Words by Verity Clark
2025 is set to be a blockbuster year for beauty. We’ve barely hit spring and already we’ve been treated to a delicious reinvention of a skincare favourite and a foundation that almost broke the internet. But with so many stellar launches, it can be tricky to know what’s really worth the hype. That’s where our team of beauty experts comes in. Our dedicated beauty editors, writers and buyers test everything before they hit the Harrods Beauty Halls (yes, it’s a tough job) and are pros in spotting what will make it onto your bathroom shelves or become a can’t-live-without make-up staple. Here, they share the buzzy new tech, skincare innovations, must-have fragrances and brilliant new make-up launches that they are tipping to be this year’s best in beauty (plus the ones that have made it into their own, carefully curated, beauty stash.)
Below, discover Harrods’ best beauty launches of the year.
“Contour sticks are having a moment and the ultra-thin Victoria Beckham Contour Stylus means you can be extra precise. The four shades blend seamlessly with any type of brush or your fingers; it is an absolute 5-minute make-up staple for me.”
Olivia de Courcy, beauty editor
“Your favourite cream just got the perfect nighttime partner, and The Day and Night Duet Set from La Mer (exclusive to Harrods) provides the perfect moisturising routine. The La Mer Night Cream is the latest addition to La Mer’s iconic moisturiser range, including the signature Miracle Broth complex; the night cream also contains Marine Retinol to rejuvenate the skin overnight.”
Eve Fuller, skincare buyer
“The La Prairie Platinum Rare Eye Elixir has the most indulgent eye formula. It is a light and velvety texture which regenerates the eye area targeting dark circles, fine lines and puffiness in order to brighten and restore even the most tired eyes.”
Eve Fuller, skincare buyer
“I’ve got a new favourite moisturiser. I had a flare-up recently where my skin would not tolerate any product (think stinging, redness; it wasn’t pretty). That was until I tried Sisley’s new Sensitive Skin Soothing Care moisturiser. It instantly soothed, cocooned and cushioned my delicate skin and provided a nourishing barrier for the days I wanted to wear make-up, too. I now use it religiously even while my skin is back to normal, and I couldn’t recommend it more for my fellow sensitive skin community.”
Olivia de Courcy, beauty editor
“The Elemis Pro-Collagen Cleansing Balm is iconic for a reason. With a unique blend of essential oils, this formula cleanses your skin, removing all impurities and make-up before turning into a hydrating cleansing milk. If you thought it couldn’t get any better, it now comes in the most indulgent and sensorial black cherry scent.”
Eve Fuller, skincare buyer
“This new collection of fragrances from Amouage indeed represents the pinnacle of craftsmanship. The fragrances undergo a six-month ageing process and oak-barrel infusion, a technique devised by the house to unleash every ingredient’s full potential. I challenge anyone not to fall in love with all three. My personal favourite is Reasons. However, our bestseller is Outlands.”
Valerie Waite, fragrance buyer
“A scent that transports you to a sunnier, warmer climate will always be in my fragrance repertoire – and this year is seeing solar scents and solar notes becoming increasingly popular. I keep reaching to spritz Abu Dhabi from Memo Paris, which to me smells like the warm, ambery hue of a clear day’s sunset – and when it sits on my skin, it gives that sunkissed scent with a spiced twist. The twist comes from saffron, cardamom and dates, three ingredients at the centre of the Arabic coffee ritual.”
Olivia de Courcy, beauty editor
“The Parfums de Marly Valaya Exclusif is a stunning new fragrance that is fast becoming one of my new favourite fragrances. It’s everything that the original Valaya is but with an added elegance; it’s super sensual, and it’s a really comforting fragrance. Ideal for all occasions from weddings to a date night evening to becoming your daily signature scent.”
Valerie Waite, fragrance buyer
“This Harrods Worldwide exclusive fragrance is a masterpiece crafted by the genius of Jordi Fernandez alongside founder Thibault Crivelli. Maison Crivelli’s Oud Cadenza is an oud that I challenge anyone not to love; it’s a true oud but with the distinctive sweetness of dates, almond notes and toasted sugar cane. It is now available in a 100ml size and the original 50ml.”
Valerie Waite, fragrance buyer
“The Easy Bake Loose Powder in Ube Birthday Cake is a new, brightening and uplifting shade of my favourite loose powder. Easy to use, brightening and never drying. A must-have for spring and summer looks!”
Federica Sinisi, make-up and international buyer
“Gisou’s new Honey Gloss Ceramide Therapy Hair Mask leaves my hair feeling sumptuously soft and looking incredibly healthy. This has quickly become a must-have in my haircare routine.”
Lilly Perkins, active skin & hair buyer
“I am a dry shampoo devotee. I have fine hair but lots of it, so although it looks thick, I have to wash it pretty regularly to stop it from looking greasy, hence my dedication to the dry stuff in between washes. There’s lots of tech at play in K18’s AirWash; ‘smart-release biotechnology’ mops up any funky smells, and it’s the ‘translucent microbeads’ that soak up excess oil. In just a few spritzes, my hair is transported back to (almost) wash day best; it provides a nice dose of volume and makes it feel pretty fresh. The best part is that there’s no hint of a white cast, even on my dark brown locks.”
Verity Clark, deputy beauty editor
“Not only does the Cheriosa 59 scent in the Delicia Drench Shower Oil have you feeling like you’re showering in heaven, but the texture of this Sol de Janeiro body wash is divine. The oil-to-foam texture leaves your skin feeling incredibly hydrated and silky soft.”
Lilly Perkins, active skin & hair buyer
“I gave up straightening my thick, curly hair years ago to nurse my bleached strands back to full health, but once in a while, I do feel the urge to don a sleek, straight look. I love that the new Ghd Chronos Max has larger, wider plates, so I don’t have to give my strands a second or third pass. Plus, it maintains a 185 °C temperature for minimal heat damage. Consider this a must if you have long, curly hair but love a pin-straight moment.”
Nasreen Osman, beauty writer
“My New Year’s beauty resolution was to start taking better care of my body. The product that inspired me to up my body care game was this 90-day Retinal ReSculpt Body Treatment from Murad. The thick, rich formula delivers the luxury experience that I want from a body moisturiser, but it comes with the added, and very welcome, benefit of encapsulated retinal that’s just shy of prescription-grade stuff. The result is a body cream that does more than just moisturise; if used consistently (I’m trying!), it really does help to smooth skin and give a more even-looking appearance. A body care product that delivers facial skincare-grade results? I’m in.”
Verity Clark, deputy beauty editor
“Prada Beauty make-up was one of my favourite launches last year. But I did wonder why there wasn’t that everyday make-up staple, a mascara. Well, it turns out it takes time to create greatness, and finally, we’re being treated to the Pradascope Mascara. Inspired by one of Prada’s most recognisable materials, the re-nylon (regenerated nylon), the brush uses nylon fibre bristles to coat each individual lash from root to tip. It also has hyaluronic acid, which helps to keep lashes healthy and looking glossy – very Prada. The finish is an intense black, but don’t fret; it comes off very easily at the end of the day. This is one mascara that was worth the wait.”
Verity Clark, deputy beauty editor
“If you love the original Loveshine lipsticks from the brand, you are going to adore these new Loveshine Tinted Butter Lip Balms. Perfect for everyday wear, they add a sheer veil of colour while hydrating and nourishing your lips. I love to keep this in my clutch or handbag and re-apply throughout the day!”
Federica Sinisi, make-up and international buyer
“My new favourite foundation, the Hourglass Illusion Luminous Glow Foundation SPF 30, provides medium coverage and a natural, radiant finish. It will carry you from day to night with its long-lasting formula, and I love the added SPF 30, too!”
Federica Sinisi, make-up and international buyer
Read our full review of Hourglass’ foundation here.
“Medik8 is continuously setting the bar incredibly high with their pioneering technology, and their latest innovation, the Liquid Peptides Advanced MP, is no exception, leaving you looking more youthful in as little as 10 minutes – yes, it’s that good!”
Lilly Perkins, active skin & hair buyer
“I am obsessed with the new Le Magnétisme Mascara from Gucci. It’s easy to use, buildable and provides lots of volume and length. A great do it all for natural lash looks!”
Federica Sinisi, make-up and international buyer
“I love the Double Wear Stay-in-Place 24-Hour Concealer for the days I want a little extra coverage and long-lasting wear, so I am excited to upgrade an old double wear favourite with this new formula. It strikes the balance between being hydrating without being oily, and it dries quickly so you don’t need to set it with powder.”
Olivia de Courcy, beauty editor
Meet the future of skincare. From innovative ingredients and cellular science to night time formulations, your skin has never looked better.
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