Beauty Diary: Best new product launches of 2024 revealed
A loathed regular task has become a dream after a remarkable new product launched that slashed its duration by more than half.
Face & Body
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There are plenty of reasons why 2024 was a year for the history books, but for some, it’s the simple things that have made the past 12 months unforgettable.
Prior to January 1, there were several beauty products that hadn’t entered my personal stratosphere, that now as we approach the end of the year I can no longer imagine my life without.
Sure, that might sound melodramatic. But unless you’ve spent the best part of an hour drying and styling your hair, you’re not actually qualified to comment on the matter, because trust me it’s laborious.
Dyson Airstrait
Price: $749
Available at: Mecca, David Jones and direct from Dyson
Dyson finally launched its wet-to-dry hair straightening tool in Australia back in June after releasing it overseas a year earlier.
The product, described by the British tech giant as one that has “never been done before”, both dries and straightens hair simultaneously – and as such, cuts down on a lengthy hair care routines.
Since getting my hands on the device, it has fast become one of my most used hair tools.
As someone who struggles to get up in the morning, a serious issue when you have a job that comes with an extremely early start time, I’ve always dreaded hair wash day falling on a weekday.
But having the task cut down by more than half to just 10 minutes has been a godsend.
If you think I am exaggerating, I promise you I’m not. I’ve recorded myself going from the post-shower drowned rat look to having a sleek and straight style in that short time-frame several times.
The Dyson Airstrait works by using a powerful airflow to remove water and manipulate hair strands at the same time. Plus, it doesn’t require heat plates to straighten either, meaning there’s less damage on your locks.
It’s worth noting I have quite fine hair, but I do currently have extensions, so there’s quite a lot of it.
The product is definitely on the pricey side, and has a bulky plug that to be honest is less than ideal, however the benefits largely outweigh its downsides which is why it has made this list.
Fresh Lotus Youth Preserve Resurfacing Dream Serum
Price: $98
Available at: Sephora
This humble yet potent product launched in February, and in my opinion, hasn’t received the fanfare it deserves.
As the name suggests, it is a resurfacing night serum that uses AHAs and prickly pear flower extract to munch at dead skin cells and even texture.
But it also contains polyglutamic acid, a little-known ingredient that studies show has a four times greater ability to hold hydration within skin’s surface layers compared to hyaluronic acid, the most common skincare ingredient famed for having hydrating properties.
The dream formulation has been one I’ve fallen head over heels for as it leaves my skin visibly smoother and brighter after use.
Glossier’s arrival Down Under
Available at: Mecca
Fans of the cult US beauty brand Glossier were overjoyed when it launched into 70 Mecca stores nationwide in July.
Created by Emily Weiss in 2014 when she was just 29, it fast became a cosmetics brand Aussies would centre their holidays around, just to be able to bring home one of its popular products.
Now available on our own shores, you no longer need to jet around the world to snag its infamous brow gel. My own personal favourite Glossier item is its “Cloud Paint Gel Cream Blush” which retails for $37.
Mecca said its best-sellers, are Glossier You, a warm, musky fragrance and its lip balm come and skin salve, “Balm Dotcom”, in Strawberry Rose and Birthday Cake.
GHD Chronos Hairstraightener
Price: $465
Available at: Sephora, Adore Beauty and direct from ghd
If you’re wondering how on earth ghd could possibly improve on its iconic hair straighteners, you’re not alone. As someone who first bought a ghd 20 years ago (yes, I am exposing how old I am here), I too wondered what the British brand had done to make its most popular product even better.
It turns out, we’ve come a long way since the brand’s first ever product hit the market in 2001.
While there have of course been new iterations of the device since then, the flagship product was its “Platinum+” which was released in September 2018.
The new Chronos is ghd’s next generation straightener that is described as being “a three times faster HD motion-responsive styler for one stroke high-definition results that last 24 hours”.
It features the latest generation ceramic plates, which will style your hair in one stroke, and delivers 85 per cent more shine. It also makes creating waves in my hair a lot easier.
It’s also noticeably smaller in size and lighter than its predecessor so the Chronos has become my go-to hair tool for travelling.
Another thing I have noticed is that my hair stays less frizzy in the hours after using the Chronos, a feat that is nothing short of miraculous, particularly in this summer heat.
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Originally published as Beauty Diary: Best new product launches of 2024 revealed