Last year saw some incredible beauty launches, from Kylie Jenner’s debut fragrance to No7’s Future Renew SPF and Shark’s LED therapy mask. But if January is anything to go by, it looks like 2025 is going to be an even bigger year for skincare breakthroughs, scent-sational perfumes and new makeup must-haves.
Since the start of the year, we’ve already seen dozens of new products hit the market, and our beauty team have been hard at work trying out as many as we could get our mitts on. Now, it’s been a difficult task, but we’ve managed to pick out a few of our favourites – and with payday finally here, there’s never been a better time to treat yourself.
One thing we’ve noticed as we step into 2025 is it seems as though brands are seriously pushing the boundaries and thinking outside the box with cutting-edge formulas, bold new shades and skincare that seemingly deliver results faster than ever before.
I asked 16 celebrities what their must-have beauty product is and this is what they told me
Best No7 makeup and skincare products to buy from Boots according to beauty writers
We’ve seen Lisa Eldridge launch her soon-to-be-legendary Pinpoint Concealer, Huda Beauty dare to release a lilac setting powder, and Medik8’s newest serum promises to diminish the look of expression lines in just 10 minutes. Fragrance is also expected to be huge in 2025, with Marc Jacobs hot out of the gate with the new Glow Eau So Fresh Eau De Toilette, while Elemis has reinvented their iconic award-winning cleanser with a delicious Black Cherry scent.
So, after swatching, spritzing and smoothing on countless products, these are our top picks of the launches this month:
Marc Jacobs’ New Daisy Glow Eau So Fresh Perfume – Lookfantastic £79
Upon first spritz of the new Glow Eau So Fresh Eau De Toilette from Marc Jacobs, I knew instantly that it’s going to be my go-to scent for 2025. With floral notes of violet and fresh, zesty pear, grapefruit and raspberry, the fragrance is a refreshing burst of flavour that last for hours on end and lingers on your clothes.
While the scent itself is akin to running through a woodland filled with fresh flowers – one I am happy to wear from winter through to the summer – the bottle is also a real eye-catcher.
Coming in a curved, vibrant butter yellow bottle, the Marc Jacobs spritz is topped off with the brand’s signature feature – a cap adorned with daisies. But this time, the centre of the daisies are coloured in neon hues of green, pink and purple.
This perfume not only looks great on my beauty shelf, but smells divine. Being an eau de toilette, it doesn’t last all day, but a second spritz in the afternoon doesn’t bother me too much. Get it here.
The Inkey List’s Ectoin Hydro-Barrier Serum – £15
Launching just a few weeks ago, The Inkey List’s new ectoin-packed hydrating serum, here, has received a lot of love for not only leaving your skin deeply hydrated in just 15 minutes, but tackles ageing and works to banish dullness, dryness, redness, flakiness and slackness.
Giving your skin its bounce back, the serum is non-tacky and works great underneath make-up.
Trying the serum out for myself, I love the glow it gave my skin after applying it after cleansing myself, I found that after a few days of use, my complexion looked brighter and slightly more firm.
At £15, it’s a really decent budget serum that helps strengthen your skin’s barrier as well as boosts its quality and health – especially during the colder, winter months.
Get it here.
Refy’s Face Sculpt – £38
REFY introduced its newest moisturiser and beauty tool at the start of January and since it’s launch, it has garnered some pretty stellar praise. The Face Sculpt is a two-in-one that not only moisturises your skin with its lightweight gel-cream formula but sculpts and defines your features too.
Packed with patented Inst’Tight as well as glycerin and provitamin B5, the moisturiser helps plump, hydrate, reduce fine lines and redness. Meanwhile, the tool used to apply the moisturiser lifts and sculpts thanks to its metal roller ball applicator, which was crafted taking inspiration from the process of lymphatic drainage.
Those who got their hands on the £38 product when it launched have been left in awe of the results, with one shopper raving: “This is a product I never knew I needed! I love the sculpting element to the applicator, I’ve really noticed it defines my features after using it. The formula is super soft but also glowy and leaves my skin feeling amazing.”
Another remarked: “Obsessed with Face Sculpt as a new addition to my routine. Skin feels hydrated, dewy, plump and SCULPTED – instant results but have also noticed a difference over time with this product as well. New favourite!!”
The only slight negative aspect of REFY’s Face Sculpt is that one customer shared this slight downside: “The only thing is, with active acne I cannot use the applicator as it hurts but the face sculpt serum helps reduce the redness.”
Get the Face Sculpt tool and moisturiser from REFY here for £38.
Elemis Pro-Collagen Black Cherry Cleansing Balm – £49
There are few cleansers as cult-loved as the Elemis Pro-Collagen Cleansing Balm, and now, it comes in a dangerously delicious Black Cherry fragrance . As soon as I saw it, I knew I needed it in my skincare routine – and as luck would have it, I was nearing the end of my OG tub anyway.
Skincare fans can expect the same dreamy formula boasting nourishing oils like Starflower, Elderberry and Optimega, alongside marine algae, padina pavonica, rose and mimosa waxes. But this time, as it breaks down makeup, SPF and grime, users are treated to a decadent scent of black cherry, almond and vanilla. It’s essentially dessert in skincare form.
Our shopping editor, Laura, tried out the formula, and said: “Admittedly, it isn’t the strongest when you first open the lid, but as soon as you scoop some out and massage it between your hands and onto you face, the fragrance is released. And it’s utterly delicious: sweet and juicy yet comforting and grown up, thanks to the vanilla and almond notes. I think it smells like a cross between a posh fizzy cherry sweet and a posh Bakewell tart, and it really does make removing your make-up an enjoyable experience.”
Priced at £49, it’s not the cheapest cleanser, but if you are still craving that cherry skincare hit on a smaller budget, Fenty’s Cherry Dub Pore Purify’r Gel Cleanser is currently on offer for £25.60 at Boots.
Huda Beauty Easy Bake in Ube Birthday Cake – £34
When Huda Beauty creates a new collection of products, the whole beauty world stands up to listen. As such, when the queen of cosmetics announced a new trio in a rather unusual shade — well, it’s safe to say that my ears pricked up.
The makeup mogul released the exclusive new ‘Ube’ colour collection on January 10, which is a striking electric lilac hue. The collection includes the Easy Bake Powder in Ube Birthday, the Blush Filter in Ube Cream, and finally, the Faux-Filler Lip Gloss in UUU-Baby.
According to Kattan, the new shades are best suited to medium to tan skin tones with warm to gold undertones. Together, they deliver a flawless, blurred-skin finish for an almost filter-like effect.
My personal favourite has to be the Easy Bake. The rosy tones immediately brightened and blurred my under-eye area, giving it an instantly airbrushed effect. The formula is lightweight and super silky, making it ideal for people like me who often shy away from setting powders. You can read my full review of the collection here.
Kylie Cosmetics Natural Blur Powder Foundation – £29
Celeb-founded cosmetic brands can be seriously hit and miss, but one a-lister who continues to deliver time and again – whether it’s a best-selling fragrance or coveted lip kit – is Kylie Jenner. Now, the youngest of the Jenner-Kardashian clan has released the ultimate ‘hack to satin skin’ with her Natural Blur Powder Foundation.
The new product promises a ‘naturally blurred matte finish that lasts up to 12 hours’, delivering the perfect satin skin look. It’s a talc-free, breathable formula provides medium buildable coverage while smoothing the appearance of pores, fine lines and skin texture.
Coming in at £29, it works to reduce excess oil and control shine for a light matte finish while being ‘sweat and humidity-proof’. Formulated with bamboo powder and aloe barbadensis leaf extract, it’s hydrating and reports to be non-comedogenic, meaning it won’t clog pores, nor will it give flashback in photos – which is a major factor when choosing the right foundation.
When I tried it, the powder actually blurred my skin in seconds and left it looking smooth and almost airbrushed, reducing shine and texture in my T-zone and brightening my overall complexion. It blurred the appearance of pores and texture, setting my makeup in place while maintaining a natural finish. I probably could have done with a better colour match, as I needed to go back in with some bronzer afterwards to warm my complexion back up, but overall, I was actually really pleased with the results.
Medik8 Liquid Peptides Advanced MP
Here at The Mirror we’re big fans of skincare brand Medik8, and its newest anti-ageing serum sounds like it might just be the brand’s most impressive product to date. The Liquid Peptides Advanced MP is a super-smart serum that’s clinically proven to diminish the look of expression lines in just 10 minutes and deep-set wrinkles in eight weeks.
While we acknowledge that ‘Botox in a bottle’s isn’t actually a thing, Medik8 says that Liquid Peptides Advanced MP, which costs £79, ‘delivers a proven visible wrinkle relaxation effect’, and makes a great at-home partner to professional neurotoxin injections. It does this through a clever ‘multi-peptide complex’ including Matrixyl 3000, and ingredient we’ve seen in the likes of No7’s Protect & Perfect Intense Advanced Serum.
And while it’s a little too soon for Medik8 customers to report on results after eight weeks, many have taken to the reviews section to share their five-star first impressions. “I really love this product. It glides on and sinks in and I can see a difference to the finish of my skin. It is smoother and the wrinkles around my eyes less defined. A brilliant product!” one person wrote.
Another, however, had a problem with the packaging, writing: “Tried a free sample. It was fine. I don’t think I used it long enough to have a solid opinion. I wasn’t a huge fan of the packaging.”
Lisa Eldridge Pinpoint Concealer Micro Correcting Pencil – £27
If you’re someone who often has blemishes, post-breakout marks and other skin imperfections that you want to cover up, then you’ll want to know about Lisa Eldridge’s latest launch, the top makeup artist is renowned for her ‘pinpointing concealing’ technique – so much so that she has even trademarked the term. As such, it was probably only a matter of time until Lisa launched a product to quickly and easily do exactly this: enter the Pinpoint Concealer Micro Correcting Pencil, £27.
Although it may look like an eyeliner, this twist-up complexion pencil is so soft and creamy on the skin, and doesn’t drag or scratch the skin. It’s so easy to precisely dot on exactly where it’s needed, and blends out really easily with a few taps of your fingers. Once it’s set, it stays put well all day.
OK beauty and wellness editor, Laura, said: “In these photos I’ve applied a light layer of Lisa’s Seamless Skin Enhancing Tint first (an excellent hydrating, sheer face base), then dotted on Pinpoint Concealer where I need more coverage: on old blemish marks, over a faint bruise under my eye from a recent treatment, and on patches of redness around my nose (I wear shade 4). The result is a very naturally perfected finish with imperfections erased but skin still looking like skin, like using the ‘patch’ function on Facetune.”
Liz Earle Superskin Advanced Bi-Phase Brightening Essence – £26
Another household name kicking the year off with a new launch is Liz Earle with their Superskin Advanced Bi-Phase Brightening Essence, which is proven to visibly reduce dark spots in 14 days. The new addition to the Superskin Advanced range targets the appearance of uneven skin tone and pigmentation whilst leaving skin visibly smoother.
The Brightening Essence complements the existing Superskin Advanced routine, consisting of the Superskin Advanced Nourishing Cleansing Balm and Firming Serum-in-Moisturiser, which launched in January 2024, with the latter being biggest premium skincare launch at Boots last year – so we can expect the Bi-Phase Brightening Essence to be equally as popular.
The Superskin Advanced Bi-Phase Brightening Essence is powered by a hard-working blend of ingredients, including acacia tree extract, a plant-based alternative to collagen which mimics the moisturising benefits of collagen, leaving skin feeling firmer, plumper, and nourished. Meanwhile, Pomegranate Extract is rich in antioxidants which helps to even the appearance of uneven skin tone, with cranberry seed oil being packed with skin-plumping essential fatty acids.
Liz Earle Beauty Co Phytochemist, Dr Liz Gisbourne, commented on the new launch: “A cause of visible signs of skin aging is the loss of collagen, in fact, after the age of 20, skin loses about 1% of its collagen each year. Our skin starts to become duller, increases in dark spots and sees a significant tension decrease, aka sagging skin. Our plant-based collagen alternative range is targeted at the visible plumpness of the skin and 93% of those who tested the full regime said they saw visibly plumper skin in just 14 days.”
Phlur’s Golden Rule perfume – £99
Phlur, renowned for its enticing and playful fragrances, has built a reputation for crafting modern, expressive, and irresistibly appealing scents. The newest addition to their collection is Golden Rule (£99), described as a ‘bold and confident scent’ that combines notes of mandarin, pink pepper, vanilla, coconut milk, and orange flowers.
Initially, the fragrance is sweet and welcoming, but as it settles, it evolves into something more sultry and seductive, making it an ideal choice for date nights, especially with Valentine’s Day fast approaching. Although Golden Rule offers a blend of sweetness and sophistication that garnered me compliments as soon as I wore it, the scent did fade after a few hours.
Therefore, I would recommend opting for the 9.5ml travel-size version (£29) if you like having a fragrance at your disposal for quick refreshes throughout the day.
Paula’s Choice Pro-Collagen Peptide Gloss Balm – £26
Peptides have recently gained popularity in the beauty industry for their capacity to boost the skin’s natural collagen production, enhancing firmness and hydration. Paula’s Choice is the newest beauty brand to embrace this trend with its Pro-Collagen Peptide Launch, featuring a luxurious gel-cream moisturiser and gloss balm.
As someone who values multi-tasking beauty essentials, the balm has swiftly become a staple in my handbag— and rightly so. The chilly weather (seriously, when will it stop?) often leaves my lips dry and chapped, but this gloss is a game-changer.
Its angled applicator allows for a smooth application, instantly refreshing and smoothing my lips. It strikes the perfect balance between a glossy finish and long-lasting hydration without feeling sticky.
My favourite trick is to apply a generous layer before bed. By morning, my lips feel soft, plump and ready for the day. Plus, the vibrant pink tube adds a fun splash of colour to my bedside table — what’s not to love?
Clinique’s Even Better Clinical Vitamin Foundation- £39
Skincare and make-up brand Clinique is kicking off 2025 with the release of a new foundation as part of its Even Better line. Over the last few years, the beauty industry has seen buyers shift from full-coverage foundations to skin tints and lighter-formulated skin products, and the brand’s new offering ticks all the right boxes.
The lightweight foundation has SPF50, which is considerably higher than most foundations, which usually contain a lower SPF of around 25-40. It is a vitamin-infused formula packed with Vitamin B3, Vitamin C, and Vitamin E.
It promises a radiant finish and is fragrance-free, so it is suitable for sensitive skin. It promises to feel ‘weightless’ on the skin. It’s offered in 26 shades at Boots, which is disappointing when you compare it to brands such as Fenty or MAC, which offer up to 40 shades in foundations, concealers, and skin tints.
I’d say if you have very oily skin, this might not be for you. Although it is oil-free, it has a glowy finish, which may not wear well throughout the day unless you heavily powder it down (which kind of defeats the purpose of a radiant finish foundation).
The formula of the foundation is non-comedogenic, which means it does not have the potential to clog pores in the skin. It also claims to not leave a grey cast on your skin.
Jones Road Gel Liner – £24
Jones Road’s gel liner is back and it’s back for good. I used the Bobbi Brown Longwear Gel Liner in the good old days but writer Tiffany found that drying. With the Jones Road Gel Liner, the formula is really creamy as what it was described on the website and it glides on my eyelids effortlessly with one to two swipes.
The violet colour, which Bobbi said it’s her favourite, is almost giving a slight mocha tone that uplifts and brings attention to the eyes. Tiffany said: “I used my own precision eyeliner brush and took a slight amount of product out of the glass pot and lined it along my lashes.
“I started from the middle and drew it in a dab motion before blending it into a line. I extended the liner along my lashes and created a subtle wing. Trust me, this gives off an illusion of bigger eyes. Though the Gel Liner is said to be transfer-resistant for all day-wear, that’s not the case for me. The liner started to get a bit smudge when my eyelids got oily and at the end of my outing, the extended ‘wing’ disappeared’ apart from the lines along the bottom of my lashes. After all, it’s a high-pigment eye liner that I can see a lot of uses in the future.”
Benefit BADgal! Bounce Volumising Mascara – £27
If mascara is your desert island makeup, then you will be excited to try this new Bounce Mascara from Benefit. This fun-packaged eye makeup with hybrid wand and fiber bristles deposit formula at the lash line and evenly coat lashes, giving you triple volume and lift after three coats.
It’s flake-free, clump-free and smudge-proof and fans were impressed by the double-sided wand as one said: “One side has bigger bristles to add volume and length to lashes and the other side is great for separating lashes.”
Looking for lengthening rather than volumising? Try Babe Original’s 4Real Mascara, it’s on Amazon at £14.
Shark FlexStyle Sparkle 5-in-1 Styler – £299.99
Shark’s hair styling tool has got a glamorous upgrade as they unveil the sparkly Champagne Diamond limited edition that is bejewelled with over 20,000 crystals.
Housed inside the sturdy storage case, you will find a Concentrator and Diffuser for drying; a Paddle Brush, Oval Brush and a pair of 32mm auto-wrap Curlers (upgraded from previous models for better hair grip).
The tool saves you from swapping hair dryer to a curler and you can avoid making a mess on your dressing table with multiple tools put on ‘standby’ mode. The FlexStyle measures heat 1,000 times per second ensuring consistent air temperatures and no heat damage.
You can choose between three heat and airflow settings to dry, style and set your hair with total control. This also makes a perfect gift for Valentine’s Day or Mother’s Day.
