Mascara
Aleph Lift/Lengthen Mascara, $68
Renowned for its clean, innovative formulations, local beauty brand Aleph has reimagined its signature Lift/Lengthen Mascara to include a host of new ingredients which position the product as a lash growth serum as much as it does a cosmetic. The next-generation mascara still lengthens, volumises and defines lashes like the original, but this time sees fresh ingredients added to support lash growth and long-term lash health. The reformulation includes lash serum peptides like trifolium pratense and vigna radiata sprout extract, alongside organic mung bean and clover sprout extracts to stimulate lash length and density across a 28-day period. Not to mention the category-defining product helps to anchor lashes at the root, reducing fall-out and supporting overall lash vitality. With sustainability at its core, the refillable glass vessel is able to be cleaned and reused as part of the brand's circular packaging model.
The Lip Gloss
YSL Loveshine Plumping Lip Oil Gloss, $80
It's only just hit shelves, but all eight shades of YSL's new Plumping Lip Oil Gloss have already sold out online. Promising to create a glossy, plumped-up pout, the oil-infused hybrid is said to drench lips in glass shine for up to eight hours' wear, while leaving lips hydrated and nourished for up to 24 hours. Unlike other glosses which can feel tacky, YSL's newbie promises shine (not stickiness) thanks to its blend of hyaluronic acid and fig pulp from the YSL Beauty Ourika Community Gardens. The plumping effect it offers lips is courtesy of ginger and pepper oils, which stimulate blood flow and give that signature 'tingle' sensation on application.
Available from Sephora or Sephora.nz
The Scent
Diptyque L'Eau Des Hespérides 100ml eau de toilette, $335
Trust Diptyque to unveil a summer-ready collection in the depths of Southern Hemisphere winter. Designed to pull even the most hardened person out of seasonal stagnation, the new Diptyque Summer Garden collection has us daydreaming of wandering a luscious orchard in high-summer, with its selection of seven products spanning fragrance and body spray through to candles and hair mists. Viva loves L'Eau Des Hespérides, a sparkling, verdant eau de toilette which sees fresh citrus combine with spicy elements for a refined, elegant finish. A scented reminder that sunny days are coming.
Available from Mecca or Mecca.com
The Body Product
Clinique Moisture Surge Body Hydrator, $73
It's the cult-favourite skincare range known for drenching skin in 48-hour hydration (and keeping it there). Now, Clinique has ushered in the next chapter in its Moisture Surge story with the new Moisture Surge Body Hydrator. Designed to offer skin a much-needed drink, this fast-absorbing body lotion works to refresh skin with a layer of lightweight hydration, without leaving any oily residue behind. If your skin is feeling parched from too-hot showers and exposure to the cold weather, then this dermatologist-tested body lotion could be just the ticket to restore skin to its glowing, hydrated best once more.
The Shampoo & Conditioner Duo
Commune Seymour Shampoo & Conditioner Set, $302
Offer tresses a little indulgence with new-to-Mecca brand Commune's Seymour Shampoo & Conditioner Set, which is designed to gently cleanse hair without stripping it of its natural oils. The enriching two-step system promotes optimum hair health and vitality, rebuilding strands from the inside out. For a truly sensorial experience, allow the signature Seymour scent to whisk you away to Somerset, with notes of heady botanicals, ripe fruits and warming woods, which make hair washing a pleasure.
More beauty
From the award-winning products in this year's Viva Beauty Awards, to expert tips on how to apply foundation on mature skin.
Introducing The 30 Viva Beauty Awards Winners 2025, As Voted For By You. Discover every winning brand, person and product from this year's Viva Beauty Awards 2025.
How To Apply Foundation On Mature Skin, According To A Makeup Artist. A flawless foundation finish on mature skin? It's within reach, says celebrity makeup artist Rae Morris.The best-selling author and founder of her eponymous makeup brush line shares her top tips.
8 Of The Best Nourishing Hair Masks & Treatments To Hydrate & Restore Hair In Winter.Beauty editor Ashleigh Cometti surveys the most hydrating hair care to restore strands in winter.
Rich, Juicy Berry Hues Are The Beauty & Fashion Shades Of The Season. Here's How To Wear Them. From rich merlot to punchy cherry, these pieces look set to incorporate the season's cosiest hue into your wardrobe and beauty rotation.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
NZ Herald
2 days ago
- NZ Herald
Good Enough To Eat: What Are Gourmand Scents – And Why Do We Love Them?
Whether sparkling and sweet or fresh and fruity, these seven gourmand scents are luminous reminders that spring is inching closer. There's something inherently nostalgic about sweet scents that land somewhere between melted ice cream and toffee apple. Gourmand scents that tend towards sugary confections were synonymous with growing up in the late 1990s and early Noughts – and many millennials may remember the chokehold Britney Spears' Fantasy had on us all. So it was with much collective delight when gourmand scents made their steady return to the zeitgeist, starting in 2024 and gaining momentum in 2025. Derived from the French term for enjoying food ('gourmandise'), the fragrance family is defined by sweet, edible notes including caramel, chocolate, vanilla and toffee, along with savoury elements like freshly brewed coffee or salty popcorn. In 1992, Thierry Mugler launched the world's first gourmand fragrance with the now-iconic Angel. 'It was unheard of to have a feminine fragrance without florals, so it was particularly groundbreaking,' says Danielle Lagos, communications and social manager for L'Oreal Luxe and PPD New Zealand. Danielle agrees sweeter scents tend to bring us back to our childhoods, which is why we subconsciously lean into them. She adds gourmand notes of coffee and vanilla continue to be popular – as seen in the original YSL Black Opium and the new Black Opium Glitter, which adds notes of marshmallow. Juicy fruits are also considered gourmand, and Danielle adds strawberry has been tipped as the next 'it' red fruit for its association to love and passion, as seen in Si Passione Red Musk. Armani Si Passione Red Musk 50ml eau de parfum, $230 What it is: The newest iteration in the Armani Si family comes Passione Red Musk, a sweeter take on the original with its blend of soft musk and luminous strawberry. Described by Armani as a scent that wears like a second skin, Si Passione Red Musk captures both the passion and intensity of the fragrance house – exemplified further by the vibrant red bottle and matching cap. What it smells like: Top notes of luscious strawberry and clean musk, a heart of milk and rose absolu, with a sensual base of sweet vanilla and warm musk. Available from: Farmers or Jo Malone London Raspberry Ripple 100ml cologne, $296 What it is: Dreaming of summer? Jo Malone London's playful new scent channels a scoop of raspberry ripple ice cream with its blend of sweet, juicy fruit and soft white musk. The uplifting fragrance evokes a sun-soaked summer day by juxtaposing gourmand notes with verdant undertones to channel the freshness of being outdoors. It promises a lingering scent trail, especially when applied to wrists, neck and pulse points, allowing body heat to help diffuse the fragrance throughout the day. What it smells like: Fruity top notes of redcurrant and blackcurrant, a heart of fresh red raspberry, with base notes of clean and powdery musk. YSL Black Opium Glitter 50ml eau de parfum, $242 What it is: A sparkling memento sure to illuminate any bedside or dresser, YSL's glittering new take on Black Opium oozes magnetism and sex appeal. With its shimmering silver bottle, Black Opium Glitter highlights a blend of marshmallow musk accord, freshly brewed coffee and luminous orange blossoms, said to ignite feminine energy of the wearer as they shine long into the night. What it smells like: Citrusy top notes of green mandarin, pear and lemon, a heart of orange blossom, with vanilla absolute, coffee, marshmallow, musk and patchouli as its base. Ellis Brooklyn Guava Granita 50ml eau de parfum, $201 What it is: Escape to Palm Springs with Ellis Brooklyn's tropical new olfaction – one designed to capture both the irreverence and luxury of its fictional Club EB beach club. Bedecked in hot pink to channel the hue of ripe pink guavas, Guava Granita contains Haloscent, a proprietary and patented technology that enhances fragrance longevity by helping to release raw fragrance materials over time (but without being overpowering or cloying). What it smells like: Juicy top notes of guava, banana, bergamot and tropical waterlily, a heart of Cavaillon melon, coconut palm and mango blossom, with a comforting base of vanilla, sandalwood and almond milk. Available from: Mecca or Marc Jacobs Daisy Love Eau So Sweet 50ml eau de toilette, $140 What it is: Considered a sheer floral twist to a sweet gourmand, this Marc Jacobs offering builds on the Daisy story with Daisy Love Eau So Sweet – capturing the addictive and unexpected spirit of the Daisy Love woman. Captured on film by fashion photographer Alasdair McLellan, the campaign is fronted by model of-the-moment Kaia Gerber, the brand's new muse. What it smells like: Top notes of white raspberry, bergamot and crystallised cloudberries, a heart of daisy tree petals and jasmine milk, set among a base of sugar musk and white iris woods. Available from: Sephora or Burberry Her Intense 50ml eau de parfum, $215 What it is: A bolder, sweeter take on the original Burberry Her, Her Intense is classed as a vibrant gourmand. The ultra-feminine fragrance is designed to accompany the wearer on whatever adventure awaits, with its intense blend of sweet citrus and comforting woods. While the bottle still acts as a call back to Burberry's British roots, the flacon is dressed in a deeper shade of lacquered matte pink, cementing the scent's feminine energy. What it smells like: Another strawberry-scented gourmand, the olfaction options with wild strawberry, unfolds to a heart of orange blossom and culminates with a warm, ambery wood in the dry-down. Available from: Sephora or Jean Paul Gaultier Scandal Le Parfum 50ml eau de parfum, $235 What it is: Few fragrance bottles are quite as recognisable as Jean Paul Gaultier's shapely bust, which was turned on its head (quite literally) when Scandal was welcomed into the fold – a flacon celebrating bare legs akimbo. Scandal Le Parfum is as cheeky as the bottle itself, an intense floral amber fragrance with sweet caramel notes and intoxicating vanilla. With each spritz, a daily reminder to unleash your fabulous, free-spirited side. What it smells like: Sweet and sensual, it opens with top notes of jasmine, a heart of salted caramel and a base of black vanilla. Available from: Farmers or More beauty Curious about facial sculpting? These two at-home techniques are the perfect introduction, plus four beauty entrepreneurs share their most regrettable beauty moments. How To Sculpt Your Face: A Beginner's Guide To Face-Sculpting Techniques To Try At Home. Activate your lymphatic system and sculpt facial contours with these two easy at-home massage techniques. Four New Zealand Beauty Entrepreneurs Share Their Biggest Beauty Regrets. Because even the biggest names in beauty are not immune to a few fake tan faux pas along the way. . This new, probiotic-rich skin treatment is the perfect introduction to microneedling, writes Ashleigh Cometti.
NZ Herald
2 days ago
- NZ Herald
Book of the day: Liar's Game by Jack Beaumont
Listening to articles is free for open-access content—explore other articles or learn more about text-to-speech. Beijing airport: Scene of the crime in a twisty tale featuring the Chinese secret service. Photo / Getty Images Jack Beaumont is the pseudonym of an ex-operative for the DGSE, the French equivalent of the CIA. Liar's Game is the third thriller featuring spy Alec de Payns, which has seen Beaumont become a surefire bestseller in Australia, where he now lives with his wife and children. When an apparent North Korean defector is killed at Beijing airport while de Payns is attempting an extraction, questions begin to be asked: is there a traitor in the service, or is this an elaborate power play by a faction in the government to wrest back power over the agency? Will the blame for the botched operation be laid at our protagonist's feet? There's also an ongoing case of a wealthy Russian businessman who is buying up South-East Asian cybersecurity technology, and a French tech executive who is unwittingly in the cross hairs of the Chinese secret service. If that's not enough, de Payns is trying to salvage his relationship with his wife, an OECD economist, who is becoming increasingly resentful of his job and the effect it has on him. He's day drinking and mentally brittle after decades of service – a job where most burn out in five years. Beaumont's intelligence background means there are plenty of authentic trade craft and real-world operational details, as well as vivid descriptions of the challenges of working clandestinely in cities across Europe and Asia. De Payn's day-to-day life – clearly based on Beaumont's experience – involves living under various aliases as required by the job, one day a man 'working in computers', the next a post-grad tech student, the next a European tourist. There's also – inevitably – a beautiful Russian woman, who de Payns must befriend, a process helped by his good looks and quick wit. But will she be the first to challenge his rule of not having sex with a target and remain true to his wife? While Beaumont's not the prose master John Le Carré was, his writing is clear, concise and engaging and shines in action set pieces, which are never overplayed. A daring, airborne escape from Vietnam after another botched operation is a highlight. And, like Le Carré, Beaumont writes of the unending bureaucracy of the service, budget constraints and inter-departmental rivalries (Beaumont provides a handy diagram of the complex French intelligence agencies as an afternote). That leads to some levity in what is otherwise a pretty dense narrative, as our protagonist laments the strict service allowance for DGSE meals while on the job and contends that '… if you wanted to find the French spy on a plane, just ask all the passengers to empty their pockets; the one with a small pile of €10 receipts was probably from the DGSE.' Much of the novel's plot focuses on AI, cybersecurity and quantum computing, and the competition between powers to gain advantage in the escalating tech race ‒ all timely subjects. Beaumont is excellent at describing the mental toll that clandestine work can take while also relaying the sense of camaraderie built between team members whose lives depend on each other, because, as de Payns will find out, sometimes those you work for will turn their backs as soon as things go wrong. Liar's Game is another excellent addition to the series and a must-read for spy-fiction aficionados.
Otago Daily Times
2 days ago
- Otago Daily Times
Valued art, but not valuable
Fayum Coffin Lid Portrait, from Me, According to the History of Art, by Dick Frizzell, 2019, is on show at Eastern Southland Gallery. Photo: Ella Scott-Fleming The works on show at the Eastern Southland Gallery have one thing in common: they did not cost the collector a cent. "Seriously Valuable Art" running until September 14 in the main, curved-wall of the gallery, features the works of an unnamed collector from Christchurch. The exhibition argues that art need not be expensive to be beautiful, important and life-enhancing, the press release said. Nothing in the show, featuring prints, paintings and sculpture from the past 100 years and beyond, has cost the collector a "huge amount" of money. Artists can be generous, and market forces are not always kind to the later, historically recognised creatives, the release also said. Buried in the show, however, was a secretly pricey work, and gallery-goers were encouraged to guess which fetched more of a price on the international market. Each piece was labelled with humorous comments by the collector including Dancing Frogs by New Zealand painter Joanna Braithwaite. Underneath, the collector simply said, "A tribute to the French?". The coffin portrait by famous New Zealand pop artist Dick Frizzell was accompanied by an amusing exchange as the artist and collector were friends. The label said the collector remarked that the portrait resumed the "adorable" big-eyed depictions of women and children by 1950s kitsch icon Margaret Keane. The artist was not flattered by the comparison, the caption read, but the two remained good friends. A talk by art historian and collector Mark Stocker, who may or may not be the mysterious collector, organisers said, was planned for August 24, at 2pm. Mr Stocker will guide the audience through the selected works and share insights into what was worth collecting — and what was best left behind. .
