Editors' Picks: New launches from Karen Betts, Ouai, Sol de Janeiro and more...
Here are the top beauty launch picks of the week from TheIndustry.beauty team.
KB Pen, Karen Betts
I like the idea of a beauty product designed to be refilled rather than constantly replaced, so Karen Betts’ new KB Pen stood out to me - particularly its description as the “world’s first luxury, customisable beauty tool”, offering a beauty system for the eyes, lips and brows.
The amount of lip liners and eyeliners I have gone through is shocking, so having a long-term beauty tool rather than constantly buying disposable liners feels like a great idea. The brand says the KB Pen uses less plastic than traditional disposable mechanical gel pencils, while still containing the equivalent amount of formula.
At £95 for the pen and £25 for each cartridge, it is obviously more of an investment than the disposable options on the market. However, I think it is interesting to see luxury beauty moving towards products that can be kept and reused rather than thrown away once they run out. As the industry continues to think more seriously about disposable plastics and sustainability, I will be interested to see whether the refillable approach becomes more common.
I also like that the product feels more elevated and luxurious because it has been designed with sustainability in mind, rather than despite it.
Catherine Rowe-Kosary, Junior Writer.
HYDROGEN² SERUM, Dr. Barbara Sturm
Dr. Barbara Sturm is once again setting a new standard in the beauty industry. The brand is now introducing what it calls the world’s first activated molecular hydrogen infusion technology, H2MT, designed to combat oxidative stress and visible inflammation.
Specifically, the technology makes it possible to freshly infuse and deliver activated molecular hydrogen directly to the skin, thereby unlocking cellular vitality. It also selectively neutralizes free radicals, aids cellular detox, protects collagen and elastin integrity, and soothes inflammation.
I didn’t know this, but according to Dr. Sturm, hydrogen is not only an antioxidant powerhouse with immense biological potential, but also the smallest molecule in the world.
Due to its size, the molecule can diffuse through skin tissue, enter cells and even reach the mitochondria, where oxidative stress originates, and can then selectively target the most destructive free radicals.
Given its size, you can imagine it’s a rather difficult molecule to work with. As Dr. Sturm explains, the molecule is known among scientists and bioengineers as the “Houdini molecule” and has so far escaped skincare formulation efforts. Enter Dr. Sturm, who has managed to capture the errant molecule and is able to harness its unique properties.
The new technology is going to be applied two-fold. On the one hand, it will be applied in a spa-exclusive treatment, which is clinically proven to reinstate skin vitality in one treatment. For those who want to continue the treatment at home, the HYDROGEN² SERUM also contains the technology.
Camilla Rydzek, Senior News & Features Writer.
Intense Perfume Mist collection, Sol de Janeiro
Sol de Janeiro has unveiled its new Intense Perfume Mist collection - the brand’s boldest and longest-lasting fragrance experience yet. And, given the cult status of its existing scent collection, I have no doubt these new launches are set to be just as coveted.
Blending the effortless appeal of a fragrance mist with the lasting presence of a prestige fragrance, the new collection offers a richer, more concentrated take on Sol de Janeiro’s much-loved Cheirosa scents, with up to 10 hours of fragrance.
Inspired by the warm, radiant glow of Rio de Janeiro’s golden hour, each scent is built around a signature solar ambery accord. The line-up includes a new Cheirosa 74 Intense Perfume Mist, alongside Cheirosa 62 Intense Perfume Mist and Cheirosa 59 Intense Perfume Mist.
Available exclusively at Boots, the Intense Perfume Mist collection retails for £34.
Sophie Smith, News Editor & Senior Writer.
Holiday Gift Sets, Ouai
Is it too early to start thinking about Christmas gifts? I think not!
You can now send your loved ones on their ‘merry Ouai’ with the brand's holiday gift sets, featuring its leading haircare, bodycare and fragrances. There are four gifts to choose from in the range:
Get on your Merry Ouai with a three-piece haircare kit made for holiday season survival. Whether you’re refreshing second-day hair, washing away party-season buildup or prepping strands for a night of heat styling, this kit has you covered from wash day to way past midnight. Including cult favourites Detox Shampoo, Leave In Conditioner and Super Dry Shampoo.
Holiday parties, heat styling, colour appointments and winter weather can all take their toll. Enter the Healthy Hair for the Holidays Kit: a two-step routine designed to reset, repair and replenish hair for a softer, healthier-looking finish. Including new Bond Repair Balm alongside Detox Shampoo..
Say hello to St. Barts Solid Fragrance Ornament, a limited-edition take on the iconic St. Barts scent and the first time the fragrance is available in a solid format. Housed in an easy-to-gift ornament, it’s made for slipping into a stocking, adding to a suitcase or keeping close whenever you need a little getaway.
The ’Tis the Season for St. Barts Kit brings together Ouai's Body Cleanser, Leave In Conditioner and Hair & Body Mist, all in the brand’s signature St. Barts scent. With notes of dragon fruit, orange blossom, tuberose and musk, it’s a tropical vacay in a spray - or, should we say, only a spray a-OUAI.
Available at Lookfantastic, Cult Beauty, Amazon, Space NK, Boots, ASOS, Selfridges, Sephora and John Lewis. Gift sets are priced at £41 each, while the St. Barts Solid Fragrance Ornament has an RRP of £34.
Antony Hawman, Co-founder & Chief Partnerships Officer.
