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Each month, Fashionista editors try a *lot* of beauty products. And while not every formula we test is a winner, we’re constantly unearthing new favorites. Here, we’ve rounded up our latest hair, skin, fragrance, wellness and makeup discoveries — whether fresh-to-market drops or merely recent additions to our personal routines.
‘Tis the season for pumpkin patch pilgrimages, “Gilmore Girls” rewatches and revamped beauty routines. October’s sudden shift to sweater weather signals an impending skin-care overhaul as cooler temperatures lead to drier skin, but team Fashionista is ready to face the slight chill with a host of newfound beauty favorites.
This month, hair stood out as one of our editors’ top categories as we reached for a long-lasting hair volumizing spray, a detoxifying clarifying shampoo, a PDRN-infused hair mask and a smoothing leave-in conditioner. Our skin-care discoveries included a restorative undereye cream, a gentle jelly cleanser and a moisturizing body scrub. As for the latest additions to our respective makeup bags, we loved a brush-on lip stain, a fan-favorite cream blush and a lifting tubing mascara.
Ahead, see (and shop!) our team’s must-have beauty picks from October.
Maison Beaux Le Voluptuous Volumizing Spray, $42, available here: “As someone who’s tried basically every volumizer on the market to give life to my flat, fine, slippery hair, I’m genuinely floored by this formula from Maison Beaux, a new ‘clean’ hair-care and styling brand from hairstylist Teddy Charles and his partner, model Amber Valletta. Misted on damp hair pre-styling, it offers heat protection, incredible body and lift (when paired with a good round brush and blow dryer) with impressive staying power. Even on the second day after using it, my hair holds onto its style, and unlike some volumizers that make hair matte, this one gives gorgeous shine.” —Steph Saltzman, Beauty & Style Director
Urban Decay Lip Toy Staining Brush Lip Liner, $25, available here: “I didn’t expect to become as obsessed with this lip liner stain as I did during a weekend away in Napa. The brush tip makes the formula easy to blend during the one minute of playtime before it sets and before applying any lip balm or gloss topper. Once it dries, it seriously stays put, even through wine tastings. My favorite shade is Sass, a nude pink.” —Elizabeth Denton, Deputy Content Editor
Neuraé Harmonie The Eye Contour, $100, available here: “While I swear by a good undereye color corrector, I’ve been merely covering up my dark circles without treating the effects of fatigue. Enter Neuraé’s buttery, lightweight eye cream: It’s formulated with watercress extract to smooth the appearance of fine lines, red indigo to reduce the signs of fatigue and caffeine to diminish puffiness. My undereyes look well rested (even when I’m not), and the cool metal applicator adds to the relaxing experience. It’s on the pricier end, but a little goes a long way since you only need a couple of dots under each eye.” —Catie Pusateri, Associate Editor
Dionis Goat Butter Tinted Lip Mask, $15, available here: “I’ve raved about Dionis’ lip masks before, so imagine my excitement when I got my hands on this tinted version. It boasts all the same benefits as its transparent version — long-lasting moisturization and a non-sticky finish — but now, I can pair it with my brown lip liner for an easy daily lip combo. You can’t go wrong with any shade (I’ve tried them all), but I particularly adore Mango Madness’ peach-colored sheen.” —Janelle Sessoms, Associate Editor
Rhode Pocket Blush in Toasted Teddy, $25, available here: “I’m fashionably late to this bandwagon, but Rhode’s cream blush has won me over. The satin texture blends beautifully, so I use it throughout my routine as a bronzer, blush and lip color. It’s buildable, too, and I’ve found that working the product into my face with my fingers instead of a brush gives a softer look that’s perfect for everyday wear. I’m tempted to try other shades, but for now, Toasted Teddy is just right for colder months when my skin starts to see less of the sun.” —Neia Dizon, Editorial and Multimedia Intern
Cyklar Sacred Santal Moisturizing Semi-Solid Body Scrub, $40, available here: “With a satisfyingly gritty blend of sugar, salt and volcanic sand, this scrub sloughs away dry, dull skin while also moisturizing with shea butter (the formula’s second ingredient!), sweet almond oil, glycerin, squalane and vitamin E. And the lovely santal scent brings a dose of luxurious coziness to my body-care routine.” —Steph
Charlotte Tilbury Pillow Talk Beauty Soulmates Palette, $55, available here: “Three people told me my skin looked ‘glowing’ over the weekend, and I’m giving credit to this blush-and-setting-powder duo in Flawless Pink. One side features a brightening setting powder, while the other has a matte powder blush. Together, they create the most gorgeous, airbrushed-looking under-eye area I’ve ever had.” —Elizabeth
Chris McMillan The Clarifying Shampoo, $38, available here: “As the minty refresh I always look forward to on hair wash day, Chris McMillan’s clarifying shampoo detoxifies my perpetually oily scalp without leaving my strands feeling parched. With encapsulated niacinamide to balance oil production, sodium sulfonate to remove buildup and peppermint oil to increase blood flow, this cooling shampoo has boosted my hair-care routine by promoting shinier, healthy-looking waves.” —Catie
Dr. Idriss Soft Wash Complete Daily Cleanser, $30, available here: “My number one priority when judging a cleanser is how soft it leaves my skin. (I can’t stand anything that makes my face feel tight.) This gentle jelly cleanser not only checks that box, but it cleanses so well that I sometimes use it to remove light makeup. Just one dab is all I need to cover my entire face. And did I mention it’s a no-foam cleanser? That means I can apply it to my dry skin first and then wash it off with water. I’m left with soft, supple skin.” —Janelle
Consori Long Active Eyelash Serum, $22, available here: “Thanks to my overaggressive curling routine (may it rest in peace), I’ve become very acquainted with lash serums these past few months. On a trip to Korea this summer, I found Consori’s serum, and it’s been a standout. It’s prostaglandin-free and has noticeably grown my lashes in just a few weeks after applying it every night just before bed. The dual ball-tip wand also makes it easy to apply right at the lash root without irritation.” —Neia
Florence by Mills High Note Length + Lift Tubing Mascara, $18, available here: “I’ve started exclusively wearing tubing mascara, so I’ve become particularly picky while trialing new formulas. Florence by Mills’ first tubing mascara is my latest favorite thanks to its lightweight texture, lasting lift and defined separation. The dual-sided hybrid brush allows for a feathery application via its bristle side and a boost of definition on its molded side. Plus, it’s easily buildable, meaning I can amp up the volume without slathering my lashes in clumpy globs.” —Catie
Glôsē PDRN Silk Hair Repair Treatment, $80, available here: “To say my chemically and color-treated hair is dry is an understatement. I’ve been using this mask, from Los Angeles-based colorist Liz Jung, for five minutes in the shower about twice a week for the last three weeks, and I can already feel a difference in the softness. My frizzy waves are more manageable and easier to style, plus I love that it has plant proteins for long-term strength.” —Elizabeth
Mane Hydration Hugs Leave-In Conditioner, $28, available here: “I didn’t realize just how much my hair relied on this leave-in conditioner until I went on a trip without it, leaving my strands looking like a tangled, frizzy nest. With rice water extract to smooth hair and hyaluronic acid to retain moisture, this hydrating formula fights frizz, defends against breakage and boasts up to 450° heat protection. It also smells divine thanks to a refreshing scent profile of strawberry, mandarin, violet leaves and vanilla.” —Catie
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