From top-rated skin saviours for dry autumn/winter skin to a lash lengthening mascara that’ll become your new go-to, these beauty buys serve up serious ‘add to cart’ shopping inspo
It’s starting to feel a lot like...winter. The clocks have gone back, the central heating’s on, there are rumblings that Michael Bublé’s woken up from hibernation and, if you’re really quiet, you can hear the faint sound of a Mariah Carey key change being carried on the wind. The seasons have definitely shifted and, as a result, we’ve been looking to make a few make-up and skincare switch-ups to see us through the coming months. Looking at some of the October beauty bestsellers, it appears that you have been too, and it’s provided the dose of shopping inspiration we’ve been searching for.
From hydrating serums to help manage the transition from central heating, to cold fronts and eye-enhancing makeup for getting party season ready, here are 8 of your best-selling products from last month* that are certain to see you from November to Christmas and beyond.
Can't believe the noticeable difference with this mascara, my eyelashes look so much longer. The brush is great and the texture is perfect, super light but effective and not clumpy at all.
The TikTok trending mascara
Maybelline Lash Sensational Sky High Mascara (£9.99)
• Size: 9.6ml
• Opthamologist tested
This mascara reached super stardom status this year after going viral on TikTok – and it’s easy to see why. Its exclusive flex tower brush captures and stretches every last lash, it’s surprisingly lightweight and it comes in at under a tenner. A buy that serves up results and savings? Sign us up.
This has changed my skin. I was prone to breakouts on my forehead and chin but it’s helped manage that. I also genuinely think it’s reduced the appearance of my pores too.
The blemish-busting serum
The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1% (£5)
• Size: 30ml
• Oil-free
• Alcohol-free
• Silicone-free
• Vegan
If you’re blemish or breakout-prone, this calming serum could be the perfect addition to your winter skincare armoury. Not only can it help with congestion but niacinamide can also help support skin’s barrier function (its first line of defence against environmental aggressors).
This serum has made my skin so much more hydrated. It doesn't feel tight anymore and I no longer have flaky patches. It’s a game changer!
The dehydration defence
The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 (£5.90)
• Size: 30ml
• Oil-free
• Silicone-free
• Alcohol-free
• Vegan
Has the sudden chill in the air made your skin in need of a moisture boost? Quench its thirst with this heavyweight hydrator containing hyaluronic acid and vitamin B5, humectants that attract and hold onto moisture. Apply onto damp skin after cleansing and follow up with your favourite moisturiser to keep skin soft and supple from morning until evening.
I found that during the dreaded time of the month, my skincare products dried out my skin too much and I suffered from dry flaky skin and rough patches. I recently bought this Liz Earle product on a whim and what can I say! I will not look back. After one day’s use, I couldn’t believe the results!
The conditioning cleaner
Liz Earle Cleanse & Polish Hot Cloth Cleanser (£27)
• Size: 200ml
• Cloth not included
For a more caring cleanse to see you through the colder months, look no further than this multi-award winner. When used with a pure cotton cloth (not included), it removes all traces of the day while conditioning ingredients like cocoa butter, rosemary and chamomile leave skin feeling soft rather than stripped. It’s definitely on the pricier side, but worth the investment according to its bevy of glowing reviews.
I love Cerave products and this cleanser is fantastic. It’s really gentle but very effective.
The spot-fighting face wash
CeraVe SA Smoothing Cleanser with Salicylic Acid (£12)
• Size: 236ml
• Fragrance-free
• Non-comedogenic
For a dose of gentle daily exfoliation, try this gel cleanser. Containing salicylic acid, it’s a great pick for those who are spot and breakout-prone. It’s also non-comedogenic which means that it’s been formulated in a way that’s unlikely to clog pores.
Lightweight, absorbs easily, no white cast and the packaging makes the product feel like it’s part of a skincare routine and not a ‘holiday’ sunscreen.
The winter SPF
La Roche-Posay Anthelios Ultra-Light Invisible Fluid Sun Cream SPF50 (£18)
• Size: 50ml
• SPF50
If there’s one thing that all of the dermatologists we’ve spoken to agree on, it’s this – sunscreen is a skincare staple come summer or winter. It can be hard to find one though that doesn’t feel sticky or leaves a noticeable white cast behind, which goes some way to explain why this pick’s so popular. As well as broad spectrum protection, its lightweight texture makes it wonderfully wearable making adding this into your routine more a joy than a chore.
Love it! Rehydrated my skin beautifully and left it glowing. Will definitely be repurchasing!
The hydrating face mask
Garnier Moisture Bomb Pomegranate Hydrating Face Sheet Mask Dehydrated Skin (£2.99)
• Size: 32g
• Vegan
This ultra-thin tissue mask contains a week’s worth of hydrating serum - just the SOS treatment for skin that’s struggling with the shift in seasons and the effects of central heating. Enriched with plant extracts and hyaluronic acid, it helps with everything from dehydration to dullness to leave skin bouncier and more radiant and hydrated after just 15 minutes.
As a brow wax service provider, this is my personal favorite brow glue to use for services and to also recommend to my clients!
The pro-rated brow product
NYX Professional Makeup Brow Glue Instant Brow Styler (£6.50)
• Size: 5ml
This non-sticky transparent gel is great for recreating a laminated brow look at home. Its precise round brush and extra thin bristles suit a range of brow shapes and, because it plays nicely with a range of other brow products (from tint pens to brow pencils), it’s really good at setting the rest of your handiwork. It works brilliantly on its own though – especially if you’re looking to style thick eyebrows.
