Meet The World's Most Game-Changing Beauty Products

A product that changed the game for me was definitely Anastasia Beverly Hills Brow Freeze. I have pretty thick brows that happen to be one of my favourite features. I tried every brow gel and soap on the market but literally nothing made me love my brows more than this product!

Gottmik, make-up artist and drag megastar

I originally discovered Shiseido Future Solution Foundation by accident - my assistant forgot to pack my concealers, and Shiseido had just messengered over these medium-full coverage foundations. So I was like, screw it, let me try. I think there’s a lot of great concealers on the market to cover imperfections and blemishes, but it’s very hard to find a formula that doesn’t settle into unflattering areas or crease and dry out.

So with this foundation I use a foundation brush and paint it on, then I use a damp Beautyblender to roll it in. It’s so beautiful because it covers and creates a second skin, but you can very much layer it without it becoming unflattering. As a make-up artist I know how to cover somebody so it photographs well, but it’s another situation to have something that really lasts for the day without creasing.

I always find the eye area so tricky to conceal, and this is the only thing I use under the eyes. I use shade 2, which is a little lighter than my own skin tone. It is magic - I love it.

Nam Vo, make-up artist

A product that really changed the game for me is the Laneige Lip Sleeping Mask, after I noticed models and clients asking for it over and over again. While Korean skincare is not new, it’s still quite inimitable. As with anything in make-up or skincare, I love to find alternative ways to use products. This one is supposed to be an overnight mask, so naturally its ingredients are more active and it works wonders as a lip balm, especially because it gets rid of the dead cells, and those have a lot to do with how your lips look. Just apply a little less than you think you’ll need and let it work its magic!

Isamaya Ffrench, make-up artist

The nineties are going to continue to be a constant source of inspiration. With that in mind, MAC Uninterrupted Eyeshadow is getting a heavy workout in my kit right now. This perfect shade of builder’s tea gives the eye an earthy ‘Corinne Day’ look when wrapped around some chunky mascara’d lashes.

Dominic Skinner, global senior artist at MAC Cosmetics

It’s hard to whittle it down to one product from the beauty offering at Browns, but I tell everyone who'll sit still long enough about Mount Sapo. A friend gave me a bottle of it, apologising for adding to my already over-filled bathroom cabinet, but insisting that it would change my life.

While I don’t think we should hang too much importance on products, I am completely evangelical about this oil. It has an addictive medicinal scent that stays on your skin and makes you feel clean all day long. It’s extremely hydrating and nourishing, it’s cruelty-free and vegan and you can use it all over your hair and body. It’s the only thing my partner who suffers with chronic eczema can use and the smell makes me think of him, which is an added bonus. Buy it now and thank me later.

Nellie Eden, Creative Beauty Editor In Residence, Browns

My game-changing favourite is the new KVD Beauty Good Apple Concealer. Finding the perfect concealer seems to be a never-ending struggle for so many people but this one has come to change the game. As KVD’s global director of artistry I’ve been able to trial products before they launch and I’ve been so very excited about this one. It sits so beautifully and doesn’t budge, even under eyes. It’s launching in the UK soon, so watch out!

Nikki Wolff, make-up artist

Santa Maria Novella - Melagrano Eau de Cologne is a beautifully simple yet complex fragrance that at once conjures up relaxing times on the beach in Thailand and wonderful city treats in Manhattan ( I first discovered the brand when I lived in NYC in 2003).

It is fresh and powdery with a beautifully spicy heart. Classic yet modern, Melagrano is a true contradiction that can be worn by anybody at any time. The classic EDC is traditionally beautiful whilst the Firenze 1221 Edition has a modern depth, both as beautiful as each other.

Adam Reed, hair stylist and founder of Arkive.

Complexion is my first love and launching my first foundation last year was such a proud moment for me. It forms the base to almost every look I create and the customisable coverage allows you to tailor a base that’s truly bespoke. One of my secrets to creating my signature, naturally perfected look a la Eldridge, is to use The Foundation with my Patchwork Skin technique. Buffing in thin layers only where coverage is necessary, to let your natural beauty shine through!

Lisa Eldridge, make-up artist

It’s not often you come across a make-up brush that truly transforms the way your make-up looks but Dior have done it. This odd-looking foundation brush might look more like you should apply shoe polish than your go-to foundation but trust me, it’s a total base game changer. The small ergonomic design allows you to get a solid grip whilst the dense bristles apply just the right amount of pressure to buff in your foundation for a finish that doesn’t cake or catch in face hairs. Instead of the foundation sitting on top of my skin, this brush makes it look like it’s actually part of my skin. My streaky days of finger application are officially over.

George Driver, Senior Digital Beauty Editor

My partner first bought me a bottle of Diptyque’s Eau Moheli when I was in my early twenties – it was eye-wateringly precious and I could barely bring myself to use it, lest it run out. A decade later, I bought myself a fresh bottle to wear on our wedding day. The blend of creamy ylang-ylang and spiky pink peppercorn is the ultimate summer scent: warm and exotic yet never sickly. Think green, tropical jungle, not curdling pina colada. I might not ration it quite so strictly these days, but it’s still just as special.

Roberta Schroeder, Luxury Hub Senior Ecommerce Editor

I’ve been using the Babyliss Big Hair (or ‘Hot Air Styler’, depending which incarnation you get. Spoiler: they’re all great) for almost 10 years, almost daily. And almost weekly (if not more) I get asked if I’ve had a blow-dry. It smooths and adds shine to my frizzy, crunchy hair in less than 10 minutes. I admit it does take a knack to use it, but persevere, because the results are so, SO good.

Jennifer George, Beauty Editor

I have always had ‘problem skin.’ Not quite acne but enough flare ups that I feel like I’m doing something wrong. I’ve used a lot of products (too many to admit to!) that claim to be the answer to all my spot prayers and alas they have had little to no effect. But then along came Paula’s Choice Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant. No, it won’t cure your acne over night but if you struggle with what to reach for when your skin is going through a tough time, I’m here to tell you it’s this.

Amy Brewster, Head Of Social Media

Blistex Intensive Moisturiser lip cream genuinely changed my life. In my late twenties I started getting cold sores if I was overly stressed, run down or it was just too cold outside and my lips were chapped. And a friend told me that religiously slathering on Blistex was the key to a life without cold sores and she was right. It's the only lip balm I don't have to reapply every five minutes, it stops cracked lips in their tracks and I now keep one in every handbag and coat pocket and have a stash of them in my beauty drawer so that I never run out. I am now a lifelong Blistex disciple, may they never discontinue it. 🙏

Natasha Bird, Executive Editor (Digital)

My lashes were never my best feature. They’re straight, gossamer fine, short (thanks genetics) and it doesn’t help that I tend to gently tug on them whenever my hands are fidgety.

I know the key to longer lashes is to religiously apply a lash-growth serum or treatment, so last January I committed to applying Rapidlash every single night, without fail. I keep it on my bedside table and use it right before bed. I’ll even take it with me on holidays.

And readers, it has paid off. Six months and a couple of tubes later and my lashes are noticeably darker, longer and stronger. The fact that close friends and family have noticed my bare lashes at arms length is a testament to how excellent Rapidlash is. I’ve not had any undesirable stinging or reactions either. Truly a game-changer and I have the before and afters to prove it.

Medina Azaldin, Luxury Hub Senior Beauty Assistant

The only words I have for ZO Skin Health By Obagi are ‘life’ and ‘changing’. I’d re-do my entire skin routine with their products if I could. Currently it’s two out of the seven but I’m working on it. The dream of the full ZO skin ritual is ongoing!

Georgia Medley, Fashion Editor

For years I’ve struggled with adult acne and finding that delicate balance between drying out whiteheads and keeping my skin hydrated. Last year ELLE’s Skintellectuals expert Dr Ejikeme recommended I try Obagi Hydrate facial moisturiser, which is a fragrance-free cream that contains shea butter, mango butter, avocado and glycerin. Within days I noticed a drastic change in my skin’s brightness and texture – just one pump of cream in the morning and evening means my skin is plump and hydrated, rather than feeling oily. I’m currently on my fourth round of Roaccutance and if there’s one product I swear by to keep dry skin at bay, it’s this.

Katie O'Malley, Deputy Digital Editor

I had never found an eye cream that actually did anything before I tried Revive’s. It’s lightly tinted in the perfect way that just evens out my dark under eyes and makes me look alive. It’s super hydrating, doesn’t cling to dry skin, really it’s just incredible. Even better, it lasts forever as you only need a teeny bit each day. The dream.

Clementina Jackson, Acting Fashion Editor