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By Aliyah Ray • October 22, 2025 • 9 mins read
Products featured on Ntrl Look are chosen independently by our editorial team. When you shop through our affiliate links, we may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.
The pace of makeup launches creates a challenging curation exercise. Dozens of products are released weekly, many addressing similar needs with marginal differentiation. We’ve assessed six recent releases based on formulation quality, performance claims, and whether they genuinely improve on existing options.
Some we’ve tested extensively in professional settings. Others represent strong formulations from brands with proven track records. Here’s our honest assessment of what’s worth your attention.
Comfortable daily wear with buildable pigmentation
Refy established credibility in the brow category before expanding into lip products. This lipstick collection delivers on a specific brief: buildable colour with long wear that doesn’t feel drying—a balance many formulas fail to achieve.
The formula incorporates shea butter and jojoba oil for hydration while maintaining semi-matte finish and pigmentation. One swipe provides subtle definition; layering builds intensity. The texture sits between traditional lipstick and lip balm—comfortable enough for all-day wear without constant awareness of having product on.
The 12-shade range includes well-formulated nudes with depth and warmth that work across different skin tones. Wear time runs 4-6 hours before requiring touch-up, and the fade is even rather than patchy—the mark of thoughtful formulation.
Designed for: Daily wear without constant maintenance, for those who find most lipsticks drying, and for building a practical colour wardrobe.
Refy Lipstick
Balanced longevity with hydration
Laura Mercier’s extension from setting powder into setting spray was inevitable, given their category dominance. This formula takes a hydration-focused approach using glacier water and hyaluronic acid rather than alcohol-heavy formulations.
The fine mist locks makeup for an additional 4-6 hours while maintaining a natural, slightly dewy finish. It prevents the powdery, cakey appearance that develops throughout the day with traditional setting sprays, keeping skin looking fresh rather than flat.
This won’t deliver extreme 16-hour wear, but that’s by design. It prioritises balance—solid longevity without compromising skin appearance or comfort. The nozzle delivers even, consistent application without disturbing carefully applied makeup.
Designed for: Dry or combination skin; those preferring fresh, dewy finish over extreme staying power; everyday wear requiring polish without heavy-duty performance.
Laura Mercier Translucent Hydrating Setting Spray Ultra Blur
The sophisticated lip gloss that catches light without looking like a teenage throwback.
Lisa Eldridge’s professional background—decades working on magazine editorials and red carpets—informs her product development. This gloss embodies that aesthetic: elevated, wearable, sophisticated rather than trendy.
The “Sequin” finish delivers light-catching shimmer through micro-particles that read as refined sparkle rather than chunky glitter. It photographs well and translates elegantly in person. The formula is non-sticky with subtle vanilla scent, containing nourishing oils that condition as you wear. It fades gracefully over 2-3 hours, leaving lips soft rather than dry.
The £20 price point sits at the premium end for gloss. The finish and formulation quality justify this if you regularly incorporate gloss into your routine, but consider whether this aligns with your actual usage frequency.
Designed for: Special occasions requiring polished glamour; layering over lipstick for dimensional colour; those who appreciate refined shine.
Lisa Eldridge Gloss Embrace Sequin Lip Gloss
The blush that genuinely minimises pores while adding colour.
Ilia has quietly established itself among top makeup brands, and this blush demonstrates exactly why. The “soft focus” technology works through microspheres that diffuse light to blur imperfections—a genuine performance benefit rather than marketing language.
The cream-to-powder formula glides on smoothly, blending effortlessly before setting to a natural finish that stays in place for 6-8 hours. The formula is buildable, allowing anything from subtle flush to more defined colour depending on your needs.
What makes this particularly effective is its dual functionality: it works beautifully on both cheeks and lips, allowing you to create cohesive, monochromatic looks with minimal products. The formula qualifies as clean beauty—free from controversial ingredients—without compromising on performance, which remains rare in that category.
Designed for: Anyone concerned about visible pores or texture; those seeking natural flush that doesn’t emphasise skin texture; sensitive skin types; creating streamlined makeup routines.
Ilia Beauty Soft Focus Blurring Blush
The mascara that delivers fluffy, separated lashes without the crunch.
Milk Makeup’s original Kush Mascara developed a devoted following, and this “Big Hit” iteration amplifies what made it successful: natural-looking volume with a soft, flexible finish rather than stiff, crunchy lashes.
The hourglass-shaped brush design proves effective. Dense enough to deposit substantial product but spaced to separate each lash, it reaches root level for maximum lift and impact. The formula contains hemp-derived cannabis seed oil, which conditions lashes with every application—relevant if you wear mascara daily.
Multiple coats build volume while maintaining soft, natural appearance. The black pigment is properly black, not the greyish tone some natural formulas produce. Expect 8+ hours of wear without flaking or smudging, and removal is straightforward with standard makeup remover—no aggressive rubbing required.
Designed for: Those wanting voluminous but natural lashes; straight lashes needing hold; anyone concerned about lash health and conditioning.
Milk Makeup Kush Big Hit Volumising Mascara
The customisable foundation that adapts to your skin’s changing needs.
Victoria Beckham Beauty has proven it’s more than celebrity branding—the formulas demonstrate genuine sophistication. These foundation drops provide total control over coverage and finish, addressing the reality that your skin’s needs change with seasons, hormones, and occasions.
Mix 1-2 drops with your moisturiser for sheer coverage or use 5+ drops alone for full coverage. The formula works with different bases: oils for glow, serums for skincare benefits, primers for grip. It contains hyaluronic acid and peptides for hydration and skin resilience.
There is a learning curve. You’ll need to experiment with ratios and bases to find your optimal combination. But that customisation is precisely the point—one bottle replaces multiple foundations across different coverage needs and seasonal variations.
Designed for: Those who enjoy customising products; skin that changes with seasons or hormones; anyone wanting to streamline their foundation collection.
Victoria Beckham Beauty The Foundation Drops
These six products share specific qualities worth noting. Each addresses a genuine need rather than chasing trends—comfortable daily wear, hydration without compromising longevity, sophisticated finishes, natural-looking results. The formulations demonstrate thoughtful development rather than quick responses to social media moments.
If you’re building a more curated routine focused on quality over quantity, these products warrant investigation. The price points range from £20 to £104, with most sitting in the £22-£32 range for daily staples. The Victoria Beckham Foundation Drops justify their higher investment if you value customisation and seasonal adaptability, but the more accessible options deliver comparable quality in their respective categories.
We recommend starting with products that address your specific priorities—whether that’s comfortable lipstick for daily wear, setting spray that maintains skin appearance, or foundation flexibility across seasons. These aren’t products you need to purchase immediately, but they represent the kind of thoughtful formulation worth considering when you’re ready to replace existing staples.
Brands are rolling out fresh drops like multi-use tints, dewy skin foundations, and minimalist cream blushes. Expect formulas focused on glow, skin health, and effortless wear.
Emerging clean beauty labels and celebrity-backed lines are taking over. Names like Rare Beauty, Summer Fridays, and Tower 28 continue to lead the conversation.
Soft glam, monochromatic tones, and “clean girl” makeup are everywhere. Think radiant skin, fluffy brows, and barely-there lips.
Look for hybrid skincare-makeup formulas that hydrate while enhancing your skin. Multi-use sticks, tinted serums, and lightweight concealers are top picks right now.
Fenty Beauty and Rare Beauty remain favourites for their inclusive shade ranges and high-performance formulas. Both continue to set the tone for modern, skin-first beauty.
Lip oils, blush balms, and skin tints are dominating beauty feeds. The viral favourites combine instant payoff with that “no-makeup” finish everyone’s after.
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