Shop Or Drop Part 1 | Honest Thoughts On New Makeup Launches

There are constantly new beauty launches, and not all of them are worth your money.

This series is about cutting through that. No hype, no PR spin, just honest opinions on whether new products are actually worth buying.

This is Shop Or Drop Part 1, breaking down some of the latest launches and whether they’re a hit or a miss.

VIEVE Silhouette Stick

This one feels like a strong launch.

• Shade range looks genuinely well thought out

• Cool tones, which are surprisingly hard to find

• Creamy, blendable and multi-purpose

• Easy to use for contour or bronzing

Anything from VIEVE tends to be reliable, and this fits straight into that category.

Verdict: Shop - This is one I’d actually purchase myself.

Huda Beauty Strawberry Latte Range

This whole collection feels very on-brand, but in a good way.

• The blush palette formula is already solid, and these shades look wearable

• Lip glosses are leaning into that concealer lip comeback

• The new blush filter shades look fresh and flattering

It’s cohesive, it makes sense, and it taps into current trends without feeling forced.

Verdict: Shop

Victoria Beckham Colour Wash Water Bronzer

This had potential, but there are a few issues.

• The water formula is interesting and different

• But only two shades is not acceptable, even for a sheer product

• £44 price point doesn’t match what you’re getting

• Dropper packaging isn’t the most practical

It feels underdeveloped for that price.

Verdict: Drop

Charlotte Tilbury Love At First Swipe Palette

This is very classic Charlotte Tilbury.

• Packaging is beautiful, as expected

• Shades look balanced and easy to use

• Perfect for travel or a more minimal kit

• Would make a really good gift

The only downside is the lack of shade variety, but overall it does what it needs to.

Verdict: Shop

Ilia Mineral Tinted Sun Serum

This one misses the mark for me.

• SPF 50 is great in theory

• But only two shades for a tinted product is unrealistic

• The shade range doesn’t look inclusive at all

• Even the deepest shade still runs quite light

Shade range matters, especially in base products.

Verdict: Drop

Gisou Cacao And Pineapple Lip Oils

I like Gisou, but this feels like a skip.

• The original formula is great

• Ingredients are still strong

• But the new shades aren’t that wearable

• The glitter looks slightly chunky rather than refined

It doesn’t feel like an upgrade from what already exists.

Verdict: Drop - I’d stick to the nude versions.

Not every launch deserves the hype. Some are genuinely worth adding to your routine, others feel rushed or incomplete.

Worth it: VIEVE, Huda Beauty, Charlotte Tilbury

Skip it: Victoria Beckham, Ilia, Gisou (this drop at least)

The key is knowing what actually performs and what just looks good online.