Summer is definitely on its way, which means new, fun colours, and fresh scents. We check out the new products to save you wasting your precious time and money
Skin Aqua Sarafit UV Mist SPF50+/PA++++ (HK$109.9 citywide)
I took this with me to Borneo, where I was out in the sun almost the entire time. When I was walking around outside, it did an OK job - I was only slightly pink from sun exposure. When it came to water activities, however, it did not hold up at all. Despite multiple applications throughout the day, I still ended up with a painful, deep red burn all over my back. It goes on easily enough, but the spray is so fine it made me wonder if there was actually any on my skin. For those of us who burn more easily, this just isn't enough.
Ariel Conant
Nivea Anti-perspirant Sensive & Pure (HK$27.5 citywide)
I'm pretty paranoid about smelling bad, especially after the gym in the morning. So deodorant is absolutely necessary. This does a solid job of keeping my pits from stinking, and doesn't leave any white marks on clothes, which is a big plus. It's unscented, but I like a little bit of freshness in my deodorants. It comes in a rather heavy glass container, which seems unnecessary. It's small enough to throw into your purse, but too heavy to actually want to carry around all the time.
Ariel Conant
Bobbi Brown Brightening Brick in Pastel Pink (HK$420 at Bobbi Brown)
This product really covers all bases, quite literally. The grid of six shades, varying from a solid pink to a shimmery white, can be used on their own or together as blusher, eyeshadow or highlighter, and the compact has a good-sized mirror in the lid for touchups on the go.
Lucy Christie
Ferré Rose (HK$351 citywide)
This is a nice, light, summery scent, that makes me feel like I've walked through a park's flower garden. It's floral, but not overpoweringly so. It's a very nice daytime scent as it's quite subtle - it's just annoying how quickly it wears off. After three hours, I could only just sense it.
Karly Cox
TOTL M.E.: A Revolutionary 2-in-1 Mascara and Eyeliner (HK$195 on www.myhcosmetics.com
I'm all for multi-tasking products, and when I saw this advertised, I was anxious to try it. It's a brilliant idea - but sadly not brilliantly executed. Open the tube, twist the cap, and an eyeliner brush comes out of the mascara wand. Trouble is, there's too much product, and it's hard to only wipe a little off, so you have to close it, dip again, and wipe again. Then, unless you have 20/20 vision (and I don't), the wand is too long if you need to be close to the mirror. It's also very gloopy, so although the brush is quite fine, you can't draw a thin line. The mascara is fine - it's very wet though, and takes a long time to dry, as I discovered when I sneezed five minutes after applying. #pandaeyes
Karly Cox
CK One Color Lipgloss in Illicit (HK$140 at Langham Place Beauty Avenue)
I normally don't go for such a nude shade (yes, this is "nude" to me!) but something about its golden iridescence drew me in. I was pleasantly surprised to find that because its texture is slightly tacky, the colour actually transfers very well to create a smooth sheen. That tackiness isn't grossly sticky, it just helps the lippy stay put. Looks great on its own or over other lipsticks to mute my signature in-your-face shades.
Heidi Yeung
Sasatinnie Color Intense Lip Pen in Juicy Orange (HK$68 at SaSa)
The design is fab. The straight edge makes it easy to apply precisely (and I'm loving lip crayons at the moment, so that's a big plus). But the formula isn't hydrating enough, so if your lips are at all chapped, it will cling to every bit of dry skin, making it look cheap. However, the colours are lovely and it gives sheer to medium coverage. So if you're into the shades, then just prep your lips with lip balm 15 minutes before application. Will probably stick to my trusty Revlon though.
Heidi Yeung
MAC Studio Nail Lacquer in French Tipped (HK$125 at MAC)
Pastels are so in this summer, and this is a really dainty pastel pink that's so light it's almost white. Most fair shades in nail polishes tend to streak like crazy, and while this is a tiny bit streaky, it's not that noticeable. The consistency is thick enough that two to three coats leave you with opaque, glossy, pastel nails. Looks great as a full set, with an accent nail or as an accent nail.
Heidi Yeung
The Body Shop Lip & Cheek Velvet Stick Universal Shade (HK$159 at The Body Shop)
This product claims to adapt to suit any skin tone. Personally, I found it a nice colour on me - it had a soft pink hue which definitely suited me. On my cheeks, it didn't produce the harsh lines I expected, and blended in well.
Lucy Christie
On my lips, this developed into a deep plummy-pink. I'm a lot more tanned than Lucy, so I guess this really does adapt to its wearer's skintone! I normally don't go for this type of colour, it's a bit too vampy for me. But the stain lasts a long time, and it's a really good base for deep red, ruby, and garnet shades on days when I do feel like going a bit sophisticated.