A Wren Says

I clicked on the Vogue Beauty Secrets video with Dua Lipa. I noticed her holding a goldish looking bottle. “Huh? I know she’s a big fan of Augustinus Bader, but I don’t recognize that one.” And then she announced, it was part of brand-new skincare line available starting today: Dua.

Dua skin was created in partnership with Augustinus Bader. It features a new ingredient TFC5. If you are an AB aficionado, you’ll recognize that their key ingredient as TFC8. This new lower number was created for clients who have less damage to repair than the original intended client. Here’s what I think actually happened. Yes, the product is less potent because it is for less damaged skin, but that change also likely dropped the formulation cost.

You’ll also notice that the prices are a lot cheaper. The most expensive of the three products is $80. If you don’t like spending money on skincare, you don’t even want to know the Augustinus Bader top price. As they say on the site, “each formula works to visibly improve today’s concerns and future-proof skin against tomorrow’s damage.” I would imagine that the target is for young people just getting into skincare, but who are thinking about how they’ll age. It’s priced to feel luxurious but still attainable for young, early twenties customers, those who might be fans of Dua Lipa and excited to try all of her new ventures.

I haven’t tried the product yet, but I do already have one critique. The thing that I would say is I wish she didn’t use her name as the brand. I wish she had come up with something that was connected to her, but that if she chooses to sell later on, doesn’t leave her without the rights to her name. But that is likely something she discussed with her team, so who am I to question it.

The line has debuted with a cleanser, brightening complex, and moisturizer. All three are available on the brand site. If you have always wanted to try products from Augustinus Bader but shied away due to the price, this might be a way for you to get a little taste of the science.