Makeup & nails
20 Notable Beauty Products That Launched in September
Fresh takes on retinol and vitamin C, Canadian-made natural skincare, dreamy fragrances and more.
by : Patricia Karounos- Oct 1st, 2021

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A New Take on an Old Fave
Drunk Elephant’s beloved vitamin C serum just got a major upgrade. The new C-Firma Fresh ($103) has the same antioxidant complex of 15 percent L-ascorbic acid, 0.5 percent ferulic acid and 1 percent vitamin E known to brighten and firm skin. But anyone who has used any vitamin C in their routine knows how delicate the ingredient can be. This reimagined version comes in two parts to prevent the product from oxidizing quickly: a liquid serum and an ascorbic acid powder you mix together before your first use. According to the brand, keeping the components separate allows the ingredients to remain potent and fresher longer, with a shelf life of at least six months after mixing. Sign us up.
A Gen Z Star Arrives in Canada
The day has come, Stranger Things fans: Millie Bobby Brown’s clean and vegan skincare line Florence by Mills (from $5) is finally available to shop in Canada, exclusively at Shoppers Drug Mart. Named for Brown’s grandmother, the brand is tailored to the star’s Gen Z cohort and aims to encourage an easy and confident approach to beauty. Alongside well-established faves, like adorable whale-shaped under-eye gel pads, a three-piece blue light collection debuted to protect the skin of people who spend a bit too much time in front of a screen…so all of us, really.
Your Next Go-to Hand Cream
Just in time for cooler weather, L’Occitane has launched a new hand cream that will stop dryness in its track. The Youth Hand Cream Serum-in-Cream ($45) brings together nourishing shea butter with the brand’s signature immortelle flower, which targets damage typically seen on older skin. The silky formula also contains hibiscus flower acid to brighten skin and leave your hands ready for whatever the harsh Canadian winter will throw at them.
A Different Approach to Vitamin C
For Glow Ritual, the all-new vitamin C serum from Antipodes ($62), the New Zealand brand turned to the illuminating Kakadu plum–which has up to 100 times the amount of Vitamin C found in oranges—for its distinct formula. The lightweight gel serum absorbs quickly and also contains bakuchiol, a natural retinol alternative ideal for sensitive skin, to smooth and firm, so you’ll be camera-ready for your early-morning Zoom meeting ASAP.
The Ultimate Redness Solution
Not having any luck reducing skin redness? Meet Ren Clean Skincare’s Evercalm Redness Relief Serum ($68). Thanks to white mushroom extract, velvety liquid soothes skin while addressing all seven symptoms of sensitivity–dryness, discomfort, flaky skin, tightness, burning and, of course, redness–when used twice a day. Plus, the product is packed in a recyclable glass bottle with a pump made from 50 percent recycled plastic, so you’ll be feeling good all around.
A New Addition to Your Hair Care Routine
Remember: Scalp health is hair health. The Malin+Goetz Detox Scalp Mask ($45) uses classic skincare ingredients, like exfoliating salicylic acid and clarifying AHAs, to remove dead skin, product buildup, oil and other impurities. Just massage onto your head until the gel foams, leave it on for five minutes, rinse and enjoy the feeling of a refreshed, balanced scalp.
For a Spa-Worthy Shower
You may end up taking longer-than-normal showers thanks to Weleda’s latest drop, Aroma Essentials ($14). Inspired by nature, the range of shower gels and body washes draws on the benefits of aromatherapy to boost your mood and stimulate your senses. Try it in bright Energy (with ginger, java lemongrass and cedarwood extracts), calming Relax (with lavender, bergamot and vetiver extracts) or floral Pamper (with rose, jasmine and ylang ylang extracts). Your next DIY spa day starts now.
A Sensitive Skin-Friendly Retinol
As part of their commitment to sustainability, the makers at clean beauty brand Boscia wanted to develop a retinol serum that doesn’t contain water–which would also mean that there’s a higher concentration of ingredients in the formula. The result of their efforts is the 0.6 Pro-retinol Repair and Renew Waterless Advanced Treatment ($67), a unique, antioxidant-rich oil made with a blend of pro-retinol, plant-based alternative Bakuchiol and sunflower fatty acids that helps reduce the look of fine lines and dark spots without the irritation.
A Powerful Eye Cream
Sensitive skin is at the top of mind with green beauty brand Tata Harper’s Superkind collection. One of its newest additions is the Superkind Bio-Barrier Eye Crème ($163), a potent all-in-one formula. The fragrance-free eye cream goes above and beyond, working to smooth wrinkles, fade dark circles, reduce puffiness and strengthen the delicate skin around the eye. It’s also hypoallergenic, so those who are prone to sensitivity have no need to worry.
The Latest in Bodycare
When you think of Verb, you think of salon-quality hair care. That’s about to change. The professional-level brand has expanded into body care with two new products. First there’s the gentle Verb Body Wash ($18), a lightweight gel with moringa oil and aloe to cleanse and hydrate. Post-bath, apply the fragrance-free, fatty acid-rich Verb Body Lotion ($18) that your (now super soft) skin will love.
Effective Hair Boosters
Alterna’s Peta-certified cruelty-free My Hair. My Canvas. Line has also grown this month. Use a couple pumps of the My. Hair. My Canvas. Glow Crazy Shine Booster ($40) with your fave mask or conditioner to revive and smoothen lacklustre hair for up to an impressive 10 washes. Or, try My Hair. My Canvas. Jelly Fix Repair Booster ($40) to repair environmental damage and prevent breakage down the road.
A Dry Skin Saviour
Managing dry, atopic skin can be frustrating–especially when factors like stress, pollution and changes in temperature just make it worse. Bioderma’s Atoderm Intensive gel-cream ($30) is here to help. The nourishing formula is enriched with anti-itching enoxolone and skin-strengthening niacinamide to reduce inflammation and deliver powerful hydration. Unlike thicker, balmier emollients, this one feels fresh, ultra-light and non-greasy, so you’ll love applying it.
A Royal-Grade Collection
A good skincare routine should feel like an indulgent ritual. Make yours a regal affair with Omorovicza’s Queen Collection. The line has launched with a glam, floral-scented duo. First, there’s the vitamin-rich Queen Cleanser ($122), which carries a rich, creamy texture to gently remove dirt while working to reduce irritation and repair the skin’s barrier. Follow that up with the balm-like Queen Cream ($318), which smooths, protects and primes skin for makeup.
An alluring fragrance duo
Haircare brand Oribe is known for the effervescent, French Riviera-inspired scent that runs through many of its products. The citrusy scent was so popular, the company bottled it into an eau de parfum called Côte d’Azur back in 2014. Now, the brand is expanding its fragrance range with two new scents ($156 each). The ethereal Valley of the Flowers transports wearers to lush, bloom-filled fields with notes of Bulgarian rose, peony petals and amber. On the other hand is Desertland, which imparts notes of juniper berry, desert wildflowers and Texas cedarwood for a crisp, green scent. The only problem? Choosing between the two.
Must-Have Lip Care
Why use traditional lip balm, when the luxe Chanel Le Lift Lip and Contour Care ($110) is right there? The elevated treatment was developed specifically for the fragile skin on the lips and around the mouth and does it all: It smooths fine lines, firms, plumps, hydrates, brightens, comforts and preps lips for lipstick application should you choose. How many more reasons do you need to smile?
A Celeb-Backed Hair Serum
Covet the silky sheen of Gwyneth Paltrow’s hair? Try the latest drop from her lifestyle brand Goop, GOOPGLOW Restore + Shine Hair Serum ($65). The pre-wash treatment is packed with vitamin C, omega-rich sea buckthorn oil and plumeria monoi oil to detangle, boost shine, dampen frizz and moisturize. Apply 20 minutes before you hop in the shower, and you’re good to go.
For a Foolproof Eye Look
Settling on an eye look just got a whole lot easier. Sisley-Paris’ Phyto-Khol Star Waterproof Collection of eyeliners–which, btw, provide long-lasting wear while standing up to rain, sweat, tears and heat–now has six new velvety matte shades as part of its family. Ranging from cobalt-blue Peacock to sleek Onyx, the additions impart vibrant colour that stays in place. The retractable pencil has a creamy, glidable tip, so application is as painless as possible, too.
A Moisturizer That Doesn’t Quit
The Body Shop’s Body Butters have long been reliable cold-weather staples–and they’ve just gotten even better thanks to a well-timed relaunch. With a reinvented vegan formula made from at least 95 percent natural-origin ingredients (including fair trade shea butter), the body butters now promise up to 96 hours (!!!) of moisture without a greasy finish. With the relaunch also comes new additions to the line, like the nourishing Avocado Body Butter ($24) made with sustainably sourced Hass avocado oil from South Africa to quench ultra-dry skin.
New Canadian-Made Natural Skincare
Canadian wellness company Saje is primarily known for its bliss-inducing essential oils, but skincare has always been part of its offering. Now, the brand is changing the game with a brand-new, all-natural range of products that will soon become staples on your shelf. Four lines have been introduced, each specifically formulated to address specific concerns. Claritea products cleanse and hydrate oily and acne-prone skin; True Dew revives dry and mature skin; Glow On combats environmental damage for those with normal or combination skin; and Calm-O-Mile soothes sensitive skin. (From $26)
A One-Step Styler
Taking time to style your hair can feel like a task–especially after months of working from home. Accomplish a breezy look in no time with Revlon’s 1.5’’ One-Step Root Booster Round Brush Dryer & Styler ($70). The smaller brush size gives you more control while using the device to amp up your volume, achieve soft, bouncy curls or flowing waves.
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