They say when life closes one door, another opens: we are, of course, talking about the inevitable spending of your angpow money on these Chinese New Year (CNY) beauty collections. Sure, you may lose some, but you gain lots from getting your hands on these fiery-red, limited-edition pieces.
Below, we list all the gorgeous pieces inspired by this auspicious festival. Some take on more classic Lunar New Year elements, while others are inspired by the Dragon, which is this year’s zodiac animal. Either way, we think these make for some really great decorative pieces to adorn your dressing table. And if you can look good while you’re at it, we say it’s a win-win situation.
Read on to discover the CNY beauty collections that have landed on our shores.
Lancome
The new year is for fresh starts, and Lancome wants you to do just that with a series of its best-selling products, dressed in limited-edition packaging. These oriental dragon motifs are courtesy of London-based Chinese artist Jacky Tsai, who designed the “Lancome Loong”, which can be seen adorned on the Advanced Génifique Serum and the Absolue Soft Cream. Also available in the Lunar New Year collection is the L’Absolu Rouge Intimatte Liquid, a creamy, liquid lipstick with the most auspicious red shade, perfect for the first day of the Lunar New Year.
Shop here.
Rituals
The dragon has always been a symbol of strength, so why not awaken that inner power with an extended self-care session with Rituals’ The Legend of the Dragon collection this Chinese New Year? Elements of the Chinese tradition inspire the bath and home fragrance collection, and its products are infused with plum and cedar wood. The former has high concentrations of vitamins and antioxidants, while cedarwood oil has a stimulating fragrance to help energise the senses. The collection consists of a Gold Foaming Shower Gel, Golden Body Scrub, Rich Body Cream, Fragrance Sticks, Scented Candle, Eau de Parfum, Car Perfume, and a Kitchen Set (Hand Wash and Hand Balm). There is also a gift set comprising the shower foam, a hand wash, hand balm, and a scented candle if you’re feeling generous. Now, you’ll definitely be energised throughout the entire Lunar New Year.
Shop here.
Shu Uemura
“Invincible Reds” is the theme behind Shu Uemura’s Lunar New Year collection, revolving around a strong woman with charisma and success—not unlike a dragon. Dressed in red with a golden dragon depicted in calligraphic brush strokes—a Shu Uemura signature—the collection comprises the brand’s iconic Ultime8 Sublime Tsubaki Cleansing Oil, the Hard Formula eyebrow pencil, Petal 55 Foundation Brush, Face Colour blush in the shade M Peach Fortune, Pressed Eyeshadow in the shade PR Auspicious Apricot, two new shades of the Rouge Unlimited Kinu Cream (RD 177 and BR 776), and the piece de resistance, the Rouge Unlimited Kinu Matte lipstick with dragon scales in two new shades (RD 171 and BG 933).
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SK-II
Continuing from their Christmas partnership last year, SK-II collaborates with Maison Kitsune again for the Lunar New Year. Instead of red, they have chosen to dress the Facial Treatment Essence bottle in a blush pink shade. The fox is depicted in a yoga pose, which SK-II means to “symbolise the comfort in your true state”. Glow with radiance; we’re certain the iconic Facial Treatment essence with Pitera will help you out just fine with that.
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Fresh Beauty
If 2024 is the year you want to get into plant-based skincare, then Fresh Beauty is the one for you. For the Lunar New Year collection, the brand has selected a trio of their anti-aging skincare superiors: the Kombucha Facial Treatment Essence, Tea Elixir Skin Resilience Serum, and the Black Tea Advanced Age Renewal Cream and dressed them up with artistic elements depicting the dragon. These products are renowned for a reason: they are powered by potent ingredients such as double-fermented kombucha, which is a powerful antioxidant, the brand’s proprietary BT Matrix that delivers retinol-like anti-aging properties without the harshness, and more. All these prove that plant-based products are equally as great in strength.
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Sulwhasoo
Sulwhasoo’s First Care Activating Serum has been a staple in most beauty stashes, and this year the brand is launching a limited-edition design to commemorate the Year of the Dragon. In matte white “porcelain”, the bottle is adorned with an amber-coloured dragon at the cap, reaching out to a heart-shaped pearl. Below are words of well wishes—good luck for the New Year—in a similar amber hue. The serum is created to be the first skincare used after your cleansing routine to amplify the benefits of the subsequent serums and products you’ll use, and has continually been favourites of many around the world.
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Decorte
Joining in the celebrations is Decorte with their signature Liposome Advanced Repair Serum. Taking the traditionalist route for the Lunar New Year, the bottle is reimagined in red with a golden dragon motif. Like the dragon, this serum is known for its strength—specifically, creating a strong skin barrier to create beautiful, healthy skin.
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Laura Mercier
Trust us, this year will be the year of creme eyeshadows, and to equip you with the right tool this festive season is Laura Mercier. Packaged for the celebration, we’re definitely picking up the Mini Rose Glow Caviar Duo. The shades that come in the set are perfect staples: Wild Rose and Bed of Roses. With extended longevity, intense pigmentation, and crease-free wear, the duo will easily be in heavy rotation even after the Lunar New Year festivities.
Shop here.
Guerlain
Celebrating Asian culture, the French perfume house Guerlain is releasing the opulent Néroli Outrenoir for the Lunar New Year. Bejewelled with a dazzling dragon attached to the red flacon, this fragrance will not only stand out on your dresser but also set you apart in the crowd. With notes of neroli, bergamot, and petitgrain, the juice promises to be a zesty burst of citrus with a smoky and aromatic base.
Available from 25 January 2024. Exclusively available at Guerlain in The Exchange TRX.