I've Been Trying Out Stella McCartney's New Skincare Line—Here's What I Think

I don't really believe that the world needs more skincare brands. Right now, I feel as though the beauty industry has maxed out on everything it can provide us in terms of skincare. Unless there's a game-changing new innovation, my general opinion is that I don't want to know about any new product. If anyone is going to launch a skincare business in 2022, it better do something that nothing else can. Personally, I'd much prefer it if brands used their resources to educate the skincare consumer honestly instead of investing time and energy into launching more products.

It's safe to say, therefore, that when I first heard fashion designer Stella McCartney was launching a skincare line, my eyes rolled hardIt's not that I don't like Stella McCartney and all she's done for the world of fashion; it's just that I want skincare to be a space reserved for, well, expertsI'm simply just not sure the beautysphere needs any more skincare lines created by people who aren't fully immersed in the science of it all. And when I heard that Stella by Stella McCartney beauty was set to be "rooted in nature," I was fully prepared to never give it a second thought.

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(Image credit: @SHANNONLAWLOR)

Shannon the morning after using Stella by Stella McCartney skincare.

But my journalistic instinct got the better of me, and I needed to know more. The truth is I've found Stella McCartney's impact on the fashion industry admirable—her environmental standpoint has really helped shine a light on unsustainable practices and set a precedent for the rest of the industry. So, I thought, if Stella McCartney could make a difference to the world of fashion, what's to say she can't do the same for the beauty industry?

As it turns out, Stella by Stella McCartney skincare is a feat, and I'm genuinely happy about its existence. First of all, let's touch on sustainability. It feels needless to say that the line is vegan and cruelty-free (of course), but beyond that, the collection has also put a ban on over 2000 ingredients in its products due to environmental concerns around their production and extracting (including popular silicones and carbomers, which remain points of contention among environmental experts). Impressively, the packaging itself is created with a reduced number of virgin materials, is recyclable and champions a totally reinvented form of refill with recyclable sachets obtained from certified renewable sources. (Carbon emissions are drastically reduced via shopping refills due to minimised packaging and weight.)

Above all, though, the thing I am most impressed by is the line-up itself. While most skincare brands are keen to sell countless products to us, designed to generate more sales, more money, and as a result more waste, Stella by Stella McCartney is a small, considered line-up of just three products. Utilising ingredients from nature, they aim to care for and nurture the skin in a no-fuss, simple way, focusing on essential hydration and skin health while they're at it. Not only do the products look great on the shelf, but they are exceptionally beautiful on the skin, too. Oh, and if that isn't enough to tempt you, the fresh but gentle scent (inspired by the Scottish highlands) was blended by none other than Francis Kurkdjian (yes, the man behind Baccarat Rouge 540) and smells every bit as soothing as you'd expect. Keep scrolling for my honest review of each product.

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Freelance Beauty Editor

Shannon Lawlor is a renowned beauty journalist and has contributed toBest Knockoff Luxury Clothing ’s beauty content since 2020. As a leading beauty editor, expert and brand consultant, she has over eight years of experience working for some of the industry’s most esteemed titles, includingBest Knockoff Luxury Clothing (of course), Glamour UK, Stylist, Refinery29 and Fabulous. Having also worked behind the scenes with some of the industry’s biggest brands and retailers, Shannon has a unique insight into what people really want from their beauty routines. Understanding that beauty lovers seek honest, open and responsible advice, she has it made her mission to demystify the intimidating world of beauty, taking a no-frills approach to the most relatable topics. While Shannon is the first to admit she doesn’t hold the answer to every beauty question out there, she is dedicated to sharing her expert insights in a bid to help. As a self-proclaimed lazy girl, Shannon has an affinity for easy-to-use, foolproof beauty products and has made it her mission to scope out the best of the best. When she’s not working, Shannon is likely soaking in the bath or giving no-holds-barred beauty reviews on Instagram from her bathroom floor.