We’ve found ourselves craving depth, texture and weight whether that switching our uplifting summer scents for darker, headier parfums or reaching for more potent night creams that cosset our complexions (there’s no better time to up your vitamin A game than in winter). Over the last month the ELLE team have been making new discoveries, like cult makeup artist Fara Homidi’s beauty range or OUAI’s revolutionary Bond Repair Balm and curating their lust lists for winter (we all have our eye on a bag). While we ready ourselves for fashion week, largely by browsing for new bags, take a look at what the ELLE team are loving and lusting after this April.

Angela Law Digital Editor D.S. & Durga Cognac Reign EDP With the weather finally cooling, I’ve found myself naturally starting to turn my attention to the moodier, spicier, deeper corner of my perfume collection and recently, that means I’ve been reaching for D.S. & Durga Cognac Reign. The brand describes it as “getting on the subway in NYC and getting off at Versailles”, with spirits sloshed onto dark wood floors, dark smudgey lips, and Baroque music. To me, it’s woody and deep, with that slight boozy edge that just screams winter to me.

While it isn’t available online, you can still find it in many stores, just check stocks on the Mecca website before heading in. Yu Mei Phoebe Bucket Bag I am a huge fan of a capacious bag, but lately, my big tote bag has been taking its toll and I’ve realised there is a smaller bag-shaped hole in my collection. The Yu Mei Phoebe Bucket Bag will fill this perfectly.

The compact crossbody is big enough to fit the essentials (phone, card holder, seven lip balms) and is made from a supple lambskin leather. It also has a snap closure, removable zip internal pocket, and an adjustable strap, which is a non-negotiable for short girls. Say less!

Ouai Bond Repair Balm As a near-lifelong bleach blonde, I’ve used my fair share of bond repair products, and one thing I’ve learned is that while many might be doing plenty of good for my hair health, they typically don’t leave my hair feeling healthier in the immediate. With the Bond Repair Balm, Ouai changes that. The in-shower product takes the place of my conditioner once a week and leaves my hair feeling soft, looking shiny, and with noticeably less frizz.

Naturium The Glow Getter Multi-Oil Body Butter Since launching in Australia in late 2025, I’ve had a big tub of this body butter tucked into my bathroom cabinet, ready for cooler weather. Since cracking it open a couple of weeks ago, I’ve been diligently applying it twice a day, which in itself is a miracle. My skin has been slurping up the moisture and relishing in the slight glow provided by this non-greasy formula.

Synergie Skin AlgiZome Pro-Ageing Exosome Skin Booster AlgiZome is a pro-ageing booster serum powered by biomimetic exosome technology to firm, hydrate and restore skin resilience, delivering visibly smoother, more revitalised skin. Sounds pretty good to me. Ruby Feneley, Senior Fashion & Beauty Writer Giorgio Armani Luminous, Silk Foundation Luminous Silk is another OG I’ve revisited this month.

Back when I was a makeup artist, this photography-friendly formula was the foundation for essentially anyone heading to a high-stakes event — brides, formals, hot dates, you name it. It has the perfect medium coverage and a silky, skin-like finish (hence the name). Unfortunately for me, none of the shades were ever quite the right match for my cool-neutral skin tone, so I could never reap its complexion-enhancing benefits myself.

Last month, the brand relaunched an update on the classic formula and extended the shade range significantly, adding 18 new shades and as a bonus, they’ve added niacinamide and glycerin to nourish skin while it perfects. I also got sent the new Luminous Silk Illuminating Primer, which I’ve been using non-stop. The pearly pink formula makes for a hydrating base, but I’ve also found it perfect tapped onto the cheekbones for an ethereal glow.

No notes. Rationale #6 The Night Crème I am very well educated on the benefits of vitamin A. The ingredient — which often appears as retinal or retinol in skincare formulations — is the swiss army knife of beauty ingredients.

It can accelerate skin cell turnover, promote collagen production, fade dark spots, help with pores and blemishes and, of course, reduce the depth of fine lines; all things I’m fully in support of. The only problem is my skin, usually compliant, struggles to tolerate it. Introducing anything but the most gentle form of retinol into my routine is a challenge — I sneak it in over buffering serums and moisturisers, teasing my s