Raise your hand if it feels like October came and went far quicker than you would’ve liked?
Us too, but the upside is it’s time to do our monthly beauty wrap up.
Here you’ll find reviews of the most exciting new October beauty launches from our lifestyle writers and in-house beauty junkies, and thoughts on the cult products we’ll never not love.
So sit back, get your debit card ready and enjoy.
Before we get into it, here’s exactly how to remove acrylic nails at home. Post continues after video.
1. Heimish Bulgarian Rose Water Hydrogel Eye Patches, 60 pack for $21.06.
"Having this tub of squishy, glittery, rose-scented eye masks on hand makes my mornings feel so luxe. They are packed full of niacinamide and hyaluronic acid so they really hit back at my dark circles each morning, and as a total bonus, they catch my eye shadow fall out when I do my eye makeup each day! I feel very #extra when I walk around the house with these on and my fluffy bathrobe." - Maddie Swan, Client Services Executive.
2. Heimish All Clean Green Foam Cleanser, $17.57.
"Behold, a perfect dupe for the $49 Drunk Elephant Beste™ No. 9 Jelly Cleanser! As someone who is prone to dryness and fine lines, I find my skin loves a cleanser that has a low PH, is glycerin-based and fragrance-free. It has a super fun jelly texture and even has the power to remove tough eye makeup, without the oily residue some makeup removers leave. This brand is my new obsession." - Maddie Swan, Client Services Executive.
3. Flower Lash Warrior Mascara, $9.99.
"I'm not a mascara person but I've been putting off my eyelash tint appointment for ages, so here we are. I have tried a few pharmacy mascaras lately and haven't been blown away, but the biggest win for this one is no flaking or black smudging under my eyes. The brush is what the brand is calling a 'Spiked Warrior' shape, which I find helps to catch every single lash." - Amy Clark, Senior Lifestyle Writer.
4. No Pong All-Natural Anti-Odourant, $6.95.
"I've just returned from a three-week 'outdoorsy' holiday, during which I very vigorously tested out this natural deodorant from No Pong. It's aluminium and bicarb-free (just in case you're sensitive) and legitimately works. Trust me, there was a four-day, showerless hike involved in this experiment, and this little pot of wonder pulled through." - Jess Wang, Lifestyle Writer.
5. Tatcha The Indigo Cream, $130.
"I love this cream because I have light eczema on my eyelids, especially in the colder months, and this is the only thing that moisturises without irritation. It has real indigo as an active ingredient which is a natural inflammatory!" - Bushra Khalid, Client Services Manager.
6. Flower Glow Getter Liquid Illuminizer, $9.99.
"I talked about this liquid illuminating product on my Instagram Stories because I think I'm using it... wrong. Some might say to dab a few dots of the pearlescent pink liquid on your cheekbones, down the nose or wherever you want glow, but I've been slathering it on as an illuminating primer. The shimmer is hectic but don't be scared because once you pop your foundation/tinted moisturiser over the top, the finish is very lit from within. The consistency of the liquid is also a bit sticky, which makes it an excellent base for makeup." - Amy Clark, Senior Lifestyle Writer.
7. Philosophy When Hope Is Not Enough Omega 3-6-9 Replenishing Oil, $65.
"Between changing seasons, office air-con and flying on planes, my skin has been feeling a little dehydrated and neglected of late, but this facial oil is giving it the TLC it clearly needs. I pat four or five drops into my face between my toner and night cream, and the nourishing, and weightless omega 3-6-9 complex quickly brings back the 'pep' back into my skin." - Jess Wang, Lifestyle Writer.
8. MUD Pure Matte Liquid Lipsticks in Nude Kiss and Berry Spice, $7.
"The texture of these liquid lipsticks is pretty spot on. Not too runny, not too drying and not too wet. The colours are gorgeous and have great staying power. They are a touch drying (as all liquid lipsticks), but I like to pat a light layer of clear balm over the top to revive them." - Amy Clark, Senior Lifestyle Writer.
9. Clinique Pretty Easy Liquid Eyelining Pen, $41.
"Leigh Campbell recommended this eyeliner to me when I was looking to try something new and I'm very glad she did. It's so easy to use. The tapered brush allows for precision and it's pretty much impossible to stuff up." - Polly Taylor, Commissioning Editor.
10. Lady Jayne Bec + Bridge Limited Edition Scrunchie, $8.99, and Lady Jayne Luxe Scrunchies, 3 pack for $19.99.
"Yeah. I'm that b*tch who only wears their hair up in silk scrunchies now. I love spiral hair ties too, but for whacking my hair up for my commute or sleeping with my hair in buns to create heat-less waves, you can't beat these great silk scrunchies. No dents, no breakage. And they're really cute." - Amy Clark, Senior Lifestyle Writer.
11. EGO SunSense Daily Face SPF50+, $14.99.
"I have to admit, for a long time, I wasn't using face sunscreen every day. I know, my bad. But now there's just no excuse with all the great tinted face sunscreens available. This one is oil-free and non-greasy, with a really lightweight matte finish and no overpowering smell. I use it daily under makeup, and on the weekends when I only want super sheer coverage, it's all I wear." - Tamara Davis, Commissioning Editor.
12. Benefit Boi-ing Cakeless Concealer, $38.
"Having tried and loved the original Benefit Boi-ing pot concealer, I was very excited to try this liquid version. I love it so much and took so many photos of myself with it on because it made me look really, bloody good. The product has a light consistency but there's some substance to it, and the slanted brush applicator looks a lot like a lip gloss applicator but it works because it's bendy and great for precise application. There's no fragrance to the formula and you can see the finish will be luminous as soon as you put it on. I also found it really easy to blend out despite its high coverage-ness." - Amy Clark, Senior Lifestyle Writer. (You can read Amy's full review of seven new concealers here.)
13. Kat Von D Beauty Studded Kiss Creme Lipstick in Lolita, $30.
"I was gifted this Kat Von D lipstick and it’s honestly one of the best lipsticks I’ve owned. It’s super-creamy so it doesn’t dry out your lips but doesn’t feel too thick either. It also lasts all day. I’ve got the Lolita colour and it’s such a lovely colour that goes with everything - from work to drinks later in the day." - Melody Teh, Managing Editor.
14. Clarins SOS Primer No.06 Bronze, $50.
"I love the original shade of this primer and the brand's summer version is just as great. You're paying for a primer, bronzer and liquid illuminator all in one. It doesn't offer coverage, but you can wear it on its own after skincare or under foundation for a bronzed glow. I love it for when I don't want to wear makeup but want my skin to look like I don't need makeup." - Amy Clark, Senior Lifestyle Writer.
15. Tata Harper Repairative Moisturizer, $209.
"I was looking for a dupe for my previous fave (It Cosmetics: Confidence in a Cream)... and I accidentally wound up with a more expensive moisturiser (???) BUT it’s worth the money. Gel-like consistency, sinks in straight away and my skin is absolutely loving it." - Lucy Neville, Executive Assistant.
16. This Works Stress Check Breathe In, $31.
"Another travelling must-have. When you're restricted in the amount of magic lotions and potions available to you, you really start to value the small luxuries. I loved applying this on my pulse points - temple, wrists, the sides of my neck where my lymph nodes are - and it made long car, plane, and bus journeys infinitely more pleasant and spa-like. The metal roller-ball application is fabulously cooling to the touch, and the eucalyptus-based scent reminded me of home." - Jess Wang, Lifestyle Writer.
17. Charlotte Tilbury Hot Lips 2 Lipstick in Red Hot Susan, $57.
"This is me in a lipstick. No, my name isn't Susan but the Susan Sarandon this orangey-red lipstick shade was inspired by is an icon. It's the same semi-matte formula as Charlotte Tilbury's other lipsticks, but they come in luxe refillable patterned bullets." - Amy Clark, Senior Lifestyle Writer.
18. Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturizing Lotion + Active Cartridge Concentrate for Irritation, $65.
"The Clinique moisturiser in the yellow bottle reminds me of going into Myer as a tween, but now they come with great cartridge inserts to customise the product based on your skin concerns. I love the green cartridge because it's great for soothing redness and irritation." - Amy Clark, Senior Lifestyle Writer.
19. Kat Von D Lock-It Setting Powder, $24.
"With summer rolling in quick, I can personally attest to a setting powder being my best friend. This translucent option from Kat Von D is a new favourite. It sets my makeup, eliminates shine and contains micro-blurring powders that leave you looking noticeably glowier and 'more perfected'. Think of it as an Instagram filter in a box." - Jess Wang, Lifestyle Writer.
20. Rae Morris Invisible Mattifier Powder, $80.
"This is quite possibly the strangest product I've come across recently. I had no idea what to do with it or how to use it... The product looks like a clear pressed gel and not like any powder I've seen before. It's silicone-based, which is why it does such a great job of setting makeup. Apply with a brush like any other powder and gently dab or brush the product where you want it. Trust me, the experience of using it doesn't get less weird, but the result is amazing." - Amy Clark, Senior Lifestyle Writer.
21. Panasonic EH-NA98 Advanced Moisture Infusing Hair Dryer, $349.
"OK, I was dubious about a hairdryer that claims to 'reduce damage'. That's the main reason I've been letting my hair dry naturally for 10 years. BUT this brand new beauty tool is proven to reduce split ends and even infuses locks with moisture. I've been using it for a few weeks now and have definitely noticed the difference. My hair looks and feels smoother, unlike with other dryers where it's left coarse and frizzy. 10/10 worth it if you use a hairdryer practically daily - think of the cost-per-use." - Tamara Davis, Commissioning Editor.
These products have been editorially curated because our team love them and reckon you will too.
Have you tried any of our favourite products from this month? Tell us in the comments!
You can read more beauty roundups below:
- August beauty roundup: 23 beauty products we're loving sick this month.
- September beauty roundup: 23 beauty products we're loving sick this month.
Want to chat more about beauty? We've got a podcast for that. For helpful advice, interviews and great exxy and budget beauty recommendations, get the You Beauty podcast in your ears below.