Andalou Naturals merited a mention in Lucire when we spotted them at Natural Products Expo West in Anaheim, Calif. back in 2017 and, finally, it’s made it to our shores here at our New Zealand head office, with a well thought out cruelty-free skin care range and, as in the US, decent prices for a range that’s non-GMO, 98 per cent naturally derived.
   It’s clear which one caught our eye the most: Andalou Naturals’ Brightening Honey Pumpkin Glycolic Mask (NZ$27·99), with fruit stem cells, vitamin C, and glycolic AHA, blended with manuka honey and organic pumpkin. This one’s 99 per cent naturally derived, with a mix of certified organic and Fair Trade ingredients, suitable for combination skin types. The pumpkin and glycolic AHA exfoliate the skin, while the honey hydrates, leaving skin tingling initially. Leave it on overnight and come but looking refreshed the next morning.
   The Brightening Probiotic + C Renewal Cream (NZ$39·99) also uses fruit stem cell complex and vitamin C, plus skin-friendly probiotic microflora. It’s an effective moisturizer and works under make-up.

   And if we thought the pumpkin mask was a treat, Andalou Naturals also has the Avo Cocoa Skin Food Mask (NZ$27·99), with fruit stem cell complex, resveratrol CoQ10, organic avocado oil and (you’ll notice the scent) pure dark cocoa, which is rich in antioxidants. It’s part of its age-defying line. The result: smoother, brighter and softer skin.
   Andalou Naturals also has a fruit stem cell Revitalize Serum (NZ$39·99) and a Deep Wrinkle Dermal Filler (NZ$34·99) as part of the age-defying line. The serum, with fruit stem cell complex, resveratrol CoQ10 and goji glycopeptides support collagen and elastin in the skin, while the dermal filler has the addition of capuacu butter to reduce skin tension and plump and smooth fine lines and wrinkles. It’s particularly well priced for a filler and has a noticeable effect on those fine lines.
   We recognize everyone’s skin is different, so others’ experiences may differ. Our judgement is this is a high-performance, well priced range that should do as well here as it has done overseas. Chemist Warehouse now stocks Andalou Naturals in New Zealand, with a much broader line than we’ve featured here, including gluten-free and vegan items. More information can be found at its Australian website, andalou.com.au.

Above, from top: The warm and wearable Italian Summer palette. Sun-kissed hues await inside the golden Off to Costa Rica palette. Online exclusive, Tropical Getaway, is a departure from ordinary bronzers and shimmer powders.

Leave it to Anastasia Soarer of Anastasia Beverly Hills to have her eye on what her customers truly want when it comes to colour, convenience and a touch of luxury. While her focus was on making the most of masking up by upgrading brows in a customizable way last fall, this summer, her focus is on easy, glowy glamour inspired by Italy, Costa Rica, southeast Asia and Belize—destinations we’ve missed during quarantine.
   The Tropical Getaway, an online exclusive, offers the most dramatic of the trio of trios, consisting of Coconut bronzer, Belize highlighter and Dragon Fruit blush. Off to Costa Rica evokes the sun and rain-drenched hues of central America with Amber Brown bronzer, Sunset Beach highlighter and the bright coral Hibiscus blush. The very wearable Italian Summer puts a Mediterranean glow within reach with its Pompia bronzer, Sardania highlighter and Camellia blush. The luxe formulas, suitable for all skin types and tones, are layerable and lasting, as well as packaged in stylish, sparkly compacts. We think these (retailing for US$58) mark the perfect intersection of minimalist to-go beauty and maximum versatility.
   For more information, other summer beauty essentials and pro-tips, visit www.anastasiabeverlyhills.com. Palettes are also available at Ulta Beauty and Sephora sites and brick-and-mortar stores.

F.-G. Grandin/MNHN; top photo by Agnès Iatzoura/MNHN

Lancôme has partnered with the Muséum national d’histoire naturelle (National Museum of Natural History) with the aim of preserving endangered plant species, in a new conservation project.
   In a statement, its global brand president Françoise Lehmann said, ‘We are proud to participate in the conservation of endangered plant species like the Rose of France (Rosa gallica), as part of a global partnership with the National Museum of Natural History, whose international influence is recognized. The museum is a leading organization when it comes to research and expertise in the field of biodiversity protection and we are proud to take part in this important mission which meets France’s commitments for the Convention on Biological Diversity.
   â€˜Protecting biodiversity is major component of Lancôme’s sustainability programme [dubbed Caring Together for a Happier Tomorrow]. The brand is already spearheading this mission in Grasse and Valensole, in the south of France, where we are growing roses and other plant species in an organic and sustainable way across 25 acres of land.’
   The project is being implemented by the museum’s Conservatoire botanique national du Bassin parisien (the CBNBP, or the National Botanical Conservatory of the Paris Basin), which sees the reintroduction of endangered plant species. Seeds had been collected and banked earlier in the CBNBP’s regions and will be planted in experimental gardens.
   Among those species is Rosa gallica, which ties in with Lancôme’s own symbol, as well as Arnica montana, campanula cervicaria, inula hirta, ranunculus hederaceus and viscaria vulgaris.

Time really has flown, with GHD (Good Hair Day) celebrating its 20th anniversary. The company commemorates this milestone with a limited-edition Hair-itage Couture collection.
   In its 20 years, GHD’s R&D laboratories have developed tools for hair heat styling that are now used by 200,000 stylists around the world, and sold in over 30 countries. GHD sells 2 million tools every year, and has won over 300 beauty awards.
   The tools maintain a consistent 185°C heat, which is the optimum temperature for styling without compromising hair health.
   It wasn’t just the stylists who told us that GHD was on to a winner, but those early adopters who then told their friends—we hadn’t seen any stylers get that level of word of mouth. When Lucire published its first print editions, GHD was there as a major supporter, directly from its head office in the UK—people who recognized that the two brands were in sync.
   And no, this isn’t a paid spot—we’re as excited about this 20th anniversary as they are.
   The Couture range comprises the Platinum Plus styler (NZ$410 with chrome heat-resistant bag), the Helios hair drier (NZ$340) with 30 per cent more hair shine versus naturally dried hair; the Gold styler (NZ$350, also with chrome heat-resistant bag); and the Style gift set (NZ$59), an exclusive chrome wash bag with mini paddle brush, travel-size Bodyguard heat protect spray, and two GHD silver clips. All are available through GHD élite salons and ghdhair.com/nz.

Both Megan Thee Stallion and Sofia Carson appear in new fragrance campaigns for Revlon: Stallion for Reign On and Carson for One Heart.
   â€˜Revlon’s Reign On is the perfect fragrance for all my Hot Girls. It is fresh and flirty and will complement any summer vibe,’ said Stallion in a release.
   â€˜One Heart embraces you with love, a love that we all long for, now more than ever. Every time I wear this fragrance, its beautiful florals and musks comfort me with an undeniable feeling of tenderness and hope,’ added Carson.
   Reign On is a fruity fragrance with top notes of lemon confit and drenched bamboo leaves, middle notes of bright jasmine petals, waterlily and butterfly flower, and basenotes of sheer musks, blonde woods and salty moss. The 30 ml eau de toilette spray retails for US$25 and the 256 ml fine fragrance mist for US$9·99.
   One Heart is a woody floral, with top notes of pink pepper and pear blossom, middle notes of lily of the valley, peony and heliotrope, and basenotes of orris, sandalwood and milky musks. Sizes and prices are the same as for Reign On: the eau de toilette for US$25 and the mist for US$9·99.
   They are available through Amazon and select CVS stores. Hashtags for the pair are #RevlonxMeg and #RevlonxSofia respectively.

Say sayonara to scars and ciao baby to that double chin. K-beauty brand Miss Spa premières their new line of body skin care products, being released online at Ulta and Walgreen’s this month. Miss Spa Sculpt features full-body serums, medical-grade silicone patches and easy-to-use beauty tools any skin care junkie should have in her arsenal.
   The new line is built on the belief that anyone can achieve professional spa results at home, and that skin care isn’t just for your face any more. The full-body serums are infused with nourishing and brightening ingredients like hyaluronic acid, hibiscus extract, aloe and peptides. The reusable Miss Spa Sculpt medical-grade silicone patches target scars, wrinkles and creases on your neck, décolletage and anywhere on your body. The face and body microneedling set, LED light therapy and germanium rolling tools make spa-quality treatment available at home.
   Miss Spa Sculpt empowers women to create their own personalized skin care routines with high-quality skin care products. Miss Spa Sculpt celebrates inclusion, diversity and embracing the skin you’re in. Bonjour beautiful body!