Step aside, skin—these peepers are taking back the stage, and this time, they’re equipped to make a killing. From atypical formats to exciting new formulas that elevate everyday nude eyeshadows, these are our beauty favourites to have arrived in August 2023.
And we’re calling it: the season of cool-toned eyeshadow looks is upon us, and we couldn’t be more excited. It’s a whole new frontier, practically, since we’ve been inundated with warm tones for years. If you’re sifting your collection and can’t find a single greige, sepia, or umber, then keep reading to uncover the latest eyeshadow palettes to discover.
Gone are the days of having to mess around with lash glue or scheduling in an appointment with your lash tech—we’ve also spotted a couple of outstanding mascaras that will have you retire your falsies and extensions in a flash. Even if you’re not one to rock on a pair of fake eyelashes, these mascaras will become instant favourites.
Chanel Les 4 Ombres Byzance
Drawing inspiration from the Maison’s nod to Byzantine art, Chanel releases the iconic Les 4 Ombre Byzance. With a perfect balance of the bold and the muted, the limited-edition drop mirrors the hues of jewels that were created by Gabrielle Chanel herself. There are four quads to choose from, and our eyes gravitated towards Parure Cristal.
When it comes to shopping for quads, one must be a touch more discerning—these four shades must each have their own place in the quad. Pink Opal and Rose Quartz make for wonderful daily staples, and the Smoked Quartz colour allows you to play around with the depths. The icing on the cake is the Aqua Quartz top coat, a multifaceted sky blue that adds some drama as and when you need it.
The Chanel Les 4 Ombres Byzance collection is in stores.
Natasha Denona I Need a Nude
Remember how we all said we’ve got enough neutral eyeshadow palettes? Well, you might just want to pick this one up. Natasha Denona’s I Need a Nude palette is curated with rosy cool tones that will find its place, be it your desk job or your big day. Those familiar with the Natasha Denona pro-level formulations know that these powders blend flawlessly without disappearing into the ether. Instead, the finely milled eyeshadows pack a vibrant punch, delivering ultra-pigmented results.
What got our heads turning is the all-new Wet Effect Formula, which is exactly what it sounds like. Say goodbye to lacklustre eyeshadow looks and to the Duraline (and its like), because the new formula has you covered. Promising a multi-dimensional finish, you can play around with glossy metallics, sparkly foils, and of course, the Wet Effect Formula.
Bobbi Brown Dual-Ended Long Wear Cream Shadow Stick
Our all-time favourite Long-Wear Cream Shadow Stick is getting an expansion to the range. This time, it arrives in the form of the Dual-Ended Long-Wear Cream Shadow Stick. There are seven combinations to choose from, they are all available in pleasing colour pairings and will have glistening shimmers accompanied by mattes to offer your eye look some depth and dimension.
They both hold the same amount of product (1.6g per pencil), but with the latter you have the additional colour option to play around with, making it twice as convenient to travel with. Even better, you won’t even need to be bothered with packing brushes and such—your fingers are the only tool you need with this baby. The 24-hour formula also layers well, so in the event you do need a touch-up, the cream simply glides onto the lid with no problem at all.
Rare Beauty All of the Above Weightless Eyeshadow Stick
The complexion category isn’t the only one Selena Gomez’s Rare Beauty is capable of acing. Despite the lukewarm reception of the Discovery Eyeshadow Palette, the launch of the All of the Above Weightless Eyeshadow Sticks marks the Single Soon singer’s proper foray into the eyeshadow realm.
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Each swipe proves to be super smooth, light yet impactful, and it will lock into place once set. It’s both crease-resistant and fade-proof, so it’s perfect for those looking for longevity and durability. If you’re looking to get a couple of your own, look to none other than the star of Only Murders in the Building actress herself. Her favourites are Compassion (an easy-to-pull-off burgundy) and Integrity (your essential pop of champagne).
Tarte Big Ego Amazonian Clay Eyeshadow Palette
Cool tones are definitely in, and Tarte is bringing their A-game to the table with the Big Ego Amazonian Clay Eyeshadow palette. Between the 18 shades that come with the palette, you can create from the softest of day looks to the grungiest ones to wear for a night out on the town. From browns to delicate pinks and punchy purples, the colour story here will make any eye colour pop.
That’s not all that we’re into, though. If you’ve experienced a Tarte eyeshadow palette before, then you know that the mattes are supple and pigmented and that the shimmers are fine and smooth. However, this palette has an added advantage to bring the drama to your eye look: glitter toppers. If you ever found yourself wishing for that pearlescent pop of colour that catches just the right amount of light, then this is the one for you.
KVD Beauty Dazzle Flakes Metallic Eye Pigment
Versatility is the name of the game this month, and joining our favourites for beauty in August 2023 is the Dazzle Flakes Metallic Eye Pigment. It’s been a while since we last saw a contender in the loose pigment department, and KVD Beauty’s entry to this category definitely got our attention. The flexible formula can be used both wet and dry, so you can let your imaginations run wild—these pigments will be right there with you. Whether you want to apply it as an eyeshadow or an eyeliner, the pigments will transform from a crystalline shimmer to a molten-metal-like texture.
Just don’t be surprised when you crack into one of these and discover that instead of a finely milled powder, the formula instead rolls into orbs. This is done on purpose. Thanks to this format, the pearls of pigments within the jar can easily be picked up with fingers or a brush.
Anastasia Beverly Hills Lash Sculpt Lengthening & Volumising Mascara
Let’s be real. Applying mascara is the least exciting part of your makeup routine, but the impact that it have on your overall look? Impeccable. That’s why we’re putting the Anastasia Beverly Hills Lash Sculpt Lengthening & Volumising Mascara onto our beauty favourites of August 2023. Just as its name suggests, the mascara delivers both fluttery length and decadent volume to your lashes that it gives you that enviable lash-extension effect. Although it’s a buildable formula, you won’t have to pass the wand through your lashes too many times before it achieves that effect.
The Lash Sculpt Mascara promises to stay on all day long with no flaking and smudging, so swipe this on for the hottest or the rainiest of days—it’ll stay put. Here’s a perk as well. The mascara is enriched with biotin, collagen, and peptides, so you can nourish your lashes as you beautify them.
Huda Beauty 1 Coat Wow! Extra Volumising and Lifting Mascara
However, if you’re super anti-mascara (read: for the fact that you have to apply multiple coats), then this will tickle your fancy for sure. The Huda Beauty 1 Coat Wow! Extra Volumising and Lifting Mascara is about to be your best friend and time-saver. “Just one dip of this mascara is enough,” claims Huda Kattan, founder of Huda Beauty.
With the dual-shaped concave-convex applicator wand, it has both long and short bristles to both help lengthen and separate the lashes for that fanned-out look. It also holds onto enough product to make sure that all you’ll truly need is one coat of the mascara for maximum impact. For any seasoned makeup wearer, that’s music to our ears.
Shiseido Legendary Enmei Ultimate Brilliance Eye Cream
Working on issues such as dullness, dark circles, wrinkles, sagging, and tension? Shiseido’s Legendary Enmei Ultimate Brilliance Eye Cream is just the fix you need then. The star of the show here is the restorative Legendary Enmei herb, which needs to be handled with such extreme care that it is delicately extracted by hand so as to not pull it from the root. Alongside that, the Akoya pearl shell extract is added to the incredibly supple formula to soothe and brighten the eyes.
That’s not all—each package of the decadent eye cream will come with a porcelain massage tool that’s made to deliver optimal results. Use it to massage the products into the skin while also activating the blood circulation to further intensify the effects.
Swissline Cell Shock White Brightening-Intensified Night Cream
Nothing pairs with gorgeous eyes quite like luminous skin. Launched earlier this month is the Swissline Cell Shock White Brightening-Intensified Night Cream. Housed in the luxurious packaging are incredible ingredients that will eradicate pesky signs of pigmentation such as melasma and stubborn dark spots. At the same time, the cream also zeroes in on inflammation and wrinkles to reveal glowing and plump skin.
So what’s the blend? You’ll see 2% Alpha Arbutin working in tandem with 2% Tranexamic Acid, both of which are powerhouses at addressing complexion disorders. To top it off, the cream also is enriched with Diacetyl Boldine, a compound that’s specifically chosen to regulate the body’s melanin production. The result is healthier, brighter skin.