Beauty
What’s Good: New Beauty To Try Right Now
New season, new beauty
I don’t know if it’s the change of season, the rhode launch finally hitting Australia (we’ve set alarms, we’ve refreshed, we’ve secured), or the fact that Hourglass is back in a big way, but beauty feels very alive right now. Skin is glowy but grown-up, lips are blurred and bitten, and there’s a real main-character-on-the-moors energy in the air (only with better brows and a solid SPF50+.)
This month’s new beauty edit is a mix of proper performance formulas: think caffeine, peptides, PDRN, soft-focus makeup and a few “oh, she’s expensive” treats. Consider this your tightly edited but emotionally supportive shortlist.
— Katie x
Faux Lash Mascara
Poni Beauty
Price: $20.00
Oh hello there, Poni! This legacy Aussie beauty brand has had a playful, chic makeover and rolled out its full range for face, eyes and lips into Woolworths. Let me take a moment to hone in on the Faux Lash Mascara though. It builds volume and lift without clumping, and the brush really gets in there to lengthen lashes. For fans of non-flakey lashes (a.k.a everybody..?), it’s also a tubing formula that will last through your morning pilates and 3pm caffeine crash. It also comes in brown, woohoo! Affordable, reliable and slightly overachieving, I did not expect to love a ‘grocery store’ mascara this much.
Speed Hair Dryer
ghd
Price: $595.00
This is a “borrowed it once, now I’m ruined” situation. The 2,100-watt brushless motor is no joke; my hair dried in what felt like half the usual time, and the new Halo Dual-Airflow genuinely smooths rather than just blasting hot air against your scalp. The result is glossy and bouncy, not fluffy and overwhelmed. If you’re committed to the blowout life (especially now we’re all revisiting ANTM drama), this is a serious piece of kit to invest in.
Caffeine Reset
Rhode
Price: $66.00
Australia finally has rhode, and yes, I was online at 6am. A rhode website exclusive (R.I.P my MECCA Beauty Loop), this caffeine-led mask visibly depuffs and wakes up tired skin, but it’s balanced with hydrating, barrier-supporting ingredients so it doesn’t feel tight or overworked. The gel-cream texture is packed with vanillyl butyl ether, peptides and poppy extract, making it light, slightly cooling and perfect under makeup. It’s been another go-to for early mornings and it gives that subtly tightened, more awake look before you’ve even sipped your espresso.
Signature Lip Blush
MERIT
Price: $44.00
My favourite lipsticks just got a new sister. Taking notes from the kissably-soft blurring balms of K-beauty, Lip Blush is sheer pigment meets balmy comfort. With literally zero effort, it enhances your natural lip tone with a satin finish that feels timeless and grown up. I keep coming back to it on minimal makeup days—it’s oh-so wearable, soft and makes everything look pulled together (even when I’m a mess). It almost feels criminal to look this undone and use packaging so classy and chic.
Unreal Liquid Highlighter
Hourglass Cosmetics
Price: $66.00
Spotted at the recent pop-up and immediately swatched. Highlighters have all but disappeared in the past few years, but Hourglass has given this illuminator the same glow-up as their liquid blush. It uses ultra-fine light-reflecting pearls, so the glow is seamless, serum-y and glass-like rather than shiny. I’ve been tapping a tiny amount on cheekbones and even inner corners of the eyes. It catches the light in that subtle, expensive way Hourglass does so well. Unreal is not an exaggeration.
Irresistible Nectar Eau de Parfum
Givenchy Beauty
Price: $245.00
There’s something utterly delectable about spritzing yourself with a Givenchy scent moments before walking out the door, and Irresistible Nectar is no exception. A richer, juicier spin on the original: lush rose florals wrapped in the warm sweetness of pistachio and vanilla wood. It lingers beautifully on skin and feels polished but not prim. I’ve been reaching for it on warmer days when I want something gourmand but not sickly-sweet. Compliments have happened.
Play Daze Airy Liquid Blush
Benefit Cosmetics
Price: $59.00
Is it just me, or is everyone taken notes from the K-and-J Beauty soft blush revolution? I am very much here for it! One of two new Benefit blush launches, the texture of Play Daze has me hooked: almost whipped, featherlight, and it blends before you even panic about overdoing it. It sets to a natural finish (not shiny, not flat) and actually lasts. Apricotta is my fave, and it’s warm and fresh without tipping into orange. We love a ‘matching the packaging to shade’ moment too!
Pink Dew Gel Cleanser
Summer Fridays
Price: $48.00
This has quickly become my ‘bra cleanser’: take it all off as soon as you get home and feel cosy, fresh and comfortable. It’s pH-balanced, lightly foaming and uses gentle plant-derived surfactants to remove makeup and SPF without stripping. Afterwards, your skin feels clean but still cushioned—no squeak, no tightness. There’s a subtle post-cleanse glow that makes you linger in the mirror for a second longer than necessary, and that’s just what you want from a skincare staple. Plus, it smells divine.
Double Serum 2-in-1 Hybrid Foundation
Clarins
Price: $95.00
Now here’s an interesting concept, just look at this packaging! Talk about skincare-meets-makeup done properly. Inspired by the cult favourite Double Serum, it delivers medium, radiant coverage while hydrating and smoothing. The formula feels comfortable and wearable all day and gives that luminous-but-not-shiny finish. A solid choice when you want glow without looking glazed, with added skincare benefits over time.
Serpentine eau de Parfum
Roberto Cavalli
Price: $69.99
Roberto Cavalli is in their renaissance era. This fragrance truly has something for everyone: it’s warm, floral and slightly spicy with a confident, evening energy. Pink pepper and blackcurrant open up to a floral heart of jasmine, lavender, saffron and rose, with Madagascar vanilla, tonka bean, and patchouli rounding out this captivating scent. Did I mention the gold serpent on the bottle becomes a removable bracelet? For $70, it feels far more expensive than it is. A little dramatic (but in a good way.)
Airbrush Flawless Blur Concealer
Charlotte Tilbury
Price: $57.00
I’ve been wearing this under my eyes on repeat and it’s dangerously reliable for a 6am start. It’s full coverage, yes, but the smoothing hyaluronic acid and Phytoyouth Essence give it that flex and slip, so it doesn’t settle into every fine line by 10am. It brightens without looking stark and somehow makes you look like you slept properly, even when you absolutely did not. The finish is soft-focus satin (very polished, very Charlotte) but still believable up close.
Lipid Enriched Cleansing Balm
MURAD
Price: $65.00
A cleansing balm is a non-negotiable first step for cleansing, and Murad’s newest one is such a joy to use. Rich in barrier-supporting lipids, it balm melts down makeup and SPF effortlessly with a single twist-and-shave of product (extremely satisfying to dispense). It emulsifies easily and rinses clean, leaving skin soft and properly nourished, not stripped. I’ve been using it on heavy makeup days and it makes the whole removal process feel luxurious rather than aggressive.
Warm Wishes Soft Matte Powder Bronzer
Rare Beauty
Price: $51.00
As a ‘Fair-to-Light-Foundation-category’ pale girl, I love a bronzer that doesn’t shout. Rare Beauty knows just how to do that. This is finely milled, softly matte and blurs as it warms. No obvious shimmer, no muddiness. I’ve been using it lightly through the temples and under cheekbones and it just makes everything look more intentional. With rave reviews throughout the entire shade range, it’s giving “I’ve been outside and also I drink water,” which is the energy we’re chasing.
Glow Blur
Barry M Beauty
Price: $24.95
Barry M is another of the affordable brands that has really pleasantly snuck up in recent years, and their products are rivalling top-end performers. Glow Blur immediately called my name: a very clever, very glowy 4-in-1 base that primes and softens the look of pores while adding a light-reflective sheen. I like it under foundation for a bit of extra radiance (think Flawless Filter results), or alone on low-key days while I WFH. It punches well above its price tag.
Lip Stain
Summer Fridays
Price: $38.00
A double-up entry from Summer Fridays! This time, in the makeup realm. Lip stains are really having a moment, and this one is water-based, lightweight and genuinely long-wearing. It sinks in quickly and leaves that soft, bitten stain that fades evenly instead of cracking or bleeding out. The applicator is also small but mighty; great for precision and optimal poutiness. I’ve been wearing the shade ‘Maple’ with just mascara and brushed brows and calling it a day.
Photoderm Suncare Lotion SPF50+
Bioderma
Price: $23.99
A new sunscreen has entered the chat. Bioderma’s Photoderm Suncare Lotion is a broad-spectrum SPF50+ with lightweight chemical filters that leave the skin soft, hydrated and fresh, and can even be used on sensitive skin (rejoice!). It’s fragrance free so doesn’t carry that icky sunscreen-y smell, and can be applied directly on wet skin—because you should always be reapplying once you come out of the water. Quite simply, it’s sun protection that feels like skincare, and can be used on the face and body for the ultimate saving hack.
Pinky Lip Glaze
Go-To
Price: $30.00
ICYMI: Go-To is no longer just for skin. Already boasting a range of new beauty products like the Ring Light Illuminator, Glowy Blush and primer duo, the newest addition focuses on the lips with a hint of tint. Packed with nourishing jojoba oil and kakadu plum extract, this gives that juicy, glassy finish without the sticky trauma. It smooths, softens and makes lips look fresher without any fuss. A throw-in-every-bag kind of gloss.
Powder Kiss Hazy Matte Lipstick
M.A.C
Price: $44.00
I swear I manifested this reboot into reality, because the day before this news came across my desk, I was hyping up the OG powder kiss formula as one of the most underrated. This new-gen Hazy Matte version uses a powder-and-pigment delivery system infused with 54% more hydration, which is why it feels nothing like the dry mattes of 2016. It’s blurred, soft and slightly undone—kinda like you pressed colour in with your fingers in the back of an Uber. It’s worth picking up if you’re leaning into that hazy, smudged edge rather than sharp liner look. It’s still romantic, but low effort.
Brow Guru Cutting Edge Pencil
MECCA MAX
Price: $24.00
MECCA MAX has been bringing the bangers this year, quietly but confidently filling out its complexion portfolio. Now, it’s time for brows to get the affordable quality MECCA makeover they deserve. This is an angled, ultra-fine tip that means you can sketch in believable hair strokes without accidentally going full 2016 block brow. The formula has enough wax to hold but still glides, and it has an in-built spoolie on the end for added softening and fluffiness. For $24, it’s kind of outrageous how good it is.
Water Bank Aqua Facial
Laneige
Price: $55.00
Everyone knows—and loves—the Laneige Water Bank Range by now, and this new serum is a worthy addition. A must-have for glass skin enthusiasts, this gel-like serum is all about deep hydration without weight, powered by a winning combo of hyaluronic acid, PGA and PDRN (everyone’s new fave). It absorbs quickly and leaves skin plumper and smoother, ideal under makeup when the air starts to turn cooler and everything feels a bit tight.
The Vitamin C Serum
Augustinus Bader
Price: $595.00
Let’s address it: $595. Yep, It’s a commitment. But also, Augustinus Bader. A first of it’s kind formula, it combines a stable vitamin C derivative with the brand’s TFC8 complex to support radiance and skin renewal. It’s lightweight, sinks in fast and leaves that luminous, even finish that makes you double-check your reflection in the work bathroom (“Is that really my skin?”). It feels indulgent—and performs like it knows it is.
Founder Spotlight
Everyday Diamonds: How Carat Cake Is Redefining Modern Jewellery
...
Shopping Guide
Shop It: Boxing Day Sales
...
Shopping Guide
New Addition Flex: Items The En-Route Team Can’t Get Enough Of This Month
...
◼ Filed under Beauty , Face
Introducing the Somatic Beauty Movement
Bold, Fierce, Divine: Jean Paul Gaultier’s Newest Fragrance Is Here
◼ Filed under Beauty
Sweet, Spicy & Blushed: rhode Is Serving Up A Fresh Spring Lineup
Including the brand's first ever red blush...
Read More Beauty
Read More From En Route
Just In! Be In The Know Fridays
Culture
03/26
Shop It: Our Easter Chocolate Edit
Culture , Eats & Sips
03/26
Just In! Be In The Know Fridays
Culture
03/26
come En-Route with us
Sign-up for our newsletter.
By clicking "submit", you agree to receive emails from En-Route and accept our privacy and cookie policy.
En-route to
