From perfumes to sheet masks here’s every NEW beauty buy I love this month – and the three that are totally overrated: POLISHED with Elise Wilson

Welcome to Polished with Elise Wilson, where FEMAIL’s qualified makeup artist and hair stylist answers your questions, shares advice and trials the up-and-coming beauty and skincare trends so you don’t have to.

At this point in my beauty career I’ve developed a sixth sense for spotting which products are worth the hype and, of course, which ones are destined to live out their days half-used at the back of my bathroom drawer.

Each month, my desk turns into a revolving door of serums, sprays, and creams promising everything from ‘instant radiance’ to ‘flawless skin in seven days’.

It’s exciting, yes of course, but it’s also a minefield.

Some formulas are quietly brilliant and totally under the radar, while others are all packaging and no payoff which is so disappointing.

Don’t even get me started on the expense of it all (and heartbreak) when a product you’ve been served for months on TikTok is a complete dud.

So this month I’ve sifted through the beauty clutter to uncover the quiet achievers. Those products that have genuinely changed how my makeup sits, how my skin looks, and how confident I feel bare-faced.

I’ve been road-testing everything from new pharmacy favourites to luxury brands, and a few have seriously surprised me – especially one special lip balm that has more nourishing ingredients than my face cream!

Whether you’re after glass skin (I’m now a complete sheet mask convert, by the way), fuller looking hair, or a foundation that won’t disappear by lunchtime, keep reading.

The Hit List 

InSkin Plump & Hydrate Daily Sheet Masks ($55)

I’ve been using these serum-soaked masks every night straight out of the shower, followed by my night cream, and the glow the next morning is phenomenal.

We’re talking reflective cheeks, baby-smooth skin, and an actual difference in hydration levels.

Each mask is drenched in marine collagen, hyaluronic acid, and hydrolysed elastin… I could go on, but basically, all the plumping ingredients your face could ever want.

Balmee Beauty Original Lip Balm ($35) 

I quickly discovered this is not your average lip balm.

Packed with squalane, shea butter and coconut oil, it melts into your lips and leaves them pillowy-soft for hours.

But the real magic lies in its pre and postbiotic blend, which helps support your lip microbiome (yes, that’s a thing) using fermented Kakadu plum and aloe.

Best Skin Ever Perfect Natural Finish Longwear Foundation ($36) 

I wear shade 210, and I swear it adjusts to my skin tone whether I’m fresh-faced or fake-tanned.

It literally does what it says on the pack, giving me that ‘your skin but better’ finish – luminous but not shiny, buildable but breathable, and transfer-proof enough to survive a heatwave.

If you love NARS Sheer Glow or Giorgio Armani Luminous Silk, this is their cheaper, overachieving cousin.

Remi EDP by Rosie Jane ($52 for 10ml) 

Perfume is so personal, and I’ve had to retire a lot of my old favourites because they make me feel queasy these days.

But this gorgeous mix of mandarin, cardamom and white amber smells so fresh and is subtle enough for every day.

It’s warm without being overbearing, and the clean formulation means no parabens, sulfates or headache-inducing synthetics. Win!

Monday Haircare Original Dry Shampoo ($18.44) 

Dry shampoo is the one product that can make or break a good hair day, and this one makes it, every time.

It absorbs oil so well, smells subtly floral (the gardenia scent is divine), and it adds a bit of texture to the roots of my hair, although brunettes will need to rub this one in quite vigorously to avoid white patches.

I’ve tried them all, from Batiste to $70 salon sprays, and this one genuinely holds its own.

Aleph Beauty Cheek/Lip Tint in ‘Reve’ ($59)

This brand slid into my DMs a few months back, and I’ve tried a fair few of their makeup products now, but this shade is the most flattering flush of pink.

I put it on at 6am, and by 6pm it’s still there, which is saying something.

Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturizing Lotion+ SPF 50 ($65) 

If you’re already a Clinique fan, this new SPF version will take no persuading.

It’s pricey, I know, but the ultra hydrating formula is fragrance-free, gentle and has that signature Clinique finish that just works under makeup.

Thanks To Nature Root Concealer in Chic Cocoa ($30) 

This little compact is genius for anyone with a sparse hairline or a few sneaky greys.

I dab mine along my part or around my temples, and instantly my hairline looks fuller. It blends seamlessly, doesn’t transfer, and genuinely lasts until I wash it out. 

Oh, and pro tip: you can use it as brow powder in a pinch. A multitasking hero in my eyes.

Naturium Urea 5% Body Serum ($44.95) 

In summer, heavy body butters aren’t ideal, so I’ve swapped to an all-over serum instead.

This one is packed with 5% urea (a humectant that binds water to the skin), plus amino acids to smooth rough texture.

I use it right after the shower, and it’s made my limbs feel spa-level smooth.

Not for me… 

Dyson Omega Hydrating Hair Oil ($85) –Dyson rarely gets it wrong, but this oil just didn’t work for my fine hair. Despite claiming to be ‘lightweight,’ it sat heavy and greasy on my blow-waved locks.

I’ve re-homed it to my ‘slick bun only’ routine, because for $85, it deserves at least some use. If you’ve got thicker or curlier hair, you might love it, but it’s not for me.

1000Hour Microblading Pen ($11.99) – Unfortunately, the shade ‘medium brown’ was way too dark, and the pen itself was tricky to control.

After a few smudged attempts, it pilled when I layered the brow wax on top. I wanted to love it, but sometimes, you’ve got to know when to walk away – and reach for your trusty pencil instead.

Sephora Collection Blush & Go ($28) – I wanted this to be a new handbag staple, but it just didn’t blend properly.

The sponge applicator made it patchy no matter how much I prepped my skin, and the formula lifted my foundation underneath.

Great concept, poor execution. Sorry Sephora, I’m sticking with cream pots for now.

Facial of the week

This month I’m recommending The Skin Bar’s Smooth, Sculpt & Snatch treatment.

It fuses full-face skin needling with RF (radiofrequency) along the jawline, neck, and décolletage for instant lifting, contouring and radiance and takes just 45 minutes.

Beauty icons Sammy Robinson and Brittany Hockley are already fans, and it’s easy to see why when you walk out looking sculpted, tight, and glowy with minimal downtime.

It’s $450 for the neck and décolletage, and if you’ve got an event coming up (or just want to feel like your skin has had an overhaul), this is a goodie. Trust me.

Disclaimer:

The views and opinions expressed in this article are solely my own and do not reflect those of any brands or companies mentioned. This content is not sponsored or endorsed.