Welcome to Last Drop, where you can discover the newest and buzziest beauty launches hitting shelves near you.
Every year, we eagerly await the return of Hourglass Cosmetics’s Unlocked palettes, and they’re finally here. This year’s collection includes fresh cover art as well as new highlighters, blushes, and bronzers—in fact, the three different palettes feature five additional shades each. For example, the Dragon palette has a never-before-seen peachy blush, a slightly pink finishing powder, and completely matte bronzer. I’m always beyond excited to see what Hourglass Cosmetics has cooked up for the holiday season, and these new palettes did not disappoint. I was born in the year of the dragon, so naturally, I had to go for that one—plus the color palette is right up my alley.
If celebs like Sandra Oh, Hailey Bieber, and Margot Robbie were to take a picture of their vanity, you’d probably spot Augustinus Bader’s The Cream on their vanities. Victoria Beckham Beauty and the famous skin care brand have collaborated to bring that same anti-aging technology to this click pen concealer; the complexion product’s formula contains Augustinus Bader’s signature Trigger Factor Complex, TFC8, lipids, peptides, and more nourishing ingredients to heal and treat the skin as it camouflages any imperfections. You can’t deny that the convenience of a click pen concealer is unmatched. I like to swipe this one on my redness and dark spots and pat it in with my fingers for a skin-like finish.
Unless you possess Lily Collins-esque eyebrows, chances are, you’re on the hunt for a way to get your arches to look just a little bit fuller. This brow gel has a moussy texture that builds on hairs, thickening and tinting them with natural-looking color. A few quick swipes, and you’ll be good to go—a great option for anyone who isn’t as comfortable working with a brow pencil or powder. There’s also an option for everyone in this expansive shade range, from Auburn for redheads to Granite for those with gray manes.
In case you’re not in the loop, Bond No. 9’s scents are inspired by different locales, neighborhoods, and aspects of our beloved New York City. The latest one captures the spirit of Manhattan, the home of the brand’s flagship store. When I first spritzed this in the office, at least two other beauty editors instantly swarmed me to ask where it was from. It’s a sophisticated crowd pleaser and has many of my favorite notes, including white musk, ylang ylang, and Bulgarian rose.
Carol Lee is the Associate Beauty E-Commerce Writer at ELLE.com, where she covers all things beauty and personal care. Before joining the team, she was an editor at Food Network Magazine and HGTV Magazine and ran the beauty section at The Pioneer Woman. Carol received her bachelor’s degree in Journalism from New York University and was one of the first customers to visit Glossier’s flagship store in New York’s Soho neighborhood. Over the years, she’s tested countless makeup, hair, and skin care products, and written hundreds of articles covering the beauty space, from pieces about the trendiest launches to roundups of the best products on the market. As a Korean-American, she grew up in a sea of Korean makeup and skin care products and is a bona fide expert on the ever-expanding world of K-beauty, helping lead our coverage. Additionally, she’s also always on the hunt for the perfect lipstick and watches the same few comfort sitcoms (Frasier, Cheers, Seinfeld, New Girl, etc.) over and over again.