Tried & tested: On counter August

The BD team road-tests all the new and noteworthy products hitting stores this August.

Novellus Active Facial Serum - Delaney
What it is: A lightweight yet luxurious facial oil formulated with highly active ingredients such as plant stem cells and native Australian botanical enzymes to improve skin’s tone and texture.
My experience: I’m a sucker for a good serum and this silky formula was no exception. Winter tends to run our complexions dry of any remaining glow, but this brightness booster left me with lust-worthy luminosity in a flash. I just pat into my skin A.M. and P.M. straight out of the shower; a few drops will do the trick, but I was definitely guilty of over-application – it just makes your face feel so damn good.

Ella Baché Botanical Skin Cleansing Oil - Tamara
What it is: A plant-based cleansing oil with ingredients to cleanse and soften the skin.
My experience: I absolutely love this cleansing oil. I used it with a cotton pad to remove my makeup at the end of the day, and it did a great job cleansing my face. After using it my face felt soft and nourished, and as someone with sensitive skin I was impressed that it was soothing as well. I love Ella Bache products and the fact that they are starting to release some ‘Natural’ plant-based products is really exciting.

ECOYA Outdoor Candle - Citronella & Lemongrass - Alicia
What it is: A citronella and lemongrass Candle for outdoor use.
My experience: Like all Ecoya candles, this outdoor candle looks just as sleek and sophisticated as the rest of the existing Ecoya products. It comes in a shorter and wider creamy coloured glass jar with a double wick and is finished with the trademark Ecoya silver lid. The scent is citronella and lemongrass and reminds me of a summer holiday. I found that the fragrance lingered when it was burnt and that the fragrance covered a decent sized outdoor entertaining area (which is likely due to the candle being wider than the standard candles). Plus, it looks great on my outdoor table!

NIVEA Care Shower, Lemongrass & Oil - Tiarne
What it is: A silky and refreshing shower gel with precious oil grains and lemon grass extract.
My experience: With a zesty fragrance that is pleasant and uplifting, this shower gel made my morning routine much more tolerable. A little went a long way as well – all I had to do was pour out a small amount and it easily spread over my entire body. After I got out of the shower, my skin felt super clean, moisturised and nourished. I’ve been using this gel for a couple of weeks now and would definitely recommend it to others.

FRESH Vitamin Nectar Glow Juice Antioxidant Face Serum - Eleni
What it is: An everyday face serum that is packed with nutrient-rich microbubbles, minerals, and fruit and vegetable extracts.
My experience: I love face serums and skincare and I was excited to try this. I put it on morning and night and particularly loved it in the morning as I felt that it woke up my skin and gave it an instant glow. There is an obvious citrus smell to it, alluding to the fact that it provides a vitamin C boost for the skin. Much like starting your day off with a green juice, this product was the equivalent for my skin in the morning. My skin felt hydrated and it absorbed well in the skin and even felt great under makeup. The little dropper provided enough product to easily work into the skin.

Trussardi Riflesso Blue Vibe - Tom
What it is: A fragrance that is designed for the modern city man.
My experience: This was shared around my partner's household with lots of memories brought back with this scent. In particular my partner's dad immediately read notes of tobacco and citrus. It’s a very manly scent that smells familiar, with notes of wood, hazelnut and amber once it settles. The scent is strong in flavour, however it brings a sense of warmth and freshness to the wearer that they carry with them throughout the duration of the day.  

Weleda Sea Buckthorn 24h Roll-On Deodorant - Dragana
What it is: A deodorant that provides effective protection against unwanted body odours with the fresh and stimulating scent of grapefruit, mandarin and sandalwood.
My experience: I’m always on the look out for a GOOD deodorant that keeps me fresh and is good for me but doesn’t leave me feeling yucky all day with unwanted body odours..This has been a battle. BUT there is hope. I've been using Weleda Sea Roll-on Deodorant for just over a week now and am so impressed! No unwanted body odours and I feel covered and fresh the entire day without having to reapply which is a first for me. Can’t tell you how much I'm loving this product.

Jurlique Moisture Plus Rare Rose Cream - Rachel
What it is: A hydrating cream that deeply restores moisture to skin for instantly visible hydration and a radiant complexion.
My experience: I’m a huge fan of Jurlique and anything rose-scented, so I was really excited to trial this product. The jar instantly caught my eye with the lovely matte pink and contrasting rose gold lid, which looks so luxe sitting on my nightstand. The cream itself smells absolutely beautiful (truly a rose-lover over here) and I like how the scent is not overpowering, just strong enough to have a calming effect; playing on romance and femininity. Since using this cream, I’ve also noticed a visible difference in the texture of my skin. I find it sinks right in once applied and leaves my skin feeling soft, smooth and glowing. This is definitely another winner from Jurlique and I can’t wait to see further improvements!

Nair Leg Mask - Caitlin
What it is: A depilatory mask for legs that beautifies the skin while removing stubble.
My experience: When this product landed on my desk I was very excited to try it, I love my facials so to have a product that is a mask for your legs peaked my interest. This leg mask is a three-in-one treatment containing 100 per cent natural clay + seaweed which helped to exfoliate and moisturise my skin as well as remove my hair and stubble. You apply it on dry legs and let it work its magic for about five to 10 minutes before jumping in the shower to wash it off. Everytime I use it I found it has minimised my hair regrowth so I get the same result as being waxed minus the pain.

Revlon Kiss™ Glow Lip Oil - Sam
What it is: A lip oil that provides a glowing shine with sheer colour payoff.
My experience: I have been loving this beautiful new lip oil from Revlon in the shade Berry Brilliant. The oil is a smooth and hydrating formula with a strong berry red colour pigment that acted as a lip stain and ensured optimal staying power. The product comes in a metallic silver and red bottle with twist top and sponge applicator. Would highly recommend for a pop of hydrating colour during these long winter months!