Best of Beauty September 2023: Above All the Noise

Time to make space in the beauty closet.

To say that this month has been a whirlwind is an understatement. Robberies happening left, right, and centre, from stolen Margiela Tabis to Balmain’s Paris Fashion Week collection heist. New York’s very own trickster also made headlines this month, as Anna Delvey made her debut at New York Fashion Week. On the fashion stream of news palpitates with news both good and bad, we’re here to tide you over with some exciting beauty releases of September 2023.

Your favourite beauty mogul is here with more newness, and we’re not talking about the latest addition to the family. Rihanna introduces what may just be something we’ve all yet to see before: a spot treatment that can become a canvas for makeup.

Chanel Chance Eau Fraîche Eau de Parfum

Who doesn’t love a good, invigorating scent? Taking the 2002 launch to the next level, Chance Eau Fraîche eau de parfum is an amplified take on its predecessor. Similar to the iconic eau de toilette, it is sparkling and crisp, joyous and lively. However, this time, perfumer Olivier Polge has taken it upon himself to create a scent with a greater sillage. But this is not just about upping the dosage—instead, the reinterpretation allows the nose to create something that’s both new and is reflective of the Chanel Chance fragrance silhouette.

With notes of fresh citron, aldehydes, jasmine, teak wood, and amber, the Chanel Chance Eau Fraîche eau de parfum is quickly growing a following—just like the very first Chance eau de toilette. If you’ve been yearning for a touch of masculinity from the Chance fragrance, then this might be the twist for you.

Chanel Chance Eau Fraîche eau de parfum is available in stores.

Anastasia Beverly Hills Fall Romance Eyeshadow Palette

Put your hands up if you miss the classic Anastasia Beverly Hills eyeshadow palettes because we sure do. Just in time for the season, the inventor of brows brought to us the Fall Romance Eyeshadow Palette. Filled with 12 pigment-packed shades, the palette features a mix of mattes, metallics, and duo-chromes—all in the classic ultra-blendable formula that we all know and love.

At a glance, the Fall Romance Eyeshadow Palette appears very colourful. It can totally help you achieve bold looks, but make no mistake; it also houses your everyday neutrals so you can use it for both a grocery run or a gala night.

Stila Heaven’s Dew Gel Lip Oil

Stila, where have you been, loca? It’s been a hot minute since we last heard from the brand. With this launch, they are getting our hearts aflutter again. Known for packaging some of the best glow in the scene (think Glitter & Glow Liquid Eyeshadow and Heaven’s Hue Highlighter), they are going for the hat-trick with the arrival of the Heaven’s Dew Gel Lip Oil.

One look at the tube will have you adding this to cart. Packed with repairing antioxidants, hydrating hyaluronic acid, and nourishing jojoba oil, the hybrid gel-based formula imbues the lips with an immaculate shine that makes your pout ad-worthy. The formula is enhanced with glitter, but fret not, as you won’t feel the flakes on the lips at all. But if you’re very much anti-glitter, the Heaven’s Dew Lip Oil also arrives in a clear version.

Fenty Skin Blemish Defeat’r BHA Spot-Targeting Gel

How’s this for innovation? If pimple patches have been the source of your spoiled makeup days, then Rihanna has the solution for you. The Blemish Defeat’r BHA Spot-Targeting Gel is truly a godsend for those of us that still wants to rock on a full face despite the presence of unwelcomed pimples. Like a pimple patch in a tube, the gel allows you to pinpoint the exact spots and settles into a thin, invisible, and matte layer that works to improve the appearance of blemishes, reduce surface oil, and protect the skin against environmental stressors. All this is to allow your skin to calm down and eradicate the ongoing breakout.

NARS Powermatte Lipstick

Rumour has it matte lipsticks are out of style. Despite Hailey Bieber’s best attempts at Rhode (where she’s introducing makeup into her line), we’re here to advocate matte lipstick supremacy. Not only are they reliably long-wearing, you also can’t beat the impactful colour. The ones that have caught our eyes this month are the shade extensions from the NARS Powermatte Lipstick line. Filled with fall-friendly shades, the French cosmetic brand introduces six new colours that match perfectly to the season’s trending colours.

If you’ve yet to play around with the Powermatte Lipstick textures, here’s the rundown. Forget the uncomfortable dryness that’s synonymous with matte lipsticks of the past decade. Infused with Power Pigment Complex, the lipstick delivers a vibrant shot of colour in a modern matte finish that lasts for 10 hours.

La Prairie Skin Caviar Luxe Cream

25 years have come and gone, but the La Prairie Skin Caviar Luxe Cream reigns supreme. This time, the Swiss luxury skincare line adds new innovation to their fan-favourite product with the aim to revitalise the skin and optimise its youthful structure. So what’s the secret sauce this time? It’s the combination of Caviar Premier and Caviar Micro-Nutrients. The former acts as a catalyst for the skin’s rebuilding mechanisms, while the latter gives a much-needed boost to support the rebuilding activities.

If there’s ever a skincare item on our Best of Beauty September 2023 list that you can Girl Math your way through to the checkout aisle, this is the one. The exclusive ingredients aren’t the only thing you’re splurging on. The inimitable texture and the cosy scent also make the application experience that much better.

The Skin Caviar Luxe Cream is available at Isetan and Parkson Pavilion Kuala Lumpur.

Guerlain Aqua Allegoria Forte Oud Yuzu

As we transition further into fall, we invite you to embrace a more intense fragrance. While Guerlain’s Aqua Allegoria fragrance line is famed for its delicate assemblage of eaux de parfum, the Forte line marks the French beauty brand’s foray into the deeper spectrum. The sensual shift in gear began in 2022, when they introduced three of the Forte fragrances. This year, Guerlain adds three more into the mix, and we can’t get enough of the Oud Yuzu.

An unexpected blend of Japanese yuzu, precious oud, and warm cedar, the juice is not your typical citrus-forward perfume, where the bright note overtakes with an invigorating tartness that can sometimes (unfortunately) develop into that artificial bathroom cleaner smell. Instead, the complexity of this perfume reflects that of a niche fragrance. Here, the zesty burst of yuzu is anchored with the smokier base and heart notes.

The Guerlain Aqua Allegoria Forte collection is available at Parkson Pavilion Kuala Lumpur, Parkson 1 Utama, Isetan KLCC, and Isetan The Gardens Mall. It will be available at sephora.my from 19 October 2023.

Ultra Violette Preen Screen SPF50 Reapplication Mist

Already wearing sunscreens on the daily? Good for you. Now, you’ve gotta make sure that you keep up the level of protection all day long. It’s recommended that you reapply sunscreen every two hours, but there’s no way we’re going to remove our makeup just to reapply. Sunscreen sticks, on the other hand, haven’t come far enough to actually be usable over makeup. Thanks to the folks from Ultra Violette, the solution is here. Enter the Preen Screen SPF50 Reapplication Mist.

Made for all skin types, the convenient reapplication mist is a welcome solution to everyone’s suncare needs. Packed with niacinamide, vitamins C and E, and aloe vera, the lightweight concoction not only allow you to perpetually protect the skin against the sun’s ray, but it also has powerful skincare ingredients to smooth the skin and protect it against free radicals. It leaves you a soft glow as well, so if you’re a fan of glistening skin, consider this a bonus.

Scents of Memento Lost in 1930s

From a local fragrance house, Scent of Memento’s Lost in 1930s is an intense hit of nostalgia, bottled in a minimally-designed flacon. Arriving in both eau de parfum and candle forms, the potent scent is reminiscent of Shanghai’s cabarets. At first spritz, you will get a burst of bergamot, juniper berries, and pink pepper. Once the perfume settles onto your skin, it will develop into a more sumptuous scent that features notes of clary sage, jasmine, tuberose, and patchouli.

The tenth creation of Malaysian perfumer Koryou Xing, Lost in 1930s is truly a scent that will transport you to a different time, and in our case, a different place altogether.