I'm a beauty editor who has a particular infatuation with candles. With over a decade of experience burning the most expensive luxury candles all the way through to more affordable vessels for my job, I can confidently say that, generally speaking, you do get what you pay for with candles. You see, I've found that spending a little bit more on candles almost guarantees you an amazing throw that fills your home with scent, with a beautiful, even burn—and more often than not, a beautiful vessel that you'll want to keep and re-use again.

However, with many luxury candles costing upwards of £60, I'm often reluctant to recommend—and burn—them. So, I've been on the hunt for candles that tick all of the boxes: incredible scents, impressive throw, luxury vessels that I want to display in my home, and something that won't make my bank account wince too much. And one brand that has always ticked that box is Beauty Pie.

I've long been a fan of its candles (I implore you to try Clean House (£20), which smells like freshly laundered bed linen), and when I saw it had collaborated with interiors expert Reena Simon, I already had high expectations. But after trying it myself, I can say that they have exceeded them. Scroll on for what you need to know about the collaboration.

Beauty Pie x Reena Simon

Beauty Pie has collaborated with Reena Simon, interiors expert, author and founder of The Intentional Home, on three luxury scented candles, each housed in a luxurious ceramic vessel. At £39 for Beauty Pie members, these 350g, three-wick candles strike a balance of feeling luxurious without burning too big a hole in your wallet. But honestly? These smell far more expensive than their price tag. Within minutes of lighting, my living room is brimming with the scent, rivalling candles I've tried that are three times the price. And once I've finished the candle, I plan on keeping the stylish vessel on display and reusing it to store trinkets.

Reena Simon has designed each one to mark a specific moment of the day, from dawn through to dusk, to serve in creating the mood you need, whether you want to feel uplifted in the morning or cocooned with cosiness come evening, and each one is as stunning as the next. Scroll on to find your next favourite.

Rêves d'Èze

Time Well Spent

Midnight Cashmere

Why Trust Us

At Who What Wear UK, we know that beauty isn’t one-size-fits-all. Our editors have tested thousands of products, including some skincare, makeup, hair and nails, over the years and work closely with trusted experts—dermatologists, make-up artists and leading industry insiders—to ensure every guide is well-researched, inclusive and relevant to you.

We focus on formulas that deliver, whether they’re affordable favourites or luxury investments. Our product selection is based on tangible results, ingredient know-how and what we’d truly recommend to a friend.

Everything old is new again. In 2008, Proenza Schouler's PS1 bag was photographed on Mary-Kate Olsen, Leighton Meester, Kirsten Dunst, Jessica Alba, Dakota Fanning, Reese Witherspoon, Mandy Moore, Emma Roberts, and scores of other stylish women. Now, for Rachel Scott's second runway show as creative director of the American brand, the PS1 bag is getting a revamp. Introducing: the PS1 Walker, named after Proenza Schouler's original studio on Walker Street and designed in collaboration with Reed Krakoff.

"The PS1 changed the game, but Walker is for her now," Scott said in a press release. "As I shape this next chapter for the house, finding the right collaborator mattered as much as the design itself. Reed instinctively knew what to leave alone, which mattered far more to me than reinventing it all. Walker is utilitarian, fluid, tactile, and perfectly restrained." Mark your calendars: It will be available for pre-order beginning September 19, 2026, on Proenza Schouler's website, and will arrive in stores and online in January 2027.

The handbag news is far from the only noteworthy moment from the show, however. Scroll down for my full breakdown of the collection.

Everything to Know About Proenza Schouler Spring 2027

1. It Bag Comeback

Below is the revamped PS1 Walker bag, which comes in three different sizes. "The opportunity to reimagine it was as exciting as it was humbling," Krakoff said in a press release. "Rachel is bringing her own perspective into dialogue with this house's legacy, and the bag posed the same question: what to celebrate from the original, and what needed to evolve. The result is softer, sleeker, more refined, and unmistakably the PS1." Mary-Kate Olsen and Kirsten Dunst, also pictured below, were among the many fans of the original version.

The new bag comes in several different colorways.

The new PS1 Walker, pictured above, will be available online in January 2027.

This photo, taken at an airport in November 2008, was one of the many times Mary-Kate Olsen carried her PS1 bag.

Kirsten Dunst was often photographed with her PS1 bag circa 2009.

2. Mixed Prints

Tiger print was the defining motif this season. It was rendered on coats, dresses, tops, skirts, and more, but it wasn't the only pattern Scott chose to highlight for spring 2027. She also sent several head-to-toe striped looks down the runway in a range of color palettes. Variety is the spice of life, after all.

3. Perfectly Imperfect

Similar to last season, Scott experimented with imperfection for spring 2027. Some dresses featured rumpled fabric and exposed seams, while the footwear was designed to look slightly undone. "The Opanka technique allows the outsole to become part of the upper, while San Crispino hand stitching leaves the making of the shoe visible," the show notes explain.

4. New York Nights

The collection's dresses are sure to appeal to NYC women—and every New Yorker at heart, too. A sleek LBD with a square neckline is a minimalist's dream, while the sequined gowns are practically begging to be worn on the red carpet. Perhaps we'll see one at next week's Emmys?

Next year is Ralph Lauren's milestone 60th anniversary. It's hard to believe that Ralph Lauren (the man) has remained at the helm of his namesake brand for its entire six-decade-and-counting run, but alas, there he was taking a bow at the end of today's runway show. So what does the beloved American designer have up his sleeve this time? "Spring 2027 is an irreverent take on romance that creates a new elegance," Lauren stated in the show notes. "It’s about ways of dressing that celebrate ingenuity, originality, and character—the freedom and fun of creating a style that is truly personal."

The show notes also provided a peek behind the curtain at some of this season's ingenious design methods: "Throughout, artisanal treatments enhance the clothes. An intricate woven construction lightens a fluffy, ombré shearling vest. 'Spritz and tumble' laundering rumples full-skirted dresses. Hand-painted and burnout techniques make for highs and lows of color intensity, giving silk lames and velvets an aged patina. One skirt’s embroidery was wrought in gesso-painted thread; the oversized sequins of another were coated to dull their shine. And an intricate spray-paint process imbued silk brocade with an impressionistic mystique."

Scroll down for everything you need to know about Ralph Lauren's spring/summer 2027 collection presented at NYFW today.

Breaking Down the Ralph Lauren S/S 27 Show

After Dark

The show notes highlighted some of the collection's best clothes meant to be worn after dark: "Evening offers a bounty of options: fluid wrap dress, engineered with only a single seam; shimmering navy tank dress covered in micro sequins that release into fringe over trousers; poetic, embroidered velvet robe over ethereal white blouse and gesso-painted floral-print jeans."

Well-Suited

"In an homage to the first suit Ralph Lauren designed for women, two stark, sharp pantsuits were built in an Italian menswear facility, where the focus is on highly defined structure," the brand explained in the show notes.

Archival References

This collection reminded our editors of some of Ralph Lauren's most enduring shows of the past, including spring/summer 2003. Over 20 years ago, Natalia Vodianova (pictured below, left side) wore a long coat with delicate florals in between pastel stripes, while today's show featured a similar Bridgerton-worthy jacket that was cropped in the front and long in the back.

Laid-Back Looks

Ralph Lauren thinks your 2027 jeans should be ripped, faded, baggy, and low-slung. This season, denim was paired with everything from cropped jackets (sans shirts) to floral-stamped button-down shirts.

Finishing Touches

Straw boater hats were some of my favorite accessories this season, but I also appreciated the impressive range of chic brooches, floral scarves, white handbags, oversized clutches, lace-up flats, delicate strappy heels, and more. And don't forget about the jewelry. Chandelier earrings were the perfect match for many of Ralph Lauren's most elegant evening looks.

I consider myself to be a bit of a lip balm connoisseur. I've tested hundreds of them for a living as part of my job, but even before I became a beauty journalist, I've long had an obsession with lip balms. Not just because I have dry lips, but it's easily my most-reached-for beauty item in my skincare and makeup routine—I don't feel myself if I don't have a layer on my lips. I've tried everything from Vaseline all the way up to La Mer's £70 lip balm and almost every other formula in between. However, I can confidently declare that I've found my favourite formula yet.

Violette_FR Balm Amour, Review

What Makes Balm Amour the Best Lip Balm?

Violette_FR was created by French makeup artist Violette Serrat, and it is not only one of my favourite makeup brands, but it is a total staple in my makeup bag for its incredible lip formulas in particular (Bisou Balm delivers what she calls "bouche mordue"— meaning just bitten lips in French). So, when I heard that she had spent six years developing Balm Amour, I already knew I'd like it. But after testing it for myself, it became clear that this is the lip balm to end all lip balms.

Firstly, I want to highlight the applicator. It's made of ceramic, which makes swiping it on a moment of joy every single time. It stays cold, which feels particularly cooling on chapped or inflamed lips. My lips are prone to dryness and sensitivity, but since using this formula, they've remained baby-soft.

As for the texture, it has a rich yet non-sticky balm that instantly cloaks your lips in hydration and stays put on the lips for a good while. Even once it's worn away, my lips still feel deeply nourished and sumptuous. Serrat included a whole range of hydrating plant actives alongside tripeptides at double the functional dose, meaning not only is this balm incredibly nourishing and repairing, but it also helps to make your lips look fuller and smoother over time.

The Shades

After the clear version launched last year, the lip balm has become so popular that there are now three tinted shades to choose from. They all have the same formula, but with a sheer tint of colour that are perfect for throwing in your bag when your lips are parched but you also want a wash of colour.

Noisette Fumé

Noisette Fumé is a cool brown that brings just a hint of hazelnut to your lips. It's not so pigmented that it overpowers a natural makeup look, but it offers just enough depth to your lip colour to feel a little more polished. I'll be wearing this all throughout autumn and winter with a lip liner.

Dahlia Noir

Dahlia Noir is Violette_FR's bestselling shade in its Lip Nectar lip stains, so I was thrilled to see it join the Balm Amour tints. The shade might look intimidating at first, but it's actually a perfect pairing of berry and brown in a sheer tint, which makes it so wearable for day-to-day. This one lives permanently in my work bag.

Rose Latte

Last but not least, we have Rose Latte. This is the shade to go for if you like a bright pop of pink that's still effortlessly wearable and leaves your lips with a healthy flush of colour.

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Why Trust Us

At Who What Wear UK, we know that beauty isn’t one-size-fits-all. Our editors have tested thousands of products, including some skincare, makeup, hair and nails, over the years and work closely with trusted experts—dermatologists, make-up artists and leading industry insiders—to ensure every guide is well-researched, inclusive and relevant to you.

We focus on formulas that deliver, whether they’re affordable favourites or luxury investments. Our product selection is based on tangible results, ingredient know-how and what we’d truly recommend to a friend.

I'll admit that I'm a bit woo-woo when it comes to fragrance. (If we're being completely honest, I'm woo-woo about most things, but fragrance is definitely high on the list.) A perfume's scent, name, and inspiration have to strike the perfect balance to feel right in my psyche because, to me, each spritz is a ritual—a physical setting of intentions, a silent prayer wrapped around each atom.

For this reason, I stockpile sleek, clean-smelling scents for intense workdays, and those fine tendrils of musky sophistication offer soft confidence when my pulse starts to rise. It's why I adorn my neck and hair with warm florals for drinks under dim lighting, inviting my scent to say words my lips can't quite form as I stoke a new flame. According to neuroscientists, fragrance is beyond a vain beauty category. It has the power to influence how you feel about yourself and others and can even alter your memories. So when I found one that felt like the little black dress of scent—the kind that hugs your skin sinfully, offers a brush of bold confidence, and invites all kinds of "will they, won't they"-s—I became a woman possessed. Enter Noyz's most luxurious and hypnotizing eau de parfum yet: Loose Ends.

If you're currently unfamiliar with the Los Angeles–born perfumery, allow me to give you the SparkNotes. Noyz came into the world in 2024 with the sole intention of bottling emotions rather than selling the fantasies of fancy fragrance ads, offering refined scents at a reasonable price. You won't find anything over $100 here, though its newest addition to the lineup smells like it should be upward of $250.

But before we get into the base, middle, and top notes that make this androgynous perfume utterly intoxicating, it's important to understand just where Loose Ends gets its legs. "Everything Noyz and I have made together starts from a feeling people already recognize," says master perfumer Jérôme Epinette. He states that 12:00, a sugar-spun sophisticated scent, is meant to embody nostalgia, whereas Unmute, an ambery vanilla, is brazen confidence. "Those fragrances are, in a sense, resolved, and that's the point of them. Loose Ends doesn't get resolved. It's open-ended, and that's what makes it different," he explains. "It's the first fragrance I built for nighttime, and it holds on much longer. It's the most grown-up thing we've done together."

This seductive sophistication is evident from the first whiff lovers and friends catch as they lean in for a hug, and crystals of caramelized vanilla give way to woodsy amber the longer you stay perched on a cocktail barstool. It's the belly-warming cognac in Kilian's Angels' Share and the hearth-warmed sophistication of Baccarat Rouge, shaken and stirred into one (for $85, mind you). The more storied your night, the more complex and alluring your scent becomes—the warm, resinous profile glowing as the night grows darker.

For Epinette, the idea behind this scent was "the night that could go anywhere." How thrilling, when you think about it, to have zero expectations. Loose Ends "touches gourmand, but it doesn't live there," he states, dissecting this new-age amber. Each spritz appeals to the senses: black sugar and smoked vanilla for approachable sweetness, then cinnamon-spiked cognac for that intoxicating element that makes prospective lovers' heads swim. Indulgent cocoa and warm cashmere wood round out the scent, balancing the resinous profile without treading into saccharine territory. "This fragrance story stays open on purpose," he adds. "[It's] nocturnal, luxurious, and built to keep going."

When I say fragrance is a mode of manifestation, this is what I mean. Eyes squeezed shut, a hopeful plea to the New York spontaneity gods, and a finger on the nozzle, I ask the world to show me a good time as I adorn my skin with this scent. It's no wonder that everyone who smelled this smoky amber on me over the past week has leaned in a bit closer.

"I love the concept of Loose Ends. In life, the unsettled parts are often the most interesting and the inspiring. I wanted the fragrance to live there," Epinette muses. "[It's] a little dangerous. A little unknown. Sweetness layered into a darkness that pulls you in and never gives you the ending."

Date-night scents are a dime a dozen, but this elixir is so much more than that. It's fireplace warmth in a ritzy Aspen ski lodge, specifically during après-ski. It's the bottle your friends will want to borrow for a quick touch-up before approaching that guy across the bar. (Good thing there's a solid, portable version you can keep in your bag.) It's the sensorial backdrop to your fall apple-picking day and the romantic scent that clings to your cashmere scarf during a wintry museum visit.

Whether you're wearing this fragrance to invite a new and adventurous chapter into your life or simply because you want to smell divine, there's something chic about sporting a scent so intentionally designed. Don't be surprised when doors suddenly open for you after a few pulse-point mists—just be sure to walk through them when the right ones creak open.

Shop Loose Ends and Other Noyz Favorites

Whenever I'm asked for a good nail polish recommendation or a gel nail alternative, I've lost count of the number of times I've recommended Essie Gel Couture nail polishes and the Gel Couture Top Coat. This combo not only looks and has the same plumped look of gel polish on the nails, but I can easily get 10 days out of my manicure without major chipping when I reapply the top coat every couple of days. Honestly? It's my nail polish go-to.

And now that we're headed into autumn, I've been itching to try some darker nail colours from the range. And right now, Caviar Bar is my navy nail colour of choice as we head into the new season.

Essie Gel Couture Caviar Bar

Essie's Gel Couture nail polishes are easily amongst the most long-wearing I've tried, so I couldn't wait to paint my nails with this shade. I actually picked it up at the start of summer when I was browsing in my local drugstore, and I've been dying to wear it now that we're heading into the autumn months.

This easily one of my favourite Essie nail polish shades. Caviar Bar is a deep, rich navy hue that leaves your nails looking inky and dark, alongside the most incredible plumped and glossy finish that genuinely does look like gel polish at first glance. However, no gel lamp is required with this. You simply apply two coats, then finish with the top coat (which is one of the best I've ever tried). I particularly love this shade on short nails, and it has a certain Parisian mood to it.

Essie recommends topping up the top coat on day seven; however, I like to top up every few days to really make the polish last. With this method (and as long as I'm not being too heavy-handed!) I can usually get my manicure to last around 10 days without major signs of chipping. Of course, with this being a darker nail colour, the chips were more obvious than they would be with a sheer or light pink shade. Nonetheless, I love this shade and the result. It's the ultimate navy nail shade for this time of the year to welcome in the new season.

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Why Trust Us

At Who What Wear UK, we know that beauty isn’t one-size-fits-all. Our editors have tested thousands of products, including some skincare, makeup, hair and nails, over the years and work closely with trusted experts—dermatologists, make-up artists and leading industry insiders—to ensure every guide is well-researched, inclusive and relevant to you.

We focus on formulas that deliver, whether they’re affordable favourites or luxury investments. Our product selection is based on tangible results, ingredient know-how and what we’d truly recommend to a friend.

As a beauty editor, I'm aware that my job isn't exactly normal. Whatever you want to call it—breaking the fourth wall or raising the curtain—I'm about to do it. We beauty editors test thousands of new products every year, manage multiple deadlines at a time, juggle interviews with industry experts, and oversee an avalanche of emails. We do all of this while being chronically online and staying abreast of buzzy beauty news.

I love my job, but in such an oversaturated environment, it's not always easy to cut through the noise and hand-pick the best beauty products. But I have my ways. One of them is to keep track of what top dermatologists and estheticians recommend during interviews and off-the-cuff conversations. And recently, I've noticed a pattern. Not one, not two, but three dermatologists recommended the same skincare brand to me in the last 30 days. So, I did what any good beauty editor would do, and put its products to the test. Weeks later, I can confidently say I have a new go-to skincare brand. It's affordable, accessible, and clinical-grade (i.e. incredibly effective). Keep scrolling to see every editor-approved item.

Meet the Brand

Meet Prequel, a line of skincare products you might have seen lining the shelves at Target or adorning Amazon's virtual storefront. Created by Sam Ellis, MD, a board-certified medical and cosmetic dermatologist, Prequel is science-backed and solution-oriented for a range of skin types and concerns. As an editor, I appreciate that every single one of its products is clinically tested for optimum efficacy and real results.

Look through its extensive product portfolio, and it's clear that it's a derm-developed brand; It uses medical-grade ingredients, focuses on elegant, no-frills formulas, and accounts for serious sun protection—SPF, Fingerless Sun Gloves ($25), and a Wide-Brimmed UPF 50+ Hat ($30). Even the name of the brand harkens back to its ethos; "My goal with Prequel was to create a line of products that can be used before you ever need to see a dermatologist," Ellis says on the brand's website. "Things that can help keep your skin healthy in the long term."

The Best Prequel Products

How We Chose

Beauty editor Kaitlyn McLintock has a decade of experience testing and reviewing beauty products. She curated this list of the best Prequel products by personally putting them to the test, polling her fellow Who What Wear editors, and reading real-world reviews. She also took real dermatologist recommendations into account. At the end of it all, she had a robust, deeply researched list.

Why Trust Us

At Who What Wear, we know that beauty isn't one-size-fits-all. Over the years, our editors have tested thousands of products—including skincare, makeup, haircare, and nails—while also working closely with trusted experts, like renowned dermatologists, celebrity makeup artists, and other leading industry insiders. Together, this ensures every guide is well-researched, inclusive, and relevant to you.

We focus on formulas that deliver, whether they're affordable favorites or luxury investments. Our product selection is based on tangible results, ingredient know-how, and what we'd truly recommend to our closest friends and family members.

It's 2026, and as a beauty editor, I can assure you that you don't need to settle for inefficient, old-school self tanners. You just don't. If your go-to formula streaks, smells, or turns your skin an unnatural shade of orange rather than a glowing golden-hour hue, I suggest swapping it out for modern, editor-approved formulas. While I have my fair share of favorites, there's one new-ish one that I've seen all over IG and TikTok. After testing it, I can confirm that it's really, really good. Part self-tanner, part body serum, it hydrates, soothes, strengthens the skin barrier, and most importantly, develops into the most stunning color. I'm talking about a natural-looking glow that will leave people saying, "You look so good!"

Cyklar Self-Tanning Milky Essence

Here it is—Cyklar's Self-Tanning Milky Essence. For the uninitiated, Cyklar is a luxe bodycare brand built on efficient ingredients, elegant formulas, and high-end fragrance layering. Its signature scents are utterly intoxicating. Think spicy, sweet, and creamy vanilla, or sheer, warm, and sun-kissed neroli. You get the picture. Each one is available across a range of product formats, including body wash, lotion, oil, perfume, and even deodorant.

Check out the best Cyklar products, tested and reviewed by yours truly.

This self tanner, however, is unscented, because who needs scented self tanner anyway? It's available in two shades, light-medium and medium-dark, and is designed to be part body serum, part traditional self tanner. (Brilliant!) It has a milky texture, similar to my favorite milky face toners, and cushions the skin with hydration and face-grade active ingredients. Let's dive into the details.

The Formula

The formula contains hydrating, soothing, and barrier-strengthening ingredients:

• Ceramides: Help strengthen the skin barrier.
• Osmolyte & Amino Acid Derivative: Helps hydrate the skin.
• Ethyhexyl Olivate: An olive-derived ingredient that helps hydrate and nourish the skin.
• Allantoin: An effective skin-soothing ingredient that also prevents trans-epidermal water loss (TEWL).
• Squalane: A bio-mimetic ingredient that helps achieve softer, more supple skin.
• Papaya Oil: A source of essential fatty acids that helps prevent TEWL.

Of course, there are also tanning ingredients, namely DHA and DHB. The former is a sugar-derived compound that reacts with the amino acids on the skin's surface to create a sun-kissed look. The latter is another sugar-based tanning agent that provides longer-lasting color, while preventing an orange-leaning tone.

How to Use

Applying this self tanner couldn't be easier. You don't need any special prep products, mitts, or brushes. Simply twist the cap, dispense the milky texture directly onto clean skin, and massage it in with your hands. I recommend massaging it in thoroughly in broad, circular strokes for the most even-looking result. Don't rush this part. Work slowly, section by section. I start at my feet and move up, working on each leg and arm one at a time. When you're done, make sure you wash your hands! If you don't, you'll have patchy palms and fingers. The tan will develop in 4-8 hours. Full effects are visible after 12 hours.

Of course, proper prep will make all the difference. Experts recommend exfoliating before applying self tanner. Skip moisturizer (except on elbows, knees, and ankles, or any dry areas that might cling to self tanner and create patchiness).

My Before & After

Before

Admittedly, I was already pretty tan (for my standards, anyway). I spend a lot of time at the beach in the summer, and despite my diligent sunscreen use, I do get some sun-kissed color. With that said, my natural tan is patchy at best, and I was hoping Cyklar's Self-Tanning Milky Essence would give me a more even, golden glow. Spoiler alert: it did.

After

I used the shade Medium Light, and applied it with my hands, as recommended. I slept with it on overnight. When I woke up the next morning, my skin was smooth, hydrated, and sun-kissed. I loved how even it made my skin look—not patchy, streaky, or discolored—and there wasn't even a hint of an unnatural orange hue. The best part? I wasn't the only one who thought so. The day after using it, my friend complimented me, saying, "You look so good!" She went on to ask what bodycare products I had been using. Since I don't gatekeep, I sent her the link to the self-tanner.

There's only one downside IMO. There's no guide color or bronzer to show where you're placing the self-tanner. There are pros and cons to this. Pros: it won't stain clothes, towels, or bedsheets. Cons: it can be difficult to see if you've missed a spot or you're blending it in enough. Luckily, the formula is forgiving; the texture is so creamy that it blends out easily, and the DHA/DHB develops so naturally that streaks are unlikely. And, again, if you take your time applying it and make sure you're massaging it in well, you won't have to worry about it.

Shop More Cyklar Products

As a beauty editor who spends much of my time testing skin tools, I can say with 100% certainty that adding an LED mask into my routine has been so worth it. When used consistently, LED therapy makes a world of difference to my complexion, from supporting collagen production to reducing breakouts. I've been a fan of Shark's CyroGlow LED Mask since it launched a couple of years ago; the LED technology paired with the heavenly cooling under-eye patches made it a real standout from others on the market. It's so good, in fact, that my boyfriend has actually stolen mine from me.

It's just as well, then, that the brand has released a new and improved version this month: the Shark CyroGlow Plus (£340). I've been testing it out since the launch to see how it compares to the original, so scroll ahead for what you need to know.

Shark CryoGlow Plus LED Mask

CryoGlow vs CryoGlow Plus: What's New?

Shark CryoGlow Plus LED Mask

Shark CryoGlow LED Mask

The key difference to know between the original and newer model is the number of LED bulbs. The newer CyroGlow Plus features more LED bulbs around the outer eye area, nose and lips, delivering superior LED coverage to these areas compared to the original model. The newer model also benefits from optimised battery life. Lastly, the newer CyroGlow Plus price is £40 more than the original.

My Experience

The experience of the new CryoGlow Plus feels exactly the same as the original, which I already love. They have the same treatment modes, cooling under-eye settings and overall design aside from some updated colourways. However, you can see that the new version has more LED bulbs around the mouth, nose and outer eye area, which improves the coverage of the LED benefits on your skin. The optimised battery life is a welcome addition, however, meaning I don't have to charge it up quite as frequently.

The treatment modes are exactly the same, including Better Ageing, Blemish Repair, Skin Sustain and Under-Eye Revive (which you can set at 5, 10 or 15 minutes, depending on how long you want to use the cooling pads without the LED). Similar to the original, you can also track your progress and see how many sessions of each treatment you have completed each week. It also comes with snap-on cooling under-eye plates, should you need them to enhance the fit of the mask on your face, and the same adjustable straps so you can ensure a snug fit. I can confirm that this is an LED mask you can wear whilst walking around without fear of it sliding off!

After a month of testing, I can't say that I've seen a huge difference from the improved coverage around the eyes, lips and nose just yet, although I do feel reassured that I'm having better coverage in those areas overall, and those benefits will be revealed after a couple of months. My complexion definitely looks noticeably less red, more glowy and even since I've been using this LED mask. The treatments are also shorter compared to other LED masks that often require 10-30 minutes, depending on the model. In comparison, the LED treatments on Shark's device just take 4-8 minutes, making it really quick and easy to add into your skincare routine before bed, or to quickly de-puff your eyes in the morning (it's been a total blessing during allergy season). Out of all the LED masks I've tried, this is by far the easiest to stick to as a habit, and that consistency plays a big part in the results you see in your skin.

Final Thoughts

As I've mentioned, I already loved the original CryoGlow Mask, so I like that this newer version now has better LED coverage around the eyes and lips, in addition to the enhanced battery life. Do I think you need to upgrade to the new version if you already own the original? No. But if you've been thinking about buying a Shark LED mask for a while, then I do think it's now worth investing the extra £40 and upgrading to the CryoGlow Plus instead, especially if your concerns are around your eyes, lips or nose.

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How I Tested

As a beauty editor with over a decade of experience testing skin tools, I carefully reviewed this LED mask. I already owned the original Shark CryoGlow LED Mask, so I was able to compare the new CryoGlow Plus model to the original. I used the mask most days over the course of a month to see how it performed compared to the previous model.

Why Trust Us

At Who What Wear UK, we know that beauty isn’t one-size-fits-all. Our editors have tested thousands of products, including some skincare, makeup, hair and nails, over the years and work closely with trusted experts—dermatologists, make-up artists and leading industry insiders—to ensure every guide is well-researched, inclusive and relevant to you.

We focus on formulas that deliver, whether they’re affordable favourites or luxury investments. Our product selection is based on tangible results, ingredient know-how and what we’d truly recommend to a friend.

As a beauty editor, I'm lucky enough to test hundreds of new product launches per year. I also consider myself a scent collector, which is why I currently have 50+ perfumes sitting atop my vanity. (Yes, I counted.) Some are classic floral fragrances. Others feature luxurious gourmand notes (vanilla, caramel, pistachio, you name it). Others still have a woody, smoky, or earthy quality. The point is that I have a lot of perfumes to choose from, including some that are worth a small fortune ($400 or $500+). Yet, despite my incredibly wide collection of scents, I keep coming back to the same $28 hair and body mists. Keep scrolling to see the exact ones and learn why they're currently causing my other bottles to collect dust.

Ouai St. Barts Hair & Body Mist

Notes: Dragon fruit, orange blossom, tuberose, and musk

Did you guess Ouai's Hair and Body Mists? I don't blame if you if not. After all, Ouai is first and foremost a haircare brand (it was founded by celebrity hairstylist Jen Atkin), but it does fine fragrance extremely well. It has a whole line of eau de parfums, which I've been wearing on and off for years, but lately, I can't get enough of the brand's lightweight mists.

Neither can the rest of the Who What Wear beauty team. Last year, I, along with my beauty-obsessed colleagues, crowned Ouai's St. Barts Hair & Body Mist with a coveted Who What Wear 100 Beauty Award. (That's how you know it's *really* good.) With notes of dragon fruit, orange blossom, tuberose, and musk, it's basically an all-inclusive beach vacation, bottled. The warm-solar fragrance is tropical yet not too fruity or sunscreen-forward the way others tend to be. Instead, it's elevated, luxurious, and expensive-smelling—perfect for collecting all kinds of compliments when you wear it in the wild.

The sun-soaked scent is hands down my most-worn Ouai Hair and Body Mist. I can't get enough of it. That's why I also bought Ouai's other St. Barts–scented items, including the Leave-In Conditioner ($18), Moisturizing Body Cream ($22), and Gentle Body Wash ($18). I also highly recommend Ouai's Mini St. Bart's Body Set ($36). It's perfect for traveling.

Ouai Santorini Hair & Body Mist

Notes: Peach, orange, honeysuckle, and amber

If St. Barts is the warm, sun-soaked scent of summer dreams, then Santorini is the light, bright, and clean-smelling scent that's "as refreshing as a dip in the Aegean Sea." It's fresh and slightly citrusy, with notes of peach, orange, honeysuckle, and amber. I find myself reaching for it A) on particularly hot and humid days when I want to smell cool and refreshed or B) whenever I want to smell "clean" and not necessarily like I'm covered in a heady perfume.

When my sister smelled it on me, she asked (and I quote), "Why do you smell so good?" When I told her it was thanks to Ouai's Santorini Hair & Body Mist, she requested I bring her the bottle so she could test it on herself. When I did, she immediately placed a Sephora order on her phone. If that's not proof it's something special, I don't know what is.

Ouai Ibiza Hair & Body Mist

Notes: Cocoa, tonka bean, vanilla, sugar, cinnamon, and rum

As a beauty editor, I strongly believe there's a time and place for every fragrance category, and rich, sultry, date-night scents are no exception. This, dear reader, is an elite "come closer" concoction. It's the perfect mix of sugar and spice with notes like rich cocoa, creamy tonka bean, smooth vanilla, and warm cinnamon. Spray it on your skin, and it dries down to a soft, alluring, and radiant aura—never heady, obvious, or over the top. It's utterly beguiling. I must agree with the brand when it says, "[It] smells like dinners at midnight and dancing the night a-Ouai."

Ouai Melrose Place Hair & Body Mist

Notes: Champagne, bergamot, rose, lychee, pink peppercorn, and white musk

Last but not least, I have to talk about Ouai's first and perhaps most signature scent: Melrose Place. Inspired by the West Hollywood side street of the same name, it features sweet, sparkling notes of champagne, bergamot, rose, lychee, pink peppercorn, and white musk. Soft, airy, and traditionally feminine, it's a romantic, swoon-worthy scent for anyone who loves classic floral fragrances.

The Limited-Edition Mini Set

This limited-edition Mini Set contains travel-size versions of all four scents.

Twice a year, the fashion set descends upon Denmark to celebrate all things Scandi style. As someone who's attended Copenhagen Fashion Week several times over the years, I can attest that it's one of the most fun events on the entire fashion calendar. The positive vibes, young talent, spirited street style, and scenic show venues make Copenhagen the envy of New York, London, Milan, and, yes, even Paris.

Held in early August 2026, the spring/summer 2027 season was one for the books. Stine Goya and By Malene Birger made highly anticipated returns to the official schedule, and Collina Strada, a cult-favorite American brand, made the journey from NYC to CPH for a special runway show. Gestuz, MKDT Studio, The Garment, and Baum und Pferdgarten were also on hand to unveil their visions for spring 2027 style. Below, I've listed my top five favorite themes after I scrolled through every single look from CPHFW.

Cool Whip

Visiting brand Collina Strada, pictured above, showed wispy, cloudlike dresses for spring/summer 2027.

This Stine Goya dress looks as delicious as soft-serve ice cream.

Designed by Galib Gassanoff, Institution made a huge splash in its debut runway show at Copenhagen Fashion Week, thanks in part to cumulus confections like this dress.

Lawless Layers

On the topic of layering, the message from Copenhagen Fashion Week brands this season was clear: Anything goes. Nicklas Skovgaard, for instance, boldly layered a leather top and skirt over prim pastel gingham separates.

The Baum und Pferdgarten show was rife with chaotic-yet-cool layering moments, including this spotted dress worn over white leggings and paired with gray leg warmers.

At Skall Studio, artfully placed layers elevated a minimalist maxi dress.

Working Girl

At Gestuz, this plaid blazer with '80s-worthy shoulder pads looked like it came right out of a scene from Working Girl.

Shoulder pads were also spotted at Caro Editions. It's giving Fran Fine or perhaps even Grandma Yetta.

Nicklas Skovgaard gave its sweaters a touch of '80s chic in the form of shoulder pads.

Sail Away

Hoist up the sail! The Garment's billowy white blouse could catch a serious breeze.

When a basic white top won't cut it, consider Almada Label's cascading blouse.

Skall Studio knows exactly how to design good sleeves.

Limoncello

Lemon sorbet was a recurring theme in Paolina Russo's S/S 27 show.

At OpéraSport, pictured above, a light-yellow skirt and a steel-gray jacket made for an interesting color combo.

Herskind draped a beautiful pale-yellow shawl over a simple white T-shirt.

Whilst I might not own a Bottega Veneta bag (yet—a beauty editor can dream, so consider this my manifestation), I can now at least smell like I do. The Italian fashion house has added a new collection, Alta, to its line of perfumes.

When Bottega Veneta's original eau de parfum collection launched back in 2024—inspired by its Venetian heritage, with glass-blown bottles nodding to Venice's artisanal roots, accompanied by their own Italian marble stand—I didn't think they could top it. So when I was invited to preview the new Italian perfumes this summer, I had high hopes. And I don't want to spoil anything, but each and every Alta perfume is as expensive-smelling as the next, and many are amongst my favourite new perfumes I've tried all year.

Alta consists of 10 fragrances and pays homage to the most treasured and recognised Italian ingredients—think Italian stracciatella gelato, or basil picked from a herb garden. Drawing on the concept of Bottega's intrecciato technique of weaving leather, the Italian ingredients are woven with guest ingredients from all around the world, from South Asian oud to North African neroli, pairing together cultures from all four corners of the globe.

The emblematic weaving is also embossed around each of the glass bottles, and is topped with a wooden cap and gold ring, harking back to Venetian architecture and the history of jewellery making. Honestly? It feels like a work of art in itself, and you'll want to treasure the craftsmanship forever on your dressing table. They're also refillable and come in travel-sized vials. But if you can't make it into a boutique to smell them for yourself, fear not. There are two discovery sets: the Alta Mini Set (£290), which houses the most luxe 10ml minis of the Alta bottles, and the Alta Discovery Set (£65), which has 2ml vials that are perfect for finding your favourite before committing to a full-sized bottle.

I've now worn each and every scent over the past two weeks, so I'm sharing my thoughts on the full collection below.

Best Bottega Alta Fragrances

• Best Overall: Bare Morning Eau de Parfum
• Best Vanilla Perfume: Ricordami Eau de Parfum
• Best Fresh Perfume: Always Now Eau de Parfum
• Best Citrus Perfume: Montebello Eau de Parfum
• Best Oud: Crepuscolo Eau de Parfum

1. Always Now

2. Montebello

3. Balliamo

4. Bare Morning

This is easily my absolute favourite of the entire collection, and if you're a fan of skin scents, then you'll probably adore it too. It draws inspiration from Borotalco, an Italian personal care brand known for its talcum powder and vintage, powdery scent. And it's stunning. Imagine stepping out of your shower, dusting your skin with the Italian powder and slipping on your cosiest, fluffiest white dressing gown. It's clean-smelling, creamy and powdery, and I want to douse my entire skin in the scent.

5. Slow Rise

6. Ricordami

7. Moment After

8. Night Sounds

9. Velvet Steps

10. Crepuscolo

Shop the Alta Discovery Sets:

Why Trust Us

At Who What Wear UK, we know that beauty isn’t one-size-fits-all. Our editors have tested thousands of products, including some skincare, makeup, hair and nails, over the years and work closely with trusted experts—dermatologists, make-up artists and leading industry insiders—to ensure every guide is well-researched, inclusive and relevant to you.

We focus on formulas that deliver, whether they’re affordable favourites or luxury investments. Our product selection is based on tangible results, ingredient know-how and what we’d truly recommend to a friend.

When it comes to bodycare, I've always been a fragrance-free kind of person. That's because, in my humble opinion, fragranced bodywashes, lotions, and oils tend to be heady or, at the very least, compete with my favorite perfumes rather than complement them. However, there are a few rare exceptions to that rule, and Cyklar is one of them.

For the uninitiated, Cyklar is an internet-famous bodycare brand that's known for its luxe formulas and highly sophisticated scents. In fact, it has 13 signature scents crafted around single notes—think vanilla, santal, neroli, bergamot, and more. And thanks to an intelligent product portfolio full of essential bodycare items, it's ideal for fragrance layering. Start with a scented bodywash, follow with body oil, perfume… You get the idea. At the end of it, you'll be prepped and primed for collecting all kinds of "You smell incredible" compliments throughout the day.

The Scents

Cyklar's signature scents are so good I can't possibly pick a favorite. (Although, Vanilla Verve and Naked Neroli are strong contenders.) Here's a crash course:

• Sacred Santal: A rich, expensive-smelling scent built on notes of cardamom, ambrette, guaiac wood, benzoin, amber, velvet musk, and cashmere wood. If you love Le Labo's Santal 33 ($250), you'll love this.
• Vanilla Verve: This spicy, sweet, and creamy vanilla exudes warmth. It has notes of vanilla, green cardamom, heliotrope, ambrette seed, Peru balsam, amber, musk, and tonka bean.
• Naked Neroli: Sheer, warm, and sun-kissed, it features notes of neroli, bergamot, mandarin, lemon leaf, orange flower, and jasmine.
• Bergamot Bond: Sparkling, bright, and zesty, it features notes of bergamot, lavender, bamboo, peony, verbena, and cashmere wood.
• Rose Bud: A modern floral that evokes "undone effortlessness." It has notes of black currant, bergamot, rhubarb, hemp, violet, mate, and (duh) rose.
• Crescent: Sheer, "comforting, and nostalgic," it centers on notes of sea salt, lavender, rose, coconut woods, moss, cedar, and vanilla.

Eight other scents are available via Perfume Oil (but more on that in a minute).

Bodywash

Cyklar's bodywashes are oil-infused and contain sodium PCA and fatty acid water. Together, these ingredients provide deep moisture and strengthen the skin's barrier. In other words, they're not stripping—at all. They never give my skin that tight, squeaky feeling other bodywashes do. Instead, my skin feels smooth, soft, moisturized, and *actually* clean.

The bodywashes come in all six aforementioned signature scents, and while it's difficult to pick a favorite, I've been using Rose Bud lately. Unlike old, powdery rose fragrances of yesteryear, this one is fresh, light, and modern—like the scent of (what else?) blooming rose petals.

If bodywash isn't your thing, Cyklar recently debuted Soap Bars in three distinct scents. They're formulated with microexfoliants and an AHA complex to effectively buff away dead, dry skin and other impurities. You can snag all three in the brand's nostalgic yet elevated Soap on a Rope Full Collection Set ($60).

Shop the Scents

Body Balm

This is one of the brand's newest products. The Body Oil Balm is Cyklar's answer to other, in-shower moisturizers. After cleansing, turn the water off, and massage this into your skin. It will melt on contact, providing deep moisture thanks to ingredients like coconut seed butter, ceramide NP, and a multi-lipid complex. And don't rinse it off! Simply get out of the shower, towel off, and continue with the rest of your bodycare routine.

The best part is that it can double as multipurpose salve. Out of the shower, massage onto dry areas like cuticles, elbows, knees, and heels as needed. Whichever way you use it, you'll have softer, smoother, suppler skin.

Cyklar also offers the Body Balm in its signature Sacred Santal scent.

Body Cream

Cyklar's Body Creams contain three hero ingredients. There's banana flower extract, which is naturally rich in prebiotics and antioxidants. Niacinamide promotes a strong moisture barrier, smooths texture, and evens tone. And prickly pear water boosts skin hydration with its bioactive-rich chemistry. As for the texture, these body creams walk the fine, rarely balanced line of rich but non-greasy. They moisturize, while providing another decadent layer of fragrance.

Check out Cyklar's chic collection of matching hand creams.

Shop the Scents

Body Oil

If there's one Cyklar product I can't do without, it's the Vitamin C Body Oil. It doesn't matter what scent. (Although, I tend to reach for Naked Neroli and Vanilla Verve the most.) They're so silky, luxurious, and skin-quenching that I'd basically bathe in them if I could.

Aside from the sensorial experience they deliver, I love these body oils because they're infused with high-grade, skin-loving ingredients. There's oil-soluble vitamin C to brighten the skin and shield it from environmental stressors (and if you know me, you know I love vitamin C–spiked bodycare products). There's also ectoin, which dermatologists consider an anti-inflammatory gold standard. If you test one Cyklar product, let it be this. I'll bet you my next paycheck that you end up buying more.

Bonus points if you use it with the Body Contour Tool ($20) to relieve muscle tension, boost circulation, and support lymphatic drainage. It helps turn nightly moisturizing into a ritual.

Perfume Oil

Cyklar is first and foremost a fragrance brand, which is why celebs like Jennifer Lawrence swear by its Perfume Oils. (ICYWW, she uses Modern Patchouli.) Each chic, amber bottle has a small rollerball tip that, when touched to pulse points, "blooms with the warmth of the body" to envelop the skin in scent.

All 13 signature scents are available as Perfume Oils. Some of my personal favorites? First, I have to mention Sex Musk, which is a sultry, intimate scent composed of rose, jasmine, orris, tonka bean, vanilla infusion, musk, and amber. Then, there's Flora Veil, which is a fresh, breezy combination of raspberry, peony, sandalwood, and skin musk. Finally, I love Cedar Supreme, which is a sophisticated blend of bergamot, lavender, labdanum, cedarwood, and tonka bean absolute. Like all other Cyklar products, though, you can't really go wrong IMO.

You can even buy the Perfume Oil Bag Charm ($15), which is a silicone keychain that fits perfectly over the Perfume Oil caps, and allows you to bring your signature scent with you wherever you go. It's so chic.

Shop the Scents

Deodorant

Most natural deodorants are just that—deodorant. Cyklar's combine classic deodorant with skin-loving ingredients, like mandelic acid, azelaic acid, and zinc PCA. The first exfoliates the skin and targets odor-causing bacteria. The second fades discoloration and evens skin tone. The third acts as a humectant, meaning it hydrates and soothes the skin. These roll-on deodorants promise up to 48 hours of freshness as well as brighter underarms with fewer ingrown hairs.

Shop the Other Scents

Self Tanner

Available in two shades, light-medium and medium-dark, Cyklar's Self-Tanning Milky Essence builds natural-looking color without streaks or smell. (This one's fragrance-free.) It also acts as a body serum, as it's packed with ceramides, amino acids, allantoin, squalane, papaya oil, and olive-derived moisturizers. Consider it like a milky toner for the body that just so happens to make you look sun-kissed.

I make it no secret that I have a strong disdain for foundation. Truth be told, I hate the feeling of anything sitting on my face. I hate the way it transfers on my phone, the way it saps the dimension from my face, the way it always moves around and the way it eradicates the little imperfections that make me feel like me. That being said, my persistent dark circles, patches of pigmentation and acne scarring mean I'm not prepared to go totally coverage-free. So, over my years as a beauty editor, I have spent a lot of time trying to find the perfect lightweight base, and I'm pleased to announce that, 12 years later, I've found it.

Whilst many like the sheer and buildable nature of skin tints and tinted moisturisers, I still find them too heavy for my skin. Instead, I prefer to apply creamy, blendable concealer just to the areas of my face that I feel need it, and blend out accordingly. Finding the perfect concealer for this has not been easy. I need it to be lightweight but buildable, hydrating but long-lasting and brightening but not glowy.

The aim of the game? A concealer that conceals the areas I need it to without it being even slightly noticeable on the skin. And just when I thought my hopes for such a concealer formula were too high, Chanel launched its Les Beiges Serum Concealer, and now all is right in the world.

The Formula

The beauty of this formula is in its lightweight consistency. It possesses a water-like weightlessness that feels fresh and undeniably hydrating as soon as it hits the skin. It achieves this with an impressive lineup of ingredients. The formula is 89% skincare ingredients, including Chanel's iconic white camellia hydro-extract, which works to maintain the skin's moisture levels on an ongoing basis, as well as hyaluronic acid for an immediate burst of hydration and plumpness.

Available in 15 shades, the coverage itself is sheer but buildable, with a very fine (read: virtually undetectable) pearlescent effect.

The Application

If I'm being totally honest, the application of this concealer is nothing to write home about—it's the formula and the results that make it such a winner. It has a typical doe-foot applicator designed to be swiped or dotted over the skin. The point of difference is the cooling ceramic "foot", intended to create a cooling sensation under the eyes. And yes, it is cooling and generally pleasant to use. But, in my opinion, it's not totally necessary, especially considering the fact that I like to use it elsewhere on my face besides my under-eyes.

For everyday coverage, I swipe some under my eyes, around my nose and over my chin—my key problem areas in terms of dark circles, redness and some post-breakout scarring. When it comes to blending, I play around with different methods depending upon how much time I have. For more targeted coverage, I keep the formula exclusively in the areas I have applied it and tap it in with my fingers. Most days, however, I take a very light buffing brush and blend it gently over my skin.

The hydration-based formula means the concealer applies unlike any other I have ever tried—it doesn't sit on the skin and conceal what's underneath. Instead, it partially absorbs and becomes one with the skin, meaning it blends seamlessly, doesn't crease and leaves a true second-skin finish.

The Full Look

Chanel Les Beiges Serum Concealer has proved, without question, my most cherished product of the summer. I have worn it every single day since it first came into my possession in May. In fact, I have worn almost the same makeup look every day throughout summer. These are the natural-looking, creamy makeup products that go hand in hand with Les Beiges Serum Concealer.

If there is a skin tool that's dominated the past few years, it's undoubtedly LED masks. As a beauty editor, it's one of the topics I'm most asked about. And in my decade of working as a beauty journalist and trialling products for a living, I've now tested dozens of LED masks for my job, reviewing the best ones for months at a time to see if they really work. Most of these LED devices come at a significant investment (most are upwards of £300), but not as much as the Dermalux Flex MD LED Light Therapy Device, which comes in just shy of £2,000. It claims to be the world's most powerful LED mask and is what you'll often find in clinics; however, it's also available for home purchase.

For that reason, I've decided to put this LED therapy device to the test and find out if this incredibly expensive piece of equipment is really worth the money for myself. Scroll on for what you need to know, my honest thoughts and the before-and-after pictures of my results.

Dermalux Flex MD LED Light Therapy Device

How Does It Work?

The Dermalux Flex MD LED Light Therapy Device is about as close as you can get to a professional LED therapy treatment at home, and that's exactly what contributes to its premium price tag. It's the same device used by many skin and aesthetics professionals in clinics to treat a wide range of concerns, from acne, eczema and psoriasis to collagen stimulation, on both the face and body. It can also help with joint and muscle pain, as well as wound healing, making it an incredibly versatile piece of equipment. The LEDs sit on a flexible panel that can be detached from the base, allowing you to use it across both the face and body. This is particularly handy if you experience skin concerns elsewhere on the body, as you can simply position the panel over the affected area.

How to Use It

The device comes with a selection of different light treatments—enough to customise your routine without feeling overwhelming—which can be mixed and matched via the intuitive control panel. Simply select your chosen LED setting(s), put on the included safety goggles and press start. From there, all that's left to do is lie back and relax while the device gets to work. Even with the goggles on, the light feels incredibly bright at first, which takes a little getting used to, but I found the treatment surprisingly soothing. It's warming and feels like lying in the sun, minus the UV damage and with all the skin-rejuvenating benefits of LED therapy.

There's also a helpful booklet explaining which light combinations work best for different skin concerns. One thing worth mentioning is that the near-infrared setting appears almost invisible in daylight. Rest assured, the light is there—it just isn't visible to the naked eye, and I found it particularly effective for reducing inflammation.

One of my favourite things about the Flex MD is its versatility. The flexible LED panel can be removed from the base, which makes it easy to use on both the face and body, while the ability to customise treatments means you can target one specific concern or combine wavelengths to tackle several at once. Great if, like me, you want to target a few different things at once.

My Experience

I've been using this LED device over the past five weeks, however, it's actually my second time testing it after I first road-tested it four years ago. My skin concerns largely remain the same as before (hormonal acne, uneven skin texture); however, I'm now dealing with rosacea, pigmentation and early signs of fine lines and skin laxity. I was previously impressed with the results when I was first loaned the device, but I was curious to see how it worked again on my newer concerns now that I'm in my early thirties.

I used the LED device three or four times per week for the full 30 minutes, and I used all three wavelengths combined together: red, blue and infrared (you can use them individually too, but for the sake of testing, I went all in to address my many skin concerns). Red helps stimulate collagen production and improve pigmentation; blue targets acne, while infrared works to calm inflammation and support healing. Immediately after the 30-minute session, I didn't notice a dramatic transformation, of course, but my skin looked a little glowier and noticeably less inflamed the following day. I've previously used the device on my hands during an eczema flare-up, and over the following days the irritation visibly settled. The more impressive results, however, came with consistent use over the following weeks.

By the one-month mark, I noticed my sun-induced pigmentation was fading, and my skin looked healthier and more radiant overall. The improvements were subtle rather than dramatic, but they were definitely noticeable when I looked in the mirror. By the final day of testing, some hormonal acne had appeared on my chin. No device is going to completely cure or prevent skin conditions, but I do think this helped with the management. Breakouts and redness stayed largely under control throughout the trial, and when blemishes did appear, they cleared much faster than they normally would. Overall, my skin has been better-behaved since adding it into my routine.

My skin also possesses more of an all-round healthy glow, looks more even in tone and less red. I've kept my skincare routine largely the same since using this, so I can vouch that this LED device really does work. I'm in between Botox treatments, with my last one having fully worn off, so I was pleased to see that fine lines I'm beginning to see around my eyes and forehead also look softened. Additionally, I found these treatments to be so relaxing, and it became a part of my bedtime routine that also benefited my sleep quality (maybe it's coincidental, but my Oura Ring ratings were always better on the nights I used it).

Before and After

Before

After

My Verdict

I hate to say it, but this LED device really does deliver on the results, which makes the price even more painful, as I wish I could afford it myself! My only real criticism (aside from that price tag) is the size. As it's designed for professional clinic use, it's understandably much larger than the wearable LED masks I tested. That's not necessarily a downside, but it did take up a fair amount of space in my flat. Because I was using it so regularly, it was far easier to leave it assembled than pack it away after every session.

If I had to be particularly picky, I'd also say the 30-minute treatment time can be difficult to fit into a busy routine. Unlike wearable LED masks that you can potter around in for 10 minutes, you can't get on with other tasks while using this one, and wearing the safety goggles is essential, so you can't multitask or watch a TV show. That said, it's a great excuse to switch off, lie back and catch up on a podcast instead.

Of course, it's impossible to overlook that this is a seriously expensive piece of equipment, and it also can't replace your skincare routine. This sample is on loan to me for the review, and I don't have a spare £2k to drop on an LED device. However, if you regularly invest in professional LED treatments in-clinic, and want to enjoy similar benefits at home that are more powerful than your typical LED masks, then it could well prove worthwhile. The option to use this on the face and body means you could also save from having to purchase separate LED panels, LED hand masks or other LED devices that target different areas of the body, such as the neck, which could easily add up to over £1000.

So if you can look past the eye-watering price, and have the money to splash out, then I'd say this device is a worthwhile investment. It's one of the closest at-home alternatives to an in-clinic LED treatment currently available, and in my experience, it delivers results that justify its reputation.

Shop Now:

How I Tested

This is my second time using the Dermalux Flex MD LED Light Therapy Device, and for my second time trialling it, I tested it three to four times per week for 30 minutes over the course of five weeks whilst the device was on loan to me. I used all of the LED settings to evaluate how well the device worked and took before-and-after photos to monitor my results. I also kept my skincare routine unchanged to ensure any results from the LED could be seen.

Why Trust Us

At Who What Wear UK, we know that beauty isn’t one-size-fits-all. Our editors have tested thousands of products, including some skincare, makeup, hair and nails, over the years and work closely with trusted experts—dermatologists, make-up artists and leading industry insiders—to ensure every guide is well-researched, inclusive and relevant to you.

We focus on formulas that deliver, whether they’re affordable favourites or luxury investments. Our product selection is based on tangible results, ingredient know-how and what we’d truly recommend to a friend.

Anyone who knows me will know that Italy is my favourite place in the entire world. What’s not to love about it? It’s a country I—and my taste buds—could never grow tired of. From the serene beauty of the northern lakes and Dolomites to the ancient charm of Rome, every visit has deepened my appreciation for Italian culture. My next trip is to Florence, and there is one place that's top of my list to visit, and no, it's not a restaurant or a gelato spot. It's Officina Profumo-Farmaceutica di Santa Maria Novella, one of the world's oldest beauty brands and perfume houses.

When it comes to heritage beauty brands, few rival the legacy of Officina Profumo-Farmaceutica di Santa Maria Novella. Widely considered the world's oldest pharmacy, it opened in Florence in 1221, when a group of Dominican friars established the convent of Santa Maria Novella and cultivated a botanical garden where the natural ingredients were then used for medicines, ointments and balms. More than 800 years on, the botanical craftsmanship remains today. Its collection has expanded over the centuries to include fragrances, skincare and body care, and both the draw-dropping interiors of the store and every product in the wooden apothecary cabinets are steeped in Florentine history. Its fragrances are amongst some of the oldest in the world, and the brand has even created scents for royalty.

And as a beauty editor, I know that Santa Maria Novella scents are considered amongst some of the best Italian perfumes. These exquisite bottles come housed in tome-like packaging that allows you to enjoy a small piece of the pharmacy at home, and the scents themselves are honestly breathtaking. Thankfully, you don't need a city break to Florence to discover them, as they're easy to find in the UK. I regularly wear some of the brand's most iconic fragrances—these are the ones I've fallen in love with.

Best Santa Maria Novella Perfumes

• Best Overall: Aqua Eau de Parfum
• Best Luxurious Scent: L'Iris Eau de Parfum
• Best Botanical Scent: Necatrium Eau de Cologne
• Best Floral: Rose Gardenia Eau de Cologne
• Best Smoky Scent: Tabacco Toscano Eau de Cologne

1. Acqua

2. L'Iris

3. Nectarium

4. Tabacco Toscano

5. Rose Gardenia

6. Melograno

Why Trust Us

At Who What Wear UK, we know that beauty isn’t one-size-fits-all. Our editors have tested thousands of products, including some skincare, makeup, hair and nails, over the years and work closely with trusted experts—dermatologists, make-up artists and leading industry insiders—to ensure every guide is well-researched, inclusive and relevant to you.

We focus on formulas that deliver, whether they’re affordable favourites or luxury investments. Our product selection is based on tangible results, ingredient know-how and what we’d truly recommend to a friend.

As beauty journalists, we're used to seeing hundreds of new beauty products pass our beauty desk every single month. So, we're always testing new makeup, skincare, fragrance and hair care (we're truly spoilt, I know). But despite having access to a cupboard full of beauty products, there are always our firm favourites that have a permanent residency in our makeup bags. These are the products that we're never swayed away from, no matter what shiny new launch comes along. And for me, the Lisa Eldridge Seamless Skin Enhancing Tint (£39) is a skin tint I just know I'll be using forever.

Lisa Eldridge Seamless Skin Enhancing Tint

The Formula

Lisa Eldridge MBE is one of the world's top makeup artists who has worked with just about every famous face you could name, so I never doubted that this formula wouldn't be anything short of exceptional. Eldridge is renowned for her natural-looking approach to the complexion, preferring to place foundation and complexion products only in the places they're really needed rather than masking the skin. And she has totally bottled this ethos in this skin tint.

Inside the pebble-shaped bottle is a tint with a water-like consistency, which immediately sinks into the skin, offering a sheer, lightweight finish that's akin to a second skin and does so without highlighting enlarged pores or fine lines.

The formula contains hydrating ingredients such as squalane, glycerin and prickly pear and sunflower seed oils. As someone with oily-leaning skin, I was initially worried it would be too heavy on my skin, but it sits beautifully. I love a naturally radiant finish, and this skin tint delivers just that. It's neither too dewy nor too matte, but just looks like skin that has a healthy glow. This would be perfect for those with dry or combination skin, but is still matte enough for those with oilier skin who favour a more glowy finish.

The Finish

What I love about this skin tint is that it offers the perfect amount of coverage without feeling like you're wearing anything at all. It blurs redness and pigmentation, yet it still lets my freckles peek through. Of course, the sheer finish won't offer enough coverage to hide inflamed acne or redness, but it's perfect for day-to-day makeup when you want to even your skin, and it makes a great base to then apply a little concealer in just the places that require it. It's the ultimate "no makeup" makeup skin tint.

It wears so well throughout the day, whether worn alone on top of SPF, or finished with concealer and powder. The finish isn't so dewy that it disappears, yet not too matte that it clings to any dryness. I'm prone to oiliness around my nose and chin, yet this holds up throughout the day and never turns oily or cakey—a little powder on top sets it perfectly.

The shade range is expansive, covering a range of undertones across different shades so that you can find a good match for your skin tone. I'm writing this review in the height of summer, where I have a bit more of a tan at the moment, and shade T7 has been a great match for my complexion, which has neutral undertones. In short, I'll never be without a bottle of this skin tint in my makeup bag.

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How We Tested

I've been using the Lisa Eldridge Seamless Skin Enhancing Tint since it launched, and it's become an everyday staple in my makeup bag. I have oily-combination skin, so I've put this skin tint through its paces to see how it holds up on my skin type, as well as how it wears over SPF and with other makeup. I've also tested a couple of the shades in the range during the warmer and cooler months.

Why Trust Us

At Who What Wear UK, we know that beauty isn’t one-size-fits-all. Our editors have tested thousands of products, including some skincare, makeup, hair and nails, over the years and work closely with trusted experts—dermatologists, make-up artists and leading industry insiders—to ensure every guide is well-researched, inclusive and relevant to you.

We focus on formulas that deliver, whether they’re affordable favourites or luxury investments. Our product selection is based on tangible results, ingredient know-how and what we’d truly recommend to a friend.

If there's one celebrity I'd love to sit down with and quiz all about their skincare and makeup routines, it's Hailey Bieber. Known for her radiant complexion, I think about her glowy makeup daily. When she launched Rhode back in 2022, you best believe I raced to checkout to get my hands on her go-to skincare products. Whilst they have dramatically improved my skin's appearance, I'm still desperately searching for something to create that "glazed" finish when doing my daily makeup routine. Enter Rhode's brand-new Highlight Milk.

Alongside the viral Pocket Bronze, Rhode's summer collection includes the sought-after Highlight Milk, a shimmery take on the brand's popular Glazing Milk. Designed to be used on top of your skincare (and under your SPF), it can be worn alone or mixed with your favourite foundation or skin tint to add a radiant finish.

Ever since getting my hands on this product, my makeup game has been taken up a notch. In fact, I've had multiple comments on how glowy my complexion looks, and if that's not a sign to treat yourself to the Highlight Milk, then I don't know what is. Keep scrolling for my full review...

Rhode Highlight Milk

The Formula

Whilst I like to use this to amp up my makeup, it's a skincare product through and through. Made with the brand's Glazing Milk formula, it has a lightweight, milky texture and is packed with ceramides, vitamin E and glycerin to hydrate and boost the skin's barrier.

Even if you don't have particularly dry skin, I personally think this is a great addition to your skincare routine, as it adds an extra level of glow and hydration. As someone with relatively oily skin, I've never found the formula too thick or greasy.

The Shades

The key thing separating this product from the original Glazing Milk is the subtle, pearlescent shimmer. There are four shades available, from a pearly pink to a rich bronze. Shades 01 and 02 are described as sheer, milky bases, whereas shades 03 and 04 have added tints for a warm glow.

At the moment, I'm using shade 02; however, during the winter months, I can see myself switching to 01 for my everyday makeup look.

The Application

What I love about the Highlight Milk is how versatile it is. There are so many ways to use it, but let me talk you through a few of my favourites. If I'm having a "no makeup" makeup day, I apply this all over the skin before going in with concealer and a bit of cream bronzer. Just using these three products makes a huge difference to my complexion, and it's actually the makeup look that earns me the most compliments on my skin.

However, if I feel like getting a bit dressed up and want a matching makeup look, I mix a few drops of this into my foundation, and the results are always 10/10. Oh, and a top tip that I took straight from the Rhode website? Mix with your body lotion or apply directly to your arms, chest and legs for the most beautiful body shimmer.

The Results

Honestly? I can't get enough of this product. I've tried countless illuminating primers, but what I love about this is that the glow looks completely natural. Yes, it's described as shimmery, but I actually think it adds a subtle luminosity that would trick anyone into thinking you follow a very strict, 20-step skincare routine (my actual routine is more like cleanser, serum and moisturiser).

What I love about Hailey's makeup is that it never looks too "done". Instead, she's all about letting your skin shine through, and now that I've got my hands on the Highlight Milk, I feel like I can finally recreate her signature look. If you want non-stop compliments this summer, I'd say this is a worthwhile investment.

Shop the Rhode Highlight Milk

Why Trust Us

At Who What Wear UK, we know that beauty isn’t one-size-fits-all. Our editors have tested thousands of products, including some skincare, makeup, hair and nails, over the years and work closely with trusted experts—dermatologists, make-up artists and leading industry insiders—to ensure every guide is well-researched, inclusive and relevant to you.

We focus on formulas that deliver, whether they’re affordable favourites or luxury investments. Our product selection is based on tangible results, ingredient know-how and what we’d truly recommend to a friend.

It's no secret that I love a bronzed, glowing complexion. Read any of my articles, and you'll find me chatting away about the best tanning drops, bronzers, illuminating primers and more, as I'm always on a mission to make my complexion look as if I spend all year in the sunshine. There are a few hero products I rely on, such as Chanel's iconic Les Beiges Healthy Glow Bronzing Cream and the Three Warriors Hydrabronze Face Tan Drops. However, one product I hear editors raving about time and time again is By Terry's Tea to Tan Face & Body.

With summer in full swing, I decided to try it out myself, and wow. I can see why everyone raves about this stuff. It's basically a natural-looking, sunkissed glow in a bottle, with absolutely no developing time. Spritz, blend and go. The best bit? It has a totally matte finish, so you don't have to worry about any shimmer. If you want to learn more about my new ride-or-die, keep on scrolling...

By Terry Tea to Tan Face & Body Review

The Formula

So, how does this magical stuff work? As the name suggests, the formula is infused with red and black tea extracts, alongside an active bio-cherry fruit essence. These extracts temporarily "tan" the skin, adding a bronzed finish whilst also smoothing the complexion. As mentioned, this product doesn't need time to develop. Instead, it comes with a handy guide colour so you know exactly what sort of finish you're getting. In my opinion, this takes all the stress out of using fake tan. The product currently comes in one universal shade, but would add more of a warm, sun-kissed effect to darker skin tones, rather than a very deep tan. I'd love to see a wider range of shades from the brand in the future.

The Application

There are lots of ways to apply By Terry Tea to Tan, but after rigorous testing, I believe I've found the best method for the most natural finish. When it comes to the face, I like to spray a small amount onto the back of my hand, then take a flat bronzing brush and buff the product into my skin. You can apply it all over or focus on the areas where the sun naturally hits, such as the tops of the cheeks, nose and forehead. If I'm tanning my décolletage, I tend to use a similar method. But if I'm doing larger areas of my body, such as my legs, I like to spray it directly onto the skin and use a large brush or my fingertips to blend it in.

The Results

After a week spent inside recovering from a nasty throat infection, it's safe to say that I wasn't looking my best. There might have been a heatwave in London, but my complexion would have anyone thinking it's the middle of winter. For my grand return to the office, I knew I could rely on By Terry's Tea to Tan to bring my skin back to life. I applied it everywhere I would my usual bronzer, and it left me looking suitably sunkissed. It took me about two minutes to take my skin from lacklustre to luminous, and I even skipped foundation thanks to how confident this product made me feel. I love how quick, easy and fuss-free it is, and now I'm struggling to imagine what I ever did without it. Fair play, By Terry, fair play.

Shop By Terry Tea to Tan Face & Body

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Why Trust Us

At Who What Wear UK, we know that beauty isn’t one-size-fits-all. Our editors have tested thousands of products, including skincare, makeup, hair and nails, over the years and work closely with trusted experts—dermatologists, make-up artists and leading industry insiders—to ensure every guide is well-researched, inclusive and relevant to you.

We focus on formulas that deliver, whether they’re affordable favourites or luxury investments. Our product selection is based on tangible results, ingredient know-how and what we’d truly recommend to a friend.

Fifteen years after I first entered the fashion industry with an internship and a dream, I finally got to check off a major bucket-list item: attending couture week. Guess what? The wait was worth it. The Haute Couture Week shows in Paris are the pinnacle of fashion with a capital F, representing the industry's most capable craftsmanship, ingenious imagination, and stirring spectacle. This season's shows overdelivered on each of these fronts. Continue reading for my take on the haute couture fall/winter 2026 collections.

To attend the Dior Haute Couture show at the Musée Rodin, I wore an Erdem dress I bought on major sale several years ago, along with a Strathberry East/West Bag, Staud Brigitte Mules ($295), and Warby Parker sunglasses.

1. The New Dior Bride

A mere 72 hours after Taylor Swift got married in a Dior Haute Couture by Jonathan Anderson dress in New York City, the designer staged his fall 2026 couture collection in Paris. Naturally, I was eager to glean clues about Swift's still-top-secret wedding dress—any breadcrumb would do!—but as expected, Anderson kept details under wraps, only telling WWD that "it was a joy to work with her."

That said, the collection's closing look did bring Anderson's idea of the Dior bride into sharper focus. The final model, the show notes describe, wore a wedding dress in white hand-pleated chiffon overlaid with a dégradé cactus flower and fern-motif white lace, reembroidered with beaded ferns and white feather dandelions. Here's a video of it in mesmerizing motion. It was soft, romantic, semisheer, and downright fairytale-worthy. Only time will tell whether Swift's wedding dress can be described in the same way. Until then, this lovely Dior bride will have to tide you over.

2. The Balenciaga City Bag Goes Couture

We've come a long way from the wine-stained Balenciaga moto bag that permanently sat in the crook of Mary-Kate Olsen's arm circa 2004. For his triumphant first couture collection since taking the helm at Balenciaga, Pierpaolo Piccioli upgraded the iconic Le City bag in crystal-studded mesh with metal trim. So which celebrity will have the privilege of being the first to wear the straight-off-the-runway bag? Perhaps Balenciaga's newest campaign star, Sarah Pidgeon. Whoever the brand entrusts with the new bag, you can bet they'll keep a tight grip on the museum-worthy work of art.

Accessories aside, one of my favorite looks was this emerald-green feathered and fringed frock. "Feathers are a metaphor—weightless, delicate, yet with tensile strength," the show notes explained. I was also quite partial to this ombré dress dipped in pastel pink, which gave me major Taylor Swift wedding vibes.

On the celebrity front, I captured Lily Collins and Hudson Williams meeting for the first time at the Balenciaga show, much to the delight of Emily in Paris and Heated Rivalry fans in Who What Wear's Instagram comment section. I also recorded several other celebrities arriving at the show, which was held at the Cité Internationale Universitaire de Paris, including Teyana Taylor, Shailene Woodley, Naomi Watts, and Cynthia Erivo.

3. Same-Day Delivery

Zendaya and Law Roach just gave a new meaning to straight off the runway. Just hours—yes, hours—after Schiaparelli's fall 2026 couture collection was presented in Paris, Zendaya popped up in London wearing the show's closing look. What kind of fashion sorcery is that? To pull it off, Roach took the garment with him on a private jet and hand-delivered it to Zendaya. In the show notes, Schiaparelli Creative Director Daniel Roseberry described the look as "a glowing dress with a molded bustier in white glazed porcelain-
effect silicone."

4. A World of Pure Imagination

One of the highlights of reporting IRL on the 2026 Met Gala red carpet was witnessing Robert Wun's fanciful creations for Lisa and Naomi Osaka. Cut to two months later, I was just as impressed with his Paris couture show. In front of an audience that included Cardi B, Fan Bingbing, and Maura Higgins, Robert Wun put on a master class in creativity and storytelling. The show's venue, the Dôme de Paris, has seen its fair share of awe-inspiring artistry over the years—it even hosted the very first musical production of Les Misérables in 1980—making it the perfect choice for a couture house as theatrical and entertaining as Robert Wun.

"The collection unfolds as a timeline of growing up," Wun explained in the show notes. "From a child as a 'plain paper' to being coloured to being shaped and formed, characters are built like toys, childhood stories that lead to dreams emerging. Redefined, tailored, and embroidered within the brand's universe but with a reorienting intent. The closing chapter of the collection features customised balloons, colours exploding from the suited bodies, like the childhood that we all still carry deep within. And just like balloons, beautiful and joyous yet fragile and not meant to last."

One of my favorite looks was seemingly pulled straight from The Birds, Alfred Hitchcock's infamous horror movie. Click here to see the mesmerizing look in motion.

It's no secret that Hourglass is one of my all-time favourite makeup brands of all time. Despite having a full beauty cupboard full of makeup products at my disposal, when you look at the products that have made it into my everyday makeup at home, Hourglass is the MVP of my makeup bag. The Phantom Glossy Balms? A modern icon. The Vanish Airbrush Concealer? No other concealer compares. You get the idea: anything Hourglass launches, I just know it's going to be good.

So, when I heard that Hourglass was launching the Phantom Blur Balms (£36), a blurring, matte version of the original Phantom Glossy Balms, I could barely contain my excitement.

Hourglass Phantom Blur Balms

The Formula

If you've been trying to recreate that blurred lip look popularised by celebrity makeup artist Nina Park, then you can put your lip liners down. This blurring balm delivers a blurred, soft-focus lip in one swipe. What's genius about it is that it has the soft-matte finish that mimics the natural texture of your lips, yet it feels exactly like a hydrating lip balm on the lips. It's hydrating and comfortable to wear, with a flexible slip when you smack your lips—unlike many matte lipsticks that cling and feel drying to wear.

The beauty of them is that they can be applied lightly for a wash of colour, layered up for more intensity or paired with your lip liner if you want a more defined look.

The Shades

I have two shades of the Phantom Blur Balms (there are currently five very wearable, natural-looking shades in the edit), and they've both taken up permanent residencies in my makeup bag and my handbag. Echo, a soft, neutral pink, has been my everyday go-to, whereas Whisper has a pinky mauve tone that I've been leaning towards more so for summer. I'll definitely be picking up some of the deeper shades for next season. Honestly? I can't imagine my makeup bag without these since trying them.

Echo

Whisper

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Why Trust Us

At Who What Wear UK, we know that beauty isn’t one-size-fits-all. Our editors have tested thousands of products, including some skincare, makeup, hair and nails, over the years and work closely with trusted experts—dermatologists, make-up artists and leading industry insiders—to ensure every guide is well-researched, inclusive and relevant to you.

We focus on formulas that deliver, whether they’re affordable favourites or luxury investments. Our product selection is based on tangible results, ingredient know-how and what we’d truly recommend to a friend.

As a team of editors, our beauty cupboard is brimming with post featuring the best new beauty products and skincare brands. But, as any beauty editor will tell you, there are certain products that just cannot be beaten. And when it comes to moisturisers, there is a certain one our beauty team considers the greatest of all time, especially for makeup prep. Of course, I'm talking about Tatcha's The Dewy Skin Cream.

Tatcha The Dewy Skin Cream

The Formula

Where do I begin? This moisturiser has the most luxurious texture I've ever come across in my decade of working as a beauty journalist. Its creamy texture is like liquid silk to the touch, and it melts into the skin with the most sensorial application I've experienced. It sinks in quickly, but instantly plumps and quenches the skin with moisture, and leaves a dewy glow that looks like you stepped out of a facial. The Japanese botanical ingredients, too, help to plump and moisturise the skin, leaving your skin looking and feeling baby-soft.

It's a phenomenal moisturiser on its own, but it particularly excels for makeup prep. After this sinks into the skin, my skin tint applies like butter. In fact, all of my makeup sits so beautifully on top and helps it last longer, too. I've spotted this moisturiser in many kit bags of top makeup artists, and I'm not surprised. If you want a hydrated, dewy glow, this moisturiser deserves a spot in your skincare routine too. Oh, and it also comes with a tiny spatula, which makes applying this to your skin feel even more luxurious.

I'd say that The Dewy Skin Cream is better suited to dry or dehydrated skin types that want long-lasting hydration and a dewy glow. For very oily skin, this formula may be too rich. However, The Dewy Milk Moisturizer or The Water Cream are great alternatives for the summertime, or if you want more oil control throughout the day. Tatcha totally excels at creating luxurious moisturisers, and there's one for every skin type or skin concern. Scroll below for the others our team cannot get enough of.

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Why Trust Us

At Who What Wear UK, we know that beauty isn’t one-size-fits-all. Our editors have tested thousands of products, including some skincare, makeup, hair and nails, over the years and work closely with trusted experts—dermatologists, make-up artists and leading industry insiders—to ensure every guide is well-researched, inclusive and relevant to you.

We focus on formulas that deliver, whether they’re affordable favourites or luxury investments. Our product selection is based on tangible results, ingredient know-how and what we’d truly recommend to a friend.

I've tested hundreds of foundations over the course of my career as a beauty editor (and even more before that). Along the way, I've sorted my favorite formulas into two categories. 1) natural-looking foundations, and 2) foundations that flawlessly cover my rosacea. There are only a couple that make the crossover—they look undetectable from my actual skin and cover blemishes and patchy redness.

Brand and price point have nothing to do with my top picks. It all comes down to performance. I need my foundation to be lightweight, flawless, long-wearing, flexible, breathable...the list goes on. And out of the countless formulas I've tested, there's only one that checks off every single box. I consider it my all-time favorite foundation. I've worn it to family weddings, to take professional headshots, and most recently, to attend a bridal shower on a 90° day. It's grade A, gold star, and top of the class, and I recommend it to basically anyone who will listen.

Here it is—Chanel's N°1 De Chanel Revitalizing Foundation. This formula is so good that I keep two (sometimes three) bottles on hand at one time. I know I'll use it, and honestly, I'm terrified it might get discontinued for some reason in the far-off future. Since I'm not prepared to process that reality, it makes me feel better to keep duplicates in my collection. Ahead, learn why I'm so obsessed with this foundation, and what sets it apart from so many others I've tested.

There are a few things that make this foundation so special: its versatility, texture, and staying power. Let's talk versatility first. Unlike other foundations that fit into light-, medium-, or full-coverage categories, this one is adaptable. It's easy to sheer out (just apply a couple of drops with a soft-bristled brush), build up (just smooth it over the skin with your fingers), or keep somewhere in the middle (I use my trusty Beautyblender for medium coverage). It's part of the reason I recommend it to so many people; I know it can work for a variety of coverage preferences.

Next, I need to talk about its texture and staying power. Enriched with red camellia oil and other moisturizing ingredients, Chanel's N°1 De Chanel Revitalizing Foundation is incredibly lightweight and hydrating. It's so featherlight that I sometimes forget I'm wearing foundation at all. It's so hydrating, my dry skin looks smooth and plump whenever I wear it—never cakey or powdery. The red camellia oil gives the foundation a satiny glow and, as a bonus, protects the skin from environmental aggressors.

In my personal experience, most lightweight, hydrating foundations have the worst staying power. They tend to slip, slide, and smudge off my skin, especially in high heat and humidity. This one, however, strikes a rare balance in that it keeps my skin looking hydrated without budging throughout the day. It's part of the reason I always wear it for big events; I know it'll look just as good at the end of the night as it did in the morning after I applied it. Most recently, I wore it to attend a six-hour-long bridal shower in 90° heat. I knew it wouldn't let me down, and it didn't.

I only have one word of caution. Since it has a luminous finish and a hydrating formula, it might not be the best choice for oily or blemish-prone skin. (In that case, I'd probably choose a velvety matte foundation.) However, if you have normal, dry, sensitive, or mature skin, I can't recommend it enough. It might be an investment at over $80 a bottle, but to me, the "You have great skin" compliments are well worth it.

Shop 3 More of My Best-Ever Foundations

One of the best parts about being a beauty editor is getting to test new beauty products ahead of launch. And one of my favourite parts is testing perfume launches before they come to market. Recently, I was invited to visit Grasse (AKA the perfume capital of the world) with one of my favourite French perfume houses, Matiere Premiere. You may know it from its viral Vanilla Powder scent, but what you might not know is that the founder, Aurélien Guichard, is the only perfumer in the world to grow and produce his own raw ingredients (including rose, tuberose and lavendin) in Grasse. Not only does this make its perfumes smell incredible, but the ingredients themselves are the standout notes that shine simply yet beautifully in each and every scent.

During the trip, I had a secret preview of the next scent to launch this summer. I came home with a lab sample, and since wearing it at home, I've not only fallen for it, but I've been inundated with compliments too. I've had to keep tight-lipped about exactly what it is when people have been asking after it, but now I can finally share the scent I've been wearing.

Matiere Premiere Black Currant Extrait de Parfum

The Scent

Blackcurrant isn't a common note you find in many perfumes, but its unexpectedness makes this fruity oud perfume all the more interesting. On the first spritz, you get that sharp juiciness of glossy, plump blackcurrants bursting on your tongue. But it has a creaminess that reminds me of drinking a smooth, dark purple cocktail in the dim lighting of a luxurious bar.

Aurélien Guichard, perfumer and founder of Matiere Premiere, tells me that he chose blackcurrant as the standout note for this Harrods exclusive extrait, as it brings together both French and British cultures. In France, it's a nod to the crème de cassis blackcurrant liqueur produced in Burgundy. Whilst in the UK, it brings to mind blackcurrant preserves and pastries with the jammy, dark purple fruits. It's brimming with nostalgia, but is simultaneously fruity, luxurious and grown-up, combined with hypnotising oud and smooth leather.

"For Harrods, I wanted to create a fragrance around blackcurrant because it carries something both deeply French and strongly connected to British culture. In the UK, cassis is a familiar flavour shared across generations. I was interested in revealing its darker, deeper and more contemporary facets," he says. "This blackcurrant absolute produced in France gives an immediate savoury pleasure, but also has darker and almost ambery facets with remarkable persistence," he says. "I wanted a black currant textured with oud—where the purple vibrancy of cassis gradually darkens into leather, woods and musks.”

Upon spritzing, it really does paint a purple profile. The mouthwatering juiciness of blackcurrant is complemented by the oud and leathery dry-down, which envelops you like the leather interior of a dark purple-lacquered Bugatti. I'm not usually one for oud perfumes, but this jammy combination has totally won me over. And since I've been wearing it, I've been inundated with compliments whenever I've worn it. Thanks to the potent extrait de parfum formula, it's a real long-lasting power perfume that lingers and creates a halo of scent as you walk. What I love most is that it works just as well as a fruity high-summer perfume, but lends itself beautifully to the autumn season, too.

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Why Trust Us

At Who What Wear UK, we know that beauty isn’t one-size-fits-all. Our editors have tested thousands of products, including some skincare, makeup, hair and nails, over the years and work closely with trusted experts—dermatologists, make-up artists and leading industry insiders—to ensure every guide is well-researched, inclusive and relevant to you.

We focus on formulas that deliver, whether they’re affordable favourites or luxury investments. Our product selection is based on tangible results, ingredient know-how and what we’d truly recommend to a friend.

Millennials will remember the golden age of celebrity fragrances in the early to mid-2000s. Back then, it seemed like every It girl or guy had a signature scent they sold to the masses. Jennifer Lopez launched Glow in 2002. In 2004, Britney Spears launched Curious, and Paris Hilton launched her first eponymous elixir. In the mid-aughts, celebs like Taylor Swift (Wonderstruck), Beyoncé (Heat), Justin Bieber (Someday), and One Direction (Our Moment) joined in on the trend with their own fragrances.

Somewhere along the way, though, celeb fragrance began to die out. Arguably, it was when A-listers decided to launch entire beauty brands, but that's a topic for another day. Blame it on my nostalgic nature, but I miss celebrity fragrances. Some say they're kitschy; I say they're fun, collectible, and surprising compliment-earners.

That's the case with Khloé Kardashian's newest fragrance, XO Blue, which launched earlier this month. The reality TV star, businesswoman, and pop-culture icon already had two other fragrances on the market, but this was her first seasonal offering. Formulated to smell like "sun on your skin, warm ocean air," and "crystal-clear waters," it's a summery and sophisticated scent that led me back into the celebrity fragrance world for the first time in over a decade. After wearing it for a week, I can attest to its compliment-earning potential.

Fragrance notes: Bergamot essence, lychee, ambrette, solar amber, magnolia petals, frangipani petals, woody coconut, cedarwood essence

XO Blue is a solar scent, a category of perfumes that evokes the warmth of the sun. It achieves this through a sophisticated combination of warm, tropical, and smooth notes. Think amber, frangipani flower, and coconut.

While I'd definitely categorize it as a vacation scent, it's not overly simplistic, citrusy, or sunscreen-like. It's actually incredibly sophisticated and almost a little bit spicy. I think that has everything to do with the notes of bergamot, ambrette, magnolia, and cedarwood. Apparently, I'm not the only one who thinks so. I've been wearing it for a week, and I've already had three people compliment me and/or ask what perfume I was wearing.

The first was my sister, who exclaimed, "What is that? You smell amazing," when I walked past her. The second was a friend who said, "You smell really good." The third was a total stranger who stopped me in a local coffee shop: "Sorry to bother you, but what perfume are you wearing?" That, dear reader, is when you know you've stumbled upon something really, really good. After all, strangers don't just stop you in public for any old perfume.

XO Blue has officially joined my lineup of summer scents. Right now, it's sitting on my vanity next to my other favorite fragrances, including Phlur's Island Swim ($39), The 7 Virtues' Coconut Sun ($94), and Jo Malone's Beach Blossom ($175).

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When I say I love Korean skincare, it's an understatement. I would estimate it makes up about 90% of my routine. I'm talking about essences, moisturizers, hydrogel masks, and more. These products often combine cutting-edge ingredients (PDRN, spicules, and exosomes) with tried-and-true traditional ingredients (mugwort, cica, and ginseng).

I've tried so many Korean skincare products in my lifetime, but rarely do I rate something a 10 out of 10 only a few weeks after I've started to use it. That's the case with a new eye serum that I introduced into my routine a mere 14 days ago. Despite stress, late nights, and lots of travel, it's made a visible improvement. It's de-puffed, firmed, smoothed, and brightened my under-eyes in a way I don't think any other eye product has yet to do. Don't get me wrong. I've been wowed by eye creams before, but this one is next-level. Ahead, learn everything there is to know about this new, highly effective product.

Sulwhasoo First Care Activating Eye Serum

Sulwhasoo is one of the Korean skincare brands I use and recommend the most. Its products are based on decades of scientific research, and they all contain the same hero ingredient: ginseng. Ginseng is a powerful antioxidant that can reduce inflammation, prevent accelerated skin aging, and generally support a healthy-looking complexion.

Its most iconic product is perhaps the First Care Activating Serum ($89). It has a global cult following thanks to its potent formula and incredible anti-aging effects. It incorporates 500-hour-aged ginseng extract with Korean herb extract and a vitamin C derivative to strengthen the skin barrier, improve radiance, and protect against signs of aging. Let's just say it's a best seller for a reason.

When I learned the brand was set to release a matching eye serum, I was interested. After learning the science behind it while on-site in Seoul, South Korea, I was fascinated. After putting it to the test, I was officially sold.

The Ingredients

This eye cream features a high-performance blend of active ingredients:

• 3-Peptide Blend: Improves the look of elasticity and firmness.
• Ginseng Caffeine Complex: Reduces visible puffiness.
• Vitamin C Derivatives: Brightens and minimizes the appearance of dark circles
• Hyaluronic Acid: Hydrates and plumps fine lines

Sulwhasoo invested in clinical studies, and the results speak for themselves. After four weeks, participants saw a 100% improvement in dark circles, a 93% improvement in deep under-eye wrinkles, and a 87% improvement in under-eye puffiness.

My Review

From the start, I loved the packaging. It's shaped like a stylus, and it features a cooling ceramic-tipped applicator that massages the eye serum into the skin, deflates puffiness on contact, and feels nice and refreshing, especially on early mornings. It feels luxurious and ritualistic, and I love that.

Now for my actual results. I've only been using it regularly for two weeks, and I've already seen a massive improvement in my chronic dark circles. They're less prominent than they usually are, even though I've been traveling, working long hours, and entirely off my normal sleep schedule lately. Color me impressed.

I've also noticed it actually de-puffs my eyes (I don't know if I should thank the formula, the ceramic applicator, or both) and, better yet, makes my eye area look tighter and firmer with fewer fine lines caused by stress, dehydration, and lack of sleep. I can't wait to see the results after a few months, rather than weeks, of use.

I apply the eye serum morning and night before moisturizer, eye cream, and SPF. I can confirm it doesn't mess with makeup… at all. In fact, it makes my under-eye area look smoother, plumper, and generally just better whenever I do wear makeup. Needless to say, I'm going to continue to use it. It's a true 10 out of 10.

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