Foundry
Root, Leaf and Zest, £60
Combining advanced skincare with some of nature’s most potent botanicals, Somerset-based Foundry is breaking the mould of the identikit beauty brands flooding the market. Using organic, wildcrafted ingredients sourced around its Frome base, the brand has won me over with its Root, Leaf & Zest hand wash, fragranced with vetiver root, petitgrain leaf and bergamot zest and rich in sea minerals to help moisturise the skin. Poured into Italian glass bottles illustrated by English artist Joel Lardner, it is a true thing of beauty on the sink side, both inside and out.
Votary
Luminous Skin Liquid, £37
I am a long-term fan of Votary’s Super Renewal Serum, so when its new skincare-makeup hybrid range landed on my desk, I was instantly intrigued. From the first application, it feels both new and yet oh-so Votary. Packed with skincare ingredients to strengthen the skin barrier – including squalane, niacinamide and beta-glucan – it’s the golden veil of colour that really gives skin a radiance boost. One to have on hand as we head into winter: add a pump to your skincare for an all-over glow, or apply directly to the high points of the face for just a kiss of luminosity.
John Frieda
Volume Lift Pushed Up Dry Texture Spray, £10
I recently had a liberating eight inches lopped off my locks, but once the euphoria had passed, I realised I had no idea how to style my new bob. Enter this genius styling spray from John Frieda. It gives shape, volume and texture to freshly washed hair, with just enough grip to ensure your style stays put all day.
TRESemmé
Thermo Sculpt Memory Shampoo, £8
If you’re anything like me and style your hair only for the shape to fall flat five minutes later, this new range from TRESemmé should be on your radar too. Clever crystal-like molecules activate with heat to ‘enhance shape resilience’, and I’ve definitely noticed more longevity in my newly blow-dried lengths.
Ilia
Limitless Mascara, £29
The wand on this Ilia mascara is so simple in its design, but I don’t think I’ve ever seen one quite like it. Dual-sided, one side separates and lengthens lashes while the other adds volume, meaning you can create two different looks with a single mascara. Genius.
Anua
Niacinamide 5 TXA Brightening Booster Toner, £20
If I had to plump for just one skincare ingredient, it would be niacinamide. It’s a real powerhouse when it comes to brightening and evening the appearance of skin tone, and this toner combines 5% niacinamide with tranexamic acid. It also helps prep the skin for whatever you apply next in your routine. Fresh, light and now a step I never skip.
Touchland
Rainwater Hand Sanitiser, £10
Trialling the Touchland hand sanitiser that’s just landed at Space NK has been something of a lightbulb moment. Why does hand sanitiser have to smell like a cross between a hospital and those saccharine shots you did at uni? Answer: it doesn’t. I love the slimline dispensers that slip easily into pockets and handbags, while the fragrances feel elevated and make something utterly functional a genuine joy to use.
FAQs: New Beauty Products On My Radar
What are the best new beauty products to try right now?
Lydia Mansi, Lifestyle Editor at The Guide, has seven new beauty products on her radar. They are Foundry Root, Leaf & Zest Sea Mineral Hand Wash (£60), Votary Luminous Skin Liquid (£37), John Frieda Volume Lift Pushed Up Dry Texture Spray (£10), TRESemmé Thermo Sculpt Memory Shampoo (£8), Ilia Limitless Lash Mascara (£29), Anua Niacinamide 5 TXA Brightening Booster Toner (£20) and Touchland Power Mist Hydrating Hand Sanitiser in Rainwater (£10).
What does niacinamide do for skin?
Niacinamide is a form of vitamin B3 that can help brighten skin, even out the look of skin tone and support the skin barrier. Anua Niacinamide 5 TXA Brightening Booster Toner (£20) pairs 5% niacinamide with tranexamic acid. It is used after cleansing to prep skin for the serums and moisturiser that follow.
Are there any Somerset beauty brands worth knowing?
Foundry is a Somerset beauty brand based in Frome. It blends advanced skincare with organic, wildcrafted botanicals sourced around its base. Its Root, Leaf & Zest Sea Mineral Hand Wash (£60) combines vetiver root, petitgrain leaf and bergamot zest with sea minerals. It comes in Italian glass bottles illustrated by English artist Joel Lardner.
What is Votary Luminous Skin Liquid?
Votary Luminous Skin Liquid (£37) is a skincare-make-up hybrid from British skincare brand Votary. It contains squalane, niacinamide and beta-glucan to support the skin barrier, plus a golden tint that adds radiance. You can mix a pump into your skincare for an all-over glow, or apply it to the high points of the face for a subtle highlight.
How do I add volume to a short bob?
A dry texture spray is one of the easiest ways to add shape and lift to a short bob. John Frieda Volume Lift Pushed Up Dry Texture Spray (£10) adds volume, texture and enough grip to hold a style all day. For blow-dries that keep their shape, TRESemmé Thermo Sculpt Memory Shampoo (£8) uses heat-activated technology designed to help styles last longer.
Which mascara both lengthens and volumises lashes?
Ilia Limitless Lash Mascara (£29) has a dual-sided wand. One side separates and lengthens lashes, and the other builds volume, so a single mascara can create either a defined, natural look or a fuller one. It is available in the UK at Space NK.
Is there a hand sanitiser that doesn't smell clinical?
Touchland Power Mist Hydrating Hand Sanitiser (£10) is designed to smell pleasant rather than medicinal, with fragrances such as Rainwater. It comes in a slim, pocket-sized dispenser that slips easily into a handbag. It is now stocked at Space NK in the UK.
Where can I buy these beauty products in the UK?
John Frieda Volume Lift Pushed Up Dry Texture Spray and TRESemmé Thermo Sculpt Memory Shampoo are available at Boots. Ilia Limitless Lash Mascara, Anua Niacinamide 5 TXA Brightening Booster Toner and Touchland Power Mist Hydrating Hand Sanitiser are stocked at Space NK. Foundry and Votary sell direct through their own websites.
