From an ultra-nourishing lip balm to a de-stressing shower mist, here are 8 products our beauty director loved in the cold month of January
Each month, Stylist’s beauty director discovers an array of new launches across skincare, haircare, fragrance and make-up. These are the ones she keeps going back to.
January is a time to ease yourself into the new year, a chance to take stock of what you want to achieve over the next 12 months and take it slow. But this year has felt a bit different: things have kicked off at top speed, and with that has come a whole bevvy of beauty launches that have blown me away.
With the temperatures dipping subzero, I’ve been on the hunt for products that are all about hydration, nourishment and repair. Thankfully, the beauty industry has delivered, with everything from carefully considered ingredients that work hard to heal and soothe dry lips to uplifting fragrances that truly last, serving little olfactory moments of joy as you endure a soggy commute on the Central line.
Here, I round up the products I tried, tested and loved in the month of January – ones that I’ll undoubtedly be reaching for throughout the rest of 2026.
Gisou Honey Glaze Collagen Therapy Lip Mask
Most mornings will see me leave the warmth of my home, walk in the freezing cold, step onto a hot, stuffy train, and endure another freezing walk before arriving at an office where my colleagues and I are frequently negotiating for control of the thermostat settings. So when I saw Gisou had launched a lip mask, I knew it was a must. Rich and buttery, the formula hugs and soothes the skin on your lips, not only hydrating but visibly repairing. Plus, it leaves a glossy shine that doesn’t disrupt any lip products you apply on top.
Shop Gisou Honey Glaze Collagen Therapy Lip Mask at Space NK, £24
Aveda Advanced Botanical Kinetics Micro-Purifying Cleansing Mousse
While a line-up of hydration-focused products has been key for this month’s skincare routine, it’s been just as important to ensure I’m thoroughly cleansing and allowing these formulas to penetrate my skin as effectively as possible. This option does a great job at shifting signs of make-up, oil and impurities without leaving skin feeling dry. It’s also incredibly satisfying to massage it onto skin and watch as the formula transforms from a cream into an airy foam.
Shop Aveda Advanced Botanical Kinetics Micro-Purifying Cleansing Mousse at Aveda, £28
Morphe Buttery Blends M109 Spatula Foundation Brush
When I first saw this new Morphe make-up brush, I wasn’t so sure. Now, I can’t imagine applying my make-up without it. Inspired by the make-up spatulas used by professional make-up artists, this brush has a short but extremely dense bristle design that works to blend creams and liquids for the sheerest, most seamless finish.
Shop Morphe Buttery Blends M109 Spatula Foundation Brush at Morphe, £14
Nars Afterglow Lip Balm
In this weather, I’ve found myself shunning traditional lipsticks in favour of tinted lip balms, and these have ticked every box. As well as keeping lips from going dry, thanks to added mango seed oil and shea butter, these lip balms come in an array of flattering shades that provide the perfect sheer wash of colour. Expect to find some of the brand’s iconic shades, including Dolce Vita, Aragon and, of course, Orgasm.
Jo Loves Amber Lime & Bergamot Shower Gel
In a bid to turn my showers into a moment of calm, I’ve been adding some incredible scented products into my shower caddy. One that has stood out is this shower gel from Jo Loves, which has notes of musky amber, fresh lime and zesty bergamot. It’s the perfect comforting pick-me-up to kick start the day and the addition of aloe vera juice means your skin won’t feel stripped after using it.
Shop Jo Loves Amber Lime & Bergamot A Shower Gel at Space NK, £37
Aromatherapy Associates Support Breathe Shower Mist
Speaking of brilliant in-shower products, this has been one of my favourite discoveries of January. I’ve always loved the idea of ‘scenting’ the shower with a calming aroma, like hanging eucalyptus near my shower head. This clever spray does exactly that, bringing a spa-like feeling into your shower at home. It has notes of eucalyptus and lavender which create a calming scent, the perfect way to end a long day.
Shop Aromatherapy Associates Support Breathe Shower Mist at Lookfantastic, £38
The Body Shop Dewberry Body Butter
One of the biggest beauty talking points this month was The Body Shop bringing back its iconic Dewberry scent. Yep, the 90s has made a comeback in stores across six brilliant formulas, from perfume oil to body yoghurt. My favourite, though, has to be the Body Butter – a rich, indulgent body cream that intensely hydrates skin while leaving behind Dewberry’s nostalgic notes of fresh green leaves, freesia, cedarwood, soft musk and, yes, dewberry.
Shop The Body Shop Dewberry Body Butter at The Body Shop, £7
Biore UV Aqua Rich Glowy Weightless Moisturiser SPF50
As a big fan of Biore’s UV Aqua Rich Water Essence Sunscreen SPF50 already, I was intrigued to see that the brand had brought out a new formula within the Aqua range. While it still blends into skin with no white cast and provides brilliant skin protection from UVA and UVB rays, what sets this apart is it contain 1% niacinamide to treat uneven skin. Plus, it has a gorgeous glowy finish that leaves skin radiant and works brilliantly as a primer before make-up.
Shop Biore UV Aqua Rich Glowy Weightless Moisturiser SPF 50 at Boots, £17.99
Images: courtesy of brands
