If you have spotted one of your favorite beauty products on Net-A-Porter over the past few years, chances are it was thanks to the keen eye of global beauty director Newby Hands. During her tenure she has built out the retailer's portfolio to showcase the latest in luxury across makeup, skincare, fragrance, and more. While now her job centers around keeping the pulse of the market, the beginning of her career looked a bit different.
“[When I was younger] beauty wasn’t really part of my life. I remember when I was growing up beauty was all about changing something and making it better. It was so negative,” Hands recalls. The complete opposite, she notes, of today where acceptance is the new norm. It wasn’t until she started writing about beauty for a newspaper in London that she gained an interest in the industry. “ I loved how beauty is very democratic,” says Hands. “There is something for everybody; whether it’s wellness or contouring or just having a moment for yourself.”
One can assume that hundreds of products come across Hands’ desk, but when it comes to her own routine, she tries to maintain a healthy balance of tried-and-true formulas and new launches. “I think I am a maximalist when it comes to products, but a minimalist when it comes to what I actually use,” she explains. “My philosophy is you can have some favorites, but it has to keep moving forward.”
You may be wondering, what makes a good product to Hands? “It sounds a bit silly, but it's first and foremost the product [itself],” she says. “It’s not necessarily a famous person behind it or incredibly expensive packaging. It’s now back to being the product that has to deliver.” Much of this is due to the fact that the average consumer has become much more knowledgeable over the past few years. People want proof a product will work. “It’s no good just saying [this product] works. You have to have clinical trials to prove it. I think it keeps everybody on their toes, it keeps women engaged, and it’s good for everybody in the industry.”
Below, meet the standout products in Hands' current beauty routine from an LED mask, cream bronzer, perfume, and more.
Vital Skincare Complexion Drops
“I'm a big fan of everything that Gucci Westman does. This is one of the newest [makeup products] I’ve been loving. The drops are very sheer, but you can build them up. It genuinely gives you better looking skin rather than made up looking skin.”
Beautiful Skin Sun-Kissed Glow Bronzer
“Charlotte Tilbury cream bronzers are so easy to use. I really appreciate when you have somebody who's top of their game, like Charlotte, and they manage to make something that I can use with my fingers and I don't feel scared of. To me it is a sign of a really good product. The colors in the palette look slightly muddy, but they work so well on the skin.”
Crème de La Mer
“I think this is an exceptional cream and I would never want to be without it. I often use it like a face mask. I'll put on quite a bit [of product] so it gets really gunky and let it sink in overnight.”
Crystal Retinal 10 Night Serum
“I have been using prescription Retin-A for quite a while and I've come off that because of Medik8. This night serum uses retinaldehyde which has almost the same results [as prescription Retin-A] but without a lot of the redness or flaking. I've got my husband and so many friends of mine on it.”
Dr. Barbara Sturm Super Anti-aging Hand Cream
“Instead of losing more moisture at night, [this is] one of those creams where in the morning it looks like you've had a really good night's sleep. Textures nowadays are getting really sophisticated and this [formula] is a bit of a standout to me. It is one that manages to be rich but not heavy.”
Skinesis Meso-Melt Infusion System
“I have to say I'm not a big fan of microneedling because I think it's quite aggressive and you can [get better results] in a clinic with lasers. However, you can’t overdo it with this home tool because the needles [double as] the product and dissolve into the skin. I really think this is a little unsung hero. I'll do it a couple of hours before I go out and it makes the skin just really plump and healthy. It looks like you've spent a lot of time getting a facial when you haven't. In a perfect world, I'd do it about once every week.”
Restorative Shampoo
“This range is a secret because it's not that high profile, but if you have fine hair, [this formula] doesn't weigh it down. It's very simple and absolutely delivers. If you find that you have the sort of hair that needs washing more often because it goes flat, then try this one.”
Musc Ravageur Eau de Parfum
“I've recently discovered Frederic Malle. For me the quality of those fragrances is just exquisite and the quality of it [stands out]. I always tell people if they're looking for a new fragrance to spend some time with some Frederic Malle.”
DRx SpectraLite FaceWare Pro
“[People always ask me,] should I invest in an LED mask? And I always just say yes. I used this mask every day for about three months and I saw improvement in my skin’s texture. It changed the [look of my] pores and quality of my skin. I am an absolute convert.”
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