12 Beauty Products We’re Loving RN, From A “Liquid Gold” Face Serum to A $15 Setting Spray

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We’re moments away from spring and that means sundresses, pops of colour and the highly anticipated daylight savings. The nights are longer when the sun sets later, which usually entails a little less sleep before your day begins. But there’s nothing like a good skincare regimen, concealer and a freshly scented perfume to sell the illusion that you’ve had eight hours of sleep.

As you come out of your winter hibernation, you want to splurge on the products that will have you looking fresh and glowy, all season long. From a serum that’s considered “liquid gold” to an eye cream that instantly brightens sleepy under eyes, ahead, the POPSUGAR Australia team share the beauty products they used in August to prep for the full swing of spring.

Sangeeta Kocharekar, Lifestyle Editor

I recently got the Shark Flexstyle ($499) that’s being called the Dyson Airwrap dupe. I’ve never had the Airwrap, but I’m loving the Shark Flex. It comes with all its attachments in a sleek leather box that I keep under my bathroom sink. I use the wand to curl two face-framing sections of my hair and leave the rest of my hair untouched. My hair looks ‘done’, but still relaxed and easy.

Chloe Sommerin, Agency Partnerships Manager

My only new buy this month that I love is the bareMinerals Concealer ($45). I’ve been on the hunt for a new concealer and this hits the spot. It’s really creamy and has a good shade range — no settling into creases either. I’m still testing wear throughout the day, but on first few tries, I really love it!

Angeline Barion, Junior Content Producer

The price is a bit steep but now, I have no choice — I’m hooked on the Ole Henriksen Banana Bright+ Eye Crème ($63). I started using it after receiving The Iconic’s Essential Edit ($130) and I was really surprised at how quickly it brightened up the dark circles under my eye. They’re not completely gone, but progress is progress and in a short amount of time, this little orange pot of wonders has taken my under-eyes from never-seen-a-wink-of-sleep-in-my-life vibes to I-got-at-least-four-hours.

As I settled in to do a full beat in the work bathroom 30 min before an event started, I realised that I had forgotten the most important piece of my glam’s puzzle — setting spray. So, as I sprinted down to Priceline and scanned the rows of cosmetic displays, my eyes settled upon the Makeup Revolution Hydrate & Fix Setting Spray ($15). And let me tell you, for a last minute purchase with no prior research, this was a god send. Before starting my base, I’ll usually spritz on some setting spray to really keep things in place. I loved how even after taking off my makeup — which usually leaves my face feeling a bit red and raw — this time around it felt supple and hydrated, thanks to the hyaluronic acid in the formula. It kept my foundation still through the entire night and even in the sweatiest of places, it didn’t budge.

Christelle Quillien, Group Client Solutions Manager

I’m doing a retinol treatment and my skin has been peeling as a result, and the La Roche-Posay Lipikar Body Balm ($36.49) has helped so much. The texture and consistency is so good — it also feels really buttery without leaving an unwanted shine. My skin doesn’t look shiny/oily, but still feels hydrated and moisturised.

Bernice Corral, Vertical Content Producer

Pat McGrath Labs Lust: Gloss in “Flesh 6” ($49.74) has made a resurgence as my everyday lip product. Its rose brown colour makes it the perfect ‘my lips, but better’ shade. I love how hydrating and long-lasting it is — sticky lips, who? You can either go in #hard with a full swipe for an opaque finish or what I like to do to savour its deliciousness (though i have repurchased a back up already), is put a few dabs on my lips and blend it in with lip balm to bring some subtle colour back into my face.

Julia Willing, Head of Content

My new go-to transeasonal scent! The L’Atelier Arme Blanche EDP ($116) is the perfect balance between woody and floral — and makes me feel like a ~sophisticated woman~ even when I’m in sweats and the same tee I’ve slept in the night before. Balance. The scent can last all day, but not in an overpowering, 80-year-old kind of way — just a subtle little kick to keep you fresh.

Natasha Bazika, Senior Producer

I swear by Ikou products. My mum actually introduced it to me, which at first I was sceptical. I thought it was for older women, but then she bought me a starter pack to try it and my face has never felt clearer. I use it everyday. The peptide serum ($89) is what I would think the fountain of youth would be like. It’s liquid gold for the face. The face polish ($39) is great for when you feel clogged, especially after using SPF everyday. I use the polish twice a week. The daily cleanser ($49) is gentle on the skin and great to wash away the night and day. Then I use the day creme ($72) every morning. It’s a process, but it works! I’ve been using all their products for three years now and I swear by it! The best part it’s all made in the Blue Mountains from local ingredients

Sohan Judge, Director of Social & Platforms

I am obsessed with Embellish by Rowi’s Rhinestone Packs ($25)! These gems add a sparkle and level up ANY beauty look, no matter now chill or glam. I use them every time I leave the house! My favourite way to use them is to dot a few onto a colourful eye look for an extra pop. A blue shadow with silver Embellish gems to finish it off is probably one of my fave combos.

Hameda Nafiz, Content Producer

I never really thought hair oil made a real difference, but I had an opportunity to try the MOROCCANOIL Original Oil Treatment ($74.95) — and I’m actually wildly impressed. My hair’s always been shiny, but I’d have knots after wearing it out for five minutes. Now, I can sleep with my hair undone and wake up to smooth, silky locks that smell absolutely heavenly. I use one pump for my shoulder length hair and comb it through my ends with my fingers after I wash it — while it’s still damp.

If you’re a blush girlie like me, you need to get your hands on any of the NUDESTIX blushes or bronzers. I’ve tried a couple of the products and shades, but the Nudies Matte Bronzer in Sunkissed ($57) and the Nudies Bewy Blush in Sweet Cheeks ($57) are my absolute favourites for a natural, flushed-face look. I use the bronzer when I want more of a summer-glow blush moment and I use the blush for flushed-pink e-girl looks. The product itself is incredibly pigmented, goes on incredibly smoothly, blends out beautifully — and it looks like skin when it sets in. I even use them on my lips for a little extra colour!

I’d always been curious about how hard it might be to wax my own upper-lip and eyebrows — but I didn’t want to invest in a whole machine that’d take up space and I might not even end up using. I decided to try this Parissa No-Strip Waxing Kit ($21.95), just to see if I could even harness the skills to banish the hair from my face. Turns out, this was the greatest trial I could’ve chosen to embark on, because this wax is a LIFE. SAVER. I heat it up on my stove, wait until the consistency isn’t too drippy and messy, then I go to town slathering this in strips over where I need it — and it works beautifully. The best part? No pain. Not even a sting. And while my pain tolerance is decent enough, I know what waxing your upper lip traditionally feels like — this stuff makes it all feel very unnecessary.

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