Here are some new beauty releases to come across my path in the month of February, in the latest On My Desk: What’s New in Beauty column for February 2018.
The H U G E ‘Lots of Love Gift Set’ from LUSH cosmetics for Valentine’s Day 2018 is packed full of fragranced delights for bathing good times, and is just one of a wide selection of LUSH offerings instore from 1st Feb and online. Better yet they are all packaging-free bathing beauties wrapped in biodegradable cellophane.
LUSH treats for Valentine’s Day – sorbet in a watermelon, and a rose scented bath bomb. Mmm!
This pretty little delivery of natural beauty is the Linden Leaves special edition Aromatherapy Synergy body oil. Packaged in a beautiful new box inspired by floral brocade with red and embossed gold roses, it is $38.99 for 250mls online at lindenleaves.com
Also from the fabulous Christchurch natural skincare brand Linden Leaves, come these cleansing bars ($9.99) based on their Aromatherapy Crystal Crush fragrances range, inspired by amethyst and rose quartz. The light and lovely fresh floral fragrance of Rose Quartz is palm oil-free and gentle on the skin; enriched with shea butter to soften and nourish while you cleanse, and all Linden Leaves products are sustainably and ethically made in New Zealand.
Perfect for a tint of subtle colour, the ‘blushing rose’ natural lipstick by Karen Murrell. Have you tried her lipsticks? During the month of March, when you buy 1 lipstick, they will give 1 lipstick to Look Good Feel Better charity helping women with cancer. What a great cause. See the range online at karenmurrell.com
Ethique Pinkalicious solid shampoo bar sold out last year so will be permanent stock available from 14th February for Valentine’s Day. Pink grapefruit and vanilla with Samoan coconut and cocoa butter make this soap free shampoo bar an eco-friendly and beautiful date for your hair. Available for $22 at ethiquebeauty.com
A giant garden has been delivered. What a treat to find on my doorstep – courtesy of a new fragrance release; AURA MUGLER. Its key ingredient is Tiger liana; a Chinese medicinal plant used for treating heart diseases and believed to contribute to the equilibrium of the body. This formed the botanical heart of this fresh and vibrant new fragrance, along with rhubarb leaf for crispness, and orange blossom, for a fresh and gentle feminine note.
The AURA MUGLER bottle is a heart-shaped sculpture in itself. The green glass is like a faceted emerald jewel designed to be an primeval animal heart with scales; almost aquatic in appearance. I’m wearing it right now and it’s gorgeous. AURA MUGLER retails for $110 for 30mls, $155 for 50mls, and $90 for 90mls, from Farmers, David Jones, Smith & Caughey’s and selected pharmacies from 11th February 2018
Looking forward to starting this skincare regimen this week using @mitoq. I love amazing skincare and you can improve your skin health internally as well as externally. The powerful antioxidants of Mitoq in face serum, supplements, and eye cream improve your skin’s mitochondria, which are like batteries for your cells. MitoQ Eye Renew 20ml $140, Skin Support Complex $139 for 60 capsules, Crystal Bright Skin Correcting Serum 30ml $220, available from www.mitoq.com
It’s a party in a bottle! Juicy Couture always have the BEST perfume packaging, not to mention gorgeous fragrances. I love displaying their pretty bottles on my dresser as they are as much a delight for the eyes as the nose. The latest, Viva La Juicy Soiree, has this Jackson Pollock-esque paint splatter, so my daughter got enlisted to decorate my background. This latest fragrance embodies the Viva Girl gathering her girls, putting on a mask, and dancing to energetic music and vibrant colours at a soiree. The fragrance itself is bright and lively, with a fruity top of pink kiwi, sparkling mandarin and cassis leaves; a heart of Indian sambac and jasmine petals with waterlily, and a base of musk, amber, and soft woods. Fashion runway model Grace Hertzel is the face of Viva La Juicy Soiree, in a campaign photographed by Craig McDean. Viva La Juicy SoireeEau de Parfum Spray 100ml $199, 50ml $151, 30ml $115, rollerball dup $37. Available from Farmers, selected pharmacies and department stores from 5th March 2018.
The Herb Farm celebrates 25 years of natural skincare and beauty with this special 25th anniversary body lotion to showcase the heart of their 100% natural approach. The body lotion contains calendula and comfrey extracts for their healing and softening properties, and precious oils of jasmine absolute and sandalwood for a beautiful fragrance. Available from www.herbfarm.co.nz 
How’s your beauty sleep? Sound Sleep Cocoon, new from Dermalogica, helps your skin repair and recover while you sleep. The cream-gel nightly treatment is a light-weight yet effective hydration with essential oils for a good night’s sleep using aromatherapy, thanks to lavender oil, patchouli and sandalwood. If you find rich creams too heavy, you will love the lightness of Sound Sleep Cocoon’s cream-gel texture, and refreshing feel on your face. Hero ingredients are Persian Silk Tree extract and Kakadu Plum extract for radiance and Vitamin C. Sound Sleep Cocoon is available for $143 from 16th March at Dermalogica counters and online at www.dermalogica.co.nz
Megan Robinson
28th February 2018
All photography by Megan Robinson. Products gifted for review purposes, no payments received, all opinions my own.