UBeauty

5 New Products that Get the Beauty Editor Stamp of Approval

Including the thinnest eyebrow pencil out there and a "you're glowing!" compliment-getter

Every day, new products land on a beauty editor’s desk and it’s our job to try them out. The good ones find their way into various roundups and stories across thekit.ca and the OMG-this-stuff-is-amazing ones go on to live right here, in our faves of the moment column. Behold, the latest loves. 

The bargain skin perfector

“You’re glowing!” exclaimed a friend at a party last weekend, and I’m giving all credit to this wallet-friendly skin tint. Classified as a skincare-makeup hybrid, it packs teensy orbs of pigment that are suspended in a lightweight gel. The water-based formula delivers quick hydration, while 0.5 per cent bakuchiol (a plant-based ingredient often touted as a gentler alternative to retinol) and tranexamic acid (known to help fade dark spots) set out to work over time.

I like to dot the gel over my face and gently blend with my fingers to release the pigment; it’s available in eight shades. It’s very satisfying to watch the formula melt into my skin and leaving a hydrated finish and evening out my skin tone. The immediate effect is subtle coverage that looks totally natural, but I’ve found it’s also easy to build over any areas I feel need more help, making it my new go-to when I want to dress up my face for both virtual meetings and actual outings.

CoverGirl Simply Ageless Skin Perfector Essence, $24, walmart.ca. Photo: CoverGirl
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The juicy-finish blush

It seems like every beauty product is getting the serum treatment these days, and I’m not mad about it. Given the way that a serum can infuse skin with all manner of ingredients and allow for a liquid-y texture that’s easy to apply, I say bring it on! Case in point: this pint-sized tube brings hydrating fruit extracts and plumping glycerin together with sheer buildable colour and a slightly dewy finish.

Just a smidge of the juicy-hued gel (there are four shades to choose from) blended over my cheekbones instantly gives my face a healthy-looking boost, which couldn’t come at a better time of year.

Revlon Illuminance Gel Serum Blush in Striking Rose, $19, shoppersdrugmart.ca. Photo: Shoppers Drug Mart
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The detail-oriented brow booster

As a long-time member of the Sparse Brow Club, I’m always on the lookout for arch assistance that can help fill in blank patches with ease. It can be a bit of a Goldilocks search: inky pens are often too dark, many waxes have little impact with so few hairs to grab onto, and powder can look a little dusty and dated. But this pencil, with its ultra-tiny tip, is just right. At just 0.8 millimetres wide, it’s the smallest tip on the market, which is key for creating thin strokes that look like believable brow hairs.

There’s no sharpening required; you twist to pull the precision tip up inside its protective plastic tube, which retracts when you place it against your skin so that the end doesn’t break off. I also appreciate that the long-wear formula is water- and smudge-proof, so the illusion stays intact on my oily-combination skin throughout the day or night.

Benefit Cosmetics Precisely, My Brow Detailer, $34, sephora.com. Photo: Benefit Cosmetics
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The ultra-luxe face oil

Earlier this year, legendary makeup artist Pat McGrath stopped time and space with her next-level interpretation of glass skin for the Maison Margiela haute couture show. Amongst the artistry and innovation, the moment reinforced the notion that radiance is always the right answer. In my mind, this ultra-luxe face oil is on the same page, and much kinder on skin.

Designed to shield against dryness and dehydration, it’s made with algae, amino acids, hyaluronic acid and, you guessed it, a whole bunch of oils, including sweet almond, avocado, sunflower and jojoba. The mix, which is more of a gellified texture than a traditional runny oil, aims to re-up the epidermal lipid layer and also transform skin by zeroing in on oxidative stress and stagnant cells to reduce signs of aging. I like to apply it after moisturizer, before SPF, and after a few days I can confirm there’s been an uptick in my own level of luminosity.

UBeauty The Super Intensive Face Oil, $248, ubeauty.com. Photo: UBeauty
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The winter skin saviour

Has this winter been alarmingly mild? Sure, but that hasn’t stopped the seasonal elements from colluding against my skin barrier. Cold outdoor air and dry indoor heat love to team up against all skin types to disrupt hydration levels and allow irritation, redness and flaking to creep in. To stay one step ahead, I’ve been using this rich treatment at night—and it’s working. The brand’s signature squalane is absolutely hydrating, but there’s more going on here. There’s also skin-soothing peptides and magnesium, plus ectoin, a bio-fermented molecule known to fight environmental stressors and prevent inflammation.

Every time I’ve used it, I’ve woken up with skin that’s not only soft, but also notably plumped and restored. It’s especially ideal for any stressed skin situation; I put it to the test after a nighttime skiing excursion and woke up to impressive results. The nourishing ingredients also play nice with the actives in my evening routine, offering a calming balance to exfoliating serums and retinol.

Biossance Squalane + Ectoin Overnight Rescue, $92, sephora.com. Photo: Biossance
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