The Launch List: January’s Best in Beauty

The Rundown
Gisou expands into treatment-led lip care with the launch of Honey Glaze Collagen Therapy Lip Mask, a buttery, restorative formula powered by the brand’s proprietary Mirsalehi Honey. Enriched with collagen active, ceramides and hyaluronic acid, the mask is designed to deeply hydrate, smooth and support the lip barrier, delivering glazed shine with real skin benefits. Clinical results point to up to 10 hours of hydration, stronger barrier function and visibly smoother lips after just one use. The launch is marked in Dubai with the brand’s first regional stand-alone experience, the Honey Butter Bar at Dubai Design District.

Why We Love It
This feels like a natural evolution of Gisou’s honey-powered universe. The texture is rich but wearable, the scent is softly indulgent, and the focus is firmly on repair rather than gloss for gloss’ sake. It’s lip care that looks good and works hard.

Pro Tips
Apply a generous layer as an overnight treatment, or smooth on a thinner veil during the day for hydrated, glossy lips. Use the honey spatula to evenly coat and massage product into the lips.

Price
AED125 / $34

The Rundown
Hourglass Cosmetics launches Illusion Luminous Glow Foundation SPF 30 in the Middle East, a hybrid complexion formula designed to blur the line between makeup and skincare. Powered by Advanced Hydra-Smooth Technology with hyaluronic microspheres, the creamy foundation melts into skin for smooth, even coverage with a radiant finish that lasts up to 12 hours. It offers medium, buildable coverage, broad-spectrum SPF 30 protection, and is available in 32 luminous shades.

Why We Love It
Illusion is doing more than delivering glow. Clinical results show visible improvements in skin over time, including smoother texture, improved hydration and a more lifted appearance in just 14 days. It doesn’t oxidise, crease or settle into fine lines, making it one of those rare radiant foundations that actually wears well throughout the day.

Pro Tips
Apply with fingers for a skin-like finish, or use Hourglass’ Ambient Soft Glow Foundation Brush for natural radiance. For more coverage, buff in with the Vanish Foundation Brush, then perfect where needed with Vanish Airbrush Concealer. Finish with Veil Translucent Setting Powder to lock in luminosity.

Price
AED230 / $63

The Rundown
Vimi Joshi introduces her namesake brand, marking a new chapter for the globally respected makeup artist, educator and cultural innovator. With over three decades in the industry, including her tenure as MAC’s former Global Senior Artist, Vimi Joshi Beauty is built on a deep understanding of undertones, diversity and the power of makeup to help people feel seen in their skin.

Shaped by years working across the Middle East, India and international fashion and film, the brand reflects Joshi’s belief that beauty is a language of identity, heritage and individuality.

Why We Love It
This is artistry-led beauty with purpose. Vimi Joshi Beauty feels like a natural evolution of a career spent championing inclusivity, precision and cultural nuance, where shades are considered, intentional and rooted in real-world expertise rather than trends.

Pro Tips
If undertones have ever felt confusing, this is a brand to watch. Vimi’s approach starts with skin, not shade names, and is designed to help you find products that genuinely work with your complexion.

Price
Starting from Starting from AED125 / $34

The Rundown
Ulta Beauty has officially opened its first UAE store at Mall of the Emirates, marking a notable moment for beauty retail in the region. Known for its “low to lux” approach, Ulta brings makeup, skincare, hair and fragrance under one roof, spanning mass, prestige and emerging brands, alongside in-store beauty services.

The Dubai opening follows the brand’s Middle East debut in Kuwait and introduces more than 300 brands, including several US-first and exclusive names, alongside global favourites and a strong edit of regional founders.

Why We Love It
Ulta’s strength lies in range and discovery. Being able to shop everyday staples alongside higher-end hero products, while also uncovering newer brands, reflects how beauty is actually shopped now. The focus on services, events and loyalty adds another layer to the experience.

Pro Tips
Look beyond the familiar brands. Ulta’s US exclusives and founder-led edits are where the most interesting finds tend to be.

Located At
Mall of the Emirates

The Rundown
Hermès Beauty expands its Plein Air vision with the launch of Luminous Matte Skincare Foundation, marking the house’s first foundation. Designed by Creative Director Gregoris Pyrpylis, the formula is conceived as an invisible base, enhancing skin rather than masking it. The fluid melts into the complexion for an even, refined finish, balancing makeup performance with skincare benefits for immediate and lasting radiance.

Why We Love It
This is Hermès foundation at its most refined. The luminous matte finish looks natural rather than made-up, while the skincare-rich formula smooths, hydrates and blurs without weight. It’s polished, discreet and designed to let skin show through.

Pro Tips
Apply with fingers for a natural, skin-like finish or use the Le Perfecteur brush for a more polished effect. Pair with the Plein Air Perfecting Primer to enhance luminosity, refine texture and extend wear throughout the day.

Price
AED591 / $161

The Rundown
Patrick Ta Beauty officially launches in the Middle East, marking a significant step in the brand’s global expansion. The glow-focused, artistry-led range is now available across the region, bringing Patrick Ta’s signature approach to complexion, colour and light to the Middle Eastern beauty market.

The launch spotlights the brand’s bestsellers, including the viral Major Headlines Double-Take Crème & Powder Blush Duo, the Major Skin Hydra-Luxe Luminous Skin Perfecting Foundation and a curated edit of Patrick Ta’s glow-enhancing essentials.

Why We Love It
Patrick Ta Beauty is built around real artistry. The formulas are designed to deliver high-impact glow with professional-level ease, balancing polish with wearability. It’s makeup that celebrates structure, skin and light, without losing the drama the brand is known for.

Pro Tips
Start with the Major Headlines Blush Duo for Patrick’s signature crème-and-powder technique, layering for dimension and longevity. The foundation delivers best results when applied in thin layers, building glow where you want it.

Price
Starting from AED60 / $16

The Rundown
Rituals Cosmetics unveils Intuitia, a limited-edition collection designed to encourage mindful self-reflection and reconnection with your inner voice. Built around a warm, grounding scent blend of saffron, sandalwood and vanilla, the collection spans body care, fragrance and home, transforming everyday rituals into intentional moments of calm. The fragrance composition balances vanilla’s soft, comforting sweetness with the depth of sandalwood, long associated with grounding and inner awareness.

Why We Love It
Intuitia feels like a return to Rituals’ core strength: sensorial wellbeing that’s easy to integrate into daily life. The fragrance is comforting without being overpowering, while the formulas focus on nourishment, hydration and atmosphere, making the collection as practical as it is indulgent. It’s designed to slow you down, without feeling precious or overly ceremonial.

Pro Tips
Layer the experience. Start with the Velvety Foaming Shower Gel, follow with the whipped Body Cream, then add Fragrance Sticks or Home Perfume to extend the scent through your space. The Velvet Aura Perfume Oil is ideal for subtle daytime wear or on-the-go touch-ups.

Price
Starting from AED55 / $15

The Rundown
Gucci Beauty expands its makeup offering with the launch of Gucci Glow Blush, alongside new radiant shades of Rouge à Lèvres Mat and Rouge à Lèvres Voile. Designed to enhance natural features through light and colour, the collection focuses on luminous finishes for cheeks and lips, anchored by a new highlighting blush with a refined cream-to-powder texture.

Why We Love It
Gucci Glow Blush delivers glow without excess. The finish is soft and pearly rather than glittery, and the formula blends easily while remaining comfortable in heat and humidity. The new lip shades complement the look, offering either velvety pigment or sheer luminosity, depending on how much impact you want.

Pro Tips
Apply the blush lightly to the high points of the cheeks for a fresh glow, then pair with Rouge à Lèvres Voile for daytime or Rouge à Lèvres Mat for a more defined finish.

Price
Starting from AED210 / $57

The Rundown
Armani Beauty marks 25 years of Luminous Silk Foundation with a reformulated version of its most iconic complexion product. Known for its skin-like finish and signature glow, the foundation has been enhanced with skincare-infused ingredients designed to improve radiance, tone and texture over time, while preserving the lightweight, seamless effect it’s famous for.

The updated formula now comes in an expanded range of 44 luminous shades, including 18 new additions, with original shade numbers maintained. Consumer testing found that 98% of users agreed it blends well with their complexion, reinforcing its reputation as one of the most universally flattering foundations on the market.

Why We Love It
Luminous Silk remains the gold standard for glow that doesn’t look like makeup. The reformulation introduces added skincare benefits including glycerin, niacinamide and Mediterranean floral extracts, delivering hydration, improved luminosity and smoother-looking skin in as little as 14 days. The finish is still unmistakably Armani: refined, natural and quietly perfected.

Pro Tips
Apply with a brush for a polished, runway-style finish or use fingers for a more natural, skin-first effect. For amplified radiance, pair with the new Luminous Silk Illuminating Primer to enhance glow without adding heaviness.

Price
AED275 / $75

The Rundown
Ilia Beauty introduces Base Face Milk to the Middle East, a lightweight, vegan face milk designed to hydrate, soothe and strengthen the skin barrier in one simple step. Sitting somewhere between an essence and a moisturiser, the fast-absorbing formula sinks in instantly, helping to calm redness, smooth texture and prep skin for makeup without weight or residue.

Why We Love It
This is skin prep done properly. The formula is clinically proven, fragrance-free and genuinely barrier-focused, making it ideal for sensitive or reactive skin. With four molecular weights of hyaluronic acid alongside a biomimetic lipid complex, it delivers lasting hydration while keeping skin calm, balanced and plump. It layers beautifully under complexion products, exactly what you want from a base step.

Pro Tips
Use it alone as a lightweight moisturiser when skin feels balanced, or layer it under a richer cream when dryness kicks in. It also makes an excellent first step before any Ilia complexion product for smoother, more even makeup application.

Price
AED225 / $58

The Rundown
Makeup by Mario reintroduces its award-winning SoftSculpt® Shaping Stick across the Middle East, updating the packaging and built-in brush while keeping the original, much-loved formula intact. Designed to mirror Mario Dedivanovic’s SoftSculpt® technique, the dual-ended stick delivers natural-looking definition with a creamy texture and a soft-matte finish. The upgraded, removable brush is engineered to diffuse and lift, offering more control with less effort. It’s available in seven shades.

Why We Love It
This is a smart update, not a reinvention. The formula remains glide-on, buildable and forgiving, the kind of contour that enhances bone structure without announcing itself. The improved brush makes a noticeable difference, allowing for cleaner placement and a more seamless blend, especially for everyday wear.

Pro Tips
Choose a shade close to your skin tone for a subtle sculpt rather than contrast. Apply along the high point of the cheekbone and blend upward using the built-in brush for a lifted effect. Use what’s left on the brush to softly warm the temples and jawline.

Price
AED150 / $41

The Rundown
Refy officially launches in Dubai, marking its debut in the Middle East. Founded by Jess Hunt and Jenna Meek, the brand arrives with its signature edit of streamlined, performance-led makeup designed to enhance natural features rather than mask them. Built around a less-is-more philosophy, Refy’s Dubai launch speaks to a growing appetite for beauty that is functional, fast and visually polished, products that earn their place in a daily routine.

Why We Love It
Refy doesn’t chase trends. Its tightly edited range focuses on structure, skin finish and ease, with hero products that have become staples for brows, complexion and everyday definition. The formulas are intuitive, the results are reliable and the aesthetic is refreshingly uncluttered.

Pro Tips
Start with the cult Brow Sculpt and complexion essentials to understand the brand’s appeal. And watch this space, Beautilist had a sneak peek at new formulas launching in March that signal a smart evolution of the Refy approach.

Price
Starting from AED40 / $11