An $18 Serum, a TiKTok Viral Blush — 13 Products That Made My “Top Shelf” in March

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For beauty editors, the end of the month means reflecting on the new products we loved, the ones we finished, and the trends we spotted. My March was all about perfect-for-Autumn fragrance discoveries, fresh colour trends, and seriously transformative skincare. From an $18 drugstore serum to a TikTok-viral blush and a first-of-its-kind hairstyler, read on for the best beauty products of March.

Too Faced, Cloud Crush Blurring Blush

TikTok is obsessed with cool-toned blushes, and so am I. In March, I found my perfect pick in Too Faced, Cloud Crush Blurring Blush in “Candy Clouds.” This cute compact contains a blurring, surprisingly silky matte formula in a popping pastel pink hue. Stay tuned for its drop at MECCA. 

Garnier, Skin Active Vitamin C Brightening Serum 

I’m fair, prone to freckling, and always searching for new vitamin C products. This month, I was overjoyed to discover Garnier, Skin Active Vitamin C Brightening Serum ($18). With vitamin Cg, a gentle next-gen vitamin C derivative, salicylic acid, and niacinamide, this serum has kept my skin bright and my pores clear this month. I’m obsessed with the product and the price point — an enormous win.

ghd, Duet Styler 

A product you didn’t know you needed? This blow dryer-cum-hair straightener from ghd. The ghd, Duet Styler ($595) combines two steps of your hair routine to dry and straighten in one go. Personally, I love the Duet Styler for reviving my blowdry in between washes. A quick blast post-shower removes any residual dampness and gives my hair a freshly polished look.

Dr Dennis Gross, Vitamin C+Lactic Acid Oil-Free Radiant Moisturiser

As mentioned, I can’t get enough vitamin C in my skincare routine. Last year I had the opportunity to try the new Dr Dennis Gross, Vitamin C+Lactic Acid Oil-Free Radiant Moisturiser ($120) early, and I’ve been patiently waiting for it to hit shelves since. This moisturiser contains three forms of vitamin C plus lactic acid and niacinamide. It keeps my complexion fresh and bouncy all day, and I love the extra sparkle it’s given my skin over the month.

Hada Labo Tokyo, Concentrated Water Serum

 

I’m always looking for a simple hyaluronic acid serum that won’t make my makeup pill, and doesn’t cost the Earth — the Hada Labo, Concentrated Water Serum ($36) ticks all the boxes. Fast absorbing, it plumps my complexion, smooths out pesky dehydration lines, and leaves my skin perfectly prepped for makeup. What more could a girl ask for?

Hair by Sam McKnight, Sundaze Beach Spray

Sam Mcknight, who has worked on Kate Moss’ iconically tousled locks, is the mastermind behind Sundaze Beach Spray ($50), a crunch-free sea salt spray that I’ve been toting in my handbag all month. With hibiscus extract and vitamin B, just a few spritzes give dry hair a freshly tousled, Kate Moss in Ibiza look and feel with none of the crunch. Love.

CeraVe, Blemish Control Cleanser

I’m a big fan of CeraVe skincare — the Hydrating Oil Foaming Cleanser is a staple in my skincare routine — so I jumped at the chance to try their new Blemish Control Cleanser ($19). Seriously clever, this new range contains 2 percent salicylic acid, which is oil-soluble, and purifying clay for a deep pore cleanse, with ceramides that counteract the drying and potentially stripping effects of these oil-absorbing ingredients. Perfection.

Manicurist, Green Flash Routine Set 

I avoid traditional gel polishes because my brittle nails can’t handle them. Sadly, because of my brittle nails, my at-home manicures with normal polishes don’t last. (Yes, nail quality impacts nail polish longevity.) Fresh from France, Manicurist is one of the coolest launches I’ve seen in 2023. The Manicurist polishes are 84 percent plant-based and can be removed like a traditional gel polish. The Manicurist, Green Flash Routine Set ($124) gives me everything I need for a long-lasting manicure, with none of the damage.

Paco Rabanne, Olympéa Flora Intense EDP

With a fresh, blackcurrant sorbet opener and a caramelised, salted vanilla dry down, Paco Raban, Olympia Flora Intense ($205) is a delicious, satisfying, and sophisticated gourmand parfum. The candy-shop notes of salty vanilla are well balanced with cashmere wood, rose, and spicy pink pepper. Indulgent and delicious, it’s a perfect scent to curl up with in chilly weather.

Comme des Garçons, Zero EDP 

A stroke of genius from iconoclastic fragrance house Comme des Garçons. For a salty, green, and atmospheric scent experience, reach for Zero EDP ($238). The new scent from Comme des Garçons combines all the warmth of bergamot oil and smooth cashmere wood with sparkling synthetic notes of varnish and rose oxide. It’s an intriguing offering that will have you sniffing all day.

MAC, Lash Dry Shampoo Mascara Refresher 

This was the biggest surprise of the month, and you can read my lovesong for the genuinely innovative product here. Far from a dry shampoo, it gives end-of-day lashes a second life.

Ole Henriksen, Banana Bright+ Vitamin CC Stick 

As someone with hereditary dark circles so frighteningly deep they make me think of the movie “Hereditary” every time I glimpse myself in a mirror, I really appreciate an under-eye corrector’s assistance. I’m a huge fan of the Smashbox x Becca Under Eye Brightening Corrector ($55), but a new take on this essential product entered my life this month. The Ole Henriksen, Banana Bright + Vitamin CC Stick ($48) is like a tinted moisturiser for your under-eye area. It’s described as an eye cream in a stick, and it feels like one. While it layers beautifully with my (many) concealers, I’ve also loved this for no-makeup-makeup days when I want skincare benefits with a little bit of polish.

Everything New From Rare Beauty 

Selena Gomez has been hard at work, as evidenced by the bounty of new Rare Beauty products that dropped this month. The Soft Pinch Dewy Liquid blush family have two new shades — the deep terracotta Worth ($39) and soft rose Virtue ($39). Meanwhile, the silky and infinitely blendable Warm Wishes Effortless Bronzer Stick ($45) has hit shelves, and will be warming up our complexions this season. Finally the Discovery Palette in “Give Yourself Grace” ($51) is a handbag-friendly compact palette full of rosey, autumnal tones. My personal favourite is “Faith”, a stunning amethyst with a rust-reflect. I know I’ll be dipping into this collection all season long.

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