I LOST count of the number of new products I have tried this year.
It’s a hard task picking just three as my absolute favourite launches of the past 12 months, but after much deliberation, these are my top picks of 2025.
Budget
Essie To The Rescue UV Gel Damage Repair Nail Treatment, £10.99, now £8.79, lookfantastic.com:
I gave up gel manicures in January, and I don’t think I’d have lasted the nine months I did without this treatment.
It’s a polish, top coat, base coat and strengthener in one, with a milky-pink hue that immediately makes nails look healthier.
Plus it strengthens nails in a matter of weeks.
It stays put a good four or five days before chipping, which is unheard of with my hands – I’m lucky if a normal polish lasts me 24 hours.
I’ve repurchased it more times than any other beauty product this year, earning it 2025’s best budget launch.
Mid-range
K18 Airwash Dry Shampoo, £48, spacenk.com:
Dry shampoo is the biggest time saver in my beauty stash – without it, I’d have to shampoo daily, because my long, fine hair gets greasy incredibly quickly.
I use it almost every day to give my hair extra body and hold, and keep oil at bay.
For as long as I can remember, I’ve been loyal to a big-name budget brand.
As far as I was concerned, none of the pricier options even came close – until this launched in the spring.
It’s unlike any other dry shampoo I’ve used. For starters, there’s no aerosol function – it’s a water-based spray that quickly evaporates, taking excess oil with it.
Zero white residue is left behind, and my hair actually feels clean after use as well as looking it.
Luxury
Ghd Chronos Curve Classic Tong, £189 now £149, boots.com:
Having tried pretty much every curling tool on the market to give my poker-straight hair some texture, nothing comes close to ghd.
This year, Ghd has updated its entire range – promising three times faster results, which last all day, without causing any heat damage.
The 26mm tong might seem small at first glance, but it creates the perfect polished wave that’s not too prim and proper, yet still has plenty of definition and movement.
A larger 32mm barrel is also available if you want softer, bouncy curls, but I’ve still not found a way to make them hold in my hair.
Pick of the week
FIFTY-three per cent of women cite better sleep as their number one wellness priority, says M&S – which has a new beauty range to help.
The nine-strong selection spans everything from bath foam to body oil and pillow spray and products start at just £6.
Seventy-three per cent of users reported improved sleep quality.
