But there’s another reason one is sold every minute worldwide: its effective roster of ingredients. We were won over by the blend of hyaluronic acid, shea butter and camellia oil, which wraps your skin in a velvety blanket of hydration; this moisturiser also gives you the benefits of plumping peptides, skin-brightening vitamin C and aloe vera to soothe away redness. Plus, the pot is endlessly refillable. Magic, indeed.
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Bubble First Class Oil Cleanser
La Roche-Posay Mela B3 Serum Intensive Anti-Dark Spots Concentrate
Best hair product
Not content with having an industry-breaking beauty line, 2024 saw Rihanna explode onto the hair scene with a nine-piece collection.
Despite the playful, tongue-in-cheek name, there is serious science behind The Comeback Kid, a damage-repair treatment that can be rinsed after five minutes or combed through and left on all day. Think a powerhouse blend of Barbados gooseberry, upcycled jackfruit extract, hydrolysed vegetable protein, antioxidant green tea and amino acids.
After just one use, hair felt softer, with an injection of moisture. But the real standout? The warm, amber floral fragrance that is catnip for hair wash day and for anyone who happens to sidle up to you afterwards. This is Rihanna we’re talking about after all, the celebrity many have namechecked as the best-smelling woman on earth.
Shortlist:
Living Proof Perfect Hair Day Advanced Clean Dry Shampoo
Best fragrance
The mark of a cult fragrance is a juice that has stood the test of time so far. But, occasionally, viewing the formula through a modern lens – and then subtly tweaking it – crystallises a perfume’s enduring popularity.
This is precisely what Dior, or more specifically Francis Kurkdjian, Parfum Dior’s creative director, has achieved with the crowd-pleasing Miss Dior.
First created in honour of Christian Dior’s younger sister, Catherine, the original Miss Dior scent had a distinct chypre character. It has undergone several reinterpretations since it was introduced in 1947, but this year, Dior welcomed its most game-changing to date.
The new, heady EDP is still centred around jasmine – but a distinguished variety with a fruity, rosy character. A bright, nose-twitching snap of mandarin sits on top, while warm, woody notes linger close to the skin in the dry down for a scent that is feminine without being saccharine. It causes you to daydream, it gives you a boost of confidence and, all importantly, it makes you smile with every spritz.
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Best tool
The Shark FlexStyle is a masterclass in more is more. While it is no light investment, with a simple swap of attachment, one tool effectively becomes your hairdryer, hot brush, curler and straightener.
The FlexStyle boasts intuitive design and uses air jet technology (in three heat and three speed settings) for less heat damage than traditional styling methods. For us, the fact that this was a quick and easy way to achieve ample body for bouncy, supermodel waves and a salon-worthy blowout was the cherry on top.
Shortlist:
Ziip Halo Facial Toning Device
Tweezerman ProMaster Lash Curler
Best wellesss
The only FDA-Cleared birth control app, Natural Cycles is an innovative algorithm powered by your body temperature.
In practice, this translates to using a measuring device – either the Apple Watch, Oura Ring or the brand’s NC° Thermometer – to take your temperature immediately on waking (your basal body temperature rises by 0.2-0.45°C after ovulation, say the brand). When synced to the app, Natural Cycles then reveals your fertility status and cycle trends.
While no method of birth control is 100% bullet-proof, Natural Cycles claims to be 93% effective. If you’re looking for a non-hormonal, non-invasive way to take charge of your birth control and fertility, this is both simple to use and science-backed.
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