The niche beauty brands you should know about
The beauty world isn't just about the major players - there's a whole raft of cool independent brands that deserve more than a little shelf space. Click on to discover more about our handpicked favourites and, more importantly, where to buy them.
ECOYAThe brand: Ecoya
Why we love it: Ecoya is an eco-luxe candle, home fragrance and bodycare brand hailing from Australia. Not only are the scents out of this world (think Lotus Flower and Sweet Pea and Jasmine), the whole range is crafted from the finest raw materials and free from harmful chemicals. Beautiful inside and out.
Available from: Ecoya
FORNaSETTIThe brand: Fornasetti
Why we love it: Chic and majorly show-off-able, this historic Italian house is famed for its covetable ceramic packaging, not to mention the truly unique scents within.
Available from:Selfridges
HourglassThe brand: Hourglass
Why we love it: The Hourglass make-up brand brings together science, beauty and luxury. From technology innovation, an incredible spectrum of colours, hard-working active ingredients, not to mention products that you'll want to return to again and again, this collection is definitely for keeps.
Available from:SpaceNK
OribeThe brand: Oribe
Why we love it: The supreme master of luxe haircare, meet Oribe created by celebrity hairdresser Oribe Canales. If you want to bring runway-ready locks to real-girl reality, blended with high performance technology and an unmistakble perfume, this brand is for you. The bottles will make any bathroom look high end.
Available from:Net-A-Porter
ILIAThe brand: Ilia
Why we love it: The Ilia beauty line is natural and organic, made with up to 85% certified organic ingredients, combining incredible colour products and nourishing ingredients. We can't get enough of it in our make-up bag.
Available from:BeautyMart
Tracie MartynThe brand: Tracie Martyn
Why we love it: British make-up artist turned NYC beauty expert to the stars, Tracie's bespoke facials and incredible product range are highly regarded and come highly recommended. This 100% natural eco-luxe range is one to keep to yourself.
Available from:Net-A-Porter
Lipstick QueenThe brand: Lipstick Queen
Why we love it: When 18-year-old Poppy King couldn't find the perfect lipstick in her hometown of Melbourne, she decided to create her own. Twenty years on, and Lipstick Queen the brand has gone from strength to strength. Think powerful, super flattering shades for every woman, no matter her style, task or risk factor threshold. Glamorous, always.
Available from:John Lewis
Prtty PeaushunThe brand: Prtty Peaushun
Why we love it: Created by celeb make-up artist Bethany Karlyn, Prtty Peaushun is the body lotion to own if you want a J-Lo glow. Its subtle, light-reflecting particles give skin a gorgeous glow and conceal imperfections, enhance definition and, thanks to its innovative blend of plant extracts, help to lift, firm and tighten. We are sold.
Available from:BeautyMart
Shay & Blue LondonThe brand: Shay & Blue
Why we love it: Established in 2012, Shay & Blue has made a serious mark on the fragrance world in a very short space of time. Aside from its trademark beautiful blue and white packaging, the attention to detail and craftsmanship around the fine fragrance they create is second to none. Forget synthetic ingredients, this is all about real flowers, fruit and spices. Scents to make you stand out.
Available from:Marks & Spencer
Sunday RileyThe brand: Sunday Riley
Why we love it: This range was created when Sunday Riley identified a gap in the marketplace for "scientifically advanced, high performance formulas which also utilized pure, potent botanicals and cleaner chemistry techniques." And today it has one raison d'etre for being - results, results, results. Each product is blended from pure, potent botanicals and advanced chemistry for highly effective, hard-working skincare. What's not to love?
Available from:Cult Beauty
JaponesqueThe brand: Japonesque
Why we love it: For over 25 years Japonesque has been creating show-stopping products inspired by the professional make-up tools used in Kabuki theater in Japan. Housed within the one-of-a-kind packaging lives wonderful colourways, pro-performance complexion formulations and beauty tools that every make-up artist swears by.
Available from:John Lewis
Antonia's FlowersThe brand: Antonia's Flowers
Why we love it: Formulated by East Hampton florist Antonia Bellanca in 1982 after she struggled to find a freesia fragrance to suit her taste, this bijoux perfume house has gone from strength to strength. If it's an elegant, sophisticated scent you're after, this is the brand for you.
Available from:Liberty
SachajuanThe brand: SACHAJUAN
Why we love it: Salon Sachajuan opened in Stockholm in 1997, the brainchild of two stylists with decades of experience. The creation of a haircare line of products was the natural next step and soon became the cult, must-have collection to own. Think simplicity and function, combined with high quality and innovative ocean silk technology, giving hair healthy shine, bounce and volume.
Available from:Net-A-Porter
SurrattThe brand: Surratt
Why we love it: Created by celebrity make-up artist Troy Surratt, Surratt cosmetics combines the elegance of Paris and the innovation of Japan - the result of almost ten years of sourcing and research in the Japanese marketplace. Amazing quality and textures are the cornerstone of the Surratt brand, as well as incredible colours and high performance beauty tools - so much so that it's one of our new favourites.
Available from:Liberty
Tom DaxonThe brand: Tom Daxon
Why we love it: If simplistic yet supreme packaging is your weakness and individual, intoxicating blends are your bag, Tom Daxon's unisex scents will definitely float your beauty boat. Working with perfumers who earned their stripes at luxury fragrance houses including Chanel and Guerlain, one sniff and you'll be hooked.
Available from:Liberty
