For holiday gifting enthusiasts, nothing beats a November launch. December drops? Too late in the game. But the penultimate month of the year is close enough to the holidays that buys can still be considered new, without the stress (or added cost) of last-minute rush orders—a win/win by our standards. And though the thought of imminent end-of-year mixers and gift exchanges might elicit an eyeroll for some, it's worth noting that this year's holiday festivities will be a post-pandemic return to form (think bear hugs over air hugs). As such, many of this month's beauty launches are leaning into all that is merry and bright, like Pleasing's bold new nail polish palettes and the shimmery hue of Huda Beauty's new highlighting dew. Keep reading for the new beauty launches that will be landing on our wishlist this year.
The Perfect Polish Set
It was the launch heard around the world—Harry Styles has finally released his long-awaited beauty brand, Pleasing. The pop phenom's genderless roster includes six products: a lip and eye roller ball serum, a face serum, and four polishes. In signature Styles fashion, the line has already caused a major stir. Each varnish comes in a stunning, Instagrammable bottle and features a wide, flat brush to make your DIY application a breeze.
Lustrous Liquid Eyeshadow
Fans have been abuzz since Ariana Grande filed a trademark for her own makeup line last summer. When she launched earlier this month, r.e.m. beauty joined the ranks of this year's swath of new celebrity beauty brands. But considering that she has such a distinct go-to beauty look, it makes perfect sense that she'd put her stamp on cosmetics, starting with an eye-focused drop. After all, when was the last time you saw Ariana Grande without an elongated cat eye? Exactly. Packaged in spacey, silver-tone branding, the first "chapter" includes three eye palettes, strip lashes, and two liquid shadows—one glittery and one matte—and more. As its name suggests, it's very dreamy.
Oyster Velvet UV Gel Nail Polish
Gelcare has got your next mani covered. Their holiday collection's moodboard is enough reason to buy into their sparkly take on merry manis. The ultra-pigmented hues are inspired by all of our most highly revered glam icons. Like Oyster Velvet, a shimmery champagne color modeled after Marilyn Monroe's slinky gold dress in Gentlemen Prefer Blondes. Or Ruby, a sparkly red designed to mimic the hooded gown that Diana Ross wore in her 1983 music video for "Pieces of Ice."
Masque On Overnight Moisture Mask
Masque On is the latest addition in Desi Perkins' eponymous skin care line and this drop's appeal is that it works overtime while you sleep, which is always a plus. It simply goes on after your nighttime cleanse (or retinol treatment, if you're using one) and rinses off as soon as you're up and at 'em. While it's on, it uses a blend of squalene, hyaluronic acids, Vitamin C and fruit extracts to hydrate and tighten your face and neck, which will undoubtedly need some extra TLC this winter.
Casablanca Eau de Parfum
Sumiko WilsonFor their first foray into the fragrance world, CBD brand Brown Girl Jane has launched a trio of travel-inspired scents. The idea is that spritzing will inspire the same feeling of ease and awe as their CBD wellness drops and gelées. Casablanca is warm, with notes of cardamom and incense, Lamu gets its fresh scent from notes of Italian lemon and sage, and Bahia is a full-on floral perfume with notes of gardenia and water lotus. Bonus points for how great they'll look on your nightstand.
Lunar Lip Gel in Mars
Simihaze Beauty's third drop includes the new must-have nude lippie. Mars is a deep, glossy lip hue that you can also use as a highlighter or eyeshadow, if you're going for the trendy wet look. Like the other Lunar Lip Gels, it comes in the brand's sleek, stony packaging and is made with polymers to lock in moisture and reflect light.
Air Eau de Parfum
Yes, this is a perfume made of air. The New York-based oxygen-enthusiast brand uses its technology to convert hydrogen and carbon dioxide into impurity-free ethanol, methanol and water. The blend is then hand-mixed and topped off with a citrus-y scent, featuring notes of orange peel, fig leaf, powdery musk and tobacco.
B.Yellowtail x Cheekbone Beauty Capsule
To celebrate Native American Heritage Month (and ring in the holidays) Cheekbone Beauty teamed up with B. Yellowtail for a five-piece gift set, featuring new additions and best-sellers from Cheekbone and custom packaging designed by Bethany Yellowtail. The set includes everything you would need to show up at your glitziest this holiday season, from their Sustain Eyeliner Pencil to their new, limited edition Gold Body Shimmer. On top of that, $5 from every capsule sold goes towards Billuuke Strong, a mentorship program for Indigenous teens.
Kajal Pencil in Kali Kali
Byredo's new Kajal Pencil is an ode to founder Ben Gorham's Indian roots. The creamy, mega-pigmented pencils come in four shades—black, brown, silver, and navy—and are known to last through sweaty dance parties and happy tears (a.k.a. everything on our NYE agenda).
Rose Quartz Face Gloss Highlighting Dew
This is not your typical highlighter. The latest addition to Huda Beauty's roster has an unconventional look and an unparalleled high-shine finish. Many (including Huda herself) have likened its appearance to a petri dish, but the dots are actually just pink and champagne-colored pearl drops, not microorganisms. You simply swipe on with your finger and apply it like a regular highlight. The Face Gloss leaves a dewy, natural-looking shine that's all glow, no texture.
Inked by Dani x Nails by Mei: Holiday Nail Art Kit
Can't get an appointment with celebrity nail artist Mei Kawajiri? Me neither. Thankfully, she's teamed up with Bella Hadid-approved temporary tattoo brand Inked by Dani to create a capsule of nail stickers that are holiday-friendly but not necessarily holiday themed — no pine trees, no santa hats, no over-the-top Christmas iconography. Instead, each sticker evokes Mei's anime-esque signature style that we've seen on celebs like Megan Fox and Rosalia. The kit comes with one sheet of nail stickers, full-size temporary tattoos, a spray bottle, sponge, and carrying case.
Take a Moment Body Bar Set
Whatever you do, don't call Humanrace's new Body Bars soap. The two new additions to the Pharrell-helmed wellness range come one year after their initial launch, where the age-defyant founder divulged his skin secrets in the form of a three-step, three-minute face ritual, developed with his derm, Dr. Elena Jones. The Reenergizing Whiteclay Body Bar is designed for daily use with a soothing blend of kaolin clay, snow mushroom extract and shea, while the Energy Channeling Charcoal Body Bar is a soap-free exfoliator made from charcoal powder, rice powder, and jojoba oil.
Photo: Courtesy of Instagram/@inked.bydani
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