Heat, Humidity and Party Season: 17 Products That Helped Me Live, Laugh, Love Through October

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For beauty journalists, the end of a month is always a time to reflect on the launches we loved and the products we discovered. October for me was about four things: warmer weather, party season looking back on the trends of the year, and my ever-evolving love affair with hair extensions that have seen countless new products, techniques and tools enter my life.

Without further ado, here are the products that rocked my world in October.

Best of October: Makeup

Hourglass, Ambient Soft Glow Foundation

Because of my dry and dehydrated skin type, I usually prefer dewy, balmy foundations or sheer, serum-like tints that give my complexion plenty of nourishment. This Hourglass foundation, billed as a 16-hour wear, light diffusing formula was a little left of field for me — typically long wear equates to a matte finish and stiff texture. Instead, I found in Hourglass, Ambient Soft Glow Foundation ($87) a fluffy, sweat and humidity-resistant blur tool in a bottle.

I trialled this product when I was feeling particularly unexceptional one Sunday morning. I’d resigned myself to neither looking nor feeling my best and thought that it was as good a time as any to try a new foundation (better to have your makeup go south on a day you’re not otherwise feeling #flawless). One half-pea-sized pump later and I was looking smooth, radiant and totally poreless. I buffed it into my t-zone with a Real Techniques, RT Expert Concealer Brush ($20) with controlled circular motions, and it disappeared — along with my pores and sweaty t-zone.

I’ll be buffing all summer long, because this stuff is pure genius.

Rare Beauty, Perfect Strokes Universal Volumising Mascara

Rare Beauty, Perfect Strokes Universal Volumizing Mascara, ($34) — Rare Beauty, Perfect Strokes Universal Volumising Mascara, ($34) Image credit: Rare Beauty

When I need something waterproof enough to see me through a downpour, wedding or funeral, I check this list, but when I’m going about my day and simply want a long-wearing, flake and smudge-free mascara, Rare Beauty, Perfect Strokes Universal Volumising Mascara, ($34) is my new summer favourite.

Perfect for humid days, this lightweight formula packs a tonne of volume, separation and length. Tested for performance on every type of lash, Rare Beauty, Perfect Strokes pitches itself as the “wand for everyone.” While I only tested it on my long, fine lashes, it delivered on length, separation, volume and curl, and withstood my seasonal hayfever-affected watery eyes. It stays all day, washes away with ease and is really all you can ask for in a lash booster.

Charlotte Tilbury, Pillow Talk Beautifying Face Palette

Charlotte Tilbury has elevated beauty packaging to high art. Limited edition, the Pillow Talk, Beautifying Face Palette ($120) contains two highlighter formulas and two matte blushes, encased in a stunning duo chrome, mother-of-pearl case that will make you feel you’re on the set of Valley of the Dolls.

The formula itself is silky smooth and infused with glycerine and silica, which means it cranks up the wattage without highlighting skin texture. Small enough for a handbag, the mirror is large enough for on-the-go touch-ups. I use the fair colour way, but there is also a medium option for deeper skin tones.

Byredo, Lipstick

The great minds at Byredo have been slowly rolling out innovative beauty products — including this writer’s favourite waterproof mascara — for some time. In October they launched into lips and, to quote our favourite fast-food jingle, I’m loving it.

With architecturally stunning, ergonomically genius packaging and fashion-forward shades, the Byredo, Lipstick ($75) is high pigment, long-wearing and available in 15 shades. Our current favourite? “Divorce.” It’s the perfect, peppery “FU” bold shade for summer to channel your Emily Ratajkowski 2022 baddie energy with.

Velour Lashes, Plant Fibre Lashes

One trend I’ve made a note of is the return of Snapchat filter-esque makeup with trends like “passport makeup”. I hadn’t worn strip lashes for a long time, but when I did, I soon remembered why I used to wear three stacks of them at a time: they make you look cartoonishly pretty, which is not always (but quite a lot of the time) how you want to look. One thing that’s not cute about strip lashes, though? Most are made from polybutylene terephthalate (PBT), a non-biodegradable plastic. Velour Lashes, Plant Fibre Lashes ($37) are hemp-derived fibre lashes, encased in 100% recyclable packaging. Even better, if you take good care of these durable lashes, you can reuse them 20 times.

Best of October: Nails

Kiss, Acrylic Nude French Nails

This is our first proper party season not hemmed in by COVID restrictions in awhile. For beauty writers, that means lots of very glam after-work events where brands showcase their summer and holiday season launches. While we all agree parties have made a welcome return, there’s nothing like a glam event to spur panic buying.

As I tried to remember what “cocktail attire” meant, I picked up a pack of Kiss, Acrylic Nude French Nails, ($19), wondering if that was something people did for parties.

I’ve since decided that nail extensions are one of the best ways to lift both your spirits and your look. Plus, unlike hair extensions, they don’t take hours at the salon or break the bank. I didn’t need to resize my nails, I just stuck them on, trimmed them down and filed them into shape, before following with polish. All of this was completed while I was waiting for my fake tan to dry, which brings us to our next category.

Best of October: Body

Isle of Paradise, Self-Tanning Drops

Isle of Paradise Tanning Drops in Light ($43) Image credit: MECCA

I fell back in love with tanning after meeting with Jules Von Hep, founder of Isle of Paradise this month, and realising that I don’t need to forgo my pale girl identity to benefit from a healthy glow and even skin tone. Fake tanning for the face is still extremely intimidating, though, so under Von Hep’s instructions I started with Isle of Paradise Tanning Drops in Light ($43).

Ph-tested and hypoallergenic, these tanning drops can be added to any serum or moisturiser, and each shade has a beauty-boosting ingredient added to take care of your complexion’s unique needs.

James Reed, Glow20 Express Tan Mousse

Continuing my tanning rampage, I discovered James Reed, Glow20 Express Tan Mousse ($59) when I had 12 hours to get my limbs mini skirt-ready for an event. The genius of the Glow20 Express tan is that A) It has a guide colour, meaning you can clock exactly where you’ve applied it, and B) It develops in under 90 minutes. Technically, you can leave it on for as little as 20 minutes, or up to 90 minutes, depending on the intensity of the tan you’re looking for. After a few trials, I’ve settled on 45-to-60 minutes. Then, I simply jump in the shower and leap into bed. The tan develops over the next few hours and you’ll wake up literally and figuratively golden.

Patrick Ta, Major Glow Body Oil

One more body product before we finish: Patrick Ta, Major Glow Body Oil ($85), which spiced up my life and my limbs in October. The superfine mist is SHIMMERY, and left my legs with a deep, J Lo glow, while olive oil and squalene counteracted the drying effects of my new fake tan regime.

Frank Body, Hydrating Body Sunscreen

What goes best with a fake tan? Plenty of SPF. Adding facial SPF is a step in my morning skincare routine I never miss, and I always top up throughout the day. But, I have to admit, I often forget about my body.

Frank Body, Hydrating Body Sunscreen 50+ ($30) is conveniently packaged with a protective cap, smells like coconut and absorbs easily into the skin without the conspicuous sticky texture or chemical scent so many body sunscreens are accompanied by.

Perfect for sunny, sticky days, this product is light and absorbent. Just remember to apply the correct amount (check the Cancer Council guidelines here), wait 20 minutes after application before heading out into the sun, reapply every two hours (and after swimming, rubbing yourself with a towel or getting sweaty on the day time d-floor) and follow usage instructions.

Best of October: Skincare

Esmi Skin Minerals, Anti-Redness Minty Green Smoothie Serum

Party season has been in full swing, and humidity has been on the rise. My skincare routine has been all about rotating potent night serums (I’m still dedicated to the Verso Super Elixir I discovered last month) with soothing and replenishing hydrators that ensure I can keep any irritation from seasonal allergies dialled down, and makeup looking snatched during long, dehydrating days at the office.

Esmi Skin Minerals Hyaluronic Hydrating Serum ($65) is one of Sephora’s best-selling products and one I reach for regularly. I trialled the Anti-Redness, Minty Green Smoothie Serum ($65) this month, and have been finding it perfect for mornings when I need an invigorating wake-up call and plenty of hydration. Minty fresh and replenishing, it’s like a splash of ice-cold water on a sluggish morning and works all day soothing my seasonal irritation.

Cerave Skin Renewing Vitamin C Serum

Dermatologically developed, clinically effective vitamin C serum for under $50? You read that right! This month Cerave expanded into active skincare with an impressive lineup and I’ve been obsessed with the Skin Renewing Vitamin C Serum ($42).

This formula is unlike many I’ve tried. It has a slightly thicker gel consistency that absorbs quickly, making it perfect for daytime use, and combines 10% ascorbic acid with hyaluronic acid and three ceramides identified as being key to maintaining healthy, youthful-looking skin (ie, they’re the ones that go MIA as we age). These ingredients also balance many of the potentially drying effects of vitamin C, making this a great pick for vit C newbies or those with sensitive or sensitised skin types. Unlike many vit C serums which come in glass dropper packages, this tube is lightweight and perfect for travel, and keeps notoriously unstable vitamin C totally fresh.

Best of October: Hair

ghd, Helios Hair Dryer

ghd Helios in "Champagne Gold" ($350) Image credit: ghd — ghd Helios in “Champagne Gold” ($350) Image credit: ghd

Something that revolutionised my life this month? I finally upgraded my hairdryer. After hearing endless rave reviews about the ghd Helios in “Champagne Gold” ($350) from other beauty editors and reading about its impressive performance, I finally put my battered 12-year-old Parlux on the bench.

The Helios has an incredibly powerful engine that makes quick work of my very thick hair, which is currently even thicker thanks to hair extensions. The nozzle allows me to get super close to the roots while the three heat setting means I can vary the temperature and deliver a powerful cool shot to set and shine. Plus, in limited edition gold, it’s impossible to miss when I’m stumbling around my dark room in the morning.

Oribe, Run-Through Detangling Primer

With my new extensions in and my heat styling game ramping up a notch, I’ve been prioritising products that protect my strands from the evils of flyaways. The Oribe, Run Through Detangling Primer ($55) ticks a lot of boxes. The biggest of those boxes is that unlike some primers, which smooth your strands by weighing them down, it’s incredibly lightweight and absorbs easily into your hair. It does this by infusing the inner cortex of your strands with pomegranate, coconut and apricot oils and amino acids, and sealing the cuticle with a heat protecting anti-static complex.

Virtue, Flourish Hair Mask

Virtue Labs, Flourish Hair Mask ($83) Image credit: Virtue Labs

As mentioned, I’ve been on the hot tools and taking my interest in haircare to the next level, and this month, I was fortunate enough to receive a lab sample of Virtue Labs, Flourish Hair Mask ($83).

When the Virtue Flourish range launched earlier this year I became an instant, and maniacal devotee, so I had high expectations for the mask. Although the rich, buttery texture initially had me alarmed (would it weigh down my thin hair?), I had nothing to worry about. Like the Oribe Priming Spray, this product absorbs and then washes clean.

Like a serum made solid, the Virtue Flourish Hair Mask($83) wraps damaged strands in a rich cocoon that allows patented keratin complex Alpha Keratin 60ku and biotin to sink in deep, restructuring the damaged hair shaft while providing antioxidant protection to the outer shaft with antioxidants like green tea and beet extra. Then, it washes clean, leaving hair weightless, smooth and restored.

Hair By Sam McKnight, Lazy Girl, Biodegradable Hair Cleanse Cloth

Hair By Sam McKnight, Lazy Girl, Cleansing Hair Cloth ($34) Image credit: MECCA

The theme this month was products that took me from the office to events and back again and these biodegradable hair cleansing cloths arrived in perfect timing.

One lazy girl life hack I have for the oily scalped is just washing your fringe, it gets oily fastest because it comes into contact with your face, is the most noticeable part of your mop, and dries quickly. During October the Hair By Sam McKnight, Lazy Girl, Cleansing Hair Cloth ($34) made my lazy hair routine… that much lazier. Taking their name from the cult dry shampoo of the same name, these cloths provide a quick, emergency refresh, and given that they’re enriched with honeysuckle and velvet flower seed, they’ll leave your face-framing bangs smelling sweet. Even better, they are fully biodegradable in as little as six weeks.

Straand, The Crown Fix Scalp Serum

Straand, The Crown Scalp Fix ($28) — Straand, T h e C r o w n Scalp Fix ($28) Image credit: Straand

Most scalp serums are designed to detoxify your scalp or strengthen your strands — this bad boy does both. With exfoliating lactic acid, The Crown Fix Scalp Fix ($28) clears dandruff and debris, and banishes oil buildup while balancing your scalp health. Then, microbiome complex Defensescalp™ helps protect your scalp from future damage due to heat styling, hair dye and the wear and tear of time.