Tried & Tested: May’s Top Beauty Desk Drops

The warmer weather is officially here, and that means it’s time to stock up on SPF. Consider it a daily essential! Hydration is also important, for everything from our skin to our hair. For the formulas to know, here is the top beauty newness this month.

J-beauty takes an entirely different approach to K-beauty practices that have dominated our routines. Forget 10-steps, Japanese rituals are defined by their minimalism. The haircare in particular is worth noting, where ancient traditions meet science-backed innovation – all with a less-is-more approach. Here are our top haircare favourites.

The first two seasons of Euphoria had an undeniable impact on make-up trends, with the playful experimentation of make-up artist Donni Davy inspiring bold artistic designs with graphic liner and glitter detailing. For season three, the looks are as intriguing with frosted lids, bold wings and tonally lined lips as some of the most re-creatable. Maddy never misses. Here are the products to recreate the vibe, including products from Davy’s own Half Magic label.

The latest launches for April have a certain optimism about them – a feeling that we all share since that extra hour of sunlight has brought nationwide joy. From fresh, vibrant fragrance to a collectable new category from Prada, here is the top beauty newness this month.

TikTok virality is a fickle beast, and just because a product has made the rounds, it doesn’t mean it’s worth the investment. However, certain stand-out buys have been transformational for the Vogue team’s beauty routines – you’ll find them below.

“A great make-up brush should feel as elegant as a Montblanc pen, with evenly distributed weight,” says make-up artist Wendy Rowe. “The bristles should be densely packed and maintain their shape during use, without splaying out.” Here are the ones you’ll find in the kit of top make-up artists.

Spring has sprung – which means we are not only blessed with double-digit sunshine days, but the new beauty launches are coming in thick and fast with formulations that are warmer weather-approved, from easily reappliable SPF to chic deodorant.

Matte foundations have undergone a renaissance. Once the reserve of full-coverage fanatics and quick-fix concealment, these foundations have been reimagined with a skin-first approach. And the result is all about enhancing. As Vogue’s beauty director, Funmi Fetto so aptly puts it: today’s formulas are “matte, not flat.”

Considering the ubiquity of red light therapy in beauty practices, it may seem surprising that this technology was first researched by NASA, which investigated red and near-infrared wavelengths to heal wounds and grow tissue in space. Now it is used everywhere from professional clinic treatments to at-home gadgets like LED masks – but which are worth the investment and which deserve to gather dust at the back of the virtual shelves? The Vogue beauty team put them to the test, and here are the best of the best.

If your New Year’s resolutions include caring for your complexion, you’re in luck. Tatcha and Medik8 are just two brands looking to infuse high-performance ingredients into our skincare routines. Jones Road, however, is turning to body care, while Burberry has unveiled a new mood-boosting fragrance.

Our skin can feel the impact of the winter chill this time of year, and this is only exacerbated by central heating. The combination can leave our complexions dry, flaking and crying out for hydration. Incorporating a serum with moisture-enriching ingredients like hyaluronic acid is the solution. Here are our favourites.

When a far-flung escape is (sadly) not on the horizon, a healthy, fresh-from-the-beach glow can come from a bottle. And fake tan novices fear not: innovation in the faux-glow space has delivered formulas that are more user-friendly than ever, with impressively natural-looking finishes – and all without that telltale biscuit aroma.

The big day is fast approaching, and we have your last-minute gift ideas covered. See the Vogue-approved skin, make-up and fragrance gift sets your lucky loved one will be overjoyed to find under the tree.

It’s the biggest event in the shopping calendar – Cyber Week has arrived. As we step into the 2025 edition, the Vogue beauty team has curated the best viral hair tools, sumptuous scents and supercharged skincare – no buyer’s remorse in sight.

When the worlds of beauty and tech collide, the results are catnip for those of us looking to supercharge our skincare. Case in point: LED masks are now a staple of our beauty routines, and thankfully there plenty of high-performance options that get the Vogue seal of approval.

Korean beauty has never been more accessible than it is now, with TikTok viral sensations, like medicube and Beauty of Joseon, available at our favourite retailers. The category is defined by cutting-edge ingredients, science-backed formulations and glass skin-giving nourishment – but which ones are worth the hype? See Vogue’s recommendations below.