Beauty News August 2016: Real Techniques, Tarte, Pixi, Lancome and Hourglass

All of a sudden there’s a helluva lot to talk about with regards to new beauty launches, so I thought, rather than spam your timeline with individual intros, I’d put it all in one big, make-up heavy post. There’s some very exciting new launches coming our way, so let’s have a closer look at what’s new:

There are lots of new base products being launched in the next few months, but I don’t think any have generated quite as much buzz as the new Hourglass Vanish Seamless Finish Foundation Stick which promises the coverage of a concealer with the lightness of a powder foundation, all of which is housed in a product that’s as easy to work with as a liquid.  Early reviews have been very positive, and you don’t have to wait long as the official launch is tomorrow (5th August 2016) and will cost £42, which is actually less than I anticipate considering Hourglass’ luxury price point, but it’s still a fair ol’ whack considering it’s quite a small tube you’re getting; reports suggest that a little goes a long way, so that’s something!  I’ve just seen it’s now online at Space NK here – link.

Kat Von D is finally coming to the UK! This is hugely exciting as up until now, the only main way you could get hold of Kat Von D products was by ordering them from Sephora, which comes with a hefty import charge. I don’t know enough about the launch details to state fact yet, but I believe that we’re getting the whole collection to Debenhams, which arrives in September online and October in-store – a very exciting development indeed.

As usual, tarte have loads and loads of new launches to lust after, but the big ones, for me, are the base products as they really are the queens of the perfect full yet natural coverage foundation.  They have TWO new foundation launches, the first of which is the Empowered Hybrid Gel Foundation (here), which is a full coverage gel that contains hyaluronic acid for hydration, and the second is the Confidence Creamy Powder Foundation (here) which I *think* is a bit like a pressed version of their cult Amazonian Clay Full Coverage Airbrush Foundation – similar, rather than the same – so obviously I cannot wait to get stuck in to that.  I have both to try out, so I’ll report back my experiences very soon.  Other tarte newness includes the Shap Tape Contour Concealer (here) – a product that can be used as both a concealer and a contour cream – and there’s a new Maneater Mascara that’s just launched (here) and if there’s one thing tarte do as well as base products, it’s mascaras! There are some amazing tarte bits on QVC now here – link.

A more local brand that’s very close to my heart, Pixi have gorgeous Sumery newness too, starting with the beautiful Multibalms which, as the name suggests, are multi-use sticks for cheeks and lips (and technically eyes too, if the colour fits/works!) that are so perfect for holidays and handbags; available in four shades as well as a contour stick, these pretties are a bargain at £12 here – link.  There are also new shades of the Endless Silky Eye Pencils (I want all of them – ALL OF THEM) which you have to try, if you haven’t already, and LipLift has some new shades too – find all the newness here link.

Real Techniques are giving me my first ever experience of Sponge Lust with their newest launches, all of which are make-up applicator sponges.  The first is the Mini Eraser Sponges (£5.99 for two here – link) which are dinky little sponges designed to remove any make-up mistakes (is that not the most awesome idea?), then there’s the funky looking Miracle Sculpting Sponge, which helps you blend-out your contour and sculpting efforts (£5.99 here – link), but the one that’s really doing it for me is the Bold Metals Diamond Sponge, which not only looks absolutely GAWJUS, it’s also performs so many different tasks thanks to tall the different edges and surfaces, it’s a really multi-tasker at £12.99 here – link.

Finally, Lancome have quite a few new launches coming this year, but the two I’m focusing on are the new cushion products; there’s a new Teint Idole Ultra Cushion foundation which, from what I can tell, is a creamier, higher coverage take on their original cushion foundation offering, and rather brilliantly it also has an SPF50 which you don’t tend to get in UK versions of the cushion foundation, so that’s great news.  I have one on it’s way to me, so I’ll review soon, but if you just have to have it in your life then it launches on the 17th August at House of Fraser and everywhere else at the end of the month for £30.  Another bit of cushiony joy comes in the form of the Lancome Blush Subtil Cushion, which just looks like it’s going to give the most amazing, natural finish – so much want! It comes in six shades that span a good selection and that’s pretty much all I know about it at this point! I know they’ll each be £28 and Debenhams will have them at the end of the month, but I’m not too sure when they’re launching elsewhere, so keep your eyes peeled as they might arrive earlier.