The Beauty Diary: New beauty product launches you need to try
This photo shows the striking similarities between a supermarket version of a cult-beauty item – but its near identical features run deep.
The beauty equivalent of finding a needle in a haystack is discovering an amazing dupe of a luxury item.
It’s insanely satisfying to find something that works as good as an expensive brand without having to fork out for it.
Recently a supermarket version of one of my favourite beauty products, the $28 Laneige Lip Sleeping Mask, was released in Woolworths.
In fact, MCoBeauty’s $25 Sleeping Lip Mask looks so similar to the Korean brand’s, I shared a photo of them alongside each other on Instagram and people only had one question: “Is it as good?”
It seems shoppers are willing to take their bets, with MCoBeauty telling news.com.au’s The Beauty Diary it was the top-selling product from a range of 28 limited-edition items in Celeste Barber’s Big Beauty Love collection.
Online, many have praised its “delicious” formula, quickly earning gold “dupe” status.
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So I put my beloved Laneige to one side – the only lip product that has ever fixed my dry lip issue (read my full review here) – to test it out.
It isn’t the only exciting new launch I want to share with you, with a bunch of new products landing on my desk recently that I’ve been super impressed with.
MCOBEAUTY LIMITED EDITION SLEEPING LIP MASK
Available at Woolworths and mcobeauty.com
Price: $25
To look at, you’d be forgiven for getting the two different products confused. Both come in the same-sized pink pots, and promise to hydrate while you sleep.
But upon closer inspection, they’re are tiny differences. MCoBeauty’s has a sweet, fruity fragrance to it while Laneige offers its cult item in a variety of different flavours – mine is the “pink grapefruit” – and has a very subtle scent.
Another difference I found was the finish of MCo’s had a slight tint on application, compared to the completely clear Laneige. The tint put me off a little with it being a sleep mask – the last thing I wanted was salmon-coloured smears on my silk pillowcase – but thankfully it didn’t transfer.
Waking up my lips were definitely soft and flake free – but considering there’s only $3 difference between the supermarket version and the OG, I don’t think the saving is enough to make me kiss goodbye to my trusty Laneige.
However, the convenience of MCo’s lip mask being available in Woolworths makes it super easy to pick up – you’ll have to be quick though as the product is one of Celeste Barber’s limited edition goodies with the cruelty free, vegan, Australian brand and is only in stores for three more weeks.
BITE BEAUTY UPSWING FULL MASCARA
Available at Sephora
Price: $39
There are a lot of really average mascaras out there, but this isn’t one of them. With a single coat, this baby makes my lashes longer and appear thicker which is precisely what I am after. It also doesn’t smudge or rub off under my eyes.
The formula is really easy to remove with an oil cleanser too, not gripping on too tightly that it tugs as you try to remove it, damaging the lashes.
The brush is a little on the large side, but it didn’t bother me at all – however I know some have said online it makes it difficult to get those smaller bottom lash hairs, but that wasn’t my experience.
One of my friends even asked me if I had falsies on while I was wearing it, and I don’t think I can give a better review than that.
OLE HENRIKSEN LEMONADE SMOOTHING SCRUB
Available at Sephora
Price: $40
This tangy facial scrub that has the bubbly texture of fizzy sherbet (I was going to reference a British Double Dip, but my Aussie colleagues said you didn’t grow up with those, so think Wizz Fizz).
The formula features all the good stuff that eats up dead skin cells, including AHAs and sugar to buff it away. It’s surprisingly gentle for a physical and chemical exfoliant, probably because it also has skin-calming ingredients to help balance the potent formula.
But if you have sensitive skin, I would suggest trying something with less kick. After using, my face is soft, bright and has that fresh feeling you get after having a professional facial. I love it.
This column is not advertorial content. Every review is independent, honest and ad free.
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