This is what everyone is talking about. Photo / Supplied
This is what everyone is talking about. Photo / Supplied
Beauty brands love to launch new products around this time of year.
It's a smart strategy. They know we're all going to be running around Westfield with our extended credit card limits buying Christmas presents for other people, but we'll probably cave and buy gifts for ourselves too.
Trying a new beauty product for the first time is such a quiet thrill. Will it work? Will it be worth the price tag? It's especially exciting when an overhyped product actually lives up to its name. Trying new stuff is fun, but trying new stuff that works is even better.
So if you're looking for the perfect excuse to treat yourself, here are 10 new products, including the cult $76 face mask that's got everyone on Instagram obsessed.
They make two thick face masks called Jet Lag and Overtime, but only Jet Lag is available in New Zealand at the moment.
Jet Lag contains chestnut seed extract, shea butter, niacinimde, hyaluronic acid and three different ceramides. It acts like a super thick moisturiser.
It's super lovely to use and smells a little bit like peppermint. $70 for a mask is a lot, but it will probably last for several months.
Slather it on at night and wake up with hydrating, bouncy skin, or you can use it in the morning on those lazy hangover days when you're not leaving the house but need extra hydration.
INNISFREE ANTI-AGEING UNDEREYE MASK
Pop these on while you do your eyeshadow. Photo / Supplied
Price: $6
Available from: Innisfree stores and online
Eye masks are great for using in the morning before an event to hydrate the area under the eyes.
I like to pop these onto clean skin and do my eyeshadow before my foundation, so they catch any fallout from the shadow.
Frank Body is famous for its exfoliating body scrubs made from ground coffee. Now they've brought out a new scrub made from sugar and green tea leaves.
The idea behind this is that it will make less of a mess in your bathroom.
That certainly wasn't the case for me, but I loved the smell and my body felt smooth and supple afterwards.
MARIO BADESCU VITAMIN C SERUM
Mario Badescu vitamin c serum. Photo / Supplied
Price: $71
Available from: Mecca Maxima
OK, so this serum is not a new release product, but it's the first time I've finally got around to trying it.
It only contains 7.5 per cent vitamin C, so I initially palmed it off as a waste of time and money. I wanted to hate it but for some reason I can't stop using it. I really enjoy the experience and it makes my skin feel less freckly and more glowy.
There are loads of serums on the market that contain 10, 20 and even 30 per cent vitamin C. We've always been taught that a higher percentage is always better, but for some reason I really like this serum and it worked for me.
It's also supposed to be used at night, which is unusual for vitamin C. Normally you wear vitamin C serums during the day to aid in sun protection and prevent free radical damage. It's quite oily so applying at night does make sense.
As well as containing ascorbic acid — the fancy term for the highest concentration and most stable form of vitamin C — this serum also contains hyaluronic acid and collagen.
This is technically a highlighter but I've been using it as an eyeshadow and I'm obsessed.
It's super sparkly and pigmented, yet easy to blend. Can be used on its own or over the top of darker shadow to create a nice shimmer effect.
LANIEGE WATER MASK
Laniege Water Mask. Photo / Supplied
Price: $47
Available from: Sephora
This is a great lazy person product because all you need to do is slather a tiny bit on before bed and you'll wake up looking glowy thanks to all that hyaluronic acid. A little goes a long way so the tub lasts for ages.
It's also good if you have inflamed or oily skin because it's gentle and cooling.
