Sally Foran: The best of February’s new beauty releases

Beauty Editor Sally Foran breaks down the must haves as we feel start to feel the return of Spring

Thu, 05 Feb, 2026 - 01:59

In what seemed the longest and gloomiest January ever, these new beauty launches signal brighter days ahead.

Chanel Le Lift Flash eye patches

Quite possibly the bougiest eye patches ever? Enriched with hyaluronic acid, these reformulated patches provide a visible tightening and de puffing effect, leaving skin looking smoother, firmer, plumper, and more radiant. They also contain a hyaluronic acid booster which locks in hydration, while the signature Chanel eye complex targets the appearance of puffiness and dark circles. They’re suitable for all skin types, including sensitive.

€100 for 10 pairs, Arnotts

Merit Signature Lip Blush

I understand the hype. Merit’s products are stunning, innovative, and foolproof. Their newest launch, the Signature Lip Blush, first seen in the 2023 holiday set, is lipstick reimagined. And, in my opinion, it actually looks better the longer you wear it. A soft, velvety, blurred finish that never feels dry or cakey, it’s lightweight, long lasting, and buildable. It offers the comfort of a nourishing balm with the look of a matte. Gel-wrapped pigments in an olive-infused base ensure smooth, even application, while a clinically proven sesame based active helps boost hydration and collagen over time. Available in eight shades.

€32, meritbeauty.com

Cerave Sun range

We are just out of winter but, as I hope all my readers know by now, we still need daily sun protection — yes, even on cloudy days! UVA rays penetrate deep into skin, contributing to pigmentation, premature ageing, and barrier damage. Recognising how vital sun protection is to maintaining a healthy skin barrier (this is why they’re one of my favourite SPF brands), Cerave has launched a new sun range, a collection of daily ceramide-enriched sunscreens designed to defend against UV damage while strengthening the barrier.

With dermatologist-developed formulas, skin-identical ceramides and lightweight textures, the range makes daily protection simpler, comfortable and effective. With five products, including two daily options, an oil control formula, a barrier building one ideal for compromised skin, and an on-the-go invisible sun stick, and prices starting at €12.50, you don’t have to spend for a high-quality sunscreen.

€12.50-€22, Boots

Clarins Double Serum Foundation

As a long-time fan of Clarins Double Serum, I was excited when this press release landed in my inbox.

Double Serum Foundation is a hybrid foundation, with one side foundation and one side Double Serum.

It offers double radiance innovation — instantly thanks to Aura technology, and long term thanks to stabilised papain, which smooths texture and enhances radiance.

It also contains Matrixyl 3000, a well known anti-ageing peptide, and turmeric extract from the original Double Serum, supporting the skin’s five vital functions: Hydration, nutrition, protection, oxygenation,
and regeneration. The dual chamber system ensures optimal compatibility of ingredients. It has a luminous satin finish, a sensorial texture, buildable medium to full coverage and an extensive range of 37 shades. It’s accompanied by a gua sha inspired foundation brush for precise application and a unified finish which really elevates it to another level.

€55, clarins.ie

Browaid: The Brow Blueprint

Yet another genius launch from the queen of brows, Kim O’Sullivan.

O’Sullivan created The Brow Blueprint because as she says “brows should look real, not drawn”.

This dual ended, dual tone pen creates structure, dimension, and ultra realistic hair strokes easily. It features innovative tooling and biphased pigment to mimic natural brow shading and texture, and is waterproof with 18-hour wear. The game-changing duo colour system replicates the dimension of real brow hair, as brows are never one flat shade. By merging two perfectly selected tones in a single tool, it eliminates flat, artificial looking brows, and delivers depth and nuanced realism. On one end, a 30° angled two prong tip follows the natural angle of your hand, dispersing the right amount of pigment in one glide and on the other end a multi bristle head delivers multiple hyper realistic strokes in one swipe, resulting in enhanced density and lifelike volume. Ideal if you’re a Gen X like me and plucked your brows into oblivion! Available in three shades, Light, Medium, and Dark.

€19, Brown Thomas

Olaplex Hair Masks

For its latest launch, Olaplex has taken its expertise in structural repair and applied it to the cuticle with two innovative hair mask treatments. The Rich Hydration Mask is formulated for medium, thick or dry hair and works as a cuticle sealing mask to hydrate and control frizz. Using Biomimetic Cuticle Technology, it locks in hydration and strength, seals cuticles for up to five washes, reduces breakage and delivers shine, with an avocado and shea conditioning complex for deep moisture. The Weightless Nourishing Mask for fine to medium hair hydrates, volumises, boosts shine, reduces breakage and supports length
retention with Volume Boost Complex.

Both are sulphate free, silicone free, vegan and colour safe.

€44, millies.ie

Charlotte Tilbury Airbrush Flawless Blur Concealer

Charlotte’s Airbrush Flawless Blur Concealer is the fifth product in the Airbrush Flawless franchise, of which I’m a huge fan. It’s a 24 hour creaseless, full coverage concealer with stretch that doesn’t cling to dry patches or clog skin. The lightweight formula instantly blurs dark circles, blemishes, puffiness, texture, pigmentation, redness, pores and shadows.

It features a diamond shaped flex applicator for seamless application and is infused with skin loving ingredients including hyaluronic acid and

squalane, which hydrate for up to 24 hours and reduce fine lines. Available in 34 shades.

€35, Brown Thomas

Cica Makeup Brushes

With over 20 years’ experience as a professional makeup artist, Ciara Doyle continues to build on her passion for beauty with the latest release from her brand, Cica Brushes.

The newest essential brush set is made with ultra soft synthetic hair, with each brush clearly labelled for ease of use, perfect for those of you who struggle to know which brush to use.

The seven piece collection, including one dual ended brush, is designed to give customers everything they need for effortless, professional looking makeup application. The foundation brush is larger than many on the market, helping achieve an even, quick application, perfect for busy lifestyles.

€40, cicabrushes.ie