You know what they say: you wait for great makeup launches to come along, and then a tonne turn up all at once! It’s taken a good long while for genuinely exciting bits and pieces to land on my doorstep this year (red lipsticks and another re-hash of a mascara are not exciting,) but can I get a whoop whoop because boy do we have lift off! I’ve pulled together an edit of nine launches I think you need to know about, all of which just happen to be more than a little bit pretty too. Here’s the lowdown, so get your notepad and pen at the ready because there *will* be a shopping list.

More well known for their box blushers than possibly anything else, Benefit have knocked it out of the park with their latest launch. Galifornia is a beautiful coral peach shade that’s infused with golden pigments to add a natural glow to cheeks, enhancing a tan or just helping to provide a touch of radiance. The gold is very subtle and catches the light to provide a beautiful highlight, but that does mean you have to apply this strategically if you’re not a fan of looking a bit too glowy! The best bit though is the fact this smells like holidays; the tropical scent ensures it’s addictive and transports you instantly to somewhere altogether more warm. I’m obssessed already – it’s my new fave.

L’Oreal Infallible Total Cover Concealer Palette (£9.99)
Part of the new ‘Total Cover’ range (more on the foundation soon,) this concealer palette may be about a year too late to the colour correcting party, but it’s a great high street version that’s both effective and affordable. With three shades of concealer, plus a green and lilac to counteract redness and sallowness, the idea is that this will help provide a flawless base without the faff; the products are good and do cover, but if you’re over the age of 25 they’re also going to sit in those fine lines and make them appear worse. A great one for those of you with great texture, but maybe a miss for those of us more concerned with the onset of wrinkles than a blemish or two.

Paul & Joe Bon-Bon Pearl Foundation Primer (£23.50)
One of the most beautiful makeup brands that ever existed, Paul & Joe can often be overlooked in favour of more ‘serious’ names when it comes to anything other than eyeshadow and lipstick. However, this beautiful pearl-infused base contains four different tones of pink to provide a colour-neutralising base that also ensures your foundation applies with ease. I don’t know how the little pearls burst without leaving residue (they do and I need to deal with it,) but they leave a very understated glow that can either be worn alone or under your usual makeup. Infused with Orange Flower Water for a hit of hydration too, this is more than just a pretty bottle.

YSL Shock Mascara (£20.70)
I’ve always been a big fan of YSL mascaras; in fact they’re one of the few brands that rarely has a miss for me when it comes to creating luscious, long and full lashes. I’ve adored their BabyDoll Mascara for years, but their newest launch may be even better at creating the fluttering lashline I desire – and that’s a huge feat. Thanks to the dipped brush that hugs the lashline, and bristles that pick up a great deal of product without overloading, the result is a seriously powerful look that transforms my eyes in seconds. Usually it takes me a good few applications of a tube to get to grips with it and see if it works for me, but this was love at first dip. J’adore.

Clarins Skin Illusion Blush £16.00
A brand that rarely gets it wrong, Clarins have created some stonking makeup must-haves in their time that never leave pride of place on my dressing table. These new limited edition blush pots contain a little foam applicator that picks up product from the lid and applies it to the skin; the formula is light and airy, providing just enough colour to make a difference without overloading the skin. My only concern with these is that the applicator can leave a very round mark on the face, creating a look that’s more porcelain doll than naturally flushed! You do have to be careful and ensure you blend in the product (or better still use an actual blush,) but that does kind of defeat the point… One for travelling rather than every day maybe?

Georgio Armani Power Fabric Foundation (£36.00)
I’ve heard so many amazing things about Armani foundations over the years, but I don’t think I’d ever tried one until the moment I opened this bottle. Rather wonderfully it totally lived up to my expectations, providing incredible coverage and lasting all day long with ease; it’s certainly matte and certainly high coverage, so it’s not for those that like a natural finish, but if you like your base highly powered then this is a dream. The idea is that this feels effortless and like a great piece of fabric that hugs and fits the body perfectly – and it does. Although it’s pricey, if you’re after a hard working base then I wouldn’t think twice about recommending this.

Ciate Dewy Stix (£20.00)
I love it when a brand comes up with a truly innovative and totally on-trend concept that you never knew you wanted until you tried it. That’s exactly what this Dewy Stix is – a simple, beautiful and so easy-to-use makeup addition that’s simply perfect for Spring. If you like the idea of adding a touch of highlight or added radiance to your skin, but loathe the idea of layering on the makeup or overdoing it, this is for you. An incredibly lightweight balm in stick format, the Dewy Stix glides over skin to deposit a subtle sheen wherever you want it: the tops of cheekbones, the decollatage, even down the front of your legs! With natural ‘no makeup makeup’ set to make a big comeback this year, this is one product that will be top of all the beauty editors wish lists.

Ecotools Modern Romance Collection (£20.94)
Nobody needs 100 different brushes to apply their makeup, but when they look this pretty they’re hard to resist. Ecotools creates really great quality applicators that have been somewhat understated until now, sitting cooly in the ‘eco friendly bracket’ rather than appealing to fashionistas; however, with this beautiful little collection of rose gold embossed ferrules they’re ticking that box too. Within the set is a foundation, blush, lip and two eye brushes which are perfect for travel – I just wish there was a cute little pouch to keep them in.

Rimmel Brow This Way 3-in-1 Ultra Soft Powder (£5.99)
When you’ve got Cara Delivigne as the brows of your campaign, you know we’re all thinking that this has got to be a wonder product. This ultra soft powdery formula helps to fill in and thicken brows, providing natural texture and effortless fullness that lasts all day long without smudging. Although I look for something that will help create the missing parts of my brows from scratch (and therefore need something a little more precise,) for those with great brows already that just want to frame or define this is a great little product. Available in four shades, you can apparently use it to line the eye too – although I wouldn’t advise it.
Bare Minerals Gen Nude Lipglosses (£13.60)
Everyone needs their perfect nude, and Bare Minerals is a brand I know I can rely on to always provide it. Some of my fave ever nude glosses and lipsticks have been from their understated collections over the years, but in 2017 they’ve launched a whole collection of nude tones and comfortable formulas so that we can all relish in the niddy. The angled applicators and glossy (but not sticky formulas) make the process a pleasure, while the slightly sweet scent ensures you’ll want to apply again and again; well worth a little investment if you’re feeling a little splurgy!
ty: thoushaltnotcovet