Beauty News: What's New

There’s always something new launching in beauty, but every now and again you see products that actually feel like they’re pushing formulas forward or refining things we already use daily. These are the ones that have recently caught my attention, and obviously I want you to hear about it first!

Prada Beauty touch cream-to-powder soft blur longwear blush

Prada entering blush properly is a big moment, and they’ve gone straight into a hybrid formula rather than something traditional.

This is a cream-to-powder blush, which means it starts off with that soft, blendable cream texture and then sets down into a soft matte powder finish. The idea behind this type of formula is that you get the ease and flexibility of a cream when applying it, but the longevity and grip of a powder once it’s on the skin.

What stands out is the finish. It’s not dewy and it’s not flat matte either. It sits somewhere in the middle with a blurred, soft-focus effect that smooths the look of the skin rather than highlighting texture. It’s designed to look like a natural flush, but with a slightly diffused edge so it doesn’t look overly precise or heavy.

The formula is buildable, so it can be worn very sheer or layered up for more impact, and it’s designed to melt into the skin rather than sit on top of it. It’s also long-wearing, with up to 12-hour wear without needing to be set.

Another thing worth noting is how versatile this type of formula is. Cream-to-powder textures tend to work well across different skin types because they don’t stay tacky like creams, but they also don’t cling in the way some powders can. It’s also designed to be used beyond just the cheeks…lips and even eyes, which fits into that more minimal, multi-use approach to makeup.

Overall, this feels like Prada focusing on texture and finish rather than just pigment, which is very on brand for them.

Anastasia Beverly Hills archibrow pencil

Anastasia has always been known for brows, so any new brow product from them is worth paying attention to.

The Archibrow pencil is designed to give a more structured but still natural brow. It sits somewhere between a traditional pencil and a more precise micro-pencil, depending on the version. The focus here is on control, being able to define the shape of the brow while still mimicking the look of natural hair.

The texture of Anastasia brow pencils tends to be slightly waxy rather than overly creamy, and that’s intentional. A waxier formula gives better grip on the skin and brow hairs, which helps the product stay in place and prevents it from smudging throughout the day.

What this kind of pencil does well is create structure. It’s ideal for shaping the brow, defining the arch, and filling in areas where there’s more sparseness, without the brow looking blocky or overdrawn.

Compared to pens or gels, pencils like this are more controlled. You can build gradually, adjust the shape, and keep everything looking soft. The finish is usually matte, which makes it look more realistic against natural brow hair.

This type of product is less about trend and more about consistency. It’s about getting a reliable, defined brow that still looks like your own.

Laura Mercier ultra blur translucent loose setting powder in Mint

Laura Mercier powders have always been known for setting makeup well, but this new shade in the Ultra Blur version is clearly focused on finish rather than just longevity.

The key difference here is the shade. The mint shade isn’t there to add color in the traditional sense, but to subtly neutralize redness and brighten the complexion. Mint tones are often used to counteract redness in the skin, so this version is targeting people who want a more even-looking base without adding extra layers of coverage.

The formula itself is lightweight and finely milled, which is what you want from a powder like this. Heavier powders can sit on the skin and make texture more obvious, whereas finely milled powders tend to melt in and create that soft-focus effect.

My thoughts…

These launches all point in a similar direction, which is interesting. There’s a clear focus on texture, finish, and how products sit on the skin, rather than just coverage or pigment. Blurred finishes, hybrid formulas, and products that work with the skin rather than sitting heavily on top of it are becoming more of a priority.

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