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Creative Crop
“This is the only complexion product I brought on a recent vacation—no foundation, no skin tint, no tinted moisturizer, no powder—and I didn’t even think twice about it. It’s that versatile. You can use it like a traditional concealer to spot-treat, or I like dotting it across my cheeks, chin, and forehead and blending with my fingers to diffuse discoloration and redness. The formula has a blurring effect, giving skin a natural, airbrushed look. It sets to a finish that’s matte enough that I don’t even need to set it with powder.” —LAUREN BALSAMO, BEAUTY DIRECTOR
“I’m a ‘your lips but better’ liner gal, preferring subtle definition rather than an overlined, plumped shape, but this pencil is ideal for both. The buttery texture glides effortlessly across my lips yet is strong enough to resist breakage, which I very much appreciate as someone constantly in a rush without meticulous time to gently draw onto my mouth.” —JASMINE HYMAN, ASSISTANT BEAUTY EDITOR
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“I normally bring two, sometimes three, mascaras on a trip. Hell, I even like two options for a quick overnight stay. But for three trips recently, this was the only mascara I stashed in my bag. It does it all: curls, lengthens, and separates, and even adds a touch of volume, too. When they start making it in brown, my life will actually change—although I’m evidently quite fond of this black shade, too.” —BETH GILLETTE, BEAUTY EDITOR
“Dior’s Forever Concealer is my favorite formula of all time for hiding my under-eye bags courtesy of insomnia, so I was so excited for this reformulated foundation to do the same for my acne and redness. It boasts tons of hydration, a nice glowy level of coverage, and a noncomedogenic formula. And if a glowy finish isn’t your vibe, it comes in a blurring, matte version as well.” —JH
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“This lightweight formula from luxe French skincare brand Yon-Ka leaves my dry skin with the dewiest finish, and I’ve especially been loving layering it under my makeup when I need extra protection without any pilling. It’s a mineral, noncomedogenic formula which my acne-prone skin is very thankful for, especially amid nonstop sweating in the sun.”
—JH
“I forgot how effective mandelic acid is until I started using it again in Versed’s new exfoliating serum. This gentle AHA is perfect for my sensitive, congestion-prone skin, and the serum couldn’t be easier to incorporate into my routine. The texture is so light, it sinks into skin like an essence, with absolutely no tacky finish. I’ve been using it every morning under my vitamin C serum and my pores look less noticeable while my skin has a subtle glow.” —LB
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“So many serums promise ‘Botox in a bottle’ results, and while you can’t replicate the results of an injectable with a topical (yet), the effects of ZO’s peptide concentrate come pretty damn close. I’ve been using it morning and night for four weeks now, and my skin looks noticeably plumper and juicier than before. I’ve also seen a subtle smoothing effect on my forehead, which I love. If you want true Botox results, you’ll need Botox—but if you’re looking to give your skin a firmer, smoother appearance, this serum is a great pick.” —LB
“To say I’m obsessed with this moisturizer would be an understatement. The gel consistency feels lightweight on my skin, but the formula still provides plenty of moisture. I often will layer it on top of another sheer moisturizer because my skin has been drier this winter, but while I’m currently in 70-degree weather in Miami, it’s been fantastic on its own.” —BG
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“I love the idea of milky products, but my acne has other ideas. But as with everything from Personal Day, this formula is free of any potential pore-clogging ingredients, meaning it’s suitable for my acne-prone and oily skin. This adds a slight glow and makes my skin feel so soft before applying foundation or concealer. I am on a trip right now and tried to save space by not bringing it…and my makeup is suffering.”
—BG
“I know, I know! These are a spurge, but I genuinely see them as a sound investment. I’ve been a fan of the brand’s Resurfacing Tonic for years, so anything building on that formula immediately had my attention. I actually tried these powerful pads a few months before the launch and fell in love with them right away. They deliver that same smooth, glowy, your-skin-but-doper effect, but in a super-convenient format. My texture looks better, my tone is more even, and I never feel over-exfoliated. This is a brand that’s known for real, visible results, and these absolutely deliver on that. Pricey, for sure, but the payoff for your skin makes it completely worth it.”
—JULEE WILSON, BEAUTY EDITOR-AT-LARGE
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“Never in my life has a sunscreen blended into my skin the way a milky primer or essence does, until I tried Tatcha’s latest SPF. If you hate the sticky or tacking feeling of traditional sunscreen, trust me when I say that this just feels like a serum absorbing into the skin. I’ve been wearing it on repeat in Florida while swimming and exercising, and it doesn’t leave behind a white finish when mixed with water or sweat.” —JH
“Most high-performance eye creams are thick and almost pudding-like, but Valmont’s new pick feels like a lightweight water-gel while still being deeply hydrating. It absorbs quickly, giving instant smoothing and plumping, and forms an invisible barrier that locks in moisture without feeling greasy. The biggest downside is the price, but it’s the best gel eye cream I’ve tried so far—and you only need a tiny dot for each eye, so the bottle will last a long time.” —LB
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“Attention, y’all, ‘gazing milk’ has entered the chat. It’s a perfect hybrid of an essence and a serum. I love that it helps all my other skincare products layer and perform better. The texture is silky and milky (as the name suggests), and it melts right in, leaving my skin hydrated with that soft, lit-from-within glow. I also love how balanced it feels. With niacinamide, hyaluronic acid, and probiotics, it smooths, brightens, and keeps my skin barrier happy without overwhelming my skin. I’ve been using it morning and night for about three weeks now, and it’s been keeping my skin even and calm. It’s easy, effective, and one of those steps my skin now looks forward to.” —JH
“I can’t get enough of this lip mask. It is incredibly moisturizing and has a really thick, Aquaphor-like texture, so it keeps lips plump and protected for hours. I’m also obsessed with the sheer tint—it gives lips a rosy, just-bitten effect, aka Wuthering Heights beauty vibes.” —LB
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“Amika is stepping into body care and, honestly, it feels like a natural next move. They give my hair so much ‘body’ that it’s exciting to see how they have transformed my skin. This whipped body butter is rich yet airy at the same time. The fluffy texture melts right into the skin without leaving any heaviness behind. It’s packed with ceramides and nourishing butters, so it actually smooths and keeps my skin hydrated for hours. I love using it at night because when I wake up, my skin still feels soft. Plus, the scent is warm, slightly sweet, and elevated without being overpowering. It definitely plays well with whatever perfume I decide to wear that day. I’m excited to see this brand do more in the bodycare space.” —JW
Maybe turning 30 this year has changed me, but suddenly, I love rose scents after despising them for years. But this rose is modern and green-smelling and not too powdery. Musk and black currant help add another layer to the scent so it’s still obviously rose but not overpowering. The Cyklar body wash has been a go-to of mine for nearly a year, but I cannot stop reaching for this scent in the shower. —BG
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“As someone who has very dry hair, I always knew I should be using a hair oil, but I also get greasy so easily that I loathed using one. That is, until Chris McMillan showed me his new genius formulation. The ingredient list is full of lightweight oil—so lightweight that the product is literally evenly dispersed from a luxe spritz bottle, so you know it’s not goopy or heavy. It makes my hair smooth and soft with just a few sprays and also doubles as a fresh hair perfume. I can finally say I’m a hair oil girl now. Not to mention, the bottle is so chic and blends in with all my other fragrances.” —JH
“I’m a bit of a hair oil snob, so it really takes a lot to impress me, and this one did. It’s lightweight in a way that actually matters. It is not greasy, doesn’t weigh down my curls, and lets them move with ease. I reach for it to refresh my braid-outs or my silk press that is getting a little dried out. It smooths frizz and leaves everything touchable, not crunchy. The combo of nourishing oils plus Verb’s SunflowerCurl Complex gives hydration without buildup, which feels like a small miracle. It’s just one of those products I keep reaching for without thinking. And every time I use it, my hair ends up looking and feeling great!” —JW
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“Admittedly, I avoid hair creams like the plague. BUT! I love this one for smoothing my hair back before a workout. The creamy texture makes my hair look sleek and provides just enough hold (especially when I smooth it all back with a boar bristle brush) without flattening my hair to my head. The soft scent also gets me so excited to use it every single time.” —BG
“I’m super particular about these newfangled curling irons (air wrapping or automatic functioning) because most of them don’t play nice with my silk presses. They either snag, overheat, or pull too aggressively. This one has been such a pleasant surprise. It gently wraps the hair instead of yanking it in, which immediately made me feel more comfortable using it. The self-rotating barrel makes it easy to get really uniform, bouncy curls without having to think too hard about technique. I also love the anti-tangle feature—it stops if there’s too much hair, which is a huge plus. It heats up quickly, has adjustable temperature settings, and gives a little alert when the curl is ready. My curls come out smooth and shiny and actually last. And on top of all of that, it’s only $50!” —JW
Lauren Balsamo is the beauty director at Cosmopolitan where she writes, edits, and produces all types of beauty content—from product reviews to personal essays and trend reports. She has covered beauty for more than a decade at Cosmopolitan. Follow her on Instagram.
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