I tested dozens of new beauty products this month – these 9 are actually worth your money

Notes: Pink pepper, angelica seed, orange flower, ylang-ylang, honey floral accord, benzoin, patchouli heart, ambrarome, ambroxan, musk, vetiver, tobacco accord, cedarwood heart, oakwood, vanilla bean, tonka bean

Now, controversially, our team will be the first to admit that we weren't the biggest fans of Merit Beauty's debut Retrospect perfume. However, you'll be pleased to know that isn't the case with the brand's second-ever blend, New Wave. Impressively, despite having distinct differences in their fragrance tastes, this scent has united our Digital Beauty Writers, Naomi Jamieson and Sennen Prickett. While hard to describe, the unusual perfume is a warm, contemporary amber that is musky, powerful, and sensual – with a somewhat festive feel. It's also made with nearly 30% fragrance oil that leaves a long-lasting addictive trail behind.

Each year, Tatcha releases a limited-edition version of the bestselling Kissu Lip Mask for the festive season, and October saw the 2026 iteration hit the shelves. Introducing the Deep Maple Red Kissu Lip Mask. This buy boasts the same nourishing and pout-hydrating formula that shoppers know and love, yet is equipped with a gorgeous maple red hue. Sheer yet buildable, its burgundy flush of colour is perfectly apt for the colder winter season.

"I’ve tried countless tubing mascaras (and enjoy most of them), but Iconic’s formula stands out from the crowd because it's unusually good at curling lashes, for a fresh, wide-awake look. Much-needed on gloomy winter mornings. That aside, it has all the usual tubing benefits - no transferring and easy removal with water, plus the curved brush gets right into tiny corner lashes without smudging all over the place."

~ Fiona McKim, Digital Beauty Editor at woman&home

A part of Caudalie's new body care collection, the Crushed Cabernet Body Scrub is inspired by the brand's Vinothérapie Spa treatment. This exfoliator aims to refine texture and improve firmness, and that it does. It's also not harsh when buffed onto the skin; instead, this nourishing formula is infused with grape seed oil and honey to gently banish dead skin cells while softening the complexion. The result? Silky-smooth, supple skin.

Under-eye patches seem to be all the rage at the minute, with multiple brands launching their own iterations left, right and centre. The latest to join the cohort? One of our team's favourite Korean skincare brands, Dr.Althea, with the launch of the Hydra Caffeine Eye Patch. Powered by caffeine, retinol, and bakuchiol, I often reach for these patches first thing in the morning or before a big event to give the under-eyes a smoother, hydrated, and awakened appearance. Not only that, but they also offer an instant cooling and soothing sensation for a refreshing effect.

Unlike stronghold hair wax sticks that I've tried, this smoothing cream is a lightweight lotion that feels kinder on the strands. It works to tame flyaways and delivers flexible hold – without hair appearing greasy or feeling sticky and stiff. It's also enriched with hydrating glycerin, which leaves the strands feeling smooth, soft, nourished and moisturised.

It might only be the start of November, but unlock the festive energy with NEOM's limited-edition Christmas candles. I opted for the gorgeous Perfect Peace offering, which arrives in a gorgeous rippled olive green glass jar that looks stunning on any countertop, bath side, or coffee table. This 100% natural blend boasts an uplifting fir, myrrh, and lime peel scent that fills the room with a relaxing reminder of the upcoming festive season – without being too overpowering a Christmas fragrance.

L'Occitane's iconic and editor-approved Almond Shower Oil has been given a limited-edition sister formula for the festive season: enter the new Almond Shower Foam. This airy, foamy delight lathers onto the skin, gently cleansing the complexion whilst maintaining a balanced moisture barrier. Just like us, you'll be pleased to know it boasts the same deliciously nutty gourmand almond scent as the shower oil. Simply massage onto damp skin before rinsing to reveal soft and comfortably hydrated skin.

If your lips are feeling the effects of the shift in weather, look no further than ishga's Replenishing Lip Balm. With 100% organic ingredients, such as shea butter and beeswax, this balm is like a big glass of water for thirsty lips. Its luxurious formula melts into the lips, creating a protective barrier over the delicate skin, helping to deeply and intensely hydrate the pout – without the need to reapply frequently.