Spring Beauty Reboot

The 10 new beauty products we can’t live without this spring

To say we’re excited for spring may be the understatement of 2023. As we emerge from sweatpants and Netflix binges, we’re ready for balmy temperatures and brighter everything. But we also can’t wait to get our hands on the latest crop of beauty releases. Why not lean into the energy of renewal? Skip into the season with our edit of the only 10 products you need to carry you into the warmer months. Think must-have matte lipsticks, a drugstore mascara that’s worth the hype and a grown-up fruity-floral perfume that smells truly delicious for spring.

Elizabeth Arden Advanced Light Ceramide Capsules

How much is too much product? Does it travel well? Elizabeth Arden’s single-dose concentrated capsules can take the guesswork out of your routine. The new Advanced Light Ceramide Capsules deliver a precise shot of phytoceramides, cyclopeptides and hemisqualane to help bolster the skin barrier, keeping skin moisturised, plump and bouncy. In addition, this clever concoction improves the look of pores and gives you an underlying glow that gets better and better with time. It’s definitely earned itself a permanent spot in our daily skincare regimen.

R715 for 30 capsules or R1,175 for 60 capsules from Woolworths, Edgars, Foschini, Truworths, Clicks, Dis-Chem, www.superbalist.com and www.takealot.com

Tree Hut Watermelon Shea Sugar Scrub

If you’re looking for a standout scrub that takes care of dryness, uneven texture and ingrown hairs, the super-thick Tree Hut Watermelon Shea Sugar Scrub is your best bet. Now available in South Africa, it smells amazing and feels like a spa treatment you can do at home. This viral body scrub is almost good enough to eat with a blend of sugar crystals, shea butter, vegan collagen, watermelon and crushed seeds. Natural oils – including evening primrose, avocado, macadamia, sweet almond, safflower and orange – hydrate the skin, while chunky grains do a great job of scrubbing away dead skin cells without over-drying. We keep the tub in our shower at all times.

R395 from www.medhealthsup.com

Skinny Tan Notox Face Tanning Drops

Your secret is safe with us. Kickstart your hot girl summer a few months early with these tanning drops by Skinny Tan. Formulated with vegan collagen, guarana, aloe vera and anti-ageing ingredients, the skin-caring tanner gives a natural tone with no hints of orange. It’s designed to be mixed with an oil-free moisturiser to create a custom tanning blend. Apply four drops for a subtle tan, eight drops for a golden glow or 12 drops for a deep bronze. It couldn’t be easier! We love the buildable, longlasting colour and that there’s no whiff of that signature fake tan scent.

R315 from www.skinnytanshop.com and www.takealot.com

Kate Spade Ch Rie Eau De Parfum

Of course, a spring style refresh wouldn’t be complete without adding a new vibrant, playful perfume to our routine. Kate Spade Chérie is a sweet floral fragrance that brings the heat – even if the weather outside hasn’t gotten the memo. The bright red and pink bottle hints at the fruity red berry notes of the juice inside: Raspberry opens this eau de parfum, alongside fellow top notes of mandarin orange and redcurrant. The youthful fruitiness gives way to a floral middle of sweet pea and jasmine, slowly settling into musk and white woods throughout the day.

R1,325 for 100ml from Dis-Chem

BIO SCULPTURE GEMINI NOURISHING NAIL POLISH - 304 VERDE

Didn’t you hear? Green nails are having a moment right now –and the Bio Sculpture Gemini Nourishing Nail Polish in 304 Verde also happens to be the perfect colour for your spring manicure. It’s giving us palm trees and tropical vibes … basically the exact opposite of winter nails. The polish is shiny and smooth – and the thick black bristle brush makes a DIY mani a breeze. To get that shiny finish, seal your nails with the Mirror Top Coat after the base colour is fully dry. Pair it with a stack of gold rings to match the effortlessly cool vibe of the shade.

R130 from www.biosculpture.co.za as well as select spas and salons

HELIOCARE 360º MD A-R EMULSION SPF 50+

We know by now that the wrong SPF can lead to stinging and redness. With so many formulas to choose from, those with sensitive skin or rosacea are likely to find it especially challenging selecting the right sunscreen for face protection. Leave it to Heliocare to create a gentle, milky high-protection sunscreen that’s strictly designed for sensitive souls. Once massaged in, the liquid formula quickly absorbs and feels undetectable to wear. It’s a great choice for all complexions given that it leaves a natural-looking radiance without creating a white cast.

R640 from www.dermastore.co.za as well as select spas, salons and dermatology offices.

Revlon Colorstay Suede Ink Lipstick

Switch out those rich reds and vampy lip shades. Now that spring is here, it’s time to brighten things up to match all the magic that’s blooming outside. Matte lipsticks have a bad reputation for being dense and drying, but this innovative formula from Revlon gives you the long-wear of a matte lipstick without any weight. Once you try these new buildable, balmlike lip colours, you’ll want to collect them all! There’s a colour choice for however bold or demure you want to be – our current faves are Tunnel Vision (eye-catching fuchsia), Feed the Flame (orange red) and Gut Instinct (pink nude).

R239.95 from Woolworths, Edgars, Foschini, Truworths, Clicks, Dis-Chem, www.superbalist.com and www.takealot.com

Beaut Serums Posh Wash

If your skin looks dull or feels clogged up from the increase in humidity, sometimes all you need is a deep cleanse. Enter this winner. Made with ingredients like squalane, aloe vera, wheat amino acids and oat extract, Beaut Serums’ first cleanser does more than purify your complexion with ease. Not only does it clean your skin without throwing off its pH level or stripping its protective barrier, but it also produces a creamy lather that feels calming and hydrating. To that point, it won’t leave skin feeling stripped or cause any type of irritation.

R450 from www.beautserums.com and www.dermastore.co.za

Gatineau Defi Lift Marine Firming Mask

When your skin is in need of a pick-me-up (literally), the Gatineau Defi Lift Marine Firming Mask is the way to go. For an intense lifting experience, this face mask is fortified with polyglutamic acid, polyhydroxy acid and hyaluronic acid, which help to tone the skin and firm your complexion. The clay texture is super-gentle, but don’t be fooled – it’s packed with active ingredients to gently clear away imperfections. By smoothing out fine lines and wrinkles, your skin is left looking younger and more revitalised. Also, we’re besotted by that lilac packaging. R925 from www.orleanscosmetics.co.za as well as select Woolworths, Truworths and Dis-Chem stores

Maybelline Lash Sensational Sky High Mascara

There’s a reason that Maybelline’s Lash Sensational Sky High Mascara took over TikTok. We finally got our hands on it and can confirm – it’s worth the attention. This mascara took our breath away when we first tried it out. The special brush is densely packed with straight bristles to get to every single lash for a fanned-out look. It’s lengthening, volumising and superblack, and the metallic pink packaging has the look of a high-end mascara without the bank. The formula itself is infused with bamboo extract and fibres to add some extra length and volume.

R199.95 from Woolworths, Edgars, Foschini, Clicks, Dis-Chem, www.superbalist.com and www.takealot.com professionally developed, for you.