I Tested Hundreds of Beauty Products in 2025: Here Are My Top Picks, From a £100 Foundation to a £16 Perfume!

LAST year was a bumper year for beauty launches.

I lost count of my favourites some time in the spring, innovations that made good on their claims were coming in so quick and fast it was impossible to keep track – so before writing this, I did a full audit of my stash to see which new products really stuck around.

The 25 products below are ones I’ve used time and time again, until the very last drop, and repurchased since despite the slew of free products that cross my desk every day.

So, if you’re in the mood to shop away the January blues, I promise they won’t disappoint!

Best New Make-up Products of 2025

This palette will streamline your make-up routine, leaving more time (and space) for other productsCredit: Sculpted By Aimee

Sculpted By Aimee Bare Basics Palette in Peony, £34

If you’ve not already read me waxing lyrical about it since then – here’s the headlines; I almost wrote it off before trying it, and boy was I wrong.

There’s three eyeshadows, a bronzer, blush, highlighter and setting powder inside, and every single one of them is as good as a standalone product I used before – with pigmented, creamy formulas that look great on skin and are easy to apply.

Plus, it works out at less than £5 per pan – which is seriously good value for money.

If you can justify spending three-figures on foundation, this won’t disappointCredit: Victoria Beckham Beauty

Victoria Beckham x Augustinus Bader The Foundation Drops, £104

Never in my life did I think I’d think a £100 foundation would be worth the splurge, but unfortunately, you get what you pay for with this clever base.

The formula is so lightweight I forget I’m wearing make-up, yet when I look in the mirror my skin looks airbrushed.

It’s the only ‘your skin but better’ product I’ve tried that actually does what it claims to do.

Plus, given the skincare ingredients, it makes bare skin look better in the long run too!

Wake up tired complexions with this glow-boosting blushCredit: Charlotte Tilbury

Charlotte Tilbury Unreal Blush Healthy Glow Stick, £30

A decade ago, blush wasn’t even part of my make-up routine (because of my aforementioned rosy cheeks) but now, I’d say it’s my favourite product.

Nothing wakes up my face like it – and cream sticks are the easiest way to apply as you can draw them straight onto skin.

The balmy texture effortlessly glides across skin yet the formula is still super pigmented, so a little goes a really long way, and they give me a healthy skin glow that’s not at all glittery.

If fillers are on your 2026 to do list, try this lip plumping liner firstCredit: NYX Professional Makeup

NYX Professional Makeup Duck Plump Plumping Lip Liner, £8.99

I have a very low spice tolerance, and chronically dry lips, so plumping products are often more pain than it’s worth.

However, this gel-like pencil won me over from first use.

It glides across skin without dragging, making it easier to trace the edge of my lip, while the diagonal tip can be used to create a skinny line, or a wider, softer border.

As the plumping agents are in a smaller area, they’re far less irritating, and thanks to the long-wearing formula, last for hours more than a plumping gloss would.

Hide under-eye shadows with this hard-working colour correctorCredit: Maybelline

Maybelline Instant Anti Age Eraser Eye Concealer Color Corrector Pink, £9.99

The original version is my favourite budget concealer – the formula and coverage is unrivalled, so I had high hopes for this colour correcting version.

The baby-pink shade is perfect for my blue-toned shadows and the sponge (for all its unhygienic flaws) helps control how much product is applied so you don’t overload the delicate under-eye area.

It’s the best colour corrected I’ve found on the high street.

This two-in-one foundation and concealer is unbeatable for coverageCredit: L'Oréal Paris

L’Oréal Paris infallible Skin Ink Foundcealer, £14.99

Over the last 12 months, my foundation bill has crept higher and higher (thanks VB!) so I was surprised by how much I like this water-proof, heat-proof and transfer-proof formula – which was a godsend over the sweaty summer and during party season.

The tapered doe foot applicator makes it easy to apply all over the face and in precise areas. It’s heavy duty, but doesn’t look thick or cakey.

Best New Body Care Products of 2025

If you’re considering the switch to natural deodorant, this will actually stop BOCredit: Saltair

Saltair Santal Bloom Serum Deodorant, £14

AHA deodorants have been my go to since the pandemic – they’re the only natural formulas that actually keep BO at bay, rather than trying to mask it, although this smells so good (and projects so far) that it basically doubles up as perfume.

If your nails need some TLC, nothing is as good as this

Essie To The Rescue UV Gel Damage Repair Nail Treatment, £10.99

I must have repurchased this four or five times, after first using it when I came back to work after Christmas last year.

The colour is a great pink-nude, and the formula really did strengthen my nails and repair the damage to them after years of back to back gel manicures within a matter of weeks.

Revive dry limbs with this nifty roll onCredit: Nuxe

Nuxe Huile Prodigieuse® Roll-On, £26

It’s no secret I’m bad at body care – I hate feeling sticky, and loathe having to wait before getting dressed, but this clever update on the iconic oil takes out some of the admin as you can roll it straight onto limbs.

It’s so mess-free, you can even apply it after getting dressed on areas that aren’t covered, which is a big win for lazy girls like me!

Best New Hair Care Products of 2025

Dyson don’t know how to make a bad hair tool, and this hair dryer is well worth the investmentCredit: Dyson

Dyson Supersonic R, £449.99

My hair is down to my waist, which means drying it is one of my least favourite tasks – but leaving it to air dry isn’t an option either, as it ends up looking flat and greasy.

I’ve had my original Dyson Supersonic Hairdryer for 6 years, and it’s still as good as new, but this nifty upgrade is a game changer – it’s much lighter and more powerful, cutting my drying time to under five minutes!

It’s pricey, but this K18 dry shampoo out performs every other Beauty Editor Tara Ledden has triedCredit: k18

K18 Airwash Dry Shampoo, £48

Dry shampoo is my most purchased product – I use it almost every day, to keep my fine, fair hair looking clean and give it much needed body.

I’ve tried pretty much every option out there, and not one of them is like this formula; it’s a water spray with zero white residue, and it leaves my hair feeling, as well as looking, clean.

This is the best hairspray Beauty Editor Tara Ledden has ever triedCredit: Living Proof

Living Proof Stylelab Flex Hairspray, £27

I hate my hair feeling dry, crispy or crunchy, so hairspray is usually a no-go, but this has changed the game.

It contains heat protection so you can apply it to wet hair before styling and once dry, it’ll hold your style in place for days – which is an entirely new experience for me!

Add an immediate healthy shine to hair that’s not at all greasy with these clever dropsCredit: Kerastase

Kérastase Gloss Absolu Glaze Drops, £38.80

This is the best smelling hair product I’ve ever used – lightly floral, like a perfume rather than hair oil, and it’s also the most versatile.

I can apply almost a full pipette on wet hair to detangle and get a salon worthy shine, or a couple of drops after heat styling to add definition.

For hair that doesn’t hold a curl, look no further!Credit: ghd

Ghd Chronos Curve Classic Tong, £189

For years, I’ve sworn by ghd tools for the easiest, long lasting curls – and this year they somehow made the whole range even better, promising three times faster results that last all day with no heat damage.

The 26mm tong is my go to, it might look small, but by the time I’ve curled my whole head of waist length hair, my curls have relaxed into a perfect, polished curl effect – although I wish they’d make it as a wand rather than a tong!

They also do a slightly larger barrel if you have hair shorter than shoulder length, that will stop it looking too princess-like, and a conical wand for beachy-waves – I’m obsessed with the lot!

Best New Skincare Products of 2025

Instantly reduce puffy under eyes with this 15-minute miracle workerCredit: L'Oreal Paris

L’Oreal Paris Revitalift Laser Eye Bag Instant Eraser, £29.99

I’m generally dubious of any skincare that promises instant results, but this 15-minute miracle does just that, shrinking under eye bags and reducing puffiness in a matter of minutes, revitalising the under eye area and turning back the years.

Banish dull winter skin with this gentle vitamin C serumCredit: Trinny London

Trinny London Naked Ambition Azelaic Exosome + Vitamin C Serum, £69

Vitamin C can be a tricky ingredient for sensitive skin, but this formula was specially made to combat that.

Slow release vitamin C prevents any irritation, while still delivering unrivalled skin-brightening benefits, and the hydrating, gel-like consistency means it doubles up as a moisturiser as well as a serum.

This under-the-radar launch has become Beauty Editor Tara’s go-to moisturiserCredit: Elizabeth Arden

Elizabeth Arden Hyaluronic Acid And Peptides Ceramide Hydra-Plumping Water Cream, £77

I’m incredibly picky when it comes to moisturiser – my skin is oily, so I can often get away without using one entirely, relying on my serum and SPF to provide enough hydration, which means if I’m taking the time to use one, it must be really good.

The water-gel consistency of this melts into skin, immediately cooling on contact and soothing irritation, while boosting radiance and making me look much healthier.

It was love at first swipe with this serum for Beauty Editor TaraCredit: Wildsmith

Wildsmith Radiance Light Serum, £85

I’ve never met a Wildsmith product I didn’t like, but this is my favourite of the lot.

It contains niacinamide, which is an overachieving skincare ingredient that reduces inflammation and redness, balances oil production and reduces skin texture, as well as hydrating hyaluronic acid and b5 and brightening anti-oxidants in one clever lightweight formula that’s suitable for all skin types.

This affordable serum will supercharge the rest of your skincare routine

INKEY Exosome Hydro-Glow Complex, £20

With the word ‘glow’ in the title, I thought this would be the enemy of my oily skin, but after founders Mark Curry and Colette Laxton told me it improves pretty much every skin concern, and makes other products work harder, I had to give it a go.

It’s not heavy or oily, plays well with everything I’ve layered it with, and really does power up the other products in my routine.

If you don’t currently use an eye cream, this will convince you to use oneCredit: Tatcha

Tatcha The Brightening Eye Cream, £64

Until I tried this, I was ambivalent about eye cream.

Sure, they probably helped reduce the fine lines around my eyes, but so could a thick moisturiser – but this instantly made me look more awake the first time I used it, and in the weeks and months since, it’s really helped minimise the discolouration around my eyes too.

I’m writing this at lunch time on a Wednesday and the Space NK website tells me a huge 352 people have bought a pot so far this week – so if my endorsement isn’t enough, let that convince you it’s worth buying!

Maximise your beauty sleep with this super serumCredit: No7

No7 Future Renew Night Serum, £39.95

It’s not often I come across trial data where 100% of women had clinically proven results, but No7 managed the huge feat with this overnight serum, so it’s no surprise they sell one bottle every seven seconds.

Launched in April, it targets fine lines, wrinkles, uneven tone and texture, dry skin and lost firmness, with results noticeable in as little as one week!

This SPF will win over even the most ardent sun protection hatersCredit: La Roche Posay

La Roche Posay Anthelios UV Air SPF50+, £25

My biggest pet-peeve with SPF is that it’s often greasy – but there’s no trace of oiliness with the latest La Roche Posay formula.

It feels like a lightweight moisturiser and absorbs just as quickly as my normal skincare does, yet offers SPF50 protection too, which is a new experience for me.

Plus, the dinky, slimline bottle makes it great for travel and topping up throughout the day.

Best New Fragrance Products of 2025

This is the ultimate cool girl scent, according to Beauty Editor TaraCredit: Glossier

Glossier You Fleur, £70 for 50ml EDP

I’ve never been the type of person to have a signature scent, but the closest I’ve got to committing to one fragrance is my fondness for Glossier’s You range, and more notably, You Fleur, which launched in March.

It’s lighter than the original, as if it’s gone on a gap year and come back with salty hair and sun-kissed skin, thanks to the addition of salt, apricot and ylang-ylang which give the iconic woody, musky, pink pepper scent a care-free twist.

Solid perfume sticks are prefect for frequent travellersCredit: Dior Beauty

Miss Dior Mini Miss Solid Perfumes, £70 each

What looks like lip balm, but smells like a designer perfume?

If it wasn’t obvious, the answer is these chic sticks.

Smelling nice is one of the best compliments you can receive in my book, but I never want my perfume to take over a room, and this is the perfect compromise.

You draw them straight onto skin, and can top up as often as you like without creating a noxious cloud of scent – plus, they’re great for travel and sensitive skin thanks to the lack of drying alcohol.

You’d be hard pressed to find a better perfume for under £20Credit: M&S

M&S Discover Eau De Parfum, £16 for 50ml each

Cheap perfume doesn’t have to be nasty or a knock-off, and the new Discover range from M&S is a testament to that.

Launched in October, the retailer turned their best selling eau de toilette’s into longer-lasting eau de parfumes – Pink Pepper, White Coconut, Warm Neroli and my favourite, Soft Iris – and they’re some of the best you can buy on the high street, regardless of price.

Plus, the range has just got even better – with six new scents joining the line up as we ring in the new year; Spiced Amber, Midnight Blossom, Black Pepper, Sweet Pistachio, Ocean Musk and Cool Vetiver.

There’s never been a better time to buy affordable fragrance!