The 15 Best Beauty Products our Beauty Writer Tried in April

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For beauty writers, the end of the month is an opportunity to reflect on the launches we loved and the products we finished. April was a month of long weekends and frantic short work weeks – these were the products that got me through it. 

TBH, Patch it Up Pimple Patches

My skin isn’t perfect, but I USUALLY don’t get pimples. After trialling a few too many products, my skin broke out, and I was horrified to find I had no pimple patches.

TBH responded to my despair and quickly shipped me an emergency supply of TBH “Patch It Up” Pimple Patches ($35). The heart-shaped patches zapped my mountainous brewing zit overnight. Plus, the heart shape is as cute as something you stick on a zit can be.

Garnier Micellar Reusable Eco Pads, 3 Pack

As POPSUGAR has covered recently, single-use and “mini” beauty items are a big problem. I’ve been on the lookout for reusable, cotton round alternatives, but until recently, I hadn’t found any that I loved enough to recommend. That all changed when I stumbled across Garnier’s Micellar Reusable Eco Pads, ($17) in my beauty cupboard and thought, “Why not?”

Game. Changed. These microfibre cloths make great makeup removers, because the superfine fibres are designed to loosen and absorb grime, and with simple water or toner, they can get into every nook and cranny, even the most stubborn eyeliner! They do absorb skincare products though, so save your exxy products for after you’ve removed your makeup.

I use the Garnier Micellar Reusable Eco Pads to tone after my double cleanse. They’ve made my skincare regime more effective and more sustainable. Even better, they can be washed over 1,000 times, so I’m recommending them to everyone.

MCoBeauty Mineral Mattifying Sunscreen, SPF50

I have never met a mineral sunscreen I liked, let alone finished. Whether they make my makeup look like a Picasso, make my skin feel dry or have a weird peach tint that makes my pale complexion “salmon,” there’s always something not quite right. However, MCoBeauty’s Mineral Mattifying Sunscreen SPF50 ($35) has turned my perception of mineral sunscreens on its head.

The cement-grey formula rubs in totally clear and gives me a soft-focus finish, while playing nicely with my other skincare products. As an added bonus, Mineral Mattifying Sunscreen also contains Kakadu Plum, which is naturally rich in Vitamin C.

I have finished an entire tube of this sunscreen and started on my second. It’s widely available in supermarkets and, at $35, is an accessible and sophisticated mineral sunscreen option.

GHD, 14mm Thin Wand Hair Curler

The GHD, Thin Wand Hair Curler 14mm, ($250) is a genius idea: it was created to give definition to hair that is already tightly coiled, and the superfine wand slides neatly between curls giving them definition and bounce.

With thick, straight hair I’m pretty far from their curly candidate, but I’m still in love with this product. Firstly, if you want to fake a perm, this is your best bet. Secondly, I own the GHD, Creative Curl Wand Hair Curler ($250). While I love it, I usually use it RIGHT before an event because my fine (but heavy!) hair refuses to hold a curl. I faux-permed my hair the morning of a flight to Melbourne for a friend’s 30th, and at 8 pm, my hair looked freshly curled.

Virtue Labs, Flourish Hair Rejuvenation Treatment Kit

After I had COVID, I was beset with brain fog and muscle fatigue. Just as I thought I was turning a corner, my hair fell out. Enter Virtue Labs, Flourish Hair Rejuvenation Treatment Kit ($192). I’ve been a long time fan of the brand’s Recovery Range, so I was keen to trial the new product. You know a range is great when you feel like you’ve had a professional blow-dry following a simple shampoo, condition and air-dry.

Flourish smoothes the cuticle of the hair like nothing else I’ve experienced. While I haven’t been using the range long enough to speak to its hair growth benefits, my hair HAS stopped falling out. Yes, it’s an expensive kit, but for me, this range is well worth the investment.

Kora, Active Algae Lightweight Moisturiser

As someone with dry, dehydrated skin, I typically find gel moisturisers don’t do much for me; my skin craves that oily lipid layer. However, April was the month I met Miranda Kerr and was introduced to KORA’s new Active Algae Lightweight Moisturiser ($60).

Miranda herself said she initially saw Active Algae as a solution for her oily-skinned customers, not herself, but that she’d found it hydrating enough for her own very dry skin.

Taking a founder’s recommendation with a grain of salt, I gave Active Algae a go, and was delighted. Active-Algae does sink right in, in the best way possible. Its rich gel texture is like a dairy-free smoothie for the skin, nourishing without overloading. The product contains green algae, green tea, alpine rose and swiss glacier water – natural ingredients that douse the skin in lipids, fatty acids and antioxidants. While it’s recommended for oily and combination skin types, Miranda and I are proof it can work for dry and dehydrated complexions too.

Gallinée, Face Vinegar

Now I’m back in the office and going to events regularly, I’ve felt a little congested and in need of a deeper cleanse. Enter Gallinée, Face Vinegar ($47). Gallinée is a French brand that focuses on protecting the skin’s microbiome.

You might have heard of apple cider vinegar as a DIY skin and haircare hack. Why is it popular? It’s rich in acetic acid, an ingredient that kills acne-causing bacteria and contains sebum regulating tannins.

Gallinée’s Face Vinegar uses a hibiscus derived vinegar, gentler than apple cider but still rich in acetic acid and gentle alpha-hydroxy acids. Then there are the Gallinee microbiome protective actives: actibiome, the brand’s prebiotic and a triple probiotic complex that combines pre-pro and post-biotics to repair and replenish. The formula leaves my skin supple, refreshed and never stripped, and I can’t wait to pick up a full size.

Weleda, Skin Food Body Butter

I am a daily moisturiser type of girl. During a New York winter, I got myself hooked on my old-school favourite, Khiel’s, Crème de Corps, Soy Milk and Honey Whipped Body Butter, ($62). It’s lush, but it’s exxy for something I use every day.

While it’s not the cheapest body moisturiser you can find, Weleda, Skin Food Body Butter, ($33) is identical in texture to Crème de corp, for around half the price. With Cocoa seed butter, glycerin, shea butter, Lactic acid and nut and essential oils, these two are all-natural sensory delights.

Ere Perez, Mango Lip Honey in “Pop”

This innocent balm-gloss hybrid is my most asked about lip colour. I receive so many compliments and questions every time I wear Mango Lip Honey in “Pop” ($35).

The soft bubblegum pink doesn’t make me feel like a five-year-old, but does brighten up my complexion. It has a natural sheen, isn’t sticky and has the perfect amount of colour and moisture. Mine is almost finished up and it is top of my repurchase list.

BeautyBio, Cryo Facial Roller

Over a hundred dollars is a lot to spend on a facial roller, but I’m going to make a case for the BeautyBio, Cryo Dual-Ended Facial Roller ($127). Chilled in the refrigerator, BeautyBio’s stainless steel rollers chill the skin to the 7°C temperature needed to increase micro-circulation and collagen production.

As someone who suffers from pronounced under-eye circles that become aggressive with late nights or takeaway dinners (the two go hand in hand), it snaps my face back into action pre-makeup in the morning. It also has the added mental health benefits of cryotherapy – which can trigger adrenaline, noradrenaline, and endorphins. I keep it by my desk during the day for the moments I find myself in need of a mental reset – which justifies the $127 cost in my books.

Drunk Elephant, Beste™ No.9 Jelly Cleanser

The Drunk Elephant, Beste™ No.9 Jelly Cleanser ($48) sits in the sweet spot between a balm and a foaming cleanser.

Virgin Marula oil means it breaks down makeup in a flash, while Glycerin and cantaloupe fruit extracts soothe and hydrate. The pleasant foaming sensation comes from sodium lauroyl methyl isethionate, a surfactant derived from coconuts that provides a gentle alternative to sulfates, which can be hard going on dry or sensitive skin types.

Morgan & Taylor, Hair Pins

Is it a beauty product? I don’t know. I’ve been struggling to grow out my bangs after a shag haircut for SOME time, relying on simple bobby pins. However, after spotting Kaia Gerber and Jenna Ortega at the Met Gala I decided I needed more bling in my bangs. My current collection was an emergency purchased post-met from The Iconic. Pictured are the Ciello Hair Hair Clip Set ($35), the Daniella Hair Clip Set ($35) and the Trinity Hair Clip Set ($35).

Hydropeptide, Optimist Radiance Serum Mist

A face mist with some serious heft to it, I’ve recently emptied my Hydropeptide, Optimist Radiance Serum Mist, ($95). The superfine spray lives up to its name, and it’s so much more than water in a bottle. The formula contains a seaweed complex that hydrates and reduces trans-epidermal water loss by providing rich nutrients. They also contain argan and green tea seed oils for additional nourishment, and baobab fruit extract is a powerful antioxidant.

Vyrao, High Five Set

New-season means new fragrance. I’m hard to please when it comes to fragrance and stick to what I know, but when I was sent Vyrao’s fragrance quartet, the High Five Discovery Set, ($142) I was willing to try it based on founder Yasmin Sewell’s reputation alone.

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Sewell’s fragrance collection is inspired by the mood-boosting powers of scent. One of my favourite fragrances is Witchy Woo, ($277) – reflective of Sewell’s playful approach to wellness. Vyrao suggests you reach for the fragrance when you need “courage and creativity” – a daily requirement for any writer.

Each full-sized fragrance contains a supercharged Herkimer Diamond Crystal crystal, supercharged by Vyrao’s in house energy healer. Witchy Woo has typically “me” notes Moroccan Orris, rose, nutmeg, cinnamon, black pepper, frankincense, opoponax and musk. My other pick, Magnetic 70,($277) is a grounding fragrance designed to keep you in the present with scents like cedarwood, frankincense, angelica seed and juniper.

Mecca Cosmetica, Brushes

MECCA’s range some of the best (and most expensive) brushes in the world. From Rae Morris to Surrat and Hourglass, they know artistry tools, and that knowledge is reflected in the design of their new Mecca Cosmetica brush line.

The Wonder Complexion Brush ($58) moulds to your hand, making the application of foundation, cream blush and bronzer and body make up a breeze. The Double Ended Finishing Brush ($54) offers precise and all over applications of setting powder, blush and highlighter. These are just two of the brushes that have earned a permanent place on my vanity and in my handbag. They are vegan and dermatological tested, super high quality and reasonably priced.

Basics by B, Luxury 10 Piece Vegan Brush Set

Basics by B’s brush set is created by Bonnie Gillies, otherwise known as Oz Beauty Expert a makeup artist and founder of a review website of the same name.

You can definitely tell the brushes in the Basics by B, 10 Piece Luxury Brush Set ($55) have been created by a makeup artist, and they’re now my go-to travel set. For a tightly edited collection, they’re well thought out and give you everything you need for a quick makeup look, all for a brilliant price.