Much like the weather forecast, your make-up bag may be in flux this month. Dewy skin felt right in July, but by mid-September, we’re instinctively reaching for something with a little more grip to take on those seasonal showers.
Whether you’re slowly swapping sheer for satin or just wondering where all your lip balms have mysteriously gone, consider this your seasonal soft reset.
Welcome to Let’s Make Up, our monthly beauty briefing cutting through the noise of newness to bring you the most noteworthy launches, trends, and formulas worth trying. Think of it as a curated edit for the time-poor but beauty-curious: equal parts discerning and wearable, with the occasional wildcard.
September, as ever, is a power month. Summer skin has been well-loved by the sunshine (and possibly slightly neglected), so formulas are shifting. Brands and consumers alike are now turning toward barrier-boosting skincare, ultra-hydrating creams and spanking-new luxury fragrances fit for autumnal weather.
So, whether you’re plotting a strategic restock or just looking for one great product to lift your face (and mood), we’ve sifted through the gloss to bring you September’s standouts. No gimmicks, no over-hyped palettes: just excellent formulas doing exactly what they say on the tin.
Keep scrolling for the best of the best.
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Jo Malone unveils the Uniquely You collection
When: Available now
A scent wardrobe for the indecisive, or simply the imaginative. Jo Malone London’s Uniquely You collection celebrates the art of Scent Layering – letting you tweak, tailor and transform your fragrance depending on mood or moment. Start with a classic (we’re eyeing English Pear & Sweet Pea, £56 for 30ml), then dial it up with one of three 'combiners': zesty Grapefruit fresh English Oak & Hazelnut, or the alluring Peony & Blush Suede (each £18 for 9ml). One base, infinite outcomes.
Buy now, Jo Malone
Miu Miu new Miutine Fragrance
When: Available now
What’s the perfect accompaniment to your favourite Miu Miu handbag? A brand-new, ultra-feminine fragrance by Miuccia Prada’s beloved fashion house.
Miutine is a gourmet fragrance crafted by master perfumer Dominique Ropion, inspired by the timeless and historical Chypre fragrance structure: bright citrus, a floral heart, and an earthy base comprising oakmoss and patchouli. It’s subverted by Mara des Bois and brown sugar accords.
Buy now £145.00, Harrods
Prada Paradigme Eau de Parfum
When: Available now
A new addition to Prada’s masculine scent range, think of Paradigme as the antithesis to Paradoxe. It features an amber-infused woody base with smoky accords, which contrast with a duo of geranium extracts for a sensual yet bright and energising aroma. Expect swirling additions of bergamot and musk for warmth and freshness, too.
Buy now £115.00, Harrods
Le Labo City Exclusives return for a limited time
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When: Available now
Fragrance obsessives will already have had the dates triple underlined: Le Labo’s City Exclusive fragrances will be available to purchase across London, Leeds and Edinburgh labs for the entire month of September.
There are 18 city scents to collect, including the latest addition to the sought-after exclusives, Osmanthus 19. Crafted in celebration of Le Labo Kyoto Machiya’s opening, it features notes of incense and lavender and is so in demand that the Kyoto lab has had to limit the number of bottles sold.
Grab yours while you can.
Buy now £275.00, Liberty
Medik8 launches Advanced Pro Collagen Peptide Cream
When: Available now
The not-so-secret favourite of beauty editors, Medik8 skincare is prized for its science-first approach to ablutions, resulting in effective formulas. Though known for its CSA philosophy, which encourages a simplified three-step routine comprising sunscreen and vitamin C during the day, with vitamin A applied at night, there’s a new addition to the roster.
The Advanced Pro Collagen Peptide Cream is said to increase collagen production by 45 per cent for clinically proven results in just 7 days. It’s ultra-soft and lightweight, powered by Growth Factor MiniProtein, which is formulated to support collagen, elastin, and hyaluronic acid levels to promote smoother, firmer-looking skin. The cream is also infused with a NAD+ longevity booster and a patented anti-ageing peptide for long-term care.
Buy now £79.00, Medik8
Weleda Food Super Serum
When: Available now
With celebrity fans including the likes of Andrew Garfield, Anne Hathaway, Hailey Bieber, Priyanka Chopra and more, Weleda is the refreshingly affordable, intensely nourishing skincare saviour that delivers a red carpet-ready complexion. This latest addition to the superfood-loving brand’s offering, the Weleda Food Super Serum, is made with 100 per cent natural origin ingredients.
Formulated to deliver a powerful moisture boost, it features ceramide NP – a phytoceramide derived from olive oil which helps to lock in moisture and protect against environmental damage. Organic sunflower seed oil, apricot kernel oil and jojoba oil provide additional nourishment, while the Skin Food range’s signature botanicals work to deliver a natural glow.
Buy now £17.95, Lookfantastic
bareMinerals relaunches the Prime Time Original Foundation Primer
When: Available now
In celebration of the brand’s 30th anniversary, bareMinerals is bringing back a redesigned version of their Prime Time Original Foundation Primer.
Formulated to offer a smooth base for makeup application for a natural, filtered effect, it’s imbued with vitamins C and E as well as mineral-rich seawater to help boost and pump the complexion while blurring pores.
Buy now £30.00, bareMinerals
Rosie Huntington-Whiteley approved styling cream
When: Available now
Renowned for its honey-infused hair formulas, Gisou’s new Honey Milk 5-in-1 Styling Cream is set to be a best-seller, not least as it's being spearheaded by queen of the bouncy blowout, Rosie Huntington-Whiteley.
Formulated with hydrating honey and milk proteins for stronger hair, to not only hydrate and protect but control frizz and add shine, the haircare essential also works as a heat protectant for up to 230 degrees. Your hair will smell delightful for days thanks to notes of honey nectar, jasmine, vanilla and sandalwood.
Buy now £25.00, Space NK
OUAI enters the deodorant scene
When: Available now
Smell like a holiday, even if you’re just powerwalking to Pret to beat the lunchtime rush. OUAI’s first foray into the deodorant realm brings their cult-favourite scents — St Barts, Cape Town, and Melrose Place — to your underarms in sleek, skin-loving form. Aluminium-free, pH-balanced and subtly addictive, it’s a smart switch for anyone who wants a fresher finish without the usual chalky feel.
Buy now £20.00
